Alo-ha!

The time has come my family and friends to talk of many things,

Of armour, and faith, and scriptures, of the gospel and kings,

And while the world is going crazy and.........feathered pigs have wings?

I don't really know that poem as you may have already guessed. I tried to change it but................

 

HELLO!!

I realized that by the time this transfer is over I will have spent 1/3 of my mission in Stroud. That's a long time. I love Stroud. We have been doing a lot more finding lately because we desire to teach more people. It's sad to see so many people reject the gospel before they even know what it is about, but at the same time it is a miracle to me how many people are touched by the Spirit right from the very beginning! We have been guided to some amazing people lately. Where their journey in the gospel will take them I don't know...but I feel so lucky to be a part of it. Really, being a missionary is great. I know I say that all the time but I really do mean it. I can't really put in to words how I am thinking it, so that will have to do.

Richard never ceases to amaze me. We have recently taught him about tithing, and the law of chastity both subjects that we were nervous to teach him about.....BUT he is so faithful. he is willing to do anything so long as God commands it. he accepts the gospel so readily because he knows that its true. He feels the Spirit so easily and that has really been helping him to stop smoking. He did not have a cigarette for 5 days! He relapsed a little and had half of one but he felt so horrible afterwards that he recommitted to give it up completely. You can tell that he loves the Lord and I have definitly learned a lot from him. I will be sad if I have to leave him next transfer. But that's a long way away!! So moving on....not literally...but next subject.

We recently started to teach a woman from Zambia studying at the Royal Agriculture College. She is exctied to learn and is anxious to find out if the Book of Mormon is true (IT IS!!!). I am very excited to teach her.

Another small miracle is that my new companion is not scary!! A lot of other missionaries, upon finding out who my next companion would be, told me that she was going to beat me up! hahaha I was nervous enough about the change and they made me even more scared of her than I needed to be. I absolutley love her! The Lord knows who our companions should  be and there is definitly something to learn from each of them. Probably the scariest thing going on right now is that I am kind of in charge. She is the senior companion but because she doesn't know the area I am semi in charge. It has definitly been a humbling experience and has made me appreciate Sister Hedemark even more. There is a lot that needs to be done and when there is just one of you that knows what that is, it causes prayers to intensify.

I have learned the art of parallel parking finally. I never had to parallel park until I came here. I tell you what its a good place to learn too because the roads are so narrow it definitly takes some skill. I'm probably not an artist like DaVinci....but maybe Picasso. I'll have it mastered by the time I get home anyway. I also need to take a driving test here soon. So I can get my big kid license.

I really like President Monson's ABC's for an abundant life. That man truly is inpsired. Maintaining a postive attitude is so important. Sometimes it is the most difficult but it really will change the course of our whole day. Just like Pes. Monson said, " We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails." Focus on what you can control. I can't control how many doors get slammed in my face (If I could than it would never happen), I can't control how often it rains (If I could than it would be sunny more often), and I can't even control how people accept the gospel ( agency is very frustrating sometimes) BUT if I stay positive, believe, and take courage in standing up for what is right than I can control whether or not I make it to the promised land. I love ABC's. So simple and basic but very profound at the same time.

I love you all and I hope you enjoy your lives. Having faith in Christ is the best way to live!

Love, hugs, and fist bumps

Sister Benson