Ether 12:27

Kia ora whanau!! 

Elder M and I won the missionary game this week. Let me 'splain. No no no. too much. Let me sum up. 

President Hudson gave our mission a baptismal formula a few months ago. The first part of it is to talk to 150 new people every week that aren't members. I don't know how that sounds to everyone else but for me, things like street contacting and door knocking are the single hardest parts of the mission. They're also the parts which make me the most afraid. We were able to go on an exchange with the Zone Leaders at the beginning of the week and they're both really good at talking with people and so Elder M and I got a bit more practice with that and we caught fire. For the rest of the week, we talked with everyone in our path. It was still just as awkward as we thought it would be and we were rejected quite often but instead of feeling like we were told to go to outer darkness or stop harassing people (which both of them happened this week) we felt like we were fulfilling our purpose and pleasing our Heavenly Father and our Savior. 

I just feel like, because I overcame my single biggest fear of the mission this week, that there's nothing I can't do with enough faith in my Savior. 

I love you all! 

Love,

Elder Benjamin 

September 19, 2016

Kia ora whanau!! 

We had such a good zone conference this Friday! I loved it. President and Sister Hudson taught us about a few different things that probably wouldn't mean much to any of you outside of the mission. But it was good! I love them more and more every time I see them. I started off the zone conference by leading a discussion on our purpose and it was pretty nerve-wracking given that we have the biggest zone in the mission and President and Sister Hudson were there. It went well though! 

On Sunday, the day started off a little bit rough. As I prayed in the morning, I asked Heavenly Father to help me and comfort me. I kinda forgot about the prayer and just went through the rest of the day. At church, Sister K asked when transfers are and told me that I've been wonderful as I've been here. Elder Osburn looked at me after priesthood and said something like, "Never stop being who you are." Then as I was writing in my journal about this, I realized, "Oh hey! Heavenly Father answered my prayer!" 

Sorry there's not much else to report on. 

Arohanui,

Elder Benjamin 

One time, I made a joke to one of my members about making me a tie out of there 30-year-old curtains.... 

Sept. 12, 2016

Kia ora whanau!! 

What a week! President Hudson has given the mission a baptismal formula and that's been the focus of the mission for a month or so now. the first part is talking with 150 new people every week. It's been taking me and Elder M a little bit to work up to that but we've been getting closer and closer every week. This last week, we received 4 referrals and have about 7 or 8 potential investigators! It's pretty neat. We're really excited for the work that's gonna be done. 

When I was on an exchange with Elder R, we had an appointment with an investigator but she didn't show and she hasn't got back to the Osburns either so we're pretty sure we've lost her. It's always so sad to see people turn away. We don't really know what happened though. 

I was asked to teach in Zone Conference this coming Friday! Oh boy I'm nervous. It's on our purpose as missionaries. All the prayers and faith ya'll can send my way would be marvelous. 

We have an Elder travelling through our mission and teaching us how to do our weekly planning. He was with us yesterday and it's amazing how well he's learned to apply PMG. 

Love you all! 

Love,

Elder Benjamin 

The Frontier of Faith

Kia ora whanau!! 

What a week it has been. I tell you what. I'll share some highlights. 

As Elder M and I were former finding this week, we met a YSA from Dunedin who was up visiting her dad and she told us that he was Less-active and that we should come back that night. He wasn't on our records because he wasn't baptized here so we were both really stoked. As we walked back down the hill, I said to Elder M, "The God we worship really is a God of miracles." 

As we went back that night to meet him, instead of being invited in, he locked the door before he opened it and then he shut the curtain. So..... yeah. Overall, I still see it as a miracle. 

Bishop's daughter was baptized on Wednesday and that was so much fun. I love the spirit that is so present at baptisms. It's unlike anything else. Our investigator even came to the baptism!! 

Speaking of her, we had a transition lesson this week at the Osburns with me and Elder A. We taught the Word of Wisdom which she accepted without question, she was just a little nervous about the sacrifice. That being said, she's now officially the other Elders' investigator. It's a little bit of a bittersweet thing but I know it's for the best and I'm just glad I've been a part of her journey so far. 

I love you all! 

Arohanui,

Elder Benjamin