Tidbits, Sightings, Randomness

Over the last two weeks that Ben has been in the MTC, we've received some fun photos of friends who have seen Ben while attending the MTC openhouse, photos from other missionaries at the MTC, our own photo visiting the MTC (No, we did not see Ben while we were there) and also interesting tidbits from Ben that have not been in his regular letters. 

Playing Bball in the Gym - Photo by the Abel Family

Elder Hillyer and Elder Bushman (AF24th Warders)

"It's super awkward to take pictures with sisters. As you can tell" - With Sister Holmes

Elder Bushman with the Huhem Family (AHS-ers)

 

Visiting the Provo MTC for the Openhouse - No Sign of Elder Bushman

From Ben:

"All the Elders are jealous of my toilet paper!" (We sent him Charmin - he can't live without it)

"Love you so much mom. I don't know how to get that message across."

"PDAY..... hmmm... NAP!! and I'll study, clean my room, study, and then normal proselyting starts and 6 so I'll head to class." 

"That is Elder Broschart. He is probably one of my best friends. He loves Country Music, Trucks, Hates the Cities, Loves the Outdoors, and is just a great guy." 

"Overall, I am great!! Couldn't be better! Except I'm sick ;)"

"The food is working out great and yes, I got the fridge!! I haven't met any missionaries going to my mission except one but he is speaking the language of Haiti."

"Exercise is the best things of LIFE!!! It is so great to take some time off and just chill. It's great"   

"We become converted and spiritually self-reliant as we prayerfully live our covenants—through worthily partaking of the sacrament, being worthy of a temple recommend, and sacrificing to serve others."

—Robert D. Hales, ""Coming to Ourselves: The Sacrament, the Temple, and Sacrifice in Service "" 

Year 1, Week 2: I am Sick so I can Grow

This week has been hard here at the MTC. I have been sick with a cough, cold, runny nose, and sore throat. I took the OnGuard Pills right when I started feeling sick and it seemed to work for a while, but despite every thing I tried, I still ended up getting sick. It may have been a lot worse without those Doterra capsules. My testimony has really been attacked by Satan while being here. Why would God let me get sick while I'm trying to do His work? This question has popped into my head on multiple occasions but I know the answer. I am sick so I can grow. It may not make a lot of sense, but in my hardest time, if I am able to rely on the Lord, my testimony of Him will grow and get stronger. 

On Sunday of last week, my companion and I were in meetings from 8:30 in the morning until 10:10 at night with about 1 hour of breaks, including dinner, to space all of that out. Because the first Sunday here and it was Fast Sunday, we had extra meetings and things to go to. For our Sunday night Devotional we had the chance to hear the story of Jenny Oaks Baker and her family miracles and blessings. She told a story of how her mother passed away, but was able to be comforted in her greatest time of need. I know with the help of the Lord, I can also be comforted in my greatest time of need. After she spoke, she played numerous songs on her Violin with each of her children playing the guitar, cello, piano, or violin. It was a pretty awesome devotional and I learned a lot. After she ended, we were blessed with the chance to watch Characters of Christ by David A. Bednar, a Devotional he gave years ago to the MTC on Christmas morning. One of my favorite parts of that was his explanation on how to be a successful missionary. He says, "to be a successful missionary we cannot turn in to ourselves and become self absorbed. When we do this, we turn inwards and only look at us. When we repent we 're-turn' outwards and turn to the Lord. We must have charity and the pure love of Christ for our investigators to be successful." It's hard to love someone with a Christ like love when you only know them for a short time, especially when the investigator isn't keeping commitments or progressing. After David A. Bednar's talk ended, we were all surprised by him and his wife showing up and answering questions. I really love Elder Bednar and his Christ like love for everyone. 

Monday wasn't bad. We served in the morning and continued with normal classes. 

Tuesday night was another devotional. Elder Sitati of the Quorum of the Seventy came and spoke with his wife. He said a missionary's job is two things. 1. to invite. and 2. to help. In the purpose of a missionary it states: Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. All a missionary has to do is Invite and Help. The Spirit of the Lord does everything else. Elder Sitati then goes on to state how its not as easy as it sounds. We have to live in accordance to His plan and keep his commandments to have the Spirit with us. It was a great experience. 

Wednesday and Thursday was nothing exciting or special other than receiving packages from Aunt Kath and Mrs. Updike.I really appreciate the kindness and love shown to me.

Friday was great. Me and my companion helped with the tours in the morning. I saw, the Gaines Family, The Hilton Family, and Mrs. Wade. I worked the morning shift from 8:30-12:30. It's incredible how fast the time goes by. 

I am grateful for the package you sent me last week mom. The KETO food has been great and I feel Awesome! I appreciate all the letters in the package as well. Once again, love you all and can't wait to get to the field.

Love,

Elder Bushman

Elder Bushman's District (in part)

Elder Bushman with his companion, Elder Gibby

Elder Bushman's district (in full)

View of the new part of the MTC

Elder Byington and Elder Broschart

"The gospel teaches us to be happy, to have faith rather than fear, to find hope and overcome despair, to leave darkness and turn toward the light of the everlasting gospel."

—Boyd K. Packer, "The Key to Spiritual Protection"

Year 1, Week 1: Because of the Lord I was Able to Understand what he was Saying

Dear Mama and Family,

Yes, my PDAYS are on Saturday. When I first arrived at the MTC I was
given an iPad that I am able to use. Because of this, I am allowed to
email at anytime today. So please, tell everyone to write.

Let's see.... there is so much to tell. The food here is terrible:(
every single item is deep fried. I went to the MTC dietician with my
companion, Elder Gibby, and talked to her about my needs. She said
that lunch would be hard to substitute things in, but they could meet
my needs for dinner. So ever since arriving at the MTC I have been
skipping breakfast and lunch and only eating dinner which I will
continue to do.  So yesterday I ate some Steak Strips, keto bar, and
dinner which was a pork chop and steamed broccoli.

At first the MTC seemed great. I was really excited to get moving, but
the first two days seemed to really drag on. When a lot of our time
was taken up by a tour of the MTC or first meeting our zone leaders
the days passed like weeks. Here at the MTC they have a saying, The
Days seem like weeks and the weeks seem like days. When the third day
hit and our normal routine started, the day flew by.

My companion, Elder Gibby, is great. We don't have a ton in common but
that's fine. He is 6'6, loves disc golf, has taken five years of
Spanish, and is going to Houston Texas on his mission. Elder Gibby is
from Brigham City. My other roommates are Elder Byington and Elder
Broschart (Bro-Shart). I thought Liv and Zak would get a kick outta
that. Everyone in my room is going to Houston Texas. I haven't met one
guy who is going to Boston.

Do I need anything? Mostly those items I forgot. I'm not sure what
they are, except for the bag of collar pieces. Because I'm not eating
lunch or dinner, I would love some keto bars. Other than that, I think
I'm good! Yes, the curve cologne is mine.

My district is great! It consists of 8 Elders and 4 Sisters. The other
four elders are Elder Bird (Colorado), Elder Collins (California),
Elder Painter (New York), and Elder Bybee (Arizona). Elder Bird is our
district leader. The Sisters are Hermana Powell, Hermana Anderson,
Hermana Welch, and Hermana Anderson.

Spanish. The first two days I didn't understand ANYTHING. On Friday,
we taught a lesson in Spanish to an investigator named Pedro. We
talked to him about Heavenly Fathers love for us and how the gospel
blesses families. Because my comp. is super good at Spanish, he taught
most of the lesson. While they were talking I caught a few words of
Spanish but not much. When Brother Truman (our Spanish instructor)
started teaching us later that day, I understood so many words that
there was hardly a sentence that I didn't get what he was saying. I
know that because of the Lord I was able to understand what he was
saying.

Yes, while checking in I saw Sister Beifuss. I remember her from the
time we saw her in California. Her daughter, Isobel was also in my
fourth grade class at AHS.

I hope Spencer, Thomas and Michael had a good time at EFY. Swimming
sounds fun as well as the parade at Livs.

Yes mom, I did get the letter. I really appreciate your kind words. It
was pretty tough at first but seems to be getting easier. Thanks once
again.

Yo sé que Jesucristo es El Salvador. Yo testifico que El Evangelio es
restaurado en la mundo. Yo sè que El Libro De Mormón es una bendición
para mí. Yo testifico que José Smith es un profeta  de Dios. A causa
del arrepentimiento, yo puedo superar el pacado. En el nombre de
Jesucristo, Amen.

Love you all,

Elder Bushman

NOTE from Mom: We have called the MTC and arranged for some food items that will help him stick with his diet. We'll be delivering those things today so hopefully the eating thing will get easier. We're so proud of him for being so diligent amongst a carb-haven.  

"God’s miracles are not happening just in Haiti, Thailand, or the Ivory Coast. Look around you. 'God is mindful of every people … ; yea, he numbereth his people, and his … mercy [is] over all the earth.'"

—Neil L. Andersen, "Thy Kingdom Come"

Arrived Safely

Dear Mom,

I just wanted to let you know that I have arrived safely. My companions name is Elder Gibby. I haven't had a chance to really talk to him but I'm looking forward to get to know him. Everything goes so fast. I got there, they gave me everything I needed and was in class all in under 25 minutes.

I think my PDays are on Saturday, but I'm not positive. I'll let you know more later.

Love you mom.

Ben

 

"As we move into the future with quiet confidence, [Christ's] Spirit will be with us."

—Boyd K. Packer, "The Reason for Our Hope"

Saying Goodbye: Saying Hello

We say goodbye to our son and brother and friend for two years as he says hello to missionary life, to service, to the MTC, to Boston and to wearing a missionary tag for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Spencer has EFY this week so he had to say goodbye the night before. Two brothers who may not see each other for four years (depending on Spencer's mission call in two years). Adam and MaKayla and cutie weren't able to be with us Tuesday night but joined us at the temple for the send-off. The MTC drop off was quick. We're so excited he is on his way, because he just wanted to go! We're thrilled for him and give him to the Lord for these next two years. Go forth, Elder Bushman!

"Devoted disciples of Jesus Christ always have been and always will be valiant missionaries. A missionary is a follower of Christ who testifies of Him as the Redeemer and proclaims the truths of His gospel."

—David A. Bednar, "Come and See"

It's Official: Elder Bushman

Benjamin Samuel Bushman was set apart as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by our good friend, President Sam Beeson. It was a very special and spiritual event. We are so proud of our missionary and to be part of this beautiful experience.

"Latter-day Saints take seriously this responsibility to teach all people in all nations about the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. We believe the same Church founded by the Savior anciently has been reestablished on the earth by Him in the latter days. The doctrine, principles, priesthood authority, ordinances, and covenants of His gospel are found today in His Church."

—David A. Bednar, "Come and See"