February 28, 2022
From Ben - Land of Giants
I love writing about my weaknesses!
Not to demean myself, nor to show others how humble I am (though I do sometimes fall into this latter trap ), but to see my own self with clarity, to be able to diagnose the issue correctly so I can apply the right choices to change (as the ideal goal at least)
And my recurring thorn continous to be pride. I think.
It's either pride, or incorrect priorities which then leads toward pride. (Or I'm overthinking everything, and should just start praying like mad)
In the moments when I am motivated by charity, and my "eye is single", absolute invincibility follows. Absolute.
Fearlessness is my mantle, joy reigns as a core emotion, and even the intelligence of a undistracted, uncluttered mind welcomes itself.
However, when little selfishnesses, micro-grudges, and half given efforts are chosen, amen to any credible, difference making power on my end.
(This is a slight exaggeration, but just slightly)
It's very interesting!
Here's the examples.
Wednesday, the mindset clicked.
I had a stellar personal study, and was able to K.O. the small goblins of pride that climbed the outer wall of my thoughts.
On the first bus ride, I connected with a fellow name Cajetan, got him a Book of Mormon and his number.
On the second bus ride I talked with a Spanish gent and successfully delivered his number to the Spanish Zone Leaders and got a solid invite to him to come go church.
On the third bus ride I met a friend name Walid, from Somolia, offered a thought about Eternal Families, got him a Book of Mormon, his number, and even grew in my own understanding of the Muslim faith.
The Spirit was strong and things flowed smoothly.
Sunday was tragically the flip-side.
There's a specific moment that I can pin-point where I "kinda sorta tried" and "kinda sorta got results", and because I was slacking on my watch duty, the little goblins breached, and even burned a couple houses. (Not sure if this analogy is any good anymore, but hey )
And on the first bus ride after that moment, I saw an adorable old lady, started up a simple conversation with her, and!
Didn't even mention the Gospel once. Oof. Not because I forgot. But because I was scared!
It happened twice more after that, so it was a pattern.
Stephen Covey explained that to successfully win the public victory, we first gotta win the private victory.
He knew what he was talking about.
But I got better at the skill of repentance this week though!
I realized that I had got into the habit of calling out my weaknesses, without ever directly confronting them.
(It's like pointing out the mustard that magically appears on your white shirt, but never changing or washing it)
So I sat down in my personal study and just confronted the untrue or incorrect thoughts and perceptions I had, and consciously made an effort to correct them.
With some solid prayer, a little bit of 3rd Nephi, I straight up felt humility enter my soul.
It was gnarly.
Our baptism for our friend Etinosa and Eghosa successfully happened on Saturday, with many stresses and many prayers.
The font was filled, the chairs laid out, the forms filled, then... crisis.
With some mad clarification from Bishop and even the Mission President, things got resolved and the ordinance successful
(The details will stay ambiguous, but it was wilin')
The day after, I had the cool opportunity to confirm them both members of the Church, and confer upon them the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
Now the goal is to help them take the steps toward making temple covanents!
The first district council of the new transfer happened on Thursday, as well as the announcement of the members of my district.
For posterity, the members of the district, with their associated heights are...
Elder Durant (6'1")
Elder Smith the AP (6'0"+)
Elder Radford (6'4")
Elder Olson (6'0"+)
Elder Christiensen (6'0")
Elder Jensen (5'10")
Hermana (Spanish form of Sister) Specht (6'0"+)
And blessedly, Hermana Pearson (5'6")
It's a district of giants. Except for me and the one Hermana.
And I have absoute power. (Muahaha)
Totally kidding. Zero power. Just the opportunity to serve.
The district council was stellar. I talked a little too much, I'm still solving the idea of delegation, but beyond that, the Spirit was present, and hopefully some revelation followed.
The Lord really lifts. Let me tell you.
On Saturday, for whatever reason, I was just feeling down.
It was just one of those days.
While walking to get some loonies for laundry from the gas station however, God sent an absolute miracle our direction; in the form of a flat tire.
This lady from Vietnam pulled up in a gas station with a totally deflated tire, in the exact moment we were there.
We offered our service, and began to put on the spare.
(Thanks Dad for double checking and making sure I could do that )
It lifted my spirits so much to work alongside Elder Durant and help this lady.
Sitting on the cold pavement, even in suit pants, I was so happy.
She even bought us apple juice.
It was a gift and an opportunity straight from heaven.
I got to feel happy, and a sweet old lady got her tire changed.
God knows, yo. God knows.
Hope the week was great for yall! And I hope this next one is stellar also!
Love you, eh?
- Elder Smith
1) The last gathering of the last transfers Weston Zone
2) Just a GNARLY picture of the Red Sea parting.
3) Filling the font
4) The tall district except for two
5) Elder Durant, preparing for his triumph
6) Just sitting on a bench, waiting for a bus.
7) That same bench.
8) Pizza night from our beloved Dominoes
9) Tire changing for our sweet Nancy.
From Dad - Family
Dear Ben,
I’m feeling grateful for my family this week.
Mom and I decided to go to Glenwood to visit my parents. Grandpa Smith isn’t doing too well physically since the operation. We were grateful for time spent with him and Grandma. I was blessed with an amazing father. Looking back on my early life I see his fingerprints everywhere. He took time to teach me to work hard on the farm. I have early memories of walking through tall grass and listening to him share his feelings for God and his desire for me to be good. He was my branch president, seminary teacher and bball coach. I knew he loved me because he took time to be involved in my life. Though it is hard to see him struggle, it doesn’t diminish his stature in my eyes as I see him battle with courage.
My Mom, your Grandma is a pillar of faith and perseverance. She thinks of everyone else before herself and is the best listener I know despite losing her hearing !
Friday night just before Mom and I were about to leave for Glenwood, Mom was on the way home with the girls when they got a flat tire 5 minutes from home. My phone was in the other other room, so I didn't get their call. As they sat there wondering what to do, Mia and Abby piped up that they should try and change it themselves! We had just learned how to do it in FHE so they gave it a shot. I finally called half way through but by the time I got there in the truck, they were already on the road with the donut. I was pretty proud of my self-reliant women!
While we were gone, the girls held down the fort and I was grateful for their growing self-reliance. They sent us regular picture updates of cleaning the house and attending their YW zoom meeting. I was so grateful for Sam and Josh choosing to come over on Saturday with Madison and Hunter to spend the evening together. They enjoyed watching the Newsies recording together. Not sure if you are able to, but here's the link on YouTube! https://m.youtube.
On the drive down, Mom and I got the chance to listen to a Come Follow Me podcast about Isaac and Rebekkah. One of the things that was discussed was how we get to see both the great and not so great attributes of these patriarchal and matriarchal families. For example, when Rebekkah conspired with Jacob to get the birthright blessing vs. Esau, the intent was good, but maybe not the method. Jared Halverson speculated and wondered whether if Rebekkah and Jacob would have instead just sat down with Isaac and discussed the issue and shared her revelation whether they could have together made the right choice without trickery. Same thing with Adam and Eve. Could God's purposes have been fulfilled just as well as if Eve had chosen to counsel with Adam before taking the fruit? This was not meant to point fingers at our Old Testament Brothers and Sisters rather to encourage us in our relationships to consider counseling together more vs. doing our own thing in relationships?
The other fascinating consideration is that when you really look at it, the covenant line in the Old Testament is determined not actually by the fathers, but by the mothers! One could as easily and probably more accurately talk about the God of Sarah, Rebecca and Rachel as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
Looking back at pictures, on Family day Monday, we went to the silver skate festival with Josh and Sam and Madison. Super cold but fun!
Sorry this is a bit scattered, but so are families sometimes. Lately we've been enjoying a group chat with all my siblings and my parents. It is quite scattered, sometimes disturbing, sometimes offensive, often hilarious, but always filled with love and real interaction. Family relationships are the essence of life!
So grateful you are part of ours!
Love you,
Dad.
PS: Newsies YoutTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP3-32TsNOc&authuser=0
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