May 15, 2023

From Ben: Chief Captain Ochoa

I was laying on the couch during a dinner hour, just thinking. 

Elder Ochoa, my Zone Leader, just puttering along in the kitchen, putting some leftover chilli in a cup to heat up in the microwave. 

"I like following this guy" my brain thought
"He's not too radical, he's just a good listener and cares about the missionaries he watches over. He's not perfect, nor is he too different from me, but he just cares. 
In fact, if he asked me to do something, I'd do it. 
I've spent enough time with him to know that his motives are pure and good. 
I enjoy the fact that he is my leader. I trust him, and I want to follow him" 

Laying on this couch, as I heard the microwave begin heating up some chilli in a cup, I randomly half-teared up (no tears shed, just the watery eyes) 
In a quiet way, it really meant a lot to me that there was someone who was just a stand up person, who, I knew if I had something on my mind, he would want to listen, because he cared about me. 
It was a subtle, simple thought, but the impact it had on my heart held gravity. 

I guess that was the majesty of the ministry of a itinerant rabbi, even the Son of Eternity, one Jesus Christ. 
Who walked either all day or through the night to comfort a widow who lived in Nain, and raise her son from the dead. 
Who healed lepers and asked they do not share the miracle.
Who blessed little children. 
Who washed friends feet. 
Who, today, through His Prophet and scripture declares for higher and holier ways of speech, of peacemaking, of thought.
People followed Christ because of these things, because he deeply and poignantly cared. 

And it's so straightforward! 
Even as I write this, I feel that I do not fully grasp the absolute impact of choosing and sacrificing to care about someone. 
It almost appears that the weight of eternity hinges on the gestures of compassion towards one another. 
Do the laws of reality and existence truly all culminate towards loving our God, and caring about our neighbor? 
In really, really, true and good (celestial) relationships?
Covanents - baptismal, priesthood, and temple - that bind us by an eternal, binding, welding power, for us to commit to bear burdens and comfort those that need comfort? Live chaste lives? Magnify assignments to serve?
That the powers of heaven can only be handled upon principles of, kindness, meekness, unfeigned love, and persuasion? 
What is it that we actually believe? 
Isn't that the most RADICALLY ASTOUNDING THING EVER?

We sometimes hear the claim
"The Bible is good book of morals, nothing else" 
This claim is partially true, just not nearly true enough. 
The best morals, the greatest morals, Celestial morals. 
The keys, and codes and laws that ensure the holiest of lives. 
So yes, our scripture are books of morals. God's morals. 

Anyhow, onward we go. Caring, loving, lifting, laughing. 
I want to understand deeper just critically important these things are. 

We were teaching a friend of ours named Steve in a outdoor park. The sun was almost setting, we had a member with us in the lesson, and we were teaching about Apostasy. 
Our of absolutely nowhere, three Spanish men that we have never seen in our lives, ever, appeared. 

"Hey, Elders!"
???
"[Spanish we don't understand]"
One of them cracks out a guitar, and sings How Great Thou Art in Spanish. 
"[More Spanish we don't understand]" 
We find out, barely, that they are members who are from Mexico on Vacation. 
Then they dip. 

This description is almost perfect to how randomly amazing and abrupt the whole event was. 
I'm convinced they were the three Nephites. 

That's it! 
Love you each!

[MyPlan Screenshot, Picture of President,  Exchanges with heroes, follow up call plans, push-ups, calenders, and service]

Amen












From Mom: A Quick One

Dear Ben,

I know we talked last night. Thank you for your well wishes on Mother’s Day. It certainly does my heart good. 

So just quick … check it out!


This is today status on the wildfires in Alberta. The most recent one is 3 kms west of Devon, but if the wind stays as it is, should be okay. It’s the dry conditions and the relentless winds that is creating the environment for wildfires. 

It does give me pause to consider what kind of environment I’m fostering in my own life. Hopefully one that is well watered, spiritually and physically. 

Have a great day!

Love you,

Mom

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

June 1, 2023

Image
From Ben: Finale? It was not a voice of thunder neither a voice of great tumultuous noice It was a still voice, of perfect mildness As if it has been a whisper It did pierce even to the very soul, saying.  Repent ... There came a voice unto them, a pleasant voice As if it where a whisper, saying. Peace.  I believe I have often over-dramatized, to my detriment, what it means to speak with power and authority from God.  I've consistently envisioned a fire and brimstone, hand raised to the sky, declaring with the voice of thunder truth, sending shock-waves of lightning and power to emphasize the point.  This can be the case, however, it is a problem to assume it always be the case.  Christ, through the Spirit, speaks with a voice of perfect mildness. With a voice that is still.  I have a hope that I will cherish and develop my capacity to cherish the power and authority of the still, calm, voice That is where my conviction of the reality of God and Christ were...
Read more

September 5, 2022

Image
From Ben - To Wrap One's Head Around it "Can you help me lift up my friend?" asks the blind drunk man.  Elder Gallup and I look at each other, then look at this massive man, laying on the ground.  "He's had one too much to drink, and we just want to get him standing" So I position myself in a titan squat and open the gate to the reserve of strength and energy that I keep secret (it grows by every short person joke I hear. I store my anger and use it to my advantage) and Elder Gallup positions himself on the other side, and we HOIST.  After much grunting, and a couple of curses from our friend laying on the concrete, we got him seated on his walker.  After a salute, Elder Gallup and I walk away.  Downtown Sudbury will provide adventures. One just has to walk the streets.  We got to go on exchanges with the Assistants this week!  Elder Gallup and Elder Christensen are basically perfect men. They both have prince charming jaw lines and physiques, and have...
Read more