Today I am typing this directly. I'm at my Dad's computer (mine having been understandably cannibalized in my 18-month absence) here to update my Blog personally.
I have a lot of mixed feelings that only someone who has gone through a Mission and has come home can understand perfectly. I am happy to be home with my parents again, but I am sad to have left behind so many wonderful friends that I've made. I am content with the service I have given, I worked very hard for a year and a half and the Lord recognizes that fact.
However I am far from done!
I will never stop being a Missionary, sharing what I know to be true and that will bless lives. But now I have other responsibilities as well. That of a College Student, Responsible Adults, and I will be preparing myself to one day become a Wife and also Mother. (For inquiring minds: NO I AM NOT ENGAGED YET. Not even close!)
My days are now spent in study of the scriptures, sleep, trying to reorganize my life, prayer, and puppy-sitting a five-pound miniature poodle named Mike. (He is currently sleeping on my lap)
I will probably at some point make another Blog to keep you all updated on my Post-Mission life, but for now look for all updates here.
Ciao!
~ Darcie Smart
Friday, August 12, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Well this is weird.
This is my last time typing out an Email on Preparation Day at a Computer Lab in Houston Texas.
Next time I have access to the internet it will be at my home, in Washington, on a personal computer, any day I feel like.
I can't help but feel weirded out.
But I'm also really excited! I'm so exhausted but I didn't go to sleep until after Midnight last night. So sorry if this email doesn't make sense, I'm runnin' off of fumes.
Crazy, I'll be a 'Normal' person again in roughly 56 hours (I was never really what you would call 'normal').
I'm sorry that I don't have more stuff to say. We had this really cool Activity planned by the Missionaries I'm serving with. A Book of Mormon Night with songs, Testimonies, Video Clips. It really rocked! We had a good Turn-out too. We want more Investigators of course, but the Ward plans to do one of these every six weeks so there will be another opportunity. I told people that I was leaving yesterday. I got a lot of hugs and invites. There's one woman that has a dear place in my heart that demands I go to Puebla Mexico to be present at her Temple Sealing to her Husband. I'm game! I want to come and visit again soon, but I don't know when I can. But I know that whenever I am able, there will be many open door and open arms waiting for me.
I'll miss my Mission.
Next time I have access to the internet it will be at my home, in Washington, on a personal computer, any day I feel like.
I can't help but feel weirded out.
But I'm also really excited! I'm so exhausted but I didn't go to sleep until after Midnight last night. So sorry if this email doesn't make sense, I'm runnin' off of fumes.
Crazy, I'll be a 'Normal' person again in roughly 56 hours (I was never really what you would call 'normal').
I'm sorry that I don't have more stuff to say. We had this really cool Activity planned by the Missionaries I'm serving with. A Book of Mormon Night with songs, Testimonies, Video Clips. It really rocked! We had a good Turn-out too. We want more Investigators of course, but the Ward plans to do one of these every six weeks so there will be another opportunity. I told people that I was leaving yesterday. I got a lot of hugs and invites. There's one woman that has a dear place in my heart that demands I go to Puebla Mexico to be present at her Temple Sealing to her Husband. I'm game! I want to come and visit again soon, but I don't know when I can. But I know that whenever I am able, there will be many open door and open arms waiting for me.
I'll miss my Mission.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Final Countdown
Dun nunuh nuuh, dun nun nuhnuhnuh! (*insert dramatic music from that one song here*)
Yeah, so I broke through to single digits. I only have nine days left! Me falta nueve dias! AHH!
I'm starting to lose all fear of coming home though. I'm sick and tired (caught a cold) and I'm just getting really excited to finish my Mission. In my view, I have had a successful mission. I have worked very hard, surprised myself with how devoted, diligent, and obedient I can be. And I have set a standard for the rest of my life. I have learned many new skills, acquired the use of another language, and I have made a mountain of new friends. AND of course most importantly of all, I have invited hundreds of people to come unto Christ and be saved through the steps of his Gospel and in the one and only True Church with the restored power of the Priesthood. I'm a Missionary for LIFE. I just won't be full time anymore.
I also want to thank everyone who has sent me Letters or other forms of Support on my Mission. It has been a real blessing to see how many people love and support me in my worthy goals. I have a few letters to respond to that I'm working on. Not all of them will be responded to while on my Mission (because of packing and such), BUT I will ANSWER EVERY ONE. After a day of sleep once I'm home I can write lovely letters at my leisure. So if anyone wants to send one last letter, or never sent me one and wants to squeak out a 'deathbed repentance' this is your last chance.
That's kind of all the news I have. Typing has tired me out.
Ciao,
~ Hermana Smart
Yeah, so I broke through to single digits. I only have nine days left! Me falta nueve dias! AHH!
I'm starting to lose all fear of coming home though. I'm sick and tired (caught a cold) and I'm just getting really excited to finish my Mission. In my view, I have had a successful mission. I have worked very hard, surprised myself with how devoted, diligent, and obedient I can be. And I have set a standard for the rest of my life. I have learned many new skills, acquired the use of another language, and I have made a mountain of new friends. AND of course most importantly of all, I have invited hundreds of people to come unto Christ and be saved through the steps of his Gospel and in the one and only True Church with the restored power of the Priesthood. I'm a Missionary for LIFE. I just won't be full time anymore.
I also want to thank everyone who has sent me Letters or other forms of Support on my Mission. It has been a real blessing to see how many people love and support me in my worthy goals. I have a few letters to respond to that I'm working on. Not all of them will be responded to while on my Mission (because of packing and such), BUT I will ANSWER EVERY ONE. After a day of sleep once I'm home I can write lovely letters at my leisure. So if anyone wants to send one last letter, or never sent me one and wants to squeak out a 'deathbed repentance' this is your last chance.
That's kind of all the news I have. Typing has tired me out.
Ciao,
~ Hermana Smart
It came in the mail!
A day last week I got an envelope from the Mission Office. I looked at it then at my companion Hermana Barton and asked "Do you know what this is?" She glanced at it then replied, "Death?" She was pretty close. (note: in Missionary Lingo we refer to 'ending your mission' as 'dying')
So I got my Travel Itinerary. I know what time I've going to get on a plane here, and what time I will be stepping off the plane in Washington sweet Washington. I'm not ashamed to admit that I was freaking out in the apartment a bit. There was a bit of half-way kidding screaming going on.
I'm just really, really tired and trying really, really hard to not slack as much as I feel like doing. We are getting more total lessons and new investigators each week so we are doing better. But I just feel so out of it a lot. Hermana Barton is really great at keeping me going, and she is doing so well! I personally think that she could probably train once I leave, but she gets mad at me each time I mention it.
I'm trying hard to remember some big news this week but nothing is coming. We're starting to do more contacting in the evening hours, and actually it has born good results. We talked to a lot of cool people yesterday. Most of them were on their way somewhere but still took the time to talk to us (good sign) and we have a few return appointments to come back and teach them with their families. Yay!
I've been doing a lot of baking lately, it's like my therapy. We end up giving most of the cupcakes away and eat a couple ourselves. There was one Lady who told was so impressed that I had actually made cupcakes myself. I explained that they were from a box but she told me I should sell them for like a dollar each. I have discovered that Hispanics (most anyway) have no idea how to bake and think that it is a huge complicated affair. So they get SO impressed when you bring them baked goods. We have improved a lot of relations by way of delicious little cupcakes decorated with sprinkles.
That's really all I can come up with.
Ciao ~ Hermana Smart
So I got my Travel Itinerary. I know what time I've going to get on a plane here, and what time I will be stepping off the plane in Washington sweet Washington. I'm not ashamed to admit that I was freaking out in the apartment a bit. There was a bit of half-way kidding screaming going on.
I'm just really, really tired and trying really, really hard to not slack as much as I feel like doing. We are getting more total lessons and new investigators each week so we are doing better. But I just feel so out of it a lot. Hermana Barton is really great at keeping me going, and she is doing so well! I personally think that she could probably train once I leave, but she gets mad at me each time I mention it.
I'm trying hard to remember some big news this week but nothing is coming. We're starting to do more contacting in the evening hours, and actually it has born good results. We talked to a lot of cool people yesterday. Most of them were on their way somewhere but still took the time to talk to us (good sign) and we have a few return appointments to come back and teach them with their families. Yay!
I've been doing a lot of baking lately, it's like my therapy. We end up giving most of the cupcakes away and eat a couple ourselves. There was one Lady who told was so impressed that I had actually made cupcakes myself. I explained that they were from a box but she told me I should sell them for like a dollar each. I have discovered that Hispanics (most anyway) have no idea how to bake and think that it is a huge complicated affair. So they get SO impressed when you bring them baked goods. We have improved a lot of relations by way of delicious little cupcakes decorated with sprinkles.
That's really all I can come up with.
Ciao ~ Hermana Smart
Really?
Okay, so some of you will have noticed my mentioning that I feel really tired. Well long story short I went to a Doctor's Office with the intent to have blood drawn and tests run to see if there was some serious or treatable cause for my extreme fatigue (such as anemia). They asked me all sorts of questions and have me fill out two mood tests because they decided I showed signs of depression. Was I experiencing high levels of stress? Yes. Did I sleep all through the night without waking? Yes. But I'm still tired? Yes. Did I fall asleep inappropriately? No.
For some reason that just confused the heck out of them. They could not seem to understand that the life I'm living right now is not normal. When I did get to talk to the actual doctor the first thing he says is: "So this medication I'm going to put you on is..." And I was confused. I asked if I was going to get my blood test still and he said yes, and then explained to me that he needed to find something that would not relax me too much but would help me sleep and stay alert. I got two week's worth of free samples of something I can't remember the name of. But the thing is that he gave me Narcolepsy medicine. Excuse me, I haven't actually fallen asleep anywhere except my bed! I often feel so sleepy that I could put my head on the table and just nap if I gave myself the chance, but as of yet that hasn't happened.
The culmination of this tale is that I flushed the medicine and the blood tests came out negative to anything. They wanted me to make a return appointment and I declined, I don't' think they can help me. Probably the best cure will be to sleep two days in my own bed back home breathing crisp and clean Washington air.
That was probably the most exciting event to happen in my life last week. The other would be going to this place called Kolache Factory that has many delicious things. Imagine if you will a very tasty dinner roll. Now place inside this roll other scrumptious items such as Philly cheese steak, diced ham, and a combination of scrambled eggs, potato and cheese. My mouth is watering just remembering it! (doesn't help I'm super hungry!)
So yes.
I believe that is all for now.
For some reason that just confused the heck out of them. They could not seem to understand that the life I'm living right now is not normal. When I did get to talk to the actual doctor the first thing he says is: "So this medication I'm going to put you on is..." And I was confused. I asked if I was going to get my blood test still and he said yes, and then explained to me that he needed to find something that would not relax me too much but would help me sleep and stay alert. I got two week's worth of free samples of something I can't remember the name of. But the thing is that he gave me Narcolepsy medicine. Excuse me, I haven't actually fallen asleep anywhere except my bed! I often feel so sleepy that I could put my head on the table and just nap if I gave myself the chance, but as of yet that hasn't happened.
The culmination of this tale is that I flushed the medicine and the blood tests came out negative to anything. They wanted me to make a return appointment and I declined, I don't' think they can help me. Probably the best cure will be to sleep two days in my own bed back home breathing crisp and clean Washington air.
That was probably the most exciting event to happen in my life last week. The other would be going to this place called Kolache Factory that has many delicious things. Imagine if you will a very tasty dinner roll. Now place inside this roll other scrumptious items such as Philly cheese steak, diced ham, and a combination of scrambled eggs, potato and cheese. My mouth is watering just remembering it! (doesn't help I'm super hungry!)
So yes.
I believe that is all for now.
Monday, July 11, 2011
I realized something this weekend....
I have four weeks left.
dun. Dun. DUUUUUN.
And it's a really weird realization let me tell you! I've gotten into the mental habit of being on the mission and the thought of not being on my mission soon is honestly kind of disconcerting...
I'm trying not to think about it.
Changing the subject: We had Ward Conference yesterday and it was really good. I took notes just like I do for General Conference and I got a couple pages of goodness. One story that was told I really liked. The speaker related the time where to save money the missionaries were given Tandem Bikes instead of two bikes per companionship. One pair of Elders had an appointment at the very top of a tall hill, almost a mountain. They started up and the one in front was putting in all his effort, it was getting harder and harder but the Elder put all he had into it and in the end they made it to the top. Exhausted he looks at his companion behind and said, "We made it! I almost thought we wouldn't!" And his companion replied, "Me neither! I was afraid that we would fall back down so after half way I was putting on the brakes!"
Which one of these two are we? Are we the kind of person that puts all their strength into going forward and going higher? Or are we the kind that is too afraid to lose what we already have and puts on the brakes? The speaker was relating this to Missionary Work. He said that Missionaries are putting all their time and effort into helping people come unto Christ and be Baptized in his True Church. But that sometimes the Members are too afraid of losing what they have, of putting a friendship at risk to reach out and offer a Missionary Visit to their friends and family. But also I think that story could be related to any part in our lives. I know that I put on the brakes sometimes in my own life out of fear. My Mission is helping me a lot to try and get over that. I'm still far from perfect, but I'm closer than I was a year and a half ago. And I'm content with that amount of progress. I'll be working on this project (myself) for as long as I live.
And a Funny Anecdote: Apparently at 4:30am this morning I woke up my companion Hermana Barton because I jerked up out of bed and cried "We Gotta Go!", then I looked at the clock and make a grumpy sigh and fell back to sleep. Now, what makes this even funnier is that I have ABSOLUTELY no recollection of having done such a thing. I totally believe her, but I can't remember it for the life of me. And think that's the closest I've ever gotten to sleep walking.
Over and out,
~ Hermana Smart
dun. Dun. DUUUUUN.
And it's a really weird realization let me tell you! I've gotten into the mental habit of being on the mission and the thought of not being on my mission soon is honestly kind of disconcerting...
I'm trying not to think about it.
Changing the subject: We had Ward Conference yesterday and it was really good. I took notes just like I do for General Conference and I got a couple pages of goodness. One story that was told I really liked. The speaker related the time where to save money the missionaries were given Tandem Bikes instead of two bikes per companionship. One pair of Elders had an appointment at the very top of a tall hill, almost a mountain. They started up and the one in front was putting in all his effort, it was getting harder and harder but the Elder put all he had into it and in the end they made it to the top. Exhausted he looks at his companion behind and said, "We made it! I almost thought we wouldn't!" And his companion replied, "Me neither! I was afraid that we would fall back down so after half way I was putting on the brakes!"
Which one of these two are we? Are we the kind of person that puts all their strength into going forward and going higher? Or are we the kind that is too afraid to lose what we already have and puts on the brakes? The speaker was relating this to Missionary Work. He said that Missionaries are putting all their time and effort into helping people come unto Christ and be Baptized in his True Church. But that sometimes the Members are too afraid of losing what they have, of putting a friendship at risk to reach out and offer a Missionary Visit to their friends and family. But also I think that story could be related to any part in our lives. I know that I put on the brakes sometimes in my own life out of fear. My Mission is helping me a lot to try and get over that. I'm still far from perfect, but I'm closer than I was a year and a half ago. And I'm content with that amount of progress. I'll be working on this project (myself) for as long as I live.
And a Funny Anecdote: Apparently at 4:30am this morning I woke up my companion Hermana Barton because I jerked up out of bed and cried "We Gotta Go!", then I looked at the clock and make a grumpy sigh and fell back to sleep. Now, what makes this even funnier is that I have ABSOLUTELY no recollection of having done such a thing. I totally believe her, but I can't remember it for the life of me. And think that's the closest I've ever gotten to sleep walking.
Over and out,
~ Hermana Smart
Monday, June 27, 2011
A change in leadership
This week President Hansen and his wife, who have been serving in the Texas Houston Mission for three years, will return to their home in Arizona and leave the 'keys of the kingdom' in the hands of President Pingree and his wife.
I'm a little sad, because I might not see them again for a while and also I've had the same Mission President for my entire mission. But I am excited to get to know President Pingree in my last six weeks here. He and his wife sound very sweet, and they are bringing their five children with them so that will be different. And I know that they have been prepared by the Lord to serve with us at this time in Houston Texas. I know my mission will be in good hands.
In other news: it's really hot! (Okay not new news) The humidity has spiked even though we haven't gotten a lot of rain, that's what makes July even worse. I'm hoping for a few epic storms before I head out though. And next week is the 4th of July, so I'll be emailing on Tuesday instead. I hope you all have fun plans in mind! So far our Zone has another BBQ planned, the last one was pretty fun so I'm excited!
Other than that there's not a whole lot of new information, just that we should have a baptism this next weekend. Yay! We're trying to think of a gift for him, because he is always going back and forth because of work and that he said he's sick of eating pure hamburgers we're thinking of buying a couple little microwave-able meals. He lives in a hotel because of work, so can't really cook for himself. Hopefully he likes that!!
Everyone have a fun and safe 4th!
~ Hermana Smart
I'm a little sad, because I might not see them again for a while and also I've had the same Mission President for my entire mission. But I am excited to get to know President Pingree in my last six weeks here. He and his wife sound very sweet, and they are bringing their five children with them so that will be different. And I know that they have been prepared by the Lord to serve with us at this time in Houston Texas. I know my mission will be in good hands.
In other news: it's really hot! (Okay not new news) The humidity has spiked even though we haven't gotten a lot of rain, that's what makes July even worse. I'm hoping for a few epic storms before I head out though. And next week is the 4th of July, so I'll be emailing on Tuesday instead. I hope you all have fun plans in mind! So far our Zone has another BBQ planned, the last one was pretty fun so I'm excited!
Other than that there's not a whole lot of new information, just that we should have a baptism this next weekend. Yay! We're trying to think of a gift for him, because he is always going back and forth because of work and that he said he's sick of eating pure hamburgers we're thinking of buying a couple little microwave-able meals. He lives in a hotel because of work, so can't really cook for himself. Hopefully he likes that!!
Everyone have a fun and safe 4th!
~ Hermana Smart
Monday, June 20, 2011
Final Fate
Saturday night, June 18, the members of my District joined together in Baskin Robins 31 Flavors to be advised of our fate for the next seven weeks. And consequently, of my final fate in the last Transfer of my Mission.
I had a double-scoop sugar cone. One of Rocky Road and one of Rainbow Sherbet.
And it turns out I'm not going anywhere. Still in Fairbanks, still with Hermana Barton. Sweet!
I thought for SURE we were going to Trio-Train because there were no other Senior Hermanas that were available and our apartment is a good size for another person. But I dodged the bullet on that one (I kind of always wanted to Trio-train though...)
Because I'm staying in the same place I don't really have a lot of new stuff to report. Well, actually on Friday and Saturday last week we had an outpouring of miracles that was really cool! Let's see if I can remember them all:
1) While we were getting out of our car a man leaving the apartment complex called us over. He was a former investigator that had said he was happy with his church but accepted the Book of Mormon. He said he would be back in an hour and wanted to meet with us!
2) We visited another investigator and found out that she had already asked her employer to switch around her work days so that she would have Sundays off and could come to church! (that's amazing because it's always like pulling teeth to get people to request Sundays off!)
3) Then we checked on a family that we are teaching. We have only been able to have one sit-down lesson with them, but we keep checking back and brought them all copies of the Book of Mormon. We found out that their 11-year-old has read to 1 Nephi chapter 17 in two weeks WITHOUT us reminding him AND that his Dad reads every day after coming home from work!
4) Later on we were making calls and FINALLY got back in contact with another investigator that we thought was avoiding us. But it turns out that her two-year-old was sick bad with a flu for one week, then the week after she was the sick one. She didn't want to get us sick and was too out of it to call us back. But now she's back on board!
5) We often struggle on keeping our lessons within the time-limit because of the Hispanic Culture (I love the people! Just their sense of Good Hospitality means they expect us to stay longer than an hour so they can serve us so it's hard to get out!) But we were doing some Micro-lessons where we got in and out within a half an hour and we taught more, it was great!
6) Our only Progressing Investigator for a while is amazing and would come back into town ever weekend to have a lesson and go to Church (He even went to the English Ward when he missed the Spanish one!) But when we brought up setting a Baptismal Date as a goal the first time he got mad and said if we tried to put a date on him he would never come back to Church again! We kind of didn't bring it up again for two weeks, but then we did, and the week after we asked if he had prayed and after some resistance he said something to the effect of "I'll prove that Satan can't obstruct me from being baptized!" then he pointed at Hna Barton and said "Pone una fecha tu!" Which was basically commanding her to pick a date. Her face when she realized what he said was priceless! After some hushed conversations and looking at a calendar (all the while he was watching us with this 'yes, that's right, plan it out' face on) we picked a date and he agreed. YAY!!!!
So yeah, I guess quite a bit has gone on! I'm hoping to have several consecutive weeks of baptisms my last Transfer!
Onward and Upward!
~ Hermana Smart
I had a double-scoop sugar cone. One of Rocky Road and one of Rainbow Sherbet.
And it turns out I'm not going anywhere. Still in Fairbanks, still with Hermana Barton. Sweet!
I thought for SURE we were going to Trio-Train because there were no other Senior Hermanas that were available and our apartment is a good size for another person. But I dodged the bullet on that one (I kind of always wanted to Trio-train though...)
Because I'm staying in the same place I don't really have a lot of new stuff to report. Well, actually on Friday and Saturday last week we had an outpouring of miracles that was really cool! Let's see if I can remember them all:
1) While we were getting out of our car a man leaving the apartment complex called us over. He was a former investigator that had said he was happy with his church but accepted the Book of Mormon. He said he would be back in an hour and wanted to meet with us!
2) We visited another investigator and found out that she had already asked her employer to switch around her work days so that she would have Sundays off and could come to church! (that's amazing because it's always like pulling teeth to get people to request Sundays off!)
3) Then we checked on a family that we are teaching. We have only been able to have one sit-down lesson with them, but we keep checking back and brought them all copies of the Book of Mormon. We found out that their 11-year-old has read to 1 Nephi chapter 17 in two weeks WITHOUT us reminding him AND that his Dad reads every day after coming home from work!
4) Later on we were making calls and FINALLY got back in contact with another investigator that we thought was avoiding us. But it turns out that her two-year-old was sick bad with a flu for one week, then the week after she was the sick one. She didn't want to get us sick and was too out of it to call us back. But now she's back on board!
5) We often struggle on keeping our lessons within the time-limit because of the Hispanic Culture (I love the people! Just their sense of Good Hospitality means they expect us to stay longer than an hour so they can serve us so it's hard to get out!) But we were doing some Micro-lessons where we got in and out within a half an hour and we taught more, it was great!
6) Our only Progressing Investigator for a while is amazing and would come back into town ever weekend to have a lesson and go to Church (He even went to the English Ward when he missed the Spanish one!) But when we brought up setting a Baptismal Date as a goal the first time he got mad and said if we tried to put a date on him he would never come back to Church again! We kind of didn't bring it up again for two weeks, but then we did, and the week after we asked if he had prayed and after some resistance he said something to the effect of "I'll prove that Satan can't obstruct me from being baptized!" then he pointed at Hna Barton and said "Pone una fecha tu!" Which was basically commanding her to pick a date. Her face when she realized what he said was priceless! After some hushed conversations and looking at a calendar (all the while he was watching us with this 'yes, that's right, plan it out' face on) we picked a date and he agreed. YAY!!!!
So yeah, I guess quite a bit has gone on! I'm hoping to have several consecutive weeks of baptisms my last Transfer!
Onward and Upward!
~ Hermana Smart
Monday, June 13, 2011
Long time no talk
Sorry about the lack of updates! I was kind of freaking out over registering for classes this fall. But with the help of many wonderful people (top of the list being my Parents) things were worked out and my classes are locked in.
Man... I haven't sent an email for three weeks! I so sorry!
Okay well, what's new.... I am surprised to find that I speak Spanish very well now that I have to know what people are saying. That is pretty exciting! And I really like my new companion, she is extremely sweet and very hard working. We laugh a lot too which just makes the time together sweeter. I still have a hard time keeping names straight and I don't know where we are in the area sometimes, but Hna Barton has a mind like a steel trap so we get through just fine. I really like her.
So much has happened, I have no idea why I'm drawing a blank.
Currently we are teaching two separate and extremely intelligent nine-year-old girls. They both speak English and Spanish, and one speaks like a mature lady. It's really fun to teach children. They are so pure, and have more Faith. If you tell them they can pray and God will answer their prayer, they believe it and say the sweetest and most humble prayers!
Oh yeah, I had my Mini-Quincenera two weeks ago and it was nice. Hna Barton made me a cute sign while I was in the shower and baked me brownies then decorated them with a big '15'. We didn't do much else though other than go to District Meeting and share the brownies.
Darn, that's all I can really think of. If you have questions feel free to write me. I'll be back on next week with a better summary of my life probably.
Siga Adelante!
~ Hermana Smart
Man... I haven't sent an email for three weeks! I so sorry!
Okay well, what's new.... I am surprised to find that I speak Spanish very well now that I have to know what people are saying. That is pretty exciting! And I really like my new companion, she is extremely sweet and very hard working. We laugh a lot too which just makes the time together sweeter. I still have a hard time keeping names straight and I don't know where we are in the area sometimes, but Hna Barton has a mind like a steel trap so we get through just fine. I really like her.
So much has happened, I have no idea why I'm drawing a blank.
Currently we are teaching two separate and extremely intelligent nine-year-old girls. They both speak English and Spanish, and one speaks like a mature lady. It's really fun to teach children. They are so pure, and have more Faith. If you tell them they can pray and God will answer their prayer, they believe it and say the sweetest and most humble prayers!
Oh yeah, I had my Mini-Quincenera two weeks ago and it was nice. Hna Barton made me a cute sign while I was in the shower and baked me brownies then decorated them with a big '15'. We didn't do much else though other than go to District Meeting and share the brownies.
Darn, that's all I can really think of. If you have questions feel free to write me. I'll be back on next week with a better summary of my life probably.
Siga Adelante!
~ Hermana Smart
Monday, May 23, 2011
Not Alaska :0)
Greetings from Fairbanks.
So many changes, I don't know where to start... For one I'm now the companion that speaks more Spanish (my new companion Hna Barton has only three months in the mission) so that's throwing me for a loop. Usually I tried to not talk for a long time and switch off speaking with my companion which is the best way to teach. But now I'm teaching the whole lesson and asking my companion for commentary. And don't get me wrong, she's doing quite well. In just the week I've been here her prayers have improved a LOT. Sometimes I laugh in my head because I remember making the same kind of mistakes myself!
Being a Follow-Up Trainer (Greenie-Breaker) is tough because your new Comp has only had their Trainer, so there's always "But we did it THIS way." or "But my Trainer told me..." Hermana Barton's Trainer was an excellent Missionary, hard worker and new her Spanish. But there are some things that I hope to be changing to better relations with the Ward and stuff like that. It's just a lot of work that's been plopped into my lap! Taking it one day at a time really helps, and of course leaning on the Lord is the best option.
But I'm starting to see signs of DMS (Dying Missionary Syndrome). I'm tired ALL THE TIME. I fall asleep almost instantly once in bed and I don't usually wake during the night, but I don't feel rested when the morning comes. And I've never been one to fall asleep during my studies, but now my eyes are unfocusing and despite all my efforts I just can't keep reading. And it's hard to open my eyes again after praying! And there's no hope for my condition to improve until I end my Mission. It happens to most though, your body just starts giving out and your mind starts going. (I sound like I'm in my 70's or something).
This Transfer will actually only be five weeks long instead of the usual six because we're getting a change in Mission President. And our current one wants everyone to be in place before the new President takes over. So this Transfer is a week short, and my final one will be seven weeks long. A little bit of havoc on the planners but we'll be fine. I really hope they don't move me again, or I will have packed my life into suitcases FIVE TIMES in only six months! Oh wait, let's make it Six times in seven months because I'll be going to college soon after my return from my mission.
Streeeeeeeesss.
But it's all cool.
~ Hermana Smart
So many changes, I don't know where to start... For one I'm now the companion that speaks more Spanish (my new companion Hna Barton has only three months in the mission) so that's throwing me for a loop. Usually I tried to not talk for a long time and switch off speaking with my companion which is the best way to teach. But now I'm teaching the whole lesson and asking my companion for commentary. And don't get me wrong, she's doing quite well. In just the week I've been here her prayers have improved a LOT. Sometimes I laugh in my head because I remember making the same kind of mistakes myself!
Being a Follow-Up Trainer (Greenie-Breaker) is tough because your new Comp has only had their Trainer, so there's always "But we did it THIS way." or "But my Trainer told me..." Hermana Barton's Trainer was an excellent Missionary, hard worker and new her Spanish. But there are some things that I hope to be changing to better relations with the Ward and stuff like that. It's just a lot of work that's been plopped into my lap! Taking it one day at a time really helps, and of course leaning on the Lord is the best option.
But I'm starting to see signs of DMS (Dying Missionary Syndrome). I'm tired ALL THE TIME. I fall asleep almost instantly once in bed and I don't usually wake during the night, but I don't feel rested when the morning comes. And I've never been one to fall asleep during my studies, but now my eyes are unfocusing and despite all my efforts I just can't keep reading. And it's hard to open my eyes again after praying! And there's no hope for my condition to improve until I end my Mission. It happens to most though, your body just starts giving out and your mind starts going. (I sound like I'm in my 70's or something).
This Transfer will actually only be five weeks long instead of the usual six because we're getting a change in Mission President. And our current one wants everyone to be in place before the new President takes over. So this Transfer is a week short, and my final one will be seven weeks long. A little bit of havoc on the planners but we'll be fine. I really hope they don't move me again, or I will have packed my life into suitcases FIVE TIMES in only six months! Oh wait, let's make it Six times in seven months because I'll be going to college soon after my return from my mission.
Streeeeeeeesss.
But it's all cool.
~ Hermana Smart
Monday, May 16, 2011
I have to pack AGAIN!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
I have come to rather detest packing. Stuffing all my life into limited space and then trying to reorganize in a new location and I ALWAYS lose things. (You would think college would have prepared me for this)
As you may have guessed, I'm on my way out of Gulf Bank and heading to another area. Yes, I was only in an area for a single Transfer again. I've had to pack everything three times in as many months!
Okay, done venting.
So I'm going to an area called Fair Banks, where I will be Greenie Breaking a Hermana Barton who has only three months in the Mission. Oh wow... I have to be the one that understands Spanish! But if I've learned anything on my Mission, it is that the Lord will provide for those doing his will. It's not going to be easy, but I will be okay. And the few times that I've met Hna Barton she seems really sweet and a hard worker. So this should go well. I'll miss this area of course, it's my Baby Area. And also the most populated by hispanics out of all the Hermana Areas. So many people prepared to hear the Gospel! (well that's everywhere)
I've gotten most of my packing done already, just waiting on the stuff that I'm going to use in the next couple of days. I've also done much better, I got 90% of my clothes into my one duffle bag and it's mostly my study materials that are being a bugger with space. I plan to give away a lot of clothes and other items right before I die so I'll have less to take home.
On that note: I HAVE THREE MONTHS LEFT. Goodnight child! Where did my Mission go? Does it feel like 14+ months to you? Anyone?
I'll probably have a lot more to say next week reporting on my new area. I will most likely remain there until the end of my mission, I don't think they would move me somewhere else for only one Transfer. I might cry having to pack again THEN pack going home.
Hope y'all are doing well!
~ Hermana Smart
I have come to rather detest packing. Stuffing all my life into limited space and then trying to reorganize in a new location and I ALWAYS lose things. (You would think college would have prepared me for this)
As you may have guessed, I'm on my way out of Gulf Bank and heading to another area. Yes, I was only in an area for a single Transfer again. I've had to pack everything three times in as many months!
Okay, done venting.
So I'm going to an area called Fair Banks, where I will be Greenie Breaking a Hermana Barton who has only three months in the Mission. Oh wow... I have to be the one that understands Spanish! But if I've learned anything on my Mission, it is that the Lord will provide for those doing his will. It's not going to be easy, but I will be okay. And the few times that I've met Hna Barton she seems really sweet and a hard worker. So this should go well. I'll miss this area of course, it's my Baby Area. And also the most populated by hispanics out of all the Hermana Areas. So many people prepared to hear the Gospel! (well that's everywhere)
I've gotten most of my packing done already, just waiting on the stuff that I'm going to use in the next couple of days. I've also done much better, I got 90% of my clothes into my one duffle bag and it's mostly my study materials that are being a bugger with space. I plan to give away a lot of clothes and other items right before I die so I'll have less to take home.
On that note: I HAVE THREE MONTHS LEFT. Goodnight child! Where did my Mission go? Does it feel like 14+ months to you? Anyone?
I'll probably have a lot more to say next week reporting on my new area. I will most likely remain there until the end of my mission, I don't think they would move me somewhere else for only one Transfer. I might cry having to pack again THEN pack going home.
Hope y'all are doing well!
~ Hermana Smart
And it was wonderful!!
And it was wonderful!!!
In case you were unaware, Missionaries only get to call home and talk to family twice a year (Christmas and Mother's Day) and only talk for an hour each time. It is a well-anticipated event and I enjoyed it thoroughly. This time was a slightly different flavor, lots of encouragement and laughs as usual. But also some planning for the (not so far) future. What we want to do once I'm home (WEIRD).
Next week, ALREADY, is going to be a new Transfer. (MORE WEIRD) I really have NO idea what's going to happen with me. I might stay here in Gulf Bank, I might be moved, I might be Training, I might Greenie-break, I might stay just the same. There's no way to guess with any kind of accuracy. We don't recieve revelation for that.
(fifteen minutes pass by as I am completely distracted by conversations ranging from uses for sourkraut, Josh Groban, and Happy Hour at Sonics)
I don't even know what I wanted to type anymore....
For now I'll just mention that my Quincenera is coming up! It's a Hispanic thing, kind of like American Sweet Sixteen. Except it's wedding-sized event that can cost $10,000. It boggles my mind but it happens all the time. Anyways, my Fifteen Month mark is coming up, which in this mission means I shoudl treat it as a mini (MICRO-mini) Quincenera for myself. I dunno what I'll do. Maybe go out to eat.
Aaaand that's all.
Type to you later
~ Hermana Smart
In case you were unaware, Missionaries only get to call home and talk to family twice a year (Christmas and Mother's Day) and only talk for an hour each time. It is a well-anticipated event and I enjoyed it thoroughly. This time was a slightly different flavor, lots of encouragement and laughs as usual. But also some planning for the (not so far) future. What we want to do once I'm home (WEIRD).
Next week, ALREADY, is going to be a new Transfer. (MORE WEIRD) I really have NO idea what's going to happen with me. I might stay here in Gulf Bank, I might be moved, I might be Training, I might Greenie-break, I might stay just the same. There's no way to guess with any kind of accuracy. We don't recieve revelation for that.
(fifteen minutes pass by as I am completely distracted by conversations ranging from uses for sourkraut, Josh Groban, and Happy Hour at Sonics)
I don't even know what I wanted to type anymore....
For now I'll just mention that my Quincenera is coming up! It's a Hispanic thing, kind of like American Sweet Sixteen. Except it's wedding-sized event that can cost $10,000. It boggles my mind but it happens all the time. Anyways, my Fifteen Month mark is coming up, which in this mission means I shoudl treat it as a mini (MICRO-mini) Quincenera for myself. I dunno what I'll do. Maybe go out to eat.
Aaaand that's all.
Type to you later
~ Hermana Smart
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A year in Texas!!
This Thursday I will complete an entire glorious year serving in Houston Texas. Man, as I start to repeat months on my Mission it's really trippy. But NOW I'll be repeating them working the same area as when I FIRST arrived! Well, for two weeks at least. We have a lot of crazy stuff going on with Hermanas leaving and four new ones coming in on the 18th of May so I really don't know if I'm staying in Gulfbank or if I've just been in another Limbo Transfer.
Anyways I was informed by my Mom that the address I gave her was incorrect. My bad! And that some people have had their letters returned. That would explain why I've been in a famine for letters. I thought people had forgotten about me because I was not freshly gone or about to come home. But it was just a mail-related oopsy! I hope to get my long-awaited letters here soon.
My Dad had his birthday yesterday, so he gets a Shout-out! I love you Dad! Thank you for being such a good example to me every day of my life! Also it's my Sister-in-Law's birthday today! Amy you are a good example to me and I look forward to speaking Spanish with you all the time! I hope your BDay in Hawaii is the best one yet!
Oh and to all the WONDERFUL people who remembered me on my Birthday, Thankyou cards are coming. I'm enlisting the help of an Elder in my ward to make them extra-special. I'm paying him in pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
I think that's all the news for now. Talk to you next week!
~ Hermana Smart
Anyways I was informed by my Mom that the address I gave her was incorrect. My bad! And that some people have had their letters returned. That would explain why I've been in a famine for letters. I thought people had forgotten about me because I was not freshly gone or about to come home. But it was just a mail-related oopsy! I hope to get my long-awaited letters here soon.
My Dad had his birthday yesterday, so he gets a Shout-out! I love you Dad! Thank you for being such a good example to me every day of my life! Also it's my Sister-in-Law's birthday today! Amy you are a good example to me and I look forward to speaking Spanish with you all the time! I hope your BDay in Hawaii is the best one yet!
Oh and to all the WONDERFUL people who remembered me on my Birthday, Thankyou cards are coming. I'm enlisting the help of an Elder in my ward to make them extra-special. I'm paying him in pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
I think that's all the news for now. Talk to you next week!
~ Hermana Smart
Monday, April 25, 2011
Extra Crispy
With only four months left in my Mission I thought that it would be fun to get a tan and startle people who know me (I have been quite pale for the majority of my life). So when our Ward had an Easter Activity for the children in Primary I spent most of the four hours sitting in the sun. That took a bit of willpower as I am accustomed to hiding from the sun. Well I'm so unused to being exposed to sunlight that I plum forgot about sunscreen. So, as you may have guessed, I got burnt. And OH am I burned. My face, my collarbone, and my arms. It's worst on my upper arms (almost purple it looks like), and you can see an outline of where my necklace was. I've gone through half a tube of Aloe Vera already. Today our Zone is planning to go to a really fun park, and I'm packing Bullfrog SPF 36 this time.
In other news... well not much to report. Apparently Houston is going through a drought right now. I hope that doesn't mean that there will not be any Epic Thunderstorms this year. That's what got me though the summer last year. I want to get some more video of how cool the skies can get in Houston.
I realized reading in my D&C countdown this morning that next week I'll be at 100 days remaining. Oh SNAP. I'm almost down to double digits!! Where has the time gone? There are days that crawl and days that zoom, but overall I kind of freak myself out every time that I think about how after this Transfer's done that I only have two more. Weeeird....
*salutes*
~ Hermana Smart
In other news... well not much to report. Apparently Houston is going through a drought right now. I hope that doesn't mean that there will not be any Epic Thunderstorms this year. That's what got me though the summer last year. I want to get some more video of how cool the skies can get in Houston.
I realized reading in my D&C countdown this morning that next week I'll be at 100 days remaining. Oh SNAP. I'm almost down to double digits!! Where has the time gone? There are days that crawl and days that zoom, but overall I kind of freak myself out every time that I think about how after this Transfer's done that I only have two more. Weeeird....
*salutes*
~ Hermana Smart
One year older and wiser too!
Thank you to everyone who sent me Happy Birthday Wishes! I haven't been getting much mail at all lately, so the outpouring of cards was a really nice change. I bought a itty bitty cake and shared it with the few other people who came to activities. We were supposed to be there as a whole Zone but with only eight slices it worked out perfect to have less.
So the big news of the week is that I'm now 23. In the last year I've learned Spanish, gained 25 pounds, make a bajillion new friends and served twelve memorable months as a servant of the Lord. That's mostly a good list!
My companion is watching and waiting for me to finish so sorry this will be a short post.
Happy Birthday to me and a Very Merry Unbirthday to the rest of you!
~ Hermana Smart
So the big news of the week is that I'm now 23. In the last year I've learned Spanish, gained 25 pounds, make a bajillion new friends and served twelve memorable months as a servant of the Lord. That's mostly a good list!
My companion is watching and waiting for me to finish so sorry this will be a short post.
Happy Birthday to me and a Very Merry Unbirthday to the rest of you!
~ Hermana Smart
Monday, April 11, 2011
Kickin' it in Gulfbank once again
Man, where to start. Well I'm back in my Baby Area and it's really quite trippy. You see the streets are the same, a lot of the people are the same, but then again none of the Missionaries here are the same and other stuff I was used to is not how it used to be. One example being that they switched apartments. So even though I'm sitting at the EXACT SAME desk I had as a Greenie, stuff is different. It's really hard to explain. I keep missing my Trainer Hermana Green really badly, but I shake it off. My new companion Hermana Ang is pretty darn cool.
I thought that I would know my way around the area good, but turns out all I remember is a few streets. I can't get around without the map AT ALL. But the area is so itty bitty in comparion to the other two I've had! In four months we might start re-knocking areas! Lots of apartment complexes. Several Potential Investigators. I have high hopes. It's kind of weird being the older missionary though. Hna Ang just has one less Transfer than me (6 weeks) so we are on equal ground. I defer to her a lot because she knows better what's going on in the area right now. It was really nice seeing the Members again and having them all remember me! They were all happy to have me back, that was really sweet.
Well, that's the gist of it. We actually have to go now but I'll have more news next week!
Con Amor!
~ Hermana Smart
I thought that I would know my way around the area good, but turns out all I remember is a few streets. I can't get around without the map AT ALL. But the area is so itty bitty in comparion to the other two I've had! In four months we might start re-knocking areas! Lots of apartment complexes. Several Potential Investigators. I have high hopes. It's kind of weird being the older missionary though. Hna Ang just has one less Transfer than me (6 weeks) so we are on equal ground. I defer to her a lot because she knows better what's going on in the area right now. It was really nice seeing the Members again and having them all remember me! They were all happy to have me back, that was really sweet.
Well, that's the gist of it. We actually have to go now but I'll have more news next week!
Con Amor!
~ Hermana Smart
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Back to my beginnings!!
So we received Transfer Calls two days ago to inform us of our fate for the following six weeks. A few things have happened that make guessing what would happen very tricky. We knew that there would not be enough Spanish Speaking Sister Missionaries to fill the areas that currently have them because five are going home. So we knew an area would have to be closed or white washed with Spanish Speaking Elders. It was not too surprising to us that this came to pass with my area West Green, it's healthy to switch out every once in a while to change things up. But what I did NOT expect is where I would be sent to.
Want to guess?
I'm going to GULF BANK. For those of you who have followed my adventures from the beginning you will recall that Gulf Bank is where I STARTED my mission when I first came to Texas! It is not common that we are sent back to an old area, especially not for Sisters. So this is really cool! I can't wait to see the looks on peoples' faces when I can speak passable Spanish! Last they knew me I spoke hardly any! How fun!
I also really enjoyed Conference Weekend. My favorite talk was the one given my D. Todd Christofferson in the Afternoon Session on Sunday. I'm excited for the Ensign next month that will have all the talks given in text form because my notes are not as robust as usual. Last Tuesday I developed the flu and it's been strong with me all week. I went through dizziness, nausea, aches, chills and fever. And a painful sore throat that still has not left me. But I still worked! My Mission is really teaching me what it means to dedicate yourself and work despite of opposition. I'll take a break when I'm home!
It seems unreal to me that my Birthday is just two weeks from today. Hopefully that will mean more mail. In the last three weeks I've only received two letters that were not from my parents or one of the three postcards that have come. I'm in that stage of my Mission where people are not missing me as much because I haven't recently left, and they are not rushing to sent me a letter just before I go home. I'm in Letter Limbo! Baaaawww!!
I hope you all enjoyed the 181st General Conference and will take the lessons you learned to heart.
That's all until next week when I will relate to you tales from my baby area!
~ Hermana Smart
Want to guess?
I'm going to GULF BANK. For those of you who have followed my adventures from the beginning you will recall that Gulf Bank is where I STARTED my mission when I first came to Texas! It is not common that we are sent back to an old area, especially not for Sisters. So this is really cool! I can't wait to see the looks on peoples' faces when I can speak passable Spanish! Last they knew me I spoke hardly any! How fun!
I also really enjoyed Conference Weekend. My favorite talk was the one given my D. Todd Christofferson in the Afternoon Session on Sunday. I'm excited for the Ensign next month that will have all the talks given in text form because my notes are not as robust as usual. Last Tuesday I developed the flu and it's been strong with me all week. I went through dizziness, nausea, aches, chills and fever. And a painful sore throat that still has not left me. But I still worked! My Mission is really teaching me what it means to dedicate yourself and work despite of opposition. I'll take a break when I'm home!
It seems unreal to me that my Birthday is just two weeks from today. Hopefully that will mean more mail. In the last three weeks I've only received two letters that were not from my parents or one of the three postcards that have come. I'm in that stage of my Mission where people are not missing me as much because I haven't recently left, and they are not rushing to sent me a letter just before I go home. I'm in Letter Limbo! Baaaawww!!
I hope you all enjoyed the 181st General Conference and will take the lessons you learned to heart.
That's all until next week when I will relate to you tales from my baby area!
~ Hermana Smart
Almost General Conference.
Next weekend is General Conference! Whooooooo!!! I'm so Excited! Every GC just seems to get better and better as I'm more Spiritually receptive because of my Misison. This time I'm actually going to do more that just take notes and soak it all in. I'm going to have a couple of questions I want answered about life and stuff and see what Personal Revelation I receive. This should be good.
If you don't have BYU Channel or don't want to find a Chapel to attend you can find the information on how to watch over the Internet here: http://lds.org/church/news/181st-general-conference-of-the-church?lang=eng
In other news I started this thing called the D&C Countdown. With 138 sections and two Official Declarations the book of scripture called Doctrine and Covenants has 140 days worth of Countdown material. I started it last week on the 23rd of March. I'll be reading it backwards by section so the one I read is how many days I have left in the Mission. I invite anyone who wants to join me to open their own books or (if you don't own a D&C) use this website to read along: http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament?lang=eng Join me!
Since Missionaries are often behind-on-the-times when it comes to News I found out that there was a big Earthquake in Japan and it basically blew up (exaggeration, yes) That makes me sad because I like Japan, and for many other reasons as well. My prayers are often directed to the people in need there. I found out that every single Missionary in Japan is okay. There were eight unaccounted for but they were fine, just unable to report in for a time. And in the actual area where it was the worst, none of the Missionaries were harmed because they were all attending a Zone Conference in a building miles away. The Lord takes care of those who are doing his work.
Next Saturday night we're going to receive Transfer Calls, and I'll be able to tell you all what my fate will be for the next six weeks in my next email.
Until then!
~ Hermana Smart
If you don't have BYU Channel or don't want to find a Chapel to attend you can find the information on how to watch over the Internet here: http://lds.org/church/news/181st-general-conference-of-the-church?lang=eng
In other news I started this thing called the D&C Countdown. With 138 sections and two Official Declarations the book of scripture called Doctrine and Covenants has 140 days worth of Countdown material. I started it last week on the 23rd of March. I'll be reading it backwards by section so the one I read is how many days I have left in the Mission. I invite anyone who wants to join me to open their own books or (if you don't own a D&C) use this website to read along: http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament?lang=eng Join me!
Since Missionaries are often behind-on-the-times when it comes to News I found out that there was a big Earthquake in Japan and it basically blew up (exaggeration, yes) That makes me sad because I like Japan, and for many other reasons as well. My prayers are often directed to the people in need there. I found out that every single Missionary in Japan is okay. There were eight unaccounted for but they were fine, just unable to report in for a time. And in the actual area where it was the worst, none of the Missionaries were harmed because they were all attending a Zone Conference in a building miles away. The Lord takes care of those who are doing his work.
Next Saturday night we're going to receive Transfer Calls, and I'll be able to tell you all what my fate will be for the next six weeks in my next email.
Until then!
~ Hermana Smart
Its warming up again.
The temperature and saturation of the atmosphere are rising again. When I get out of a car or step out of a home my glasses fog up immediately. It was like that when I first got to Texas. It's kind of weird getting these flickerings of Deja Vu. The horizons during sunset are starting to look like when I was with my Trainer again. The plants are looking the same. I really hope that the mosquitoes don't bite like they did last year! People told me that I'm allergic and that's why I swell up so bad!!
I'm over my year mark, I'm starting to repeat months, weird! The mail has begun to dwindle too. In May I'll have spent an entire year of my life in Texas. In April I'll have been a Missionary Birthday-to-Birthday. Honestly it's a bit trippy. There are still days where I look in the mirror and marvel at the fact that I'm a Missionary.
~ Hermana Smart
I'm over my year mark, I'm starting to repeat months, weird! The mail has begun to dwindle too. In May I'll have spent an entire year of my life in Texas. In April I'll have been a Missionary Birthday-to-Birthday. Honestly it's a bit trippy. There are still days where I look in the mirror and marvel at the fact that I'm a Missionary.
~ Hermana Smart
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Today I heard thunder !!
The weather has been staying pretty fair, cloudy and warm with cool breezes so I'm not geting toasted by the sun or suffocated by humidity. It's sprinkly today and the clouds are dark with rain, and I heard thunder! That makes me really happy. The thing that makes the summer months the most barable is the FANTASTIC storms! Thunder, lightning and wind all combining for a show of celestial proportions! I should be able to get another round of awesome videos of bolts across the sky before I head home in August.
In other news there's not a whole lot of news. We did lose our phone for a day. I couldn't find it that night and the English Elders who lived above us had gone to sleep early so would not answer their door when we wanted to borrow their phone to call ours so we could find out where it was. So we had to wait until the next day when we picked up our Spanish Elders to borrow their phone. Turns out that we left our phone at someone's Trailer when they had not been present for a lesson. It was dark and I was trying to leave a note, my Companion wanted to elave right away because we were in a bad part of town at night so I rushed off sans cellular. But he kept the phone for us saying "You left your phone number, and your phone!" When we got there he had already gone, but he left the phone wrapped in a note on his door for us. Yay brick phone! We'll be getting a new one at Zone Conference in two weeks but I'm glad we didn't lose it early!
Last Pday my Comp and I tried out a Zumba class. IT KICKED MY TUSHIE! I was soooo sooore in my calves especially for the next couple of days. We're not Zumba-ing today, maybe another week. Instead we want to go to Ross, I need a couple of new articles of clothing. I never came with much, and a few things are getting worn out or I grew out of... (*cough*fat*cough*) We'll see what treasures we can drum up today!
Aaaaand I believe that to be it. I'm excited for General Conference coming up! Whoo!
~ Hermana Smart
In other news there's not a whole lot of news. We did lose our phone for a day. I couldn't find it that night and the English Elders who lived above us had gone to sleep early so would not answer their door when we wanted to borrow their phone to call ours so we could find out where it was. So we had to wait until the next day when we picked up our Spanish Elders to borrow their phone. Turns out that we left our phone at someone's Trailer when they had not been present for a lesson. It was dark and I was trying to leave a note, my Companion wanted to elave right away because we were in a bad part of town at night so I rushed off sans cellular. But he kept the phone for us saying "You left your phone number, and your phone!" When we got there he had already gone, but he left the phone wrapped in a note on his door for us. Yay brick phone! We'll be getting a new one at Zone Conference in two weeks but I'm glad we didn't lose it early!
Last Pday my Comp and I tried out a Zumba class. IT KICKED MY TUSHIE! I was soooo sooore in my calves especially for the next couple of days. We're not Zumba-ing today, maybe another week. Instead we want to go to Ross, I need a couple of new articles of clothing. I never came with much, and a few things are getting worn out or I grew out of... (*cough*fat*cough*) We'll see what treasures we can drum up today!
Aaaaand I believe that to be it. I'm excited for General Conference coming up! Whoo!
~ Hermana Smart
Monday, March 7, 2011
It kinda feels like spring
Last three days have been cold (as in 51 degrees) in the morning, then by the afternoon we're baking in the car with sun and 75+ degrees. Feels weird to me in Texas, until I remembered that this is how Spring would usually be backhome. Cold mornings and warm afternoons. And It's made me happy to see the trees flowering in magentas and pinks and whites. I miss Spring back home though, what I think of as REAL Spring.
I still have very little idea where I am in Westgreen, but hopefully in the four weeks left I have to figure things out I'll understand the streets and ward better.
Friday Hna Taets straightened my hair and taught me how to put eye makeup on (eye shadow, crimping of eyelashes, eye liner). We went to a Zone Meeting and the shock and awe I got from other Missionaries made all the preparation worth it! Man that was funny. Though while she was straightening my hair Hna Taets said "Is that a grey hair?" and I felt her yank out a single strand and I saw that yes, it was indeed a completely white hair. So at 22, almost 23, I have had a grey hair. She asked me what I have to be stressing about. Helloooooo! I'm a Missionary! Lots of stressors!
I had my big ONE YEAR mark this past Thursday (almost typed 'Jueves') so my Companion and I, and the two Elders that ride in our back seat all went to Red Robin to celebrate. When we were done our Server came over and told us that someone had already taken care of our bill for us, so we didn't have to pay. We were all really surprised and the place was packed full so we had no idea who this very kind person was! I'm assuming it was a Member, but I feel very grateful for that blessing someone gave us.
In exactly five weeks I think it will be my birthday and I'll be 23! I was just starting to get used to being 22, I'm getting ooooold! Well not really, but in June I'll have been graduated from High School for Five Years! Halfway to my first School Reunion! Weeeiiiirrd.
Well, that's all the updates I have for now I think.
Hablo a ustedes en la proxima semana.
~ Hermana Smart
I still have very little idea where I am in Westgreen, but hopefully in the four weeks left I have to figure things out I'll understand the streets and ward better.
Friday Hna Taets straightened my hair and taught me how to put eye makeup on (eye shadow, crimping of eyelashes, eye liner). We went to a Zone Meeting and the shock and awe I got from other Missionaries made all the preparation worth it! Man that was funny. Though while she was straightening my hair Hna Taets said "Is that a grey hair?" and I felt her yank out a single strand and I saw that yes, it was indeed a completely white hair. So at 22, almost 23, I have had a grey hair. She asked me what I have to be stressing about. Helloooooo! I'm a Missionary! Lots of stressors!
I had my big ONE YEAR mark this past Thursday (almost typed 'Jueves') so my Companion and I, and the two Elders that ride in our back seat all went to Red Robin to celebrate. When we were done our Server came over and told us that someone had already taken care of our bill for us, so we didn't have to pay. We were all really surprised and the place was packed full so we had no idea who this very kind person was! I'm assuming it was a Member, but I feel very grateful for that blessing someone gave us.
In exactly five weeks I think it will be my birthday and I'll be 23! I was just starting to get used to being 22, I'm getting ooooold! Well not really, but in June I'll have been graduated from High School for Five Years! Halfway to my first School Reunion! Weeeiiiirrd.
Well, that's all the updates I have for now I think.
Hablo a ustedes en la proxima semana.
~ Hermana Smart
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Week one in Westgreen
Man it's so weird to be in a new Area! I don't know SQUAT about where I am or people we talk to. I spent five Transfers, seven and a half months, in Bearcreek. I knew that area pretty well. It took like six Keymap pages to make a map of that area. But Westgreen takes like 20, maybe more. It's GINORMOUS. I can't even unfold a map in the car to try and figure out the roads we're on and learn the area that way because it's TOO BIG. AHHHHH. I'm going to be in trouble when Hna Taets leaves in five weeks.
On the upside: I have a DRYER! YEEESSS!! No more air-drying clothes! And the ward seems pretty cool. They feed us like every day it appears. (I'm going to get even fatter, that I'm not so enthusiastic about.) But apparently it's really easy to lose mission weight once you go home.
A couple of days ago when we were talking about how much time I have left in the Mission Hna Taets blew my mind. At the end of this Transfer I'm going to get my Death Dot (the mark they put on your picture in the Mission Office so they know who has three Transfers or less at a glance) That's soooo wierd. I've been watching other Missionaries getting ready to leave or hitting these milestones, it's just so odd that I'm getting there too.
This coming Thursday I'll complete one year as a Missionary! It was on March 3rd 2010 that I said Goodbye to my Parents and entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah. In some ways I'm surprised, in others in feels like I should have been done with my Mission for a year by now. But when it's finally my turn to go home I know it's going to be so strange.
I'll be able to go visit my old area this Sunday since I'm going up for a Baptism. I'll have been out of Bearcreek for two weeks, it might feel weird going back again. I'm just so thrown off with the new area, new apartment, new companion, new ward. But I'll adjust, it's what Missionaries do. I'll not likely be moved again until the end of my mission, so I'll be in Westgreen for six months.
I hope you're all doing well!
~ Hermana Smart
On the upside: I have a DRYER! YEEESSS!! No more air-drying clothes! And the ward seems pretty cool. They feed us like every day it appears. (I'm going to get even fatter, that I'm not so enthusiastic about.) But apparently it's really easy to lose mission weight once you go home.
A couple of days ago when we were talking about how much time I have left in the Mission Hna Taets blew my mind. At the end of this Transfer I'm going to get my Death Dot (the mark they put on your picture in the Mission Office so they know who has three Transfers or less at a glance) That's soooo wierd. I've been watching other Missionaries getting ready to leave or hitting these milestones, it's just so odd that I'm getting there too.
This coming Thursday I'll complete one year as a Missionary! It was on March 3rd 2010 that I said Goodbye to my Parents and entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah. In some ways I'm surprised, in others in feels like I should have been done with my Mission for a year by now. But when it's finally my turn to go home I know it's going to be so strange.
I'll be able to go visit my old area this Sunday since I'm going up for a Baptism. I'll have been out of Bearcreek for two weeks, it might feel weird going back again. I'm just so thrown off with the new area, new apartment, new companion, new ward. But I'll adjust, it's what Missionaries do. I'll not likely be moved again until the end of my mission, so I'll be in Westgreen for six months.
I hope you're all doing well!
~ Hermana Smart
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I am moving!
Oh boy.
Packing up my life feels really weird when I haven't done it in a while. I've been in Bear Creek longer than I was ever away at school, so I guess that I got more settled. Then there's also the limit on the number of suitcases we can have so I'm stressed about it all fitting. When did I get more stuff? Hijole...
Well now I'm sure you're all just DYING to know where I'm headed right? Well as it happens I'm going to West Green. The area that touches Bear Creek on it's west border. So I'm not moving too far, haha! Good news, it shouldn't be too hard for me to return and attend Baptisms! I'm still in the same Zone, and actually in the same District too. So I've already been aquainted with my new companion for a while. The Missionary that I'm replacing in Westgreen is actually coming over to take my place in Bearcreek, soooo we're just swapping places. It's pretty silly. I'm a little worried because of what I've heard about my new area, the Ward sounds fantastic though. Although my new companion only has one Transfer left, so I'll have only a Month and a Half to try and learn all I can before I'm on my own with a new companion who knows less about the area than I do.
In other news it looks like the weather's warming up for good, the highs are in the seventies and the lows in the sixties. I'm starting to feel the humidity again when we're outside. But hopefully it won't get crazy-killer-hot again until after April.
More news is that next week on March 3 I'll complete one full year as a Missionary! That's right folks! A year ago that day I hugged my parents goodbye and walked into the MTC to begin my new life as a Representative of Jesus Christ and the most rigorous growth period of my entire life. I have about six months left. Whoooaaaaa....
Uhm, I think that's it.
Happy President's Day!
~ Hermana Smart
Packing up my life feels really weird when I haven't done it in a while. I've been in Bear Creek longer than I was ever away at school, so I guess that I got more settled. Then there's also the limit on the number of suitcases we can have so I'm stressed about it all fitting. When did I get more stuff? Hijole...
Well now I'm sure you're all just DYING to know where I'm headed right? Well as it happens I'm going to West Green. The area that touches Bear Creek on it's west border. So I'm not moving too far, haha! Good news, it shouldn't be too hard for me to return and attend Baptisms! I'm still in the same Zone, and actually in the same District too. So I've already been aquainted with my new companion for a while. The Missionary that I'm replacing in Westgreen is actually coming over to take my place in Bearcreek, soooo we're just swapping places. It's pretty silly. I'm a little worried because of what I've heard about my new area, the Ward sounds fantastic though. Although my new companion only has one Transfer left, so I'll have only a Month and a Half to try and learn all I can before I'm on my own with a new companion who knows less about the area than I do.
In other news it looks like the weather's warming up for good, the highs are in the seventies and the lows in the sixties. I'm starting to feel the humidity again when we're outside. But hopefully it won't get crazy-killer-hot again until after April.
More news is that next week on March 3 I'll complete one full year as a Missionary! That's right folks! A year ago that day I hugged my parents goodbye and walked into the MTC to begin my new life as a Representative of Jesus Christ and the most rigorous growth period of my entire life. I have about six months left. Whoooaaaaa....
Uhm, I think that's it.
Happy President's Day!
~ Hermana Smart
Monday, February 14, 2011
Next week I shall know my Fate
Felize Dia de Amor y Amestades!
This Saturday we'll be receiving Transfer Calls. I've been in Bear Creek for over seven months, Five Transfers. That's a long time. I don't expect to be staying for another one, especially because my Companion only has one left, that would probably meant that if I stay, and she stays, that I'll be staying at least one more after than to Train another Missionary to take over the Area when I leave. But I've seen crazier things happen. I'll miss Bear Creek whenever it is I leave though.
News on this week, hmmmm... well it went from being BITTER COLD to ideal weather of cool in the shade and warm in the sun with a crisp breeze. It will be like this until April I heard. I still have to make it into another August before I'm home. I was not the biggest fan of being soaked in sweat, but I get over it pretty quick while working.
And for the second time while knocking we encountered someone with the blondest hair and the bluest eyes and their first Language was Spanish!! The one we met this week speaks English very well, but he kept looking at my tag and finally asked if we spoke Spanish. We affirmed that we did and switched over. And he's so intelligent! When we went back to teach him the First Lesson I prayed and in there asked that he could know for himself that this was the True Church. After wards he asked (in Spanish) "You said true church, does that mean that the others are false?" And I was like "Well, yes, that's what we want to explain to you today in the lesson." He kept asking really good logical questions, a few times I had to say "We are actually going to explain that further on, but good question!" I LOVE it when they ask questions with the intent of gaining better understanding.
After errands today we'll be having a Zone Activity with about 24 Missionaries in the park with a BBQ, we were assigned to bring cheese and whatever condiments we have in our fridge. The weather's nice, if they have Volleyball I plan on playing. But I might just be chilling and writing letters while watching the Elders be Elders, and therefore entertaining.
This sunny weather actually makes me so sleepy. It just makes me want to curl up in bed. I think it might be because during the summer I could sleep in and I'd see it being bright and sunny outside my window while I was resting and taking my time getting up and about. Sunny weather equals naps in my mind apparently, heh. That's another thing to fix when I get home. I'll be expecting invitations to go out and do fun things when I'm home, I'll need help not degrading back to my Computer Recluse ways!
Until next week, when I can tell you my fate for the next month and a half!
~ Hermana Smart
This Saturday we'll be receiving Transfer Calls. I've been in Bear Creek for over seven months, Five Transfers. That's a long time. I don't expect to be staying for another one, especially because my Companion only has one left, that would probably meant that if I stay, and she stays, that I'll be staying at least one more after than to Train another Missionary to take over the Area when I leave. But I've seen crazier things happen. I'll miss Bear Creek whenever it is I leave though.
News on this week, hmmmm... well it went from being BITTER COLD to ideal weather of cool in the shade and warm in the sun with a crisp breeze. It will be like this until April I heard. I still have to make it into another August before I'm home. I was not the biggest fan of being soaked in sweat, but I get over it pretty quick while working.
And for the second time while knocking we encountered someone with the blondest hair and the bluest eyes and their first Language was Spanish!! The one we met this week speaks English very well, but he kept looking at my tag and finally asked if we spoke Spanish. We affirmed that we did and switched over. And he's so intelligent! When we went back to teach him the First Lesson I prayed and in there asked that he could know for himself that this was the True Church. After wards he asked (in Spanish) "You said true church, does that mean that the others are false?" And I was like "Well, yes, that's what we want to explain to you today in the lesson." He kept asking really good logical questions, a few times I had to say "We are actually going to explain that further on, but good question!" I LOVE it when they ask questions with the intent of gaining better understanding.
After errands today we'll be having a Zone Activity with about 24 Missionaries in the park with a BBQ, we were assigned to bring cheese and whatever condiments we have in our fridge. The weather's nice, if they have Volleyball I plan on playing. But I might just be chilling and writing letters while watching the Elders be Elders, and therefore entertaining.
This sunny weather actually makes me so sleepy. It just makes me want to curl up in bed. I think it might be because during the summer I could sleep in and I'd see it being bright and sunny outside my window while I was resting and taking my time getting up and about. Sunny weather equals naps in my mind apparently, heh. That's another thing to fix when I get home. I'll be expecting invitations to go out and do fun things when I'm home, I'll need help not degrading back to my Computer Recluse ways!
Until next week, when I can tell you my fate for the next month and a half!
~ Hermana Smart
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
It's sunny and I like it!
Last week the whole city of Houston was freaking out that there was going to be this huge ice storm on Friday and that there might be snow. They canceled school, we got special directions to not leave our apartments if the white stuff started falling, we bought candles and got water and had food and everything! I was so excited, more than I was for Christmas!
We got half a centimeter of ice on cars and grass, it didn't even freeze on the road.... ANTICLIMATIC. I was so disapointed. I miss snow! First year of my life where I will not experiance the child-like joy that comes from prancing about in bits of cold fluff dancing down from the heavens above.
But I'll live.
We had a Baptism last night! Yaaay! Better yet hardly anything went wrong! YAAAAAY!! A big feat considering the stuff we've had to battle through on other occasions. But it went well, I so hapi!
And as the title states, it's sunny and I actually am enjoying it. Mostly because it's still like fifty degrees outside with a brisk wind, so the sun's nice. Even if it have to keep my eyes closed in the car because it's too bright and hurts like crazy while making my eyes overflow.
I'm still fat, and with sometimes getting two or three dinners a night of stuffing ourselves so as not to offend I'm fairly certain I won't be able to fix my fat for a while. But we had yummy traditional spaghetti with meatballs last night and I couldn't finish all mine, but there was a plate of warm-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies right in front of me. I asked if I could have some even though I hadn't finished my spaghetti, she would have let me have them anyways but the Sister laughed and gave me permission. In my defense it was a HUGE plate. Like that would have filled up my Dad (to those who know him. To those who don't I'll summarize: Towering pillar of masculinity, Heart of Santa Claus, Giggles like a schoolboy)
Aaaaand, that may be all in fact. Well not ALL all. I could describe the Gazelle head we saw driving today in the back of someone's truck, but I don't even know why it was there so I'll just stop.
Digital Highfives all around!
~ Hermana Smart
We got half a centimeter of ice on cars and grass, it didn't even freeze on the road.... ANTICLIMATIC. I was so disapointed. I miss snow! First year of my life where I will not experiance the child-like joy that comes from prancing about in bits of cold fluff dancing down from the heavens above.
But I'll live.
We had a Baptism last night! Yaaay! Better yet hardly anything went wrong! YAAAAAY!! A big feat considering the stuff we've had to battle through on other occasions. But it went well, I so hapi!
And as the title states, it's sunny and I actually am enjoying it. Mostly because it's still like fifty degrees outside with a brisk wind, so the sun's nice. Even if it have to keep my eyes closed in the car because it's too bright and hurts like crazy while making my eyes overflow.
I'm still fat, and with sometimes getting two or three dinners a night of stuffing ourselves so as not to offend I'm fairly certain I won't be able to fix my fat for a while. But we had yummy traditional spaghetti with meatballs last night and I couldn't finish all mine, but there was a plate of warm-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies right in front of me. I asked if I could have some even though I hadn't finished my spaghetti, she would have let me have them anyways but the Sister laughed and gave me permission. In my defense it was a HUGE plate. Like that would have filled up my Dad (to those who know him. To those who don't I'll summarize: Towering pillar of masculinity, Heart of Santa Claus, Giggles like a schoolboy)
Aaaaand, that may be all in fact. Well not ALL all. I could describe the Gazelle head we saw driving today in the back of someone's truck, but I don't even know why it was there so I'll just stop.
Digital Highfives all around!
~ Hermana Smart
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A year ago at this time
My Mom reminded me in her email that a year ago at this time I had recieved my Mission Call and was shopping to prepare myself. Trippy! January's actually gone pretty fast. After the anticipation of the Holidays it seems at times that I'm rushing to complete my one-year mark in March!
Hmmm, news... well we have a sizable list of Investigators, however none have commited to date in quite some time! I'm grateful that we have so many people to teach who are progressing at their respective speeds, but someone needs to choose a date!
Today it's nice and rainy, the weather has been between cold and mild (where I like it best) and I guess it'll be warming back up to the point of uncomforable again around April. I'll have a couple months with the temperatures in the sweat-running-down-my-back-once-I-step-outside range before I return home in August. That's like six and a half months away.... whoa. I'm almost 2/3 of the way done.
Any-hoo I'm doing good and working hard. There's this adorable Recent Convert that wants to serve her own mission in about a year and she likes to come out with us. We took her knocking and referal-hunting for a few hours on this last Saturday and she really liked it! She'll make a wonderful Missionary, it's really cool to see someone else have Missionary dreams and to help her better understand what she's getting into.
Tengan una semana fabuloso!
~ Hermana Smart
Hmmm, news... well we have a sizable list of Investigators, however none have commited to date in quite some time! I'm grateful that we have so many people to teach who are progressing at their respective speeds, but someone needs to choose a date!
Today it's nice and rainy, the weather has been between cold and mild (where I like it best) and I guess it'll be warming back up to the point of uncomforable again around April. I'll have a couple months with the temperatures in the sweat-running-down-my-back-once-I-step-outside range before I return home in August. That's like six and a half months away.... whoa. I'm almost 2/3 of the way done.
Any-hoo I'm doing good and working hard. There's this adorable Recent Convert that wants to serve her own mission in about a year and she likes to come out with us. We took her knocking and referal-hunting for a few hours on this last Saturday and she really liked it! She'll make a wonderful Missionary, it's really cool to see someone else have Missionary dreams and to help her better understand what she's getting into.
Tengan una semana fabuloso!
~ Hermana Smart
Friday, January 14, 2011
Transfer number 7 and guess what?
We got Transfer Calls two days ago. I'm going to this really far-off place called Bearcreek.
.....
Yup, that's right. I'm not going anywhere! And oddly enough, neither is Hermana Wardle. Actually, there is not a single change in our entire District! That like never happens so we were all a bit baffled. I'm feeling good about staying though. I like he area, and the Members in this ward. Work has really exploded lately, we are seeing many blessing as we are being obediant. Although I am bummed that I will have to wait at least six weeks longer until I can have a Dryer again. I'm quite tired of moldy towels and crunchy clothes....
Uhm, I don't really have a whole lot more to report other than the anticlimactic Transfer Calls.
So! I will share something cool I found on the Church Website. The International Art Competitions! You can view entries from the last couple of years from is link: http://lds.org/churchhistory/museum/competition/1,16118,4091-1-,00.html Enjoy!
Over and Out,
~ Hermana Smart
.....
Yup, that's right. I'm not going anywhere! And oddly enough, neither is Hermana Wardle. Actually, there is not a single change in our entire District! That like never happens so we were all a bit baffled. I'm feeling good about staying though. I like he area, and the Members in this ward. Work has really exploded lately, we are seeing many blessing as we are being obediant. Although I am bummed that I will have to wait at least six weeks longer until I can have a Dryer again. I'm quite tired of moldy towels and crunchy clothes....
Uhm, I don't really have a whole lot more to report other than the anticlimactic Transfer Calls.
So! I will share something cool I found on the Church Website. The International Art Competitions! You can view entries from the last couple of years from is link: http://lds.org/churchhistory/museum/competition/1,16118,4091-1-,00.html Enjoy!
Over and Out,
~ Hermana Smart
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Squeaky Clean New Year
New Years was great! Since people were going crazy with fermented beverages, pyrotechnicks, and firearms outside Missionaries needed to be inside by dark for our own saftey. So I wrote out all my Christmas Thankyous and more during that time! I look forward to being able to blow off fireworks again, it won't be this Independance Day since I'm out in August. But I could for next New Years!
I hope you all had a safe time and have bright hopes for this next year. I don't make New Year Resolutions, but it is a good time to reflect and think about how we can improve ourselves. I challenge each of you to do some serious self-reflection, and choose at least one attribute you would like to develop and one habit you would like to drop. You have a whole year to work on it!
Not a ton to report, just that I think I'll be changing areas in a week at the end of this Transfer.
Con Amor!
~ Hermana Smart
I hope you all had a safe time and have bright hopes for this next year. I don't make New Year Resolutions, but it is a good time to reflect and think about how we can improve ourselves. I challenge each of you to do some serious self-reflection, and choose at least one attribute you would like to develop and one habit you would like to drop. You have a whole year to work on it!
Not a ton to report, just that I think I'll be changing areas in a week at the end of this Transfer.
Con Amor!
~ Hermana Smart
December 2010 Mission picture
Double click on picture and it gets bigger. You will see me left of center, peeking out behind one of the Elders.
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