bautismos

Well, we're halfway through this transfer! Time is most definitely going by more quickly here in the field. I never thought it would happen like everyone said, but it is. I spent three months in my first area and when I finish this transfer it will be over four months. Crazy! But this last week we had two really rough days. We were walking for over four hours trying to find someone. We leave the house at 11 am and we have lunch at 2, except that day they couldn't feed us and instead had given us money. So after three hours of exhaustion and no lessons, we went home and ate and took short naps. It was another hour before we started finding people and we had to work extra hard to make up for the lack of lessons. We were done for when we finally got home and I have never been so happy to go to bed in my life.

     The next day was much better, we found some new people to teach and we had a great Family Home Evening with a family in our ward of less actives and investigators. We had a puzzle and lesson and they had the treat. It ended up working out really well and I just loved seeing everyone (literally a dozen people) working on this little puzzle that we had made. It was a great experience. 

     And on Sunday our mission president and his wife came to our ward. It was really fun to see them and it was amusing to see our ward react to them—most didn't seem to know what to do. But after church, we had two baptisms!! The sons of our last baptism, Patricia, finally got baptized and it was perfect. We had a lot of support from the ward plus some of their extended family.

At the sisters' most recent baptism.

I seriously adore this family, they are all wonderful and such fun to teach. An example is this: on Sunday the family who was supposed to feed us couldn't and so we were going to eat with the relief society president, but she couldn't either and instead gave us money, which was no help at all. When the family Lopez found out they insisted we come over and eat with them. So we went over and we're getting some food together and waiting for some water to boil when we realize that gas has run out! They were quick and got a little grill type thing set up and we're all outside trying to get it hot enough to cook some meat. It took a while but we finally ate and it was delicious. They always make really good food and had actually made us a cake for later, also tasty. Basically it was a fantastic day. 

     I hope you are all doing well! This week we have been teaching a lot about commandments, specifically tithing and fasting. My testimony of these two principles has grown immensely and I know that as we follow all of the commandments, including the counsel of the prophets, we will be blessed. Our life will not necessarily be easier, but we will have the strength and the knowledge to endure and overcome our obstacles. I know this Gospel is true and I love it. I hope each of you will continue to learn and exercise your faith through your actions—you and your family will be blessed for it. 

I love you all so much!!!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

go, go, go!

¡Buenas tardes mi familia!

Not too much happened this week but we did get to meet with our new mission president as a zone! We had interviews with the president and talked with his wife—they are both awesome. They are always happy with so much energy and I can really tell they just want to help us help the people. But this week has been both really hot and a bit chilly with lots of rain. One afternoon we were outside when it started pouring rain. We headed to our next lesson and the family was just astonished we were out in the rain. All they could say was that we were soaking wet! They quickly hurried us inside and then made us hot chocolate and then went out to buy us some sweet bread. Oh they are so nice!

     We started teaching a new family, and right now they are all doing so well. They've come to church twice and are really progressing. We had an appointment with them but when we went they were eating. They had us sit down and eat with them and then they brought out a cake they had made for us! It was a walnut cake—very tasty! Our other activity this weekend was making a banner for our soccer match! We didn't do well in the game, we played an extremely good team, and to be honest we didn't stand a chance. But it was fun and we went back and played as a zone in our stake center. I love playing sports! So we made the banner in the photo and it was so fun to create something on a large scale.

The Nezahualcoyotl zone missionaries and their banner.

I don't have a specific message to share with you, just that I know this Church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he restored the true Church of Jesus Christ on the earth once more and I am so grateful for the peace and happiness I have found within the gospel. Life is hard and it is difficult to understand the "why" but I know that we each have a purpose and if we ask Heavenly Father, he will help us with the plan. I love you all and hope things are going well.

¡¡Que tengan una buena semana!!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

little things

Hola!!

This week was long and crazy busy, which has now become normal to me. Quick note, cambios happened last week, but we didn't have them, so I'm in Heroes for another transfer! By the end of this current one, we will be halfway through our missions!! But this week we made a goal to talk to as many people as possible and we taught fifteen different investigators this last week, and TWELVE of them came to church yesterday—it was amazing! But not too many less actives showed up, the World Cup final started at the end of our services and lots of people left after the second hour. But last week we did another "Mormon Table" and contacted like crazy in another area in our district. It was the same area as last time; they are just have a tough time, and I'm glad we could help for a little bit.

The missionaries at their contacting table.

Yesterday turned out a bit crazy. First, on our way to visit some people, we passed a man selling ice cream. He had been working on a house earlier last week and we tried visiting the family there probably four times in two days. But he recognized us and offered us some ice cream for free. We tried a cheese flavored one that was really, really good! From there we went to try and find some contacts from the prior week. We ended up knocking on one door and a man answered (we were looking for a woman) and the first thing he asked was if we were from Utah. Once my companion said yes, he said no thank you and shut the door. I should mention he was completely drunk and his mouth was all bloody. But we waited a few minutes and tried again, hoping someone else would answer. Our lucky didn't hold and he came back but this time got up in our faces demanding to know what we preached, telling us we were all wrong, that our religion was filled with inconsistencies and that nothing good has ever come out of Utah. It was really frustrating because he would ask a question, wait a moment for us to answer, when in reality he didn't care what we had to say, he only wanted to argue and yell at us some more. It turned out to be emotionally upsetting for me and I was close to tears by the time we were able to get away from him. But now that it's happened once, hopefully the next time I will be better prepared to handle it.

     But on a more positive note, my best friend and former companion, Hermana Gurley's mom sent me a skirt!! It is black with a white pattern and it fits perfectly. I am so grateful for all the kind people in this world; they certainly help to balance out the bad. And I just want to say, one person can make a difference, and it doesn't take much to life someone else's spirits. I am grateful I get the next 11 months to keep helping people and making their lives a little better and a little more peaceful. I know this gospel is true and I am glad to be a Mormon.

The new skirt from Hermana Gurley's mother.

 I love you all so much! Keep being awesome.

Love,

Hermana Bennett

The zone just prior to transfers (cambios).

happy 4th!

This week started out slowly but we were so busy the last few days. But first, earlier last week we were standing outside a house and I felt something hard hit my head and I turned around so confused. Then I saw a soccer ball on the ground and a young teenager running for me with a scared look on his face. He was so apologetic and even though it hurt I told him I was fine, and we left shortly after. My companion commented that when I got hit, she turned around and said I looked so confused as to what had just happened. She laughed all the way home, and eventually I did too. Guess I'll have to be more careful!

     Last week we also did a district activity to help out the other sisters who currently have no investigators. It's been rough for them and so we went and set up a table with lots of pamphlets and papers. We also took turns contacting different streets as well as manning the table. We probably contact 150 people in the two hours that the eight of us were over there helping. It was fun but exhausting. During the time that I contacted a street, I had one woman tell me I was beautiful and not to bother knocking on one specific door. At another door, an elderly man answered and after I explained who I was, he said he didn't understand me at all. So I tried again but to no avail and after he explained his beliefs, I went to leave. As I was shaking his hand, he commented on how large my hands were and then kissed my hand before letting me leave. My companion saw that happen and burst out laughing and I did too. Oh the people here! And later that night, we had a fourth of July party!! We grilled some meat, had watermelon and lots of drinks. I hope you all had fun celebrating the USA!

Cutting watermelon for the Fourth.

One of the elders on deck at the barbecue.

The last thing was that we had a baptism! We actually had the mother and her two sons, but the sons decided they didn't feel ready, so we postponed their baptism. But the mom, Patricia, is the best, ever. She has been so fun to teach, and so ready to change and follow the Savior. She is the one who always makes us food and just treats us as family. Later that night we went over and they gave us each something. My companion has worn through her shoes and they gave her a new pair, and they knew I had lost my memory card for my camera so they gave me a new one! They are all just amazing. Also on Sunday, we have a young man who is leaving for his mission tomorrow. He is awesome and so kind, he reminds me a lot of Stephen. So, he went to the temple on Saturday and bought us each a large Spanish hymnal and then cut the binding and replaced it with a spiral binding so we can play the piano more easily. My companion almost started crying, she had been wanting to do just that but we couldn't get our hands on a large hymnal.

Patricia's baptism.

Katherine and Jared with the thoughtful gift of a spiral-bound hymnal.

Quickly, one more thing. Our new president and his wife arrived! President and Hermana Stutznegar are from California and he served a mission in Mexico but his wife doesn't speak any Spanish. They are about as different from our old president as possible. They were cracking jokes, laughing and just having fun during our conference this last week. Plus, they are organizing a soccer tournament, each zone is a team, and we are getting jerseys and shorts for it! We are all so excited.

     Anyways, I hope you are all doing well, that you are enjoying summer and having fun. Keep doing those three things to strengthen your faith and testimony and I promise you will be happier for it. I love you all!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

The sisters with Hermana Lopez.

cooling down

Well, Mexico's decided to cool down a bit! We have had a lot of chilly days, cold enough that I've been wearing sweaters in the morning and evening. It is actually so nice to not be hot all the time, plus it almost feels like fall some days. So this last week was both slow and fast. Each day we tried to find new people to teach so we would go by people we had contacted the day or two before. Each day we went by at least 8 or 10 people and no one was ever home. It was extremely discouraging, but we kept at it and were able to start teaching a young mom and a family. The young mom has two kids and just wants to be a better example to them, and to stop arguing with her husband. She accepted what we taught and seems to really want it. The family is related to a member of our ward, and in the past would never talk to the missionaries, but when we went over, they welcomed us in. Later we found out what a miracle it was, but they too want to be baptized and already seem to have a testimony of the Church. It still amazes me that there are people ready to hear and understand the word of God and that they are willing to listen to two young American girls. I just love teaching people!

     On Saturday we got permission to go to the temple with an investigator family who are all progressing really well. The mom is awesome and always trying to learn more and understand better. And then she will explain to her kids and help them. It's amazing how quickly the Gospel can change your life for the better. After this great day, Sunday turned out to be rather difficult. Mexico was playing a soccer match and so we had hardly anyone at church. No investigators came, only a handful of less-actives and only the most stalwart members. It was especially disappointing as people wouldn't tell us why they couldn't come to church, just that they couldn't, or perhaps, wouldn't.

Katherine and the investigator family outside the Mexico City temple.

But we are doing well and working hard. We have one more week in this transfer and I am thinking I will get changed. But our new president arrives today and we have a conference with him on Wednesday. It'll be interesting to see what changes he institutes and if he decides to change all the companionships up. Until that happens, we are just enjoying our time and making the most of it.

     To finish, I want to say, go read 3 Nephi 13 and 14. We all need to make sure we are building our house upon a sure foundation and that we are not valuing too much, the things of this world. Read the scriptures, study them and apply them to your life. Things will be better, I promise.

     I love you all!!

Love,

Hermana Bennett