Week 29 (December 5, 2016)

The Peruvian Hills

Helping Hands

Hello family and friends!

This week was the last week in the transfer, and tonigt we find out whats going to happen.  But we have faith that what ever happens is from a very inspired mission president, and all will be well.  

This week was a pretty normal week.  On Thursday we did a big service project for the World Service Day thats on mormon.org for the 25 days til christmas, and we wore the Mormon Helping Hands shirts (which I have wanted to wear all my life haha) and helped move a huge pile of dirt out of the way by buckets for safety. If there was an earthquake the dirt would fall and block the door of the house.  It was so much fun and I encourage all you to look for opportunities to serve others around you! Ashley Foote, my 12 year old nieghbor sent me a letter this week saying she found the joy in serving others like making cookies for her bus driver.  The service doesnt have to be big, but if we put ourselves in the service of our fellow beings, we are in the service of our god! as the scripture goes. I promise that your lives will be filled with so much peace and happiness as you do so! 

Our area has been really slow. We are working hard, but no one has been progressing. But this week Jose Montalvan, about 60 years old, came to church!! And when we taught him he brought his son to listen to! And now they are both really interested in the church! and he said he had prayed and knows that the Book of Mormon is true!! Our area has not had a baptism in 3 transfers, but we have been fasting and praying for our area, and so we hope he will make it to the waters of baptism and recieve salvation!  Its crazy to think sometimes that we are the instrument in saving someones lives! Not just full time missionaries, but every member of the church, when they are baptized, covenants to share the gospel!! 

I am so happy here!! My comp always says, ''Estoy Muy Feliz!!'' or in English, ''I am very Happy!!'' and it is true. I love her attitude, so now we say Estamos muy feliz!! or WE are really happy!!  Life doesnt have to be depressing or hard all the time. Yes there may be hard moments and hard times, but as we continue to serve others and love others, we can find and search for the JOY in life and be happy!! Count your many blessing!!

I love you all and I am so very greatful for this opportunity to be here!! I love being a missionary. Yes it may be stressful, uncomfortable at times and very tiring, but I am so very happy!!  I know this gospel is true and that the book of mormon is true!!  and am so greatful for them!

Love, Hna Smoot