iztapalapa

Buenos días!!

This week we had two fun events! The first was that I finally got to go on divisions [William’s note: “divisions” is the word Katherine's mission uses for exchanges, when missionaries exchange companions] in my area with one of our sister training leaders! Hermana Monarrez is from Chicago but her dad is from Mexico and so while she has an accent, she speaks perfect Spanish and looks pretty Mexican. She is awesome and I loved having the day to talk with, and learn from her. I'm hoping one day we get to be companions! At one point during our divisions we found a little park and some swings and took five minutes to relax and recharge. We also celebrated her one-year mark, which she hit the day after we were together. I bought us ice cream to celebrate, cheese with blackberry and a chocolate cookie flavor. Delish!

On division (exchanges).

Last week we had a conference with a visiting Seventy, Elder Pieper. It was awesome and he taught us a lot in the few hours we had together. We talked about investigators and how we can know if they are ready or not. He commented that the "escojidos" [chosen] are humble; they are ready to change their lives and let go of their sins to have a better life. I had not thought of it like that, but all those I've baptized have been humble; they've known their weaknesses and sought to improve, to change, and be better. Elder Pieper also commented that we are all God's investigators, that we all should do exactly what we teach our investigators, to read, pray, and fast, and that as we learn and change, we will become converted. He said that our most important investigators are ourselves. If we do not continue to strengthen our testimonies and our foundation in the gospel, that after the mission we will distance ourselves and begin to doubt and question all we did on the mission. Our individual strength and testimony will be key in our families, both parents and siblings as well as our spouses and children. If we want them sure and strong in the gospel, we have to set the example. 

     That is my invitation for you all! Study, pray and do all you can to be completely converted to the Gospel, to following Jesus Christ and his example in all things. You will have a happier, more joyful life as you do so, and those around you will also be strengthened. I know this is the Lord's work and that He is coming soon. Now is the day to prepare, to do all we can for our ancestors as well as those around us. I don't want to get to Heaven and have someone ask me why I didn't share the Gospel with them when I had the chance. So keep serving others, help the missionaries and do all you can to "lift where you stand." I love you all and am so happy for all you do! Have an amazing week!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

A local street fair.

birthday songs

Hello, hello!

This week has passed by quickly with lots of events! Last Tuesday my companion left the area and I received a new one, Hermana Turcios! No one thought she would come here since she spent seven months here the beginning of the year and actually trained my friend Hermana Lopez (red-head from MTC) in this area. It was a bit strange for her and she took it kind of hard when the President first announced it but she's doing a lot better and we are working hard! This is actually her last transfer in the mission so on December 16th I will have yet another companion! This is the fastest I've changed companions my whole time here.

Katherine and Hermana Turcios, her new companion.

Anyways, a little bit about my companion! She's 20 years old from Honduras and studied and worked before the mission. She also used to play soccer but after some accidents and surgery she can no longer play or even run. Walking a lot tires her out and our area is, unfortunately, the largest of the hermanas in our mission. But, only four weeks left since this transfer is a week shorter (with the following a week longer) to accommodate for Christmas. 

     As most of you realized, Thursday was my birthday!! It was a fun day and I loved each and every one of the seven times people sang to me. My district bought me a delicious chocolate, chocolate cake, former companions called—with one telling me where she had hidden a birthday gift for me in our house. One of the families I baptized in my old area, the Ayalas, called me to sing happy birthday—Mexican style, of course. Another family in this area bought me a cake and tonight I got permission to go back to my old area and have dinner with another family we baptized, the Lopez family. So next week I'll have more stories to share! One of my favorite parts of birthdays here is that the birthday girl (or boy) has to bite the cake and that is usually the opportune moment to smash the face into the cake. I'm fully expecting it to happen tonight too!

The birthday missionary enjoying a cake from her district.

A birthday celebration with the Pichardo family.

This week we've studied obedience a lot. It is a simple principle of the Gospel but one that I think many overlook. But in my studies two things stood out to me. One, that everything is based on obedience, especially blessings. And that when we do what Heavenly Father says, that is, when we are obedient, he is bound to do his part. If we obey, we are promised the blessings and they will come. Heavenly Father will not, and cannot back out on his part. It is only when we fail to do our share that we cheat ourselves of the blessings. So, be obedient! Receive the blessings, and be happy!!

     I love you all and am so glad you're all doing well. Stay strong in the Gospel and remember to smile!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

chilango

Let's just say this week was rough and a bit challenging. Part of the fact was that we had a few events and so didn't have as much time in our area searching for people. A week ago we had a zone conference with the President and while there I got a package from the Waynesboro stake and I just want to say, thank you!! My companion and I have really enjoyed the treats and the notes and drawings are just adorable. Mail in the mission is the best thing ever! Last Wednesday we had our first ever "Women's Conference" where Hermana Stutznegger spoke to the twenty of us for a bit. She showed us a video the church recently released about garments, about challenges we face in the field and about us as sister missionaries in general. I really enjoyed it and we had a fun time all together.

The Mexico Mexico City Southeast sisters together for their conference.

During the week I found a gourmet pastry truck called Panifico that is pretty good. I got a chocolate cupcake with raspberry filling called a "Romeo" and later in the week I tried the "polar bear." I'm definitely going to recreate these when I get home! While purchasing my treat the first time, the man in the truck asked where we were from. When I said the USA he looked really surprised and said I sounded like a chilango (someone from the DF)! [William’s note: the "DF" is Mexico City proper, the Distrito Federal, a usage similar to the American abbreviation for DC.] Many people here speak of the chilango accent as something bad so I haven't decided if it's good or not that I have the accent. It's got to be better than having an American accent, right? 

Crazy for cupcakes!

Anyways, the highlight of this week was definitely all the service we did. As part of our meeting on Monday with the President he encouraged us to do service the first week of the month with our companion, the second week with our district and the fourth with our zone. So every day we asked the members what we could do for them. We ended up: helping an older lady go grocery shopping in the market, ironing laundry, washing dishes and washing windows. It was really fun to help the members and serve them a little bit more. It was hard for some of the members to let us help them but I really appreciated that they accepted our help in the end. Service really is the best way to forget yourself and focus on others. Too often we get so focused on ourselves and what we need to do that we miss opportunities to serve and help others on their way.

     Last night we got a call from our zone leaders: my companion has changes and so tomorrow I will have a new companion. There are all sorts of rumors flying about who will be my new companion, but we won't know until tomorrow. So next Monday you'll get all the details!

     I love you all and I want to invite you to serve someone this week. Small or big, quick or time consuming, take the chance to look around you and find someone to help out. And remember 2 Nephi 9:39: "spiritually minded is life eternal" or "SMILE." Be happy and serve someone!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

The sisters came across a couch in the middle of a street.
Naturally, they wanted to get a photo.

miracles

Hello!

This last week was a bit difficult, really challenging, actually. We couldn't find people to teach. Everyone we talked to lived in another area, all the referrals we received from members live in other areas and all the doors we knocked on yielded nothing. Last week on Wednesday or Thursday we talked to a man in the street whose first language is not Spanish, it's Zacateco. My companion and I both had some difficulty in understanding him but we did our best and invited him to church. He said he would come so we prayed he would. Later during the week we kept getting phone calls from him or his daughter asking for the address of the church. We didn't really know what to think of it but then Sunday morning we got a call from them asking for help in finding the church. We had trouble understanding even the daughter and after they got lost a few times, we finally were able to help them make it to the church. The best part? He brought his daughter and his son! They all really liked the services and said they'll come back next week. Now we just have to figure out who the missionaries are in their area and get them the lessons!

     The other highlight of this last week was Día de los muertos! It was crazy. The last week leading up to it, all sorts of stands opened up of people selling things to make offerings, special types of bread, candles, etc. Plus they've adopted Halloween here so lots of costume shops as well. Saturday night we were told the street right next to where we live would be completely packed. So we walked down there with some members and sure enough, we almost couldn't walk around there were so many people. Here, the kids trick or treat to stores, not as much to houses. This street is mostly stores and as you can imagine, all the families in the area showed up. We saw some awesome costumes! Overall most had to do with death; a lot of people dressed up as dead superheroes. It was a great experience and I am so glad we got to be in this area for it! My favorite costume was definitely the Catrina. [William's note: the calavera Catrina is a popular symbol of the holiday—read about it here.] My companion got some photos of the street and I've sent the best ones.

     I hope you are all doing well and that you had a great Halloween!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

Some of the Catrina-inspired costumes in Katherine's area.

The traditional pan de muerto treat served for the holiday.

A traditional Día de los muertos offering table.