MARCH MADNESS

¡Hola!

I hope everyone is having an awesome week, and had some "luck of the
Irish" yesterday! I feel like March truly is becoming "madness" well
maybe not entirely but some pretty crazy things have happened and it
is definitely flying by!

Today we had the amazing opportunity to go to the temple. I didn't get
to go last cycle since Sister Hoyos was leaving...and I was really
missing it! I know I am so blessed to have the opportunity to go while
I am serving a mission, it makes such a difference in my daily life.
It helps bring back the peace and spirit, balances everything the way
it needs to be. It's incredible how just a few hours in the house of
the Lord can make such a difference!

Well I'll give you all an update on Jose first off today. Last
Wednesday we tried to bring Bishop to a lesson with him, but it didn't
end up working so we talked with Nellie (the less active we were
visiting when we first found Jose) instead. But yesterday we got to
see both of them! Jose brought up a lot of the concerns he has and we
were able to bear strong testimony that seemed to actually get through
to him more than knowledge can. I can see so much progress in Jose's
future! We may have offended Nellie in the process...since he's
started to take over her visits. So hopefully we can go visit her
separately and it all works out. All these people have such a deep
place in my heart and I just want them all to feel my love for them!!
                                                 

So a few funny stories. So for some reason this week has been crazy
windy! (definitely not a warm wind either) but the other day we were
heading out for the morning, waiting to cross the street and this hat
goes flying out into the road. Next thing we know this adorable
Chinese man is running out to pick it up. After he picks it up and
puts it back on his head, he turns to us and chuckles. Not just any
chuckle I swear it was the exact laugh from princess diaries...like
when then fruit falls from ceiling? Too hilarious. Me and sister
McAlister were dying. Also last Wednesday we were going into this
store called "Lot-less" and right as we walk in the security guard is
like "MORMONS" and runs over to us grabs us on the shoulders all
excitedly. He proceeds to tell us how he went to our church in
Chicago, and has had elders at his house in the Bronx. Then as we're
leaving he's like, "say hi to Joseph smith for me, bye Mormons, come
back soon Mormons!" So funny. Gotta love the people of New York!

We've been able to meet with a lot of members, and find a few more
people from our teaching pool. We've definitely been keeping crazy
busy...especially since combined with a full schedule there has been
so many meetings lately! We had zone conference on Friday which we got
our brand new iPads at...AND they introduced the Easter Initiative.
Wow. The video they made is SO POWERFUL. I'm so excited for it to
launch on the 28th! You all definitely need to check it out, they've
made a website (helives.mormon.org) that's going to continue until
December. There is so many exciting things! Just getting back to the
heart of our message, Coming unto Christ!

There was definitely a lot more that happened this week...the madness
that comes with March haha. But one other incredible thing that
happened this week was STAKE CONFERENCE. Haha But seriously I love
meetings they always give us the boost we need. We had 2 general
authorities come and they talked a lot about the integration of
missionaries to the ward. It's so vital that the missionary work is
part of the ward! It was just a really good spiritually filled
weekend.

Well I love you guys so much! I hope everyone has an amazing week!!

Con Amor,
Hermana Smart