Accupela at Zone Conference

Temple trip, teaching and good birthday

Tuesday July 25, 2017
Woke up at 5:00 and got ready to head off to the temple, which was cool because that is what I did back home is wake up really early for the temple.
We kept driving, and we went driving on some pretty back roads, it was interesting, and pretty fun.

We got to Bragg road 20 minutes early, and were the first ones there. Then the others arrived and we exchanged WenHou(greetings), the one with Elder Richardson was a little weird. Everyone else was good, it is always good to see Elder Grimaud and Elder Dickamore, and Elder Schellenberg, a good number of my past companions. After that we grabbed some lunch and then piled into the back of the vans they rented, and drove up to the temple. It was cool, got to see the Washington monument from a distance, and some other things. Definitely looked like it did when I first went there. We approached the temple, and wow...it is really big. It was hard to see from the van, but still cool. Definitely a lot of excitement and anticipation amongst the many missionaries. We got out and headed right in, and wow. It felt like coming home. We walked across the bridge and proceeded to get clothes and dressed and other things. It is a really cool temple, the stairs are part of the coolest part since they go straight up through the spires on the outside. In the beginning we got to spend a little bit of time with the Temple President, that was cool we were able to ask questions and talk about the temple and things. Then we went into the session. It was really, really good, it felt good to go through again. After getting through and going into the celestial room President Smith was there to greet us which was pretty cool.

After that we took some pictures and then crammed back into the vans. We got back, and ate at Chipotle. Then we drove back to Charlottesville which was fun, the whole crew fell asleep at one point.
Once we arrived, it was still a little crazy with all the companions in different areas, we dropped off Elder Whitlock, and picked up Elder Buhler, and then we 5(Larson, Wilkinson, Buhler, and Strong) went to a 1st ward mutual to talk with the young men about missions and things because the 1st Elders couldn't make it.
After that we dropped off Rivanna, and then we drove out to Crozet and picked up Elder Miller, it was pretty interesting figuring things out, but it did work out.
-Elder TempleTripTuesday

Saturday July 29, 2017
Well today was fairly interesting. Well it was pretty good. The morning was well we had to get ready pretty quick as well because we were meeting with Angela at the Oakhurst inn at 10:00, so we did our companionship study in the morning which was good, and unique. However I think it really helped out. We got to the place and found out that it is a sit down restaurant, and was really busy which was a little disconcerting because Elder Larson said the stuff was super expensive....but we ended up only drinking the water.

She started off with some questions, and then we said a prayer, so we didn't teach exactly a whole lesson, however through answering her questions we were able to teach her the restoration, it was a little scattered at times unfortunately...but overall it was good. She was asking lots and lots of questions, she even did some research online about us and it was accurate research. In the end, she agreed to read from the Book of Mormon, and wants to come to church tomorrow. Her lesson was definitely a little different than most, however it was still good. She was really nice as well and seems like she has a sincere interest in learning. A lot of it was trying to point her to the Book of Mormon. She also took the mandarin Elder thing well.

Also made a banana maple cake for my birthday from the stuff we had. We will see how it tastes.
-Elder SuperFullSaturday




Sunday July 30, 2017
It was a good birthday, all the little gifts from the family were fun. After that we went to brunch, Sister Lu let us know she couldn't come. I saw Elder McGowan there, he just got back from Hong Kong, it was weird to see him again.
We also heard from Sister Heath that Tina and her husband went to the Self Reliance thing.
Church was good, we also taught Gospel Principles which was really good. After that Elders Quorum was good. Then we went to the YSA ward which was cool, good to see everyone, we waited a good amount of time, but Angela didn't come. It was really peaceful waiting in the foyer though. After that we ate lunch and did our studies which was really good studying about the life of Jesus Christ and then doing Language study with Elder Miller.

Following that we went to the Howells, which was really, really good. It felt like a family, we were passing tons of things around and it was also tasty tacos. As well the fruit was super good. We had a really good time, then we were able to share a thought, which feels good to help them. They are a really good family. As well President and Sister Smith called in the middle and sang happy birthday.

After that we were able to visit some addresses in Crozet, we went to Leo the referral...and there were some wasps up in the top of his door so we were cautious...and then we knock and one starts flying towards us so we booked it away from them door...then the neighbor came outside and asked if we were ok. We said we were. Then we walked away and couldn't find two of the three addresses in Old Trail...that was a little confusing. Then we returned and had a good companionship study.

One the way home the downtown elders(including Elder Dickamore and Eames) called and sang happy birthday which was super nice of them.
Definitely feel kind of old being 20.
-Elder ServiceSundayBirthday

Two days in the life of Elder Smith

After that we headed home and did our studies then rushed over to meet Brother McGowan to help him move some more things from his house. We started with moving some plants, and some other things, I think a bed, then Crozet and his nephew showed up to help as well. We moved the stuff to the other house. Then we headed back and grabbed the patio furniture and things. Then it started to rain, as well right before Crozet came we realized we couldn't find Putty(their dog) and so we searched for a good amount of time and saw him behind a neighbor’s house way at the tree line. So I ran down to get him and kind of felt weird like I was approaching a ferocious animal even though he is a small pug. I wasn't sure if he was going to run or not though, and then from the neighbors house that we are at...there is a really big dog that is barking at us...and it got a little intense...not really but it could have been. It felt like a scene from a weird animal movie. After that we continued to help him more from the house, drive and unload, and then return to finish up. We were there for a long time, then we had to fill the pod as well. By that time it was about 7 or so, and he offered dinner so we went to dinner with him at 5 Guys, that was really good, the milkshake was super, super good. After that is was 8 or so, and so we headed back and were super gross, and so we went to bed. It felt really good to serve and help Brother McGowan though.
-Elder ComeBackPutty

Wednesday July 19, 2017
Well it was quite the day, when we went out after interviews which was really good, we ran into a member that served a mission in LA as a senior couple and asked about Elder Wallace. So then they offered to take us to get some frozen yogurt....which as weird we were trying to focus on finding, but we went and ate really quick and then headed out, and we went across the street to talk to a lady and we went up teaching her the restoration along with many other things and answering different questions for 45 minutes. It was really, really cool. Her name was MinJoo, and. She was Korean, she was really nice though. It was really cool.

After that we headed home and ate our dinner, and then we headed to English class, and Wang LiZhu came in addition to Tina and DeJun. Elder Miller did an amazing job at helping them. After that, we cleaned up and did our companion study which was good.
-Elder ElderCounsel&FrozenYogurt

photos from Elder Smith

Our investigator Wang LiZhu took us out to dinner at a really good Chinese place

Other Elders in Ward at members dinner

Made my own Chinese's stir fry stuff with Eggplant and tofu

Picture from our zone p-day activity of painting a bridge at UVA with the plan of salvation

Bad Hair Cut Day but on with the work

Monday
Then we returned home and I cut Elder Bendel's hair, which turned out pretty good, then I cut my own, and since I did Elder Bendel's in the kitchen, I did mine there with our giant mirrors and I kind of just sat on the ground....well it was harder...and things kind of didn't worked...the cord was short..and yeah. It didn't turn out very well. I went too high with the #, and so I had to cut the top with a #5....and yeah it is probably the worst haircut I have given myself on my mission....oh well. After that we headed out, and didn't have much time so we left a pretty big mess in the kitchen.

After that we went to grounds/JPA...and we talked to very few Chinese people, but did give a Book of Mormon to Jessica and Owen on the Lawn which was good. They seemed pretty cool, they looked kind of Chinese from far away, but they weren't. It was a little interesting of an approach not the most standard and a little awkward...however it was good. I definitely feel like Elder Miller and I have to develop some companionship unity, but we are definitely improving.

Then we talked to some Koreans...and made our way to the Corner, and met Song Yi Feng again which was kind of cool( we met him last transfer with Elder Snow, but he never contacted us back) and so he gave us his number, but it was already in the phone..which is always a bit interesting. He doesn't talk much that is for sure. After that we realized it was 8:40 so then we had to head home.

We cleaned up the hair cutting mess, and some other things that needed to be cleaned...and I made a organized box for all of our supplies, which turned out pretty well. Then we headed to bed.
-Elder .....HairCutHayday...

Wednesday July 14, 2017
Well in the afternoon we met John from Shanghai and he is only going to be here for a day which is really lol we met him, and we met Amy Chang who was from Taiwan and is visiting for a workshop, she is a teacher in California. It was really cool, this is when we were on the corner.

Then later we had English Class, and three people came! As well a bear was in the trash at the Hydraulic building. Tina Tang, and Liu DeJun all came which was cool, YangLIJing also came. It was pretty good learned a lot from our mistakes and from things that work well. It was super awesome.
-Elder ReallyGoodDay#EnglishClass

Sunday July 16, 2017
Good good day, we found a ride for church in the morning because we were really worried about that. Brother Nichols was awesome and helped us out, however we went there as well hopefully to meet him so things would go smoother, but she left before we got there. At a stoplight a man motioned for us to roll down the window and asked, Mormon missionaries? And asked which church we were going to....then he followed us to the church, but after pulling into the parking lot we lost him and never met him. Sacrament meeting was really good, very peaceful, it reminded me of the temple. Then we had a good primary lesson with Sister Lu and Sister Witt helping Sister Lu share some thoughts which was good. After we left the entire primary class repeatedly yelled "stinky missionaries"...that was kind of funny. After church we went and tried to contact lots and lots of people. We contacted a few, the ones we were trying to find weren't home though. We tried to visit TianXu at Garden ct, Sunxin lin the taiwanese girl, she wasn't back, the pool people at ivy gardens...but met there neighbor through a through the door conversation...she said to come back and sounded Chinese.

After that we drove down 29 a long ways, and then down a long driveway to get to the Johnsons for dinner....wow....that is a really really big and nice house. Wow, they were really nice, Crozet was there too, and we had hamburgers/hot dogs/pork tenderloin which was all pretty good. Then it came to my turn for the spiritual thought, and I shared it from the Living Christ about the Sacrament. Also one of Brother Troy's cousins was there, and he didn't seem the most active in the church because I think his girlfriend was there who I think they are living together...not sure. However I definitely felt my purpose as a missionary to strengthen the members, and that God would help me do so. It was different than most dinners. I definitely made it a point for me to decide that for myself, and not hesitate about it.

After that we drove home, and contacted Aldous and mentioned Priesthood blessings to him because YangLi Jing is kind of sick, and we sent some other things off, then we headed home for studies which was also really good. For language study we went through Elder Miller's flashcards and I had him translate sentences from the words...I was impressed even if he was kind of frustrated.
Then we headed to bed.
-Elder SereneSunday

Photo of all the Mandarin Elders l to r: Elder Raty (new)
 Elder Schellenburg, Elder Snow & Elder Richty, (leaving)
 Elder Smith and Elder Miller( Elder Smith's  new companion)

New and Old Richmond Virginia Mandarin Elders

Elder Raty is from Sandy. He is now with Elder Schellenberg in Richmond, and I am with Elder Miller from Ammon Idaho. He has been out for 5 months now and will probably be the one to train the new Taiwanese Elders that come in. I am kind of his Chinese tutor and things are going well. Some other information on him, he really likes playing the trumpet and is pretty good at it I hear. He also sang and did some theater in high school.

Update on the elders coming in, so we are actually getting three Elders from Taiwan, but one of them is also an american citizen and he will come in September and there will be no visa problems, but we are still waiting to know when the other two Taiwanese Elders will come.
Love
Elder Smith

Photo

Elder Smith, Elder Raty (new), Elder Snow(leaving this week)

Baptism of Zhumei and David

New Elder and the Mandarin work continues

Just for information 2 mandarin Elders will be going home in the next week and Elder Raty from Utah is coming out, but 3 Taiwanese Elders are to come, but are having visa issues so hopefully will be in Virginia in the next 2 weeks then Derek can help train them until he and Elder Schellenburg come home Aug. 16th.

Tuesday June 13, 2017
We woke up and the other Elders were heading out for the temple trip. We eat the Breakfast that was left for us from Sister Smith One thing for Elder Raty is that he isn't really going to have a home for the first week of his mission, which is kind of wild. Hopefully not too big of a problem though. First thing we did was go and meet with Yuan Peng at the Bailey bridge building. It was a really good lesson, and Yuan is doing well. We had a really good lesson with him about the restoration and the Book of Mormon, and found out that he actually is going to church, but only stays for the first hour because of his mom's church that he also attends. It felt really good tooo see him again and look at all the progress he has made since the first time we skyped with him. After that we went and ate at Subway really quick at the wal-mart off of Hull Street before we went and taught English to Sun ShanShan that lives in the Meadowbrook area. It was good, Elder Schellenberg did most of the english stuff because he had things planned with her. Following that we went and did some studies at the Manchester Elders apartment, well actually before that we went to the blue Fish Grill to talk to the owners about starting a Chinese group in one of the wards. It was their typical response, she was really nice and said she would be willing to help and things, but it seemed like she was just saying things to kind of pass the time and that nothing concrete would come from it.
Elder DayTwoInTheMissionHome

Wednesday June 14, 2017The morning started off well, that was until I stubbed my toe on the trundle bed that Elder Snow was using. I was talking with Elder Schellenberg and I realized that my toe was bleeding pretty bad, and the bathroom was occupied. I went up stairs with Elder Snow to the other bathroom, and started dressing my wound. Elder Schellenberg came up and notified me that there were many spots of blood on the carpet leading to the upstairs bathroom, which is the second time I have made a mess on the mission home carpet. As I was getting the bleeding to stop, Sister Smith came out and got some Neosporin for me, and the other Elders went down with her to clean up the mess. It actually took a decent sized little chunk thing out of my right pinky toe. So after that, I think breakfast started, President did bring up marriage and talked to Elder Snow and Richter if there is anyone waiting for them and things. Then surprisingly he asked me next, and so I said something like "anyone that will take me" or something like that. In response he said "well, you should be really particular about this" which was really good counsel from him, kind of at an unique moment.

We had our mandarin meeting which was really, really good. President started out with teaching us about being on time even if our car doesn't start and things like that. Then we talked about where we are at, and what we are going to do from here on out with the new Elders coming in, and how to train them, and if we have to close an area which will it be and things like that. It was really good, the Spirit was definitely present, you could feel it guiding present and what we needed to do as a program. I felt a little humbled to be there. There was one moment when President specifically asked for me input, I don't remember what I said, but mainly focused on how I felt that we really need to work with the members if this is going to go anywhere.

After that meeting we did interviews, and I started off and got my new temple recommend as well as a really good interview in which President made me feel really good and gave me confidence in that going home and going to school are good things that have to happen in life. He joked about if I would be willing to extend for a year, but then talked about the need to go home and things. He talked about his tomato plants and helping their roots grow deep.
Then we drove back to Charlottesville with Elder Raty. Lots of driving this past few weeks. We will struggle to stay near our allotted miles.
-Elder WonderfulWoundedWednesday

Thursday June 15, 2017
We tried some doors before Wang, but then end up going over to Wang which was really good. It started in an interesting way, and I'm not sure she understood why we came over. Anyways, after she sat down and agreed to listen we taught the Restoration, and then gave her a Book of Mormon, and she had really good questions, but I think more important than the questions, the way that she asked the questions seemed that she wanted to know, wasn't sure and maybe a little doubtful, but I felt there was real intent. It was really good, we invited her to pray, which she didn't because she felt weird, even after each of us offered a prayer, which was the first time that method hasn't worked. Regardless we set up a lesson for Saturday to skype with her, and planned to meet sometime next week as well. It was really good. After that, the hill across from North 38 apartments was filled with fireflys...it was kind of unbelievable, there were so, so many. It was like something from a movie, unfortunately our cameras aren't good enough so my memory is going to have to do. It was really cool though. Then we went to sleep, which is the third place for Elder Raty this week, and all was well.
-Elder LightingUpHarrisonburg

Feeling love from above and 3 new Mandarin speaking Elders arriving in the next 2 weeks

That is really cool to hear about all the care and stuff you are getting mom. Last week as I would pray and seek peace and comfort both for you and concerning you nothing particularly special came, so I continued to pray and go about working.
This past week has taught me some things. Wednesday morning I woke up with a partially swollen eye, and that was basically it. Then they next days it continued to get worse, and I thought a bug had bit me there. Then I starting getting more red itchy spots in different places and after calling the medical adviser he determined I probably had poison ivy. The next few days it spread more and got more itchy so I got some stuff for it. So all in all it hasn't been fun and it has been hard these past few days. Lots of different things have happened between teaching lessons and going on exchange and things. However as I have closed each day in prayer, I have felt very close to Heavenly Father. I have felt he is very mindful of my circumstance, and that He is supporting me during this bought of poison ivy and still going about missionary work. Elder Snow also gave me a blessing that was powerful and meaningful. Through this as I have pondered and thought about it, Elder Curtis and Elder Clay of the 70's came to our stake conference this past Sunday to call a new Stake Presidency, as I sat in the meeting, I felt that if I was being supported in this manner by my Heavenly Father, and how much more is my mom being supported and helped with her cancer. It was a special answer that came to me. I am very grateful for this knowledge and testimony that there is a God and He indeed love us because we are His children.

Yeah, so we got more information on the new mandarin Elders, there are three called to come so far, one from Utah and two from Taiwan. Two were going to come today, but the one from Taiwan didn't get his visa, so only the one from Utah is coming, and today all of the mandarin Elders are going to the mission home to welcome him and then stay the night there.
Tomorrow is the temple trip for departing missionaries (Elder Richter and Elder Snow) so I will stay in Richmond with Elder Schellenberg for the day with Elder Raty(The new mandarin Elder from Utah) and we will work in Richmond for that day, and then stay in the mission home another night when Elder Snow and Elder Richter get back from the temple.

Then Wednesday we have a mandarin meeting with President Smith, and then we all have interviews with him since we haven't had that yet for the transfer. Then we will return to our respective areas and Elder Raty will come with Elder Snow and I for the remainder of the week (President wants Elder Raty to be with Elder Snow for the remainder of his time) and then until next Tuesday (when the end of the transfer is, all the other new English and Spanish missionaries will come in). we will go down with Elder Raty to Richmond, drop him off at a new missionary meeting with President, and Elder Snow and I will do stuff with Elder Richter and Elder Schellenberg in their area. Then we will stay the night, go to transfers and Wednesday, Elder Snow and Elder Richter will go home. Elder Raty will go with Elder Schellenberg for the rest of the transfer and I will receive an English speaking missionary as my companion, but we will still be focusing on mandarin work.
Then next transfer, the two Taiwanese missionaries will hopefully come, and Elder Schellenberg and Elder Raty will train one of them till Elder Schellenberg leaves on the 16th of August, and the English Elder that comes with me, will be with the other Taiwanese Elder till I head home and the English elder will continue to train the Taiwanese Elder in the mandarin area.
That I think is where we are at right now. Hopefully you understand all of that.
Thanks for the love, support, letting me know how you are doing and the encouragement.
Love
Elder Smith

Contact at the University of Virginia (UVA) or otherwise grounds.
Elder Snow and Elder Smith

Elder Smith and Elder Snow making their travels from Charlotteville and Harrisonburg 

We went to grounds (UVA) to contact, which felt really good with Elder Snow, for some reason going out with him is so great. It was also good there was a good number of Chinese people there. Then, a really cool thing happened. A family was taking a picture, so we asked if we could help. After the picture Elder Snow heard them speaking Chinese and asked if they spoke Chinese, and they did. Then one of the first things the daughter asks is if we are from the Mormon church. We say we are and she explains she did an exchange in Utah for a year and attended the Mormon church. Then we ask where...and anyone reading this might not believe it, but she was in Lehi!!! Wow, I didn't react too crazily, but writing this down it is hard to believe. She went to Rockwell charter school, which I'm not sure where that is, but it was really, really lol. She said that she had some friends that went to Lehi High. The parents were really nice too, and she had a Chinese Book of Mormon, and it was home. We pulled one out and the parents said it was the same book they had at their house. Wow, it was really cool, then we talked a little bit more about our church and what we do, then we gave them all of the pamphlets, which was pretty cool. They are visiting for graduation, which made sense to give them all the pamphlets so they can read them on their own. Wow, it was really cool, then we got a picture, even though I'm not sure we ever got their name. Too bad she is moving to San Francisco, and the parents go back to China, but it was cool to talk with them.

-Elder FoundMyLaoXiang

We went out with Wang Laoshi( she taught at MTC, now lives in Statford). We went to grounds and met lots of people. We showed her some things as well. It was really good. She is cool, it was kind of unique because Elder Snow loves to talk, as does Wang Laoshi...so I didn't say much as we contacted. We tried going downtown as well which was good. Then we went to meet with Young, however he didn't show up. Our Gezi was fanged...or however you say that. It is an idiom in Chinese meaning you got stood up, Wang Laoshi taught us that. She definitely really, really loves doing missionary work. Elder Snow says she is addicted to it.

 Went to teach Yangli Jing, which was really exciting because Aldous really likes Elder Snow (Aldous is her son that last December wanted to join a church so Elder Snow was teaching him however he was transferred soon after.) So we get there, and both Yangli Jing and Aldous are there, and she has this really good lemon, mint and honey drink.wow it was really tasty. So because of Aldous's homework, we decided to share a message/teach him before helping Yangli Jing with her English. So we ask kind of what he believes, and he says something in Chinese I only understood parts. Something like there is an Ultimate truth, and that different religions can be true even with different beliefs, and that he wants a religion with the ultimate truth. It was somewhat confusing. Then Wang Laoshi and Elder Snow kind of co-teach, after a long discussion we get into the Plan of Salvation. Wang Laoshi leads and the other two of us help teach. There was a cool part where Yangli Jing was really amazed by the resurrection. She was surprised, because she hadn't heard yet that everyone would be resurrected. She also hadn't heard any of Aldous's beliefs either. It was a good Plan of Salvation lesson. Aldous understood it. Then he said he believed it, but he said that he believes many things can be true. Which was interesting, not exactly what we wanted. However, Wang Laoshi gave him two really good invites, one to pray every day and two to read the Book of Mormon every day and that would help him find truth. We gave him 2 Nephi 2 and Alma 40-41. As well to look at mormon.org according to his curiosity. It's was good. After that, well it was good because he wants to learn. However Yangli Jing was a little saddened we couldn't help her English, so we answered a few questions about some idioms. 

-Elder WangLaoShi#YrrtInSouthernUtah

Mandarin Work progressing in Virginia

We had district meeting, and I gave a training on teaching simply, not sure how simple it was though. Kind of like President Uchtdorf's simplify talk in 2015. I didn't do it very simply. Then Sister Ruffner trained which was good.
Ate lunch, did some maps and talked more about Fit for the kingdom with the Zone Leaders. We found out that each zone will have a Elder companionship winner and a Sister companionship winner...so that definitely boosts our odds of winning which should be fun for Elder Schellenberg and I.

Well today was kind of interesting. Had a really good meeting with President Duane Snow, it was a pleasant surprise. As we talked about the Mandarin work. I kind of felt like he was our missionary and we were his investigator. It was pretty special. I hope we can be the same missionaries to our investigators.
Ate lots of noodles(three bowls)
Taught Yangli Jing English, and the gospel. She is interested, but it is hard for her to make place in her heart for a portion of the word.
Then we went to dinner, Lu invited us via Brother Williams. Lots of people.
Way too much food.
-Elder ChineseFoodRound2

Next day Lu Jiemei, this was definitely the highlight of the evening. We were able to go over and talk about fasting this Sunday to help her friends be open to the Gospel. We shared Alma 17:9 with her, which talks about the sons of Mosiah and what they did before going to the Lamanites (fasted). It felt kind of like we were the sons of Mosiah, especially since LU Jiemei kept saying her friends are busy drinking, smoking and don't like rules from church and lots of different problems. She was nervous they won't change. However, as we talked I felt strongly that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is there to help people change, whether or not we all sin(Roman 3:23) it is about building people.

In the end she was willing to fast with us and President Snow. It was pretty special. Then she gave us corn, apples, and crunchy Reese's cups(mini)

Then we reported to Elder Snow and talked about things, we were able to talk how we all felt good about this, and as we go it is getting better. Seeing different things fit together like a puzzle(Elder Neil L. Andersen, October 2016 General Conference). We are meeting with President tomorrow to talk about the maps. As well President mentioned possibly having the mission fast for the mandarin work. It does feel good.
-Elder EndingOnAGoodNote#Dream

Back with Elder Schellenburg-MTC companion and now
focusing on finding Chinese investigators.  Larger area to cover.

-Elder ThisDefintelyIsANewArea

Yep I was transferred back to Charlottesville with Elder Schellenberg(my MTC companion) to a different apartment than the 1st one that I lived in last year when I was in Charlottesville.
So I am not in any leadership position anymore, but President Smith is trying to figure out some kind of plan for the Mandarin work rather than kind of confusingly go about it. So Elder Schellenberg and I are only teaching Chinese people, and if we find and English person we refer them over. We cover the entire stake which includes Harrisonburg my last area and we have to balance between here and there with our investigators and things. The other two Chinese elders are in Richmond doing the same thing. We are trying to establish some kind of plan for the new Mandarin speaking Elders that are coming into the mission in June(which there will be at least two)
So right now that plan is to find out how many Chinese investigators there are to see how much work is possible, then to figure out how to attract them, and then our desired outcome of all is whether we want to work towards a centralized branch, or lots of different groups, or what. So it is pretty interesting, but I feel it is a good thing as well. We will see where it goes. We have a district meeting with the Elders in Richmond every week over Skype, and are having some meetings with President because as we go he feels like things will become more clear what to do.
Well, I hope you are enjoying the journals whether you understand it all or not.
Hope the questions were answered.
Elder Smith

April 4, 2017

Well I must say that my work out went well. Was able to jump rope out on the deck which was really nice in the morning sun. Then studies were really good as well. I recorded some things in my gray journal, then read about the miracle of Christ's death. Which is quite awe inspiring.

Then we did language study and I read from chapter 5 in Preach My Gospel, as well as 1 Nephi 10 which was good. After that we ate some lunch, then went to the clubhouse at the Zone Leaders and did our maps to continue to figure out how many Chinese people there are. We figured out, if you speak into the iPad instead of typing it works lots, lots better. That went well. We were able to do lots more names. The Zone Leaders(Elder Victor/Elder Richardson) joined us to do some things. After....well a long while until 4:00 we went over to Lu JieMei, she first gave us some food.. Which was chicken, rice, soup, salad, and sausage, and corn too. It all looked pretty cool. She made it herself because her husband was busy. It was all pretty good, the chicken I thought was good, expect the Chinese way is to cook it with all the bones and things...so that makes it kind of hard...and we had chopsticks for the salad...which is I guess what they do....it was a new experience. Then...something really new, I grabbed a piece of chicken, put it on my plate then realized...it was the head. Chopped off at the neck. All cooked and everything. So...I touched it a lot with my chopsticks to try and get some kind of meat from it without looking too disgusted...but all I really got was part of the eye....kind of stabbed it, then something came out..so I ate it..it wasn't super good...then I just kind of put it in the bone pile....yeah that was different.

After that we helped her with her English, which is pretty good. She knows a lot of words, pronunciation isn't super good, and she doesn't really know how to use them all, but still pretty good. So that was good. Then we drove up to YangLiJIng's....but then realized she was on vacation for Spring Break. So we contacted Chinese potentials in the Forest Lakes area which was good...no one was really home though, so that wasn't too good, expect for one high school student. We went to the bathroom, laughed at the odds of the lottery, fixed up the area book and contacted some former. Then Elder Schellenberg smoked me at our three games of horse on our mini-hoop.

Then....one of the former investigators Max texted back! We will see how that goes.

-Elder ThisDefintelyIsANewArea

P-Day Hike

St Patty Days Dinner
Elder Dickamore and Elder Smith

Harrisonburg Zone

A full pday of activities

Well we had quite the planned Preparation day which was good. First we started by de-cluttering. Which was good, then we took some stuff to the church ,that was the church's, and also to the dumpster. Following that we emailed there for a bit...I forgot to email my journals...which doesn't usually happen. However getting emailing done in the morning felt pretty good. Then we went looking for shoes that Elder Dickamore could buy....we checked a good amount of stores. To no avail. There were some good ones, but nothing worth the money. However, there was something cool, we were walking into Belk...when a worker at Zales waves over to us with some enthusiasm. We go over find out that she had been searching for Mormon missionaries, that her and her boyfriend are looking for a church. Her name is Jess, she is nice and we exchanged phone numbers...that was pretty cool. Funny part, her friend behind the desk or something we couldn't see her said "I have plenty of churches you could go to" which I thought was interesting, but it was cool to see that. Great blessing.

After going shopping, we were hungry and cook-out was nearby and so Elder Dickamore gave me the choice so we went there, and there was a light blue Subaru with a Tiwi box which got us excited to see the Spanish Elders...but it was actually the 4 first ward sisters. Which wasn't as exciting. We got our food, had the Big Double burger this time...for some reason was really, really good. As was the shake, the hush puppies and chicken wrap was about average.

Then we went to the church to meet the Spanish Elders, then we went on a hike. We went to the same place up Hone Quarry(fortunately we drove) and we were going to go to the end of the hike instead of the short part. We started going and it was real fun. We kept going past the first part which was still a cool lookout. Then we kept going, more time passed, kept going...(fun fact Then time passed, we kept going thinking that we were real close...but we weren't. Then time ran out, I ran wishful thinking the end would be just around the corner...it wasn't. So that was kind of disappointing to not make it to the end of a hike...probably the first time that has happened in my life. However, it was still a really enjoyable time. Then we went to FHE with Joan, and it went well. Unfortuately Tao wasn't able to come. It went well.

-Elder FirstHikingFailure

Looking over the beautiful Virginia

Richmond Virginia Mission Leadership Council --President and Sister Smith
Elder Smith back row 3rd from the left

Elder Smith and Elder Dickamore with
XuBo and wife ZiRou new converts.

Elder Smith is doing well

While yes it has been awhile since writing you all. I am well, and
hope all of you are doing the same.

Some background to the following story that I want to share is that we
were on the campus of James Madison University here in Harrisonburg
Virginia, we were talking with a member about missionary work and how
she is currently preparing to service a mission. As we talked I looked
over to see a man walking towards us, face down, headphones in and
felt impressed to talk with him. As he approached he would have ran
into my companion, and so to avoid a stumble I called out to him
before the collision. We stared talking about who we are, who and what
we represent, and we invited him to church. We then explained why
church is a great blessing in our lives. He said he would come, then
continued to where he was going. His name is Tao, and has been to
church once(in Alabama with some friends).

The next Sunday(5 days later) he called at around 8:00 and apologized
for not coming to church. This is an uncommon experience for
missionaries that talk to many people a day and invite them to church.
He then committed to come to church the following Sunday.

That Tuesday we were able to meet with him and teach him about God and
the role of church. After our lesson he committed to pray that night.
The following day he let us know that he had prayed, and would
continue to pray every day.

The following Sunday he did come to church to worship with us, and he
let us know he is doing well. He is quite the person. It fills my
heart with gratitude to be here in Virginia helping him come unto
Christ.

Some of you also probably saw the face to face with Elder Holland and
President Eyring. I hope you did, I downloaded it on my iPad and was
listening to it as I got ready this morning They truly are prophets
and apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you remember President
Eyring and Elder Holland talking about prayer, and when we pray. it is
very similar to approaching the throne of God. As well approach our
prayers with this attitude, not with our agenda in mind, but God's
agenda, my prayers and your prayers will change from something regular
and good, to deeply profound spiritual experiences with the divine. I
have a testimony of that, and for you it can be the same.

Love,

Elder Smith

photo from Harrisonburg

Brother and Sister Tunk Senior couple in Harrisonburg.
Father and step mom of our neighbor Kristen Barrus.

Elder Smith and Elder Dickamore at meeting with ward seniors.
 Kristen Barrus sent me  the pictures.

Learning to fulfill our potential as a Child of God

Elder Smith did not transfer at all his first year, but this
next year has had many transfers. He is now in Harrisonburg, VA.
He is a zone leader with Elder Dickamore and they cover the YSA ward of James Madison University.
His area also goes into Franklin, West Virginia. He is very busy in this area and even finds
some Chinese people to talk to.

Thursday March 2, 2017
Seeing that I really want to focus on the more spiritually uplifting things, I will write about that first. During personal study I was reading Jesus The Christ, about the crucifixion and how the others mocked Him. They said words similar to the temptations of the devil before Christ begins His ministry, to deny Himself not as Jesus of Nazareth, but as the Christ, the promised Messiah and Savior of the world. As I wrote this, when Christ says "If any man shall come after me, let him deny himself of all ungodliness" which I think relates.a lot to the temporal 'you' and fulfill our potential as a Child of God. The personal study I felt was really good, I even recorded it in my Jesus The Christ study journal. As I read, it becomes more and more to me who He is. It really is amazing. After being able to study, we went to institute to learn more great truths about the Temple. It was really wonderful, you just feel really good. We also had Coordination so Studies were actually pushed back a bit, but Brother Hebdon seems like a really good guy and wants to help the missionaries. After that we met Madison by walking her to her dorm, and that was good to meet the members. Then we weekly planned a bit before heading off to dinner with Rebecca and Sean at Francesco's in Bridgewater. Following that we went to see Sophie and Joan, and help Joan with her speech. Which she wanted to know how to site us as her sources. It was kinda brief, but we left somewhat soon after. We did talk a bit about Repentance and forgiveness because someone in their dorm offended them, but they thought they were fine, so we worked through things. Then we headed out, but they also wanted to hypnotize us for some reason....they didn't. So we headed out, Sophie is less sick too which is good. Then as we were closing in prayer, Sean and Rebecca yelled to us which was kind of funny to hear/see them again.
-Elder LifeIsOldInBridgewater&ALittleWeird

Sunday March 5, 2017

Well, we drove out to West Virginia today. Felt like I was on some kind of special mission. Pretty chilly too.  The ward was welcoming, and was surprised to see us, as well the people we saw eating in a car to go to church...was the Ward Mission Leader not some random person. Brother Simmons, had a pretty curly tuft of hair in the front.The Sacrament was a spiritual profound experience.
We were thanked for us being in the ward a few couple times during testimony meeting.
Shook a man’s hand who is 100 years old!!!! Woodrow Hartman......wow.
Went on the look out for Apartments. Dinner at the Hartman's, reminiscent of Porter Sunday dinner...or a Mormon Duck Dynasty.
Head home, tired, Conference calls and other calls.
Good night
-Elder SayGoodbyeToWild&WonderfulWestVirginia

Zoo photo

P- day at the zoo feeding the giraffes

All kinds of service done on a mission

It was a good Tuesday, we went on exchanges with the assistants they came last night. I was with Elder Snow which went well. We did mostly Chinese finding...well first we went to institute which was good. Then we visited some addresses...met Ju who Elder Snow met awhile back, met James the inactive member, the really excited Meng Jiao with the dog that sheds a whole lot....and yeah. It was cool. Later we met Emily in the parking lot....and ChunYi!! Who was pretty cool, and seemed interested.

Following that, we ate dinner, and then went to Funkys and met members...and didn't seem like there weren't many non-members. Oh well, it went ok. Then we headed home. Not sure how much it helped. However it was good.

-Elder NostalgiaToThe80's

Wow, tiring and good day. Saw a lot of blessings and miracles. 1st after going for a short jog we went over to help clean the church(since the ward is pretty small they benefitted from our help) so that was good. As well we talked with Dallin! Who asked for a Book of Mormon to give to a guy named Raymond that he met that seemed pretty interested. That was cool we were there to be able to help with that.

Had a big day of service for Brother and Sister Shaver. We cleaned out their crawl space. Full of heavy food boxes and then they wanted us to put dirt in the crawl space to give the foundation better support. I shoveled dirt and sent it down a board to Elder Dickamore and he spread it around. Then we switched and it was a lot harder spreading the dirt in the crawl space and not hitting my back. They gave a grill cheese and Brother Shaver talked about how we needed to help the young men of the church. Hard work but good day.

Cool miracle though, we saw we had a text from a Jazmine, Elder Dickamore met her in January apologizing she hadn't gotten back to us, but saying that she wants to meet. That was pretty cool. We weren't quite sure how to respond. We called and she texted she would call us back later. So we studied...and were really tired from moving buckets of food. Did our companionship study in preparing to teach Elder's Quorum tomorrow, then part way through Language study Wu Xu Bo texted and responded to our inquiry about a blessing, and he said he would like one, then he also asked if we would be at church tomorrow. W said yes, then he responded with "Sounds good I can't wait to share my life with you guys. BTW I have a friend who wants to be an investor tomorrow She will be in church too." Haha...Not quit sure what he meant, but it sure was funny. Really cool though that he is bringing a friend to church tomorrow. That was the other miracle that happened. It was a really blessed day.

Then, I ate some food that was good, and Elder Dickamore sewed up the extra backpack in the closet which was pretty cool of him to do. Super nice of him actually.
Then we went to bed.

-Elder SleepyServiceSomeAwesomeMiracles

New Area New companion

Elder Smith has been transferred to a new area.  Harrisonburg, Virginia.
  His companion is Elder Dickmore they have been out on their missions the same time
and know they will be going home together August 16st and
 before this had decided to be roommates at Utah State University.
 This should be a good companionship.
Also Derek has a cousin-in-law in his zone.
 Brittany Brunner Calder's husband Ben's sister just got to Virginia.
 Sister Calder is on the back row in gray shirt.
  They have never met because Derek was on his mission when Ben and Brittany were married.
Harrisonburg Zone Hike

Service, proselyting and transfer

Our faucet got fixed!!! That was really exciting to wash dishes by hand and not having to use gallon jugs as the water source haha.  Then we went over to Karyn's new place to paint...we did take a slight wrong turn...but the map was incorrect.

We got there, started taping stuff, then we started priming stuff, and it was a bit hard, but went well. Then painted some other stuff, Rodney a co-worker of hers was there. She also bought tons, and tons of food, for breakfast and snacks...it was pretty unique. Cool though, after working or awhile painting the trim(that is what we did and the primer, Rodney did the Sea-Salt wall) and then during lunch we had pizza delivered. It was really good. Then we got back to work, painted more stuff, finished.

We got home, ate the pizza she gave us. Got ready, and putting on proselyting clothes...well it felt pretty good. Definitely felt right, that service is good, but our purpose is to teach Repentance and Baptize Converts.  So that is what we went and did. First we tried to give the Hoskins family a copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World, but nobody answered. So we went to the Stony Point apartments....and walked around, and wow it was quite, quite cold....especially for Elder Grimaud. We were able to knock on some doors...that was really the only way we talked to people...(no one wanted to walk around in the cold). We did meet Shamika...who we will hopefully see later.

Came home, had a good language study, called Manchester about district meeting we missed, heard about PMG Jeopardy, had conference calls, had a good time with Elder Grimaud, and went to bed.

-Elder OSMHasNothingOnUs#SGKR

Side note, Saturday was transfer calls...so arooound 2:00 I started getting a little nervous that I would get a call. Because I wanted to stay one more transfer. Then during dinner...well basically immediately following...I felt the phone vibrate twice, then saw ">Elder Snow"...and well...knew it was the end.

He called, spoke in Chinese which was cool...and told me I was being transferred....and Elder Grimaud would be staying. So that was sad....but I guess part of the calling. So that was sad to say farewell to the Vargesons...but we planned on coming over again to actually say goodbye.

Elder ChoppingBigLogsIsn'tTooFunButIsRewarding

Cold, cold run...wow the run was really cold this morning...but also really good. We did get out pretty late though which definitely wasn't good. Then we went onto studies...and I tried to set goals for the upcoming transfer...it didn't go really well... think I did too much pondering...and not enough searching. After that we planned, and then went over to the Hardy house(Brother Stafford texted us)to help chop wood. I was excited...it went well..at least with the small logs...the bigger ones..well those were unite troublesome. Me swinging the axe was probably a little ignominious(#Buckley). Things worked out though...Brother Stafford did end up breaking the tip of the wedge that Brother Berryman lent....but up until it broke, it work really really well. Really fun though, we left after about an hour and a half of good chopping. Definitely took me back to the last scout camp with Skyler, chopping wood and trying to be Captain America....definitely wasn't that easy though.

Then we tried visiting some Chinese people...the door we knocked on, the guy just moved in..and so we must have recently missed them.
Following that we went over to visit Joe...He is still thinking about being baptized..but doesn't see why, and his mom is quite Baptist....but he seems more open to the idea...so we shall see. He seemed committed to read The Book of Mormon though, although it was a unique lesson, I still felt it was good, and that the Spirit was present. Which I am grateful for.

After that we tried visiting some other Chinese people...none were home, but we may have found some potential houses.We returned home, Elder Grimaud got Wendy's, I came back, made stuffing, pasta and pesto, and green beans...all were really good. We also called Laticia...Wendi answered, and said she would remind her..I felt kind of bad because she seemed ready to go to a baptism...but then we learned that it got canceled.....after dinner we went over to the nice neighborhood by the church..and it was filled with lots of elderly people...all of them were quite nice, and it was a good time to get better at "Teaching when I find, finding when I teach" which is hard for me...but improving. As well the people we met were probably one of the wider scopes of responses...I'm Jewish, I'm already Christian so we are good , Not interested, I've been a deacon at Bon Air Baptist for 20 years, you're coming around too late, we are set Catholics....and things like that. Nothing came from that except for our personal development. As well working on my beatboxing skills...which each time...it amazes me more and more how Elder Critchfield does it....also it was quite cold....

We returned, got gas, then studied my language, which went well, I was better able to use the goals and plans that I've set to accomplish things...hopefully it will continue to work well.

Then...listened to some great talks by prophets and apostles...this past conference Elder Stevenson and Elder Christofferson.

Then...went to bed!

-Elder ChoppingBigLogsIsn'tTooFunButIsRewarding

exchanges, district meetings and more

On exchange with Elder Genduso met some interesting people, such as Scott....as well some pretty cool people like Brandon by the bike rack. The most notable experience was when we saw Marcus, an inactive member on the side. We went over, and he wouldn't talk, but motion for a piece of paper....Elder Genduso pulled one out and started communicating with him.....I wasn't really sure what was going on, he kind of headed the discussion...which was common or most of the day. Come to find out through paper communication, that he said he has some disorder that when he speaks he has seziures...or something like that, and has resorted back to Hinduism.....and Elder Genduso made many powerful invites, and offered much help....yet he still declined...and we eventually left...with quite the interesting feeling, definitely not the most happy of feelings.

We actually went to our first district meeting with Elder Griffin...it was good, different but good. We did go on a scavenger hunt run by Sister Cordova as part of it...we found Our Purpose. After that though we tried and visited Arlene Fultz...who wasn't there. So we went and knocked on the doors of Yukon Road. Then we met Kathleen VanPossun! She is pretty cool, nice really small older lady that is a UU(Unitarian Universalist)...kinda sounds like something out of the book series "Journal of Curious Letters" really nice and interested in learning though, she doesn't have a belief in Christ or God though which should be a bit different.

Then in the evening time the Manchester Elders came over and we got to know them a bit before heading to sleep on the dreaded cot....actually I slept on the couch to see if that would be better....you will find out tomorrow. Also, to note, my evening prayer was quick wonderful and refreshing...that is something I feel grateful for, that my prayers have improved. Especially tonight in helping me kind of get away from the world.


Elder Smith

photo

Elder Smith 2nd from Right and Elder Grimaud tallest Elder-Bon Air

Looking for service and using Chinese language more

Still in Bon Air new companion Elder Grimaud from Smithfield, Utah. Zone leaders
Jan. 7, 2017
Studies in the morning....well like Elder Kopischke said...if you have good studies, your motivation will be high during your mission. It is really true. It is not unrealistic to feel the Spirit every time you study the scriptures. It was a really good study this morning while preparing for zone meeting. The Book of Mormon is really really wonderful. Well, we definitely had a really good day planned out...but in the morning it was snowing...so we weren't sure what to do...there was probably two inches already on the ground. Super super exciting...but we changed our plans a bit...I tried biking around in the snow..that didn't work...just slid and stuff...so we still went to Brother Conolly, well Elder Grimaud and Elder Starr did, Elder Maedgen and I got gas and went in search of people that needed help shoveling.

There was a good amount of people out...but no one of them said that they needed any help. Nice people for the most part though, there was one house that we thought had a shovel outside...walked up and it was just an intense ice scraper, picked it up just to look at it...then their door opened! So I think I said something like "Hey, we are just missionaries seeing if anyone needs help shoveling, we don't have shovels(Elder Grimaud had the shovel). We thought this might be a shovel...can we help?" It was a really uncomfortable situation...he didn't need help. After that we decided to knock on all the doors that had shovels outside...none of them answered though...it was good though. After that we found out that Michael Bressler had two shovels we could borrow, we hurried over there, shoveled two of his neighbors driveways that were elderly women. One he said was super sweet....the other he said...well was really mean...but actually the "mean" one saw us, and thanked us, I don't think the other one was home. Then we headed back to the apartment.
-Elder SnowySnowyVille


Jan. 11, 2017
Really cool experience, probably the best experience of the day. Recently I have been feeling the importance of me being called to speak Chinese here. That I should specifically look for Chinese people more...I also thought, "these are nice apartments...there has to be a Chinese person living here"...as I pondered this and we were walking around the apartment complex...we were just about to return to the car...when we saw someone pulling in...but they were pulling into the garage so we I stopped....then there was someone way down the road doing something and I thought maybe we should go and talk with them....we discussed and thought it was the same person we already met....but then the closer car door opened and a person started getting out. We walked over, offered a card, saw her and could tell she wasn't American, explained who we were, asked where she was from(she is from Taiwan) and Elder Grimaud mentioned I speak Mandarin, and we said some things....it was pretty cool. Her name is Karey, and she wants to make us tea....we weren't able to mention we don't drink tea...oh well. It was really good, we weren't really able to share much, a little bit about the Book of Mormon, she is Lutheran, she quickly accepted it though just after hearing a tiny bit about it...she was also very impressed with my Mandarin which always makes me feel good and better see the fulfillment of the gift of tongues. We got her number and plan to meet again..that was pretty cool. Really grateful, and humbled for having that experience.-side note to that story...while we were speaking Mandarin, she asked if Elder Grimaud spake any...we said he didn't..then she essentially said the Buford quote "Hey Candace is gone...lets talk bad about her". It was really really funny.

Last thing...well I am being healthier...I look at labels a lot more.... get up at 6:30 exactly...not 6:20 even if it is easier that way...I just have to be smarter about how I use those first few minutes in the morning. Improvement and Progression are one eternal round(Hymn 284 "If You Could Hie To Kolob").

Also, I really like Elder Grimaud different than most companions, but great also...a lot like Jared sometimes.
-Elder Improvement