Week 8, Reading

Buenos Dias Amigos!! Como Estan? I hope all is going good! All is good here we are just spreading salvation you know the usual, Man and its fun! It is fun we live with 4 other Elders and its just good to like have people to have fun and talk with! But ya I heard BYU lost oh well its all good maybe I can focus alot more not that i wasnt focused but just saying. But we will have to see where Jimmer is going to end up who knows??

Well this letter might be a little short we really didn't have that many cool things happen this week. The only thing that was tough this week we have 4 people with baptismal dates and we were only able to see one of them this week the others just like never have time or cant get a hold of them it is kinda frustrating. People here just work way to much! But also an experience yesterday so last there was 2 baptisms for kids that were 8 and so like President Guiterez set that up but then when we got there, there was no program no nothing so we ended up having to do the whole thing, then this week in sacrament they almost forgot to confirm the kids in sacrament we had to go up to them after sacrament. So we basically run the ward. That's definitely the hard part of Spanish people and the branches they just don't know what to do.

So we have this investigator named Alex he is like 26 and not to mention looks just like Nate Robinson and is just as short its funny. So we have been teaching him for awhile and he really gets it and has came to church a few times. So we were having a lesson with him this week, We read 2 Nephi 31 with him which is a great chapter. So after we asked him if he would be baptized, but he said his grilfriend will never marry him, Man i was so sad like you really feel a love for someone when you get to know them and you know they want to make the right choice but then something like that happens. We invited him to make the steps necessary to do the things that must be done to be baptized he said he would. So we have been praying a lot for him, so hopefully it happens!

So we started teaching this little 12 year old Luis such a cool kid. We met him last week at the babtism so we gave him our phone number and he has been calling us wanting us to come over and teach him because he really likes out church and wants to read the book of mormon so we gave him one this last week. He is such a cool kid so we are going to work with him cause he is a super smart kid and really wants to learn cant wait to keep working with him and see what choices he will make and the example he will set for his family.

Oh random tangent so we have this kid named Helaman in our ward he is like 21 he is such a cool kid. But we went out teaching with him this week when we got in his car he was like "Man why do you guys always look so happy" i responded Why not? we are bringing true happiness to the world. I thought about that for the past few days, its like ya i have been happy in my life but i don't know if I have been like this, this is a different happy its so good. I am so lucky to shed this happiness throughout the world. Also we were contacting too we met this guy named Twan haha he was this black guy with long dreds he was like hey if you every need anything or anyone is messing with you just come to the barber shop and ask for Twan and ill be there for ya ha ha. Then he also mad a comment was like I like you guys you guys are happy and Reading needs it, Then looked at me was like man i like your smile its good ha ha. Oh good old Twan!

Well hope everything is going good here. I know without a doubt this church is true and the book of mormon is true, I just love reading the Book of Mormon it teaches me something new every time.

Love you all!

Elder Smart

Week 7, Reading

Como Estan? Well this might be a little short there is not much that happened this week. We had a tough and hard working week. There were a lot of appointments that fell through this week and we were stuck with not much to do so we contacted a lot and tried finding new investigators but for some reason people were just not willing this week oh well. I understand a lot of what this mission is starting to do to me. Its not just that we are helping bring people unto Christ, He is moulding us missionaries into better people.

Well man I get updates from members here, everyone back here knows who Jimmer is, its funny there are times where that's how we start up conversations with like teenagers and what not. But I heard they play Florida this Thursday, a rematch from last year hopefully the same result happens and Jimmer and them just hit threes and shoot well. Go cougs!! Its funny we use the word Jimmer here for like everything.

Well just one thing I am so glad we do not have road homes in Utah, they are a pain. We went to do service for a member that needed help moving in. They wanted to move this big old couch up a fire escape and through the tiny door, yupp that didn't work we tried that twice, i don't know how we didn't drop it off that, then we tried moving it through the back with no room, yupp that didn't work. Then 4 hours later we got a ladder got the couch on the roof and took the window off and barely squeezed it through it was a pain for sure. Its all good we found out that 2-pac is alive haha. This guy that saw us and came and helped looked exactly like 2-pac, we asked him if he got that a lot and he said almost everyday. So we got a picture with him. When i send my pictures home you will see. I think I will send my Sd card home after this transfer, so that way at least i will have some pictures i only have like140 pictures on there.

But my new companion is cool, he is pretty short ha ha and he knows it. So far we have had a good time, his Spanish is really good so that helps and he has served in this area before for like 7 months so he loves it here. I think this next month we have like 4 baptisms hopefully that all works out. And last night when we were at a baptism of a 8 year old kid their family brought a friend to Church and to the baptism. He loved it he is only 12 years old and gave him a book of Mormon and we are going to start teaching him this week, It will be good such a cool little kid. He just hung out with us like all day.

But we have this less active that got into a huge car wreck 2 or 3 weeks ago, it ended up killing both his friends that were with him. But somehow he is still alive. We went and saw him this week, he is in a coma basically and randomly wakes up its not a good situation, he has bleeding in his brain and stomach and leg. They said when he kinda recovers it will take like a year and a half to recover its super sad.

Well I love you all have a good week!

The book of Mormon is so true its blue!

Elder Smart

Week 6, Tranfer #2, Reading

Well, How is everyone doing today? Well there was a lot that happened this week! But i will explain some of those events later in the letter. But i heard Jimmer went off in the tournament for 52 against New Mexico. That's impressive. But it hurts not having Davies that's probably why they got beat against San Diego, Oh well we will see what they do with a 3 seed. Well enough of that. Well my companion got transferred today so I have a new companion for at least the next 6 weeks. It's sad i really liked Elder Burnham and usually you get trained for two transfers but i got the short end of the stick, besides i am in like the most successful part in the mission. We just got along really well, but only God knows what's best for us. So ya, have been left to run this area basically, I feel a lot of responsibility on my back and I don't know spanish and the area well enough but oh well this is for the better, hopefully I start picking up the language faster as i get used to these awkward situations.

Well my companion is from Oregon and only has two more transfers left on his mission. He went to BYU before he came out on his mission, he wants to go play golf one P-day so I'm looking forward to that! He seems way cool he is pretty short, he has served in this area before, and ya, i don't know much about him yet i have only been his companion for like 3 hours, but i look forward to this transfer.

Well funny but dumb story, we got in a car accident this week. It was my second day driving in the mission. We were sitting at a red light and right as it turned green we just got slammed from behind! I was so close to drilling my head on the steering wheel! but got some pretty good whiplash, neck and back are a little sore this week. But the back of our car got beat up pretty good! but good thing it was not our fault.

Also we just ate a ton this week on Saturday we ate 4 Times! All huge meals man i was so stuffed! Also some of you might be happy i took some pictures this week! next week i am going to try to figure out how to attach pictures to the email. Well not much to say other than this church is true, and the Book of Mormon is so true it's blue that's all you gotta know ha ha. Also just do the basics and it will protect you from everything else, Read the scriptures EVERY DAY! Pray! and GO TO CHURCH! it's just that simple! well keep on doing the best! love you all!!!!!

Elder Taylor Smart

Como Estan? Reading, week 5

Well i had my first experience at a Barbershop this week. WOW i never want to go anywhere else than a barbershop now. They really know how to cut hair no joke. But plus it was free. We have a member in our ward who is a barber so we just went to him and he just cut our hair. Man they use like a razor and everything just to make things like perfect its so awesome, they just know how to do it.

Then also this week we got one more baptismal date with an investigator named Anderson, we also got fed the best Man goo during that visit it was a good visit. But then he didn’t show up at church this week. Man getting people to church is so hard. Even like members, they just don’t get it here. Us as missionaries were pretty frustrated yesterday, like we didn't start sacrament till like 10 or 15 minutes after the hour, just cause it was raining. Just super hard.

Then we just had some interesting experiences on the street this week. We first ran into this guy who looked pretty "THUG" (if it was you you probably wouldn't talked to him, but since we are missionaries...) but we like talked to him about prayer and where we go after this life. The he randomly went off how his friend beat the (Blank) out of his girlfriend and all this stuff then when she was going to leave she said i am glad i cheated on you then he got mad so he pulled her back and stabbed her twice and the guy said i was like eww her guts are going everywhere( so weird) then said later the guy tried to press charges on the girl for cheating but the cops wouldn't buy it. Man people are so dumb in this world, this world is just getting worse and worse. Well enough of that. Onto another experience that made me and Elder Burnham mad. We were walking down the street and these guys came up to us.(Jehova Witnesses, this is right in front of one of our members houses, and a member that wanted to talk to us standing like 10 feet away) they come up to us and started talking and pulled out scriptures and saying john the babtist was the last prophet and stuff and at that point already i was ignoring them and what not cause it was so dumb. Then we just said what is the truth then walked off and talked to that member. 5 minutes later that Jw's walked back over to us and was like whose your prophet again so we said Thomas S. Monson and he said your making him a rich man by being here on your mission and paying money so you can come out...??? we just walked off and said pretty mad... "remember what we told you never forget it when your standing before Jesus Christ." People just don't get it and want to argue I mean come on its such a joke. But anyways...

Oh then we went and visited a less active member this week. So i was asked to say the closing prayer and while i was praying i almost forgot his name and paused for 3 seconds and the less active was like "FRANKLIN" haha loud we like busted up laughing i felt horrible it was so hard to finish the prayer haha.

Alright now just to finish off the email. This week i just like got soo into the Book Of Mormon, i have never really studied or read the book of Mormon like this. To be honest, i just read it because i was asked to and just read it because, i have only read it once. But like this week i like couldn't put it down. I am reading in Mosiah 22 and like all the Abinadi and everything wow. I love this book, there is no doubt in my heart that it's true. I am so grateful to be a missionary and to teach people the truth, there is no doubt it's not true. Already i have seen peoples lives changing, i am just so grateful to be here. I am so lucky to have the best family ever who are supporting me and letting me be out on a mission, already i have changed soo much, i have realized how much i needed to change my life, i was living good but there is so much more that we can all do to be better. Well, I love this gospel and I know the Book of Mormon to be true and that Joseph Smith was called of god to translate the B.O.M. Well I love you all so much. Have a good week. Sorry the letter is so messy.

Love

Elder Taylor Smart

Full month!!!

Hey everyone!!

Well it has been a full month since i have been out in the field! Crazy huh? It was going by fast till this last week. Man this last week was sooo miserable! Me and my companion were both pretty sick. We finally went to the doctors last Wednesday i believe not sure but we were both just like we got to take care of this. We went in thinking i just had a cough and the sore throat was just because of the cough... but i ended up having strep throat so the doctor gave me an antibiotic now today I am feeling much better, probably too because i didn't have to eat really nearly as much but i did loose some weight I'm back down to 145 so ya and the cough is almost gone, we finally went out and taught last night which was good and it was a good lesson too. I will talk about that later in the Email.

Well like I said there is not much to talk about because i basically sat inside all week. But i had kind of a rough week just because i had a lot of time to think about things. I became kind of homesick and this may sound pretty lame but wanted to be home to watch Jimmer because this is the best season in any sport in my lifetime and it just has to happen when i can't see or watch anything oh well. Sounds like they are tearing it up though! But i just need to focus and in times like that just turn to the lord. But its all good! And the whole Deron Williams thing heard that was a bad situation but oh well! looks like no more playing golf with him again haha!

But man i cant wait to hear where a lot of my friends are going! Its so crazy that I remember how nervous i was to get my call and to just see them in my shoes what was it like 7 months ago WOW time flies seems like yesterday. Its crazy to think once they all leave and get out into the field i will have like 7-8 months out in the field. If anyone sees any of them tell them they need to write me, I haven't heard from anyone at all at least my guy friends. But ya it will be cool when Chase gets out here he will love it here it's awesome.

But last night we did finally get to teach a lesson we taught this guy named Nelson he is Dominican and we contacted him on the street 2 weeks ago. But when we first got there, there were a ton of people and it was pretty loud. But there was this older lady there named Mabel and she was like everyone be quiet and come in here and listen to the words of god. haha we then began to teach we were there for like an hour. I still can't butt in at any moment and throw comments, i just don't have the vocab, but i did teach the way we pray and stuff, I related it to a hamburger it is a good analogy. But it went way good the Lady was so into it and like just really got everything Nelson kind of struggled and was slow but realized and felt the message. We asked them if they would follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. They both said yes. We gave the lady the date of April 10th and Nelson we don't know because he is going back to the Dominican Republic to get married which is good. But ya we will see what happens so that was a good experience.

Well that's all i have to say just remember "The Book Of Mormon is so True its Blue." haha we got all the little kids saying that here its funny.

But Love you all be good!! GO cougs!!

Elder Taylor Smart

CASI UNO MESA, Reading, week 3

Well, such a crazy last week. This whole last week i have been pretty sick and it is getting annoying. ME and Elder Burnham are both sick. And mom, i don't think you realize how much we get fed its way too much. We think that we are eating too much, that's why we are sick, because our body is trying to digest the food and not fight off the bad bacteria or something. But, it has not been fun. We are going to get some medicine and just try to sleep today so we can get back out and spread salvation.

This last week was sooo busy though! Just some of the things we had were Zone Conference, Language training, 2 exchanges and i taught the most i probably have in spanish this week. We also had a lot of people to try and go see. It's is pretty disappointing sometimes we have 3 investigators with a baptismal date and we can't get an appointment with them because of work and also, It is really tough getting investigators to church. And we also found out that the spanish elders are only baptizing like 70% of what the english elders are baptizing. There are soo many spanish elders going home in the next few months so, who knows, I could easily train Chase. That would be soo sweet. I could see myself staying here for like 2 or 3 more transfers, then moving and getting familiar with another area, then possibly train there. First off, before i do that i need a lot of work on my spanish, but we do try to keep improving my Spanish each and every day. Like now, i am able to make phone calls although it is very difficult to understand someone on the phone, i am trying to get better at it.

Well, i have the coolest story to tell you that happened this week. Wow it was so crazy i still cant believe it happened. So we were out tracking and just trying to talk to people on the streets and what not. So we were walking down this street and ran into this man who looked happy, but he said he was not a fan of missionaries, we walked with him and he was like, man I'm soo good i just got a job i start Monday i had been out of work for 5 months. Problem is he said he was going to buy beers with the little he had. So while walking Elder Burnham looked down and picked up what looked like being a 1 dollar bill, but actually it was a 100 he was like wow lucky you. Then we gave it to him, he had to sit down he was so astonished. WE kneeled down and pointed at the Book of Mormon and said you know what it's not about money, See this book here it's following the teachings in here is what is going to bring you true happiness. WOW it was amazing then he talked about how missionaries helped his grandma like this. But we walked off and then was telling everyone on the streets about us it was sooo sweet. Hopefully it softens his heart.

Well, i hope everyone is doing good! Missionary work is definitely the hardest thing i have ever done, but so worth it because i know the blessings that will come to me and to my family and to those around me. I love you all and the Book of Mormon is so true its Blue!! Just remember that! LOVE YOU

Elder Taylor Smart

Reading, Week 2

Hey how is everyone doing?! Happy Valentines day to everyone. This is a special day of love and its a good day to love all of my investigators that we are teaching, it's a great opportunity to be out here. But most of all I love all of you guys! Hope you all have a great day today! Miss you all but wouldn't be anywhere else in the world than here.

Well this week we were super successful and had good number. But numbers don't matter anyways but if it they did, we would probably be in the highest number area. I am very fortunate to start out here and learn right off the bat and be successful. Just for example we taught 32 total lessons this week 2 baptisms, and 118 contacts we worked really hard. We are very fortunate because in any other area they are lucky to get half the numbers. But like i said numbers mean absolutely nothing. We also have, i think, four or five more baptismal dates but none of them showed at church yesterday so we will have to straighten that out.

Man i get fed soooooooo much here it's WAY more than i can handle. For example, on this last Friday we ate 3 big meals in like 2 hours. We were on our way home and decided to stop by a recent converts house, Martha. So she made sooo much food we ate this cheese, eggs, salami, and tostones(which are fried bananas they love it here) its a Dominican thing. Then we had a appointment with a less active member, Ana P. This is 10 minutes after we ate she fed us rice, chicken, and Flan. Then we went to a active members house Talavera's and ate lasagna and rice. Ya i could not finish that i was so dang sick, i wanted to throw up right on the spot. It was crazy. But on average, we get fed about 2 times a day here. EWW i had rice with octopus and all this sea food in it, it was very interesting and hard to eat.

But enough of the food. I really do have like the best trainer. He is so good! I keep trying to be like him. He shows me so many things that i need to work on and to be a better teacher and a better person. The only fault he has is us waking up at 6:00, haha. By the end of the day i am dead tired and just cant wait to get into bed. But it's all good. He is a good Elder. But i love trying to help people come unto Christ. We have two more investigators that we feel they are ready to give them a baptismal date.

Well that's probably all for this week all we did was eat and teach gotta love it.

LOVE YOU ALL

One thing remember about the Book of Mormon is..."Its so true its blue"

Elder Smart

1st week in the field......

Hey how is everyone!!! It is so crazy to be here out in the field. So i am in a city called Reading, PA. You know the Reading Railroad on Monopoly YEAH!! that's here. Just a little about the city its 70% Spanish. You should see the city here its crazy houses are really packed tight they have three stories and what not. They are so cool!! Mostly the people we teach are Dominicans and Puerto Ricans. The Branch is composed of like 125 people that usually come. Right now the weather is pretty cold! there is quiet a bit of snow here, everyone like takes it like the world is going to end they cancel school its not even like bad at all. HA HA eastern people they just don't know how to drive in the snow. Ya but its a pretty big town here its crazy, its pretty sweet here, there is crime but not like the slums of Philly but i will takes pics so you can see what its like. WE live in a little apartment complex its the perfect missionary house, living room, kitchen, Room and bathroom all hardwood floors so no vacuuming.

Well my companion is Elder Burnham. He is way cool and super funny. He is from Wyoming and is going to play football at SUU after his mission as a Fullback. Ya, he is pretty redneck but its all good. HE is crazy though We usually are supposed to wake up at 6:30, but he makes us get up at 6 everyday and work out, ha ha, i usually sit around and do nothing cause i am too tired. We do have a car though, unlike the two elders that have the west side Elder Aflaro and Anderson they walk, i went with Aflaro one day and walked all day.

Well, the language is going alright. All the missionaries around here are fluent ha ha. I really have to re-learn everything. It has definitely been really hard, but i am starting to pick it up. Its just cause the Dominicans and Puerto Ricans speak different so its hard to pick up but i love the people here they are way cool, at least the members and the ones we are teaching. When we contact there are some pretty stubborn people. We need to soften their hearts. WOW the food! I have never been fed so much!! So far everyday we have been fed by members and investigators at least twice a day and they just bring on the food like crazy. The food here is great besides one night we were being fed after we helped this lady paint and wow i about threw up she gave us 4 massive tacos and with nasty meat and i had to eat all of it, so ya it was rough! This was after we ate a big meal 30 minutes before.

We do have four baptismal dates, 2 for this Saturday gene(11) Junior(12) then we have 2 next month Cirilo is the only one that is showing up. We are trying to add more and think we can. Also, yesterday we have a new member family with Martha and Hector they got baptized and she wanted us to give her kids baby blessings in sacrament, and Nathanial who is 7 wanted me so I gave him a blessing, it was crazy i had never given one before but like i felt so calm and the spirit just guided me a long it was a good experience for me for sure.

That is so crazy about Chase man i am so excited i could possibly be training him because there are 22 elders leaving in June so who knows i could easily train him. I hope so!!! Also mom ha ha still haven't gotten my sheets who knows whats going on. Ya i have just slept with a little blanket every night and sweats no pillowcase ha ha its all good! no biggy. It's really not that cold. But its all good really don't worry about it.

Well enough of me i hope everything is going good at home. I have no idea what is going on with BYU so keep me posted.

Also here is my address that you can write me at and send letters here

555 Pearl st. apt #102

Reading, PA 19602

Just mail stuff here i will be here for awhile so ya!!! LOVE ALL OF YOU!!!!

"THE BOOK OF MORMON IS SO TRUE ITS BLUE!!" -Elder Burnham

Taylor's first apartment.....

Reading, Pennsylvania (it's the little yellow thumb tack right in the middle)

Safe arrival of our missionary.....

(This is the letter we received from the Mission President after Taylor flew out)

Dear Brother Smart,

This week Sister Schaefermeyer and I have had the thrill of welcoming your son to the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission. He has arrived safely and we have enjoyed becoming acquainted with him.

Yesterday, Elder Smart was assigned his first companion and trainer, Elder Burnham. Below is their address; we invite you to please write or email Elder Smart weekly with positive, uplifting information and experiences to encourage him in his missionary efforts. Your expressions of love and interest in him will not only bless his life here in Philadelphia, but will cement relationships of trust forever. As instructed by the leaders of the Church, we ask that you not telephone or visit Elder Smart during his mission unless I have been informed in advance. He will have my permission to call on Mother’s Day and Christmas. You should feel free to contact Sister Schaefermeyer or me at any time. Email is my preference, but if the need is urgent call the Church operator in Salt Lake (801-240-1000) and they will know how to contact me.

We know the Lord will bless you as He does all who make the necessary sacrifices to allow their loved ones to serve in these great callings. If we can ever be of any service or assistance to you or your son, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for the privilege of serving with Elder Smart.

Best personal regards,

William A. Schaefermeyer

President, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission

Schaefermeyer email rcoachman@gmail.com

Elder Taylor Shawn Smart

555 Pearl Street, Apt. 102

Reading, PA 19602

Last Day-MTC

What up!? how is everyone? hope everything is going good. WEll i am on my last day here, WOW so dang pumped to leave here and get to work, and get lost in the work. Well i heard the game from here this last Wednesday, sounded crazy but glad they pulled off the win then just choked on the road. Oh well that's not what is important right now. I miss it but i just need to focus on things and forget about some things. I love this gospel and cant wait to show the people that are ready to hear this great message.

I am so grateful for this opportunity to have had here in the MTC. I can just tell how much i really have grown to love this gospel and grown as a person. I had some wonderful experiences while i was here and have felt the spirit super strong. I had two great companions that have helped me grow a lot. I talked to the Branch presidency yesterday after i had to speak in church. They told me wow you have gone such a long way and have noticed a huge difference in me. That brought big huge smile to my face. So ya i had to give a talk all in Spanish this week. I thought it went pretty well and i am feeling a little bit more confident about my Spanish. But when i leave tomorrow and step foot in Philadelphia and knock on the door and they start talking in Spanish i will be like Que es este??? "what is this" oh well i got to trust in the lord and have faith that he will give me things to say in those tough times, i know he truly will. Well i don't have much time to talk today i have to go pack and what not. But yesterday was crazy I spoke in sacrament, gave a lesson in district meeting, had two meetings, and sang in sacrament. It was goo though i loved it. I can definitely say we sing a lot and my voice is getting better. well love you all this church is true and everyone stay strong and work hard!!!

Poem..

(Taylor sent this home with our last letter)

I've Been There Before

The alarm rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet.
I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheet.
A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes.

The morning activities follow study, prayer and such,
When it’s time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven’t accomplished much.
“We have a super day planned,” my comp says with a grin.
I lowly utter a faithless breath, “Yeah, if anyone let’s us in.”

With the Word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street,
Prepared to face another day of humidity and heat.
It’s 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through.
My companion and I riding home, not accomplishing what we thought to do.

We run up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot,
Only to look inside, and hear my echo reverberate, “air box.”
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete.
The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistered feet.

It’s past 10:30 pm, my companion is fast asleep.
Silence engulfs yet all about, and I begin to weep.

In the midst of sadness I kneel down to pray,
I need to talk to Father, but I’m not sure what to say.

“Oh Father,” I begin, “what happened to us today?
I thought we’d teach somebody, but everyone was away.
My hands, my aching hands, worn, hurt and beat.
If our area was any smaller, we’d have knocked every street.”

“Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat on my bike.
Will you send me some cooler weather? The heat is killin’ me.
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it’s very hard to see.”

“Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn’t your protection enough?
People always laugh at me and call me stupid stuff.
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack.
I want to give them Book of Mormons, the weight of them hurts my back.”

“And what about my family? They don’t have much to say.
I’m sick of not hearing from home, day, after day, after day.
Oh Father, why am I here? Am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I’m sorry but that’s on my mind.”

“My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?
The way he rides his bike, I don’t think he can see.

Now, you have it, I can’t go on, I don’t know what to do.
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you.”

My prayer was finished. I stand up, then jump right into bed.
I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead.
Sleep starts to overcome, me and I seem to drift away.
Taken, it seems in a vision, takes me to another time, another day.

I’m standing alone on the hill; the view is very nice.
A man walks towards me, and says, “My name is Jesus Christ.”
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to his feet.
“Arise,” he states, “Follow me to the shade, you and I need to speak.”

My attention towards my Savior, total and complete.
He says, “Your mission is similar of what happened to me.
I understand how you fell, I know what you’re going through.
In fact, it would be fair to say I’ve felt the same as you.”

“I even know how you felt when no one listened to you.
At times I felt not quite sure what else that I could do.
I knew you don’t like to ride a bike; for you, a car would be sweet.
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn’t equipped with 21-speeds.”

“I understand you don’t like sweating, in fact it’s something you hate.”
I remember I sweated blood from every pore, oh the agony was great.

I say you don’t like your companion, you’d rather have someone else.
I once had a companion named Judas, who sold my life for wealth.”

“It’s hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you.”
I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me, ‘King of Jews.’
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack.
I recall how heavy the cross was, when the slammed it on my back.”

“Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day.
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way.
It’s hard not to hear from home, when your family’s not there to see.
I lost communication on the cross, and cried “Father, why hast thou forsaken me?”

We have a lot in common. But there’s a difference between us you see.
I endured my mission, so follow and do like me.”
He embraced me with his arms, his light filled me with his love.
With tears in my eyes I watched as he went back to the Father above.

I stood with awe and wonder, when a beep rang in my head.
I listened and heard the alarm, then realized, I was in bed.
My companion, let out a groan, “6:00 already, NO WAY!”
I sat up and said, “Come on, I’ll even carry your scriptures today.”

No matter what we go through, when we feel we can’t take any more,
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ, he’s been there before. . .

Week 8, Last week in the MTC

Hey what up how is is everyone doing? hope all is good for everyone!!! I am so excited this is my last week here!! It's hard writing an email its disgusting this Elder sitting next to me is wearing a Utah shirt. I mean i love the MTC and the spirit here is not the same anywhere else its amazing. But wow i cant wait to see the world and to change to lives of others. I cant wait to get to Philly and just find those who are waiting for me to change their lives. Actually its not me changing their lives its Christ changing their lives through the spirit through me. We just carry the message that Christ wants all of his children to hear. This gospel is amazing I am so proud to wear the name tag with Christs name on it each and every day. I cant wait to meet my mission president and to get to know him and what an amazing man and influence he will be in my lives and is in many others. Also cant wait to meet new companions and grow my love for each and every one of them. This has definitely been a test here! There have been so many great things and some hard thing here. I have had to learn to grow my companions. I have gotten along with Elder Hanson really well and we relate so good. But Elder Herrin had definitely been a trial. But I am grateful to have worked with him and to got to know and try to show my love for him. Its alright but i am so loving this time here. The spanish is getting there i feel like there is so much i need to learn and do. But i know that as i keep trying my best and continuing to work with the spirit it will come. My dad sent me a letter this week that talks about the MTC and that they have tried figuring out how we learn a language so fast. Its through the spirit and that's the only way we can learn a language so fast. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be here in the MTC. IT is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can feel all the prayers that have been offered for us missionaries. WE couldn't do it with out all of you Thanks for all the love an support. Stay strong and be good!

Well I heard Jimmer is ballin it up we get updates from the service worker's and our Branch council. Its going to be tough this week being here sitting in my room while The Marriott Center is going to be nuts and going crazy. I'm calling jimmer 45 cougs win by four!!! Lets hope!! This could be one of the biggest games in the history and I'm missing it haha oh well I'm out doing the lords work. I just wish i could watch that's gonna be a tough night that will be all over my mind. It's alright GO COUGS AN GO JIMMER!!

Pops i wrote Ty haws this week will you get my Philly address and send it to Marty to send to him so he has it so he can write me back. Also i get to call probably next week i leave her the MTC next Tuesday i leave here at 6 a.m. and my flight leaves around like 10 so hopefully i will try calling around that time. And i arrive in Philly at like 4:30 sooo ya.SO we should all have a conference call that would probably be the easiest with like both families and Ellie so ya. I will be writing one more time next week and then its off to Philly love you cant wait to hear from you this week.

Week 7, MTC...two weeks left!!

How is everyone doing? This last week had its ups and downs. Besides the fact that it was unreal that we had Elder Holland come and talk to us. It was was awesome he talked a lot about how we need to improve as missionaries. He stated the facts that we were not very good at planning, studying and teaching to commitment. I totally felt talked at I have not been very great at doing all those so it was way good for me. I have recommitted myself to doing better in those 3 things i have noticed it has been more effective in my overall outcome with Spanish and knowing doctrine. Also we taught our teacher this week Brother Jimenez and wow it was awful!! He then gave a suggestion he could notice we had no confidence in our Spanish, he hit it right on the head. There were a few days were i was frustrated, compared myself to others and just was like am I ever going to learn this language. But he said you Elders have to have more confidence in yourselves and not focus and the spanish and just focus on the spirit and what you want the people your teaching. I am trying my best everyday to just say I CAN DO IT!!! It has been real helpful I need to have more confidence in myself. Also i got a letter From Joe this week. First off that is a changed young man its amazing he has such a desire for the gospel i love it i am so proud of him. He did get hit by a car this last week and has hurt his knee he said its not serious but the found a cyst in his leg. So everyone keep him in your prayers that everything will go smoothly. But he told me he just had his first baptism and has 6 more scheduled he has changed a lot love the Elder. But well he sent me this totally uplifting letter that i totally needed. He also sent me this poem I sent it to my parents and Ellie so if anyone wants it ask them. But i ended up copying off one for everyone in my zone they all loved it. So i think this was a huge changing and transition week that has strengthened me.

I am so ready to get out of here though i mean i love the MTC and the spirit here is like no where else in the world what a blessing it is to be here. But i want to get out and teach the people that are searching for the truth and be a answer to their prayers. I just cant wait. I know i definitely will need these two weeks for sures for the spanish but man i wanna teach. I just have grown a big desire for teaching the people and to see people change and be happy.

We got a new zone this week. We have two kids from Lone Peak in it Zane Mendenhall and Chris Bailey. I love elder Mendenhall he is such a stud. But ya I hope everything is going good for everyone at home! Is everyone doing well? I know if there are any problems there is no other way to fix or figure them out without the lord, there is no way! I know as everyone strives to do good each and every day and work to be more christ like you will be blessed and see a difference in your life. I love being a missionary and being able to put my name tags on each and every morning.

Well everyone be good!LOVE YOU ALL!!! Go cougs! Go Jimmer! keep me updated on everything i miss it!

ELDER SMART