Dear Josh,
Here is a picture to start the email ...
(They were watching promo videos.) It’s such a strange idea to think we’ll be swapping Sam out for you. In three weeks, I’ll be sending a picture like this to Sam but you will be in his place and I just can’t wrap my brain around it. Don’t get me wrong, we all are SUPER super excited to see you. The girls are marking off their calendars until the big day (and it’s not Christmas). 
It’s been a busy, busy week. Ben is at the school until 9 every night (that makes 15-16 hour days). It’s insane and I’m not happy about it. Having said that, I think it will be a good experience for him to be in a live play. They are doing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
We also performed as a family at the Stake Christmas Event. This is what my journal has to say about it ...
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Our family was asked weeks ago to sing at the Stake Christmas Event. My opinion was a resounding “NO” but Chad had other plans. I reluctantly and petulantly went along fighting with my own inner demons along the way. The end result was Mia singing her rendition of Jingle Bells on the ukulele which morphed suddenly into Ben’s God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen piano solo which morphed to Sam playing guitar while Abby sang Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus where Chad and I joined at the end at which point we all sang Away in a Manger. I was particularly proud of my role playing percussion on the jingle bells (insert eye roll) but I was NOT prepared for the onslaught of sincere compliments.
My favourites were,
Jeff Fitzner: “I do not often get emotional, but when your family went up and I heard you sing, I was definitely teary-eyed.”
Danielle: “I loved your song! I loved it! My favourite from the entire night! Your children are so grown up and adorable at the same time.” (Coming from a girl in my young women’s group 17 years ago).
Ron and Alaina Sirtonsk (from our old ward): “We were at the temple and decided to crash Riverbend’s Christmas Concert. Boy, are we glad we did. Seeing your family up there (everyone is getting so big!) made our entire night. Beautiful. Thank you. We miss you.”
Church society is not where I look for validation, but I was surprised by it this time. I attribute it to the softening of my heart I’ve experienced recently. My humility project has opened my eyes to possibilities I’ve never considered before. While we were singing I saw teary-eyed Kenny sitting with Ruby. For that alone, I was glad. For the few who matter to me, worth it. Worth it all the way. Thanks, Chad. If it wasn’t for you, many things wouldn’t happen in my life that need to. We’ve somehow become “that musical family,” which is the biggest surprise of my life.
Now we can focus on the rest of Sam’s prep. He has one rabies shot to go and he’s caught up. Poor kid has had enough needles and pills to last a lifetime to prevent him from getting malaria, typhoid, cholera, rabies, poliomyelitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, influenza and any number of bacteria he might encounter in Zambia for which his little-white-boy-first-world-
We also had the privilege of babysitting Todd and Jamie’s boys this week. Just a little recap from Instagram ...
I suppose we’ll have to remind you of everyone’s names when you get home but apparently Connor has diligently prayed for you for two years despite the fact that he can hardly remember you. Todd says he prays “bless Josh on his mission that he will be safe.” So cute.
And this is Nate, who was a tiny baby when you left.
It’s going to be a pretty fun Christmas this year.
Just to be accountable, my personal scripture study is going strong and I’ve loved the challenge of making it a higher priority to my morning routine. It makes SUCH a difference. I’m excited to show you my new study method. Keep a going, Elder Smith. Stay focused. Make as much difference as you can. Strengthen your testimony daily. Follow the Spirit. Keep smiling.
Love you forever,
Mom
See our driveway made of ice? Dad’s getting good at pulling people out.
For fun:
From Josh - Peace is my watchword
This week has been a constant up and down... mostly up though, which is good, I have been really slacking these past couple weeks on my prayers and scripture study, and I have been really trying this week to get back into the groove of things, saying my prayers every night, reading the scriptures more devotedly, and this week I have been the recipient of much peace and energy.
One cool experience was when my companion got an energy drink to keep awake and going, and I really wanted one because I was super tired, but I prayed instead and asked for the energy I needed to continue on, because I knew that nothing in this world can compare to the wonders of God, and throughout the day I was filled with so much excitement and energy that I didn't know what to do with it all, I felt as if I could walk and not be weary, run and not faint. It was pretty cool to feel. That was my little miracle this week.
Most of the things that stuck out this week were the ward Christmas party, teaching in spanish and members feeding us soooooo much food, I love it though, there are so many people are that I have grown to love, and a fact I have realized my whole mission is that the Lord doesn't transfer me from an area until I truly fall in love with the people in that area. And this time he times it perfectly, he knew exactly how long it would take for me to truly feel like I found my place and that was when I was going home, I am really looking forward to coming home, but will miss it here, I will miss the wonderful experiences and the great people who have had such a great impact on me. I have learned a lot here and one of the things I have learned the most is that people care more about how much you care rather then how much you know it has been a guiding light and a great realization for me, that no matter how many people try to prove me wrong when I tell them how much this matters to me and bear my testimony from my heart, when that happens no human logic can deny someones passion for the gospel, and no one can take away the love you have for someone else. People can feel that even when it isn't expressed, when you do something out of christ like love it impacts those who need that love. I may have said this before and it may sound kind of nerdy but in Star wars those in the dark side try to avoid feelings of love, because love is weakness, it is a reliance on someone else, an opening up that leaves you vulnerable to more pain, but when you open yourself up, you open up to greater peace and joy, happiness and wonder.
Christ is always reaching out to us. We may withhold our hearts because of others or because of disbelief, he is always ready to lift us up, he is our master and peace is his watchword, he offers it freely to everyone who will have faith in him and keep his commandment.
We were in a lesson recently and we were teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, (something that sam will get pretty acquainted with) and after the lesson the member piped up and said, that no matter what happens, no matter what anyone tells you, if you rely on the gospel and kind of go back to the basics whenever someone offends you or whenever something comes up that makes you doubt if you go to the simple gospel it can help you keep a focus on what is important. That really stuck out to me because there will be offenses there will be things that come up that we don't know, church leaders are imperfect, but the gospel is perfect and if we rely on that we will make it through.
Well I love you all, these emails are in shore supply, but I want you to know that I have a testimony of this Church, it is truly Gods church on the earth in these days, the fulness of the gospel is found on the earth once more, that is the gospel I have been called to preach, and its the gospel that we all are responsible to stand as witnesses of. At all times, in all places.
Hope you all have a good week.
Josh.
Pictures with members, important memories to keep.
And... Flying spaghetti monster religious sticker... funny idea that.
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