Happy Leap Day!

This is Us in Dr. Prince's library

Me at the farm with Dakota. He is a large pony that we did the riding with.

Dear Family!

Well this week has been a really great week as far as everything goes!

Monday Elder Fitzgereald, Elder Rowley and I drove down to Dr. Prince's home to chat with him. He the man who lives in Potomac. We had a great discussion with him and we spent most of the morning there. We had dinner that night with the Lewis family at Cafe Rio because it is Military Monday. We ate with them and Bishop Lewis and his wife. That's the first time we have had dinner with the Bishop, just because their house is going under these big renovations. 

Tuesday we had our Zone Conference with President Cooke and Sister Cooke. They talked about patience and on furthering the understanding of the Book of Mormon as we teach. We also had a great discussion with President Cooke. We were talking about how we need to follow up on everything we do. Whether that be following up with members or investigators. President Cooke is a pretty Wacky guy, he was having us build a list of ways we can follow up, as we got to 9 we all ran out of ideas. He then says, "Oh I've got it! We can Follow up on following up." Everyone just burst into laughter! We finished the night at the farm helping with riding! It was raining and it was super muddy.

Wednesday night we had the huge rain and thunder storms with the tornado warnings. We were driving home because they told all of us that we had to get to our apartments because there was horrible lightning. It was pretty amazing to see the night sky light up. There was so much rain falling from the sky that all the drains were flooding and you couldn't see outside of the cars. We got home safely and spent the rest of it cleaning our apartment.

Friday we had a few appointments with investigators. It was very nice because we have not really had any lessons since the beginning of the transfer. Betsy referred her cousin to us and we taught her. She is Catholic and very stubborn. As we started the lesson you could tell she didn't really want anything to do with us, but the spirit started to touch her heart and she was very happy and smiling as we were towards the end of the lesson. Betsy shared a great testimony of the Book of Mormon and the gospel. We then had an appointment with a referral from the an old temple president. His name is Brother Colton and he referred his care taker. She just happened to live in our ward and her family was looking for a church where there is a good youth program. Needless to say she is on date for April 9th. Her name is Kareen. Friday night we had international night and the ward really came out and supported it. We had over 100 members in attendance at the party.

Sunday morning we went to ward council and decided we were going to go to  Choir practice because our morning was open so that's what we did! When we got back to church, we found out President and Sister Cooke were going to speak in our ward that day. We were super excited for that and we were looking for a place to park, but couldn't find one. We waited for one to open up and started to talk with the ward. Sacrament meeting started and they still hadn't shown up for church. We called and neither of them picked up their phones. After calling the assistants we didn't know what was happening at church. Needless to say they got double booked and were in another sacrament meeting across the mission. The bishop texted us and asked us to talk with about 5 minutes of notice. That was such a great experience for both Elder Woodis and I to give talks in sacrament meeting with no notice. Betsy did get her temple recommend as well this week so that was very exciting!

The weather has been really nice these last few days. Sunday was in the 60's! It felt so great outside! 

Love, Elder Bentley

Freezing Rain in DC

Elder Bentley, Betsy, Alex, Elder Woodis

Eating dinner at Lulu's house

 

 

Dear Everyone!

Well this has been another one of our fun filled weeks. We are still trying to work on our investigator pool, but other than that we are rocking it up! 

Monday we had a storm warning so we were stuck inside our apartments. We were allowed to leave by foot, but we couldn't drive and members couldn't drive us. We got bored and bused to Chick fil a for lunch and then bused home. We had an appointment with Betsy Monday night so we bused to the nearest station and walked to her house. The only problem was we had had freezing rain so everything was icy to walk on! We made it to her home, talked about family history, and bused home.

Tuesday we had our zone district meeting, but we weren't able to go to the farm. We did however spend the day contacting less active members and ran into a member who wants to get sealed so it looks like we will be working with them. They fed us because Elder Woodis said we hadn't eaten since lunch so she fed us. We also got yelled at by some in active members who don't want the missionaries to come over, but it was a great situation because they don't want their names removed, but don't want anyone stopping by. 

Thursday we were out checking on less actives again and stopped by Sister Moss' home. She is an older Philippino  lady  who thought we were her grandson so we knocked and she told us to come in. To her surprise it was the missionaries. She decided since we were already in she would talk with us. We had to leave for an appointment but she invited us back for lunch on Saturday next week. We are excited to go to that because we've heard she makes great food!

Saturday we had interviews with President Cooke. My interview with him was pretty great, he told me to take off my tie, he then retied it the way he likes it and told me I should keep it like that. He's a pretty funny guy. We got out of our interviews and Betsy called us saying her mother in law was in the hospital so we drove down there to give her a blessing. After the fact, we talked with her Sister in laws about missions and such. We had dinner that night at Ledo's pizza, I only bring that up because it was pretty good pizza.

Sunday night we had Why I Believe, Betsy drove us down there with Alex, so we could talk about missions with him. The speaker was Fiona Givens, she gave a great talk and mentioned some things we hadn't covered with Betsy, so on the car ride home we tried our best to explain those concepts to her. As we were leaving she said she was excited to go to the temple some day, so all that means is we need to get her husband to church!

I hope everything goes well for everyone this coming week!

Love, Elder Bentley

Happy President's Day

On a tour of the capital.

Dear everyone! 

Well this week we haven't really had too much happen. It's been a week full of trying to find new investigators and of  cold weather. We are going to try and work with the less active members and hopefully find new investigators through that kind of work.

Tuesday night we had the opportunity to go and help teach Activity days for the girls ages 8-11. This year the ward is really having a big push on the Book of Mormon so they are even asking that the primary kids buckle down and read the Book of Mormon. Because of that Sister Virginia Wills asked us to go and help her teach about the BOM and to help the girls under stand why it's important. We had a nice little discussions with them, and after that they seemed pretty excited to read the Book.

Thursday we spent a good chunk of time trying to find people to teach, but just like how it's been all week we haven't had any success. We did have the chance to go through our former list and we picked out some names that we felt like we should check on and such. Elder Woodis is really great at keeping my mind focused and on always keeping a great conversation going between us. Thursday night we got a call from President Cooke saying that he wanted to come out with us for the remainder of the night. We were in the same complex that Betsy lives in checking on a couple of Less actives. We knocked on one of their doors and had the opportunity to give her a blessing for her leg. Following that we had a lesson with Betsy and president Cooke again. It went well for our first time teaching that lesson together.

Friday night we had the opportunity to take out one of the kids who is preparing for a mission. He is super shy so bishop Lewis wants us to get him familiarized with the work. We were able to catch some of our potentials at home, but they just told us to leave because they weren't interested. It was a great experience for him and I believe that the bishop is wanting us to take him three nights a week. 

Saturday we went out to go tract and it was freezing outside. We were hoping that someone would take pity and let us in to listen to what we had to hear but they just didn't want to hear from us. We would spend a bit outside then go back to our car to warm up and then we would go right back out. Elder Woodis knows some Spanish and he is really great at contacting those people who don't speak English trying to get away from us. That night we had dinner with the Fuller family, they have been wanting us over for a while, but it never worked out until tonight.

Sunday was a great church filled day. The great thing that happened this Sunday was that Betsy got a calling in the relief society and her son Alex got ordained a priest. We are super excited for him because Betsy wants him to serve a mission but he doesn't really like the idea. Needless to say, we will be working with him on that decision.

A spiritual thought for the week. Ether 12:4 

4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

Everyday we are given a chance to help better this world. As members of the church it is our responsibility to help other not of this faith find hope. There are people out in this world who are pleading to find a better world, they could be our next door neighbors. I want to challenge you to reach out to those you know, let them know that there is hope for them to be at the right hand of God. I know that as we do that, we will be able to help other a come into Christ and help them gain that hope.

Much love,

Elder Bentley

6 Months Down!

Us with Sheryl

My A Card

Me and Elder Woodis

                         
Dear Family!
This last was transfers so that means I have received a new
companion! But you'll have to wait and see who that is because I don't
want to spoil any surprises. But it is my 6 month mark which is pretty
cool.

Monday for our zone activity we went ice skating which was tons of
fun! I wasn't really the best at it, but we had such a blast! Monday
night we went over to Betsy's so Elder Johnson could say goodbye to
the Perez Family. It was awesome because they prepared him a little
gift basket as a going away present. Her kids were super awesome and
her husband is starting to talk with us more so that is very nice. We
are thinking that he will be reactivated through his wife Betsy.

Tuesday we had our typical meetings. We did go to chick fil a again to
say goodbye to Sheryl, she gives us little cards for free food! She
invited us to join their A-list team which I think is a really cool
thing that she did for us. She also said that one day here in March she
wants to have us over to her home for some Philippino food. We then
spent the rest of the night over at the Lacsamanas and the Landriths.
They are members in the Gathiersburg ward who Elder Johnson wanted to
go see, I was okay with it because I love going over to their houses
anyway!

Wednesday morning we finished packing Elder Johnson's stuff up and
drove down to the visitor center so we could exchange companions and
such. My newest companion is now Elder Woodis. He is a pretty great
guy, he is really great at asking questions to get to know me, and he
is pretty funny. We got back, got him settled in, and were off to try
and contact some of our potential investigators so we will have
someone to be able to work with this next transfer! I feel a big
reason that why I'm still in the area is so that I can help work with
Giovanni to get the Perez family to the temple.

Thursday we spent the day finding people to teach, we didn't have any
luck that we have seen so far. It's been fun though because we are
able to hold a pretty good conversation. We had ward correlation
meeting that night and spent most of the time letting Brother Matsen
get to know Elder Woodis. Brother Matsen is such a great ward mission
leader. He has offered up his home to us to have a lesson with Betsy
there!

Friday we had a lesson with a potential investigator named Fergie, it
went pretty well for the first time of us teaching together. It was
awesome because after The lesson I was able to ask Elder Woodis what
he thought went well and what we could improve on. He has been out for
3 months so that's two of us under a year! We are working pretty well
together though. We had a lesson with Betsy this night and it was
mostly so she could get to know Elder Woodis. We talked with her
husband about regular things trying to just get him to open up a
little more. He is a very hilarious guy though!

Saturday morning we went out and contacted in some of the close by
Neighborhoods. We had a late lunch with Betsy and her family because
it's her oldest son's birthday! He turned 18 on the 4th. Most of her
family was there, we got to meet her father and his new wife. There
was 18 of us there because she also invited Elder Johnson and his new
companion up to lunch as well! We had lunch at Red Robin, and let's
just say they are not that well at accommodating larger groups like
Utah. It took them a good 45 minutes to set up our table. We had a
blast though and got to talk and get to know Betsy even more which we
loved! That night we went over to Lulu's because she invited us over
for cookies! She is very great at making sure we get fed!

Sunday was pretty great. We went to church a little early so I could
show Elder Woodis the chapel and such. Betsy went to a baby blessing
in another ward today so we were not expecting her to come. After
sacrament meeting though we went and talked with Brother Ballam (the
ward clerk) and he said she was sitting there with Alex and GG! We
talked with her and she went to both churches today! She is so
amazing! We spent that night contacting and at Sister Mabry's home!
She invited a couple of her non member friends over to dinner, they
aren't really interested, but we had a great time talking about the
church!

Love,
Elder Bentley

Ending January WIth A Bang!

Saying goodbye to Igor

Classy Baptism Photo

Bridger with Aiden and GG

The cute Perez Family

 

 

Dear Everyone!

Well this week has been such a bitter sweet week. Read the entire email and you will see why. 

Monday we were allowed to drive for 3 hours 3-6 to go get supplies for p-day and then after that we had to have our cars in for the rest of the night. We had set up an appointment with Betsy and a member So the member came and picked us up. Traffic was horrible and we missed he lesson with Betsy but rescheduled for Tuesday morning. We had a great time at the members home, the Wilsons fed us very well and we had a great time at their house.

Tuesday we invited the Zone Leaders to come to our appointment with Betsy to interview her for baptism. Needless to say she passed and was all ready for Saturday! We didn't have any of our meetings because the church parking lots were full of snow. We helped shovel people out of their parking lots though for service all day Tuesday. We had a district shoveling get together and it went pretty well.

Wednesday was our temple trip, and the spirit was super strong there! We had a great time with the mission and are super excited for the next transfer! We ate at Continental, it's a pizza and sub shop in Kensington. We went to Harold's, that's all we will say about that. We had dinner with Brother Matsen and his family! It was a great dinner appointment, showing his kids friend that we are normal people as well. That night was training call outs, and Elder Johnson was told he is training so that means one of us will leave....

Well Thursday we shoveled snow all day, so yay for snow and service! We finished the night off with the Chaneys.  

Friday Elder Johnson and I wanted to get something nice for Betsy's baptism for her. We drove down to this is the place and got her a quad scripture set with her name on it. It was a very nice set of scriptures, genuine leather and gold leaf. We wrote our testimonies in it and let the sisters who helped do so as well. We had a few other appointments with random members the rest of the day. We had dinner with the Ballams and headed down to Igor's basement apartment in Silver Spring. We had a handoff lesson with him and it was very hard to say goodbye to him. He is getting baptized March 6th for real this time.

Saturday was Betsy's baptism! We got there early to prepare the church/font for the service. Betsy's sister in law Brenda set up tons of decorations for afterwards. It was a very nice set up for a baptism. We took pictures and started the service when Bishop Lewis finally arrived. I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost, and a member complimented on it which was great! Betsy was baptized and the spirit was very strong! Her mother in law gave a great testimony on how they had been praying for G and Betsy to go to church and for her to be baptized. Now she was baptized and all that was left was to get G to go back to church. But Betsy is such a great lady! Her husband is less active and came which was great! We had a great time with her and her family, the ward was super supportive with it as well. We shoveled snow for the rest of the day afterwards and had dinner at Lulu's home. We got the transfer call outs and I am staying in Derwood, Elder Johnson is leaving and he isn't happy about that. 

Sunday was ward conference. Betsy was confirmed and the Spirit was so very strong there. We could defiantly tell that she loved the church and how much it feels like home. She even beat us to church and saved us a spot! Like talk about what a great new member. Brother Andersen confirmed her, he works for the temple and is second counselor in the bishopric. We had a long ward council meeting afterwards and talked about missionary work. We had dinner with the Clawson family, they invited other families over as well and it was a big dinner party kind of thing.

Overall it's been a big bitter sweet week because we had to say bye to Igor, Betsy was baptized, and Elder Johnson is leaving.

Spiritual thought for the week. President Arnold ( stake president) talked about how in  the next 7 years he wants the equivalent of 2 more wards in the stake. And as he talked about this it reminded me of the talk the President Nelson to the young Adults about becoming true Millennials. In the talk he mentioned we need to prepare to accomplish the impossible, we need to pray to do so. As we pray for strength and courage to act on the feelings the Holy Ghost gives us we will be able to do so. I know that as we pray to accomplish the impossible we will be able to do so. Example in my life, our investigator Betsy, Elder Johnson and I were praying to find someone while we were together. We taught Betsy on December 30th for the first time and she was baptized on January 30th. We can do hard things!

Much love,

Elder Bentley