Wow! What a week!

Dear friends and family,

This has been a wonderful week. We saw many miniature miracles this week. Every week we play bingo at a nursing home for service. We also go visit a less-active woman there. She does not do or say much. One day we were visiting her before bingo. We invited her to go with us. She was reluctant, so we pushed her to come join us. She agreed. She couldn’t hear the numbers well so if I pointed, she’d put the chip. All of the aides there were amazed that she came, sat down, and played. I guess she sleeps all day and only leaves her room for meals, so this was a huge step.

We met with the Daniels again this week. In the first lesson we read from the Book of Mormon. Daniel the elder really enjoyed it. Daniel the younger was having a rough day. We also were able to meet with them again last night. We watched “The Restoration” with them. Daniel the younger’s mother, Linda, also joined in on the lesson. Both Linda and Daniel the elder loved the movie. They said that many of the questions Joseph had they have. Daniel the elder really connected. He was making all of these references to scriptures and bore his testimony that he knows Joseph Smith was called of God. We urged him to act on those feelings and pray. He loved that we don’t want him to take our word, but to learn for himself. They were both amazing lessons.

We talked with Roshanna about baptism again. She told us that Mariyannah and her nephew, Davion will be baptized on the same day. Davion has also been sitting in on the lessons. We are excited to help them progress. They have not come back to church, however. Roshanna lets other things take priority over going to church.

We had an amazing lesson with Ben. He is still looking forward to be baptized. He is concerned about receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. He does not know what to expect. We showed him a picture and he freaked out. He thought the boy had fire coming off of his head. He looked closer and realized that it was someone’s hand. We are trying to find a sacrament meeting he can go to where someone receives the Holy Ghost. Besides that Ben is doing so well! He is more engaged in lesson and he looks us in the eye. Where before he just would look at the ground and off into space. He is happier. He still has the same stresses of work and life, but he is handling them better with God by his side. He has come to church three times. He missed this week because he was called into work. He is amazing.

I love every second of being out here. We have a great work that we are doing. Yesterday I was able to share with Sister Caldwell what keeps me going. Why I am still here, plugging along. I am here on a mission because I have something is invaluable. I walk everyday by my brothers and sisters who are ignorant to this hidden treasure. This treasure is the knowledge of this gospel. I have been extremely blessed to be raised in the church. I refuse to walk by someone without talking to them. These people we walk by are the same brothers and sisters we fought with so we could be here on this earth. I can just imagine them, from before, telling me that when I got to this earth I needed to find them. I needed to bring them the gospel. Who may have pleaded with me, I do not know. God knows, and I put my trust in God. So I open my mouth to those who are in and along my path. It is awkward and unnatural to open up to a stranger on a spiritual level upon meeting them. I endure a moment of awkwardness because I know that I have something they need. Something they cannot get unless I open my mouth. I do not want to get to the other side and have to explain to my brothers and sisters why I would not open my mouth. I know that when I open my mouth, God will fill it. He wants their salvation more than I do, because he sees more than I see. I love this work. It is a privilege to be here doing this work for my brothers and sisters.

Love,

Sister Bennett