February 23, 2026

From Abby - TRUUNK FEEST

Heyyy Hiii

Im so grateful that we'll remember this earth life with vivacity because each day I mourn a bit at all the little memories and nuances that I will forget. 

This week was splendid 

Im tired but oh so happy 

It started with a HAIRCUT

I haven't cut my hair since March and yes I'm kinda mourning the three inches that were LOPPED off.. I know that im never having short hair because I already miss the length it was :D 

We then cooked all our miles driving up to DI to thrift with the district (worth it) 

As I'm rummaging I hear Sister Hutchinsons cute lil voice "Hi!" When I turn around, Im expecting to see her and her comp Sister Tipasa, but who do I see? 

SISTER CHRISTIANSEN. 

We run up to her and give her BIG surprised hugs, she told us there was an ET (Criminal) and we proceeded to thrift together :)
Thrifting/Pday adventures include:

-Elder Hess taking ONE step into the thrift shop and discovering a green suit and pants that lowkey fit him.. He tried it on with a green SHIRT and green shoes.. And danced for us. 
-Sister Christiansen joking up a storm 

-PURCHASED JEANS?? From the mens session of course 

-As Sister Atwood would say to a reference to a video Elder Funk sent into the Alpine group chat ONCE.. "TRUNK FEST" She says it ALL the time and its bleeding into our daily vocabulary. 
-MUNCHING menchies.. Sister Christiansen and I sat on the little kid chairs and rejoiced in eachothers presence 

I love her 

OUR DISTRICT IS SO CUTE 

When we got home I went out to the porch and genuinely probably had a chrisis 

I was able to reflect on my mission, soaking in the sun, and soaking in Utah 

I listened to a voice message from my mom and she told me to soak in EVERY moment, and that if I got the thought to express gratitude for ANYONE that I should.

I think I had tears in my eyes thinking about leaving. Nothing like sitting outside to get you in the feels. 

yep 

.5 

don't judge 

We were able to sit with a returning member this week.. It's always interesting to me when people are scared to go back to church 

The Sacrament, and Jesus Christ is why we go. I always think about Matthew 9 

"They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."

Church is literally for the broken and imperfect people.

I tried Jersey mikes for the first time this week and OH my. 

We got to kidnap Sister Secrist and Sister Hethcote because their carpet was getting cleaned so it was alll wet

therefore we brought them to our apartment and TRUST we were focused, but at the very end we were able to just be in eachothers presence, we have these two whiteboards floating around so of COURSE we had to play mash and feel like we were in Young Womens again :)
-Got to play with Sister Hethcotes hair??
Thats like a rare item in a video game FOR SURE, convince me I'm wrong. YOU CAN'T

Oh how I love them 

Got to pray with some new ward missionaries after teaching them how they could help in their calling and in the gathering. 

We prayed together about whether we should go and knock a family in the ward... The answer was yes

When we pulled up to the house,  the father of the family ALSO pulled up. Miracle. 

Our member ran up to him with enthusiasm and we had a GRAND conversation. I love uniting with members and seeing miracles with them. 

The Jermans 

We had one of moments this week when God blesses you with miracles that you didn't necessarily deserve

We were literally knocking grey dots in the Boulevard with a young women.. I don't even think we prayed to start (Crim)

we knock this one door and this man opens, he's in a house coat and slides and a sad countenance 

He invited us in, and immediately explained to us that he was going through some HARD things. He proceeds to explain that his week he was going through a divorce and that he was REALLY struggling. I'm sure you could imagine. 

He then explained to us that ONE week previous he had seen us coming out a lesson (I remember. We had made eye contact and waved at him) 

he told us that at the time his only thought was "I feel bad for them, they're wasting their time" but between now and then these circumstances, and the timing of our knock he KNEW that it was from God and for him. 

He explained to us that when we knocked he felt complete peace opening the door, he didn't even look through the peephole or anything but opened it with complete confidence.

With tears in his eyes he told us that he knew we were from God 

Hello??

I'm so grateful for the spirit and the guidance that it gives, even subconsciously.. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest gift 

We hope Tony listens to that feeling 

Morning pros in the snow 

BIG WET Snow drops 

It makes me miss when its TOO cold for it to be melty all in your hair and on your coat 

any weather is sweet when you have your favorite people with you 

Went on exchanges w sister Hethcote again 

We almost didnt knock a door because of a BIG sketchy dog.. When we faith flipped it was Alma 5:59-61 which talks about casting wolf's out 

As i read it the dog walked away.. 

God is real 

We knocked the door 

Got to stay home with Sister Moleni and DEEP CLEAN. (Sister Beasley needed to get out)

Do you remember the Hatian Creole Elders?
One word.. GOOMBAS
On Saturday we texted them to confirm our lesson and they respond with "..Who's this? We don't have this number saved" 
Immediately we are were like "Bruh." and we did NOT believe them because they already be gaslighting us all the time..

We call them in full anticipation of calling them out and who's voice do we hear on the other end of the phone?
"Hello Sisters! This is Elder Foutz! What can I do for you?" 
HUH?
He proceeds to explain in the most chipper missionary voice "Yeah the area just got whitewashed.. The Elder from Haiti is home now and we're just getting to know the area" 

Crim.

So when we pull up to the apointment we walk up a little bit early to coordinate and get to know them and WHO comes out of the car??
All the normal Hatian Elders 

Elder Jeune, Elder Killpack, and Elder Larson. WILD..

I think I just walked the opposite direction in disbelief

being pranked and gaslit is a wild experience. 
Anyways as any good disciple would we forgave them and became friends again as we helped Frantz find a name for the temple :) 

Sister Atwood made us pancakes at like 9:30 when I was complaining about being hungry. It's the little things

This is a good missionary view i thought I'd share. 

Teaching the plan of salvation >>

I LOVE THE SUNCREST STAKE 
On sunday we joined the sunday morning early meeting and were also asked last minute to bear our testimonies in the 10th ward and had 5 minutes for ALL THREE of us. We had until 11:05, I was the last one to speak and when I sat down and looked at my phone it WAS 11:05 

little wins as a missionary.. This is what accomplishment looks like for  me now 

Other sweet moments

-Chatting with our HCOM William Bretey and soaking in the fact that I won't always be in front of him soaking in his bretey wisdom 

He was literally standing leaning against the corner hands in pockets, the sun streaming in from behind him.. YES I took a film picture 

THERES SO MUCH MORE

I'm simply out of time

Much deep love for each of you

Per the usual 

Forgive the late email 

-Sister Smith