A few weeks ago, I was preparing a Sharing Time lesson about missionaries, and I was collecting items from different countries to use as visuals. I asked Ben if he had anything from his mission in Guatemala.
Lo, and behold, out came the secret "Ben's Mission" box! This box has been a part of our family since the day we got married -- almost 8 years ago. It has followed us from Provo to Layton to New Jersey to Boston. In each of our homes, we found a special place where this box could be stored -- away from the elements -- where none of Ben's precious mission mementos could get damaged. In the back of my mind, I imagined future Family Home Evening lessons about Ben's mission, where he would remove the box from safekeeping, open the lid, and reveal all sorts of treasures for our kids to marvel at: some Guatemalan clothing, toys, dolls . . . perhaps some items related to Guatemalan culture that would help our children to appreciate these people whom Dad grew to love so dearly over his two years serving them. I imagined lots of oohs and ahhs for sure.
Well, you can imagine my excitement when Ben opened the lid of this box for the first time in 8 years.
Ta da! Here are the relics of Ben's mission: a bunch of expired pills, an extra toothbrush and roll of floss, some highlighters, lots of band-aids, an old sweaty Velcro watch, and a can of Wal-Mart toenail fungus spray!
And nothing says "Guatemala" like a cigarette and match in an "Emergency" glass case! I'm actually hoping Ben will bump up the Family Home Evening I was hoping for and try to tie this into a lesson next week! I really can't wait to see how he'll pull it off (and I can't wait to hear the oohs and ahhs -- at least, I'm pretty sure there will be "ew"s).
And finally, buried amid the flotsam, Ben unearthed . . . count 'em -- THREE actual mission keepsakes: his nametag, his little white Bible, and a small wad of Guatemalan money! Really, besides that, there wasn't much. He did save a handful of letters and pictures that other people had sent him, which were all pretty random (Kami Knowlton's wedding announcement, anyone?). And the other really great thing that he saved from his mission were a few items he used for magic tricks when he was entertaining the little niños. The "disappearing scarf" trick has actually kept Henry and Ellis completely spellbound for the last week! Trust me, it's way cooler than any Guatemalan cultural appreciation night could ever be! :)
11 comments:
SO classic - made me laugh :)
That. Is. Funny. That is so funny I can't even laugh. I believe I am dumbfounded. Thank you for sharing.
This is wonderful. And Jenn, what is that cute garland in the picture w/Ben? It looks fantastic!
I loved reading this Jenn! That was hilarious!
That's too funny. Ryan has a few magic tricks from his mission, too. He always says he's too rusty to do them, though.
That frog keychain looks like it might be very useful.
That is hilarious! Did he end up throwing most of his mission momentos away?
Chad has a box just like that! Toe nail clippers, white bible, name tag, cologne samples???, and other completely random nick knacks.
That is my favorite! I am still to this day amazed at his disapearing scarf trick!I would watch it over and over and never get it.
Nice stash Ben. We have a "missionary box" that we've hauled from place to place for 8 years and it is full of just as useful "can't throw away" treasures.
Ben, those are the items I bought and SENT you with before you left for Guatemala! Too hilarious for words. I've got a box of mission letters to add to Kami Knowlton's wedding announcement. But I am glad you saved the magic trick. We had to push you for your magic when you were young but always loved it when you would show us a trick.
This post really made me laugh. I saw the cigarette emergency kit while I was out at Ben's last week. Very clever, though not too missionary minded if you ask me. :-) Anyway, I just love how Jenn's expectations were so different from what was really in there. I'm sure I have a box or two full of junk hanging around as well. Try six or eight years of college class notes that I really have no intention of ever reading again...
Post a Comment