August 11, 2025

From Abby - Sensuous Sandwich

I feel like my whole life has been turned upside down and it may be giving me an identity chrisis. 
Pday last week I neglected packing due to the absolute lack of desire to upheave my entire life all over again. 
Sister Moleni looks at me and says "Well who do you want to say goodbye to?" and I go "Who even knows me enough to say goodbye?"

We stopped by a couple members I had an above average experience with and said a semi awkward goobye 

Visited with this innactive couple (Who didn't tell us they were we just knew from other sources..) Its always funny to be sitting with them and knowing the reason why nothing stood out to them from the scripture we read... They also started to play us Billie Eilish's music (our agency wasnt considered).. we left pretty quick even though we were vibing. 

Tuesday evening we had a transfer meeting that was filled with tears. At first the buzz of missionaries was filled with excitement, we welcomed the new trainees, I became a GRANDMA (Sister Atwood is Trio training) I was beaming with pride for my lil trainee :)
We then watched living legend missionaries walk up to the stand, Elder Gailey has tears streaming down his cheeks and one by one they bear their powerful testimonies.(Elder Moore,Lowry, Sister Bravo and Latavao) It makes you NEVER want to leave the mission. Pretty soon everyone had tears streaming down their cheeks and the spirit filled the room. After we knelt in prayer as a mission my MTC comp Sister Christiansen ran up to me and we gave eachother the BIGGEST hug. 
I love Sister Christiansen. She has been here since the start and I'm so gratfeul for her friendship. She'll never be rid of me :)

After that we all jumbled up and with chaos started our night. At one point I saw Elder Coromandel and said "AP Coromandelll" and he said "STL Sister Smithhh" at that point Sister Lord and I started running because we were late for an appointment but I was laughing with a big grin on my face and so grateful for my mission. 

Since getting in the car with Sister Lord everything has been a BLUR of opposites. Driving everywhere, even into PROVO (#leavingthemission) leadership meetings, no children or old people to be found, apartment building life etc. 

MLC (Mission Leadership Council.. all Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders) on Wednesday was SO POWERFUL. Sister Lord and I woke up with so much excitement (Both first time STLS) I think Sister Lord said "It feels like christmas morning :)" We  basically feel like imposters but also we're elated to be a part of something new 10 months into our mission. 

I was able to comment a couple times and I felt the spirit speaking to me. Having a stewarship is so cool. 

 Something I LOVE about our apartment is the sun that streams in every morning. It literally makes me feel SO ALIVE (Even though its a dirty elders apartment)

We've literally had two SOLID cleaning sessions. The first was cleaning out the fridge (one whole garbage bag later) and one was a Tuppaware purging. We also threw away their entire collection of glass bottles. 
I think cleaning with another person is my love language. Theres nothing like rolling up your sleeves and being on the same team against the great beast: Clutter. Comp unity is real. 

On wednesday I witnessed the POWER of solid fellowshippers. 
We wander into Institue and Sister Lord points "Thats Kyle! He's a non member whos been coming to church". We HAPPENED to sit next to him (Whattt how did that happen?!) and as we're listening to the lesson I witness Jaden (Fellowshipper sitting by him) Help him download the Gospel Library App, Teach him about the book of mormon, and discuss the atonement?!? AND THEN after the class he invited us and him to dinner to get to know him better!?! 
I literally feel like a useless missionary doing absolutely no work. The craziest part is that this is how its supposed to be :O 
The lesson and dinner was SO GOOD. 
The best part is that we were able to invite Madi Ellis to join (Sister Elissss) my first STL whos' now living in OREM. She JUST moved here for school like the day before we met Kyle. 
I sat at the table and watched Madi explain the principles of the gospel in her simple, powerful way and my heart just sang with joy to be with her again. Everything she does encapsulates the pure love and mission of Jesus Christ and I'm so grateful we were able to bring that with us to the lesson with Kyle :)

^Heres some film of Madi and I back in June. This is how I feel about her. I love her. 
We're teaching Kyle now :)

After Institute this old guy goes "Sisters!! Theres food for you in the fridge!" We're like "Sweet!" I promise you the moment that fridge opened I was Terrified. Two VATS of nacho cheese, two sour cream containers, onions, a MASSIVE bag of frozen tomatoes, refried beans ETC (Btw this is why we cleaned out the fridge.. to fit everything.) 
We've made Nachos once....... 

Yikes.. (We're so grateful but why do people forget its JUST us two)

We were sitting in a chapel room planning some things and we hear someone shuffle in.. This old guy appears and is like "Sisters!!" and we start chatting with him. we learn his name is Garth and his biggest peice of advice is to go to this Sandwhich place called "Sensuous Sandwhich" It was an interesting interaction.. Interesting enough for us to DEF go to Sensuous Sandwhich.. I ordered a 12" and the lady looks at me and says "If you get 10" or under its free for missionaries.." GIRL. i think I heard angels singing. Sister Lord and I DEVOURED our sandwhiches and what really sold me was the Calvin and Hobbes comics on the table. Ever since we went we've been dreaming of our return. 
Today as we drove past Sister Lord drew a heart around the sign in the air with her hands XD (We're going there tomorrow...)

On Sunday we went to church from NINE to FIVE. (Theres a Ward at 3:00 soo) I don't think there will be enough church for me when I go home. 
We went to Madi's ward (You have no clue how much i want to call her Sister Ellis) and when they announced her as a new member she stood up and said "So awkward" quietly to me.. and then her keys fell and clattered onto the floor. We LAUGHED.I love laughing at awkwardness it's probably my favorite thing to do. I love laughing with her :)
I may be obsessed with her.. 

I also think I may be obsessed with my new companion (Guys no companionship is perfect) but GUYS. From the moment I got in the car with her I was filled with Giddy childlike excitement to do missionary work with her. 
My favorite thing is when I'll be teaching something or explaining a principle and I can just FEEL her softly smiling at me from beside me or across the room. I do the same for her I can't help it. 
She's a beautiful soul and I hope we stay together for a while :) 
We were both homeschooled, we  both love musical theatre and acting, we both have a love for the work and an excitement to be together

^Look how precious she is 
Lil mouse princess angel 

GUYS. THREE times this week guys were like "Wait... You're girls so what do girls look for in a guy" or "Which group do you think has the most ladies so we can join.." or  "What do women look for in a husband and provider" and its actually KINDA scary. I'm so scared to date. Men are scary. 

SO many deep conversations this week. One thing I've been thinking abour that I think i've ranted about before.. 
I was reading in Mosiah, and specifically Mosiah 2:38 stuck out to me.
38 Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.  
And wrote on the sticky note by that verse:
"The punishments we experience are not God inflicted punishment, but self inflicted punishment . If we choose to remain an enemy to God and seperate ourselves from him (God who is all things good and light) then our NATURAL CONSEQUENCE is Darkness (D&C 93:33-34) God knows of these natural consequences/Laws of the universe, and created a way OUT through his son Jesus Christ. If we reject the Law of Sacrifice and Mercy... Our default is the Law of Justice. Not Gods consequence.. but Natural consequence."

I hope that makes some sense. 

Stay tuned for email number two :) 

 -Sister Smith