We're having a baptism! ... wait, where's the keys?

Hello Family!

A few new interesting things happened this week! For starters, I'm excited for Wednesday! We are having a baptism, and she asked me to baptize her! We've had to reschedule her date a couple times, but she's been going strong for almost 3 weeks now! The thing is, its been so long since there has been a baptism in Reforma that nobody really knows how or what to do or where those darn keys to open the font are! haha! Hopefully it all works out. 

I am also super happy because I finally memorized all of  D&C 4 in Spanish this week! I've been working on it for a couple weeks! whoohoo! bboring, I know. hmm-oh!

Yesterday I gave a talk in sacrament meeting! Only it wasn't planned! While the 1st speaker was giving her talk, the stake president asked me if I would speak next for 10 minutes. She literally closed her talk probably about 30 seconds after that. Haha it wasn't that bad. I talked for about 15 minutes oops, but most of it was rambling probably haha! My companion said he was proud that he has trained me well haha!

Had another exchange with an Elder from my generation again! He still doesn't know that much Spanish but it was a very good learning experience for me because even though he doesn't speak very well, he still tries. I usually don't say anything that I'm not positive I should say, so it was good for me to learn from him!

Also, we taught a lesson in ENGLISH this week! I contacted a woman who only speaks English a month or so ago, and we finally found her house and taught her a lesson! It was way fun to be able to express my thoughts freely. My companion wanted to be a part of the lesson too, so we practiced in English that morning. It was way hard for me to not interrupt him while he was struggled to teach in English. It really showed me how much patience my companion must have had with me! Great experience to see the other side of it!

Today it is just absolutely BEAUTIFUL so I took a picture of the back view of our apartment.

Also, I've been doing some decorating and I wanted you to see it. There is another picture I took this week from a night we had with a member family that is a little strange, and I couldn't stop laughing. We shall see if I send it or not haha. take care,

todo el amor!,
Elder Smalley!

¡Cien Dias!

Hola hola famila!

I would just like to apologize for every complaining last week about it being cold here. This week has been HOT! Like really hot! The thing that scares me is that people are walking around in hoodies in the blazing sun, so I know I'm in for it...on the bright side my collar tan line has developed quite nicely this week!

Tuesday, we had a mission wide training. Bishop Dean M. Davies of the presiding bishopric came and talked to us. Sister Davies spoke too, but she doesn't speak Spanish so she had to be translated. 

we also had another training with the president on valentines day. By the way, valentines day means absolutely nothing on a mission haha. But that's pretty much what I expected. Well on Friday I finally got the adjusting to missionary life booklet. I think it would have helped A LOT if I had it sooner. Basically it has everything I needed to hear when I first got here about how to not break down hahaha!

I just want to express again how much I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD! I really just cant say it enough. Oh yeah guess what! I finally got the Christmas card from the bishopric and stake presidency haha! They sent it internationally. I still enjoyed it though!

Well this week I started out optimisticly, really optimistic. I don't think I was prepared for the counter attack that the adversary hit me with haha, but I'm doing alright. I can't do everything, and I'm learning every day that there is really isn't a whole lot that I can do without the help of a Savior! I just really need to learn how to let him help me instead of relying on my own strength, which as I've learned, is not a whole lot (Alma 26:12). Well I'm sorry its so short this week! 


The picture is with Elder Meldrum. He is Ciara Kilingbels cousin! Make sure she sees it! I have met him before, we were in the same Sadie Hawkins group my sophomore year!

LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
Elder Smalley

Temple, Power

¡Hola familia!

I am happy today because two separate investigators came to church for the first time after we having been trying for WEEKS! Well I have been a missionary for 3 months. Wow. By the way, I know its super cold in Utah, but just be grateful you have heating systems. There is nothing here. It is just as cold as it is outside as it is inside, if not colder. It is freezing cold in the morning. Nothing quite like seeing your breath during personal study haha!

Well I am officially not the newest generation [of missionaries] anymore! Everybody is excited that we got more american Hermanas. 

Every district meeting someone shares a thought about an attribute of Christ. It, as well as both prayers, are done in English so that the native missionaries can learn English. (its a commandment to learn English on the mission) Well guess who was chosen. My companion! He was really nervous! But he did really well. Proud moment for me haha.

The most exciting thing that happened was that we lost power Wednesday night. All of Lloma Dorada-where we live. We were teaching investigators when it happened haha that was interesting. As we walked home, we stopped at a tiendita to buy candles. We had WAY to much fun that night. luckily, the power came back by morning so that our electric boiler worked in the morning!

So our president has stressed the rule that we cant enter a house if there is not an adult of the same sex. I didnt even know about it before. Its been really hard to follow, like super hard in the middle of the day, but the Lord has provided a way this week. Its been a really cool miracle to see how it has all worked out.

Our ward mission leader got released (I wont say anything), and they called a less active member to be the new Mission leader. We still don't have a bishop yet. But two new counselors were called yesterday.

I took a picture of the temple, so you could see just how close it is to my area. Like super close. It is just to the left of my shoulder.I am near Boulevard Federico Benítez López


Love you guys a lot!
Elder Smalley

Mas fotos, comida Mexicana!

Hola Familia,

 Eating my first Mexican tamale (a while ago,
Oh my goodness you guys, I really love Mexican food!)

Como han estado? I am doing much better, and so is Tijuana! It has actually been kinda cold this week. And if it's cold for me, just imagine how the people feel. We have actually had rain! Which actually isn't fun because that means walking in mud all day but oh well! Oh yeah Wednesday & Thursday the water in Tijuana was turned off. That was horrible. "Luckily", my companion had to milk cartons for lifting weights that were filled with water. Pouring freezing cold water over my head for a shower is one experience I will never forget. Ever.

An Elote!  They are actually real things ...
not just in Nacho Libre, haha!

Well our teaching pool has shrunk this week. We have dropped investigators, but I guess we could have been better at finding new ones. It's really hard to see people not progress, time and time again. On the other hand, there have been quite a few investigators that have now begun to progress, ones that I really wouldn't have expected! We have one investigator that has already read to Alma!

The Sombrero pic, a rite of passage ;)

This week I have really been grateful for personal revelation. For quite some time, I've struggled a lot with a few personal contentions. This week has really been a pivotal week, where I have finally let the spirit guide me. I won't go into details, but there is just so much power that can be accessed when you humble yourself! I came across Proverbs 13:10. That scripture has really made the difference. I've been focusing my personal study on developing the Christlike attributes that i need to get over this, and the peace that i've felt has been so comforting! The more I learn, the more exciting I get to put into practice what I have learned. Well that probably made no sense, but this has really turned out to be a great fin de semana.


I promised that I would take more pictures, and I did not disappoint this week! Today are transfers, I'm staying in Reforma obviously. Here is a picture of (most of) my district this last transfer.


Con muchisimo amor,
Elder Smalley!