Freeee

April 13th 2026

Buena!

Yesterday was one month since I landed in Puerto Rico. Feels like an eternity and and feels like the blink of an eye.


Had a exchange with Elder Montoya, who is easily my favorite ginger Panamian from Idaho.

On friday we had zone conference! Abour half the missionaries in PR met up and got to hear some inspired/inspiring teachings from our Mission President. Everytime I hear him talk, I get a better idea of just how much I have to learn. Super cool teachings about Faith, I'm doing everything in my power to not spend the whole email rehashing everything.

Since Zone Conference is up in San Juan and my area specifically is the furthest from it in the zone, we got to drive up thursday evening and spend the night at the AP's estate. It's cool to see how the 1% live.


The best part of zone conference (besides hearing uplifting spiritual instruction, of course) was seeing my old cmm pals (except Ellis ) It was fun to see them again, but even better to hear it be confirmed that my companion is very... beyond just being an obedient missionary. Now, it's not fun that I am with my current comp (even if it's been really good for me), but it is nice to know there are other missionaries that are both cool and relatable, while still being diligent and obedient. Was worried the balance didn't exist.


I can still have a personality while being a good missionary!


The other noteworthy event is I no longer have hair.

"Guess what, baby? I feel FREEEEE (freeee)" - ye & cudi


Pensamiento espiritual!

We were sent to this earth to learn and grow, and overcome trials. Last week, I decided I wanted to truly commit to this work and lose myself in it. The next several days were ROUGH and I was frustrated. This quote from President Holland (my goat), paraphrase Elder Neal A. Maxwell, really called me out:


"'Lord, be careful to keep me from all the experiences that made Thee divine. Please let me come and dwell with Thee, where I can boast about how similar our strengths and our characters are as I float along on my cloud of comfortable Christianity.' 


My beloved brothers and sisters, Christianity is comforting, but it is often not comfortable."


When I prayed to the Lord and told Him I was ready, He listened. The first time, I wasn't prepared. Several days ago, I recommitted, and now I see the trials with a much better attitude. A mission isn't a life changing experience because of random one off events, it's life changing because of the daily work, the habits and mentalities you develop. 


Proverbs 3:11-12 "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."


Send me emails por favor!! Tell me what you're up to, unsolicted advice, funny stories, anything. 


Despidiendo, 

Élder Smith

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