Sementa Santa Week

Dear Family,

Well this past week was super crazy with Semana Santa, which is basically the Latino version of Spring Break, but worse. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday everything (and I mean everything) was closed. . .there were no buses running and everyone went to the beach or rivers. So we had P-day on Friday and we basically spent the weekend at a member's house because like nobody was home to visit or proselyte to!

So Elder Vazquez had changes this week which is too bad,  because he was really cool. But I have a new companion. His name is Elder Martinez and he is from El Salvador. He was actually my ZL when I was in Pavas which is interesting because since becoming a ZL, all of my companions have been my former zone leaders. Also I only have 5 more changes left which is pretty crazy because changes pass by super super fast!!

Well I don't really have that much to write because this week not too much happened.

Nick, I hope you are getting ready to start your mission. It really is going to be an awesome experience. What I love the most is getting to meet tons of new people. I have made so many friends in the last 17 months. Also don't worry if you are nervous because I was so nervous when I first started the mission. Spencer learn how to brush your teeth!!!!!!!! Julia you too!!! and I'm glad you finally know what it's like when nature really calls and there are no public facilities! Landon you just have to last a few more weeks and then it will be summer vacation! Mom and Dad have fun with your new stake assignment . . . Also, when I get home I don't want to go to a Singles Ward!

Well I'm excited that I get to call you guys in a couple weeks. I'm going to talk to President tomorrow or sometime this week to get everything all planned out.

Well I love you all and I hope you have an awesome week!!!!

Love Elder Smith

p.s. Oh, and make sure to tell Nana K. Happy Birthday yesterday from me!!!!!

Visit by Elder Richard Hinckley




My desk

 Dear Family,

Well this week was super awesome!! Elder Richard Hinckley came to Costa Rica and we had a really awesome Zone Council and Zone Conference with him. After the Zone Council, he said quote, ¨This is the best zone leadership training that I have ever seen, including the ones that I gave as a Mission President.¨ Also he said that President and Sister Galvaz are one of the best mission president he has ever seen and that Costa Rica is one of the best missions he has ever seen. Now this isn’t some random guy saying this . . . Elder Hinckley is basically in charge of the Mission Department and so he knows what he is talking about.

So this week we are going to have 2 baptisms. Alejandra is finally going to get baptized and we are also going to baptize Martin. So that’s basically what is going to be happening this week. Also this week is Semana Santa so we are actually going to have P-day on Friday.
Thanks for sharing the news about a new Bishopric . . . that means Dad will have more time around the house. One of the biggest things that I have learned from the mission is that change can be a really hard thing. In every area I have been in, I have learned to love the people so much that when I get changed out it has been harder saying good-bye to these people than it was saying good-bye to you guys at home. But this is something that we all have to deal with in life because the one guarantee is that things are going to change. We just have to deal with it and have faith that good things and most of the time, better things will happen.  Well this is a super short letter but I hope you all have a good week!
Love Elder Smith

A Quick Note

With Members Celebrating a Birthday!!

Hey Family/Friends,

I don't have much time to write today, but I just want to say that conference was amazing!!!!!!!! I loved it and it went by way too fast! 

This week was really good and it went by super super fast. I can't believe that we are already in April--the time is moving so much faster that it did a year ago. We are teaching a new guy named Martin. He is the uncle of a member in our ward and he is super cool. He has had a really hard life and in our first lesson with him, he told us that he wants to be born again and so we talked about baptism and put a goal with him for the 23rd. He also doesn't know how to read or write so we are going to teach him.

I love you all and I hope you have an awesome spring break this week!!! Love Elder Smith