19 February 2013

Dear family and friends,

 Another week. We did a lot of finding this week. We tracked a whole area of trailer homes. Two people set up appointments to learn more. There was also a lady who was leaving but came back and asked for our names and number so she could contact us if she wanted to learn more. We met a lot of other really great people that day.

 We went and saw a referral. At first he told us that his cousin had already told him about our church and that our time would be better spent finding those who don’t know about the word. We told him as missionaries that’s what we do, we come and teach people who want to learn more. He told us that we could set up a time to come back and talk with him. We are super excited to start to teach him.

 Sister Hancock invited us over for lunch and had one of her non-member friends there. Her friend grew up in the Native American culture. I’ve gone down to do service on the Native American reservation at Christmas time. We were able to talk about how you can apply Christ into anything. The spirit was really strong as we talked. We shared a message about Christ’s love for us. We gave everyone a copy of The Living Christ. We could tell she was reading over it. Hopefully she’ll read it and it will peak her interest.

 Sister Magallon never responded back to us this week. We couldn’t even get a hold of her until Saturday. Her daughter Isabella has been calling and asking Sister Hales for a ride to mutual and New Beginnings. We are going to stop by today to see if everything is okay.

 We met with a referral. Brother and Sister Fletcher. We had a nice discussion with them. We were surprised when they told us they didn’t want to learn more. They have our information if they ever want to learn more.

 We met with Brother Harris this week. The lesson went well. He understood everything. For the first time at the end of our lesson he prayed. He did it. He always says, “No,” but this time he said it. He’s moving along slowly but surely.

 So we have 2 Elders who transferred into our area. I was talking to one of them. Elder Zapata and he said he served in Fishers. I asked if he knew the Percivals and he does! When I told him that they are my aunt and uncle, he said, “Now that you mention it, you look like them.”  It was fun to talk to him about them. I sure do miss them. It drives me crazy knowing they are so close, but I can’t see them.

 So the other week we met a lady briefly in a park on the way to an appointment. We stopped and talked to her for a little bit. We gave her a card and went on our way. This week we were visiting some less-active members inbetween appointments and we knocked on this same ladies house, who we met in the park. Come to find out she is a less-active member in our ward, but she doesn’t know that she’s a member. She doesn’t remember our church or being baptized or anything.

Love, Sister Bennett

Letter for 2/11/13

Hello everyone!

 

What a week! We talked to so many people this week. From giving pamphlets to the 2 men who did our oil change to visiting with less-active members. We met a couple while we were walking, they were not interested in our message, but we left her a pamphlet and she told us, “I really need that, thanks.” We also met a man Robert in front of a grocery store. He really needed someone to talk to. His dad passed away 3 months ago and his daughter is in the hospital and recently became paralyzed because of some medical complications. We gave him our information and told us that if we could find him a ride, he would come to church with us one week. I’m glad God put these people into our path. It feels good to be the one who gets to share God’s love with everyone we meet.

 

One evening we had 15 minutes before we needed to be in. We thought to go see Brother Mann. We met him once but haven’t seen him since. The Elders in Columbus re-activated him and then he moved into North Vernon. He told us he hadn’t been to church because he couldn’t find a ride. We told him we would contact his home teacher and see if they could get him a ride, but if not we would find someone else. He asked us sincerely, “Do you think I’ll be able to go to church this week?” We told him yes. We set everything up and come Sunday he was so happy to be at church. It was amazing.

 

Sister Bonner was sick with the flu, again for 3 days. So we were not able to meet with the Sister Magallon and her children or Brother and Sister Malone.  Sister Magallon’s oldest daughter came to young womens this week and she loved it. Sister Magallon turned off her phone Saturday evening and never replied back to our messages throughout the week if she wanted us to set up a ride for them. They didn’t come to church, so we are going to have to move their baptismal date… I can’t wait to see them all in white. They will make it to baptism, I know they will.

 

We met with Brother Harris and Sister Huber and went over the tree of life. They loved it. I don’t think Brother Harris has ever participated this much. At the end we read Alma 5:62 and I asked them if when they came to know that what we are telling them is true, if they would be baptized. We discussed it and they both agreed. This was a huge step because whenever they mentioned baptism before they would start yelling or just leave.

 

The other week we were given a ride to Clear creek, by Sister Peters and her daughter.  We were able to talk with Sister Peter’s daughter a lot. She is less active and living with her boyfriend. I guess this last week she told her mom that if someone came by and told her where and when church was she would go. She wants to start to come back to church. We are so excited. She lives in Columbus so we passed the information onto the Elders. They are excited to go and meet with her and her boyfriend.

 

This week I was thinking about leadership and what makes a good leader. I was perplexed because I was reading my scriptures and it said something to the effect if someone wants to be chief over you, let them be your servant. So is it better to be a leader or a follower? I came to this conclusion. If one is a follower of Jesus Christ, they are a leader of men.  We can all be leaders through our example of following Jesus Christ.

Love, Sister Bennett