Dave and Nina Smith Family

Dave and Nina Smith Family

Monday, August 27, 2018

First day of school 2018-2019 year

McKinley is a freshman this year at Alta:



Evan is a senior this year at Summit Academy:


Ethan is a freshman at BYU:



Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Our new addition....Kai!!

We picked up our new German Shorthaired Point puppy today!  We named him Kai.  We are in love!
Born July  11, 2018




Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Brazil JDF mission visit, day 15

Brazil...day 15. Final day. Up and off to explore Sao Paulo. A long walk to the crazy shopping area with loud speakers and steet vendors everywhere. Off to find tour bus only to find out it doesn't come to that stop anymore. So plan B. Lunch, a wifi store for a treat, a walk thru the park and back to the hotel to gather our belongings and head to the airport for our long travel time back to SLC.






Monday, August 20, 2018

Brazil JDF mission visit, day 14

Brazil day 14...Up and off to explore Iguazu Falls. Absolutely amazing place. Photos don't even come close to capturing the natural beauty. Walked and gazed and we were in awe of God's creation here. A nice lunch by the falls and then checked out the bird sanctuary which was really cool as well. So many unique birds, most from Brazil. Made our flight back to Sao Paulo and have our last day here tomorrow. 😢










Sunday, August 19, 2018

Brazil JDF mission visit, day 13

Brazil...day 13. After 12 good days we had a full day of rain...dang it! We spent the morning flying to Foz do Iguazu and the rest of the day staying out of the POURING rain. Netflix and nap day. Hoping it clears up to see the falls tomorrow!


Saturday, August 18, 2018

Brazil JDF mission visit, day 12

Brazil...day 12. Checked out a few waterfalls near Penedo. Dave and Ethan both slipped and fell in the water...so we are now limping Dave's phone along and navigating without GPS some times...makes things exciting...especially driving into Sao Paulo...the 4th biggest city in the world!! We found our hotel and then the CTM in Sao Paulo and Mr. Cheney's cookies across the street. 





Friday, August 17, 2018

Brazil JDF mission visit, day 11

Brazil...day 11. Quiet Sabbath day in Resende today. Church at 9am, lunch, and a dinner visit with Carlos and Taisa. Naps and playing cards at the hotel. On to Sao Paulo tomorrow...




Thursday, August 16, 2018

Brazil JDF mission visit, day 10

Brazil day 10. Drove around to find the Christ statue and look out in Juiz de Fora (every city has one). Great views of the beautiful city from there. 





Filled up with our 3rd tank of gas (so spendy here!) 


Then went by the mission office to see if any office Elders would be there and to see where my packages had been sent those 2 years of the mission. Were able to surprise 4 Elders there after a baptism! So fun.


 Found a great burger place for lunch by chance...yum! 



Then a drive to Resende where we are staying in Penedo, a Finnish Village resort town.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Brazil JDF mission visit, day 9

Brazil...day 9. Started with a cloudy day in Lafaiete and a visit to the Christ statue there. Crazy steep roads everywhere in this city. 



Then a drive back to Juiz de Fora and the view from our hotel here in the city. 




Finally, we were able to have dinner with President Lacerda and his wife and family...plus a surprise for Ethan of his former companion Elder Pereira as well. An amazing night with wonderfully inspired and righteous servants of the Lord. The love was strong in that apartment tonight. Sacred times here in JDF Brazil!



Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Brazil JDF mission visit, day 8


Brazil...day 8. Full day in Lafaiete. Spent the morning like a missionary p-day doing laundry, mailing a package, and some shopping. Met up with Juliano and Vanessa for lunch and treats, then visited Lilian and Doug, Mhara and Rinato, and finally Jonathan. Great families...such loving people.






Monday, August 13, 2018

Brazil JDF mission visit, day 7

Brazil...day 7. Met up with Roane who guided us to Lavras Novas and some fun waterfalls there. The first waterfall was named Three Shots and the second was Lovers Waterfall. Both beautiful waterfalls and adventurous drives. Dave has been a super star with driving here! Then a great lunch at Gabiru with an English musician playing 80s hits. Then finished the night by crashing YM/YMs at the Lafaiete 1st ward. Such amazing youth and energy. What a great day!