August 29, 2022
From Ben - Needed Hues
Lame Zone Leader Elder Smith
- Doesn't practice what he preaches
- Believes his title as Zone Leader makes him a superior missionary
- See's the value and success of other missionaries based solely upon what numbers they put up.
-Isn't concerned about the unity of the Zone and only cares about the missionaries in times of crisis.
Average Zone Leader Elder Smith
- Obeys the mission rules except for a couple of exceptions
- Does the bare minimum for follow up calls
- Works to make a difference without trusting in the gifts of the spirit.
- Is comfortable with cruising through the transfer.
Like Unto Moroni Zone Leader Elder Smith
- Strives for an exact obedience alongside Elder McNabb
- Recognizes that he and the missionaries he serves are equal in the sight of God, yet puts their needs before his
- Empowers the leadership and genius of the district leaders and helps them receive the revelation they need.
- Works in effective harmony with Elder McNabb and the STL's, Sister Barton and McMahon.
- Points the souls of the missionaries he has stewardship over to the Savior.
- Remembers that the souls of others are sacred, and worth cherishing.
This is just a window into the circulating thoughts of my mind, and writing it out usually clarifies what I'm trying to understand, so you have all become my brainstorm audience.
Thanks for that
Serving in a missionary house with four missionaries is a new adventure for me!
It can lean heavily towards a casual atmosphere, but as we work together to be unified in the joy of serving the people of Sudbury, there is a special kind of support and brotherhood that is formed.
In a very real sense, I would love to stay in Sudbury as long as I can.
Being a Zone Leader holds cool opportunities. There are new perspectives that present themselves. Missionary areas are looked at differently, the unity of companionships are considered, the prayers said for other missionaries changes.
The Sudbury Zone holds incredible potential. When I get my feelings, thoughts, and desires in tune with the Spirit, I feel like I can get a glimpse of seeing what God sees in these missionaries.
Individuals that hold great intelligence, energy, and valiance to lift souls that need lifting.
Last night Elder McNabb and I had one of the most tense lessons I've had in the 15 months I've been serving.
We got a call from one of our friends who was in some distress. Because she was a single lady, we invited a member to join us.
It was a tense.
This friend lives alone, and has had a very difficult past.
She had come to the conclusion that this life wasn't for her. One too many failed relationships, too often feeling unwanted, unneeded, and unloved. Her logic was cold, devoid of hope, and sad.
There was a point or two within the lesson where she had made up her mind to take the step. To visit the doctors office and have procedure taken to ensure her final rest.
As we were the only people in her given vicinity and social circle, it really did feel as if we were the last line of defense from her step towards a this fake relief.
Can't say its a responsibility I've ever wanted. I've never focused or concentrated so much in my entire life.
Now, the fact that she had reached out and was talking to us suggested that deep down she knew this choice wasn't the way to go, so it wasn't as if we were at the edge of a roof with her.
But there was a all-or-nothing kind of stress that accompanied every word we said, and every idea we discussed.
After two hours, and with the help of the Comfortor, the tide finally turned, and we were able to calm her down.
A simple testimony about a very real healing power through a very real Christ brought a feeling of hope and new, gentle colors to a room that had been feeling dark and grey.
The future is bright for our friend. We helped set up a simple action plan to help start filling her life with things that encourage more light, and will help her find some friends in the church and some community to be involved with.
Things will turn around
But goodness. The picture in my head for the 24 months I was going to be a full time missionary is of course, a different picture then the one I have been having to paint.
And the wildest part is that I'm not the only painter. I can't say I expected the skill, perspective, and colors of the lives around me to play their part in the painting of my canvas - or, to be more accurate, the canvas. My little work of art is inextricably linked and connected the art of others.
Anyways, I've waxed poetic.
It truly was an incredible week! That one lesson was tense, but there were moments of laughter and learning.
It's ever so slowly become more real to me, but I've just scratched the surface.
Christ and His Gospel?
What a beautiful reality.
To quote a Truman G. Madsen talk
"One of the strongest arguments ever imposed upon me against this religion is that it is too good to be true.
My testimony to you is, it is good and true and beautiful"
My family and friends, I love you!
And I know God does more than I, so you can trust him
- Elder Smith
Benjamin Smith
1) You don't need to know all the details, but Elder McNabb and I had a fun time giving these two Elders a hard time for "capping" our message.
It's a new phrase that has snuck into vernacular of today's youth that means someone is in fact, calling a bluff, whether or not you're actually bluffing.
This is at least what I think it means.
2) Just a friendly game of blackjack with the District.
I lost every chip, it was unfortunate.
3) The action shot of helping a lady move, starring Elder Conrad, McNabb and Ellingson
4) I'm going to miss the missionary look a lot.
Dear Ben,
I’m currently driving home after spending the weekend with your Dad. We had a two-fold mission: 1) attempt to somehow celebrate 30 years of marriage; and, 2) help Grandma Smith finally get fully moved into her new condo in Cardston. So for the first, Dad somehow rented the posh-est hotel we’ve ever stayed in using our Aeroplan points (and that somehow sums up our marriage perfectly ). It was right across from the Calgary tower and the heart of the Calgary night life. We had a lovely walk looking at all the whimsical street art, then retired early and fell dead asleep. Hahaha. We were actually so tired that the best way to celebrate was to snooze together. We did make it to the Cardston temple though and accidentally crashed Mitchell and Clara’s Wedding where Lindy was a bridesmaid. So I loved that!
And for the second, Grandma is officially relocated in her beautiful new condo. It has lots of space and we slept overnight so she didn’t have to be alone and went to church with her too. I have to say, I was feeling worried about her starting some place new and the loneliness she will be facing but that Ward welcomed her with open arms. She was surrounded with love and welcome, and I seriously got a lump in my throat watching her be surrounded by welcoming arms. She feels so much better about her future with that instant community that the church provides. So grateful.
The back of our truck has a giant, solid wood blanket cupboard, a snowblower and a few odds and ends to bring home. It’s okay though, I spent last week de-junking the garage and we have room. Haha. I got rid of about seven garbage bags of stuff and it oddly not only frees up space in the garage, it also frees up space in my brain.
I’m looking forward to this week when the boys move out their stuff from the basement and I can get my house back in order from the crazy awesome summer we had. Just in the nick of time too … it turns out Sam and I have the same class schedule on Tues and Thurs this semester. So University part-time combined with part-time work (16-20 hrs/week) plus regular life should make it busy enough to keep it interesting.
LYR inspired me to de-junk the unnecessary and make the important things a daily priority. Spiritual strength, valued relationships, education, sustainability (financial and practical), health all made the priority list and the rest needs to go (time wasting, mostly). I also need to find an effective way to recharge my life batteries. Send me some ideas if you have any.
We love your weekly emails and apologize for our spottiness this summer but we love you dearly and pray for you daily. We are also assembling a birthday care package. Any requests?
Here are our pics from the week …
Prim is now officially unable to have any more kittens, thanks to the veterinarian.
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