Gordon C. Smith, Mission President, and his wife with Zach in the Philippines.

We received a letter at the end of December 2008 stating "Your son is assigned in the Daet Zone, to labor in the San Vicente Daet area. His companion is Elder Samuel Robertson. ... This is a wonderful mission, and your son is in for one of the greatest experiences of his life. With your support and encouragement, he will mature and progress beyond your expecations. He will develop a great love for his fellow missionaries, as well as for the people we serve and bless.

Christmas Call

We waited with great anticipation for your phone call at 6:00 a.m. Christmas morning. What a wonderful way to start the day! It was so great to hear your voice and just chat with you for awhile. That 45 minutes went awfully fast! It was Christmas Day night (9:00 p.m.) in the Philippines. You had had a great day - had a zone conference that morning, had visited with members and investigators, and you had been fed, fed, and then fed some more! Elder Robertson was in the background making you both some eggnog as we spoke! You mentioned you were now settled in your apartment, with what sounded like pretty nice amenities. The weather is rainy (drizzle or downpour) almost everyday, with some sunshine mixed in. You were only a couple of hours away from the mission home, used mostly jeepneys or tricycles with side car or walking for transportation. Your language is coming along - you were able to help with a first discussion in Tagalog. You have given your first "short notice" talk in sacrament meeting. The mosquitoes are still a problem, but you are adjusting and learning how to deal with them. You had fun with the Christmas package we sent and enjoyed sleeping on the pillowcase we made - now that you have a pillow! You sounded happy, excited to be there, and already gaining a love for the people of the Philippines! We look forward to Mother's Day to hear your voice once again!

The Philippines!!

You made it! You left the MTC December 1, 2008, and after lots of time in the air and on the ground, you arrived! As a mom, I must admit, I was more excited to have you in the MTC - an hour away - than half way round the world, but was so excited you made it and you had only positive things to say about the whole trip! Your first companion is Elder Robertson from Mapleton, Utah. What a great way to start - with a companion who has so many of the same interests and hobbies as you! Friendly people, "friendly" mosquitoes (lots of them), and getting a taste of new foods and ideas was a common theme! You and Elder Robertson were opening up a new area, so it was awhile before you got settled in Foster City in your own apartment. With a lot of investigators and visiting of members, you were "engaged in a good work" from the beginning.

The First Two Months

Random clips from letters while you were in the MTC:

The MTC is intense, but awesome!

We get to attend the temple every Monday!

A day is typically breakfast, class, lunch, class, dinner, class, prep for tomorrow, write in journal, sleep, repeat.

It looks like it's going to awesome, and I'm especially excited to learn Tagalog!

My companion is Elder Farmer!

The other companionship in my room is really fun, and Elder Farmer is really cool, too.

I just opened my package.

Thanks for the care package.

In case Angela didn't tell you, I would love more care packages.

There's no way you could ever send too much of anything, I love hearing from you guys!

The president is very funny, but an awesome spiritual speaker, too.

Our classroom is at the top of 5 sets of stairs.

There was some really good ice cream.

The food is really good.

There isn't a lot of variety in the food.

Food isn't really that good.

It takes 2-3 weeks for letters and 406 weeks for packages to get to the Philippines. :)

First Letter!!!

October 10th, 2008 - We got your first letter today!!! And as a bonus, we got another one! One from your first day in the MTC, the other on P-day. We waited with great anticipation the first week you were in the mission home, running to the mailbox as soon as the mailman came. Your first letter was full of exciting new things - great companion and roommates, wonderful Presidency, getting used to the facilities you would be using for the next two months, and a schedule of dawn to dusk (and more) learning how to serve the Lord in your new language - Tagalog. You sounded happy, excited, and a little overwhelmed! You were senior companion the first week - not really knowing at that point what that would entail!

Posted are missionary pictures taken before you left - the top one is the one that will be posted for the next two years in the foyer of our church. Bishop Smith beams with pride each time he looks at those 10 or so young men and two older couples serving the Lord from our ward!

The MTC

On Wednesday, October 1st we traveled to the MTC -Arrival time 11:30 a.m. Volunteers had everything so organized - from parking, to luggage, to pictures, to your lunch ticket, and on and on. We had a few minutes to take pictures, then on into the building while you got your badge and information, then into a short meeting. We sang "Called to Serve" (or at least some did, I couldn't do it through the tears), had some speakers who spoke of your service and what your expereince will be like in the MTC, watched a short video. Then, as one speaker said, make the goodbyes short -it's easier - and after hugs and more hugs, tears from Mom and Dad, and I love you's, off you went. As you looked back through the door you were smiling - excited to start this new experience! Tender moments for sure, but a calm feeling of knowing you were ready and able to serve the Lord!

To Zach from Mom

It seems that only yesterday
You were singing the Primary song
"I hope they call me on a mission" -
How fast the time has gone!

Now it's really happening!
A mission for the next two years.
Your mission call to the Philippines
Was met with hurrahs and cheers!

You've grown into a caring soul,
Gentle giant, an example, a friend,
Caring for those with a little less,
A person whom a friend can depend.

And now you embark on the mission
Your personal blessing said was in reach
To find those souls who are searching
For the gospel of which you will teach.

How very proud we are of you,
How happy you've made this choice
To follow the prophet's commandment
Of lifting up your voice.

Lifting up your voice to share
With the people of the Philippines
The understanding, hope, and joy
The gospel message brings.

"The mission is yours," the Savior says
To each one at their mortal birth,
"To serve, to help, to teach, to touch
All my children here on earth."

So as a favorite scripture says:
He will be on your left and right,
With His angels round about you
As you prayerfully seek His light.

Your family loves you so very much -
You'll be in each daily prayer,
And know that as you go forth to serve
You'll be in His tender care.

I love you!