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!