Good Afternoon!

Hope everyone is well. Things are great here. One afternoon during this past week we tracked into a gentleman, Good Afternoon - 'Buenos Tardes.' Elder Horn and I learned he had been taught by the Elders/Missionaries some time in the past and had in the meantime learned about the Jehovah Witness religion from their representatives. However, he really wants and has a strong desire to visit with us - Elder Horn and I (prior to week ending in Dec. 29th, 2019).

There has been lots of Jehovah Witnesses in our area - in large groups, often twenty or more that we have noticed lately. Many times they wear sombreros - this increases the reason of late that we, Elder Horn and I have talked with many of them about the Gospel and our beliefs; and they let us bear witness to many of them with our personal testimonies. We have been teaching a man whose brother is a Pentecostal Pastor. As we have taught him, it is apparent that he has some bias with his brother's beliefs. We have had many discussions with him about their beliefs and what we believe.
One of their beliefs being, "We [members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints] are  not literal descendants of God." We have a belief and knowledge on the contrary (prior to week ending in Jan. 5th, 2020).

God is not only our Ruler and Creator; He is also our Heavenly Father. All men and women are literally the sons and daughters of God. “Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in a temporal [physical] body” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 335).

Every person who was ever born on earth is our spirit brother or sister. Because we are the spirit children of God, we have inherited the potential to develop His divine qualities. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become like our Heavenly Father and receive a fullness of joy.

Scripture References

Psalm 82:6

Acts 17:29

Alma 40:11

Doctrine and Covenants 90:17–18

Moses 3:5

Ivan and Benito (both work at the Internet Cafe), our good friends have come to church and have sat by Elder Horn and I. I think this is great! Ivan has been kind to teach me how to make really good authentic Mexican food! and my favorite drink, Horchata.
Recently, I have had a little girl in the ward, who is a child in a part member family who we have spent the time to get to know, seek me and Elder Horn out at church. This little girl will come over to me in church and want to hold my hand - the family just laughs - makes me smile!
Two new stakes have recently been created in the mission.
We have been teaching a man named Jose. We met him in a taxi. We have committed him to be baptized on the 2nd of February (prior to week ending in Jan. 19th, 2020). It is my hope that it will go through and be successful.
Elder Horn got transferred - about eight hours by bus; East of Coatzacoalcos Veracruz . I have a new companion. His name is Elder Lima. Elder Lima is from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (as of Jan. 27, 2020). He does not speak any English. Looks like my Spanish is going to get really good really fast.

Mathew 19: 14-30
23  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
27  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Image by David Peterson from Pixabay

Merry Christmas! - ¡Feliz Navidad!

(from a phone call Dec. 25th, 2019)

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas. I did get my Christmas package from my family back home! It was great to have that for Christmas - enjoyed opening the package and eating the Christmas candy included. This coming week we will have a mission/zone Christmas party at the mission home.
This past week we needed to go to Villahermosa to help with Elder Horn's green card renewal. We went and stayed with the zone leaders on companion splits/divisions. I was able to sleep in a hammock - not sure I will give up a good mattress for a hammock, however. Within those couple of days, I was able to help teach some missionary discussions and bare my testimony for those that we taught.
This past p-day we had a small Christmas party at the church building - played some fun games and had pizza.
Recently, I spoke with a man as Elder Horn and I rode in a taxi. This man is a Pentecostal minister - we talked about how we, missionaries and members of the church celebrate Christmas and how Jesus Christ is the main reason for the holiday.
This coming Friday we will have a multi-zone Christmas party.
I have thought recently about what I could be doing now rather than a mission - there is nothing I would rather be doing than that of a mission! I am blessed and grateful to be a missionary for the Lord! God bless you all!
Have a great Christmas! - and a Happy New Year!

Elder Smart - second from the left, back row.

Luke 2: 1-14

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Missionary Discussions and an Armadillo!

Hello all! Another busy week of appointments, contacts and teaching the missionary discussions. Recently, a young women in the ward  gave us a referral of a friend that she felt would like a visit and that would include a lesson from the missionaries. We called and set an appointment with this referral. We went to the home of the referral/contact; however, we went to the wrong home, a home that looked similar (both houses were orange). In our error we found another new contact -  a family! We set a future time to teach this family- who desired for us to come back and meet with them again. Additionally, we did teach the referral as planned. Also, we met a lady on the street named Eva. She wants us to come and visit with her and share a message of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Eva's husband, we have learned is a Pastor in the Presbyterian church and often goes to Cancun to help with the congregation there.We will be blessed to go to the Priego family home on Christmas day and have lunch. We will also get to see the fireworks they light to celebrate the Christmas holiday. Looking forward to that. We will also visit Ivan, a good friend that helps us each p-day (i.e. preparation day - each Monday of the week), on Christmas evening (prior to week ending - Sunday, Dec. 15th, 2019).

Armadillo ready to eat for dinner!

Recently, my companion and I visited a family from the ward. An armadillo apparently lived in the home as well. They said that we will have you both, Elder Horn and I over to eat armadillo soon! We did come over and eat some of it for dinner on the next visit! What an experience! - "just grab a claw....and eat." I did not necessarily like it, yet did not hate it. It tasted like turkey meat to me. It was a great dinner - just not sure of the main course, however. 😀

Elder Smart ready to eat armadillo - "Tastes like Turkey."

Merry Christmas! Have a great week!
Love you all.

Image by Alberto Rivera from Pixabay