Hey Momma!

That's the amount of questions that I'm used to.  Did you try and ask every single one, cause last week I told you that you could?  I'm glad you did. Let me roll through them now.

I'm excited to train, although, it's a little stressful being watched, judged and imitated, every second of your entire life. Is this like having a child?  If so, the babies can wait.

In Germany, they learn English at school, so his English is pretty good.  Every once in a while he has to look up a word in a German to English dictionary, but he's more or less fluent, so it's not a big deal.  He went to the English MTC in Preston.

He's from Dortmand, I think that's what it's called.

I can cook stuff.  Not well, but I can at least make things edible.. so that's alright.  By no means would I be comfortable making a meal for more than two people, but I can make what I want to eat, most of the time.  I would like to have about one million recipes, actually, I'd like to have about one million recipes that I can make and eat within one hour.  That would be a fantastic Christmas present. Hint hint.

He has been a member his whole life.  His mother was converted when she was pregnant with him and his brother. (He's a twin, and before you ask, his brother is serving his mission in Leads.)  His father however is not a member, and is not very supportive of the mission.

That's everyone in his family.

I haven't asked him if he knows President Uchtdorf yet, but I tend to think that just because you live in Germany doesn't mean you know everyone that lives in Germany.  By your same logic, I should personally know the Prophet, I think.

He kind of sounds like President Uchtdorf.  Mostly because they both have a German accent.  Elder Wrenger's is a bit more German than Pres. Uchtdorf's though.  Elder Wrenger sounds more like Arnold Schwarzenager. Okay, maybe not that deep, but you get the picture I hope.

He's got a sense of humor (humor.) but, not a really huge one.  He's very German.  Is that stereotyping? Oh well. It's not a bad thing, he's just a semi-serious guy.  He tries to have a sense of humor.  It mostly consists of him asking me if somebody noticed how big he is.  I generally tell him that he's a little too chunky for people to notice his muscles.

I don't think he's nervous to be out here, but his testimony isn't the strongest either.. But nobody's is when they get out here I think.  The mission changes that pretty quickly, or scares them so much that they go home.  He's not going to go home though.  At least I don't think he will.  He's not really scared of the work, but he is very comfortable with me doing everything.  So I make him knock on doors and talk to people on the street.  It builds character.  Especially the drunk atheists, they're character builders for sure.

Sister Rasmussen must only send the pictures to the Greenie's mom.  I'll include in my letter to President that you would enjoy getting that picture.  I don't have a picture of us, because, again, my camera is broken.  I found a place that will repair it, but it's a little ways away, so, eventually we'll get there, but I'm not promising pictures for a while. Sorry Momma.

He's about 6'5'' I think.  He says 195 cm.  I think that came out at like six and a half feet.  Something like that.

Elder Houghton went a little tiny train ride north.  He's in Coventry, but he's texted me a few times in the past week, and apparently he's in the slums of Coventry.  That'll be really good for him.  Although, he's buying pepper spray today, so it must be a little dodgy there.

I know how to clean. You drilled that into me pretty well. And we're minus a dishwasher out here, so I do my fair share.  Cherish that machine.

He's not a sports guy like me.  He only likes lifting.  I really haven't figured that out yet... I've been asking him why he lifts if he doesn't like to do anything with it.  He hasn't given me a real answer yet.  "It's just something that I do."  That's about it.  He also eats very healthy.. I don't.  I mean, I'm not all junk food all the time, but I appreciate a good slathering of Nutella on my banana.

Right, now I get why you sent me on my mission.  You just want hook-ups in other countries.  Well.. I've already got hook-ups in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, Denmark, and a whole bunch of other places, especially all over the States.  Including Alaska. And I'm going to take full advantage of the one in Alaska.  I think it would be really cool to go up for the Summer after I get back and fish for a living up there.  That would be rad, and I know who to call and where to get a job already, not to mention that one of my best friends is serving up there right now.  So.. I think I want to work in Alaska.

Yes, I'm crazy.

I haven't gotten to see Simon and Mila since my last email, because this week has been crazy with transfers and everything.  But on the investigator scene, we've dropped Rahjeev, cause he didn't know he was investigating the church, and now he doesn't really talk to us when we see him.  Patrick is still coming to church, and I'm convinced that he knows it's all true, he just likes to make excuses so he doesn't have to make any real commitments.  The best news of the week is Michele though.  You asked if she's been to church, and she has.  Twice. But this last friday night, we taught her the Word of Wisdom, Following the Prophet, and then... drum roll.. we committed her to be baptized on the 12th of October.  How great is that?!?  She's so solid, and the Lord has prepared her sooo stinkin well.  We didn't have to do hardly anything.  Heavenly Father really is looking out for us.  It's so amazing.  No one new this week, though.  Not much time to find.  Which is a nice change to having too much time to find.  But I hope by next week I'll be able to tell you about some new investigators. Oh, and yes. Michele with one L.  She told us that she thinks somebody typed it wrong on her birth certificate, but that her parents just went with it.

I can't really get my pants fixed.  My trousers, however, I'm working on that.  I don't get a ton of time as a missionary to worry about that.  However, new pants wouldn't hurt.  I'm not really sure how to get them here, though.

I know you are my mother. I could never forget.

I don't have a ton of time, but I'm glad about the rednecks.  Is our house even going to look sort of the same when I get back?  Also, if you want so many pictures, please send me some.  I'm glad about KSL, and the mexicans, and all that. 

I'm proud of Brooke, but I hope she kicked him really good, where it counts.  But no, I really haven't seen Brooke blow up.  I didn't really know that could happen to be honest.

I hope everything goes really really well with Laura.  She deserves it.

I love you Mom!

Have a great week!

This post is out of order.  It is dated September 2, 2013.  It goes with the pictures of Rosemary Hill and Gordon Street but the dumb blog wouldn't let me put it there.  Rosemary

Heyyyyyy Momma!

Sorry this week's email is going to be short.  I only have an hour to get everyone cause I decided to play football with my whole zone all day.  It was way way fun!

Mother, keep asking questions, I not only expect it, it gives me something to tell you.  I like to send these, and I like your questions, so stop worrying about them.  I can answer all of them.  You birthed me, I think it's my responsibility to tell you about my life at least once a week.  And I love you. That's why I really want to email you every week and answer your whole huge list of questions. I really really love you, and miss you.  A lot.

So please, ask away.

I'm thinking I'm just going to buy a bike from a car boot sale (garage sale in the back of a bunch of cars.) They happen every once in a while, and maybe I'll even find my bike, just spray painted a different color so that I don't know it's mine.

I don't know where Amsterdam is.  I think it's in both Holland and the Netherlands.  My district leader lives in the Hague. (I think that's how you spell it.  Haygg is how it sounds.)

I'll tell you about my investigators in a moment.

I didn't look up the Price name.  It was a super busy day at the Castle, because it was Bank Holiday.  They have them like once every two months, and they're similar to Labor Day and all the fake holidays.  Basically it's just an excuse for everyone to not work for a day, including libraries.. which sucks for us.  That's why I emailed on Tuesday last week.

Your work sounds nice, wanna switch for a while?  My work is very hot lately, and very long.  I have 11 hour work days with 2 hours off for lunch and dinner.  Out talking to people that don't really think I'm a human.  That's my biggest problem out here, the dehumanization of missionaries by locals.  They think that because of what I do, it's totally socially acceptable to completely blow us off, or act extremely rude.  I got a lot of the extremely rude this week.  It makes me want to be extremely rude, but I can't, because I'm a representative of Jesus, and Jesus wouldn't be extremely rude. But... Christ had to go through quite a lot worse than we do.. So, I guess we have it easy.  Although, honestly, sometimes it doesn't seem like it could be much harder.

Yeah, poor Udalls.  I've thought that for some time now.  Michael and I used to be really good friends.  But, he picked his own way, and thinks it's the right way.  Poor guy, the right answer is right under his nose, and he doesn't realize it.

Dane's a dork.  I love that guy.  Does he still drive his Mustang?  Where is Nancy from?  Is that acceptable to ask?  It is over here, and I actually am keeping track of all the different nationalities that I run into here.  It's quite a long list.  It's pretty cool, I talk to just as many people that aren't from England as I do that are from England.  Probably more foreigners actually.  It's pretty nuts.  I met a woman from Finland the other day, she works at the French Cafe right by our flat, called Comme Si Comme Sa, or however that is spelt. So she's Finnish, working in an English city, serving French food.  Only in the UK.  Either way, give Dane a high-five for sealing the deal for me, and tell him that I always knew he could do it.

Stop going to Swiss Days.  It's too hot and it's in the middle of nowhere.

I do like that collar though.  Nice touch.

Good job on the missionaries.  Tell them everything you know about everyone.  Be over the top courageous.  They want it.  Or at least, I want it, and maybe I can ride on some of the good vibes you throw out in Utah.  Like maybe if you feed them and tell them where to find some investigators, maybe somebody here will do that for me.

I should write Eli.  I usually don't have time.  I have a mother, a mission president, a girlfriend, and three sisters, and then I have friends and other relatives that want to talk as well.  I do my best though.

My companion needs a long fart in the mouth.  I'm getting pretty sick of him, but I'm doing my best (sometimes) to act like I like him.  I don't.  Sorry.  I think I'm going to ask President if I can have a new companion next transfer, but it feels like if I ask, he'll make me stay with the Hound Dog.  That's what I call him.  It helps the seriousness a little.. a little.  I wrestled him the other day and drew on his face with a highlighter, he didn't like it, but he needed it, and I needed a laugh.  Don't worry, it came off easy.  I'm struggling with him a bit though.. Say an extra prayer or two for me and my patience.

This week we've gotten a bunch of investigators.

There was Rajeev from last week, and he came to church with us, but I don't think he liked it.. He left after Sacrament..

Then there's Michele, who I actually think will get baptized.  She came to church and enjoyed it I think.  We're teaching her about the Plan of Salvation tonight.  I think she'll like it.  I think it's my favorite lesson to teach.  It's actually one of my favorite parts of the Gospel.  Specifically pray for her.  She has the most potential of any of our investigators right now.  Oh, and she's Irish.

Then there's Laura, who is thirteen and is basically a member, but her parents wont let her get baptized.

And then we have Simon and Mila, Simon is a catholic, aka nothing, and a football journalist, it seemed like he just wanted info on us, but his wife came to talk to us as well, and she's from Spain, and she seemed legitimately interested.  They're going to feed us this week sometime (sweeeeeeet.)

Then there's Kelish and Dave, and they're immigrants from India, and also Jehovah's Witnesses.  I don't really know if they completely understand that we don't believe the same things they do, but they like us and we've taught them about the restoration.  We're in the process of getting a punjabi Book of Mormon so they can read it in their own language, but here's the tricky part.  Kelish (Kuh-Lish) is in India helping out with her poorly sister for the next three weeks, so they're kind of on hold.

Patrick's doing good too.  We got a member from our ward to come teach with us, and now they're best friends.  So that's really really good.  I think he'll get baptized, but maybe in like.. six months.  He'll be an interesting process.  He's Irish as well.

Then we have a load of potentials, so pray for me, I need it.  It's starting to cool down here though, which makes me very happy.  When people see two white shirts with badges on they literally cross the street so they don't have to talk to us.  Then we cross the street too. Haha.  But it'll be nice getting in a coat.  (I have a nice one.  Elder Lewis gave it to me.  So don't worry about the cold.) (I'll still probably whine when it gets dark and rainy and cold still.  You're my mom, who else do I have to whine to?)

So. In total, I'm teaching Three Indian, Two Irish, Two English, and a Spaniard.  Pretty cool.

Here's the funny story of the week, and then I need to write some other people.

So a lot of the time, when the Hound Dog and I don't have anything else to do, we'll go into Town Centre and just talk to people, we call it GQing (Golden Questioning) and try to get some people who will let us come teach them.  This past saturday, we were on our way into town centre, and tallking to people, and people were being particularly more nasty than usual.  We were wondering why until we got into town centre and in the park there a huge gay pride concert going on.  We decided that was probably a sign that we should try something else.  Haha, so we went tracting.  Tracting is good.  It's like a game for me, trying to get into people's homes and teach them the restoration.  It's fun, but hard.  I'm getting better at it though.

So this week was Dad's birthday, and I tried to get to Gordon St on his birthday, but alas, I only made it to Rosemary Hill, but we tracted Gordon St the next day.  I'll send pictures.  There were hardly anyone home on Gordon St, but we talked with this very nice mother, and gave her a book of mormon and I legitimately think she'll read it and call us and tell us what she thought.  However, that promise has never held, but whatever. haha maybe this time.  Dad should help me out.  She lives on his street.

Anyways, I love you! Have a lovely day.

From your baby boohoo,

Elder Smart

Hey Momma!

I'm emailing earlier than usual today, so maybe you wont freak out and send me ten emails asking if I had forgotten to email you.

I'll be on a little later too, so if you get on in like an hour or two, I might be able to chat with you (send emails back and forth quickly.)

Simon and Mila: We met Simon on the street and told him that we were representatives of Jesus Christ and that we had a short, but very important message that we'd like to share.  He asked us what faith we belonged to, and we told him.  He had never met Mormons, but wanted to find out a little bit about them.  He seemed interested in knowing facts about Mormons, from the source.  But, hey, a return appointment is a return appointment.  So about a week later, we met him at a little french cafe near Leamington town centre.  We started just talking to him, and he told us his wife might show up, so after maybe ten minutes, she did.  We sipped at some really good hot chocolate, and they got a tea and a coffee.  Haha ouch.  But we had a really deep conversation.  They both grew up Catholic, but it seemed like only Simon really still believed in it.  Mila started asking us questions, like "How did your church start?" and "Where do you believe we go after we die?"  Pretty much playing straight into our righteous trap.  It was awesome.  We gave them a Book of Mormon and asked them to read 3 Nephi 11 I think, and they seemed like they legitimately would.  Simon was going to be out of town for a week though, so we're supposed to call them today and see when we can meet with them again.  Hopefully everything goes well with that.  Actually, hopefully they've both read the whole Book of Mormon and can't wait to get baptized.  That's what I really hope.

Hey, I'll finish this email when I get on later.  They wont let me extend 15 minutes today, like they usually do, but I still have another hour on computers, I just have to walk a little ways to the other library.

I love you!

I'll be on in like a couple hours maybe.

Love, Elder Smart

Hey, I'm back,

Back to my investigators.

Laura, the thirteen year old, was the only investigator the Elders had when we got here.  She's only an investigator because her parents won't allow her to be baptized.  We're not really sure why, but apparently they have some very negative feelings toward the church.  It's really unfortunate.  Our Branch President told us it probably wasn't even worth going over to talk to them.  So that's a shame.  But she's just a dry member.

We found Michele in the park, she was just enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon, when we swooped in and taught her the a little about the Restoration.  She liked it, so we scheduled a little conversation in the park about a week later, where we taught her the whole Restoration, then she came to church, and the day after, we taught her the Plan of Salvation at a member's house, and it went really well.  She was in London this last weekend, so she didn't come to church, but we're going to call her and see if we can teach her tomorrow night.  She's also been to a weird relief society activity that she liked too!  How do I know that she's going to get baptized? ..Priesthood Power?  Nah, I guess I just really hope so, and she seems like she enjoys everything, she just needs a confirmation from the Holy Ghost that this is Christ's church.

Patrick.  We found him just walking along a street near town centre.  That's where we usually talk to people, if you haven't guessed that already.  He ended up telling us his whole life story on the street.  I think I told you about him.  He's really down on his luck with no job, and his almost-wife passing away a few years ago.  He's just in a really dark place right now, and he doesn't think it can get better.  But we've introduced him to some way awesome members that are totally perfect for him.  And he came to church yesterday, and even though he was sarcastically telling us that it was super long, we know he actually really enjoyed it.  A high-councilman taught priesthood and did an excellent job, and after Patrick came over to me and said, "You know the difference between that man and a catholic priest?  That man actually believed what he was teaching, it really meant something to him."  Patrick acts tough, but he's a total softy.  I like him. But he's a whiner.  He LOVES to whine about his life to us.  It's okay though.  We'll just have to make his life awesome. He'll probably still whine after we do that.

And Rahjeev with a V not a B.  He's... I don't really know.  He came to church last week, but I don't really think he liked it, and then he made an appointment with us, and didn't show up, and actually, in between my last email to you and now, we saw him and I said Hi, but he just like waved and kept walking.  I don't know if he actually wanted to investigate the church.  Oh well.  We're going to try and see him sometime this week anyways.

Hound Dog. This week he was better.  Just.. really boring.  Which isn't good, because then I stop talking, and when I stop talking, all I do is start thinking, and that usually leads me home.  So, I was a little bit trunky this week.  I missed you, and I missed my siblings, and Ange, and my stupid dog.  But. I'm here. And this is where I should be.  Even Adrienne told me so, so it must be true.  It does kind of hurt, and I'm not saying I know anything of what Brooke is going through, but on my desk there's a picture of our family, and Phil is in it.. and he's not family anymore. He's not even Phil anymore.  It's just weird.  I can't really swallow that.  I hope Brooke does better this week.  But let's not talk about that.  I was a little bit trunky, but that happens.  I like where I am.  I even kind of don't mind the rain today, it feels a lot better than the hot hot sun.  I also miss walking slowly.  That doesn't happen anymore.  You'd never be able to keep up with me.  Even your fast mom-walk that I've always imagined you doing in the mornings.

But enough of that.

People aren't rude to Mormons in Utah. Well. They are. But in comparison, not even a little.  The gay pride thing was a concert, not a parade. Thank heavens.  Although, we have run into what seems like way too many naked people answering their doors.  Why do people even answer if they're naked? Or at least why don't they throw something on real fast before they answer?  But no.  They just hide behind the door like you don't know they're in their skivvies. "Oh, it's a... bad time."  Duh, you nasty nast.

Oh noooo, heaven forbid the missionaries have to ride bikes in Salt Lake.  What a travesty.  I've heard rumors that they do "Faith Shopping." That's where they go grocery shopping, and don't bring any money, and when they go to check out, some one pays for them.  Haaaaa. Sorry.  I have about zero empathy for the missionaries in Salt Lake.  I'm somewhat blunt today.  Would you like me to continue?  The only advice I have for you and Rose, is to just do it, and not to feel weird or awkward about it.  The one second awkwardness of asking Rose could mean that she and her husband sealed and live in exaltation in the next life.  That's not really something rude or wrong to offer some one, right?  I know, I know, it really is awkward.  Just don't think of it that way though.  Think Gordon Smart.  Think disappearing for hours just to talk to some one.  Dad did it right.  It wasn't awkward, because we know it's true. It's not awkward because the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored again to the Earth.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really did talk to Joseph Smith, and he really did translate the Book of Mormon by the power of God.  Now, let's remember who taught me that.  You.  If you taught me well enough that I can come to foreign country and get doors slammed in my face, and people swearing at me, and I still want to stay out here, in case there is a door that they let us in, or a seed to be planted, by all means, Mom, I know that the greatest woman I know can ask her neighbor out for a quick lunch date to talk about the gospel.  You underestimate yourself Momma.  You are amazing, and Heavenly Father can and will use you as a vessel to share His gospel.

Sorry. Now I'll get off my soap box.

I'll be honest.  I don't remember Hannah Nelson.  I might if I saw her face, but I can't place her in my mind. 

I'm excited for Taylor and Devon to get out on their missions, they're both going to be awesome missionaries. Thanks for sharing that talk with me.  It does help.  I'm trying to be the fourth kind of missionary.  It's hard though.  It's hard to just let all your wants go.  Right now, I'll be completely honest, I'm somewhere between three and four.  I want to be a four, but I'm also a bit stubborn, and a bit stupid, and sometimes that gets in the way.  But this is the work I should be doing, and the work I want to be doing.  Sometimes it just sucks though.  So. Yeah.  Send some Momma-Prayer-Power my way.  That usually tends to help.  I don't think there's any other way that I played eleven years of american football and never had a serious injury.  Haha, don't worry about me.  And don't worry about the Hound Dog.  He's a good kid.  He's helping me a lot too.  We'll see what happens next transfer though.  Transfers are a week from Wednesday. So.. yeah. Next Monday is Dodge Day, which means I'll find out what's happening next Monday night.  Crazy that it's been almost a whole transfer since I called you.  Weird.

You and Brooke worked a miracle with that basement.

Remy is cute.

Elders quorums are great.

And I love you.

I'll talk to you next week!  God be with you!

Love,

Elder Smart