February 14, 2022

From Ben - Love at first sight's for suckers ... at least it used to be :)

We had a real cool opportunity to meet with our local politician this week! 

I found him on Instagram and thought 

"Well, invite everybody I guess"

So I attempted a conversation and we quite unexpectedly got a meeting set up.

Me and Elder Durant got to enter into his office and we were seated in a small but nice conference room. 

Our friend Faisal joined us and we started talking. 

He detailed his political career and his current plans while in office (which was WAY interesting) and the conversation gradually moved its way towards our beliefs. 

He was Muslim and so the topic focused mainly on the Divinity of Christ, and whether or not He was the Son of God and actually suffered an Atonement. 

It was a super interesting and enlightening conversation but we tragically didn't get anywhere. 

In the end, we gifted him a Book of Mormon and in return he gave us some cool Ontario pins. 

Super cool experience. 

Straight up thought we were going to pull an Ammon and convert the king who then converts his constituents. 

T'wasnt to be.

Tragically, but not really tragically, Etinosa and his son Eghosa's baptisms had to be pushed back two more weeks. 

A unique concern was brought up that needed to be resolved.

Etinosa is from Nigeria and has devout in faith to God. 

When going through the Baptismal questions and asking if he believed in President Nelson's divine calling he said. 

"I don't want to tell you that I believe in him just to please you Elders. 

I don't know him, so I cannot tell you that I believe. 

But I want to. 

And, in time, as I read his words and ask the Lord, I believe that I will come to know. 

But I will not deceive myself"

So powerful, and so genuine. 

Teaching his 9 year old son and 7 year old daughter brought back all my fears about teaching children again. 

They have no fear of acting bored when you are not interesting to them. 

And the Gospel is SO interesting, but our presentation of it needed some adjusting to their level (which is an elite level, sonwe had to step up our game)

They are so curious!  

After a lesson the both, I played some tunes on the piano and was able to build some rapport with the two of them. 

(I tried and was unsuccessful to teach them some rhythm in their efforts to play and make their own melodies, which basically consisted of slamming any number of keys at once. It was a party) 

Also had an exchange with Elder Radford, one of the AP's. 

He's 6'5" so we thought somebody was going to peg me as his child or something. 

It was a quality missionary exchange. 

I got to benefit from E. Radford hilarious sense of humor and some ideas and suggestions on how to improve the quality of me and E. Durant's street contacting efforts. 

It's interesting being the DL over the AP's. They are already exceptional missionaries, so my role can be summed up in, as I've concluded, in two questions. 

1) How can I contribute to their being excellent Assistants to the President.

2) What support to their already dilligent efforts can I give.

Either way, It's fun to try to help others "be more excellent" to quote President Hinckley. 

One thing I'm really coming to love is praying for the members of the district individually. 

To stop and ponder each Elder and Sister in the prayer, and try to care for their individual circumstances (it does take practice to care sincerely, still getting there) 

And I love praying for people with them. 

When not for the praise, and not for the clout. 

If I can get in the right mindset and motivation, praying that the Lord will bless them in every aspect of their lives is such a edifying experience. 

Oh man. There was a moment this week where I saw one of the Stage Theatre's little videos about Newsies. 

And with some epic apostate to missionary standard music playing in the background, I saw Sam and Josh in epic, frozen time scenes of the play. 

I just couldn't handle it. (Kind of not supposed to watch those 30 second videos, but I totally did )

The same feeling I got when the Avengers first assembled in the the MCU, I just wanted to yell in triumph when I saw my bros slaying it on the stage.

(I did a silent scream for like 10 seconds and almost did a Michael Jordan jump fist pump in the air)

I'd imagine in a similar way God feels a far greater joy in our triumphs, even the little ones. 

It's in his Character. 

And I think that's quite something. 

(I tragically cannot sing Santa Fe with any measure of Gusto as the walls in our apartment complex are quite thin, but boy oh boy was I tempted to break into song ("How can I keep from singing?"))

Today is Valentines day. Kind of a curious day for a missionary 

Just kidding. It's totally a normal day. 

But I was thinking about the subject yesterday. 

There are a couple of affirmations that check and balance my thought processes and behavior.

The ones I've got on my wall are

1) Stand worthy of your Priesthood

2) Be worthy of being called a representative of Jesus Christ.

3) Be worthy of a daughter of God. 

Whenever I think of any of these affirmations, solo or combined, I always want to be more mature in my actions, more consecrated in my thoughts, and more kind to my companion. 

Would a righteous holder of the Melchezidek Priesthood say ANYTHING bad behind someone's back, no matter the degree, even if that person is not at a first glance the easiest to love? 

Would a representative of Jesus Christ rationalize and justify not assisting or helping someone who needed it? Would hold back a kind word? A needed apology?

Can I say with confidence and excitement that I am mature enough spiritually, emotionally and socially to be have an eternal best friend and companion? 

I understand that there is a certain mindset and focus I need to focus on as a missionary, so I'm not always cycling through these questions in my mind. 

But every once and a while one of them will pop up, and I will recognize that there is some repentance still required for me to meet the affirmations expectations. 

Mom and Dad, you have been such an extraordinary example to me of what I want my one-day future marriage to be like. 

Everytime Mom would tell us how grateful she was for Dad.

Everytime Dad would ask us to respect Mom, and how he cherished her testimony and spirit. 

Everytime you'd both tell your first blind date story, with the same light and excitement everytime. 

That story, though told many times, has never gotten old. 

When Dad would take us kids out for a Saturday so Mom could get some peace and quiet. 

Seeing you both hold each others hands during Sunday walks. 

When we'd have to move out of our spot during movie night so Dad could sit beside Mom. 

When every Friday night was specifically reserved for date-night. 

(Dang, I'm tearing up writing this) 

Thanks Mom and Dad. For setting an example of pure love for one another. 

There are reasons Eternal Marriage is a core element to the science of Godhood. 

Love you loyal, email readers! 

Tune in next week for the dramatic tale of how Elder Smith and Elder Durant defy the odds and go undercover to convert the gangs of Toronto to a higher and holier way. 

(If I get shot and live, I will not complain) 

- Elder Smith

1) Foodbanking with the ZL's. (They are elite leaders)

2) While going to drop a Book of Mormon while in a sus looking apartment. 

3) Elder AP Radford.

4) Just some cool bridge picture

5) Hiking during District P-Day

6) Selifies in the rain

7) After a 3 hour teaching spree

8) A meme a Sister in the district sent to keep me humble.

From Dad - A week to remember

Dear Benjamin,

I have been enjoying your social media posts! Thank you for your positive and intuitive insights. 

Quick follow up from our update last week around the flat tire story. FHE was fun having the girls learn how to change a tire. We decided we have to put the extension bar in the trunk if they ever need to change a tire as the lug nuts are too tight.

We loved having you join us for the first part of FHE.

G&G Bruce came up Thursday with Corbin and when we woke up Thursday morning the power went out on account of the high winds lately blowing over a tree onto a power pole. We had about 5 hours to wait so the kids got creative with playing chess, ping pong and designing and making paper airplanes. 

Abby tested hers and on the first throw nosed her plane into the edge of the whiteboard. A one in a million shot. 

We enjoyed their company and the good food that accompanied them including a healthy round of Grandma's chicken soup and dumplings.

This week has been a busy one for Josh and Sam. We were thrilled to be able to attend the Newsies production yesterday with G&G Bruce, Kurri, Calvin, Clara, Benson and Corbin.

 

They did a great job. Josh's voice held up, Sam’s flips were dead on and Madison nailed her solo.  The kiss scenes were pretty convincing too :). We are loving getting to know Madison and Hunter. It was Hunter's birthday yesterday.

Any guesses who's doing the flip :)

On the way to the play we were grateful we started early as we ran into another truckers convoy that was about 20 km long!  It’s quite the spectacle. 

We enjoyed going to Boston Pizza afterwards with Kurri and her kids. We love having our home be a place of gathering and family bonding. 

Last week the missionaries challenged us to read the Book of Mormon every day. It has been a valuable reminder. I was uplifted by this verse in Alma 27  this morning. 

18 Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness.

I pray I can be penitent and humble enough to pay the price for true joy. As it was with Ammon, so it is with us that as we serve others with humility we will find true Joy!

Alberta restrictions and dropping off and we were happy some of our friends who aren’t vaccinated could come to the play. No masks in school anymore and soon we will be able to go back to church fully. Thankful for small miracles. 

Mom was a saint this week and went to Calgary to spend a couple of days with my Mom as Grandpa Smith had his surgery. It was successful and they are already back home. Here’s an update from Grandma. 

“ We made it home at about 6:30. Liz and Jeff came out and brought pizza  and chicken and flowers and helped us get squared away, which was wonderful for us not to be alone at the first! Dad got to bed about 10 and is still sleeping ( 10:45). He is a little unsteady on his feet. The OT said he needs assistance for a while. He’s using a cane and hanging onto things although he doesn’t think he needs to!! His vision on the left side has been  affected a bit so we have some work to do on that to try and bring back as much as we can..

Oh, he just woke up..said he feels a little groggy! I have a feeling it will be a slow day.Thanks so much for all your love and support.. messages and calls and prayers! Jen, it was so great to have you there for me on Tuesday and Wednesday. We few so BLESSED”

Tonight Debbie (Nguyen) Low came over with her new boyfriend and Seth. With Kurri and Benson still here and with Josh, Sam and Hunter coming over, we had make your own pizza night and it was delicious! 

Have a great week! Love you forever.

Love Dad.