Letter from Malinda 12/31/12

Hello family and friends,

These last few days have been wonderful. We are currently teaching this man, Brother Josh Harris. I guess before I came here he was feeling forced into doing things and he almost told the missionaries to come back. We've taught him twice since I've been here and I've already seen a big change. He has started to pray daily because he wants to. He is recognizing the blessings he has received because he is praying. He also is more involved in the lessons and is asking questions to show he is interested in what we are saying. He told us he wants to do what's right and he wants to do what God wants him to. Sister Bonner told me that before when they asked can we come teach you again he would say, "If you want to come you can." Last lesson when we asked he said, "Sure thing." He is excited to learn more and is doing the things we invite him to because he wants to do them. This work is amazing. When we called to make sure he was still planning on us coming to teach him he sounded so happy we were coming. He started learning from the missionaries because while he was in jail his girlfriend started meeting with the missionaries. While he was in jail they sent him a Book of Mormon and other church materials. I can see a huge difference in him. We meet at a members house to give him the lessons and she told us that he told her that he almost told us he didn't want to be taught by missionaries anymore because he felt pushed, but now he wants to do these things. 

There has also been a huge change in the ward towards the missionaries. I guess the Sister that was here before me was super blunt and not in a good way. Like the "I'm mighter than thou kind." I guess she's offended many of the ward members and Sister Bonner has told me the ward is totally different now that it's the 2 of us working here. We got over a dozen calls on Wednesday because of the blizzard because they were worried about us. They told us if we had to go out and got stuck to call them and they would come help us. She said the ward members never would have done that before. 

Super funny so our apartment has been freezing because we have those window AC units up. We covered them up but our heating bill has been high. Then we tried to open one of our blinds over the stairs so we could see the snow and it fell and broke. Then the next day Sister Bonner sat down and the seat of her chair fell apart. I looked over at her and said this is not your week. HAHA our ward mission leader came over and fixed everything now our apartment is warm. What an interesting week.

I love the people we are teaching we've tracked a lot and found 2 people that said we could come back and set up appointments to teach them more. I'm excited to find the people the Lord has been preparing. God's timing is amazing. We have ran into 2 people at the perfect time this week. One man and his wife have met with missionaries, but his wife won't joint he church because her mom, who has passed on, wouldn't want her to change churches. Sister Bonner was thinking of this couple and we ran into the husband and his wife is in the hospital and he thinks she will pass on. We gave him a card with our number if he needed anything to give us a call. Then yesterday we ran into a less active mom who's husband does not want anything to do with the church. We pulled up right as she did with her kids. We were able to speak with her outside so we didn't disturb her husband and she told us that she wants to start coming back to church with her kids. We were at the perfect places at the perfect time. 

Love, 

Sister Malinda Bennett

First week in the Mission Field

Hello everybody,

Here is what happened my last week in the MTC:

We had been teaching Trey a lot. It was our 6th and last time teaching him. I was ready to go in and give it my all. We didn't get very far in the lesson and Trey changed the subject and said, "I don't want to be baptized anymore." I was absolutely devastated. I felt like someone had punched me. I don't remember half of what I said after that. I do know that I was prompted to say things that I had learned that day in study. In the end Trey was still committed to being baptized, but we did move his date back. I couldn't stop thinking about this experience and the next day when I saw my teacher again I said, "I know we're not suppose to ask and I know we are suppose to figure it out ourselves, but did I say what Trey need to hear? I know the Lord was prompting me what to say, I just need to know if that's what Trey really needed to hear." Brother Doxey then simply said, "Well Sister Bennett, if you were following the promptings of the Holy Ghost what else matters?" I continued to think about this an realized he's right, and not only that, we need to always be teaching with the Holy Ghost. We cannot afford to have one lesson where the Holy Ghost is not present. I can tell the difference of when the Holy Ghost is teaching through me and when I'm just teaching. I need to do all that I can so I can be worthy to have His presence with me also. 

So I don't know when and I don't know how, but at some point I ate wheat at the MTC and I didn't feel right after that. One day after feeling particularly off, I asked Elder Sperry and Elder Edwards if they could give me a blessing. Elder Sperry had not had the chance to give a blessing yet, so I asked him if he would give me one. It was amazing. He practically quoted from my patriarchal blessing and shared my Heavenly Fathers love and how proud He is of me. I know blessings come from God because He loves us. 

There is an Elder from my district that has the legit Brady smile. No joke. He reminds me of Brady a lot too. I'll have to send you a picture. :D

I have had a fabulous first week in the mission field. I can't express how much I love my mission president and his wife. They  are both truly inspired. I know I am in the best mission in the world. I loved the time I had at the mission home so much, that when I left I was anxious. As soon as I arrived in North Vernon however this peace came upon me, and I knew this is where I need to be. It felt like home. We've had lessons drop on us left and right this week. The few lessons we have taught, I've seen how God has expanded my love. I've know most of our investigators and ward members for a very short time, and I love them all. I pray for them everyday. I understand what President Collins meant by telling us that you want sacrament meeting to wreak with the smell of cigarettes and alcohol. I want this too. During yesterday's blizzard we were able to plan and organize all of the present and past investigators. We went through all of the formers and we are going to reach out to all of the ones we felt prompted to keep out. We have many ideas to find new potential investigators. With the new year we plan to turn the North Vernon area around and put it back on track with new members that stay active and reactivating the less active members. Although we haven't had many lessons this week, we are excited for what the new year holds. I love my trainer, Sister Bonner, we are ready and willing to do all of the work the Lord places before us. We were in the same YSA ward in St. George at the same time, but we didn't know each other. She is so kind. I am excited for all of the work we are going to do together with the help of the Lord.

I've struggled with knowing how to make my investigators desire to know more and then to do the things that are asked them. I had this realization, "how can my investigators be inspired, if I am not inspired?" Don't get me wrong I am inspired to do this work, but I know I can improve. Yesterday we got a message from our zone leaders which was exactly what I needed to be inspired. They have an amazing vision for our zone. I need to study it out for myself, so I will report back next week with my findings.

This morning I had the realization that I have the next 17 months set apart for me to take up my cross and follow my Lord Jesus Christ and to become as much like Him as I possibly can. I cannot waste a moment of time. I've only been given 18 months while the Elders have 24 which means I don't have time to sit, I've got to go because there isn't much time left. If I give my all today and for the next week and then for the rest of my mission, then in a year my best will be expounded. I will still be giving my all, but it will be more than I can give today because I can give more with the more experiences I have. My goal is to give my 100% for the next 17 months and nothing less. I realize that some days I might be sick but while I'm sick I can still do all that I can. 

Our ward mission leader is Jacob Abram, he's the one that emailed you mom. He is amazing. He just got back from his own mission in Arizona and he is a convert to the church. He is so supportive to all the work we have to do and is always willing to go to the lessons he can. 

Fred Wilson is an elderly man who was baptized 4 years ago. He hasn't been to church in a few years because he has really bad knees and is afraid of falling. We told him we could help him with a ride and help getting to the car and he told us that physically he can't. He would fall if he tried to walk that far with his knees. Guess who showed up Sunday! Brother Wilson told us that he got up early and he couldn't get his garage to open, but he kept working at it and then drove himself to church. Miracles are happening everywhere.

Christmas was wonderful. I loved every minute of it. Sister Bonner and I cut a Christmas tree out of cardboard and decorated it. I had a few gifts from ward members I was able to open on Christmas. It was nice to focus on what I could give this year. The Roneys had us over for Christmas eve. We even read from the Bible about Christ's birth. The Roneys use to live in Alpine. On Christmas morning we went to the Lykins for breakfast. It was fun. The dad is a police officer and he had Brian's personality. It was fun to watch their kids open up their Christmas gifts. For dinner we went to Sister Danforth's. She is elderly and her husband passed away. She had all sorts of family and friends over and she had a gift for all of us. 

I am loving the work. I also adored talking to my family on Christmas. I even got to speak to Elder Brady Clegg who is serving in N. Carolina via my aunts cell phone. Haha. I love my family so much. 

Sorry this letter is so long. It has been 2 very full weeks though. I love you all. Please write me and send me pictures of you and your families :) My address is

Sister Malinda Bennett

120 W. Platter Drive

North Vernon, IN 47265

Love you all, 

Sister Malinda Bennett

P.S. Good way to support the missionaries in your family or ward is by doing an endowment session at the temple and think of them specifically during the prayer. That is a really good way to support us that is easy and free for everyone who is endowed. We need those prayers. Love you!

2nd Week - MTC

Hey eveyone! I can't believe another week has gone by. I love the MTC, and I LOVE my district more. So last Friday we had In-field orientation because they have Christmas stuff planned for this Friday. It was amazing. It helped me to see the bigger picture, and to really want to get into the field. We've been meeting with a zone resource to help us with teaching and studying skills. It has helped so much. I got a haircut this morning, so my hair is nice and healthy. So this week Brother Doxey had us work on acting on promptings from the Holy Ghost. I didn't feel like I was getting it at first. We had a visit with a less-active member. Her family is Jewish and they moved to Utah and while they were her she was baptized, but it strained her family relations so she stopped going to church. She did read the whole Book of Mormon and prayed to know like Moroni invited us to. She said she felt something but now looking back she's not sure if it was just her or the Spirit. I received a prompting to ask her what her belief in Jesus Christ was. So I asked, "Being Jewish but also being baptized into our church, what do you believe about Jesus Christ? She said honestly that has been the hardest part for me to know what to believe. I told her to correct me if I'm wrong, but that the Jewish community believes that Jesus was just a good moral teacher. She agreed and I told her something that my institute teacher told us that is quite profound. I told her that Jesus could not be a good moral teacher because I good moral teacher would never profess to be the Son of God. Jesus did profess that he was the Son of God, so if he was lying that would make him a fanatic or an insane person. I then went on to bear my testimony that Jesus is the Christ and that he atoned for all of our sins, bad feelings, sorrow, etc... I then had another prompting and I followed it. I asked, "Did you feel something while I said those words?" She said, "Yes" so I went on and asked, "Is it comparable to the feeling you had when you prayed about the Book of Mormon?" She agreed again, so I told her that the feeling she felt was the Holy Ghost and that Satan can replicate anything, except for peace. I told her that any time she felt peace that she could know it came from God. She was still worried about how her family would react to her starting to go back to church and we helped her with that. The next day we had an investigator and the lesson wasn't going anywhere again. It was the 3rd time we taught her and she just gets so distracted and sidetracked. I felt like we had offended her and the Holy Ghost told me, "all you can do is bear your testimony and go" (that's something my mom taught me too). So I did I bore my simple testimony and she said, "You know what? After we met last time I prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true. (I was shocked, we hadn't given her a Book of Mormon yet) She said I felt like I didn't get an answer until the next night right before I fell asleep. There was a voice, not like you talking to me, but inside me head and it told me, 'this is my peace, the Book is true." I had a good feeling after that. So I talked to my husband and we started reading together. Then we decided to read it with our whole family before breakfast. I taught my family the order of prayer you taught me and we've been praying together." I was freaking out I was so happy. I thought we hadn't gotten anywhere with this lady and she was reading a Book of Mormon some Elders left at her house years ago. The Church is true! I love you all!

Love, Sister Bennett

Malinda's First Full Week

Hey Everyone,
This last week has gone by so fast. I don't know why everyone said the first day of the MTC would be the longest day of my life? HAHA. I've been enjoying all of the learning I'm doing. I love my teachers, classes, and investigators. The MTC is wonderful. It was so great to have Marlo Anderson usher me through the line and to put on my name badge for me. I love her. It was amazing the first night we were doing investigator senenrios, I was able to testify about life beyond this Earth and that we had the sealing power so we can live together with our families forever. The spirit was so strong. I am learning so much! I have seen so many people that I know. Adrianne don't be jealous because I seen Sister Alexis Smith a lot, Elder Jesse Cosper, Brady's friend Darryl (I forgot his last name), Sister Emily Jacobsen, Sister Shayla Rowley, Sister Alyssa Nelsen, Elder Chris O'Dell, and a few from our stake. Oh my goodness! The First Presidency's Christmas Devotional was amazing! I loved all of their talks. Hey tell people to write me and Dear Elder is amazing. I love getting letters. So my teachers are Brother Doxey and Brother Rose. They are fabulous teachers. Our teachers act like an investigator and it's based on someone that they actually knew that is/was a non-member. Their names are Trey and Mike. It helps to make the experience more real. It's been tough getting through to them, but both have commited to baptism! :) We do a training here where people come in and act as investigators or they really are interested in the church. So we were teaching a less-active member Molly. It was so cool because you could feel the spirit so strong in that room. She even told us that she hadn't felt the spirit for years, but felt it so strong when we talked to her. I felt like I allowed the Holy Ghost to make a difference in her life. Our very first discussion ever was with Trey and we didn't stick to our lesson plan and it was all over the place. I was so discouraged and crying a lot and I wished I could see Sister Alexis Smith. I felt like I failed because if I didn't do this right Trey may never hear the gospel and the only thing he will remember about the church are those 2 crazy sister missionaries. Anyways we got to the lunch room and right away I heard a familiar voice say, "Sister Mal... Bennett!" I turned around and there was Jesse Cosper. I can't explain the joy that filled my soul. It was nice to be able to talk to him. I couldn't express what exactly I wanted to and he told me "Common, Malinda... Sister Bennett we've know each other since seminary." He gave me some good advise and then Sister Alexis Smith came in she also gave me good advise. She told me that at the beginning of the next lesson to say, "Although my companion and I aren't perfect the message we have for you is perfect." It's exactly what I needed to hear. Heavenly Father is always watching us. My district is amazing! There are 10 of us: me, Sister Fishback (my companion), Sister Guy, Elder Sperry, Elder Allan, Elder Gordon, Elder Wilson, Elder Edward, and Sister Spencer. The last four are going to Calgary Canada and the rest of us are going to Indiana Indianapolis. I have to tell you a miracle that happened to me this week. So my head has been on and off hurting while I've been here. Sunday morning I was worried about fasting because my head had been really bad the night before. Well I went to grab something off of my bed and BOOM, I smacked my head on the top bunk. My head started pounding. I went out in the hall after a little bit and knelt down in prayer. I asked my Heavenly Father that my head would stop hurting so I could have a productive day at the MTC. I told him I was worried about my headaches. As soon as I was done praying my head stopped hurting. Just like that. When we pray for specific things in faith, we receive specific answers. I love you all. PLEASE WRITE ME A LETTER! DEAR ELDER IS A GREAT SITE!

Love, Sister Malinda Bennett

First Letter

I had forgotten to go pick up the mail Friday and about 10:30 p.m. it dawned on me, so out I went and was so excited to find this letter from Malinda.

Dear family,
Out MTC President asked us to write you a letter to let you know we are okay and safe.  I will not be able to write you until next P-Day which is Thursday next week.  Here's what I have to say about the MTC...OH MY GOODNESS I LOVE THE MTC!:) It has been a blast.  We have 10 people in our district.  Another set of sisters and then the rest are Elders.  My companions name is Sister Fishback.  So yesterday in our welcoming meeting they had everyone stand up when they read their country or state and guess what!? There is an Elder here from Chuuk! (This is where DeeRay served his mission!) No joke. His name is Elder Oriko Ewat and he said to give you his uncles name Wayne Matisima. (DeeRay was companions with Wayne's brother, Sepioput!) Let me know, dad, if you recognize the name.  I thought that was so cool!
Last night in a scenario I was prompted to share an experience from BeeHive Homes and testify about the Plan of Salvation and through the Priesthood Power we can seal families together.  It was so cool.  The investigator stopped and said at the moment when I testified his whole back lit up. He told me he could tell I made a sacrifice to come on my mission and he said "When you give a sacrifice, it doesn't matter the outcome." It is truly amazing here! I fell asleep with a smile on my face and woke up early to finish writing in my journal.
We have the best MTC Presidency and wives ever!
I love you all! Write soon!
Love,
Sister Bennett