Week #22- The Area Book

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Hey!

That stinks that Derek's team lost. It seems like they're pretty good this year; when they lose it's still always a really close game. There is always next time. This was a good week. Elder Austin is a really cool guy and a really good missionary. We have got really busy this week. This week we spent some time organizing the area book which has seemed to be the reason we are getting a lot more busy. Doing this has really showed me how important the area book is. We have been going through the ward list and almost half of the people on it have moved, are less active, or are part member families. Yesterday, we found a couple part member families to start teaching, and that was just from going through the ward list. We still have 40 names of members we need to stop by. I'm pretty sure that will keep us busy. I've been learning a lot about how to work with those less active members and those part member families with Elder Austin. That's what he really likes to do is work with the members. It's really good that I'm learning this. I'm excited to see what happens this week. Yesterday for our Zone activity we went on a hike. It's been a long time since I've been on a mountain and outdoors like that. It was really nice. The mountains and hiking are a great stress reliever. Can you believe that the 49ers made it to the super bowl? I knew that right when I got on my mission they would make it. I hope they win! I'll be able to watch the game in two years; that's not that long. It's been a busy week, and I'm really excited for this week. Well, got to go. I hope you guys have a great week.

 

Love Elder Ryan Smith 

Week #21- Staying in Pomona

Monday, January 14, 2013

Hey Everybody!

Transfers are over, and I'm staying in Pomona at least one more transfer, but I did get a new companion. His name is Elder Austin. I've only been around him for about an hour but he seems really cool and really focused which is really good. Even though it was sad to leave Elder Nielsen, I'm excited to see what more I can learn from Elder Austin. That's the nice thing about changing is you can learn so much from different missionaries. This transfer will only be 5 weeks instead of 6 which stinks! This was a good week. We found some new investigators and taught some really good lessons. Hopefully, we can keep getting busier! It was a good week! The weather here is freezing or at least it feels cold. I thought I was going to go 2 years without a winter but that's not true. It's still cold just no snow. I don't know why it feels so cold, but I have to wear my sweater everywhere. I'm just happy I don't have to wear a coat-that would be horrible! Hopefully, Derek's team beats Firth-that would be good for them. Who is coaching the C-team this year? How was Tayler's trip? I'm glad to here everything is going good at home, and hopefully, Blake starts feeling better. I hope you all have a great week!

Love, Elder Ryan Smith 

Week #20- A New Year

Monday, January 7, 2013

Hey!

I'm glad to hear that everything is going good at home. Here in Pomona everything is still good. We get busier every week and everything seems to get a little easier every week which is really nice. This Saturday is transfers so I will find out if I stay in Pomona or if I leave. I really hope I stay at least one more. I really like Pomona, and this next transfer we have a few baptismal dates. I guess we will just have to wait and see. Nothing too interesting happened this week. We just taught and tried finding people to teach. Our lessons we had this week all went really well and we had good reactions by everyone we taught. They all invited us back which is a good sign. This week we knocked on a door and a born again Christian opened it, and he just started bashing our church and told us we were going to hell. It was super interesting! It's a good thing Elder Nielsen was there because I was about a minute away from punching him. He started pointing at me, trying to make me say their Christian prayer with him. I was super frustrated, and Elder Nielsen just said, "I hope you have a nice day," and walked away. I don't know how he did it. I was super mad. It took everything I had not to react or say anything. There is no point in trying to bash with him so I have learned that it's best just to get out of there before you do get upset. I feel super bad for that guy because he is so lost, and that experience also shows me how true our church really is. I am so blessed to have a testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel. I wish more people were more willing to listen to our message because it is so true. All the missionaries in our ward also sang at the Stake baptism this Sunday. It was super fun to see the excitement in all the 8 year olds' faces. Oh, we have a family in the ward that wants to come up for Christmas in 2014. Haha! I told them you would love to have them and that they were always welcome. It's the family that let me skype on their computer. They're really awesome! Haha! it was their idea. This New Years I went on exchanges with Elder Alvarenga and all we did was eat. On holidays it seems like all people want to do is feed us. It's always good food but it's horrible because it's so much food. I feel a 100 pounds heavier every holiday. It's good. The people here are really good to us. It was a good week! Tell Blake good luck, and I hope everyone has a good week.

Love, Elder Ryan Smith

Week #18 & #19-Christmas Call

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Ryan skyped with his family, so no letter this week or the next. He looked great!