July 18, 2022

From Ben - From Theology to Reality

As we taught the three Latino families (we thought we were just visiting the one, but they invited two more from the ward for a get together. Classic )

Elder Blum prepared his firm foundation object lesson. 

Previously, in its dramatic climax, it concludes by him smashing a can of soup or beans on his exposed finger poised on his quad scriptures and having it be unscathed while the can, after the swing, reveals a great big dent in it. 

This lesson never ceases to amaze small children (and even parents too) and establish the importance of a firm foundation on Jesus Christ and Gospel truth. 

However, after our quick discussion of the Why behind Christ being our firm foundation, Elder Blum building the suspense for the children of whether or not his finger can take the blow, when it was time to swing, (and he swung with all he was worth to emphasize the lesson point) instead of the middle of the can, he mashed his finger right on the edge. 

Now, no-one knew any different; after the swing, he smiled, flexed his finger, explained that Satan can't do anything to those grounded on the Savior, and concluded the lesson. 

When he walked back to me, he quietly said

"Elder Smith, I totally missed. I completely lied to them all. That hurt so bad."

To which his finger agreed, and five minutes later, expressed its disapproval by swelling up. 

The behind the scenes of missionary work is truly just a bunch of young adults stumbling along trying to make a difference.

It's truly a miracle that the Church hasn't collapsed based on such a missionary program. 

Only through the grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Spirit is such a thing possible. 

"By the weak and simple" 

Our friend Henri is going to be baptized this upcoming Saturday. 

If it was anyone else we would probably have to push it back. 

He's only been to Church twice and we dropped the ball in getting members to fellowship him. 

But his spiritual sensitivity is unlike I've ever seen. He is humble, repentant, meek, and faith filled. 

Be praying for him. The adversary presents himself in different ways the weeks leading up to someone about to make a Covanent with God. 

On Sunday, we went to visit a friend from a couple months ago. 

We hadn't had much of a chance to meet as him and his wife had had pre-mature twins. All energy and resources going into helping and supporting them. 

On our stop by visit, he explained some of the stresses he was feeling. 

The fear for his two twins, the stress of supporting and sustaining a family, and supporting his wife who was taking a huge blow physically and mentally while facing his own challenges.

And in that specific moment, I realized just how much more the Gospel of Jesus Christ needed to become a reality to me. 

In that moment, I didn't have it in me to the degree I needed to have it. 

If I had suggested oft-repeated Christian platitudes: that things were going to alright, that there was a peace to be found in Christ, without knowing it would be so, I would have been as an actor reciting script on a page. 

What this man needed was real Gospel doctrines with real God given promises from a servant of God who held the power and authority to proclaim such things to be real. 

That there was a peace, order, and truth to be found in an actual Redeemer. 

In that moment I didn't have it in me to testify of the peace that isn't constrained by circumstance. 

I have grown a lot on my mission (unfortunately not in stature though ) but in faith, love, knowledge, joy, gratitude, and many other areas. 

So I was grateful to receive another wake up call that I needed to ground myself again. Even deeper. 

To fight the fights that allow me to become valient and stalwart. 

To bind my thoughts and feelings to the Savior. 

To honor my covanents and stand for Celestial Laws. 

To become incorruptible on the merit of He who was. 

We've got another meeting with this man this upcoming weekend. 

If I choose to put off the 'alrightness' of being just an average missionary, I'll be able to promise and testify of things that will lift him to greater heights. 

It's possible, and I have a lot of hope and excitement to grow. 

Which is just repentance I guess 

Anyways, thanks for humoring my ponderous thoughts and missionary journey 

Love you, each! 

- Elder Smith

1) Comp Study in a beautiful library on Incredible chairs.

2) A member snuck a picture of us at the bus stops talking to some people (the lady accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon) 

3) An attempted Quasadilla forgotten on the pan

4) Random mid day selfie to bolster ourselves. 

5) The one and only, Johnathen Ross. 

His conversion story is one I will not forget. God really does speak to us according to our understanding. 

From Dad - Late Email

Dear Ben. 

Sorry about this week's lack of communication. No excuses, just getting absent minded in my old age maybe?

It’s been a lot quieter around here without Abby and Mia, but Bowie is doing her best to give us wonderful entertainment and smiles. So far my favorite thing to do with her is mow the lawn. 

She likes to wear ear muffs but lately has been falling asleep as we drive. She is a joy to have around. My pet shop skills have never been sharper :)

In other news, we finally bought a second vehicle. It is a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder with 186K km and comfortably seats 7. Plan is to take it across to Vancouver and back with Rufus and the girls for the Bruce Reunion. It's the platinum version so it has lots of bells and whistles. Hope it will run well for us. Mom hoped for something other than white as it is pretty common and we hoped for something like the green car that is so recognizable in the parking lot. Turns out this one had everything we needed except the color. More pricy than we'd hoped, but hey, what's a little debt to make life interesting!!

Stephanie and Bowie have spent a lot of time outside and they love picking wild strawberries. Steph says its been like re-living her idyllic childhood days and tonight she even got Mom's special play with your hair special treatment.

Part of the reason we missed your call yesterday was because we ended up attending Jourden Bonnell's wedding. He decided to marry his online girlfriend after spending a year in the US with her then coming home a few months ago. Brother Patrick officiated with a temporary license from the province and hammed it up pretty good. Happy for their family.

Tyler and I are prepping for a week push before Vancouver to clad the tree house if our tin order ever comes in. Hoping thursday. We've been teetering on ladders putting up house paper. Should look good when we get it done.

Hawk has been entertaining/disgusting us with her shedding. A few days ago she developed a sideways growth of shedded fur that looked like something was growing out of the side of her. Bowie has been loving the animals, especially the little kitties that are growing fast.

We celebrated her birthday last week and enjoyed seeing her turn 3. Josh and Madison came out as it is also Madison's birthday. Bowie graciously let her open the first present. Bowie had a small fit the night before when she realized it was finally time for her to turn 3 and she had concerns about not wanting to NOT be 2 anymore. Got over that quickly though with a little cake and ice cream.

The girls seem to be having a great time in Sweden. Got some pictures from Rob today.

Mom is leveraging her new job to book massages for Steph and Tyler and herself and even helped Sis Annelle Lawrence get a job there! She is a connector for sure and I love her soul.

I've been really enjoying "Come Follow Me" lately. I've come to know the Old Testament more fully than ever in my life and I love the life's lessons it teaches from real, often flawed people and prophets who, like us, seek to navigate a fallen and sometimes crazy world. It has given me hope as we deal with some super challenging problems with my sister Angie who is struggling to overcome addiction to drugs and battling mental illness and schizophrenia.Some problems are just too big for our human understanding and solving. We need the Lord and we need to trust him over time, just like the children of Israel had to learn over and over again. Loved the story of Josiah, one of two righteous kings in 150 years. His willingness to follow the word of the Lord in the scriptures when so much of his family and upbringing were so terrible. We can choose to be faithful and to believe despite our circumstances. I'm grateful for your choice to serve a mission. You are right where you are meant to be, my son.

Love you lots,

Dad.