August 24, 2025

From Abby - eleven...

Mourning. Screaming. Crying.

I just went to send out the drafts I've
meticulously written.. one of them COMPLETELY VANISHED. 

This email will be disappointing. 

Aug 18th-24th

Last P-day (Aug 18th) we went to Deseret book with the intention of finding a plan of salvation puzzle... We thought we'd be able to stay focused

We found a book with beautiful artwork of Jesus Christ, we sat on the floor and looked through each picture pondering on his sacrifice. 

Beautiful is the soul that is willing to sit with another and flip through a picture book :) 

Here are my favorite quotes from the book:

"When I found that I knew not only that there was God but that I am a child of God... I became couragous"

-Maya Angelou 

"Nothing is too big for his omnipotence or too small for his love"

-Corrie Ten Boom

"The worlds greatest champion of women and womenhood is Jesus the Christ"

-James E Talmage 

We had a lesson with our friend Justin.. Our strange friend Justin.

We wait outside his building until he appears.. We follow him up the stairs (Avoiding the elevator) down this dingey hallway into his apartment..Upon entering I am hit with a WALL of humidity, and with further observation I discover that his whole apartment is FILLED with aquariums and habitats of everykind, on shelves, and desks, even just straight up the floor, each hosting a little reptile or critter of some kind. On the wall theres an eerie display of pictures taken on Justins Iphone of sea Otters, and pomeranians.. 

After teaching the plan of salvation we asked Justin which kingdom he would like to go to and after I kid you not 30 seconds he responds "I'd like to go where the sea otters are" 

"We've got good news for you Justin.. Thats the CELESTIAL KINGDOM"

SUCH a strange lesson 

When we came out sister Lord said it was the most he'd ever talked so... progress is progress? :) 

day.megan@missionary.org

Tuesday weekly planning was SOOO GOOD 

You know its epic when you do the comp council and it was like the best thing ever.. 

Heart atack your friends its the best. 

We were invited to a mission call opening of this girl who is dating a non member?? (Little did she know he was on our potential list) 

When we arrive we acquired our target while chatting with her family 

I met someone who served in Sparwood and knew my extended family! (Shoutout Todd) 

Later in the evening we're watching the fam take pictures and the girls sister in Law mentions "Oliver is getting baptized on saturday" 

WHAT.

"Wowww that's so excitinggg." 

Internally? Jaws on the floor. 

Not one of our potentials getting poached by the Provo elders

We're happy for him but like what the heck Oliver 

Yknow? 

ZONE CONFERENCE THIS WEEK 

I've become the new conductor.. RIP Elder Lowry. 

Sister Lord asked me to be the page turner for amazing grace and as I went to help elder Coromandel was like "Can you conduct? Elder Stephan can turn pages.." BRUH 

Also got to be the scribe for the quest speaker soo subtle flex? 

Sister Brown talked about how MUCH is expected. She shared D&C 82:3 and asked us "What did you promise to do? Are you fulfulling that promise?" 

Prez went into the meatiest of all topics "Enduring to the end" 

He said 

"The concept of enduring to the end should be BURNED into your soul"

"Enduring to the end? Or becoming to the end? 

"If you cant be happy TODAY you can't be happy" 

He shared some quotes from my FAVORITE of all examples. Joseph Smith in Liberty jail and during his time as a prophet.. Heres my top two  

"I thank God that I am counted worthy to suffer for the cause of truth and righteousness" 

-1842

"I am willing to suffer all things for Christ and his gospel. The Lord has called me to his work, and I rejoice in it. Though it brings tribulation."

-1843

Everytime president speaks to us you can feel his ETERNAL love for each of us through his tears and its my favorite thing. Best mission president ever. 

We also had Superday this week, Spillt oil on my dress during vehicle inspections, munched pizza, led a Key indicator discussion ETC

right before President gives his training hes like "Urgent meeting. I gotta go. 

I've never seen someone throw a slideshow together as fast as Elder Coromandel when he realized he'd be training in his place XD

He did SO GOOD. Elder Coromandel speaks and the spirit enters the room, I feel so blessed that he was my zone leader for 5 months in Orem! 

Look how BEAUTIFUL my companion is. Truly obsessed with her.

We went to a relief society activity where we picked berries and chatteddd. It was super refreshing. I talked to this RM who had been home for 2 years and I asked her if she had any post mission advice. She was like "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You won't be missionary anymore, so you don't have to live to that standard."

I agreed with bits and pieces with what she said but she also explained how its okay that she doesn't read the Book of Mormon everyday and it left me thinking "What kind of return missionary do I want to be." I do NOT want to be a justifier. 

Like Elder Bye says

"I'm very excited to get back & absolutely crush life in a relentless effort, I will never set ceilings for myself."

Us with Berries:))

We got to go to a chalk the block in Provo which was SO fun. We talked to everyone and handed out bracelets (And of course looked at beautiful chalk art)

You can tell by the all lowercase title that I'm timidly hitting 11 months. 
yes Sister Lord and I hit 11 months. We're both scared.

We hadd Dinner with MADI this week! And like every RM sister missionary ever. 

Madi Ellis

Amy Darley 

Danielle Orton 

Eliza Riggs 

SOOO MUCH fun 

I loved being in the kitched again with my lovely chaotic Madi. I remember in my greenie days whenever I was sick, or even if I was simply hungry, she would do everything in her power to make food for me. 

Shes pure chaos and I absolutely love it with my whole soul 

maybe its just that I love her with my whole soul :)

This email is very sad to me since its lacking in all the detail I carefully put into it in its INITIAL draft, but what can you do. 

I love you all dearly.

Life is good :)

-Sister Smith