OPEN HOUSE!!!!!

Hermana Smith returns from her *mission on Tuesday, November 17th at the Great Falls Airport.

Date - Wednesday, November 18th from 7-8:30 p.m.

Location - LaQuinta Inn & Suites (GTF) in the "Missouri Room"

Please stop on by to welcome Brittany home from her mission. We look forward to seeing you!

*Mesa Arizona Spanish Speaking Mission

THE FINAL LETTER!!!!!!

Hello-

This feels a little weird...many of you may think you have one more chance to write me but actually i will probably not check email next week. I have to be in the mission home by 4:30. i feel a lot of emotions and its just really surreal that i am actually going to be home next week. Im trying to work hard but at the same time preparing to go home...i have to pack someday.
This week has been so long and crazy...but time is flying by. I feel like i just get up and go back to bed a few minutes later.
There is all sorts of goodbyes this week. Friday i will be going to lunch with the Burke's along with all the other sisters that are leaving. Saturday we have our farewell in the VC as well as my interview with President Bassett. Then sunday is my last spanish fireside.
Many of my converts have come to see me at the VC and pleading that i stay (i told them i would have a sad mom and boyfriend)...i just love the people i have met here in mesa and its so surreal that i will be gone...in a cold cold world again. Its still like 90 degrees everyday here.
I am so excited to see everyone i love though...ive missed you all. I hope you are ready to hear my stories, see my pictures, who knows maybe shed a few tears with me.
Let me update you on my investigators...its been really interesting. We are working on finding people because we have big goals for christmas in our mission. We actually dropped a family last night...well they dropped us. Its a shame that they dont recognize the truth...unfortunately they are catholic and dont want to change. But the good news is that we picked up an investigator named israel... he was taught by other sisters but we decided it was best to let him have a “break”...well he decided to meet with us again and we are so excited!!! im sad i wont get to see some of the fruits of my labors but i know that ive been a part of something much bigger then myself.
I mostly feel so grateful to my Heavenly Father for granting me the opportunity to teach the gospel. My testimony has grown and my desires to follow Him have been strengthened. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the Earth today. We have a living prophet today. Joseph Smith was a prophet and he restored to the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth by divine revelation. I know that as we follow the Savior there are great blessings that await us and i want to have those blessings. I hope that we are will. I love you all so much!
You could never know how much your letters have meant to me. Many times its been the strength that i needed to get through the week. I have felt your love and your prayers. I look forward to seeing you all soon. Be safe and remember i love you.

Hermana Brittany Smith

Coming to a close......

HOWDY...

i guess i have to gear up to head back to montucky and trade in my spanish for hillbilly...just kidding. Well it has been a week of miracles thats for sure. We have been fasting and praying a lot as a mission and as a companionship to find new people to teach. The Lord is answering our prayers and we are so grateful. I just want to leave my area better then i found it and so i have to work extra hard this week. I can't believe that it is november...that is just wild!!! where did the time go? The best news of the week is that eveyln franco entered the waters of baptism this week. I am so grateful that i had the chance to be a part of the process. She was beaming all weekend. Its interesting before her baptism she was kind of quiet and not really smiling...i think she was nervous...but after her baptism i asked her how she felt and with a huge smile replied “great, i feel different” i know that she was washed clean of her sins. That is why she felt different. Then on sunday she was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wow! That is so powerful! She was again beaming. Her blessing was beautiful...her husband is not a member and really not too interested at the moment but in her blessing it said “I bless you Evelyn that you might be an example to your husband, so that one day as a family you can enter the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity.” i know that it will come to pass one day. That is so exciting! I love this aspect of missionary work and would do it for the rest of my life...of course its not possible to be a full-time missionary forever but i sure pray those experiences continue to come. We found a really neat lady this week. Her name is araceli. When we met with her last night we set a baptismal date...of course i wont be there but she will be baptized december 12th...so exciting! She really just absorbs everything like a sponge and wants to know the answers to many questions of the soul. She is incredible and im so excited to see her progress. Life is so good. This sunday of course as you know was fast sunday...i had to get up seeing as its the last fast sunday i will have on the mission. Of course i cried a little but it was so nice to testify to these people i have grown to love for the last 5 months. Its been so great to get to know the members and the people in this area. I just feel a love for each of my areas and Mesa will always have a spot deep within my heart. I hope that all is well in all parts of the world where you might be.
Remember i love you all dearly. I miss you and i hope to see you soon.
Take care this week.

Hermana Brittany Smith

Hello-

my heart is so full today. I just feel blessed to be surrounded by people that love me. Today we went to the temple for the last time on the mission for me. It was a bittersweet experience for me. I have come to love the mesa temple and spent many wonderful moments in its walls. A bunch of us sisters went...most of the ones who are going home with me. I was sitting in the celestial room just thinking about my mission and i just realized how much i love the other missionaries. Especially my sisters from the VC. I really feel as if they are my sisters and i am going to miss them so very much! I have to admit i have become quite the crier here...its ridiculous. But as i was crying there with another sister...i just thought you know what this is what the gospel is all about. I can see them again! We can all be together in the celestial kingdom together and have that great joy again.
I love this gospel...it is so perfect. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father because today i got an email from the Health Center...I HAVE A JOB!!! i dont have to worry because the Lord has provided the way and im so grateful. I love all of you so much and im so grateful for your support.
Last week we had zone conference, which as always, was AWESOME!! that means i had to bear my testimony in front of everyone because it was my last zone conference. I cried...but it was a good cry...half sad half grateful/happy. This week will be my last interviews with pres. Bassett...im not sure im ready for it. It seems all my last things make me cry. We found as few new people this week.
Oh the best news is...EVELYN WILL BE BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!! im so excited can you tell? She passed her interview and she is ready to go. I love baptisms and so grateful i will have one more. Please keep her in you prayers this week. Yesterday we found an amazing lady named araceli. She had all these questions of the soul. There is some people you run into and they are just prepared...it seems to be the case with her. Im excited to see what will happen.
Can you believe it the other day here it was 94 degrees??? while most of you are freezing im dying of a heat stroke...my body is going to freak out with the temp change ( mom bring me a coat to the airport) anyways.
I just want you all to know that i love you! Please keep me in your prayers this week...i need all the strength i can get.
Have a great week...i look forward to hearing from you next week.

Hermana Brittany Smith

HOLA!!

Hola!!

well as you all know the time is flying here in mesa and i cant even believe it. The thing i really cant believe is that it is 90+ degrees today and saturday it was 104...that is ridiculous.
It was an interesting week...not too much success in the area and i think satan is working really hard because the week before was incredible. But no worries we are working hard and being obedient, the Lord will bless us. I had a really neat experience this week. A convert from my first area came in for some information. While i was searching for the info she told me something that really touched me. She said that i was the first sister missionary that talked to her in the VC. I was in the back of the VC explaining to her about the Book of Mormon. She said that when i was teaching her about it she had great desires to know about this book. She said the spirit was so strong and later when the missionaries came she commited to baptism. She has now been a member for almost a year and will be preparing to enter the temple. My eyes filled with tears as she told me because many times i wonder “ have i touched people's hearts? Have i done what i needed to do?” i never knew before that i was part of her conversion process and im so grateful she shared that with me. It just shows me that we have a greater influence on people then we can ever really know. So we need to share our testimonies with people and let them know about this message because we never know who is going to accept.
I actually had to speak on sunday and that is exactly what i spoke about. I hope that you are all having a great week.
Please be sure to email me...i will be home november 17th but will still have access to this email for a month after. Please feel free to write me.
I love you all!!!

Hermana Brittany Smith

Note from MOM....

Hello all.... I am in the process of trying to get things squared away for when Brittany arrives back home. In the process I have been slacking in getting all of her emails posted on time and I apologize for that.. They are all posted and up to date as of right this minute....
Again, I am sorry for the lull in the postings.... I am just so befuddled when I think that she is coming home in just about 6 WEEKS!!!

Stay tuned for further homecoming updates!

Thank you all for your love and support :0)
Mom

Hey everyone!!

well you're probably DYING to know what is happening with my last transfer...ok maybe transfers are only exciting to me but drum roll......i am TRAINING....again for my last transfer. They are dividing my area and sister guzman will receive a new companion, sister mcbride. She's been out only 2 transfer so its gonna be interesting. The Lord has confidence in them so i do too. Sister decker will be heading to a full-field area and will actually finish her mission full-field. Thats so crazy because well i got 1 transfer full-field and she gets 3...im not jealous. The Lord needs me in the VC to help train these new sisters. There are 5 coming in tomorrow...4 are spanish and 3 are native speakers. Im nervous but not as nervous as last time. I kind of know what to expect and chances are ill get a native speaker again which will mean my spanish can improve.
Also big news..i will be on bike again. Yep i started on bike and ill finish on bike. Though president said that we may be getting a car in a few weeks. I personally love bike so im excited. This week was way too fast. General conference was amazing!!! i will have to read the talks again because actually i didnt get to pay as close attention as usual because i helped with investigators kids and also was watching in spanish so it was hard to understand everything if i wasnt completely focused. But i loved elder scott's talk on the spirit..that was so amazing!! i need to look over my notes again. But it was so great to hear the leaders of the church and feel the power that comes from their words. I hope we can all apply them in our lives.
We had a few miracles this week. We street contacted this lady from colombia the other night and she really didnt have much time so we gave her a VC card so she could go visit there. Well the next day she called and invited us over to teach her...she also came to general conference on sunday. AWESOME!! then on sunday afternoon this family who the night before we had invited to see conference walked in...that was incredible.
I feel so grateful to my Heavenly Father to allow me to do His great work. It is a blessing everyday of my life. I hope that you all have a great week.
Remember i love you!!

Hermana Brittany Smith

Hola hola hola hola we welcome you today....

ok so i saw the primary program on sunday and it reminded me of the song this morning. It was SOOOO cute!!! you know there is always the littlest kids on the front and i think they do it for a reason...they keep a way entertained. One kid was in the front row making faces the whole time and another was not singing and his mom happened to be sitting in front of us and she was mouthing to him “SING” he really didnt understand what she was saying and was just making faces like “WHAT?” oh my goodness. The program was so beautiful and i felt the spirit so strong. It really helped me to remember that i am so blessed to have an eternal family. I actually got teary during the program...my investigator was probably thinking what is going on with this crazy lady....but it was so touching.
Its been a crazy week. Sister decker had to spend part of it with another sister because her comp had her gallbladder removed. So it was just me and sister guzman for one whole day. It went really well actually. She is a really good missionary i just think she relies on us too much. On friday we actually had exchanges and i left the area leaving sister guzman to run it by herself...i think she was really nervous but she did really well. Thats what happens...you think you dont know how to do something and when you have to do it you realize you can.
As for my investigators this week...well some are doing better then others. Juan is still drinking his life away and i really dont know what to do. He just really has to want to change. I cant believe that it is week 6....saturday not only will we get to see general conference this weekend but we will find out about transfers on saturday.
I hope that you are all doing great! I love you all and expect to hear from you all soon.

Hermana smith
ps- enjoy general conference...i expect to hear about your favorite talk next week:)

Hola!!!

i must be getting to the end of my mission because EVERYONE....decided to write me this week. Im not complaining in fact its great but i just think its funny. I love you all!
Well its been another crazy week. Im always surprised when p-day comes around because it just seems like we had it. We had interviews this week. President talked to me a lot about the VC...i guess its something he's worried about just like me. We are just trying to help the sisters feel confident and be the best missionaries they can be. I need to remember what it was like to be new again...it seems like yesterday but at the same time forever ago.
It looks like i will probably be training my last transfer out...im nervous but i know what to expect. We will know for sure in 2 weeks. My investigators are doing ok. Berta came to church on sunday after we pretty much told her if she didnt go we couldnt teach her. We also had a lady named evelyn go...she is SOOOO GOOD!!! she loved the spirit that was at church and is looking forward to going back. She will probably even go to the relief society activity tonight. We are really trying to help her see that she is prepared for a baptismal date. Juan well he has kind of taken a nose dive...it makes me sad. We found him again drinking and then he didnt go to church on sunday. I think he was drinking with his buddies. He says he wasnt.
Until you come on a mission you dont realize how many problems people have. You wouldnt think you could love a perfect stranger so much but these people become like children really. We are guiding them to make important steps and when they don't do what they are suppose to its devastating. But overall i am doing great! I love being a missionary so much. I get teary thinking about leaving it and im afraid ill be a wreck this next 6 weeks but we will make it through.
I love hearing from you all. Remember i love you and have a great week.

Hermana Smith

Hello!!!

well can you believe it we are half way through september...crazy!!! everyone is back in school now and that makes me realize how long i have actually been a missionary. The weirdest thing is you see babies come into the VC like right after they're born and then you see them running around like crazy...or people getting married and then next thing you know they are in the VC pregnant...weird.
Well life is good. We had a bit of a slump this week...it was a difficult week but that just means some miracle is about to happen. We are really trying to get juan back on track. He really wants to change but addictions are hard to break. So we are going to see him as much as possible to give him the support he needs as well as get more members involved. I hope that you all take opportunities to help the missionaries out. When you do just think that someone else in arizona is helping me. I know that can be hard because well some of you are in rexburg...im still trying to figure out how i'll be a missionary when im at school because its 99% LDS...but i know there is a way. In fact i got a member referral for someone in rexburg and guess what he accepted missionaries...SO COOL! Yes ill probably look him up when i get to school and see what happened...a little creepy but really really neat.
We haven't really had any break throughs this week...i guess people are hiding from the gospel. But we are going to find them. I feel the weight of the time for sure. I know that i only have a limited time to do the work i have to do and so it motivates me to do better. I am working on correcting little things so that i can be more and more obedient. I know that through obedience comes the blessings.
The weather is still scorching hot...though the mornings are really really nice. In a month they will start preparing for christmas lights...i cant believe it. That means we will be doing a lot of training at the VC...we have so many new sisters and the burkes are a little worried...but they will have to step up to the plate and take charge because we wont be there the help them.
I must be stressing about the VC because in the last week i have had 2 dreams about the VC...i cant rest!!! awwww. The Lord is blessing me so much because i am learning who i am and how to apply the gospel to my life. It will forever bless my family.
I love you all so much!! have the best week ever and feel free to send goodies and letters my way!

Hermana Brittany Smith

HOLA!‏

hey everyone!

well this sister missionary is still alive. its been really beautiful the last few days we got a mini monsoon and that cooled things down. im just praying it stays because im so sick of the HEAT!! anyways. i cant lie its been a hard week...
well the weekend let's just say was the straw that broke the camel's back. nobody was home on saturday night because mexico was playing costa rica in soccer so all the lessons we had cancelled...we had a full night but not one kept their appointment. sunday nobody came to church...including our 2 investigators with dates. to make it worse we went over to see juan (who is suppose to get baptized saturday) and he was drinking. i could not believe my eyes i was so disappointed and i just wanted to cry. he felt really bad. satan is working over time and i hate it. when people are trying to do good he just find where he can enter in and gets us when we are weakest. all that caused the onset of a migraine...but its ok because we keep moving. satan can get his few points here and there but he will not win. juan will not get baptized on saturday but he will be baptized. berta our other date is lost in outer space it feels. she wants to get baptized but yet she is not showing that by her actions. so i dont really know what to do.
on the plus side i have had some really neat experiences this week. i know that Heavenly Father answers prayers not only the ones we utter but the ones we keep tucked deep within our hearts. maybe some of you remember my convert julia. well i have just been sick over her. she basically stopped coming to church a month after she was baptized. well the other day we decided to go to the church because they were doing english classes and one of our investigators was suppose to be there. well we went and what do you know there sitting in one of the classroom was julia. she was so excited to see me and ran over to give me a huge hug. i just love her. im gonna get the missionaries to go over and help her get back to church.
the Lord answered a pray i never knew i had and im so grateful. the beautiful thing about this week is i have felt closer to my Heavenly Father then i have ever felt in my life. i know He loves me. my testimony has grown so much this week and im so grateful for the good and the bad. it only helps us to grow. we are working hard and i know the Lord will bless us. i hope you all are enjoying your week and labor day.
i love you all.

Hermana Smith

what a crazy week!!!‏

Hello!!!

well its been quite the exciting week...i sent off a missionary and received a new one as well. Luckily ive got sister decker to keep me sane. Our new companion is sister guzman. She is from washington state and speaks perfect spanish. Its an interesting experience to train. She is a really good missionary but lacks confidence. We kind of have to push her to do things and half the time i think she hates me. I have to go back to my first transfer and remember how hard it was to adjust to life. Poor thing she has 2 ancient missionaries to train her...in fact we go home together. I try not to talk about going home around her because i remember how that was when everyone would talk about going home and i was like oh yeah i have FOREVER!!! its helping me to focus more. I am learning how to be a better teacher and how my trainer probably felt...you really have to teach them how to do everything. But its a good experience.
We are still helping juan to prepare for his baptism and he is so excited!!! he is doing amazing and has gone like 6 weeks without drinking. We continue to pray for him because i know that satan really tempts those who are trying to be righteous. Missionaries included...but he cant win when we are obedient.
The great thing about training is my spanish has to be really up to par because its 2 gringas and a new missionary. So hopefully that will help a lot. We are working really hard to talk to everyone!!! i know thats how blessings come...just when you dont think they will accept they do. The Lord work in miraculous ways. I am alive and well in the 120 degree weather....im so ready for snow...did i just say that? I will be taking that back in a few months im sure.
Well i hope that you all are well. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon.
Love-

hermana Brittany Smith
ps- can you believe its september?? i cant where did august go...

hola!!!‏

hey all!!!

well its been kinda a rough day...i had to say goodbye to 5 of my bestest friends...its transfers and i cant even believe how fast the time is flying!!! my comp along with 4 others VC sisters left. tomorrow i will recieve a new addition to the VC family along with sister decker. that's right we are going to be in a trio...let the fun begin. sister decker and i were actually in the MTC together so it will be fun. she is a blondie like me so who knows what the mexicans will think...haha.
im nervous about having a greenie but it will be a challenge and help me to keep going strong. for those of you who have served missions you know how demanding it can be on your body. im feeling it but im continuing strong until the end. really this week has been a blur!!! i cant remember much that happened probably because my mind is so blurred with tears but ill figure it out. i hope that everyone is doing well. we are coming to the end of august and i cant believe it though im so glad the cooler season is fast approaching. tonight we have to do some major rearranging in the apartment. its gonna be tight for a little bit...ill have to send pictures.
sister colgan is going to be with me tonight so that will be fun to reminisce about live. she is wanting to extend...basically all the sisters are extending. but dont you worry (Paul and mom and hill) i cant extend because of school.
tonight i have to get everything ready for the new sisters to arrive tomorrow. we decorate their cubbies so they feel welcomed and since my other half sister farr is not here i have to do all the trainer duties. as you can see i am a very busy girl. but im glad it keeps me focused in the work. well i hope that you all have a great week. you are in my thoughts and prayers always. ill let you know how my first week as a momma goes (thats mission terminology for training a new missionary)
i love you all.

hermana brittany smith

Hola!!!!

can you believe it? Its p-day again!!! its a crazy one at that...its sister castillo's last p-day so we ate breakfast with the ogden's (they are one of the senior couples here at the VC). That was fun...they live a little RV that is so SWEET...mom and dad you need one of those when you get old to travel the USA. I feel like ive had no time in my area this week...we've been working at the VC a lot and any free chance i get im working on the slideshow because the farewell will be on saturday. In fact saturday we will find out about transfers...im a little nervous...especially because i will probably be training. I just feel like i have so much to learn still how can i teach another missionary. But i will do what the Lord asks me to do.
They announced me as a trainer at the VC on saturday so im sure elder burke will be putting me to work. Im excited for the opportunity to serve in this way. I know i can help the younger sisters a lot. There are a few that im really worried about...one in particular who really doesnt want to be here. She's been out for 8 ½ months and still doesnt like it. Hopefully i can share some experiences with her and just love her because 18 months is too long to be miserable. I remember so many times ive wanted to give up but i just know if i do i would hate myself and the Lord would be disappointed. When i see my converts i realize...wow! Ive been so blessed. The Lord has put into my hands His children and i cant stop now...we can never stop...but as a full time missionary i have more responsibility to bring souls unto Him.
We have a wonderful investigator named Juan right now. He is doing so great!!! he will be baptized on the 12th and we are so excited. Sister castillo won't be here physically but she will be here with us in spirit. We are finding new people everyday and im just waiting to find my family...i want to baptize a family. Not because of a number or so i can say i baptized a family but because its the whole purpose...to help families be together forever!!! i pray the Lord will bless me with the opportunity. Its been quite nice in Arizona...not as hot.
People always ask me how i like the weather and i tell them if it was winter here all year round i would never leave...lucky for you mom 8 months out of the year its summer. Really thats the only thing i wont miss...nylons+heat=gross and stinky.
But i feel so blessed to be working in the service of my God. I know that it is something i promised to do...there is so much work to be done and i just feel the time is running out quickly. But i will work hard until the end. I love you all so much! You are in my prayers...please keep me in yours. I look forward to hearing from you all in email and letter form:)

Hermana Brittany Smith

hey!

Hello-
well can you believe it today starts the last 2 weeks of this transfer...sister Castillo will be off to Guatemala and she is getting a little nervous i think. I'm just trying to keep her motivated because i just don't want her to regret her last 2 weeks on the mission.
We had interviews with president...he told me i would be getting a new comp...big surprise. Though he told me it is likely i will be getting a brand new missionary...i have a feeling this is gonna be a crazy transfer but i know the Lord won't give me anything i cant handle. Only the next few weeks will show.
We had stake conference this weekend. It was so awesome!!! i never remember stake conference being so awesome...but those of you who have served missions know that general conference weekend is like going to Disneyland for a missionary. I'm so excited actually for conference...only 2 more months. We've been really trying to find people this week. We have one investigator named Juan who is really promising. He is from Honduras...in fact a lot of people we know in this area are from there. I'm starting to think I'm living in Honduras... Juan has been coming to church and keeping his appointments...though we tried to set a date with him the other day and he didn't accept it. I think he's mostly scared that he wont completely change. Juan is kind of an alcoholic so that is something we do need to be careful of. But he is doing amazing.
Its been so nice here in mesa. The other morning we woke up and it was like 80 degrees...i couldn't believe it! Of course by 12 it was 104 but that is 20 degrees cooler and we are just enjoying it. I just wish it would stay this way...I'm starting to miss the snow...i know weird! Today we went and took pictures with another companionship downtown...that was fun. There are some really funky ones...i think some of you have seen the pictures of the fat ladies...haha. I'm learning more and more things everyday. In conference a lady gave a talk about the atonement. She used a story from C.S. Lewis to explain it and it was so amazing! I'm so converted to cs lewis. He should've been a member of the church. But it just talk s about how through Jesus Christ we can change our very nature. I feel so weak as a missionary, believe it or not we are imperfect and even sin just like anyone else. But i know that through the Savior we can truly change, i can truly change.
We got to teach a lesson right after conference about that and it was so neat to share that with 2 men that have drinking problems. The atonement has the power to cleanse, refine and change us...if we let it.
My next p-day will again be on Monday so those who wish to write...please feel free id love to hear from you...i mean i know soon enough you'll just be able to call me but still got a few months. :-)
i love you all. Have a great week!!!
Hermana B. Smith

120+nylons=best friends...NOT!!!‏

Hey all!!!

another HOT week in Arizona...there's been a few nights i just couldn't handle my stinkiness and had to shower before bed just to wake up and sweat lots on our morning run...life is SO hard...no just kidding life is so good. This sister smith is so happy and so busy...ive been trying to work on the slide show seeing as the time is flying fastly by...i feel like ive got nothing done. I was asked to for a new special assignment this week. Elder Burke asked me to be one of the trainers in the VC. That means me and another sister are in charge of doing trainings at the VC and kinda setting the example for the sisters. If i could relate it to anything its kinda like an assistant to the president but an assistant to the director at the VC. Im nervous and excited for this new responsibility. It really wont start until next transfer because the 3 current trainers are going home this transfer. Its been a pretty normal week. There's been so many nights i can barely keep my eyes open as we're planning at night. Its such a good feeling to know i worked hard. One thing we are trying to implement more is using the Book of Mormon in everything. I know there is power that comes from using the Book of Mormon. We are still working with Berta to get her divorced, married and baptized. Its looking impossible but we are not losing hope. This week we started teaching her step-son Cris. He is so smart and basically knows everything he would need to in order to be baptized...the only problem is the mom is very anti...we will pray for a miracle. There was so many investigators at church this week...and one former investigator. The door kept opening to the sunday school class and more investigators were walking in. i almost cried...it was a good feeling. Now we just have to keep them coming. We started week 4 of the transfer today...that means 2 more to go.
Today i complete 14 months on the mission but strangely i feel like a greenie still...i think ill always feel that way. Im doing well and enduring the heat...i keep telling myself it will start getting cooler in a month...i hope thats true.
I love you all. Be good and remember who you are.

Hermana Brittany Smith

HOT!!!

Hey!!!

its another hot week in arizona...the time is flying i just wish the heat would fly away too. We are into week 3 of the transfer that means its half way through after this week. My poor comp everyone is reminding her that her time is running short. At times i even feel like crying because i know it is coming to an end and fast. Ive been keeping really busy with this slideshow i am doing for the sisters who are leaving...im pretty sure ive worked on it for 10 hours this week. Its a big job but it is fun and i know that the sisters will appreciate it. We are working hard trying to find people because we've spent a lot of time this week weeding through the bad ones. For those who went to byu or byu-i you know what DTR means...Define The Relationship...we definitely use the same term here on the mission with our investigators...funny i know. We've found a few new people this week nothing to exciting. I had a really neat experience in the VC the other day. A man came in because he works for sysco which delivers the food to the temple cafeteria and he commented to one of the temple workers that he just loves the way he feels at the temple and that he never wants to leave. So she told him to go over to the VC and take a tour. Thats exactly what he did. I taught him about prophets and showed him a part of Pres. Monson's talk “Joy in the Journey.” after listening to it he said “i just feel a really inspirational feeling when i listen to him.” i was shocked! I asked him why it would be important to him to have a prophet on the earth today and he said “ he is a man and can talk to us today, its better then just reading about it in the Bible.” probably the best answer i've EVER heard in my whole mission. He accepted missionaries really easily and i gave him a BOM which he was so excited to read. I feel so grateful for the opportunity i had to teach this man. He was sooooo prepared! Some missionaries in the tempe mission are gonna be so happy!!! i also had a neat opportunity to translate for a blessing that was given. There was no one who could give her a blessing in spanish so a lady who was with her said she would translate. Right before she said “sister you translate and i will watch the kids.” i was so SCARED! But i was grateful for the sacred privledge to translate the words of a blessing from God to this women. The spirit was strong as i translated the words and it was a feeling i can't describe...maybe its how a priesthood holder feels as he gives a blessing but it was as if i was covered in a warm blanket. I just felt the spirit and it helped me to say the correct words. I remember at one point i couldnt remember a word and i just silently prayed for help and i thought of the word. It was so neat! The Lord has truly blessed me this week with little miracles. I am coming to search for those little miracles each day. The mission is amazing! I am so glad that i made the decision to come. My life would've been fine without a mission but the mission only enhanced my life. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve.
Well i hope that you all have an amazing week! It seems like i may not be getting some people's emails. If you dont hear back from me its because i didnt get your email and you can email my mom at smyff@hotmail.com and she will forward it to me.
I love you all.

Hermana brittany smith

week 1...transfer #9 :-s‏

Hey!
Well its incredible cool today at 82 degrees....crazy!!! its only because it rained last night. But you know what happened the other day in the heat of the summer...our AC broke. So so so fun!!! not!! but luckily they got it fixed and luckily we have a basement that we could sleep in last night....my crazy life.
Well as you all know i have a new comp sister castillo. She is so awesome!! im lucky that 99% of my companions i have liked. We've seen some miracles already. The area has tons of people...so i speak spanish all the time and i love it! Its an area that they combined a few transfers ago and hopefully next transfer it will be divided. Yesterday when we were out it was so awesome!! we went to contact a referall and when we got out of the car we saw this lady sitting under the tree so we decided to talk to her. Well as we walked up to her i noticed she was reading none other then THE BOOK OF MORMON!!! crazy...so we had the opportunity to teach her right there. It turns out she almost got baptized 2 years ago but because of problems with her sister in law, who is a less active member, she did not...she is going to be baptized this transfer:) we also had a FHE with a family yesterday. Everyone is members but the mom. She wants to be baptized the only problem is that she needs to get divorced from her 1st husband so she and Moises can get married. Well the spirit was so strong and we decided to set a date with her for the 15th of august. So keep berta in your prayers...we need a miracle because her husband doesnt want to sign the papers and is making it really hard for the divorce to go thru. But i know if berta does her part the Lord will permit us to see this miracle. It felt the spirit so strongly telling us we needed to set the date with her. She is willing just a little lazy. I looked forward to serving in this area. Im pretty sure it will be where i die. In mission terms that means i will end my mission here. I just love the people in this area! I cant believe we are going into august next week...time will not slow down. My comp leaves in 5 weeks...she's not trunky yet and im trying to help her stay focused. I hope that everyone is doing well.

Know that i miss and love you all sooooooo much!!! have a great week.

Hermana brittany Smith

transfer news...‏

HEY!!!

today starts week 1 of transfer #9...just to let you know there are only 11 transfers in my mission which means i have less and less time to do the work...its getting more sad each week. You're probably dying to know what happened with transfers.....well i will be transferred to an area called ellsworth park. Its a little branch right by my first area. Its pretty much like little mexico and im so excited!!! my new comp is sister castillo and she is from guatamala. She's an AMAZING missionary and im way excited to work with her. This is her last transfer...which isnt my favorite but its all good. Im so sad to leave sister avelino because ive had a blast with her. She will be training again so that will be an adventure. I think this transfer my spanish is gonna skyrocket and im so excited for that!!! i feel like i have so much to learn before i go home in november.
Its been kinda a crazy week...we had exchanges on wednesday and i went to sister blades' area to work. It was incredible!!! they have an investigator who read the whole Book of Mormon in 2 weeks...thats incredible. Needless to say she's getting baptized in a few weeks. Its been like 116 everyday or more...im jealous because 2 sisters are getting transferred up north...not fair. It looks like i will not get another full-field area...thats kinda sad to me but i will do what the Lord asks of me always.
Ive had really neat experiences this week in the VC. Yesterday a lady came in just really upset and i got to share with her my testimony of the Savior and the Atonement. The cool thing was just an hour earlier me and another sister were talking about how we came to know the Savior and the Atonement and then i got to share that with a perfect stranger. It helped her a lot. I guess it shows that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us and He can use us as instruments if we allow Him too.
The mission is amazing in that way that really nothing about me matters. I am totally in the service of God. My hands are His hands, my voice is His voice. What a blessing it is everyday to see His hands in my life. Saturday we had a branch party...it was AMAZING!!! each family brought a typical food from their country. So i got to eat lots of latin food and i couldnt be any happier. Im pretty much mexican so dont be surprised if i come back eating chile and lime. I LOVE IT!!!
i cant really think of much else that is happening...its hot and im still loving my mission. I hope that you all are doing well. I miss you all but i know the Lord is watching over you.
Have a great week and dont be afraid to send a letter or email or package my way.
I love you.

Hermana brittany smith

Hola Todos!

Hola todos!!!

well it is july and HOT! I really dont know how anyone could spend their life in this heat. I feel like im going to catch fire most of the time...i just keep telling myself 1-i asked for the heat 2-only a few more months of the heat and i have to go back to the snow. This week has been kinda long and kinda weird....yesterday started week 6 of the transfer which means saturday we will know transfer news. CRAZY!!! let me tell you about sunday...we were soooo excited because we got someone to church on sunday. Her name is aida. I dont know if ive talked about her yet but...she believes she has the gift of tongues. She has this whole story how an old man appeared to her and she received this gift from God. When she tells the story she speaks in this tongue for a portion of it...it freaked me out the first time i heard it. Well all went well in sunday school she participated and loved the class then we went to relief society...duh duh duh...sister navarro our RS president invited the sisters to share a story when they knew God existed. Guess who was the first to volunteer....AIDA. I was just praying she wouldnt but she did....she told the whole story speaking in tongues and all. You should've seen the faces of these women...their faces were priceless. The funny thing is aida had a really hard speaking in tongues this time and im pretty sure its because we were praying she wouldnt do it. The spirit was fighting with her. As if that wasnt enough in the middle of sacrament meeting her phone rang and yes she answered it!!! it was crazy....im just thankful she didnt get up for fast and testimony meeting and tell the whole branch. It was insane!!! so now we have to figure out how to help her realize this gift is not from God. 4th of july went fine for me. We taught quite a bit on the 4th which we werent expecting...i guess mexicans dont really celebrate. It was weird because usually you see lots of fireworks but i didnt see one!!! fireworks are illegal here and usually the city does some but they didnt have a budget for the fireworks this year so i saw 0 fireworks this year...sad! Well as a missionary holidays dont feel like holidays because we do the same thing everyday. Im enjoying it and only counting down the days until it cools down a bit...unfortunately the heat is here to stay for awhile.
I hope all is well for everyone and that you all had a great 4th.
Remember i love you!!!

hna brittany smith