October 25, 2016 -Last Week of the Transfer....Time Flies

So this week just flew by and I don't even know why!  Before I knew
it, it was Sunday!  Thursday and Friday I went on exchanges with the
zone leaders again.  They are so great! I was with Elder Jheng and he
is a stud!  I can tell he truly loves the people and he works hard.  I
am having fun out here.  Missionary work is so great when you truly
put yourself into the work and love what you are doing.  This week
Elder Lee and I just had a great time contacting and knocking.  You
just have to have fun with missionary work and be super positive!  If
you make a mission a job, it will be the longest 2 years.  Elder Lee
and I just have a lot of fun we laugh and have a lot of jokes going
now.  I'm going to miss him, he goes home next week!  I've learned so
much!  We also had Stake Conference which was so great.  I don't know
if it's because I'm a missionary now or what, but it was the most
spiritual and loving Stake Conference I have ever been to!  Just some
really great stories of the people here.  The people here in New York
have gone through some really hard things, and their faith and
testimonies are so strong!  You just feel their love for the gospel
whenever you meet a member.  I love it!

And happy birthday to my mom this week!!!!! 🎂🎂

This week went by fast and we actually had a birthday party for Sister
Fitt!!  Super awesome!  I love my district so much!  They are so nice
and we have a lot of fun!  Sorry for the short email, just had a good
smooth week with nothing really crazy!

Life is hard and will throw things at us, but just remember you can
control you attitude.  You can choose whether to be frustrated or to
take it, work with it, and turn it into something better.  I have
learned that you just have to trust God.  He truly is our loving
Heavenly Father and wants to help us!  He is there for us, always!  I
love you all!!
-Elder Smith

Oct 17, 2016 Greatest Experience Yet

The greatest experience yet...

I had a wonderful week!  The best on the mission so far.  Thank you to everyone who sent me words of encouragement throughout the week!  Since I have an IPad I can read emails throughout the week and the emails really helped me this week, so thank you.

So first of all I love service.  We have service at the Queens Botanical Gardens.  We usually mulch things, plant flowers all the gardening stuff.  I just love it, because as you are serving you are also having fun and bonding with the whole zone and the workers.  I love talking to them and seeing where they were from and their life.

Wednesday I had a faith changing experience from someone who wasn't even from our church.  His name is Joseph.  We met him on the street and he agreed to a lesson.  During our lesson he told us about his story and how he came to know God.  He ran into some trouble in his early years and was facing some things, (I don't want to go into detail because this is his story).  Through this hard time he could feel his faith growing by the minute stronger and stronger.  He said from that moment on he put his life in God's hands.  This man has the faith and love of God that is genuine and real.  

He works with the youth at his church.  He is very involved with his church, but the thing that I love is that he is open he wants to learn more even though he is involved in his own church.  He was in awe when we taught him about prophets here on earth today.  He said, "here!?! Today!?" "the thing is you don't know him right?  He wouldn't reveal himself to us right?"  We said we actually do know him and his name is Thomas S. Monson.  He sat there in total awe for a time.  The power of our message is true, it is unique, revelation is unique, The Book of Mormon is unique and special, we have living Prophets on earth today, and people need to know that! I asked him to be baptized and he said, "If God tells me, and if this true, and God really wants me to, then I will do it."  This man inspired me, his trust in God is powerful.  He has obligations in his own church, but he trusts God to direct him anywhere.  He really touched me.

Now for the big thing.  I got to shake Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's hand!  We had a mission wide conference and Elder Holland came to speak to us.  It is a rare occasion for an apostle to come and speak to a mission.  Over my companions mission he didn't see one apostle so this was special.

He came in, we took a picture with him, and then we all got to shake his hand.  He later says that he wants to shake the missionaries hands because it is his chance to have a short 10 second personal interview with each one of us.  He says he wants to look into our eyes and see our soul and the goodness of our hearts.  

Having an apostle there that close and then to talk to a audience of only 200 people was powerful.  Later on he had a mic and came down with us and did a Book of Mormon study with us about the importance of 1 Nephi 1 and how it is exactly like Joseph Smith's story.  

"Lehi is a prophet, he prays, he has a vision where he sees Christ and Angels, there is a book, he gives praise, there is destruction, he is rejected, and people want to kill him.  That itself is a testimony of all prophets.  The most important chapter for investigators is chapter 1.  Isn't it interesting that the Book of Mormon starts out this way? Already with a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith?  Thousands of years before he was even born."

So I will tell you some things he told us, and when I put exclamation marks that is Elder Holland doing his Elder Holland thing where he is very powerful and almost yelling the things that he knows and has a strong desire about.

"I love you for coming out here and being big people, we need big people, and we need your help."

"But this is not about you... This is about a young boy who saw God the Father and his son."

Elder Holland feels very strongly about his mission, what it did for him, and how it changed his life forever. He told us this:  it is what hit me the hardest during the meeting.

"Missionaries always say in the mission field 'oh when I go back to real life and do this and this.'" " I care about you for the rest of your life!" "Listen!!! This is Real Life with a capital R and a capital L! This is as close to Real Life that you will get! If you go back and become what you were before! Then Shame on You!! And Shame on Me!!  I want to see You! A Captain Moroni standing in conviction, testifying, and teaching that this (mission) meant something to you!!"

"The Book of Mormon is revelation about revelation.  We don't have a message if people don't believe in revelation. God speaks to man! This Book is the greatest missionary tool.  There is wonder, a Majesty, and Spirit in that Book."

Sorry for the long email, but I was just so touched this week.  And honestly had so many answers from God given to me.  Thank you all for everything you do for me!  I love you all!  Have a great week!!

-Elder Smith

This is a pic of another missionary that Elder Lee trained, his name is Elder Smith kind of funny he got to train 2 Smith's.

Oct 10, 2016

Wow... New York...  New York is great and this mission is a lot different than I thought it was going to be!  The missionaries here called Flushing (where I am serving) China.  After 2 weeks I second that.  Everyone on the street is Chinese haha it's crazy.  I thought I could tell people apart, but when I say 안녕하세요 (hello ;) ). They just look at me and say "Chinese" it's so funny.

Korean speaking is hard here in New York.  A lot of Koreans are hard hearted and are stuck with their own church and beliefs.  Just searching for the one who is open and ready to listen.  It is hard work,  but I have a positive attitude.  The key is having fun with missionary work.  I learned to not make it a job, to make New York my home, and to make the members and the people my family.  We have found a lot of people but we always have to hand them over to the other missionaries because they are not Korean.  In our zone we have Korean, Spanish, English, and Chinese.  If we find someone, we have to send them over to the other missionaries.

It is good though, we do a lot of knocking and street contacting.  I actually like knocking, I think it's fun, wondering who will be on the other side of that door haha.  So far the mission is good, but it is very hard.  I have gotten discouraged many times now, but I always remember that God is there, that he will help me.

I have had great days and horrible days.  Happy days and sad days.
Being in the field and in New York is a whole different experience from the MTC.  The MTC was fun and you just followed the schedule and did whatever.  Here it's real life, real people, and you aren't surrounded by missionaries everyday.  I don't get to study Korean like in the MTC.  So I have to find ways to speak it a lot.

It's a good thing I have a native companion who is better at both Korean and English 😂.  For anyone who doesn't know, my trainer is Elder Lee.  He is from Washington state.  He was born in Korea lived there for 10 years, so he is super good.  He does the translations for the Korean people during stake conference, and sometimes for English speaking people who come to our sacraments.  He is super good and I am learning a lot of how to speak normally, and not the super honorific form that we learned in the MTC.

Also my district is so good at Korean and can help me a lot.  The other trainer is from Korea also so he helps a lot.  The sisters are in a trio and they are very good at Korean.  There is a half Korean, Sister Fitt who was just like me coming into the mission not knowing a ton of Korean but hearing it around the house.

Heard the ward boundaries got all crazy!! That is too bad, but I know things happen for a reason.  I know our ward got moved into 3 different wards.  That's really hard.  I love all of you and thank you so much for all you do for me.  I know the Lord is protecting you all.
This week I have drawn so much closer to my God.  He is there, and truly loves all of us.  These last two weeks have been so hard for me, but it is only there to make me stronger I love you all!!!!
사랑해요! - 스미스 장로
- Elder Smith

Oct 3, 2016- NEW YORK!

Well I made it!!! You all got the picture.  I can't believe I am
actually in New York.  I have a long journey ahead of me.  My first
week was hard, I got really homesick but General Conference was really
good.  It helped me a lot to recognize my purpose and to realize that
everything will be ok.  I hope you all watched and that you are all
ok!  I love you all so so very much.  Everything is real now, real
people, real investigators, real rejections, and real Korean.  Ahh
Korean is so hard... We honestly should have started studying Korean
as kids, like 8 years old.  So Ryten and Raimee get studying just
because knowing another language is so good for you.  Well we met a
lot of people and my Korean is not good at all... I got to study hard!
 Wow New York, I still can't believe it.  I am in Flushing New York if
you all want to know.  There is actually no Korean town.  The whole
city of flushing just has mixed Chinese and Korean buildings in it.
So everywhere you will see Korean buildings and shops.  Korean
missionary work is hard there aren't many baptisms here so it's hard
already.  The Koreans are very hard hearted here.  Before we really
say anything to them on the street they just say "I already go to
church or I'm busy". It's really funny because they don't even listen.
It is also hard to just find Koreans, there are a lot of them, but
there are so many Chinese.  You can be 99% sure they are Korean and
then they are Chinese.  Sunday's usually everyone on the streets are
Korean, because they all go to some sort of church.


My companion is Elder Lee he is from Washington, but he is perfect in
Korean.  He is a native and lived in Korea for 10 years.  He is full
Korean.  He is super nice and fun!  New York is crazy, can't wait to
see what happens.  The other trainer is from Korea.  So technically I
a, surrounded by a ton of native Koreans so I hope the language comes
quick.


Love, Renee

He Made It To New York!!!!

Elder Smith has made it safely to New York!!  He would love to hear from everyone.  His email and letter address is on the side.

Sept 21, 2016- Next Time I'll Be In New York!!!

Sept 21, 2016

Wow the realization that I am actually leaving in 5 days is so exciting!  I have been here at the MTC for 9 weeks...... It went by so fast!  I have met so many friends that I won't forget!  The people in my district are so amazing!!  My teachers are also so great!!!

I am going to miss everyone here........  They are all going to their respective places in Korea!  I will cherish the friendships we have made here.  They are so great.  These last two months with them have been the best.  They are literally my buddies!  I am going to miss them!  At least Elder Ha is coming with me!!

I got my flight plans!!!!  I am so excited!  The next time I email I will be in New York..... Wow, that is just so exciting!  I can't wait! I am a little nervous, but I just can't wait to see what is waiting for me in New York.  I have to be ready3:30am Monday morning.  That is going to be rough, but I will probably be way excited so I will be able to get up!  

I've been talking to some people who went New York Korean speaking.  They are really good speakers after their mission, the only thing they said they did.... was work for it.  I will not be immersed in the culture as much as my other friends here at the MTC.  I will have to work for my language everyday.  I know I can do it, sure it will be hard but it will be worth it.  The gift of tongues is real.  I have already felt the influence of it and how much Korean I have learned.  

I know God lives.  I know he is there for us, if we but only pray and ask.  He can and will help us with anything.  One thing I have learned is that God does not always answer your prayers like you want them to be answered.  You just have to have patience.  Real patience!  I have already went through challenges here, and I know there will be plenty more.  I just know that God will be with me.  I know that this Gospel is true, or I would not be out here right now serving the people in New York. Each one of you are huge examples to me!

I love you all so very much!

Love, Elder Smith

Here is a link to a video of Renee speaking Korean

https://drive.google.com/a/myldsmail.net/file/d/0BxRyKTdbJF7Tc3R5bVl3S2dydjQ/view?usp=sharing

Sept 14, 2016- 12 More Days Until New York!!!!

Sept 14, 2016

Wowowowow! Time is flying!  I can't believe I am almost done with the MTC.  I don't feel prepared at all.  The language has gotten so much harder these last weeks.  I can't wait to get out into the field and start teaching about Christ, Joesph Smith, and Repentance.  I am so excited!  

I have learned more spiritually in these last 8 weeks than I have in my whole 18 years of living.  The spirit is so strong here, and the time you have here to just study the scriptures brings you so much closer to Christ.  

I learned something yesterday during Choir.  Brother Egget the choir instructor said this to us: " The Lord is not protecting you he is perfecting you."  "He is not protecting you from the pain"  It hit me so hard!  Christ wants us to improve and be better!  That doesn't mean he is going to let us take the easy way out.  He is going to give us challenges, but he will also help us through the challenges.  That will make us better and stronger.

We have had the most amazing week!  Last Tuesday we had Elder D. Todd Christofferson speak to us.  Sunday we had Elder M. Russell .  Then yesterday we had Elder Quentin L. Cook speak to us!  It was so amazing to have 3 apostles of the Lord speak to us in a row.

Elder Christofferson really touched me when he spoke about Trust.  He said:

It is greater to be trusted than to be loved.  "Yes Christ loves you, but does he trust you?"  Does he trust you to do his work?

Your mission president should trust you, and say I want Elder Smith in that area, because I trust him and I know he will work hard and be obedient.  I want to be that type of missionary to my mission president!

Elder Ballard said:

"May the Lord help you and may you learn to trust him"  

I know wherever the Lord sends me I will trust in him.  I will be where he wants me to be.  

Trust him that he will give all of you miracles in your life!

Elder Cook:

He touched me when he talked about the 4 Love's

Love your companion

Love the people

Love your mission President

Love the Lord

He told a story that when they assign you to your mission.  The first thing they look at is what mission president will be the best for this missionary.  He said that they are assigned to a mission because of the people there, but actually it was the mission president that was there.  He said to have complete love and respect for your mission president.  I don't know my mission president, but I already love him and trust him.  He is called of God.

Such an amazing week and I have learned so much!  I love being a missionary and I am here to teach others about the Restoration, Joesph Smith, Atonement of Jesus, and of families.  I can't wait for the opportunity to teach people that.  I just want to jump up and down, knowing that I will be in New York in less than 2 weeks.  Wow.....

I love you all!  May you all pray and ask to see God's love this week!  I know you can all see God's hand in each of your lives everyday this next week.  Thank you for all your support.

사 랑 해 요

스 미 스 장 로

Love, Elder Smith