Pictures from Last Week

 Me and sister De Castro eating Marang. You split open the skin of the fruit, pick off each round part, spit out the seed. Super sweet and super good.

Last week baptism. Daina (Pregnant. She just had her baby on Saturday night)

Vince Arbie

Letter # 61 (July 27, 2014)

Hello Family!!!

It's so neat that Ally will be able to have so many miracles every day starting this week. I can't wait for her to figure out her own flow of mission life. She will be the best Sister Smoot ever! Congratulations!!

This week we were still trying to revive this area. It used to be one of the most productive areas in the mission, but as I got here it was about to die off. We are still struggling getting more investigators and getting people to church but I've learned a lot about appreciating the small miracles every day.  I know this mission experience is a lot different than others and there are some missionaries who go their whole missions without visual success, but there is always success in each special moment of the day.  Believe it or not, there are still insecurities about teaching skills, language skills, learning how to completely follow the spirit and so much more that it seems impossible to be that perfect missionary... but then I remembered that I just need to keep swimming and make sure I am swimming up instead of in circles.  The Lord gives us weaknesses so that we learn how to so fully trust in Him and do things His way. Plus I am able to learn more humility.  Through our weaknesses, we also learn to have Faith that things will still work out if we do our best. If I have confidence and faith in the Lord, my weaknesses and insecurities don't matter.  Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, on the straight and narrow upward path towards our Father in Heaven.  

Last week we met a young women who has a little girl. I thought at first she was 23 or 24, but she said she just barely had her 18th birthday.  She is a single girl with a little baby who is 1 year old.  She was completely Catholic, a little stubborn/moody at first and only wanted us to use the bible. So I opened up the bible and we read about prophets and the life of the Savior, I tried to just focus on the Love of God to dissipate the contention. I don't think she has actually ever read the bible, but reading it to her helped her feel the spirit and then as we read the Book of Mormon, she was able to recognize that same spirit.  She said all her friends told her not to listen to us because we don't believe in Jesus Christ and we don't believe in the bible. She then said that she will now testify to anybody that we are actually good people who love the Savior and read the Bible.  It was kind of intense to see such a turn around in her demeanor. She started out very on edge, but at the end of only a 20 minute lesson was touched to the point that she wanted to meet with us again! I know it had nothing to do with what we said, and had all to do with the spirit she felt as we read the pure and simple words from the Scriptures.  At the end of the lesson, she asked if she could read in the book of Mormon on her own! This is the same sister who said she didn't want to learn anything but the bible 20 minutes earlier.  We gave her a copy and scheduled a return appointment.  I learned again how important it is to see people for their eternal potential. If I would have just judged her, as I was inclined to do, as someone who was not interested and didn't want to talk to us, I would have missed the fact that she is really just a girl who is lost and confused and scared in this world. She is searching for peace and guidance just like me, and is only the same age as my little sister. When we returned to our scheduled appointment, she wasn't there and we weren't able to contact her or find her until last night again. When we arrived, the neighbors told us that she wasn't home again, but we taught some little kids in the street so that we didn't waste our time going to that area. At the end of the lesson with the kids, she came out of her house with her book of Mormon and the Restoration Pamphlet! As we taught her the restoration, she kept telling the principals before us and had almost memorized the pamphlet. She had also read in the Book of Mormon. She still is not sure if it is true, but this Sister Leslie has a very pure intent and I know she will come to know too that this is true.  I am excited for her and for her future and for her relationship with the savior. We all need comfort, we all need guidance, we all need the Love of the Savior, and how lucky am I that I get to teach another soul how to receive this. I really am the luckiest. I know that this Gospel gives us everything we need to be happy in this life. It's still hard and tiring, but we are still happy. How is this possible? We are so blessed, sometimes we don't even realize how scared and hopeless we would be without this message. I hope we never forget it! I love you so much, and the only advice I can give to Ally, is to remember that every soul is precious in the sight of God. Never judge anyone and give everyone a chance to hear it. Everyone you see or talk to needs this. Talk to EVERYONE and give them the chance to accept it. We can't force people, but we give them all the chance to be happy for eternity. I love you all so much and am so grateful that you taught me how to be happy and successful in the spirit. Love you ALL!

Love, Sister Smoot

Letter # 60 (July, 13, 2014)

Hello Family! July 13, 2014

This has been a crazy week. I got to start out by going to MLC: Missionary Leadership Council. There were really good trainings from President, the Assistants to the President, and from some of the Couple Missionaries. We also got really good food, as I'm sure you were able to see all over facebook :) Then we are able to train our zone from the trainings in MLC. I was a little nervous to give the training to Bacolod South zone because almost half of them have already been zone leaders or STLs, including Sister J Smoot. But when I got there, I was also surprised to see that the assistants also came to join our zone meeting.  But As soon as the meeting started there was a really strong spirit in the chapel, so the trainings went really well. Plus is was really neat to sit next to Sister Smoot. She is so mature and a spiritually powerful missionary. She seems so much older than me and wiser, so I'm grateful she's in the zone. She is also so happy, she just spreads her happiness to everyone! I love sister Smoot!

The whole week my companion was sick (different illness every day). So I spent the whole week figuring out our area with some of the sister ward missionaries here in Paglaum. It really helped me to grow relationships of trust with them and the members and we even got some really solid referrals from the ward members. It's a good thing I was able to connect with the ward this week and find all of the investigators and recent converts, because Sister De Castro was transferred this morning. I'm back with SISTER MADRONIO! We were together in Cadiz.  She is one of the sweetest companions I've had and I'm excited to be together with her again. We were only together for a couple weeks, so this time we get longer with each other as STL's. She will be so great and I'm excited for our work ahead. She's a really hard worker and loves being a missionary, obedient, and kind... so what else can a companion ask for. WE WILL SEE MIRACLES! No matter what problems are in a companionship, the spirit takes over as long as both companions work hard and love the Lord. Part of our assignment as sister training leaders is to have the highest key indicators out of all the sister while also going on exchanges with each companionship for one day every transfer. We get to help them with their area, but from what I've heard, we learn more than they do because the sisters in this mission are incredible. I'm excited to learn from them too!!! (Especially Sister Smoot). :)

My third day here in Paglaum, we found a family. They are the Clarito Family. I think I mentioned them last week. I was able to teach them again on Saturday. It's hard to find a time to teach them because they are all so busy and want to be taught together, but we will be able to teach them at least every Saturday. The father is very involved in the learning too, but they are all learning together. Sometimes in families, only one or two are interested and the rest are just "listnening," but I love this family, because they are all learning and involved and helping each other.  On Saturday, I was able to extend the baptismal invitation to the family, but mainly looking at brother J, the head of the family.  They were all silent and I thought I was going to burst just waiting for their answer. I waited for the spirit to work on them for what I felt like was 5 minutes, but probably only 1. He finally looked up and said that he knows that this is the path his family needs to take. He said that if it was just up to him, he would get baptized tomorrow, but he asked if his family could take time to discuss it together.  He wants them to all stay united. I was caught between wanting them to all discuss it right then so it was all decided, and letting them have their time. The spirit helped be calm down and stop being so intense, and I followed the desire of Brother J. We invited them all to church the next day with the promise that they could learn God's will in His house of worship. I had kind of mixed feelings after the lesson. I was worried that maybe some of the family members were not on board, but I also couldn't deny the spirit that we all felt and the sincerity of brother. I just decided to have faith and trust in the Lord that in proper timing, everything would work out. Sunday morning I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting. I was planning on teaching about missionary work and an invitation to give referrals or something... but the thought of Tithing kept coming to mind and one of my personal experiences with tithing. I knew better than to stick to my original plan, so I just gave a talk based on this spiritual experience and it turned into a talk about the love of God and how we are obedient to the Lord, because we love Him. In return, we get to better feel His love too AND experience blessings. It was really neat to be able to be lead so clearly by the spirit.  It's one of those times that you know you are doing exactly what the Lord wants you to do. I was even able to learn from some of the things I said. That moment will be cherished. I felt the actual love from the Savior for ME. Of course I believe that the Savior loves everybody, and I teach and help people recognize it every day. But for some reason, it's harder to apply it to myself. I tend to be really hard on myself and only see my weaknesses and a lot of the time just feel completely inadequate. But as I testified of God love for them, I was also able to testify of Gods love for US. As I shared this, I felt His love for me too. Sometimes I just need to humble myself more to the point where I fully trust that He loves me. Even if nobody in the whole ward learned from my talk, I was able to learn a message for my lifetime. I sat down and listened to the other message. But I was still kind of sad that the Clarito family didn't come to church. Right after the closing prayer we walked out to the foyer to help people to their classes, when Brother J. and is 10 year old daughter walked into the Chapel!! I was so excited, I thought my heart was going to burst. Just one more manifestation of God's Love. Our bishop is once again amazing. He had an interview with Brother J. to help him get adjusted to the ward and welcome him as an investigator. He said he will bring his whole family next week, but they had work in Bacolod yesterday. He said he couldn't wait another week to go to the TRUE church, so he just came with his daughter. We are excited for the miracles brother J will be able to receive along with the entire Clarito Family. What amazing miracles are around us every day! 

I know that this is the True church from our Savior. I know that this is His plan for all of us to be happier and really feel His love. If we haven't yet gained a testimony, or even if our testimony is wavering about that love, we can always follow His invitation and ask through prayer. Each day as we read and pray, we should be able to feel of that love and share it to others! Don't stop following the savior, remember HE LOVES YOU! This is the way to be happy forever! Remember that I love you too! I pray about you a lot! Have a good week!

Love, Sister Ashley Smoot

Face book Pictures from Mission president Lopez this week 7-14-2014

Letter # 59 (July 6, 2014)

Hello Family!

This has been a crazy week. I got to start out by going to MLC: Missionary Leadership Council. There were really good trainings from President, the Assistants to the President, and from some of the Couple Missionaries. We also got really good food, as I'm sure you were able to see all over facebook :) Then we are able to train our zone from the trainings in MLC. I was a little nervous to give the training to Bacolod South zone because almost half of them have already been zone leaders or STLs, including Sister J Smoot. But when I got there, I was also surprised to see that the assistants also came to join our zone meeting.  But As soon as the meeting started there was a really strong spirit in the chapel, so the trainings went really well. Plus is was really neat to sit next to Sister Smoot. She is so mature and a spiritually powerful missionary. She seems so much older than me and wiser, so I'm grateful she's in the zone. She is also so happy, she just spreads her happiness to everyone! I love sister Smoot!

The whole week my companion was sick (different illness every day). So I spent the whole week figuring out our area with some of the sister ward missionaries here in Paglaum. It really helped me to grow relationships of trust with them and the members and we even got some really solid referrals from the ward members. It's a good thing I was able to connect with the ward this week and find all of the investigators and recent converts, because Sister De Castro was transferred this morning. I'm back with SISTER MADRONIO! We were together in Cadiz.  She is one of the sweetest companions I've had and I'm excited to be together with her again. We were only together for a couple weeks, so this time we get longer with each other as STL's. She will be so great and I'm excited for our work ahead. She's a really hard worker and loves being a missionary, obedient, and kind... so what else can a companion ask for. WE WILL SEE MIRACLES! No matter what problems are in a companionship, the spirit takes over as long as both companions work hard and love the Lord. Part of our assignment as sister training leaders is to have the highest key indicators out of all the sister while also going on exchanges with each companionship for one day every transfer. We get to help them with their area, but from what I've heard, we learn more than they do because the sisters in this mission are incredible. I'm excited to learn from them too!!! (Especially Sister Smoot). :)

My third day here in Paglaum, we found a family. They are the Clarito Family. I think I mentioned them last week. I was able to teach them again on Saturday. It's hard to find a time to teach them because they are all so busy and want to be taught together, but we will be able to teach them at least every Saturday. The father is very involved in the learning too, but they are all learning together. Sometimes in families, only one or two are interested and the rest are just "listnening," but I love this family, because they are all learning and involved and helping each other.  On Saturday, I was able to extend the baptismal invitation to the family, but mainly looking at brother J, the head of the family.  They were all silent and I thought I was going to burst just waiting for their answer. I waited for the spirit to work on them for what I felt like was 5 minutes, but probably only 1. He finally looked up and said that he knows that this is the path his family needs to take. He said that if it was just up to him, he would get baptized tomorrow, but he asked if his family could take time to discuss it together.  He wants them to all stay united. I was caught between wanting them to all discuss it right then so it was all decided, and letting them have their time. The spirit helped be calm down and stop being so intense, and I followed the desire of Brother J. We invited them all to church the next day with the promise that they could learn God's will in His house of worship. I had kind of mixed feelings after the lesson. I was worried that maybe some of the family members were not on board, but I also couldn't deny the spirit that we all felt and the sincerity of brother. I just decided to have faith and trust in the Lord that in proper timing, everything would work out. Sunday morning I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting. I was planning on teaching about missionary work and an invitation to give referrals or something... but the thought of Tithing kept coming to mind and one of my personal experiences with tithing. I knew better than to stick to my original plan, so I just gave a talk based on this spiritual experience and it turned into a talk about the love of God and how we are obedient to the Lord, because we love Him. In return, we get to better feel His love too AND experience blessings. It was really neat to be able to be lead so clearly by the spirit.  It's one of those times that you know you are doing exactly what the Lord wants you to do. I was even able to learn from some of the things I said. That moment will be cherished. I felt the actual love from the Savior for ME. Of course I believe that the Savior loves everybody, and I teach and help people recognize it every day. But for some reason, it's harder to apply it to myself. I tend to be really hard on myself and only see my weaknesses and a lot of the time just feel completely inadequate. But as I testified of God love for them, I was also able to testify of Gods love for US. As I shared this, I felt His love for me too. Sometimes I just need to humble myself more to the point where I fully trust that He loves me. Even if nobody in the whole ward learned from my talk, I was able to learn a message for my lifetime. I sat down and listened to the other message. But I was still kind of sad that the Clarito family didn't come to church. Right after the closing prayer we walked out to the foyer to help people to their classes, when Brother J. and is 10 year old daughter walked into the Chapel!! I was so excited, I thought my heart was going to burst. Just one more manifestation of God's Love. Our bishop is once again amazing. He had an interview with Brother J. to help him get adjusted to the ward and welcome him as an investigator. He said he will bring his whole family next week, but they had work in Bacolod yesterday. He said he couldn't wait another week to go to the TRUE church, so he just came with his daughter. We are excited for the miracles brother J will be able to receive along with the entire Clarito Family. What amazing miracles are around us every day! 

I know that this is the True church from our Savior. I know that this is His plan for all of us to be happier and really feel His love. If we haven't yet gained a testimony, or even if our testimony is wavering about that love, we can always follow His invitation and ask through prayer. Each day as we read and pray, we should be able to feel of that love and share it to others! Don't stop following the savior, remember HE LOVES YOU! This is the way to be happy forever! Remember that I love you too! I pray about you a lot! Have a good week!

Love, Sister Ashley Smoot

Letter # 58 (July 6, 2014) STL in Paglaum- Comp: sister DeCastro

This week I was asked to be a Sister Training Leader (STL) for Bacolod South Zone. Right now my area is Paglaum ward. "Paglaum" in english means "hope", so I have a lot of hope for this area.  Haha. 

My companion right now is sister De Castro. Do you remember the companion I had at the very first of my mission? Right after I finished my training, I had a companion for two days while we waited to train. The two hardest days in the mission. Well we are together again! :) I'm just smiling every day and praying for unity and the spirit. It's been helping a lot and we really can learn to love all people.  Actually my fasting was for our unity and for me to be able to have greater love for her. I know that if there are any issues it's a fault of both of us, so I am praying that I will be able to have greater charity and love for her. Right now our companionship is doing great. We are smiling every day, working hard and she's learning that I am obedient and I don't tolerate disobedience.  

I'm finding that the area book has not been updated for two months, all our investigators are young children, and the ward wants to help in the work so much. This really is a dream ward, and I can't wait until we can regain their respect and trust.  When I found out I was going to Paglaum, everyone around me was so jealous because this bishop is known mission-wide for being the most supportive and worthy bishop. And it is true. I've never been in such a spirit filled sacrament in the Philippines and when I walked into his office, I felt the spirit just wash over us. He really has been magnifying his calling and qualifying for the spirit. I am so lucky to be here in Paglaum.  A lot of the members here are actually returned missionaries, both male and female. So that makes the ward function a lot more smoothly.  I am so excited for the potential in our missionary efforts.  This really is a missionary's dream area and I'm already loving all the people here. It's one of those places that I know I was destined to visit. Everyone looks and feels like family and close friends and I feel the love of the savior every day for each of them. This is already one of my favorite areas, even though the work is kind of put-put right now. It will speed up soon... YES- this week :) 

Jenna and Ashley (ok this is the cutest picture ever of those girls!!)

I just found out that Sister Jenna Smoot (the best cousin ever in my mission :) ) is in our zone, so we will be able to go on exchanges. I'm excited to work with her too and learn from all her amazingness. She was an STL for so long and has trained multiple times, including right now. She is definitely one of the best missionaries here, and I'm so grateful we are now in the same zone!!! It will be a lot of fun! :) 

We met a family this week that is really neat! Clarito Family. There are six of them and they are all listening. We met the daughter out front of the house. She waved to us and said good afternoon. We started talking to her and she introduced us to her mother. The mom asked if we could come back another day because she wanted her whole family to listen. We scheduled a time and returned. When we got there, indeed the entire family was waiting for us. Mom, Dad, Three boys ages 18, 16, 8 and their daughter age 10. They were so sincere and sincerely just want to follow God. They want to continue to be close as a family. They really made an impression on my mind because most 18 year olds are just out smoking and drinking here and are not at all close to their families, but all of these boys are loving towards one another and even their mom. They really are a cute family and I am so lucky that I get to teach them and help them learn from the spirit. 
How did I get so lucky that I got to come here to PAGLAUM! It really is so full of HOPE. 

I love you!~

Sister Smoot