Hey everyone
What a week it has been. I am kind
of jealous that you guys are probably going to have a white Christmas. It is so
weird to be in the heat. But I guess I am getting used to it.
Tuesday night all of the
missionaries arrived. In the zone we got 12 new missionaries and so it
was kind of nuts. My companion is from El Salvador and his name is Elder
Flores. He only has like 4 months in the mission and so I am senior
companion. It is kind of different leading everything but I am enjoying it. So
now I feel like the numbers are really on my back. I am working so hard, and I
have really found myself a lot happier as I have worked hard. Elder
Flores and I get along very well and work even harder. Our numbers this past
week were really good. Last week at church we only had 1 investigator attend
church. So this past week we really got focused in inviting them to church. We
had 8 investigators attend. As well as our ward, they gave us 11 families to re
activate and a lot of them showed up. I am also starting to contact more. When I
got to Peru I always hated to contact and we didn't really do it because in Arizona
we aren't allowed to knock doors because it doesn't work. So when I came here, I
came in with the mindset to not knock doors. Well this past week we have
contacted a ton. I have really noticed something though. Elder Flores and I are
entering in about 80 percent of the homes we contact. We have also found many
more people to contact so it is really cool. Whenever we are going to an appointment,
we knock doors. And we are going to the members so that they can help us. I
have really changed who I am thus far on my mission and my testimony is as
strong as ever. The Lord really has been blessing me in Spanish, he has helped
me to teach with the spirit and listen and understand the investigators. My
companion and I get along very well and he is really cool. I would just ask to
pray for me because I am leading the area and it is kind of rough. I would say
that I am about fluent in Spanish, but I have some days that are hard, it is
weird. But I really am talking a whole bunch more since everyone in our ward
knows me. I am loving the work I am doing. I feel like I can go far in my mission
if I can keep working like I am doing.
Ruth was able to be baptized on
Saturday. This past Wednesday we went over to her house to ask her about her
baptism and she told us that she still didn't feel quite ready. At the end of
the lesson we invited her to pray to Heavenly Father and ask him when and if
you should be baptized. So Thursday night we went over to her house and asked
her if she prayed. She told us yes and that Heavenly Father answered her
prayers. She told us she knew the church was true from the beginning she was
just scared and a little shy. Friday night we went and got permission from her
dad. He said that it is her decision. Also Saturday night her dad came to her
baptism and it was really special because afterward Ruth bore her testimony and
it was so strong. She is going to be so strong in the church. I was able to
baptize her.
I am also so grateful for the
priesthood. It is so essential to this church. I can't imagine having a church
without the priesthood. I have really used the priesthood this past week. I
dedicated a house and gave 3 blessings. I could really use a blessing
though right now as I start being a leader. So thanks for reminding me.
I am really loving my mission. I
miss Elder Rich a lot and it is weird that he is home and not here with my 24/7
haha but how crazy that he saw all of you guys. I am glad you got all your
presents. I hope you like them. I got one of your packages this past week. I
just opened the big envelope but didn't open the presents from Jordan, Allison,
and Emily. But I love the glow sticks. I told Elder Flores this morning that we
are going to use them in lessons this coming week. If it is night, I am going
to ask the investigator to turn the lights off. I am going to break the
bracelet a little bit at a time, so we see how it increases until the bar is
fully light up. I am going to use that like a testimony, how it takes a little
time for our testimonies to be very strong. Because almost every one of our
investigators feel like they should be baptized, but they feel like they should
have stronger testimonies. So we shall see how that works.
Well I love you all. He loves you.
Talk to you in 2 and a half weeks
Elder Smith
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