August 18, 2025

From Abby - Sonnet Bash

Guys I genuinly don't even know where this week has gone 

I hope this email finds you well 
I'm starting it WAY TOO late in thr day but... thats fine.. 
Currently experiencing the regrets of doing bicep curls wrong and i'm 1000% sure my arm is sore in the wrong places. 
live and learn, live and learn 

Nikkei would be proud. 

Last Pday we had a zone activity of sand volleyball and I think its' the first time i've played volleyball without despising it with my entire soul. 
Member played us apos music.. (Again free of our agency) 
I think my favorite thing is sitting in grass and watching people play sports
Or sitting in grass and writing an email 

I think I just like sitting in grass in general 

We joined an FHE activity where they were doing sack races, three legged races, and tug of war.. Sister Lord and I joined in our potato sack dresses and were DYING laughing doing the three legged race. Sister Lord was trying to count "In out in out!" and we were both trying our hardest just not falling over XD

Nothing is better than laughter. 

Here's the view from our stake center!

I missed the Orem View of Timpanogos 
Baby area view fr

During weekly planning Sister Lord drew a cartoon version of president brown floating with a Bible in one hand and triple combination in the other 
Theres this audio clip created by some missionary at some point in time called "The Bible Bash" Where an elder narriates a play by play of a greenie and trainer running into a Jehovas witness (A LOT goes down) but we quote it REGULARILY. Our favorite line is 
"Bible in one hand, mid air.. Triple combination in the other hand and he smacks them together *Smacking sound* massive LIGHHT OF TRUTH.. BEAMS of DOCTRINE" Etc (Refering to the mission president)

Its... Yeah I can't do it justice. I hope you find it someday. 
Thats what she drew!

Exchanges with Sister Alder this week! First exchange as an STL. It was a blast being on a bike again but I MISS my lil pink bike. I hope Sister Ortiz is taking good care of her. 
We biked up to this Elders Quorum Presidents house to unite with him.. He walks out, Blue pineapple shirt, balled head, big grin. Before we can say much he walks over to the garage and whips out this blue bike with a basket and is like "You ready?" 
EQP WOODWARD for the win 
Heres the man myth and legend 

Also we got that cucumber from an old lady who was listening to classical music LOUDLY in the backround during our visit. 
I heard the song Nocturn and it brought be back to a weird nostalgic place..  anywho exchanges and wind storms for the win 

We were able to plan SUPER DAY with the AP's.. Its so weird because Elder Coromandel was my Zone leader for like 5 months straight at the beginning of my mission so to see him as an AP is weird but also feels strangely normal. 

So many white shirts... 

Our car has been guzzling coolant and we had to zoom to the mission office for emergency coolant.. 
Also had to schedule an appointment with a robot. Cars are great and all but bruh
Our car is named  Selena.. What the heck selena

Remember our friend Kyle? HES LITERALLY THE BEST. We're only a little bit obsessed with him. 
We taught him the restoration this week and the way he had no questions and his only comment was "I guess that would be a lot to see God and Jesus Christ" SO matter of fact as if its so true. (Which it is..Just to someone who hears it for the first time is crazyyy) 
We were also so humbled by Kyle when we tried to schedule a lesson during a YSA activity and he was like "I'd like to go to that activity.. can we do another night?" BRO PUT US IN OUR PLACE. He's a king. 

We lowkey got bashed by a presbetarian (Walter) Someone who wants to meet with missionaries and even has a really awesome fellowshipper friend AND who made us noodles!! 
Sister Lord and I have had many a conversation of confusion, TRYING to see maybe even a little bit where he's coming from and totally failing to empathize. 
I won't get into the speil.. But we wrote a whole sonnet about it (Purely humorous..)

HERE IT IS 
THE SONNET BASH (Audio attached below)
Companions:Sister Smith and Sister Lord
We love to help others come unto Christ 
The scriptures in our hands, our truthful sword
Scratch that, more like a gun, this is a Heist

We Enter the room, Pleasentries begin 
All parties in tense anticipation 

Awkward silence... Then awkward transition 

beliefs collide at predestination 

BEAMS of false and true doctrine in the air 

Shots fired, bullets dodged, bars spat, we cooked.
We try not to laugh. Bros view is unfair 

Time cuts us short, the next showdown is booked

Pleasantries resume, without a falter
We will meet again, Nemesis Walter. 

We tried to read it through a voice message but my writing was crim so its just chaos of us trying to read but its SO GOOD trust. 

Portrait of the week ^ Beautiful companion 

SO MANY MIRACLES this week. 
One of our friends said she wants to be baptized in like a MONTH because one of her friends is leaving on his mission and she wants him there. That was a miracle because we haven't been hearing from her 

So many bops in the car
Life is good 

SO much more to say but SLEEP 

LOVE YOU ALL 

FORGIVE THE LATE EMAIL 

-Sister Smith 

From Dad - Canoe Trips and more

Dear Abby,

I’m writing this to you from the car as I watch the plains of Saskatchewan roll by. Mom’s driving and we are marveling at the adjustment of traveling without any children!

Spent the last week with much of the Bruce clan. I think I’m going to have to just reconcile myself to going on canoe trips until G&G Bruce drop on the trail. Bergland and Quetico park are embedded in the family DNA and Grandpa Bruce has extended his age for going on canoe trips from 70 to 75. I’m sure when 75 rolls around he’ll extend it again if he can. 

I’ll admit that while I enjoy the challenge of and many other aspects of canoe trips it is not always my top choice in summer vacation. What I do enjoy about them is this.

It provides me with the opportunity to be with an amazing family that I have had the privilege of being with for over 33 years and still admire greatly. We spent most of our time with Dave and Jen and their boys Corbin and Tyler. They were fantastic and so kind. We enjoyed a few days with Mark and Todd and their families too. 

It is good for me physically. While I dread the portages there is something immensely satisfying about seeing the end of a portage as the canoe seems to almost press you into the ground while simulating a migraine headache. Then I get to brag about how strong and manly I am 

I get to take a break from being connected to the internet and just relax in a hammock and read a good book. 

I learn humility as I still can’t seem to catch a Walleye to save my life. I still have yet to catch the vision or learn the trick to catching fish. I did catch lots of bass but no eating fish.  I love watching others catch them though and love eating it. Luckily Mom represented and caught a Walleye for us to eat!

I love sitting by the fire and talking about important things. We talked about everything from AI to family and the gospel. Grandma re-taught me how to play crib. 

I also loved camping and canoeing with your Mom. She’s my favorite human being. 

Now I’m looking forward to getting back into normal schedule at least for 3 weeks until we head out for Japan.  So much for our resolve not to travel as much this year  

Absolutely loved your email.  Very few things in this world that make me as happy as hearing that my kids are fully embracing their life and striving to live it to the fullest. These experiences are shaping you and will be treasured memories forever. 

Love you forever beautiful girl. 

Dad.