Hi Sam,
We LOVED talking with you on Christmas Day! We see lots of growth in you but still the same Sam we know and love!
I posted the recording of the video to the Blog. Had to split it into two parts.
For this week, even though it may be a bit long, I'm going to copy in my journal entry describing our Christmas week.
Dad's Journal Entry
This week has been a very eventful week. It was intentionally so, yet when best laid plans actually come together, it is often a bit surprising given the nature of mortality, Murphy’s law etc.
This year we decided to come down to my Mom and Dads to spend Christmas Day together with them vs. our tradition of having Christmas morning at home and traveling after Boxing Day. I suspect it was a decision partially based on seeing the struggles to help my grandparents re- locate and reinvent their lives in a care facility combined with a desire for my children to experience some of what my growing up Christmas experience was like.
Abby and especially Mia were quite uncomfortable with the change but they actually confirmed for me the value in doing that. Don’t want my children to become too comfortable and not experience the growth that good change brings.
So, as Jen and I looked ahead to how our Christmas experience might look, we felt it was important to look for ways to be anxiously engaged in making memories. We came up with the following agenda:
Sunday Dec. 23 - travel to Glenwood after attending the Devon ward Christmas meeting. Our family was involved in much of the program from Choir to special numbers and readings.
Monday, Dec 24 - help Mom and Dad with final preparations for Christmas. We had a wonderful evening which included the following highlights:
- Seeing Demond and seeing him reconnect with his long lost son Daylen and his new grandson (Hannah’s baby)
- Seeing my kids get involved in re-enacting the nativity.
- Turkey dinner with all the trimmings
- Driving Demond home and having a heart to heart about his struggles including breaking up with Roxanne.
Tuesday, Dec. 25 - Christmas Day - for Christmas we decided to re-enact some of my childhood tradition of not having all the presents wrapped and waiting to go into the tree area until all were up, had drunk egg nog and eaten a Christmas orange. As we were preparing to line up youngest to oldest, we were excited to get word from Sam that he was ready for a call. So we jumped on Google Hangouts, I hit the reforged button and we spent a sweet and joyful hour talking to Sam. Steph and Tyler joined in initially to share their big news by showing Sam their ultra-sound picture. Quick side note, Steph and Tyler Face Timed us the Sunday before Christmas on the way to Church to announce their joyful news of being pregnant and due on July 6. The screaming and craning to see the ultra sound pictures almost put me in the ditch!
Sam was bright and happy and thick with African accent. We took turns talking to him and on the end rejoices in his powerful closing testimony.
We enjoyed a fun gift exchange and I pushed all thoughts of how on earth we would transport everything back home till later.
In the afternoon, Josh, Jen and I joined Mom and Dad in a trip to Lethbridge to see G&G Smith. We visited Grandpa Smith first as Grandma was at Aunt Wendy’s for dinner. Grandpa was alternately lucid and remembering to forgetful and confused. Generally he was in good spirits though. I know my Dad prays for his mortal release just as soon as the Lord wills it. We then stopped by Wendy’s to see Grandma. I had a small talk with her and she expressed how very unexpectedly hard this stage of life has been especially with the selling of their house. This mortal test is never done till we pass through the veil. I hope I can be faithful to the end as they are being.
I found this at G&G Smith's apartment. Some insight into their previous lives!
We tried stopping at Carol and Joe’s but they weren’t home. Talked to Samantha briefly at the door. I missed seeing Carol again this year as she came while I was driving Demond home Christmas Eve only briefly. I miss her. How much am I willing to sacrifice to see her and minister to our relationship is the question I’m pondering today.
Wednesday, Dec. 26 - Boxing Day! Today we headed to Liz and Jeff’s with a stop at the church bookstore in Cardston to spend Grandma Bruce’s Christmas money($50 each). Gifted ranged from Rings to music books.
At the Bectell’s we enjoyed a hearty chili meal followed by a skate on their pond with a fire and treats. A rousing game of hockey left us happy and sore. Games and good followed to round out the day and aw stayed at the Liz and Jeff’s that night.
Thursday, Dec. 27 - Skiing Day. We deliberately chose to budget for a ski day this holiday to both make memories and to spend meaningful time with the Bectell’s. I have a testimony if the joy and grounding that can come from good relationships with cousins. We had a wonderful day at Castle Mountain ski resort and learned a lot about ourselves. I had the chance to ride the lift with Abby after a couple of frustrating runs trying to keep up with the Bectell cousins who are good skiers. It was a prime opportunity to talk through lessons on not comparing as well as the process of developing talents. Abby shared some insightful thoughts as she asked why some of my family struggles so much and we discussed the power of keeping the Law of chastity and the Word of Wisdom. She shared her frustrations dealing with puberty and striving to overcome being overly worried about what others thought about her and I caught a glimpse of the beautiful and insightful woman she will become. She reminds me a lot of Stephanie with her faith and ability to self-examine. Looking forward to helping her achieve her potential this year.
Other similar experiences were had throughout the day as I marveled at uncle Jeff’s skiing skill and passions and watched Josh valiantly work at conquering the snow board and share Bens excitement at learning to ski black diamond runs.
I learned again why I don’t enjoy Black Diamond runs when I accidentally ended up on one following Josh down the hill. As I alternately tumbled and maneuvered down the crazy slope, cursing Josh as I went, I also remembered that I’m not getting younger either!!
All in all I truly felt like our intent and purpose for the Day was achieved.
Friday, Dec. 28 - temple day! Today we packed up early from Liz and Jeff’s and headed to Cardston to spend an amazing day with the Bruce clan doing multiple temple ordinances. We stared with Baptisms and were overjoyed to be together with all 4 of our currently at home children worthy to join us including Mia’s first time. To be sitting at the recorders desk with Ben in the font baptizing Mia, Josh witnessing with Grandpa Bruce and Jen and Abby watching from the other side of the font was a truly special and rewarding moment. To know that we are unitedly gathering Israel on both sides of the veil and walking the covenant path together as a family is an incomparable joy to me.
After baptisms, and a traditional trip to the temple cafeteria, Ben took the girls over to the temple street Stake center to babysit the cousins while the siblings did initiatories and endowments. Wonderful to stand in the prayer circle with all Jen's siblings and their wives and to have Josh with us. As I passed through the veil and pondered the promises of power in the priesthood extending to my posterity through all generations of time, my thoughts turned to Steph and Tyler and the next generation unfolding with their news of a baby, my prayers went to heaven for all my posterity with hopes of a forever family filling my heart. Heavenly Father, please bless all my children (including son and daughter in laws) and grand-children with Faith in your wonderful plan.
After the temple we went and picked up Ben, Abby and Mia from the church. They were a bit worn out with some frustration and learning about the challenges taking care of young children but everyone still intact. We soothed the experience with some DQ ice cream and headed to Mark and Shannon’s in Lethbridge for a long anticipated Harry Potter Party. We have been blessed to have some extra time spent with their family this year.
Saturday Dec 29 - Today we packed up in Glenwood with all our Christmas accumulation and headed to Sparwood. I was thankful I remembered to bring the car top carrier as we barely squeezed everything in even with it. Only issue happened when I loaded it up in Dad’s garage without considering the height of the door! Dad helped me pull it off and re-attach it outside and we were on our way after a wonderful time spent with my parents and Angie.
We arrived in Sparwood and went to the arena for the traditional hockey game and skate after a wind blown drive. Unfortunately we can’t seem to find skates that work for Josh. His feet just ache in anything we try. Other than that it was an enjoyable outing with much needed exercise and a few old men trying to be young again trying to keep up with the young guns.
The afternoon we prepared for and set up games and gift exchange at the church. Mom and Dad Bruce's family no longer comfortably fits in their home with all the many grand kids. We enjoyed great food, games and the traditional Chinese Christmas. Mia was able to participate this time as she’s 12. They both learned some patience as the luck of the draw didn’t always leave them with their favorite things.
Joshua spent most of the time racing around with the little cousins. They loved it and he’ll make a great Dad one day.
Ben enjoyed spending time with Patie, Ethan, Tyler and Levi (Patie’s friend who joined the church 4 months ago)
Ended the day with a good family prayer and discussion. I love that aspect of our family culture. Our kids love to have discussions together.
So on the whole, it has been a very Merry Christmas so far this year!
______________________________
Sorry its a bit long, but it captures our amazing 2018 Christmas week!
Just arrive home today. Holiday's are good, but it's nice to come home too!
Happy New Year, Sam. Make this year great !!!
Dad.
From Sam - The Power of the Book of Mormon
Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
This week was great. I got to skype home and see all my favorite people. I miss you all so much, these next 12 months look like a long time but I know that it will be over before I know it.
This week as a missionary we don't get any extra holiday and relaxation time. It's actually a time where we are working hard.
About weeks ago I found someone who has near perfect English. When I first met her I felt like I have met her before, her name is Doris, but as I got to know her I found it was impossible to even see her because she stays in Mzuzu and she got to Lilongwe 1 day before I met her. Thought of pre-existance are definitely on my mind. But we started teaching her and her sister because she was staying for a couple weeks. One day she went to the hospital for a check up and they found lumps of breasts cancer so she decided to perform surgery the same day. When we went to check up on her we found this out and she is very weak and can barely stand or sit up. What we decided to do was to read the Book of Mormon to her on a daily basis and we've been doing this for that past 2 weeks. We've been reading chapter by chapter and explaining the parts she doesn't understand. As I've been helping her understand the Book of Mormon I've been understanding it so much more than I ever have in my life. (And I've read it 5 times on my mission and I've started my 6th) Her sister is even noticing a difference in how fast Doris is recovering and her attitude about everything. I know that God blesses all those that except the missionaries in their homes.
As we've read the vision of Nephi (1 Nephi 11-14) we've been able to teach the Great Apostasy and the Restoration in detail and helping them understand that as well. There are times where it was very hard for them to understand anything. All I would say is "Do you want to be a Nephi or a Lamen and Lemuel?" It's been great.
Personally I want to be a Nephi I want to have unshakable faith and go and do the things which God needs me to do. I want to be able to hear the voice of the spirit and act on the promptings I receive. Most of all I want to be me. Because who else will? I'm the only me that could ever be and I'm the only one who can.
Recently I have loved to listen to "The Little Drummer Boy" because of the words in the song. Music has a profound influence on my and this song has made me cry a few times.
Here are the lyrics:
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
Everytime I here the last 3 lines I tear up, then I hear "Then He smiled at me" and all I want is for Jesus to be happy with what I've been able to do. Everytime I hear this song I want to "Play my best for him" because his love is the most desirable thing in the world.
He's happy with who I am despite my weaknesses.
This Gospel is true and it makes me so happy. What makes me sad is when people reject it. I've had a taste of what the 3 Nephites feel. I sorrow for the sins of the world and just want people to live and except the Gospel. A real missionary doesn't want a person to live the Gospel, he wants the person to choose to live the Gospel, because if it is not their choice they can't be truly happy.
I love you all, be awesome and choose to play your best,
-Elder Smith
Pictures:
-Christmas Pizza
-Fixing my bag for the second time(We'll see how long this one will last)
-Dinner at Prisca's(One of my favorite recent converts)
-Baptism pics
Video:
Apostasy is Real
