October 21, 2024


This week was awesome so full of stories and miracles! This week was very fun. We had an exchange with the Elders of Bourges. We had an incredible exchange, had three lessons and did a lot of finding. Bourges is kind of a middle of nowhere area but for some reason has the 5th biggest cathedral in France. Chartres Cathedral is the 4th biggest in France so now I can say I've been to the 4th and 5th biggest cathedral in France. The cathedrals here are so big that amongst missionaries they have the name "Great and spacious buildings" lol.

I also had an opportunity to do my first service project and it was to create and decorate a Labyrinth ! France does kind of celebrate Halloween but not really so I was really surprised when some members asked for help creating something for halloween. Sweet, but when we got there there was a man named Patrick who is roughly 5'0" tall and older. So I essentially became this man's "muscle monkey", picking up weights to keep these tents down and hanging drapes that he couldn't quite reach. He kept referring to me as "tarzan" which I thought was pretty funny. 

On a more spiritual note I was able to give my first baptismal invite to our friend Stacy! Absolutely incredible experience! She accepted and has a date set for November 30th, I can't wait.

I have had the opportunity to read in the bible with one of our friends, mainly because she really just likes reading the bible with us. I made a connection: 
John 10: 15-16 

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd

This is my new go to scripture. I love showing this scripture to new friends because Christ is telling us that other people all over the earth like the people in ancient America. I love being able to connect the bible to the book of Mormon and there are a lot of connections. These connections reaffirm my faith that this church is the true church of christ.

Sincerely,
Elder Smith


Me and Elder Stone on exchanges in Bourges


Elder Wilsted with a chicken

Chartres in Lights is so cool

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