Week 72: "Happy Easter!"

April 6, 2015

Dear Family,

Sorry for the generic email title, I'm a little crunched for time right now! But know that I've had an amazing week. It was Sister Zelaya's last week, and she's been pushing hard. And that's been the best thing, but man I've been tired! We've shared "Because He Lives" with everyone. Everyone! We were waiting for a member to come with us to a lesson yesterday, and we saw some of her neighbors outside. We basically ran out of our car so we would have time to talk to them!

Conference was amazing. I felt right at home watching it with families that I know and love!

I am so sad to see Sister Zelaya go. I feel like I've learned so much about missionary work from her, and she's been so strong at enduring to the end! She's a killer missionary, and I know she'll continue on to do great things! 

For a week I'll be "floating" with a companionship, working in 2 areas. Then I'll settle down when transfer calls come in a week and a half, and get my...last companion. Sick!

Easter was so fun. I didn't think we'd have the chance to color eggs, but then we did! We got fed altogether much too much desert and food.

We've been making a lot of visits, saying a lot of goodbyes.

I love you! And hey, if you have questions that you would like to answer, I'd love that. :) Apparently us missionaries get less and less creative with emails as the time goes by. Take care!

Love, 

Sister Bennett

EASTER OVERLOAD! (Warning: Lots of Pictures)

 THE MASTER SWORD AND HYLIAN SHIELD! I think the pictures capture my feelings...

A VINTAGE Star Wars Millennium Falcon Set. 

She's the Burger Baron.

Selfies while bowling.

Kris! We help him with his yard work. He's awesome, and here he's holding his "baby." Yes, it flies. 

This is the beautiful Sister MANESS on her 24th birthday!! She's amazing!

Saying goodbye to SHIGE, this wonderful Japanese lady we ran into who reads the Book of Mormon every night. Ten versus in Japanese, and then ten verses in English. 

The Elkins. Characterizes them perfectly. 

The Pistons! Characterizes them perfectly too!

HEATHER!! I love Heather so much! Both Sister Zelaya and I are close to her from being in Boise, so this weekend she took us out to Red Robin. Her son is Christian. He's a fun kid. :)

The Cary's. One of my favorite couples. 

Sometimes this happens........

Cornelius!! I won him in a 25c machine claw thing. 

David Crawford! We had to stop by and have Sister Zelaya say goodbye...

The Tolmans! One of my favorite families. Don't tell. ;) 

MY PRIZE egg. I painted one this year. I was happy with it. 

Sister Z and I went on an egg hunt. 

Sister Zelaya had NEVER before painted an egg! Here's her second egg-baby! 

We spent Easter with the Lloyds. LOVE THEM.

Eggie x 3! 

 Saying goodbye to the Siquerios family. 

This was incredible. 

This morning we had breakfast with the Sharps. While there, Sister Sharp's mom and Dad joined. Her Dad told us an incredible story of him serving a mission in the 1850's to Kansas. Through some amazing experiences, he found and acquired a 1st Edition Book of Mormon. It was printed in 1830, and it's probably the most valuable item i've ever held in my hands. It was so incredible to see, hear, and read from it's pages. I absolutely love church history, especially since I feel ties back to my ancestors who lived in those days. 

Week 71: "Because He Lives"

March 30, 2015

Dear Everyone,

Has anyone told you that they were happier than they ever have been while serving their mission? Well, I know for a fact I've experienced that on so many levels while being out here.

This week was an absolute blur. I can't think of what happened from start to finish, but I do want to share a miracle!

Sister Zelaya is from North Carolina, but she is originally from El Salvador. Thus, she needs to get a renewed, updated green-card in order to travel (fly) within the United States.

Well, her release date is April 8th. A week from Wednesday. A month and a half ago, we were waiting for her green card to come in. And we waited. And waited. And waited. And pretty soon, we were thinking of alternative plans. She starts school at BYU-I 10 days after her release date, so perhaps she would have to drive to school? Perhaps her parents would have to drive out here? None of it seemed like a good option. And plus, every return missionary wants to come back to their home and family. And so Sister Zelaya contacted the mission office, because if she didn't get her card they would have to cancel her flight. Well, our mission President decided we would wait until Friday (3 days ago) and then move forward with making alternative plans. However, when the day came and the card didn't come in, the office staff decided to fast and pray for it to come. Sister Zelaya and I also fasted that it would come. And this morning, I decided to say a specific prayer. I prayed that Sister Zelaya would find out her green card came in today.

Well, sitting here and emailing, we got the news. It came! She'll be able to go home! I know that was an answer to prayer.

This week, I got to go on an exchange with SISTER WILLARD! We've been waiting to serve a day with each other since we were companions in the MTC, and finally, more than a year later, it came! We had a blast together. I gave her a voice lesson, we saw a lot of people (this is her old area where she stayed 7 and a half months!), and we shared the incredible easter message, "Because He Lives."

If you haven't seen the new video, watch it. 

helives.mormon.org

It is so powerful! I know for a fact that the message it shares is true. Jesus Christ truly was victorious over death. He rose from the grave, and we can each have a personal relationship with him. We can know him, if we seek him. We can know him as we become like him, and follow his footsteps. I would be lost in my life it it weren't for my knowledge that Jesus Christ is my Savior.

Share it with everyone! :)

I'm excited for General Conference. It's my favorite time of the year.

Other moments this week? Well, we left our "Because He Lives" card in a door because no-one was home. When we got out of an appointment next door and got in our car, we noticed that someone from that house had noticed our card. She looked at it briefly, and then went over to the trash can. And then, for about 10 seconds, it looked like she had second thoughts as she read the card. But then she put it in the garbage. Noooo!

Sister Zelaya is a frog whisperer. Remember the story about her singing out the loud frog in the Dixon's pond? Well, Brother Dixon conducted sacrament meeting, and he shared what Sister Zelaya did....and then continued to say that he didn't know what she did, but now he has the worst frog infestation he's ever had in his pond! Haha he connected that to saying we don't know the influence we have. ALSO, after Sister Zelaya bore her testimony, the "character" of the ward, Brother Moorehouse got up (we love him), and said, "There are mixed emotions about going home, but what you all don't know is that she has a cute boy waiting for her at BYU-I!" Hahahahahah! Well, it's true, but now the whole ward knows, and EVERYONE is asking her about it. Sister Zelaya is so modest too, so it's hilarious. We have a plan to get brother Moorehouse back. I'll update you if it goes as planned. ;)

Missions change us. It's changed me. I look forward to doing what we do each and every day. 

Until next week! Enjoy conference, and I invite you to go to conference with personal questions that you're seeking answers to!

I love you!

Love, 

Sister Bennett

We caught Mr. Frog.

Colin Dixon transferred him to another marshy land on his way to mutual. 

Too bad he was the Alpha frog, because as soon as he left, the pond because infested with other frogs!