December 5, 2022

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 after the same manner.

It was unifying.

I'm grateful for a family with habits and patterns of faith.

From both the Smith and Bruce side. It may be one of the most cherished gifts God has ever given me. The chance to be surrounded by champion souls.

From siblings to cousins, to legendary parents, incredible grandparents, and to close friends.

I have been blessed with some of the choicest associations.

That holds responsibility. For those with a hand of cards not so favorable, the game of life is so radically different.

Whether it be broken families, drug abuse, or circumstantially horrible environments.

With that in mind, it only tracks that I have been, from birth, placed in a position to be of service to others.

The person of Jesus Christ continues to rock my world.

For a long time I have held, almost never as a concious thought, but more as a subconscious feeling, biases and tainted feelings for many Christian terms and ideas.

When I'd hear the word Priest, I'd either envision an ancient man with a lifetime in the clergy, or a 16 year old.

Neither are bad, but the image is incomplete.

Or, I'd hear the phrase "saved from sin" and get this really cheezy, old cathedral Christianity feeling.

So my mind would categorize it as something for another day and age, for people of a unique piety, and lose sight of the application, adventure and reality of such things for myself.

I realize that I sometimes do that for the very character of Christ.

I'd hear someone describe their love for Jesus, and just the slightest twinge of that old 'ancient, traditional Christian vibe' would pluck at my feelings.

Little by little, new perspectives have been suggested.

I'm gradually coming to see Christ as a gentle, humble man.

With kind eyes and encouraging words.

With a unique and sincere laugh.

One who is patient and willing to listen.

Who maybe has great excitement and joy as he expects the suprise and amazement of a blind man given sight - similar to a child who writes a note for their Mom and leaves it on her pillow, just waiting for her to find it.

Who is always casting his eyes around for someone who needs a lift.

Who, despite being the creator of the universe and had legions of blazing angels at command, chose to be born in a manger, to learn carpentry in Nazerath.

One who, when a women caught in adultery is cast before him in a crowd, quickly seeks for a way to pull the attention away from her and slow down the riot of the crowd.

Who sees a group of angry and misled souls, and finds a way to encourage a newer, holier train of thought for them asking "he who is without sin, cast the first stone".

Then, after some time and a diminished crowd, with deep concern, and a readiness to forgive and help, gently asks this guilt ridden lady

"Woman, where are those thine accusers?"

Then, with a slight smile, and possibly just the slightest twinkle in his eye, with a soft humor.

"hath no man condemned thee?"

Then, as she replies with

"No man, Lord"

Christ looks at her in the eye, and with expression and body language not explained in the text, gently explains.

"Niether do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more"

What a breath of relief to see the mercy and love and care for this women.

A correct understanding of the Character of Christ makes Him and His Gospel something with real shape and form.

It's not just a story, but a nearly too-good to be true reality.

Interviews with President and Sister Stacey never cease to amaze me.

Sister Stacey talks almost just like a friend you've known forever, yet is always eying you with a secret intelligence, trying to discern if you are doing OK, and if there's any way she can help.

President, is just a mighty man.

He holds incredible intelligence with years and years of the highest levels of corporate experience.

Yet, in our conversation he explained that it was a genuine learning experience for him to learn how to manage and lead 200 missionaries in faith, example and structure.

His humility taught me more then his intelligence.

MLC is tomorrow, so we are driving down there tonight.

Some small moments of note that brought me joy.

1. The Christmas Devotional.

Oh man, the insights from this taught me needed perspectives about stewardship and gift recieving.

2. Playing one on one basketball with Elder Conrad.

We've played nearly every week so we are starting to learn each others moves, so each of us is having to step up our game and try new ways to win.

It's so fun, we're about evenly matched.

3. Breakfast burritos.

It's a favourite recipe of the Ice Castle, and we've found out new ways of amplifying the meal through green onions, hashbrowns and slices of good ham.

Oh man, it's tasty.

Love you each!

- Elder Smith

1) Sister Barton and Noblit helping us Elders get new profile pictures

2) Long day couch crash

3) Mid day mall comp picture

4) Elder Surdu is leading the Zone through a hide and seek game. They, telling him which direction to go and which places to check out.

5) Not to flex, but this is me about to win an arm wrestle.

Elder Conrad was a great sport.

6) This Elder makes me laugh so much.

7) Castle of 10, post hide and seek in the dark.

From Mom: Torture

Dear Ben,

I’m not sure that I would recommend torture as an effective teaching tool but it seems to work for my 12-13 yr old Sunday School class. Today I blindfolded two of them and put on nose cancelling headphones for 4 minutes while the others quietly answered thought-provoking questions. How do you think you would do being in solitary confinement in utter darkness with nothing to eat or drink for three days and three nights? (Just a small simulation to get them thinking.) Enter Jonah. It seemed to be effective.

Every time I think forward to this week I start hyperventilating. It’s the last week of classes and everything is due, working my 20 hours, invited the office staff for a Christmas party and signed up to do some service for a family in extremely difficult circumstances. I’m taking Ebony out for brunch, going to Dad and Abby’s Piatta Forma AND the Ward Christmas Party. Someone get me a paper bag to breathe into! The silver lining though is that my iron levels are back to normal and I’m not on the verge of tears every moment! Whoop! Whoop! Bring it on!

Also, you know we sent your Christmas package and I was SUPER excited to find a Conference Liahona to add to it … then I realized later that it was 2021. Can you send me your Sudbury address so I can mail you the 2022? When is transfers? Can I get it to you in time? These are important concerns.

The big drama of the household is the kissing Abby and Mia have to do on stage. Not with each other but with their respective beau’s. Abby is thrilled. Mia is not. Tomorrow is the big kissing practice. Hopefully they’ll be home in time to tell you all about it.

Recent pics …