Sunday, November 17, 2019

First Week in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz México!

Hello all, my first week in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz  México went by fast! The first Sunday, Nov. 10th we had Stake Conference to attend. There are about seven wards/branches in Coatzacoalcos and nearby areas. This coming Sunday, Nov. 17th we will  go to the Allende ward and meet some more members - that will be good. Nearby our apartment is a  convenience store (the store, or la tienda ceiling is so low I have to walk bent down a bit or I hit my head) and an internet cafe next door  that we use to make calls  home and for emailing; both are owned by a family whose son is a return missionary. It seems like a nice business for them - the son helps run the internet cafe. We have a great time talking "smack" with each other. His name is Evan. He often brings burritos to us at our apartment - they are great!

Elder Smart, first day in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz  México.

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We taught a young boy and his family this past week. I thought it went well even though my Spanish is still coming along and getting better. This is a photo of the family's home we taught. Their home, in the foreground is to the far left, in the photo below.



Elder Cicerone, my companion from the CCM/MTC emailed me and said this about the Spanish language spoken in Villahermosa  - which I think must be pretty accurate; the Spanish spoken here is like a Floridian - someone from Florida speaking with an Alabaman accent. I think my Spanish is getting better - when I sleep, I dream in Spanish, haha. I have also learned some Spanish cuss words - not by my own will but by others, haha.
The members feed us well too! I am thankful for that. They will often cook a dish that is pork, that has a bright red color to it, add some Feta cheese and eggs - not sure what it is called but is very good! Also, a jello-type pudding with fruit and nuts - fantastic! Have to figure out how to make that too! Have a great week!


New arrival missionaries to the mission home, Nov. 4th, 2019 - Villahermosa México - Elder Smart far right, front row. 



Image by geezmx from Pixabay




Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Mission Home and First Area Arrival!

Hello everyone, I'm finally in Villahermosa! - and when people said that it is super hot here, they were not lying. It is sooo hot.  So far its been pretty good. I only got like 2 hours of sleep last night so I am pretty tired; it is so beautiful here though. It is very, very green and there are a lot of trees everywhere. It's been raining on and off since I've been here. I got here at like 8:30 am Central Time-CT. I got up at 2:30 am so that was awesome. I literally love it here already though. I met with the mission president, Pres. Whitworth for an interview and met his wife - they are both great! I heard that the people here don't fully pronunciate the words when they speak so its a little tricky to understand - but so far it has been awesome.

My companion is Elder Horn, he is my trainer. Elder Horn is from Waco, Texas. I come to find out he has a sister that is very near my home town - lives about 20 minutes away from where I call home.
I have been assigned to serve with Elder Horn in a town on the Gulf of México, northwest of Villahermosa, approximately 2 hrs 13 min. (166.4 km) from Villahermosa.  It is called Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, México. I was able to call via Google Hangouts my family from a internet cafe near our apartment on Monday, Nov. 4th, which is our preparation day and visit with them. It was a great visit!

(Click to view) Location of Coatzacoalcos, México. 

Meeting my trainer, Elder Horn - Monday, Nov. 4th, 2019.
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I walked into our humble small apartment, and looked around, I then sat down and pulled out a cookie I had saved from lunch at the mission home and thought to myself, "I am thankful for my cookie." haha - I am thankful for my cookie, for sure. Elder Horn mentioned that there is no running water and that we buy water to drink and use a well with a 45 pound bucket to get water to take a bath with. Also, what happened that was funny is we have a domesticated cat that likes to live at our apartment. Elder Horn showed me my bed and then the cat jumped up on the bed and did a "poop" - luckily I brought some clean sheets. Sister Whitworth, the mission President's wife talked to all of the newly arrived missionaries, at the mission home, earlier in the day and said, "there are seven diseases that missionaries have to be careful of." I thought to myself, well I am on track to get all seven, haha.

I am grateful to be here and excited to serve the Lord! Tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 5th, this awesome adventure starts.

New missionary training and orientation - Nov. 4th, 2019.
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(Left to Right) Elder Horn, Elder Smart - (Right Photo - Left to Right) - Sister Jennifer R. Whitworth, Elder Smart, Pres. Clark Whitworth.


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D&C 12:3-4

3 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

4 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.


Last Week at the México City CCM/MTC!


Hello all, I can not believe that this is my last week here at the México City CCM/MTC. The time here has gone by super fast. I can't remember if I mentioned that Elder Cicerone is my companion here at the CCM/MTC. He is great companion and friend. All these Elders in our room have been awesome and we have had some crazy fun experiences while here. Our CCM/MTC  district did get to go to the temple (México City, México LDS Temple) Oct. 24th,  which was pretty awesome! The Spanish language is going pretty good (Elder Monson, Elder Nicks, Elder Cicerone, Elder Smart - share same dorm room at the CCM/MTC). Elder Nicks got hurt playing volleyball the other day. He sprained his collar bone and/or shoulder. He has to wear this brace for 3 weeks. Elder Monson got way sick Monday morning. He was throwing up all morning. Hope they both get feeling better soon.
Talk to you all next week! I will be in the mission field - I am excited to talk to people and teach them the Gospel!

(Left to Right) - Elder Allen, Elder Cicerone, Elder Smart, Elder Nicks at the México City, México Temple.

Elder Smart - México City, México Temple

México City, México Temple
Alma 5: 1-3

1 Now it came to pass that Alma began to deliver the word of God unto the people, first in the land of Zarahemla, and from thence throughout all the land.
2 And these are the words which he spake to the people in the church which was established in the city of Zarahemla, according to his own record, saying:
3 I, Alma, having been consecrated by my father, Alma, to be a high priest over the church of God, he having power and authority from God to do these things, behold, I say unto you that he began to establish a church in the land which was in the borders of Nephi; yea, the land which was called the land of Mormon; yea, and he did baptize his brethren in the waters of Mormon.






This Is My Beloved Son - Hear Him.

Hello everyone. Hope things find you all well. I am doing well. I have been transferred as of Monday, March 3rd, 2020. I am now in Villaherm...