Dear Elder Smith,
Sometimes I can’t help but think life is getting better and better all the time. It might be the return of the sunshine, longer daylight hours and the beginning of The Big Melt, but let me tell you of a few interesting experience that illustrates this onward-and-upward feeling.
1) Weeks ago Dad and I were shopping for a few Easter treats. Mia had been lamenting the fact that she didn’t have a 2018 calendar, so we were at Walmart looking for one. It’s late in the year for calendars and the associate explained they didn’t have any. We walked away wondering where else we could go when over the loudspeaker we heard, “For the couple who were looking for calendars, we found some!” so we turned around and went back. As we were looking at the options, I see Sarah out of the corner of my eye. (Remember that Korean lady who started coming to church but her husband won’t let her be baptized?) “Hi, Sarah!” and we started exchanging pleasantries where we found out she was stuck there until 10:30 p.m. (Walmart closes at 10, and it was around 9:00 when we saw her) waiting for a taxi to take her to Calmar (a $40 expense). The weather was -18°C and she was worried about the lateness and waiting in the cold for 30 minutes. Of course, we offered to drive her home and suddenly she exclaimed in her soft Korean accent, “God always provides!” And then she tells us she had been praying for help to get home.
It’s a small thing, I know, but I can’t help thinking about it. If that Walmart associate wasn’t kind enough to call us back, we would have missed Sarah completely. So who answered her prayer? Us, or the Walmart worker? I guess it doesn’t matter except to say that I know Heavenly Father loves each of us and answers our prayers, big and small.
2) It’s been a busy week with Ben performing at the Winspear in Edmonton (with the LCHS Choir and band where he sang, played clarinet and did a solo on the piano playing Root Beer Rag), and Josh performing at the Institute Choir Concert.
(See the guy with the white shirt in the middle of the choir? Ben is right beside him. Ha! And Dad sent you pics of Josh’s concert.)
Anyway, afterward we decided to splurge and go out for a late appetizers at Boston Pizza (which turned into a meal). We laughed, ate and chatted and I really soaked it in especially because Josh is leaving this week for school. As we were finishing up, the server came so we could pay the bill and explained that the couple who were sitting across from us payed $40 towards our meal. I looked over at the newly vacated table of this mystery couple and was dumbfounded at their anonymous service.
Again, such a small thing, but it seems all I hear about on the news and social media is about conflict and hate, but here was a very tangible example of the goodness of humanity. I have to say it restored my faith in people.
3) Yesterday was the most delightful Sunday I’ve had in awhile. Maybe it was because Amanda James came to church with us (Josh invited her), maybe it was because the speakers were really good, maybe it was because I ran a meaningful and unifying Teacher Council Meeting, or because of potluck. It could be the walk in the sunshine Mia and I had with our colourful rubber boots or because Coco caught TWO pocket gophers. Maybe it was the temple recommend interview I had with the bishop or the family visit before bed. All these things added to the day but I think the secret ingredient to my fabulous feeling was the awareness of all that was good and the gratitude that I felt for a loving Heavenly Father who loves us back and gives us peace.
(Abby and I had to scrub Coco for a half an hour before she came clean!)
Awareness of all that is good in our lives and the source by which they’re made manifest is a valuable awareness to have. It gives me a good perspective and brings me happiness.
So, if you’re struggling to know what to write us, tell us about that. When you look back on your week, can you see the small miracles, answers to prayer, the goodness of people, or just plain awareness of all the blessings you have?
We love you, Sam. We so proud of you and the daily, good choices you make. We pray for you in your new responsibility of DL and for your new companionship. We hope you are remembering your sunscreen and will be watched over. We miss you but wouldn’t have you be anywhere else.
Love you forever,
Mom ❤️
From Sam:
This week has been amazing and has flew by like no mans business. I'm almost 4 months on mission and it feels like I just got here. It also feels like I've been here forever. My companion said to me that soon the mission feels like home, but home feels like heaven. I'm always commenting about how everything in Zambia is just like home in every way but nothing is the same as home in every way. It's so weird. In Elders quorum the teacher asked what we think about when we hear "The World". One comment was that it's everywhere but where you are. I found that kind of cool. I also was invited to my first dinner appointment with a member family(I love not having to worry about what to cook!) I'm pretty excited.
I had a great and awesome experience yesterday. The first half of the day was church. The second half of the day was two amazing blessings. We went to see someone who stopped us on the side of the street a few days ago, She had some questions about "Mormons", You don't hear that very often but we went to answer her questions. We went through the restoration so we could answer with context, but when I recounted the first vision, I felt the presence of the Holy Ghost really strongly, which is something I haven't really consciously felt in my life. It was an answer to a prayer I've had for some time. It was so cool. The other blessing of the day/week was when it was starting to get dark and we had 20 minutes before we had to knock off for the day. We decided to try knocking on someones gate we've been trying to teach for over a month now. It turns out that she was finally home and we taught her. We taught a lesson but we mostly taught her. She needs the Gospel and when we taught we focused not on the lesson but on how the gospel can help her and we got to know her a lot better. Through out the lesson, the whole atmosphere was so peaceful. I could tell that the spirit was there.
My testimony of the power of the Holy Ghost increases everyday. I don't think your testimony can ever stop growing. It occurred to me that even though you may know that the church is true, if you're not careful, that knowledge can be neglected. Always be caring for your fire and constantly be building it up so your light can guide others.
I love you all,
Elder Smith
Pictures:
-Waiting for an investigator and chilling out on the grass
-"Cactus Juice, It'll quench ya, It's the quenchiest"(Guess what that one is from)
Videos:
-Cool/Super funny song on the bus home
-Super spicy food because I put to much chili sauce
-Everything in the sky
From Dad - Quick Note
Hi Sam,
Dad here. Mom's writing you this week, but wanted to post you a couple of videos and photos. I created a "From Home" folder in our shared drive and posted some photos and videos there.
The new video is Ben playing Rootbeer Rag during intermission at the Black Gold festival of the arts at the Winspear. He tore up the keyboard as people came back in for the second half of the program. He was also the center of attention for one of his choir numbers where he suddenly jumped out in front of the choir and led them on some actions then did a dance number on front. Hoping to snag the video of that somehow!
We had a busy but good week. Last week with Josh home before he goes to school. We enjoyed listening to him sing in the institute choir. Seems to be a tradition happening there!
Have a great week, son. Love you lots.
Dad.
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