This week we had our zone conference. In the conference I looked at the schedule and saw that Elder Ellsworth was conducting(He's the other zone leader) and I thought "Ha", then I looked at the rest of the schedule and saw that me and my companion were leading a discussion at the end and I realized that I had the harder part. I was told that me and my companion did a good job and I thought "That's good because I was definitely trying to follow the spirit because I didn't know how to do it well" The spirit is an amazing thing.
This week flew by, I'm trying to remember all that happened. On Saturday we walked by the Heroes Stadium and it was full of people and lots of noise was coming from the stadium. We asked about the game and we found out that it was Zambia vs. Botswana. The Zambian team is Chipolopolo which translates to Bullet. The member we were working with shouted "It's a goal" even when she didn't know what was going on in the stadium or if there was a goal and three guys just started yelling, running and celebrating for no reason. It's the crowd effect. You just get excited because others are excited even though you may not know why. It was fun.
Those were the bulk of my week. Sorry it's short.
-Elder Smith
Pictures:
-Classic Chomp bar
-Zone conference
-In the mountain
-Lunch with Brother Gabriel(He goes on mission to Durban, South Africa in October)
-Giant Cockroach
-Sports day
From Sam - My New Assignment
Hello my wonderful family! I want to hear a response from everyone about this email.
Today I got a call as I started emailing from my mission president. First he talked to my companion and told him that he is getting transferred to Malawi in Blantyre to be zone leader with my MTC companion Elder Rich. He then talked to me. He informed me that my new companion is going to be a missionary named Elder Jones. I have spent very little time with him but I do know him. I would say he is the hardest working and most enthusiastic missionary in the mission. It's a good thing too because not only are we going to be zone leaders together but also, because the senior couple missionaries in the office are going home in a month and a week, we are also going to be office missionaries. Elder Jones is going to be doing finances and I'm going to be doing immigration and flights for the mission.
If I'm here for the rest of my mission I'm going to be booking my own flights home. For the next month and a bit we're going to be at the office for training. The way it's going to work is most days we're both going to be in the office in the morning then around 2pm or so we'll be back in our area. So, If we're going to be getting the regular amount of work to be done we're going to have to work the hell out of ourselves. Which can be only done by the power of God and the Atonement. This is going to be my assignment for the next bit or for the rest bit of my mission. I'm excited and nervous. Wish me luck. So I'm going to be an office elder, zone leader and a normal missionary.
Let me know what you all think.
I love you all,
-Elder (Samuel) Smith
From Dad - Reply
Whatever you put your mind to, you will do well, Sam. A great opportunity to learn and exercise time management skills. I didn't work in the office on my mission.
The world needs people who are willing to take on responsibility and work hard at it. Part of our temple covenant is to give of our time, talents and everything the Lord has blessed us with to build up the kingdom of God. This opportunity is both doing that and training you to do it in the future.
My experience is that when we choose to be "All In" we are much happier and get the full blessings of our covenants. The concept is true in the gospel, at LYR, and in life.
Love you lots. You can do this!
Dad.
From Dad - Home again, home again, Jiggity jig
Hey Sam,
Enjoyed a mixed week of driving home from Vancouver and getting back into the swing of things.
Monday night we camped in the Okenogen beside Osoyoos Lake. Beautiful. We pulled in just before sunset so the kids decided to go for a dip in the lake. There was a nice beach right across from our campground so Josh, Ben and Amelia ran down first. As I got my swimsuit on and walked down to the beach with Abby, we noticed a lady rubbing Ben's back and asking him questions... weird, right? When we got there, Ben sat down on the sand and looked a little dazed. Turns out that he tried to do a shallow dive off a floating dock and misjudged the depth of the water. He drove his nose and face into the sand and crunched the back of his neck. Luckily he could still move and we set him up with the softest air mattress in the tent. It was a fun campground (Cabana beach campground) with fun little half cabins with sinks, a fridge and a counter top. We picked up some fruit at one of the fruit stands the next day and drove all the way to Sparwood to drop off uncle Steve's topper, then on to Glenwood.
Grandma and Grandpa Smith made me a nice meal and chocolate cake with fudge icing for my birthday. 49 years old this week. Ben commented that I'm now a square number (7x7). That made me feel swell :) The Bectell's showed up for supper and we had a nice visit. Lindy and Rachel are in Europe on a choir trip but it was Damon's P-day so we got to video call with him. He's doing great and is home October 1. Time flies
Mom helped Ebony Frank decorate for her wedding with the help of some RS sisters. Ebony is marrying her long time boyfriend Jarreth Tremblay. We went to their wedding on Saturday. Bishop Purnell married them and did a great job with some good advice which they will probably forget. I don’t remember much of what our sealer counseled us. Too pre-occupied with the beautiful girl across the alter :)
Now the push is to finish organization of LYR. 2 weeks away! We’ve had 3 girl counselors drop out so we’re scrambling.
Saturday, Ben helped me despite his aching back and we got our first sheet of drywall up on the garage ceiling with the help of a drywall lift Bro. Arnold lent me. A little scary at first, but got it up! Lots of people struggling to keep water out of their basements. It's been super wet this year with tons of rain. Our sump area in the basement filled up with water but thankfully didn't overflow. I ended up buying a utility sump pump to bring it down to reasonable levels.
We had Kylan Rice over for dinner yesterday. He broke up with his girlfriend which unfortunately led to her choosing not to be a counselor for LYR. We cheered him up a bit hopefully and he pitched in and helped with supper. We had a great garden meal dig up from the garden.
Mom and Ben also went out looking for an apartment for him and Josh and eventually you to join when you get home. It's just north of Grant Macewan and $700/month. so pretty reasonable for the market. It's going to be a different world with just the girls and us. Circle of life!
I really enjoyed fast and testimony meeting yesterday. Bro. Sosa's testimony was particularly powerful as he testified of the power the gospel of Jesus Christ has to change our lives and the difference in happiness and peace that comes from living the gospel vs. not. 10 years ago he had just been released from prison and decided to quit taking drugs and become active in the church and the gospel. He's been sober ever since and can testify of the difference it has made.
It confirmed to me the purpose of this life is to learn by experience the good from the evil. Every experience we have can turn to our good if we choose to turn to the Savior for redemption by repentance. Bad experiences become our reference points to better empathize with others who are having similar experiences and good experiences re-enforce our faith in a loving God if we let them.
Have a great week!
Love Dad.
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