Will remain in Virginia Richmond Mission

Hello Everyone
Another transfer has begun and I'm staying in Buckingham! I'm stoked! I love this area a ton! I've really grown close to the members here. I know it's been a while since I've written. We've just been doing a LOT of service here in the past few weeks. Hey, I'm not complaining. It keeps me from getting too fat and my hands from getting too soft :).

So how's life been with all ya'll? Ya'll should send me some letters to update me (hint, hint).

Well, I don't have much to say in this letter, only that I'm grateful that the Lord trusts us enough to give us adversity. It's hard to keep that in perspective at times but I know the Lord is there for us to support us. The Lord takes raw materials, shapes them and refines them into pure and priceless gems. Apparently I need a lot of refining. It's easy to forget at times how short of time we have on this earth, and the even shorter periods of adversity that comes our way. Honestly, with a solid foundation on the Gospel of Christ, we honestly have more good times than bad. Maybe that's because some of the perceived bad times are so much easier to bear with the Gospel. I know I couldn't have lasted through what I've had to face had it not been for the knowledge to get down on my knees. Life is good. God is great! He won't leave us stranded. What was it the Lord stated to the Prophet Joseph Smith while he was in Liberty Jail? "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;  And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever." (D&C 121:7-8 & D&C 122:9)I know this Gospel is true and Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.Love,Elder Smith