Hey hey hey!

ATTENTION TO ALL WHO READS THIS: Don't forget to wish Deborah Smith (my mother) a HAPPY BIRTHDAY this Thursday! Don't forget! I'll be watching.........

This week has been H-O-T! I'm surprised I haven't melted yet. But I guess I need to sweat off all this extra luggage I'm gaining so I'll quit complaining :) The members here are so good to us. We're fed nearly every night and the food is fantastic! There is a family here who is famous for their Waffle Challenge they do for every missionary that is new to the area. The previous record was 6 1/4 waffles...sounds easy right? Yeah, that's what I thought as well. So knowing me and how I have to be dumb enough to take up every challenge that comes my way took up the challenge. I'm somewhat sorta happy to announce that I beat the record by eating 6 1/2 waffle and not passing out. I beat the record! I was a champion! Then....my companion speeds by me and eats 8 waffles without flinching....oh well, I beat the record. Also, I have discovered the best root beer in the whole world. If you're ever in the Outer Banks area stop by the Weeping Radish. Their root beer is the best ever! I guess I'm not doing myself any favors when it comes to the extra luggage but it's worth it.

I'm sure everybody is aware of the loss of a great entertainer. Andy Griffeth passed away this past week which is huge news in this area. His home is in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and he lived around 40 miles from me. This little area has a lot of fame.

The past couple weeks have been quite busy for this mission. There is a new mission wide goal for the month of July that has every area working hard. What would cause such an increase in effort and strain? The answer would be that our wonderful mission president has given us a vision for the month of July. Vision gives people something to work toward, a goal if you will, that helps people keep making step after step. The scriptures tell us, "Where there is no vision, the people perish:" (Proverbs 29:18). When one doesn't have somethings to work towards, he slows down and begins to stagnate. What is it that motivates Latter-day Saints to volunteer so much time and effort to church callings, family responsibilities, and service opportunities, without any thought for any temporal reward? Love is one such vision. What is the greatest commandment? Love God and love your neighbor. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matt. 22:40) Some might interpret that verse as meaning if you love God and neighbor then you can hang up or throw away all other commandments. False. The keeping of all other commandments and laws of God stem from these two great commandments. The Celestial Kingdom is another vision we have. To have the eternal perspective and realize that this life is too short and fragile to screw up and know that this is the life for us to prepare to meet our Maker helps to strive toward becoming like our Father in Heaven, for, only those who are like Him will live with Him and dwell in His presence.
Vision has this mission working at 100% capacity. Is vision helping you to work at 100% capacity? If not, get a clearer vision.

This work is true and this work will not die. It is the work of not only salvation, but the work of exaltation. I know it. I know it because God has revealed it to me and has reminded me when I ask. Call me foolish, deceived, brainwashed, whatever you want! It doesn't mean anything because you're not perfect and don't know everything. He IS perfect and DOES know everything. I think I'll listen to the latter choice.

Elder Smith