May 29, 2016

Kia Ora Whanau!!

Elder Filipo was pretty sick this week so we spent most of it in the flat. To give you an idea, I read Alma, Helaman, to chapter 20 of 3rd Nephi, and watched Meet the Mormons, Treasure in Heaven, The Testaments, 17 Miracles, and Ephraim's Rescue. 

We had a pretty good Sunday though! We were able to teach the Restoration to one of our member's dad during the second hour and he just soaked it all up! Really well prepared. He's going back to Australia this week though so that's a bummer. I'm sure the missionaries there will baptize him though. 

Not much else to report on. I'll have more to say next week! Elder Filipo and I are staying in Oamaru together next transfer! Same address. 

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Benjamin

May 23, 2016

Kia Ora Whanau!! 

As I was thinking about what to write this morning, it took me about 30 minutes to remember anything that happened before yesterday. 

I guess I'm still having a hard time remembering though.. 

We were asked to speak in the 5th Sunday sacrament meeting. I've been praying and pondering about my talk and during sacrament meeting and sunday school, the Spirit helped me remember verses and scripture stories to use, and principles to teach. It wasn't a voice or an angel, just clear thoughts that came to me. 

I've made it a goal to develop charity. As I've been praying for it, I've seen it coming into myself. I've also seen it in others and the spirit will let me know, "That's charity." It's a really neat thing to be able to learn from others' examples. 

I love you all! 

Love,

Elder Benjamin

May 16, 2016

Kia Ora Whanau!! 

What a great week. I love being a missionary. 

In ward council on Sunday, our bishop told us about some pretty amazing plans for Oamaru! If both wards get enough people attending sacrament meeting, we can apply for a new chapel!! To give you some perspective, it took Dunedin district 124 years to become a stake. Now, about a month after we became a stake, our Bishop told us he wants and thinks we can have the attendance for a new chapel by December! I honestly would love to stay in Oamaru for the rest of my mission. 

I was struggling to stay focused as I prayed so I asked Elder Osburn for advice. He said that he imagines Heavenly Father in his "celestial living room" and then it's just like talking to dad. As I took the time to do that before I prayed, I had the words, "How was your day, son?" come to mind and it was one of the most meaningful prayers I've had in a long time. 

We had another great lesson with R this week! She said that she's praying about what we've been teaching and that she feels peace as she prays. I'm so excited for her. 

I love you all! 

Love,

Elder Benjamin

May 9, 2016

Kia Ora whanau!

The church is true, I tell you what. We were able to find 4 new  investigators this week! Three of them are from a part-member family,  and the 4th, was a lady that the  Osburns found for us to teach! As we taught them all the Restoration,  the spirit was there, so peacefully. We've got a long way to go but  I'm feeling really good about where we're at right now.

Something cool that I realized this week or last: President Uchtdorf  spoke about the Savior being our shepherd and how he'll rescue us as his sheep. We're worthy of rescue because we're loved of the shepherd. On the  Restoration pamphlet that we use, the picture is of the Savior holding  a lamb. It clicked that the way, or one of the ways that the Savior  has rescued us all is through restoring the gospel through the prophet

Joseph Smith.

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Benjamin