HELLO from the WEST COAST!

 

 

Well this week has been SO GOOD! I mean really when your serving others can it really be anything but good?

The other day we were at a stop light and a man had his window down in the lane next to us and we were at a red light and I got out of the car and gave him a picture of Jesus, he shook his head but still took it! WOO! #EXTREMEcontacting #dontworryididntdie

So Sister Baker and I realized our ONLY difference and it is that I get hot easily but that she gets cold easily! haha (: we are like two peas in a pod!

We visited a less active who wasn't so sure about us being there but then the conversation seriously became guided by the spirit and we got her to open up and we were able to share a scripture with her! #tendermercies

We were on an exchange and there's this tree called the punching tree and Sister Dinning was with us and she was punching these trees cause they are kind of like punching foam. So then later in the day she punches a tree HARD and then she goes "OOW! yup thats a real tree" haha (:

We had a member lesson this week. Which is normal but THIS ONE WAS TERRIFYING, normally member lessons arent too scary but we were teaching FOUR RETURN MISSIONARIES, stinking scariest thing ever haha (:

I've realized what I've learned from the mtc that I really appreciate: from Sister Largin I learned, TO WORK YOUR GUTS OUT! she shared stories and I realized how I just want to work so hard and not waste time, no matter if it's for the people of Mongolia or California, and meetings are hard for me to attend just cause I want to go out and proselyte and baptize everyone! (meetings are good I know :P)

and from Brother Nelson: I have had to tell myself probably a million times since being out here to "HAVE FAITH IN THE MOMENT" and I'm grateful that he said that to us a million times in the MTC.  Just have faith in the moment and Heavenly Father will help out the rest! (:

So have faith in the moment, and work hard and Heavenly Father will work out the difference. (: and seriously we see miracles because of it! I'm grateful to be a missionary and to be learning about the gospel more everyday!

But as for all of us just keep doing the good stuff:

Pray!

Study!

Work hard! (:

and have a great week!

Sister Bennett (:

ps I ate bananas this week, #bleh :P

Happy Sisters about to go do some service!

Miracle Week

SERIOUSLY THIS WEEK SHOULD BE CALLED MIRACLE WEEK:

AHHHH Tuesday was insane! we had a great lesson that morning with two investigators and then that night we went to institute  and there was a rm there who JUST GOT BACK FROM MONGOLIA!!! less than 24 hours earlier! he served there a few years back but he went to visit then came back and came to institute?! can you say #miracle so I wrote down as many translations as I could think of cause I had a walking Mongolian dictionary sitting behind me! seriously I think Heavenly father is trying to tell me I'll make it there eventually and that I still need to keep studying, and that Mongolia can wait for me (: My miracle's name was Mike Corrigan (: HE WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT MONGOLIA!!! ahhh I haven't even been there but I love mongolia (: btw I filled out a visa paper the other day not quite sure what it was but it still processing thats all I know (:

 

Then we went from one investigator last week to a total of SEVEN!! They are seriously falling out of the sky! we are so excited #miracleseveryday

Baker and I with a member and an investigator

Yes, I am a door knocking/street contacting missionary, with the best companion ever! (:

 

I got an English tag this week WHAT WHAT! (:

WAIT WHO SAID SISTER BENNETT WAS A PICKY EATER?! This week I ate MUSHROOMS, TOMATOES, ONIONS, SALMON, & CRAB! WHAT?! but wait salmon was actually good!? but crab was funky? I could probably eat it again though? #Mombeproudofme #tomatoesarestillgross

Eating Crab!

 

Go read the talk  The Character of Christ by David Bednar it is super GOOD! I think they have in the BYUI archives? its soooo GOOOOOOD! (:

Something I learned this week that i loved was from the institute teacher, Brother Andre, and he said are we giving Heavenly father our best everyday? Our best time during studying the scriptures? Giving meaningful service? He then said for most of my life I feel like I gave God the leftovers, for example ill pray later. He then said if you give God your best then you'll be way ahead of where I was. #crazypowerful #workinprogress

 

Have a great week, gotta go baptize the world!(:

For with God nothing is impossible. -Luke 1:37

Sister Bennett (:

Stop! and read your scriptures!

A hike with a new convert

Me and Baker

 Last week Bailey didn't have her camera.  These are last weeks adventures.

Me holding dinner.  Just kidding!

He's freaking out!

He made it to the top!

Me and Sister Wilkens on my birthday!

I HELD A CHICKEN THIS WEEK!!!!

WHAT I'VE BEEN IN NEWPORT, CALIFORNIA FOR TWO WEEKS NOW!

 I feel like I've been here forever!

OKAY, so we contacted this 21 year old last Monday and gave him a Book of Mormon and HE CALLED US BACK on Sunday!!!! and he said he'd be willing to come to institute. WHOA! we are starting to see exciting miracles in this area, Sister Baker and I, and we LOVE IT! I'm not sure I'm ready to leave California, it's starting to feel like home. We really are getting to know our family ward soo well and I LOVE THEM!!

 MY BDAY WAS GREAT consisted of three cakes one for every meal. people definitely love me out here! We made mom's cake for breakfast the Elders bought a cake and gave it to me at the zone blitz and President Orgill and his wife made me a cake at our new missionary meeting. SISTER BAKER GOT ME A POCKETKNIFE FOR MY BIRTHDAY SINCE I MISSED MINE SO BAD! she's the best! (:

IT'S WEIRD TO THINK I MISS SPEAKING MONGOLIAN, like I hardly even know the language! but my companion is a good sport and has learned a few words! (:

So we went on an exchange to another ward, and we didn't have dinner for the night and Sister Bennett is only happy if she has food, so I CALLED 17 people whom I didn't know to see if they would have us for dinner?! and the last one were so kind and had us over and they had chickens at their house so YEAH I HELD A CHICKEN THIS WEEK!!!!  and then we had pizza for dinner! (: #dontworryiwashedmyhands

So EVERYONE thinks I'm crazy but I'm determined to learn a little bit of Spanish while I am here, there are so many Spanish speaking people here! and I want to be able to bear my testimony and at least say here is a picture or pass along card of Jesus Christ #onelanguageisntenough #ihavespanishflashcards

So some of the missionaries have a bet of when we will make it Mongolia! man they are ridiculous! haha some say 6 months some say 1 year! haha Heavenly Father knows and all I know is I am happy to be here!

At the New Port Beach Temple

 So Sister Baker and I's text signature is (bake-n-nett) hahah! we think we are clever! so yeah we are over here working like crazy it's great!

Well, gotta go harvest the field,
Sister Bennett (:

They Could Be Jesus' Daughters

AHHHHHH!!!!! CALIFORNIA IS THE BEST! CRAZY BUT GREAT! (:

So first full day in the field last Thursday WAS INSANE! At first I felt out of place because I wasn't in Mongolia but now I don't and I bet the palm trees help with that. BUT We got lost fifty bajjillion times, set off the fire alarm in our apartment, and went out proselyting?! WAIT YEAH IM A PROSYLYTING MISSIONARY NOW!!! But I have the best trainer, her name is Sister Baker and I remember thinking in the MTC how if I get a temporary reassignment that I want it to be to a small town, Sister Baker is my little bit of small town in California! SO IT'S JUST HER AND I READY TO CONCQUER NEWPORT. But we are both new to the area thus why we get lost so much! She's from Nephi, Utah! She is the most patient, kind sweetheart ever! We are trying to work insanely hard! She is a hard worker and I love it! We are over two wards a YSA ward and the Newport Hills Ward in Newport, California, ONE OF THE RICHEST CITIES IN THE WORLD. Colby Bryant lives in our ward boundries, :O you better believe we are gonna invite him to some church basketball sometime :P haha! and Marie Osmond's Son and a stink load more famous people live in the ward it's crazy. We also have an ipad and a car so different than what Mongolia would be!

BUT I LOVE IT HERE AND I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING ELSE RIGHT NOW! #thisiswhereineedtobe

We met a Spanish man the other day and asked if he wanted a book of Mormon. He then in a very Spanish accent said, "yes because sometimes my son goes astray". #dontletyoursongoastray

I have told wayyy too many people the language of my tag because everyone is confused. But a member we visited asked me to say the prayer in Mongolian. It was the most fluent prayer of my life! AHHH! I was so happy! so yeah I do have language study but sometimes its brief cause we've gotta go preach the gospel! Sister Baker has been a trouper and has learned a few words but I haven't used my Mongolian to another Mongolian yet #KeepingAnEyeOut

No word about my visa. (: #imnotworried

We taught the restoration in the park the other day to a Christian and her two little kids. SUPER COOL. Then afterwards the daughter said, "they could be Jesus' daughters". I'm glad I can represent Him even to a little girl

Have the missionaries over for dinner, WE ARE DESPERATE!!!! (: haha and have them teach lessons in the home that's the best!

Okay learning about the atonement was so cool this week! I learned from Korihor that: without the atonement THERE WOULD BE NO: blessings because we wouldn't be looked out from on high, there would be perpetual/unavoidable sin, there would be no point in faith/hope, and there would be no scriptures of prophets because there would be nothing to declare. WHOA!!!! the atonement is so powerful! We are blessed to know about it and especially when most the world doesn't and unfortunately even the Christian world!?

Things are great here, and I'm learning lots!

SEIZE THE DAY!

Sister Bennett (:

 

My MTC companions!

Newport

Working hard

Service project

 

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your LIFE

WELL GOODBYE MTC & HELLO CALIFORNIA!!

 

Well this week Sister Wilkins and I received travel plans, Our little trio went down to the mail to pick up packages that they had received and just down the hall we hear, "...sisters..." very solemnly are three elders, who do not want to make eye contact with us, and in their hands are the paper that were going to determine Sister Wilkins and I's DESTINY! well almost. (: I run and grab the papers and read IRVINE CALIFORNIA! I WAS BEYOND EXCITED!!!! and the Elders were so confused, but then I attacked Sister Wilkins with a hug we both would be going to the same place for a temporary visa assignment! AND ITS PROSELYTING!!!! WOOO!!! I can honestly say one thing, the only reason I was so excited was because of the many prayers of patience, praying for our visa and even English fasting that we would receive something. That something even though not our visas yet was flight plans to go preach the Gospel, Its not about WHERE. Its just about PREACHING THE GOOD NEWS! and I get to go do that in California for a bit! (:

So I'm pretty sure in the MTC we've created our own Mongolian language and I'm pretty sure its not MONGOLIAN.

The trio

Well shout out to Grandma for sending treats!! #THANKSGRANDMA 

So this week we taught at the BYU English Learning Center and it was super fun. We were there from 8 am to Noon everyday and now we are certified English teachers. Our first lesson was on families and our second class was on Verbs and what are you doing questions. I firmly believe the only reason they went actually pretty well is because we started the classes with a prayer. PRAYER IS AMAZING. There has been so many times where I've lost my name tag or notebook and every time I've prayed I've found it very soon after. #prayerworks

Also at the ELC we were observing an English class and Sister Hartley introduces herself and says shes from IOWA and the students ask her where that's at? So she draws the U.S. on the board and draws Iowa. One of the students asks her if its just a two hour drive away and she said  "well its more like 18." then it was my turn I get up and introduce myself and say I'm from Vegas and then I go to draw on the board where that is but IMMEDIATELY the entire class says, "OHHHH!!!" hahah and then they start partying with their hands. I think they know what Vegas is :P haha (: #Vegasshoutout

At the BYU English Learning Center

Today is our Mongolian investigators Baptism!!!! Her name is Althteengerith. CONGRATS. BYERHORGEE. (which also means congrats)

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "change your thoughts, change your LIFE." -Mama Wilkins Sometimes we dont have control of the things going on around you, but we certainly have control over our thoughts. If we are positive and see the bright side of things, then there really will be a bright side! (: #BeHappyYall #MamaWilkins

I love the MTC and am sad to say BYE but I've got to go preach the good word. (:

 

Ready to go

 

Till next time,

Sister Bennett (:

NOW GO SAY SOMETHING NICE TO SOMEONE AND MAKE THEIR DAY! (:

 

Lunch at the MTC

 

Slight Change of Plans

So got my flight plans to THE CALIFORNIA, IRVINE MISSION!  #AHHHHHH!! #WOO (: temporary reassignment, BUT SISTER WILKINS AND I are SOOO STINKIN excited!!! (we both were called there) We will be flying out on Tuesday WICKED EARLY in the morning! but I'm just soo happy to have plans, prayers are answered! (: #cantwaittogoserve

 

Our visas should be here in about a week or so we were told! SO in the meantime I will be converting those at Disneyland. #comingforyouMickeyMouse

that is all. (:

God has a plan.

Love you!

-Sister Bennett

Go Spread Some Joy!

This week Sister Hartley lost all her pamphlets and Elder Mulder said she should look in sister Wilkin's desk. He lost something the week before and mysteriously found it in her desk  for some ODD reason! He calls her the desk the BLACK HOLE! So Sister Hartley goes to look for her pamphlets Sister Wilkins is insisting they aren't in her desk. So we pull out Sister Wilkin's pamphlet and she ended up having 29 PAMPLETS IN HER DESK! hers, Sister Hartley's and some more random ones from the rest of US!!!! Either Sister Wilkins loves pamphlets (which could be true because as missionaries those things are golden!) OR her desk really is a black hole! so if you've ever lost anything, LET ME KNOW, its probably in her desk, so i can look for it for ya! #funnymoments #WELOVEPAMPHLETS

so there is this Tongan sister on our floor in our residence hall whom we love.When she teases with us she always lets us know she is kidding but instead of saying "just kidding" she says "just killing". I'm pretty sure that's against our religion?!?!?! #justkilling #shoutouttoSISTERTAHAFE

 

"Just killing" Sister Tahafe

SHOUTOUT TO MY POPS!! happy birthday yesterday dad! LOVE YOU!

So my eyes have been opened in the world of Canadian chips!!Sister Harker's wonderful Canadian grandparents sent her some Canadian treats and ketchup chips! which I have had before BUT these ones were BAKED ketchup chips! can I get a HALLELUIAH!! #ilovecanada #themotherland@itsfinest

 

Sister Harker and I with Old Dutch Baked Ketchup chips and Smarties!

 

There was a wicked cool devotional on Tuesday about technology and it is used to spread the good news! So the video from Christmas "He is the gift" over 28 days received 33,000,000 views!? SAY WHAT?! and what's even more cool is that 134,000 people requested the missionaries online to come over because of the video! SOO COOL! 

The next thing he talked about was being transparent with our devices. Whether our next device is a ipad on the mish or a phone when we get home. But what he went on to say was "would we feel comfortable handing our devices over to President Monson?" How can we be better? She we delete an app or two? Change a wallpaper? Change our language? Whatever it is DO IT! Its a new day and he then explained the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehis and how the put their weapons of rebellion down and buried them deep in the ground. We can use this technology for both good and bad but how can we use them for the better? Perhaps sending a kind text, reading a conference talk, post an uplifting thought on the Facebook? Whatever it is DO THAT! SPREAD THE LOVE OF THE GOSPEL. (if you had something you should do or someone who needs some uplifting? its spirit so you should probably listen!) #technologyisgood

Yesterday we left the mtc for a whole 4 hours! we went to BYU's English learning center. We observed English as a foreign language classes. this is a part of training to become certified English teachers in Mongolia! SO on Monday we are going there again but will be teaching a class!! wish us luck #imexcited #ihaveaprettysweetmissioncall

Field Trip!

On our way to the BYU English Learning Center

Brother Nelson was commenting on my note taking the other day and how I put things in rows or with stars by it or underlined! I might just get a little excited and write lots down, YOU GET THE IDEA, anyways then the other day he said. "Sister Bennett that's the most ORIGINAL note taking I've ever seen, I mean you have 'What Would Jesus Do' in a CLOUD!" #cloudsaregoodforemphasis #WWJD? #hewouldputitinacloud

So No news about Sister Wilkins and my visas, but everyone else will be leaving the 26th now in order for us to finish our certification. So we will have to see, we may receive temporary reassignments? But today we are doing an English fast for our visas! WOO! #itsontheLordstime 

Two favorite quotes of the week:

Pray as if everything relies on the LORD, Work as if everything depends on you.

He who finds himself thankful in all things is he who will find himself exalted on the right hand of God. -Joseph Smith

HAVE A GREAT WEEK! GO SPREAD SOME JOY!

Sister Bennett (:

 

 

Look at us we match!

The Sisters headed to Mongolia.

This is Marshall, we do service every Thursday morning with him.