July 14, 2025

From Abby - STEP MOM 

Heyyy
Hiii

Okay lets jump in 

This week was SOOO FAST 
Today walking through walmart I was like "How did I get here.?"

The week started with dance lessons by elder Taufunga giving dance lessons?? I heard a rumour that he used to be a choreographer at the Polynesian Cultural Center!??! (He hasnt confirmed but I wouldnt be shocked) 

We chanelled our inner polynesian and danced our little hearts out. It was a solid effort I will say that.

LOOK WHAT MY PARENTS SENT ME 
I count it as a late canada day gift

LITERALLY the next day the Looslis from my last area knocked on my door and dropped off ANOTHER BAG
AND THEN a member in our area brought us TWO bags of old dutch ketchup?!?! 
Its because I talk about ketchup chips all the time.. Reeferals probably work the same way :)
Basically aquired SEVEN bags of ketchup Chips this week 
#Loved. 

-Also discovered the handwritten letters at the bottom like 4 days later when I finally removed the chips from the box XD 

words that lifted me:

"Youre an absolute legend and always will be, your spirit is one of the strongest. The love you make people feel is all encompassing.I love you so much." -Emma 

"Honestly, its these little things in life that bring me a lot of Joy. At any moment In time -If we think of It- we can stop and breath and notice beautiful things."

-Mom 

"My thoughts have been with you all day. As much as my heart feels for your sadness there is a part of me that rejoices to see the Lord shaping and refining you through trials. I have watched with Joy as I have seen you grow and glow." 

-Dad 

"Anyway the actual craziest part was not having you there, but standing in the Celestial room I was comforted to know and remember that families are forever, and that our family is bound by all our faith, so it's all gonna be ok."

-Mia 

I love handwritten letters.. People are always more poetic when they handwrite letters. 

If you don't believe me try it out it's true.

We had a member message we ZOOMED out of because we were late for an appointment and as we went out the door they handed us a bag of 6 watermelon slices! Right then we check our phones as we exited the house and see that the appointment we were late for cancelled?! Best believe we sat outside their house an MUNCHED all of the watermelon. 

I was like "This is the best watermelon i've ever tasted" and Sister Moleni was like "REALLY!?" Girl I get it you're from the tropics... Its not my fault all my fruit needs to be SHIPPED to Canada (It really was mega delicious)

We met one of President Browns Mission comps?? His Trainee XD Tell me why it felt like I was meeting a celebrity 
(Except bro hasn't answered his texts.. RIP)

Weekly planning as a zone is soooo good. 
Elder Taufanga and Elder Wilson popped in for 2 seconds and gave us Chiilies 

DEVOUR 

We shared a spontaneous message in a van! DROPS of sweat were going down our faces but the vibes were immaculate. 

The biking is actually insane 
I think I knew that I would be put on a bike for June and July... God is still good.
On a particulary annoying and hot bikeride we arrive at the relief Society Presidents house and on her wall is posted boldly and as the center peice of the room the phrase "We can do Hard things" I had to chuckle to myself and wonder about those true principles always resurfacing
It reminded me of my Dad and this phrase of our long ago contructed family mission statement:
"We are commited to living lifes of purpose, intent, and meaning by doing hard things with hope and excitement." 

Thanks dad for making us create that 

Only Mia and I have it memorized but it's fine 

We had our SUPER DAY this thursday. We listened to president avidly explain the thoughts of his heart and as always were inspired. Here are a couple quotes:
"You're too good as schmoozing.."
"You just went from talking about Canada, to God, and no one even noticed." (AKA pro gear shift)
We then roleplayed asking deep questions with President and it was minorly terrifying but also enlightening. 
We then got to do the same thing with the APS and we giggled as Elder Coromandel roleplayed as a little girl named Suzy! (Slay Elder Coromandel who was my ZL for 6 months now AP woo)

Also had to stand out in the hot sun for vehicle inspections even though I don't have a Vehicle...

^Slay Elder Mayo vehichle instructer. 

after Presidents training we were super pumped to talk to EVERYONE.. The Sisters dropped us off at this appointment that was between Super day and jungle exchanges and we see this old guy walking up the street 
OF COURSE we decide to talk to him... We start visiting (Name=George) and we quickly glean that his man is SENILE. He was basically yelling at us saying "Do you know what your problem is?" and I go "Please tell me George" and he says "You don't drink Coffee. You are killing yourself because you arent drinking coffee. YOU NEED IT." He continues to rant about a plethora of things we needed to be doing and I just reverted to Smile and Nod mode. Luckily our appointment opened the door and made a way of escape 
I wish the best to George :) 

SAME DAY we did a jungle exchange that was absolutely wild. The first part I trio'd with Sister Ortiz and Sister Latavao in YSA and the 2nd I was with the sweetesttt Sister Tipasa. I also got to see SISTER BOWSER. I gave her a big fat hug and she gave me abig fat kiss on the forehead XD i love her. 

There are only 7 Poly Sisters in the mission and FIVE of them were at the blitz. The end of the night got a little crazy with dancing and singinggg. So fun. God puts us with people for a reason.

SISTER ORTIZ EXCHANGESSS ️
GUYS. I don't think you understand the love I have for this girl. This is our FIFTH transfer together. Basically 7 months of being in the same district XD
We had a baller time uniting with members, teaching speedy lessons about the plan of Salvation, BOPPING to music, getting lost, Spontaneous photoshoots and cheffing up delicious tacos (All Sister Ortiz for the taco part) 
and the whole time was RIDDLED with laughter and honestly pure Joy. 
We may have stayed up much too late but nothing filles my sould more than bonding over deep conversation, and the bearing of ones soul to another. I truly feel so seen and loved and heard by sister Ortiz ahhhh 

I kinda feel bad because now she'll NEVER EVER be rid of me and I will haunt Suprise Arizona like theres no tomorrow
Best believe I will be mourning on December 11th when she goes home :(
For now I just love her with everything that is in me :)

I think you get the spiel :)))
A random member gave us flowers.. Thats what I'm holding in my hand :))

I introduced the game What are the Odds to Sister Moleni (Sis Ortiz reminded me of it on exchanges) and as we're walking about and proselyting we see this dirty bucket of water on the ground "Sister Moleni.. What are the odds that you dump that on your head" She goes between 1 and 15?! "3..2..1..TWELVE"" We both say in unison.. We both Screammedd and laugheddd. I didn't make her do it so I guess that takes the fun out of it... But we still had doors to knock  and I thought It might be better if we weren't soaking wet XD

Chatted with this guy who has a gorgeous view of the temple and is def against the church, We asked if we could share a scripture with him (Slay 1 corinthians 13:13) We shared our testimony of charity and loving all people.. We also talked about faith, I asked what faith was to him and he said a lot of things and also had a whole rant about doubt 
"You need to have faith in your doubts. Thats what I put faith in. My doubts." 

I understand wanting to be educated but brother.. That doesn't sound like a happy existance at all :(

Had a sponteaneous UBCR lesson? also Came to church yesterday to TRISTAN (Non member 17 year old who comes to church every week) Bro was handing out programs. King. Time to get into the water :)))

Sunday was SOOOO busy
We were able to teach a lesson in the relief society on Dieter F Uchtdorfs talk "By this All Will Know You are my Disciples"
Heres one of my favorite quotes!!

"When most people experience the Church of Jesus Christ for the first time, they aren’t thinking about priesthood authority or ordinances or the gathering of Israel. What they’re likely to notice, above all else, is how they feel when they’re with us and how we treat each other. 

“Love one another,” Jesus said. “By this all will know that you are My disciples.” Very often, a person’s first testimony of Jesus Christ comes when he or she feels love among disciples of Jesus Christ.(John 13:34-35) 

The relief society shared so many wonderful experiences theyve had with this and I was able to share my own as well. 
The spirit was present and all could feel it :)
HOW WE TREAT EACHOTHER REALLY MATTERS. 

TONGAN WORDS OF THE WEEK
Faka Sesele (Crazy)
Baai ho mata (I'm gonna stap your face)
Hoa (Companion...Or Partner)
Masi'i (It means man.. But it can be used as Bruh.. So we say it all the time)

I always ask her to tell me a word or a sentance and shes like "Figure it out yourself" XD GIRL 

Sister Moleni also will call me "STEP MOM" and I call her "STEP DAUGHTER" Since I'm follow up training her XD shes truly the cutest and has a wonderful laugh. 

What have I been studying this week????

Lets see. 
I really love when I find scriptures that talk about suffering or afflictions. It applies so well to all humans (Sounds intense but it's true)

1 Nephi 20:10
"For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." 
There is purpose and direction in every trial I endure. And the most beautiful thing is that I suffer for the greatest of all purposes.. for Jesus Christ!
I found another scripture I really Love that applies to this
Acts 5:41-42
Peter and John (Apostles of Jesus Christ) are punished for testifying of christ.. In verse 27-32 they basically say they are witnesses of christ, even though they were told not to preach of him.
The high priest demands punishment, and after the apostles are beaten they are set free.. and THIS is their attitude:
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

SO POWERFUL 
I hope to always glory in the trial that I endure Because of my avid and immovable decision to believe in and to serve to the end;Jesus Christ.
My Savior and redeemer,
My best friend :)

May this week be made grand, by our choices. To love, lift, serve, laugh, gather, praise, and endure trial..
This is the substance of life
To do hard things with hope and excitement. 

I love you all 

-Sister Smith 

From Dad - Summer time fun

Dear Abby, 

We missed having you along for the Smith reunion this year but we're glad you are where you are. MIa also missed out and instead hung out on the roof while we were gone.... as evidenced in her instagram story. She and Emma are coming down to the Bruce Reunion this week with Clara.

We stayed at Kimball Park near Cardston and enjoyed good food and representatives from each sibling in the family. Sammy and her son Kazan came with her boyfriend Jordan representing Carol, Demond, Candace and Cassie along with Hannah and Clay, Isiah from Angie's family and then Liz and her family and our family (Josh, Madison, Sam, Ben. ) Megan came out on Saturday and it was fun to see her again. 

Favorite part for me was  rafting down the Kimball river and jumping in with our life jackets and running a small set of rapids.grandma even braved the swim and had to be pulled in with a rescue line. 

We enjoyed everything from Kentucky Fried Chicken to fresh Saskatoon berries in our cheerios. Sam dominated in horse shoes and now wants to set up some Horse Shoe pits in our back yard. We played lots of corn hole bean bag tossing and lots of visiting in the shade. There was no cell reception in our campground which was a hidden blessing as it took us out of our phones and into each others conversations.

After packing up on Sunday, Mom and I drove Demond and Candace's trailer back to Lavern (just outside of Glenwood) dropped Isaiah and his friend Aiden to their place in Lethbridge hoping to see Angie (she was out of town), and loved the chance to visit with Carol and Joe in Colhurst. They live in a trailer that should probably be condemned but they are a testament to surviving even when things aren't ideal. They were great hosts along with their 2 cats and 3 dogs.

Last week Mia and I had the chance to go to the temple together and I enjoyed being with her in the prayer circle. She survived a bad mood after when I stopped to buy a car top carrier when we stopped for Wendy's for lunch on the way home. With the car top carrier we decided we would try finding an air mattress that fit into the back of the SUV. We found one and tried it out at the reunion. It actually works pretty darn good!

Wednesday night we drove up and went out with Kurri and Benson for a pedicure and a supper at the Keg. It was good to reconnect with them even if it had to be submitting to a pedicure. Thankfully Benson and I were there together to support each other. Benson chose to do camo toe nail paint but I wimped out.

We enjoyed spending time after the reunion with Liz and Jeff and Josh and Madison. Today we took Madison out to supper at the Keg for her birthday. So grateful she chose to join our family.  

Of course we are thinking of Bowie on her birthday. Can’t wait to see those grand babies. 

With the opportunity to study D&C 76 this week I’ve loved thinking again about the amazing vision that opened up so much knowledge of the world to come. Between that and the reunion my thoughts have turned to my dad and a feeling of resolve to reconnect with my siblings and help where I can to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to both the fathers and each other. I’m so grateful for the friendships you and your siblings share and the joy that brings me to know how much you all love and care for each other. I hope they will continue for eternity. 

It was wonderful to talk to you this morning. Keep up the good fight even when going through times that try men’s and women’s souls. 

Love Dad.