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.

27 October 2014

The week went by fast! And we don't have much to show for it. Earlier in the week my companion, who hasn't been feeling well, finally called the doctor and he said she had to come in. So we got to visit the temple grounds last week to see the doctor. And all he said was she either needs vitamins or has a parasite. Exciting, I know. But we had to go to a medical laboratory type place twice last week so she could have tests done. Hopefully they'll get the results quickly and send them to the doctor. I'm hoping it's just vitamins she needs! Everyone here who has a parasite says they are the worst and really hard to get rid of. But we'll find out soon enough!

     We have some investigators that are a bit interesting. The first time I met them was a few weeks ago when we came out of an appointment and the wife was out there, as if waiting for us. And if that wasn't enough, she pretty much dragged us to her house to meet a friend who wanted to talk to us. My companion did not look excited and I felt weird about it too but we went and taught the Restoration to the friend and the wife and husband. The friend is a 65-year-old lawyer, who is single—he's always careful to mention that detail—and interested in knowing more. Well we taught him once and didn't want to go back but they found us again in the street and we made an appointment. The second time we brought our district leader Martinez and Elder Reyes to teach with us. My companion is a bit cautious where the investigators are concerned and told the Elders not to give any personal details. Well Elder Reyes is from Mexico and when they started asking him questions he got a bit flustered and after saying he is from Oaxaca, they asked what city. He proceeded to say he didn't remember and then changed the topic. I burst out laughing and had to start coughing to cover it up. Anyways, we had our lesson and quickly left. We'll have to wait and see if they progress or not. 

     I don't have much else to say, just that I love you all and hope you are enjoying the autumn! It's finally chilly enough here that I can use a light jacket in the morning and evening, but it's still hot during the day.

     Remember to read your scriptures, pray and always go to church! Just think about all the blessings you are receiving! I love you all!!

Have a fantastic Monday!

Love,

Hermana Bennett

A view of Katherine's new area.

A sweet to celebrate the upcoming Día de los Muertos.