April 4, 2022

From Ben - 5 More Minutes

At the beginning of this week, I ran into a very common missionary danger.

Napping. 

It's exactly what you explained to me, Sam and Josh. The fact that you never really stop being tired, you just get better at being tired 

I realized it was becoming a real problem when instead of my forecasted 20 minute nap Wednesday at Dinner, it turned into a 40 minute nap. 

I knew it had become an addiction. 

To fight back against the perpetual pull of tiredness, I started swinging back. 

I resolved to turn off my phone as soon as I could as after 9:00 (sometimes there were follow up calls with District Members, so I couldn't do it immediately) and started trying to be in bed a little earlier. 

This led to me trying to be on my phone less during both the lunch and dinner hours, which led to me to realize that I had been on my phone way more than I thought I had been! What a beautiful revelation! 

My dream is that after the mission, I officially transition to a flip phone, disconnecting completely from all social media's until I've developed an iron will... 

Social Media, in my opinion, is good to the extent that we VERY CONCIOUSLY let it be used for good. In every other context it seems to distract, confuse, self-esteem slaps, not inform, waste time (the last one kicks different). 

It is our choice to let it be used for inspiration, connection, artistic inspiration, business pursuits and Gospel sharing. 

It must be a conscious effort, or it loses its ability to bless our lives, and instead becomes a personal potential inhibitor. 

I did get better at not napping though. 

Thursday was the last District Council of the transfer. 

I've been trying to get the district council to become more practical and useful. 

The Doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is lifting, inspiring, and awesome. It's so fun to teach, learn about, and discuss. 

If not applied, it does fall short in its power and purpose though. 

And in district councils, the Spirit is strong, the revelation flows. It's awesome. But by early next morning the flame has already been dowsed. 

Anyways, I've already got some ideas for it, but this District Council was good. 

We ran a thought experiment, in the hopes of training a What Would It Take Mindset? 

We asked the wild question of what would it take to, as a single companionship, baptize 10 people. 

(There are flaws in that singular goal, but for the role of the thought experiment it worked)

Amongst some answers we got.

- The quality and quantity of our prayers would have to increase dramatically

- We'd have to choose to resolve differences between the companionship because we would need to be working in unity.

- We'd never listen to music or crack jokes that would in any way take away from the Spirit (no Spirit, no power) 

- You'd be really bold in declaring God's legitimate promises.

- You'd try your hardest to focus during personal study and make sure your companion Study was a blessing.

- We'd call out with enthusiasm and honesty our discouragements, the holes in our Gospel knowledge  and blatant weaknesses, then turn to the Savior more than ever to consecrate our best efforts. 

There were a couple more things listed, but the principle that still stands is when you start asking 'what would it take' instead of 'why it can't be done' things change. 

And when you brake it down, you start to see in better clarity the practical steps it would take.

Then the next step of course is to take them! 

And find joy in the process of daily repentance. 

Conference was incredible. 

I thought I did a pretty good job of not taking it for granted before the mission, but I was wrong. 

After teaching others for 10 months the importance and blessings of a living Prophet, it was a different feeling. 

Between the Saturday morning and evening session, I made a critical error. 

We went to Osmows (the chicken shwarma poutine CTM staple) and got some food. 

I thought I could finally take the hottest hot sauce level, Scorchin' Hot. 

Needless to say, I was "compelled to be humble"

When I was 1/2 done the poutine, I was breathing an invisible fire, every breath a veritable torch to my tongue. 

At 2/3, for a moment, I swear I went deaf, and nearly blind (with only minor exaggeration, I swear) 

At its completion, my face had recovered, but my inner digestive organs had engaged in the fight of their lives. 

It was a journey, and I realized, yet again, how white and Canadian I am again 

The rest of Conference was wonderful. 

One of our friends said that it was exactly the thing they needed to hear, and asked if they could have access to more talks. It was awesome. 

The first time President Nelson stood up and started speaking. A feeling of joy and peace and filled my heart. He is the Lord's Prophet in these last days. I know it's true. 

The one comment he made that stuck out to me was how with "frightening speed a testimony can crumble"

Always a needed reminder. 

By small and simple things can both great and marvelous, and great and terrible things be brought to pass. 

Throughout the entire week, we hadn't found a single new person to teach. Which was kind of a bummer. 

But in the last 30 minutes of work on Sunday, from 8:30-9:00pm, we decided to blitz our hardest.

Through a gentle prompting or two, and the miracles familiar in God's world, we found three new people to teach.

Kinda rad.

Anyways, missionary life still has all its regular ups and downs. It's a journey. 

But, it's always one made with the Giver of all good things. 

So, we "grow as we go". 

Love you, all!

- Elder Smith

 1) Elder Durant, being a hero in the foodbank box

2) We got to help in the ESL (English Second Language) class. I don't understand Spanish, and they 

didn't understand English, so we had some fun interactions. 

3) Got to go on an exchange with one of my heroes, Elder Olson. His organization ability is incredible.

4) A classic breakfast. Bread and milk. This picture was taken yesterday, I desperately need some groceries. 

5) The last Zone Picture (the STL's embroidered these cool shirts with Wild Weston on them. Bless their souls) 

From Mom: Life and all that comes with it

Dear Ben,

We had a late night call with Auntie Liz last night. The sad news is that Grandpa’s cancer is back and there’s not much anyone can do about it. The question is how to give him the best care until the end of his life, which the doctor says will be in the next six months or so. Grandpa, of course, is only concerned about Grandma and what she will do when he’s gone. It’s quite tender to see them together. Their love shines pretty bright and again, I’m grateful for our belief in eternal families. It’s not a final “good-bye” but a “see you later.” Dad will probably go down this week to help Grandma get some rest. The problem is that Grandpa gets up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom then he gets confused and can’t find his way back to bed. So Grandma can’t sleep for worry.

We will give them as much support as we can along with the Bectells and work together to help Grandma as much as possible during this difficult and emotional time. Honestly, I think Grandpa is excited and ready to go. 

Linda Raymond had a dream where Grandpa was teaching her beloved nephew (who died a few years back). She says, “the dream was weird because Craig was wearing some unusual clothing,” and then she described the temple clothing. She’s never been to the temple so she couldn’t understand why he was wearing such odd clothes. Hahaha. It kind of hit home that when our time is up, then it means there is something for us to do on the other side. 

Anyway, we had a slow week recovering from Covid. The girls were on spring break and tried to keep busy with friends. I coughed my face off and couldn’t go out in public but that’s finally waning now. We kick started LYR and it’s going to happen this year. I dread the next six months of work to get it to happen but it’s worth it. Not that I mind work, but I struggle with wishy-washy people. I loved Pres. Nelson’s 5 Suggestions for Spiritual Momentum, the last one a plea to eradicate contention from your life. So that will be a good reminder for me to have patience. Ha. Wish me luck. We watched all sessions of Conference and came away with many insights and gratitudes for a loving Heavenly Father and the Saviour. My biggest take-away is how our life changes for the better when Jesus is there, walking with us by our invitation. 

I love you so much, Ben. I’m proud of your desire to do what is right, your enthusiasm for life and your goodness. 

Sometimes, Dad and I sit back and look at our children in wonder at their goodness and wholeness and kindness and resilience. All of you are the best thing in our lives. 

I remember when Dad and I were first dating, just really casual at first, he said to me one day, very sincerely, “Can I talk to you?” I could see it was a serious thing, but we weren’t very serious so I didn’t know what would come out of his mouth. We were sitting on the grass on the BYU-I campus and he said, “I created a feeling.” I was trying not to laugh because I could see it was difficult for him to get out, so I said, “what feeling did you create?” His answer? “I’m jealous.” I was baffled, but he clarified that he was jealous that I was always going out with my roommates and not with him. He just wanted to spend more time with me. I think that’s when I first started to like him truly. He was just so genuine. So refreshing. And he’s only gotten better from there. I love him as my life partner and we’re still going strong. He’s never used the term “I created a feeling” since. He learned that phrase as a communication tool at a family therapy session and was trying it out on me. It worked anyway. Haha.

But from that goofy sincere moment, we’ve been together and had six gorgeous children who bring us so much joy, especially you right now in your service to God. Keep going. Keep trying. There is happiness now and especially in the future. 

Forever and ever,

Mom