“ Oioi!! So I can't remember much about last week... I feel like I have so much to tell you as I go through each day but then I forget... Everyday molds into one!I loved going to the Temple with all the other Missionaries this week... 1/4 of the mission! About 70 Missionaries! It was a wonderful experience that has helped my testimony grow. We also had Christmas dinner, but it wasn't much like the Christmas dinner I make... It was very American! We all got an amazing gift from President and Sister Millar... A England London South Mission Temple Recommend holder... I'll send a photo next week. I forgot my camera AGAIN!
We had an exchange on Thursday/Friday. Sister Brown went to Weston-Super-Mare and I stayed in Yeovil... I was very nervous about leading the area but I was pleased with how things went. I learned new things from Sister L... We call her that because no one says her name right. She's from Finland! She knows Jussi and Touko :) She also knows Jai Turner from Liverpool... Something to do with her Grandad/Dad and Jai's dad's conversion, anyway... I am thankful for the opportunity.
The Elders that were the transport for the exchange were very kind and gave us a lift to one of our appointments. One of them is from Stafford... He had two strokes about 5 days apart 3 years ago... He was 23. He can walk but his left arm has no movement and he lost his left peripheral vision. When I have negative thoughts about about walking so much I remind myself of him... He is an inspiration to me!!
I have been asked to speak in sacrament meeting this coming Sunday on the Prophet Joseph Smith... I am quite nervous and stressed about writing the talk. I know I only have myself to blame as I don't know enough about the Prophet as my studies and activity have been poor throughout my life. Having said that, I am excited to research him so that I can learn and grow from the challenge. Also, Sister Brown is quite knowledgeable so I'm going to pick her brains!
I am extremely excited about/for Jamie. He is progressing really well and I am so pleased for him. We're working towards 11/01/14 for his baptism. People told me that I would learn to love each investigator and it's true. I am concerned for him everyday and on Sunday when he was too ill to come to church, I was devastated. Hopefully he will be well enough for our lesson with him tomorrow so we can see his progress. We have others that we are teaching but They're not progressing like he is... He was so ready to hear about the gospel. Did I tell you how we met him? We decided to knock some doors one evening a couple weeks ago... I was adamant about knocking this one street in particular so off we went to knock it. We knocked about 20 doors (it's a small street)... We taught 4 lessons, gave two people literature that they requested and then we got to the last door. I knocked my happy knock... No response so I did my bailiff's knock :)... Jamie answered the door and the rest is history! Oh and we later found out that he house shares with 4 other people... 5 people could have answered the door that day and Jamie answered. I think he was waiting for us! :)
This afternoon we are shopping and then I will read all the emails I have printed off! I'm sorry if I don't reply personally, but I'm trying my best! :)
Oh and apparently we get to call home a couple days ahead of Christmas day. Just for a couple minutes to arrange a Skype time. My mind is blank of most things pre-mission so we'll see if I remember the numbers!! Haha!! I'll try to make it the evening of Sunday 22/12 so I catch you at home.
I'm still excited to be a Missionary and I think it's actually starting to sink in!! I actually feel like a Missionary... Sometimes!
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas... Remember the true meaning! Don't let the gifts and what not get in the way!
Time is flying by... I'm on week 6 in my planner! :| Speaking of... I think I'll need a Missionary planner for the rest of my life!!
I love you all!!
Take care, Sister Smart
“Quickest Email ever !!!So we're in Bristol on our way to the Temple and I have 12 minutes to email!!! :O Maybe we'll get another chance to email later in the week... I'm not sure! If not, I'll email next Monday :) We're getting a coach to the temple in a couple hours, then staying in Temple accommodation overnight, tomorrow we get to do a session in the Temple and then have a Mission Christmas dinner. We're very excited!
Firstly... We got the shopping! Thank you so much!!!!!! And mum, you're naughty for spending so much!! I have a photo of the fridge after we filled it! :) I'll send it next week!
Mum, I forgot to tell you that I found your missionary name tag my first day in the MTC and I have it pinned on the front of my journal. I cried when I found it! :)
I'm doing well... Still not got Sister Brown's cold. I've been taking Vit C and Vit D and I reckon that's helping me out.
Rae, the stake president and his wife spoke in my ward on Sunday and it turns out that their daughter, Honey lives in Rugby and apparently she's if your visiting teacher. Small world! Also, an Elder White is serving here from your ward. I've not met him yet but we have his Christmas package to give him :)
Not sure how much I have told you about a guy (Jamie) we met a couple weeks back.... anyway things are progressing really well for him. I'm so happy for him!! He came to church again this week with us and it was a good day!!!! He looks like Joseph Gordon-Levitt! :)
I'm excited to be a missionary most of the time... There are the odd things that do wind me up though such as when things fall through and I feel useless. I can hear you saying Mum that I need to have more patience :)
I miss and love you all but I'm where I'm suppose to be!
Love, Sister Smart
“ Well... This week has been a bit of everything!Blisters... they're not too bad in the photo but they got alot worse! they're on the mend now though!! :)
Sister Brown is sick so we have had a few days stuck in the flat but I tried to keep myself busy by organising, making appointments and such.
We also had Zone training which was amazing but that took us out of the field for a day!!
We received an announcement yesterday that we will be going to the temple one day next week... Sister Brown and I squeeled!! We're so excited. Zone Training was amazing... We were addressed by Elder Texira and his wife! Everyone was mega pumped afterwards :)
It was thanksgiving, so some of the members in the Poole area made thanksgiving dinner for about 130 missionaries. It was pretty good! I had desert for the first time in a long while and that was really good... Pumpkin pie.
After lunch we sang Armies of Helaman with "we thank you for the food" added at the end, to the chefs/helpers... They cried. It was a really good day!!
We also received post that day that was addressed to the office. I got my first Christmas package from the Manchester and Ashton YSA... I was really touched and I'm well excited to open it!!! Thank you!!!!!!
I did feel a little awkward there though... As I was so new I didn't know many people. I did chat with Sister Steffensen and Elder Johnson though... We were in the MTC together so that was cool. One of the AP's (Elder Patten) is from Wales and he's older like me so we chatted a bit so I didn't feel too awkward.
Oh and the night before Zone Training we had 4 other Sisters stay at our flat so it was easier for them to get to Poole in the morning... That was weird and made me feel well awkward. 4 new/very loud people in my "home" was weird... I pretty much just sat in the corner and watched haha!
One day last week we visited one of our investigators and it was amazing... I squealed the whole way home. Then he came to church yesterday!!!!!! Amazing!!! I felt like a proud mum haha!
We met a guy named Jamie the other day while knocking and I'm really excited to go back and visit him.... He's Golden, as they say!! The work is kind of slow... We're getting much better though! We do more everyday but we could be doing a lot more!
Oh and I'm getting calluses on my knees from praying... That just shows that I had never prayed enough before now! I can't think of anything else to tell you... Other than time is flying by! Oh and prayers get answered!!!!!!! Get on your knees and give it a try :) That's what I tell people when they mock me... Maybe you should try and it get back to me. With a smile on my face of course!
I didn't come on a mission for myself but I'm only one month out and I've already learned so much. I'm still the person I was but the way I look at things/life is different. I know the person I want to be and I know how I can achieve it. I also know that I can only get there with the help from my Savior.
Remember who you are and pray!
Love, Sister Smart
Being a Sister Missionary at the temple
Elder Nunes... He was my dictrict leader in the MTC... He's ace!!
He's from Brazil... Doesn't speak much English but he's going to the
Manchester mission! Look out for him!!
Elder Abel from the MTC :)
“Well... I forgot my camera again so I can't attach all the photos that I want to :/ I'm going to write 20 notes to myself to remember next week.
This week has been something else... I am tired!!!! :) Everyday is a good day but with a little disappointment. On Saturday we went to a village called Chard, we have an investigator there. It takes 1 hour to get there on the bus. As we arrived we received a text from said investigator saying that she would have to cancel as her son was unwell... I nearly cried!!!!! Sister Brown and I hugged, bought some lunch and did our best to make good of the situation. I think we did a pretty good job... We were very cold but we managed to talk with a lot of people and taught some lessons. We ended our Chard adventure with a stop in at the Parkes for hot chocolate and a good northern chat. They are members and have been since the 1960's. Tommy Parkes is originally from Openshaw and has the most amazing accent!! Or at least it sounds that way now after hearing weird farmer and American/Canadian accents for a while :) Margaret Parkes is from around Yeovil somewhere... They met in WW2 when he was on leave. They lived in Manchester for many years and they were stake missionaries for some time. They know President Fletcher well as they were about when he was joining the church with his family. It's a small Mormon world!! They've not spoken to him for many years and they would like to so hopefully someone can let Pres Fletcher know... I have their number if he wants it.
So much has happened this week but I can't remember it all now plus I haven't the time to write it all... You should see my journal!! I brought two with me thinking that would suffice... I don't think it will as I write 2-4 pages a night. I'm just about 1 month into my mission and 1/4 way through the first journal. I wonder if I'll ever read it again!!
Wednesday was a good day... We had district meeting in Bournemouth. It's crazy how it takes 2 hours to get to meetings! I made brownies and everyone loved them... Get to them by their tummies. Maybe I should carry brownies around with my on a daily basis. The night before at 22.01, Elder Hilton our district leader called to say we had to take our (fully up to date) area book with us to DM to be checked. Sister Brown and I looked at each other with disbelief. Haha!! To be honest it was up date for the most part but we still got to bed 20 minutes late at 22.50 :/ I teased Elder Hilton the next day for forcing us to be disobedient... Clearly it was our fault as it wasn't up to date in the first place! Anyway... The meeting was good! nice to see how everyone else is doing in the district and we had a great lesson by Elder Hilton. Oh and I found out that Christchurch is inside the mission boundaries... Where Matt and Stacie now live. We originally thought it was in the London mission but we were wrong... How weird will that be if I serve in their ward!! If I do, I hope it's when they get married :).
We have has an invitation for Christmas day... The Hazel family! They're lovely!! They have Skype so I think we'll be skyping from there. They're a lot like the Smart family when it comes to missionaries, which I like. We don't really get fed here but they feed us. That's okay though as I like to cook! More and more members are asking us for dinner though and Sister Brown thinks it'd because I'm English. It's nice to get to know the members so we're happy that's happening.
My blisters got a lot worse and now they're kinda on the mend... They're not as bad as the blisters I had while I was in Singapore though so that's good. We walk a lot... Seriously!! If I'm not a size 6 when I get home I'll be very disapointed :)
This work is amazing to see... To watch people's expressions is ace. Some bad ones of course but with some people you can see the light bulb glow as they understand what you're telling them is truth.
Yesterday we knocked a door and the chap that answered was an anti-Christ... We had a good chat. He told me I was a fool, brain washed and naive. I told him that I wasn't a fool and that I only know that's it's true because I have tested it and I have received a personal witness of it's truthfulness. He couldn't think of much to say so we bid each other a good day and said goodbye.
Anyway... I've said enough and I'm running out of time!
I miss you all but what I'm doing is important and this 18 months will fly by. I'll be home before I know it and I will miss doing this work and having those matter of fact chats with an anti-Christ.
Remember how you are and try your best... Oh and keep smiling!!! :D
Love, Sister Smart
“
So I only have time for one email so it will have to be okay for the blog... I'll try to get better at replying :/On our last day in the MTC one of the teachers (Sister Binnie) came into the room and said "I've just had a phone call with President Millar, the London South Mission President and there has been a problem with transfers. One of the Sisters has had to go home early so two of the Sister from this MTC group will be ‘white washing’ a new area without trainers and will be companions. Any volunteers?" WELL.... There were only three of us so Sister Steffensen and I were looking at each other thinking it has to be us if we're doing it. However before we had chance to say anything the other Sister volunteered and said I would be her companion. I stood there thinking I was about to have a slight heart attack, trying to figure out how the combination of the two of us would manage it. Just before my brain exploded Sister Binnie admitted that it was a lie/joke and explained that things like this do happen and we need to be ready for them PHEW!!!!!!!!!!! I'll never forgive Sister Binnie J I was very relieved to meet my trainer Sister Brown.So Yeovil is the biggest area I've ever known... (I'll send photos next week). From what the Ward Mission Leader was saying, I think it's 50 miles north to south and 40 miles east to west :O. Way bigger than the Ashton areas, the area had a car once upon a time but doesn't many more so we walk ….. A LOT!!! I don't think I've ever walked so much in one day before and we do this every day. My feet are getting used to it but I have blisters but that's okay... I'll need 20 pedicures when I get home JThe area is good but quite slow. There is a lot more that we can be doing to be proactive so we're going to be working on that soon... Hopefully my trainer will agree... She has agreed with everything I've had to say so far which is nice because we're on the same page. She has only just finished her first 12 weeks herself! I know I'm being trained but you know me, I have an opinion and I think it's a good one! :/ Ha Ha. Her name is Sister Megan Brown... She's from Alberta, Canada and it's 95% Mormon where she is from :O. She tried to warn me about the ward before Sunday she said it was really small and what not.... However from the UK perspective it's not small at all and the members seem really nice! I haven't met a family like the Smart family yet though: / Ha Ha.Our Bishop is originally from Leeds and his name is Bishop Hull... He is Laura Smith's (Will and Laura Smith) brother. Small Mormon world!! There are quite a few members from the north here so that's kinda weird as I didn't expect that. Our Ward Mission Leader is a guy by the name Brother Edwin Ralph and he has a brother in law that is going to the Manchester mission soon... Look out for him….. I think his name is Elder Dads. Oh btw they've got right farmer accents down here JI'm running out of time!!!!!! :OI love you all and I miss you but I'm where I'm meant to be. I love this gospel and I'm excited to tell everyone about it. Everything is fine if you just keep smiling!!!!! :DRemember who you are!Love, Sister Smart
“
Your Missionary Has Arrived
Dear Parents,I am writing to inform you that your missionary was among those who arrived today safely in the England London South Mission. The missionaries have been assigned a trainer and started serving in their assigned area.
The Mission President will be sending you a letter soon which includes information about the area where your missionary was assigned and who their trainer/companion is. The letter will also include a picture taken on the day of their arrival.I am attaching a map for our mission. When you know where your missionary was assigned, you can find that area on the map.We are glad for the willingness of those young missionaries to come and serve. In the mission office we do everything we can to make sure their needs are met while in the field. Please know your missionary is well taken care of, and loved by us and by their mission president.Let us know if you have any questions.Best RegardsSister QumsiyehEngland London South Mission
Sorry I forgot to attach the photos she sent:“I have to keep this brief as we really don’t have long ….Sorry if you have emailed me and I haven’t replied ! Please don’t take it personally, hopefully I’ll be able to address your questions in this email.So I’ve officially been a Sister Missionary for 7 whole days…. It still feels sooo surreal !! I do feel different, just not like a missionary I think …does that make sense ? :/So all in all it’s a good experience, I am learning a lot about the Gospel and myself /my testimony.There isn’t many Missionaries in the MTC right now …. about 25 of us. There are 12 learning German and they had been here for 2 weeks when we got here. The other 13 are mostly going to London or London South except for my district leader Elder Nunes ……He’s going to the Manchester Mission ! so watch out for …He’s from Brazil and just great, I will send a photo when I get chance.We have 7 Sisters and as you can imagine it can be a little…..um difficult ! You know me, I say it as it is and so I’ve told a couple of Sisters to be nicer to their companions:/…. In a good, constructive way though !The teachers are amazing! It’s good to have known a few of them before hand and they say it as it is ! Maybe not quite as I do though ;) The other day I was having a tough moment and really wanted a hug and the first person I saw was Brother Rojas (Adrian) and I was sooo tempted to hug him…not good ! Ha ha ! Luckily Sister Bennie and Sister Richardson were there to hug ! They’re ACE ! They really get me and they understand how it is.Oh, so sleeping…Hmmm ! We’re all struggling to sleep at night even though we are tired …. Too much in our heads ! The beds are OK though …better than I thought.Food is important here …..mainly because as you eat you don’t have to think ;)I am working hard….like really hard and it feels good ! People keep complaining about being tired but I feel great ….. I hope that lasts throughout my mission (fingers crossed and all that).We’re having a devotional with Elder Donaldson tonight and we’re doing a musical item….. As Sister’s in Zion and The Army of Helamen…it’s so uplifting and refreshing !!!Any way I am running out of time !I love this Gospel and I know that my Saviour died for me and for you !Remember who you are !!!Love, Sister Smart
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