Sam's Mission To Zambia Blog: May 21, 2018

From Sam - Time is Only Measured by Man:

I know that time is a weird thing. Some weeks it feels like it was just last week yesterday. Some weeks it feels like the it has been forever since you have emailed and did anything online. It is all the same time; The world continues to rotate at the same speed, but it can feel so different.

This week has been really good. Lots of ups and downs. Some things you just don't want to talk about and other things you bring up all the time. I can just say that I'm am very thankful for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and the hope it gives.

It's amazing how much you start to love those you serve. I don't realize it at first, then, if I can't do anything to help in their progression, I get very concerned and do all I can to make sure the people taking care of them take good care of them. Charity is a true thing.

A few fun little stories:

-We were looking for an in investigator and he was nowhere to be found. We kind of gave up but then his friend showed up, who was super drunk, and told us to follow him so he can take us to our investigator. We followed him to one place to the next for around 15 - 20 minutes. He then started walking out of our area and we asked him where we where going and he said he was taking us to a place that is a 30 minute walk away. We couldn't go with him and we wasted so much time following him

-As we were walking down the market road I saw a guy peeling potatos and I offered to help and he accepted. Doing that we got to teach a lesson and got free chips(Fries) out if it. We finished the chips and my companion went to ask for more. and the conversation went like this:

Elder Hansen:We would like to purchase more chips.

Guy:You would like to buy more chips?

Elder Hansen:Yes, I would like to purchase more chips.

Guy:When? Tomorrow?

Elder Hansen:No, today.

Guy:What time?

Elder Hansen:Now.

Guy:Okay, okay.

Elder Hansen after the conversation:That conversation took too long.

This week was a blast, lots of missionaries changing around. But me, I stayed with my companion. My new zone leader is from Canada and it was strangely nice to just talk with him. We could talk about the same things and there were no barriers.

I love you all, Stay awesome and use your time wisely.

-Elder Smith

Pictures:

-Zambia rug made for me by a member

-At the end of the cycle for MSF(Funny time with companion)

-When MSF comes in.

-Free chips(See story above.)

From Dad - Busy Week-end:

Hey Sam.

Sorry we didn’t write this weekend. Been crazy busy with Mom away in Utah visiting with Steph, and seeing her documentary presentation. I’ve been busy on the bobcat all The Weekend long getting rid of our piles and creating a garden space. I hope everything is going well with you. Quick question, what do you do for exercise on your mission?

Yesterday in Sunday school I taught the book of Joshua. I think one of my favorite scriptures is in Joshua chapter 24 where he states that we all have the choice to worship which ever God we choose but for him and for his house we will serve the Lord. I believe this is true for our family and hope that we each will choose to serve the Lord despite all of the worldly pressures to do otherwise.

Have a great week Sam. Know that we love you beyond measure and are so proud of you for the work you were doing.