Week 45 (March 27, 2017)

Temple!

French Toast with nutella and 20 soles peanut butter that was from the sister before me!

Happy Birthday!

Well, this week was a better week for sure. On wednesday we headed off to the temple!! 2nd time in the mission (except for the MTC) and it was absolutely amazing! We went with 2 sisters in the ward (who are literally twin sisters haha) and a Brother who owns a taxi. So we went by taxi this time. I did the session in English again because I wanted to. and it was absolutely amazing. I could feel the spirit so strong and I love the temple so much!! If you havent been this month, GO! You will be blessed more than you know!!

Also friday was my BIRTHDAY!! My first and only in my mission, and although it was still a good one, it was VERY different than like home.  I made french toast for bfast, and ate it with the nutella my mom sent me. Yum. and then lunch was with the family Herrera. which they sent a pic and video to you guys.  But what was very special was after having a normal day of working, the end of the day we went to a members house and they sang and gave us cake, which they luckily didnt shove it in my face like the tradition here haha and we took lots of pics.  But I could feel the love from the ward and everyone and I am so greatful for that.  I am so greatful for this wonderful opportunity to be here. and even though my bday was really almost wierd. It was ok in the end.  Also thank you for all the birthday notes and wishes! I love you all! and I cant believe Im 20! (not a teenager anymore haha) (nineTEEN)

This week was also Womens conference!! Which was amazing! Although it was in spanish, I could understand a lot more that the last conference. Not 100 percent, but the gist. Also sadly I did not see Ally in the chior, but I could feel the spirit so strong listening to them!! I love conference so much!!

This week we also had to let go of Carlos and stop teaching him.  He wasnt progressing and he was almost trying to convince us that our church was wrong. Which was a little scary. but I have a strong testimony that this church is true so I litterally felt like my faith and testimony in Jesus Christ was like a rock (like that scripture says) and it could not be moved. How powerful it was to bare my testimony that this gospel was true after many attemps him telling us there is no true church, or we are just confused and we will get lost. but in reality, he is the one getting lost.  I hope and pray one day he will have a change of heart. but I am greatful for this challenging expierience. Because my testimony has been strengthened so much!!

On the other hand, Raul had his baptism interview. which he will have to have a 2nd one due to some problems, but he also didnt come to church this sunday. So we will have to push his baptism date back another week.. April 7th I think it will be. But I know everything happens for a reason.

I love you all so much and am so greatful for the hard times and the good times in the mission. That is the beauty and the adventure of the mission! so we can learn and progress in this life.

Learn from your times of difficulty because god gives us trials to try us. So stay firm in your faith!!

I hope you all have a beautiful week.

Love, Hna Smoot