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
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Monday, January 23, 2017
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
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
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
Monday, December 12, 2016
Elder Smith has got behind on journalling
Elder Smith was transferred to Bon Air Virginia and has a new companion Elder Caskey.
Not enough time though, I do love being a missionary though. Super, super great. Recently with transfers, I am in the Bon Air Ward with Elder Caskey. What a great guy, really really inspiring. Being a Zone Leader though...honestly isn't too different, of course it has only been 3 or so days. It has been a really wonderful 3 or so days too, the first day we talked to a lot of pretty cool people...and just in a tiny square! Really cold square-Jamisha, Kay(t)lin, Diego, and Steve! They were all pretty cool. It really has been a wonderful past few days here in the new area...sleeping wise...well I don't want to complain...but the things I thought would be here(a pillow, blanket, nice hangers for my suits, stuff like that...well it wasn't here)...so I have adjusted and figured different things out. It has improved since which is good.
I most definitely enjoy being able to spread the message of Christ this Christmas season. It truly has been wonderful. We recently met this really cool couple/family that has talked with missionaries and has a member friend from up north. They are named Chassidy and Richard. They are...well making great progress.
We again...not sure if I mentioned before...but raked lots and lots of leaves. A few weeks ago we collected 50 or so bags. This week we went to a house and did 40 bags or so...it was a lot. Good fun though.
Look forward to skype,
Love ya
Elder Smith
Not enough time though, I do love being a missionary though. Super, super great. Recently with transfers, I am in the Bon Air Ward with Elder Caskey. What a great guy, really really inspiring. Being a Zone Leader though...honestly isn't too different, of course it has only been 3 or so days. It has been a really wonderful 3 or so days too, the first day we talked to a lot of pretty cool people...and just in a tiny square! Really cold square-Jamisha, Kay(t)lin, Diego, and Steve! They were all pretty cool. It really has been a wonderful past few days here in the new area...sleeping wise...well I don't want to complain...but the things I thought would be here(a pillow, blanket, nice hangers for my suits, stuff like that...well it wasn't here)...so I have adjusted and figured different things out. It has improved since which is good.
I most definitely enjoy being able to spread the message of Christ this Christmas season. It truly has been wonderful. We recently met this really cool couple/family that has talked with missionaries and has a member friend from up north. They are named Chassidy and Richard. They are...well making great progress.
We again...not sure if I mentioned before...but raked lots and lots of leaves. A few weeks ago we collected 50 or so bags. This week we went to a house and did 40 bags or so...it was a lot. Good fun though.
Look forward to skype,
Love ya
Elder Smith
Zone and Christmas tree
 |
| Zone conference |
 |
| New companion Elder Caskey from Arizona. What a nice tree they decorated |
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Simple and humble
Well everyone, it was a pretty good week. Hope yours was splendid.
One event sticks out in my mind for the week. We were going to meet
with a recent convert who I will call Jane. Her son Kyle who is 12
hasn't been baptized and she was baptized in August. We were planning
on talking about faith with Kyle and why that is important. As we went
we taught, and then we asked a question to Kyle, he responded, then
instead of us following up with teaching his Mom further explained the
principle in very simple and wonderful terms. She was very humble, and
simple, but it went really well.
This taught me a few things, one that we over complicate the Gospel of
Jesus Christ too often(at least I do). It isn't meant to e something
only the most knowledgeable people should understand, but all. Prior
to the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there was a lack of
information regarding the teachings of Jesus Christ, which led to lots
of confusion and contention. Nowadays, it is somewhat the opposite,
there is an immense amount of information in the world. This vast
amount of information can distract us from that which is most
important. Elder Faust counseled that we need to filter out the static
generated by Satan. As we have a bedrock understanding of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ(Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the
Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End) we will be able too withstand the
trials, and tests that will come to us in life.(President Nelson)
Second is that Gospel of Jesus Christ is best taught within the home.
For those that understand the Gospel of Jesus Chris, seek to see it
more in your life. For those that feel they are lacking, turn to the
scriptures, primarily the Book of Mormon and as you learn and live the
Gospel of Jesus Christ you will find peace in this life and eternal
life in the world to come.
No crashes this week which was good to report. Hope things are going
well for each of your where ever each of you are. Your Heavenly Father
is looking over you, look for his hand in your life.
Love
Elder Smith
One event sticks out in my mind for the week. We were going to meet
with a recent convert who I will call Jane. Her son Kyle who is 12
hasn't been baptized and she was baptized in August. We were planning
on talking about faith with Kyle and why that is important. As we went
we taught, and then we asked a question to Kyle, he responded, then
instead of us following up with teaching his Mom further explained the
principle in very simple and wonderful terms. She was very humble, and
simple, but it went really well.
This taught me a few things, one that we over complicate the Gospel of
Jesus Christ too often(at least I do). It isn't meant to e something
only the most knowledgeable people should understand, but all. Prior
to the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there was a lack of
information regarding the teachings of Jesus Christ, which led to lots
of confusion and contention. Nowadays, it is somewhat the opposite,
there is an immense amount of information in the world. This vast
amount of information can distract us from that which is most
important. Elder Faust counseled that we need to filter out the static
generated by Satan. As we have a bedrock understanding of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ(Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the
Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End) we will be able too withstand the
trials, and tests that will come to us in life.(President Nelson)
Second is that Gospel of Jesus Christ is best taught within the home.
For those that understand the Gospel of Jesus Chris, seek to see it
more in your life. For those that feel they are lacking, turn to the
scriptures, primarily the Book of Mormon and as you learn and live the
Gospel of Jesus Christ you will find peace in this life and eternal
life in the world to come.
No crashes this week which was good to report. Hope things are going
well for each of your where ever each of you are. Your Heavenly Father
is looking over you, look for his hand in your life.
Love
Elder Smith
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Does a sleeping member still count for a member present
Happy Christmas sock day! We also had district meeting, which in preparation for...I learned a lot about Accountability and what it is really about. That was definitely good to learn...it was a little different of district meetings...but I think it went good. Everyone is good at participating, which I am grateful for. After that we planned the day and it was kind of hard because Elder Davis couldn't really ride his bike because of his leg hurting. We also got Shun Xing for lunch...and I think they are from Hong Kong there...because the characters are traditional, and they were speaking...and it sounded like Cantonese...but I still need to ask. Regardless I got GongBaoJiDing it was really good(thanks for the Halloween treat mom =))
That afternoon we were able to go out with Brother Heck, tried to visit the Cunninghams, they weren't there. So we went to visit Cynthia...we were a bit early...but it was a weird lesson. Started with Brother Heck describing living in an 1832 house...and then saying how it was haunted by little girl ghost...and they discussed that for a bit...which was weird. However, we eventually got into the lesson. Which was really good, focused on faith and the Word of Wisdom, and Cynthia(without us really pressuring her) has been decreasing the amount of her coffee intake...and she sees in the future never drinking it again. Which it pretty cool. We discussed how to be obedient, and know when we are off the right path. We then showed the Patterns of Light video part II. She really really liked that, it touched her when it talked about thoughts of her mom or grandma telling her when she is going astray...it was quite special...she is really great and a special person.
We were able to talk a bit about her daughters and bringing them to the trunk or treat, and she is willing to do that so hopefully that will help them. Oh also...in the middle somewhere...Brother Heck fell asleep for a good amount of time...and I wasn't really sure what to do...but he woke up and things worked out. We returned home, Brother Heck shared some taxi driving stories that were kind of crazy and funny...he definitely has an interesting life...a great man though.
-Elder DoesASleepingMemberStillCountForAMemberPresent?
That afternoon we were able to go out with Brother Heck, tried to visit the Cunninghams, they weren't there. So we went to visit Cynthia...we were a bit early...but it was a weird lesson. Started with Brother Heck describing living in an 1832 house...and then saying how it was haunted by little girl ghost...and they discussed that for a bit...which was weird. However, we eventually got into the lesson. Which was really good, focused on faith and the Word of Wisdom, and Cynthia(without us really pressuring her) has been decreasing the amount of her coffee intake...and she sees in the future never drinking it again. Which it pretty cool. We discussed how to be obedient, and know when we are off the right path. We then showed the Patterns of Light video part II. She really really liked that, it touched her when it talked about thoughts of her mom or grandma telling her when she is going astray...it was quite special...she is really great and a special person.
We were able to talk a bit about her daughters and bringing them to the trunk or treat, and she is willing to do that so hopefully that will help them. Oh also...in the middle somewhere...Brother Heck fell asleep for a good amount of time...and I wasn't really sure what to do...but he woke up and things worked out. We returned home, Brother Heck shared some taxi driving stories that were kind of crazy and funny...he definitely has an interesting life...a great man though.
-Elder DoesASleepingMemberStillCountForAMemberPresent?
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