Smith's Situation: THE 10%

The Boston Marathon is probably the most famous footrace in the world. Each year, thousands of racers gather to run the 26.2 mile race, even in nasty weather...too hot or too cold. These are not just good athletes, they are the best, the cream of the crop, the screened and trained athletes from all over the world. 20 or 30 worldwide, qualifying marathons are used to screen Boston Marathon participants. Only the best times from each age group are selected to fill the ranks of Boston Marathon runners.
Almost without exception, each individual has trained for many years. They run, diet, stretch, lift weights and prepare mentally for the possibility of qualifying for this prestigious race. At the start of the Boston Marathon, every runner is extremely qualified and plans to finish. Despite all of the training, preparation, dollars spent on travel and equipment, 10% of those beginning the marathon do not finish. Each athlete not finishing the Boston Marathon is, of course, heart broken. They are still magnificent athletes, great examples and worthy of praise.
In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we attend Primary, Family Home Evening, Sunday School, Young Women's and Young Men's, Priesthood and Sacrament meeting....weekly. We attend Seminary, Girl's Camp and Scout Camp, High Adventure, Trek, Youth Conferences and much, much more. Each of us studies our scriptures, prays, exercises faith, learns from the examples of others, striving to be qualified to serve the Savior. Many with great qualifications, some of the best, are called on full-time missions for our church. After the years of preparation, these most qualified individuals also face the possibility of not completing their anticipated 1 1/2 to 2 year mission. Each year, 10% of our missionaries return home from health related complications. Many are unable to return to full-time missionary service.

We have the assignment, on our mission in the West Indies, to be the people in charge of the medical health and well-being of our missionaries. We have experienced this temporary disapointment of missionaries not crossing the finish line of their mission, even though they have been very qualified to do so. After a scary medical, health experience with Elder "Ty" (he gave each of the Elders a "tie") Loewen, he returned home this week. We have had a wonderful last few days with Elder Loewen. We feel confident that this well-trained young man has many successful years of service ahead of him. He left us with a very inspiring testimony and many sweet experiences. We will miss him!!! We love you Elder Loewen!!!

Michael Bruno. Elders Loewen, Wilson, Ramdhanie, Dearing, Smith and Witten wearing Elder Loewen ties.

Elder Smith "Ty"ing his Elder Loewen tie

Friends forever

I don't understand why men think this is cool, but....ok....it's a very large, slimy snail with Elders Smith and Loewen in the background

Elders Smith and Loewen had to get their pictures taken under the famous giant palms

The last picture of our Zone before Elder Loewn left us

We ate pizza

The view from the other end of the table

Elder Smith doing his exercises with Elder Loewen (literally) before departing for the airport

We are so grateful for Michael Bruno, who will be serving as a Temporary Missionary companion to Elder Smith. Michael is holding his mission call in his right hand.

Here is Bro. Bruno proudly showing off his mission call paper, signed by the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. He will be going to the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo West Mission in one month

Saturday, Linkcia was baptised by Michael. He also helped teach her with Elders Dearing, Ramdhanie and Strong (who was transferred to Guyana before she was baptized)

He can hug her because he is not a missionary......yet!

During the week, we had fun doing a service project for the Maturine's. They are building a bakery in their home. We helped prepare the wall surfaces for painting, then painted and moved equipment into the bakery.