March 17, 2025
From Abby: Jesus Wall
Hi all dearest readers,
Its 5:07 PM, I'm generally cold and listening to Sister Atwood talk to her family avidly explaining the ins and outs of our missionary work here.. Love her :)
How confident are we that this email will be complete by 6:00?
I have faith
The logical reason I think this task may be possible is my LACK of journaling and therefore LACK of detail... Lets begin.
Last Pday was a zone Pday, a majority of the Zone finds joy in playing volley ball or football, I personally enjoy being curled up in a corner tapping away at my email and contemplating insights I've had throughout the week.
This week i've THOROUGHLY enjoyed moving around and adding to our Jesus wall, using the creative side of my brain to make things more aesthetic and pleasing to the eye. Times where I could have spent journaling I instead spent standing and examining and moving things around. Now it looks good and i've mostly rectified the outcomes of the roughness of the elders who put it up :) Its the little things.
My very first day in the field, an overwhelmed scared lil trainee we went to a youth activity the wednesday night that I came in and that is where I met Sister Tennis and her daughter Ruby! NOW ruby is on a mission in California and SIster Tennis has become a wonderful, wonderful, Young Womens president. On our inquiry she agreed to come with us to visit some of the young women of the ward and with each of them she bore a sweet sweet testimony and declared her love for that young women/something she loved about them. While she was with us we ended up talking to another Leader in the ward that we happened to bump into and she inquired how long I'd been out to which I replies "Just over five months!" It was so sweet to be with Sister Tennis because I was there DAY. ONE. And shes been a member that I can turn to since day one. She also described her gratitude and love for me and I just gave her the biggest hug cheek to Cheek I LOVE HER.
ZONE CONFERENCE THIS WEEK.
First of all I finished my first study Journal?! The way I was CRAMMING notes onto the last page :)
Its ALWAYS good to gather as missionaries, the hustle and excitement of missionaries who've been able to serve together in the past seeing eachother again, President brown walking around hyping everyone up taking selfies and shaking hands, Sister Brown sitting elegantly up on the stand bringing the spirit with her ever wonderful way of existing, and the spirit FILLING the room as more and more missionaries enter with anticipation of being edified and strengthened through the inspired teaching of our mission leaders and their friends :)
The logical reason I think this task may be possible is my LACK of journaling and therefore LACK of detail... Lets begin.
Last Pday was a zone Pday, a majority of the Zone finds joy in playing volley ball or football, I personally enjoy being curled up in a corner tapping away at my email and contemplating insights I've had throughout the week.
This week i've THOROUGHLY enjoyed moving around and adding to our Jesus wall, using the creative side of my brain to make things more aesthetic and pleasing to the eye. Times where I could have spent journaling I instead spent standing and examining and moving things around. Now it looks good and i've mostly rectified the outcomes of the roughness of the elders who put it up :) Its the little things.
My very first day in the field, an overwhelmed scared lil trainee we went to a youth activity the wednesday night that I came in and that is where I met Sister Tennis and her daughter Ruby! NOW ruby is on a mission in California and SIster Tennis has become a wonderful, wonderful, Young Womens president. On our inquiry she agreed to come with us to visit some of the young women of the ward and with each of them she bore a sweet sweet testimony and declared her love for that young women/something she loved about them. While she was with us we ended up talking to another Leader in the ward that we happened to bump into and she inquired how long I'd been out to which I replies "Just over five months!" It was so sweet to be with Sister Tennis because I was there DAY. ONE. And shes been a member that I can turn to since day one. She also described her gratitude and love for me and I just gave her the biggest hug cheek to Cheek I LOVE HER.
ZONE CONFERENCE THIS WEEK.
First of all I finished my first study Journal?! The way I was CRAMMING notes onto the last page :)
Its ALWAYS good to gather as missionaries, the hustle and excitement of missionaries who've been able to serve together in the past seeing eachother again, President brown walking around hyping everyone up taking selfies and shaking hands, Sister Brown sitting elegantly up on the stand bringing the spirit with her ever wonderful way of existing, and the spirit FILLING the room as more and more missionaries enter with anticipation of being edified and strengthened through the inspired teaching of our mission leaders and their friends :)
We had to prepare 3 minute talks on these two conference addresses our president sent in.
one of them was by one of our beloved members of the 12 Elder David A Bednar titled "In the Strength of the Lord", near the bginning of the talk he states
"This morning I take great comfort in knowing that I am one fo the truly weak things of the world."
Isn't it so interesting that weakness is literally a REQUIRMENT to be an instrument in the hands of the lord?
"This morning I take great comfort in knowing that I am one fo the truly weak things of the world."
Isn't it so interesting that weakness is literally a REQUIRMENT to be an instrument in the hands of the lord?
and how weakness isn't ACTUALLY weakness AT ALL when we give our weaknesses to Jesus Christ and he can strengthen us?
We see this pattern over and over and over again in the book of mormon and bible and pearl of great price (There are more examples than this but I'll share a couple with you in the interest of our very limited time)
Exodus 4:11-12
Moses states "Oh my lord, I am not eloquent.. But I am slow of speech and of tongue"
and God replies
"Who hath made mans mouth?.. Have not I the Lord?.. Therefore go and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Moses 6: 31-32
Enoch states "How is it that I have found favor in thy sight? I am but a lad and the people hate me for I am slow of speech... Am I thy servant?
God replies
"Go forth.. open thy mouth and it shall be filled..And thou shalt abide in me and I in you. Therefore walk with me."
We see it in Moroni, and Mormon called to lead nations into battle at the ages of 25 and 16
We see it in Joseph Smith who beheld god the Father and his Son Jesus Christ at the age of 14
GOD USES WEAK THINGS TO COMPLETE HIS WORK. And we see it in Ether 12:27 where god promises that if we bring our weakneses to him they can be made string THROUGH him
We see this pattern over and over and over again in the book of mormon and bible and pearl of great price (There are more examples than this but I'll share a couple with you in the interest of our very limited time)
Exodus 4:11-12
Moses states "Oh my lord, I am not eloquent.. But I am slow of speech and of tongue"
and God replies
"Who hath made mans mouth?.. Have not I the Lord?.. Therefore go and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Moses 6: 31-32
Enoch states "How is it that I have found favor in thy sight? I am but a lad and the people hate me for I am slow of speech... Am I thy servant?
God replies
"Go forth.. open thy mouth and it shall be filled..And thou shalt abide in me and I in you. Therefore walk with me."
We see it in Moroni, and Mormon called to lead nations into battle at the ages of 25 and 16
We see it in Joseph Smith who beheld god the Father and his Son Jesus Christ at the age of 14
GOD USES WEAK THINGS TO COMPLETE HIS WORK. And we see it in Ether 12:27 where god promises that if we bring our weakneses to him they can be made string THROUGH him
anyways..
Sister Brown reiterated something that Jeffrey R Holland shared at Roots tech:
Pray more than you Pray
Testify more than you Testify.
Sister Brown reiterated something that Jeffrey R Holland shared at Roots tech:
Pray more than you Pray
Testify more than you Testify.
If Elder Holland is recieving that council from the Lord I'm pretty sure it could apply to me too :)
President Brown invited one if his family friends and his wife the Winitanas and they were AWESOME. Brother Winitana apperently guarded Lebron James way back when so that absolutely devoured. He talked about HABIT. As a missionary and human being, encouraging us to rely on Jesus Christ and his atonement as we do so.
Also post zone conference literally every missionary got a free memory foam pillow because a member donated them (Score?!?)
Memory foam is crim though because tell me why my head is so elevated on that absololute BRICK. (Jk its actually great)
President Brown invited one if his family friends and his wife the Winitanas and they were AWESOME. Brother Winitana apperently guarded Lebron James way back when so that absolutely devoured. He talked about HABIT. As a missionary and human being, encouraging us to rely on Jesus Christ and his atonement as we do so.
Also post zone conference literally every missionary got a free memory foam pillow because a member donated them (Score?!?)
Memory foam is crim though because tell me why my head is so elevated on that absololute BRICK. (Jk its actually great)
I prepared my 3 minute talk on humility, Sister Brown gave a training on humility and then I gave a training in zone and disctrict council the day after Zone conference.. ON HUMILITY.. I think God is trying to tell me something. It was interesting because I gave a training with one of our zone leaders Elder Coromandel and we had to plan and coordinate over the phone... Kinda rough but It all turned out in the end. I think. So cool to give a training about Humility that humbles you
-During the training I mentioned the scriptures up above and also talked about GRATITUDE one of my favorite attributes.
I flipped wayyy back to my study journal (The one I just finished) and found a page of gratitude that I wrote on one of the first really hard days. Here are a couple that I liked
-an AMAZING mission president. He values agency yet expects maturity. Hes Kind and motivating
-During the training I mentioned the scriptures up above and also talked about GRATITUDE one of my favorite attributes.
I flipped wayyy back to my study journal (The one I just finished) and found a page of gratitude that I wrote on one of the first really hard days. Here are a couple that I liked
-an AMAZING mission president. He values agency yet expects maturity. Hes Kind and motivating
-An Obedient companion
-The opportunity to attend the temple EVERY TRANSFER
-The mountains of Orem Utah
-My journal and pen forever and always
Knocked on a members door this week and we introduced ourselves/ asked if we could come by sometime and share a message and she responds "Well we wouldn't be interested in that." and I was like "Well.. Can we just come anc get to know you better?" Girl lets us in and theres pictures of Jesus Christ everywhere and a statue of the Salt Lake Temple?! I guess some members just don't want a message from the missionaries XD
Crashed a wards Pie Day Activity on March 14 (3.14) and we walk in to a group of Irish Dancers?! I absolutely murdured my storage filming them but it was worth It. One of the ward members also led everyone in the singing of some Irish songs, Sister Atwood and I, I think had too much fun singing our hearts out and trying to sing in an Irish accent. Oh it was great fun :) And of course what followed that was the taste testing of PIE (Literally 40 different pies. The first world mission experience is insane.)
Had dinner with a couple families whos Kids actually like us! The Astle familiy is the Super vegitarian mom and every time we come over her kids ask us if we can move close so we can come over every week :) (we devoured tofu)
and the Schaur fam, we pulled up to the house and the youngest girl Ava is sitting on the step waiting for us to welcome us in > When we enter their boy Archer hands us this little trophy he made out of CLAY for us with the word "Missionary" Wrapped around it. I nearly died. Kids are the best no wonder why Jesus christ loves them so much
One of the Ward Mission Leaders in our ward was just called and he has a FIRE for missionary work (As every ward mission leader should I imagine) His name is Doyle Mortimer and hes an assistant funeral director > I don't think that Any other name would suit that profession as much as DOYLE MORTIMER?! I don't know but that brought me so much joy this week. Someone needs to write a book about him.
Knocked on a members door this week and we introduced ourselves/ asked if we could come by sometime and share a message and she responds "Well we wouldn't be interested in that." and I was like "Well.. Can we just come anc get to know you better?" Girl lets us in and theres pictures of Jesus Christ everywhere and a statue of the Salt Lake Temple?! I guess some members just don't want a message from the missionaries XD
Crashed a wards Pie Day Activity on March 14 (3.14) and we walk in to a group of Irish Dancers?! I absolutely murdured my storage filming them but it was worth It. One of the ward members also led everyone in the singing of some Irish songs, Sister Atwood and I, I think had too much fun singing our hearts out and trying to sing in an Irish accent. Oh it was great fun :) And of course what followed that was the taste testing of PIE (Literally 40 different pies. The first world mission experience is insane.)
Had dinner with a couple families whos Kids actually like us! The Astle familiy is the Super vegitarian mom and every time we come over her kids ask us if we can move close so we can come over every week :) (we devoured tofu)
and the Schaur fam, we pulled up to the house and the youngest girl Ava is sitting on the step waiting for us to welcome us in > When we enter their boy Archer hands us this little trophy he made out of CLAY for us with the word "Missionary" Wrapped around it. I nearly died. Kids are the best no wonder why Jesus christ loves them so much
One of the Ward Mission Leaders in our ward was just called and he has a FIRE for missionary work (As every ward mission leader should I imagine) His name is Doyle Mortimer and hes an assistant funeral director > I don't think that Any other name would suit that profession as much as DOYLE MORTIMER?! I don't know but that brought me so much joy this week. Someone needs to write a book about him.
This week I was sitting int he World Wide Relief society broadcast and reflecting on the relief society motto. It is SUCH a good motto please don't skip over this part of the email. Here it is:
We are beloved spirit daughters of god, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction.
As a worldwide sisterhood, we are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our savior and exemplar.
We are women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity who:
Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study.
Seek spiritual strength by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost
Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages families, and homes.
Find nobility in motherhood and joy in Womanhood.
Delight in service and good works
Love life and learning.
Stand for truth and righteousness.
Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth.
Rejoice in the blessings of the temple, understand our divine destiny, and strive for exaltation.
How sacred and wonderful it is to me a woman and a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. No other Church, organization, club, or event realises the wonderful, divine, and sacred roll of women like the restored church of Jesus Christ does.
How sacred and wonderful it is to me a woman and a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. No other Church, organization, club, or event realises the wonderful, divine, and sacred roll of women like the restored church of Jesus Christ does.
Random event: Our land lords kids gave us a Toque that a member made for us: Its ONE hat and its absolutely massive.. It has a Cactis on it > SO random. So fun :)
Another evening of wet biking to the point that my dress was DRIPPING onto a members floor :D. Bless Blundstones. lesson learned about Marry Janes in the slush rain.
Sometimes I have a mini Crisis about the fact that I'm on a mission in Utah > We visiting with Sister Tennis went STRAIGHT to a member missionary meeting (like 10 people there who are all somehow related to missionary work in that ward) and from their STRAIGHT to a meeting with a Ward mission leader who WALKED because his house is 5 minutes away..
It also happens while I'm biking around. Yesterday we were biking to our 4th meeting of the day (2 sacraments, 2 second hours) and we biked past this family walking home from church and had past our 3rd chapel, People saying "Hi Sisters!!" and cars Honking at us as we bike.. etc. And I all of the sudden remember just HOW member dense everything Is. And then everything sets in that I'm a sister missionary in Utah somehow existing independant and trying and ever filled with anxiety and imperfection yet grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and then when I focus on christ every thing else falls into place :)
WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH
Q: If Gods laws are unchanging, then why does the church make so many changes?
A: - God and his laws are unchanging, but they are not stagnant, niether do they lack progression
It also happens while I'm biking around. Yesterday we were biking to our 4th meeting of the day (2 sacraments, 2 second hours) and we biked past this family walking home from church and had past our 3rd chapel, People saying "Hi Sisters!!" and cars Honking at us as we bike.. etc. And I all of the sudden remember just HOW member dense everything Is. And then everything sets in that I'm a sister missionary in Utah somehow existing independant and trying and ever filled with anxiety and imperfection yet grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and then when I focus on christ every thing else falls into place :)
WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH
Q: If Gods laws are unchanging, then why does the church make so many changes?
A: - God and his laws are unchanging, but they are not stagnant, niether do they lack progression
-Doctrine refers to eternal truths like the nature of the Godhead, The Plan of Salvation, or Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice (Doctrine of Christ)
-Policy is the application of that doctrine based on the current circumstances
-the lord works through his prophets to uphold his doctrine and to modify church policy according to the needs of his children
-To say that God cannot further the work of his Gospel is to place limits on nhim > The work can only effectively be furthured and shared if it can adapt.
-D&C 1:38
"What I the lord have spoken I have spoken, and I excuse not myself..My word shall not pass away but be fulfilled.
-Artical of Faith 9
-D&C 1:38
"What I the lord have spoken I have spoken, and I excuse not myself..My word shall not pass away but be fulfilled.
-Artical of Faith 9
"We believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that he will YET reveal many great anf important things partaining to the kingdom of God."
-2 Nephi 29:9
"I am the same yesterday, today and forever.. Because that I have spoken one worf ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another: For my work is not yet finished.
-2 Nephi 28: 30
"I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept.. For unto him that recieveth I will give more."
VERY chaotic email and for this I apologize.
I hope this week holds greater things than last, and that life will continue to hold great things. The greatest of all is that Jesus Christ will come again, and he lives.
I think once we understand that, REALLY understand it, than all other things of the world become moot and we are able to endure, and press forward, and find Joy in christ :)
OKAY I'M DONE. ITS LATE. GOODNIGHT
Pictures!
"I am the same yesterday, today and forever.. Because that I have spoken one worf ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another: For my work is not yet finished.
-2 Nephi 28: 30
"I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept.. For unto him that recieveth I will give more."
VERY chaotic email and for this I apologize.
I hope this week holds greater things than last, and that life will continue to hold great things. The greatest of all is that Jesus Christ will come again, and he lives.
I think once we understand that, REALLY understand it, than all other things of the world become moot and we are able to endure, and press forward, and find Joy in christ :)
OKAY I'M DONE. ITS LATE. GOODNIGHT
Pictures!
-Sister Smith
From Dad: A Hectic Week
Dear Abby,
This week has been a busy one for us. We were grateful to finally finish the main renovations and cleaning on the Leduc house and list it for Sale on Friday. 3 viewings on Saturday but no bites yet. Praying hard for a sale soon to clear it out of our mindspace (and finances) !
This weekend we had the opportunity to go to Hinton on Saturday to see a "Guys & Dolls" production by the Hinton theater club. My counselor, Eric Holt, and his daughter Seia were in the play. Mia decided to come with us. Things got off to a bumpy start as Mom has been struggling to find any time to herself with all her many endeavors. This led to some tension as we tried to get out the door Saturday morning. After a hard conversation and some clarification, we headed out. After stopping for some final touches on the Leduc house, we picked up Mia in the City and headed to Hinton. We enjoyed staying at a BnB one of the members owns in Hinton. The play was entertaining though the venue wasn't as nice as the McLab. It was so fun for me to see so many branch members come out to support them. We enjoyed some nice visits with 3 people in extended care homes
Last Saturday we got the chance to go to the temple with some of the HInton families. It was a beautiful day both inside and outside the temple. It was a great way to bond with these members outside of church.
It was exciting this week to get updates from Sam on the Kin Games in Calgary. Sam was dancing up a storm!
Margo is still the cutest member of the family followed by Bowie. Mia and Mom are planning a trip down the last 2 weeks of April to see the Froelichs. Only 4 hours away from you!
This week I got a text from Don Goulding, my ministering brother and friend. He asked me what I thought about 3 Nephi 17:16-17.
16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.
Specifically, he asked me what I thought it meant to "see and hear" Jesus speak. We had a thought provoking discussion about the ability of the spirit to speak to us and open our eyes to see and understand things that aren't always easy to describe but that have an important impact on us. We talked about how we even use this type of language when speaking to each other. "Oh I see" we often say when someone clarifies their explanation. Language, even in trying to describe what happens can be imprecise, but the feelings of the spirit, at least for rme, bring great clarity and peace to my soul.
Have a great week, Sister Smith!
Love you lots,
Dad.
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