May 24, 2022

From Ben - Triumphant We Stand

Another transfer begins! 

The district stayed mostly the same with the exception of a single Elder swapping out, so now our rustic band of missionaries includes:

Elder Hamilton the Wise and Elder Leavitt the Lore Hungry, in Orellia

Elder Aken the Hawaiian and Elder Bisschop the BFG, in Orangeville.

Elder Blum the Bard, and I, Elder Smith, the Short, in Newmarket.

Then last but not least, we have our cherished older couple:

Elder Lawlor the Master Teacher and Sister Lawlor the Banana Bread Boss, in Midland. 

We are the Newmarket District. 

Under the banner of heaven, triumphant we stand, and united, we conquer. 

(Things are so epic if we choose to let them be, heck yah ) 

I'm still figuring out how to unconditionally love others. 

I didn't realize how many conditions I place on my own definition to love somebody 

Turns out is was a fair amount!

But it feels so cool in the moments where it clicks 

(It's a roller coaster of ups and downs) 

To see someone for their potential, and not for who they are or what they've done. 

To treat them as the protagonist and yourself as the ultimate side-character who's role is to help them fulfill the ultimate potential and divine identity. 

Ah man. So fun, so fulfilling.

I don't get it as often as I'd like, but it sure is clicking far more than when I started on my mission. It's cool to see progression (phew)

I feel it often towards my district members. Seeing them succeed. Seeing Elder Bisschop gain more confidence, Elder Hamilton and Leavvitt truly love each other. 

Golly it's so cool. 

We got to have dinner with the Stake President of the Barrie Stake, President Chaggares and his family.

They are incredible. 

He leads an elite accountant business and is quite well off. 

So when me and Elder Blum arrived at this mansion of a house, we just had to smile. 

They have this beautiful piano room with a mini-grand from Steinway and Sons. 

I was blessed with the opportunity to throw down Lost Boys on the keys with their crystalline tuning and pitch. 

One day I'll have a piano like that 

Anyways, the point and case was who they were. 

Incredible mansion of a house, a pool, a basketball hoop, giant TV, beautiful furniture, the works.

But when President Chaggares shook our hand, and looked at us in the eye; character, power and light are words that would describe him. 

We definitely don't need material things to hold power and difference making potential. 

'Becoming Christlike' is a different ballpark when you encounter someone who truly is. 

There's a gentleness and a kindness to them. But also gravity and power.

It's hard to explain honestly, but PmG gives an insight into the process. 

"Your calling gives you authority; keeping covenants gives you power"

To those who consciously keep their covenants, and fight to conquer the unavoidable yet needed challenges and roadblocks that will arise as we try, to them is guaranteed the powers of heaven. 

My favourite food for thought is always that happy and bountiful "Word of Christ" with which we are always invited to the feasting table 

We had another bout with our friend Steve, the Baptist preacher. 

We spent a little too much time with him (two and a half hours... oof ) and tragically didn't get too far. 

It of course boiled down to the truthfulness of the Book or Mormon. It became really challenging to talk about our different perspectives (Why baptism? The nature of God, what Priesthood authority is and how its conferred, if councils of old hold doctrinal sanctity) without grounding first where our claims have their foundation. 

The question of the Book of Mormon needed to be answered. 

And amongst questions of Joseph Smith, Church History, Biblical interpretations, and suspect Satanism, it boiled down to the fact that Steve hadn't actually read the Book of Mormon. 

It's tricky when others do believe it possibly came from the devil. Fair enough. 

But the Book itself stands for itself as the testimony of Jesus Christ and His doctrine. That which is plain and simple and uplifting and life changing. 

They just have to read it, shoot dang.

Anyways. We love Steve. His heart is golden, his Biblical knowledge is incredible and his kindness is genuine. He's absolutely hilarious.

We probably won't meet with him again, but I'm glad we got to. 

And finally, I've got to throw in my two cents about Elder Blum, my companion and friend. 

I love this Elder 

For your understanding of who I work with 24/7, he's a master story teller, a genuine listener, and an earnest improver. 

He's got some Italian heritage and a really cool testimony. 

Our weaknesses and strengths balance eachother. 

Just thought I'd hype him up. 

He will never find out that I've explained him as such in this email. 

Don't you just love talking good behind someone's back? Giving anonymous hype? 

It's kinda fun 

Love you all! 

- Elder Smith

1) Celebratory Steak Dinner for the end of last transfer

2) Elder Blum with some super cool clouds in the background

3) a SUPER random yet kind of cool looking back ally we saw.

4) A primary 'baptismal preview' of which we got to teach an object lesson (the pepper, soap and water)

5) I need a new profile picture and this was a part of our effort to get one. 

Needless to say, I still don't have a new profile picture.

6) Just another peek into the day of a missionary 

7) A mid week goal assessment with the District.

From Dad - Family

Dear Ben,

I’m writing this from Liz and Jeff’s. We’ve enjoyed a wonderful couple of days with them and the Bectell’s. I’m grateful for your Moms support as we take the time to drive down to be with G&G Smith during this challenging time. 

Talking to Grandma today she shared that Grandpa occasionally talks about wanting to make more of a difference and doesn’t like feeling useless. So we brainstormed and decided to start “Grandpa TV”. You may have seen some posts on a family Messenger group.  Hoping this will be a way to capture the legacy of Faith we inherit from your amazing grandparents. 

Friday night we left the girls to fend for themselves and drove to Glenwood and stayed at the empty house. Different without G&G there. 

Abby got a photo gig with the school to take grad pics for the year book on Saturday so they chose to stay home. Mia’s been practicing her busking songs again for a farmers market this Tuesday and it’s two weeks till our community choir concert. 

We were grateful to go to the temple on Saturday. Love the peace we find there. Pondered and prayed for each of you our wonderful children.  Mom couldn’t resist the flower pictures so I photo bombed :)

We spent the rest of the day visiting and eating with G&G. 

Mom and Grandma went out for a walk and dad and I stayed in. 

Had a funny experience when Primrose, the personal attendant determinedly walked in the room to collect Dad for supper. She pulled him off the couch, positioned him with his walker and started tugging him down the hall. I tagged along and sat in Grandmas place and had some curios conversations with the folks in the dining room. Not all of it coherent. Grandpa is eating everything in site. We’re taking that as a good sign. 

I’m grateful for my parents and their inspiring life. Grandma shared that she’s finding it hard to remember the healthy Grandpa and so in typical proactive style she posts photos of him when he was younger and healthier. Fun to remember. 

Today Mom and I had the privilege of attending Church with them at Lee Crest. Church is condensed into 1 hour. 1/2 hour Sacrament meeting, 1/2 hour Sunday School/ Priesthood / RS. 

The part of the lesson that hit me the most was this quote by Elder Uchtdorft:

Do you want to change the shape of your life?

Change the shape of your day.

Do you want to change your day?

Change this hour.

Change what you think, feel, and do at this very moment.

A small rudder can steer a large ship.

Small bricks can become magnificent mansions.

Small seeds can become towering sequoias.

Minutes and hours well spent are the building blocks of a life well lived. They can inspire goodness, lift us from the captivity of imperfections, and lead us upward to the redemptive path of forgiveness and sanctification.

It caused me to consider where I want the rest of my life to go and what I want to accomplish. So important to consider the daily and hourly choices that add up to that outcome. The most obvious is healthy eating! But how do I resist Grandmas fudge icing at Coulson's birthday party!!

We had fun going around the table and spotlighting both Coulson and Sam for their birthdays. Such a fun tradition that has come to be. Somewhat uncomfortable for the person but feels so good!!

Mom successfully completed her first week of work. She’s excited to earn her own money and save for tuition etc. she’s upgrading her wardrobe to reflect her new professional status. 

If you remember, when we talked Monday night I was going out to rototill the garden. Abby captured some pics. Brother Patrick had me till some of his garden and we had a nice visit. 

On Saturday Mia made a list of things to do including setting up the trampoline. Spring really is here I guess

. 

All and all it’s been a busy but good week. Family is so wonderful and so worth it. 

Have a great week!

Dad.