Brilliantly Serving the British: "Thank you Preston, England MTC!"

I'm back! Shocker! Heehee, but this writing back home is always so exciting! I love to share whats been going on, things I've learned, and hear how everyone is doing! Alright, lets crack on.

So after writing last P-Day, we went and played some basketball, and that was a blast! Perhaps a little bit more intense because none of the teachers nor sisters were there, but no one got hurt! Later that evening, we watched this incredible devotional by Elder Bednar about the Character of Christ. Here's a few things that stood out to me. Jesus Christ never once turned inwards. He always reached out, during His toughest times, times where we all would definately turn inwards, He turned out. Bednar boldly told us, "This mission is not about you." We all need to be reaching out, and helping others, especially when it is the hardest to do so! Why would we do this? Because, Heavenly Father will not only help you bless others, but He will bless you for turning outwards, and will help you with your life. Just think about this: our Savior was dying on the cross, atoning for our sins, and what did He do? He reached out. He reached out for his mother. He reached out to those who put Him on the cross saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." We are all here to improve ourselves. To be more Christlike. So, ask yourself, "Is Christ in me? Am I turning out when the natural man in me would turn in?" Elder Bednar continued, informing us that a testimony of Christ is not going to be enough. It simply won't be. We have to be consistantly converted unto Christ by being true to our testimony; by acting on what we know to be true. For how is faith built? After the trial. After a bad thing, followed by another bad thing, where we want to give up, but we turn out, and turn to our loving Heavenly Father. I know that we will receive additional strength, guidance and comfort when we turn outward.Next, is perhaps the most incredible thing I've done. Okay, well yes, I did actually do it, but definately not on my own. Last Thursday we had a finding activity. Its exactly what it sounds like, we find those that may want, need, or be interested in the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, we drove in a bunch of vans, to a train stop, hopped on the train and got to work. I sat down by this lady who is originally from Zimbabwe, but she's lived here since she was 6, I believe. Honestly, it wasn't that hard of a thing to do. I remember before my mission, this would have been terrifying, but the MTC teaches so well! We get talking, about her, and what she does, where she is going, her believes. Then, of course she is curious what I'm doing, and who I am. We start a good discussion, for I dunno, 20 minutes or so. I share with her the Restoration, and provided a pamphlet. Sadly, she didn't feel comfortable giving me her number to get back in touch, but I let her know about the website in case she had any more questions. When we get off, we start walking to this lovely place in inner Manchester called Piccadilly Square. I think we had just over an hour, to simply talk with anyone and everyone who may be interested. The first man, was fairly open to the idea, never thought much about it, but we got him pretty interested and moved on. This is the highlight, so read carefully. As we were wandering around, looking for people who weren't already talking with missionaries, I felt like we should go to this area we hadn't gone to yet. I don't know how to describe it other than I literally felt like we should. Was this the Holy Ghost? Sure, maybe? I just simply told my companion, I felt like we should, and so we did! Glancing around I see this lady, perhaps mid twenties. "Alright, yeah, she seems she'd be interested." As I begin to walk over, she pulls out a cigarette. Um.. ew, I hate the smell of smoke, and so I turn around and walk away. Then I pause.. I really, really felt like I should talk to her. You see, I turned outwards, who honestly cares if I smell smoke, forget about yourself, and so I turn around and go towards her again. Praises be to God, she put out the cigarette as we begin to talk. It went so, incredibly well. She had never thought about religion before, but she expressed she kind of would like that in her life. I testified with my companion, shared the Plan of Salvation pamphlet with her, and let her know what would happen if we got her contact information. She accepted, and we expressed again how excited and testfied more. Look, I do not take any credit for that incredible experience. I of course, prayed with faith days before we would find someone. I had faith that we would, and talked with loads of people. The Holy Ghost guided us to her, someone that was willing to hear, and investigate for herself! Incredible! This really helped me learn that everyone deserves a chance, and we cannot, in any way, judge others from the outside. She was the best person we talked to, of course we got some that were kind of interested, but probably won't do much and other, haha, other old men simply said, "No, go away. I don't want to talk to you." Oh man, so sad.. kind of funny. I love finding, and I can't wait to go tomorrow as well! Heavenly Father will provide, so long as we exercise faith!

The weather has been alright if I do say so myself. Its sort of raining right now, but I don't mind! There's a sister in my district from South Africa, and she says the missionaries there say "The more burned you get, the prettier your wife will be." Ha, I'm pretty sure this applies to rain too! I can't wait to get soaked to the skin while serving my Heavenly Father! Hah, the food has been alright. I still eat the things that aren't so appealing, but my favorite food has changed. This one won't be much of a shocker but last week we had fish and chips! Ahh! Hah, sorry pizza.. you got bested. Soooo danggg goooodd!! You better believe I went back for seconds. Last time I checked my weight I gained maybe 3 pounds? Eh, thats alright I suppose. So, during dinner one night, we Americans were talking with an English missionary on how we are better at the Olympics. Not being too mean of course, but just saying we were better. Haha, then.. in pipes a Canadian, Elder Thompson. "Alright guys, alright, put away those nuclear weapons. Why don't we all just calm down and be kind... we all know who's the best.." Haha, of course he was being a stereotypical Canadian, but it was rather funny, cause they did get more medals I believe. Yeah, things are just amazing. Theres actually a word that perfectly describes what it means to me that I'm a missionary! Ineffable. Ineffable means something like.. an overwhelming feeling that is hard to contain, usually implying too much joy for one. That is totally me right now. One last insight, last week during my studies, I figured out why I love the Preston, England Temple so much! Remember how I loved the gold accents in there so much? Take a gander in D&C 110:2, 137:4, and you too can know! It was just so cool finding that out! Yep, as much as I love the MTC, I'm ready to work, work work, and teach real investigators.

"A testimony is a simple declaration of what we know to be true." - Elder Bednar. To whoever is reading this, I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. I have experienced for myself the joy, peace and guidance that it personally brings into my life. It can bring these things into anyone and everyone's life if they let them. I know that prayer works, and when we pray for help and then work harder, that results will come. God is real and He is waiting to bless us.

Keep moving forward with faith,
-Elder Bennett

The Elders and I after finding in Piccadilly Square.
(Sister Tholin being silly behind us.)

Elder Rongo and I. Oh man, he's a hoot.

Because who wants the cute, smiley picture of the Mosiah District when

we have this one? Sister Garrett (who enjoys that face, scares me everytime.) Sister Gilbert, Sister Sibisi,Elder Larson (he actually is looking normal than usual .in this picture, hah, love it. Elder Boehme, Elder Carpentier, Elder Bennett