hippo at the zoo

Yes - I really touched a live hippo!

Beautiful Kansas sunset!

Robo for the squirrel tail - fun times!

Leadership training

Yes that's a very large dead beaver!

Monday, January 27, 2014
We pet a HIPPO at the zoo. And fed it lettuce. It was awesome!

Exchanges were good with Sister Speed here in Lake Shawnee. But I was definitely inspired/motivated to do better with exchanges after MLC this week. Brother Gonzalez and Brother Jackman from the missionary department came to our mission and on Thursday met with all of the zone leaders, STL's, and some district leaders. They gave very inspired trainings and we did some roleplays and practiced teaching a lot. It was very refreshing and much needed. We were asked to use the pamphlets basically always and we studied in 1 Nephi together when the angel is "showing" Nephi and teaching him. We talked about the importance of visuals and "showing" when we teach to help our investigators truly be invested in the lesson and progress. It is amazing to step back and realize how simple and easy missionary work can be if we just let it. We are here to invite others to come unto Christ and we simply need to testify and invite. 

President Bell compared the parable of the talents to us leaders being entrusted with missionaries. I was truly inspired to have a greater impact on our sisters and to help them reach their full potential. Also, another big change that might be implemented this next transfer is splitting up all of the STL's. President and the AP's met with all of us and shared that they feel we need to split all of us up to each be with struggling sisters or to train new missionaries. I feel like it is super inspired and will allow us to make that much more of a difference. But pray that I won't be transferred because I seriously love Lake Shawnee! And feel so strongly that I am specifically here for certain people. And Sister M is totally okay with that haha, she says she wouldn't mind being transferred. So let's hope it's the Lord's will as well :)

Yesterday Angela came to church!! With her two friends that are now living with her. (Nicki and Daniel) That was awesome! All of our other investigators sadly bailed again but we did have some less actives come, that we had invited. Karaissa and her kids are going through a ROUGH time. But we have still been in frequent contact with them and Sister Jackson has been an amazing friend to them. 

Last night Bro. Scerbo organized a missionary fireside and it was a blast. We did roleplays with the youth and some adults and watched some missionary clips. Also, the missionaries bore their testimonies. It was super great and we can't wait for another! 

"True Christianity is love in action. There's no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow men. This is the spirit of missionary work." 

I LOVE MY MISSION!!!! And I love all of you!

xoxoxo,

Sister Smartt

PS I had this realization that I am in Kansas when we witnessed this huge dead beaver at some member's home. Seriously though, it was HUGE.

Sister Judy (Investigation Day) a day I
will neverrrr forget

Sis Macovichuk's year mark - burning
this filthy pink tie

Subject: Sister Agent Smartt

Sister Macovichuk and I were detectives this past week. Can't go into details but that's the reason behind the name. And also the reason we didn't have much time to work this past week:(

Aside from all of that madness, we did have a great week! We did two exchanges. One of which, Sister Cramer came here to Lake Shawnee with me and it was a blast. She is hilarious and we got along great. And SHE KNEW WHAT ASEA WAS!!!! That was a first in my book. 

The second exchange, I went to Lawrence with Sister Judy. I love her too!!!! She is amazing!! We became super close and had an eventful day.... Also, we volunteered at the Salvation Army with all the Lawrence missionaries and fed the homeless. Dennis, this hilarious homeless man, kept calling me his "baby girl" and may or may not have tried to kiss me multiple times. But did not succeed, luckily. It was a humbling experience serving our brothers and sisters that are in the situations they were, to not have homes. It broke my heart but it felt good to try and brighten their day.

We had some awesome lessons with Karaissa and her familia this week. We found an awesome friend for her in the ward (sister Jackson) who came with us. Best surprise ever for a missionary- Sis Jackson ended up staying after we left and they got to know each other super well. Michelle and Kiley are doing well also and I still looooove teaching them!

We got to see Megan and her kids with Sister Davis!!! I LOVE THEM. And Sis Davis is thee perfect fellowship for her. We are working towards March 8th for their baptisms. We know they are so ready so we are trying to help them push it up.

Sadly everyone bailed on church yesterday.... We had rides all set up and it was going to be just dandy. But literally Sunday morning everyone bailed, one by one. It was rough.. but that's the rollercoaster of the mish. And next week we have faith in everyone to come! It is super sad seeing how hard Satan works to keep us from church and from doing the things that will ultimately help us. And as a bystander, it is hard watching and knowing what they are missing out on!!

Sister Ramsey had us help teach her Sunday school lesson for some of the youth. It was all about the Spirit and its role in teaching us. It was crazy slash cool looking back on how far I have come since being their age (14/15). Looking back, I truly didn't understand the importance of the Spirit. I can't even pinpoint when life changed for me but I just think of 2 Nephi 28:30 (line upon line, precept upon precept). "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round." I challenged them to NOT GIVE UP. Studying the scriptures can be boring at that age.. But I know that if we don't give up and diligently seek, the mysteries of God truly can be unfolded to us. And it is incredible. President Bell challenged me to start saying 20 minute prayers and to listen for 10 minutes of that. It is changing my life! And I love talking to my Father, I really truly do.

Today and tomorrow we will be doing exchanges with the Wakarusa sisters. Thursday will be a special MLC in Wichita with someone from the missionary department. Then next week will be the TOPEKA ZONE TEMPLE TRIP!!! :)

I love you all!!! Jenn and madre, you are in my prayers. Well extra prayers.

Lots of love,

Sister agent Smartt

NERF WAR on Pday!!

An ARMY of cockroaches from a tree we chopped down
at a zoo service project!!!

Zone Conference!

Amelia's baptism!!!

It's warming up in Kansas, probably not for long but we will take any heat we can get! Haha and the fact that I am now considering 45 degrees "heat" blows my mind... 

This past week was full of miracles. I am too excited to save the best for last so let's start with Friday. We planned a ward movie night and ended up inviting all the missionaries in Topeka so it was an awesome turn out. Michelle, Kiley, and Shiloh were able to come!!! We watched Seventeen Miracles which is a super powerful movie about the trek to Salt Lake. Oh and leading up to the movie night, Sister Macovichuk and I had a special fast for Megan and that we would be able to hear from her. It had almost been two weeks and we were sooooo incredibly worried. During the movie SHE TEXTED US!!! Many people were crying throughout the movie because it was so heartbreaking slash sad but I didn't cry until Megan texted us. I was seriously going to explode I was so happy. Oh and that was the eighteenth miracle. I know the power of fasting is real.

Her and her family are going through a super rough time.. the dad is in the hospital right now and they are going through a looooooot. So please keep them in your prayers. We were able to go have a lesson with them on Sunday and it was very powerful. The Spirit was super strong, comforting them. Tonight we are also planning to go over there with Bishop and some other brethren to give her a blessing of strength and comfort.

Karaissa and her kids Shiloh, Hezekiah (Hez), Joseph (Jojo) came to church yesterday!!!! As well as Michelle!! It was awesome. They had such a great time and loooved it. Karaissa was able to meet with Bishop afterwards which was awesome. She is sooo prepared and wants to be baptized. She is very committed and will set a baptismal date soon. Just needs to overcome those darn cigarettes. But she can do it!! And she has such strong faith that she will. Bro. Scerbo and the elders came with us last night and she received a priesthood blessing.

Angela (less active RC) who we have been meeting with, finally came to church tomorrow as well! Some members were super helpful and we were able to find a ride for her. She also was able to meet with Bishop, which was way awesome. 

Literally the hardest part about being a missionary is witnessing all of the trials that so many of our brothers and sisters are going through. It breaks my heart over and over again. And then my heart feels a little better when I witness them applying the gospel of Jesus Christ to heal them. But man we are so BLESSED. I am so grateful for how blessed I have been all of my life to lead me to this point to serve my Heavenly Father and Savior for 18. More months ;)

I love you guys a lot! You are in my prayers always. 

Sister Smartt

PS Amelia's baptism went well on Saturday :) We are excited to now teach them the new member lessons and help to prepare their fam for the temple!!

Cutest ornament from the Scerbos!

Lake Shawnee District - Wendy's after District Mtng!!

Emma & Elijah (Megan's kids) - I miss them!!!

Sketchiest experience ever!!!

Wrong Way!!!

Cutest puppies at the Davis house!