Ben's Mission to Toronto

From Ben - Our Joyful Responsibility Oh man, spending time on campus is dangerous.  Elder Mercado and I get to see all the wonders and adventures of the university life, and I cannot lie, my brain is beginning to fantasize being a student myself.  From sport events and clubs and many opportunities to learn at higher levels.  Golly, it thrills my soul.  So, this week involved fending off the sneaky 'grass is greener' mindset.  If I'm unable to magnify my assignment and calling right now, how can I assume that I will in the future?  If I can remain dilligent and focused on the responsibilities and stewardships I'm involved in right now, then, with confidence I can assume that I will for new ones to come.  As a student. As an employee. As a friend. As a father. But it sure is fun to hear from so many different perspectives.  Athiesm, Catholicism, Islamism, Protestantism, Hinduism, and so many more.  Overall, I feel a greater appreciation and res...

From Ben - Like Enos "How about you start, and share your story and perspective, then we'll take a couple of moments or so to share our own story with Jesus" It was in this moment we realized it had been a set-up. My heart beat increased, I looked at Elder Binns and we quickly both knew we had to find a way out... I had the privilege of going on an exchange with my friend, Elder Binns. We spent three months together in the Ice Castle and are now serving around each other in the Hamilton Zone.  During this exchange we had a lesson with this older gentleman and his wife.  It started cordially enough, but by and by, we realized something just wasn't sitting right.  The cookies tasted too good.  The water, too clean and refreshing.  The couch we sat on, too plush and inviting.  Their kindness, too genuine and pure.  In a moment of realization, we realized they were Christians. Devout Christians. Out to save our souls. I kid :) This older couple was beautif...

From Ben - Anti-Automation Our morning schedule is as follows...  6:30 - 7:00: Wake up and daily plan 7:00 - 7:30ish: Work out  7:30ish - 9:00: Eat breakfast, have conversations with the dear Elders, eat some breakfast (hopefully healthy), shower and prepare.  Then 9:00-10:00: Personal Study What it truly feels like however, is...  6:30-7:00 Wrestle for dear life to snuff out the morning grumps as we look at our day and plan our activities (the only thing that really works is a prayer honestly)  7:00-7:30ish: Hype myself up to walk up the stairs. (Pause) Hype myself up to lift a single weight. (Pause) Do some... necessary stretching... to stall a little bit, then, when Elder Mercado comes up to motivate me more, do the actual work out.  7:30ish-8:30ish: Go ponder what breakfast to eat, and decide for a couple minutes between my three regular options, and usually go for the breakfast burrito.  Go pray again, because my first morning prayer didn't cut it...

From Ben - From Armchair to Blizzard "So... it's 10% of my increase?" "Yep, that's correct " ... "I'm devastated"  (Uh oh, my brain thinks)  "Things were going so well, our lessons so pleasant, and now you pull this on me!?"  Long story short, the lesson was a bust Our lessons truly were going pleasant!  They were filled with genuine prayers and comforting Gospel truths.  To this friend of ours' credit, their financial situation was tough, and they were having a tough day, so the lesson about a financial sacrifice as a preparatory requirement of faith and commitment before baptism really rubbed the wrong way.  It took a couple days of tension and some heavenly help (in the form of an angel member and a missionary friend), but this particular friend was able to see the why, have a softened heart, and commit to live the Law of Tithing.  I think God was pretty smart to, since old Testament times, reveal a commandment that required fi...