Sam's Mission To Zambia Blog: October 15, 2018

From Dad - Thanksgiving and General Conference:

Hi Sam,

It’s been a great week here for us.

Started with General Conference, which by now, you know started off with a bang (i.e. 2 hour church) and got better from there. What was your impressions of GC? I’m looking forward to watching/reading them all again. Lots of emphasis on overcoming hard things by faith.

As you’ve likely read in Grandpa’s email by now, Grandma Smith’s brother Eugene passed away unexpectedly this last week, just before Thanksgiving. It was a real shock as he was hit by a train while driving a delivery truck. Life is tenuous and can change easily. I felt a strong gratitude this thanksgiving week-end for the plan of salvation and the hope it brings when we lose loved ones that we will see them again. I imagine in my mind Uncle Eugene engulfed in the arms of his parents, Grandma and Grandpa Torrie. Attached are a few pictures from the funeral which I wasn’t able to attend, unfortunately.

We did have a chance to go down south for Thanksgiving both to spend time at the Bruce’s making apple pies as well as go to Liz and Jeff’s on Monday and have a chance to mourn with and comfort Grandma and Grandpa Smith. I enjoyed the opportunity to pick up my brother Demond on the way through in Fort McLeod. I’ve been enjoying his company a lot more since we worked together on Grandpa’s roof.

This week I was able to finally finish off the soffit and fascia on the garage. That’ll wind up the outside work this year I think unless we get an influx of money soon. It felt great to get that part of the garage protected.

Mom and I have also enjoyed working on the back entrance together. I sure love your Mom. When she gets to work on things, things start moving. I think that’s why she only starts on things when she can see the end in sight. Then she goes great guns. Hoping to finish it in the next couple of weeks.

Here’s a quote from what is fast becoming one of my favorite church books (“Whatever Happened to Faith” By Robert Millet):

“Faith is not whimpering acquiescence, not timid and spineless hope for happiness. Faith is active. Faith is powerful. Faith is based on evidence, the kind of evidence that men and women acquire who search and pray and open themselves to the Infinite, who refuse to yield to cynicism or arrogance”

I love that description of faith. I hope that I and all of our family can strive for and have that kind of faith. I love the power that comes from trust in the Savoir. I love that you are bringing this message to the people and families of Africa. Keep working hard and trusting the Lord and your faith will grow and accomplish miracles in your own life and in the lives of others.

BTW, We’d love to hear some more details of the conversion stories of the people being baptized in your pictures.

Have a fantastic week.

Love Dad.

From Sam - Zone Conference and Inspiration:

Hello all,

This week has been amazing! I've been teaching lots of good potential people, I'm getting caught in the one time rain in October and I had an amazing time at zone conference.

I honestly don't know what to say every week.I start to forget what everyone wants to hear. I'm still alive, I love Lilongwe and the missionaries I serve with, and I know my testimony has increased so much just in the time I've been on my mission. And I still have over a year to improve.

Sometimes I think how many people really miss me. How many people really appreciate me. But what I have really learned is how much Jesus Christ and God our father miss us, appreciate us and want us to follow them. I have really tried to imagine how much Jesus wants to be with us but knows that he can only help us if we except him and keep his commandments.

One big thing I learned at Zone conference is the need for faith in everything we do and the importance of receiving revelation. And the one big thing I learned from my mission president is how I can be a better leader. The biggest thing that brings a leader down is his title and his pride. Being a leader is not about being better but about loving more. "The best leadership is servant-leadership." That's the way Christ did it. Pride destroys peace(Mosiah 27:4) The Gospel brings peace in this life and everlasting happiness in the life to come. For a leader to help and inspire he needs to be inspired, and he can't do that if there is pride in his life.

Some of you have been wondering about the last baptism I had. Her name is Dalitso and she was found by Elder Kennedy and Elder Williams(My current companion), She has a daughter and is a single mother. When she first met the missionaries she had no interest but wanted to be polite and let them in. By doing that she was able to learn more about the gospel and pretty soon she let the spirit enter into her life and really changed it. I really loved teaching her because she really wanted to learn the truth. I find that people who really read the Book of Mormon really gain a testimony. I have told some recent converts, "If you don't read the Book of Mormon you will lose your testimony" I know the Book of Mormon brings the power of the spirit into your life.

I love you all, Stay awesome,

-Elder Smith

P.S.

Who would win? Captain Moroni or Teancum? Why?

Pictures:

-My 40 something bug bites