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.