Hey everyone!
So good to hear from you all your letters really keep me going sometimes and give me a ton of animo (excitement). This week has been crazy with ups and downs and was kind of long but not necessarily bad. I love you all so much! First things first: Thanksgiving doesn't exist here. OOPS. I can't remember what I ate but it was probably soup. It's getting really hot here too. But this week I'm saying that I am really greatful for all of your prayers! I have felt their power this week pushing me along and helping me stay positive and happy. I can't thank you enough. The power of prayer is so real! I say a lot of prayers. So as far as teaching goes, that family I mentioned (A, P, M, and F) are still absolutely unreal. They are one more thing that's been really keeping me going this week. They are so awesome and listen so intently and just love to learn! They have read and prayed and believe that the Book of Mormon is true! We have taught the restoration, plan of salvation, and the gospel of Jesus Christ, so we are moving on to commandments this week. Keep them in your prayers! They are so amazingly receptive and excited. We are still on track for baptizing them the 12th! We will see what happens! I,m pretty dang hopeful as always. This week I really did realize how much i have to be grateful for! That family is definitely a big thing, but also I have such an amazing family and support group at home! Also I.m called to be a full time representative of Jesus Christ, which is amazing. My neighborhood is beautiful and my house is nice. There was a lot of wind this week keepíng us cool! I'm learning a new language. Christmas is coming. Prayer works. Food is good(ish). I've really been appreciating the adventure of the mission, in all the good times and bad included. I'm learning and growing like crazy! The members here are my best friends ever. I don't have to worry about what I wear hahahaha. I get to meet a ton of kooky weird crazy people every day. I was really happy despite a lot of challenges this week. The things I've been thinking about the most this week is how I want to give everything to this work. All of it. Every hour of every day. Possibly because my comp may not alway share that vision I've learned to appreciate that even more. I am so determined to give EVERYTHING I have to the Lord, because He has given me everything. That desire burns so strongly in my heart it cant be contained. I want to walk till my feet fall off and talk till my voice goes away. When you think of the mission in these terms it becomes inexcusable to be disobedient, lazy, or "too tired". There are no excuses, because He did everything for us. I want to show I'm grateful through sheer, unyielding, crazy hard work. I don't want to ever stop, or even slow down. Thinking like this though has really changed my mission, because it stops being about me immediately. Pretty cool. One other cool thought this week is how different Chileans are in and outside the chapel, as in members versus non-members. They can be like an entirely different country! Not to say that non members aren't nice, but the gospel can really lead people to be kind and considerate. Point is is that the Gospel brings the very best out of people. It refines whole nations and peoples into their best selves. Pretty amazing. I love the people here so much it's crazy! I've seen recently how desperate prayers are answered with mountains to climb, but I know I'll look back in gratitude for everything I've learned. I know I can do anything! I know this is the will of the Lord, and the best thing for me despite how hard it might be in the moment. Pray for that family though! I love you all so much and can't wait to read your letters! Am i supposed to open that Christmas package now or on Christmans?? It got here though! Oh we also had stake conference -- it was awesome! Super good. Pres and Hna Bluth spoke -- they killed it. I love you all so much and can't wait to talk on Christmas! Has Cassie talked with you all about skyping together? I love you all so much! I'm doing great and I'm happy despite it all! I love you! Elder Trevor Smith (photos courtesy Parkins) Comments are closed.
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Elder Trevor SmithElder Trevor Smith is a Mormon missionary in the Chile Concepcion Sur mission, the same mission where his dad served. Although this is Trevor's own mission, he grew up hearing about the beautiful land of Chile and the loving people that inhabit it. These are the letters from his experience there. Archives
July 2017
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