The Momma,

Flogged is having an appointment, sometimes even confirming it via a phone call, and then showing up to the address and nobody is there, no note or anything.  We even had one a few weeks ago that we confirmed, knocked on the door, nobody answered, we texted the guy, and he responded and said he was home, we knocked again, and still no one answered.  Ultra-flog.

Pretty much we get whipped.  It takes a whole lot less time to tell us to get lost when we try and set the appointment up.  But no.  Many people give us fake details, or sometimes real details and then don't show up.

We weren't able to do the First Vision a million times.  Monday night we went out to find a homeless guy in city centre.  We found one, and talked to him for a bit, tried to gear things towards the first vision, and then he told us he had to puke, and then he walked to the street and did.  So hard.  I almost did as well.  He told us to get lost* (*not really his words, but I'm a missionary and shouldn't be repeating his words.)

Do we have homeless men?  I don't think I'm even going to answer that question.

We have a Stop Smoking Program, and it's actually really cool.  It's all about turning off the bells as they put it.  Apparently when you're addicted to smoking, certain things make bells go off in your mind, and the only way addicts know how to turn them off is to smoke (or whatever you're addicted to.)  So the whole program is about turning those bells off, instead ignoring them like most other programs do, or dampening them like patches and stuff does.  It's pretty interesting, but it works.  Some of the steps are like brushing your teeth the second you wake up, and before and after every single meal. Also, drinking grapefruit juice after every meal.  It's basically like saying all the things that make you want to smoke, we're going to replace with something that you don't currently do.  And won't trigger the bells to make you smoke.  Instead of having a fag after tea. (That's having a cigarette after dinner.) They'll have a glass of Grapefruit juice that won't remind them of cigarettes in any way.  There's fifteen steps and most of them are weird like that, but apparently something like 90% of people that do all of the steps for a week will be totally off cigarettes, and wont have the bells anymore.  That other 10% will just take another week of the program.  Pretty cool!  Plus some of the steps are like pray, or cut out tea and alcohol for the week, so it's a good introductory to the Gospel.

Wednesfield.  Like Wednesday but instead of day, field.  You can see a lot of degradation in British English.  This place apparently used to be called Wodensfield.  Then it slowly turned into what it is now Wednesfield.  If you say Wodensfield 20 times in a row, focusing less and less on what you're saying, it turns into Wednesfield.  Same thing with the pronunciation of Birmingham.  We say Burming-Ham.  Here they say buh ming umm.  But I've realized that we didn't totally get rid of that in American English either, for example say the name Brigham.  Weird.

I did burn a shirt on Thursday.  It was fun.  And it was a crappy £5 one that I bought that was too small.  So don't worry.  I'll send pictures sometime.  Not today, cause I forgot my old camera, which I use as a card reader.  Sorry!

Okay, so I looked up Elder 'Toshira' (Tuh Sheer Uh) and his name is actually Elder Jose A. Teixeira.  Sorry.  Now look him up.

I'm not sad you sold Nigel.  I'm very happy in fact!  I don't want him back.  I loved him, but I also want something that doesn't feel like I'm dragging my butt on the asphalt.  Haha that was a good sentence. Megan and Houston are just the favorite cousins that I'd like to have him.  He's even quite experienced driving up Sardine Canyon.  Even in a snowstorm.  Did I tell you I did that?  Probably not.  Oh well. I did.  It was awesome.  He was a beast, and tore right through the snow like I had chains on.  Thinking back, it was probably Dad.  Haha how's that for your daily heart attack? Remember, I love you.

We don't have much time, but for your information I am going to look at suits today, and I even prayed last night that I'd like one enough to buy it.  I might have a little time later, but probably not.

Happy Mothering Day yesterday, by the way.  The British have to make everything sound a bit creepier.  It's their Mothers' Day.  Elder Baker skyped since he's going home like a week after American Mothers' Day.  That's when I'll be skyping you.

I'm stoked for Conference this weekend though.  We don't watch it from our couch though.

Thanks for telling Ange Happy Birthday, and tell Rem thanks for facetiming her.

I love you!

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Smart

Hello Mother!

This week was good weather and bad missionary work.  We went out and got work done, but then got cancelled on or flogged by everyone and their moms.  That about sums up the week.  But hey, the sun's out, and I'm enjoying life.

To answer your questions:

It's Spring here.

I feel relatively better, but not by much, but I can't tell if that's because of allergies now.  My nose wasn't stuffed up for a few days when I was on the amoxicillin, and it's not as much now, but I have the occasional cough (five times a day?), so I'm not super sure what's wrong with me.

We are not winning the contest anymore, but we will.  We didn't get one challenge because we got cancelled on.  The challenge was to get a new investigator, and we rescheduled this guy three times, and finally he said he'd get in touch with us soon. Boo. Our appointment was for yesterday at five, and he cancelled at four.  The challenge ended at nine.  Lame.  The new challenge is to recite the first vision to five different people and we get a bonus point if we do one of them to a homeless man. Ha.

No Matt and Hailey updates.  One of these weeks I'm just going to send pictures of us and them at their baptism though. They're that close, even without being taught.

Pal is still good.  He couldn't come to church yesterday because he was working.  (He's a pharmacist.) But we're meeting with him tonight, and we're going to show him how to stop smoking.  By the way, I can totally coach people to not smoke now.  Cool eh?  So that'll be good, I hope he really goes for it.  I want him to get his answer so bad.

Other nationalities either flogged or cancelled.

We find people on the street most often.  We ride up to some one on our bikes and I say "Hello! How are you today?"  Most of the time they just stare at us until they're far enough to just say "Alright." and keep walking.  Some people stop, and give reasonable answers.  Then I say "We're the missionaries in Wolverhampton (or wherever I am at the moment (Willenhall, Wednesfield.. mostly Wolverhampton.)) and we're just out today asking people if they have a belief in God. Do you, sir?"  Then we get all kinds of answers and based on what they say we go from there.  Sometimes it's a "Hello sir!" "I'm busy." "Oh okay! Well, can we get your phone number so we can call you later?" Haha.  Sometimes it works.  You'd be surprised what information you can get when you surprise people.  I'm pretty sure I could steal everyone's identities if I needed to.

The weather is nicer.

I don't ever have sushi. I would have sushi, but there isn't any here.  Because they suck.

You did tell me that Julie is probably starting at Waterford, but I don't think I responded because I meet a lot of people that will probably call me sometime later.  Or probably would like to hear about God.  Probably doesn't really peak my interest anymore.  I'm a black or white kind of person these days.  I'd love to hear if she really does have the job.  You'd love that.

That was all the question marks. Now I'll address your statements.

Mom! I've been here a year now! Crazy!  This time last year we were at Tucanos! This time next year can we be there as well? In fact, as soon as I get off the plane can we go there? England doesn't know food.

But hey! Thursday is my year mark!  And yes. Things happen on year marks.  Elder Allred and I are going to get together and burn a shirt! Woo! (It's tradition.  6 Months: Burn a tie. 12 Months: Burn a shirt. 18 Months: Burn some trousers. 24 Months: Burn everything except what you're taking home.)  I didn't do the tie, and I wont be doing the trousers unless I have some ripped up ones. Which I might. I have a stained shirt that I'll be sending off this Thursday.  I think I'll probably go and get some Chicken Tikka meat with Garlic Mayo and Spici Chili sauce all over it from the chippy right by me as well.  Yum.

It's also Ange's birthday on Wednesday. That was a rough day a year ago.  If you get the chance, tell her Happy Birthday from me. (And probably you, too.)  I'm slowly getting more and more comfortable with my decision.  I still don't like it.  But I don't think I will, so I'm just getting over it.  That's all I have to say about that. 

I think it's funny how much you love Elder Dyches.  I've shaken his hand before.  Neener neener.

Did I tell you about Elder Toshira though?  Look up every one of his talks.  He is amazing.  He came and talked to us a couple weeks ago.  He's the European Area President, and he and his wife are pretty much the coolest.

Forgive Dad, it wasn't his fault.

This week was rough with the missionary work.  To be completely honest, we just were discouraged when we'd ride all the way out to some one's flat, and they weren't there, or they'd text us and cancel, then we have to go back to what we do for the rest of the day, which is find. And finding is pretty discouraging.  Probably one in four people talk to us, one in four of those stop and say more than three words and have a conversation with us, probably about 75% of those we make an appointment with, and of those, probably one in six hold the appointment, and then about 75% of those invite us back.  So we don't have super good odds, but it's about the best odds we have of all our finding, unfortunately.  So while you pray that I can find people to teach, will you also pray that I can overcome the discouragement?  Thanks Mom.

Peru will be so cool.  I'm way jealous.

You're right about Uncle Doug.  I was wrong.  (Soak it in.  This is the first time I've ever been wrong, and it'll probably be the last.)

I'm not as sure people even sort of care that I'm originally from England.  Thanks for the idea though!  I like hearing what you think people would like to hear.  Give me some more ideas!

The "Special Mission" that Hailey went on is pretty common over here.  They're called mini-missions and most eighteen year old boys go on one before they go on their real mission over here.  Basically they just go live with the missionaries in their ward for a week, and do missionary work.   It's fun.  I haven't got to do it with some one yet.  But maybe!

She'll go somewhere super cool though. I'm excited to hear where!

Does Jamey have an awesome beard still?

The divorce news is the best news.  I'm really glad that's final.  Is everything good with it? Tell me some details on it, please.

It sounds like your life is pretty good right now.  Keep it up.  Good lives are good.

Nigel.  He's the best car.  Not really, but he's super reliable, and I liked him a lot.  Sitting in the driver's seat of that car is like one of my most relaxed places in the entire world.  I miss driving a lot.  A lot a lot. Bikes are good, and my legs look really fit, but I want a car so dang bad.  Cars are the best things. I do love Nigel a lot.  How much did you sell him for? Ten dollars? Twenty?

That's basically my life right now.  I have the best present in the world for Eli.  Don't tell anyone, and sorry I'm just going to have to do it, cause it will make his whole life, but this kid in my ward showed me that you can buy one square foot of land in Scotland, and it gives you the title of Lord.  So he'll be Lord Eli of Sandy, or something like that.  He'll die.  I have to figure out when his birthday is though.  Cause I definitely have no idea.  I think it's in March sometime.  I email with his Dad every once in a while so I'll just ask him.

Anyways, I love you!

Have a grand week!

Love,

Elder Smart

Mother dearest,

I love you so much, let's start the letter off by saying that.

Then I have to say that our plans today were not very good, and because of that, I literally have 30 minutes total to do emailing.  Luckily everyone reads your email.

The week was very good, we found ten potentials, which is a little less than we needed for our one hundred potentials, but that means we just have to find three a day for the rest of the transfer.

Janet dropped us.  (Secretly, thank goodness.)

No time for pictures today, unless you only want three more words.

Yes, the letters from the Price family were wonderful, I'm hopefully going to write them back. 

The suit was not cleaned.  Sorry.

No Matt and Hailey.  Keep praying please!

Our solid potential right now is Pal.  He's the man.  We met with him last night, and one of his friends had tried to anti him.  He brought it all to us.  It was lame anti and we destroyed it, plus taught him the Plan of Salvation (Spirit World on, because we taught the first half a while ago.) Tonight we're seeing him again, and hopefully we'll be putting him on a baptismal date.  Pray really hard that he gets an answer that the Book of Mormon is true.

This transfer the zone leaders are doing challenges for us and giving us points if we complete them, the ones with the most points wins something.  I don't know what, but I want to win.  So far we're winning.  The first challenge was getting four potentials of four different nationalities.  We got six nationalities.  Boom.  England, India, South Africa, Nigeria, Czech Republic and another African that we didn't ask.  (So maybe just five nationalities.) Cool right?

I'm feeling a bit better this week.  Still have the sniffles, but that might be allergies.  I went to the doctor, he wasn't concerned.  I'm on low-grade antibiotics, and should be cured soon.

Weather is soo good.  No coat good.

Phil is stupid.  The Mama come thing broke my heart. Brooke should've kicked him in the nuts.

School/Work. Boooo.

DC sounds like it'll be fun.  I'm glad you're going.  I don't have any problems with you having a relationship.  As long as nobody tells me to call them Dad, I'll be just fine.

I feel way bad for Marti and Doug.  They lived in the best house in all the land.  I am currently having a moment of silence for it. But at the same time.. I guess they don't really need a mega house with a cultural hall if no one except Hailey lives there and she's going on a mission soon.  By the way keep me updated on that.  Maybe she'll come here! For her sake, I hope she goes to Japan like her dad though.  That's wayyy cooler than England.

Art!

Don't let Aaron cut down the lilacs.  They're my favorite, I think.

So much estrogen.

Give Alec my email!  He's the funnest! He's over in Alpine, Germany. Eli's address is elijah.webb@myldsmail.net.  I don't keep track of birthdays.  Eli's my best friend though.  I really like that kid.  His Dad wrote me a couple emails.  You should write him. He has a girlfriend (fiance.) (not really.) So he might not give you an awesome reply.

All in all, this week is a lot better, and is looking even better.  Pray especially for Pal, as well as Matt and Hailey.

I love you!

Love,

Elder Smart

Hey Mom,

Things are better.  Not quite good yet, but I have some good hopes for this week.  Elder Baker and I have been making some good goals for this transfer, and today is the first day of transfer nine.  Transfer nine is going to be really good.  Our goals are this:

At least one baptism this transfer.

Find 100 potential investigators.

Go by every less-active member and all the former investigators.

So that's going to be good.  I need some help, Mom-Prayer-Power usually does the trick.  These are pretty hefty goals as well.  We generally get about 30-40 potentials a transfer, so 100 is a lot, but still attainable.  Then, each ward over here has like eighty less actives, so that's a lot too, plus about the same number of former investigators.

This week was alright.  It was rock bottom, I think.  We only had finding to do every day, pretty much, and the appointments that we did have all flogged or cancelled.  So it was rough, and our numbers weren't so good, but this week we're going to do really well.  I have a lot of things I'm going to try and make happen this transfer.  It's going to be good.  

As for the suit.  Nah.  It really doesn't stink.  I'll get it cleaned when it does. I rarely wear it.  Church and district/zone meetings.  I have bought some good stuff though.  I bought some nice white shirts that actually fit me (I love you Mom, but English clothing is just better.), some good proselyting trousers and a really good looking sweater.  I'll send pictures of them when I have pictures of them.  So maybe never.  Again, I love you.

Sorry I forgot to tell Sister Chaproniere to Facebook you, I meant to, but the transfer information was a little too underwhelming to pass on to anyone.  Every one in my district stayed with the exception of one missionary, who went home.  But all is well in Wolverhampton.

No news on Ray.  Or Janet for that matter.  She kind of gave us the run-around on Friday, and I think it's only a matter of time before she drops us too.  We'll see.  She asked us to only use the Bible when we come over.  Which we definitely can.. but generally we get a little.. argumentative, if we can only use the Bible.  There's a lot of things in there that are up for interpretation, and we definitely use some of them.  I'm really grateful for modern revelation.  

Sooooooooo... There's not too much to report on this week.  I'll send a few more pictures.  What I will tell you is that I beat Elder Baker in pool today (like billiards pool), and the sun is out, and has been for like two days in a row now.  So I'm doing okay. Don't slack on those prayers though, I think they're the only thing keeping my chin above water.

I guess I haven't talked about anyone yet.

Pal is doing well.  We see him every Sunday night.  He cancelled with us last night, unfortunately, but said that he still wanted to keep meeting with us, so we're not too worried.  We're going to try and put him on a baptismal date the next time we see him.  

Ray and Janet are.. somewhere.

That family that I used to talk about.  They're still awesome.  And still impossible to get a meeting with.  We stopped by on Saturday afternoon and found Matt (the father in the family) with his little boy Sebastian cleaning out their garage, which also meant that Matt was running his motorcycle to get it going again for the Spring.  (He's only cool, I'm pretty sure.)  We started talking to him and apparently his friend that lives in Birmingham invited him out to General Conference, and he said that he'd go with his family.  Awesome.  Then he was like 'and Andy (the friend) told me to download the app, and me and Hailey (the wife) have been listening to it at night when the kids are in bed.'  We were like 'Cool! What app? Just the Gospel one?'  He was like 'Yeah, we've been listening to Nephi.  It's really really good! It's got a ton of good stories in it!"  Then showed us his phone, and he was on 1 Nephi 19.  They are so dang golden!  But so busy and hard to set a time with for an appointment, but he said he wanted to meet with us before conference, so we should be getting in soon.  Pray for that, because as soon as we do, they'll be baptized.  

On other notes.  I don't know how to do my hair anymore.  Some of my favorite food here is chicken tikka meat with "battered chips" aka deep fried potatoe slices with batter on them.  They're delicious and hard to find.  I say things like Uni, Rubbish, 'Can't be Bothered', and Mate now.  Also, I'm starting to keep a dream journal, as well as a few other steps.  I've heard that you can control your dreams.  It's called Lucid Dreaming, and I think that might be a step towards fulfilling my Patriarchal Blessing.

Also, I'm going to the doctor on Wednesday.  I still have a cold, and I finally called Sister Rasmussen.  I think I might have something stupid like Mono, cause I'm tired literally all of the time, I sleep like crap, and I don't remember the last time my nose wasn't either running or stuffed up.  And my cough is back.  Very slightly back, but still back.  Gayyyyyy.

So that's my life right now.

If you want to send me stuff in the mail, I love everything that comes through the postal system.  Also, I need Hillary's email.  There's something urgent I need to tell her.

Love,

Elder Smart

Hello Mother.

Well.  This week I've been.. anxious.  I know I got an answer from the Lord, so I'm still sticking to my guns, but ouch, Mom.  I don't like the thought of not writing her anymore.  Everything lovey dovey aside, she's absolutely my best friend.  So it's been hurting.  A lot.  There's been a large stone that's nestled itself at the bottom of my stomach, and when I don't keep a straight-jacket on my mind, it multiplies.  I can't even imagine what you went through with Dad.  Especially because you don't get to hear his side of the story, or see his response.  Ange's letter helped me a lot, I think.

But we've been trying.  Some days with more success than others.  Some days we just walk around in the rain and talk about the military and base jumping.  Others we really go out and tear it up.  To be fair, the rain has been lightening up a great deal.  And the sun stays up till almost six now!  It's amazing.  I still don't really believe it.  But it is March, and Spring is soon.  It's crazy to think that one year ago I was writing up my farewell talk.  That seems like an eternity ago, but at the same time, I can still remember it like yesterday.  I've recently deemed my life before the mission the "Pre-Existence".  It doesn't really feel like I actually existed before.  I'm so glad I did though.  I pity the people that have to stay in this country.

I guess you know my feelings about England.

Life will be good soon though.  I think.  I'm hoping that me and Elder Baker stay together, but I don't think I would be too disappointed with moving.  I think the outcome I want least is for Elder Baker to move somewhere, and for me to have to show the area to some one else.  But even that wouldn't be too bad.  I guess we'll see tonight though.  I'll have Sister Chaproniere Facebook you.  

We're teaching a pretty cool kid right now though.  His name is Pal.  Haha yeah, I know. Pal.  I think it might be short for something. But we assume he's about 20 or 21.  We haven't asked.  He's Indian descent, we think, but he was definitely born here.  He says Chewsday, and that's a pretty dead give away, on top of the brummy accent.  We've taught him twice now, and he's actually keeping the commitments we're leaving with him, so that's really good. He's formerly-Sikh, but he's done the whole Religious Education stuff that they make students learn here, so he knows about Jesus, and the Bible, but we're starting somewhat fresh with him.  I think I like that. 

As for Ray and Janet, we had an interesting week.  We got everything set up to bring this nice old lady from our ward that grew up Church of England and converted when she was in her 40's, so that they would have some one to relate to.  When we got there everything was fine, but Ray seemed a bit too.. energetic?  Something like that.  Riled up, as we found out a little later.  We sat down, and Ray got us all some juice as usual.  We had a prayer, and then I asked Ray what he thought about 2 Nephi 31, which was the chapter that we left with him the week before.  I guess that was a bad idea.  He sprang up and said "I can not stay here while you people talk about baptism!"  He went on to yell at us, especially the little old lady we brought, who wouldn't deny her testimony to him (obviously.)    He then went on to ask us if we believed in Jesus or baptism.  We tried to explain, but he stormed out of the room.  Janet ran after him (she had been same old bubbly kind Janet this whole time, by the way) and in the other room we heard him yelling about how we (including Janet) were all brainwashed and he couldn't believe that we would actually believe in baptism, after which, he came in, offended Sister Sherrat a bit more, and told us he'd like to stop meeting with us.  Janet was only apologetic, and told us that she wanted us to still visit her, if we would, but Ray was absolutely fuming.  I'd never seen him like that.  I think he must've been Anti-ed by some one throughout the week.  Or something.  I've never seen anyone get so upset over the fact that we believe (because Jesus clearly states that) you need to be baptized to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  No amount of explaining was going to work, and Sister Sherrat had had enough anyways, so we just left.  Ouch.

People are interesting.  

We're teaching this young Mom tomorrow too, so that should be pretty cool. We met her on the street, while she was pushing her baby daughter in a pram.  She seemed really nice.  She said she didn't know if she believed in God anymore, but wanted to raise her daughter in a community where good morals were important and in a place that she felt like she could make her own decisions.  She told us we could come over and teach her a little about our church.  I think it's going to go really well.  I'll update you next week.  

I think things are going to start looking up.  Next transfer, Elder Baker and I have already made a bunch of really good goals to get us going, and even if we get split, I think I'm going to take those goals into my next companionship.  I need something like that.

In response to your email, I do know what's happening in Ukraine.  It's awful.  I'll definitely keep Shayna in my prayers. 

The Queen/Eel thing makes no sense to me. 

 I have a Wolverhampton Wolves Kit (Jersey) that my Bishop in Tamworth gave to me, so apparently I'm a supporter.  Did I ever tell you that his whole family lives in the ward I'm in now?  They do, and they're as cool as he is.  I don't ever see him though, because he accepted a job at Church HQ in Germany, so he moved out there.  I get updates on him and his kids though.

Big River is pretty great.  That was the one that they made the stage into a river right?  I liked that one.

Do YW have new beginnings every couple months?  How many new beginnings do you get?  

I miss the temple a lot.  I can't wait to go home and get to go all the time.  You're lucky.  That's cool that you saw all those people again though.

You should go to AZ instead of cleaning the laundry room.  It's warmer there.

David Lee sounds cool.  I'll go to DC if you don't want to.

I'm hopefully going to buy a new suit today, probably not though, knowing me.  Of course I don't get my suit washed, that costs money. Aaaand I do definitely need some new shoes.  One pair of mine are falling apart, and the others stink.  Haha missionary life. Good stuff.

How did I know Adrienne would love that?  Because somehow we became the same person.  Don't ask how, cause I don't know. We still don't like each other though. Haha just kidding, maybe a little.  She'll only tell you that she wants to hit me with her car.

So that's my life.  I'll send some pictures finally.

I love you!

Love,

Elder Smart

Hey Momma,

I'm sorry this is going to be short.  I spent all the time I really had, which wasn't much, sending an email to Ange.  

That whole situation is all figured out I think.  This week I studied hard, prayed harder, and even fasted yesterday, and I got my answer.  I hated my answer, but I know it's what is best.

I'm sad that I don't get to reply to everyone today, but will you call each one of my sisters and tell them how much I love them?  You can just tell Brooke, you don't have to call her.  I have the best family in the entire world, Mom.  The entire world.  Each one of them knew just what to say to me, and did it in their own way.  I don't think there were better people on the whole Earth.  You did really well Mom. We have the absolute best family. 

Granddad's letter didn't get to me until today, and that was for a reason as well.  Today is when I needed to hear those words from him.

Even Dad has helped me out today.  

And Mom. I love you so much.  You know me inside and out.  I was sent to you for a reason.  I'm so happy that I was, too.  My patriarchal blessing had to have been right.  I was absolutely begging Father to come be part of this family, and I'm so glad he let me.  He knew that you and Dad were the right ones to raise me.  He knew that you'd be the best mother and that Dad would be the best Father to me that I could have.  I'm so grateful to be a part of our family.  Even if I had to wait a little longer to be part of it.  Haha I'm stubborn now, and I think I was stubborn then.  That's why I had to yell at you from up there.  I needed you. I think I always will.

God is amazing.

My answer about Ange came through this video yesterday.  We watched it in Gospel Principles, and I had been fasting and praying all day and studying and praying all week about her.  The Church is true, we have a Prophet on Earth today, and God has called Apostles to teach us his ways.  I have a testimony of that.

Here's the video.

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages#the-will-of-god

In terms of missionary work.  Things are taking off.  Elder Baker and I are doing really well, like I knew we would.  Transfers are a week from Wednesday and I really really hope we stay together.  We've met at least one person every day that has invited us back to hear about the Gospel.  They're really cool people, too, but I'm sorry Mom.  I don't have time to write much this week, so I'll save it for next week.  You would be more mad at me for putting off getting a haircut another week.  I need one pretty bad.  Same with Elder Baker.

So in answer to at least one of your questions.  Luckily there hasn't been too much water falling from the sky this week, but it's been raining pretty hard.  The good news is that Heavenly Father knows that there's sun up ahead, and I know I can trust Him.

Heavenly Father has taught me quite a bit this week, and I'm eternally grateful for those lessons.

I love you Mom.

Love,

Elder Smart