Dear Samuel,
We have had a fantastic week. LYR was amazing with lots of lives changed, characters developed, kids primed to further their education and missions pondered.
I was quite relieved that the simulations turned out well. Instead of Popsicle sticks this year, we did what we called a "trust walk". In this simulation, 5 people hold onto a rope with everyone blindfolded except the person in the back. The group then has to navigate a path based on the sighted person's directions.It was a good simulation to learn how to both follow and lead depending on your position.
Second simulation was the most involved. We split the kids into 4 countries. Each country was ruled by a different system (e.g. Pure democracy, Republic, Dictatorship and tribal) and each country had a different way to produce resources (e.g. filling a water bucket from the lake with 3 mugs, mining gravel with tablespoons, bundling sticks with twine and harvesting leaves). Once a country had produced enough goods, they got Settlers of Zarahemla cards and got to trade them with other countries. It was quite interesting to see that develop. We got everything from a separate nation breaking off and wars being declared to alliances and revolutions.
Third simulation was a town meeting discussing a proposed amendment to the education bill.
See here for a bunch more of the pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/
Josh was his usual energetic self:
Ben and Cody after simulation:
Abby during the country simulation:
Mia, Abby and Emma prepared long and hard for the talent show doing an amazing dance together:
Max and his brother Sam came over from Nova Scotia again. They did a combined break dance for the talent show.
Mom's friend Jamelyn and my cousin Mel both came to speak to the youth and did a great job. I was inspired by Jamelyn's review of "The Model".
C = Circumstance
T = Thoughts
F = Feelings
A = Actions
R = Results
If at any time we don't like our results, we can work our way up the chain to change our thoughts to make a difference.
Mel used a D&D analogy to share the concept of treating all our trials and challenges as if we chose them ourselves before this life. In D&D before you start an adventure, you create a character and choose your strengths, weaknesses, relationships etc. Imagine if this was true of ourselves. It changes how you view your challenges. If I chose, for example, to have a serious disease or a particular weakness, then I own it and instead of being a victim to it, I can learn and grow from it. Great food for thought.
Yesterday, I took Abby and Mia to a youth fireside with the General YM president at the Riverbend Stake Center.
Ben went on what he believes is his final date with Catlyn (friend from choir he took to grad). Before going, after talking with Mom and reading some key articles in the ensign, decided that he wasn't gong to kiss her. Part of that decision came from reading this article in the Ensign. Although I often bug Ben about girls, I'm proud of his decision to respect their relationship.
I read it myself last night and one paragraph really struck me:
Many times we hesitate to make the right choices because we try to please the Lord without offending Satan. But we cannot please God without upsetting Satan. We simply cannot serve two masters. Our ultimate decision will always be whether to live the first two commandments in the right priority: To serve God first and then our neighbor, or to put the second commandment before the first by trying to please others before we please God (see Matthew 22:37-39).
It's my testimony and experience that when we put God first, that we are more able to love our neighbor and loved ones. We will never lose in the long run by putting God first in our lives. I'm grateful for your choice, Sam to put him first above even your family. In the end it will strengthen our family relationships.
On Sunday, we went to Sparwood for church and realized that all Mom's siblings were there! So we took the opportunity to take some pics
This will be a busy week preparing to get Ben and Josh moved into their new apartment. It's going to be a different dynamic in our home without them, but they should have a great experience at college. We need to start the process of getting you registered there as well.
Life is full of choices and I'm grateful for the joys, stresses and sorrows that are part of becoming like the Savior and achieving our potential.
I saw a few pics on the mission Facebook page of the day of service you did. Fun to see you there.
Make it a great week.
Love,
Dad
From Sam - Pure Discipleship
Hello everyone,
This week flew by for me, I'm not sure about you. So many things happened. The biggest thing that happened was my mission president visited my ward. He said something that was amazing to me. While bearing his testimony he said "My testimony is just like all of yours, the only difference is it's mine". I recently read over a study I had about testimonies and I read about how in the pre-existance we overcame Satan and his angels by "The blood of the lamb and the power of our testimonies" It's our testimonies that got us into this world and it is only our testimonies and us living true to them that will get us back to live with our Heavenly Father. Something Elder Bednar said before "We need to know the gospel is true and we need to be true to the gospel'
I've had so many experiences on my mission were I had to make a decision about what to do. I had to choose between good, better or best. Sometimes I have had to choose between right and wrong. It's amazing to me how much God is aware of what choices we make are right and wrong and how he is always loving and caring even when we make lots of wrong choices. He never gives up.
Sorry it's short but I know it's true,
I love you all,
-Elder Smith
Pictures:
-My companion being super effective as a missionary
-Making chips for dinner
-Epic eating out shot
-I found a Salt and Vinegar Lays chips(The first one ever found on my mission)
-Dinner at Memory's
-My second jacket from Memory
-Baptism pictures for the other Elders(Everyone was there)
-Akim, a returning member's kid trying to take my camera
-Lunch at a the Tembo's(Judith, Blessed, Natasha and Isaac)
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