Ben's Mission to Toronto

 From Mom - Heat Waves Dear Ben, I’ve been rethinking our oversight in not purchasing short-sleeved shirts for you. Can you get them somehow through the mission office? It’s crazy hot here right now. The kind of hot we haven’t seen for three years. And I’m feeling a little sorry for you because I know Ontario gets even hotter. Not as hot as California or Zambia … but still.  Your video was awesome, btw! I don’t have FB at the moment so Josh showed me when I was visiting with him tonight. I liked it a lot! Then I got a text from Pam Habing, who apparently saw it through a friend’s son. She was watching it out of curiosity and suddenly she was pleasantly surprised to see you in it! So it’s making the rounds.  Mia finished her last exam on Friday and we are in full summer swing over here. Bobby spent the weekend to take a little break from her life. She cooked fettuccini Alfredo for us and helped us shop for bathing suits and kept us laughing. She’s a long-time friend and it...

From Dad - A trip to Grandpa and Grandma's Hi Elder Smith! I imagine you are getting used to the title by now. We were excited to talk to you today.  It’s been a busy week this week. I was grateful this week to spend a few days with my parents. It’s been an uphill battle for them as Grandpa recovers and mom and I thought it would be good to spend some time with them and help out around their acreage. With Covid and not having anyone else around much I think they were getting lonely and started doing crazy things like buying a brand new Mazda CX-9 SUV.  We spent lots of time figuring out all of its bells and whistles.  It was fun to see how excited Grandpa was to buy Grandma a brand new car.  We got lots done around the place. Working with my parents was a real joy. There is relationship magic in working and creating together. We hooked up irrigation, started some new fencing  Put together deck furniture Visited great Grandma Smith. She is doing quite w...

From Dad - Kingston! Hi Ben.  Hope you are well and having a great experience. I read this story this morning about Kingston and thought of you! Your mission will what you choose to make it no matter where you serve! Love you.  Dad

Send off at the Airport  Monday, June 14 we sent Ben off to Toronto after 2 1/2 weeks doing online MTC at home.

From Ben - And So it Begins! - An Epistle Unto Friends and Family Ah yes. And so it begins. The missionary journey.  As this is the first email, I'll throw down a quick recap of what has happened so far in the MTC and such.  The first few days of the MTC were something else. Not because of the 6 hours of zoom meetings, but because of the "withdrawals of the world": It was rough being unable to listen to the music I used to, having to focus only on gospel literature, and... (I'm ashamed to say it) being unable to watch a cheesy children show with Abby and Mia (the name of said show will for now remain classified, I need to maintain my dignity.)  But, with some divine aid, I was able to overcome the pull of the world, and the withdrawals eventually dulled to a manageable level.  As for my district! They are grand. Here's a quick summary of their character (from what I know in my limited zoom experience with them) and what they taught me El...