December 22, 2025

From Abby - "Satan drives a tow truck"

Hi :)
I have difficulty explaining to you how fast my mission is flying by. Every day is over before its even begun and I feel the weeks are tripping over themselves in a jubilant sprint. The next one is started before the previous one feels completed 
In my head is a constant array of emotions and thoughts that I mostly successfully suffocate with missionary work.

Like the adversary, they claw for attention, come unto my mind in times of weakness, and open pathways for idleless. 
Being a missionary is by FAR the strangest, most rewarding and lifechanging event I've ever had the pleasure to be a part of! Though I am built up in the everlasting fortitude of Jesus Chrust, I also am hovering at the top of the adversaries list, this juxtoposition is grounds for extreme exhaustion at times as I am caught between the most powerful influences of the universe, a war of will and agency, a war of wise stewardship, a war of truth..

Anyways I'll stop yapping about absract Ideas now. 
Last Pday was Sister Williams and I's last full day together before we picked up our darling new missionary Sister Rhinehart :) 
We played an underwhelming game of ultimate frizbee while Sister Williams and I did cartwheels on the side. 

Loml^

The APS (Elder Cease and Stephan) always pull up to our activities, and Elder Cease in particular always invites us to join in on the game that is DOMINATED by Elders. 
I'm always reluctant but always try and even if it's not as fulfilling as one would hope, I'm always glad to have tried. 
It's always more fun to try. Period. 
I had an interesting moment while sitting on the field in the sun (December in Utah) listening to a voice message from Makenna??? (Sister Ortiz) and trying to realize the fact that she's not a missionary anymore, simply my lifelong long distance best friend named Makenna. Insane. 

I am officially enrolled in MacEwan University now...When I called my dad to figure it out he passed me around to the whole family who were building a snowman :) I love my Canadian family, and oh how I miss snow. 

Monday evening we pick up SISTER RHINEHART. 

Not just for a 5-9 or full day of her joining us as a service missionary but as a full time, full proselyting Sister Missionary. AH 
We loaded up ALL her things, she gave her family BG hugs goodbye, then we drove the 10 minutes back to our area :) 

We had dinner with this couple where the husband was an AVID RM.. Lowkey terrifying, we have to remember to follow up with him or I think he'll come for us. 
Then we went for a spontaneous meeting with some of our FAVORITE members, the Halls! We talked with them about some of their friends we feel strongly about teaching...etc. 
After about 45 minutes it was time for us to head home. 
In jubilant exit we confidently walked out of there home after a successful night to be met with a GIANT empty spot where our car should have  been. STOPPED in our tracks by complete confusion we stood with our mouthes agape trying to understand where our car went. 
To our right down the street there was a tow truck towing a DIFFERENT car (Menace) Sister Rhinehart in determination with a confident stride B-lined it to the truck "Hi. You're the person that towed our car, Yes?" With a grunt and a creased brow the bearded individual driving the tow truck handed us a slightly scuffed up card through his window while mumbling something along the lines of "It's illegal to park here." With all the christ-like patience we could muster we said "... Thanks"

As we walked through the cold to ask a member to give us a ride home, I had a thrilling conversation with our driving coordinator (Elder Abrams and I guys.. It's not looking good.) and tried to text the number on the card. 

Mind you... ALL of Sister Rhineharts things were in that car XD Once we got home we scrounge for bedding, toiletries, Pajamas, and study materials so that she could actually have a semi comfortable first night.

Apartment bedding

My shirt 

Sister Williams Socks 

Then we THREW her into a totally different companionship for the entire day on tuesday for MLC  and getting our car Tallulah-Mae...
quotes from MLC:
"We are militant defenders of the one"
"Its all about the BRINGING, the inviting." 
"You'll have to write me and tell me, cause I'll be on the beach" -Prez about all that is to come for the UOM 
"I think that's how I got Hospitalized" -Prez when missionaries say theres no work in the mornings and afternoons 

The STLS split off into their own room and we got to spend some one on one time with president, as he was standing in front of us, suit jacket off, brainstorming with us, laughing with us, and telling us how much he cherishes us. At one point I looked over at Sister Williams and she had tears in her eyes, then I realized I had tears in my eyes.

I genuinely can't fathom a time that president won't be a concrete part of my life. 
You're telling me he won't always be in front of me giving me advice and insight? 

After MLC I stood in the mission office BATTLING tears while trying to pay $304 dollars to get my car back 

Every once in a while someone would check in and ask "How's everything going?" 
Senior Elder Morris, Elder Cease, my Dad, etc. 
It's genuinely so much harder not to cry when you know someone cares... 
It was criminal. No one should have to pay that amount of money for someone to OPEN a gate. HUH?!
Long story long we didn't get our car until 3:45pm. Shoutout Sister Christiansen and Alder for being willing to drive with us and wait with us. 
I'm probably Elder Abrams biggest opp. 

I'll have you know that the HOA rules say you can be towed "Between 12:00am and 6:00am" 

So

They STOLE our car illegally.

Anyways. 

We had a lesson with a little boy we're trying to teach and at the end of the lesson his dad showed us his favorite country song and basically burst out singing. Life is strange. 

Wednesday was side quest GALORE. 
In the morning Sister Rhinehart had greenie orientation and pictures 

THEN Sister Lord, Elder Hubbard, Elder Gilbert and I all practised for our musical number 

THEN Sister Williams had a FSY interview in Provo ?! Guys I think i've left my mission more than 12 times since coming here which is cray. 
She roleplayed the whole drive there and of COURSE killed the interview.

Spiritual powerhouse of all spiritual powerhouses
THEN we went on exchanges and Sister Williams and I STOLE sister Hethcote and brought her into our area :) 
exchange highlights:

-Rainbow to start off the evening;

December SEVENTEENTH?

Okay my first apartment back yard.. Hello? 

-Sister Hethcote telling us about how she grew up in a circus because her grandma had an exotic animal license!? Absolute lore. 
-Dropping ALL the leftover taco meat our members gave us on the car floor.. Shoutout Sister Hethcote.

-Our friend Leah making her OWN baptism invites and walking around the ENTIRE neighborhood inviting basically the whole ward.

She also told us hse had a dream about who she wanted to baptize her, AND before we even went into our lesson (Word of Wisdom, Law of Chastity, Law of Tithing) She says "So is there anything that I should obstain from eating? Or doing? What should I avoid?" I don't know why we were shocked since Leah is IN TUNE. 

We also laughed when a member offered to pay for her programs Leah said "Pay!?... Don't say thattt" In the CUTEST most hilarious tone. 
now we quote her all the time :)

Had a good DC with our strange DL Elder Chapin, the DC was crashed by the APS who brought us caffeinated milk? (Not a fan.. Not sure where that came from) 

Had a whole convo about D&C with a member. the mission veil is so real because tell me why i can't remember ANYTHING. 
I forgot was a Cleric was. Sad day. 

Forced our sick friend Kauge to meet with us over video call:)
he's a king.Probably a little too nice... 

ate at Zupas for the 4th time in the past two transfers... the guy I chatted with in line was FOR SURE an NPC 

Morning sports an Elder attempted to do a backflip and BROKE his nose.. guys. Missionary standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ 3.6.2 lets get on that 

FRIDAY WAS SO FUN.

We got to help set up for the UOM Christmas party and OH how I love setting up with people I love. Sister Dimitrov and I were in charge of setting up the center peice of the whole gym where alllll the deserts would be. our job was basically to make the plates NOT look stupid. We spent forever rearranging, making tiny changes, giving eachother feedback etc.
As we worked we were able to chat and reconnect and OH guys I don't think you understand how much I LOVE Sister Dimitrov. 

You know you've found a good egg when they say something like "When We're at my wedding" Sister Dimitrov will dot my life for the rest of my life and I'm not mad about it. in fact, I'm elated. 

Right before the party Sister Lord and I snuck into the Relief Society room to practise harmonies and that was a precious moment as well:) 

The actual best part of the christmas party was standing in line for food with Elder Pena and Elder Cease and listening to their niche humor.

Elder Penas humor changes my brain chemistry every time I'm around it and it's the best.

I sat by Sister Hethcote for the actual program and GUYS. I LOVE Sister Hethcote with my WHOLE entire soul. 
She has this perfect balance of complete sarcastic skepticism, and also pure humor and joy and laughter. Everytime I'm around her I just want to laugh and give her a big fat hug.
Typical of Sister Hethcote I sat beside her and she says "I could be knocking doors right now, give me my proselyting time back"
and I just laugh. You can't tell me there will come a time that I won't see her everyday. 

The greatest joy of the night was watching President and Sister Brown with their little kids. We sang christmas hymns as a mission and the whole time they were dancing with, loving on, and helping their kids read parts of the christmas story. I LOVE our mission leaders and admire their sacrifice. 

The whole mission got minky blankets that were donated for Christmas which is CRAY 

Also Alex Boye was there and he did a Rap about Joseph Smith. I felt like i was in Hamilton. 

Our friend Canyon was baptized on saturday! We went to a members home for waffles after which was SO good. 

Had a combined miracle hour with our sisters :) We brought ALL of them Roxberry.

We got a call from some missionaries serving in TEXAS who literally found some of our friends!! Theres a family who basically disapeared... three unbaptized kids!
They went to church in texas and BOOM found. 
It brings me so so soooo much comfort that I have missionary friends ALL over the world that will be in relentless persuit of the people we love. 

The zone leader of the zone in Texas is serving OUT of this family's ward also which is INSANE and miraculous. 

So grateful for a global church. 

Zone leadership... Love them.

We went to three christmas sacrament meetings and SO MANY friends came to chuch. Some wards had more 60 more people than usual. I love singing singing singing ALL day. I love christmas hymns.

I'll admit It doesn't feel like christmas without snow :(  but thats okay. 

this week was crazy

I am ever grateful to be alive, and to be a missionary.
JUST got a notification that I have My Plan...

Pray for me :) 

-Sister Smith