Ordeñar

Sent October 26, 2015

This week we had divisions with the assistentes. That was a baja blast.  Working in a trio isn't my favorite thing, but it really makes you stay on your toes.  Elder Hodson is the new assistant and he puts the f in effort. He’s great.

We contacted de meido this week.  Since we are never really in our area because of divisiones activities and meetings, our area falls into disrepair pretty fast.

What we've been working on is setting up a date for baptisms, to see if just inviting people to baptism (not challenging) will get them thinking.  Just ask them and don't care if they say no, because heck, what if they do say no? At least you will know where they stand, and also now you have a starting point.  That’s pretty much all we do now. Even in contacts. We’re not concerned about the answer, we only care about them.

New Companion?

We had our mission Correlacion this week and planned the Activity for the ward that we are going to have on the 31st... Halloween ya. It’s going to be great.  But it’s not going to be Halloween themed.  Lame.  It’s just, everybody believes in witchcraft around here and what not, so if they see that the mormons are throwing a Halloween party they are going to think that we are making human sacrifices and becoming blood-brothers in the chapel. Ya were going to avoid that appearance of apostasy... Its just a ward activity with games and food.  It’s going to be dope.

We also did service this week moving huge cinderblocks with wheelbarrows from the church cancha (field) a couple blocks away. 

Still catching lizards

Well we´ll see what this week throws us!

Juke Box Hero

James 4:7-8

 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

-- 

MACIZO+

Elder Smart

Another Bucket Shower

Posted October 19th 

We had our Reunion de Zona (Zone Conference) this week to announce changes and all that fun stuff.  Our new Zone is pretty solid. #Powercouples.

Changes obvio (obviously) were this week, and we went to Progreso to arrange all of that with the newbies coming in and all the switches in companionships and new areas. FUN.  It was super sad seeing all the viejos (the old ones) go home this change... E. Meas E. Reese and the rest.

Elder Smart and Elder Measles

Elder Smart and Elder Reese

We also went to a couple of areas around the Zone to do some baptism interviews for some of our district leaders.  We have some solid leaders in our zone this change.

We gave Talks in church this week on missionary work.  It was weird.  I actually had fun giving my talk... jaja.

The down for this week is that there were 7 more deaths in Santa Rita.  It’s getting a little more rough here by the aguas termales (hot springs- the name of this town is actually called Santa Rita de los Aguas Termales, or Santa Rita by the hot springs)

Every once and a while we hear some tiros (gunfire).

This week will be great, just you wait.

D&C 84:100-102

 101 

The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength;

And truth is established in her bowels;

And the heavens have smiled upon her;

And she is clothed with the glory of her God;

For he stands in the midst of his people.

 102 

Glory, and honor, and power, and might,

Be ascribed to our God; for he is full of mercy,

Justice, grace and truth, and peace,

Forever and ever, Amen.

MACIZO+

Elder Smart

Zone activity last week

Jellyfish

Mugging for the camera...

Elder Smart and Elder Patterson

COCO

Sent October 12th 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner... everyday

Well, there it is, another week under the belt.

We had consejo de lideres (leadership council) again (Its monthly) It is weird, because we are already planning stuff for christmas.... but It’s cool. 

This week has been super fast!  It feels like i was just sitting here in this cement room with dirt floors writing last week. jaja.

We did some divisions this week also. I LOVE getting to know the zone.  I literally get to know the areas, missionaries, the investigators and members all at once.  Its amazing. We also had the opportunity to do some more baptismal interviews.  I really love doing these things. Its such a spiritual experience and you really can see if the person is really ready or not to make promises with God. Macizo.

Oh ya, changes are this Wednesday!  We will see what happens with all the hooligans in my zone. jejeje.  No but I love them.

Progreso Sur- Our Zone

Last thing. Its super sad. There were 3 people murdered last night.  We knew 2 of them, from the ward.  One was about to get married, and then baptized...terrible.

The day before we went to one of their houses.  A joven (youth) of 25 years.  We talked to him about the gospel and our missions, and then we climbed his coconut tree and shared a few coconuts under the shade.  He was a good guy.  He told us that the next time we visited he would give us the coconut meat for us helping out with the tree… looks like that won't happen (very sad).  One of the gangs pulled them from their houses in the night, put them together, and killed them.

We went and visited his family today and gave his mom a blessing. It was SUPER sad, I didn't really know what to say.  We payed our respects and then left. 

Just read Alma chapter 40, and it will explain where he is right now.

Alma 26:12

 12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever

Its better to wobble than to wander

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

*Andy told us that the young man and member of the ward that was killed was a returned missionary (served in Costa Rica) that had come home and eventually left the church, but was wanting to come back and change.  Andy and his companion were working with him in his desire to return to church. The online news reported that this family was not the target of the killing, but were mistaken for someone else.  

Before Andy left, we discussed the content of the letters he’d be writing home.  Realizing that he was being asked to serve in an area that was relatively dangerous, and being told up-front that missionaries in this mission were subject to seeing violence and illegal activity, we decided that he could filter his content as he feels is necessary, but that as a family, we wanted to know what he was “really” going through and not just “wonder” every day if he was safe.  Reading the news and hearing stories from Honduras can cause unbearable worry without some assurance that  he was being honest each week and that he’d let us know if things were bad.  We apologize if this type of communication cause more concern from family and friends, but these are his letters home, and this is his life experience that we are supporting.  We trust God in his eternal wisdom that as Elder Smart serves him and is obedient to those leaders who are over his care, he will be safe.  When he was blessed and set-apart as a missionary he was promised that he’d be safe if he was obedient.  Again, we trust in God and his promises that our son will be OK.

I found a new wallet.  What time is it?!

Surf's Up

Conference was the best.  Just the best.  No other way to describe it.

This week, again, has been super awesome. I don't have a ton of time to write, because we took our zone to the beach in Tela for this p-day, and we got back a little late.

This week was also full of divisions with the zone. 

We did service chopping again.  Even though i have gloves, I'm getting some tough skin on the hands.

We took this whole week and just spent it inviting everyone to conference, every lesson we taught was on prophets and why we should listen to them.

I saw conference in english! That wasn't expected at all. I started watching it in Spanish, and the bishop was like, hey, you can watch it in english in my office if you want. SOOOOO i got an air conditioned office for every session all to myself!

Surf. I loved Von G Keetch’s talk on the surfers in Australia. I can totally put that into practice with my zone, because i seriously feel like a big babysitter all the time.  No you cant do that, no you don't have permission, no, yes, yes, no etc... We have rules for a reason.  RESPECT IT.

We went to the beaches of Tela today as a zone to relax, eat, play some games and enjoy pues.  estuvo macizo. (it was solid)

We are helping Abuela Rosy with her FHE every week.  She set a goal last December to have one every week all year, with no excuses and she hasn't broken the record.  She's going to hit that year mark.  Thats where we are going to go now.

2 Nephi 31:21

 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.

Its ok to get muddy, but you gotta clean yourself off.

100% of the shots you don't take, don't go in.

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Mototaxi Mania

This week was pretty dandy.  (letter received September 28th) 

Another lost sole 

First we held our Multi-Zone conference, which turned out pretty sweet.

Our theme for our Zone is No Tenemos Miedo (we are not afraid). And we are kicking nalgas (butt). Contactando de miedo! (not afraid of contracting?)

We also had Divisions again this week. Seriously.  The life of a ZL is just divisions, phone calls, activities, planning...etc. Whoa.  But its good, we get to meet a monton (lot) of people, in these areas, and participate in the changing of lives.  Super amazing.

We did Service this week also for some of our investigators. Chopping down and up stuff, the usual. But it is super fun to serve. 

We played Football American this week with the neighbor kids.  Its super funny, because they don't know anything about the sport.  Its hilarious seeing them running around like chickens.

It is starting to be the rainy season here. Jaja well it always rains anyway, but it rained extra a ton this week, whoa.

Our house was fumigated this week, and all night we kept hearing things like hitting the ground. We didn't know what it was. But then when we woke up, there were like 200 dead cockroaches all over the floor. They had been falling off the walls and ceiling all night. We had to sweep them up and it was super weird. wleehh.

More lost souls?

This week has been good.

Ether 12:4

100% of the shots you don't take, don't go in.

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

Honduran back yard with "lawn"

Semana de consejo (Council Week)

This has been a 7 day week.

We had our Zone reunion this week.  Pure. It went well, but now we are planning a multi-zone conference for this week, so we'll get all that good stuff this week.

This week has been nonstop parades... all week... I thought that Independence Day was only one day, but nope.  It lasts 7!

We did divisions with the Assistants to the presidents this week also.  MACIZO (solid).

We have been contacting a ton lately.   We make it fun. Really fun.  Straight forward.  All that the people need to hear is the truth.  Just say it.  Super dry and direct.  If they wanted life easy and sugar coated, they wouldn’t be down here with a body right now.  But we are all here, here in this life making hard decisions.

We also did a super contact in La Sarosa this week.  I feel weird working outside of my area.  Asking people if different missionaries can come by later... I just don't dig it, I wanna come back later.  Eh, its all good.

Santa Rita 2 Hermanas had a baptism this week.  Her name is E.P.  Super sweet she is. I baptized her.  Her mom is supposed to follow this next week.

We also had a super cool Noche de Hogar (fireside) yesterday up on top of one of the mountains here.  Super great message about the Sabbath day.

All the old ladies made the climb also and it was super fun helping them down the mountain again. hahaha.

Well well see if I survive another week here in ¨Santa Rita, por las Aguas Termales¨ (Santa Rita by the Hot Springs),

Be your own agent

DE MEIDO

Salmos 22:26-28 (Psalms)

 26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

 27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

 28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations.

Questions from mom:

What are you eating, who is cooking?: The mom of the little girl Aju is our cook. She takes really good care of us. Although we did make french toast for some of our investigators!

Is this area safer than Berlin?  Yes Santa Rita is a little bit safer that Berlin. There are still muggings, murder, drogas (drugs) and mayhem, but a little less. A lot more drugs with all the mototaxis.
Are you exercising? We haven't been doing anything for exercise. Just P days in Progresso playing in the gym. But this week we found a gym.

What are you thankful for this week? I'm thankful for the opportunity to testify of my brother Jesus Christ every day.

No hay atajos (no shortcuts)

Elder Smart

Santa Rita

So this week has been pure intensity.

We are traveling a ton.  We always have to go do something, always.  Plan something, interview someone, check houses, divisions, everything.  We are always in the freaking bus, or in a mototaxi...

The view from a mototaxi 

There are about 30 missionaries in our zone, so that’s a lot of missionaries to take care of.

Some guys came by and cut the power cords to our house last week, so that was really horrible for a while.  But it’s all good (answering a question about a statement made last week about not having electricity)

Independence Day is tomorrow (Independence from Spain, along with the other Central American Countries in 1821), so everyone is going nuts.  There were parades and parties today, and it’s supposed to be 100% crazier tomorrow (the 15) But it was super cool seeing all the culture.  Beautiful.

Oh also we had the Mini CCM (MTC) this week and it turned out awesome.  There are some kids that are more pilas than we are.  Incredible to see the super strong testimonies of the youth here. Amazing.

 

President Klein teaching the "new" missionaries 

Two soon-to-be Elders

We had a BAPTISM also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hermana M is her name and she is awesome.  We found here super-fast, and the second time we went back to her house she had started to memorize her favorite parts of the book of Mormon... awesome. 

We also had a ZL meeting in La Paz. Mazico.  Super cool.  I got a bunch of new ideas.

Aju turned 2 today so we bought her a piñata.  She is so cool.  I’m definitely her #1 fan.

Jeramías 23: 29

 29:  Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Pickle the Beast

Elder Smart

ZL in Santa Rita

(9-7-15)

Honduran Ladies Lacrosse Team, 2025

So this week has been one for the books.  I got changed out of being District Leader in Berlin in Zone Progreso Norte, and now I'm Zone Leader in Progreso Sur.  My area is called Santa Rita, and it is the best. I love it.  My comps name is Elder C.  He’s from Guatemala, and knows some weird Guatemalan dialects. Its super cool. But he is a straight stud. I love the kid.  He’s got like 18 months on the mish.  He is literally the latino version of me, and he’s the bomb in a little chapín (Guatemalan) body.

Me and Elder C

Leaving Berlín gave me mixed feelings. First of all I was there for like 6 months, so it was time for a change. But I realized that I had been with some really amazing people, helped, and seen them change. That was really cool.

Oh that’s the other freaky thing. Mamá Enaida (our cook in Berlín) the day after I left, in the night, woke up to a knife to her throat.  Someone had broken into her house in the night and well there he was.  Thankfully she is fine. Super shaken up and scared but unharmed. Prayers.

Also a prayer call for a missionary who fell off a 65 foot cliff and from what I heard, smashed one side of his face, broke his spine in 2 places and also his hip.  He is lucky to be alive thanks to the brave and amazing missionaries who were with him.

There is so much to do as a Zone Leader.  Planning activities and maintaining jovenes (youth) in the murder capitol is quite a chore. That’s why we have Jesus.

Hey but a cool activity that we are planning is the Mini CCM.  All the Jovenes of the stakes are going to arrive in missionary clothing and scriptures and stuff like that for a day, and we are all going to act as their CCM (MTC) teachers.  Its going to be an all day long type of thing...

It will be great.

Ohh ya another notice... I’m back to Pila bucket showers, due to my “hut” of a house not having running water or electricity.

I am seriously loving every moment of my mission and just hope that you are all well also.

2 Nephi 9:26

 26 For the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel.

My Beloved abuela (grandmother) Hermana Morlen

Tame the Tiger

No te rindas

Con Amor+

Elder Smart

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