Sister Ellie Smith England, Manchester Mission

I'm trying to one up my emails so now each fire thing that happened will be after a fire emoji. LETS GET IT. Another week blessed from God! "Heaven came out of my mouth!!" We were in a marathon? MATT AND MADELYN The Stephens family reunion  Sister Hudson and I had the woooonderful opportunity to give a training to the mission this week about taking care of referrals from online ads. It actually was not too bad and it made me really grateful for social media. I haven't always been a huge fan of social media but for people coming closer to Jesus Christ, I'M INNNNNN. It is such a beautiful sight to see the amount of referrals that come through of real people interested in learning about the gospel. There are so many of them out there! We just need to be the one to share the good news with them. Sister Hudson and I really did feel God put words in our mouth the whole training. SIster Hudson said she felt Heaven come out of her mouth. Booya On Sunday we drove out of ou...

This week was probably the happiest week of my entire life. I am SO serious. I've never felt so much stinkin joy.  I didn't think I could love people so much. Charley, Joseph, and Maggie all chose to be baptized this Easter Sunday and oh boy! What a special day it was. Heavenly Father confirmed to me the entire time that this was why I have been sent to Stretford in England at this exact time. I know for a surety he sent me to them so that my life can change and it is the most special feeling. It's really hard for me to explain it but it is living proof that the Savior is real and loves everyone so much. I was crying a flood the whole time. I will never forget that day.  I think I've mentioned this scripture 6,000 times but Alma 26:16 is how I feel.  I LOVE THIS WOOOOOORK. That is all I have to say. I love you all too. Shoot me an email! Cheeeerrs Sister Smith 

Pretty much living the ultimate dream. With my sista sister Hudson goodness gracious she ROOOOOCKS! I feel more lucky to be here each and every day.  Just bought a really bad perfume that smells like grandma just because it said it was made in England. Flippin dang it. Sister Hudson made me put this in my email.  Anyyyyway! Last week was SOOO FUN! I loved it so much. We went to incoming missionary day, departing, and graduation from training this week! It is so special to witness these missionaries whether they just arrived, are leaving, or finishing their training. Their testimonies strengthen me each time and I am so grateful for all of the love they have for their Savior. Sister Rowland shared a BEAUTIFUL testimony about what it feels like to work alongside the Savior. It is such a different feeling than just knowing him. I love you Sister!! I experience this joy and strength everyday as I turn to him and do absolutely everything in his way. It changes my perspective and da...

BIG NEWWWS. Staying in the promised land of Stretford with FLIPPIN SISTER HUDSON. Dreams do come true everybody. Going to miss Sister Rowland tho. She is back to Utah land:(  Here's some highlights of the week: - General Conference with the Parkes family!! They are so special and getting baptized on Easter. Im so excited for them. The spirit was soooo strong in their home, I will never forget.  - Light switches are backwards here!!! Who knew  - NOSUYI wants to be baptized. It was the coolest thing ever. He came to us and said he is finally ready because in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ kept telling him to be baptized. Book of Mormon changes livessssss it really does  - Went to the TEMPLE!!! It's always awesome. So grateful to go every 6 weeks.  - mom said to send fun facts but I can't think of any at all so stay tuned for next week maybe? Ayyyyye sorry.  - theres a statue of Abe Lincoln here. Why? Not a clue. But that's awesome  - got fiiiiire fish ...

Hellloooo gonna be super quick but SHARIF. is finally baptized!! He has been waiting for soooo flippin long and oh wow how lucky was I to be a part of his journey. For my email this week I'm just gonna share his testimony with all of you because it is quite special:   Dear friends, family, and loved ones in the faith, Today is a special day in my life, and I am so grateful that you are here to celebrate with me this sacred moment of baptism. This moment marks a new beginning in my spiritual life and is a significant step toward living the life God desires for me. As the Bible teaches, in John 5:3, Jesus said, "One must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God." Baptism is a sign of repentance and the beginning of a new life in Christ. Today I take an important step in my spiritual journey, as I repent of my sins and cleanse myself of everything that hinders me from living the way God desires. Baptism is more than just a religious ritual; it is a new beg...

Hello hello hello hello! Hellooooo! How is everyone? God really wanted to astonish us this week and he DID. We made 12 new friends and the week was sooo busy, I honestly don't even know how it happened but GOD IS AWESOME. We were also about to put two people on date so now we have 4 on date! No way God isn't real that's all I have to say.  Lots of great things happened this week. First was I got to attend sweet Graham's funeral and what a blessing he was to me. It was so special to celebrate his life with other missionaries and talk about our experiences together. Man! I miss him so much but it makes me so joyful knowing the missionary he is in Heaven right now. Sister Rowland found the PERFECT scripture that describes him exactly. D+C 138:55-57  "I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son ...

This week was special with the Lamb of God! At the performance the whole time I kept thinking, "There is no way God is not here right now!" What a privilege it was to attend and perform!! I feel so lucky. I love the lyrics in, "My Kindess Shall Not Depart from Thee." I was reassured each time I sang it that I am not alone. I am with the Savior and Heavenly Father throughout my whole life. This week we also have been implementing shorter and more frequent lessons and WOW! It made a world of a difference. I am so excited for the whole mission to do this. Our friends progress so much easier. I know this will do wonders, with referrals too.  One success I had this week was at church. Our friend Nosuyi brings his son Nicolas every week. Yesterday he sat by me and after Sacrament meeting he said, "I am really gonna miss you when you move back to America Sister Smith." He was SO beyond grateful for the things we were teaching him. I then told him that I would com...

Howwwzit Hello everyone. I'm really loving being a missionary! I am just overwhelmed with joy. For you return missionaries I'm sure you know this feeling. I would not trade my life for the world right now. My gratitude is FULL! What a blessing it is to have Jesus Christ on our side. It makes the hard times a bit less painful. I have learned so much what it means to trust and have confidence in Him and I just know that he is the source of all joy. I am living proof! At the happiest moments my mind is centered on the Savior. He has met me at the highest moments and lowest. Now it sounds like this transfer has been full of pure joy but I've had some of the lowest points. It's weird how you become grateful for them though because wow! You learn and grow so much. There's no other way.  We were able to put 2 very special people on date this week! Easter baptism coming sooooon. Charley and Joe are brothers and I have seen their desire grow and grow to live the gospel. I fe...

Hellllooo! I dont really have much to say but again gotta keep the streak.  How is everyone?? Howwzziittt in America or wherever you may be. I bet you don't have crumpets though. This week was so fun. I got to go to the incoming missionary day again and graduation for the missionaries that finished training and what a blessing!!!! I love seeing the Lord work through each missionary in this mission and man they all just have so many strengths.  I also got to film the departing sisters testimonies and SISTERS if you are reading this I want you to know that I miss you so much and thank you for changing my perspective of a mission. I would not be the missionary I am today without these sisters and although it sucks to not have them here anymore in the EMM they are going to be the strongest kingdom builders at home I just know it.  Life is fabulous. Jesus Christ's power and healing Atonement is so real. He loves all of you so much. And so do IIIIIIIII!!! Hope everyone had the ...

Can't believe it has already been a week! Back again with this amazing streak. The start of this week started on a big low. One of the people that have changed my life and many others is my good friend Graham Jarvis. Man he is just absolutely incredible. Sister Hanks and I had the privilege to get to know him last transfer and he became our new best friend. Graham is a recent new member in the Oldham ward and is the most devoted disciple of Jesus Christ I have ever met. If you know the chapter Alma 26 in the Book of Mormon, he is the definition of that chapter. FULL of joy and rejoicing in the Savior any moment he can. Graham had a sudden heart attack and passed away last week. My heart shattered hearing the news but my mind has fully been enlightened by the wonderful Plan of Happiness. I was able to call my mom that night and she helped me realize truly one of the greatest blessings; that Graham will be my angel the rest of my mission uplifting and strengthenin...