Buenas Dias! It's your daughter Taylor. I am safe and in my first area
here in Ecuador. My companion's name Hermana Parrales and she is from
the north part of Guayaquil. Our area is called Huancavilca. From my
understanding, because I literally have no idea where I am, we're in
south Guayaquil...so it's REALLY hot! Last night I was dripping sweat
just sitting in our apartment while we were planning for the day. We
have 2 fans in our apartment and so at night I had my fan blowing on
me. All I have to really say is that it's just super hot and I need
to get used to it. Hahaha
Today we got up at 6:30 and did some execises in our apartment. We
went to a small store next to our apartment and I bought some cereal
and milk for breakfast. Then we had personal study and I finished the
Book of Mormon :) Now, I'm going to read it in just Spanish. There is
no doubt in my mind that the book is the word of God. We had
companion study and then language study for 30 minutes. We read a
long chapter in the Book of Mormon and then I helped Hermana Parrales
learn English. Now we're at this mall that is like 5 minutes from our
apartment, it's super nice and I feel more at home here. Hahaha. We're
going to do some shopping and then at 1 we have lunch and then we're
going out teaching the rest of the day! I'm super nervous my stomach
hurts. We have 2 baptisms set for the 19th of March for Sandra and
Javier (I haven't met them yet), so I'm really excited for that.
So this last week has been great! It was sad to leave the Peru CCM.
I made some great friends and had such amazing experiences! I am
so greatful I had the opportunity to go there and learn. I am going
to miss being able to talk in English, but I know this immersion here
in Ecuador will help me learn the language so much faster.
Yesterday, we left the CCM at 6am. The CCM ended up paying for my
execessive weight in my bags, so I didn't have to use my card. On
the flight I had the middle seat between 2 people. The girl´s name
was Nataly, she's 17 and was moving to Ecuador to go to school. Freddy
is 26 and lives in Guayaquil, he has two kids and is recently
divorced. Both of them spoke English pretty well. So I talked to
them about the gospel. I gave Nataly a pamphlet about the Plan of
Salvation and asked her to pray about it. I taught Freddy about the
whole restoration. I gave him a Book of Mormon, asked him to read 3
Nephi 11, and to pray about it. It was seriously an amazing
experience. They are both so ready to hear the gospel, especially
Freddy. I got their information so the missionaries in their areas
can teach them. Now, I just need to learn Spanish so I can teach the
same thing to the people here in Ecuador.
We landed around 1 and we were greeted by President Montalti and the
APs. They drove us to a church building where we met our new
companions, had an orientation with President, the nurses, and
missionaries who help in the office. I met a girl named Hermana
Salmon from Mesa. Her cousin is friends with Mackenzie Daniels, so it
was great to meet someone from the same place as me. We had dinner and
our interviews and then Hermana Parrales and I headed off with all my
stuff to our apartment. It was so sad to say goodbye to all the
sisters I have been with for the last 9 weeks. We drove in a taxi for
20 minutes to get to our area. People drive SO crazy here, oh my gosh!
That's enough about that... haha
Well, my preparation days will be on Mondays. Information I
received about packages is to send ones with a green sticker (meaning
that it's already paid for me to receive that package). If it's a
white sticker, the Elder who is over letters/packages cannot receive
it. It means I have to go downtown to pick it up and pay a fee.
Ok, I can't think of what else to say. I have so many emotions and
feelings that I can't put them into words. I miss you all
tremendously and know I have a huge support system back home. I know
that all your prayers are helping me. I am so happy to be serving the
Lord and am so excited to experience these next 16 months. Please
continue to keep me in your prayers. I love you and will hear from you
Monday :)
Love,
Hermana Smith
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
March 2, 2011
Holy Crap, is it March already? I´ll probably say this every week but
time is FLYING by! In one week from today I will be in Ecuador and a
legit missionary! Hello full immersion, AHHH! I´m a little nervous,
but so excited to be doing what I´ve been preparing to do for these
last 8 weeks. We leave early Tuesday morning for the airport, but
we´re not going to be able to call :( Good thing time is going fast
and Mother´s Day is right around the corner!!
So here is how this last week went...
Wednesday we got to go to the temple. It was SO great because I
hadn´t been able to go because it was closed for 3 weeks. It was a
nice escape from the world and missionary work. There are a good
handful of elderly people from the states that are called to be temple
workers in the Lima temple, so it was nice to see and talk to people.
We luckily had translators in the temple, but I would listen in
Spanish every once in awhile. It´s cool how much I understand when
people speak in Spanish then I did when I first got to Peru, it´s
mostly just church related words though haha. I also put Papa Holmes
name on the prayer roll. From the good news I hear this morning about
him, it sounds like the prayers from the people in Peru helped! After
the temple I went to the distribution center and finally bought a
primary song book in Spanish, so no need to send one anymore (you are
a smart woman Mom). I also bought my companion a Book of Mormon in
English, so for 30 minutes of our companion study each day we´ve been
reading aloud from the Book of Mormon and it´s been great!
Saturday was our day out in the city proselyting!!!!!!!! We were sent
to a ward by the airport, which is a pretty sketchy area. We couldn´t
wear necklaces or watches. I was a little nervous at first. In the
morning we had Hermano Gallo (a tall Latin who looks like a mix
between a Latin Ryan Reynolds and Tanner Ritchey haha) helping us.
He´s super nice and I felt safe with him. But after walking through
the town a little, it wasn´t as "ghetto" as I thought it would be,
there was nothing to fear. Hermana Cruz and I were assigned to an
area that was a 30 minute walk from the church building, so with
having to walk back and forth between the places for lunch we spent 2
hours of our day just walking. However, the day flew by because we
were so busy. When we got to our assigned area, we knocked on a few
doors with no answers, but after that we were talking with people and
teaching lessons in houses. We taught 4 good lessons, like 45
minutes. The good thing was I could understand where the
conversations were going and what they were about, but I didn´t
understand a lot, especially what the investigators were saying.
I´ll share a story of a family we taught.... We were walking back to
our assigned area after lunch. We were half way there when we past a
man and woman who stopped us. The man said to us (in Spanish) "She
has your book" (we walk with the BoM in our hands). So we started
talking to them, just little stuff like where we´re from, why we´re in
Peru, and where we are going for our missions. Well it turns out the
woman is a member of the church, but inactive. Her name is Maria and
she was telling us how her mother was sick. She said that she knew we
didn´t hold the priesthood, so we couldn´t give her a blessing, but
she invited us and wanted us to have a prayer with them. So, we went
in and met her mother named Justina. I didn´t understand what exactly
she was sick with, but it had to do with pains near her stomach. We
started off by singing a hymn and then I gave the prayer. We talked
about Jesus Christ and the Atonement and that when when we have faith
in him, we can be healed. I shared a scripture and then felt prompted
to sing "I Stand All Amazed" in Spanish and asked them to listen to
the words (I have memorized the words) and then shared my testimony of
Jesus Christ. It was cool to see how much faith Maria and Justina
have in the Savior and how much faith they had that we, just sister
missionaries, could give a simple prayer to help her. We told the
Elders about Justina and they went back and gave her a blessing later
that day. I am so excited to experience more situations like this,
especially when I am finally fluent in Spanish and can speak and
understand perfectly.
Well, that is pretty much all the "worth-telling stuff". I don´t know
when I will be emailing next. I would assume my mission president
will let us email the day we get to the mission home, but if not, it
should be shortly after. Wow, seriously I can´t believe it´s almost
the real deal. Please keep me in your prayers!
I love you so much and miss you. I hope you have a great week!!!!
Love,
Hermana Smith
time is FLYING by! In one week from today I will be in Ecuador and a
legit missionary! Hello full immersion, AHHH! I´m a little nervous,
but so excited to be doing what I´ve been preparing to do for these
last 8 weeks. We leave early Tuesday morning for the airport, but
we´re not going to be able to call :( Good thing time is going fast
and Mother´s Day is right around the corner!!
So here is how this last week went...
Wednesday we got to go to the temple. It was SO great because I
hadn´t been able to go because it was closed for 3 weeks. It was a
nice escape from the world and missionary work. There are a good
handful of elderly people from the states that are called to be temple
workers in the Lima temple, so it was nice to see and talk to people.
We luckily had translators in the temple, but I would listen in
Spanish every once in awhile. It´s cool how much I understand when
people speak in Spanish then I did when I first got to Peru, it´s
mostly just church related words though haha. I also put Papa Holmes
name on the prayer roll. From the good news I hear this morning about
him, it sounds like the prayers from the people in Peru helped! After
the temple I went to the distribution center and finally bought a
primary song book in Spanish, so no need to send one anymore (you are
a smart woman Mom). I also bought my companion a Book of Mormon in
English, so for 30 minutes of our companion study each day we´ve been
reading aloud from the Book of Mormon and it´s been great!
Saturday was our day out in the city proselyting!!!!!!!! We were sent
to a ward by the airport, which is a pretty sketchy area. We couldn´t
wear necklaces or watches. I was a little nervous at first. In the
morning we had Hermano Gallo (a tall Latin who looks like a mix
between a Latin Ryan Reynolds and Tanner Ritchey haha) helping us.
He´s super nice and I felt safe with him. But after walking through
the town a little, it wasn´t as "ghetto" as I thought it would be,
there was nothing to fear. Hermana Cruz and I were assigned to an
area that was a 30 minute walk from the church building, so with
having to walk back and forth between the places for lunch we spent 2
hours of our day just walking. However, the day flew by because we
were so busy. When we got to our assigned area, we knocked on a few
doors with no answers, but after that we were talking with people and
teaching lessons in houses. We taught 4 good lessons, like 45
minutes. The good thing was I could understand where the
conversations were going and what they were about, but I didn´t
understand a lot, especially what the investigators were saying.
I´ll share a story of a family we taught.... We were walking back to
our assigned area after lunch. We were half way there when we past a
man and woman who stopped us. The man said to us (in Spanish) "She
has your book" (we walk with the BoM in our hands). So we started
talking to them, just little stuff like where we´re from, why we´re in
Peru, and where we are going for our missions. Well it turns out the
woman is a member of the church, but inactive. Her name is Maria and
she was telling us how her mother was sick. She said that she knew we
didn´t hold the priesthood, so we couldn´t give her a blessing, but
she invited us and wanted us to have a prayer with them. So, we went
in and met her mother named Justina. I didn´t understand what exactly
she was sick with, but it had to do with pains near her stomach. We
started off by singing a hymn and then I gave the prayer. We talked
about Jesus Christ and the Atonement and that when when we have faith
in him, we can be healed. I shared a scripture and then felt prompted
to sing "I Stand All Amazed" in Spanish and asked them to listen to
the words (I have memorized the words) and then shared my testimony of
Jesus Christ. It was cool to see how much faith Maria and Justina
have in the Savior and how much faith they had that we, just sister
missionaries, could give a simple prayer to help her. We told the
Elders about Justina and they went back and gave her a blessing later
that day. I am so excited to experience more situations like this,
especially when I am finally fluent in Spanish and can speak and
understand perfectly.
Well, that is pretty much all the "worth-telling stuff". I don´t know
when I will be emailing next. I would assume my mission president
will let us email the day we get to the mission home, but if not, it
should be shortly after. Wow, seriously I can´t believe it´s almost
the real deal. Please keep me in your prayers!
I love you so much and miss you. I hope you have a great week!!!!
Love,
Hermana Smith
February 23, 2011
¡Hola Famila! ¿Que tal? Once again another week has FLOWN by!!! I´m
kind of freaking out that in two weeks I will be in the mission field.
I am so excited, but so scared! Here at the Peru MTC I am able to
talk in both English and Spanish, but starting in two weeks it´s "todo
Español"....AHHHHHH! My Spanish is no where near ready to communicate
with people every day.
So here´s the updates of this week. Last Wednesday we got to tour
Lima. There was some miscommunication or misunderstanding with the
bus we rode on. It had an advertisement on the windows, so we
couldn´t see ANYTHING, only when we got off the best. We were all
pretty upset because the point of touring Lima is to actually be able
to see it all. Nevertheless, it was a great experience. We got to go
to some cool places like the beach and downtown. I have some cool
pictures that I will have to send.
We got back from our tour and most of our companion have arrived. My
companion is Hermana Cruz, she´s from Guatemala and just turned 22.
She´s going to Bolvia for her mission. She´s super skinny and makes me
look like a cow standing next to her, but she´s the sweetest girl
ever. Two times this week while I´ve been in the shower, she has made
my bed. She leaves notes on my too. She´s the best. She doesn´t
speak English and talks very fast, so it´s hard to understand her
sometimes, but she is very patient. She helps me alot and she really
wants to learn English, so this week we taught eachother the words to
"I Stand All Amazed" in the languages. She said my reading and
pronunciation of Spanish is really good. And when people talk slow,
she says I understand pretty well. She also said my speaking of
Spanish is pretty good too. It helps when your companion thinks this
(or at least makes you think you´re good at Spanish). The other day,
the two of us taught in the TRC and it went SO WELL. I really enjoy
teaching with her.
Well, there hasn´t been anything super exciting this week. I´m just
learning more and more every day and feeling the love of the Savior
help me in EVERY aspect.
I´ve gotten 3 DearElders from Dad, 2 from Mom, and 1 from Hannah. I
haven´t received any regular letters in the mail, as with many North
American missionaries here too. I believe until Saturday is the last
day to send Dear Elders to me at the Peru MTC. I get them on Fridays.
Here is my mission home address which letters should be sent to
now....
Hermana Taylor Nicole Smith
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur
Casilla 09-06-286
Guayaquil, Guayas
ECUADOR
(I believe I put the address for packages to my mission on facebook,
so make sure to tell people that if they are sending packages...which
no one has too, of course, to send it to THAT address, because it may
be the same situation with packages here).
Well, I actually don´t have much to say. I´ve had some neat and very
spiritual experiences that will shared at another time.
Just a side note, I´ve heard SO many wonderful things about my mission
president. A general authority came here and said that my mission
president is amazing and that I will have baptisms. So cool huh?
I love you all and I keep you in my prayers every day. Have a fabulous week :)
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Taylor Smith
kind of freaking out that in two weeks I will be in the mission field.
I am so excited, but so scared! Here at the Peru MTC I am able to
talk in both English and Spanish, but starting in two weeks it´s "todo
Español"....AHHHHHH! My Spanish is no where near ready to communicate
with people every day.
So here´s the updates of this week. Last Wednesday we got to tour
Lima. There was some miscommunication or misunderstanding with the
bus we rode on. It had an advertisement on the windows, so we
couldn´t see ANYTHING, only when we got off the best. We were all
pretty upset because the point of touring Lima is to actually be able
to see it all. Nevertheless, it was a great experience. We got to go
to some cool places like the beach and downtown. I have some cool
pictures that I will have to send.
We got back from our tour and most of our companion have arrived. My
companion is Hermana Cruz, she´s from Guatemala and just turned 22.
She´s going to Bolvia for her mission. She´s super skinny and makes me
look like a cow standing next to her, but she´s the sweetest girl
ever. Two times this week while I´ve been in the shower, she has made
my bed. She leaves notes on my too. She´s the best. She doesn´t
speak English and talks very fast, so it´s hard to understand her
sometimes, but she is very patient. She helps me alot and she really
wants to learn English, so this week we taught eachother the words to
"I Stand All Amazed" in the languages. She said my reading and
pronunciation of Spanish is really good. And when people talk slow,
she says I understand pretty well. She also said my speaking of
Spanish is pretty good too. It helps when your companion thinks this
(or at least makes you think you´re good at Spanish). The other day,
the two of us taught in the TRC and it went SO WELL. I really enjoy
teaching with her.
Well, there hasn´t been anything super exciting this week. I´m just
learning more and more every day and feeling the love of the Savior
help me in EVERY aspect.
I´ve gotten 3 DearElders from Dad, 2 from Mom, and 1 from Hannah. I
haven´t received any regular letters in the mail, as with many North
American missionaries here too. I believe until Saturday is the last
day to send Dear Elders to me at the Peru MTC. I get them on Fridays.
Here is my mission home address which letters should be sent to
now....
Hermana Taylor Nicole Smith
Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur
Casilla 09-06-286
Guayaquil, Guayas
ECUADOR
(I believe I put the address for packages to my mission on facebook,
so make sure to tell people that if they are sending packages...which
no one has too, of course, to send it to THAT address, because it may
be the same situation with packages here).
Well, I actually don´t have much to say. I´ve had some neat and very
spiritual experiences that will shared at another time.
Just a side note, I´ve heard SO many wonderful things about my mission
president. A general authority came here and said that my mission
president is amazing and that I will have baptisms. So cool huh?
I love you all and I keep you in my prayers every day. Have a fabulous week :)
Love Always and Forever,
Hermana Taylor Smith
Februrary 16, 2011
Hello family :) Once again another week has flown by! These past few
days have been days of changes. The Latino missionaries left for the
mission field early yesterday morning. It was really sad to say
goodbye to all of them! I´ve created such great friendships and it´s
sad that I will probably never see them again :( But I am looking
forward to after the mission when we can all be friends on facebook
and I will be able to communicate in Spanish with them. It´s been
very quiet around here. We´ve changed bedrooms and districts and will
be getting new companions today. I was lucky with the new room
assignments. I´m the only missionary that is in the same room and the
same bed, so I didn´t have to move all my stuff. I´m very thankful
for that. Also, Hermana Kendell and Hermana Cochran are in my room
now.
Today we get to go on a tour of Lima! I´m SO excited. We get to see
the beach, go downtown, go shopping, and if we want, eat McDonald´s (I
never thought I´d be excited to eat McDonald´s). I´m going to try and
find a way to send pictures too at some point in time.
Well this week, once again, has been one of spiritual highs and
emotional lows. On Thursday, my companion and I were randomly picked
to teach a lesson in the TRC (which is where there is a pretend
investigator and we go up in front of our classmates and teach). I
wasn´t expecting to go and became super nervous. After the lesson, I
became very upset and started crying. It´s hard to teach lessons in
Spanish because there is so much in my heart that I want to say and I
can´t do it. I have to "dumb" down my words so I can say them in
Spanish. And it´s hard to communicate with people because I´ll say
something in Spanish and people will barely understand what I say. And
then they´ll say something back and I have a look of confusion on my
face. Well, anyway, immediately my teacher Hermano Vasquez took me
outside to talk. Then, later in the afternoon, my other teacher
Hermano Lazo took me out of class to talk. They both were very
understanding of my frustrations and gave amazing words of comfort.
In these moments, I knew these two were relying on the Holy Ghost to
prompt them of what to say, which brought me so much comfort! I am
just being reminded that I need to practice patience. Patience is a
Christ like attribute which means you wait for something without
getting frustrated. I´m working on it day by day.
Saturday was another day out tracting. This Saturday we had a little
more success, but not amazing miracles I was hoping for. We got into
4 houses and taught lessons. 2 of these houses had small children and
I was reminded of my love for children. These experiences really
touched my heart when I realized I planted a seed of the gospel in
their homes and hopefully one day they will receive blessings of the
gospel. I wasn´t able to say or understand much, but when I bore my
testimony of the Book of Mormon (and gave 2 away), I could tell these
people were really listening to what I was saying and they all had
smiles on their faces. It was really amazing!
Well, it´s time to get off again. There is always so much more I want
to say, but I want you to know I am happy! I love being a missionary.
I love sharing the gospel and I love that I´m learning how to do it in
Spanish. You are all in my prayers. Have another great week. I love
you and miss you :)
Love,
Hermana Smith
days have been days of changes. The Latino missionaries left for the
mission field early yesterday morning. It was really sad to say
goodbye to all of them! I´ve created such great friendships and it´s
sad that I will probably never see them again :( But I am looking
forward to after the mission when we can all be friends on facebook
and I will be able to communicate in Spanish with them. It´s been
very quiet around here. We´ve changed bedrooms and districts and will
be getting new companions today. I was lucky with the new room
assignments. I´m the only missionary that is in the same room and the
same bed, so I didn´t have to move all my stuff. I´m very thankful
for that. Also, Hermana Kendell and Hermana Cochran are in my room
now.
Today we get to go on a tour of Lima! I´m SO excited. We get to see
the beach, go downtown, go shopping, and if we want, eat McDonald´s (I
never thought I´d be excited to eat McDonald´s). I´m going to try and
find a way to send pictures too at some point in time.
Well this week, once again, has been one of spiritual highs and
emotional lows. On Thursday, my companion and I were randomly picked
to teach a lesson in the TRC (which is where there is a pretend
investigator and we go up in front of our classmates and teach). I
wasn´t expecting to go and became super nervous. After the lesson, I
became very upset and started crying. It´s hard to teach lessons in
Spanish because there is so much in my heart that I want to say and I
can´t do it. I have to "dumb" down my words so I can say them in
Spanish. And it´s hard to communicate with people because I´ll say
something in Spanish and people will barely understand what I say. And
then they´ll say something back and I have a look of confusion on my
face. Well, anyway, immediately my teacher Hermano Vasquez took me
outside to talk. Then, later in the afternoon, my other teacher
Hermano Lazo took me out of class to talk. They both were very
understanding of my frustrations and gave amazing words of comfort.
In these moments, I knew these two were relying on the Holy Ghost to
prompt them of what to say, which brought me so much comfort! I am
just being reminded that I need to practice patience. Patience is a
Christ like attribute which means you wait for something without
getting frustrated. I´m working on it day by day.
Saturday was another day out tracting. This Saturday we had a little
more success, but not amazing miracles I was hoping for. We got into
4 houses and taught lessons. 2 of these houses had small children and
I was reminded of my love for children. These experiences really
touched my heart when I realized I planted a seed of the gospel in
their homes and hopefully one day they will receive blessings of the
gospel. I wasn´t able to say or understand much, but when I bore my
testimony of the Book of Mormon (and gave 2 away), I could tell these
people were really listening to what I was saying and they all had
smiles on their faces. It was really amazing!
Well, it´s time to get off again. There is always so much more I want
to say, but I want you to know I am happy! I love being a missionary.
I love sharing the gospel and I love that I´m learning how to do it in
Spanish. You are all in my prayers. Have another great week. I love
you and miss you :)
Love,
Hermana Smith
February 9, 2011
¡Hola Familia¡ I can´t believe another week has past!!! I feel like I´ve been gone forever, but yet still feel like it was just yesterday that I said goodbye. It´s interesting how time works.
So here´s the update from this week... I´ve become quite the athelete! Every day we have an hour of physical activity. I run, play volleyball, and play futbol (with all the competitive Latino Elders), thankfully they don´t get mad at my terrible coordination! There are about 150 missionaries here, 26 are Sisters, and 9 are North American sisters. And, of course, I am my father´s daughter, I am a social butterfly.
So now for the exciting news! My schedule is still the same. I´m loving it here. I´m learning a lot and feeling the Spirit so much. On Saturday, we got to go out into the city and proselyte!!!! We left the CCM around 730 and got to our designated ward buildings, were given pamphlets and Books of Mormon, and we out in the town at 9. There was a teacher for every two companionships. In the morning, it was just Hermana Calderas and I. The first person we talked too seemed interested, we gave him a pamphlet and the information to go to church. But, after talking to him, or success wasn´t as great. I seriously had NO idea what was being said. I´d just smile and say the words I knew. We were talking to one man and in Spanish he called me a beautiful girl. I didn´t understand him at first, so he said it twice and all I heard was "bonita", so I just said "Gracias" until my companion explained to me later what he said. After lunch, the teacher, Hermana Pacheco was with us. She was very helpful! We didn´t have a lot of success still. People would talk to us, but wouldn´t be interested in receiving a pamphelet or contacted. Hermana Pacheco told me to keep my postive attitude and smile, so I did. She was telling my companion some advice of what to do differently, but we still weren´t having success. Hermana Calderas became upset and got to the point she didn't want to talk anymore. Which meant I had to talk MORE. It was SO scary. The people were patient with my Spanish, but they listened to me, and as I talked to more and more people, my Spanish became better. Finally, we were able to go into a house and teach! It was so awesome! The missionaries are going to go back and teach that family. Anyway, we returned and all the missionaries talked about they´re success. Some committed people to baptism, some brought people to tears about the Book of Mormon... I became a bit upset that I didn´t have any success like that. But, as I was riding the bus back I felt a feeling in my heart and mind that I gave my all that day. I felt peace that the Lord was proud of me for my hardwork and I wasn´t discouraged about not having any amazing success.
Well, it´s time for me to get going. On Sunday, I had this thought come to me that I really am a missionary! This is my life. At the beginning of my mission I had desires to go home, but I don´t have them anymore. I miss you all and my friends, but I have no desires to go home. Dad shared this poem/quote with me, it´s called "The Fellowship of the Unashamed" and this is how I feel: "I now live by faith, lean on His presense, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is heaven".
I love you!! Have a great week :)
Love, Hermana Smith
So here´s the update from this week... I´ve become quite the athelete! Every day we have an hour of physical activity. I run, play volleyball, and play futbol (with all the competitive Latino Elders), thankfully they don´t get mad at my terrible coordination! There are about 150 missionaries here, 26 are Sisters, and 9 are North American sisters. And, of course, I am my father´s daughter, I am a social butterfly.
So now for the exciting news! My schedule is still the same. I´m loving it here. I´m learning a lot and feeling the Spirit so much. On Saturday, we got to go out into the city and proselyte!!!! We left the CCM around 730 and got to our designated ward buildings, were given pamphlets and Books of Mormon, and we out in the town at 9. There was a teacher for every two companionships. In the morning, it was just Hermana Calderas and I. The first person we talked too seemed interested, we gave him a pamphlet and the information to go to church. But, after talking to him, or success wasn´t as great. I seriously had NO idea what was being said. I´d just smile and say the words I knew. We were talking to one man and in Spanish he called me a beautiful girl. I didn´t understand him at first, so he said it twice and all I heard was "bonita", so I just said "Gracias" until my companion explained to me later what he said. After lunch, the teacher, Hermana Pacheco was with us. She was very helpful! We didn´t have a lot of success still. People would talk to us, but wouldn´t be interested in receiving a pamphelet or contacted. Hermana Pacheco told me to keep my postive attitude and smile, so I did. She was telling my companion some advice of what to do differently, but we still weren´t having success. Hermana Calderas became upset and got to the point she didn't want to talk anymore. Which meant I had to talk MORE. It was SO scary. The people were patient with my Spanish, but they listened to me, and as I talked to more and more people, my Spanish became better. Finally, we were able to go into a house and teach! It was so awesome! The missionaries are going to go back and teach that family. Anyway, we returned and all the missionaries talked about they´re success. Some committed people to baptism, some brought people to tears about the Book of Mormon... I became a bit upset that I didn´t have any success like that. But, as I was riding the bus back I felt a feeling in my heart and mind that I gave my all that day. I felt peace that the Lord was proud of me for my hardwork and I wasn´t discouraged about not having any amazing success.
Well, it´s time for me to get going. On Sunday, I had this thought come to me that I really am a missionary! This is my life. At the beginning of my mission I had desires to go home, but I don´t have them anymore. I miss you all and my friends, but I have no desires to go home. Dad shared this poem/quote with me, it´s called "The Fellowship of the Unashamed" and this is how I feel: "I now live by faith, lean on His presense, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is heaven".
I love you!! Have a great week :)
Love, Hermana Smith
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Second week in Peru
Hola Famila! How are you all doing? I am doing SO good!!!! I apologize for my email last week that it was all over the place. I was going off 3 hours of sleep and was extremely emotional. I don¨t do well with quick change. Elder Hansen from my district gave me a blessing for comfort shortly after I sent that email and it helped me so very much. I am taking full advantage of having priesthood holders always around me.
I LOVE the Peru MTC, I didn¨t think I would grow to love it this quickly, but I do! Our daily schedule is pretty much the same everyday. In Provo, the schedule was different every day, but here it's the same. I will give you a glimpse of my daily life here at the CCM (MTC in Spanish). So, we wake up around 6 or 6:30 so we can be ready for breakfast at 7. The outlets here don't work with my hairdryer/flat iron/curling iron...so I have to air dry my hair :( I am proud to say I am no longer high maintenance! I just scrunch my hair, put some curling mousse in it, some hair spray, makeup and I'm done! Breakfast (desayuno) is from 7-8. In South America, you have to eat EVERYTHING that is on your plate. It took some adjusting at first for the food because it's different and tastes different, but my stomach is adjusting. We have personal study at 8 for an hour and then companion study for an hour after that. My companion and I will find a bench in the courtyard and study. The weather here is so nice, especially in the morning. I really enjoy studying the scriptures and preach my gospel. For companion study, we prepare for Lesson 1: The Restoration. Even though the language barrier is difficult, our companion study always seems to go pretty well. From 10-12:15 we have class, which is ALL in Spanish. We then separate from our companions into 2 different districts/classes (North Americans and Latinos), but then we´ll come together for teaching practices and discussions on how to teach together. Even though my teachers don´t speak English (well one does, but he has to speak mostly in Spanish), the class isn´t overwhelming. They speak slow and are super patient and helpful. It's amazing how much I understand too. The Lord is really blessing us here to learn Spanish. We get an hour for lunch (Almuerzo), which is the biggest lunch of the day. At every meal, the sister missionaries get to cut the line to go first. For lunch and dinner, we ALWAYS have rice and bread. There is always juice, which is pretty delicious. I haven't had soda for a week (because there isn´t any), you should be proud of me! We go back to class for a couple hours and then have our physical activity time at 4 for an hour. We have to stay the whole hour, but I have so much fun. There is a huge soccer field, volleyball court, etc. Everyone plays soccer, but I play volleyball. After, we hurry back to our room, get ready in 20 minutes (believe it or not), and are back in class. Dinner is at 6, then back to class until 9. We plan for the next day with our companion for 30 minutes. Go to our rooms at 9:30, write in our journals, pray with our roommates, and lights out at 10:30. As I said last week, I am the only ¨gringa¨sister in my room. Even though I don´t speak Spanish, I've been able to communicate with the Latina hermanas. I really love them SO much! We have so much fun and are able to laugh a lot (mostly with my terrible Spanish) haha. My companion is great too! She's from Guatamala, 25, been a convert for 6 years, and is going to Bolivia. I love her and we laugh a lot.
So, time is running short. Just to tell you a few more things. This Sunday we had fast and testimony meeting. I was one of 3 North American missionaries who got up and bore their testimony in all Spanish. It was so cool, I loved it!!!!! I also had to play the piano for sacrament meeting, because I´m the only one in my branch who can play....AHH! So scary.
Alright, it´s time to get off. Just letting you know I love it here. I´m learning so much and I can feel the Savior helping me everyday. I miss you and hope you are all doing well!!!! I love you! Have a great week :)
Love Always,
Hermana Taylor Smith
I LOVE the Peru MTC, I didn¨t think I would grow to love it this quickly, but I do! Our daily schedule is pretty much the same everyday. In Provo, the schedule was different every day, but here it's the same. I will give you a glimpse of my daily life here at the CCM (MTC in Spanish). So, we wake up around 6 or 6:30 so we can be ready for breakfast at 7. The outlets here don't work with my hairdryer/flat iron/curling iron...so I have to air dry my hair :( I am proud to say I am no longer high maintenance! I just scrunch my hair, put some curling mousse in it, some hair spray, makeup and I'm done! Breakfast (desayuno) is from 7-8. In South America, you have to eat EVERYTHING that is on your plate. It took some adjusting at first for the food because it's different and tastes different, but my stomach is adjusting. We have personal study at 8 for an hour and then companion study for an hour after that. My companion and I will find a bench in the courtyard and study. The weather here is so nice, especially in the morning. I really enjoy studying the scriptures and preach my gospel. For companion study, we prepare for Lesson 1: The Restoration. Even though the language barrier is difficult, our companion study always seems to go pretty well. From 10-12:15 we have class, which is ALL in Spanish. We then separate from our companions into 2 different districts/classes (North Americans and Latinos), but then we´ll come together for teaching practices and discussions on how to teach together. Even though my teachers don´t speak English (well one does, but he has to speak mostly in Spanish), the class isn´t overwhelming. They speak slow and are super patient and helpful. It's amazing how much I understand too. The Lord is really blessing us here to learn Spanish. We get an hour for lunch (Almuerzo), which is the biggest lunch of the day. At every meal, the sister missionaries get to cut the line to go first. For lunch and dinner, we ALWAYS have rice and bread. There is always juice, which is pretty delicious. I haven't had soda for a week (because there isn´t any), you should be proud of me! We go back to class for a couple hours and then have our physical activity time at 4 for an hour. We have to stay the whole hour, but I have so much fun. There is a huge soccer field, volleyball court, etc. Everyone plays soccer, but I play volleyball. After, we hurry back to our room, get ready in 20 minutes (believe it or not), and are back in class. Dinner is at 6, then back to class until 9. We plan for the next day with our companion for 30 minutes. Go to our rooms at 9:30, write in our journals, pray with our roommates, and lights out at 10:30. As I said last week, I am the only ¨gringa¨sister in my room. Even though I don´t speak Spanish, I've been able to communicate with the Latina hermanas. I really love them SO much! We have so much fun and are able to laugh a lot (mostly with my terrible Spanish) haha. My companion is great too! She's from Guatamala, 25, been a convert for 6 years, and is going to Bolivia. I love her and we laugh a lot.
So, time is running short. Just to tell you a few more things. This Sunday we had fast and testimony meeting. I was one of 3 North American missionaries who got up and bore their testimony in all Spanish. It was so cool, I loved it!!!!! I also had to play the piano for sacrament meeting, because I´m the only one in my branch who can play....AHH! So scary.
Alright, it´s time to get off. Just letting you know I love it here. I´m learning so much and I can feel the Savior helping me everyday. I miss you and hope you are all doing well!!!! I love you! Have a great week :)
Love Always,
Hermana Taylor Smith
Friday, January 28, 2011
Peru!
Hola mi familia! Taylor is DEFINITELY no longer in Ahwatukee! We landed in Peru around midnight and after going through customs, getting luggage, and waiting for the bus to take us to the MTC, we didn´t get to the MTC until about 230 in the morning. I am most definitely in culture shock. It is so exciting to be in another country and see a whole new world, but it is definitely different. The city area by the airport looked a lot like Guadalupe, but it was like 3 houses stacked on top of one another. And it definitely has a weird smell... no surprise there to my sensitive nose. I´ll start by listing and telling you the important stuff and then finish with what time I have left about other things. My address here at the Peru MTC is (this computer won´t let me press enter): Hermana Taylor Nicole Smith Av. Melgarejo 159 Urb. Campo Verde La Molina, Lima, Peru. My p-day will be on Wednesdays. Mail goes out on Mondays. I don´t know how Dear Elder works here. Packages should not be sent here, they suggest adding money in my account if I need anything here. And lastly, for the last 3 weeks I´m here, send letters to my mission home address. So imagine this... you wake up at 6 in the morning. You only got 3 hours of sleep, traveled ALL day the day before, and you wake up to 4 latina girls talking to you in Spanish. That's exactly what happened to me. My companion's name is Hermana Carderas, but she hasn't arrived here yet, so that's all I know about her. There are four other sisters in my room, all are from South America or Central America, and they are all super nice! They have been very patient this morning as I spoke in broken Spanish. At breakfast, we talked about our families a little and then I'd point to things like napkins, spoons, cups, etc. and ask what they meant. I´m going to learn so much here! The MTC is GORGEOUS!!! There's a beautiful garden in the middle and it´s very small in size. I hope to feel at home VERY soon. So my companion and I will be together for companion study, meal times, church, temple trips, etc., but we'll be separated for classes, because the Latins are only here for 3 weeks to learn the gospel and we're here for 6 weeks to learn both. Hermana Kendell and I are in the same district and I am SO GRATEFUL we are together. We got to sit by eachother on both flights and I've grown to love her more and more. Today is a pretty chill day. I am going to take a nap because I am soooooo tired and exhausted (and we were given permission too). We meet with the MTC president and wife at 430, have dinner, personal time, and then go to bed. Tomorrow starts our regular schedule and I'm eager for consistency. What I´ve come to learn about myself is that I do not do well with change and discomfort. ALL the sisters have been so nice. Alma 26 and Helaman 5:12 have been very helpful scriptures to me. NEVERTHELESS... I am GREAT! And I am very excited for this next adventure in life. It is through our Savior Jesus Christ I can do this. It was SO great to talk to you all yesterday too. An LDS lady at the airport let me use her cell phone real quick to call AJ when I thought I had no time. It was a tender mercy of the Lord. I miss you all terribly and am glad to hear you are doing well. Please keep me in your prayers. Keep writing, because it helps me. I love this gospel and I wouldn't be here if I didn't have full faith in that. Sorry this is short, I am very tired and can't type as fast. I love you all so much. Have a great week :) LOVE LOVE LOVE Hermana Taylor Smith