July 1, 2018

From Sam - Transfers:

Hey Everyone,

Transfers finally happened, the funny this is that I found out I was getting transferred the morning I got transferred. It was a rush. The funnier thing is that I was just transferred within my district, I'm just in the other ward. But I'm grateful to be in a new area. I was in my last area for 6 months and being out of it is nice. Though I do miss my old area. Transfers are the way of mission life. My new companion is Elder Turner, He's from Canada, Calgary. So it's fun to talk with him.

The second day in my new area we visited the bishops wife. She is so much fun. The bishops family is very self-reliant and she ended up giving us some Milo(South African Hot Chocolate), custard pie and a ham and tomato sandwich. Then, after a fun talk with her and their kids she sent us off with two oranges and a flavored milk drink each. I feel so spoiled. This never happens.

So, it's great and I'm excited for the future.

Also, my new area is right near the church, so my investigators can't use transport as an excuse anymore. Now I can give them proper fire for being lazy. I have also been able to work with members a lot more. Members are so important in missionary work. There is a huge change in the commitment investigators give when a member work with them. Missionary work is for every person who is a member of the church. To not do missionary work is to be lazy in your duty. Everyone on earth is literally your brother and your sister. 

I love you all,

Elder Smith

Pictures:

-Kids doing their part of the work

-Don't have buns, have hotdogs anyway

-My old companion trying "Spice-cream"

-I got some street popcorn while waiting for an investigator

From Dad - Reunion

Dear Sam,

It’s been a fun week-end as we came down to grandma and grandpa Smiths place for a week-end working reunion. Grandpa decided to re-roof his house using Tin sheets vs. asphalt shingles. 

Uncle Demond was here most of the week helping get it all ready. He is very experienced in construction and it’s been fun to work with him. Lots of cousins helpers too. 

With everyone home except Auntie Carol and Joe the house is pretty full so we slept at Great Grandmas house. It has been cleaned out now that Great Grandma and Grandpa Smith are moved to Lethbridge but there are still beds and a few memorabilia. One table has some old newspapers and handwritten poems that I enjoyed reading. 

A humorous poem to test your skills reading old fashioned cursive writing:

Newspaper front page the day the Victory in Europe ending WW II was announced. 

I learned some very interesting things in our little tour of family history around G&G’s place. 

1.  The farm here was originally owned by our ancestor James Moroni Billingsley. The Glenwood Ward was organized in a small building on this land. 

2. Charles Lamb Smith sold it to Grandpa Byron Smith 

3. When they were building the milking Barn across the road, the men had to hand Milk 10 cows each morning and night. Talk about strong fore arms and hands!

This week I was asked to give a talk in July about learning to distinguish between the Doctrine vs traditions/culture  and practices of the church. This is an important topic I think especially when choosing where to base your testimony. I’m excited to prepare for it and welcome the yours and the  families thoughts and feedback. Any interesting church culture and traditions in Zambia?

This is my outline questions so far. 

What is Essential?

• Ordinances

○ Baptism

○ Sacrament

• Relationships

• Atonement 

• repentance 

What options support the Essentials

• Youth Activities

• Ward Activities

What is Non-Essential?

How do we know the difference?

Analogies

At home we are slowly planting more grass and saving our money to do more renovations. 

Hope you have a great week! 

Love you lots. 

Dad. 

PS: View from where I’m writing this.