One of Jocelyn's fav Companions Sister Andrus

Sister Smith & Sister Andrus

More pics of Jocelyn at the temple

In front of the Atlanta Temple with Sister Andrus

Pics at the Atlanta Temple

 Sister Nettleton & Sister Smith in front of the Atlanta Temple

A Good and Tired Week in Roswell GA

This week was real good. Really tiring. Every night when we came home I was just death, and as soon as we would be done planning I'd run to the bathroom to get ready for bed and sleep for as long as I could. Meh. 

But it was good. We reached our goal of contacting. Woop woop! We missed it last week. But that mostly happened because we didn't have a single lesson with an investigator... :/ Which was because of spring break. It's only too bad that we don't have holidays because everyone else is gone while we're trying to teach them ahaha. Just kidding. I didn't really notice other than the fact we had no one to teach due to their busy lives. 

The best part of the week.... THE TEMPLE! Amazing. I'll send pictures. My camera was dead so I had to make sure Sister Andrus would email them to me. Which, again I got to see Sister Andrus. It's such a blessing that she's serving so close and that I get to see her so often. It's awesome, and it's her birthday tomorrow so I'm sending her a card and stuff. Oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVIS! Sorry, because I fell asleep as soon as possible this week I couldn't find time to send a Birthday card. You'll get a belated one :). 

The temple was awesome and better than ever. I left with tons of great questions which just makes wish I could go all the days. But it's all good because it makes me appreciate the beauty of the temple. Speaking of which, Mindi text us Friday night and she told us that her boyfriend drove her to the temple. She said looking at it made her feel like that's where she belongs. She said it was so beautiful and she started to tear up. Then she text us saying, "Other people may not agree with Mormon beliefs, but I don't know how anyone can deny the feeling at the Temple. We drive past churches all day and it's not the same." Right?! Right. We couldn't see her last week because she was busy chillin with her kids all the days. But we're meeting with her next week and extending a legit date.

Also, this less active lady that we've been working with came to church yesterday for the first time in 5 years! However, she's going on a trip with her husband to Bulgaria for six weeks, so I told her I probably won't be here anymore when she gets back. She looked upset and said, "You're the one who got me here! All these years and I came once you got here." I was so happy because all during sacrament I had kept thinking about how we didn't have any investigators there and all sorts of other negative thoughts and then she said that. I told her I have her address and that I will continue to uplift and write her. She's awesome. 

Well, I can't remember what else to report on. PIctures in a minutes.

Love y'all!

Sister Smith

Two Fabulous Sisters in Roswell GA Smith & Garcia

This is my girl Sister Garcia. We've been serving in the same district for six months! And her companion, Sister Adorable, has been in my district my whole mission thus far. Needless to say, the three of us will be friends after the mission. :) And they practically live next to us, so that's awesome. Reminds me of the talk in the General Womens Conference, where women need to bond more. We most certainly do!

Jocelyn & sister Garcia

Fido or Scappy the dog

We found him and brought him home..later we found the owners and took him to them...

I called him Fido. His real name is Scrappy.

Clearly we had a really great relationship...

Spring is here! & Welcome to GA

Spring is here! and I really love these flowers on the trees! They're so pretty :)

I thought this was hilarious. For me it was like, "Welcome to Georgia" on the back of a bus. Hahah!

My District in Roswell GA

Really Fast Week 4/7/14

Man this week went by so fast!! I don't even know what to write about it. Since I actually have my sd card thingy I'll send pictures this week for sure! 

We taught Mindi and had her on date, but then later she realized her boyfriend will be out of town that date, so we need to extend a new date. The work keeps going, but hands down there's another force trying to slow it down hahaha. 

Tuesday we had a lesson with a couple we met last weekend. They're awesome. I believe God led us to them. They've been married for a little less than a year, and last November she was pregnant, but her baby died and she still had to give birth to him. So sad. And so when we met with her on Tuesday we taught her the plan of salvation and she was smiling and said, "I wish my husband were here to hear this. I think he'd really like it." This gospel just makes sense. Families are eternal, they are meant to be that way, otherwise, what is the point? I mean, there is a point, it gives people purpose and a legacy etc, but eternal families seem to increase the purpose and reason for the importance of families and the relationships within. 

On Wednesday we went and visited this less active lady whom I love. We bonded over Eddie Vedder and his ukulele cd, she likes him and I freaked out because no one knows his solo stuff. Anyway, she's gone through a lot and it's people like her that make me feel helpless on how to help people. She pretends that all the "pressures" of being Mormon have been lifted, but she is so stressed and anxious about it and her end and everything else. It's obvious that something is gnawing away at her and for me I just want to grab her, look her in the eye and tell her we know she's not happy and giving into God is so much better. "Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, and I shall give you rest." Not that I want to be overbearing, but boldness is key. It's all easier said than done. Again, it's all about balance. 

We were going to have lesson with this awesome lady that has been texting us about her Book of Mormon reading and everything, but we haven't had a lesson yet. Of course, her daughter fractured her arm or something the day of our lesson, so that was a no go. The good thing is that was most likely a sign that she is elect. We'll see. I must always be working on my faith!

On Friday we went tracting, and you know how there are just some cold days that it just takes so much will to step outside of the car and actually go talk to people? Well, it was one of those days. However, we did what we were supposed and then God basically told me, "You see Jocelyn, it's really not that bad. It's actually fun. You just have to work and the blessings come." Every time. But the blessing was that we knocked on this man's door and we told him we shared a message about Jesus Christ's restored church and he said "Okay, I'll hear the message." Which rarely happens! So I took that opportunity to begin teaching about the Restoration, and trying to give a more detailed one for someone ready to listen. By the end of our teaching, he looked at the Book of Mormon and said, "Yeah. I'd love to read it!" The Spirit was there. You could tell something was definitely stirring inside and that it made sense, a religion that teaches us to ask God for ourselves. To experiment upon His word. It's not about forcing anyone or taking away their agency, it's about allowing them to make the change for themselves and for the Atonement to begin working. It was really cool and on our way to dinner we just talked about how God blessed us with that cool contact. Oh, but we couldn't set up a return appointment because they're moving to Peach Tree Corners area, which is where Sister Andrus is, so we'll be giving her that referral. He's going in good hands :). (Oh and he has a family, which is the best part).

The couple came to conference yesterday and I think it kind of bored the wife. But the husband had a lot of questions and he wanted to know how we were different. The only thing is, they don't want another lesson until they come to church next week and see it for themselves. But we do know that they keep their word and don't back out on things, so that's good. 

Not much else to report on.... Just feeling blessed and happy.

Love y'all

Sister Smith