Elder Kaden Smith: February 13, 2017

Hello everyone and Happy Valentines Day!

This week has been full of ups and downs, but first....

P-Day!

This previous p-day was great! We went into Port Elizabeth and did some shopping and things and then went to a music store and I got to try out a trombone hahaha! It's odd to play after a while. The best part of the day was the TRAINS!!

Our bishop is a higher up at a train and train engine overhaul plant that fixes every part of the train! We were able to go in, around, and underneath the trains and their parts to see all of the gigantic parts that go into train engines. I've seen trains before but I didn't realize just how big they were until you're up close and personal, especially with the engine! That time at the train yard was one of the coolest ever!

The week was mixed emotions, some of the days all but few of our appointments dropped but some of the other days many of our days were 12-7 with appointments every half hour.

We've been preparing several people for baptism and unfortunately some had problems with coffee and others that need to be married and others that need to learn English first but keep them in your prayers that they might be able to be baptized soon! They love the gospel soooo much!

It's fun to go over to Lisa's and teach her English! Unfortunately according to mission rules and church policy there should be some understanding of English *because most of the church here operates in English) before someone can get baptized. Lisa loves the gospel and understands everything in Xhosa so Elder Milne and myself have been teaching her English by reading back and forth several times between an English and Xhosa Book of Mormon. We gave her a priesthood blessing that she would understand quickly and she gave a full prayer in English yesterday for the first time!!! We were so proud of her!!!

Yesterday at church we were surprised when 26 of our investigators showed up!!! It was awesome because they're all loving the gospel and if everything goes according, 7 are getting baptized this coming Sunday!! Our investigators are great examples of us of changing lives for the better and coming closer to Jesus Christ!

This coming week we have Zone Conference and I think President Ellis from the area presidency will be here which will be awesome! We all had to prepare a talk in case we speak in conference about 2 Nephi 9 and as I was studying it I came back to Alma 5:27. Read Alma 5:27 and do some self-analysis. Think about it... and make changes. That is what we're in life to do is make change, and as we change toward Jesus Christ, we begin to emulate him, and he becomes part of our countenance.

Until next week!