Thursday, August 3, 2017

Wk 3 - Weekly email, flight plans, and Durfeys!

Companion: Elder Garner
MTC


Saw the Durfeys on their MTC tour!


Well I learn a ton each and every day. That old saying of days feel like weeks and weeks feel like days is very true. I just wish I could take a nap everyday. haha but its cool to get to see everyone's experience and different perspective on all aspects.

We finished with our first two trc's and got one to commit to baptism and the other to start praying and going to church and the new ones are good but i'll tell you a little more about them next week. Good or bad experience you still learn something and it's really cool. 

On Sunday we went for a temple walk with the zone that was pretty cool. Then that night we had a really cool devotional by the relief society president and she talked about how we can relate glasses and our vision to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how having a clear vision can help you to see who you are and who you want to be. My favorite quote from it was when she said " knowing who you are changes what you do". Knowing that I represent Christ changes what I do. 

Then we went to Elder Hollands "open your mouth" that was amazing! My favorite part was when he talked about how when Joseph Smith went to pray it made him realize that satan has power to bruise our heal and we have to power to crush his skull. He said that " satan cannot kill you but he can bind your tongue, so don't fall for that and open your mouth on your mission and the spirit will guide you with what to say" I thought that was a really good way to look at things. 

But now on to some other stuff, the foods good and all but it absolutely messes with everyone's stomach, and I definitely set a pr for most consecutive and longest passing of wind. haha I ate a salad and a bowl of fruit for lunch and we are on our way to class and me and my comp were the only ones on the elevator and as soon as the door shut, it started. I went from floor 1 all the way to 6 and ive never been more light headed in my life! anyways not that you needed to know that but shout out to Talia for the febreeze because it's saved many many lives so far!

 Anyways love you guys so much hope you had a good week! And hope you have another one!

 Love Elder Smoot!

More info:

*from the district- 6 kids are going to Columbus, 4 are going to utica new york, and the rest salem oregon

*Tayton flies out Wednesday morning- has to be ready to go at 3:30am! 

Friday, July 28, 2017

Wk 2 - One Week Down!!

Companion: Elder Garner
MTC

The view from Elder Smoot's classroom on the 6th floor!
Warning: picture overload!

(Our family had the opportunity to go on a tour to the MTC- I was hesitant because I didn't really want to run in to Tayton! I went with Talia, Tanner and Jenna and Matt and all the kids- I didn't look too closely as we went through the cafeteria and saw hundreds of missionaries! Tanner and Matt were looking for him the whole time! We had to do the map picture! And I was planning on taking a few pictures to send to Tayton and maybe freak him out that we were there!
The MTC is amazing! And the new buildings are so beautiful! We loved all the pictures! We didn't get to see all of it, but what we did was awesome!
Jenna-Philippines, Matt- Texas, Tanner- Brazil, and the girls had to point too-
I think Lynden was pretty close to Argentina where Austin (her dad) served 



Talia, Ruger, Lynden,Dixie, & Kydus 
in front of one of the beautiful pictures! 


Jenna & Matt & McKinley

When we walked through the gym- there were a bunch of missionaries playing basketball--and YEP- Elder Smoot was there! Tanner called out to him and the Elder standing on the other side of the rope told him he could come over and say hi. (I don't think he realized we were all his family!) Elder Smoot walked across the gym- very sweaty- and even though in shock- quickly gave everyone a hug (except me!)- I think we were a little shocked too and feeling like we were breaking some rule or something! The sweetest part was when Ruger grabbed Tayton's legs under the rope and hugged him! And Tayton quickly hugged Kydus (who was in Talia's arms) and gave him a kiss on the cheek. I could tell he was a little teary- or maybe it was just sweat?!
I told Tayton I would forgive him for not hugging me! he said in his email:

Gosh I'm soo sorry I realized it right after I turned around and didn't want to turn back but you were rushing me haha but no it was a little hard at first but I'm glad I got to see every one! It was kinda cool! But oh my goodness the mtc is amazing isn't it?! It's so beautiful and I loved those pictures! Love ya! I'm gonna give you the biggest hug in 103 weeks! Love you! 

I sent a couple pictures I took of rooms on our tour- I asked Tayton which one was like his?

Haha um neither actually ours are kinda older! I took pictures but it's kinda weird and you probably wont believe me but I've been the one making everyone else keep their stuff cleaned up hahaha! it's something I never thought I'd care about. 



 Elders from Pleasant Grove High School!

Elder Durfey, Elder Fisher, Elder Smoot



Elder Durfey, Elder Fisher, Elder Smoot

Elder Griffen, Elder Smoot
Elder Merrill, Elder Durfey, Elder Smoot


Elder Anderson, Elder Smoot

Far left short one elder Johnson tall guy elder Hepler next elder Husk  hes in my room then elder Jones the blonde one then elder Anderson my comp me elder Hardy then shorter one elder Hunt bigger one elder Wagoner bottom screen elder lubbers elder wall then elder hill then elder Martin! Elder Anderson and Hardy are studs and i love them! But they're both from AZ! Anderson is going to Oregon and hardy is going to New York 



(someone take your tablet?!)



Views of the MTC


(we were wondering why his email never came!?)

So sorry it got deleted but here it is again! 

Well i'm lovin it! Yeah its hard and hard to adjust to but its gonna be worth it! I've felt the spirit soo much and its crazy how its always soo strong! 

Basic schedule we wake up at 6:30am pray shower plan study, go to breakfast! Breakfast is usually pretty decent just like all the meals but they all mess with the bowels! My favorite meal is probably the wings and fries cause it reminds me of the good ol times! After breakfast we head out to our class room which is on 6th floor and have our first 3 hour class! After that we go to lunch then study then to trc, which is when we teach an investigator. Either a non member or a member thats a good actor! Our first one is jasmine and she is hard! Its hard to relate because she loves anime and literature not really anything else, haha but thank goodness for intelligent comps right?! Haha but then we have an hour and a half for study and prep for the next trc! The second investigator is a stud, hes from new york and grew up catholic but a good guy! Then head home and change for my fav part of the day! Exercise time! We usually play bball and its the best cause i get to play with elder craft and elder griffen! Its so nice to have brothers in the field! 

Keep seeing trey and so many people i know its amazing and so crazy how much happier people look when representing the Lord! After exercise we head home shower and head to dinner then back for another three hour class till 9 then we head back to the dorm and do planning and go to bed at 10:30pm! Kinda weird but nice! Haha and no sorry i probably wont do that when i get home! 

But i love it here and i love the spirit and how strong it is at the mtc! God is good God is great! 

The new building is amazing as some of you have seen haha but its incredible! Ive already got some amazing friends. Elder anderson and elder hardy especially! They're studs! so glad im close with them!

Well sorry its so late love you guys have a good week! 
And yes mom i got permission because it didnt send so here you go! Love you guys!

 Love elder smoot! 



(here are some pictures Alan took of the MTC tour. It's so beautiful!)
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
-Matthew 28:19



Grandma and Grandpa Smoot admiring the artwork





this is a chandelier with the world in the center-
it hangs down through more than one floor

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

surprise pic!

This surprise came on Sunday while I was playing the piano in Primary! 
I LOVE it! 

'Look who I ran into!'
(thanks Brian Graff!)

Friday, July 21, 2017

Wk 1 - First letter!

Companion: Elder Garner
MTC

Elder Smoot & Elder Garner
Elder Sly, Smoot & Griffin

Elder Bell & Elder Smoot
Hey I'm sorry I didn't write you the first day apparently I was supposed to but my teacher forgot to take me even though he took everyone else! Haha but here it is!
So I'm kinda glad because now I have stuff to talk about! 

First off my comp is elder Garner and he's great! Umm not into sports or anything else im into but I guess the gospel. He was home schooled and sent to Byu and was in a couple plays! Gotta love him though. He's now the district leader and he should be, he's always the one that has the answer to everything in class haha it's awesome. He's such a good guy! 

I love it here and the days are great. Been very blessed because the days haven't been long and I get along with everyone great! I saw trey on the first day but didn't have my camera with me because they had us leave everything in the class. I saw Dalton and Matt bell and Brandon Griffin and Ammon sly! I've seen a lot of kids I know and I'm loving it! 

Well p day is Thursday so I will talk to you next week! And please send me emails because I can read them anytime-just can't respond! Also thanks for the package haha I was only expecting some not ripped pants but that was a good surprise! 

questions:
*did you hear from McKay?!  Yes I heard and I'm so excited for him!
*did you want your grey sweat-shorts? I should be good for now!
*when's Pday? Thursday 
*how many are in  your room? in your district? 4 in my room including me and 14 elders and two sisters in our district.

Well love you guys I love pics and videos of the g kids! Please send me notes though out the week I love reading them!