October 17, 2021

From Mom - All Things Considered

Dear Elder Smith,

On Thanksgiving Monday, after a lovely weekend, I was heading to bed and got hit with a wicked headache. I could tell it was going to be a miserable one, so I caved immediately and got back up and walked into the kitchen to retrieve some Advil. The house was completely dark so the northern lights lit up the sky through our window like a dancing green river

All things considered, I was grateful for that headache, otherwise I would have missed the lights completely. I called to Dad and the girls and we stayed out in the back deck for a short time and marvelled. 

***

On Wednesday, I went for a walk with Coco and she was attacked by Novah in front of our neighbour’s place. Novah got a good hold of Coco’s back end and started shaking. I was able to get the big dog off by grabbing her by the collar and kicking her, then carrying Coco home to assess the damage. Mia cleaned her up and she stayed in her crate for a day. She’s walking around a little now. It looks like one of the fangs stabbed a hole and ripped her skin open about an inch. Poor little dog. We were hoping we wouldn’t have to take her to the vet but after four days, we might have to. She won’t leave it alone and I don’t think it’s going to heal without some intervention.

All things considered, we’re glad Coco wasn’t killed and we appreciate her a little more than we used to. 

We had a conversation with the neighbours about it. Luckily, they had a video surveillance camera and could see what happened. They’re going to upgrade their fence so their dog won’t be able to leave the property, and I will be keeping Coco on a leash going past their place from now on. 

***

Mia, Abby, Josh and Sam are having a lot of fun getting ready for their plays and I was recruited to the wardrobe department for Sister Act. On Friday we went on a mission to find thigh high purple platform boots and a bright blue fur coat for Mia’s character, Deloris. Ha. Impossible to find, I think, but we went thrift shopping for possibilities. This is as close as we got …

… but the costume co-ordinator said no to the leopard print. All things considered, we may have to purchase something cheap from Amazon … or settle for these …

All things considered, I never (not in a million years) thought I’d be shopping for hooker boots for my 15-yr old daughter, but here we are. 

And Josh and Sam are having fun with newsie hats. Check Sam’s Instagram for visuals.

***

All things considered, life is pretty grand. There are ups. (I finally got accepted to the U of A). There are downs. (I got the giantist-needs-a-bandaid zit of my life right in the middle is my face. I’m 49. What in the world?) And it’s really just an amazing ride where we get to learn a lot. A lot of humility.  A lot of gratitude.  A lot of laughing. (You should hear Abs and Memes practicing their lines. I just chuckle for days.)

And a lot of love. 

I love you. 

And your emails.

Mom

From Ben - A Casual Conversation with the God of Chaos

Woah. This week was intense. 

One of the top highlights that I really enjoyed happened in Walmart. 

We went shopping for some necessities (had a close call with some Toilet Paper and were in dire need of chocolate milk). 

When a guy with a hyped sweater saw our tags and said, in the middle of a Walmart aisle. 

"You guys believe in Idolatry and a false Christ!" 

Then walked away. 

Later, after we had bought our essentials and were about to leave the store, we totally ran into him again.

At this point we had become his nemesis or something, because he said, no word of a lie. 

"So we meet again" 

We then got roasted for not understanding Revelations (and in all honesty, I don't totally understand Revelations) which proved that we were a false church. Then, his previously silent girlfriend hopped in on the fray and threw some of her own fire into the conversation (our eyebrows had just about singed away at this point) 

So, hoping to throw some fire of my own, I complimented their sweaters, then me and Elder Hartman peaced out. 

It was a cool experience :) 

I do want to mention though that I probably shouldn't make light of other people's side of things. I think sometimes when people don't feel listened to, or ever get validated in their thoughts or opinions, when they get an opportunity to show somebody that they can voice a thought and sound smart and intelligent while doing so (we all love feeling smart and intelligent) they jump at the chance to. 

Then if we as missionaries take up the fight, and throw some fire of our own, we commit a grave error. Because we are listening to prove them wrong which isn't actually listening to them. Then, they still don't feel listened to or feel validated in their real and in all honesty, needed intelligence and input.

Kinda like what you keep saying Mom. 

"We're all just walking each other home" 

So I hope to one day have an opportunity to listen to, and have a conversation with, the guy and girl with the cool sweaters. 

The next two experiences happened on a during the same street contacting experience. 

We were walking down main street Timmins (which was real sketchy, because Timmins has a pretty serious drug problem)

When this homeless guy with a pretty jovial look about came up to us. 

We engaged him a conversation, as a missionary does. And started talking a bit about God. 

He looked at us and straight up said. 

"Now listen here, I am the God of Chaos" 

He explained that he met a Guru way back who had a vision that our friend was, in fact, the God of Chaos Incarnate, then walked away, leaving him to ponder his new title and responsibilities. 

If I lived this guy's life, I probably would have had the same conclusion he did. 

We fist bumped, gave him a pass a long card and went our way. 

The God of Chaos was a pretty chill character. 

Then, after we had forgotten where we had parked out car and were trying to find our way back in the soft patter of some chilly rain, we walked past this Indigenous lady. She looked homeless and miserable. 

Me, being the selfish character I am sometimes, was about to keep on walking, hoping to get out of the rain. 

When Elder Hartman, as a hero I'm coming to love, looked back and simply said. 

"How are you doing?"

She started crying, and sat down at a bench. 

We sat beside her and just listened (there was not much we knew to say, her story was brutal) 

So, we listened. The uncomfortable chill of the rain that had nearly kept me walking became pretty insignificant really quickly. 

We did the best we could, said a prayer with her, then went our separate ways. 

Elder Hartman said right after

"Elder Smith, we live pretty good lives" 

To which I nodded, and we kept on walking. 

On Friday morning we got up at 5:45am to be able to make it to the Lord's Kitchen. A local organization in town that makes free breakfast for the homeless people in town. 

It was one of the biggest hoots I've ever had. 

While we were scooping hashbrowns and wrapping English muffins we got to talk to a Mining Engineer and a school board supervisory advisor (It appears I've forgotten the actual title) and learned some really cool facts about the workings of these two gentlemen's careers. 

After the breakfasts had been handed out, we were able to have one of our own with the volunteer crew, which consisted of two older couples, a senior gentleman and ourselves. I got to say grace over the food which was epic. 

Then, on Sunday, me and Elder Hartman went to deliver a Book of Mormon to a single sister in the ward. We're hoping to help get her back into full activity and we're also trying to help her overcome some particular habits she has (or, trying to help her see how Christ can help her to grow and overcome) 

When we got to her door and she answered it became apparent that she had slipped a bit. She was slurring a couple of her words and was jumping from thought to thought. We talked to her for a bit about looking forward and not dwelling on the mistakes of the past, and how perfection doesn't come in a single day, when, unexpectedly, she gave Elder Hartman a hug, and a big kiss on the cheek. 

For those who aren't aware, we as Elders get in the habit and mindset that any connection with any Sister from the ward, or any girl for that matter, beyond a fist bump or a handshake (and even then you've got to be cautious) is straight up taboo. 

So, when Elder Hartman got a hug and a kiss, the effect was similar to someone who is only used to a little bit of Wasabi, suddenly getting an entire spoonful. 

In that moment, I realized we needed to get Elder Hartman out of there and into the ER or he wouldn't make it. So, after a couple skilled conversation enders which we missionaries get pretty good at ("Thanks for letting us come by..." "We don't want to take up too much of your time..." Or the best one "Oh SNAP look at the time!! We need Tim Hortons on the Pronto..." (I've never used the last one, but one day))

we successfully removed ourselves and got Elder Hartman the care he needed (just in time too) 

After we got in the car, all he said was "what JUST happened" 

It was a wild experience to spectate, not going to lie. 

There is just never enough room to share everything, my goodness. 

I'm going through a pride cycle again, so, with with MUCH hesitation, I prayed this morning to once again be shown some of my weaknesses (Oh boy, I'm bracing myself) 

Sorry again for the longer email 

Love you all! Have a poppin' week!! 

- Elder Smith

1) Elder Hartman is going to make a short film called "the world through an Amber Lens" which I think is a fitting title. 

2) The final result of our all out battle with our sweet Mamère 

3)  Quick pic after a meeting with the Ward Mission Leader

4) We went street contacting and it got dark way too fast, so we snapped a quick moon selfie

5) Timmins being Timmins

6) A lady took a screenshot of my generic missionary message and posted it on the 'Gram so I commented on it. (I do need to be less robotic sometimes)