Did We Say a Six Month Mission? WRONG!

We had prep day on Monday and once again traveled the road to Casper.  Sister Smart felt like it had been too long since she had bought any clothes and she spent a little time at the mall while Elder Smart had the car serviced.  We enjoyed lunch at a Johnny J's.  It is a restaurant similar to Johnny Rockets.  It was  a fun atmosphere with good old fashion hamburgers and shakes.

Johnny J's

Tuesday, we served in the Visitors' Center with a 10:30 to 5:00 shift.  This is one of the best shifts -- sleep in a little and get  home at a decent hour.  Before we left for home President Pace called us into his office and asked us to extend our mission for another year.  It was overwhelming.  We have to admit that the Lord had been preparing us for this call for the past month.  We had previously both talked about staying and both felt like this was the Lord's plan, but we agreed that we were not going to volunteer.  We thought, "Of the 45 couples on this mission why would we be one of the six winter couples asked to stay."  Sister Smart felt like the Lord had been telling her that He definitely wanted us to accept the call to stay and she cried frequently for two weeks, knowing that the call would be coming.  Then peace  touched her heart and she is actually getting excited about the things to come.  Even though Elder Smart had been warned he still had a hard time accepting it at first, but he knows this is the Lord's plan for us and is willing to do as he is asked.  We both feel we have been so blessed in so many ways, how can we say "no" to any thing  the Lord asks of us. We both will be working in the office most of the time.  He will still handle all of the finances and Sister Smart is going to be the mission secretary.  Our new release date is Oct. 26, 2018.

We will probably be coming home for a week in September to get things for the winter. We are looking at purchasing a 4 wheel drive vehicle to bring back.  Let us know if you know of a good one for sale.

We will be moving to an apartment that is on site here near the VT and office for the remainder of our mission.  It will be much easier during the winter for all 6 couples that are staying through the winter to be close and not have to travel in and out during the bad Wyoming winter.  

Our Apt. This is Our Entrance on the Side of the House.

Beautiful View From The Front of Our New Apartment

Wednesday we were back on outfitting.  We welcomed trek groups from Casper, Wyoming and Boulder, Colorado.  We sent home a trek group home from Rupert, Idaho and Casper.  Casper group was fun.  We followed them to the creek crossing and took this picture.  They also crossed the bigger Sweet Water River but we did not get a picture. 

Pulling The Handcarts Over the Creek

Casper did a small program of their own during the send home program that we do.  They had several kids tell about their ancestor that they were walking for. One young lady told about her ancestor Clarissa Alger Whitney.  That was exciting since this is Sister Smart's Great Grandmother.  It was fun meeting new cousins.  Sister Smart talked with the young lady and her mother after the program.

Two New Cousins

Thursday we had another day in outfitting.  We helped with a group of almost 800 youth from Pleasant Grove Manila and then 1/2 hour later a group of 200 from Idaho Falls North Stake.  It was rather challenging and exciting to handle 1000 youth in one short morning. PG was divided into 4 separate trek groups. We worked with one other missionary couple and organized everything nicely. It went amazingly smooth.  Elder Smart found he could park 50 cars and 13 buses very compactly. Shortly after these groups left on their way to Martin's Cove, a smaller group of 100 from Driggs, Idaho came to be helped on their way.  We also had 6 groups to send home that day.  Lots of Traffic in outfitting!

Friday we both worked in the office.  Elder Smart worked on the finances and Sister Smart prepared packets for the trek leader training we are doing  at the end of August and first of Sept.

Saturday was a work crew day for both of us.  Elder Smart worked with Elder Ward (no relation) to repair fences and gates out at Cherry Creek campground.  They also fixed a water pump on the trail at handcart parking.  Sister Smart went to the sewing center to help make more of the medallions that we give the young kids that come through.

We received a surprise visitor Saturday. One of  Sister Smart's principals, Mr. Topham came to trek with his family.  We then had another surprise when Sister Smart's nephew and his family came, also.

Russell Stagg Family

It was fun to see Russel and ShuLyn (spell?)

Sunday morning was full of meetings for Elder Smart and then we both enjoyed church.  This afternoon is a little bit relaxed at our home.  Love the let down time.

We want everyone to know that we have a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We feel his spirit direct our lives and touch our hearts as we serve here.  We truly are blessed.

Love you all so much.

Elder and Sister Smart, Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, Paul and Annie

PS  The apartment that we will be staying in is attached to a large 3 bedroom home that is just for friends and family of those living on the homestead property to stay in when visiting.  We would love all of you to visit.

So Beautiful Here!