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