"Making Something Special"

Hello friendly people from home! 

This week was pretty good! The weather, (wow, am I really talking about the weather yet again? Its a British thing, give me a break!) has been quite good. Sunny, then rainy a few days, then sunny again. Please, cherish the sun when it is out. Also enjoy the lack of wind, because it is that wind that makes it so darn cold! You lucky ducks! Something interesting that I have found out this week was comparing my ward/area I'm serving in to back home. I cannot check the exact estimates due to lack of time, but I believe if you compare the two on the same distance on a map, I am currently covering all of Sandy and perhaps half of South Jordan and West Jordan. Its... quite the area. Hah, oh how fun! I know! 

Now some of you may know that I did have a birthday over the weekend, if you forgot... well, no worries! Really, I don't like big ordeals when it comes to me anyways! Haha, but thank you for the wonderful wishes. It means loads to be remembered even though I am so far away. Lets see, so for my birthday, I had been praying and preparing to make it something special. I wanted to spend the whole day just finding. Finding in the park, contacting people on the street and buses, and of course the typical tracting too. I would say it was quite a successful day. Of course success is measured by your commitment to invite, but I guess.. to rephrase, it was a day that people were going to give us a try. Hah. Thank goodness! In the evening time, we went to a restaurant called Olive Garden, but, and that is a big but, (oh my days, that sounds bad... ahh!)  it is not the same one from back home. It made me sad, but that is alright. It was still some very delicious Italian pasta! Hah, while we were eating, the music got super loud, and Italian like, and the lights went off. It was like two boys birthday as well, and they stood on the table, while a cake with a small firework on it went off and everyone was clapping and going nuts. I mentioned to the waiter previously that it was my birthday, and needless to say, I was absolutely terrified they would do that to me. Nightmare! Then after that... we stopped by a store and I bought a cheeky little, white chocolate, strawberry cake and some candle. As tradition, Elder Konyana sang a wonderful solo to me back at our home. Thankfully, he is not tone deaf. Yeah, so that was my birthday!

So before I get going, I felt like I should share something quite basic this week, but perhaps how we can make it special. That something is prayer. I read a few talks, and articles from the Ensign to learn more. Here are a few things to keep in mind concerning prayer. Paraphrasing from the Bible Dictionary: Difficulties arise from forgetting our relationship with God. Prayer is to be natural and instinctive. It is to align our will with His, and in order to secure the blessings in store, we must ask for them. Some may require some effort on our part. I also read a story on one future prophet was really impressed by the way Joseph Smith prayed. He had a conversational tone, and spoke to God as a friend. 

"Each of us has problems that we cannot solve and weaknesses that we cannot conquer without reaching out through prayer to a higher source of strength." - James E. Faust; Lifeline of Prayer. I also read that it is a privilege to ask Deity for a specific blessing. Huh, that is powerful! Overall, I think I learned that prayers will vary, but the best ones are when we humble ourselves, realize that God is in control, and we need to seek His ways. Our way isn't what is best, and we must trust Him. The most meaningful prayers need time set aside, time to have a proper conversation, when we can kneel down, pray aloud, and truly focus. If we struggle at night or in the morning when we are tired, find another time. The frequency of prayers will also grow your relationship with our Father. Not to like, say look at me in any way, but on average I would say as a missionary we pray between 20-25 times a day. A question to when you don't feel like giving our loving Heavenly Father a quick line, what would be holding you back? An invitation this week would be to have at least one meaningful prayer a day, on a time that you have specifically set aside to talk with our all understanding and loving Father in Heaven. 

Truly, make it special,

- Elder Bennett

 I mustache you a question..

Olive Garden!! So good, but it wasn't my favorite from home! Oh well!

Oh boy, look at that... Fancy, fancy. Almost flamed the whole thing!

Such a cheeky smile for a cheeky boy on his cheeky little birthday. Cheek!!

"What Lack I Yet?"

Another week gone and past. Yikes. Can the driver of this mission just slow the speed down?! I believe there is a speed limit, and it is being broke! Maybe not... anyways... Yeah, it has been a great week of good old work! We have had some great tender mercies and miracles. A few examples.. our investigator barely caught the bus in time for work, otherwise he wouldn't have come because it is an hour bus ride away. Another investigator had been going through a real tough time over the weekend, and we got worried when he didn't come to church. When we stopped by, he was so glad we came by, and this is basically what he said. "I believe in Sundays. I would say today was a terrible day, but it can't be because it is a Sunday. You two are my people, and I am so blessed to have you in my life." Erm.. wow? If that isn't heart warming, I don't know what is! Then yesterday, we got a wonderful opportunity to give a blessing. She somehow can sense how strong she feels the Spirit by closing her eyes, and she sees a lilac colour? I dunno, but I just said what the Spirit prompted, and she felt it strong I guess! Nothing I did of course, but it is always a nice testimony builder to rely on the Spirit for everything! So yeah, the week may seem a bit vague, but it happens! Sorry! 

Basically, I have been thinking a lot this week about progression, about life, and about the eternities. Quite deep, possibly? I dunno. The following is a sort of analogy that came to me mind. Life is like attending a university. Now when we attend, do we go to... do homework? No. Do we attend to go to lectures? Nope. Labs? Nu-uh. What about to get a degree? I'd say I disagree. As we go to uni, we say I am going to... become a doctor. I want to become physician. I guess you could say the end goal is to become something/someone. Interesting...

In life, we are here to learn things from experience, to do things that God has asked us to do, but this all comes down to the general "to become". Elder Dallin H. Oaks teaches us that, "..the Final Judgement is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts-what we have done. It is an acknowledgement of the final effect of our acts and thoughts-what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become." How comfortable do we plan to be in God's presence and what degree of glory do we wish our bodies to be in? 

For me, I am reminded of elementary school. There we had three separate math classes. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. If a child in the lowest were randomly placed in the highest, he wouldn't feel comfortable. He wouldn't want to be there. That boy would fall behind, and probably admit to one degree or another, that he wasn't worthy. He would ask to be in the class that is best for him So it is similar with the Kingdoms of Glory. Everyone in the Celestial Kingdom became something. They did what was asked from God, and sacrificed a lot. Sort of like a Harvard student would sacrifice loads more than a community college student.

A few more insights to end this lovely jib jab of mine. This is a good way we can measure our progress of becoming. It is found in the last four words of Matthew 19:20; "What lack I yet?" Certainly, my answer is LOADS! Does that make me shrink, and think it is impossible? No way! It is definitely possible, and I know that progress, regardless of size, is still progress. From my own life, I am simply amazed and stand speechless at what I have become. Not to like put my self on a pedestal or anything, I don't like attention! But like, first hand, who'd have thought?? It is something we would have to experience for ourselves. Finally, a lovely quote. "Just because things are going well, does not mean that we should not from time to time consider whether there might be something better." - Carlos A. Godoy 

So, what are you doing that is leading you toward Godhood? What weakness can you strengthen through the help of Jesus Christ? Ponder, ponder, and act. I hope that you will see the many fruits of your efforts. 

We are all enlisted,

- Elder Bennett

 I was freaking out about drinking maté.
 Twas nasty. It is a latino drink, I believe?

Elder Nunes and myself on an exchange.
He is a Brazilian football legend/maté drinker.

Look at the lovely note President and Sister Ulrich left on our whiteboard... aww.. love them!

"Steady Course of Progression"

Heyyyyy.... I am doing wonderful. I remember last week it had felt like forever since I had emailed and today it felt like I wrote yesterday. Interesting... I think I'm going mad. Eek! No, but really. Life is splendid, and I am always learning and loving this dream world. My, this is going to be a struggle because I am just on one today if you know what I mean! So lets crack on, a funny stories to share and a little insight as always. Plus a little explanation on why I always share something. Look at all those emphasized words. 

Story time. Ahem. The other day we were driving in the car with our (old) Ward Mission Leader. We just got done with a tea appointment and coordination at his home and we were going in for the night. Of course I am just exhausted and out of the blue he just yells "Bang!" Flippin' 'eck, I just jump out of my seat! Almost went on the news "Mormon Missionary Killed in a Car Scare by a Heart Attack." Yeah, so no one else really got scared. I start joking with my companion that it is my new goal to scare him sometime this transfer. He says he never gets scared. I like threaten to dress up like a bandit or something and then he tells me this story. He was like walking in Johannesburg sometime, and a man pulls out a gun on him and says to hand over his goodies. Elder Konyana says something like "Look, I don't think you'd do what you say you would really do." Then he said he went on a walk with the man. Like, the way he said it made it sound like they linked arms, skipped down the street, whistling a toon or something. Haha, yeah, so basically, stand up for yourself and you can have a good time with a robber.

Sooo.. on to why I share an insight at the end of basically every blog post. Usually it is based on something that I have learned lately or feel like sharing with others. It takes me to a part of Preach My Gospel when it talks about commitments or invitations to give people. It says something like it is an essential part of repentance. People become converted as they live the principles, and will not likely change unless invited to do so. I'll give it to you nice and bold like; I share things at the end because I want my loved ones or anyone reading these words to repent. 

Yikes says everyone (I'm sure). Why yikes? Repentance has such a bad cover to most I suppose. As if you see someone and whisper to your friend "He's repenting... he's done a no-no... we are totally judging him even though we make mistakes.." Hah, I hope you catch my drift. As President Uchtdorf has once quoted, "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you." Everyone makes mistakes! No one is perfect. Elder Richard G. Scott once shared, "Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, each of us can become clean and the burden of our rebellion will be lifted. Remember, repentance is not a punishment. It is the hope-filled path to a more glorious future." 

So, some may think that to repent means only to like be forgiven for a sin. Thats the basic definition I suppose, but I know it is much more than that. Repentance is a fresh view of God, ourselves and the world. That view needs to constantly be freshened up. Like a window on a car. It gets dirty over time, and we need to keep it nice and shiny. Again, sorry I don't know who quoted this, but, "Remember that most repentance does not involve sensational or dramatic changes, but rather is a step-by-step, steady, consistent movement towards Godliness".  I know that perhaps the best repentance is demonstrated by righteous actions over a period of time. 

All in all, if you would like to come closer to Christ and experience change little by little, I will most likely always share some sort of "challenge" or "action" at the end of each post. Constant invitations, and you can always choose to take them or not. I love you all so much. So much, that I simply want all to freshen their view of God, of life, themselves and focus on the eternal scheme of things.  I testify that this is all a glorious journey we have been blessed with; to really become what God would wish we would. 

Repent oft,

- Elder Bennett

Loving whatever comes my way

 Elder Vaquera and I! Hilarious Spaniard!

I love the trains!

Quite the woodsman I am!

"Time is of The Essence"

Hello there!!

I am doing wonderful, and I just love being a missionary. I'm sure I have said that before, but this is the greatest thing in the world! Being in England is just so surreal, and probably one of my favorite places to be is.. the train station!! Yep, I love it there. The rolling green hills, which little sheep roaming is very picturesque. I think that is a word? Something I noticed that is quite funny is the names of all the various pubs. Here are a few of the names; "George and the Dragon", "Spinning Jenny", "Boar's Head". Yeah, you get the picture... drunks obviously name them. Hah, there are also some silly street names like.. "Hardybutt St." or "Lovers Lane". You'll never know what you find here in England. 

One thing that I shouldn't complain about, but it is a tad bit annoying is the tea/dinner appointments. Typically at home, the food is on the table and you take as much as you want. However, over here.... they dish it up for you? Some people think my stomach is the size of a sumo wrestler or something! Kid you not, I pray to have my gut expanded sometimes. I feel so bad.. because I am so grateful to be fed, but just please, let me choose the portion? I have only gone to one place that let me dish it up, and the drink, haha, they drink they had for us was like fizzy cough syrup. Oh goodness.. come what may and LOVE IT. Which I do. 

So lets see, we had a district meeting, and someone shared this.. and I loved, so here it is. "If I knew this would be the last time I would watch you sleep, I would hug you tighter. I would plead with the Lord to protect you. If I knew this would be the last time I saw you walk out the door, I would hug and kiss you and call you back to hug and kiss you one more time. If I knew this would be the last time I would hear your voice in prayer, I would record every gesture, every look, every smile, every one of your words, so that I could listen to it later, day after day. If I knew this would be the last time, I would spend an extra minute or two to tell you, "I love you," instead of assuming you already knew it. If I knew this would be our last time, our last moment, I would be by your side, spending the day with you instead of thinking, "Well, I'm sure other opportunities will come, so I can let this day go by." Of course there will be a day to revise things, and we would have a second chance to do things right. Oh, of course there will be another day for us to say, "I love you." and certainly there will be another chance to tell each other, "Can I help with anything?" but in my case, there isn't one! I don't have you here with me, and today is the last day we have - our farewell. Therefore I would like to say how much I love you, and I hope you never forget it. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old. Today might be your last chance to hold tight to the hand of the one you love and show all you feel. If you are waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today? Because if tomorrow never comes, you certainly will regret for the rest of your life not having spent some extra time for a smile, a conversation, a hug, a kiss, because you were too busy to give that person what ended up being their last wish. Then hug tight today the one you love, your friends, your family, and whisper in their ears how much you love them and want them close to you. Use your time to say, "I'm sorry.", "Please.", "Forgive me.", "Thank you.", or even "That was nothing.", "It's all right.", Because if tomorrow never comes you will not have to regret today. The past doesn't come back, and the future might not come!"

Okay, I am sorry I do not know the source. I know it can sound quite sappy or sad, but. With all my heart, whoever you are, no matter how well or not well I know you, if you read this, I love you. I wish there was words or actions enough to show, but there simply isn't! Time is of the essence, and you simply never know. Now is the time. Regrets are tough, so make every day a good one. I'll share something more usual next week, but please, tell someone that you love them. 

All of my love,

- Elder Bennett

 I love train stations!!

The rebel group??!

The source of the nice smell outside our home

Mmm.. Nice big sweet from the market

Not sure what face that is, but the much needed mini-scriptures!

Elder Konyana and myself (typical me)

"The Purest of Loves"

I'm wigan out!!! Hah.. more like, Wigan in! Let me explain, then you can laugh. I have been transferred out of Hyde into a place called Wigan! It is closer to Liverpool, so it is a wee bit colder. It is like an old industrial town? It is between Liverpool, Ashton, Manchester and Chorley. Look it up on google maps or something if you want. I LOVE IT HERE!! Our flat is more like a smaller house, and it is in the most brilliant location. Like three minutes from the bus station, five from the town square, (which is so incredible, I'll have to send a picture), and really close to a train station as well. Often times in the flat, we can hear the town square clock go off every half hour, and then the train in the distant. It is more than surreal. The ward is super great as well! I also have a new companion, Elder Konyana. He is one of the most loving, humblest, fun person ever. He is from South Africa and is probably like five foot, four inches? Oh what a little bundle of fun!

Erm, last week I wasn't able to write because I knew I was being transferred, and I had to say farewell to my most recent convert, Annabeth. So, we wrote for an hour, then met up with her and went to a farm she keeps her horse at. Of course she was just doing little chores, like refilling the trough, and cleaning out the stall a bit, but I loved it! Reminded me a lot of working on This Is The Place Heritage Park. Smelled like it too. Her horse is named Fizz, and she is a sassy horse. Gorgeous, and any other day I would ask to ride her, but not as a missionary! That was great fun. Leaving Hyde was sad, just because it became home, but I know it will always be dear to my heart, and I'll keep in touch with the people there. Thank goodness Wigan is great too! Yup, feel free to write me and ask questions or things you want to hear more about. I write on here for all of you to get the details!

Anyways, on to a topic I have been anxiously awaiting to talk about, and that my dear friends is charity. We have been studying this topic throughout the whole month of February, and boy have I learned loads! Like, I mean LOADS! I don't even know where to begin with this because there are so many different aspects of charity. I determined that I will just share some of my favorite quotes from the various talks that I have read concerning this most noblest form of love. My challenge or invitation, (there always has to be one) will be to pick your favorite quote, (perhaps write me and tell me), and then find various ways to apply it in your life! Sorry if I don't have a reference to them all.

"The measure of our love is the measure of the greatness of our souls" - Joseph B Wirthlin

"Charity is not an act but a condition or state of being. It is attained through a succession of acts that result in conversion. charity is something one becomes." - Dallin H. Oaks

"If attitudes, deeds, and spiritual inclinations were reflected physically, what would you look like?"

"One words frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love." -Sophacles

"Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons or daughters of God."

"A man filled with love is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race." - Joseph Smith

"Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity  is expecting the best of each other." - Marvin J. Ashton.

"Laughter is a condiment that makes just about anything go down better. And the ability to enjoy life with all its frustrations and diversity is like a good sorbet- it freshens the palate." - Elaine L. Jack

"Patience is heavenly." - Joseph Smith 

"Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best- better than God does, or at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His." - Neal A Maxwell

"Charity is our love for the Lord, shown through our acts of service, patience, compassion and understanding for one another." "Love each other BETTER, not more." - Bonnie D. Parkin

"It is part of the gift of charity to be able to recognize the Lord's hand and feel His love in all that surrounds us. At times it will not be easy to discover the Lord's love for us in all that we experience, because He is a perfect, anonymous giver. You will search all your life to uncover His hand and the gifts He has bestowed upon you because His intimate, modest, humble way of granting such wonderful gifts." - Gene R. Cook.

Yowza. That was a lot more quotes than I thought I had! I hope you enjoyed them, because I surely have! I wish you all the very best, and I love you all so much!

More than you will ever know that is,

- Elder Bennett

Pancake Day!! 

 There was a spider.. and I don't like them, so..

..I threw bread to try to hit it down.. didn't go so well! heehee!

Farewell to dear Annabeth!
 She was slightly embarrassed in her hat? Bless her.

This is the Lord family. Boy did I love going to the Lord's house! heheh..

Our Flat

 Elder Konyana and myself in our Sunday Best!

the kitchen is tiny!