Wellp transfers are this Wednesday! I am getting shipped off to the Derby zone- Ridgepoint ward. Feeling pretty numb to this and it honestly hasn't hit me yet. President called me this morning to release me as a sister training leader. My first thoughts were of worry, that maybe I did something wrong. He thanked me for everything and said they are calling quite a few new STL's this transfer. I do know that I did my best. I have many weaknesses but I know that I have strived to apply the Atonement every day and that I have learned sooooo much these past 5 months. I have been called to finish the training of Sister Hannah.

I want to share some thoughts from this past week! First off, I was extremely distracted last pday and didn't share much from Elder Bednar's visit. That was such an incredible experience. He sent us three of his talks (Ask in Faith, Learning by Faith, and Converted Unto the Lord) and we all studied them leading up to his visit. When he arrived, we all sat in the chapel together and discussed what we learned from them. He treated us as agents, not objects, and was an INCREDIBLE teacher and instrument for the Lord to help everyone be involved. He then opened it up to questions. Yeah! We were chillin with Elder Bednar and we were able to ask any question we felt was appropriate. What an opportunity. The meeting was from 1-5 pm.

My FAVORITE favorite favorite quote from the day was this:

"If you FEAST upon the words of Christ, feast upon the Book of Mormon, EVERY day- you WILL NOT fall away." 

The Spirit overcame me sooo strongly at that point and I know without a doubt that we neeeed the BOM in our lives every single day. It scares me to go back out in the real world (in 18 months) but I know that an apostle of the Lord has promised me that if I am feasting upon those words every day I will have the strength I need. I have been 100% converted to the Book of Mormon on my mission. I know without a doubt that it is true and that it has changed me. I have truly come to know my Savior more fully and I have been empowered as I read from it daily. It is so real. I LOVE giving this gift to others and it is my favorite gift to give. Quoting the Mormon Message with the black guy from England "I want this book to fill the world man!!!"

Crazy experience this past week! We were out with Katie, who is preparing for a mission, and we ended up knocking a few doors around an appointment we had. We knocked at this one door and they yelled at us to come in! We were super hesitant, knowing they didn't know who we were.... but took that as our invite hahah. So we headed on in and found an older lady and two men who were in suits holding their Catholic materials. The Spirit was very powerful in our visit and we were able to testify of the Restoration. We sat with them for a good hour and I KNOW they felt the Spirit. One of the men was softened by the end but the other ended up just going into a prayer (no warning) and he "cast out devils from us".....  Oh the life of a missionary! Also, we played tracto with the elders. Basically bingo but tracting. It pumped us up to get out and work. The first door we knocked on was a young mom and she is interested in our church, willing to meet!

Oh also..... maybe when we were out with Katie we also got the Sheriff called on us!!! Ooops.... can check that off of the mission bucket list ;) hahah 

We have been beyond blessed in the Lake Shawnee ward. It has been incredible to feel trusted by the members and to have had them introduce us to their friends. We have seen sooooooooo many miracles recently. SO many new investigators and soo blessed. Maybe it breaks my heart to realize that I have to leave this area that I have grown to love with my whole heart! Karaissa and her kids, Megan and her kids, Michelle, Kiley, Scerbo's, all of the members here, the Broz.... I could go on and on. I know that the Lord sent me here and now He is sending me to Derby. There are more souls that I have been called to serve, now let's go find them!!!!!

I love you all so so much. I am so grateful for the miracles my family has seen recently and I know that Heavenly Father truly is involved in the details of our lives. He is ALWAYS there, watching over us.

Lots of love,

Sister Smartt

PS At the car wash these two dudes asked for my number.... super awk! I came back with a picture of Jesus and the address to the church building.... #lifeofamissionary hahahah