Elder Andrew Smart: August 2014

Hey all,

First of all I love you with all my Corazon!

I have now been here a week now! P-day couldn't have come sooner. I've been dying to email and send pics. Anyway, all the elders I met on the plane rides here are absolutely amazing. It’s an honor to serve with them. There is a whole district going to Honduras, plus Elder Larsen and I and another half district. We all got here at the same time, so we are all really close. The first couple of days here was really weird and seemed so long. Everyone I talk to says just make it to Sunday, and then your p-day and you'll be completely fine. I made it. Days are moving at a more rapid pace, not as fast as I would want them to be going, but they are bearable.

Everyone in my district is amazing. It’s weird to think that we met a week ago, I feel like I’ve known them my whole life. They are my best friends. Don't get me wrong. I miss my friends to death, but it’s so nice to have such good friends here en Mexico already.

My companero es Elder Larsen. He is amazing. He went to Alta and has a really hot girlfriend [probably shouldn't have mentioned that]. Anyway, we are like the same person. We ball at gym time, lift, and have a blast together. We even have the same calculator watch! Also we hang with all the Honduras bound hijos and they are all so cool. Elder Beeston, Killpack, Patterson, Tobler, Michelle, Gillis, and a ton more guys. I also know Elder Dunford mom! He’s way cool. He and Elder Beeston are like best friends.

The food es loco man! You get used to it real quick though. I've found that if I eat one or two apples a day, I’m solid if you know what I mean... There is usually rice and beans, which I get really excited about for some reason, and then the daily mystery main course. It’s all good cause I eat anything and everything. I get so hungry, it’s weird. The mental work just wears me out I guess.

Espanol es dificillle. I am the only one in the whole CCM [MTC] that has not taken any espanol, ever. I'm behind everyone in grammar and vocab, but I can feel myself improving all the time. I can understand most of what the native speakers say, and I can usually string a broken sentence back to them. Everyone that sees my nametag smiles, and then points to their head and nods. I just say Si, maso menos, then they laugh. It happens all the time.

Anyway, the drive from the Mexico airport was mucho loco! There are no lanes, and there are people standing in the middle of the streets selling stuff. The city is huge! It is so cool to drive around in the sketchy ghettos. I love it.

Quick note: the Mexico temple is closed, so I won’t be seeing the inside of a temple for 2 years... Lame sauce. But we get to go on a field trip to the visitors center soon, I’ll send pics.

Elder Larsen and I are teaching an Investigator (Giovanny (actually an actor)), but we have taught him 4 times, and he finally agreed to be baptized! He is way cool, and becomes our teacher next week.

I have seen Ike, Sam, Max, T-Fred, Sho, and a ton of other kids I know, from Brighton and others. It's way cool to see people I already know, and meet new people! I also really appreciated that card you sent with Ike... It made my day. All of us B2 Amigos are doing really well. I think we are going to have a lot of success out here.

I bought a few Spanish things at el tienda like a hymnbook, and a notepad, washing machine soap etc.

I write in my journal every night, and study my escripturas all the time. It’s such an amazing book.

You know how I have pump up music? before Lax, XC, or anything? Well now I have pump up scriptures. My favorite pump up scripture is D&C 35:13-14. It’s my favorite scripture and I read it a few time every day.

I never really feel that down. I mean I miss you guys a ton, but I wouldn't want to go home for anything. There are a few Elders and Hermanas in my district that are having a really hard time with leaving Girlfriends and family. For example there is Elder K. He is 24, and has a girlfriend of 2 years. They are going to get married, and he cries every day, but he says that this is his lifelong dream. He is a great example to me of dedicating a very small portion of your life for Jesucristo es Dios.

I hurt a lot of people en cage soccer, but I ball. I still have it guys. I love it.

Everyday gets a little easier, I can pray and bear my testimony en espanol without reading it off of a paper. El Espiritu Santo es with me all the time, and I’m so greatful for that blessing in my life.

Anna, Highschool was the best experience of my life (besides the misssion), so hang in there. It will be fantastic. Mom, Buy some quality tissues and chocolates, I love you. Dad, go do some manly stuff. Go cut down a tree, and make beef jerky or something. Being around girls that much just isn't healthy at all.

Anyway, I am gonna wrap up here in a little.

Just wanted to say, I am being told to be Christlike every day...so I need you to send me my Jesus sandals pronto. Also my Honduras Jersey.

I love you all so much friends and Famillia.

I know I wouldn't be here right now if you guys were not in my life.

As Elder Venn would say:

Con Amor,

Elder Smart.

Today was a day full of packing and talking about packing. It was an emotionally draining and stressful day. Procrastinating till the last day to pack everything up, was not the plan, but it became reality... but everyone got through it. There were only a few things we needed to "run out" and get, yet it took all day to get it done.

Tonight President McConkie set Andrew apart, and gave him a blessing. It was a great blessing and Andrew was promised that many challenging but awesome things were going to happen these next two years. It was also very specific and inspired regarding his personality and abilities. Bishop Parkin (on the right) also participated, and has always been supportive and a great example to Andrew.