SISTER SMART ON A MISSION: November 2014

Pumped For Life !!!

By Elder Quinton L. Cook...

“

Hello hello!

This week has been a good week... A good busy week!

Sister Maddocks is great... She is so sweet!!! I am so blessed to be her companion!!

We have been trying some new finding ideas which have been really fun... We have lots of fun together and laugh a lot. I really do love being a missionary!

We are working with a really cool guy named Serge! He came to Church yesterday for the first time and he loved it!! He lost his wife 14 years ago in a sailing accident and has been looking for peace and comfort since then. It is so nice being here and watching him receive that which he has been looking for.

On Wednesday evening the Poole Zone Leaders called to inform us that the Poole Sister Training Leader and her comp would be staying with us on Thursday evening in preparation for Mission Leadership Council on Friday. I asked who the STL was and they told me it was Sister Stuart... I nearly fell over with excitement!!! I was so happy that they were coming to stay!!! Her and I slept in the lounge so we didn't disturb the other Sisters as we had to get up at 05:30am for MLC. We had so much to talk about that I think we only had about 4-5 hours sleep in the end :/... Not cool but it was so nice catching up with her!!!

Elder Trowbridge who I served with in Eastbourne is one of the Poole Zone Leaders so it was really cool catching up with him in the car on the way there. Then My beloved Sister Hickman was at MLC... It was so nice to see her!! I truly do miss her! She is amazing! I am so sad that she goes home next transfer! Her and I nearly wet ourselves laughing at the AP role play... With the help from some of the Zone Leaders they acted out Noah and the ark. Elder Trowbridge and Elder Harris were goats with Elder Day and Elder Haggerdorn as Panda's... I have never laughed so much at a role play before. I actually cried. Elder Jackman played the role of Noah's son and his baby voice was hilarious!!! That aside the meeting really was amazing... I learned so much and it has pumped me up for this transfer.

This coming Tuesday (Tomorrow), I will be pumped for life as we have the privilege to see Elder Quinton L. Cook of the Twelve speak to us and the England London Mission at the Hyde Park Chapel. Not all of the Mission get to go as it's too far to travel and would cost a bomb so we are so fortunate that we get to go. We are so excited!! Sister Brown (my trainer) and her comp will be staying with us tonight then traveling with us tomorrow. How cool is that?!?!

The other evening we walking down the road and this guy waved to us from a car... I waved back even though I didn't know him then they pulled over... I thought he was going to ask for directions but he knew me... He told me I look like my mum!! His name is Joey Honor... He's a member of the Chichester Ward and he recently returned from the England Manchester Mission. He served in Oldham! Cool eh?! On Sunday he came to me with a missionary planner and asked when we needed him this week! He is coming finding with us on Thursday... So cool!!! I want to be that kind of member Missionary when I get home!

Elder Gibbons is my new District Leader... He is from Dublin, Ireland but had unfortunately lost his accent!! Poor guy!! His comp is Elder Rife from Ohio and Elder Gibbons sounds more American than him... Haha!!! Jokes!!!!

My new Address here in Chichester is:

At MLC we were informed about a new initiative called "He is The Gift"... It's all about Jesus Christ and Christmas... I am so excited!!!! We were able to see the new Mormon Message attached to the campaign called "He is The Gift" it hasn't come out yet... It will be aired on Wednesday at 07:00pm! Watch it!!!!!!!!!!!

christmas.mormon.org or on Youtube!!

Have a lovely week!!!!! Enjoy the video!!!!

Remember who you are... Always!

Love, Sister Smart

www.mormon.org/me/C82Q/JessSmart

#sharegoodness

Mission Leadership Council 21/11/2014

Sister Hickman and I at MLC! I love her!!!!!!!!!!!

Sister Maddocks and I... Chichester is so pretty!!!!

Joey Honor and I!

Letter From President Millar !!!

Had a very nice letter from Sister Smart's Mission President this week...

Click here to read the letter.

Well Guess Who Is Sister Training Leader !!!

Well Go One Then Guess...

“

So this is a crazy email... It is 19:40 and I am emailing... Crazy email after a crazy day!!!

I am exhausted!!!! I have been having the worst nights sleep the past week or so... But who needs sleep!? I can sleep when I get home! :/ Haha! Sorry if this email doesn't make sense!

On Friday we were just sitting down to a nice Chinese take away with the Hamilton's when President Millar called. He told me that the circumstances weren't right for me to train this transfer so I was replacing Sister Bastian (who goes home on Wednesday) in Chichester... Big boots to fill!!!

My new comp would be Sister Maddocks and I will be training a new missionary when she is either moved areas or goes home as she goes home 3 months before me. Sister Schmidt is staying in Bracknell and is training a new missionary. There is a new Sister coming into the mission called Sister Schmidt and we are so hoping that she trains her!! I'm not going to lie, I was gutted that I'm not training but I know that this move is meant to be. We are always called to certain places with certain people for a reason... Also gutted that I'm not going to be in Bracknell for Christmas. I am truly grateful that I am able to continue the friendships that I form in each of my areas as I live so close!!

On Monday we had the Zone P'Day in Reading... A couple of members organised it and it really was amazing... I hope I am able to do stuff like that for missionaries when I get home. We played pass the parcel, spoons and games like that. Really fun day! First we just had lunch together and I realised how awkward I am going to be when I get home. Once we were playing games and we had a purpose it was fun but before that I just felt weird! Not having a purpose in every situation is going to be weird! :/ fun fun fun!!

At family home evening at the Hamilton's on Monday evening Virdi shared a scripture for the spiritual thought... "But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not." Mosiah 4:30. How awesome is he?!?!

Randomly we got a phone call from a really weird number this week... I was brushing my teeth after lunch so Sister Schmidt answered... It was Vinayak!!!!!!!!! I nearly spat my tooth paste out on the floor with shock! I managed to get to the sink then spoke to him. He called all the way from India! All I know is he sounded happy! We got cut off after about a minute so I don't really know why he called other than to see how we were doing! It was so cool talking to him though!

On Tuesday we helped at Young Women's... We sat on a missionary panel so the Young Women could ask us questions about being a Missionary. It was actually pretty cool and I realised how crazy special Missions are!

I manged to learn a few German words before I left Sister Schmidt and I also learned a German phrase... "Zwei dumme, ein gedanke!!!" German - English "Two dummies, one thought!!!". Sister Schmidt and I reached into out bags at the same time to find our lip balm. :) I would say... "Great minds think a like!!" :).

Last night we were at Matt and Beth's for dinner (A last supper) and President called... He told me that he forgot to tell me the other day that I am the Sister Training Leader for my Zone. I nearly cried and I have felt sick ever since! I'm so flipping nervous!! The first Friday of every transfer all of the STL's, Zone Leaders and AP's get together with President Millar for Mission Leadership Council. :/ How flipping daunting!!!! Then I found out that Sister Hickman is the STL for the Crawley zone and I felt a little better as I would have my bestie by my side to be daunted with!!

As Sister Bastian is going home I moved to my new area today... My travel plans included going to the Temple... I got to see loads of Missionaries that were going home so that was cool as I didn't think I would see them again. I got to see Sister Bastian :) I love her so much!! She left me a note in my new flat and a Christmas gift. All of my companions are starting to go home... It's going to be really weird!

Today in Presidents letter we found out that Elder Quentin L. Cook is coming to visit the England London South Mission and the England London Mission on November 25th. Only some of the missionaries will be able to attend because of travel... We are so hoping that we will be able to go but we will find out soon! This is going to be a full transfer!!! We also found out that we will be going to the Temple on December 9th!!! :) Yay!!!!

This week in my study this scripture really stood out to me!! "But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen." 1 Nephi 9:6... This is so true!! Heavenly Father does know us all individually and he knows what we need. Allow him to help you... Be humble enough to ask for his help. Be worthy of his help.

I hope that you all have a lovely week!

I love you all!

Love, Sister Smart

#sharegoodness

Sister Maddocks and I!

Alf and I... He is 94!

Good Night - Sleep Tight !!!

Dont Let The Bed Bugs Bite...

“

Hello hello!!

It feels like 5 minutes ago that I was writing my email last week! Time is flying by!!! :/

So... About two weeks ago I was bitten by something. Didn't know what at the time but they were driving me crazy as they itched so much. So much so that they kept me awake some nights. After about a week they started to look angry, I felt quite unwell then they progressed into quite a nasty infection. I went to the GP and she informed me that they looked like tick bites that had become infected and I probably felt unwell because I had probably had Limes disease... Sounds really bad but it's not too bad if it's treated. She gave me two weeks of anti-biotics and they seem to be doing the job! They didn't kick in straight away so the following day they were a lot worst than the photos I've sent but now they're much better and I feel pretty good too. Nasty little ticks!! I'm just glad they didn't embed them selves!!!!

This week I finished reading the Book of Mormon!!! Yes, I know I've been out for a year but anyone that knows me well will understand why it has taken me so long! I have now restarted reading it as well as the New Testament. Wish me luck!!! :)

Last P'Day we planned to go to Oxford for a Sisters P'Day... Our Train from Bracknell was delayed by more than an hour so we ditched that and spent the day being productive... It was probably a good thing as today we are heading to Reading for a Zone P'Day so today won't be very productive. About 4 missionaries from the zone are going home this transfer so it's kind of a farewell for them. We are going to the Reading Chapel to play games so it should be a fun day!!

We have been doing a method of finding/street contacting! We have been using Mormon.org cards... We fan them out (all different colours) like a deck of cards and say "pick a card, any card!". It works quite well as an icebreaker and often makes people smile. I think they think I'm a nut job!!! :)

This week we went to the Sarawanga family for dinner... We had rice balls and Peanut soup. It was amazing. African food is so nice... Eating soup with the hands is interesting! :)

We had a conventional dinner last night with the Morris family! They are from Stoke... It's so nice to be with Northerners... They get my humor.

As you know... Yesterday was remembrance Sunday. We had a lovely service. We had a two minute silence, awesome speakers on sacrifice and consecration then sang "I Vow To Thee My Country". We are so blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom to worship how we wish... "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." The 11th Article of Faith.

We met a lady this morning on the way to the library... She will be turning 80 very soon. She was amazing!! We were talking about people of her age and one of the things she said was "Life is for living! Once you put yourself in a corner, feeling sorry for yourself then its all over. LIVE!!"

Awesome advice!!

I hope that you all have a lovely week!

I love you!

~ Sister Smart

#sharegoodness

So I stupidly opened a newly painted door the other day... Not cool!

Scary, I know!!! Sister Schmidt and I on Halloween... Haha, jokes! Facemasks!

Rice ball and peanut soup! I will make it when I get home. African food is amazing!

Sister Schmidt on an average day! Haha!!

I cut Sister Schmidt's hair... Before!

And After!

Masey being Sister Smart.

Sister Smart being Masey.

Tick bite number 1.

Tick bite number 2.

Masey had lots of fun with my camera last night!! 72 photos later!!

Consecration Week !!!

Good News Overload

“

What a week!!!! This week was "Consecration Week!"... President wanted us to do 4 hours of finding new people to teach each day. It was a good week! We had lots of plans so trying to fit that in was tough but we did the best we could :)

Tuesday was a Halloween activity... Trunk or Treat! It was fun! We helped out a little then Ian Greathead arrived with my boxes from home. The plan was for him to drop it off with The Hamilton's but the only evening he could do it was Tuesday and the Hamilton's were at the activity so we had a little chat and exchanged boxes. Again... It's so weird seeing people from home. It just doesn't feel normal. Two worlds coming into one!

On Wednesday we had interviews with President Millar... I love that man! I don't know how he does it! How can he have so much love for each Missionary when there are about 300 of us?! The interview went well... He told me that he wants be to have the opportunity to train a new missionary and there are 15 new Sisters coming into the mission on November 19th. That doesn't mean that I will train but it means that I could. I am excited and nervous! Pleased that he trusts me to train. I will willingly accept the challenge! We'll see!!!!!

District Meeting was on Thursday... Elder Cooper asked me to prepare a 10 minute presentation on finding new people to teach... Very apt! I think it went quite well... It's weird teaching/presenting without your companion though! We went for lunch after the meeting as a district plus the Zone Leaders and the Earley Sisters who we went on to have an exchange with that afternoon. I went to Earley with Sister Brooks and we had fun... Taught a really cool woman together. Traveling back from exchanges the next day elder Popa asked me if I would like to drive... Of course I said yes as I love to drive and haven't in over a year! I thought he was joking but he pulled over, we swapped seats and I drove us to our flat. I think it was their Happy One Year Mark gift from the Zone Leaders! :) I also got two Starbars from Elder Christensen on my year mark... :)!

On Saturday we went to the Temple Visitors Centre with a couple that we are working with... It was really nice... It was also very busy!! I got to see Sister Taylor from Salisbury :D, President and Sister Crew, (the Poole Stake President who live in my first area, Yeovil), Honey (The Crews daughter) who lives in Rugby so knows Rae, plus a few other people, but I'd be here forever if I told you everyone that I saw! On Sunday we went to the Temple again for a fireside with Jim who we are currently working with... I got to see my dearest Sister Hickman!!!!!

All in all I think this week has been a good week!...

I feel like I'm forgetting something!!!... Haha, JOKES!!!!!

I know what it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rae Rae is having a baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so flipping excited!!! I don't think I can take anymore good news/seeing people I love!! I will have a new niece or nephew just a couple weeks before I get home... Just in time! Sorry family but you will have to hug me with a baby between us! :) I'm not going to put him/her down... EVER!!!!!!!!!

This week I have been studying a talk from General Conference called "Come and See" by Elder David A. Bednar... It's amazing! If any of you wonder why I am serving a mission then you should watch the video below... He explains it so well so I wont bother trying to explain!!

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/come-and-see?lang=eng

I hope that you all have a lovely week and you remember who you are! Mum has said that to me for as long as I can remember... "Remember who you are!"! I didn't really understand what she meant by it until recently-ish! Think about it... Who are you?!?! We are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father who loves us so much that he sent his only Begotten Son to suffer and die for us and Jesus, our brother loves us so much that he suffered and died willingly.

If you think that miracles have stopped then think about this... There is a baby born every minute!!!... Sorry what was that?!?! Female humans grow mini humans in their tummies?! MIRACLE!!!!!!!

I love you!!

Love, Sister Smart

#sharegoodness