One Year... La Mitad…(Half)

(Sent August 17, 2015)

Hump Day!  So I'm going to be half way through my mission in about 2 days...

This week I had the opportunity to do 2 more baptism interviews for my district. Its always an amazing experience to get to know whoever is about to make that sacred covenant with god, and see how their outlook is. I love.

One thing that was a bit annoying though. There was one of the interviews that was super good, but it took about 2 hours. That was the cool part, but then it was too late to be able to get back to our area in safety (too dangerous to come home at that hour) so we had to stay over with the Zone Leaders house for the night.

I am beginning to be able to see the potential in individual people and families. It is incredible. Because I haven't been able to do that at all in my mission just on the fly. Usually I had to pray about that stuff before.

Oh ya we got a break from baleadas one day. We ate fish for lunch and crab for dinner. That was awesome!

Every Day is Baleadas Day!

We went to the beaches of Tela for a zone p-day today. We just played kickball and had a picnic. It was good. 

The most important thing I have learned about myself is that I don't really matter. The only thing that matters is what I do.

The easiest thing about the mission is being able to hang out with the holy ghost all day every day.

The hardest thing about the mission is juggling all the duties of a regular missionary, District Leader, and doing everything for the ward as well. We are so lucky and blessed to live in a place where the ward is self-sufficient and doesn't really lose animo at all.

The goals for the coming year are: Find, Help, Love, Return, Report.

Jesus is the amen.

1 Nephi 19:9

 9 And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.

2 Nephi 1:7

 7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.

2 Nephi 1:13-15&23

 13 O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe.

 14 Awake! and arise from the dust, and hear the words of a trembling parent, whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold and silent grave, from whence no traveler can return; a few more days and I go the way of all the earth.

 15 But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.

 23 Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.

2 Nephi 4:28-30

 28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

 29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

 30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.-

Miracles don't make faith, faith makes miracles.

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Ferris Bueller Week

 (sent August 10, 2015)

Power was out

This week has been a real eye opener. So many things have happened that just make me stop and think for a while. It’s something I've never really done in my life ever before. Something that I should have done. Something that is important.

This week I did a few baptismal interviews for my district, and that was a great experience seeing all the changes that one goes through when introduced to the church and Jesus.

Played some basketball with some other elders this week that was a great stress reliever.

Also I went on divisions with the Zone leaders (they are in my district so I call them out every once and a while). That was cool. Its always cool to teach with another missionary, because no one teaches the same. Nobody. While there I met an Amish Miami matón. The guy is Catracho (Honduran), born in Miami, but has a beard down to his stomach. Cool guy other than the fact that he was high and drunk when he came over and talked to us. He has a huge house that he runs. Its pretty much the great and spacious building in Honduras, so we’ll see how things go with him.

Another cool thing Elder Will Taylor met my District leader in the Mexico MTC, Elder Shepard... Small world. Small world...

This week has definitely been one to remember.

Just a few quotes and thoughts to keep things alive.

´´Even a clown would pray´´

David Archuleta is half Catracho

So Josie Fri is an engaged woman. Plan of salvation, baby!

“The real world only moves forward. Like a treadmill. If you stop moving forward you will go backwards.” (from mom)

The power went out.... candle time

Some good old wall ball

ONLY FAILURE CAN BE ATTAINED WITHOUT ANY EFFORT

2 Nephi 1:13

 13 O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe.

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

PS.

Qué baggy siento. ¿Porqué no fuimos a cosas así cuando no estaba en la mision yo? (Why didn’t we do this when I wasn’t on a mission?) Dude that sounds awesome. Aggie Football tickets, soc dist? Dad, keep the dome sleek for me while you’re there.

Elder Criddle!!!!! I love that guy!!! (just got home from Andy’s mission).

Everything is changing...... I’m not sure if I like it or not.... I’m scared for the real world.

Mom, you could literally be BIONICMOM!

te amo mamá

The Return

 (sent August 3, 2015)

This week there was a District Leaders Meeting in La Paz. It was really awesome. I really enjoyed it. The only thing is that its all the stuff I needed to hear like a change ago. I learned it all the hard way. So it was pretty much a review of all the stuff I have learned as a district leader. That being said, I did get a bunch of new awesome ideas for my District.

This new area of mine really has me and my comp on our toes. It is the biggest area in the zone, and we have the biggest ward attendance in the district. Double the investigators, recent converts, less active members, and actives....... We have zero time to think. I feel like each day is like an hour, and then I'm back in my bed. Time is bustin' a move right now. It is gone.

This Mission is the coolest thing ever. I have never been happier in my whole entire life. Its weird too, because I've never been more exhausted mentally or physically in my life either. Andamos sueño todos los días (we sleepwalk every day), but we are kicking some real rear-end this change. Gettin' it done.

Moroni 8:16

 16 Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.

John 10:27

 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Jacob 6:12

 12 O be wise; what can I say more?

Oh be wise, nothing more

From Hondy, The Return

-Elder Smart

PS. I got my birthday package!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Mommy I don't need ANY more floss or Mosquito stuff EVER AGAIN. Thanks a ton, but I can get that stuff from the mission.

Love you a billion +1

I Have 19

(sent July 27, 2015)

Well first of all, Changes. I’m still the Distric Leader here in Berlin, gut they closed the area next to mine, so my area is double everything. Elder Martinez left in peace, and my new comp is Elder Montes from Cali\Peru.

We almost got robbed again. Marijuana man wanted our cellphone. We just walked away. Im getting tired of that kind of stuff. Its quite boring.

Presidente Klein called me for my birthday, he’s the man. Dang... No fireworks this year. Just Narcos and guns.

But it was kind of cool. The 24th (my birthday) everyone celebrated the day of the Indian Lempira (Lenca warrior who resisted Spanish attempts to conquer), and everyone dressed up like natives and went wild in the street. That was cool.

I stepped in an ant mound today. Dropped the shorts real fast.

We are teaching so many people right now. I seriously have like 5 days in advance full of planned citas (appointments) this week. There is so much work to do here now we have double everything. My pops hit the B-day also this week. I seriously sometimes look in the mirror and see him for a second. I still cant believe I'm a missionary. I still feel like I'm 16. I hope Hondy makes a man out of me.

Answers to questions:

“Why are you burning stuff in your backyard?!” You have to do that here. And in honor of pops b-day. Can’t light a candle on a cake, so ya gotta burn some trash!

Did you do anything special for your birthday? "I did't tell anyone is was my birthday... they dump flour all over you and then throw eggs at you(?).  But I did get some awesome pollo y tajadas from a member."

Coolest birthday video ever mom thanks. Are those dads spectacles? What up with that awesome stuff.

Haven’t gotten my package. Mail only comes on Tuesdays, sometimes.

Love you mommy, give dad a kiss for me.

Te amo

Alma 31:5

 5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

Luke 9:62

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

1 Nephi 14:14

14 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

1 Nephi 15:8-11

8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?

 9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

 10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?

 11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

Use the WORD instead of the SWORD

Con amor,

Elder Smart

The test to the True Grit of Mormon Missionaries

This was sent July 20th:

This has been an amazing week.

The beginning was average.  Just gave some capacitations (trainings), went on divisions with the zone leaders in El Centro. That was a cool experience walking on pavement for the first time in a while.

We got free pollo y tajadas from the lady that owns the big pulperia down the street. Delicious.

And then the week got good. BAPTISMS.   Lets go. 

We baptized A and her daughter Y on my mom’s birthday! That was awesome. 

I have prayed so hard for baptisms, worked so hard.  Finally got that high.  I am so happy.  So so happy. This joy is something only the lords work brings. Its pure. Its love. Its Jesus. They were both confirmed this Sunday also.

Then today for p-day, we went to the Bamboo temple. Its a huge bamboo jungle, well all of Honduras is a jungle, but this part is mainly bamboo. It was sweet.

This week has been one of great blessing and I love it here.

Just a little reminder from my bud to all the nay-sayers.

"STOP IT"

D&C:103:36

 36 All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith.

Keep the eyes frosty.  Don’t let the bad guys getcha.

quote credit : Elder Venn

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Entrar o salir, tú decides (stay or go, you decide)

This was sent July 13th:

Zone Conference picture with  Pres and Sister Klein

This week was... another week.

We went to San Pedro Sula for my companions last interview with Presidente Klein... My comp goes home in a week.  So there's that.  

Elders Martinez and Smart

San Pedro is so different than my areas.  Completely different.  I remember when I went there like 10 months ago with Elder Vera, but I had forgotten about it.

It rained this week.

The rivers were streets... or... no, ya the rivers were streets.

I tried to pray in English this week, that was hard.

I finished reading the Pearl of Great Price.  That was awesome.  I really think it is something that most people look over when they mention the scriptures.

We have officially "burnt" my area.  I have contacted every single house in my sector of Berlin. I don't know what I'm going to do this next change with a newbie, and with nothing, really to work with.

On other hand, we planned the baptism of A and J this week.  FRUITS OF LABOR :-)

We taught Hermana M about family history this week. People here don't really remember the names of their grandparents so this is a real chore.

picas:   Baño Catracho (Honduran bathrooms)

Ya gotta keep it real here in Berlin or it will eat ya up.

D&C:81:5

 5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

Luke 6:35

 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

JS-Matt 1:37

 22 For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant.

Slay the Giant

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Q&A:

Advice to Mom, and her talk she is preparing for this next Sunday on covenants: 

As a missionary, what does this mean to you, and the people you teach?

We all start with faith, but from there, we have to act on that faith, and we make covenants and perform ordinances...  and not with just anyone either, but with GOD.  Everything should be a covenant in the "true" church.  The Sacrament, our Priesthood, our church callings,  the temple, even daily prayer and reading the scriptures are fulfilling a promise or covenant... The lord asks us to do these things so that we may progress. 

We are so, so weak.  We are as the dust.  Nothing.  But through trying to do our best,  putting our all into these bonds with God, we will be able to rise out of that dust and become more like God after this life.

Are you dreaming in Spanish? Yes, when I do dream, usually I'm too exhausted to dream.

Oh and Mom. Dont worry. I don't care about the golf clubs, all I care about is playing the game. They can't take that away from me. (Jeff and Andy's golf clubs were stolen out of Angela's car trunk this week).

I’m still in “America”

This was sent July 6th:

A year ago... last 4th of July it was all about fireworks, hotdogs, music and parties. 

It’s sort of the same here (like everyday)… Gunshots, baleadas, Reggaeton (Spanish reggae), and piñatas. 

It’s cool though.  I’m 50% Gringo, and like 50% Catracho. This still equals an American (the Americas) right?  At least I know I’m free. 

I hear the USA women's soccer won the World Cup!   USA!!

It rained.

Hey some of the colonias have really weird names here.  Like El 6 de Julio.  That’s not only the date right now (July 6th), but the name of the colonia.  They named it after the date when it was founded.  Interesting… 

Berlin 1 (sister area of mine) got robbed this week. The thieves cut the metal bars off of the windows and got in.  They’re OK though.  Missionary blessings are real, we are still safe here in the land of the dead.

I just want to say that I'm glad to have been born in the U.S of A.  It seriously is the promised land.  God gave it to us for a purpose, and we get to live there.

This scripture is one of my very favorite scriptures. It’s a pump up for sure. For the low in heart and destitute, give it a read, and change.

D&C 63:37

37 And that every man should take righteousness in his hands and faithfulness upon his loins, and lift a warning voice unto the inhabitants of the earth; and declare both by word and by flight that desolation shall come upon the wicked.

Tenemos Lomos Poderosos

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Q&A

How’s the rash?

I’m pretty sure the main rashes are heat rash. They show up all over in random places now.   I Dunno.  It seems to be going away.  I’m good though.

No te preocupes mamá (don’t worry, mom.)

There is AC in the church right?  

First of all there is no air conditioning in the church house either, however... there are blessings all around us mom.  Everyday we have the opportunity to pray.  We can literally talk to God. I didn't really realize that until i came out on the mission, mom.  We also have the opportunity to experience life.  Even if life sucks some times, that’s what we agreed to in the pre-existence. We wanted sucky stuff to happen to us so we could grow and be better, and become more like our heavenly father.

Missionary laundromat

The Berlin Wall

Multi zone conference was this week and it was awesome!  Presidente Klein talked about amor and animo (love and courage).   I also saw a bunch of people I haven't seen in a while.  Namely Elder Vera, my caballo, I mean dad (training companion).  No ya, but he's with elder Harris who came with me, and Vera goes home this next change.  

Elders Smart and Criddle

Also Elder Criddle was there, jaja I remember when I first got to Honduras and he was there, and he was like... my sister told me you were coming... And I was like, what??  And he was like ya.. that's right, and then we were best friends.   So he's awesome.

It rained…

I was given 3 dinners and then the next day you can imagine what happened. Yo estaba vomitando pues.  Ya, so we didn't leave the house that day.  But I'm all good now.  I also learned that gatorade is magic.

We also had J, K, J, and R come to sacrament meeting again! They are all awesome, and they all came to church on their own!

Wow time is flying. I know I keep saying that, but its really just slipping away.  My parents keep telling me that this happened to this person and that happened to him and guess what she did? stuff like that.  And santa vaca! se va rapido el tiempo (holy cow time goes fast)

My emails have been pretty short lately, and its just because all that is happening is the Lord’s work.  We have lessons all day, and if we don't have lessons, we find lessons.  So I'm just here in the land of the loco, tag teaming it with my comp Elder Martinez, who goes home in a month, so well see how that goes.

Elders Smart and Martinez

Ether 12:27 

 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Moses 7:13

 13 And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him.

Answers to questions:
How is it being a DL? Everything is going fine with being District Leader. All good. I'm actually enjoying it! My district is a district of 8 elders and 2 hermanas. The Zone Leaders are in my district.
Are your rashes better? No, but Rich (Ingebretsen, MD) hooked me up on email. He says it's poison ivy. It's from walking around the yard doing my laundry barefoot. There are a ton of weeds in the yard that could have caused it.
How have you changed since you have been out? I'm a completely different person now, still the same doof, but when it comes to stuff that matters like family, the gospel and helping, I'm completely different. And this version comes with Spanish!
How are you doing emotionally? I'm still crazy but I'm 100% fine.

I've been ready since the pre-existence

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

-------another message given to the missionaries:

The Regional Security Office (RSO) has been made aware that another "March of Torches" will likely take place on Friday, June 26 at approximately 5:00 pm. The march will start on Boulevard Kennedy near the Supermercado La Colonia and proceed north, concluding in front of Casa Presidencial.  Please avoid the area. 

Pictures on social media regarding the Torch Protests against corruption  in the capital city of Tegucigalpa

barba pelón lo mejor (bald beard the best?)

Well I just got this notification...

“Last night, Sunday, 21 June, 2015, around 2130 hours, an explosive device detonated at the Honduran Supreme Court of Justice in Tegucigalpa, and the local anti-bomb squad responded. Thus far, experts have not yet determined what kind of explosive was used, but Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team members are currently conducting an investigation. There are no reported casualties or damage to the building.In addition, there is a proposed hunger strike on Juan Pablo Segundo, in front of Casa Presidential. Protest organizers have asked citizens to come to the area today with torches and to set up tents in front of Casa Presidential.  The area is currently closed to traffic.”

 (Tegucigalpa is not within Andy's mission boundaries)

Only in Honduras…!

So not a lot happened this week, just work and work and work...

But... I did get the package with my new book of mormon!  That was awesome!  I finally will be able to use a book of mormon that isn't so damaged by water you cant read it!

Well, we have a Multi-Zone reunion tomorrow and I'm stoked!

It rained.

So funny story real quick.  We were walking home from our last lesson a few days ago, on our way to the house, and we were just talking about how the lesson went.  When all of a sudden, around the corner came a few people.  We didn't think anything about it, so we kept walking.  When the people got to us, they kind of hesitated for a second, so we stopped too.  One of the guys of the other group all of a sudden grabbed my comps arm, said something like hello beautiful, and then kissed my comps bicep.  My comp screamed like a little girl. As we walked home, we didn't talk. He was to busy being in shock and i was too busy laughing. That was real funny.

Inside joke between friends 

Andy did't explain... but sent several pictures of what looks like poison ivy, or similar "contact" blisters around his ankles and feet

Just remember to soak it all in. 

All of it, because you are only going to have today once.

Alma 34:14-17 

 14 And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal. 15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. 16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption. 17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;

SOAK IT IN

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Jefe... 10 months... Double digits… It’s kinda cool here.

This was sent June 15th:

Maybe only the central American missionaries are going to understand me, but when it rains you can hear it coming (metal roofs), and when you hear it... You run. 

So that was a lot of this week. 

I also was called as District Leader as changes were this week, so all=C3= =AD

vamos. 

The “12 gringos” went home this week with honor (a particularly tight-knit  group of Americans)

But this week my district had 3 baptisms!   That was really cool.

These kids  have the hardest life ever in the hardest country ever.  Its super cool to  see them try to make the best of what they do have, and  follow the savior  in all things.  

We got a referral from the states this week also. That was a bit weird, but really cool to see how the office works.  The reference was from Texas, but  the family of this hermana lived in Utah!  First person I've talked to that actually knows  where utah is and doesn't think that Miami is a state.  Super  cool.  

We also had Josylin and Isaac and Kaylin come to sacrament this week and Hermana Morlen came again too!  Oh, and we got the Family Marinez who have been inactive for a year to come!  They are really cool.

Sorry this letter was really short, but it has been jam packed with work, and these are the highlights. 

Hondy is the best and I love it more than anything.

2 Nefi 31:20

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Con Amor+

Elder Smart