March 7, 2022

From Ben - LYR Syndrome

There are two CTM Staples. 

Two things that every missionary of the Canada Toronto Misson must be a partaker of or they're not doing it right. 

Muji Pens, and Osmows Chicken Shwarma Poutine. 

There is nearly nothing better then Osmows chicken shwarma poutine. 

It's so unhealthy it's actually unbelievable, but it tastes like something I've never eaten before. 

I don't know what they put in it, but it may not be legal, I'm telling you. 

The amount of dollars that poutine has inhaled out of my wallet is exceptional.

Anyways, after every Zone Conference, it is tradition to go and eat one of these beautiful creations. 

They offer something like five or six hot sauce levels 

The lowest being nothing, and the hottest being Scorchin'.

I've gotten to the second hottest, Very Hot. 

Every time I eat one of these Very Hot chicken shwarma poutines, my stomach is shocked that I would eat anything that brutally unhealthy. 

It riots, and even goes on strike. Every time. 

After knocking my stomach into submission, as the Very Hot poutine makes its way down my digestive track, conquering and pillaging like a Viking raid, my body realizes the heinous crime that is being committed against it, and sends warning signals and feelings of discomfort. 

It is a remarkable experience! 

I'm aware of both the nutritional horrors and digestive problems eating this chicken shwarma poutine brings. 

Yet I go and buy it every time (and I will probably continue to buy it every Zone Conference)

Why? 

Because it, in the moment, tastes delicious. 

Future consequences hold no leash when natural hunger is met by the prospect of some delicious Very Hot chicken shwarma poutine. 

The natural man is an adept defense lawyer in all of its cases.  

It has brilliant rationalization and justification ability. 

It's never right though. 

In total honesty, if you get a chance to eat some chicken shwarma poutine from Osmows, do it. 

I would highly recommend it 

This week was good! 

Zone Conference did indeed happen, and there were some cool insights from it. 

Zone Conference is kind of an interesting event. 

There are a lot of stellar insights and many missionaries. 

All of whom I want to talk to and get to know. 

If I'm not careful, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of good insights and great stories. 

Bridging the gap between hyped information and inspiring instruction to application in the regular, daily missionary experience is tricky if not addressed. 

That's one of my core fears as a District Leader is that the application of discussed principles doesn't happen. 

It's the LYR syndrome.

Moments inspiration and blazing enthusiasm that are lost the next morning. 

Unless a plan to motivate oneself from the inside is built, the external motivation given in District Council or Zone Conference only lasts so long. 

It's a fun question to consider! And there are some cool answers that have come. 

But those are the current thoughts circling through my mind. 

I've also recently discovered that I need to develop my ability to care for others. 

To want another person to experience greater joy; to be willing to sacrifice my own personal convenience and time to lift, strengthen, encourage, and, with love, offer the invitation for them to change. To repent. 

It is so much more exciting to care about others and be selfless. 

Being selfish takes an unbelievable amount of energy, and makes us sincerely miserable. 

Being selfless, in a mature, non self-effacing way, is definitely an attribute of Godliness. 

And it's so much fun. 

There is almost no greater joy that I have ever experienced than witnessing or hearing about the triumph of those I love.

I've felt it for the family, I've felt it for my fellow missionaries, and I've felt it for the friends we've been teaching. 

It's pretty amazing. 

Love you all! 

1) Legendary phone call with the Zone Leaders

2) Me expressing my fear of eventually baldness with Elder Durant

3) Me and AP Smith matching at Zone Conference. 

4,6,8) The reunion with my dear friend Elder Hartman at Zone Conference

 

 

5) Me recollection Josh's mad wisdom from the past

7) McDonald's McDonald's our beloved friend Cladius who struggles with dementia. 

9) The Weston Elders. 

From Mom - To Mask or Not to Mask?

Dear Ben,

I was looking back in my photos of the week to remember all the happenings and this is what I found 

Yes, it’s true. I took a picture of a dirty musty dusty mask because Alberta ditched the mask mandate! This picture is entitled “The Death of the Mask.” 

I was super excited about this … not because I mind wearing masks, but because I always forget them. You know, running to the store then having to run back to the car, usually in -40° weather. (Although, I have noticed that mask-wearing gives a little bit of protection and warmth on those blustery winter days.)

But still, I had a bad mask day this week anyway. In fact, it was the day I was scheduled to do an oral presentation for my uni class. I had my power point ready, Dad made sure I knew how to hotspot the Chromebook to my phone. I had my little prompt cards …. and then after dropping the girls at school in the morning I realized my phone was left at home!  Do I race home or leisurely drive to school? I decided to race home, along with my racing heart then race to the university. I arrived at the parking lot with six minutes to spare (it takes me six minutes to get to class) so all was well until I was halfway there AND I FORGOT MY MASK! (UofA has a private mask mandate until the end of semester.) So I was 3 minutes late for class only to find out the projector wasn’t working and I couldn’t use my slides anyway.  I winged my presentation and it is what it is, but I seriously thought I was going to have a heart attack. Darn masks. 

Next in my photos ….

I mean, she doesn’t have any younger siblings, sooooo …

(And yes, that is my shirt.)

This next picture I took at the Blush Lane Organic Market to show Cheri Day the price of eggs in the bougie part of town. The thing is, I wasn’t wearing my mask because we don’t have to, but EVERYONE was wearing their masks. I figured it must be what those organic people wear. … until I found out that Edmonton has a municipal mask mandate.  If you live in Edmonton proper, you still legally have to wear masks. 

At home, we don’t have to wear masks, for which I am grateful. I’m also thankful for Abby, who takes photos with my phone.

And this … which you actually might find useful if you get the stuff… Grandma Smith asked for this receipt because she loved it when I made it during a recent visit.

White Chicken Chile.

This us a good recipe with those while roasted chickens you can get at the deli. 

Mask-wearing or not, I’m grateful to believe in a God who could care less about such things as long as we strive to be our best selves. 

And now, a random blizzard just blew in as I’m preparing to leave the car to walk to my class. Mask on!

Love,

Mom