corn ice cream

Well, I forgot my agenda with notes about what to include so hopefully this letter won't be too boring! This week went by quickly! And it didn't help me to know it was my last week in this area. Yup, about a week and a half ago the President told me that I would have cambios and be leaving the area. I was hoping to stay in this zone/stake but I have transfers with my luggage which means I will be leaving this city. I can either go to my old zone, Oriental, to a different ward, or I can go to the third zone, La Perla, which is what I'm hoping for. But tomorrow we have cambios and we'll find out then!

     Some quick stories from last week! We were teaching our recent converts, Perla and Vidal (they got baptized last Sunday), and Perla told us she had something she had to tell us, and that we would be proud. We were confused and asked why. Apparently when they were in the street, she heard her daughters, Paula and Perla say they want to be missionaries. Paula said she was Hermana Ingram and Perla quickly said she was Hermana Bennett, because she has curly hair too! While they were walking home, they imitated our accents, said "wow" and "uh" a lot! Later in the house they got their scriptures out and said "we have a message to share about Jesus" and "we are going to read, uh, a scripture in . . ." and so on! It was hilarious to hear her tell us the story and she tried to get her daughters to do it, but they were too shy. I am going to miss them when I leave!

The sisters enjoying artisanal Mexican ice cream—including a corn flavor!

Also this week we watched Women's Conference—in Spanish! It was so gratifying to be able to understand nearly all of it, especially since there was so many good stories! One I want to share is from President Uchtdorf's talk, which was amazing, as usual. He talked about living the Gospel and well, I'll just quote him! 

“Part of our challenge is, I think, that we imagine that God has all of His blessings locked in a huge cloud up in heaven, refusing to give them to us unless we comply with some strict, paternalistic requirements He has set up. But the commandments aren’t like that at all. In reality, Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us.” (Read the entire talk: https://www.lds.org/church/news/president-uchtdorf-live-the-gospel-joyful?lang=eng) 

I believe this 100%. He is always blessing us and we have to take the time to recognize those blessings and do our part to make sure we keep receiving them. Sometimes we think, "well I won't receive that blessing, I'm not good enough, or doing enough, I'm not perfect." All I will say is this: we are always enough, we are His children and if we do our part, He has to do His, he is obligated. So don't worry, be happy! Live the Gospel and reap all the blessings He has prepared for you. And get ready for General Conference this weekend! It will be amazing. 

     So, yesterday we finally got a hold of our President and got permission to go to Zocolo, downtown Mexico City, today! We had tried calling him last week and even planned things out with a family to take us. We didn't think we were going to be able to go and I was so sad. But he told us to go ahead so we called up the family and this morning after our zone meeting we drove into the heart of Mexico City. It was amazing and such an adventure! The Lopez family had planned to take us but Omar, the dad, ended up dropping us off (Patricia and us) and later picked us up. Central is amazing. A man named Porfirio Diaz, when he was President, redesigned Mexico City to be like European cities, Paris in particular. It felt like we were on vacation in a totally different world. It was just incredible! She took us to churches, for breakfast, to Bellas Artes (a center for music and the arts), the first post office in Mexico, the main cathedral in Zocolo, and to see ruins of the ancient templo mayor. Apparently when the Hispanics came to Mexico, they destroyed and built Catholic churches on top of all the pyramids. So under every church in the city, there is a pyramid underneath. She also took us to a fancy department store that has a ceiling of stained glass. It is breathtaking! We saw a vertical garden, complete with bicycles, and we ended with a special treat: frozen yogurt from my favorite chain! Yup, they have YogurtLand in Mexico!! I'll send some photos today and hopefully send some more next week!

Breakfast at the Casa de Azulejos (House of Tiles).

Bellas Artes, a center for culture and art.

The Cathedral of Zocolo.

I love you all so much! Next week, I'll have stories from my new area!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

feliz cumpleaños

Time sure does go by quickly when it's your companion's birthday!! This last week we had a lot of fun and just enjoyed it. The day after independence day, there was no one in the street but little children, all setting off fireworks. At one point we were walking down one street and saw a group of children huddled close together. A minute later we saw them running past us with their hands over their ears. We started running as well and a moment later, there was an explosion. They had set off a tiny bomb! Or something just like it. All day long kids were setting off firework bombs in the street. 

A particularly beautiful Mexico City sunset.

Randomly last week, our zone leaders called us, asking us to teach one of their investigators for them. So we went and taught him! It was a little stressful but our leaders actually left us there and went to another appointment. We didn't feel like he responded well to our message, but his wife (who is a member) was really grateful and said it helped. I guess we'll see if he progresses!

     So, here in the city people often cart around instruments and play in the street. One that is pretty common is the marimba and Hermana Ingram loves listening to people play in the street. Well, on our way to a church activity, we passed some guys setting up to play. We stopped and talked to them and before we knew it, the head guy is in love with my companion! He told us he was going to be back in the area the next morning and he promised to give us CDs of him playing and singing. Well, we went and found them the next morning and sure enough he had two copies of his cd! 

     The best part about last week? It was Hermana Ingram's 20th birthday!! I made her a cheesecake and decorated her desk for her and later we got to eat with our favorite family. They also got her a cake from a fancy bakery here, and it was so good. I love birthdays!! Yesterday we went to teach a family, and they had a surprise as well. Hermana Ingram had to walk in with her eyes closed, they played music and sat her down in front of a cake and sang to her. It was so fun! I got most of it on video. But for now I just have lots of pictures!

Hermana Ingram with her birthday cheesecake.

Studying away with a birthday theme.

Also, we baptized a family! Well, just the parents. The daughters aren't old enough but they are already talking about their baptisms. We have been visiting them for about a month and they were just so ready to make changes in their lives. It always amazes and humbles me to see people accept the Gospel and really live it. I love this work!

The sisters with the newest family of their ward.

Yesterday we also had ward conference. One of the speakers talked about the attributes of conversion, or fruits of conversion. How we can know if we are converted. He mentioned four in particular; a desire to do good, you don't rebel against the Lord, full of love and you share the Gospel. I just want to invite you all to think about your conversion, how converted are you? What can you do to be more converted and share the truth with those around you. It's hard but completely, 100% worth it. So do it!

I love you and I pray for you every day!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

15 September 2014

This last week we had a lot happen and all of it was great! We had zone conference with our president and he did it very differently from the past one. We had a reader's theater, videos, power points and lots of snacks. It was just a fun, spiritual time. 

A reader's theater scene from zone conference.

Today is Mexico's holiday celebrating their independence and they are celebrating left and right. It is awesome to be here! They have been setting off fireworks the last few nights (which sound just like gun shots) and we had a huge stake activity, "una noche mexicana," complete with a giant tent, a live band, enough food for a week and hundreds of people to celebrate with. This all happened Friday night. We had to be home by 9:30 but we found out most people didn't leave until 2 am! They know how to party! And tonight we have plans with at least two different families to eat traditional Mexican food. I'll let you know how it goes next week!

The ward celebrating Mexican independence.

The sisters naturally got into the spirit of the activity.

One last highlight was a "noche de hogar" or family home evening that we set up with an investigator family at the home of a member. It turned out really well. They shared a lesson about how the foundation of the church is Christ. They used the six nails balancing on one for the example with scriptures for each nail, or keystone in the foundation. I know the Church is true, that it is Christ's church and that if we follow him and live the Gospel, we will be never fall and always have the Spirit to guide us in our daily lives. I am so glad to be serving a mission and having the chance to share this message with the people of Mexico. 

I love you all and pray for you daily!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

halfway

Time is speeding up! I can't believe this Thursday will be my 9-month mark, exactly halfway through. Everyone says the second half just flies by, but we'll see! This last week we had some fun experiences. My companion got her haircut and it was bad. So I fixed it for her! The next day we had a giant thunderstorm and there were puddles everywhere. We were walking on a sidewalk when a car came flying past, right next to us. We got a wave of water on us and were completely soaked. I started laughing, because honestly, I've only ever seen that in movies. My comp got mad and wanted to hit someone but we kept going; we didn't even have time to change clothes. Luckily they dried pretty quickly. 

     Later during the week a guy contacted us, we had talked to him before, and he said he wanted to listen to us. But then he started offering us massages and got set on giving us foot massages. We explained that no, we couldn't and he brought up Jesus washing the disciples' feet. He was determined! But we finally just had to walk away. Another time we were walking in the street at night and a lady and her family were setting off small fireworks. As we were walking past she through out some small black things and I thought, oh shoot! Those are fireworks. So I started walking faster but I wasn't quick enough and they went off right behind me! I kinda jumped around and then burst out laughing—only in Mexico!

     With Fast Sunday yesterday, we heard some wonderful testimonies. Two of our recent converts bore their testimonies and they were amazing. The little 9 year old, Mildred, spoke about how pretty baptism is and how she wants everyone to have one. Later Patricia Lopez bore her testimony about the changes the Gospel has had on her life. She spoke of how what she thought were blessings were just mercy and how now, she can see the blessings she is receiving from living the Gospel. I love learning from my investigators and converts, it really is amazing. The spirit teaches everyone who is willing.

     I love you all and am so grateful for your prayers. I hope you have a great day!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

Nine-year-old Liliana, baptized last week, drew this for the sisters.

Luxuries normally only found at home are sweeter when found in the field!

Locals call this an outdoor garage.

"tiger nut milk"

Hi Friends and Family!

This last week was difficult and probably one of the most difficult ones I've had in the mission. The worst part was that one of our favorite investigators texted us Saturday night, after all we had gone through, to tell us she didn't want to get baptized and was happy in her religion. She's 12 and I'm sure it's only because her grandmother is super Catholic. It is frustrating and disappointing to meet so many people who would accept the Gospel if only their families were a little more accepting. 

     But a few stories from this last week. Mexicans love eating chicken feet. My companion and I both find them disgusting but we decided to buy some and give them to the new Elder in our ward. He freaked out. We had a good laugh and then gave him a Bueno bar we had bought. So the other day I was looking up horca, which means gallows, when I saw that horchata translates to "tiger nut milk". I found it hilarious and quickly told my companion who then busted up laughing. I found out today that there is a type of horchata made with tiger nuts but here in Mexico it's all made from rice. Guess I'll have to wait until I go to Spain to try true horchata!

Don't these chicken feet look delicious?

A while ago I printed out a talk by President Uchtdorf called "All is Well" and it is one of my favorite talks. You should all read it, so here's the link: https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/all-is-well?lang=eng. I think it is true that we become complacent in our lives, whether on the mission or at home. It can be hard to always be optimistic, working hard diligently, but it makes the difference in our life here on earth and will make the difference in the life to come. So please read the talk and apply it to yourself! I love you all and want the best for each of you. And the Gospel is the absolute best thing there is in this world. So grab onto it and never let it go.

Love,

Hermana B.

At the recent baptism of a nine-year-old girl.