December 22 2014 Update!

so you got to see that Brother Gidley was baptized this week! I'm so over joyed and cried during his baptism/confirmation. When he was signing my tie in the room where we changed back he said "we don't need a tie. I'll always remember you for the rest of my life!" I have a new vision recently of helping all part member families in this ward before I leave. I know I will leave Farragut so soon and am worried about it, so I'll see what I can do in this short time. Speaking of part members, we've been weeting with Tony Manion. His wife is the lady that bought me those shoes to run the 10K, gave me the flashlight and a million other things.. Anyways, He's in the same situation as Brother Gidley was. We suprised a lady this week who has been going through some rough times. We left her a gift from Tina on her doorstep. Tony took us to do that and also to Chipotle! Tony was in the hospital this last week so we went to give him a blessing but his home teachers already did! I was so happy to hear that. I sent him a text after he got out of the hospital to see if we could come over and he texted back saying "You are always welcome in my house. Remember that always". We had a great lesson on the priesthood the other day. Things are loooking GREAT! Watching Frozen this week was good. I enjoyed it, but it was wierd to watch a movie. I'm so used to this 2 year period of time that the movie felt like 5 minutes and everything happened so fast. Elder Hansen had a breakdown after watching it and going back home, but he is all good now. All is well in...Tennessee. See ya soon! Love you much Elder D. Smith

December 15, 2014

Well things are going great here!  We had a great lesson with brother Gidley about patriarchal blessings. He is so excited to be baptized. He's been investigating for 13 years and in contact with the church for 30. Now is a good time for that family! I'm sure the main key was bringing in the temple and covenants importance. That and a few others are the bright side. Otherwise, people have been so rude and try to bible bash us any time we go somewhere new. It's so funny because I can tell exactly who is going to come up to me and try to bash. I know the process so well I can pretty much think ahead and predict everything they are going to say. We were tracting handing out "mr krugers christmas" and a catholic lady opened the door and looked at my nametag. As soon as she saw we were "mormons" she told us....well I won't go into detail, but I couldn't think of a nastier woman than her after that. I just politely told her that Catholics are supposed to be Christlike and non contentious as we left. She was pretty silent and embarrassed after that. (proverbs 21: 9 and 19)

We saw the new 2015 Z06 Corvette and stopped to talk to the guy. That was great when he came out. He even showed me the car! Justin loved it

After a dinner appointment, the people gave us some cookies and sent us on our way after teaching the restoration. We went to a lady's house named Jennifer. She was the lady I felt inspiration to stop and go talk to her in her garage. Her kids came up to the door and said "what do you want?" I pulled out the cookies and said "WE ARE HERE TO GIVE YOU GUYS COOKIES!" So of course they started calling for their mom. She was having a terrible night and came running around the corner yelling "go away! Tonight is not a good night I'm in a bad mood!". Well after some sweet talking and offering the cookies, she calmed right down. We had a great conversation and shared a spiritual message that made her cry. She was very kind and we got a return appointment. Christmas Spirit! Those kids remind me of the mickelson kids that don't have it so good.

On our way back, we were driving with a ward member and saw a school bus sideways in a ditch. We jumped out and ran up to it. I was able to help some kids out and hold their hands as we walked them to a safe zone. They were all crying, but it made me think of something - We're representitives of Jesus Christ so just as Jesus loves and comforts children, we were able to do the same thing. Everyone was fine and the whole line of cars stepped up and offered all the kids rides home. It was actually a church bus taking kids from the church home. 

So I do get to video call you guys! 10AM your time on christmas day!

Love you all!

10K Results!

November 24 update!

Things are going great here! one of our ward members sponsored me for the 10K thanksgiving run. There was a 5K option, but since he was throwing down $40 I figured I should go all in. I'll let you know how that goes! So many people of the ward are going to be there at the finish line if I make it. haha! I'm doing fine here in Farragut. We have an investigator that has met with the missionaries for 13 years. He owns a used car dealership so of course I admire him. He is one of my best friends here. I finally got his concern out and he thought he had to know the Book of Mormon inside and out to be baptized! He is going to be baptized now and we just have to figure out a date. I sure hope I don't get transferred on the 3rd because I won't get to see it. Prayers and fingers crossed!! Well this week was adventurous. We've been bible bashed so much and between the both of us, we feel like we could "take on anyone"! Haha! We've been bible bashed so much that I found a despicable me minion and demonstrated for the camera what it is to bible bash because we are so good at it these days. I know why I was sent to the south without a doubt... The first one that I think of was when we went to a baptist church to check it out and see how they worship. A guy came up to me instantly...they always pick me....and tried to bash me. I'll just say he was on the shortest end of the stick. I was kind of fed up with it so I just gave it to him. Then he was all apologetic to me and asked me for money! He told me a huge story about being out of gas and all. I gave him a very kind chastisement and then told him we would go around the church and help him find someone who could help him because we couldn't. I also had a 10 minute talk about not giving up on life when there are so many challenges ahead. We found someone and the guy was so moved by the fact that we were in another church trying to help someone that he has made contact with us and offered us rides when we need it! Blessings. We went tracting and a guy let us in. He turned out to be a minister! Just as we showed up, right behind us, a priest and preacher from his church showed up. It was super funny and I had a good time. The most important thing is that I was able to share with them some scriptures and bear testimony of the fullness of the truth to them. They were very respectful of that and we got their numbers to hopefully meet again. We offered to do service for their church also so they are very pleased. We have investigators that were Lutheran. His wife loves to bash, so this week I talked for 15 minutes straight and told them that the Book of Mormon is either true or it isn't - I know it is so I can rely on it. Then told them that they need to know that for themselves. I went into how physical proof won't be enough for them because that is what they are trying to find. They are going to read and pray now to know it for themselves. I've been sponsored by a ward member to run the 10K this Thanksgiving! All the other ward members are excited for it. One member bought me new shoes to run in this morning! Pretty much half the ward is going to be at the finish line for support. I love it! I'll make sure someone gets a good finish line video. Christmas is coming up! I'm so excited about the holiday season! Thanksgiving will be a great day to count my many blessings. We have many meal appointments for the occasion. I hope everyone that reads this will have many blessings. I love you all!

November 17 Update!

This week I had an exchange with my good friend Elder Steele. He is going home in 17 days and demanded an exchange with me. He picked me up and we left the other two at our apt... We drove all over downtown Knox and at night we talked to people at the UT campus. That was so fun and I'll never forget that night. We had such a great time and I learned a lot from him. He is our Zone Leader for the Knox West Zone.

November 10 Update!

Yeah, they have me as a DL now, so I call everyone each night in the district and have a conversation with them about their day and help them make/reach goals. I also preside over the District Meetings and give trainings once a week on Fridays. I also take care of the #s each week to make sure to report them. If you remember the Best Two Years, when he's calling and reporting his numbers, I would be the guy on the other end of the phone. It's definately more work and service to others, but I'm happy to be doing that. I definately feel the influence of your prayers in my mission life. I've been blessed so much while I've been out here. It's getting colder and riding on the bikes just about turns us into ice cubes, but It's well worth it. It sure makes me wish I didn't take my Camaro for granted. We're already half way through this transfer and I'm starting to wonder what next transfer will bring. I feel like something big is going to happen, but I might end up staying here. Either way I'll be happy. I miss you guys so much.