Week #35 (Mar. 30, 2015) Happy Easter everyone! photos - Vicente´s baptism.

Vicente´s  baptism!

Hello lovely family!

Happy easter this sunday! This is an incredible time for the missionaries to take advantage of the holidays centered in Jesus Christ. HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN THE VIDEO? Gracias a que El vive. Or because he lives. We have been showing it to everyone and there dog (literally...there are like a lot of dogs here) and if you didn´t know, on Easter sunday, the church is taking over youtube and everyone that sees a video is going to watch a 15 second version of the video. Go watch it. I´ve seen it a million and a half times. And I get chills every time. And it works. We showed it to one of our investigators and she started crying and told us that it was exactly what she needed to here and know. That there really is a savior that lives. He not only died for us, he LIVES for us. And is here for us in every moment of our lives. Go watch it and share it on facebook. Go change some lives. :)

This week was slightly long, but I learned a lot. It´s interesting how many emotions we go through every day and every week, and you guys see about .1% of what is actually happening. :) But it´s ok. The mission is incredible and I´me grateful for difficult times and hard days becuase after resolving it and talking and praying really hard, we learn so much. God gives us hard things so that we can come closer to him and learn. :) And it actually brought a tender mercy. We were talking to Hno Marcelo Santana about how I felt during our lunch with them, and HE was the one giving US spiritual advice. And he gave me a little card with scripture on it about trusting in the lord. And it really touched my heart. I feel so incredibly grateful to have been a part of this process with them. 

We had the baptism of Vicente yesterday. It was so incredible and his dad was able to bless that sacrament that day and baptize is son. His parents bore their testimonies and were talking about the temple and how that was their goal now. And they are going to get there. Their spirits are incredible. 

We are working with two more people specifically this week that are progressing a ton. One of them is Daniela (the one that started crying during the video) And Pamela who came to church last sunday! They are incredible and Pamela read 5 or 6 chapters of teh BOM in less than 2 days. BUT, there is a catch......Neither of them are married. SO, lots of work to do and lots of prayer. But hey, at least I can help plan a wedding of somebody....even if it´s not my sister :) jaja

I love you all so much. You are all so incredible. Go watch and share the video.

I know that the savior lives and loves us. Thank you for all your support and love. HAVE A BEAUTIFUL EASTER. :) 

 Note from Kendra- 

Marcelo (in their ward) sent these to me via email.  Yesterday's Easter Activity! Thanks Marcelo- I't so nice to get fotos!

HAPPY EASTER! 

Just a picture of basically EVERY HOUSE HERE: They are all the same. Not necesarily this house, but for streets and streets just the same house, different color. YA. But it´s ok. I´m in a really rich area.

Week # 34 (Mar. 23, 2015) Happy Birthday Megan and hello to Derek........

Hello lovely familia mia. 

Happy Birthday Megan and hello to Derek........

This week was lovely and super long and really short at the same time. My lovely companion hit her 9 month mark, which means that I have about 6 weeks til mine. WHAT? Where did the time go? I still feel like a newbie missionary that just knows a little more about the gospel. I really love being able to learn so much every day. It´s a lot of emotions, and a lot of stress sometimes, but I´m really trying to be calm and and enjoy my time here with all the stress and pressure of being a missionary. 

Sister McClary hit her 9 month mark! haha 9 months- get it?
I would love to hear the whole story on this one! Those two are hilarious. 

This week we had an INVASION of missionaries. Yes. Invasion. Meaning all of the missionaries in my zone went to Fresia, a little farm town an hour and a half from Pto. Montt and Preach the gospel all day long. The church there is a little small....well the chapel is actually a house. And they have about 15 people that attend every week. 20 on a good day. And about...zero investigators. SO, president decided that we would invade fresia. And it was crazy. We literally had no planning, nobody to visit, about 18 of us and a little town, and all of the pamphlets and books of mormon that you´d ever want. And it was actually really fun. Really tiring, but we were able to find a lot of people. And fun for me as well becuase I was finally outside of puerto montt....... :) But really, missionary work is amazing. And I love meeting people and laughing with them and being able to spread this amazing message of hope and love. 

We were able to find another family this week. They seem to be really prepared and the mom actually came to church this week. After only 1 visit! :) Her name is Pamela and we are excited to see where it goes. 

I love you all so much and I thank heavenly father every day for the incredible family that I have and all of the support that you have given. I pray for you daily and hope the best for you this week in all that you do. The gospel is true and heavenly father loves us!!!!! Have a beautiful day. 

All of my love,

Hermana Smoot

Week # 33 (Mar. 16, 2015)

Hola Familia!  Como estan todos?

This week was lovely and crazy and well....a mission. ;) I think I possibly had one of the best days of my life. There are few moments in life where you literally feel like flying and singing and dancing in the street at about 10 pm. Last monday I felt it, but times 20. Its funny too becuase I wasn´t something giant or crazy but I was so. darn. happy. We always try to bring members to our lessons with the people that we visit and Hermana Karina (from the family that was baptized) came with us on monday. And bore an incredibly strong testimony as we talked of the restoration and of doubts that some of our investigators had. And now both of those people that we visited agreed on a baptism date. And I was literally in shock. When we went back to our house I was flipping out with joy. She is incredible. ALSO this sunday her husband was ordained to the Aaronic priesthood and is going to have a calling in the Young Mens. They were baptized like barely a month ago. They found out about the church in DECEMBER. AH. I just cant believe it. They are so faithful and incredible and I feel so humbled to be able to see this whole process. And i´m sorry I talk about them all the time, but its something in my mission that I´m never going to forget. 

We are progressing and continuing onward, Hna McClary and I. We are learning together and figuring out all of the problems and difficulties that a mission brings. I got sick this week, but not bed ridden sick, just sick like you're more tired and don´t feel well and missionary work becomes harder. And although I had some moments this week where I just really really didn´t want to walk out the door, we took a deep breath and did it. And it´s amazing to see the progress that you make as you do what heavenly father wants instead of what you want. I have so much to learn in this process, and so much to do and so much to progess. But I will my whole life. And we make mistakes and learn from them and keep going. And it´s not easy. But it´s worth every step. And we have the savior´s atonement to help us along the way. 

God loves us and he is wathcing out for us and I know sometimes its just super super hard and we don´t know why but we just keep going. Keep going. Trust in him to make up the difference. I love you all so much. Seriously, I´m so grateful for the support of each and every one of you. Please have a wonderful week of love and happiness. :) 

Love,

Hermana Smoot

Hola Familia!  Como estan todos?

This week was lovely and crazy and well....a mission. ;) I think I possibly had one of the best days of my life. There are few moments in life where you literally feel like flying and singing and dancing in the street at about 10 pm. Last monday I felt it, but times 20. Its funny too becuase I wasn´t something giant or crazy but I was so. darn. happy. We always try to bring members to our lessons with the people that we visit and Hermana Karina (from the family that was baptized) came with us on monday. And bore an incredibly strong testimony as we talked of the restoration and of doubts that some of our investigators had. And now both of those people that we visited agreed on a baptism date. And I was literally in shock. When we went back to our house I was flipping out with joy. She is incredible. ALSO this sunday her husband was ordained to the Aaronic priesthood and is going to have a calling in the Young Mens. They were baptized like barely a month ago. They found out about the church in DECEMBER. AH. I just cant believe it. They are so faithful and incredible and I feel so humbled to be able to see this whole process. And i´m sorry I talk about them all the time, but its something in my mission that I´m never going to forget. 

We are progressing and continuing onward, Hna McClary and I. We are learning together and figuring out all of the problems and difficulties that a mission brings. I got sick this week, but not bed ridden sick, just sick like you're more tired and don´t feel well and missionary work becomes harder. And although I had some moments this week where I just really really didn´t want to walk out the door, we took a deep breath and did it. And it´s amazing to see the progress that you make as you do what heavenly father wants instead of what you want. I have so much to learn in this process, and so much to do and so much to progess. But I will my whole life. And we make mistakes and learn from them and keep going. And it´s not easy. But it´s worth every step. And we have the savior´s atonement to help us along the way. 

God loves us and he is wathcing out for us and I know sometimes its just super super hard and we don´t know why but we just keep going. Keep going. Trust in him to make up the difference. I love you all so much. Seriously, I´m so grateful for the support of each and every one of you. Please have a wonderful week of love and happiness. :) 

Love,

Hermana Smoot

Picnic outside for lunch on saturday with Hermana SANDra. She´s fantastic. 

Pare por favor.

Happy Birthday Hna Vargas. Sunday morning pancakes :) (We are living with hna vargas from peru and hermana Montes from Brazil-right)

Week #32 (March 9, 2015) Tiempo pasa muy rapido.

Weeks are flying by and the mission is crazy and sometimes I just want to collapse because I´m so tired. But all is well and miracles are happening. We have been finding a lot of new people this week and have been trying to figure out who is really prepared and going to progress in the gospel. I´m at that point where I understand all the basics of missionary work and can do a lot more. We are just trying to think of new ideas and new ways to hasten the work. 

We had another family night with the Familia Santana so that their son Vicente could get to know more kids in primary. And he finally went on sunday! (he´s been going to gospel principles with his dad this whole time) And he even wore a white shirt and tie! It was adorable. 

It´s seriously so incredible to be able to be apart of this family´s conversion. They are progressing so fast and the spirit is so strong when we are with them. They were finally confirmed on sunday (we had a stake conference and they had to wait) and I almost wanted to cry. Marcelo bore his testimony as well during testimony meeting about all the basics of the gospel and how important the scriptures are. And they paid their tithing the first day they could! Im honestly just overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to help them and be starting this path with them. God really does prepare the hearts of his children. 

I love you all so much. The gospel really is true. The book of mormon is the word of god and the answers to all of our questions and doubts can be found the the scriptures. so READ THEM. Know that christ died for each of us individually. Heavenly father loves us and wants us to succeed. Take advantage of everything that he has given us to help us progress in this incredible path of life.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!

Love, 

Herman Smoot

xoxoxox

I really hope this is ok with sister McClary to add her letters in as well. It's just amazing to hear both perspectives of the same week. She is an amazing missionary and i have grown to love her too just through her spiritual letters and love her fun personality. I can tell she and Ally have a great thing going! 

Here is a photo of holes in their tights from walking so much! 

This is funny Ally and Bryce's tights

Well this week Hermana Smoot and I  played volleyball in skirts! haha. It was super fun. We have a "soccer activity" every Friday night. But us sisters are not allowed to play so we always just sit on the side lines and watch our investigators play. But this week we all played volleyball. It was super funny. I forget how short these Chileans are sometimes. I AM A GIANT! But we all played and it was so good to be with the family Santana-Reyes. The parents Marcelo and Karina were confirmed yesterday! It was AMAZING! I love being able to see the joy the gospel really has given them! 

Fasting really does help with the mission work. So we have been praying to find more families! Our area is FULL with families so we have been praying to find the ones that are prepared to hear our message. So yesterday was Fast Sunday here since we had Stake Conference the other week. We started our fast and we have been praying to find these families right? Well yesterday right after we had an appt with a new couple. Their names are Marta and Benjamin. They are THE CUTEST COUPLE! Seriously, they got married a year ago and now they are both studying and looking forward for more "peace." They don't know exactly what the want but I can tell you THEY NEED THE GOSPEL!! I cannot tell you how much I prayed for Hermana Smoot in that lesson. I prayed for the spirit so much. I have no idea what I even said in that lesson but I know that it was not me! It was the spirit. I am so grateful for the spirit!! I know that when we fast we really do see miracles in our lives! 

We also found another family yesterday that have been through lots! The mom has had 2 of her children pass away! It was so sad to hear about that but I shared Alma 7:11-12 about the ATONEMENT. I love this gospel because literally every principle can be applied to our lives. They are super humbled people that really are looking for help. I feel really honored to be able to meet them and to even be an instrument in the Lord's hand. 

We have walked so much this week. My body is ready to DIE! All my tights have holes in them. Hermana Smoot and I took some great pictures of our feet. haha. Good memories! But it is SO worth it because this gospel really does change lives!!!

Best part is that Karina Santana is going to come with us to an appt!! I CANNOT tell you how happy I am to be able to go teach another investigator with our new convert!!! I feel so much LOVE for that family! :) :) :) 

Week #31 March 2, 2015 ONWARD with the work!

Hello lovelies!  March 2, 2015

I dont have much time, but just know that I love you all.

This week was really quick (unlike the internet right now) and just lovely. We were able to find a lot more people and I feel so blessed. Even in those times when it feels like we can´t keep going, God always pours out miralces. He loves us so much. 

We were able to heare an expreience from Marcelo today that was so incredible. He told us that last night he was reading Alma and decided to pray. And we´ve always talked about a spiritual expreience that God would show to him. He decided to pray and he tolds us that he felt that presence of God and  couldn´t stop crying. He could see in his mind the face of God and was overwhelmed with the spirit. I didn´t even know what to say. He was left withouts doubts and with the spirit strongly rooted in his heart. It´s absulutley incredible to see a family progress in the gospel. I am so grateful for all the prayers that were made in their behalf and for all of your love. Thank you for all that you do. ONWARD with the work! 

MUCH love,

Hermana Smoot

PS Please send all of my love to the Gagan family. Everything is part of God´s plan and I know know that with the Savior we can all overcome the storms in life that seem unbearable. But he is always there. LOVE YOU ALL.

Note from mom:

Sister McClary, Ally's companion is so great! She took the time to write me a personal letter from Chile! But first, she sent me her weekly letter which i love to include because it's what happened in her perspective. I LOVE these darling missionaries!!

Well this week was good. We have had LOTS of wild fires here in Chile....well in the South of Chile. It has been horrible. Hermana Smoot and I have been working to find NEW people to teach. Since the Santana Family got baptized lots of our other investigators have lost interest or have been too busy for us to teach them. Yesterday we had lots of time and we were close to one of the families we met back in January. Each time we got visit them they aren't home. Well yesterday we were right by their house and Hermana Smoot and I had the feeling to go and see if they were home ONE LAS TIME. We went and knocked on the door and they were HOME!!! The lady's name is Ana and her boyfriend's name is Julio (or July in English. haha.) They have 2 REALLY cute girls! We taught them the Plan of Salvation. We sang them "I am a Child of God" and they were fastinated...mostly because Hermana Smoot's voice is like a voice of an angel! But it was AMAZING!! 

We also had stake conference yesterday. It was REALLY good!

One of the speakers shared a story from Elder Nelson. 

Elder Nelson's daughter came up to her father when she was 14 years old and said "Dad I want to smoke." Elder Nelson said that in that moment he had 3 options to tell his daughter. 

1.He could tell her NO! And tell her that if she lives in his house she has to obey his rules.

2. He could give her a diagram of a lung (since he is a doctor) and show her what would happen to her body if she were to smoke. 

3. He could give her a hug and tell her how much he loves her and share a scripture with her. 

Well he decided to show her love. Show her how much the gospel really helps and protects us! The next day his 14 year old daughter came to him and told her that she didn't want to smoke and that she wanted to do good and live the gospel. 

I was really thinking about how I LOVE this story. The Gospel really does protect us! In Ephesians 6:13

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand."

I knw that this armour will help us when we have hardships or trials. Reading the scriptures, saying our prayers and partaking in the sacrament really help build our armour. I love being a missionary!! Even though the food makes me sick and we all have bad days. Seeing the joy that the gospel brings into the life of others is WORTH IT!! 

Love you all 

Hermana McClary 

Dear Sister Kendra Smoot,

I just wanted to email you and tell you how much I love your daugther and how much she has helped me in  my mission. I am so grateful to have her as a companion! I know that she really is AMAZING! I know that you know that but I just wanted to email you and let you know that she is really an amazing missionary!! And she loves you so so so much!!! Thanks for the package too! It was fun to have on Valentine's day! I also got a package from my family so it was a good day! We keep your family in our prayers! Thanks for everything you do! 

With love, 

Hermana McClary :)