First Transfers!

January 7, 2013
From:  Candace Smith

Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2013 14:08:44 -0500

First Transfers!

I'm staying in Marietta!!!!! I'm so excited!!!! Sister Young, who I have been on exchange with, will be my companion. Sister Lovell is, of course, going home :( To be with her eternal companion who is waiting for her...:D And Sister Worthington is going to Suwanee with Sister Nielsen (who I was in the MTC with :)

We have transfers on Wednesday, so the next couple days are work work work :) I love it!

Mom: The new calling is soooooooo exciting! You will do great, because you know the most important part of Geneological work is praying to be helped and guided. Ask for the help of those who have gone on before. I am gaining a whole new appreciation for those who want to be found and have their ordinances done.

This week we were privileged to go on exchanges with Suwannee. Sister Nielsen came and Sister Lovell went. It was really fun. It was a little interesting to see Sister Nielsen, because she has progressed in leaps and bounds since the last time I saw her. I... have struggled a little bit. I just didn't know what was going to happen. To see more about this, look at the very bottom, in the spiritual experience part :)

While Sister Nielsen was here, she proposed an idea for journaling. It called the Three apps. Everyday, you should identify at least one thing that fits into each of the three apps, which are 1) Joy App (something that fills you with joy and you can get excited about); 2) Pride App (something that you can be proud of yourself for doing in a good way. For me, getting out of bed is regularly in this category); 3) Wisdom/Tender Mercy (something during the day that you can identify as giving you more wisdom or being a tender mercy from the Lord.

So I'm doing this now in my Journal, and it really helps me to stay positive. It's really cool.

Now, I copied all of the questions I saw in the 15 emails I had in my inbox and answered them below. Some were repeats, so I answered them once.

Please update us on your investigators? (not a question!)

McKenzie let us start teaching her 14 year old daughter, Taylor. We've taught her two short lessons. She is awesome. In the first lesson we had with her, we invited her to read daily with her mom. The next day, she waited up until 1am to tell her mom that they hadn't read yet. She is so cool! McKenzie is helping a little in the lessons, and really making sure Taylor is thinking for herself.

Wen-Wen is praying about being baptized. This week was amazing though because we were able to have two lessons with her, and she shared a cool experience. She likes to choose where she will read next in the Book of Mormon, so she was reading in 3 Nephi 9 and read verse 22. She thought of the time she had wasted that week and immediately knelt down and asked to be forgiven. She is sooooooo amazing! She is coming to church regularly and meeting a ton of new people who are so nice!

Laura had moved to Buford, but now is back closer. We gave her one of the Spanish Book of Mormons that you sent me Dad (Thank you! Thank you! Thankyou!!!!!) and she is working on not getting overwhelmed. She has a lot going on, so the peace that comes through prayer and the scriptures is really important right now.

We kind of have a new investigator. We don't know how much he will continue to try to learn. We had knocked on his door like 3 or 4 times and talked to him each time, and this time Sister Worthington testified of temple work and how our ancestors need us. He made an appointment on the spot and we were able to teach him. We are hoping we can teach his whole family. Oh, his name is Darryl.


----What New Years resolutions have you made?

I'm going to be more positive, even when it is raining outside. Never underestimate how much Sister Smith HATES the rain ;)

---How are they celebrating New Years where you are?

Gunshots and fireworks. Definitely no comment...

---Where did you spend Christmas?

Sista Perry's!!!!! And The Kindt's house, where I called you from. We went  to the Kindt's house for breakfast and games, and then Sister Perrys for dinner and a little singing. We had a short nap in between while Sister Lovell called home.

---What is your favorite thing about your mission so far??

What you are able to learn from each and every person you meet, including your companions. You just have to be open to learning :)

--I thought it interesting that the church had an activity that lasted all night on new year's,  I assume that is to give them something to do so they don't go elsewhere and get in trouble?

It's to give them a place to go where they won't feel uncomfortable and where they can meet someone who they could marry...People actually date and get married from Singles wards here...it's awesome!

--Do you set your mission goals Monthly or weekly?

Both. You have daily, weekly, monthly, and sometimes transfer goals.

--When do you set personal Goals?

Every single second of the day, I swear.

--Do you have Companion evaluations?

Never heard of them, but we evaluate ourselves all the time and make weekly goals for the companionship

--When is your next transfers or change?

Six weeks from Wednesday

--How many investigators made it to Church?

TWO!!!! It was cool. Both Laura and Wen-Wen were there. McKenzie and Taylor were going to be, both McKenzie's boyfriend (a member) got really sick and went to the hospital. He got a priesthood blessing, so it will all be okay.

--What was your most spiritual experience this week?

I got a blessing this week because the weather got even crazier after Christmas. It was good to hear that I am for sure supposed to stay in this mission at this time and that I am doing well. I just need to develop more faith. I was promised that if I had faith in this and other blessings, and continued to pray and study my scriptures, that I would make a full recovery!