Dear Mom,

 

That completely kills me.  I can't believe that at all.  I love Becky, it's super unreal.  Give their family a hug for me, and be sure to tell them that I love Becky and can hardly stand that.  I'm glad she's with her Dad, and mine, though.  I bet she's laughing her head off.  That's what I remember her most for.  She was always smiling and happy, and we always texted each other.  Dang.  I hate death.

I'm okay though.  I'm glad you told me.  I do wish you could've told me over the phone or something though.  But.. I'm a missionary.  And like it says in my Patriarchal Blessing, if I serve well, I'll come back to find that everything is well.

Man.

Be sure to tell me what happened.  As soon as you find out, cause I'll be emailing again on thursday, and I'd like to know what happened.

Be sure to give Dane a hug from me.

 

 

On a happier note, if you can find one.  My teaching pool is really solid right now, Kirsti is sooo golden.  She's almost definitely going to get baptized next transfer.  Who will be here to do it.. we find out tonight.  But she is totally solid.  Wendy is doing good too.  Not as excited as Kirsti, but I bet she'll end up getting baptized too.  The work is taking off here in Tamworth.  Right in time for one of us to leave.

I'm sad about that.  Elder Lewis and I are always going to be friends.  You're right about that.  He and I get along so well, and it's going to be weird serving with some one else.  He taught me to be myself out here.  If there's one thing that I can say I learned from him, it's that.  I told you this earlier, but he's taught me that there's a reason that the badge says Elder and Smart.  Because the people here don't need another Elder Lewis, they don't need an Elder who ever.  I was called to serve here, and I have the right attributes and upbringing and specific knowledge and character that the people here need.  So that's what I wont ever forget.

He's awesome, and a great missionary.

Anyways.. I'll try to send some pictures.  I'm sorry I'm not super story telly today.  I'm a little bit anxious about what's going on tonight.  (we find out what's happening at transfers.)  But I love you! The Church is true, and The Plan of Salvation is one of God's greatest gifts to us.  I'm so so so thankful for the knowledge that we have.  Can you imagine going through all of what Sheryl's had to go through without the Church?  I definitely can't. 

I love you!

~Elder Smart

Note from Mom:  Colton's cousin, Becky Smart, died in her sleep and her mom, Sheryl found her Friday morning.  Colton and Becky loved to be together.  Becky was a year older than Colton.  Becky's dad, Stan, Gordon's brother, died 12 years ago after surgery from blood clots.  He put off the surgery a week so that he could baptize Becky.  We are all devastated.