Date
August 30, 2017
Area
Jacksonville, Florida (Timuquana)
Companion
Elder Trevor Carlisle
Learning
Hey y'all! This week was really Good! The lightning and thunder here is insane. I've gotten used to it and I'm not really that scared of it anymore. haha I also have learned to love avocado, which I thought would never happen. And I read a ton, so I've come to like that more which will come in handy for college. I miss high school so much. Those were some good days! People here suck at driving. Everyone here has a dog and there are roaming cats all over. I love and miss Idaho. There are ODD people here also. When we get fed by people, it's Hispanic food since we eat with the Spanish elders. It kills my stomach quite a bit. I've eaten some interesting food (at least for being from Idaho) - snake, possum, and gumbo are just a few. I've been caught up with sports and the McGregor Mayweather fight which has been really nice. This place has humbled me so much.
There are so many lessons I've learned this week and good quotes I've heard or read:
1)You can never do more for the Lord than he can do for you!
2)Let us remember that desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions.
3)Change is important. We shouldn't fall into Satan's lie that we are good where we are at. We were sent to this earth to learn and grow to become like Christ.
4)There's a quote by Boyd K. Packer, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitude and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.
5)I've learned that you can't change your companion and to look for the positives. There's a big difference between tolerating someone and embracing them. It's hard to embrace people at times. My companion and I are on the same team. He packed all his stuff up just like I did. He accepted the same call I did. He's walking the same streets I am trying to teach people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, why would I criticize my companion? He's trying to make the same contribution to the mission I am. We are both trying to do the same thing. I've had to open up my heart and find out who my companion is and what it is that Heavenly Father wants me to learn through him. I've learned to let my companion be who he is and I'll just keep being me.
6)You can choose whether or not to be happy. Choose it!
7)Without struggle, there's no progress.
8)God's plan is for us to change, to progress forward. That's our whole purpose for coming to earth. I've experienced so much change on my mission so far.
9)My circumstances won't change, but I can change in my circumstances.
10)Just live right. Stay away from the sleaze. Stay away from pornography and other addictive things. Stay away from these things that pull you down.
11)What is it that we are doing that we need to stop doing? What is it that we are doing that we should not stop doing?
I've gone on trade offs which I when I go to a different area for a day with another missionary. It's nice to have a break from my companion at times. The trade offs have been fun.
We went to a lady's house for dinner one night. She's a crazy lady and is a member of the church. She asked us to give a priesthood blessing to one of her birds. We just had to kindly tell her we couldn't and she didn't understand why we couldn't.
One of the coolest things that happened to me this week was a miracle. Before church on Sunday, I prayed to have someone that wasn't a member show up to church. I wanted to see if my faith really could work. There was no doubt in my mind that this was going to happen. As I was giving my talk, in walks a 25 year old man. After the first hour of church I went and talked to him. He said he was recently incarcerated for drugs and some other things. He felt like he needs God and was led to our church for a reason. I set up an appointment to meet with him this past Monday. On Monday, I wasn't with my trainer. I was with another Elder that came out with me. So here we are, brand new missionaries teaching the whole lesson by myself. We went over and I was planning on teaching him the Gospel of Jesus Christ because I thought that was what he needed. When I went to pull out a pamphlet I grabbed a Restoration Pamphlet and the Spirit told me to teach him that. I taught the whole lesson because the other missionary wasn't comfortable teaching any of it. This guy's name is Sir Warrior. He had so many questions and I answered all of them. He is so solid. I'll keep you updated on him.
As I've been on my mission, there isn't one night I come home where my shirt doesn't smell like smoke. Everyone here smokes and at first it was rough but I've gotten used to it.
The video I attached is of Lee singing. He's a guy we found last week that has been in prison most of his life for killing some people. He made this song up and I love it. I felt the Spirit so much when he sang it.
Just a little thought - If we know the Book of Mormon is true, then we also know that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on the earth today. Do you KNOW the Book of Mormon is true, BELIEVE it's true, ASSUME it's true or do you not know? I encourage you to KNOW that it's true. As I've had hard times on my mission, I've turned to the Book of Mormon. I have found so much peace and comfort from the words of that book and they have given me so much strength to get through hard times. Do you KNOW what you believe? The Book of Mormon is changing my life, everyday I read it. I know that this is what I need to be doing right now. It's so worth it.
Love y'all!
Elder Smart Florida Jacksonville Mission
These are pictures of companions I've been with on tradeoffs, my district, the typical house in my area, the family I'm teaching (they are progressing so well) and whatever else. haha Here are more pics. Send them out.
Mom-i sent you the video on Google drive that Lee sang. Post it on Facebook since it's too big to email.