April 24, 2023

From Ben: 42 Days with one of the Refined

Elder Ballard and Anderson walked in, these two, sweet old men. 

With a buoyant energy, and a smile stemming from a real joy, they waved their hands our way, and we waved ours back. 

Elder Anderson: 

"Think of a truth you really know. Then find a scripture that backs it up. Let it become dear and precious to you, so that five decades from your mission, it will still hold a dear place in your heart" (paraphrase) 

President Ballard:

"Never lose sight of how precious a single soul is. And to do that, you must never lose sight of Gethsemane"

Together:

"We witness that Jesus is the Christ and He leads this church. He knows you and He loves you. We know His voice" 

Overall, quite the experience.

It was my last Zone Conference! 

A Sister told me that mid-bite of a muffin and it slapped my heart. 

It was also transfer day, so I said farewell to my beloved German companion, and embraced and welcomed in my new companion, Elder Morrison. 

Elder Morrison is a champion soul. 

He's been through a couple refiner's fires, all of which with a heat intended to purge and purify thoroughly. 

But his testimony draws from that previous flame. A flame which has filled his soul, and, when he testifies, one can feel of its heat and witness of its light, for it is a part of him. 

I consider it a pretty good blessing from the Lord that I get to spend 40ish days with him to finish of the tutorial of my life. 

I was offered a final responsibility as a district leader. 

They made our six companionship Zone into a single district, so I have a monopoly of power and it has corrupted me entirely. 

In reality, the district is filled with Titans and it's humbling to get an opportunity to try to serve and bless them. 

As a rockslide of rough stones rolling, I'm hoping we'll bump into, and smooth eachother out over these next couple weeks. I'm excited for it. 

Honestly just trying to make it all Christ-centered, for how quickly I forget that that is, and always will be the greatest service I can offer.

At the last transfer of the mission, I feel like an old man nearing his last couple days, who, because of such a thing, can say really whatever he wants. 

Can disregard culture and uproot traditions (all with righteous purpose, no stress) 

So, I think I'm gonna do it as often as possible. 

Love you each! 

- Elder Smith

[Favourite quotes, comp pics, after Elder Wack's revelatory rampage, Moomin pic, found a wild Elder Spencer, and a blurry image of the Apostles and the mission (see if you can find me)

From Mom: Globe Trotting

Dear Ben,

I dropped your father off at the airport today on another trip overseas. My answer sounds so fancy when people ask about it, “oh, he’s heading on a business trip to Madrid, Spain, to do some training for his company, nbd.”  He’s like a globe-trotting celebrity lately and the  problem is I don’t get to go with him. The only globe-trotting I’ve been doing is heading to the university to harass the Faculty of Arts on why I still don’t know how many classes I need to take to finish my degree. I always talk to someone different and the last person I talked to left the Faculty completely. So this time I was smart and and asked them to give me a deadline when they would know, took names, numbers and emails so I’m gearing up for a battle on April 28. 

It turns out I have a micro-power of harassing people. It makes me really good at my job when insurance companies don’t pay Motor Vehicle Accident claims. I learned a new skill called “escalation,” which is something I can do after everything else has been tried, and let me tell you, when I contact a manager and request an escalation and explain everything I’ve done in attempting to receive payment, including an email with invoices and a  contacting record for the past sixteen weeks, stuff happens. Payments get made. People get fired (at least in my imagination). 

So I tried my escalation tactic at the university, and it worked! Or, at least I hope it worked and maybe I’ll have an answer by the end of the month. I got this semester’s results back and I somehow miraculously made an A- in this Canadian History class that’s given me hives and panic attacks. This is what happens when you’re in over your head, which I was! But the ironic thing about it, is the push to figure out why it was so hard for me and the discovery of ADHD issues. I’ve been listening to webinars about undiagnosed ADHD in mature women and my life is making so much more sense now. Haha. Another piece of the puzzle in my crazy ongoing issues. 

Don’t get me wrong though, I still regard Life as an amazing journey and I love it. I’m glad we have a lifetime to learn and grow. 

Dad and I spent yesterday and today fasting and praying for you and your companion and hope that you both get the help that is needed (both practical and divine). I believe in the power of prayer so I hope to hear more about it when we get a chance to talk.

The girls had fun watching and supporting one-acts this week. 

Abby was saying what a joy it was to watch her friend, Gabby, be in the spotlight and really do well. We watched Garrett too, and he did fantastic. 

The only other picture I took this week was of Dad putting on his nose glasses trying to read the menu for date night. Cracks me up. Every. Time. I seriously have a photo series of him and his glasses. 

I love you Ben!

So proud.

Keep doing what you’re doing!

You’re on the right path. 

Remember life is such a journey. 

Keep learning, keep growing. 

Continue to seek the Lord and His promises. 

Look for his love and divine influence that is always there. 

Mom