Independence Day

Hola Elder Smith! 
 
Happy Independence Day!  I know you didn't celebrate the 4th of July in Honduras, but hopefully you had a thought or two about your home country and felt a bit of appreciation for the opportunity of living your first 18 years here.  Maybe spending nearly a year outside of the USA has helped you to recognize our blessings and freedoms. Or maybe you were so busy with your work that you completely forgot it was a special day at home, haha! Either way, I hope you've had a great week.

I was glad to hear you got a baptism last week…little Kimberly! Eight-year-old children are the best! I love seeing my little primary kids get baptized every month. So happy for her and her family, and for YOU!  I loved what you wrote, that even though that baptism may not have counted for the mission, it counts in your heart.  Yes, it does!  That thought brought tears to my eyes. 

I am writing to you today from Grandma Smith's house in Illinois, filled with all your aunts, uncles, and cousins, all remembering you, asking about you and wishing you well.

We spent the weekend at a cabin at Lake Potoka, Indiana, busy with swimming at the lake, fireworks, eating and snacking nonstop, games and lots of visiting. 
 

Carter and Hunter seem a little lost without you, but Stefanie is having a great time with all her girl cousins. Yesterday (Sunday) we drove back to Grandma's house from Indiana--about a five hour drive--and we will be here until Wednesday.  Today we are going into the city to see the sights.  I will be checking my phone all afternoon for your letter.  Can't wait to hear about your week.

So a crazy story for you…our garage had been really smelly for a few days, we couldn't figure out why! We thought maybe a cat had hidden in there and died, it was getting worse every day! So the morning before we left Dad said he had to find the source of the smell. He cleaned out the entire garage and didn't find anything and then he opened the freezer.  He about passed out, it was so gross.  Somehow the fuse had been tripped a week or so ago, and everything in there was ROTTEN!  Ick. So glad we found it before we left.  

Stefanie was so happy you wrote back to her last week!  She wants you to know that she has been working very hard at cross country practice every day.  The day before we left on vacation she ran 9 miles, her longest run ever.

We love you!!  We've missed you this week but we know you are doing important work!  We're glad you are where you are, and wouldn't have it any other way.  Love, Mom