Sam's Mission To Zambia Blog: July 7, 2019

From Mom - Family Reunion

Hi, Sam!

This week can be summed up with two words ... Family. Reunion. Our max amount was 38 people. Even Calvin and Campbell came for a bit which made us all happy. A short list of all the activities include: flying kites, building a playset, flying giant paper airplanes, 5-min pool challenge (the weather was quite cold, so Todd bribed the kids with $5 to whoever started the longest .... Benson won), an obstacle course, beating-up-Josh-when-he-gets-home-from-work, Sun catcher craft, building a back deck, Bloody Murder, new kittens, fireworks for Grandpa's birthday, Werewolves, lots of games, and a fire every night.

I'll send the rest of the pics over Hangouts. There's a lot.

Everyone pulled out on Saturday just before a huge thunderstorm and torrential downpour, and it's been raining ever since. I count it as a miracle the rain held off while the family was here camping. In fact, on one occasion, we watched a storm roll in only to part in the middle and go around us. I watched on my radar app, a red, angry storm literally split in half exactly where we're located and we didn't get a drop. Tender mercies for sure.

I'm grateful for the support and strength family can give us. The deck was built so fast! My garden was weeded. We laughed and visited. I was asked on Sunday if there was any fighting and I could, in all honesty, say no. We left the Reunion strengthened and supported.

Now, we're getting ready to send the girls to YW Camp and I am getting ready to fly to St. George to help Steph with a new baby. It hasn't come yet. She is officially two days overdue.

One of the greatest spiritual highlights of my life happened this week. Remember I told you that Saren Westrop died in a tragic accident? My friend, Siobhan, was experiencing so much grief immediately afterwards that she couldn't eat or sleep. She didn't have a taste of food for eight days. Last Saturday she happened to be in Edmonton for a basketball tournament for her daughter, Annah, and she came to see me, only 15 days after losing her son. We went for a walk and she told me, "On Sunday after the funeral, I woke up and realized I was still alive after the worst thing in the world and that I'd better get back in the business of living. So I'm filling my life with every good thing." She also said, "You know, I believed in God before but now it's a completely different thing."

I asked her in what way was it different. Deeper or less? And she said, "Oh, deeper! A million times deeper! I know. I know that God is over all and that he tenderly loves us and is deeply connected to each of us in ways we cannot understand." When she said it, I felt an electric shock run through my body and I knew what she said was true. I mean, I knew it before but my testimony bumped up another level to hear her say it.

So all is well.

Yesterday was testimony meeting. I didn't share it publicly but in my heart I was saying, "I know that there is a God in Heaven who loves us and is involved in our lives in ways we don't realize. He sent Jesus Christ to enable us to be refined and purified and to be changed from a "natural person" to something transcendent and eternal. I know the purpose of the Holy Ghost is to testify of these things and lead us along the way. I believe in the power of prayer and the simple access we have to Him. I know that this Church is the way we can be helped along, if we let it." This testimony burns within me every day as I study my scriptures and open myself to the inspiration from heaven. I know it is all true. I'm grateful you are serving, Sam.

Keep going. Keep striving.

I love you forever,

Mom

From Sam -

Hello Everyone,

Lots of new things this week. I am in a new area(Though that was new last week) New commitment and a new mission president. I got to meet him today. Both Him(President Whiting) and Sister Whiting are amazing. They both emanate the love of Christ within them. I love them both so much.

That's that. This week was pretty good. Lots of normal things happened. This area has a lot of walking. For the first time in a while my legs have been very sore, My flat is about 30 minutes away from the church, 25 if I walk fast, and to see people near the church we have to walk there and then to see those that stay a little further we have to walk there, then at the end of the day we have to walk back to our flat. Some parts of my area is up and down and other parts are generally flat. So I do a lot of walking.

I have been examining myself recently and one thing my companion asked me was "Elder Smith, What has been keeping you going on mission?" I had to really think about that. I responded "If the reason I am still on my mission is that same reason I came on mission then I would have probably gone home 9 months ago." I was thinking about the reason I came on mission and if I'm honest with myself it's primarily because it was the next thing in my life or because I was supposed to come. I have come a long way in my testimony and conversion since I came on mission. The reason I came has changed. The only person I feel obligated to to serve a mission and continue strong is my Heavenly Father. In short, the reason I'm still on my mission is because I love my Savior Jesus Christ.

One fun thing that happened this week that happened was a musical fireside yesterday. There was a violin group from Salt Lake that visited and played a bunch of church songs as well as a Zambian folk song. I took videos but I don't know if all of them will upload today. The best part was being able to see members from the Libala ward, the ward I served in 10 months ago. It was great to see them and also to see how they have grown since the last time I saw them. It was lots of fun.

Change is a good thing. Repentance requires change, because we are not perfect we need to change if we want to be with and become like our Father in Heaven. We can only become better through change, we can only grow through change.

I love you all,

-Elder Smith

Pictures:

-Heroes Stadium