número dois (doh-eez)...

12-28-11

      Hello Everyone! I hope everyone had a good Christmas this year. I know I did. I am a little disappointed I couldn’t be Santa this year though, that’s my favorite part of Christmas morning. Fortunately I received Tiffany and Dan’s and Heidi and Bret’s packages. I didn’t receive the Baumgartner’s package or mom and dad’s package until a couple days later, but it was still great to get them none the less. I love every bit of mail I got. Thank you so much everybody for your love. I have the best family! But Christmas was actually very good here, one of the better Christmas' I have ever had just because of how much I felt the spirit. We did not have any general authorities come talk to us, but the talks were still very good and very comforting. Thank you again for all the snacks you have sent me. I actually have more joy sharing my treats with the Brazilian students here because of how interesting they find the American treats that I have. They don’t handle spicy things at all which is kinda funny, and they found it almost impossible to believe at first that the slim Jims were actual packaged meat. After trying to figure it out forever, one Brazilian finally said "Oh! Salami!" and then they all started saying "Oh!" and were laughing it up. They also found the sour belts that I brought from home to be the most interesting, the faces that they were making while eating them was so funny.

      Today we got to go to the temple (we get to go every P-Day, except for last week) and it was such a neat experience. The temple here is beautiful. I bought a big picture of it at the church distribution center. But it was really just neat to be able to go to the temple, when you are on a spiritual high. Really cool experience. On the way though, I was able to see some very interesting things I have not seen since I’ve been here. I finally saw a bunch of those stacked houses that you see in the opening scene of the Incredible Hulk, and piles of what looked like garbage under bridges, but they were actual houses just made out of trash, literally. It was a little bit of a cultural shock for me, and I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of it when I actually get out to the field.

      Well all is good over here, two weeks down and I am definitely starting to pick up the language a lot more, thank you so much for your prayers. I really do appreciate them and I most definitely felt their affect. Last week I progressed so much in the language it’s nothing short of a miracle. I can pray, bear my testimony, teach lessons, and even have basic conversations in Portuguese. I’m loving it. So thank you so much for your help. I know I wouldn’t be able to do it if it weren’t for you and the spirit. I only have 7 more weeks at this C.T.M.!!!! I love it here but I’m already starting to get restless. Darn it.

      One last thing, could you continue to send me Elder VanWagenen’s and Elder Smidt IX 's letters, but to this email account? That would be great. And my box number is 35, sorry I put 34. I love you guys and miss you all!

Love,

Elder Smidt X

A Missionary Christmas...

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn’t there.

No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has little flair.

His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks…not very fun.

I’ve bought him all white clothes because…

This year I’m giving Christ my son.

I’ve spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.

I’ve re-read Novembers Ensign…felt strength come from His words.

Our family prays for frequently. My tears are quick to run.

Abraham seems closer because…

This year I’m giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war,

Or how the pioneers chose Zion – their sacrifice was so much more.

My loss will be his presence…I’ll miss his smile a ton.

For two years we will pray for him…

I’m giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he’s not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.

He’s always hungered for the part of him that makes his soul divine.

The stories and lessons he always heard, his choice and mine are one.

I’ll put my faith in God’s hand. This year,

I’m giving Christ my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter. I think I finally understand:

Christ’s birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.

It’s because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing is done.

My gift has taken years to make, this year…

I’m giving Christ my son.

I know there’s One who understands the sacrifice I’m making….

Who knows the gift I willingly give – the toll it will be taking.

For He has done it all before – greater love, there could be none.

For years ago God gave to me…

His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray…

Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he’ll say.

Because I know Christ needs him until all the gathering’s done

My gift has taken years to make...

This year…I’m giving Christ my son.

(author unknown)

Elder Smidt's first letter home...

21-12-2011

Dear Family and Friends,

I miss you so much! I only have 25 minutes to write my email so I will try to fit in as many details as I can. It has been a hectic week here at the C.T.M. (what they call the M.T.C.) in Brazil. There are beautiful plants everywhere on the property of the C.T.M. I will take pictures to show you guys. I really do love it here. Before I talk about that though, i want to talk about everything since i got here. the plane ride was long but surprising comfortable, luckily i was able to sleep for most of it. (im sorry for not capitalizing my i´s, the shift button is totally off on these keyboards, so im done trying to do proper capitalizations) but we made it to brazil with no problems. when i stepped out of the airport, i was just slammed with a wall of heat and humidity. i couldn’t breathe without gurgling water, but i am almost used to it now. everything is so different here, the cars, the way people drive, everyones mannerisms; but i love it. i know i already said this in my letter back home, but i want to say it again to all the people who are reading this. I get to exercise and study in paradise, i study next to beautiful flowers and ivory walls, and i run under large palm trees. the brazilian students are so nice here, i absolutely love them. they don’t have to learn english at all for their missions, but they try their hardest just so that they can talk to us. they have taught me though three ways to say gay in portuguese, and my absolute favorite one is "Justin Bieber" im being serious; their direct translation for gay is "Justin Beiber" so when they are walking down the halls calling each other Justin Bieber and laughing it is so funny. But they are extremely nice. MOM, THEY HAVE PASSION FRUIT JUICE HERE AT THE C.T.M.! and guanara. its all good stuff here, not as good as provo C.T.M., because its kinda bland food and a lot of rice and beans but its good. I have felt the spirit so much here it’s almost too weird, but it’s so nice. im sorry if this letter makes no sense, i'm just trying to put down all the details my mom asked for, and random ones keep popping into my head. i was made district leader over our district of 10 Elders and one Sister. But i am struggling a little bit with the language thing, so if you wouldn’t mind praying that i may have the gift of tongues, i would really appreciate it. alright, time is almost up so i will have to cut this one short, but i just want to say that even though i have felt the spirit so much here and have made some great friends and doing great, there is just one thing missing that would make this perfect, and it’s my family. with that being said though, I am SO grateful that we are able to be sealed for all time and eternity, because Heaven would not be heaven to me, if my family wasn't with me. I love and miss you guys so much.

Love,

Elder Smidt X

27 hours later....

He landed safe and sound in Brazil!!!  What a relief to all of us to know he made it safely and was in good hands.  What a good looking group of 'greenies'!  

Here is the email we received the day Elder Smidt arrived at the MTC.  (Missionary Training Center)

Dear Parents,

We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC.  What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time. We promise to take good care of your missionary.

They now have companions and are settled into their rooms.  They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study.  The branch presidents and their wives, will soon give them a second greeting.  These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.

The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs.  He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.

Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple.  This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on individual assignments.

Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others.  We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow: “There is no mortal man that is so much interested in the success of an elder [sister] when he is preaching the gospel as the Lord that sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord’s children.”

Please accept our love,

President Donald L Clark and Sister Zaza Clark

Tchau...

When the Brazilian people say "Bye" to each other, they say "Tchau" (sounds like chow).  Saying "good-bye" to Elder Smidt was full of mixed emotions.  We all knew this day was coming, as Jess has wanted to serve a mission his whole life, but saying good-bye to someone you love so dearly is never easy.  So we say, "Tchau" and "Boa Sorte" (good luck) to Elder Smidt as he leaves the only life he's ever known and dedicates himself completely to serving the Lord for two years.  Brazil is sure lucky to have him.  He will be amazing.  I am sure he will love the Brazilian people as much as they love him!

This picture speaks 1,000 words.

A mother saying 'good-bye' to her only son and sending him to a foreign country.  This, right here, is why if you EVER run in to a missionary, give him 5 minutes of your time.  That's all. And be kind.  They are sacrificing a lot to serve.  There is great honor in that.

KJ and Jess saying their good-byes.  A lot will have changed in these little one's lives when Jess comes home, but we will pray for him every day and will be waiting for those letters and pictures to come in the mail!  What a good example he is setting to those he leaves behind.

 His passport and name tag.  It's official!!!

 Most of us had to say our last good-bye's over skype!  We LOVE YOU ELDER SMIDT!!!

 Blurry, but good shot of his last wave to Mom and Dad as he boards his plane. 

RETURN WITH HONOR!!!!

Elder Smidt X...

Today was the day Jess was set apart as a Missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!  The day he officially goes from being known as Jess to Elder Smidt.  President Firmage is the Stake President who gave him his blessing.  Elder Smidt sat in the 'famous' Smidt family chair.  All missionaries in the Smidt family who have served missions have sat in this special chair and have all signed the bottom of it.  What a special chair to have traveled far and wide to be sure to get every missionary in the family is set apart in it.  Jesse is the 10th Smidt missionary!