Highs and Lows (unreleased)

March 23rd, 2026

¡Hola hola! 

I've been in Guayama for about a week and a half. The first couple days were a bit rough, I won't lie. Turns out I DO love my family and the lack of homesickness at the CCM was pretty much just denial about the task ahead of me. But, I've bounced back and I'm feeling much better now.

Still got BK so I'm basically home anyway

Let's talk about some of the pros and cons (Highs & Lows) of Puerto Rico, or more specificially, my life in Puerto Rico.  

High: Puerto Ricans are never in a rush ️

If I were a missionary in the continental US, I would be hesitant to go up to someone actively getting into their car or leaving their house, since they appear busy. That doesn't apply here. No one has anything better to do. They're happy to listen to us, regardless of what we interuppted. I think there has been one time when we stopped a guy and he told us he was busy and needed to go. It was valid too, the guy started work at 4 (it was 4:19).

Low: Puerto Ricans are NEVER in a rush

When the slow moving Borricua is the man who was supposed to install an AC unit into our apartment, it's less fun. He was supposed to come on Tuesday, but he crashed his truck (?), so he asked if Friday would be okay. When we asked what time he would come by on Friday, he actually said, "I dunno, I don't wanna make any commitments..." isn't that your job??

Eventually he cracked under our pressure and told us he would be there at 10am... by 12:15, he had arrived. Having AC is a game changer.

High: Food in Puerto Rico is delicious

Every single thing I've been fed here has been so yummy. But...

Low: Mission President (MP) discourages member meals

And my comp, love him to death, is the typa guy that would jump of a cliff if mission pres even suggested it might be a good thing to do. So we don't get nearly as much free food as we could.

A few members of the amazing Guayama Ward

High: It's beautiful here

To my VA homies, you know those perfect summer evenings when there's a light breeze and just the slightest bit of humidity so you don't feel like you're shriveling up? The birds and crickets are chirping, the sky is mostly clear, swimming in the pool is just as comfortable as sitting on a friends porch, and the stresses of tomorrow cease to exist? That's how it is here every night.

Low: VA is still cool without me

My friend Elder Ellis is actually serving in VA and this is the message he sent me: "Virginia is beautiful Holy moly I can't belive you just live here. Like it's gorgeous. The sunsets the trees the weather..."

Amen, Elder Ellis!

(PR is great though.)

In other news, my ex is trying to bait me into psychological warfare through Duolingo of all places, a new low, even for her!

Spiiiiiirituaaaalllll thoooooought

At the start of this long email, I mentioned I felt homesick the first few days. While dealing with those dumb feelings, I stumbled upon a talk from the April 1992 session of General Conference by Elder Ashton entitled "A Yearning for Home". I had two main take-aways from the talk:

1. I am so grateful that I DO miss my family! Not everyone in my position could say they miss their family, and while I don't like missing them, I'm glad I do.

2. I, and you, and everyone, should have that same longing to worthily return back to the presence of our Heavenly Father and our brother, Jesus Christ.

Ignore temporary pleasures that go against God's commandments. Do not be "like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea," (C. S. Lewis). The blessings that God has in store for us are unimaginable and I pray that we can all remain focused on being worthy to recieve said blessing, and pay no mind to the mud pies in our lives.

I say this every email but it's true every email, I LOVE getting emails from you guys throughout the week. I'm terrible about responding but I love getting them and I read every single one. Feel more than free to message me at any time :)

Omar agreed to be baptized after talking with us for 15 minutes on his porch while getting a haircut. I had no impact on this, so shout out to the Holy Spirit and Elder Montoya, who gives full credit to the Holy Spirit. 

Moroni 10:5 "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

No vemo (puerto rican accent alert)!

Élder Smith