Monday, October 17, 2011

September 15, 2010

















September 14, 2010

Hey mom,

Just thought i would send you a little something. we are still in the mission office just waiting for the time to arrive. I think we will leave in about an hour. we had a really good night last night with president lindahl. he said he had fun talking to you. you cry baby. no just kidding. he talked really good about you. he showed me where he put an offer on a house. it is like 15 20 away from us. not to far. it is in gilbert. well i thought i would just give you a little email. i am pretty bored here in the office. i love you a lot and see you tomorrow.

love elder blake smith

September 13, 2010

Family,
Wow, the time has come!!!
That is so crazy. I am in the mission office right now. I am using the mission computer so i cant use it for to long. i am so glad that weston is elder now. i am so happy for him. i am glad you all had a great spiritual day yesterday. yesterday was the hardest day of my mission. a lot of tears of me and other people and it was really good but really sad. i will tell you more when i get home. i wont write a lot. money i am doing fine. i think. my suit cases can only be really light and my backpack is really heavy. if they dont chech my backpack than i am good. if they do i will have to pay like 150 dollars. lets just hope that that doesnt happen. after i get home i am ok with anything. lets just do el charro. it is a little closer. not like that is important we wont be walking. YYYYYAAAAYYY. well i love you all so much and i will see you in like 2 days. tonight we eat dinner with presdient and tomorrow we leave. i love you all. chau chau
Elder Blake smith

September 6, 2010

Hey Mom,

HAHA, all the members are asking how you are doing and I have told everyone that my mom doesn´t say much about me going home. Everyone says, oh she is dieing inside. It is pretty crazy. This is really like my last email. I don´t know how next week is going to be. We will see. It is really crazy, it still hasn´t hit me yet. It still feels like Grandma said, that I still lack a long time and that I still have more to do. I don´t think it will hit me until next week. It is sad. It is going to be sad this sunday after church there is Zonda. I leave church there to go to the terminal to go to the offices. I am going to take a big picture with everyone there. I hope everyone goes. We will see how it goes.

I am having a hard time with what to buy people because I don´t want to spend a lot of money but I want stuff to remember it by and I want to get you all some stuff. I will do my best. If any of you want anything special tell me today because I will read it tomorrow morning when I have to write my end of the mission letter. I have bought some stuff. What do you want mom? Tell me something that you think you would like, or ask Tanner´s mom what she liked from Argentina and I will get it for you. All the things just seem normal for me now. Ask her and tell me tomorrow.

That is cool that Elder (Sam) Lewis is getting married. I´ll need to visit him after the mission, see how she is. I am proud of him.

I hope Brady feels better. That has to be so hard. I can´t believe that Kylie is leaving next week. It is kind of funny that we miss eachother by so little. She is going to have a great time. Hopefully she has a fun week before she goes into the mtc. Her mission is probably a lot colder than mine. Hers is going to be a lot more humid than mine. But I will pick dry heat over humid heat anyday. She is going to have a blast.

We have had a really good week. A lot of really good lessons with the recent converts. We are really trying to strengthen them so that they stay strong. I don't have a ton of time today but I will try to write more next week and if not we will see each other in a little bit.

I love you,

elder smith

I will write a little more tomorrow. Make she you write me and tell me if the money is in there or not. thanks mom.

Monday, August 30, 2010

August 30, 2010

FELIZ CUMPLE JENNA!!!!! THE BIG 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, I can´t believe Jenna is 25. She is getting pretty old. It is pretty crazy how time is going. I hope you had a good birthday. It sounded like you had a fun time. Keeping it simple. That is how I like it. Mac (Pichón) sounds like a really fun kid. I guess until now it seems like I will ever be meeting him. I am really excited to meet the little one. He sounds really funny. We have an investigator that has a kid about the same age as him. She is really quiet and shy, I don´t think the parents were the best people before we showed up. But I am way excited to see him.

That is horrible about Brady. That just sounds so painful and hard. I hope he is doing ok. I can´t even imagine the pain he is in right now. That has got to be so hard. Hopefully he gets better and up and walking soon.

That is really cool that the stake center is going to be done so soon. That is like a month and half more. Or in missionary time, in one more transfer it will be up. That is cool that all the wards that interest me are in the same building. Our ward, the Arboleda Branch and the singles ward. The good thing is that it is right in front of the house and at 1230. I have gone to church at 9 for the past two years. It is going to be weird to go to church in the afternoon. But I am going to like it more. It sounds like it is going up fast. I am glad they put street lights in. It should help out with the punks that go out there all the time.

So I might be working in the store for a while. That sounds good with me. Whatever will get me going will be good with me. What ideas does grandpa have in that brain of his? I guess I will be seeing. I owe him a lot anyways. That is the least I can do is to help him.

This week was good and bad at the same time. A lot of good things happened and also a hot chocolate party that got me really mad. That may sound weird right now but you will find out. The people we baptized last weekend are doing great. She (Matilde) is doing everything she can to help her family know the importance of the church. She is so awesome. She is going to be the first Relief Society president. She just doesnt know it yet. Her husband is catholic and her inlaws are J-Dubs. She has had to fight to get baptized but she did. So did her daughter. The Morales Family is doing really good too. All the girls in the family have been reading about temple marriage and we talked with them about how important it is. It is going to be harder for them just because they will have to look really hard for someone to go with them. They are doing great though. They love reading and going to church. Sounds like a great way to strengthen a testimony. The Montaña family is doing great to. The bishop is going to set a goal with them about going to the temple next year. Sonia is really excited. That is why the week went so well. All of the recent converts that are there since I have been there are doing really well. The only thing that I didn´t like was that the Zonda wind came it for like two days today. It really messes with my head and is just so dusty. There are branches falling everywhere and it just is horrible. It just happened to be a day when all the people who we had appointments with weren´t there. It was a great day. Also on sunday, right in the same time as church they had a hot chocolate party. Something that the politics do to win votes. But they had hot chocolote and were giving away free stuff. Well a lot of the members and all the investigators thought it would be a better idea to go there than church. I was pretty upset but they have there agency and are able to do what they want. It is just sad that they chose that. We had a good week anyways. We had about 15 members go. That is pretty good for Zonda.

Today we went with and investigator named Ramón and a kid named Johnny to climb a mountain. It was way fun. It was a little bigger than I thought. They thing I have noticed is that Argentines don´t believe in switch bakcs. I have never been so greatful for switch backs. There trail just went pretty much strait. It was the steepest train that I have ever been on. My legs are dead. We hiked up and played Uno. I guess our investigator doesnt know that saints and virgins can´t do anything for you because he lit candle for the virgin up on top. Everyone was saying how great the virgin is up there and there wasn´t even one there. I think someone stole it and just left the little house thing. But was really fun. It wasn´t a really clear day, there was a lot of dust in the air. But it was still really cool. I´ll be sending some pictures.

Something pretty cool. We are going to be on the Zonda radio next saturday. they want to hear why and what we are doing here. I am really excited.

Ok. So Emily wants a shirt. Sounds good. I have seen one that she might like. I am just going to have to make a guess on the size. I am going to buy some fake jerseys and some other stuff. I think 200 more should be good. I really have no idea. Just do what ever you can. I dont want to spend a lot of money if there isn´t any. If 200 is good that I am fine with that. What ever you can do. I will just be making some guesses on what I bring home. There isn´t a lot of difference in clothing here and there. So I will just hope I get lucky with finding stuff.

I love you all so much. Fight to the end. Man I cant believe it already september. I love you.

Chau

Elder Smith


























here are some pictures, if you dont get them, i will explain latter. i dont have time right now. love ya alll

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Elder Smith is coming home !!!

August 24, 2010

Dear Brother and Sister Smith,

A couple of weeks ago, we notified your stake president, that Elder Smith is to be released to return home on 14 Sep 2010. We are providing you with the flight itinerary which Elder Smith has from Mendoza to North America. A copy of that itinerary is being e-mailed next week to Elder Smith, also. During the final interview with the mission president, Elder Smith will be given any other necessary instructions with the complete itinerary from Mendoza to the United States.

The schedule for Elder Smith the day before his release will go something like this:

08:00 am. Weighing and preparing of luggage

10:00 a.m. Interview with President Lindahl, issuing of interim temple recommend.

Noon-5:00 pm. Missionary is allowed to shop for souvenirs in downtown Mendoza

06:30 p.m. Farewell dinner and testimony meeting at the Lindahl home.

Early on 14 Sep 2010, Elder Smith will be transported to the Mendoza airport to catch his departing flight. In addition to personal luggage, each missionary will be carrying home two large white envelopes. One envelope will contain travel instructions and complete travel itinerary. The other, a sealed envelope for the stake president, will contain the missionary release letter and certificate of release which the stake president will present at either the release interview or during Elder Smith´s visit to the Stake High Council.

At this juncture, I believe I speak for President and Sister Lindahl when I say that it has been a joy having Elder Smith in our mission. May the Lord continue to bless your family for the sacrifice you have made in preparing, sending, and maintaining a full-time missionary.


Elder Sandford

Secretario

Mision Mendoza Argentina

2012677@ldschurch.org

(011)54-261-424-4165

Electronic tickets have been issued, only your passport and Visa will be needed to check-in

To avoid Cancellation of Reservation, it is important to telephone the airline on which each missionary originates and reconfirm the reservation and Ticket Number at least 72 hours prior to travel.

Tickets are non-refundable, Penalties apply for changes or cancellations.

Many of the US airline carriers are charging for a second bag when you fly. Please be prepared to pay the additional cost when you check in for your flight.

CHURCH TRAVEL CWT DATE 22JUNE10

50 EAST NORTH TEMPLE ST AGENT VH/8C BOOKING REF 2RNAXE

SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150

TELEPHONE: 801 240-5111 SMITH/BLAKE AUSTIN 140026-R

FAX : 801-240-5115

MISSIONARY TRAVEL

ARGENTINA MENDOZA

SERVICE DATE FROM TO DEPART ARRIVE

_____________________ _____ ______________ ______________ _______ ______

DELTA AIR LINES 14SEP BUENOS AIRE BA ATLANTA GA 830P 600A

DL 110 TUESDAY PISTARINI HARTSFIELD JAC 15SEP

L ECONOMY TERMINAL S

NON SMOKING DINNER NON STOP

RESERVATION CONFIRMED 10:30 DURATION

AIRCRAFT: BOEING 767-200/300

SEAT 40E NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

DELTA AIR LINES 15SEP ATLANTA GA PHOENIX AZ 841A 945A

DL 2915 WEDNESDAY HARTSFIELD JAC SKY HARBOR INT

L ECONOMY TERMINAL S TERMINAL 3

NON SMOKING FOOD FOR PURCHASE NON STOP

RESERVATION CONFIRMED 4:04 DURATION

AIRCRAFT: BOEING 757-200/300

SEAT 46C NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

RESERVATION NUMBER(S) DL/EHE8JJ

-----------------------------------------------

BEIDLER C - EXT 25156

.

(8C) MISSION PRES JAMES BLAINE LINDAHL

PH 011 54 261/ 424-4165 OFFICE 424-3197 HOME

* NOTICE * STATE OR FEDERAL PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED AT AIRPORT.

BECAUSE CHECK-IN TIMES AROUND THE WORLD MAY VARY BASED

ON THE INDIVIDUAL AIRPORT AND DAY-TO-DAY SECURITY ISSUES

PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY FOR YOUR FLIGHTS.

IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING AIRPORT SECURITY,

PLEASE CONTACT THE AIRPORT DIRECTLY.

MISSIONARY TRAVEL (800) 537-3537 OR (801) 240-5111

EMPLOYEE TRAVEL (800) 537-1232 OR (801) 240-1387

GENERAL AUTHORITY TRAVEL (800)453-3860 OR (801)240-1000

August 23, 2010

Hey family,

Wow, time is going fast. It is insane how fast it is going. I really noticed it in church. But that is how it is. Well it sounds like you all had a good week. Sounds like you all had fun doing yardwork and being in the heat. Sounds like fun.

So everyone has started school again. Is Brady going to go to school? I can imagine that it is pretty hard. That is horrible. I still can´t believe he broke his femer. Poor kid. Well I guess he wont be doing much when I get home.

That is retarded that those kids screwed up the front of the church. Kids do stupid things everywhere not just there. The good thing is that there people are scared of the cops. Here no one is scared to get caught because the police doesn´t do anything. I have seen kids doing grafiti when a police man drove by. It is crazy but true. Lets just hope it doesn´t happen again.

That is awesome that a General Authority is coming to our stake. I get home right in time for it. I am excited to see who it is. If I had a choice I would hope that Elder Holland came. He is so awesome, he talks so well. We´ll just have to see. It looks like I will have a little time to prepare my talk now. By the way has anyone told you on what I need to talk about? I´ll figure something out.

That is sweet that Bryce is the ward representative. Hopefully he does a good job. We´ll help him get into shape. I have to get into a workout routine anyways when I get home. I´ll have some time to go running and maybe go to a gym. I want to lose some more weight. 30 pounds is good but I want to loose a little bit more. You´ll have to help me out.

I really respect President Ostler. I finally got the letter from him. He really seems like he cares for the RM´s and wants to help us out. He told me some of the things that I am going to have to do when I get home. A lot of what he said President Lindahl told us just an hour before I opened the letter. President wants a copy of it. But it was a very nice letter.

Well, I guess now a little about my week. We had a really good week this week. A lot happened. On Friday we had zone conference. My last one and I am willing to say the best ones that I had. President talked about doing the little things in like good so that you can have a good life. He talked a lot about how he became so rich. (sounds weird). But he told us all the little things he did to help him out. All the little things he learned in his mission. He really wants us to have a good succesful life. He told me that he might buy a house in Gilbert and said we can drink some orange juice out on porch after the mission. He is a great guy. Sister lindahl had a great talk about how Satan messes with our minds. It was really a good confernce. Just a shame that it was my last. This week has been good but also I have really relized that my mission is about done. It is really sad. I look at all the things I am doing right now and I am going to miss it so much. It is a really weird feeling. It is kind of the feeling when I was getting ready to go on a mission. Sad I was leaving the life I had, scared for what was coming, excited for what was coming and having no idea what I was going to be doing. Well It is the same now. I am sad I am leaving the mission life, argentina, the people i have come to love behind. But at the same time I am excited and scared for the life I will be having. It is a happy/sad feeling. Just have to try my hardest. I have 3 weeks to give it all I have before I go home.

This week we had 2 baptisms. Matilde and Soledad Recabarren. They are a really cool mom and daughter. They had to fight for it too. The husband at first did not like us at all. But with time and showing him the blessings from the church he let them get baptized. It was one of the best baptismal services I have had. The water was nice and warm, there were a couple of members but most importantly they and us felt the spirit. It was wonderful. It really hit me that night, the sad part of leaving behind the people I love and the missionary work. I hope it is not my last baptism but it might be. We have some people but they have to get married. I am going to miss the work a lot.

We ate lunch with the stake presdient. President Noriega. He is so awesome. He always has the spirit so strongly and he helps us out a ton. I want to live my life so that I can be someone like the leaders I have now. President Lindahl, Noriega and Ostler. They are such great examples and I need to strive to be a good person like them.

We really had such a great week. A lot of people went to church and it was a great meeting.

I love you all so much.

Have a good week.

Love Elder Smith


ps. mom, i got my flight plans and you should have gotten them too. if not tell me next week and i will send them to you. Could you just put some extra money of my card for when i am traveling and if i need to buy some more stuff to take home. i dont know what to buy, but I want to buy some stuff that i want to remember argentina with. thanks mom, i love you. time is coming down to the wire. I got to get one things. love you, elder smith