Life Updates...or a Journal Entry

So, I don't know if anybody actually is still connected to this blog, but in case you are and you actually want to know what the heck is going in my life, I will try to dish a little here.

In a nutshell, I am currently working, watching a niece and nephew, going to school full-time, and being a human being.

Broken down into explanations: I am currently working at the family construction business as an Assistant Office Manager. They are working on selling the business (supposedly...) and so this is maybe a temporary thing? I've worked there 3 days a week since July of 2015. It lets me see my Grandpa Smith regularly, which is great. I don't know how a 96 year-old man seriously is in such good condition, but I digress.

I watch my adorable niece and nephew two days a week while their mom goes to school. They are 21 months and 3 years-old. I love them so much! They kind of keep me sane while driving me crazy. My other niece I don't see quite as much, but she is such a stinking cutie too!

I started school again last July. I am going to Western Governors University for my Bachelors in Accounting. This school is amazing! I work at my own pace, on my own time, in my own way. My first term I finished 19 CUs (their version of a credit hour). I plan to graduate in 2017, but life happens sometimes, and it might be 2018.

Well, how to describe being a human being...hmm. Just kidding.

Basically, I'm doing things like going to 2 Institute classes (Religion classes) and being uber-social. I've got the most amazing group of friends in the Single's Ward and wait for it.... A BOYFRIEND! Now don't anybody out there die of shock! It was bound to happen at one point or another! Anyway, this guy is so amazing, loving, kind, thoughtful, and genuine that I simply am loving it. I really don't like posting things online though, and that attitude seems even more important when talking about relationships, so you may hear more later, but it would probably be in person!

Anyway, so that is basically my life summarized. If ya'll have any questions, comments, concerns, crazy jokes, or random word vomiting to do online, feel free to comment! Love ya'll, and as we'd say in Georgia, God Bless!

Fun Mission Memory with the Crenshaws

During the holiday season, we tried to visit many of the people who were in our ward and the ones we were teaching. One of our favorite families, the Crenshaw Sisters (here's my shoutout to you!) had a camera. I dearly love Sophia and Meghan. They helped us with so much. They also were very good at laughing at us :)

And that is what probably led to this video being shot. Our Christmas rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High, starring Sister Lovell, Elder Thorne, Elder Poole (the beatbox), Sister Worthington, and me. Please,  do not hurt yourself by laughing. When all you hear is church music for several months, this sounds much better.

My People

You are not hallucinating, this is Candace. I am back from my mission at least for a while, and I have been released, so I have taken back over my blog. I do believe that is the first time I haven't introduced myself as Sister Smith in about 5 months :)

I got back on January 29th, and I wasn't sure what I would write on here, but I think that right now, I would like to share some of the experiences and people I got to meet. I love them all so much, and I was able to learn from each and every one of them. They deserve to be recognized.

Connie was a wonderful lady. She was baptized when she was young, and then took care of her parents when they got cancer one right after the other and died. She went without a lot of the luxuries of life, and taught me how to enjoy what I have in the moment. She has a strong faith in the Savior, and knew that she was a daughter of God. She let the sisters into her home and welcomed the missionary lessons. She even asked us a couple times if we planned out our lessons and if she could have more of those lessons :) She was a very sweet lady. She taught herself how to drive to church so that she could get there early every time and meet new people. She taught me Southern Hospitality and a couple of good southern phrases. There are only a few that I meet with a good strong accent, and she was one :)

January 28, 2013 I'm Coming Home

Dearest Loving People,

It has been a hard couple of months out here. I wouldn't ever trade it for the entire universe. My knee problems got in the way of the work though, and so this week I am headed home for a medical release. We'll all see what the future brings.

So, as much as I would love to tell you about every single thing that happened this week, I would like to rely on the power of my calling as a missionary and bear my testimony.

I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that he loves me. He went through EVERYTHING that I will ever have to go through because that is how much he cares for me and wants my happiness. I know that this is all true for each and every person who has lived or ever will live.

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he followed God's will in restoring Jesus Christ church on the earth today. I know that the teachings of the church are true and that it is up to each and every one of us to decide what to do with them. I know that as we pray and study and become closer to God, we will be happier in our lives if we will simply let ourselves. I know that Gratitude is such a strong value that it becomes tangible when we use it in our day to day lives. I know that Heavenly Father loves each of us and wants to give us everything that we need to succeed at our goals and more.

I know that the Book of Mormon and the Bible are the word of God. I know that they have been given to us as a tool to become closer to our Heavenly Father, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. I know that we can receive answers to any question we may have in them, if it be God's will. I know that the Book of Mormon has strengthened me in my life, and that by reading it everyday, I have grown much closer to my Father in heaven, and that I have more fully come to understand His will for me.

Last, I know that I was sent on a mission to invite others to come unto Christ by receiving the restored Gospel, which is faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. I know our brother Jesus Christ ALWAYS wants us to come closer to him, no matter where we may be in our lives. I know that the gospel is the way to happiness and true joy. I know that I was able to facilitate others feeling the Spirit and coming closer to Christ. I know that although I did not serve my full 18 months, that I can serve no matter where I am. I know that the Lord has much bigger and better plans for me than I could ever have for myself, and that if I will simply take his hand and follow where He leads me, I will fulfill my soul's sincerest desires. I know that I am a daughter of God, and that my Heavenly Father loves me more than I can even comprehend.

I know that sincere, earnest prayer will lead us to our Heavenly Father's waiting arms. Prayer is one of the most important blessings in my life. I know that I can always pray, whereever I am, whoever I am with, whatever I am doing.

I know that my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, died and suffered for me and everyone else. I know that he always has his arms stretched out towards us. I know that he lives and that he loves EVERYONE.

I know these things are true, and I know that you can know too.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

I love you all! Please, remember that you are loved and there is always someone waiting to listen to you.

Love,

SISTER Candace M. Smith

January 22, 2013

January 22, 2013‏

Sister Candace Smith

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!!!

The Hale family that I told you about last week is awesome! They committed to come to church this week, so when Sunday cam around and the car wouldn't start, they simply walked to church! They apologized for being late after walking over a mile with the mom, an 11, 6, and 3 year old. The husband didn't come, but it was amazing to see how much the mom wants her kids to have a foundation in Christ. Awesome family!

I've been pretty sick this week, so we haven't left the apartment a ton. sorry, but I don't have a lot to write.

We were told the last total that they got of sisters coming out is 7 in February and 13 in March. There are only 14 sisters out here, so many sisters will be double training! That's crazy!

1. How are you getting along with your new companions? Spencer how is the new area?

I'm getting along great with my companion. She is really funny. This week we were listening to Primary songs in the car (I am really low on good music). We got to the song that says, "if you don't walk as most people do..." Sister Young started singing it randomly later that day and we finally realized what it said. It was so funny!

2.  Spencer, does the weather ever get cold there? I always see it in the 70's or 80's.

Here it is COLD!!!!!! It was 31 degrees when we went to district meeting at 10:30am bleh

3. What was your most spiritual experience this week?

We are working with a less active member who decided he wants to come back. He referred himself through Mormon.org (AWESOME!!!). Anyway, we brought Brother Bergaust from the ward with us, and I had been led to Helaman 5:12 during Personal Study that morning. We committed him to read the Book of Mormon everyday. Then we shared Mosiah 4:27 where it talks about not pushing ourselves too hard but still being diligent (something I'm definitely working on!). He was just so in tune with the spirit the entire lesson. At the end, I kept being prompted to open my mouth and start to ask a question. The question that came ouit was, "As you are pushing yourself to change and working so hard to become like Christ, what would you like our help with? How would you like us to help and support you with this?" It was like a huge wave of the spirit crashed down on us right then. It was powerful. Opening our mouths is a very important thing to remember to do, no matter where we are in our lives.

4.  Do you eat dinner with members?

All the time. Dinner last night got canceled, so they brought us pizza instead. Yum! We have dinners this week everyday but Tuesday and Friday.

5.  What is one thing that we did as a family that helped you prepare for your mission?

I think really knowing that I could gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon on my own, and that I can always find the answers. So many people rely on the missionaries or leaders for all of their answers, when they can receive personal revelation through prayer and reading the scriptures. It is a really interesting thing, because I don't really understand that outlook very well.

January 14, 2013

Subject:  January 14, 2013 From Candace Smith‏

Mi familia,

I don't remember anything that I wrote last week, and I'm a little out of it, so please forgive me if this letter makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

With that warning, this week has been interesting. I found out that I know pretty much nothing about anything but praying out here, which is pretty much the only thing you have to know, but some info about the ward members or actually knowing how to get anywhere would be nice. The GPS keeps trying to make us leave the mission :/

Sister Young was in her last area for 7.5 months, so she knew a lot about it. I think I know 10 people in the single's ward. I seriously am so bad with names.

It's okay though. We are learning how to work together and learn the area. We are also learning the map so that we don't break any rules by leaving our area :)

I have lost my brain and can't think of anything else to say...

Hey, could everyone send me their favorite scripture? That would be really cool! 

--  Candace, is there any special things you want me to do or get for Linnette while she is here? (The first sister baptized in Candace area is in Phoenix)

Study the scriptures a little with her if you can. She is an amazing woman, and I'm not sure who would learn more from the study.

Oh, and show her indexing if you can.

--  How are the new companionships?

Sister Young is great! She has a fun sense of humor. She really likes things to be clean, so I'm pretty sure she cleaned our entire apartment while I slept today (I'm a little sick because I haven't been sleeping well.) Anyway, she is great at working with ward members, especially since she whitewashed (or pinkwashed) or last ward from Elders who weren't obeying rules. She worked with tons of Less Active families and got to know the whole ward.


-- What was your most spiritual experience?

We were driving down Sherwood Lane (just a little neighborhood street that i love the name of) and we saw a mom and two kids gardening in the front yard. We stopped and came back to talk to them. They moved to Marietta two months ago from Woodstock and she was trying to find a church to go to. We asked if she had ever heard of the Book of Mormon, and she said that yes she had. Her husband's family was members, and they had been to church with them a few times. We asked if we could come share a message with her family and she said, "Sure, how about tonight?" We scheduled for 6:30pm. When we got there, it was raining and they were in the middle of dinner. We expected to have the door slammed. She came to the door and welcomed us in, asked us if we were hungry, and then sat with us and listened. The entire family gathered around as we shared what the church believes and how we can know it's true. The dad sat and was nodding his head the whole time. So, when we left, we asked when we could come back, and they said that any night but Wednesday was good, just drop on by.

The dad was raised with a methodist mother and a LDS father. He chose the methodist church because Sunday services were shorter :) So we don't know if he has been baptized or not, but the rest of his family hasn't. His wife Leigh and daughter Chloe are now investigators, and I'm sure the two youngest, Madeline and Owen, will listen too. It was an awesome experience on Sister Young's first night here!

Dec 24 & Dec 31st Letters

You may have noticed there was no letter on Dec 24th or 31. She wrote a quick note and said she was fine and didn't have time to write.

It was great to talk to her on Christmas Day. I wish I could of taken a picture of her with her new haircut it was very nice.
Thanks for all your love and support for our girl

Sara