Week 39- "I don't want tomorrow to come!" "Why?" "Tomorrow is the 24th.. your 9 month mark.." "NO!"

Well this week has been eventful! We were able to have Zone Conference and learned a lot about online proselyting. We were able to give a couple trainings and as I was studying for these trainings  I learned a lot myself. It's amazing what the Lord is doing for His work to accelerate and to reach more people around the world. 

“There are no coincidences” -David A. Bednar

Thomas S. Monson once said in his April 2005 conference talk called, Be Thou an Example: 

“Never underestimate the far-reaching influence of your testimony. ...you have the capacity to notice the unnoticed. When you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel, you can reach out and rescue others.” 

As we start to use technology we have to stay focused but I'm so excited to help others come unto Christ.

We also got to go on exchanges with the Nephi sisters and it was so fun to go out and be with them. 

I can't believe this transfer is halfway through already. Time really just flies by on the mission... crazy!

Love y'all!

Con Amor, 

Hermana de Benito 

Week 38- "So Ethan.. I heard that Joseph Smith went to prison one time." "Yeah and so did Jesus."

Another week has gone by and i cant believe how fast October has gone! This time last year i was opening my mission papers to find out that i would be leaving on Jan 24 to start my mission! It honestly feels like that was almost a couple of months ago, if that. 

This last week we had zone training meeting and it went a little differently than usual. This whole transfer has been a little different, but a good different! We found 2 new investigators last night and we had an amazing talk about the temple. The husband, Enrique, was able to help with the building of the Payson Temple and then they we're given a walk through afterwards. Enrique also told us of a story about how he would always drive by the temple as it was being built and one day he felt like he should go in and ask if they needed help with any tile work. He asked a man that was working and he directed him to a place upstairs. As he was walking upstairs he saw the man he was supposed to talk to.. but he was praying. He waited til the man finished praying and then asked him if he was in need of workers for tiling. The man became teary eyed and said Enrique was the answer to his prayers. What a neat experience. You could feel the Spirit fill the room and Enrique began to speak softly as he told the story. It always reminds me how the Spirit talks in a still small voice. We need to remember to always be in a position to hear that voice. Even though Enrique may not have know it was the Spirit telling him to go and ask if they needed help for tiling, but I know it was and he now know it as well. We are so blessed to have the Spirit with us as we are worthy of it. The Lord wants to help us and he does through the prompting of the Spirit who is His messenger. 

We are so blessed to have a loving Heavenly Father and a merciful brother who is Jesus Christ. It brings me to my knees in gratitude, it also makes me want to stand up afterwards and do His work with more love and diligence. I love this complete gospel that gives me the knowledge I have and how I can continue to grow. Sometimes I feel that I have no more room to grow but there is ALWAYS a way through Him. 

I love y'all! 

Con Amor,

Hermana de Benito 

Is it fall, I feel like it skipped over fall and we went straight to winter..

Service on Saturday taking off shingles from the roof (at that moment we were destroying that porch cover) 

We found a dog before going to church yesterday 

Gotta love Sis Ulin 

 Teaching Lexi (an investigator that we gave to the stanton's our senior couple)

Week 37- "I Have Shakira!" (she-key-re-ah)

Transfers happened and now there are 4 girls living in one apartment with 1 bathroom! Surprisingly we make it work! Haha

So our area also got split and we pretty much are starting over again, but it's so cool that there is still so much potential in the area that we cover now:) it's also been great because we used to be over 8 stakes (a collective area of congregations/ward) to now 3 stakes. Now we have more time to focus and help those in need. Sooo yesterday i got the opportunity to bare my testimony in our ward but the best part was I asked Herry (one of my recent converts) to come up with me and to share his testimony. He's only 10 years old and said ok! We sat up there and he went first, as he bore his testimony I began to tear up. He talked about how grateful he was for the church and how I had asked him a question the day of his baptism that he would remember which what 'how did he feel' he went on to say that he felt happiness. It just strengthened my testimony to know that this is why i am here, this is my purpose, to help and see a change in others lives. I know this church is true just by the sole fact that it does give others pure and true happiness in their lives. 

Afterwards we were driving home from church and there was sleet!! Ahhh it's getting cold here and I'm not sure if I'm completely ready! But I have to say that the changing of colors here in Payson is BEAUTIFUL! I'll have to take pictures for next week. 

Love y'all.

Con Amor, 

Hermana de Benito 

Getting Haircuts

Helped some people start their car (We don't know why we went that way but if we hadn't we wouldn't have been able to help them, I like to think it was the Spirit guiding us) 

A Hallmark film was being made in Payson so we of course had to check it out (Christmas in October!) 

 One of our investigators Felix 

 Mormon Helping Hands in Houston

More pictures from when we went to the temple last week 

 Mission tour of Elder Duncan (a 70 in the church)  a couple months ago 

Week 36- "She Just Saw Me"

Wow General Conference was amazing and I feel so blessed to have heard so many great talks that will help me and everyone else in these times. If you have heard or seen any of the sessions it's worth it. lds.org Go watch it:)

We got to go to the Payson temple on Friday and it was just what I needed.

So transfers is this week and sadly Hermana Hernandez will be leaving our companionship but she won't be too far because they are splitting our area and so she will be covering that area and she'll be in our district! Yay! But Hermana Ulin and I are staying in Payson! Another Yay! I love Payson!! 

I know we are meant to be here and I'm happy to stay. I have seen so many miracles and support from the people here.

 

Hermana Ulin and her love for bubbles

Sis Shirley and I may have photobombed a wedding on Friday

Group Pictures 

Dog of the Week- Cookie

 Elk Ridge Rd

Week 35- "He Waxes Verbose"

Well this week has definitely been busy and it honestly continues today. We have just been going, going, going! 

We have had 2 exchanges this week, went to General Women's Conference and listened to those wonderful speakers (I got to drive to Salt Lake and it was so fun to be with the sisters), there is snow on he mountains, and we are now in a trio! I don't know if you've heard about the sad news about Puerto Rico ( you probably have) but they have shut down the whole mission there and are evacuating the missionaries and spreading the missionaries around the United States. We got a call from President Hodgman yesterday morning asking if we would be willing to have another sister in our companionship. We of course said 'YES!' and met up in Provo at 2pm. At church we just kept checking the time haha. We are so happy to have Sister Hernandez (who is our new companion), Sister Waters, and soon to come Sister Post. Pray for them. The sisters came with pretty much nothing and are praying that their things are still there.

We get to take the sisters to the temple this week and are so happy they are here! Ahh I love this mission.

Con Amor, 

Hermana de Benito