Maybe I should talk about the people here?

I keep forgetting to talk about the people we are teaching each week... haha does that make me a bad missionary? So we will start with that!

Doris Brown. This lady man, she cares about animals more than humans. When we were teaching her the Plan of Salvation, she asked "Where do dogs go after they die" when we were teaching Repentance she asked, "What if I killed a dog and don't feel like god will forgive me" She's a really sweet lady, and is progressing, Just has a serious thing with animals. haha

Luis Villano. This guy walked into our church one day, and since that I had refered to him as the investigador who fell out of heaven. We have taught him everything and now are in the temple and the BOM, my two favorite things to teach. His date to be baptized is the 15th of August. It was the 2nd but the cracker wanted to get to know more people in the ward, I guess that's my fault because I don't have many lessons with members.

Jon and Mari Lou. another one of those blessings out of heaven. he's a member, she's not. they have a kid, he's nuts! they aren't married, when we asked if they had plans, they were thinking may of next year, our next lesson we told them August would be great. After talking about the proclamation for the family, and temples, the spirit moved them, and they are going to get married, and then baptized. What up?

There ya go. Now you know, now for my companion. He got two teeth pulled this week. Ouch. The nice thing is, he can't talk much, haha yeah. I am a mean companion. We went to the temple! Wowwww. I love the temple. every three months it's just that really deep reliving breath we all need. I don't know where I'm going after the mission, but I atleast know it'll be towards the temple.

Today we are going to Julios house. Julio is the first counlser in the bishopric, he served in New York City, we have a great time together. He's awesome.

Other than that, just workin, I got a SWEET package from my brother. You ever want peruvian kids to be quite you just tell them you if they be quiet you will give them American candy. Hahaha they'll sit down real quick.

This email is long, sorry. Have a great week! Go to the temple! Read the BOM and for heavens sake go to church, the last thing you want is Elder Smith to slap you around about the Saboth day. haha

"White Picket Fence"

Well, I didn't get transferred! Elder Clyde did though.... It was hard to see him go, really, really hard. I remember about two weeks ago, at 11:30 at night we couldn't sleep because his companion was listening to music with the light on, so after 45 minutes of trying to sleep we began to talk. He said something I will never forget, "You know what has been the best thing of these past two transfers? Making a life long friend" It is true, I'm going to miss that little cowboy from Heber, but I'll see him on the place and much after, so life goes on!

A new Latino came in and I now live in a room with Four Latinos! When I was talking to a recently returned missionary in my ward he laughed and said, "3 latinos and 1 gringo? Now your president is just bullying you!" It was funny. The only person I speak English to now is our First Counselor in the Bishopric, Julio Meza, more on him later.

With Elder Clyde leaving, I now have to teach English in our zone. Now there's a quote I like that says this, "A man doesn't know his language until he has learned a foreign one" That is VERY true. But a man really, really doesn't know his language until he tries to TEACH 13 latinos who don't speak your language! Luckily, I had very good English teachers, who now would be so proud of me. haha

Other than that, we just started a new transfer together. To get your teeth cleaned down here it's only 50 soles, which is like 20 bucks. with floride! I'm going next week. haha. My companion has quite the list of things to do.

Anyway! Julio just called me and we have a family night with him tomorrow! But I just wasted like 10 minutes so That's all I have to say this week. Julio is seriously one of the best members here in Peru. His wife is the Relief society president and yesterday in Ward council I asked her about a less active she lives next too, Julio got up and walked over to me and said, "Don't beat my wife up or I'll be you up" It was really funny.

The good news is, after a year of using my usb and camera, they both have 300 viruses so that's... That's great. Con fe no mas!

Have a great week!

24 of July, you lucky, lucky Americans.

What has four eyes but can't see?

This week, Woowwhh. I'll just say it. Before the mission, I had this idea, or this plan, that went something like this, "I'm going to south America! At least 25 baptisms, humble people, and easy week" Haha...hah..ha. This week I have learned my mission is nothing like I had planned, or thought it to be.

Instead it has turned into something, that I didn't see coming. Conversion. As I have been in too many lessons, with too many people crying over failed temple marriage, past mistakes that haunt their future, and doubts that outway their faith. I have came back to the simple phrase, "Continous Progress, through the Continous Atonement" In this area, "Portales" I have learned more than I have than all my other areas combined, and this week, God really told me, that the title "Returned Missionary" doesn't mean anything. 

No one is perfect, and we can all change, we haven't been sent here to fail, but to succeed. my favorite phrase of all time is, "We should never look back" This week was been something else, I'll tell you that. It was also the last week of the transfer, and I think I'll get transfered tomorrow, even though I will leave, I will never forget the things I learned.

The gospel, is the happiness in life. So ya might as well get over something someone told you that doesn't matter! This Sunday, Instead of going and getting investigadores, I noticed the Sacrament wasn't set up, and like the last 4 weeks, I did it, because I've always like doing it. I then had to pass it. After, a 15 year old kid who didn't help prepare or pass, walked up to me and said, "When you pass the sacrament you can't put your arm behind your back like that, It even says so in the Church manual"

I don't know who that kid thought he was, he shouldn't have said it, but it doesn't matter, and neither does anything else any other member has told any of you. The gospel is about your relationship with god. Nothing else.

I know it's true! I am really not happy with my camera, because I still can't upload pictures, that puts me like 40 behind, but I got a package this week! It's good to know I haven't been forgotten. It was simple and 25 cents to send, but I loved it. So go ahead, send me somethin ;)

Have a great week!

Give me your best and shortest defention of Faith

This week was really good. Like usual, I'm not sure what I want to say in this email, but I'm just going to let my fingers type and we will see what they come up with!

We had a Zone meeting this week and talked about studying better to help the people we are teaching. It helped me a lot, because I study, but I can always be better. First! Oh yeah! Funny story. So we were in our zone meeting, and there is always someone who has to do a "practice" where you have a fake inv or less active, and a companionship has to teach them, Elder Del Aguila was asking 40 questions, so we got chosen to do the practice. It wasn't hard, and we did really good together.

After, Elder Hansen (Mckade Hansen, a kid I went to school will) Said to me, "Elder Smith out of all the things I have heard you say, and do, that was by far the best, and in Spanish! One Year ago, I NEVER thought I would witness what I just did) He had a good point. 1 year, a lot can change, and we can do a lot of great things. Day by day, and with faith. Our whole life can change, I know mine has.

Our Family Campos, who are sealed and want to get divorced and progressing! Yesterday we visited them, and this time we wanted to focus on a happy message and  good memories, rather than talk about why they have their problems. We talked about Joseph Smith, and about when they were baptized, She suprised me when she said, "22 years ago Elder Morris and Elder Smith knocked on our door, Elder Smith was in our area for almost a year, and he was the hardest headed person, who helped me be converted, he got transfered 1 month before we were baptized together" Her Elder Smith and me are not related, but it makes me wonder what he said to break through their ice. It also makes me greatful that after 25 years there is another Elder Smith in her house, helping.

This week at church we had a ton on people come, i don't know if It is for our hard work, or lucky but it was awesome! Seeds are getting planted! Although we will end this transfer without a baptism, there are people in this area who are CHOSEN. There are people in each of our lives who are CHOSEN.

You just have to be you, and say what god would want you to say.

Good luck. haha A lot of you have emailed me, and I like those more than these, so if you have a question, go ahead, email me, or send me a letter. Even better!

No my camera is not synching, I'm sorry. Just boring old missionary stuff again, what do you know, Elder Smith is converted.

I love you all, have a great week! and summer, 4th of july doesn't exist in peru :( So I hope you enjoyed it!