Tender Mercies

Kia ora whanau!

Another week down. A bunch more to go. (and thank goodness for that.)

To be honest, the week flew by and I don't have much to say in regards to "missionary work." We don't actually have any investigators right now and most of our branch was gone for Easter. 

I did have a couple pretty neat experiences though. One of them was playing touch. (Touch is rugby that's touch instead of tackle, btdubs.) I was pretty upset about some things that had been going on, and I started praying about them during the game, but then I stopped focusing on the game and I was just useless. So, I decided to pray and ask that I would just be able to do well in the game so that I could enjoy it, take my mind off of things, and just have a release. As I started to actually play again, I scored 4 tries! I started to play so well. Now, I don't say that to brag, even though I was literally the only white guy playing, I guess I'm just really grateful that even something as simple as playing well in a pick-up touch game was important enough to Heavenly Father to influence for me. 

As I was studying this morning, I was reading in 2nd Nephi and as Jacob quoted Isaiah, the words were clearly answers to my prayers. It was like someone came, sat me down and said, "Hey elder, this is for you. Read it, please." 

I love you all!

Love,

Elder Benjamin

March 21, 2016

Kia Ora Whanau!! 

Well, I'm emailing again. Already. What the heck. I guess yesterday was a holiday though so we couldn't email. Hence, the day late email. 

So, success just kinda comes flowing our way, here in Oamaru. It's the craziest thing! Like, we went to visit 2 former investigators and they both were at church on Sunday! We also went to see a less-active family and they came to church as well. Now, I realize that the Lord did all the hard work, I'm just grateful that I was able to take part in it. 

Also. I was having a little bit of a rough week and I wasn't really sure why, but I asked  a senior missionary for a blessing. We went over after church on Sunday and it was such a good thing. The spirit was so strong and I felt so clearly that Heavenly Father and the Savior were completely aware of me and my struggles. 

The church is true. I get fed all the time. The same member fed us breakfast and dinner yesterday.

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Benjamin

The Promised Land

The view from Jared's new 'flat'

Kia Ora Whanau!! 

So, I'm down in Oamaru. I'm already in love with it. I basically spent all day Wednesday flying and driving. Kinda lame but whatevs. 

My new companion is from Samoa and he's probably the most humble person I've ever met. One of the first things he did was give me a lava lava. 

Our branch is bigger than my last ward. In our branch council, the branch president got emotional when he started telling everyone how much he loves the missionaries. 

There was a temple fireside on Sunday and the spirit was so strong!! I cried. and the speakers did too. I loved hearing all the incredible sacrifices the members have made to visit the temple. 

On Sunday, I got fed 3 dinners. I'm honestly shocked that I ate it all. It was three dinners. Like three meals. And most of the members here are islanders so they know how to put on a feed. Holy crap. 

My flat has probably the most gorgeous view in the world so that's pretty neat. 

Anyways. Not much has happened in regards to missionary work in my area, but we are gonna find 100 new investigators next week. 

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Benjamin

Old district before he left

Transfers!!

Kia Ora Whanau!! 

I'm getting transferred!! I'm going to Oamaru (it is on the South Island) on Wednesday and Elder F will be my companion. And that's literally all I know at this point. 

So I'm kinda freaking out a little bit. Actually, not nearly as much as I thought I would. I guess I'm a little nervous for the change, but I'm excited for it and I just have an overwhelming sense of peace. It's such a blessing. 

This week was pretty neat. There's a new family that moved into our ward that have decided to come back to church! And, as we've changed our focus to visiting more members, we've felt the confirmation that it's what we're supposed to be doing. Plus, the members give us a lot more food so that's always cool. 

Well. I'm kindof at a loss for words right now. I'm leaving my home. But I guess I'm just going to a different part of my home. I'm just gonna extend my family, as Lexie said. 

I love you all!

Love,

Elder Benjamin

February 29, 2016

Well another week down, a bunch more to go. 

The zone leaders had a baptism this Saturday and I got to do the interview.  About 5 months ago, I went on an exchange and we went to visit this young man. We were talking about the articles of faith and he couldn't understand the idea of resurrection or Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ not needing to eat to stay alive because they were immortal. "You have to eat to stay alive." 

"Not when you're immortal." 

"But you have to eat though!" 

And then he would start talking about war or something and it was pretty rough. 

As I interviewed him for baptism, he was talking about how close he feels to Heavenly Father, how he loves to compliment and serve other people and how it makes him feel so good. In other words, I was able to witness the change of his heart because he was able to develop and apply faith in Christ. It was such a cool thing. 

There was a broadcast for Australia and NZ on Sunday and that was pretty neat. Tad R. Callister talked about how we need to be on spiritual offense to be countering the adversary. If we only play defense, the best we can hope to do is tie at 0. If we play offense, we can win. So I made a goal to more actively ponder the scriptures to have my thoughts more focused throughout the day. 

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Benjamin