Sister Bastian Falls Yet Again !!!

Between Sister Smart & Sister Bastian, we must have the worlds most clumsy couple here.

“ Well... What a week! A week of some lows and massive highs!

We had a great P'day last week... We had our pedicures (not the best) and then went to Cote Brasserie which was amazing. Then we pretty much ran home with our shopping and back to work!

On Tuesday we went to visit with Pam and it was very emotional. She knows that the Church is true but unfortunately her situation right now doesn't permit her attending Church. She has faith that the Lord will provide a way for her in the future. I have so much love for her and I am sad that we will not be able to meet with her anymore but I hope that we will be able to stay in contact.

That afternoon we were on our way to do service at the Taylor's (Seriously love that family) and we met two girls; Hannah and Simone... Really cool, YSA age! To cut a long story short we're had a couple teaches with them now and on our second visit they brought some friends that were interested so we taught five people at once... Crazy but fun!

We went on exchange this week with Weymouth! I went to Weymouth with Sister Jacobsen who only came out this transfer. I was a bit nervous as I am the "older" Missionary but it was really good!

We went for a run in the morning and I stupidly forgot my camera!!! We went to a castle and the beach within 25 minutes! Being a missionary is amazing!!!!!!

I fell up the stares the other day and fell into Sister Bastian who then fell over... I have a photo of how she landed! We laughed so much!!!!!!!!

Today we went to Old Sarum ruins and Harvester for lunch with the Elders, Shelby, Dan, Sarah, Jamie and Richard. All YSA age... Really fun P'day! Have to get these good P'days in, in case I get moved.

We heard a rumour that transfers are Tuesday 22/04 instead of Wednesday 23/04 but we can't see how that would work with the MTC so we'll see what happens!!! Maybe you won't hear from me at all next week if I get moved or you will on the Tuesday/Wednesday if I stay. We hope it's the Wednesday as it's Sister Bastian's birthday one the Tuesday.

Sister Bastian and I have learned Elder Van Dongan's dance that I mentioned last week that I couldn't send the video of. We made a video today of us so hopefully that will send.

I have been asked to speak again this Sunday... Stress stress stress!!!! Ah well... It's good for me I guess!

Being a missionary is amazing! It is going so quickly... I am afraid!

Oh and General Conference... I loved all of the talks but this one hit home!! Bishop Gary E.Stevenson..... Click here to link to talk

Have a great week and remember who you are!

Love, Sister Smart

At Old Sarum... L to R: Sister Bastian, Shelby, Richard, Elder Schmoekel, Elder Robinson and me!

Sister Bastian and I... I really do love this lady!

Shelby and I!

Shelby and I playing Jenga!

My first attempt at a French plat!!! Not bad ey?

The Fall!!!!!

What, Posting On The Day I Received the Mail, How Good Am I Then?

Well, it feels good to be back on top of things again!!!

“ Hello!!!!!

Well... What a week! General Conference was amazing!!!! We got a lift down to Poole on the Saturday for the General Women's Session and then we stayed in Weymouth as it is only about 20 minutes from the Zone Leaders flat so they gave us a lift. Before they dropped us off all of the Elders went to "Smokey's", an American burger place. Sister Bastian and I were fasting so we didn't eat anything but it was fun... I felt like a YSA though not a Missionary so that was probably a bad thing! Back on the Sunday and as you know we had a two hour gap between the two sessions. The ZL's (with some help) made "Wingers" chicken... Sister Bastian and I made jacket potatoes and brownies for dessert. Honestly I love being with all of the Missionaries. I loved all of the talks and can't wait to hear the Priesthood Session and the Sunday afternoon Session (if we ever get time).

Did I say that Sister Bastian and I are on a sugar fast? Unless we get fed it at a dinner appointment we don't eat sweet things. We're doing it until Easter and it's going really well. We are also exercising like nut jobs! And that will continue forever... I reckon I might be a bit addicted. I lost weight when I first came out then put it back on again over Christmas. I am now one stone lighter than I was when I came out. One stone in 3 months is pretty good I reckon. Maybe I can loose another 4 stone before I come home :| Haha!

President Millar called me the other day to tell me my return date... May 6th 2015 as I expected. I had to call him last night for something and I am so grateful for him & Sister Millar and for the opportunity I have to be here in the ELSM. I told President how much I love Sister Bastian so I'm hoping that he won't move me but we'll see. If I get moved I won't be able to email at all WC 21/04/2014 so I will write to let you know where my new area is. Everyone thinks that I will move as I have been in the same District and Zone for the last 6 months.

It's Sister Bastian's birthday on April 22nd but that's the day before transfers so the 21st is a Black Monday (the Monday on transfer week as it's not Pday until the Wednesday) so we can't celebrate her Birthday. We planned to do it the week before (14/04) by having pedicures but we couldn't be booked in the shop that day so today was our only option. We're having pedicures after emailing, then I'm taking her for lunch at a Steakhouse. Fun Pday!!

When we were with the ZL's in the car the other day we were talking about what we love most about being a missionary. Elder Blackner said that it was the blessings that his family are receiving and then went on to explain after a few nudges. Fasten your seat belts! He grew up in a less active family and didn't go to church much. When he was 18 he had to go for a baby blessing... His Bishop collared him and asked him to go on a mission and he said yes (he has a hard time saying "no" to people). The Bishop gave him the paper work, he went home and never filled it in. When he was 19 he had to go for another baby blessing and knew that the Bishop would do the same so he prepared himself to say "No!" this time and told his Mum he planned to say no. The Bishop asked him and he said "Yes"... The Bishop gave him the paperwork, he went to his cousins house who had recently returned home from his mission and filled in the papers. The next week he had his medical and dental. Couple weeks later he got his call and came out one month later after attending church about 3 times after the baby blessing. Now his family are active in the gospel. How CRAZY is that?!?!?!?!!??! I literally gorped at him the whole time he was telling us.

Anyway... Enough for one week!

Our prayers are answered.

I Love you all!

Love, Sister Smart

Elder Blackner thought this would be a good idea... Big Red chewing gum rapers licked and placed on your fod causes heat, sting and a red mark. It didn't really do much!! He thinks the metal rapers are better though. Numpties!!!!!!!

Sister Bastian and I! I was not too impressed... Very tired and shiny after a long day!!!!

We April fooled the Elders!!! Instead of Oreo Truffles we made Marmite and chilli truffles... Hopefully the video will send.

Me trying to planned 4 different bus journeys for 1 day. Thank fully they all worked out!

Sister Bastian and I at Old Serum... Nice picnic lunch!

Sister Bastian fell off her chair again!! I nearly wet myself laughing!!!

Salisbury Chapel under go!

Just About Catching Up Again !!

Nearly done now...

“ Good morning!!!!!

This week has been a very good week! Zone training, Richard attended sacrament meeting ane FTing home!

I can't believe that we spoke on FaceTime yesterday... 40 minutes really does fly by!! Also, I forgot to say Happy Mother Day :( Sorry!!!!! Oh and I have bought cards but I forgot to send them last week so I'm sending them today... better late than never eh?! :)

I think I mentioned last week that we had Zone training this past Friday and I was looking forward to it... Well, I was until we received a phone call from the Zone Leaders asking Sister Bastian and I to present on ways to strengthen investigators who have a baptismal date. I fretted a LITTLE about it but it actually went quite well... We prayed and studied a lot and we received inspiration. We presented in the middle of the day so for the first half I couldn't concentrate properly but it was a really good day! I really do love learning and being strengthened by the other Missionaries.

The Zone leaders (Elder Fingerle and Elder Blackner) made lunch for 24... Impressive eh?! They made pulled pork burritos Cafe Rio style and it was really good!! Recipe to follow soon! Sister Bastian and I helped a little by making the rice (the Salisbury flat has a rice cooker so we just took that. Thankfully the Elders carried it home for us :)!!) and Sister Bastian helped me make Banoffee Pie x3. Went down a treat and thankfully no one had a heart attach :)!

On Saturday we went "Whiteboard contacting" in the centre of Salisbury!!! You write a question on a whiteboard and very confidently ask people if they'll answer it. I actually enjoyed it more than I suspected and it really did make people smile. We plan to do it again on another sunny day!

I love being here in Salisbury!

Yesterday we visited with Pam... Every time we meet with her we have such a lovely spiritual experience. We have a return appointment with her which is great and she wants to come to General Conference!! She know's that she will receive answers to her questions while in attendance and I am excited for her.

Richard (our progressing investigator) finally came to church with us yesterday after 6 weeks. He enjoyed it and he was very well fellowshipped by the branch which we were very pleased about. I am excited for him to continue to progress! I think he already has a testimony but is reluctant to commit.

Speaking with you yesterday was amazing but a little overwhelming/emotional. I was very happy to see you all and see how well you're all doing. You're actually real people... not just words on paper or a screen.

My time as a missionary really is flying by... I can't believe I'm almost 1/3 of the way through!!

I love being a missionary and I love being Sister Batian's companion. I have learned so much from her already.

I love you all!!!!! Have a great week!

Love, Sister Smart

28/03/14 - The Poole Zone... + AP's, - Jersey and Guernsey!

Big Time Slacking !!!

Im Big Time Slacking right now, two more days and Ill have 3 posts to catch up on...

“ Well! Another week gone by and it flew just as I expected... This transfer will be over before I know it and then I'm 1/3 of the way through.... WHAT?!?!?!?!? It really is crazy!
*** We just found out that the next transfer is on 23/04/2014 and we expected it the following week so it really will be over before we know it.
*** Both Sister Bastian and I think I will move so watch this space!

I love being a missionary... This week Sister Bastian asked me what I loved most about being a missionary and I couldn't decide straight away but after a long think I decided that it was witnessing others change their lives as they come unto Christ. On a completely selfish note, I also like how much I have changed as Heavenly Father has been molding me. Watching others change truly is very special and I love that I can be a part of it.
*** Saturday was very disappointing Pam wasn't able to go to the Temple and I probably let it bother me for a lot longer than I should but it's hard when you see Satan working his magic. I pray for her and pray that Satan will not be able to take a hold of her. But I know her time will come and she will find her way. That's what I don't like about missionary work... The opposite to what I love about it! Watching people struggle, watching Satan in his crafty ways and watching people reject the gospel. I wish that there was more that I could do but unfortunately Satan is very real. We should all try to be the kind of people that he is afraid of.

We were park contacting on Tuesday and we spoke to a guy named Elliot who last year had a long discussion with the Missionaries and has since read the entire Book of Mormon. I was both shocked and excited. We taught him about the Restoration and arranged to teach him in his home that Sunday (yesterday). Unfortunately he cancelled on the day as he had double booked himself. But we will be seeing him soon... Sister Bastian and I are very excited to see him again and teach him more about the Gospel.

Yesterday we had a last minutes dinner appointment with the Taylor family... I love them!!!!! We helped cook and prepare with Sister Taylor and I loved it... There were 10 of us for dinner! :) I felt like I was at home... Defiantly my home away from home that's for sure! They are planning on moving homes soon and I've told them to go north :)

We have a new missionary in the ward... I think I mentioned last week. Well now we know his name. Elder Robinson... We haven't got to know him yet but he's defiantly not an Elder Wilson! Not sure if that's a good or bad thing :) We'll take a new District photo next week!

We have Zone Training in Bournemouth on Friday and I'm excited! I love being around all the Missionaries... I'm starting to feel more comfortable at these big events too so that's good. Oh and the new Zone Leader is Elder Blackner... He's from Utah and seems cool. Seems like my northern accent is getting stronger because everyone seems to be making fun of me for my "bus" and "lunch" pronunciations. Especially the new Elders... I kept commenting on Elder Blackner's driving in retaliation! :)

Last Friday Sister Bastian had the MLC meeting in Stains that I mentioned... I went on exchange in Winchester with Sister Swain as her comp is STL for Portsmouth Zone. The ZL dropped us off on Thursday evening so we got to have a Sisters sleepover... Not quite the same as a regular one. Winchester is a cool place! Got to see the round table... Photo to follow! Oh and we bought companionship pedometers last Pday. Guess how many steps I did on Friday?!?! Photo to follow!! I was shocked!

Anyway I've wittered on for long enough!!

I love you all... Have a great week!

Love, Sister Smart

How many steps I took on Friday... 7.86 miles

The Round Table...

Last Pday... 6pm! It's over!!!!

This was me last week desperately studying for my talk!

At the top of the cathedral tower.

Sister Bastian and I at the top of the tower!

Salisbury chapel!!!!!

The mess I made while writing my talk!

On our way to church last week!

The view from our kitchen one day last week while I was making dinner.

Is It One, Or Is It Two ?

A bit of an odd one this week, not sure if shes being transferred or not, if yes then its just the one, but if shes not transferring out then we will get a double P'day message.

Message No 1:

“ Well... It's transfers this week so P'day isn't until Wednesday... We're only emailing for 1 hour today then again on Wednesday! We haven't been told if we're moving yet but we're pretty sure than we're not, but if one of us does we won't email until next Monday.

I can't believe that this transfer is over already!!!!!

Time really is flying by! Elder Christensen (ZL - Zone Leader) goes home on Wednesday so we will be getting a new one... I'm going to miss him! He's a great leader!! Elder Romney (AP - Assistant to the President) also goes home so we're getting a new AP... We already know who it is... Elder Kopischke! He's Elder Erich W. Kopischke's Nephew and Elder Finerle's (ZL) best friend from home... Pretty cool! We're quite sure that Elder Wilson and Elder Willers will be moving so we should be getting two new Elders in the Salisbury District.

Oh, I think I forgot to say that I asked President Millar about Skyping on Mothers Day... (If I Skype in March or May (English or American))... We received a letter that said American before I left, but President told me last week that I will Skype in March... That's less than two weeks away!!!! Not what I expected :O! That's going to be weird!

This week has been a good week..Other than Sister Bastian being unwell on Tuesday and thankfully she recovered quickly. Then I was unwell on Thursday and haven't quite recovered yet... I keep getting vertigo! :( miserable! I'm alright though!

I emailed President Millar first so I'm running out of time!

I'll email again on Wednesday... Hopefully!! I'm not ready to move or loose Sister Bastian yet! Hopefully I'll have time to send photo's 'cause I have loads!

Have a great week...

Love, Sister Smart

Message No 2:

“ Oioi! It's so weird emailing again this week... I'm glad I am though 'cause I had so much more to say!!!

Sister Bastian and I were asked to speak this Sunday on Resilient Faith... I accepted the challenge and studying was amazing! Trying to write my talk was a nightmare though!!! It mega stressed me out... I reckon you could see steam coming out of my ears! I said lots of prayers and got it finished at 21.00 Saturday evening. Phew! Giving the talk wasn't half as bad as writing it... Thankfully!

On Monday afternoon we had the opportunity to visit Pam, the lady that we found last Sunday. She really is amazing! The spirit is so strong when I am with her. She is the gentlest soul and I love being around her. We are hoping to go to the temple with her this coming Saturday... I can't wait!!

When I was studying for my talk. It was a very enlightening experience ... Faith is so much more than I ever thought it could be. It's never ending! To cut a huge subject small. firstly, I thought that resilient meant unbreakable, but it means to spring back after bending or recovering quickly from difficulty. Faith is essential and we can all have resilient faith. It is our responsibility to develop our own faith. It takes effort but the more we work on it, the stronger it becomes. We can also strengthen one another... Luke 22:31-32. Resilient faith is a resilient testimony. Get on it!!!!!

It's weird to think that we'll be emailing again on Monday. This week is so weird!!

We have so many random things going on this transfer, so we know it will fly by!!!!! And we have MLC (Missionary Leadership Council) this Friday so we'll be traveling from Thursday evening and then a random (non proselyting) day on Friday and we wont get home from this till 21.00ish. Then we have Easter and Sister Bastian's birthday on April 22nd. April 30th is the next transfer day and I know that it will come around like tomorrow! We both think that I will be transferred 30/04... I don't want to because I love Salisbury and Sister Bastian but I know Heavenly Father sends us where he needs us.

We went to a baby shower last night... A Fijian one! Fijian means good food!!! She was due next week but she had the baby last night/this morning at 02.24am. Good timing eh?!

I'm going to try and spend the rest of my time sending photo's as we've taken a few and haven't sent any in a while.

Remember who you are!

Love, Sister Smart

Sister Bastian and I on our way to Stake conference!!! Spring is coming!!!!!!!

Sister Bastian so very pleased with this purchase!!!

Layla wanted to be Sister Smart :) Cutest kids!!

Elder Finerle, Elder Christensen, Sister Bastian and I - Poole Stake conference (Our last time seeing Elder Christensen)

Dinner with The Raratabu's!! AKA Mamma and Papa T (Tema and Tevita). Told you Fijian's did good food! They beamed at me the whole way through my talk this week like proud parents. I love them!!!!

Annie and Mark bought me this bag for Christmas BTW :)

I hope this sends!!!! We laugh every time we watch it!! Saddos!!! You defiantly had to be there.

The start to our awesome Pday last week! In Salisbury Market square.

Salisbury cathedral... I love Sister Bastian!

Sister Macaluso and I on exchange last week!!

A bit blurry but ah well!! Sister Macaluso, myself, Sister Bastian and Sister McLaws

Changes !!!

I know they say that Missions can change people, but I really cant believe sometimes, that these emails are coming from the same person who went out only 4 1/2 months ago...

“ Well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This week has been intense!!!! Amazing!!

We Had interviews with President Millar on Thursday and then we had an exchange so we got a lift from President and Sister Millar to Bouremouth... How amazing is that?! 1h 45m in the car with two spiritual giants! I love them so much!!

President made tuna sandwiches for us all so we ate as we drove. It's crazy how comfortable you get with people even though you only see them once or twice every six weeks. I love them so much.

Exchange was good... I was with Sister Macaluso from Milan, Italy. She's great! You really do start to miss your companion after a while though!

It was Poole Stake Conference this weekend and it was lovely... Saturday we didn't get to bed until 11.15pm though! We were exhausted last night!!! I know it doesn't seem late but it really is as a missionary!!!

The session was all about hastening the work and we heard some great testimony's. President and Sister Millar spoke and President had all the full time Missionaries stand and recite our purpose... It was Ace!!

Sunday was lovely too it was all about becoming a Disciple of Christ. Then we had a nice dinner appointment with a Fijian family... They said "WELCOME HOME!" as we walked through the door! They obviously love the missionaries... We have a lot of love for them and them for us! They really do like to feed you though! (Photo to follow) And then to top it all off we saw an AMAZING miracle!!

On Friday when we were on exchange, Sister Macaluso and I received a return appointment with somebody we had taught in the street. Sister Bastian and I found the address and realised it was a little further away than expected and in a small village we didn't even know existed. We got on the bus and received some help from a lovely couple as to where we should get off the bus. We found the address and it was very apparent that it was empty. We knocked anyway and of course didn't get a response. We knocked the whole street but unfortunately there wasn't anyone that was willing to listen to our message. We turned around and questioned where to go next.

Straight across the road there was a building but we weren't 100% that it was a house as it looked like a chapel. We got closer and realised it was a house so we decided to knock. A lovely lady answered the door, we introduced ourselves and she said "Latter-day Saints?" and we responded yes and she said "I am too". Sister Bastian and I were shocked and very excited when she invited us in. The ladies name is Pam and she went on to tell us how she had joined the church in South Africa 20 years ago and that she had been married in the temple but unfortunately the marriage ended in divorce about 10 years later.

She moved to England after the divorce and had "lost her way". She had recently been thinking about the gospel and was considering either writing a letter to have her name removed or returning to the gospel. She expressed how much she missed the church and specifically the temple. We told her about the Salisbury Chapel that is being built and invited her to visit the Temple with us with on March 22nd. She was over moon with the opportunity and expressed her love for the Temple, the Gospel and Sister Bastian and I for knocking on her door. The spirit was very strong the whole visit but when I offered the prayer as we were leaving I got a little overwhelmed. Then when she hugged me and she hugged me as though we had just saved her life. I got our of there and sobbed! Heavenly Father loves us all and knows all of us personally. He knew that Pam needed this opportunity in her life. And He knew that I needed to feel a personal purpose here in Salisbury.

As I told you last week I have been studying "The Fourth Missionary" and I have been working very hard to form a better relationship with my Heavenly Father. I know that He loves me and I know that He is shaping me into who He knows I can be. Also, I am starting to feel a little more worthy of being Sister Bastian's companion... I love her and I love the opportunity I have to learn from her.

We've had a lovely day as Salisbury Cathedral today... The weather is lovely and we thought we'd take advantage!

I love being a missionary!!!

I love you all!

Sister Smart

4 Months Out and She Cant Believe It !!!

This has to be a record for the time taken to get the post up on the Blog!!

“Well, I don't even know where to start!!! I can't believe that I've been out for 4 months...... CRAZY!!!

Sister Bastian is great... We get on so well! She really is an amazing Missionary and that's great but I can't help but compare myself to her and then I feel terrible! She assures me that I am great and that she couldn't do it without me but she has to say that!

I've started to study something called (I think) "The Forth Missionary"... Try to find it online! It's written for missionaries but it really is good for everyone. You just have to adjust it a little. I'm hoping it will help me be the person/Missionary I want to be!

We have two investigators that are being baptised on March 29th. I'm so pleased for them! The work here in Salisbury really is moving quickly! We've been here three weeks and it feel like we've just gotten here... We are teaching some very interesting people that will see a huge change (for the better) in their lives if they come unto Christ.

This last week we had a dinner appointment everyday besides Sunday... It's so weird not going home to eat. One day we had lunch out because we didn't have time to go home and then we had a dinner appointment.. those are the days that you collapse as you walk through the door! :) Oh and I still managed to loose another 4lb this week!!

I didn't feel too clever earlier on this week... I had a woozy head! blocked sinuses, I think. I feel better now but I was freezing for like three days straight... Not cool (pardon the pun)!

At one of our dinner appointments this week the member asked me what my favorite element of the gospel was. At first, I said the Plan of Salvation... Then I refined it a little to the Atonement (which is essential to the POS). It's something that I have been studying and thinking about a lot recently. How blessed are we?!?

I think (I've done a little research) that when most people think about Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made they think about repentance and him atoning for our sins. Heavenly Father knew that we would make mistakes in this life so he sent our brother, Jesus Christ to pay the price. And that's amazing!! BUT... There is so much more to it. I don't think we will ever be able to comprehend it... Not while we're on the earth anyway. Without him we wouldn't have had the opportunity to receive a physical body which means we wouldn't have this amazing experience to learn.

I love my savior, my brother and my friend Jesus Christ. I challenge you to get to know him better and develop your understanding of his Atonement.

I love you all, Sister Smart

This was our treat day... They're seriously good! Cadbury Moose filled Eggs!

The Salisbury District: Elder Willers, Elder Astle, Elder Wilson, Elder Schmoekel, Sister Bastian and me! This really does depict our District well! I love these guys!!! Oh and Elder Astle is from Riverton, UT!! Brody Astle... Annie and Mark, do you know any Astle's?

We cleaned out the cupboard that we have named the "Elders flat find cupbored" last Pday... We found this!!! We honestly nearly wet ourselves laughing!!!! Our pet fish are now on display in the kitchen!!

This is me praying on one of the days I was freezing!! Sister Bastian thought I looked funny so she took a photo!!