May 9, 2022

From Ben - Seeing Potential

In flash, my eye started burning. 

Pain. 

Amazement. Shock. 

What I thought was a regular eye-rub turned into a fight for my life.

I had rubbed pepper straight into my eye.

What started as a funny accident turned into a demonstration of my personal pain tolerance, which then turned into surprise as it really did start to burn like the dickens. 

After shedding a tear and washing my eye with tap water, things started to get better...

Then. 

I went blind. 

T'was a good week!

Had Cereal Saturday with the District. 

Everyone hops on a video call during our lunch hour, eats a bowl of cereal together, and shares stories. 

Corn flakes always tastes better with friends

(Sponsored by Kellogg)

Still learning how to solve the question of unity for the District. 

It's not bad, it just needs to grow a little more. 

Ideally we get to the point where people are happy to ask for help when they are struggling in their area, their faith, and their motivation.

Then, ideally, we without criticism or pride find joy in lifting and helping them. 

We're not there yet 

It can be challenging to ask for help when one's area is struggling, when one's faith seems not as strong as everyone else's, when you seem like the only one who's having a hard time (what a sneaky deception) 

Comparison in the missionary world is a sly foe.

Either way, I love these Elders. 

One of the insights recently was that I need to improve my ability to 'see potential'

To see and work by the latent power and Divinity within each of God's children, or, each Elder of the Newmarket District. 

The idea makes perfect sense in my head, but getting in the heart and in my paradigms takes a little bit more effort, a little more prayer. 

In the couple moments when the perspective has clicked, it's so much fun to see others for what they can become. To fight alongside them for their best self. To root for their triumphs, to bolster them in their challenges. 

To 'invite repentance' becomes easier when I've recognized that it would lead another to gain greater difference making power, or become the champion they don't know they can become yet. 

Not stellar at it yet, but it's so exciting to try. 

Also, I didn't actually go blind :)

Had the super cool opportunity to teach Mackenzie, a Trans-women from Mexico. 

She's studying for her masters and loves Philosophy. 

It was interesting to talk with her! 

One of her thoughts was that free will was illusory. 

It became really challenging to explain any other of God's doctrine when that idea stayed at play. 

A loving Father, the chance to grow, an opposition in all things. 

These things require a freedom of some sort. 

Agency is a gift I take for granted . 

Anyways, an even cooler experience happened after we finished the lesson. 

We were walking back from to the vehicle and saw this lady sitting on a bench.

We stopped and started talking to her, offered to share a short message centered on Christ, she said sure, so we gave it and gave a copy of the Book of Mormon. 

Somewhat surprised, she explained that she was having a pretty rough day that day, and that it was somewhat amazing that we had stopped to talk with her. 

Elder Blum, the hero he is, sat down beside her and read Alma 7:11-13 and shared a testimony about Christ.

She shed an actual tear and said. 

"I don't know you, and I don't know this book. But I do know that both of you live the teachings inside"

It was pretty cool. 

Our friend Adhi, who was on date for the 7th is MIA. 

His phone number is toasted on us at the beginning of the week but he didn't block us. 

(We tried calling him through a separate number)

So we're praying we find him randomly on the street. The man's ready, humble and excited. 

We just need to get in touch with him 

And finally, Jesus is the living Christ. 

That is something I need to get way deeper in my soul.

And probably always will. 

But I believe with everything I am that it is true. 

From feelings I have felt in my heart, from joy I have seen experienced, from times of an enlightened mind. 

I would be scared to deny the things I have felt and experienced. 

I don't share that enough. 

Love you all! Have a wonderful week! 

1) Random Personal Study notes

2) District Leadership at its finest 

3) Instagram Meeting notes

4) The triumphant milkshake that Elder Blum makes. 

Oreos, marshmallow fluff, ice cream. 

Nutrition at its finest. 

5) Exchange with Elder Owen. Blowing my MSF on McDonald's and regretting it later

6) Our friend Jeremy. Who loved cats and dogs and adventures. 

From Dad - On the road again

Dear Ben,

It's been one of our busiest weeks since Covid! As you know from our Monday conversation, I spent the last week in NY state doing work related product training and visiting my team in Schenectady. Meanwhile at home, Mom and the girls were also super busy. 

GE built a leadership and learning campus in Crotonville NY in the 1950s and it is quite amazing. It is set in the NY countryside with beautiful big trees and landscape. The Buildings are designed and architected beautifully to promote collaboration and innovation. Once past the security gate, most everything is open and available to walk through with a full 200 room hotel with first class service and amazing food and meals. Kitchenettes are everywhere and open any time for all kinds of healthy and unhealthy snacks. I really enjoyed the time there both for the environment as well as the opportunity once again to travel and to meet with our customers, channel partners and Solution Architects face to face.

In front of the Hotel

Pictures from a morning walk

A memorial from the World Trade center wreckage

Cool walkways and outdoor fireplace area.

I had another adventure with gout on this trip. On Saturday morning it started to flare up again and I was worried it could be a problem on my trip. I had no desire to have to go to a doctor or medical center in the US, so Sunday morning before church I tucked into the Emergency room in Devon and got another prescription from Doctor Crawford there. He gave me the same stuff as before feeling that I hadn't fully healed from the first attack and also gave me some steroid pills just in case it flared up too painfully with a warning to not take them for too long as they can be addicting.

Thus armed, and after also getting a Covid test (Still required to have a 24 h covid test before entering the US), I flew out Monday morning. When you called I was just arriving at the training center.

Cool thing about being in a hotel this time of year is that both the NHL playoffs and the NBA playoffs are in full swing so after a long day I enjoyed watching games in the evenings instead of going to the bar with some of the other folks. I did really enjoy the networking and conversations I was able to have.

While I was gone, Mom took it upon herself to take the car into Canadian Tire to do a wheel alignment. Unfortunately because we have no alternate  vehicle, she ended up spending the whole day in the Leduc Common and walking to the high school to get the girls. They enjoyed some shopping but it was a tiring long day waiting for the car to get in only to find out they wouldn't do the alignment because of some issues they found... of course. The next day after washing the car it started to shake more than ever and she had a contrasting experience with our small town mechanic Gord from "Whatever Repairs" who whisked her in, found the problem (mud in the wheels) and got her on her way with no charge.

As you've probably noticed, Mom has started Instagramming again. She has a great eye for precious moments:

Yesterday was busy too. We started early with the Classic Highway cleanup. We took two vehicles as Mom and the girls along with Megan and Zek day went into the Stake Center for an FSY pre-activity. I stayed home and got some tasks done as well as practicing for the community choir. I've missed a couple of practices and I'm behind in memorizing. We perform in a month so I need to step it up! It's pretty fun to have a shared experience with Abby and Mia.

Sharing a couple of pics from last week that were on my phone from Josh's party.

As it is Mother's day today, I want to share with you and everyone on this email how much your Mother means to me. She makes my life complete and has stuck by me through thick and thin. I'm so grateful for her example of living a consecrated life dedicated to the Savior, her family and to me. I stand in constant awe of her ability to draw on the power's of heaven to find answers and strength for her life and for the blessing of us and others. I'm so grateful she had the faith to bring such amazing children into this world. Because of her, I have the joy of a family and the chance to spend my life forever with her and you all. God be thanked for your wonderful and amazing mother. I hope you never wonder whether I love her. I do, forever and ever and with all my heart.

Have a great week Ben,

Love,

Dad.