Week 21: "Choose Ye This Day"

April 14, 2014

My Dear Family and Friends,

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with happiness? I don't know exactly why, but today I've just been taken aback by you all. I feel incredibly blessed to have such an amazing, supportive, (if at times oddly) hilarious family, as well as such encouraging, and inspiring friends. I'm so grateful for you! You all are rock stars in my books.

The weather has taken a turn for the beautiful here. I make any excuse I can to be outside, which is good because we've had a lot of opportunities to do service outside. There's nothing like being outside. I think growing up on a farm helped me appreciate that.

Being outside has its perks though....because Sister Roundy and I accidentally locked ourselves out of the house! I had the bright idea of weekly planning outdoors in our backyard. Which was fantastic until we realized we forgot to check if the lock on the door was open before we came! Luckily we had our phone so we called Sister Andrus, and she let us know where the spare key was. Oh, days in the life of a missionary.

Yesterday, I was asked spur-of-the-moment to sing a musical number at the assisted living facility sacrament meeting we attend. Of course, I said yes. I simply sang "Because I Have Been Given Much." It wasn't perfect, but I'm glad I did it.

Due to recovering from sickness this week was a little slower than usual, but we continued to strive to be as diligent as we could be, and I can tell you right now that we've seen blessings from that. We found 3 new investigators this week!! When we opened this area, we only had one, but now we have five! A happy missionary is a teaching missionary, and that has definitely been a source of great joy to me. Two of our investigators are a single mother and her son. The Spirit was so strong as we taught the Restoration. They agreed to be baptized when they came to know the truth of our message!

On missions, a funny thing happens. You become all too aware of your weaknesses. However, as you come to know these things, it just allows you to rely more on the Lord. With the Lord, I know that our weaknesses can become strengths. I know, because I've seen it happen too many times to deny it. There is a definite power in doing all you can, and then humbly turning the rest over to the Lord. One of my favorite stories from the New Testament of the Savior is in Mark 5 about the woman with the issue of blood. Mark 5:25-34. I think at one point or another we all feel overwhelmed, much like this woman. I also know that as we follow this woman's example, as we reach out to the Savior in faith, we can feel the Savior's words, "Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague." He can make up the difference.

I encourage you all to look to the Savior during this Easter week! 

http://easter.mormon.org/?cid=HPTU041514694

Much love, 

Sister Rachel Ann Bennett

Week 20: "Try Not! Do, or Do Not! - Yoda"

April 7, 2014

Hey Y'all! (As Sister Roundy would say..)

This weekend was an exciting one! General Conference, and transfer calls! *Drumroll* Sister Roundy and I are staying here! I was relieved when I heard that. I really would love to stay here in Bel Air for a while. There's people I've met that feel like family, and there is so much work to be done!

We had fun this weekend for General Conference. We watched all four sessions in four different family's homes. Sunday morning was particularly good, and not just because of the bacon, sausage, German pancakes, fruit, and buttermilk syrup involved. ;)  Conference was everything I expected it to be and more. I simply cannot choose a favorite talk, so many were relevant. However, if I had to recommend one it would be President Uchdorf's. You can watch it here: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2014/04?lang=eng&vid=3438304098001&cid=4. It really struck me, for around a year and a half ago hearing a similar talk helped me resolve to try and apply the principle of gratitude that President Uchdorf teaches here. It's amazing to see how far I've come from who I was a year and a half ago. It honestly has helped change me for the better. Do I still have far to go? You bet. Honestly this past week I've had a few struggles, but I think this talk helped me put things back in perspective. 

Grateful in Any Circumstances

Remember when I told you about the mislabelled Root Beer bottle prank the Elders and the Jenks pulled on us the first day of this transfer? Ha, well, us Sisters decided to get revenge of a sort. ;) Saturday, on the last day of the transfer, Sister Roundy and I called the Elders. We had a "flat tire" that we needed them to help change. This was around 8:30 at night. Little did they know that Brother Jenks and his friend were waiting a block away in their truck, with ski masks on and baseball bats, waiting for our text. As the Elder's worked on our tire (that we intentionally flattened) this truck pulled violently into the parking lot, and these men jumped out and started yelling at the elders to get down. Elder Mayer got down, and Elder Crowley just froze, and slowly put his tire down. After around ten seconds, Brother Jenks and his friend broke out into song, singing, "I hope they call me on a mission", and took off their masks. They got this all on camera. Haha! After pumping our tire back up, we had a good laugh about it afterwards over ice cream. :D

Unfortunately, on top of the excitement of Conference, transfers, and pranks, I've had a consistent migraine headache. But fear not! Hopefully after resting today I'll be feeling back up to 100 %.

Well, as always I love you to China and back! I love being a missionary! 

-Sister Rachel Bennett

Week 19: "God is Good."

March 31, 2014

To: The Best Family (and Friends) this North American Continent has to offer!

(In my humble opinion.)

Hey! Listen! (Catch the reference?)

Things continue to go well, here in Boise Idaho. It really is a great place to serve a mission. I submit that it is one of the best places to serve one. To me at least. ;)

This week was busy! Which of course, is the best. A busy missionary - and a teaching missionary - is a happy missionary.

We started the week off on an unique note - Sister Roundy was sick. While she was recovering I spent the day catching up on writing letters and organizing. No matter how much I seem to do, there is always more to get done!

One special opportunity we had was to participate in a special training meeting for all the Sisters in the mission! No only was I able to see many who I love, but it was a great learning opportunity as well. There is a reason more and more women are choosing to serve missions, and I'm excited for that. There was over 60 of us in attendance. There are some great sisters in this mission that I can learn from.

I thought that was girl power to the max - until I attended the General Women's Conference. There is something incredibly inspiring and powerful about thousands, if not millions, of women in the church of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicity, and culture coming together to learn. I was touched God's love and spirit as I learned from our leaders about covenants, service, and our great potential as women and children of God. We took our investigator, Patsy, to the broadcast. As we watched she turned to each of us and simply said, "Thank you."

We found two people to teach this week. I love teaching the message of the Restoration. If I could sum up the entirety of that message in a phrase, I would say, "God Speaks." God can give us guidance if we sincerely seek it, and he loves each and every one of us. No matter who we are.

One of those opportunities happened because Sister Roundy and I felt we should practice teaching. As we looked over members in the ward, both of us felt like we needed to ask a recent convert if we could practice on her. When we called her, she said a friend of hers that is not a member was staying with her long term, so we could practice on her! That was a blessing, and it was a really good experience talking to her.

I have never before been told that I have a light about me, but during that particular lesson, I was told by an individual who is not sure she believes in God that I do have a light - and that that is something she wants in her life. That truly was a humbling experience.

Last week, we dropped by the home of our musical director in the ward. I told her if she ever needed someone to sing, I was available. Well, unbeknownst to me, that next week she had to organize an unexpected funeral. She tried many people in the ward to see if they could do a musical number, and it seemed as though nobody was available. She then remembered that I had dropped by, and when that came to mind she asked me. I was of course willing - and grateful - for that opportunity. I asked Sister Haas to sing with me as well (she has a wonderful voice), and we sang "How Great Thou Art." I love that song. It was a small funeral service - just family and close friends. I hope that through our music we helped increase the sense and feeling of love in the room. To me that is what it would mean to be successful.

Christ paid attention to the one; the individual. It's amazing that as we go through this work - as representatives of Jesus Christ - we are led to individuals who we serve one at a time. There have been several instances this week that names of specific individuals have come in mind as we have prayed and sought out who we should serve. As we've followed those promptings, I know that we have seen blessings. Some of these may seem small and simple, but through small and simple things are great things come to pass. (Alma 37:6-7)

This week I am amazed at the tender mercies of God. With all honesty, my experiences this week have truly led me to know that no matter how limited, or weak, or flawed we are, God can work through us. We can be instruments (Alma 26:15-16) in his hands to touch and bless the lives of others.That is where real happiness lies. I can tell you now without any reservation that I have never been as deeply and profoundly happy as I am right now serving as a missionary.

I love you. I hope all is well.

-Sister Bennett

Our fabulous Sister Training Leaders; Sister Edstrom (top) and Sister Haas.

One of my best friends!

Two great sisters I've worked with: Sister Hatch and Sister Pratt

ALL of my companions. Ever! Sister Willard, me, Sister Allen, and Sister Roundy!

Week 18: "Doors"

Dear those I LOVE:

Well. Another week has come and gone! This may be a shorter note, but I'll tell you of all my adventures nonetheless!

It was one of those weeks where we must have knocked on at least a hundred doors. Unfortunately it seems as though most doors this week were either bad timing when we dropped by, they weren't interested in having us in (seriously, two cute & friendly girls with a great message? Why wouldn't want to let us in?), or else they just weren't home. Mostly it was the latter. Thursday we must have been around to 20 homes, and it wasn't good timing for anyone. We were debating whether or not to just go home, but I suggested that we try one more person. This individual we had been trying to get a hold of since our first day in the area (so for a month or so), and had been unsuccessful. Well, you guessed it! She was home! We had a fantastic visit with her. Sometimes we can be led to all the wrong doors just so we are at the right one at just the right time.

You meet the coolest people. Do I sound like a broken record? I think I say this every week. :) This week we met a lady who is VERY into geo-cashing. Geo-cashing is basically treasure-hunting with GPS coordinates. People hide (and submit the coordinates online) geo-cashes all the time. Anyway, this lady in our ward has been successful in finding a geo-cash for over 560 days in a row, and she says that she's going to continue this streak until she beats the all time record of 1000 in a row. Hoo-rah. Rock on, Sister. She's an adventurous spirit. I love it. Her husband is a music-guru from England. I was pretty jealous when I heard that he's seen Queen (with Freddie Mercury) live. If only time-travel was possible. If only.

Oh. Speaking of music, we borrowed a Primary song meets dubstep CD from a Sister in our Zone. There is a version of "I hope they call me on a mission" with a righteous primary rap in the middle. Sister Roundy and I may or may not have rewound and listened to that rap over and over until we memorized the whole thing. Ha. It's amazing what we missionaries do to entertain ourselves. ;)

I bought the Vocal Point CD - "Lead Thou Me On". I love talent. It's so good! 

This Sunday we were called into the 5 year old class. They were all wearing homemade name tags! Their teacher put on "I hope they call me on a mission" and all the kids sang to us! At the line "when I've grown a foot or two" they took paper pictures of themselves that had adjustable legs and grew them for us! So tender. 

Numbers-wise things are a little bit low, as is expected of a new area. However, Sister Roundy and I are working hard. We're setting a lot of goals that hopefully get things moving in this area. I love serving in this here ward. We've been warned that this ward has been hard in the past in terms of missionary work, but I don't believe that for a second. It's going to be a productive area when I'm through with it. ;)

Time is short! Adios my friends!

-Sister B. 

Melts my heart!

Elders will be Elders.

Week 17: "Spring is in the (Bel) Air!"

My Most Wonderful Family and Friends,

On the mission, weeks go by like days and days go by like weeks. Time is so strange out here, and I would think that everyone who's served a mission would agree with me.

We've been keeping ourselves very busy, working on updating the area book! We've knocked on a LOT of doors. When I say a lot, I mean it. I'm feel as though I'm getting more and more comfortable with talking to people I've never met before. It's great!

This week we taught door approaches at an "MTC Experience" Activity for the youth. We had so much fun! We even had volunteer actors from the ward so that our kids could role play. We walked around and helped the youth if they didn't know what to say. It's fun teaching others how to be a missionary! Maybe one day I'll teach at the MTC. That would be a fun job.

I got scared so badly this week while doing service! We helped a couple who had just moved in to the ward in the Winter with their yard. There was a lot to be done, and Sister Roundy and I had a fantastic time while doing it. It's so refreshing to finally work outside when it is warm. I was picking up wood debris in the large yard, and I went to pick up a twisted root, only to see that it had a face!! Aah! It was a mummified squirrel, skin and all! That was a momentarily terrifying surprise to the innocent passerby. I took a lot of pictures of it that I'll share as soon as I can. It was fascinating. We guessed it got stuck in a snow drift and frozen in the Winter months. 

The Mummy

To Be, Or Not To Be?

The couple we served were so appreciative. They had wanted their patio cleaned off and set up before their kids came home to visit, and we were able to accomplish that. They said we helped them have hope that they'll be able to accomplish what they want to this spring! Just having them say that and seeing their eyes light up made it worth it.

We had a special experience with Patsy this week. We watched "On the Lord's Errand" - a documentary of the life of President Monsen before he became President of the Church. It was a powerful witness that the Lord's hand is in the lives of those he calls, and that whoever he calls he qualifies to do His work. The Spirit was so strong as we watched it. Patsy loved it. I think it clarified any questions she had about latter-day prophets. Her first questions afterwards were how she could be baptized and how soon.

On the Lord's Errand: The Life of Thomas S. Monson

I also learned that people can be not so kind to missionaries. On exchanges Sister Haas and I went to a home that a brother in the church had referred us to, because there was someone he wanted us to visit. We were met at the gate by snarling, barking dogs, and then a man came out and started yelling at us. We replied to him calmly, apologized for getting the wrong address, got in our car....and burst out laughing. That's really all you can do in that situation. :D We really can't control how others treat us, only how we treat them in return.

Yesterday I had dinner with a family, and they had 9 kids!! It was almost relieving to be back in that atmosphere. Have I ever mentioned that I love that I'm from a large family? Ali sent me a family picture, and I show it off to everyone I can! I love how fun and chaotic it was.

Oh, and before I go. Have I ever mentioned how much I love and look  forward to General Conference? I kid you not, I think it's more exciting to me than Christmas. I just can't wait!

Well, until next week - good luck! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

There is no more rewarding work than spreading joy to others!

Love, 

Sister Rachel Ann Bennett

An antique we found in our first week here.

A drawing I did for one of the youth in our ward.

Sister Roundy!

 I'mma Giant.

Week 16: "#stuporofthought"

Dear my favorite people!!

Sister Bennett, signing in. Calling out to family and friends across the geographic masses...

I don't believe I have experienced anything more rewarding than being a missionary. Before, I had heard it countless times. "I've never been happier," "I learned so much," "Those were the best two years for my life." I've seen people who have served - those who just got off their missions, and grown adults who now have grandchildren - reflect nostalgically on their missions, and on how grateful they were that they served. 

Although I've only been out for about 3 and a half months, I think I'm beginning to understand how those people feel. On one hand, I don't think I've ever been this tired. Missions can be stressful, and I have a lot I need to learn. But on the other hand, I feel so much joy in this work. I wouldn't trade what I've learned on my mission, or the year preparing for my mission, for the world. I've seen so many miracles in my life and in the lives of others. I'm so grateful.

Serving in the Bel Air Ward has been a new learning experience. It is now my responsibility to lead an area, and because I'm so new on the mission it's easy for me to point out my own shortcomings and areas that I can do better. However, I know that I'm here to learn and grow, and that it will come eventually if I work towards it. So, gotta keep my chin up. :) Hopefully Sister Roundy and I can work so we can be a blessing in this area.

I'm learning a lot from Sister Roundy. She can be blunt and straightforward, which I think is good for me. We also laugh a lot. She brings out a quirky side of my sense of humor. It's an adventure working together.

Some experiences of this week. 1) The members here spoil us. Thursday for dinner we got taken out to The Cheesecake Factory. Until then I had never experienced such a place in my life. It was glorious. We went with a family of six. Three sons, and a daughter. The husband is a manager of an interpreting company for sign language, and he is also getting his second Master's degree in fine arts. He showed us some of his pieces - pretty incredible. You meet the coolest families and people on the mission. 2) Last P-Day, during P-Day sports, I talked with an Elder from just outside London. As we began talking I automatically responded to him in an English accent, and after a while he got excited because he legitimately thought I was from England as well! I apologetically admitted to him that I was actually Canadian. That was pretty funny. 3) This week we took our investigator, Patsy, to a baptism. She had a wonderful experience, and afterwards she expressed that she wants to be baptized in August on her birthday! Mom, she wanted me to ask you if you're proud of me. She told me you would be, and when I said I wasn't sure, she told me to ask you and then let her know. :P I'm grateful we get to teach her. She is a testament to me that no matter what stage you are in your life, living the teachings of Jesus Christ can help you, and bless your life.

On that note, I just want to say thank you for all of your wonderful examples! It's made a difference in who I am, and who I want to be, and I'm grateful for that. Much love! 

Xoxoxox

Sister Bennett

Week 15: "Yo home to Bel Air!"

Dear everyone,

I love you! It's wonderful to hear everything that's been going on back home. (Wherever home is for you!) Keep on taking on the world.

So. I've been procrastinating this moment because I have so much to tell you! Nonetheless I love you, so I will write.

I am now serving in the Boise West Stake, in the Bel Air Ward. No, Will Smith did not have anything to do with the naming of this ward. Yes, I did sing the entirety of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air rap when I discovered that's where I was going. The first day we got here was Monday. Sister Roundy and I met, and went over to the family that we are living with - the Andrus's. They are a fantastic older couple. Oh, and bonus, they have a piano. Who's going to be practicing in her spare time? You guessed it. This girl.

Sister Roundy is lovely. She's from North Carolina, and she's a farm girl! She likes saying "y'all", she's a great artist, and she loves fantasy - as do I. We also both like to work hard, as I delightfully found out this past week. So we have a few things in common. :)

It's been a busy week. We got welcomed alright - in the form of a prank. Here we are, brand new in a new area. Our first dinner was with the Jenks. We were combined with the Elders, our district leaders. Turns out together the district leaders and Brother Jenks had the lovely idea of taking Root Beer bottles and replacing the labels with Miller Lite labels. Well, during dinner Brother Jenks kindly joins us with his drink - and Sister Roundy and I were thrown through a loop. What...?! I look around - "Families are Forever" quotes, pictures of temples, the first Presidency. What. Was. Happening. Soon, Brother Jenks got in a debate about the Word of Wisdom, ending in Elder Crowley taking a sip, on the terms of his "anxiety." I was frozen up - What are you doing Elder, you're a missionary!! I was so confused. Finally, Brother Jenks stoop up with open arms, and said, "Welcome to the ward, Sisters!" HA. As if I even remotely fell for that. AND it turns out they got everything on camera. Oh, the joy. We all shared Root Beers with misplaced labels afterwards.

Tuesday, we missionaries performed a skit at a Stake Primary Activity. We acted out "A Day in the Life of a Missionary," as a district, and of course it was a blast. I love performing for kids. I love thinking up of crazy things that we can do to make them laugh. At one point Elder Tarantino lip-synced as I (under cover) sang an outrageous high operatic version of "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today". We had fun at least, and that's all that matters. :) It was a great way to get to know my new district.

The rest of the week we worked hard, knocking on doors, meeting the auxiliaries, getting to know less-active families, getting rejected, and learning about the area. Yesterday we stood outside of many unopened doors as it poured rain, and yet I was so happy. Crazy, how being a missionary can do that. Oh, and Dad, you'll be happy to hear that our Bishop has much experience hoeing sugar beets in his life! He told us that taught him hard work. So it does, so it does.

We received a very warm welcome into our new ward yesterday. Many people met us - some saying they had never met Sister Missionaries before! This ward hasn't seen Sisters in around 30 years. Well, it's about time. :) It was testimony meeting, and one testimony in particular just blew me away. It was an eighteen year old boy, who had just lost his mother to Leukemia two months previously. My heart went out to him as he testified of God's love for all of us, and of the reality of his Plan of Happiness for all of us. I've rarely heard a more powerful testimony than his was to me at this time.

That night we had dinner in the Bishop's home. After dinner, I shared the Mormon Message, "He Will Give You Help." Although the events that happened in that video happened over five years ago, they are still close to my heart. What I didn't know at that time of showing them that was that the Bishop himself was struggling with the recent death of his nephew. I was grateful I had felt like I needed to share what I did. The Lord is mindful of all of us, even if others are not aware of what we are going through. He truly does send us the help we need.

Well, I have to go. Until next week, good luck! Sure love ya! 

- Sister Rachel Ann Bennett

He Will Give You Help