March 17, 2026

¡Hola familia y amigos! 

I hope everyone is doing great! Sorry if this is a long email but this week was great! We put 3 people on date for baptism but, first things first, tortilla count.

Tortilla count: 25 

Monday: First P-day in the field! (Preparation day is basically the day out of the week that we clean, buy food, shop, hang out with other missionaries, tour the city, ect.) We went to the store, talked with family and ended the day by playing "Serpentas y escaletas" with our friend David. 

Tuesday: Had district council and a zone meeting in Actopan. Had my first paste (famous bread thing in Pachuca)! Made 5 new friends and put one man named Jaime on date for baptism! 

Jamie was waiting for the bus and we were walking by. I saw that he was wearing a Nevada (UNR) sweatshirt. 

I told him that I was from Nevada! So he asked me why the heck are you in a small town in the mountains of Mexico? I was able to explain to him that I am a missionary and that I am here to help others come unto Christ. He seemed interested and we talked to him for a while. Eventually Hermana Pale invited him to be baptized and he said yes!! It was so cool and it was such a surreal moment to have someone accept a baptismal invitation. Also, he's not a UNR fan. It was just the cheapest sweatshirt at the store. 

Wednesday: Lots of door knocking! We sat in a hot room filled with bugs for 1 1/2 hours and watched a lady make fresh tortillas with only her hands and a hot pan while we tried to teach her about the Plan of Salvation. She wasn't having it. 

Later in the night we were handing out invitations for my English class and I gave one to a man and we started talking to him. His name is Mauricio and when we met him he was drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette. However, as we taught the spirit was so strong that he started to cry. We extended an invitation to be baptized and he accepted!  Mauricio has had a long path to get here and has a long path to get him to the waters of baptism. Keep him in your prayers! 

Thursday, Friday and Saturday: We didn't have much success but on Saturday was Noche de Hogar (family home evening). We played a game, shared a message and ate A LOT. If there's one thing I have learned since being here it is that these people LIKE TO EAT! 

Sunday: Great Sunday! Our branch is split into 2 parts. One part of our branch is about a 10-15 minute drive away. So at 9am a sacrament service is held in the front yard of a member's house for all the old ladies that live in San Juan. Then, at 11am is our sacrament service at the church building in San Agustín. I was asked to bear my testimony in both meetings.

After church we had lunch with the Mora family and then on our way home stopped by Irma's home. Irma is 22 and 8 months pregnant. She has been thinking about getting baptized but she's a little unsure. Her husband served a mission and her Uncle and aunt are members. We talked to Irma and her husband for 2 hours and actually asked Irma if she wants to be baptized. She said yes!!! She wants to be baptized before her baby comes so we put her on date for the 29th! 

Sooo many tender mercies and miracles happened this week. Of course I am still learning the language and getting adjusted to living a a different country but I love these people so much! I see the love that Jesus has for each and every one of them and I can't wait to see their spiritual progression!

Pensamiento Espiritual: 

This week I was thinking a lot about challenges. One of my favorite scriptures is Ether 12:27, it says: 

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

I know that God gives us challenges so we can grow. God wants us to have success and become better. The only way that is possible is to overcome challenges and learn. 

So why do bad things happen to good people? 

Because good people are the most ready to learn and grow. 

I love you all so much! Have a great week! 

Hermana Smith