May 27, 2019

From Sam - Rise Up, You have Infinite Potential

Hello Everyone!

This week was amazing. Miracles both big and small have been experienced. Mostly the small ones, but it is the many small miracles that make the big miracles possible. I have seen the hand of God everyday this week. Some of you know that as a missionary I'm a district leader, which is just a little more responsibility, I am also a trainer. I am responsible for the training of this new missionary. That adds more responsibility to my plate. Because of training we have decided to wake up at 5:30 in the morning to have extra time to do everything. And some nights I have to do lots of district leading stuff making me go to bed after 10 pm. The miracle is I go to bed so tired thinking I can't go another day. I then wake up and have energy like I had 10 hours of sleep and I go through the day with energy. I have not been doing missionary work by my power. If I was trying to do it according to the strength I have as a human being I would have given up a year ago.

I know in a very real sense that God is aware of me.

On Saturday one of the elders who was waiting for his visa to Mozambique got it was was sent at 6:30 in the morning. Now, because of that, Elder Bendixsen is in a threesome with me and Elder Kane while we wait for his new companion who we don't know yet. For lunch we went for Shawarma and as soon as I walked in I heard them playing "Sucker for Pain" From Suicide Squad. Starting at that moment, though I enjoyed the song while it lasted, I started to really miss home. The whole day was hard for me and while I was writing in my journal Elder Kane from the kitchen"Elder Smith, is everything okay?" I said yes, then he said "Because I feel inspired to tell you that everything will be okay". He only did what he was inspired to do but It was exactly what I needed. Even though it came from Elder Kane I knew it was God speaking to me.

God sees in us who we can become and doesn't really look at what we are at the moment. Just like a Metal Smith, he looks not at what is but looks at what can be. It is then up to us to allow him to bend and shape us. "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I know this to be a truth. 

We are precious in the sight of God. He allows us to go through trials so that when we come out of the furnace we will be pure, even as Christ is pure. My favourite doctor Seuss quote: Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!. 

Stay awesome everyone.

-Elder Smith

Pictures:

-On Exchanges

-Zone leaders staying at our flat to drive Elder Nkhoma to the airport at 6am(Me on the right, Elder Spilker in the middle and Elder Odukoya in the back)

Bee swarm

From Mom - Winning at Life

Dear Sam,

My friend, Jamelyn, is a Life Coach. It sounds like a funny job description but people go to her who need someone to help them with strategies in overcoming challenges in their lives. She was telling me about one strategy she uses called 100 WINS. The idea is that every time you want to do a self-defeating behaviour (fill in the blank with just about anything like overeating, laziness, letting yourself get distracted with devices, etc, etc) but you catch yourself and instead fill it in with a choice that gives better results; a choice that builds you instead of deflates you, then you give yourself a WIN. It's the idea of building neural pathways of mastery and empowerment. So I'm trying it just as an experiment. Right now I'm at win #18 and I'm finding it's usually over the really small things in life. Here are some examples: Win #7; had a spiritual prompting to mail a birthday card to a friend, so I did it just then and mailed it that day. Win #10; was heading to bed and just wanted to sleep but instead pulled out my journal and wrote for 15 minutes. Win #18; the family invited me to play Sorry with them but I was involved In writing and didn't want to stop. I looked up and saw Josh, Mia and Dad and realized they are more important to me than writing, so I put my notebook down and went and played and had a great time. (Dad got two of his pieces safe at home right away and the rest of us ganged up on him the rest of the time. So funny. Josh broke out into a sweat because it was so close in the end. I'm still laughing at his theatrics.) I'm finding that the experiment of 100 WINS is a great way for me to figure out Good, Better, Best and to live life more fully and joyfully. 

You heard the rest of the week with Ben's graduation, Grandma and Grandpa Bruce coming for a visit, the weather, etc, so I'll just send your some pictures that I have. 

We went for a hike/walk/picnic in Thorsby with a Hayley Pedersen and two of her children, who is a woman I minister to. She doesn't want any contact with the church currently but we are becoming really good friends and I'm grateful for the programs of the church that enable us to create positive and fulfilling relationships.

Dad and Ben planting carrots. Dad brought in more soil to build up our garden, so it will get better and better every year.

We were burning a bunch of the dead undergrowth and old wood. It's always nice to sit around the fire and chat about life. Plus, our forest is looking more and more cleaned up and domesticated (at least around the fire pit).

This is Ben and his grad date, Caitlyn, posing on stage. I took the shot of the big screen. He was a true gentleman and was so kind and conscientious of her. 

And now we are beginning another busy week. June is filled with concerts and the scramble to get everything done before summer truly begins. I'm glad we live a slower pace out in the country. 

We love you, Sam! Enjoy the last month with your mission president and I'm so glad you love him and learned so much from him. Remember we pray for you every day.

Love forever,

Mom

May 20, 2019

From Sam - Break out the Sweat Pants, It's Cold Season

Hello Everyone,

This week has been amazing! I've been so busy with missionary work that I barely have time for anything else besides missionary work. We have been able to find someone really amazing, His name is Innocent Liambai. He's 53 years old, we knocked on his door and without barely any introduction he let us into his home. I was very skeptical about how fast he let us in and was worried he thought we were Jehovah's Witnesses. I checked and he knew exactly who we were and only heard of the Book of Mormon. We spent 20 minutes introducing the Book of Mormon and he seemed very satisfied. We left the Book of Mormon with him and set a return appointment. When we saw him again we found out that he went through the introduction to the testimony of Joseph Smith. He then explained the story of how Joseph Smith received the gold plates in detail. We barely did any teaching because he understood it so well. We then left the Restoration pamphlet with him and set another return appointment. When we saw him again we didn't do any teaching because he explained what he read in the exact way we were going to teach. When we extended a baptismal date he accepted it like he was already planning on being baptized. 

I have great hopes for him because of how fast and how well he learns.

Yesterday for church the last speaker was the former branch president, Brother Safeli, and he gave a very powerful talk. It was a talk about personal worth. Some of his quotes were: "Look at others the way our Heavenly Father looks at them." "Worthiness is obtained by obedience" and "Do we look at ourselves the way our Heavenly Father sees us?" It was a powerful talk. He talked about how, just like gold, we have the potential to be of great worth. Also, just like gold, when you find gold as an ore it looks like something very dirty and of no worth. The only way to get the precious metal from the ore is to forge and refine it. When we sin we allow ourselves to remain as dirty ore; When we are prideful we don't allow ourselves to be refined. It is only through the Atonement and with our permission, God can refine us to become pure gold. That also requires us to go through the forge or the furnace of affliction. For God to mold us and refine us we need to go through trials. "Trials make our faith grow stronger".  

It was a talk that stood out to me so much. A principle that has stood out to me this past week is about our comfort zone. A quote from Levi Stanford "There is no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone" There is nothing wrong with being in our comfort zones, the problem comes when we stay in them too long. The miracles of life, the blessings, the greatest achievements, our greatest satisfaction comes from being in and staying in the growth zone.  Sometimes for us to grow we need to get the virus that is halting our progression out of our system. That may need us to repent. Sometimes of big things, but mostly it is the small things. Does the stone on the top of a mountain think it's more important than the stones that form the base?

We have a divine potential, we are children of God. Someone so powerful and mighty, and all he wants is our happiness. He is our Father.

Well... I think I'm done. Until next week.

Love,

Elder Smith

Pictures:

-My birthday breakfast

-My companion made homemade donuts for my birthday dinner

-My study desk with the snack of boiled ground nuts

-Elder Kane snapped a picture of me doing my district leading

-A spoon project

-Hungry Lion for today's lunch

Video

Zambia is on fire

From Dad: - May long week-end

Dear Sam,

I just realized that your missionary email had changed. We've been sending to your myldsmail account not realizing that it had been converted to missionary.org. 

It is quite incredible the changes that have happened as a result of a proclamation of a prophet encouraging us to use the proper name of the church and even I wondered at the possibility of changing our habits and changing all the infrastructure that has been built up around the other names we have used for the church. But here it is happening. The impossible is possible through determination, purpose and the help of the Lord.

This week-end it is just the girls and me (and Josh, but he's kind of his own creature these days, coming and going as he pleases :)) Mom is off with Ben on a choir trip to Kimberley:

They got to work with a specialist from Vancouver. Here's a clip: Choir Video

Ben's principal doing Karaoke: Karaoke Video

As usual, while she's gone, I try to get as much done as possible!

Contracted and completed a new roof on the Leduc house

Railing installed and stained:

Garden soil ordered and delivered:

Surprise strawberry beds installed for Mom

Next week-end is Ben's graduation commencement. It's always interesting that they have it before they actually graduate. In my High school the year I graduated, the teachers and school board felt so strongly about it being an issue that I had a fall Grad so that only those who actually graduated would receive their diploma's at the commencement ceremony. Ben chose not to do the banquet ($50/plate and he didn't feel strongly about getting a date) but is involved in the after grad party committee at the LRC afterwards. G&G Bruce are coming up so we'll do something as a family after instead.

The girls have been stealing my phone on a regular basis to video the pets and their dance moves (they are super into dancing these days).

Last week I got released from my 2 ward callings, Primary Teacher and SS teacher. I was kind of sad. I have really enjoyed these callings. I love my primary kids and teaching adult SS is my all time favorite calling. Today I got to teach for a final time and it was an amazing discussion. I love the parable of the laborers in Matthew 20. As part of the preparation, I read Elder Holland's talk "The Laborers in the Vineyard". What a wonderful talk about choosing to not be envious of others but to take joy in others successes and not be concerned that we are getting our fair share. There are so many blessings from living the gospel that we should never be mad or pout that others who don't come to the knowledge of the gospel till later can receive "all that the father hath". I especially like this part of the talk:

"Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.

Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him “all that he hath,”2 as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live."

I hope I can be more charitable and truly find joy in other's successes.

We truly do rejoice in your successes and pray for you always, Sam. 

Love you forever!

Dad.

May 13, 2019

From Sam - Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

I got to call home yesterday. It was nice to see everyone. I have been calling home for the last few weeks now which have been very nice. The blessing this week was the opportunity to see and speak to everyone in the family. Josh is always too busy working full time landscaping and Ben is always at school.  It was very nice to see and talk to them. Another blessing was Grandma and Grandpa Smith were there as well. Not only was I able to enjoy Mothers day with my Mother, I was able to enjoy it with my Grandma as well. 

I finished the Book of Mormon for the 7th time on my mission. That to me is a big accomplishment. I'm starting it for the 8th time today. I know that it is true. 

A cool revelation I had a while ago was concerning the parable of the sower and Alma 32. Jesus Christ teaches that there are some roots that sprout up but are scorched by the heat of the sun. 

The sun represents the temptations of the Devil. I thought about that for a little bit and realised that if our roots(Testimony) are weak when the Sun(Temptation) comes out it burns and scorches the roots so that they whither. If our roots are strong when the sun comes out all it does is strengthen us more and more. I feel the same with my testimony of the Gospel. No matter what the devil throws at me I can withstand the temptations. The only person that can break or tear down my testimony is myself. That's only if I stop doing the small and simple things in life. Reading the scriptures, Saying my prayers and going to church to partake of the sacrament. If I do these things with real intent there is nothing that could shake my testimony.

My companion is a lot like I was when I first came on my mission. He is very enthusiastic and hard working. He likes to cook and to bake. And just like me, he learns best by experience. I do my best to teach by example and when necessary I use words. Sometimes is many cases I just have to lean back and let Elder Kane go for it in teaching and other situations so that he can learn by experience. I try to tell him the best way but he does what he does and then after experiencing it by himself he comes back and realises that I did the same thing. When that happens I just say something for him to think about and leave the rest to him. I say "Think about what would happen if you did/didn't do this or that. What would have changed?" Then I stay quiet and let his mind think. 

Things are going great right now. My companion is great and the work of God is moving forward at a new pace and with a new start. I'm excited for the coming weeks. Time flies like an arrow and I don't want to miss or waste a single moment.

I love you all,

-Elder Smith

Pictures:

-A kid trapped a bird

-Me making beans

-My companion made sweet potato chips

-Some funny posters

-Monday wash time

Videos:

A fun Zambian game

 MVI_0551.MOV

A chicken fight

 MVI_0555.MOV

From Mom - Quick Email 

Hi, Sam!

I forgot that it was my turn to write, sorry! It was so nice seeing your face yesterday and that everyone got to see it! I had a good Mother's Day. Dad rubbed my feet in the morning, they gave us chocolates at church, Grandma and Grandpa Smith were up visiting and they gave me $30 to spend on something fun, Josh brought his girlfriend, Kamryn and we had a nice supper together. Dad made perfect barbequed chicken. I am a lucky person to have a loving husband and fantastic children. 

The weather finally turned nice this week so we've been enjoying more time outside. I have this idea in my head that I want to clear a part of the forest for more picnicking. We'll see how much we can get done before the family reunion in July. 

We were very proud of Abby for doing such a fantastic job of her performance on Saturday. She only had two months to do it. She tried and she did it! She acted and sang beautifully. Dad sent you a link, I think. Her costume was perfect and she looked so beautiful. 

Mia decided she wanted to go swimming on Friday, so we invited the Robisons. We arrived and it seemed like everyone else had the same idea; the Rector's, Bro. Patrick, the Francis', the Meeks and more were all there. It was like a ward party. Haha.

Ben is getting all his necessary application stuff in for attending University. Him and Josh will probably go together in the fall. Do you want us to get you ready to attend school for January? Just some generic classes? Let us know. It's better to new busy when you first get home. 

Love you lots, Sam! Sorry for the short email. 

Mom

Abby's Play Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TBTB6D97amtbIKZVqZKlkbiI7EoOJNbD/view

May 6, 2019

From Sam - Revelation

This week was really good. We found out on Tuesday that my companion will have to go to Lusaka to get his kidney stone lasered out of him. His flight left on Wednesday and that is when I got my new companion. His name is Elder Kane and he is from Nigeria. The best part is he is a new missionary and I am his trainer. I have been praying for this experience for a long time. He is a great missionary. He grew up in the church and is 18 years old. He reminds me a lot about me when I was in training at the start of my mission. Very outgoing and understands the doctrines of the church and the Gospel. But just like me he doesn't have the understanding that only experience can give.  I have really enjoyed this week. I wish I could include every detail. But someone we are teaching went through some hard challenges and the branch president and the church was able to offer some help through the members. Things are still being figured out, but I thought about how you are doing missionary work right when you not only desire the salvation of souls but desire the salvation for specific souls.

I had a cool revelation about revelation(While I am typing this I am having deja vu) I was thinking about what the prophet Brigham Young taught concerning the temple. "What has been received by revelation must be understood by revelation" I was thinking about that and thought about how everything about the restored gospel has been received by revelation. The only way to understand anything the church teaches must be understood by revelation. That is why Russell M. Nelson said "In coming days we cannot survive spiritually without being able to receive personal revelation"

My time is short today.

I love you all,

-Elder Smith

-Baptism pic

-"My area is on fire!!" Zambia going through the burning of the garbage part of the year

-Watermelon

-My 1 1/2 hour walk to Twapia

-Spider in a tree at night 

From Dad - Changes

Dear Sam,

It's been another great week here at home. The days are getting longer and we anticipate warm weather in the coming week. This last week, we had snow every night of all things! Josh got a couple of weather days off so that was nice to have him around, but not so good for the paycheck. It also meant we had to postpone the highway cleanup a week out because we woke up to an inch of snow on Saturday morning!

Quick update on everyone starting from the youngest:

Amelia: Mia is super excited to go busking next week but had to settle for a performance with a local concert at the Peace Lutheran Church in Leduc. There was some mixup and we though she was playing just as background for the intermission, but in the end performed as a special guest. Some quick adjustments and she did amazing! See for yourself in this video I took. She also continues to look for Geo caches at every occasion!

Amelia's songs video...(Click to open)

Abigail: Abby continues to prepare for her play this week-end. She is really enjoying the process and the opportunity despite the stress. I almost fell out of my chair today when she told us she can't wait to get back to regular piano lessons! Should have had our tape recorders on as it has been a struggle in the past. 

Ben: Ben is agonizing about what university/college to attend in the fall. He's already partially accepted at U of A pending his final transcript, but lots of people he knows are going to Grant Mac and he is realizing he's running out of time for auditions for music programs. He is balancing things pretty good and today had the opportunity to go visit a friend in a mental hospital from school. Good thing to do on the Sabbath I thought.

Joshua: Work, work work, well, except when it snows. Also there is a girlfriend he's trending towards over the last few weeks and he's enjoying that process. Mom and I are still adapting to having adult children.

Stephanie and Tyler: haven't heard much directly from Steph personally this week, but the girls pass along regular updates from her about her babies progress. 2 months until your an uncle! I also heard that Chris and Ashlyn came to see them for a visit.

Mom: Mom is still recovering a bit from all the busyness of April but continues to serve others and mentor the girls through great books. She's hoping to carve out some more writing time this week.

Dad: Biggest priority this week outside of work is to keep working on the garage. Some good progress this week on the drywall and I was able to order all the siding this week. Step by step!

Another fun activity that has sparked some interesting conversation in our house was watching the documentary film "Free Solo" about Alex Hunnold, a 33 year old rock climber who climbed El Capitain, a huge cliff face mountain in Yosemite national park. 

Crazy but inspiring, it chronicles his journey to deciding to climb the mountain without ropes and it was all filmed. It took incredible preparation and skill, not to mention amazing bravado. One of the lines he mentions is this when talking about what drives him to do these kinds of things. "Great things never happen when we are cozy and comfortable". I used that in my testimony today as we're all adjusting to the ward boundary changes, but it is certainly work pondering. It's not bad to be cozy and comfortable sometimes, but ultimately, we don't really grow and become in that mode, we only really recover. So when things get uncomfortable, embrace and lean into those moments and allow them and the Lord's saving grace work together to mold and shape us into who we are meant to become.

Today I enjoyed teaching primary. We discussed the scripture John 8:32-34

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

We had a good discussion of the purpose of the commandments and how, though they seem restrictive initially, ultimately, keeping them will free us both from major consequences and free us to return safely home to be with God and our families forever

We love you lots Sam. Keep working hard and being obedient and watch for how the Lord is shaping you through uncomfortable moments.

Love,

Dad.