It is amazing to be able to see the part the Lord let me play in the salvation of His children!

What’s up!?

There is news on my change actually, but I don’t work with the changes, only the assistants and president do that. But we had breakfast with President this morning and he pulled me aside to let me know about my new assignment. I am going to the area of Carchá, out in Coban. It is close to Tanchi and part of the same district. The assignment that President has given me is going to be quite challenging and I could really use your prayers. I will definitely have to learn a lot more patience and be able to be a good leader and make good decisions. I hope and pray to be able to fulfill the assignment that the Lord has given me.

More news. I have always said that I haven’t seen to much success on my mission. But it was a lie. Being in the office has allowed me to see why. I have been putting in some baptismal records when I noticed a few names and addresses. Throughout my mission I have found and taught many people! Out of the areas I have been in, besides the baptisms I was there for, I found out that 10 people that I found with my companions have been baptized! 1 in Atlántida (José), 1 in Sayaxché (Esperanza), 3 from Santo Domingo (Ronaldo Arturo, his wife Maria, and their daughter Vilma...they moved to Teleman and were just baptized by Elder Howard), 4 from Tucurú (Noé, and his family), and 1 from Tanchi (Bernardo, a really old man Laínez and I found). With each one of these people I had a part in finding them, and teaching them. It is amazing to look back and to be able to see the part the Lord let me play in the salvation of His children!

PACAS PACAS PACAS! They are the best ever! I haven’t really found very good dress clothes in them, but they sure do have the best ties! That's where all the sweet, fat polyesters come from that numerous elders have! Pacas get there clothes from the states. They buy big things of clothes, called pacas, from the states, it gets shipped down here and things are sold super cheap. Such as Ecco shoes for a good 100 quetz. That is like 15 bucks!! And not to mention sweet ties for 3 quetz, yes that is less than 50 cents! It is super nice! Paca shopping is the way to go! Haha

Yeah the sinkhole here is right in our area, it’s all fenced off, but what they did was just fill the hole with a huge load of cement. So it will be fenced off until it dries I guess. It is super crazy though! It blocks off some streets that would be convenient to get to places, but it is all good.

We did get your email reply for my travel plans home! We are trying to get things done way in advance now because we are having trouble with the group that goes home in November, so I hope that gets fixed while I am gone out of the office. We didn't really do anything when I hit 18 months, it just kind of came and left. But it was a good day!

Sé que el Señor vive y nos ama. Sé que esta Iglesia es la única iglesia verdadera sobre la faz de la tierra y sé que si nos esforzamos al hacer lo bueno cada día podemos ver milagros grandes en nuestras vidas. Yo comparto esto en el nombre de Jesucristo, nuestro Salvador. Amén.
Ninnaw naq li Qaawa' nokoxra. Nannaw naq li Ikless a'in a'an li junaj chi tz'aqal iklees sa' xb'een li ruchich'och' ut ninnaw naq wi taqayal qaq'e chixb'aanunkil li us wulaj wulaj tqil nab'aleb' li sachb'a-ch'oolej sa' li qayu'am. Ninye li waatin a'in sa' xk'ab'a' li Kriist, aj Kolol qe. Amen.

That about wraps it up for this week! I hope you all have a good week! Love you all!
Stay Strong.
Keep the Faith.
Love Elder Jordan Smith

Loving life working in the mission office

Hey there everyone!
I hope you all have fun up in Sundance this weekend! I really do miss the mountains. Not just at home but also in Polochik. But right now I have come to the conclusion that I really wouldn’t mind staying here in the Office until I finish my mission. I am worried that if I go back to an area in the Chik I could get sick again and not have medicine. So I think I would really like to stay here!

I thought of another thing that you could send me since you are sending me a package for my birthday. I would really like another long sleeve shirt. One that has a button collar. I like the look of those a lot better and they are more comfortable. Could you do that for me?

That’s crazy to think that you scheduled a dentist appt for me already! Its nuts how fast the time has flown. I read a talk that was titled, “When Your Best Two Years Are Over.” It said that missionaries need to be excited to go home when their time is up. Also that our best 2 years should be on our missions up to that point in our life, and after our mission is over, that every year should be the best year of our lives. So right now I am excited to finish out my mission with all that I got and then to go home and see what the future has in store for me.

It’s not that I get fed by members so often, it’s just that I am a lot less hungry. I don’t really work very hard physically anymore so my body really doesn’t need that food energy. I don’t know, it’s weird, I am just never hungry at night. And I don’t eat weird things anymore.....its all just normal compared to things before.

Yeah it is true that I spend a lot more money being here in the cap. We don’t get too much monthly (which might change soon) so I really have to use a lot more personal money. But next month it should be better. We are trying to get more money for the missionaries here. We only get 1400 quetzales a month. The other missions here get 2000. So Hna. Watts is trying to get us the same as everyone else. We shall see when that happens. Until then, yeah I do use more personal money.

Well there isn’t really anything exciting or cool that happened this week. Just one thing that happened when we picked up materials. We had ordered tons of pamphlets and things like that. We got almost all the pamphlets we ordered but on top of that, the Distribution Center sent us one of every single item they have for some reason. Including English materials and missionary plaques with no names on them! It was super weird and confusing! Who knows what we are going to do with all that stuff!

Oh and I finally got your package that you sent back in May! With the Liahona, all those pictures, and that super sick tie! I don’t know what happened, but I got it! Ha and that tie is polyester even though you thought it wasn’t. So that was a big bonus! Silk ties just don’t hold up as well...But thank you so much! Loved it!

The Assistants were gone all week doing interviews and zone conferences in Cobán and Polochik. It was weird to have them gone for such a long time. Next week they are flying up to Petén for their interviews and zone conference.

Just a quick update on Fam. Vega. They are so fantastic. It’s hard to see that they have such a long way to go before they can get baptized since they have to be divorced and married. But this last week we went to teach them and they were studying the manuals of the church while reading their scriptures. They have the New Testament, Old Testament, and Doctrine and Covenants study manuals and they go through them as they study the scriptures. They said that they are doing it so that when they become active members of the church they will be able to fulfill their callings and things like that! It blew me away!!! They got all those books from a member that the wife works with. I really hope they can get everything done quickly so they can have that desire be met!

Well that wraps it up for this week! I hope you have a fantastic week!
Stay Strong.
Keep the Faith.
Love Elder Jordan Smith

I am grateful for the trials I have had.

Reunited again with Elder Howard during Zone Leader Conference

Office Elders and Assistants with President Watts

HEY!
That mission scrapbook you’re working on sounds so sweet! Thanks for doing that!

I got that little package with all those pictures and I got Jake’s letter, but not Aunt Wendy’s yet. And who knows about that liahona package. I haven’t seen a trace about that. I will try and figure it out though, since I work for that part of the mission! The only things I would really love in my birthday package are some nice polyester ties. That is pretty much about it! I have my store of Peanut Butter to last until I go home so I think I am good! So pretty much just that. Thank you so much. You rock!

Through all the rough times I have been through with my health and things like that I really have seen the mission differently. I thought I was dedicated before, but now I am even more so. I am able to see the hand of the Lord more often and I have been able to understand more of my specific purpose as a missionary. I haven’t seen the most success on my mission. But I know if it had been any different, I wouldn’t be how the Lord wants me to be. I am grateful for the trials I have had. They have helped me become a better person. I still have lots of things to work on, but I have improved, that is for sure....

The families we are teaching are good....I guess. Fam. Pineda doesn’t really want to listen to us anymore, and they had a fecha! I don’t know what happened. Fam. Gil we are teaching finally tonight. They have been busy all week so we shall see how it goes! But they said that they talked about getting married, so we shall see! The wife really wants to be baptized. So it looks really good with them. The other families both need to have divorces done with previous spouses and then married again. They are still coming to church, but they aren’t really progressing because of that challenge that they have. But it is looking good. Hopefully we will be able to baptize Fam. Gil in a couple weeks!! But rumors are that I am leaving the office next change. So I hope I get to at least stay to see them be baptized. That has happened quite often though. 3 people have been baptized that I have found, and then left the area. So we shall see what happens in this case.

Today for p day we played basketball for like 3 hours! In an indoor gym! The only indoor gym in our mission! And it’s in our zone. Elder Toolson and some other missionaries came too. We played from 6 am to 7 am with them and then just the office elders and APs until 9:30 am because it’s our Pday! Crazy huh! It was super fun, but now my legs are tired, but so worth it though! And I picked up my suit today finally too! Its ballin!!!

I forgot one thing. A lesson we had last night, I just have to tell you about. We had planned to teach Pilar, an investigator that had a fecha and we are trying to put it back with her. We taught her at the bishop’s house along with her sister and her brother in law, the mission leader. We planned well for the lesson and we felt really prepared and ready to go. We got there and everything was going good, besides the fact that the mission leader's little girl wasn’t feeling very well. We were teaching, all fine and dandy, the little girl had practically fallen asleep. She was on a couch and I was on a chair next to that couch. Next thing I know, she is projectile vomiting all over me. It was fantastic. After that was all cleaned up, kinda, we continued onward! We had everyone bear their testimonies. The bishop gave one of the strongest testimonies I have ever heard. It was so powerful and the Spirit was so strong. So we asked her to be baptized on the 20th of August as she had accepted before, but then didnt want too. She said....no. It was hard. We still don’t really understand why. She knows the church is true, she just says she isn’t ready. We had planned and worked so hard. But nothing more could have gone wrong and at the same time nothing more could have gone right in that lesson. Hopefully she will accept another fecha in the near future.
Well guys I love you and I hope you have a great next week!
Stay Strong
Keep the Faith
Love Elder Jordan Smith

Only 6 more to go!

By Leslie Smith:
One year ago Elders Winkel, Bronson, and Smith took this picture to celebrate their 6 month mark. Today they all celebrate only 6 more months to go! Also celebrating this milestone in the mission today are Elders McPhee, Lusty, Hatch, Morrow, Dixon, and Fadel! I'm so thankful for these fine young men who have all been great friends and examples to my son. Can't wait for the Party At The Airport with their families 6 months from now!!!

For the first time in my mission I am teaching a family that is already married!

Honestly I think that my improved health has been a little bit of both medication and time. The medicine has helped reduce the pain so that over this time I have been able to actually improve. It’s super great! I am supposed to call the doctor again this week to see what I do after the medicine is gone in a couple more weeks.

I am pretty sure that the Buenos Aires North Mission is where Elder Saavedra lives. That is super cool that Carlos and Jason served there because he tells me about Argentina all the time.

That is so crazy that Sidney got baptized today, that just blows my mind. She can’t be old enough for that yet! Tell her congrats for me ok?!

Ooh I can’t wait for those BYU Football updates. I am super excited for the season and I am not even home! Haha! It’s funny, but nothing really makes me baggy (homesick). I know I am here for a purpose and will work hard until my time is up. I really hope to be able to be here in the office one more change to be able to baptize a family. It would be so joyous! Then I can go back to the Chik. Those mountains are calling my name every day! I am Polochik baggy!

That’s sick about Jake making the golf team and being co-captain this year! He is gonna grab that scholarship for sure if he doesn’t let some big 5A players to get to his head.

YES! We played basketball for about 2 hours today!!! And we play basketball every other day too because we have a small little court behind our house. It is so much fun!!! I love it so much! To be able to get out there and compete a bit, ya know! It keeps me alive!!

Yeah I like being in the office. It’s been good so far. I have spent most of my time fixing a lot of the organization, making things look better...such as the change cards that we have and a memory book that we give to the elders going home. They were just all over the place. So I put them in alphabetical order and made them all the same. They were all different shapes, with different fonts and things, it was annoying. But it’s all fixed now. Then I also helped with some spelling and grammar with some of the Q'eqchi' materials that we have. I had already fixed it in my own copy, so I just looked at my copy and made the appropriate changes on the computer file. So it has been great! The hardest for me right now is one of my companions. He really tries the small amount of patience that I have. I talked about it with President during interviews this past week, it really helped. I already knew what I needed to do, but he helped get it farther into my system. I know that this situation will really help my patience grow, if I allow it to. It’s been difficult, but it is getting better every day. So it will all be ok in the end. The Lord wants me to grow, I just have to commit myself more to His will and to what He wants me to be.

I looked a little bit today for that camera cord dealy. I can buy one just fine; it will just cost about 200 quetz.... I would say that that is about 25 bucks, so it’s not too much. I will buy one soon and send more pictures.

We are teaching numerous families right now so we have a high possibility for us to baptize that chosen one. We are teaching Fam. Vega, Fam. Aviche, Fam. Gil, and Fam. Pineda! It’s great, but hard at the same time. Fam. Pineda accepted a fecha this week!!! So sweet!!! The problem with Vega and Aviche is that they both need to get divorced and married, and Fam. Gil needs to get married. However, Fam. Pineda IS MARRIED!!! For the first time in my mission I am teaching a family that is already married! SO GREAT! Their problem is that it is really hard for them to make it to church, so we are working with them on that, but they are planned to be baptized on the 3 of Sept. And then Pilar is the sister in law of our Mission Leader - her fecha is not this Saturday, but the next. She is really great and has a big desire to be baptized. She is about 19 years old. She went with the young men and young women to the temple the other day. It’s really great, because she knew she couldn't enter, but she wanted to go to be with the jovenes and be able to feel the spirit of how it is right outside of the House of the Lord. Super amazing! This area is great! It’s hard because we don’t get as much time in the area as I am used to, but we are finding success, so it is so amazing!

WOW, I wrote a lot this week. Ha are you happy mom? Haha. I love you all and I hope you have a good week!
Stay Strong
Keep the Faith
Love Elder Jordan Smith

I was scared out of my mind

Què hòndas don pingüiino??
I am doing quite well actually! Last week I was only in pain for a few minutes every day. This week, even less! So I am improving! Maybe I will be able to be sent back out to the Chik again sometime soon. At least I hope so anyways.

I kind of did a division with Elder Mays....It was a while ago when I was still really sick. I pretty much just stayed in the house with his companion in the morning and then with him in the afternoon. That was about the extent of that 'division' though.

Ha that's sweet about Jake. It is a little different from what I did with licorice when I went to EFY. We had a good red vine war though! Haha. (Jake stuck licorice in the peep hole so they wouldn't see that their lights were on after hours so they could have extra time to study the scriptures and write in their journals). How many people did he meet that were from outside of the U.S.? That’s super crazy! Everyone in my group was pretty much all from Utah when I went. I even saw some of them at college. At least there is facebook now right? So he can at least stay touch in some way.

That's really neat that Bro. Lemmon said that about me. I don’t feel that way. I don’t know, I just feel like I am doing what I am supposed to do. I love it out here. Yeah I have had a lot of hard times, but the Sons of Mosiah had it worse. I am just happy to be out here and not having to come home early like I almost had to do. Hey what mission in Argentina did Michael go to again? One of the office elders is from there....

To answer a couple of your questions:
1. My companions are good. We are really just one big companionship. I get along with them good but we really don’t have anything in common. I have a lot more things in common with the AP's so that is super fun. But we all get along and it’s all fun and dandy.
2. Marti is in Zona 2 and it is about 35 minutes from the office by taxi in the morning.
3. Yeah we go to district meetings, but I still don’t know about zone conferences though. We are normal missionaries, we just work in the office.

Familia Gil has kinda stalled and they don’t show too many signs of progression. Luckily, we are teaching some other great people! We are teaching 2 other families, Familia Aviche and Familia Vega. They are AWESOME! Honestly I have never had investigators like there are here in this area. THEY KNOW HOW TO READ! THEY UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS THAT WE TEACH! It’s crazy! We put a fecha with the Familia Vega. They are just so sweet! And then Familia Aviche is super close to a fecha as well. We will probably be able to put it next week! And we are also teaching the sister in law of our mission leader....which is another thing.....MY FIRST MISSION LEADER! She also accepted a fecha!!! We are planning to have those baptisms all in August!!! I haven’t had a fecha since JANUARY! So it is a really good feeling to be able to finally find some success!!!!!

I have only driven once so far. But let me tell you. . . It was so sick!! It is just like riding a bike. It wasn’t scary really at all. Ok that’s a lie----- I was scared out of my mind for like 5 minutes! But after that, it was super sweet and tranquilo! I loved it! Can't wait til I get to drive again!!

In the office we pick up the mail, we send the mail, we prepare stuff for changes and I have been busy correcting some spelling mistakes in some pamphlets and the Grammar Book in Q'eqchi'. Just random stuff like that. It really isn’t that exciting, but it’s good.

There are a few reasons why I haven’t sent pictures...1) I haven’t taken any because there isn’t anything to take pictures of. 2) I lost my camera cord, so I can’t upload anything to the computer. I will take some pics of the office and the house I guess. But other than that, there really isn’t too much to take pictures of! And since we really only work in the area at night, I can’t really take pictures because I don’t feel like getting my camera jacked! Ha which reminds me....A drunk guy tried to rob my comp the other night. It was kinda funny. But that resulted in the drunk guy just looking dumb and walking away with nothing. Good times in the capital!

The work is going well, even though there is only short amounts of it. And I am feeling better! I love you guys and I hope you all have a fantastic week! Talk to you all later!
Stay Strong.
Keep the Faith.
Love Elder Jordan Smith

I can’t short change the Lord

Hey you all! What’s up?!
I actually have been feeling a lot better. I have only had about 15 - 20 minutes of pain every day, but it’s honestly not that bad and I have been able to work in my area too! Yay! I know the Lord has blessed me so much to be able to have the strength to be able to continue in this great work. Honestly it was really a tough decision to keep going after having been given the opportunity to go home after having so much time out here already and feeling so crappy everyday. But I can’t short change the Lord on this great work of His. I have to give all that I have until the end of the time that He has provided for me!!

I am actually in a trio companionship right now with Elder Caleb Francks, from Mt. Pleasant Utah he has 16 months and E. John Hogan he is from Vegas and has 1 year. We are the Mission Office secretaries that do everything except the finances. The Finance Office Elders are Elder Saavedra from Argentina and Elder Casey Spilker from St. George. They almost have a year. Elder Davis (One of the AP’s) has been out for 22 months I think. He goes home in October. He has been one of my good friends for awhile. He was in my zone when I first started out the mission. He is from Heber City.

My house now is WAY too nice. There are couches (weird), there is a water heater (super weird), and an oven (weirdest). IT’S CRAZY! The ward is sweet. There are a lot of people that can speak English. It is different than I am used to but it is good.

Nope, I never got the Ensign package...But I can’t wait for the other one to come! I will get it super fast now that I am the one who picks up the mail!

I have learned so much already from President Watts. Mainly to be genuine with people. He is super great and you can really feel the love he has for all of us. I love Everything about Hermana Watts. She is amazing.

Well being in the office I get like no time at all to study...But something great did happen today! WE WENT TO THE TEMPLE! I haven't been to the temple in 13 months!! It was so fantastic to feel that peace that the temple brings into us. And I also listened to it in Q'eqchi' which was super cool!! I really realized some different things listening to it in that language.

That’s super crazy about Allison getting the lead at the dance workshop in Florida. Ha she was just a little spaz when I left! But I guess she is quite good now! That is so great for her!!!

I have been trying to eat really healthy. I have been here for about a month now and haven’t gained a pound yet. I am just not as tan haha. But I try and eat salads and things like that too. I am also working out harder because we have weights and stuff so hopefully it will be alright and I won’t get all fat and what not from sitting in the office most of the day.

Everything is going good so far. My area consists of a regular ward again. My Spanish is better than I thought. I think I have forgotten some words, but my grammar is a little better. My Q'eqchi' will probably slowly get worse and worse, but I think I will always be able to remember some things and also the great experiences that I had and the things I learned while studying that great language. We are teaching this great family, Fam. Gil. They really have a desire to be baptized. The problem is (like pretty much everyone here) is that they are not married. And they are not sure about it. They at first thought they could be baptized without a marriage. So now they are just going to figure things out and let us know. They have been to church numerous times as well. So we are super close!! Just a little more praying and a little more work! We have some great possibilities coming our way. I think that I will finally see some success out here! :)

Well I think that is about it for this week! I love you all and hope for the best! Have a fabulous week!
Stay Strong
Keep the Faith
Love Elder Jordan Smith

I am now an office elder

Heylo!
First off, Happy Birthday this week pops!! You will be 43! You old fart you! Haha jk I love you.

Well here I am writing on Saturday. A little bit of a change than writing on Mondays but it looks like I am going to have to get used to it...hint hint... I am now an office elder...kind of. Changes haven't officially happened but I am going to be here in the office as a Pouchero/Secretary. So my emails for the next long time will be on Saturdays! My area is called Martí. I will definitely be missing Polochik and speaking Q'eqchi' and being amongst those humble people. But I know the Lord has something in store for me here. I honestly felt from the start of my mission that I was to come into the office. When I was sent to Polochik I was really kind of confused. And now that I am here, I know that my mission has been how the Lord has wanted it all along!

I didn’t get the prescription earlier because I wanted to see if I could handle it or if it would slowly start going away by itself. But that didn’t really work out too well...But yesterday I finally got the prescription because I haven’t been able to get a hold of the doctor. So I am going to pick it all up today and we shall see how it goes. It hasn’t been too bad the last couple days, but some days are worse than others. But I think the medicine will help me get back to normall!

This morning started out as a good P day. We went to the mission home with President and Hna. Watts. It was sooo good! Just a nice classic American breakfast! WITH REAL MILK! It has been such a long time since I have had something besides powdered milk! It was delicious! Elder Davis and I just attacked that thing and finished all the milk between us. It was soo good! Ha the food was really good too. I could get used to being in the office ;) I really love President and Hna. Watts they are just so fantastic and loving!

I am glad you were able to talk to Elder Rodriguez! He was a great companion and I really love that guy!

What is Jake shooting these days? That’s really cool how great they are doing. If they can’t take state they will make it to the tourney and do well. That will definitely get some colleges to look at him. I am pretty dang sure that that kid will be golfing in college. That sounds good for Lehi football. What classification is Copper Hills? Even if they can win a few games this year it will be way better than before. What is the new coach's name and where did he coach before? I am really thinking of trying to be an assistant coach for Lehi the season after I get home. I think it would just be super fun. I just don’t know how I could balance school with that. And if it would pay me enough and stuff like that. But I really do have a desire to do some coaching...what do you think?

I hope you all have fun watching Harry Potter without me. You are soo lucky. I saw a billboard for that last movie just the other day! I want to see it soo bad. But I will see it in just a little bit less than 7 months so it will be all ok!

I hope you all have a great rest of the week as well! I will talk to you all next week! I am sorry in advance if my emails get boring. There just won’t be as many crazy stories and stuff like that, but I will do what I can! I love you all! Have a good one!

Stay Strong
Keep the Faith
Love Elder Jordan Smith

I am eternally grateful to our Father in Heaven for giving me the opportunity to serve amongst the Q'eqchi' people

Hey folks!
Well this week wasn’t the best week. It was really rough trying to get out to work. That was kinda frustrating, but other than that, it went well. I am super glad to have been able to go back to Tanchi and see those people for the last time and to maybe speak their language for one of the last times. One member I will never forget. His name is Hno. Erik. He is just amazing. He has helped us as missionaries in those few days I was actually in the area more than any other member has throughout my whole mission. He is just always willing to help and just a great loveable man who always wants to do what is right. He is super funny too. Ha when I got back he asked the name of my sickness. ''K'a'ru xk'ab'a' laa yajel?'' I said I didnt know. ''Ink'a' ninnaw k'a'ru xk'ab'a'.'' then he said ''BASURA xk'ab'a' laa yajel.'' Haha it was just really goofy how he said. Something I will never forget. Those people are just so humble and fantastic. His family prepared a caldo just for me since I was leaving. They really don’t have that much, so I am forever grateful to them. Hno. Erik cried when I left his humble home. I was only there for a short time...It just amazes me. I am eternally grateful to our Father in Heaven for giving me the opportunity to serve amongst the Q'eqchi' people.

At church this past week, in sunday school we were talking about the atonement and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The teacher called in a little girl from the primary to tell the class why Christ died and suffered for us. It was a super powerful testimony. I will never forget that moment. Her little voice in Q'eqchi' was just so cute and her words were one of the strongest testimonies of our Savior I have heard in a long time. It was truly amazing.

Those pictures from Tank Warz are super sweet! Ha I can’t believe that Jake beat Brian. I hope Jake gives him crap for that for awhile. And just so everyone knows, I am taking that trophy next year. I am going to come up with some crazy design to put together to just own everybody next year!! I have got some ideas already. I can’t wait to have the best 4th of July ever when I am home next year!!

I haven’t taken any medication yet. I wanted to see how I could do without it all. But I think I will start it up soon since it hasn’t really proved too well without it. I will have to call the doctor tomorrow since I get back to the capital tonight to get that all taken care of. Because I don’t have the prescription....So we shall see what happens and if it helps. If it doesn’t help, it looks like we have another problem on our hands. But it should all turn out great. It’s just more annoying than anything to know that I won’t be able to be without pain for a long time. I am kind of getting sick of having a headache and being all nauseas (who knows how to spell that) all the time. Hopefully it will go away once I start the medication. I took stuff for parasites 4 months ago. I can’t for another 2 or 3 months. Plus I think they would have found parasites through all those tests. Especially the endoscopy colonoscopy deal. There is nothing organic about this sickness..Regarding disease or parasites...That is what all the tests were able to find out. Definitely in the Lords hands. President said he is praying to be able to find out the best assignment for me to have.

That’s super crazy that you guys went to Pres and Hna Torres' homecoming and saw all those returned missionaries. It blows my mind how fast the time goes! Elder Smith had just hit a year when he was with me. Super nuts! If you ever see Burden again tell him I love him! And I really hope and pray that Fast will be able to be alright quickly as well. Yeah Pres. Torres always talked like that here in the mission (switching between English and Spanish). That’s super funny that he kept it up during his homecoming talk. He is the man! They are great people. I’m happy to have been able to have served under their guidance and direction. And I just love Hna. Torres!! She really did truly love us. I will never forget either of them!

Well I wish I had a ton more stories to tell you all but that is it! I will be heading back down to the capital today in a couple hours and I will get there tonight. After that, well, all is up to the Lord to see where He wants to place me. Chances are that I go to the office, but I could be somewhere else as well. We'll see what happens. If I do go to the office, my P-days will be on Saturday, just a heads up. Well I love you all and I hope you have a fantastic week!
Stay Strong
Keep the Faith
Love Elder Jordan Smith

Nannaw naq li Kriist kixtoj rix li qamaak sa' li Awiimq Jetsemani re naq ink'a' tawanq li raylal ut li ch'a'ajkilal sa' li qayu'am. Nannaw naq a'an aj Kolol qe ut rik'in qapaab'ankil chiru, naru taqanumta rajlal ch'a'ajkilal li wanq qik'in. Osob'tesinb'ilo xmaak naq wan li k'uub'anb'il na'leb re li kolb'a-ib' ut li qanawom chirixeb' li k'a'aq re ru tento taqab'aanu re naq toosutq'iiq rik'in li Yos chirix li yu'am a'in xb'aan li ruxtaana li Jesukristo. Ninye li waatin a'in sa' xk'ab'a' li Jesukristo, aj Kolol qe. Amen
A big thank you to Elder Shawn Turek (returned June 2011) who emailed me this translation: "I know that Christ atoned for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane so that there isn't pain and difficulty in our lives. I know that He is our Savior and if we believe in Him, we can overcome all of our difficulties. We are blessed because of the Plan of Salvation and our knowledge of the things that we must do to return with God after this life thanks to the grace of Jesus Christ. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, amen."
It is a little awkward-sounding being translated into English, but I hope that helped!

A diagnosis finally!!!

By Leslie Smith (Mom):
We got a call from Elder Smith last night telling us the news that his doctor has finally been able to figure out what he has. It's called Functioning Abdominal Pain Syndrome. It's basically a neurological disorder that causes the nerves to malfunction and send pain signals to the brain, even though there is nothing physically causing the pain. It also causes headaches, nausea and fatigue.....every symptom that Jordan has had. It's not affected by eating certain foods, does not respond to pain medications and causes no problems with digestion, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation none of which he has had. Activity such as walking can exaggerate the pain as well.

Jordan has had a really good relationship with his dr. He feels he has been very extensive in his exams and evaluating his test results. The dr. was trained in the United States and has worked very hard to research and diagnose Jordan's condition. It is found mostly in children following a traumatic event, but adults can get it from extreme stress, change of culture, etc. It may have been building up for the last 17 months or it may have been triggered recently during some stressful times that he experienced about a month ago. Sometimes when a person is put in a different environment and adapting to a new situation they may not even feel the stress but the mind does and the body reacts.

The doctor's recommendation is that Jordan go home to a more relaxed life and society. He admits that life in Guatemala, no matter how good the situation, is really hard. He feels that if Jordan went home, he would feel perfectly fine in a day or two. However, Jordan and President Watts have felt prompted for him to continue forward with his mission. The doctor has perscribed some medication that has been approved by the president. Jordan will be under their care and guidance to do what he needs to do to manage this and hopefully overcome it altogether while still in Guatemala.

Today he will get to accompany President Watts, his wife, and the assistants up to his previously assigned zone in Coban. President will be meeting all of those missionaries and having a personal interview with them. Jordan has had the privilege of having several great personal discussions with the president. He loves and respects President Watts very much already. He has felt the spirit testify of this man's divine calling and power and has complete faith that the Lord's will will be carried out through the president's direction. President Watts has decided that Jordan will go back to his original assigned area in Tanchi to finish out the last week and a half of this change. New assignments will be given out for the whole mission on the 18th. Until then, President Watts will be praying for inspiration as to the best place for Jordan's needs as well as for the right place for him to be able to accomplish what the Lord needs from him. It may be in the mission office or it may be back in Jordan's beloved mountains of Polochic. As his parents, we have complete faith that the Lord is directing Jordan's life right now and that wherever he goes, it will be right for him.

Brendan, Jordan, and I have received countless thoughts, impressions, and dreams regarding this whole situation. The Lord works in mysterious ways. His wisdom is beyond anything we can even comprehend. As we have acted upon inspiration, we have all received answers. It's going to be ok.

We know that this isn't going to go away tomorrow. It's going to take some time and a lot more prayers. Jordan will get better, but it will be a painful process. He is willing to do what it takes to get through it and complete his mission. As we hung up, he said, "Well, I hope I won't have to talk to you guys now until Christmas, right?" Right!!! We loved hearing his voice and feeling of his missionary spirit, but are looking foward to his full recovery and return to missionary work in the sacred lands of Guatemala. We feel such peace and thank all of our family and friends and even strangers for your prayers, thoughts, and fasting. Jordan's little cousins fasted all day for him as they drove across the country to come to Utah for vacation. Heavenly Father has been very good to us and has answered our pleas. We are so grateful that it isn't something life threatening and even more grateful for the faith and determination of our missionary. I know the Lord will bless him forever for his efforts and sacrifice. What a blessing it is to have the knowledge of prayer and the gift of the scriptures. They have been our rock through this whole trial. We have come to rely on our Savior's Atonement more than ever and have received so much peace from applying it's principles.

We know that the Lord needs our son, and all of his missionaries, to carry on His word and His gospel to others so that they too may have the comfort and blessings we are fortunate to have in our lives. So as Elder Smith always asks us to do.....we will go forward, "Stay Strong," and "Keep the Faith."

Inspiration from the scriptures

Hey there all of you!
Yes, it has been mentally hard not to be able to do the work that I was assigned to do. My pain has gotten worse since they did the procedures last Thursday, but it is much much better than last Friday night when it was the worse ever. I will do whatever I can to stay out here. But I will always stay honest to the doctors and everybody to be able to figure out what is going wrong. Right now the pain isn’t too bad, it was worse when I woke up. Sleeping on my side isn’t a very good idea...But that is kind of how it has been. Some days I have low amounts of pain, others I have a lot more. It’s weird to me. Yes they did both an endoscopy and a colonoscopy and found nothing....My next appointment with the doctor is on Tuesday, July 5th. I will tell him about getting a....tomografía....if nothing appears after that we will see what happens. I know everything will be alright and that the Lord's will shall be done. It is just going to take a little bit more time. Hopefully not too much longer though. It has been nearly a month now since I have been sick! But hopefully we can get it figured out here, if not...well it’s in the Lord's hands

Those are pretty amazing stories that you told me about those sicknesses and recoveries happening. I am definitely growing closer to the Lord and realizing many different things about my life and things like that. This week I was prompted a couple specific times to open my scriptures. I have been praying a lot to know the will of the Lord for me and what I must do. The scripture I turned to was Alma 20. As I read, these verses stood out to me.

14Now the father of Lamoni commanded him that he should slay Ammon with the sword. And he also commanded him that he should not go to the land of Middoni, but that he should return with him to the land of Ishmael.

15But Lamoni said unto him: I will not slay Ammon, neither will I return to the land of Ishmael, but I go to the land of Middoni that I may release the brethren of Ammon, for I know that they are just men and holy prophets of the true God.

What I got from that is that Satan has been tempting me to give up and putting desires in my heart to just simply go home. But this scripture helped me understand that I cannot go home, unless the circumstances require. And if I do, I must come back to the land of Guatemala that I may release my brethren from evil and continue to preach unto them this great gospel that they may be saved.

I was also prompted to read D&C 76. I couldn’t sleep from my pain and from thinking too much so I felt that I should read the scriptures. To not wake my companion, I went into the bathroom so I could have light while I read. This is what really hit me as I got to verse 11....This section was written from inspiration received by Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon on February 16, 1832. It wasn’t just coincidence that I opened to read this section. That day is the very day I am scheduled to end my mission. February 16, 2012. Whatever happens I will not have my mission ended until that day. I have really been trying to know what to do. And now, I think I know.

Dad, that is just amazing that you were prompted to read and ponder Mosiah 15 and tell me what it means to you. Because that was another scripture I was prompted to read this week. I opened straight to Mosiah 14 after getting the prompting to read it. Mosiah 14 is all about the Atonement (also in Isaiah). It helped me realize that Christ knows my suffering. I felt prompted to continue to read chapter 15 and then stop. That same scripture came to my mind as well (Mosiah 15:16-18) but I also didnt know what it meant. I am grateful for the Spirit working on you so that I am able to now know what it means for me. Thank you so much for sharing that with me!!

I remember that part of my patriarchal blessing as well. It makes me wonder what exactly the Lord has planned for me to do after my mission. I know this is preparing me for that time right now. It has really made me think...What do you think that could mean?

I have written down little details of what has happened in my agenda, since my journal is sitting on my desk back in Tanchi.

President Watts is truly amazing. The day he came in the Spirit just testified of his calling. He is a great man and perfect to lead the Lord's work in this part of the world. He and is wife are really loving and have really shown their love to me in this tough time.

I am jealous of you guys celebrating the 4th of July. You better make those explosions extra big for me! I hope you guys have fun! Well that is all for this week. Hopefully I will be able to send you a medical update here soon. I love you all and I hope you have a great 4th and a great week.
God Bless America!
Que Dios Bendiga los Estados Unidos
Li Yos Chihosob'tesinq re los Estados Unidos
Stay Strong
Keep the Faith
Love Elder Jordan Smith

I hope I will be able to take advantage of every last minute of that time that I have here

Hey there peeps!
Well there really isn’t too much to say, since I was able to talk to you guys yesterday about what is going on over here with me. I am feeling a little bit better today, but whenever I have been walking my nausea, headache, and stomach pains increase. So that is rather annoying. I really just can’t wait until they figure out what I have. We shall see what happens! The nurses are setting up an appointment for me to get everything done. I am not quite sure when it will finally be resolved, but everything will turn out alright, whatever happens. I just don’t want to leave this mission, even if it means working in the office until I finish my mission. Next change starts the time of my last 6 months anyways, so I will not mind being in the office at all.

Pres. Watts got here last night. I will be able to see him in the office later this afternoon. Pres. Torres leaves tomorrow. So crazy to think that I have a new mission president now. When I first entered the mission and found out when the Torres' would go home I thought about how much time I would have in the mission....Now the time is here and I have a little more than 7 months left of my time serving the Lord. I hope I will be able enjoy and take advantage of every last minute of that time that I have here.

Crazy that Jake is getting old like that, he will always just be the chubby little brother to me, no matter how old he gets haha. And even dating the girls now, that’s weird. And Allison is all old and crap too. What is up with that? When is she going to Florida? Congratulate her for me on her new church assignment.

Hahaha I can’t wait to see this trophy that Brian made and all the pictures from this year's edition of our family Tank Wars! Get some good videos of it for me too ok?

"How Firm a Foundation" is a good one. Here in Q'eqchi'-landia we sing that hymn all the time. However it is called Kawaq lee Paab'al. It’s a favorite among the qawachins (the old guys).

Well I really wish that I had more to be able to write you all but that is about it. I am just chillin in the office everyday. Maybe what will happen is that I just become an office elder, just like dad! We'll see what happens with everything I guess. I will try and keep you updated the best that I can. I love you all and I hope you have a great week!!
Stay Strong
Keep the Faith
Love Elder Jordan Smith