Week # 30 ( Feb. 23, 2015) Que bella es la vida.

Companion: Hermana Bryce McClary
Place: Puerto Montt

Beach en metri

Hello dearest loved ones!

This week was absolutely crazy and probably the most beautiful of any week of my mission so far. First of all, Hna McClary and I are STAYING in Puerto Montt together for these cambios. That means that I will have 5 transfers here and will complete 8 months of the mission in one area. Wow. It´s actually really amazing becuase I know everyone and how to get everywhere and Pto Montt is basically my home now. And also, Hna McClary is the best, obviously. So basically this mission is just amazing and I love it. Still nice and hard...but just beautiful.

Marcelo and Karina got baptized!!! It´s incredible and still can´t believe it. They are really an example of how the lord prepares his children to recieve the gospel. We found Marcelo with his son riding bikes in the street only 3 months ago and now the are members of the church and ready to endure to the end.

During the baptism they were able to bear their testismoies of their experience and Marcelo talked about his goal of going to the temple so that he can live with his family for eternity. And Karina, whose spirit just radiates joy and beauty, started to cry as she talked of her change that really started about 2 years ago. And she knew that God had put the missionaries in her path and that this really was the true church. I was so touched to be able to see their immense growth and realize how much the spirit really works in people. And I realized too that we as missionaries hardly do anything at all with respect to their conversion. We try to be obedient and teach the doctrine and do what we can, but the spirit converts people. They are an amazing family and my heart is so full of gratitude to have been able to help them in the process. And really their journey has just begun. 

I love this work. All of us have such a key role in helping with missionary work. Pray for experiences to find people...or to help those that might be a little lost. I love you all so much. I know that this chruch is true. I know that the doctrine of Jesus Christ changes lives for the better. I love this gospel and am so grateful to be here experiencing all the ups and downs of missionary work. Thank you for all your support!!!

Love

Hermana Smoot

PS Mother! I got your package and about died. THANK YOU SO MUCH. It was like pinterest gorgeous X12 plus peanut butter. LOVE. And thank you sisters for the letters. ;) (Kenna....flumpy....about died)

Mas del bautismo!

El bautismo!

Volcan Calbuco!

 

Week # 29 ( Feb 16, 2015) Happy Valentines day-Marcelo and Karina

Hello world!

There isn´t a lot of time to write today becuase we went to Volcan Calbuco. (i´ll send pictures someday.) BUT miracles are happening and the work is progressing in the lovely city of Puerto Montt.

Earlier this week, we had another lesson with the Santana Family and talked about the Word of Wisdom. Marcelo had an infinity of questions and doubts, mainly about tea (which he is fanatic of) we again, arrived at the conclusion that he had to know that the book of mormon was true. And feel it. As we talked about baptism, he told us that he would tell us on sunday....We have been working so much with their family and we really wanted them to be ready for their date on the 22nd of february. So we continued praying. I was studying as well what a person really needs to be baptized, and converted. And the real key is change in your heart. Real repentence and a desire to follow the lord for the rest of your life. 

So valentines day came and we miraculously set another appointment with the family. We talked about their baptism and went over all of the baptismal interview questions. Marcelo started talking about experiences that he had had and mentioned that he was going to make a decision one day, but felt something really strong, something burning inside him, that he shouldn´t do it. He also talked about how he feels closer to the lord and that he really believes that the gospel has helped him. And is going to help his family. I was almost speechless. Marcelo is always the one with the doubts and the questions and problems. And he said he would continue praying to resolve everything.As all of us should in this life-long process of conversion. But during that lesson, he agreed to stop drinking tea, and made the decision to be baptized with his wife THIS SUNDAY!! These people have been incredibly prepared by the lord. We have seen a beautiful change in the lives of Marcelo and Karina and I know that they are going to be faithful members. Best Valentines day ever. Filled with the pure love of christ and his atonement. 

I love the mission. Every week isn´t as happy as this one, but it really is beautiful. I love you all. Thank you for the never ending support. Remember to enjoy this life and every precious moment here.

Have a beautiful week!

Love,

Hermana Smoot

Week # 28 (Feb. 9, 2015) Lots of photos-Beautiful Metri beach...

Hello lovely family and loved ones alike,

LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL CHILE IS! 

This is the beach in Metri. 

Missionary work is the best. This week was full of progress here in our area. There are so many things to do and I am learning more and more to accept that we are putting forth our effort that I´m not perfect and have lots of weaknesses. 

Our golden Family has been progressing a TON this week. We had a family night with the bishop, which was basically the coolest thing ever. And they were talking and talking and we left without them. We also had a last minute soccer activity for their son becuase he loves futbal. 

And they went to church on Sunday and were talking to all of the members and almost everyone knows them and I was almost crying with Joy. It´s amazing when we really work hard with the members to make missionary work happen. Because it´s impossible without them. So go and do missionary work people!  The dad, Marcelo still has his doubts and hasn´t really received a sure answer, but he is on the way. Pray for him that he can open his heart a little more and that the fear of change can be replaced with faith and peace.

We also met a person of a religion that I don´t want to point out the other day....but not the respectful kind. The kind that stops you in the street and tries to prove that everything you believe is false and asks you questions about where the Garden of eden is and what was the shape of Noah´s ark and in which chapters of the bible it is. But WE don´t know becuase we study the book of mormon. And yes, by the way, those facts are improtant for our salvation. I asked. BUT even though I was a little discouraged after, I know it´s part of the work and what Joseph smith said is true. "persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, columny may defame, but the truth of god will GO FORTH..." Oh the joys of missionary work.

Miracles are real and this is the work of the lord. I am so grateful to be able to experience this. To be able to change and improve and love so fully. I hope that you all stay true to what you know. And if you have a doubt remember what Elder anderson said: "why does the lord allow evil speaking to chase after the good? One reason is that opposition against the things of good sends seekers of truth to their knees for answer"

Heavenly father answers our prayers, the church is true and I love you all!!!!

All my love,

Hermana Smoot

Sister McClary and Sister Smoot
(They are having such a great companionship right now) 

Beautiful trees in port Montt

Soccer Activity. Us girls on the sideline. (susan, karina-the mom of our golden family- Hna McClary and Me)

BFF

Note from Kendra--This photo was taken by a Dante Gabriel Roig a member missionary who was visiting this member family , who in 1986-88 served his mission here and baptized this family! Here is Hna Smoot and Hna McClary teaching in their home i assume. He sent this to my email!

Here is his note:

"Hi, I was a missionary in Osorno since 1986-88 I'm visiting my converts here with my Family. 

We atended to Pichi Pilluco ward yesterday where your dougther sung a beatifull himn

Then we shared a big lunch with Valderas's Family who I baptisted during my Mission

We moved to Villarrica today, my wife took a video of your dougther , when we have a good conextion we will send you.

Have a nice day" 

Enviado desde mi iPhone

                                                           As a mom I can't wait to hear that hymn!! 

Ok-This is Peyton Moss (2nd one in) Brother and Sister Garnder in our home ward is out with him in NY NY north mission and they sent this to me and he says HI to ALLY!!




NOTE from MOM:
Ally's companion is so darling Hna Bryce McClary. She writes the sweetest things about Ally in her letters and since she has a blog too i stole a few things off of it to share on Ally's blog because they are comments about her and photos!!

Here is a tid bit more detail of this week from Hna McClary!

I love being a missionary!!

This week was good, we had lots of opportunities to serve! It is summer here so there are lots of people preparing for WINTER.Everyone is buying wood for the winter months so we have to help load lots of wood and help members put their wood in their sheds. It is very interesting how people live on wood here. haha. I have gained lots of muscle in my arms from hauling wood...and it is just the beginning! But I really love giving service. 

WE also helped Hermana Santana-Reyes with her wood creations she makes. She is very talented. We painted these wooden boards and then she fed us lunch. I LOVE getting to know our investigators and reallying seeing how the gospel really has changed them! 

We had a soccer activity this week and it was amazing! The family Santana-Reyes came and Susan came too. It is easier to get people to come play soccer than it is to get people to come to CHURCH! hahaha. But it was great! The bishop came too and we all had a great time. It was a great way for the families to feel more comfortable in the ward. I love it! 

Also in Relief Society yesterday Hermana Karina Santana was so much more comfortable with the sisters she was offering to say the prayer! Everyone introduced themselves to her and it was good because she was able to really meet all the sisters. I love this ward! 

Hermana Smoot and I started to think of 2 things that we did good in the day and 1 thing that we can change each day. It is awesome because we are really trying just everyday to become better! I love her so much. I know that I say that every week but she is truly the best! 

I don't have much time today because we are headed to the beach today! WE have a member that has a house on the beach and we are going to hangout with them for a couple of hours. Puerto Montt is INCREDIBLE!!! I love you all.

Happy Valentine's Day this week! Remember that Jesus Christ died for our sins and for our faults...that was the true action of LOVE. 

The family Santana-Reyes are going to be baptized this month! I cannot wait!! 

Love,

Hermana McClary

I cant wait to meet sister McClary!! 

Week # 27 (Jan 2, 2015) Life is Beautiful!

Hello Grand World!

I feel like weeks just keep passing and passing and everything is going by way to fast. If I could sleep more, I would seriously want to be missionary forever.

I feel like I´m learning so much every day. I have been able to feel the spirit more and more as I really have to rely on it every minute of every day. Even if it´s just an impression to knock on a door and we find awesome super prepared people. Or if it´s just to answer people´s questions during a lesson, or bear testimony of the truth when someone needs to hear it. It´s just amazing to be able to be so close to the spirit. 

We are teaching the Santana family (family night last week) And they are just fabulous. We had Zone Conference this week and again learned a ton about working with members and we are seeing a a huge difference when we do it. This family has a ton of support from the ward now and we are planning on another family night with the bishop (MIRACLE) The father of the family this week, as we talked about the law of chastity, had a lot of questions about Joseph smith and polygamy. And after a lot of discussion, we came to the conclusion that he needed to know with certainty if the book of mormon is true. So we are in the process. But they really are so prepared and we are just trying to help them understand the atonement and help them progres toward real conversion.

I know that the book of mormon is true. Like with Marcelo, all of us have questions and doubts. Even if you are a  faithful, amazing human being. Even if you are a missionary and it´s your life. The doubts come, but I know that they can be resolved through the book of mormon and prayer to know that its true. Read it and ask, even if you already have, and your testimony of all things will grow. 

This church is true and I love you all so much. Keep going and keep enjoying the life that god gave you. Because it´s BEAUTIFUL!

ALL MY LOVE
Hermana Smoot

Sister McClary and I ordered Pizza because we didn't have a dinner appointment. We miss USA pizza!