Sister deBenito's Mission: Week 17- "Hey Grandpa!" "Hey you have more grandkids than I do!"

Tuesday- Well it seems like there isn't a week where I don't cut myself or someone else ends up cutting them self. So this week it was me… we were doing service at Tabitha's Way, boxing a bunch of food up and putting them on pallets to be moved to another building. We had to move a certain pallet but there was another one in the way so since there wasn't a lot of things on it I decided to bend over and just push it out of the way. As I went down to push it out of the way I caught my nose on the corner of a box and cut it right in he corner of the nostril… it looked like I got a nosebleed but it just stung a lot more. I've never had a nosebleed so it was the closest thing I've gotten to one! But that was all in all exciting! All the elders had to check it out and see how bad it was! Hahah

That night we did more service by weeding and I ended up mowing a lawn for 3 hours! I loved it! I have missed mowing lawns weirdly enough.. honestly anything that includes being outside and help others.

Wednesday- Hna Brooks and I went on exchanges for the day I covered my area in Spanish Fork with my old companion from the CCM, Hna. Harris! In the morning for exercise we played soccer with their zone, then got ready, did studies, and went to lunch. We went and did service for most of the afternoon doing yard work at the Baker's house! After we did a good amount of contacting. Hna. Harris and I found some people, that hadn't been contacted in a while, at home, Yay! We were able to set up some lessons for the next day and it was fun being able to catch up a bit on how she had been doing:)

Thursday- Im guessing Utah thought it would be ok to start snowing while we were at the gym! It's may and snowing.. I didn't even think that was possible but I guess anything is possible here!

We had lunch with one of our favorite senior couples! The Neilsen’s ‘adopted’ us into our family and said that we were their grandchildren! That's been the zone leaders and our goal to be ‘adopted’ as their grandchildren and it finally worked! Haha I also found out he Elder Neilsen has the same birthday as me! That was a happy moment:)

We went contacting and found a guy named Steven who was not interested but we actually got talking on just what he does for his job and soon enough we had a return date for this coming Thursday! It's amazing to see how people don't sometimes think that we are regular human beings and want to be their friends. So when we show that, they immediately become more interested! I think that's a hard part about being in Utah is that there is a mentality of who a Mormon is and so they shut us out but if you break that barrier they are so much more friendly and will listen.

I wasn't feeling very well so we canceled dinner, tried to do a bit more contacting and went home a little early because I needed to rest.

Friday- I was feeling terrible and so I was pretty much out of commission for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.. let me tell you it's the worst feeling not being able to go out and work.

We did plan for the next week and make sure that everything was all ready

Saturday- we pretty much stayed home, studied a ton from the scriptures, listened to a lot of talks from General Conference that I would love if everyone could read them because they are amazing!! (Honestly all the talks from General Conf are amazing.) We also started writing our talks for church!

Sunday- I wasn't happy when I woke up because I still wasn't feeling well and needed to give a talk. But I prayed, prayed, and prayed some more that I would be able to make it to church and would be able to give this talk (my first talk in Spanish on the mission). Even if this talk only helped one person in their life, that was enough for me.

I was able to make it to the church and as I walked in and said ‘Good Morning’ to a brother standing at the door I began to break down out of nowhere (aka. tearing up and immediately ran to the bathroom)! I was so tired, nervous to give a talk, fearful that I was going to throw up and/or pass out, and of course I didn't want to mess up. As I came out of the bathroom one of the counselors of the bishopric and one of our stake high councilman (Hermano Ostler and Armstrong, two of the greatest men) were talking to Hermana Brooks about how they could help me. The people here in this congregation are honestly the best! I told them that I was going to try giving my talk. They supported me in my decision and we all walked in.

I was able to give my talk with a little bit hesitation but as soon as I took a deep breath and prayed for the Lord to be with me, I felt Him comfort me and help me with my words. As I began to slow down, took one word at a time and testified of what I knew, I could feel the Spirit fill the room.

Just another small miracle I saw in my life that day. I know God watches over us.

David was at church and really wants to get baptized this coming Saturday! We are still working on somethings with him but we know he can be ready if everything works out! Keep him in your prayers:)

Monday- Another pday and another week for miracles:)) this morning Hermana Brooks and I went to the tennis courts because we heard a bunch of guys played every morning! We went and checked it out and it was SO much fun! I sat and watched but the commentary was the best part! Haha and then not too long ago we had our 2 favorite dogs come and say hello! It's a pretty good day so far if you asked me;)

But it continues with the fact that we are having a definite baptism this Saturday for Miguel who is 9 and has been preparing ever site his parents converted. We also might have the awesome opportunity of going to the temple this coming Saturday with our ward! Woohoo! I love the temple! If you have the chance, go to the temple soon, even if you just sit outside. Feel the peace and happiness of being near the Lord’s house.

‘Holiness to the Lord. The House of the Lord.’

Love you guys! I hope you have a week full of miracles:) and happy dogs of course!

Con amor,

Hermana de Benito