From Candace Smith
First of all, all the libraries are closed next monday, so no letter for you! You'll get to see me Tuesday Morning though. We will be skyping from the Paper Mill Ward Mission Leader's house. Long description there :) Anyway, I wrote down both your Skype addresses, so we should be okay. I'm not sure what time...probably anywhere from 11-2pm. I'll try to call you to let you know when I'm on.
First of all, I chopped off my hair. Okay, not all of it. But it's shoulder length now and I can completely do my hair in 5 minutes flat. SOOOOO EASY!!! I love it.
Honestly, it was a bit of a hard week, so we got a lot of lessons done, but there was also a lot of driving. We are seriously hurting for miles.
Oh, and the Mission Christmas party is the 19th, this Wednesday sillies!
----Tell us about your investigators.
McKenzie was able to talk to her mom about getting baptized. Her mom told her that she wants McKenzie to look up a few specific things, learn more about them, and when she can tell her mother about them, she will be fine with the baptism. We were so excited to hear that! So now she just needs to study up on the questions. We pointed out she has many resources. Bible, Book of Mormon, footnotes, Topical guide, Bible dictionary, Index, lds.org, mormon.org... We told her if she needs help, feel free to text or call, which she already does anyway.
Shirell and Talif came to the Festival of the Nativity, and then we were able to share the Living Christ with them this week. They like to feed us, and then us to teach them. Talif really opened up this week and asked questions that we knew he was wondering. It was great to see that. This family has 4 girls!
Laura is going through a hard time, but luckily she is leaning on Ward members for support. She is an awesome girl who really wants to know how to be closer to God.
don't have time!
---How long do you get for your phone call?
30-45 minutes. Please don't ask me to disobey rules. We are blessed as we listen to our leaders. I might not want to get off, but I'll need to.
---What is the weather like? this week?
VERY RAINY!!! It has been drizzling since yesterday morning. It's so gross! I had to back Sister Lovell out yesterday, and she reversed into a puddle cause she didn't watch me close enough, and I had to step in our friendly parking lot lake! I was so wearing tights, so I was wet for the next 2 hours. Blegh!
----What was your most spiritual experience this week?
We got to teach Wen-Wen the Plan of Salvation. We were on exchange, because Sister Worthington will be training again soon, so we had Sister Young from Hamilton Mill with us. Sister Lovell has this great puzzle for the P of S that has all the parts centered around the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It's amazing!
Anyway, so we started the lesson with Jesus Christ in the center and related everything to that. As we went through the lesson, i could just feel how she was believing pretty much everything that we said. Everything else, she asked about. Favorite question of the lesson, so if we were so happy and perfect with Heavenly Father, why did we choose to come to earth where things usually aren't happy? She said this in her awesome Chinese accent. It was so cool to see how much she already understood. We were running out of time, so we were going to stop at Our life on Earth, then she asked, well what goes here? and pointed to the next space of the puzzle. We just HAD to briefly finish it and told her that we would explain more later. It was sooooooo awesome! She seems to understand the scriptures pretty well too. She is reading about faith this week, which leads perfectly to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She is so amazing!
Monday, December 24, 2012
December 10, 2012
Pictures!
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| Atlanta Georgia Temple |
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| Atlanta Georgia Temple Stained Glass |
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My heritage: My Great-Grandma (Sis Lovell),
My G-ma(Sis Lapin), my mom and me! I love it!
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| Sister Lovell, one of the best people ever! |
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| Mission Sisters Luncheon |
December 10, 2012
To start off this wonderful email, I would like to address ALL of the skyping emails. I cannot skype on Sunday. I get about 30-45 minutes, and I'm not quite sure what time of the day. We are still working on it, but we are focusing on all the missionary stuff that has been happening this week, so not much progress yet.
So, I haven't got a haircut yet. When I do, I'll try to take pictures. There is a cute young couple in our ward who are great ward missionaries. The wife is going to cut our hair tomorrow because that is the only time we can.
This week has been super busy! It has been nice to be able to handle all of the work that we have had the pleasure of enjoying :)
We had a wonderful lunch this week with all the sister's in the mission. The number of sisters will probably double by March. It was nice to meet everyone and go to Macaroni Grill together.
This week was so busy that while weekly planning, I was not able to set the phone down for 1.5 hours! There were continuous phone calls and texts to be made and answered. It was VERY tiring. I remember when I thought I would mostly escape a cell phone by going on a mission. Yeah right...
This week we picked up 4 new investigators! The work is really hopping now. There are two for each ward.
Wen-wen is Chinese from mainland China. She is not very good with English, but I guess she is doing much better now. We taught her about Christ and how to pray. The next day we were texting her, and she said that she would totally like to learn more. We are having a team up who knows mandarin so that we have a back up when it is really hard to teach simply. She has no religious background, so we are literally starting from ground zero here.
Laura is showed up at North Point with a friend several weeks ago. We took her to the Festival of the Nativity, where they had TONS of Nativities from all over the world. Her family is from Mexico and we kept an eye out for one from Mexico when we cam across one which was the size of at least half our dinner table (The conference one at home). It included greenery, elephants, a stream, and even a pond with two real goldfish in it! It was incredible. We declared her country the winner. We prayed with her before she left the festival and that was a super spiritual experience. We are definitely taking this one slow because she has been pushed so much by so many other churches to convert right away. We told her how we pray and find truth and told her the Book of Mormon would help in her search.
McKenzie received a priesthood blessing this week because things have been crazy at work and she just got back from Ohio. We don't know if she told her mom that she is getting baptized, but she was given a lot of peace and strength in the blessing, so it will all be okay.
We didn't see Hollee this week :( I definitely got to text her though. We are focusing on unconditional love.
Shirrell and her family...I forgot the husband's name. Oops! They also came to the festival of the nativity. We went on splits on Thursday. I taught Connie while the other sisters dropped by Shirrell's house, who they knew from when they were companions in July/August. They caught her and she seems ready to be taught :) She seems awesome :)
Hey, did you know that there is a video on lds.org about Same sex attraction? It looks cool...Random thought :)
Mom, you asked what my companions would like for Christmas. First of all, they already LOVE the ornaments you sent in my package.
-Sister Lovell would like a big hug, another Sister Smith angel for the top of her tree, and a cool Arizona Souvenir, but we want to
send it to her home address, which I will give you later. I'll give her a coupon for it :)
-Sister Worthington would like a cool Arizona souvenir, and a HUGE hug! And pictures of the puppies sent to my email.
Or, I could just take both my companions to lunch at Panera, and that is the best present we could all get :)
---------Where do you think Tyler and Andrew go? Where do you think McKenna will go? Georgia or Peru would both be fun.
McKenna, come to Georgia! I'll train you! Tyler will go to New York :) Andrew will go to Alaska
-----Have either of you received any packages? They have been in the mail for awhile. Well they should be there.
I got a package this week. It was completely squished on one side, so the tree stand is kind of broken and so was the etched glass thing. I got to see what it should look like though because they had one just like at the Festival of the Nativity!
Mission party is on the 19th. That's next week.
-------What is the weirdest thing you have eaten on your mission?
Not vegetarian, not vegan, but microorganic or something like that. My body hated it! Not happy :) Ate more chocolate :)
-------How many of your investigators got to Church this week?
None :( It was stake conference, which was like 45 minutes away in Cumming, GA
--------What was your most spiritual experience this week?
Probably with Wen-Wen. It was awesome to see her willingness to learn. She can feel the spirit so well because the words are not as distracting to her I think. She is so full of faith already.
December 3, 2012
Sister Candace Smith
Sister Lovell is awesome! Being in a trio has made things much easier, because if we can see and hear one companion, we are good. Lots of "triangulation" :)
I'm going to a chiropractor this week! A member called in a favor and got us free service, I think. So, could you have Paul fax my records to Dr. Hortman? He is in the Sandy Springs Area. I wish I had more info for you, but we took his card home.
I'm having my first mission haircut tonight. I'm super excited! If it wasn't so cold in the mornings, I would chop most of it off. I think I will be cutting a good section off anyway, since it hits my lower back at the moment. When I have it in a high ponytail, it still gets caught in my jacket and scarf. BTW I will want my rain coat. The one I have is definitely too big for the summer here. Or probably even the spring. More on this later when it becomes more important.
I got dad's package. The map is really super helpful in this area, because our North Point people are from a ton of different places in Georgia.
Because of the coming influx of sisters, the mission is now putting more emphasis on keeping the sisters strong. We are now doing exchanges regularly, which we just did one on Tuesday. Sister Worthington went to Suwanee with Sister Nielsen (she came out with me) and Sister Berrett came here with Sister Lovell and I. It was really cool. I guess they planned it to boost the greenie confidence.
Sister Berrett came out with Sister Lovell, so this was pretty much the only time that I could have served with her. It was so fun! She is an awesome missionary.
We also have a Sister's Lunch coming up on Friday Afternoon. All the sisters from the mission are coming and Sister Wolfert is paying! We are renting out a room at a restaurant (I don't know which one yet) and having a fantabulous time together. I'm super excited for this.
Anyway, there is TONS happpening, and I can't write about all of it. May I just add on a final note before the questions that I do not like decorating? It turns out that our apartment has a 6.5" Tree. I don't want it, but that just means my companions get to decorate more. I'm so glad they want to decorate and they are fine with me just sitting and laughing with them.
-- Tell us about your investigators? (not a question; that's a command)
Sadly, not much has changed since last week. We don't know how it went with McKenzie's family because the school she works at is being audited...She doesn't think they'll pass. We hope it went well though. We want her to come to church with her daughter.
Hollee is still trying to believe that we can even know truth. She doesn't like relying on her emotions, so she has a hard time giving credit to Spiritual experiences. We are going on splits this week to teach her before institute.
We are definitely in finding mode.
--How is your weather there?
It starts out at about 40 degrees at 7 in the morning, then goes to 70 by the middle of the day, then the humidity rises and the temperature drops to about 50. It's really weird. It hasn't snowed though...YAY!!!!
If it did snow, we have a fireplace :)
--What is your favorite Christmas Memory?
Definitely the food storage christmas and going to waffle house in the morning. All the missionaries (except me) seem to call it Awful house here. I guess they are known for their terrible service and disgusting food...weird. I'll have to try it.
--What was your most spiritual experience this week?
Teaching the Plan of Salvation to Connie (Inactive, converted as a 13 year old, but stopped coming to church soon after). It was so cool! The Spirit was so strong and we were able to invite her to come to church with us on Sunday. She has been very afraid to come to church because she has been gone for so long (she is now 47), but the spirit was so strong. We told her her home teacher would love to pick her up, and since she has been able to keep in contact with him monthly for years, she said that'd be fine. We met at her house early Sunday morning and reassured her that she looked great, especially with her awesome pocketbook (aka purse :) ) Then it was off to church. By the end of it, she turned to me and said she wanted to come back next week. I'm so excited for her!
Sister Lovell is awesome! Being in a trio has made things much easier, because if we can see and hear one companion, we are good. Lots of "triangulation" :)
I'm going to a chiropractor this week! A member called in a favor and got us free service, I think. So, could you have Paul fax my records to Dr. Hortman? He is in the Sandy Springs Area. I wish I had more info for you, but we took his card home.
I'm having my first mission haircut tonight. I'm super excited! If it wasn't so cold in the mornings, I would chop most of it off. I think I will be cutting a good section off anyway, since it hits my lower back at the moment. When I have it in a high ponytail, it still gets caught in my jacket and scarf. BTW I will want my rain coat. The one I have is definitely too big for the summer here. Or probably even the spring. More on this later when it becomes more important.
I got dad's package. The map is really super helpful in this area, because our North Point people are from a ton of different places in Georgia.
Because of the coming influx of sisters, the mission is now putting more emphasis on keeping the sisters strong. We are now doing exchanges regularly, which we just did one on Tuesday. Sister Worthington went to Suwanee with Sister Nielsen (she came out with me) and Sister Berrett came here with Sister Lovell and I. It was really cool. I guess they planned it to boost the greenie confidence.
Sister Berrett came out with Sister Lovell, so this was pretty much the only time that I could have served with her. It was so fun! She is an awesome missionary.
We also have a Sister's Lunch coming up on Friday Afternoon. All the sisters from the mission are coming and Sister Wolfert is paying! We are renting out a room at a restaurant (I don't know which one yet) and having a fantabulous time together. I'm super excited for this.
Anyway, there is TONS happpening, and I can't write about all of it. May I just add on a final note before the questions that I do not like decorating? It turns out that our apartment has a 6.5" Tree. I don't want it, but that just means my companions get to decorate more. I'm so glad they want to decorate and they are fine with me just sitting and laughing with them.
-- Tell us about your investigators? (not a question; that's a command)
Sadly, not much has changed since last week. We don't know how it went with McKenzie's family because the school she works at is being audited...She doesn't think they'll pass. We hope it went well though. We want her to come to church with her daughter.
Hollee is still trying to believe that we can even know truth. She doesn't like relying on her emotions, so she has a hard time giving credit to Spiritual experiences. We are going on splits this week to teach her before institute.
We are definitely in finding mode.
--How is your weather there?
It starts out at about 40 degrees at 7 in the morning, then goes to 70 by the middle of the day, then the humidity rises and the temperature drops to about 50. It's really weird. It hasn't snowed though...YAY!!!!
If it did snow, we have a fireplace :)
--What is your favorite Christmas Memory?
Definitely the food storage christmas and going to waffle house in the morning. All the missionaries (except me) seem to call it Awful house here. I guess they are known for their terrible service and disgusting food...weird. I'll have to try it.
--What was your most spiritual experience this week?
Teaching the Plan of Salvation to Connie (Inactive, converted as a 13 year old, but stopped coming to church soon after). It was so cool! The Spirit was so strong and we were able to invite her to come to church with us on Sunday. She has been very afraid to come to church because she has been gone for so long (she is now 47), but the spirit was so strong. We told her her home teacher would love to pick her up, and since she has been able to keep in contact with him monthly for years, she said that'd be fine. We met at her house early Sunday morning and reassured her that she looked great, especially with her awesome pocketbook (aka purse :) ) Then it was off to church. By the end of it, she turned to me and said she wanted to come back next week. I'm so excited for her!
November 26, 2012
Sorry, but it was a CRAZY week! First transfers, and guess what?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! We got a new companion! The third in our WONDERFUL trio is Sister Lovell, who was formerly in a trio training Sister Merback. We have decided to kill her in January, so stay tuned for announcements! Just kidding. She just hit her 17 month mark this past week, and this transfer is 7 weeks long, so we get her until January 9th or something like that. We also got another Brazilian Elder! So we now have 9 people in our district. It's huge! I hope someone else knows how to play piano, but alas, I believe I'm the only one! They put Elder Fritas and Elder Gomes on bikes, and they only stay in our area now (the other companionship covers pretty much all of Georgia, from what I hear).
I'm going to see a Chiropractor! And I don't have to pay for it. A ward member has some connections, which leads to free work on my back! Good thing :)
So, there have been so many changes going on. It is almost for sure that I will train in January. We are supposed to double our sisters then, so literally, they think everyone will be. We'll see. I've been told by my companions that I could easily train now, even with my knees. So, life changes! Funny fact, I know! Chocolate is maybe eaten once a day in my life and I don't eat eggs. I avoid dairy. Weird!
Oh, so the knees! My chondromalacia is painful, but nothing to worry over! So stop! I know you love me, but I was told by a very wise christian woman that you either worry or you pray, you don't do both. So please just pray for me, and then everyone will be happy :) Seriously though, I don't have to drive anymore, and I am working on stretching the muscles. It is an obstacle, but not a roadblock. I know the Lord will help me. This week has been strange because on top of all these changes, one of our investigators was in Ohio telling her mother that she is getting baptized, and everyone else has been busy with Thanksgiving and family. It was really hard to get much done. Walking is not my knees favorite thing in the world, although talking to people is still. I love talking to people, even when they reject us. It can be painful, but just being able to talk to so many of God's children is such a blessing in my life.
Questions:
1. Candace, what did you do for Thanksgiving?
We went to the Walkenhorsts along with three other families and ate a traditional meal, then had the kids help us make hand turkeys. We then taped these hand turkeys to people's doors and handed them to random people on the street. The Elders helped us with that part. :)
2. What was your most spiritual experience this week?
4. How are your knees doing Candace?I described it above. It's painful, but I am so stubbornly hanging on to staying out here that I am taking any measure I can to help them feel better now AND in the long run. Lots for my new companion to learn about it though.
2. What was your most spiritual experience this week?
Teaching the Plan of Salvation in a role play. That seriously sounds so weird, but I have not taught the Plan of Salvation all out like that. It took like 45 minutes, but it was so powerful, and of course I had no pain during it. The Spirit led every word, and I had my personality in there the whole time, but the spirit guided it so that every single transition was so smooth and personally relevant that I think both I and my investigator (Sister Worthington) cried the entire time.
3. Chris wants to know, "What is the answer to life, the universe and everything?"
I heard 42. I like the answer,"Christ" or "The Atonement" better though :)
4. How are your knees doing Candace?I described it above. It's painful, but I am so stubbornly hanging on to staying out here that I am taking any measure I can to help them feel better now AND in the long run. Lots for my new companion to learn about it though.
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| Awesome Picture for our Candie PI |
Friday, November 16, 2012
November 12, 2012 and PICTURES!!!!
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| Me (Candace) and Sister Worthington |
11/12/12
Hello all you wonderful people!
I am extremely sorry for the weird and lame letter last week. I will attempt to have a much more entertaining, uplifting, and informational letter this week :)
I'm excited for the new youth program. We haven't been able to learn about it yet.
Second time I've written this letter. Computers stopped working at our complex :(
On Monday, we picked up a Coke for a less active member that we were on our way to teach. When we got to the register, the cashier said to me, "You're going to give me that book, right?" I sputtered out yes and then started to explain what he was about. He told me he already knew what it was about, had a testimony of it, and was in Kenya when the church was brought there in the 70's. It turns out he didn't know where a church was, but he has been baptized, so we set him up with the Elders in his area. Andrew is excited to go back to church :)
We have a Brother/Elder in Paper Mill Ward who has the same knee condition as me. He taught me how to properly do some exercises to build up the muscles in my knee, because that is how you get the pain
to stop I guess. He is really looking out for us. I think he is a psychiatrist or doctor or chiroprator, or all of the above actually wouldn't surpise me. :)
We had Zone conference this week. It was so cool! We combined two zones and so had over 40 Elders there, and then me and Sister Worthington :) It was kind of funny. Elder Gibbons, our area seventy, spoke to us about how missionary work is realated to the Abrahamic Covenant. It was an amazing talk that I need to go over again so I'll understand. :) President Wolfert told us how the lowered ages is affecting our mission. First of all, by this time next year, our mission will have 80-100 more missionaries than we do now, and lots of them will be sisters. This is where he turned to me from the pulpit and said, "Sister Smith, are you ready to train?" PANIC ATTACK MOMENT!!!! I haven't been out a full transfer! But I'm working on it. There is a good chance that I will train as soon as I am done with 12 weeks, so in January. He also told us that everyone will be on bikes! I'm so excited to be on bikes, but a little scared for the pain. My knee is not being nice! Thanks for all the prayers by the way. I've really felt them!
Because my knee has been hurting so bad lately, I had another Priesthood blessing this week. I almost couldn't drive to get there. This helped with an idea Sister Worthington got by inspiration. We are using my knee to help the ward get more blessings! We basically told the ward that we were sorry that we haven't been involving them more and that we wanted to use this to bring our efforts closer together, like when the Soviets and the US worked together to free a couple trapped whales in 1987 during election time. We are asking for rides and team ups for every single day and sometimes several times a day. I can't wait to see the miracles that this will bring :)
We had a movie night this week with Linnette, Marilyn and her kids and friends (Erica and Candace!). We watched Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration at the church with snacks. The Spirit was so strong! The
kids and friends were asking for clarification and asking about what we believed. It was cool, especially when Marilyn, a convert that was baptized in September, answered most of the questions. It was so cool.
My knee was a blessing right after I got that blessing! We were out contacting (talking to literally everyone we see and tracting doors if we feel drawn to them) and we had to walk up this huge sloped driveway to get to some workers. This guy, Kurt was only going to take a second to talk to us, but then he noticed that I had my crutch and was having trouble on the hill. He said he would listed to whatever we had to say. He accepted a Book of Mormon and we also gave him our number, a mormon.org card, and where and when church is. It was awesome.
Movie Night! sooo cool!
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| Linnette's Baptism |
-- Tell a funny experience.
Telling everyone I'm the lame companion...and waiting for them to get it :)
Probably actually Kurt. That was cool.
-- Tell about your investigators.
We don't have a lot right now. We are in finding mode, which is hard because I can't go for long on hills.
Hollee is doing good. She is trying to quit smoking and hasn't really been taught full lessons yet. We have to teach her at the church, so we don't get to see her alot :(
McKenzie is simply amazing. She came to church for the second time this week. :) She is doing great and only needs to finish being taught the commandments and talk to her mom. Then she'll be baptized!
--What is one thing that helped your testimony grow when you were growing up?
Learning to pray and know things for myself. I remember kneeling down when I was almost 8 and asking if the Book of Mormon was true. That is why I was always able to bear my testimony and feel like coming to
church. I knew for myself and I knew that if I ever had any questions, I could always ask God in prayer and He could answer me in many different ways.
Also reading the scriptures, but now I'm breaking the rule of only one thing that helped my testimony :)
I love you all so much! I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's church on earth. I know that we can come closer to God by going to church, reading our scriptures and praying to Him. I know that the Priesthood is truly the power of God given to man to act in his name, and that worthy men who hold it can make a huge change in the lives of others, simply by being good examples and willing to help when there is any need. I know that the Power of Kindness opens the hardest of hearts and truly brings us closer to Christ. Never forget that you bear Christ's name as a disciple and that you have the knowledge to change people's eternities. I love you all. Be safe. "Be of good cheer and do not fear".
Love you!
Sister Candace M Smith Christ
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| View of the Atlanta Temple from our Single's Ward Building |
Monday, November 5, 2012
November 5, 2012 My companion saves my butt, then tries to murdelize me!
11:14 AM
I am too lazy and tired to write this all again, so I copied and pasted from the email to my Mission President, taking out anything you don't really need to know. "So, I'm doing pretty good. I just got out of my doctor's appointment, and I found out some fun things. First of all, I'm cleared to drive! We even double checked with the doctor! Second, I have a Lateral Hamstring Strain, which basically means I went a little too far a little too fast on the hills. It takes 3-6 weeks to heal, which means in 4 weeks I could be good as new! I just have to use crutches when going up and down hills so that I don't hurt it anymore. Third, I have Chondro Malacia Patella in both knees, which I guess means that it hurts to move my knees. The doctor said to google it, which isn't likely to happen in the next year and about 4 months. I have so little time to work here, and I plan to use it fully!
Anyway, so I got a priesthood blessing from the Ward Mission Leader in Paper Mill yesterday. In it, he stated that my knee would be a hinderance and an obstacle, but not a roadblock in the work. God also blessed him to say that this is a great opportunity to come close to Christ. I was so grateful for this blessing and the many other wonderful things that were said in it. Now I just have to remember them and keep a positive attitude.
I'm really sorry if this email is really jumbled. The doctor was really tugging on my knee, so I'm kind of hurting, so I don't really make sense to myself. Just ask any questions if you are confused about anything.
McKenzie is doing well. She is anticipating telling her mom, and I think that she is feeling a lot more sure about herself, because she realized that she is so much closer to God now, and that is what her mother is always telling her to do. We are praying about a baptismal date.
Hollee didn't come to church yesterday, and we think something is wrong, but since we haven't been able to see her, we don't know. She definitely at least has people in the ward looking over her as legitimate friends though. We are super grateful for that and are hoping to see her as soon as possible." So, could you wonderful people at home do some research for me and figure out what it means that I have this "condition"? I really want to know. The doctor told me to take 2-3 Ibuprofen with every meal, or I can take about as much Aleve. This scares me alittle bit. that is alot of drugs to pump your body full with. Okay, so Mom, I met a very special lady this week. I met Sarah Jean. I don't know her last name, but she wants to be taught, and she knows Wiltbanks! We were led to her door, much like with Adelaide's door (spiritual experience below). So, on Tuesday, we have to be locked in our apartments by 6pm because they don't want anyone to take out any anger on us. That is good. I don't like being hurt :) I'm so glad that we don't have to be political while we are out here. The five minute newscast that we heard was bad enough and I wasn't even trying to listen. Pretty dirty run, huh? Thank you, wonderful women, who sent me a package! The clothing and food items are much appreciated. I have one question... How was the wrapper still on the wafer stick thingies (Pirouettes) but there were stickers stashed inside?!?!?! Which Houdini did that! :) Love you. The clothing is super cute and came the day I had to start using crutches, so it was perfect timing. Sad day for our Paper Mill ward, but both of their new converts just moved out of the ward. :( The sad thing is they are soooo good at supporting new members! They have felt sooooo loved! We'll have to keep in contact. --What did you do for Halloween? Our missionaries dressed up as............missionaries. They pulled it off really well. There were a LOT of people to talk to. LAME!!!!! I was Elder Poole from District Cool for Halloween! And my companion was Elder Thorne. We had a dinner appointment and switched name tags with the English speaking Elders. I was District Leader for over an hour! Then they found a screw in our tire. We had to go inside by 6pm and stay. We played games and didn't do weekly planning like we probably should have...:)
--Everyone is trying to be like Arizona and turn their clocks back. Is daylight savings time only in the US or does Peru do it too? SO LAME!!! We were supposed to change our clocks Saturday night, but I assumed that our phone was smart enough. It wasn't. We showed up at the church at "8:15am" for Ward Council, and the Relief Society President told us we were an hour early. Oh well, more study time :D
--what was your funniest experience this week? MY COMPANION TRIED TO KILL ME!!! IT WAS TOTALLY PREMEDITATED!!!! Voice of reason here (a.k.a. Sister Worthington): it was not premeditated and in my defense, I love bread! *Sister Smith steals the keyboard back from her crazy, killer companion* She tried to kill me! We were in the kitchen, and I was eating a honey bun, because the portuguese branch loves us and gives us food every week :) So I was eating a honey bun that Sister Crazy over here had tried and NOT LIKED. I'm telling you, she is a fruit loop :) So I'm happily eating this wonderful delicious pastry of amazingness, and she turns to me while in the middle of a sentence and gasps SUPER loud while she looks at me with a "I'm going to eat you smile" (Keisha Lyn, I only know this smile because of you :)) I was so suprised and laughing that I big piece of honey bun lodged in my throat. Once I realized it wasn't coming out very easily and she realized I couldn't breath, she started pounding on my back. I am glad to say, I survived, although my throat hurt really bad afterwards. :)
--Candace how did your training go with President Wolfert?
Anyway, the trainer/trainee meeting went great, besides me being in pain. It was awesome, and we were all fired up to go afterwards. They almost didn't let me leave with the ability to drive, but I worked it out.
--What was your most spiritual experience this week? Adelaide, oh Adelaide. We were trying to get gas and then go contacting, and for some reason, our GPS took us outside our area to go get gas. We knew we were supposed to go there, though. Then, we just followed the spirit. Earlier that day, we had both kind of figured out that I need to learn how to take the lead, so I was doing that. I just kind of went where I was led. We went into this nursing community that was literally dead feeling, except for this one area. We went over there. We ended up at someone's garage and what we thought was a back door. I thought, that's creepy. We decided to do it anyway, because as missionaries, we do awkward and rock it! Anyway, so we went up to the door, and a nurse answered. I felt that we should ask for a male resident. She said he had died...awkward. I asked for the living resident. She said that she was dressed for bed and couldn't come to the door...awkward. I asked if we could come back another time to talk to the resident. She said sure! Then my companion saved my sorry butt. She asked the lady if she had ever heard of our church. She said YES! The lady, Adelaide, had talked to the Elders quite a bit and had a BoM. She is a great lady and has such a spiritual strength about her. She isn't in our area, but she is in our mission. We are calling her today, then will probably pass her on to the other missionaries if she is okay with that. We later found out we almost left our mission, which we don't like to do. We knew the spirit was leading us, otherwise, we wouldn't have done it.
I am too lazy and tired to write this all again, so I copied and pasted from the email to my Mission President, taking out anything you don't really need to know. "So, I'm doing pretty good. I just got out of my doctor's appointment, and I found out some fun things. First of all, I'm cleared to drive! We even double checked with the doctor! Second, I have a Lateral Hamstring Strain, which basically means I went a little too far a little too fast on the hills. It takes 3-6 weeks to heal, which means in 4 weeks I could be good as new! I just have to use crutches when going up and down hills so that I don't hurt it anymore. Third, I have Chondro Malacia Patella in both knees, which I guess means that it hurts to move my knees. The doctor said to google it, which isn't likely to happen in the next year and about 4 months. I have so little time to work here, and I plan to use it fully!
Anyway, so I got a priesthood blessing from the Ward Mission Leader in Paper Mill yesterday. In it, he stated that my knee would be a hinderance and an obstacle, but not a roadblock in the work. God also blessed him to say that this is a great opportunity to come close to Christ. I was so grateful for this blessing and the many other wonderful things that were said in it. Now I just have to remember them and keep a positive attitude.
I'm really sorry if this email is really jumbled. The doctor was really tugging on my knee, so I'm kind of hurting, so I don't really make sense to myself. Just ask any questions if you are confused about anything.
McKenzie is doing well. She is anticipating telling her mom, and I think that she is feeling a lot more sure about herself, because she realized that she is so much closer to God now, and that is what her mother is always telling her to do. We are praying about a baptismal date.
Hollee didn't come to church yesterday, and we think something is wrong, but since we haven't been able to see her, we don't know. She definitely at least has people in the ward looking over her as legitimate friends though. We are super grateful for that and are hoping to see her as soon as possible." So, could you wonderful people at home do some research for me and figure out what it means that I have this "condition"? I really want to know. The doctor told me to take 2-3 Ibuprofen with every meal, or I can take about as much Aleve. This scares me alittle bit. that is alot of drugs to pump your body full with. Okay, so Mom, I met a very special lady this week. I met Sarah Jean. I don't know her last name, but she wants to be taught, and she knows Wiltbanks! We were led to her door, much like with Adelaide's door (spiritual experience below). So, on Tuesday, we have to be locked in our apartments by 6pm because they don't want anyone to take out any anger on us. That is good. I don't like being hurt :) I'm so glad that we don't have to be political while we are out here. The five minute newscast that we heard was bad enough and I wasn't even trying to listen. Pretty dirty run, huh? Thank you, wonderful women, who sent me a package! The clothing and food items are much appreciated. I have one question... How was the wrapper still on the wafer stick thingies (Pirouettes) but there were stickers stashed inside?!?!?! Which Houdini did that! :) Love you. The clothing is super cute and came the day I had to start using crutches, so it was perfect timing. Sad day for our Paper Mill ward, but both of their new converts just moved out of the ward. :( The sad thing is they are soooo good at supporting new members! They have felt sooooo loved! We'll have to keep in contact. --What did you do for Halloween? Our missionaries dressed up as............missionaries. They pulled it off really well. There were a LOT of people to talk to. LAME!!!!! I was Elder Poole from District Cool for Halloween! And my companion was Elder Thorne. We had a dinner appointment and switched name tags with the English speaking Elders. I was District Leader for over an hour! Then they found a screw in our tire. We had to go inside by 6pm and stay. We played games and didn't do weekly planning like we probably should have...:)
--Everyone is trying to be like Arizona and turn their clocks back. Is daylight savings time only in the US or does Peru do it too? SO LAME!!! We were supposed to change our clocks Saturday night, but I assumed that our phone was smart enough. It wasn't. We showed up at the church at "8:15am" for Ward Council, and the Relief Society President told us we were an hour early. Oh well, more study time :D
--what was your funniest experience this week? MY COMPANION TRIED TO KILL ME!!! IT WAS TOTALLY PREMEDITATED!!!! Voice of reason here (a.k.a. Sister Worthington): it was not premeditated and in my defense, I love bread! *Sister Smith steals the keyboard back from her crazy, killer companion* She tried to kill me! We were in the kitchen, and I was eating a honey bun, because the portuguese branch loves us and gives us food every week :) So I was eating a honey bun that Sister Crazy over here had tried and NOT LIKED. I'm telling you, she is a fruit loop :) So I'm happily eating this wonderful delicious pastry of amazingness, and she turns to me while in the middle of a sentence and gasps SUPER loud while she looks at me with a "I'm going to eat you smile" (Keisha Lyn, I only know this smile because of you :)) I was so suprised and laughing that I big piece of honey bun lodged in my throat. Once I realized it wasn't coming out very easily and she realized I couldn't breath, she started pounding on my back. I am glad to say, I survived, although my throat hurt really bad afterwards. :)
--Candace how did your training go with President Wolfert?
Anyway, the trainer/trainee meeting went great, besides me being in pain. It was awesome, and we were all fired up to go afterwards. They almost didn't let me leave with the ability to drive, but I worked it out.
--What was your most spiritual experience this week? Adelaide, oh Adelaide. We were trying to get gas and then go contacting, and for some reason, our GPS took us outside our area to go get gas. We knew we were supposed to go there, though. Then, we just followed the spirit. Earlier that day, we had both kind of figured out that I need to learn how to take the lead, so I was doing that. I just kind of went where I was led. We went into this nursing community that was literally dead feeling, except for this one area. We went over there. We ended up at someone's garage and what we thought was a back door. I thought, that's creepy. We decided to do it anyway, because as missionaries, we do awkward and rock it! Anyway, so we went up to the door, and a nurse answered. I felt that we should ask for a male resident. She said he had died...awkward. I asked for the living resident. She said that she was dressed for bed and couldn't come to the door...awkward. I asked if we could come back another time to talk to the resident. She said sure! Then my companion saved my sorry butt. She asked the lady if she had ever heard of our church. She said YES! The lady, Adelaide, had talked to the Elders quite a bit and had a BoM. She is a great lady and has such a spiritual strength about her. She isn't in our area, but she is in our mission. We are calling her today, then will probably pass her on to the other missionaries if she is okay with that. We later found out we almost left our mission, which we don't like to do. We knew the spirit was leading us, otherwise, we wouldn't have done it.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
October 29, 2012
Hello Wonderful children of God!
This week has been a hard one, but we have learned a TON about faith.
Talk about the highs of highs and the lows of lows. Hollee, our investigator who told us she wants to be baptized, ran out on a lesson and told us that she would never see or speak to us again. It was pretty dramatic. We both just sat there and cried, because we knew that we had done all we could, but that we may never see her again. This story does have a happy ending however. She did end up coming to
church yesterday, and while she is still mad about question 4 of the baptismal interview questions, I think she will be okay. She still wants to be baptized. We just need to teach her some doctrine that she is missing that might help.
We haven't been able to be as up and about as usual, because my knee has been bothering me. I have been in contact with the area doctor, and we are trying to make it work. I'm going on crutches so that I don't overwork it. Those gosh darn hills :)
Oh, and I was told last night that because I am "injured" I won't be allowed to drive for much longer. This is a problem because we have to have a car in our area, and my companion does not have her license. Lots of crying last night. We get along so well. Honestly, we are almost exactly alike. We are kind of hoping we become a trio. Pray for us please!
Does anyone have any experiences with people using the verse in revelations about not adding scripture? I know that it only applies to the book of Revelations, and that the books of the New Testament aren't even in order chronologically, but this is a concern we run into every day. We found a great talk by Elder Holland about it. I was just wondering if anyone had further insight...
Random side note: Bugs are gross! Honestly, house centipedes and milipedes and spiders bigger than my fist... GROSS! I was on my way to bed, and just walking through the kitchen, I accidentally curled my toes around a milipede! It was gross! That's okay...I killed it. We have a pet spider. His name is Alejandro. He lives in the corner of the dining room, and he is a FAT daddy long legs! I have no clue how he is still alive, but I know he is. We have conversations. He invited a friend into the apartment last night, and I don't think I appreciate that...
So, I didn't get any questions this week from mom, so instead, I will answer Brad and Jacquelyn's questions!
What is your best memory so far?
Best Funny memory:
I would have to say either the little kid jumping out of the bushes (if you haven't read this story, ask mom) or when a Less-Acitve member, who totally speaks southern, pronounced phlegm as "Fleem" instead of flem. It was really kinda funny.
Best spiritual memory:
Either when Linnette was baptized and confirmed, or when we were doing 12 weeks, our greenie program, and my trainer guided me to understand our purpose and have a real testimony of it.
What is your favorite food you've tried?
Oh, the corn dogs from Trader Joe's! Seriously, life changing! Or the cookies from Whole Foods Market. We haven't had any true southern cooking since I've been here, but I found a boiled peanuts stand!
We'll see how long it takes to get there. :)
My most spiritual experience this week because I know you want to know!
So, I got a blessing when my knee started bothering me, and I was promised that my knees would work properly and that I would have the strength to do missionary work. Well, this has been so interesting to
watch. As long as I have faith, as we walk up to people's houses or to contacts, my knee and leg don't hurt AT ALL! Literally, the pain just disappears. Then after we talk to the person or walk away from the
house, the pain comes right back. It is the craziest thing. Oh, and if we are going the wrong way on a street and we don't realize it, my knee starts hurting until we turn around.
Anyway, so when we get home and start planning, all the pain that has been held back throughout the day kind of crashes down. It hurts. This happened the other day, and I still had a lot I needed to get done
before bed. So I said the closing prayer, and I was having trouble standing. I just looked up to the ceiling and said " What? If you want me to do something, just tell me please. I'll do it." I knew I was supposed to go lay down. So I tried to stand up and my klutzy self kept falling over. Then the pain suddenly disappeared,
and I just felt this voice say,"There you go. You have 7 minutes to get everything you want and get into bed". I rushed around the apartment grabbing my journal and letters, and as soon as I sat down at about 7 minutes, the pain came back. I was able to lay in bed and get the things done I needed to. It was amazing and I just knew that God knew exactly what I was going through.
God always know what we need. I know that if we will simply pray to him in the name of Christ, that our righteous desires will be fulfilled. I know that as we pray in Christ's name, our will be aligned with the Father's and we will better be able to serve Him and those around us. I know that the scriptures can lead us closer to God and that revelation and the Holy Ghost can help us stay close to Him. I know that President Monson is a prophet of God and that he leads us to becoming our best selves.
I love you all and wish you a great week!
Sister Candace M. Smith
This week has been a hard one, but we have learned a TON about faith.
Talk about the highs of highs and the lows of lows. Hollee, our investigator who told us she wants to be baptized, ran out on a lesson and told us that she would never see or speak to us again. It was pretty dramatic. We both just sat there and cried, because we knew that we had done all we could, but that we may never see her again. This story does have a happy ending however. She did end up coming to
church yesterday, and while she is still mad about question 4 of the baptismal interview questions, I think she will be okay. She still wants to be baptized. We just need to teach her some doctrine that she is missing that might help.
We haven't been able to be as up and about as usual, because my knee has been bothering me. I have been in contact with the area doctor, and we are trying to make it work. I'm going on crutches so that I don't overwork it. Those gosh darn hills :)
Oh, and I was told last night that because I am "injured" I won't be allowed to drive for much longer. This is a problem because we have to have a car in our area, and my companion does not have her license. Lots of crying last night. We get along so well. Honestly, we are almost exactly alike. We are kind of hoping we become a trio. Pray for us please!
Does anyone have any experiences with people using the verse in revelations about not adding scripture? I know that it only applies to the book of Revelations, and that the books of the New Testament aren't even in order chronologically, but this is a concern we run into every day. We found a great talk by Elder Holland about it. I was just wondering if anyone had further insight...
Random side note: Bugs are gross! Honestly, house centipedes and milipedes and spiders bigger than my fist... GROSS! I was on my way to bed, and just walking through the kitchen, I accidentally curled my toes around a milipede! It was gross! That's okay...I killed it. We have a pet spider. His name is Alejandro. He lives in the corner of the dining room, and he is a FAT daddy long legs! I have no clue how he is still alive, but I know he is. We have conversations. He invited a friend into the apartment last night, and I don't think I appreciate that...
So, I didn't get any questions this week from mom, so instead, I will answer Brad and Jacquelyn's questions!
What is your best memory so far?
Best Funny memory:
I would have to say either the little kid jumping out of the bushes (if you haven't read this story, ask mom) or when a Less-Acitve member, who totally speaks southern, pronounced phlegm as "Fleem" instead of flem. It was really kinda funny.
Best spiritual memory:
Either when Linnette was baptized and confirmed, or when we were doing 12 weeks, our greenie program, and my trainer guided me to understand our purpose and have a real testimony of it.
What is your favorite food you've tried?
Oh, the corn dogs from Trader Joe's! Seriously, life changing! Or the cookies from Whole Foods Market. We haven't had any true southern cooking since I've been here, but I found a boiled peanuts stand!
We'll see how long it takes to get there. :)
My most spiritual experience this week because I know you want to know!
So, I got a blessing when my knee started bothering me, and I was promised that my knees would work properly and that I would have the strength to do missionary work. Well, this has been so interesting to
watch. As long as I have faith, as we walk up to people's houses or to contacts, my knee and leg don't hurt AT ALL! Literally, the pain just disappears. Then after we talk to the person or walk away from the
house, the pain comes right back. It is the craziest thing. Oh, and if we are going the wrong way on a street and we don't realize it, my knee starts hurting until we turn around.
Anyway, so when we get home and start planning, all the pain that has been held back throughout the day kind of crashes down. It hurts. This happened the other day, and I still had a lot I needed to get done
before bed. So I said the closing prayer, and I was having trouble standing. I just looked up to the ceiling and said " What? If you want me to do something, just tell me please. I'll do it." I knew I was supposed to go lay down. So I tried to stand up and my klutzy self kept falling over. Then the pain suddenly disappeared,
and I just felt this voice say,"There you go. You have 7 minutes to get everything you want and get into bed". I rushed around the apartment grabbing my journal and letters, and as soon as I sat down at about 7 minutes, the pain came back. I was able to lay in bed and get the things done I needed to. It was amazing and I just knew that God knew exactly what I was going through.
God always know what we need. I know that if we will simply pray to him in the name of Christ, that our righteous desires will be fulfilled. I know that as we pray in Christ's name, our will be aligned with the Father's and we will better be able to serve Him and those around us. I know that the scriptures can lead us closer to God and that revelation and the Holy Ghost can help us stay close to Him. I know that President Monson is a prophet of God and that he leads us to becoming our best selves.
I love you all and wish you a great week!
Sister Candace M. Smith
October 22, 2012 Full Letter
Hello Everyone!
Liam is still adorable! I love it!
Okay, so good news or bad news first? Bad news? Good choice, since it isn't that bad. As you all probably know, Georgia has some very hilly country and we go out contacting and walking these hills quite a bit. Well, we were walking on Friday, and my knee started hurting really bad all of a sudden. Now, I knkow what you're thinking, but you are wrong. I have been doing EVERYTHING I could to take care of my knees. I don't even kneel when we kneel in paryer. I sit on the ground. It's annoying, but I do it because I don't want to put any extra strain on them. I told my companion the first time we were contacting about my knees and I have been very open about how they are feeling and have kept a very close eye on them. Unfortuanately, that was obviously not enough.
Anyway, I told Sister Wolfert about it and our mission doctor happens to be in Orthopedics, so I'll probably be meeting with him soon. So I want to have my brace just in case. I'm going to go buy a bag of frozen peas today also. I hate ice, but I hate being lame more :)
Oh, and the sister missing from the picture with the Wolferts went home. She tried to change her mind and they wouldn't let her. I might be a little mad about that, because it was a therapist who said no. Annoyed! but accepting...:(
Anyway, GOOD NEWS :)
Hollee, our YSA investigator, told us she wants to be baptized yesterday! So excititng! I've already witnessed two baptisms since I've been here. We have to wait til December, but I'm sooooooo excited for her! The amazing peace and Spirit that people feel at baptisms is amazing.
We picked up a new investigator yesterday too. Greg is engaged to Carolyn, who has been inactive since she was 13. She has wanted to come back to church since she met him though. He has been able to see the blessings of the Gift of the Holy Ghost leading her through the most difficult time of her life and he says he wants to be baptized. I don't think he realizes exactly what the church even believes except for God and Jesus, so we'll see how well that goes.
The elections are creating a lot of hype about mormons... We are loving it! It has given us so many opportunities, like yesterday at church. Gerry, a local Jew (there are sooooo many Jews here!) came to church to figure out exactly what Romney believes. I was talking to him, and he had already read all our standard works! This guy had great questions and I hope he comes back, even if it is only to find out all that we believe.
So, our goal this week is to share a piece of our testimonies with every single person that will listen to anything that we say. Even the people that speak another language. (I wish I knew Chinese and Portuguese!). I know that as we share our testimonies with others, that we bring the Spirit, which touches their hearts if they let it. That is what interests people. Having the Holy Ghost with us is essential, even when we are just at the grocery store and aren't able to talk to anyone. People can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost and they can see it. I have had several experiences already where people come up to me out of nowhere and ask about the church. It has been amazing to see.
I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know that He wants me to be in Georgia and wants me to be myself and use my talents to share the Gospel, which is faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. I know that His Spirit is with me while we teach and that it leads us in how to touch the hearts of others. Baptism and Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost are some fo the best blessings I ever could have received in this life. They have opened the gate on the path to the Celestial Kingdom and I know that Christ is helping me as I help others to find the key to that gate. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God and that he fulfilled a great work while on this earth. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God and I know that it can uplift us at all times, no matter what we are going through. I know that God listens to our prayers and that He always answers them. I know that we receive our greatest strength in life by asking God for help and then going and doing. I know that God wants us to be extremely happy and that is why we have prophets and the church. The Plan of Salvation truly is the Plan of Happiness.
I love you all!
* Candace how many times did you get on the computer last week? Was it all at the same place? You said you only have 30 minutes to read email, write it and write to the President. That is not much time.
So, I got on the computer a couple times cause I had to get a visitors pass which only gives you 30 minutes, but then my companion gave me a little of her time. If you have a library card, you can have 2 HOURS!!! So I got more time.
We are doing email at our Apartment complex, which is the Azalea Springs complex in Marieta, Georgia. Look it up and you will feel better. It's a REALLY nice place.
I'm so excited for a package! Oh, don't forget the knee brace please :)
* Candace what city are you in? You told us the area, but that isn't on our map.
I live in Marieta, but the Paper Mill Ward covers parts of Marieta, Roswell, and some of the addresses even say Atlanta. The Singles ward covers a HUGE area. Seriously, people come from 40 miles away and that isn't completely uncommon. The best part? The single's ward building is in Sandy Springs, RIGHT BEHIND THE TEMPLE!!!! That's right, I get to see the temple on Sundays and Tuesdays (Institute). We aren't supposed to go on the grounds though. We just have special permission to be there because they wanted sisters, so we work with elders from the Georgia Atlanta Mission. They had a baptism this week :)
* Tell us about your most spiritual experience.
Hmmm, that would probably be with Tim. We were out contacting (like tracting, but you just talk to literally everyone that you see.) because our mission goal is 70 conatcts per week per companionship. That is hard, but our area has a lot of walkers, so it's okay. We were walking past a bus stop and saw a man sitting in the grass (which is like, true grass here. It's weird! and there are a TON of trees. It's really creepy at night. but I digress), so we talked to him. He lost his job that day and didn't know if he had enough money for the bus. He is from Kenya and was having a hard time counting his money. Anyway, the best part of the experience was he knew that the money wasn't his biggest priority. He knew that he had to trust in God and that he would be okay, he would just have a hard time in the meantime. Unfortunately, his phone had been disconnected and he was evicted, so we can't contact him, he has to contact us. I just loved being able to watch when the Spirit really touched him and let him have lucid moments. It was a powerful experience that really humbled us and helped us concentrate on each individual.
Love you all!
Sister Candace M. Smith
P.S. Did I mention that I replaced a Sister Smith when I came? Like brother like sister :)
Liam is still adorable! I love it!
Okay, so good news or bad news first? Bad news? Good choice, since it isn't that bad. As you all probably know, Georgia has some very hilly country and we go out contacting and walking these hills quite a bit. Well, we were walking on Friday, and my knee started hurting really bad all of a sudden. Now, I knkow what you're thinking, but you are wrong. I have been doing EVERYTHING I could to take care of my knees. I don't even kneel when we kneel in paryer. I sit on the ground. It's annoying, but I do it because I don't want to put any extra strain on them. I told my companion the first time we were contacting about my knees and I have been very open about how they are feeling and have kept a very close eye on them. Unfortuanately, that was obviously not enough.
Anyway, I told Sister Wolfert about it and our mission doctor happens to be in Orthopedics, so I'll probably be meeting with him soon. So I want to have my brace just in case. I'm going to go buy a bag of frozen peas today also. I hate ice, but I hate being lame more :)
Oh, and the sister missing from the picture with the Wolferts went home. She tried to change her mind and they wouldn't let her. I might be a little mad about that, because it was a therapist who said no. Annoyed! but accepting...:(
Anyway, GOOD NEWS :)
Hollee, our YSA investigator, told us she wants to be baptized yesterday! So excititng! I've already witnessed two baptisms since I've been here. We have to wait til December, but I'm sooooooo excited for her! The amazing peace and Spirit that people feel at baptisms is amazing.
We picked up a new investigator yesterday too. Greg is engaged to Carolyn, who has been inactive since she was 13. She has wanted to come back to church since she met him though. He has been able to see the blessings of the Gift of the Holy Ghost leading her through the most difficult time of her life and he says he wants to be baptized. I don't think he realizes exactly what the church even believes except for God and Jesus, so we'll see how well that goes.
The elections are creating a lot of hype about mormons... We are loving it! It has given us so many opportunities, like yesterday at church. Gerry, a local Jew (there are sooooo many Jews here!) came to church to figure out exactly what Romney believes. I was talking to him, and he had already read all our standard works! This guy had great questions and I hope he comes back, even if it is only to find out all that we believe.
So, our goal this week is to share a piece of our testimonies with every single person that will listen to anything that we say. Even the people that speak another language. (I wish I knew Chinese and Portuguese!). I know that as we share our testimonies with others, that we bring the Spirit, which touches their hearts if they let it. That is what interests people. Having the Holy Ghost with us is essential, even when we are just at the grocery store and aren't able to talk to anyone. People can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost and they can see it. I have had several experiences already where people come up to me out of nowhere and ask about the church. It has been amazing to see.
I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know that He wants me to be in Georgia and wants me to be myself and use my talents to share the Gospel, which is faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. I know that His Spirit is with me while we teach and that it leads us in how to touch the hearts of others. Baptism and Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost are some fo the best blessings I ever could have received in this life. They have opened the gate on the path to the Celestial Kingdom and I know that Christ is helping me as I help others to find the key to that gate. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God and that he fulfilled a great work while on this earth. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God and I know that it can uplift us at all times, no matter what we are going through. I know that God listens to our prayers and that He always answers them. I know that we receive our greatest strength in life by asking God for help and then going and doing. I know that God wants us to be extremely happy and that is why we have prophets and the church. The Plan of Salvation truly is the Plan of Happiness.
I love you all!
* Candace how many times did you get on the computer last week? Was it all at the same place? You said you only have 30 minutes to read email, write it and write to the President. That is not much time.
So, I got on the computer a couple times cause I had to get a visitors pass which only gives you 30 minutes, but then my companion gave me a little of her time. If you have a library card, you can have 2 HOURS!!! So I got more time.
We are doing email at our Apartment complex, which is the Azalea Springs complex in Marieta, Georgia. Look it up and you will feel better. It's a REALLY nice place.
I'm so excited for a package! Oh, don't forget the knee brace please :)
* Candace what city are you in? You told us the area, but that isn't on our map.
I live in Marieta, but the Paper Mill Ward covers parts of Marieta, Roswell, and some of the addresses even say Atlanta. The Singles ward covers a HUGE area. Seriously, people come from 40 miles away and that isn't completely uncommon. The best part? The single's ward building is in Sandy Springs, RIGHT BEHIND THE TEMPLE!!!! That's right, I get to see the temple on Sundays and Tuesdays (Institute). We aren't supposed to go on the grounds though. We just have special permission to be there because they wanted sisters, so we work with elders from the Georgia Atlanta Mission. They had a baptism this week :)
* Tell us about your most spiritual experience.
Hmmm, that would probably be with Tim. We were out contacting (like tracting, but you just talk to literally everyone that you see.) because our mission goal is 70 conatcts per week per companionship. That is hard, but our area has a lot of walkers, so it's okay. We were walking past a bus stop and saw a man sitting in the grass (which is like, true grass here. It's weird! and there are a TON of trees. It's really creepy at night. but I digress), so we talked to him. He lost his job that day and didn't know if he had enough money for the bus. He is from Kenya and was having a hard time counting his money. Anyway, the best part of the experience was he knew that the money wasn't his biggest priority. He knew that he had to trust in God and that he would be okay, he would just have a hard time in the meantime. Unfortunately, his phone had been disconnected and he was evicted, so we can't contact him, he has to contact us. I just loved being able to watch when the Spirit really touched him and let him have lucid moments. It was a powerful experience that really humbled us and helped us concentrate on each individual.
Love you all!
Sister Candace M. Smith
P.S. Did I mention that I replaced a Sister Smith when I came? Like brother like sister :)
** Note from Sara: Spencer and another Elder Smith in Peru traded places on the last transfer. That is why she said like brother like sister.**
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
October 15 2012 FROM GEORGIA!!!!!!
3 letters from Candace. I kept getting pieces of letters for a couple of hours from Candace. She would hurriedly write something, then an hour later she wrote and sent something else...so this is all of them combined for you. That is why it is kind of way crazy sounding.
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:04:29 -0400
Subject: October 15 2012 FROM GEORGIA!!!!!!
--Did you get to Georgia? :) Tell us about your flight and the people you talked to and what happened when you got there.
Hey Everyone!
Georgia decided to be very kind to me and is giving us BEAUTIFUL weather with barely any humidity. It's totally gorgeous here!
I am in the Paper Mill Ward. They are great and guess what?!?!?! I had my first baptism on Sunday! It was beautiful! Linnette was watching conference and made the decision to be baptized so it was really fast, but she was definitely prepared and ready. She has to wait for next week to be confirmed :(
I also get to go out of our mission at least once a week, because we are over the North Point Singles Ward. I guess they wanted sisters from our Mission for some reason. Anyway, we go over there for church and if there is any investigators, we teach at the church. It is getting interesting, but I love serving in a singles ward. Hey, so one of the sisters in the ward is Eugenie Hamstead. Hers sister is serving in Mesa. Is that the missionary you met? I am serving just under Alpharetta, and the singles come down to our ward, so I think it is.
BTW sorry if my letter is short and rushed today. I only have 30 minutes in all, and that includes writing President and reading all my emails :)
--Tell us all about your companion.
My Mommy is the best one out here :) I might be biased
I am being trained by Sister Worthington, who has only been out here 6 months! she is awesome though. We get along really well because neither one of us is really strong willed, but we both want to consecrate ourselves fully to the Lord (mission wide goal)
She is an Air Force Brat :) so she is from all over. We look ALOT alike. Someone at our ward thought we were sisters the other day :)
--Are the ASL missionaries in your mission also? or just at the MTC?
No ASL missionaries. Too bad, because one person from our district stayed behind because he has to learn ASL. He just found out he is going deaf.
--How is the Mission President and his wife. They are your new mom & dad now for the next 16-1/2 months so be nice.:)
I love them! I got to see them on Sunday because the Portuguese branch (and their elders) were having a baptism at the same time on Sunday. Yummy Brazilian food!
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:58:29 -0400
Subject: Funny story
I got a little more time on the computer, so I thought I'd tell you a funny story.
So, first of all, my companion doesn't drive, so I am our usual mode of transportation. Be very afraid! Anyway, we were leaving the house of Linnette, the lady who was just baptized, when we had to stop for a bus. We stayed back so the kids could easily get out of the way. When all but 3 kids were gone and the ones remaining were on the other side of the road, our conversation went a little like this:
Me: "Do you think it's safe?"
Sis. Worthington: "Yeah, probably"
Me: (as I look over at her) "As long as no kids jump *cue kid* out of the bushes"
Literally, as I said jump out of the bushes, this kid pops up out of them, waves at me and pops back down. I started laughing really hard, so my companion tried to look at what I was pointing at. He pops up again, waves, then pops back down. I swear, I still haven't stopped laughing. It was hilarious, and we had just got out of an amazing lesson, so we were a little punchy.
I'm soooooooooo tired. Must nap......
LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
Hey, I didn't get time to write earlier about a spiritual experience.
Well, yesterday was our baptism, and Linnette looked GLOWING! She was so ready. Before we got to church, my trainer asked that I try to seperate from the experience of knowing the woman and just feel what the Spirit was saying. So I did that. It was sooo cool! The Spirit basically said, "look at her absolute joy! This is why you are here. This is your purpose: To make people happy by inviting them and helping them to come unto Christ (see page 1 of Preach my Gospel for our AWESOME purpose)
Earlier this week, during comp study, I had been asking why missionaries tell investigators from the beginning sometimes that they are shooting for baptism. We had a super spiritual experience really gaining a testimony of our purpose as missionaries. then my trainer asked, "Does it seem hard or weird to tell investigators that you hope they are baptized?" Absolutely no way I could say no. It was amazing.
I'm done with the computer. Too much technology :)
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:04:29 -0400
Subject: October 15 2012 FROM GEORGIA!!!!!!
--Did you get to Georgia? :) Tell us about your flight and the people you talked to and what happened when you got there.
Hey Everyone!
Georgia decided to be very kind to me and is giving us BEAUTIFUL weather with barely any humidity. It's totally gorgeous here!
I am in the Paper Mill Ward. They are great and guess what?!?!?! I had my first baptism on Sunday! It was beautiful! Linnette was watching conference and made the decision to be baptized so it was really fast, but she was definitely prepared and ready. She has to wait for next week to be confirmed :(
I also get to go out of our mission at least once a week, because we are over the North Point Singles Ward. I guess they wanted sisters from our Mission for some reason. Anyway, we go over there for church and if there is any investigators, we teach at the church. It is getting interesting, but I love serving in a singles ward. Hey, so one of the sisters in the ward is Eugenie Hamstead. Hers sister is serving in Mesa. Is that the missionary you met? I am serving just under Alpharetta, and the singles come down to our ward, so I think it is.
BTW sorry if my letter is short and rushed today. I only have 30 minutes in all, and that includes writing President and reading all my emails :)
--Tell us all about your companion.
My Mommy is the best one out here :) I might be biased
I am being trained by Sister Worthington, who has only been out here 6 months! she is awesome though. We get along really well because neither one of us is really strong willed, but we both want to consecrate ourselves fully to the Lord (mission wide goal)
She is an Air Force Brat :) so she is from all over. We look ALOT alike. Someone at our ward thought we were sisters the other day :)
--Are the ASL missionaries in your mission also? or just at the MTC?
No ASL missionaries. Too bad, because one person from our district stayed behind because he has to learn ASL. He just found out he is going deaf.
--How is the Mission President and his wife. They are your new mom & dad now for the next 16-1/2 months so be nice.:)
I love them! I got to see them on Sunday because the Portuguese branch (and their elders) were having a baptism at the same time on Sunday. Yummy Brazilian food!
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:58:29 -0400
Subject: Funny story
I got a little more time on the computer, so I thought I'd tell you a funny story.
So, first of all, my companion doesn't drive, so I am our usual mode of transportation. Be very afraid! Anyway, we were leaving the house of Linnette, the lady who was just baptized, when we had to stop for a bus. We stayed back so the kids could easily get out of the way. When all but 3 kids were gone and the ones remaining were on the other side of the road, our conversation went a little like this:
Me: "Do you think it's safe?"
Sis. Worthington: "Yeah, probably"
Me: (as I look over at her) "As long as no kids jump *cue kid* out of the bushes"
Literally, as I said jump out of the bushes, this kid pops up out of them, waves at me and pops back down. I started laughing really hard, so my companion tried to look at what I was pointing at. He pops up again, waves, then pops back down. I swear, I still haven't stopped laughing. It was hilarious, and we had just got out of an amazing lesson, so we were a little punchy.
I'm soooooooooo tired. Must nap......
LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
Hey, I didn't get time to write earlier about a spiritual experience.
Well, yesterday was our baptism, and Linnette looked GLOWING! She was so ready. Before we got to church, my trainer asked that I try to seperate from the experience of knowing the woman and just feel what the Spirit was saying. So I did that. It was sooo cool! The Spirit basically said, "look at her absolute joy! This is why you are here. This is your purpose: To make people happy by inviting them and helping them to come unto Christ (see page 1 of Preach my Gospel for our AWESOME purpose)
Earlier this week, during comp study, I had been asking why missionaries tell investigators from the beginning sometimes that they are shooting for baptism. We had a super spiritual experience really gaining a testimony of our purpose as missionaries. then my trainer asked, "Does it seem hard or weird to tell investigators that you hope they are baptized?" Absolutely no way I could say no. It was amazing.
I'm done with the computer. Too much technology :)
Monday, October 8, 2012
Last week in MTC
October 5, 2012
So, lots of news this week!
First, we got our travel plans. I leave for Georgia with 11 other missionaries on the 9th. Our plane leaves at 7:15 in the morning Utah time. I leave the MTC at 4am.
Second, I got a calling. I am the coordinating sister for our zone. It is interesting, and I am glad that there are only the 4 sisters in my district and the 3 sisters in the district next door (all ASL!!!!) It makes it alot easier.
So, because of General Conference, I don't get to go to the temple again. So we only will have gone once :(
This week has been a little sad because of the Goodbyes. I absolutely love our teachers (which one of them is married to Elder Murray off the District 2!). We actually had 3 classroom teachers and 1 other Zone teacher, so here was lots of variety. I'm very excited to be leaving, but also very sad. I had some very good times here and I know that the mission field will be hard.
We have been learning all about the mission field today in In-Field Orientation. Getting to know people in 1 minute or less is probably the thing that I've had the hardest time with here at the MTC. I'm learning a ton from my companion and teachers though.
We finally actually learned what to do in companionship study last night. I have seriously not really know the entire time, so I finally asked a teacher when they went over my progress. Thank goodness I did!
I love you all!
The TRC has been my favorite part of the MTC. You get to go in and teach 3 different types of people: progressing investigators, referalls, and less actives. We went for the last time last night and it was fun. We knew that our progressing investigaor was a member, because the group before us saw here in the temple :) She is such a sweet lady. It was a pleasure to teach and learn with each of them.
-Did you get a chance to see Jerod or Chaz before they left the MTC? Who else have you seen that you know? What about the security guards that you delivered sandwiches to?
I did. I saw both of them. I even got to take a picture with Elder Destories, although by that time it felt weird to stand anywhere close to an Elder :) Elder Randall stopped by my classroom door one day. I totally didn't recognize him at first...again :)
-- Do you get all 5 sessions of General Conference there?
We get all the sessions of general conference and the women's broadcast. We watch the broadcast that was taped while the Elders are at Priesthood
-- What was your most spiritual experience this week?
I was having a hard time in my companionship this week. We just weren't getting along too well so we tried sorting it out a couple ways, including the branch president counseling with us. It was really interesting to see what happened when I tried my very hardest in my companionship, and the people that would randomly say something to me that told me the Lord knew I was trying my best. It was basically don't let it get you down, just keep going.
These keyboards are TERRRIBLE!
Monday, October 1, 2012
First Email from the MTC
Dear amazing people!
Thank you to all the people that wrote me! The letters were wonderful to get. We are given mail twice a day, so it's fun when I get a little stack each time :)
It's been awesome here! The first 3 days were pretty overwhelming, but after Sunday, you feel a ton better. We have another Sister Smith in our zone and so it is really interesting writing an email while people keep calling my name :)
So, in our zone, there are ASL missionaries!!!!!! I'm sooooo happy about this! I get to learn a little sign language without having to worry about learning it before I get thrown into a lesson.
The teachers here have split personality disorder AND NOONE WARNED ME!!!!!
-- Are the missionaries in your district going to Georgia?
All of them! I have 8 missionaries in my district in all, 4 elders, 4 sisters. They are awesome!
--. You said you are not allowed to write letters to non family members...does that just mean email? or regular letters?
I can't write email to non-family members. I can write them letters, but only on P-days
--. Have you had a chance to go to the temple yet?
Just went this morning! It was sooooo good! It took a really long time and then we had to go take my companion to get fixed :) She hurt her leg in foursquare, which is the most dangerous sport here at the MTC, seriously, no joke.
--. What was your most spiritual Experience this week?
We got to teach an investigator this week who was told by her father that religion causes conflict (he was a holocaust victim, so who could blame him.) Barbara is a fun lady who really liked to get off subject in our last lesson, so I was prepared for that to happen again. When we got there, we were prepared to answer her question about where it says in the bible that God has a body (Deut 9:10, Exo 33:11, etc) Anyway, we were reading her these scriptures, and the lady that referred her had actually told her the exact same scriptures during the week. Then we told her about the BOM and the Holy Ghost. She already knew what the Holy Ghost felt like because when she visited this monument in England for the person who translated 80%of our Bible, she just felt at home. We tied it in, and she prayed for the end of the lesson. Awesome lady!
The teachers are also investigators during lessons and all that they do to show that they are investigators in take off their nametag. And of course they start us off teaching them the 2nd or 3rd day we were here.
Oh, our District Leader's name is also Elder Schmidt. Talk about not knowing when people are actually talking to you....)
My companion is from Las Vegas, which is cool. She has been teaching a lot longer than me, so I feel really behind.
I don't know what wonderful little Spencer was talking about, but I love most of the food here! You get some food that doesn't have much taste, but the ice cream bar twice a week is awesome.
I know I am probably making little to no sense. Sorry. I'm a little pressed for time. Please Dear Elder me all of your letters, except the questions at the end. I only have 30 minutes on the computer, and I want to use it actually taking the time to email you properly.
I was going to send you pictures this week, but they don't have a hook up for me here. I'll have to send them later. Much Apologies!
I need to get off. I love you all sooooooo much! I will write to you again next week!
Sister Candace Smith
P.S. Hey, I love packages! Especially chocolate, or gatorade, or things that make me smile or that my district can enjoy!
She's in the MTC
I have had a few problems to work out with the blog. But here goes my first post.
So Candace went into the MTC on Sept 19. Her MTC Companion is Sister Merback from Las Vegas. She loves being with her. In her district there are 4 Elders and 4 Sisters. They are all going to the same mission, Georgia Atlanta North.
Just to let you know Candace is not allowed to write emails to anyone, but immediate family members. I will try and get the letters posted as soon as possible.
She sounds really excited and happy to be in the Mission field.
So Candace went into the MTC on Sept 19. Her MTC Companion is Sister Merback from Las Vegas. She loves being with her. In her district there are 4 Elders and 4 Sisters. They are all going to the same mission, Georgia Atlanta North.
Just to let you know Candace is not allowed to write emails to anyone, but immediate family members. I will try and get the letters posted as soon as possible.
She sounds really excited and happy to be in the Mission field.
Friday, September 14, 2012
MTC Address!
Okay, so I just got my MTC Mailing address. Just to be clear, I do not expect anyone to use it. If you would like to, that is okay. Also, they told me that you are not allowed to send anything that will perish within 24 hours and/or needs to be refrigerated. Just so everyone knows.
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