Hey Momma!

 

Dang! I really feel the love this week.  Everyone in the entire world decided to email me, so I'm sorry if I don't get around to emailing everyone back.  I do my best!  I'll definitely be sending Brooke a letter.  Although, it may not get to her until after her birthday, but I'll get it sent.

 

I was framed, somebody planted those keys in my pocket.  But how great are all the pockets in that thing?  I love that coat.  I have no idea where the keys to my car are.  Good luck, and do watch out.  The closet bites back.  You may be able to tame it.  You have like 85 ish weeks left before you can force me to do it.  You can wait if you want, but I doubt you will. Haha

 

Yeah, people totally like me.  You'd think that my mission would humble me right?  Well, spiritually it has, but I'm pretty convinced that my blazing red personality will never burn out.  Sorry if that dashes your hopes of a mild quiet return missionary come March 2015.  But.. I am a product of my parents, and especially I think of my namesake.  Name's sake? Granddad is who I'm talking about.  My dad and your dad are the men I hope to emulate most in my life.  Well, I mean, other than the Savior.  But I'm pretty sure that as I live my life in those two men's footsteps, I will also be following in Christ's. 

 

We do have an absolutely amazing ward back home.  But Tamworth Ward is a home away from home.  I love the people here.  I absolutely feel like I'm family.  They're amazing people.  It'll be hard to say good bye to them.  I have a feeling that this will be my last transfer here, but I sure hope that I get to stay one more after this. 

 

So it's been boiling hot this last week, and it's supposed to be even hotter this next week.  I'm not really sure how it converts but it was 35 degrees centigrade yesterday, and combined with the humidity, that converted to me sweating probably a gallon of sweat.  Oh well.  It's all good, people here are a lot happier when the sun's out.  That means that some of them will even stop and listen to what a couple of kids have to say about Jesus Christ.

 

We've been talking a lot about patriarchal blessings lately, because Elder O is getting his on the 21st, but holy cow Mom.  My patriarchal blessing almost scares me.  Not to be ungrateful or boastful, but the potential I have is incredible.  God has a pretty intense plan for me, I think.  So when I say a couple of kids.. I'm sorry.  I meant two men, called by God and set apart by His Priesthood here on the Earth, to do the most important work there is to do, preach the Word of God, and help people come unto Christ in any way we can.  Even that gives me the chills.  But it is hard.  We listen to this talk by Elder Holland that he gave to mission presidents about how we have to endure, because Salvation is not easy.  Read it yourself it's really really good. It's here https://www.lds.org/ensign/2001/03/missionary-work-and-the-atonement?lang=eng  Go near the bottom and read under The Atonement and the Missionary.  It's wonderful.

 

My niece is the cutest little girl in all the world, and I have the best Dad that's ever lived, other than my other Father.  That picture of me and him pushing the lawnmower gets me.  I almost cried right here in the library with a million people around.  I like that one a lot.  I like the ones of me and Dad a lot.  If you could keep sending those I would love it.

 

Time's kind of running out, so let me pack a huge letter I want to send into a few words.

I'm super jealous that you guys are going to Cali. Although, I wouldn't be anywhere but here where the Lord needs me.

No Fireworks for me until Bonfire night.  I look forward to that holiday.

AirCon isn't really a thing in most houses here.

It is weird not having Elder Lewis around, but Elder O and I get along really well.

The Beechers are funny. Tell them I miss them, and tell Bishop I use the Plan of Salvation puzzle he gave me quite often.

I'm glad you found the trousers I'm wanting.  Pants are underwear.

I got the Peanut Butter and have been eating it with bananas ever since.  It's currently my favorite snack.  I need to find somewhere that sells American peanut butter or I might die when I run out of this.  Megan and Houston are the best.  And so are you.  Thanks!

 

I love you Mom, and I miss you a lot.  Same with the rest of the family.

Have a ton of fun in California.  And don't be lame.  Get in the water while you're there.  All of you.

 

Love,

Elder Smart

PS from Mom--I couldn't get this blog to accept last week's letter so I'll keep trying, therefore it will be out of sync.