Izabele's Mission Washington D.C. South

This week was stuffed full of miracles, nice weather, strong spirit & good laughs. (No surprise.) Our good friend we are teaching named Kim took us to a Korean restaurant this week. And we had Zone Conference. And we picked up trash along a gorgeous trail (got my mountain fix). And taught some cool people. And had a nice lunch with some ward grandmas. And knocked lots of doors. And shared lots of scriptures with people on the streets. And played in the rain. And I gave a talk in church. And DEFINITELY felt the joy that comes as you give your will to God.  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!?   (maybe I'll just stay out here til the second coming..?) "God having provided some better things for them through their sufferings, for without sufferings they could not be made perfect." (JST Hebrews 11:40) And we are promised we can become perfect. Committing ourselves to allow God to destroy the natural man inside all of us is a mortal-long pursu...

One of THE most beautiful things I've ever seen on planet Earth: Virginia in the spring! Everyone's first week in the mission seems to have crazy things happen. And to keep this tradition going the trainers get dragged into the mess! Hahaha well this week was exactly what you'd expect. Sister Wiscombe and I got locked out of our apartment, our car got towed, went the first 3 days in the area without a phone, almost got in a car crash, and as always.. witnessed many miracles.  An example: We knocked into this woman who automatically recognized us and let us inside! She's read a lot of her Book of Mormon she received from a lyft driver a few years ago! She said she would be happy to take the lessons and join us at church! WOO!  Another example: We talked to this young man who has met with missionaries in the past and finally feels like he is ready to commit to the gospel! WOO!  One more example: The constant underlying feeling of peace that can always be felt a...

S olid week here in Lorton, VA.  The elect are everywhere & sister lundquist & I have the spirit burning within us to find them & guide them back home. Quite literally the best way to spend these days of our youth.  I am so thankful for the selfless example of our Savior. I know his atonement is real, I feel its power every day. I am so thankful for the ability we have to become like Him and the chance to eternally progress. I love Heavenly Father and the individual guidance He longs to give every one of His children. I love conference weekend and the guidance given us straight from heaven. I love being in this work full time and I'm so grateful for the support I have from all the wonderful people in my life!  This is a quote from a recent BYU speech. I thought it was pretty great.  "People say, “You should be true to your beliefs.” While that is true, you cannot be better than what you know. Most of us act based on our beliefs, especial...

I just want to say thank you so so much for all the birthday wishes!!   This life is about loving and I definitely feel loved by all the friends at home and in the mission! TWENTY YEARS ON THIS BEAUTIFUL PLANET! I just love earth so much (especially with the cherry blossoms right now!!) I get amazed our existence keeps getting better after this. This truly is the plan of happiness.  Remember our good friend John from Ethiopia? He didn't make it to church last week and he had a pretty good reason why. He works night shifts at 7-11 and his store got robbed! When the police came John didn't have his ID so they took him to jail. AH! But no worries, it all got worked out! And he wants to get baptized! God has a pretty perfect plan for us and watches out for us always!  Our good friend Jesika is amazing. Our lesson this week went a little like this.. (give or take)  "JESS! Did you read the book of mormon these past fe...

Really good week here in Lorton VA!!    SO many miracles. So. Many.   We found a wild daffodil field. I just about died! And also the cherry blossoms finally bloomed!  Zone conference was this week! It was awesome, of course! The stake president in our neighboring zone came to speak with us. He said "If we truly believe the prophet when he says the gathering of Israel is the most important thing happening on Earth today, then there is nothing happening on capital hill today that is more important than this zone conference." NICE. It reminded me of when Peter says to the savior "To whom shall we go?". If we aren't giving our soul to God where are we putting it? Because it isn't going to be as important. No where else better to be putting my time and love. I'm so thankful to be giving my whole soul to this work. I just love being a missionary.   Much Love, Sister Izzy Smith 

Since being on the mission I have been able to reflect on my life prior. It's been really awesome, actually. A very unique time to step back and analyze my earth life up until this point. (Wow, all 19 years;)) Idk when else I would get this chance. I feel as if i am standing outside my life looking in. It's weird. The spirit has told me to write out memories from my life where I have felt the spirit. I asked God what I was to do with them & he said to share them with my family. Thx for being my family. I love you all with my entire heart!!!!!!!! SO GLAD WE ARE FOREVER! This first story happened while my two little brothers were still in heaven? I don't remember exactly but if they were born they were very very little. We were living on Kenwood street so I couldnt have been older than three? Maybe four? Idk. It must have been a Saturday morning because dad was home. I walked around the house several times calling out the names mom, dad & senekah. After check...

Spring daylight savings has been my best friend. People are outside later and we are catching the sunsets again!  A few months ago my mission began a practice we call "6:31 prayers". It's exactly that! At 6:31 AM every morning the elders and sisters in my mission get on their knees and pray, by name, for the people on date for baptism in their district. And let me tell ya, there is no better way to begin the day. It's very powerful.  Sister Modersitzki and I had a sleep over and went to MLC meetings. Feeling very psyched for this transfer!! And to be a missionary! I can't believe we've been out here for nine months. AH!  Since the beginning of my mission I've wanted to try Ghanaian food. Finally did. It was very exciting.  Two of our friends accepted baptism dates this week!! God has been preparing them for so long to be a part of this gospel and we get to just come in for the cool part! "For they knew not what to think; for when they...

A nice reminder: God doesn't expect you to become like anybody else except His son Jesus Christ  People have been asking how I feel about talking to my family every week. To be honest it threw off my game for a little. After talking with God about all the feelings He taught me some really awesome things I will try to articulate. As a set apart missionary you get the opportunity to be so separate from the world! I have learned irreplaceable things being hyper focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love it. Now that we get to be so in touch with "reality" by talking with our families every week we can really refine our ability to overcome the world. God says "Sister Smith, you have nine months to be focused on your missionary purpose. The privilege of being aware of what's happening at home will help you when your mission ends. Nine months to develop the habits necessary to truly be in the world but not of the world." Thx, God  Here is a nice missio...