"Healing of the Heart"

Hi ya people,

I guess its about time that I say something about my life lately. I know that last time I wrote, I was beyond excited for my upcoming transfer in Chester. Boy was it everything I had hoped for and more! Its going to be so difficult expounding and explaining such feelings. Overall, it was just PRIME. Definitely one of the most favourite times
of my mission. I really enjoyed serving with Elder Nilsson, he is really great. We got along well, and made some nice memories. He used to do some amateur boxing back in Sweden, and so I got to learn a bit of the basics from him. Good stuff, innit? The other missionaries in the ward were phenomenal as well. All of them were just a perfect
mixture of fun, and diligent. We were unified with the work in the ward, and I love them all so much! They will surely be missed. Don't even get me started on the ward. They are amazing! It is a bigger ward, with a lot of families. They have amazing auxiliary leaders, who really care about those who aren't doing so well. Such examples! I
wish I had more time to serve them, and in turn, get to know them better. Someday I will return, but sadly it won't be the same because I won't be a missionary then.. Another reason I enjoyed Chester so much was that it was so picturesque. The buildings, the streets, just all of it together was just so pleasant and appealing. A good number
of times during street displays there, we would have families from America visiting and they would come speak with us. Always freaks me out hearing an American accent.. can't stand it! Not entirely in a repulsive way, but it just doesn't sound normal to me. Haha..

One of the P-days in Chester we spent as a district at a lovely park. We all brought food for a delicious picnic, and then enjoyed a little game of football. I enjoyed that very much! Great fun together! Did a bit more football at another time with some members of the ward. Some cancelled because it was raining quite a bit. I think that is half the fun! Did surprisingly well I think especially being half blind for it. My glasses got too wet, so it was equally blurry with them on or off. Still made some goofy mistakes because I'm not exactly good at football, but I managed to get two goals, two assists, and like, get in the way of people/defense? Oh yeah! Erm.. At the end of this past
transfer, a few of my past companions went home. That is always sad because you just don't know when you will be seeing them again! Particularly saddening was saying farewell to my trainer, Elder Nelson. He has always been a sound missionary, a great example of a dedicated Elder and a wonderful leader for our mission. I look up to
him a lot. Very glad he doesn't live too far from Sandy.

Let's see, erm, to my dread, I got transferred out of Chester after only five weeks and came to Crewe. It's sort of like between Chester, Manchester and Birmingham? There is a very high population of Polish, Hungarian, Slovakian, and some Romanian people. So sometimes we will attempt to contact someone and they say, "sorry, no English.." Dang. There's a lot of chavs out and about, and it's just generally a more run down area. There are nicer areas in the boundary, but it's at least a half hour walk. That's something we do a lot of. Buses are rubbish, we have no bike nor car. Walk, walk, walk. You'd think I'd be used to it? Nah.. This last Sunday I met some ward members, and they seem to be quite lovely! I look forward to visiting them in their homes and helping them with their missionary efforts and personal goals! Our flat is quite alright, nothing amazing though. The layout
is different, but fun too? Location is pretty decent..  My companion is Elder Kofoed from Bountiful. He's been out a year and is our district leader. He is quite great! I'm happy to serve with him. I'm also super happy about our district! I got my trainee, Elder Paulsen in the next ward over. To make it even better, he is actually training his trainee there, Elder Meline! Both are from Denmark! Love them to bits. I look forward to more quality time and memories with my "posterity".(Mom note-What he means by posterity is in missionary terms.  Elder Paulsen is his son and the Elder Meline is his Grandson, so he is a Grandpa.) We got p-days, district meetings, AND exchanges! Nice..

One powerful lesson I have learned very recently is our Saviour's ability to heal. Last week something happened that hasn't happened my entire mission and I can't recall the last time it happened in my whole life. It was my heart breaking. I loved literally everything about serving in Chester, and with only two transfers to go, the least
thing I was expecting was to pack up and leave it all behind. That's what happened and I was beyond devastated. How could this happen? Why? Am I being punished? What more could I have done? Confusion, frustration, anxiety, and many more undesired, negative feelings swelled inside me. I just didn't understand and so I doubted. With that doubt, my heart just kept on breaking. After many tears, anxieties, and pain, I sought help from my Mission President. He testified of God's work, God's will, and I was able to receive insight, understanding and a glimmer of hope. I was exhorted to turn to God, in faith, and receive further light from on high. That night, I knelt in humble prayer, pleading for help and answers. I felt a flame in my soul burn bright. It was of reassurance, trust, perfect love, and perhaps greatest of all, peace. Peace that only an all-wise, all-loving Father in Heaven could send to one of his children. I received further instruction of God's plan for me, and answers I hadn't expected nor thought of. God loved me enough to help me best, even if it hurt me. I'm thankful for the magnificent privilege it is to be able to pray. I testify and am beyond grateful for the Atonement of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Only He understood completely the magnitude of my sorrow, and only He could bring the needed aid. Christ truly is The Healer. Although I am still in the process of being healed, I'm no longer mourning of my time in Chester ending, but I'm just glad that it was able to happen. I'm happy to cherish those memories forever.

Probably will only write a couple more of these, and then.. I'll be back. (That doesn't mean you don't have to write me though!) I know in leaving my mission, sadness awaits but this time, I know how to be healed.

- Elder Bennett

Magnificent Chester Town Hall.
Street displays happened around this area a few times a week. So nice!

Chester Cathedral, great place both inside and out

A sculpture inside the cathedral. The detail is insane!

 Eastgate Clock Tower, famous for something.. :)

Marvelous.. I really love the black trimmings

This is Wales. Sort of.. kinda..?

"Wales, Wales.. Its About Time Really..!"

Hey ya everyone!

Been quite a while, hasn't it? Sorry about that! Hopefully I can do a bit better with that in the future. Anywho, there's quite a bit to say about my past transfer back in Whitefield but then again, not really! Haha.. I guess you can be the judge of that yourselves. So! Yeah, it has been a quite good transfer over all. Elder Rantanen has taught me a lot of things, and most of it has been quite logical so I'm quite pleased with that. He is quite clever and has shared some great church articles he got from the offices with me. Glad to have served with him! We got so many referrals from other missionaries, it was crazy! Ha, I don't think we really found any investigator in our teaching pool. Of course, we tried, but we'll take what we can get! :) Never have I ever gotten so many referrals in one transfer, nor had so many people attend church regularly. It was great! We really got working well with some of the members, and I really enjoyed that. We also did a fair amount of service for members and that is always great more on that later.. 

This past transfer I was able to have my final Skype call on Mother's Day. This was my last one before I return to the United States. Crazy, innit?? Oh it was lovely. Always is. Its so funny to see what has changed and what really hasn't. Ella Mae was just cute as always. :) I just love her so. I'm just glad that I don't have to wait until Christmas to see them all again! Haha.. Another exciting thing that happened this past transfer was that we had our Mission Historic Tour up in Preston! Now you may remember me doing that last year, so if you want more details on it, just have a gander through old posts. This time around, I would often talk to missionaries nearby about a certain site with dates or names before our mission president told the whole lot... this way it made them think I was pretty clever. :) I am absolute rubbish at history, so I just had to take advantage of my previous learning. :) It was also great fun to see so many missionaries who I have served around. Boy do I just love and miss them! It was also very spiritual at the end where we all felt the angels around us who had been baptised at that exact stream of water. 

Now for the grand finale of this post... I've been transferred... to.. CHESTER!! HUZZAH!! But really. You have no idea how happy this has made me! About four months ago, I found out that the place my ancestors come from is covered in the Chester area. So! Ever since then I have been hoping, praying and telling basically everyone that I just have to serve there! So! Here I am! And boy is is B-E-A-UTIFUL! It took absolutely ages to arrive, (four and one half hours by bus or there about; rubbish traffic pal..) I know that miracles are going to be coming. I know that we will be doing all in our power, and then see God's hand be revealed to bring about His work. Oh, I forgot to tell ya! Who is "we"? Elder Nilsson and myself! He is from Sweden! (Feel free to send us some Swedish fish, I'm sure he would love that, and if not.. I will! Ha!) He seems like such a great missionary. We are going to have such a blast building the Kingdom of God. But hey, our flat is in Wales so if you fancy receiving a letter from this incredible country, or you have never written me a letter, there is still time! Now is such a great time! Go for it! Tell me about a tough time you've had in the past two years or so, and how God helped you with it! The address is just at the bottom. :) 

To finish, and bring that climax down a bit.. I'm gonna go back to that whole service we did this past transfer that was previously mentioned. We loved it a lot because the results are so quick! You can cut a hedge and power wash a patio within a few hours, easy. But... what happens to it after some time? The hedge begins to grow, and the patio gets dirty again.. Basically, it doesn't last. That made me think about the greater work that we are doing, which is conversion! Yes, it takes time. But the things that are the most meaningful take the most time! I love to see the changes that people choose to make in their lives and the effects it has over a extended period of time. One simple way that I would LOVE to invite you to become more converted is choosing to observe the Sabbath better than you have in the past. The following article is a BRILLIANT example of what I hope yous all can do in your own individual lives. I will strive to do it too (within reason as a full-time missionary) and will continue to do so back home! I know that the blessings that come from this commandment are good and true. We each have great, personal blessings in store that our loving Heavenly Father greatly desires to bless us with upon the condition of obedience to this commandment. :)

https://www.lds.org/blog/my-heart-to-heart-with-god-about-the-sabbath?lang=eng

How will your heart to heart with God about the Sabbath go? Give it a go, and let me know.

And with that clever rhyme, I will end. I love you oh so very much my dearies,

- Elder Bennett

Elder K. Bennett

2 Southside, Argoed Road

Buckley

FLN

CH7 3BF

U.K.

Transfer Day-Headed for Wales

A little PD Selfie on the bus

Mission Tour of Historical Sites
Elder Bennett is in the big group on the back row, in the middle

Mission Tour 2016

 A few of my bestest missionary pals: Stemmi, Sorensen, Tait, Korthie and myself.

How did the car manage to move with so much luggage? Miracles. That is how.

 Elder Nilsson and myself outside our chapel here in Ewloe (you-low). Beautiful!!

Elder Rantanen and myself wishing mums a day as lovely as them.

 Finally the blossoms have come! Literally my favourite time of the year. :)

One of the most amazing of ice creams. Loveee.

"Good-Madness"

Heyyyy!!

This is going to be a post that definitely has not been thought out because there is a major lack of time. My fingers will just be running with my thoughts and I'm betting that half of what I type will be deleted. Doh.. Yeah, yeah things are doing great for me. Transfers have actually happened just barely, and I am staying in Whitefield but with a different companion from Finland! Two Viking countries down, two to go! His name is Elder Rantenen. He has served a lot of his mission in the office. Fun, innit?? I'm excited to get to know him better. Erm.... what else.... Oh! Yes!  A couple Mondays ago it was my birthday! Yeah, that was just lovely! Got an opportunity to go to the temple because it was a bank holiday! LOVE. Nothing can beat the temple as a missionary! Well, okay, maybe a baptism.. but its a close second! I really enjoyed that, and then afterwards, a bunch of us pitched in money and got Domino's pizza! My favourite. Yaayyy... Later that evening we went to our ward mission leader's home and we ate an incredible meal and they had gifts too. Oh! Bless them all. I love spending time with their family. They truly do have a special place in my heart.. I love them all dearly.

Lets see.. General Conference was last weekend! That came fast, didn't it? I know we all enjoyed it as always. The Spirit is so strong, and the heavens are truly opened. If someone asked what talks were my favourites, I would tell them.. Elder Hollstrom's, Elder Ballard's, and Elder Bednar's! Those are the ones that meant the most to me, and I felt the Spirit quite strong. I hope that we can all keep the Spirit that comes from it growing by studying those talks, and finding small ways to apply them into habits. This past Sunday was really good to us. A lovely member picked up our Congo friend, sat by her at sacrament meeting, joined her for gospel principles, the Relief Society gave her a quilt, and a different member drove her home! I was VERY impressed by so many people reaching out to her. It made me so, so happy even if it does seem like small things to them. Later that evening, we went with her and a different member to the missionary fireside in Manchester. Those are always so powerful. A potential problem was fixed because we have a missionary from Congo who translated the testimonies shared for her! Ha, how great is that! This is where madness strikes though.. One person who recently got baptised was sharing her testimony but she was from Liverpool! With a Scouse accent! The missionary from Congo couldn't understand so then what happened was.. I translated from Scouse to like.. easier English, then she translated from easy-English to French for our friend! It was a good kind of madness though! I do have faith that our dear Congo friend will be baptised in the coming months if not weeks.

I'd just like to end with a rather simple, but sound testimony and experience. Last night we watched the movie "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" with the family we are working with. In so many instances, at least eight times, I just started tearing up because I felt the Spirit so dang strong! What a man. What a man.. All the persecutions, all the pain and hard times. I was just so surprised at how much I cried when we watched that! I was glad that the family enjoyed the film and learned from it. One part that stood out to me is when Joseph Smith rebukes the murderers of men, women, and children. "Every soul is precious in the sight of  God". I add my witness to this doctrine. I know God knows His children, by name. He knows what they need most and at what moment they need it. He loves us beyond description. With that simple testimony, I bid you all adieu.

I love my life, and am grateful for everything there-in,

- Elder Bennett

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Whitefield Elders.

How official are we??

I do love me a nice stain-glassed window

Steak on a bus! What? STEAK ON A BUS! 

What a dining table. Danggg.. Need me one of them! ;)

"For They Shall Rise as was Christ"

 Hey ya! Hope yous are all doing okay!

Honestly, I'm doing pretty swell! I have stayed another transfer here in Whitefield and to my surprise, stayed with Elder a Miller for another transfer! This is my third companion I've stayed with for a second transfer. It's nice cause there is no adjusting to a new companion/area/ward to be had for me! Right now we are applying one of my favourite quotes, "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got." Basically we are varying our approaches by working with the less actives and our area book more frequently than typical. The recent converts in the ward are doing great, we still uplift them often and speak to the ward on how we need to blend them in better, little by little. The family we are working with are keeping their commitments quite well which makes us SO happy cause we love them heaps! They are truly one of a kind and I'm so blessed to be so close with them. Ahh! They really have changed so much in the past couple months. The weather.. was quite rainy two weeks ago but this past one was quite nice. Not much rain if any!

The one thing that has put me down the last month or so has been a cold which gradually got worse. Feeling under the weather is no fun at all, especially as a missionary. We're always tired, but being sick just leaves you at the level of exhaustion! Thankfully, it has come to an end and I've even managed to learn a good lesson from it too. When we come to recognise trials for what they are, we respond to them by asking God, "What am I to learn from this?" (The sooner, the better). I asked and pondered upon it and it came to me that I took my health and working body for granted.  Then I began to take that a step further by asking myself, "What else have I or do I still take for granted?" That was when a whole list of blessings came flooding into my mind! My dear family is perhaps one of my biggest blessings. We live in a world where some hardly care for each other or extended families don't keep in touch. Mine is truly knit together, and I love them SO much! What would I be like without them?? Similar thoughts accompanied when I thought of my friends or just one in particular. What if I never met that one person? How sad! What would the world be like without The Restoration, the Priesthood restored or The Book of Mormon?! Almost makes me shudder at the thought. What a drastic change that has wrought upon numerous people!

The final and most moving blessing that came to mind is this: What would the world be like without a Saviour? No Redeemer, no Perfect Example, no Atonement, and no resurrection. We would all be utterly alone in our trials, infirmities, and pains. There would be no forgiveness from sin, big or small. No returning to our Father in Heaven.  Our loved ones who have passed on wouldn't rise again and neither would we. Excuse me while I wipe away the tears of such a depressing thought and then wipe away more tears of joy when I declare that it is not so! I know The Restoration happened, The Standard of Truth has come forth, and there IS a Saviour, even Jesus Christ. The Miracle of the Atonement was victorious! Forgiveness is available, divine help called grace is receivable and we are never alone. Comfort does and will come to those who are in need. Jesus Christ is risen and so will everyone else. [Alma 40:23] "The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame." Oh the joy!

In my younger years, I used to think about my Grandma & Grandpa Bennett and say to myself "how can I miss someone I never knew or hardly knew?" As I've gotten older, I've heard great things about them, and been told such wonderful memories. Tears have been shed, as they do now, and I say to myself "Oh how I wish I could have known them even for a small while!" I know peace really does come and fill my soul, for I know I will be seeing them again. :) I cannot wait to be taught how to paint from my angel nan and learn how to golf from my incredible grandad.

With that said, there's no better way to end this except by saying..

Hallelujah,

- Elder Bennett

The Bury Library we go emailing at. It's also a museum and art
gallery.. of sorts.

Complete Madness

Look at all this snow

Elder Miller and Elder Bennett

I use these splendid photographs to show people
and then teach and testify of the doctrine of resurrection. :)
I love my grandparents! They are close by. 

All of us at the trampoline place last Monday! GREAT fun!

 All of us at the ward mission leader's home (The Clare's)
 for Elder Korth's birthday. 
That strawberry cheesecake was just TOO yummy! 
I'm sorry you couldn't eat some.

 Loads of old churches like this one are scattered about, 
but this is one I don't think is being used!

"Rough Beginnings, and Great Finishes"

Hiyya there everyone!

:) I'm doing just splendid to say the least. As always, I wish time would just slow down but.. that won't happen now will it? The weather has actually been great considering its February and last year's winter was lots worse. Haven't really had any snow touch me, just lots of rain.. It has been sunny the past few days, but still just as chilly. Ha, I always feel odd when it is warm enough to go outside without a scarf and sometimes gloves. There have been lots of lovely experiences since last time, so I might as well crack on and share those with yous!

Here you are, Benny's Top 5 of February:

1. A few weeks back, we were doing service at a small warehouse. Basically there was a flood, and people come here to find appliances, houseware, clothes, etc. for free. Well, it was time to finish handing out things, and we were asked to take a box of things to a nearby charity shop to see if they wanted them. Sure enough, they did. Well, they noticed we were from America and so they asked the general question "Why on Earth are you in England for?" Led to a really lovely conversation, and ended with them giving us a pair of racquets for free since we were such great boys. Funny bit is, the racquets must be from the 60's, proper wooden, and smaller faces. Oh well! A few weeks later on exchanges, we got proper racquets from the zone leaders' flat. :) Been enjoying playing a bit of tennis a few mornings last week. About time I get to play! No worries, I still got it.

2. One time we were doing a street display in Bury, and just no one was interested. It was saddening.. then I noticed a lady that had walked over to our display table, looking over pamphlets and what have you. So I walk over and noticed she has down syndrome.  Oh bless! So I kindly offer her a pamphlet to be sweet but she cheekily asks "Can I have one of them?" and points to a copy of The Book of Mormon. How can I say no to such a kind old lady? I answered back, "Sure, you can have one of them also." The story continues a few days later on a bus. I was feeling a bit downtrodden by the state of the world, overcome with its wickedness, feeling anxious and stuff. It happens every now and again.. So I pray for relief cause it always comes! Few moments later, who comes aboard the bus, but that same lady from the street display! I know God knows me, and He knew that would bring a smile to my face. Sadly she was all the way up in the front so I couldn't chat with her, but I was still touched nonetheless.  

3. Haha, this next memory I found quite humorous.. Here we were, my companion and myself, visiting a great Irish couple's home for tea! All of a sudden, there was a knock at the door. It is their neighbour who lives on his own, and they invite him to join us. In walks a hunched man relying on his cane for support due to a recent fall. Later on, we learned that not only does he have dementia, but he is ninety years old! What a fragile bloke. Halfway through our desserts, the lady of the home asks him, "Emile, how's the dessert?" He replied, "Its good. I'll marry you tomorrow." Hahah, you couldn't take anything he said seriously.. I can't wait to be old and do that whole serious tone, but completely joking remarks!

4. We went on exchanges with the zone leaders, and it has been ages since I've last done that! I went with Elder Montierth to a place called Oldham (pronounced Old-um). Our first appointment was with this Hungarian family. Must of been an off day or something cause they got distracted, and maybe weren't in such good moods. I decided to make the most of it by trying to teach their young 3 year old girl, Bianca, numbers in English! She was so cute.. Later, we went by a recent convert who has been struggling lately. He has a good heart, but life is just tough at the moment. We really didn't talk about anything deep, or teach anything extravagant, but there was three solid moments I almost began to cry because the Spirit was so strong! Choked up just a bit during the closing prayer. Why that was, I really cannot say, but it was nice. We ended the evening with a tea appointment with this older couple and their grandchildren. Boy do they have a posh home! The food was amazing! Ha, during tea the granddaughters, aged 7-11, just would keep telling story after story. I found it pleasant, humorous, and entertaining. Well, the Grandma just about had enough and kindly asked for a couple minutes of quiet. Ha, I probably would have too if I was with them that often.  

5. This last one makes me, and God smile. Last year from about the middle of April to middle of September, I was serving in Ashton-under-Lyne. Frequently, we would visit and teach this lovely lady named Alex. There were hurdles in her life to get past in order for her to be baptized. We did what we could, she was still great, but progression I must say was halted. I'm not too sure what changed, but I've come to learn that she has been baptized just last week! I'm very proud of the changes she made, and happy for her choice to be baptized. I know she will be such a wonderful member of the ward over there. :)

I really am having the time of my life in England. No, I won't lie.. at times I really do miss family, friends, and Utah. I guess I just know that that time will eventually come. I'll love it when it does, but I'm gonna love this while it lasts. Here is a quote from Elder Holland that may go along with the things I've shared: "Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." I know that this is true. I have recognized it in my life, and I know that you can come to recognize it in yours also. God knows, and loves His children.

Sincerely,

- Elder Bennett

"The youth of Whitefield sending off their teacher on the far left.
Have fun in Indonesia mate!"

"There's England's fashion motto for ya!"

"Bolton's town hall. What a beautiful day!"

"The Clare Clan. OH how we love them all so much!"

"One street of The Rock shopping centre. Ace place to go."

Outside of the flat, our door is to the left.

"We May Never Know"

Why hello!

Goodness me, its only been about a month and it is amazing to see how fast things can change! So I was white-washed out of Crosby, and got transferred into Whitefield. Whitefield is just to the north of Manchester. Its quite an interesting place to serve with different areas comprised of different religions. Like to the south closer to Manchester there is a highly populated Jewish community and to the west there is a Muslim community.  My newest companion is Elder Miller, and he is from Arizona. That would be only my third American companion. Crazy, innit? I like him, we have a good amount of fun. I think he is a great combination of both obedient and chill. He has been out in the mission field for six weeks longer than myself. The ward over here is quite small, and a good portion of them are goldie oldies. Thank goodness I've come to learn the dry sense of humor of those goldies.. There are also some great families that have already had us over for tea which is always very nice. The flat I have isn’t near as nice as my last one; loads smaller. However, it does have a sort of haven feeling to it..? Like we live in a tree house or something..? That is the best way I can describe it to ya. Sadly, we don't live close to a bus stop nor the church, so we travel quite a bit..

Definitely have had a handful of very interesting experiences so far in this new area! Oh yes, lets share some of them with yous. So we went up to a nearby town called Bolton to do a street display as a district! Its a very open town, perfect for displays or other street performers, (that is quite common). Ha.. as we draw nearer to the typical location, we hear like this rap music going on across the town square. Then I saw them. This wonderful group of black, non-denominational Christians rapping to songs but with lyrics changed to Christian living. We felt like we needed to take our approach up a notch after that.. ;) A few of them came over in-between songs to chat about our believes and theirs. Overall, it was nice to have some background music while doing something, since we all know it makes things better. Like, listening to some good tunes while cleaning? Nice! Or have you ever listened softly to church music while reading a talk..? I have. Its quite pleasant as well.

Oh and let us not forget about how I made two ladies cry! Look at me go! Yeah! Ha.. So a different day, we were just talking to people on the streets. Well, we stopped one lady maybe in her mid twenties and she was really nice. She said she believes in God, but after a death in the family it was a bit hard. I told her that as missionaries we teach people and encourage people to seek out their own experiences with God. She got super intrigued and asked if I ever had an experience before. Kind of laughing, I said "Well, yes, of course.

Many really!" She got quite interested, and just because she was much nicer than lots of other people I decided to tell her just that. Kaley got really touched by such a compliment and began to like wave her hand, "oh stop.." and crying a bit. Maybe she had a tough day..? I don't know, but I was glad I said that cause she was very chill with sharing her number with us afterward. Both of us are very excited to meet with her again cause she was such a nice and fun lady. The other lady I got to cry was perhaps one of the sweetest, purest, of old ladies I've met.She is originally from Africa somewhere, but has lived in England for quite some time. She sweetly made us a wonderful tea, and shared her conversion story with us. She was oh so polite, and

maybe a bit shy too. Bless.. I loved visiting with her. The best part came when we decided to share a Mormon Message with her called “You Never Know". If you don't know what it is.. find it and watch it. I love it cause it always invites the Spirit. After the video, we felt that calm, peaceful silence. Then we asked her what she thought, and she said in tears, "That's how I feel.. I am that lady.." I could tell she was trying not to cry in front of us. Such a tender moment.. I'd like to add my witness to President Gordon B. Hinckley when he said, "You never know the good you do." One quick example of this in my life was when I was serving in Liverpool. We were doing a street display and I talked with and got a number off a young university student. She never had time to meet up, or come to activities but I did try to keep in touch. She had mentioned she actually had a friend who was a returned missionary. Just the other week, I ran into that RM and he told me that when he got back from his mission, he felt inspired to pray for her. Recently they have had a good chat involving the gospel. I would have never known that if I hadn't bumped into him. I'm glad that God gave me that experience to show me that I won’t always know the results of the small goods I naturally do. At times, we don't always know the good we already do, but we also don't know the extent of the amount of good we can do in another's life neither. We, as children of our Heavenly Father, have so much potential to do so much good around our individual spheres of influence. Whether its a neighbour you begin visiting just once, every month, or keep in

contact better with your family telling them how you are doing. One may volunteer to babysit for a young couple so they can have a date night. You never know how those around you are doing, but I would bet

that if you assumed everyone was struggling to some degree, you would want to reach out even more. It is my hope that we accept the good things we are doing, and throw in a few more good deeds this next

month too. I love serving God and His children. I love this gospel and church very much. I am grateful for God's perfect plan of happiness, for His guidance, and the tender mercies He sends. 

Love you all, wherever you may be.

Be good. Be chill. Be happy!

- Elder Bennett

P.S. I've recently weighed myself and I reached 14 stone 4 lbs! I've

gained weight! Yes, I am well chuffed about that cause that's hard for

me to do.

P.S.S. 1 stone is 10 lbs. :)

Elder from the Whitefield area

Typical rainy England.. glass is half full, cause it isn't snow! Heeheeha!

One morning I just had a terrible headache.. Pain never looked so good? XD

A Scottish fiver just popped out of a cash machine one day. Neat!

Blurry, green photo with Captain Korrrtthh! :) Love that kid.

Classic game of English pool.. It wasn't a dodgy place cause it was during the day! :)

"My Christmas with The Cain's!"

Wo.

I cannot believe it.. You are telling me my full year as a missionary is over? Gone? Done for? 

Kah-put? Yikes.. Fastest year ever! Boy was it spectacular and marvellous. I never could have imagined it to have been what it has been. How blessed I am. So yeah, things are doing great like most missionaries would say they are. Ha, I don't even remember if I wrote on here that I've moved from Liverpool to Crosby, but.. there it is in case! Literally one area north of my last. If you remember, I did love Liverpool and was gutted to leave but things have still been good regardless. Adjustment came quick, and although the ward here is a lot smaller than my last, they are still just as lovely. We got spoiled for Christmas for sure! Another way I got proper spoiled was with this posh flat we are in. Two bathrooms, lots of space, right by the chapel and train station. Oh, and the heating comes from the floor, it is amazing! Ha, all the little things add up. Another thing that I guess is new to some is my companion. Elder Cain is originally from Milton Keynes which is in the south of England. Yes, he does have a more posh accent. His family moved to New Zealand and he spent a year there before his mission. He is good fun and we are actually from the same group so that makes things even better!

Now on to the main questions.. "How was Christmas?" and "Did you have a good New Year's?" Well, I would again say it was more lovely as a collection of small things over the season than two specific days. Here is the run down for ya! The Wednesday before Christmas, half our mission met together for our party. There was delicious food there, and brilliant desserts. We had a small talent show, white elephant exchange, and picture takings. Of course, some good remarks from others in our mission about the holiday season. On Christmas I opened up some truly brilliant gifts from my genius mother and other great ones from Santa. Then we got picked up by our ward mission leader and went to his house for breakfast! That was absolutely INCREDIBLE. I lovveeee breakfast. Eggs, sausage, bacon, why yes. It gets better! His wife made proper pancakes, and cooked American bacon! Ours is more crispy and small, English is more.. chewy like ham almost? Had a fun time playing with their adorable dog after eating. Then.. down to the chapel for the traditional Christmas service. Mostly just scripture readings and hymn singing. I think that is an English thing that all the various churches do here. Afterwards, we got a lift to a lovely family's home, The Cains! No relation to my companion, as great as they would be. There was a massive feast similar to the one our mission party had. Turkey, mash, mixed veg, roasties, and pigs in a blanket (sausage wrapped in bacon)! All that topped over with gravy. You best believe I ate as much as my appetite would allow! We hung

around a bit after since we were all so full. Finally the time came where I could Skype home! Took some time setting up, and the connection was a bit wonky until I changed rooms. It was quite clear after that. I think the best things about Skyping home is hearing my family's voices, laughs, and seeing their smiles. I really loved watching them open my packages to them and have them try the English sweets. Just like last time, it was a great highlight seeing my sweet niece! She's so cute! Sad to say bye, but Mother's Day isn't too far, and that'll be the last call home! Crazy!

The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day. Very similar to Black Friday, everyone gets up early and goes shopping since there are many deals going on. We went to a couple member's homes that day and had some lovely food there. Both, again, similar to the Christmas meal at the Cain's. Erm.. We went over to a less active's home for New Year’s Eve. It was good to enjoy their company. When we came back to the flat I spent the evening pondering back on the year. Reminisced on the highlights of my year, thinking of a variety of favourite things. It was nice and refreshing! It was something I haven't done that much, and that I now want to do more. I think of Joseph Smith's example of pondering and how essential that part must have been in the Restoration. I've spoken with some people who are Buddhist because they enjoy meditation so much. For me, it seems like a healthy habit to develop and I know that doing so will bring a clear channel to revelation and motivation to act. Who wouldn't want that? We all think of resolutions at this time of year. Some, like me in the past, think it's too cliche and don't even attempt. Some may simply be afraid to fail. Well, you don't need to be perfect, just keep trying! For those who haven't made any or struggle to think of some I would encourage you seek revelation through pondering. The following questions may help! What are your highlights of the past year? What are someways you have changed? In what ways do you hope to change more? Where do you hope to be at the end of the year and what are you willing to sacrifice to be there? What potential does God see in me? Ask God in prayer which habits need establishing so over time you may come closer to Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. I love and miss you all! Let me know through email of anything else you'd like to hear more about.

Happy Pondering,

-Elder Bennett

Ready for Christmas with my hat, jumper, trackies, and socks! :)

 Classic elf hats, how fun..

Photograph with most of my group and Santa! Yay!

 Christmas Dinner with the Cain Family!!

Wonderful breakfast at Ward Mission Leader Slaughter's home! Yumm..

Boxing Day with the Standley's! Oh yeah!

The Slaughter's adorable little doggie name Poppy.
Ha, we had a lot of fun playing with her.
 No worries, she didn't get trapped.. she just yaps a lot.

Look at all those Christmas cards. Boy do I feel loved!