what a week

Hola hola!

This week was really great and we were doing awesome every day. Then Saturday came . . . and it was disappointing. We were only able to teach three lessons—no one was home and those that were, were on their way out. It was tough but we pushed through it. But Thursday night (I think) we were walking to an appointment when all of a sudden we heard Mexican music, blasting down the street. Turns out there was some Catholic holiday and they had a huge carnival to celebrate. Everyone had these black crosses on their forehead and I wanted so badly to try and contact them but I figured it wouldn't be my best idea.

     So yesterday we had quite possibly my least favorite dish here so far. It is called mole and is chicken in a spicy-ish chocolate sauce. It is disgusting and I had a stomachache the rest of the day. But to make up for it, this morning I made some no-bake cookies! I had to borrow a pot from our landlady but they turned out great! Even with my guessing the amounts :) I shared them with some people in our district plus with the family who lets us email for free in their Internet place. She is a really good cook; she's the one who taught me how to make flour tortillas. Which I will be making for you all when I get back!

Making no-bake cookies.

One random experience from this week. We were walking back to the church after checking on some investigators when we passed a member leaving church. We said hi and she commented that I was so pretty, someone was going to steal me. And she was dead serious. All I could think was, I sincerely hope not! 

     So a spiritual thought for this week! I've been reading in 2 Nephi and chapter four is awesome. Lehi blesses his family and Nephi praises the Lord. It is inspiring to read his words and I am loving the Book of Mormon more and more each day. If you aren't reading the scriptures, start now! The more you read it, the more you will love it and gain a testimony (or strengthen your testimony). I love this Gospel. It is one of happiness and I am so glad to study it everyday.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

happy day

This last week was pretty tough, we spent most of it walking around trying to find people to teach, usually less-actives or former investigators. We contacted a lot of people but those that said they wanted to learn more gave us false addresses or only said yes so they could talk to me . . . It is a seriously annoying issue. I wish I could blend it more but I think that part of the reason I’m here is to stand out and bring more attention to our work. It will take awhile to get used to it but maybe another few months I will be able to handle it more. Going along with that, I find the more I smile and say hi to others, the more whistles and car honks I get. But if I’m more serious and more careful with who I smile at, people say I’m sad and unhappy to be here. I just can’t win. If anyone has suggestions for blending in, I’m all ears! :)

     I got a great package last week, sandals! They have been awesome. This last week we had some hot days and wearing sandals made it so much more bearable. I bought some nail polish as well and I am loving it. It makes it so much easier to enjoy this hot, summer weather.

Sandals and nail polish make days happier.

And this morning I had an awesome surprise, SEVEN letters! They made my day so thank you to those who wrote me. It looks like it takes about a month for letters to arrive so if I haven't responded, that is why. It has been so nice catching up on what happens in your lives, so write me if you want, or email if it's easier. 

A busy day for letters!

Today for P-day we went bowling and then to eat at Chili's before grocery shopping at Walmart. I think I spent my entire food budget so hopefully I got enough! I did buy stuff to make cookies and I am excited about that! I miss baking so much though I did get to help a member make some cakes the other day :)

Missionaries at play.

Anyways! The Gospel is true. Everyday I testify of it and I am so glad for this chance to teach others and help their testimonies while also strengthening my own. It is hard work for missionaries but the possibility of helping others is so rewarding. I hope you will all do something to help the missionaries this week. We need, you, the members, your help and your support; we can't do it without you! Go teach with them, give them a reference or feed them. They will be more grateful than you realize. Read Moses 1:39 and know that the time for missionary work is now.

     I love you all and hope things are going well at home!

Love,

Hermana Bennett 

angels' footsteps

Hola!!

This week was good, it started out busy but once it calmed down it was fine. My trainer left to train my friend Hermana Taylor since her companion has to go home this week. It was a bit of a surprise for all of us involved but it's working out nicely. It is so much easier to have just one companion, plus I actually get to talk more. Everyone is wicked surprised by my Spanish and people are always asking me why I don't talk more . . . I remind them about my trainer and companion and they just smile and nod their head. So this week we focused on finding less-active members and trying to help them back to Church. What we learned is that some just don't want to be found. We would knock on doors, see people and they wouldn't answer, or they would claim that person doesn't live there. It was frustrating but that's life. We just have to focus on finding those who want to hear the Gospel and who are ready for it.

     On Thursday I also got a bad migraine that progressed to a sinus infection. I got medicine for it and it is helping a lot but it is still there. Hopefully it will go away completely! I think when I stopped taking the medicine in the MTC, I hadn't gotten rid of it fully so it just came back. Oh well! 

     In other news, with only two of us in the apartment, it is so much easier to get ready in the morning and we rearranged all the furniture in the bedroom. We now have space to exercise!! And today we played soccer as a district. We were playing on this Astroturf that was walled in (really nice to not have to worry about kicking the ball too hard) but so many people were stopping and yelling things at us (the white ones) so we had to go back to the Church. For the 20 or so minutes we played, it was great. I miss playing sports and being active. Walking all day just isn't the same.

The sisters' apartment is newly arranged. Look at that space!

This week I have been working on being more humble. Ether 12:27 is a great scripture about humbling yourself before the Lord and asking for His help in strengthening your weaknesses. I have many faults and it seems like the mission is pulling them all out. It has been hard to accept but it is getting easier and hopefully I will be able to overcome some of them before I leave.

     The subject line is from a poem Mom included in my mission notebook. It reads:

"I will not wish thee riches nor the glow of greatness, / but that wherever thou go / some weary heart shall gladden at they smile / or shadowed life know sunshine for a while. / And so thy path shall be a track of light, / Like angels' footsteps passing through the night." (from a church wall in Upwaltham, England)

This quote has really been on my mind this week, and serves to describe my mission. We have the knowledge of the Gospel, and what we need to do to prepare ourselves in this life for eternal life with our families. We bring light and knowledge to those who are ready for it and accept it. And sometimes, all we can do it smile and greet people who otherwise want nothing to do with us. Some seem to recognize us as missionaries and smile when they see us, even if they don't want to learn more, they at least seem a little happier after our passing. Sometimes that is all we can hope for, to comfort and bring joy into the lives of others, even if for a moment.

I love you all and am so grateful for your prayers and encouragement!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

Katherine's friend Hermana Taylor sent her a letter with a unique address.