The wall must come down (Leaving Berlin)

(8-31-15)

So this week has been exactly 7 days long.  Sounds like I'm still sane.

I’m almost positive I’ll be changed out of Berlín, but I wont know until the day before.  So there’s that.

I held my district meeting and taught how to preach repentance using power and authority through the holy ghost.  T’was good.

I’m not sure if the gangsters or the police are more dangerous here... some gangsters kill some people, and then the police come and start killing more people.  I just don't know.  It’s getting old.

I have felt so so so tired these past few weeks.   I just get into the house at night, and I'm beat. Straight burnt.

Oh cool experience of the week.   The Zone Leaders called us at 7 pm and told us we needed to come and do an emergency baptism interview... If it’s dark outside, you get shot or mugged, so this was an act of faith.  We went and did the interview, and it was the coolest interview I've ever done. Hermana Filomena is her name.  I’ve known her for a while now, going back and forth from El Centro all the time. She is the sweetest lady I have ever met in my entire life. She is super old. She’s like 78 or something, and she is more pilas (charged up) than the obispo (bishop).  She seriously has a testimony of steel.  

That was super cool to be a part of her years and years of searching for the truth.

One last pic before we split

¨I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken¨

-part of  2 Nephi 9:40

Luke 12: 31-32

 31 ¶But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Baleadas y la playa (tortillas and the beach)…nothing better.

Tengan un testimonio de acero (have a testimony of steel)

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

New member of the neigh-borhood

One year older? yes. Wiser? ehhhhh

(Sent August 24, 2015)

Well I'm on the other half of 2 years... Weird.

Burning a shirt on "hump day"

I’ve been here in Berlin for 6 months, so I'm almost positive I will have changes this next week. Where? Who knows. But there are a ton of closed areas in the mission right now, because of all the missionaries that have gone home, but in the next 2 changes there will be around 60 new ones coming in, so we’ll see where that all takes me. 

We had workshops, games and dinner as a church activity this Friday to help activate less active members and get them more comfortable and return to the light. It turned out really well. There was a recent convert in our area that fell off a motorcycle and got pretty busted up, so we went over and gave her a blessing. We’ll see how that turns out.

Highlight of the week...Presidente Russell M. Nelson came to Tegucigalpa and gave us all a good chat! (We watched the broadcast).  He is awesome and now that he is the Presidente of the 12, he's got a lot more on his plate. One thing that I really liked is something he said. 

¨You missionaries are full of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s in your bone marrow. And that’s really good, because if you need to donate for a bone marrow transplant, it will transplant the gospel also.¨ Love It. Love it.

Also got to see all the guys near Progreso. One year under our belt. Whoot.

This Sunday, after months of work and prayers, we finally got like 3 inactive members to come. Some of them got laid off (they were working Sundays) so they were able to come. I’m not sure if that’s a blessing from our prayers or not, but they came and renewed their baptismal covenants for the first time in like 2 years.

Then we just helped a family move a pila. If you don't know what that is, look it up. It’s like a huge, pure cement bathtub/washbasin that everyone has behind their house or hut to clean dishes, clothes and body. We have one too, and its a little miracle we could say. I don't know where I would be today without my pila. Oh ya, but bottom line is was extremely heavy... That was quite a chore.

Dang I wish I was as buff as Nephi. I can still pray, cant I?

2 Nephi 9:7

 7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more. 

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

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