September 30, 2024
From Abby - Ye Cannot Go Amiss
Hello all,
What a wonderful adventure we're all going on together
Very little things bring me more joy than documenting my life for those who happen to be even slightly interested, I'm so excited to have a little digital journal for you all to read (Or not) so you may know my existence in little droplets of truth!
The best part is the fun hasn't even really started since the entirety of this week has been filled with the wonderful joys of home MTC!
Which essentially is a bunch of kids back on zoom for the first time since the known all too well virus COVID. (Not traumatizing at all)
EXCEPT this time no one is sleeping, all are dressed well, and even through the screen you can sense the brisk excitement on the countenances of those who decide to unite all together and strive to Gather Israel, the buzz of missionary work is starting to well up in my soul as I anticipate uniting with my District IN PERSON?? Crazy.
There are fourteen of us, four Elder companionships, three Sister companionships (3 including my comp and I) and I love each and every one of them already! Especially Sister Christiansen, my Companion (Pronounced Chris-tee-anne-son) . I have a feeling that we're going to be an efficient team and good friends. After companion study (30 minutes) twice now we've stayed on video chat for longer and dissected everything that came to mind laughing and conversing in the midst of this crazy shared experience. She's absolutely lovely and I can't wait to work with her more.
My District in and of itself makes my heart feel happy. We're all united and excited and I don't think there's a better feeling.
BESIDES all the new things I've had the chance to stay at my Brother and Sister-In-Laws house (Parents accidentally scheduled a cruise on my departure so wishing them well from Canada while they're living the best empty nester life in Venice and abroad) which has been pretty cool. Yesterday I pretty much had a small crying session and Madison helped me pack and organize everything in the midst of my chaotic emotions... I'm Just a girl :D
So grateful this week for people who got me out of the house to enjoy the beauty of fall.
I've been thinking a little too much about the poetic symbolism of how everything is changing in my life in parallel to fall. Letting go of things for a season and changing etc etc... AND FALL IS SO PRETTY. I'm somewhat sad to leave the whispers of a biting winter and hopeful promise of a white Christmas for the warmer climate of Utah but, its fine :(
“Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss.” -D&C 80:3
I've never had a greater chance to place my faith in the Lord and as I anticipate preaching his gospel i'm happy to know no matter where I am, I can't go amiss if I'm striving to share the good and happy news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his everlasting exalting plan for his Children.
I think I'm rambling now and at the same time I know there's MUCH more to say even now
I don't think future emails will be as lengthy due to allotted time which will be tragic because I know there will be so much more to say in days to come.
For all my photos during the entirety of my mission will be in this google photos album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/
I love you all
this is only the beginning ;)
Until next week!
-Sister Smith
Very little things bring me more joy than documenting my life for those who happen to be even slightly interested, I'm so excited to have a little digital journal for you all to read (Or not) so you may know my existence in little droplets of truth!
The best part is the fun hasn't even really started since the entirety of this week has been filled with the wonderful joys of home MTC!
Which essentially is a bunch of kids back on zoom for the first time since the known all too well virus COVID. (Not traumatizing at all)
EXCEPT this time no one is sleeping, all are dressed well, and even through the screen you can sense the brisk excitement on the countenances of those who decide to unite all together and strive to Gather Israel, the buzz of missionary work is starting to well up in my soul as I anticipate uniting with my District IN PERSON?? Crazy.
There are fourteen of us, four Elder companionships, three Sister companionships (3 including my comp and I) and I love each and every one of them already! Especially Sister Christiansen, my Companion (Pronounced Chris-tee-anne-son) . I have a feeling that we're going to be an efficient team and good friends. After companion study (30 minutes) twice now we've stayed on video chat for longer and dissected everything that came to mind laughing and conversing in the midst of this crazy shared experience. She's absolutely lovely and I can't wait to work with her more.
My District in and of itself makes my heart feel happy. We're all united and excited and I don't think there's a better feeling.
BESIDES all the new things I've had the chance to stay at my Brother and Sister-In-Laws house (Parents accidentally scheduled a cruise on my departure so wishing them well from Canada while they're living the best empty nester life in Venice and abroad) which has been pretty cool. Yesterday I pretty much had a small crying session and Madison helped me pack and organize everything in the midst of my chaotic emotions... I'm Just a girl :D
So grateful this week for people who got me out of the house to enjoy the beauty of fall.
I've been thinking a little too much about the poetic symbolism of how everything is changing in my life in parallel to fall. Letting go of things for a season and changing etc etc... AND FALL IS SO PRETTY. I'm somewhat sad to leave the whispers of a biting winter and hopeful promise of a white Christmas for the warmer climate of Utah but, its fine :(
“Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss.” -D&C 80:3
I've never had a greater chance to place my faith in the Lord and as I anticipate preaching his gospel i'm happy to know no matter where I am, I can't go amiss if I'm striving to share the good and happy news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his everlasting exalting plan for his Children.
I think I'm rambling now and at the same time I know there's MUCH more to say even now
I don't think future emails will be as lengthy due to allotted time which will be tragic because I know there will be so much more to say in days to come.
For all my photos during the entirety of my mission will be in this google photos album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/I love you all
this is only the beginning ;)
Until next week!
-Sister Smith
From Dad - So excited
Dear Abby,
I am so excited for you to be at the MTC preparing for your mission.
As much as we missed being there for Home MTC, we have loved watching your siblings rally around you and bear you up in our absence.
I want you to know how special you are to me. I have absolutely loved the past couple of years with you in our home. I love our connecting times and the times you have put your arm around me and confided in me.
As you branch out and have new experiences on your own, I hope you always can remember and find comfort in the time you had in our home with us growing up.
Remember that you are enough. You have learned to walk by faith and to lean into the questions you have trusting that you can still move forward regardless.
One of my favorite parts of the “Preach My Gospel” manual is the section on Christlike attributes. I have seen you develop and grow yours over the past year and especially as you went through the temple.
I love these paragraphs:
A Gradual Process
Becoming more like the Savior is a gradual, lifelong process. With a desire to please God, improve one decision at a time.
Be patient with yourself. God knows that change and growth take time. He is pleased with your sincere desires and will bless you for every effort you make.
As you seek to become more like Christ, your desires, thoughts, and actions will change. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost, your very nature will be refined (see Mosiah 3:19).
Have a great time “becoming” as you enjoy this MTC experience. If you chose it, it can be a cherished memory the rest of your life. It certainly was for me. From singing as we did service in the bathroom showers to evening hymn singing in the stairwells, to feeling the spirit so strong I could almost touch it, I will always appreciate the experience and growth I had at the MTC.
Love you forever,
Dad.
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