the temple and other fun news

Buenos días!!

So this week didn't seem too busy when it first started out but the last three days have been filled with activities! But to start off, on Tuesday we had a great day and taught ten lessons! I think that's the most we've taught with just the two of us. We were exhausted by the end of the day but it felt amazing. On Wednesday we had an amazing thunderstorm that made me feel like I was back home. I love the rain!

     On Friday I taught my bishop's wife how to make cupcakes from a Spanish recipe I found online (I didn't understand half the words) . . . and they don't have measuring cups here. It was quite an experience but they turned out great! They all loved them and evidently so much that they asked me to teach them some more things. Random side note: after the cupcake lesson, we were walking to a lesson, and on the street outside my bishop's house, a guy had made a little fire and was cooking a pot of food on it. I thought it was unusual but thought maybe it was more common here. I asked the bishop's daughter and she said no, it's just the drunk Mexicans that always hang out on that corner. So that was kind of funny to see!

Katherine and the bishop's wife baking together.

On Saturday we had four investigators show up for the activity to go to the temple visitor's center so we got to go as well! It was so much fun. Our ward rented a micro (like a bus) and we all piled in for the ride. The visitor center is newer and is designed and decorated to fit the location. It was really neat! My favorite room was where we watched a film, “Finding Christ,” and they have the room designed like you're in the city of Jerusalem watching it. From there we went to eat lunch in a park and then went to the zoo! I didn't realize we were going so it was a fun surprise. My companion and I also went through a special exhibit of the most dangerous reptiles in the world. It was pretty interesting! I included some photos of the more exotic looking ones.

Katherine outside the temple, with the visitor's center on her left.

The elephants at the zoo.

Exotic reptiles!

Sunday was great. We had eight investigators show up at church! It was pretty hectic getting them to the right classes and making sure they had someone to sit with but it was fun. And then after church we had a baptism of someone we contacted when I first got here. It has been so cool to see her conversion from the very beginning. She is going to be a great member. And her granddaughter should be getting baptized next Sunday! I love this area and the members. It is hard work, but the more I learn about the Gospel and the more I know about the people here, the harder I want to work and do all that I can.

Katherine and her companion at their investigator's baptism.

I was reading in Enos this morning and the verses that struck me the most were when he was praying for his brethren. His concern and his prayers are inspiring and I know that my prayers have changed since I've come here. They used to be focused on what I thought I needed to help the people whereas now I've realized the power behind praying for them and just focusing on their needs. There is so much power in prayer and I am so grateful that I have always known how to pray, it was just making it a habit that I struggled with. I know that if you pray, with faith, in the name of Christ, Heavenly Father will answer your prayers. He is there to help us and he wants to, but you have to let him in.

I love you all! Thank you so much for your love and support!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

week 8

I don't have too much to say, or too much time to write! So I will just say it has been a long week! We have been working hard and trying to do as much as we can to help the people here. The weather seems to be warming up, “summer” is approaching and I am so glad to have sandals. The most exciting thing this last week (other than playing soccer today on a concrete field) was the birthday party for Relief Society. Our stake did a big celebration with each ward preparing a dance. It was a sort of potluck between each ward and then after they had a big surprise for the women—a mariachi band! Our bishop and our stake president (which is who we live with) had told us about it and my companion loves mariachi so when they first came, they both told us so we got pictures with them! It was a fun night but we left around 9:15, apparently the dancing didn't end until midnight! These Mexicans love to party!

Some of the dancers at the Relief Society celebration.

I hope you all have a great week and do something new to stretch yourself in the Gospel. Study a topic you don't completely understand, share your testimony, or set a new spiritual goal with your family. I love you all and am so grateful for your love and support!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

what a week

Hola hola!

This week was really great and we were doing awesome every day. Then Saturday came . . . and it was disappointing. We were only able to teach three lessons—no one was home and those that were, were on their way out. It was tough but we pushed through it. But Thursday night (I think) we were walking to an appointment when all of a sudden we heard Mexican music, blasting down the street. Turns out there was some Catholic holiday and they had a huge carnival to celebrate. Everyone had these black crosses on their forehead and I wanted so badly to try and contact them but I figured it wouldn't be my best idea.

     So yesterday we had quite possibly my least favorite dish here so far. It is called mole and is chicken in a spicy-ish chocolate sauce. It is disgusting and I had a stomachache the rest of the day. But to make up for it, this morning I made some no-bake cookies! I had to borrow a pot from our landlady but they turned out great! Even with my guessing the amounts :) I shared them with some people in our district plus with the family who lets us email for free in their Internet place. She is a really good cook; she's the one who taught me how to make flour tortillas. Which I will be making for you all when I get back!

Making no-bake cookies.

One random experience from this week. We were walking back to the church after checking on some investigators when we passed a member leaving church. We said hi and she commented that I was so pretty, someone was going to steal me. And she was dead serious. All I could think was, I sincerely hope not! 

     So a spiritual thought for this week! I've been reading in 2 Nephi and chapter four is awesome. Lehi blesses his family and Nephi praises the Lord. It is inspiring to read his words and I am loving the Book of Mormon more and more each day. If you aren't reading the scriptures, start now! The more you read it, the more you will love it and gain a testimony (or strengthen your testimony). I love this Gospel. It is one of happiness and I am so glad to study it everyday.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

happy day

This last week was pretty tough, we spent most of it walking around trying to find people to teach, usually less-actives or former investigators. We contacted a lot of people but those that said they wanted to learn more gave us false addresses or only said yes so they could talk to me . . . It is a seriously annoying issue. I wish I could blend it more but I think that part of the reason I’m here is to stand out and bring more attention to our work. It will take awhile to get used to it but maybe another few months I will be able to handle it more. Going along with that, I find the more I smile and say hi to others, the more whistles and car honks I get. But if I’m more serious and more careful with who I smile at, people say I’m sad and unhappy to be here. I just can’t win. If anyone has suggestions for blending in, I’m all ears! :)

     I got a great package last week, sandals! They have been awesome. This last week we had some hot days and wearing sandals made it so much more bearable. I bought some nail polish as well and I am loving it. It makes it so much easier to enjoy this hot, summer weather.

Sandals and nail polish make days happier.

And this morning I had an awesome surprise, SEVEN letters! They made my day so thank you to those who wrote me. It looks like it takes about a month for letters to arrive so if I haven't responded, that is why. It has been so nice catching up on what happens in your lives, so write me if you want, or email if it's easier. 

A busy day for letters!

Today for P-day we went bowling and then to eat at Chili's before grocery shopping at Walmart. I think I spent my entire food budget so hopefully I got enough! I did buy stuff to make cookies and I am excited about that! I miss baking so much though I did get to help a member make some cakes the other day :)

Missionaries at play.

Anyways! The Gospel is true. Everyday I testify of it and I am so glad for this chance to teach others and help their testimonies while also strengthening my own. It is hard work for missionaries but the possibility of helping others is so rewarding. I hope you will all do something to help the missionaries this week. We need, you, the members, your help and your support; we can't do it without you! Go teach with them, give them a reference or feed them. They will be more grateful than you realize. Read Moses 1:39 and know that the time for missionary work is now.

     I love you all and hope things are going well at home!

Love,

Hermana Bennett