celebrations

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas last week! We had some fun with the members and ate lots of food. We had a district Christmas breakfast one morning. We made French toast and one Elder made German pancakes, both were delicious and we had some fun playing a get to know you game. Later during the week we had a dessert party and I made cookie dough brownies and the same Elder made a banana cream pie . . . it was so good! I don't think I've ever had a banana cream pie before. 

     Anyways! Our Christmas here in Mexico went pretty well. We had fun and got to be with some of our favorite members for the holidays. And of course, the highlight was definitely talking to you guys on Christmas day! There is nothing quite like talking in person and I can't wait to do it again in May! I've learned since being here that they celebrate Christmas on the 24^th—that's their big day, and that January 6, the day of los reyes magos [the three wise men], is when people get lots of gifts. We have to wait another week to see what happens! 

     I don't really have much to say, this week was fun but pretty slow. We had to say goodbye to an Elder in our district—he went home for medical issues, and this week we have the New Year to welcome in! It is still crazy to me that I've finished a year of my mission and now have just over five months left to go. The mission has been great for me to do a lot of self-examination, to really think about my goals and aspirations and how I plan to accomplish them. I am planning to make some "resolutions" if you will for this New Year. I've learned a lot in my time out but with only five and a half months left I want to make the most of it! Specific goals with help me do that, and they can help you too. I also want to share a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants that I just love. You should all read it: D&C 128:23.

I hope you all have a great week and a wonderful happy new year!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

feliz navidad!

This week was AWESOME! And the reason it was so wonderful? On Tuesday we had changes and despite rumors and last minute changes, my companion is now Hermana Lopez!!!! Yup, my MTC companion and I are back together for at least one change and we are so, so happy! Everyone said we would never be companions and so we were hoping our last transfer would be together, but instead we are together again, now, in her first area. It is great because she already knows the area, knows the members and we too, already know one another. We had a bit of a rough time in the MTC but we got past it and I consider her one of my best friends. She is family and I know we are going to do so much together in this area and I am so excited! So thanks for all your prayers—they worked!

Katherine, reunited with her MTC companion, Hermana Lopez.

So this last week we spent lots of time introducing my companion to recent converts as well as investigators, and of course, saying hi to all the members. Every single member that saw her got so excited and they are all thrilled to have her back here again. The members love her and trust her and I know that as we work with that we will be so much more unified as a ward and that we can help more people. But this last week we went crazy trying to find Christmas decorations and a real, live tree. Walmart had them but for 600 pesos and we weren't about to do that! On Thursday we bought lots of lights, ornaments and tinsel for the tree and on Friday on our way to lunch we spotted some people selling live trees. We stopped by and talked to the vendor and he gave us a price of 350. We told him we'd come back after our appointment and he told us he'd give us a really good price. And sure enough when we got back, without even asking, he dropped the price to 250! He might have been really flirty but well, we'll never see him again and we got our real tree! We actually carried it home—it took nearly an hour walking—but it was 100% worth it. It is all decorated and our apartment feels a little bit happier with it! We just love it!

Carrying their miracle Christmas tree home.

I don't know what more to say about this time of year. I adore the Christmas spirit that permeates the world and it is just so fun to be here with my new family to celebrate this holiday. I love reading the scriptural accounts of Mary and Joseph and of the birth of Christ. While he wasn't born at this time, I love that we focus solely on his birth, on the miracle and the hope that he is to all the world. As it says in John 3:16, "for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I testify it is true. Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to return to him. He loves us so much he let Jesus come to earth, to suffer and pay the price for our sins, so that we can have eternal life. It truly is the greatest gift ever given to man. This is why I'm here in Mexico. That is why there are 88,000 of us sharing this message. Our Father loves us, our elder brother, Jesus, loves us, and it is thanks to them that we are here on the earth at this time. I know He has a plan for each of us and I pray that we will always strive to find that purpose, to believe in him and receive that gift, that chance, to live with them once more, forever. 

I love you all so much. And I hope you have a very happy Christmas!!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

Merry Christmas from Hermanas Bennett and Lopez!

one year

I hope things are going well back in the States! It is starting to feel a little bit more like Christmas but my usual markers, cold weather, snow and ice, are completely absent! It is still pretty warm here and there is no chance of snow. An Elder in my district made us dozens of snowflakes that are hanging up in our study room and with those plus our little space heater I can almost imagine it's wintertime!

     Once again this last week was difficult for work but we had lots of fun activities. On Wednesday we had our mission Christmas party complete with breakfast, lunch and dinner plus a talent show, a Christmas devotional and the chance to watch the movie "Frozen". We just had a blast enjoying our time together.

     Then on Friday we couldn't leave the house since it was the "Día del virgen" and people went crazy setting off fire works, parades in the street—people do a pilgrimage to Villada—and of course, lots of drinking. We had fun in our apartment listening to Christmas music and cleaning a bit, but mostly I watched my companion go through and pack her bags. She goes home on Wednesday and will spend tomorrow with the President so tomorrow I will get my third comp in this area! There are lots of rumors as to who it will be but I honestly don't know. But Friday night we had our ward Christmas party and we got permission to leave the house to go. It was fun! Loud, loud music, lots of food and of course, piñatas for the kids. Mexican fiestas are fun!

     With so much down time I've been reading more in the New Testament, focusing on the birth of Christ and all that preceded it as well as what followed. It just makes me love that short video that the church put out and I really hope you've all watched it and shared it. If not, do it right now!! I love you all, I know this Church is true and that Christ did all he could for us and now it's up to us to do our part.

     Have a wonderful week and remember the true purpose of Christmas!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

traditional

I don't have much to write this week! We are starting to have trouble finding people at home and ever fewer people want to listen to us on the street. They are all so busy and so many people leave to their "town" for the holidays. The highlight was this past Saturday. For lunch we had homemade lasagna (that was actually pretty good!) because they asked us what we wanted and my companion requested it. For dessert they brought out a cake and said, we bought this because it's a traditional dessert of Hermana Bennett! I was curious to see what it was and when I saw it I started laughing. They had bought a fruitcake! I can't honestly remember if I've ever had fruitcake and when I told them so, they laughed as well. I wonder who told them it was a traditional American dessert!? 

     That night, the President of the mission came to our ward for a noche de hogar (family home evening) and gave a presentation on helping the members to do missionary work. He gave us three tips which I'm going to recount for you as well:

1. One religious conversation every day

2. There is no two—there are no two works, only one work of salvation (members and missionaries work together as one)

3. Pray three times daily for guidance and the spirit to help talk to everyone

It went really well and the enthusiasm the President has was quickly spread to all who attended. And I want to invite all of you to also do the three things and help the missionaries out. Street contacts are not as effective (if missionaries are allowed to contact where you live) as references. Yeah, they might not accept, but if you don't offer them the chance, you're saying no for them. So, say yes! I love you all! I love this work and I love this season. It is all about Christ and what he has done for all of us so that we can return to live with Heavenly Father, but only if we choose so and do our part. 

I hope you have a wonderful, happy week, full of Christmas cheer!!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

The Christmas lights at the Mexico City temple.

A manger scene on the grounds of the Mexico City temple.

Katherine and her companion on the temple grounds.

happy thanksgiving!

This last week was rough for working but we had some fun activities. My companion got really sick on Tuesday and we ended up going to the doctor who said she had a throat infection. We headed home with medicine, one of which included shots! I am praying I never need injections—I might actually cry if I have to get one. Anyways, she had members help us with the shots and by Thursday morning she was doing a lot better. I spent my time watching church videos and reading the New Testament, which I am loving. I've never read it straight through in English but so far it's not too difficult in Spanish.

     On Thursday our President and his wife organized a Thanksgiving dinner at their home for all of the sisters! So in the morning we had to be in the offices and they arranged for a combi (a van-type vehicle) to pick us up and bring us to their house. We had so much fun cooking and getting the table set for dinner, it almost felt like we were back home with our family. The worst part? We all had to get vaccinated for the flu and I might have teared up a little at the end. I still hate shots. While with the President we found out one of the Elders in our district had to go home the next day for surgery. We ended up meeting up with our district to throw him a little good bye party later that night. It's tough to have changes and even more so when they are unexpected. 

     This last week we started teaching a family. Well, the mom and the children. The dad lives in Edmonton, Canada, working there year round and coming back once in a while. I can't even imagine doing that! But the dad was listening to the missionaries in Canada and so the mom and daughters wanted to know a bit more. They stopped us in the street a month ago and this Saturday we finally got to teach them. They are a really great family with lots of questions. We focused on the mom and the older, 11 year old daughter. We ended up having a pretty good lesson but oh my goodness did the daughter keep interrupting us! I almost lost my patience! I think it annoyed me most that she kept bringing up random other stories and details about their lives that didn't answer the questions we would ask. But we made it through and we are planning to see them again this week. I guess I have to develop more patience! Other than this new family we're a bit thin on the ground with investigators. But this week we have lots of activities planned and goals to push us. I love this work and the opportunity to be here in Mexico during the holiday season. I hope you all are enjoying it and doing all you can to help others and share the true meaning of Christmas. I love you all and pray for you daily!

Love,

Hermana Bennett