Ben's Mission to Toronto

From Ben - Glory   I'm writing this while walking through a mall on boxing day.  The deals are dangerous and my wallet at risk.  I might buy a binder, we'll see, I'm laying low for now...  Those office supplies hold real danger to my financial situation.  Christmas morning.  Alarm goes. Eyes open. I spring out of bed, say my morning prayer (gotta get those priorities straight) then tromp and trounce down the the hall to the study room. With enthusiasm, I start ripping open the Christmas package.  I struggle, the tape is taped on good.  I attempt to use brute force, I fail.  I sprint to the kitchen, find a pair of scissors.  I run back to the room, slice and dice the brown paper with precision.  I open the package.  Letters. Letters from home. Letters from my family.  Glory. That's the best description.  Few material gifts qualify themselves to the degree that a hand written letter from a loved one does.  As I rea...

From Ben - From Castle to Cave Abby and Mia!! Congratulations on Mamma Mia, eh? Few things make my soul blaze as much as hearing my little sisters absolutely conquer. It's bonkers how quickly things change around.  I'll miss Elder Surdu.  I'm not sure humor is a spiritual gift, but if anyone can claim they possess it, Elder Surdu is the one.  He's getting a legendary character named Elder Evans, so they'll conquer in the North.  I'm now blessed to be the companion of Elder Mercado.  Oh man, he's epic.  He's plays guitar, loves singing and writing music, and has this incredible way of loving people.  It's legit an honor to serve alongside him.  When I get comfortable, I sometimes forget to what depth I can learn things from a single person.  Sometimes after spending a solid amount of time with a companion I feel like I know them pretty well, however, that's usually because I've lost the initial curiosity a new relationship often inspires....

From Ben - Not too shabby "Weren't you even listening?!" Quickly the, Spirit left, and an awkward silence hung in the air.  "That came out not the way I intended it.  I'm so sorry.  Now the Spirit has left, and it's all my fault"  As apologies were given, and forgiveness granted, the Spirit which had left, came back. The Spirit came back   This whole event happened at MLC between President Stacey and one of the Zone Leaders. We had been discussing a particular subject for two hours and were having a hard time coming to an agreement.  Our time was about up, and we all wanted to finish the meeting, and with five minutes left for MLC, one of the Elders suggested an idea that was somewhat contrary to the entire discussion.  This event then took place and occurred over the space of maybe seven minutes.  In those seven minutes, every member of the missionary leadership council witnessed a full cycle of repentance, and the effects of the Atonement of Jes...

From Ben - Not Just a Story This week, the flood of Elders from Timmins, The Sault, and Northbay came to the Ice Castle for interviews with President Stacey, and our once per transfer, in-person Zone Council. The food situation got a little tight with 10 men in the house, and we had to pull out some emergency Cream of Wheat, opening stores of memories in a surprising number of Elder's minds about their mothers in their early childhood producing such a breakfast item.   I got to share with them about the Red River cereal you'd put in on top of the regular Cream of Wheat cereal, Mom  I didn't quite realize the lengths you'd go through to help us children eat healthy growing up. They were incredible.  Thank you.  Before we left for our interviews with President, a thought of Grandpa Smith came to mind, and how we'd sometimes have a kneeling prayer around the old table/central island of the old house.  So, I suggested we, as Elders of Sudbury offer a prayer aft...