October 15 - December 27

December 27, 2015

This week was really great!! So I want to tell you about it.

To start off last Sunday was really hard. I got super homesick 'cause it was Christmas Sunday but it didn’t feel like it at all. They did sing the two Christmas songs that have been translated into Malagasy in sacrament meeting but that was it. The talks and the lessons that day were just random and weren’t centered on Christmas, not that it would have made much of a difference because I don’t really understand much of what is said in Church (some of the lesson manuals haven’t been translated into Malagasy so they use the french ones).

Then Monday I was hoping people would be on to email back and forth, but I just missed everyone which was sort of hard because I was missing home.

Monday afternoon I decided to memorize my favorite Christmas hymn, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," and that helped a lot. The next few days went really well. We shared a Christmas thought with the members and less actives we visited. I would read my favorite scripture (3 Nephi 1:13) which talks about Christ’s birth and then my companion would read a few verses from Luke. The week really started getting good on Thursday, Christmas eve.

Christmas Eve there was a district activity where choirs from all the different branches sang and then a few other musical numbers as well. It lasted 3 hours. They sung a ton of songs in Malagasy, french, and they even sung "Come Thou Fount" in English which was way cool. It felt like Christmas!!!

Then on Christmas our whole zone got together, played some games, and watched meet the Mormons, Then we made hamburgers for dinner. It was a good day.

Saturday morning, I called home which was absolutely amazing! It didn’t really make me homesick, It just felt good.

Anyways you wanted to hear about some of my investigators. We have quite a few. We had 11 at church yesterday and like 15 with baptismal dates, It's crazy how many people there are to teach here. One really cool investigator we have is named Sylvain. He is probably in his 40's or 50's, We teach him and his two little twin girls who are 9. We have taught his wife once, but she is usually working. He pulls a posiposy, which is a really hard job. They don’t have any furniture besides a pad for a bed. They don’t have any electricity either. We sit on their floor (made of wood planks) during our lessons and use candles. It has been very humbling. He is very willing to learn and really tries. He always keeps his commitments which is nice. I’m really excited to see him progress. We are getting ready to start teaching the plan of salvation.

I’m glad everyone had a good Christmas!!

I also went to a wedding on Saturday. It was sure cool with a lot of singing and dancing.

Word of the week is manambady which means to be married.

Pictures include my zone on Christmas and a haircut.

December 20, 2015

This week was a little hard. My comp was sick, and one day we just stayed in which meant just sat there and studied all day. It was sort of nice, but it made the next few days a little crazy. It doesn’t feel like Christmas really. There isn’t really a Christmas spirit here at all. I was doing fine 'til yesterday, but yesterday morning I got pretty homesick. I realized this is my first Christmas away from home. Even church yesterday wasn’t really focused on Christmas. They sung a few Christmas hymns in sacrament meeting, but that was it.

I’m super excited to skype you though! I can do it at seven on the 26th (my time-- I don’t know when that is exactly your time).

That’s about it. Nothing really special happened this week, so it is kind of a short email, but I get to talk to you guys this week!!!!!

I almost forgot, word of the week is mirary which means sick.

December 13, 2015

So this week has been pretty great. My trainer said it was the best week of his mission so far. I’d have to agree; granted I’ve only had a couple. We taught a lot of really good lessons and taught a lot of people who seem like they have really felt the spirit in our lessons. I’m still learning how to pronounce their names. They are pretty hard. In fact, I still don’t really understand anything people say. Sometimes I think they understand me but other times I’m pretty sure they have no clue what I am saying. Luckily my comp is a lot better at the language,

This week I went on splits with the two Elders in the mission who knew Wesley. Elder herrin is an AP and has two months left. He went on splits with Wes once. Elder Johnson is going home this week, and he lived with him. It was pretty cool.

The kids here are so awesome. They are always so happy and they are everywhere. Wherever we go you hear little kids scream out faza! Sometimes they will just come up and grab your hand. It's crazy. I love it. Kids are the best. There have been a couple really little kids that have cried when they see us. It is sad and funny at the same time. We were the first white people they had ever seen,

It is so hot here. I’m literally always sweating. It doesn’t even feel like Christmas. The fact that you got snow seems crazy!!

I’m excited to talk to you guys on Christmas. It looks like I’ll be calling the morning of the 26th my time. So late at night Christmas day for you

I love you!!!! Have a good week.

Word of the week is zanaka which means child or children.

December 6, 2015

So I haven’t gotten any letters yet, I probably will only get them once or twice a transfer here in Tomamtave that is about how often we get a visit from the mission pres or the aps, yes there is a washer dryer and a fridge, yes I only want food in my next package, no I have not had any bloody noses.

So this week has been good, we teach a lot of lessons, my comp loves tracting every time an appt falls through or we don’t have something planned he just starts tracting. which tracting here isn’t too bad cause everyone is willing to listen to you. I’m pretty sure a lot of people will talk to us because we are white and speak English.

The church here in Tomamtave is really young, I’m pretty sure I was baptized the same year as the earliest members here, it is pretty interesting, everyone is literally a convert.

The kids here are way cool everywhere we go little kids just stand at stare at us, for some we are the first white people they have ever seen, the kids are always happy and they love giving us dona's (fist bumps)

We have had some really cool lessons. The people here are very humble, every day we get to share our message which is really cool. sometimes we talk about how missionaries in America have it easy but when we think about it, we teach more lessons in a week then they do in a month most times.

I’m doing well. I think I’ve adjusted, last night I ate fish and it was really good. You just tear off a part of the flesh scales and all and it is actually really good.

I love you I’m excited to talk to you at Christmas in a couple weeks. I’m not sure if I will get a test call, I also need to know when everyone will be home.

I talk about my family everyday, I show everyone we talk to (almost) the picture of our family, I really like talking about how we can be together forever, that is my favorite part of the gospel.

So something I want to start doing is telling you a word in Malagsy. the word for this week is fianakaviana which means family

it doesn’t feel like Christmas  here - it is just so hot!!!!

From: Madagascar Antananarivo Mission 

Wednesday, November 25, 2015 9:48 PM

Subject: Elder Smithson

Brother and Sister Smithson-

Elder Smithson has arrived safely in Madagascar after a very long flight. He had dinner with President and Sister Foote and the rest of his group (who came via SA MTC) last night, and is having training this morning. We are delighted to have a new missionary here to help us move the work forward.

Corey with his mission President and the Presidents wife

I have attached photos of him taken last night.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I also notice your package for him arrived earlier this week—perfect timing.

Sister Woolley

Madagascar Antananarivo Mission Secretary

Thursday, November 19, 2015 12:00 PM

Subject: Leaving for Mada!!!!

So I leave for Mada on Monday!!! I'm super excited! also a little scared, I have never been that far away from home, In fact I have never even been to another continent and Ill be stopping on two on my way to Mada. I got my flight plans this week. It will be a long trip. I'm the only one headed to Mada from the Provo MTC, but my teacher is pretty sure there are 5 or so Elders in the South African MTC that will come in at the same time as me. (They are from Mada).

One of my companions, Elder Meacham, left on Monday for Singapore and we got as bunch of new missionaries in our zone this week. Most of them are going to Indonesia, but we also got an Elder who is going to Mada too! they brought him in this week instead of next because of Thanksgiving!!! Its been cool meeting him, he still has another 6 weeks here. Its crazy to think I was where he is less than 6 weeks ago.

That is about all that happened this week. I will be mailing a lot of letters out hopefully before I leave on my Monday. I got some donuts from Aunt Candi, tell her thank you, they were delicious!! I shared with my zone. Also yes I got my drivers license thank you!!! I really appreciate it!!

flight plans

leave MTC 10:30am 23rd

Leave SLC 3:47pm 23rd

Arrive Dallas 7:25pm 23rd

leave dalls 10:10pm 23rd

Arrive london 1:05 PM 24th

Leave London 6:05 pM 24th

Arrive johannesburg 7:10 AM 25th

leave johannesvurg 10am 25th

arrive mada 2:10 PM 25th

I'll probably be able to call at Salt Lake and Dallas. I believe these are all local times. I don't know what they are California time

I love you!!! Thank you for everything!!!

11/11/2015

This week has been really good. I should get my travel plans tomorrow. I should be leaving a week from Monday, Nov 23. I have accepted the fact I am really not going to be able to say or understand anything really when I get there, but I am really excited to go still. Hopefully, I learn quick.

This week I met a senior couple who are serving a humanitarian mission in Mada. They in fact left today. I talked to them a couple times, and it was super nice. The husband is really trying to learn Malagasy; he already speaks French. They promised to feed me dinner when I get there, which makes me excited!!!

I also met a sister from Madagascar who is headed to Tahiti. I got to talk to her a couple times which has been really fun. I bore my testimony to her in Malagasy.

On Monday I skyped with a sister in Mada named Ravaka. (she might have actually been in South Africa at the time, I'm not exactly sure.) I mentioned Wesley, and she seemed to know him. So ask him if he knows her.

It snowed this week, but it didn’t stick. It might be the last time I see snow for two years; I really want to have one last snowball fight though!!!

Yesterday I got to direct traffic as new missionaries came in; that is probably as close to hosting as I will get unfortunately. It was cool though. I saw a lot of tears.

A scripture I have been thinking about recently is 2 Nephi 32:8-9. It talks about prayer. I have gained a strong testimony of prayer here. I pray so often I couldn't even count how many times. Prayer is a great thing. It is an opportunity to talk to our Heavenly Father. Prayer can get you through the darkest night.

Thank you for the letters and emails. I love you!

---

I just realized, I forgot to tell you about the cereal challenge. That is what a lot of the pictures are from. My zone ate a whole thing of cereal for dinner on Sunday. It was fun.

11/5/2015 Week 4 - Halfway done with the MTC

This week has been really good. I'm starting to get the hang of Malagasy. It is a really cool language. Fun fact: there is no verb "to be" and no plurals in Malagasy. I got to go to the temple today, and it was wonderful. The temple is a place of peace. I wish there was a temple in Mada. I firmly believe there will be one there in my lifetime. I have hit the halfway mark of my time here at the MTC. I am really looking forward to leaving for Mada!!! 2 weeks from Monday should be the day (23rd).

For Halloween my zone all sort of dressed up as Harry Potter Characters. Hopefully I'll have the picture by next week for you. It was fun. It is also snowing right now; though it is not sticking. I'm still really happy, though I'm not going to get to see snow for 2 years.

Something that has been said a couple times here is that as missionaries "we leave our families for 2 years so that others can be with theirs forever." The gospel is meant to bless families!! A home centered on the gospel is the perfect place to raise a child. I love you!! The spirit has been really strong here.

I love you!

10/29/2015 Week 3 - Study, Study, Study

So I'm getting used to the MTC. There are good days and bad. Basically all your time is spent studying; I'm learning a lot though. This week I started being able to form simple sentences in Malagasy; it felt pretty cool. I'm still loving the food here, but everyone else in my zone is tired of it. Maybe it's just because I know I'm not going to eat this well in Madagascar.

Elder Neil L Anderson spoke this week at

devotional it was pretty cool. He talked about how everyone who serves a mission sacrifices something. He also told us that bringing someone into the gospel is worth any sacrifice we make.

Love you guys!!!!

Elder Meacham is the realy tall one, Elder Bagley is the redhead

 10/22/2015 Week 2 – Re: I’m Here

Sunday was a turning point. Monday was a really good day. I'm starting to get used to all the studying. The spirit is really strong here. I have two teachers now; one was on a cruise so that is why I only had one. The food is pretty good, but i'm sure I'll get sick of it soon. There isn't much else to tell. I eat, study, and play volleyball for an hour everyday. Malagasy is a really cool language. I'm getting better at the pronunciation. They use a ton of vowels, especially a and o.

I love you!!!

10/15/2015 Week 1 – I’m Here

So it has been a crazy 2 days. I am what they call a solo missionary because I am the only one learning Malagasy. Apparently there were 5 Elders who left Monday for Mada. It's not very much fun being a solo. In class it is just me and my teacher which sort of stinks; tomorrow I have to teach a lesson all by myself.

I have two companions who are also solos. Elder Meachan is learning Malay and is headed to Signapore, and Elder Bagley is learning Latvian. There are also 3 solo sisters in my zone learning other languages. My zone has a total of 7 different languages including Latvian, Lithuanian, Armenian, Georgian, Malay, Malagasy, and I can't remember the other one right now.

Everyone else in my zone got here last week; I was the only new person this week. They had P-day today, but I didn't because I had to finish orientation. My branch President is still letting me email home. While I'm here my P-days will be Thursdays though.

Since I was the only one in my zone who needed to do orientation they stuck me with a couple Elders who are going to the Philippines learning tagalog for orientation. But I'm done with them now. They were pretty cool, both from utah. My actual companions seem cool. I havent really talked to them much yet. I think they are both from Utah as well.

Since I was the only new kid my zone played some pranks on me yesterday. One of the Elders pretended he was Russian and spoke with a Russian accent. He had me totally fooled. Funny thing, he is a dual citizen of Denmark and the US. My zone also made me scared of Elder Meacham. They kept telling me don't look in his eyes, but wouldn't tell me why. He ended up cracking as we were getting ready for bed and told me everyone was messing with me. They had me good though.

I have the felt the spirit a lot; it is really strong here. I'm really looking forward to letters; one of my companions got like 4 yesterday. The Book of Mormon is true!

Elder Corey Louis Smithson

Madagascar