Week 18, ( Sept 19, 2016 )

Last picture with Hermana Chiguano! 

With Hermano Miguel (our ward mission leader) and Hermana Haro my new Companion

My new companion Hermana Haro from Mexico

The circus is in town and is right in front of our house. They sing Frozen songs as we go to sleep ... but really loudly. 

Week 18! 
Wow this week has been crazy.  First, I said goodbye to my mission mom and trainer Hna Chiguano and I got a new companion! I am staying in the area, so that means I am leading the area Canto Rey, which is hard sometimes but somehow we always get to where we need to be. My new companion is Hermana Haro from Mexico! She is 21 and has been in the mission for 16 months so she knows a lot! She also speaks very very little English so we speak in Spanish. Hna Chiguano new actually quite a lot of English so we spoke a lot of English which I am actually greatful for when I didnt know hardly any Spanish, but now it is good because I have to really think in Spanish! It will help me learn the language faster.  My companion is awesome and a really hard worker. I am definetly a lot more busy with Hna Haro which I love. Although sometimes it is tiring.  I feel like my Spanish grew more somehow and I have been praying to learn the language faster with the gift of tongues and this week I feel like my prayer was anwsered. I still dont know every word and use the dictionary, but during lessons and just talking with my comp I can comunicate! It is actually pretty exciting and even though I still have a lot to learn with the language and practice more to be a better teacher, I can kind of do it now.  

Well if you remember the 15 year old girl who was pregnant, well she had her baby! And on Friday we taught her for the 2nd time and on Sunday she came to church with her mom! We also have been teaching the Young Mens Presidents nephew and it is amaizng that the people here actually want to listen.  I mean when we remain worthy, obedient and stive for the spirit, the spirit truly is the teacher. We really do have a front row seat to peoples conversion and how God plays a role in their lives.  

I know this church is true and I know with out a doubt God has a plan in store for me and he wants me here! I love the people here and know that everything will be ok. Trust in the Lord and continue to pray in faith and God will not lead you astray!

I love you all!

Love, Hermana Smoot

Week 17 (Sept. 12, 2016)

Edith (convert) got a pet bunny and its adorable!

Erica and her two daughters

With Celeste - She's 20, investigating and is super cool.

Hno Miguel, the ward mission leader and convert of 2 years, and his brother who just started investing the church! 

Anonio and Sara bought Surri which are WORMS that they fry and eat. We didn't eat them but we had to take a picture. So gross.

Hola!

This week was my last week of training which is kind of scary because that means this next week I will have more responsibilities and be a normal missionary! But I know that even though it will be scary or stressful, I can do it. Only with the help of Heavenly Father to calm my nerves.  We haven't found out our new transfers yet but will do so today! But I will most likely stay here in Canto Rey (My zone is Canto Grande) and my comp Hna Chiguano will go. She has been here 6 months. 

On Monday for Pday we went to Plaza Norte again! It is the big mall and it was fun to walk around with the other sisters.

Also 2 weeks ago I contacted this mom Erica and her 2 daughters (ages 10 and 12) in the street and we finally taught them 1 time on Saturday. Well, we invited them to come to church and on Sunday about 40 min past, they CAME!!! I was so excited and happy for them. Usually, the people say yes and then don't come so it was so amazing when they actually came! They seemed to really enjoy it and so I am excited to see what happens.

I know that even though I may experience ups and downs, it is all part of the learning process. When I get down I just need to get rid of "Thoughts from Satan" as Hna Prado from Colorado in my zone put it. Because really they are just thoughts that Satan puts in your head. He is working hard but God is working harder.  I love this Gospel and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here! I know this church is true and I know this gospel is true! I am learning something new every day and this gospel really is so amazing.

I love you all! 

Love, 

Hna Smoot

Week 16 (Sept. 5, 2016)

Hola de Peru!

First off, I finally took a picture with the local llama Pepe. She is in the gated park and is kind of like the neighborhood pet. So crazy and fun.  Also, we started teaching Emilio, Sara, and Antonio´s son! who is about 21.  It is so exciting what the gospel can do. Also as we continue to teach Antonio I can see how the gospel has affected his life and he seems so much more happy and has the light of christ in his eyes. So amazing.

Well, this week I made some progress with the language, the lessons, everything but only slightly.  I can feel Heavenly Father´s helping hand in my life and have  faith everything will work out.  I fasted this week and last week and last Tuesday my Zone Leaders had a meeting with us and told me that for the last 2 weeks of my training I would be in charge of EVERYTHING. I began to panic a little because honestly, I don't know what I'm doing. But everything went ok.  I realized that sometimes the only true way you can learn is by learning the hard way which my whole life I have always tried to avoid.  So as I am learning how to do things by messing up, feeling down, then fixing them and feeling better, through patience and prayer I have faith I will be able to do this.  God wants me here so I know he will provide a way.  It's kind of like right now I am in a deep river, swimming upstream. It's difficult but if I stop moving I will go down stream and I don't know what is at the end, but I know Heavenly Father has something grand in store for me and for each and every one of us. So, for now, I keep enduring and keep swimming. ¨Just keep swimming¨ as Dorry puts it.  One lesson this week was with a recent convert of almost a year who is 10 years old.  I was in charge of starting etc and it was on Service.  I was nervous but just kept breathing and as I shared, my Spanish wasn't perfect, but it was better than the time before.  I had studied this in English so I knew what to say and I was able to give the lesson!  It was amazing.  I know this church is true and I know heavenly father loves and knows each and every one of us!

Love you all!

Love, Hna Smoot

**This was Aunt Kim's response this week to Meg's Letter. Thanks Kim for this insight and for your love. 

Sister Smoot's quote applies to every single one of us that ever done anything hard or worthwhile: "I was nervous but just kept breathing."

And then she shared her message in Spanish, "it wasn't perfect, but better than the time before."

(Wow. So much wisdom and humility in that beautiful girl.)

THANK YOU for sharing, breathing, and keeping us all on track, Sister Smoot!!

Everything you write, applies to us here at home. I'm scared and nervous too, every time I'm asked, or volunteer, to do something hard. But now I'm just going to think of your sweet message and keep breathing and even if it's not perfect, maybe it's better than the time before! I love you! We are praying for you!!

Aunt Kim and everyone❣

Pepe the Llama! I love Peru! 

Add caption

This week we tried this... Not sure what it is called or what bird it caomes from but it's a baby hard boiled egg. A chicken egg is on the right. 

This is a cool fruit we got for breakfast. Not sure what it is called but you only eat the seeds. So cool. 

Week 15 (Aug. 29, 2016)

HOLA de Peru!

Well, this week was interesting as always. On Pday we played basketball and soccer as a zone which was really fun and we will do the same today. It's just on the little basketball cement court at the church.

Then every Monday and Wednesday night the Family History Hermanas in the mission, there are 2 sets, come to our zone. 1 companionship is in my zone. So we went with some investigators, and one Hermana had to go teach a lesson in the other room and asked if I could help enter names for another investigator.  I knew how to from before my mission but not in Spanish. So my comp helped me with the Spanish and I navigated and we entered in the names.  It was so much fun. I forgot how amazing Family History work and familiysearch.org is and how fun it can be! 

I also tried an empanada and they are actually really good! I also forgot to mention 2 things before. First, before my mission, I didn't like herbal tea, and now I do. Second, before my mission I had never consumed my own cup of soda with caffeine only a sip from others, and well, they serve it here. So I have officially drunk Coke with sugar and caffeine which is actually not bad and Inca Cola which is Peruvian coke that is yellow.  I still don't like soda or caffeine and it hurts my head a little and makes my stomach feel weird, but you have to drink it when they give it to you or else it is rude. 

On Monday I also finished rereading His Grace is Sufficient and realized that nobodys opinion matters except Gods. So if my comp gets frustrated that I don't know something or I get frustrated with the language, it doesn't matter. Because as long as I keep trying. God does NOT expect me to be perfect, but he expects me to keep trying and to keep working. And if I mess up then that's ok. I just have to learn from my mistakes and keep pushing forward. If I just have to keep trying and never give up. Even though I am scared for when my comp leaves and I am expected to navigate the area and know all these things, I am just going to keep pushing along and pray that I can do this.  I also realized that a lot of times I was scared to mess up, but that is how we learn. It's like the quote from one of my favorite movies before the mission. :) "Don't let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game." Yes, that is definitely from A Cinderella Story. But it's true.  I just have to keep playing the game and with enough practice. I will get it. It's just really hard.

I also fasted yesterday for everything that I could have confidence in myself and that I will be able to learn the language quickly and just everything and I have found a lot of peace.  

I love this gospel so much and I know it is true!!! I know that everything will be ok.  It will just take some time. So for now, I will keep enduring until enduring becomes easier.  I know without a doubt I am supposed to be here and I know heavenly father loves me and you and everyone so much.

I love you all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

Love, Hna Smoot

In the Stake Center for Family History at the computers with Antonio and Sara.

I had another work visit with Hna Adams the other Gringa and my sister trainer leader and we caught a butterfly!

For service on Wednesday night this week, we went and helped a less active with cooking. I think she owns a small business but it was so much fun to bake agian. 

My companion Hna Chiguano and I

SaveSave

Week 14 (Aug. 22, 2016)

Hola Familia y Amigos!

First off, I love you all and I am so greatful for all your amazing examples to me!  This week we taught a reference that lived in the Hills. Which I didnt even know was part of my area which I thought was all flat. But like in pictures you have probably seen we climbed the hill and then lots of stairs and got to Belma´s house. Then after teaching her a couple of times she said she got a job that is on sundays so she cant come to church. she went once last week.  But I know one day hopefully she will come to know that this church is true.

I also ate DUCK this week at a members house for lunch. Thats a new one. and it didnt taste bad but it was just wierd because its duck.

We also went to Plasa Norte for Pday again which is the big mall an hour away with our zone. It was fun to window shop but I didnt buy anything.

This week was very interesting and as I continue on I am learning a lot. Not only the language, the lessons and docterine, but also also about myself.  I was having a hard time with everything, which dont worry, but I knew that I would eventually be able to learn this language and learn everything but I was being impatient and just kept thinking WHEN? Then my companion found this quote that really helped me but I forgot it at my house, but it goes something like this:  "It will all work out, Its not as bad as you think it is. Just keep praying, keep pressing forward in faith  and the lord will hear your prayers." It was longer but that is the basics of it.  And it is right.  Also so many times this week during personal study there were scriptures about this same concept. and I cant remember where but it says "all things are possible which are expiedent of me" And its true. I just have to keep enduring and keep pressing forward with faith because I know one day I will be able to speak this language and teach with confidence. I dont know when and I dont know how but I know everything will be ok.

I know the book of mormon is true and that this gospel and church are true!! I know God hears our prayers and loves each and every one of us very much! 

I love you all!

Love, Hna Smoot

Hey Lilly! I found PADDINGTON in Peru! (in Plaza Norte)

In the hills with Belma!

We we are with Hna Edith. She is so awesome. She is a convert of about 10 months.

Here we are with our ward mission leader. He is a clown but also a mechanical Engineer, so he came over after a gig to take pictures with us. 

This is a MOTO which is how we get around in the city. A member drives this for  his job so he let us take a photo. We usually of course sit in the back!

Week 13 (Aug 15, 2016)

Hello from Peru!

This week was interesting with again, ups and downs, but its all part of the learning process. I am learning more about patience and charity and praying for both and its amazing as we earnestly pray for something, with real intent, God blesses us.  And as I prayed my atitude changed.  A positive atitude is the key! Actitud Positivo!

Last week for Pday we got to watch another aproved from president Disney movie! And guess what we watched! FINDING DORY!! Except it was in Spanish with no subtitles this time, so I will definetly need to rewatch it when I get home. 

I also tried Gollo, which if you remember those fighting chickens from that one members house, its that. Its like chicken but for some reason it was dark brown and really hard to chew.. not really sure.

My spanish is still mas or menos but I can almost say what I would like to say in lessons. Its really simple and some words I stumble over or dont know but with more practice and more studying, I will be able to expand my vocabulary and speak hopefully more smoothly.

On Thursday we went to the Doctor, finally, for my companion.  She has had a really bad cold with a stuffy nose, runny nose, sneazing, etc for about 3 months.  Which is a really long time and nothing has worked. We thought she had a sinus infection, but the doctor put a long camera up  her nose and it might be a tumor in her sinus. We dont know. She is taking more medicine. But on the way to the hospital, we were waiting for a certain bus that would go to that area, because we had just missed the first one, and as bus after bus passed, none of them were it.  We waited for 15 min and still nothing.  I finally said a prayer, praying we could be on time to the appointment and the bus could come, and not a minute later the bus pulled up and the light turned red and we ran to it. The busses dont really stop here.  It was truly an anwser to prayer and made my eyes water.  

I love this gospel so much and I am so greatful for the opportunity to be here and spread the gospel! The people here are amazing! I know the church is true and the book of mormon is true! I know that god loves and knows each one of us!

Love you all!

Hna Smoot

THREE MONTH MARK TODAY! My comp gave me this!  

An RM came back to the mission to visit and gave us some candy from the US! It made me so happy! 

I finally got myself scripture cases! They were only like $4 each!

At a recent converts house of about 10 months. She not in the pict but the Hermano is the ward mission leader. The rest of us are missionaries.

Week 12 (Aug. 8, 2106)

Hello!

This week was full of ups and downs but its all part of the growing process so don´t worry. I think it was on Tuesday or Wednesday, but during companion study we were doing practices and I just could not get the language or what I was supposed to do. So I was really down. And later I was talking with my zone leader (from utah so he speaks english) and he said to read in PMG Christ like attributes and read Patience. So I did and I relized that I needed to be more patient with myself and with the whole learning process.  I know that I have the potential to be a good missionary, but for now I just have to be patient with myself and trust in Gods timing. I also relized that I was not getting spiritual food from the book of mormon because my world is in spanish and I dont understand spanish completly. And so because I wasnt reading it in English the spirit wasnt really with me.  So this week I started reading the Book of mormon in English for 5 minutes at the end so I could at least get a little out of what I was reading, and honestly, I could feel a difference. I love the BoM and know it is true!! 

I really do love it here and love all the people. They are truly amazing. We have one investigator Liz, who is a college student and her best friend is a less active.  She has come to church the past 3 weeks! and she has a date set for her baptism and I am so excited! 

We also teaching this family and they came to church and they have a 6 year old and a 3 year old and so when we sat next to them at church it reminded me of lilly and made me so happy. The kids here are so adorable!

I know without a doubt I am supposed to be here and that the lord will help me with all my doings. I am so greatful for all of you and your love and support! I know this church is TRUE!!

Love, Hna Smoot

ME AND MY COMP

EATING AT KFC!! LAST DISTRICT PICTURE! 

Week 11 (Aug 1, 2016) Sara got baptized, Lamb head soup, Visa!

This week was my first CAMBIOS!! (transfers) Well today we found out and then tomoorrow it all changes. It is also the first cambios with our new president so no one new what was going to happen. Luckily, me and my companion Hna Chiguano are not being transfered so she will finish my training!

On Tuesday we woke up at 3:45 am to be at the mission offices at 5:45 am which is really far away by taxi. Then with Hna Richardson, my comp from the CCM! and 2 other Latino Elders, we went to immigrations. And so I finally got my VISA!!! Yay! And then afterwords for lunch I dont know who decided, but we went to MCDONALDS.  I have not eaten there since 7th or 8th grade (besides their icecream) and so because there was no where else to eat, I ate there! I got a chicken sandwhich and it tasted like Wendys. but I took a pic because it actually a big accomplishment for me haha.  What is this world coming to.  

Tuesday afternoon we had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders and Hna Chiguano went to there area and Hna Adams from Utah came to my area and I had to direct where we were going and who we were going to and I prayed really hard before and even though some appointments fell through, everything went okay. We street contacted a lot. It was fun to do a 24 hr. exchange and have a "sleep over" with another Gringa! She has 3 months left and so she gave me lots of good tips.  

One lesson we had was with a family who was a reference from a member Jordon, a 21 year old who just got his mission call to Ecuador and is the only member in his family! Truly amazing. We taught his sister in law and his brother. They have 2 little girls ages 3 and 5. so cute. Reminded me of Lilly! But Hna Adams invited them to be baptized and they said yes! (second lesson) The spirit was so stong and it made me so happy! I hope everything works out. 

On Thursday as part of our lunch we got this soup called (in Spanish) Head of Lamb Soup. And so there was a piece of lamb head in my soup and I the broth and tried the meat but just could not finish it. My companion was in the same boat and so we put both pieces in one bowl and put the empty bowl on top. We are terrible. I know. :) Oh I also ate pig liver which looked like beef but it wasnt. with really good pasta with creamish orange colored sauce, so the spegetti was good, but liver not so much. Lunch is always a suprise.

On Saturday Sara, Antonios wife who we baptized at the end of last month and married them,  got BAPTIZED!!  It was my first convert I taught from the beginning and I am so excited for them. Antonio is preparing to recieve the priesthood!! They live with there daughter, niece, and a couple other people in a house with dirt floors and half a roof.  They dont have much but it is amazing the sacrifices people make for the true gospel of Jesus Christ! 

I know this church is true and I am so greatful for the opportunity I have to be here. and for all your love and support.  I know without a doubt I am supposed to be here. Be greatful for all you have. Seriously. That doesnt mean you have to give up what you love, but recognize Gods hand in your live and all he has given you. Count your many blessings every day!

I love you all!

Love, Hna Smoot

Week 10 (July, 25 2016)

Wow I cant believe its been 10 weeks. So crazy. As the days go on and the weeks go by I am learning more everyday, but have much more to learn and grow into the missionary I want to become.  The language is still hard, but I have the hang of enough I can (with a little help from my companion) say a little of what I want to say in the lessons. Next week is transfers! And so if my companion, Hna Chiguano, goes (and there is a chance she might) then I will just have to pray. A lot. because she is awsome. but change is good, its how we grow.  I know heavenly father will help me regardless if I have faith and put faith into action. 

Last week for Pday we went to CENTRAL LIMA!!! Which was so cool!! We first went to the big massive futbol stadium here in Lima.  kind of under and to the side of the stadium is a huge boxing ring, like in Rocky.  It was the first time I have seen one in real life and one of our zone leaders, Elder Von Gunten, baptized one of the managers there a while back so we got a free tour of the stadium and so they had 2 boxers come out and box for us. It was so cool. Then the next part of the stadium was a national Ping Pong area. And then the stadium. We got to go out by the field and sit where the players wait and stuff and it was so huge! It was a lot of fun. (lots of pics). Then we went ot the mall and we ate at Subway! It was pretty much the same but slightly different. There were also huge ancient buildings we saw that the catholics built a while back and it reminded me a lot of europe.

This past week I also, as part of my training, watch a ton of "The District" training videos, and it got me really motivated to be a preach my gospel missionary.  It can be frustrating sometimes when I want to be some amazing missionary, but dont know how.  This is where I am practicing my patience and the lord is humbling me so I can learn and grow. but things are going good.

Last week I forgot to mention, but I felt my first EARTHQUAKE!! it was really small so they say its just a "temblor" or like a small vibration. It was actually really cool. We were standing out side at like 6 pm and we felt it.

We also continue to teach lots of people and we had a reference of a member for the university, and we taught in the church Liz, and her best friend (the member). The second lesson, we taught with 2 elders there and they looked at me and said in english, "invite her to me baptized", and so for the first time in real life, I invited her to be baptized and she said yes! It was so amazing. And then they both came to church on Sunday! Also Antonio's (who we baptized and married, with a crutch) wife Sara is getting baptized at the end of the month! It is all so exciting and I am so happy for them. They want to be sealed in the temple in a year.

I know this gospel and this church ish true and I know that heavenly father hears and anwsers our prayers! I know the Book of Mormon is true and that god loves and knows each one of us. I am so glad I am here and even though the language is hard sometimes, I know heavenly father will and is helping me learn it.  I love you all! Thank you for all your love and support!

Love,

Hermana Smoot 

Week 9 (July 19, 2016) P-day in Central Lima-I tried Tocosh, and Molleja!

Hello family and friends! 

This week our Pday was changed to tuesday because we are going to Central Lima today! But last week we went to the big mall Plaza Norte as a Zone and ate at Chiles! it was great. The mall was almost exactly like the states and even had an H&M! 

On Wednesday we had service! and for our service project we painted the living room walls of a less active.  It was actually a lot of fun and I always love big service projects like that. Before the service project, my district made me and this other new elder to try Tocosh. Look it up cant I cant explain it but its basically a drink smoothie thing that is made from rotten potatoes.  It was so gross but its all part of the experience. haha Oh and on Sunday I tried Molleja which is the red flappy part on the neck of the chicken grilled. again super wierd, but different.  They eat literally the entire chicken but the bones. even the feet.  lets just say I am still getting used to the food here. and the amount they give you... which I found out it is rude to not eat everything, so I always try. 

On thursday we had interviews with the new Mission President, President Godfrey. He is amazing and I am excited to see what happens in the future. He served his mission in Venezuala and understands us and was really helpful.  We also had clean checks which our apartment was dirty when I got there and didnt even relize it could get so clean! I forgot to take a pic, so I will this week.  

My spanish is getting better but i wish I was picking it up faster than I am, but this week I relized that I need to set better goals for my self and figure out how to take everything one step at a time.  There is so much I have to learn, but first I need to learn how to organize everything so I can learn it. It can be frustrating when I cant understand people when it is important but my companion is amazing and patient with me.

I am learning so much and the holy ghost is amazing. Heavenly Father anwsers prayers in amazing ways. Satan knows exactly how to tempt you and push your buttons, but heavenly father is stronger. Hold to the rod and he will guide you on the right path! I love the people here so much and I love the gospel! I know the church is true! Thank you for all your love and support! 

I love you all!

Love Hna Smoot

We we able to eat at CHILES! Yum! 

FUN AT THE MALL! 

AFTER OUR DISTRICT MEETING...I LOOK LIKE A GHOST COMPARED TO ALL THESE LATINOS ;)

Week 8 (July 11, 2016)

Hna Chicano, my companion

Hola Everyone!

Wow yesterday marked 2 months in the mission and tomorrow is 3 weeks in the field! Time is flying by yet going slowly at the same time. I dont even know. My companion gave me a card she made and some chocolate congradulating me.  She is so cute.

Last week for pday as a zone, after getting it approved, we watched Disneys BUGS LIFE!!! In spanish with English Subtitles. It made me so happy, especially since it was the 4th of July! Nothing really happened for the 4th of July, as expected, the other American Sister did where red and white and stripes. It was great. I hope you all celebrated and had fun. It just made me really greatful for our country and for everything in my life.

On Tuesday we had exchanges with our awesome Sister Training Leaders. I went with  Hna Adams (american) and Hna Ricconi, and then Hna Samudio (they are a trio) went with my companion in my place.  This was the first of Im sure many, but I slepted over at there apartment and everything. I actually really enjoyed being in a different place for a change even though its a little overwhelming at times learning everything, and its definetly a work in progress, but our STLs are amazing.  I shared my testimony with an investigator who didnt have time for us to come inside and teach her so we shared a scripture with her. and she was really closed off and then when I bore my testimony her body language changed and her heart was softened. It was so amazing.  I guess I really can make a difference.

Spanish... my spanish is also a work in progress, but I feel like I am almost to the point where I am "functional" which is where I was supposed to be as I left the MTC, which I wasnt, so I went back to the beginning of the MTC book and relearned everything like the different congegations of have, should, can, need, etc. Which it helped a TON.  

I have also been praying not only for the gift of tongues, but for the interpretation of tongues, because when I first got here, I had no idea what everyone was saying. but within this past week, I have been able to understand, only in the lessons which I thought was interesting, but I could understand, not completly but enough.  Truly amazing and definetly help from God.  

We are teaching so many people.  Yesterday a recent convert of about 6 months called us and so we went to this house and tought this girl who is 15, PREGNANT, and living with her recently 18 inactive boyfriend.  All I could think of was McKenna is 15!  But as we taught she seemed interesting and I hope she can feel gods love for her!

I love the people here so much!! I know this church is true with all my heart! I know god workd in amazing ways and you can always pray to him for help, guidance, comfort, peace, etc.  And if you are doing good, pray and thank him for all you have!! He is one of my best friends! He is waiting for you.

I know with out a doubt I am supposed to be here and I know He will provide a way for me to learn what I need to learn and do what I need to do to teach His gospel and bring others unto Christ.  I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!!

Love, Hermana Smoot

A hermano in our ward leaving for the Provo MTC!  His mission is the Pocatello Idaho mission!! So exciting. We basically are switching places.

Our view from our apartment. There are mountains behind that pollution and there is the radom soccer field of cement. 

Papa Johns

SaveSave

Week 7 (July 4,2016)

Wow! This week has gone by faster than the last! The language is still a struggle bus, but poco a poco, little by little.

First off, HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!! Its so exciting even though Im in another country who doesnt celebrate and only the other american missionaries get it, but I am wearing red white and blue today! And I decorated the page in my planner.

The best I could do for my 4th of July outfit! 

On Monday we got a phone call saying our water was going to get turned off in our area for 5 days!! but tuesday came and we still had water! Then Wednesday, the water stopped working! Then Thursday it came back on! I dont really know what will happen but if it does I just keep thinking Girls Camp and hope for the best. :) 

Wednesay we had a SERVICE PROJECT!!! We went to a members house which was tall and skinny and ended up being 5 stories tall! the first 2 floors were his house, then the 3rd and 4th floors were a T shirt Factory! We ended up using tag guns and put the paper tags with barcode on the tshirts! it was so cool. The cloth tags were in English so I dont know if they were being sold to tourists or going to the states but the cloth tag said 'These were baked espesially for you!' it was so funny. Then afterwords he brought us to the 5th floor and I walked in to a huge room full of chickens in cages!  Then to the right there was an octogon ring! They were wrestling chickens! So crazy! My companion held one of the adults but i was too 'chicken' (haha so punny) and just held one of the baby chicks. We got to see 2 wrestle and it was so weird and crazy! haha

Thursday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLY!! We went to meet our new mission president, President Godfrey who served his mission in Venezuala and his wife started learning spanish in January so she is still learning. They seem like amazing people and they brought 3 of there 5 kids here, ages 12 boy, 15 boy, and 17 girl. So exciting and crazy.

Friday we had another BAPTISM!! A lot smaller croud being only his immidiate family but Epson, a ten year old boy who's mom and 2 sisters are members. Like the others, I only thougt him about 3 times, but I was still so happy and excited for him! We cleaned the font before because it smelled really wierd and it was totally worth the smile on his face as he came out of the water! Gods work is amazing work! I love this gospel so much and hope one day I will be able to be fluent in the language, know the lessons well and just focus on inviting others to come unto christ!

Saturday after we started our fast after lunch (thier biggest meal) one of the zone leaders, Elder Von, from utah so he spoke English! came to teach with us with Hno Miguel, a member, as his companion. After one of the lessons the recent convert from last week, Antonio gave Elder Von a wierd juice smoothie type drink to try and after he drank it Antonio motioned for me to try it. I was hesitant and looked at Elder Von who said in English in a whisper, just drink it, so we wouldnt offend him, so I took a sip and at first it was ok and then the after taste was really bad. my companion took a sip and then said in spanish something of the sort, Oh my gosh its FERMENTED! So I drank a fermented drink almost threw up on the way to the next appointment. ... the adventures of the mission.  AND we forgot we were fasting so I could have gotten out of it! 

Anyways, At the end of almost every lesson my companion motions to me and I have the opportunity to testify in the little spanish I know, but as I do my testimony grows and hopeful the people we teach as well.  I know this church is true and that the book of mormon is true! I love this gospel and I know heavenly father loves and knows each one of us perfectly and personally! I love the people here and know without a doubt I am supposed to be here! I love you all and hope you have a fantastic holiday and week!

Love, Hna Smoot

Week 6 June 27, 2016 First week out in the field in LIMA!

FIRST DAY IN THE FIELD

AT THE CCM WITH THE HERMANAS

The wedding! 

Me with The Mission Presidents who are leaving soon! Ericksons

MY DISTRICT

The Baptisms! 

THIS AMAZING CUTE FAMILY ARE RECENT CONVERTS. SO CUTE! THE PEOPLE DON'T SMILE IN PICTURES AND I DON'T KNOW WHY! HAHA

Oh my goodness! First week in the field and I relized that I dont know like any Spanish. But poco a poco - little by little - I will learn. My new companion is Hna Chiguano and is amazing!! She is from Ecuador and knows a little english so we are teaching each other, but she knows enough to tell me what is going on haha. The days are long and I am still getting used to everything here but the families and people we teach are truly amazing! I love them already! Some of them are so funny and even though we can really talk, they still make me smile and laugh! And the kids here are so adorable!!

In my district, I am the only american aka Gringa but in our zone made up of us and another district, there are 2 elders and a sister who speaks english. So thats fun. I love my zone though they are so fun! a couple times a week we wake up at 6 and play futbol in the morning together! They have random soccer fields here kinda like the basketball courts back home except instead of hoops they have goals, but its all cement.  its so much fun and its good to refresh the little skills from when I used to play.  

On Friday our mission held a big wedding cerimony for people who cant get baptized without getting married do to law of chastity. but it was in a chapel and 16 couples got married!! it was crazy! and amazing. And then on saturday, 3 of our investigators got baptized!!! Even though I wasnt the one who found them and I only kinda tought each of them twice, I was still so happy for them! One of them was one of the people who got married! So exciting. 

President Erickson leaves this week and its weird because i just met him and now hes leaving! haha but I am excited to meet the new president.

Food. For breakfast we have a pensionista who makes food at her house and then brings it over in the morings. Usually a sandwich/role with jam or meat or like this morning, AVOCADO!! YUM. and then a warm drink like milk or some sort of herbal tea in a class bottle.

For lunch we go to a members house for a huge meal, which is sometimes interesting and im still getting used to the food, but President said we are aloud to not eat it all because they dont want us to be sick so I can just eat till im good and not overstuff myself like in allys mission, right? haha anyway

then for Dinner, well its not really a thing. I bought some granola bars and so I eat that at like 9 or 9 30 at night but because luch is so big we are usually set. haha so crazy. but sometimes we do get a tiny dinner from a member or something.

Well the field is really different from the MTC with room temp water and dogs and dirt, but the toilets work but yes, you do have to throw most of the toilet paper in the garbage. gross but its the only way to not clog the toilet. 

I love you all so much and I am so greatful to be here!! I will keep learning and growing.  I know this church is true!!! 

LOVE, Hna Smoot