District Drama

 

 

This is while we were at the Harmons Wednesday night. The people
you'll see are Estelle in the back ground, Tyler arm wrestling, Sister
Harmon, and Cornbread. 

 

 

Typical roadway in my area

Me and Elder Mellen

Going to Chick-fil-a after basketball

Rainbow lightning!

 

Dear Family!

We have had tons of miracles this last week! Even though we were given a car, Elder Mellen and I decided that we shouldn't be using it to get everywhere. We will drive to the church and walk everywhere from there. My testimony has grown tons more because we have been walking around.

Wednesday we decided that we were going to walk up into Cherry Hill. We didn't have too much time because we had an appointment, but we felt like we should walk up towards the City. When we had gotten into a neighborhood trying to check on some potential investigators who have been lingering in our area book. As we were walking to one of them these guys sitting up on a porch hollered to us asking if we were lost. Well besides the fact it was two white guys walking through Cherry Hill I can see where he was coming from. We walked over and talked with them about what we were out doing. Not only was he interested, the other three guys on the porch with him were interested as well.

 We have been working with the Harmon family trying to help the kids. Sister Harmon isn't really that active and is going through some new struggles it sounds like. They love having the missionaries over and it's always a blast when we so get to visit them.
 

We had interviews with President Johnson and Sister Johnson on Friday. The interviews took a lot longer than anyone anticipated because of the drama happening in this zone. There are some missionaries in the district and zone that are struggling with things and it took them some time to get to us. They both are very grateful for my willingness to change companions at short notice that Sister Johnson said if I needed anything I could have it because I was helping them out so much. And the rest of the interview with her was about piano stuff.

The members of this branch during sacrament meeting sing to an electronic piano that has all they hymns downloaded into it so there is no liveliness in the music. During third hour it was combined and I went up and played prelude music and the hymns and everyone rejoiced which I thought was pretty cool to see. I have a feeling I'll be playing a lot more in the near future.

This week has been hard because some of the members in my district are struggling. The Spanish companionship are having a hard time with one another and I spent a good portion of Sunday night counseling with them on how to fix their problem. It was a real growing experience for me because it showed me how much I can truly help those members in the district. 

Much love,

Elder Bentley

One Year Mark!

We went to noodles and company and had a good meal, then

went and burned the one year shirt!

2

Elder Mellen and I at the old apartment by the fence we were told not to cross

A cute little kitten at a members home.

Dear Family!

Well it's was another week filled with surprises one could say! Well after our preparation day, we went over to Sister Harmon's for dinner. She wants to change, but she doesn't have any desire to do so- so it has been hard to work with her on that. We try to go to help out the kids and that situation. Anyway, it was a good meal and we talked to them more about the Book of Mormon and how it can bless our lives.

Tuesday we had a day filled with finding. That typically entails us walking around the Brooklyn Park area talking to whoever we can and trying to share the gospel. We did go visit a less active family and she wants me to go back to help her set up her DVD player and her new tablet. That night we went the the Hobbes who are a couple that are investigating in a way. Sister Hobbes loves to talk to us and throughout our discussion we talked about church principles and how they applie to every situation. It was much like talking to someone who was family, so it was great.

Thursday was the big surprising day. After we had had our studies and our weekly planning, Elder Flandro and I went out to try to street contact. When we got to the church to get our bottles refilled after some contacting, we headed to a member Brother Stausik who does our laundry for us! He is a great guy and he loves to talk, he can talk about just about anything! We got a call from the Assistants but were with him so they said to call back after we got out. When we did get out we gave them a call and they said that Elder Flandro was getting a Emergency Transferre to the White Plains Ward. The Elders down there broke some rules and so President Johnson had to do an ET. Elder Flandro wasn't happy at all about the situation, but went home and packed. I said goodbye to him and got my new companion Elder Mellen.

After some talking to Elder Mellen I got a grasp on why they got transferred and let's just say President Johnson chose me to keep a good eye on him! We have been getting along very well so it really hasn't been to bad at all. Over the last few days we have had some appointments that have gone well, but mostly just walking around talking to one another and to everyone we see.

We visited Sister Missouri because she said she had some things she wanted to talk about because her cousin who is living with her has been giving her tons of grief. We visited with her, taught her and a few others some lessons and it was great to see how she is trying to rely on the Lord to help her out with her situation.

Sunday was a pretty great day, it was Elder Mellen's first Sunday in the small Branch. It's hard to see not too many people there, but that's up to us to fill the seats. The building doesn't have pews, it's just a bunch of folding chairs so we can add more if needed! After church, Elder Mellen and I walked around Cherry Hill. It's a very bad area so we figured Sunday would be the best day to be there so we would be safe. Across the bay we could see Baltimore and we had a feeling we needed to cross the bridge, there is a small portion of area in South Baltimore that's all industrial that is technically in our branch. We had the prompting to walk to it so we did! We talked to a few people on our way, but we got to the big Under Armour building where they film all their commercials and design the new clothing line. I took my iPad out to take a photo and thought nothing of it. A security guard came around and got out of his car. For a minute we thought we couldn't take photos but it ended up he was a member of a different ward! That's why we needed to go there because he was working on a Sunday and needed the spirit! It was a win win situation!

Anyway I hope all of us can follow the spirit to help us in our everyday lives wether it be school, church, work, or athletics. If we follow the spirit we will be blessed!

Much love,

Elder Bentley!

I Can't Believe it's August!

Palomo Family

Perez Family

Brother Matsen

 

Dear Family!

Well this week has been quite an emotional week. As some of you may have already known, I got transferred out of Derwood and ended my 9 month reign in that ward. Since I was there for so long I have gotten close to tons of people and it was like leaving home again for the first time.

The three families I had to go see were the Matsens, Palomos, and the Perez families. Brother and Sister Matsen became my mother and my father in the Derwood ward, if there was anything we needed we knew we could go to them and they would help us. It started when Brother Matsen was our ward mission leader, and kept on after he got released to be put on the bishopric. The Palomo Family reminded me of my siblings, Alfonso was like an older Brother and Carmen like a sister-in-law. Every time we got to go over there it was like being with my siblings. And last but not least, the Perez family. Over the last months of my knowing them, I have come to love each member of that family. When I was able to spend time with them I was at home. Their kids were so cute and the adults were great to be around. I am so so sad to be leaving them.

Wednesday I packed my bags and went to the DC stake center for transfers. Elder Bailey received Elder Edwards and I got transferred to Brooklyn Park with Elder Flandro. So basically to wrap up my area in a strap would to say that it is southern Baltimore, the projects where a lot of no good happens. It was a total change of spectrum coming up here. There is this fence by our apartment that I've been told by the member across our street not to cross because it'll result in something dangerous. The apartment was trashed, it is an old Maryland Baltimore Mission (MBM). All of their apartments are two man, the bathtub is past repair and the AC is broken so the apartment stayed at about 85 degrees all the time. And it's not even in the Washington DC North mission.

But good news, after talking with President Johnson and the other office people we got moved to a very nice senior couple apartment that was vacant. They are also giving us a car because I convinced them it would be an asset to the area. Even though the area is dangerous, we take extra precautions, the members drive us after dark so we can stay safe. The Branch here is struggling, so that's why I think I got sent here. There are tons of crazy people here so it has been a great few days. I thought it was going to be a long transfer, but since we got moved to the new flat I don't mind staying here.

Other than the transfer, the only other thing that has happened is that President Johnson stepped his foot down at leadership meeting and this mission is now 100% white handbook mission and PMG. If it's not in that we can't do it. President Cooke was very light on the rules and changed a lot of them. I feel like it'll take some time to make this change so it doesn't feel bad. But luckily for me Elder Flandro is an old MBM missionary that moved missions with the Annapolis stake so he is already like what the change will be. He is helping me become better and we are working hard up here.

It's been sad to see the poverty here, we were teaching a lesson to a less active family that let a lot of stray children stay at during the day. There was this 9 year old who listened so intently to our message and asked for a Book of Mormon. He told me he wanted to come to church, so I asked Sister Harmon to help him get there, but his mom won't let him go. It brakes my heart to see this, there isn't anything we can do to help him. The only one who was intently listening to our message can't do anything for him self.

I do know however that the Lord has all power; that he can soften the hearts of all people. I know that as we believe that he is, that he has all wisdom and all power both here on earth and in heaven. He can do the impossible. All we are as missionaries are ordinary people called to do extraordinary things. The Lord can help those who need help as we lean on him and even on others. We all go through hard times and when the going gets rough, he is there to make the rough bearable. 

Love,

Elder Bentley

Happy Pioneer Day!

 

Fishers of Men

 

Dear Family!

Well needless to say this week has been quite the interesting last week here in the Derwood ward. Yes you heard that right, after 9 months of laboring here I will be moving on. The next question, as to where I am going. Your guess is good as my guess, I have no idea, all I know is ill find out tonight! It is such a bitter sweet because I have come to love the members here in the ward.

Wednesday we got to go to the temple for an endowment session. It was our first one with the Johnsons so that made it fun and exciting! We were pushed on time because we had appointments after but we wanted to take our time saying goodbye to the 30 missionaries who are leaving. Our appointment after the temple got cancelled so we had the chance to change out of our suits and get into lighter less hot clothes. The temperature the last few days has been high 90's and low 100's plus the humidity. So it was nice to get the suits off.

Friday I got to go to my last day at the farm. The zone leaders wanted to go on exchanges and waited till the end to do it. That meant I got to go to the farm twice this week! Both days we just spent cleaning but it was fun to double dip on my last week. Elder Mayta and I stayed in the Spanish area and helped some investigators with some things. I learned that I know a little more carpentry than I thought and that putting things together takes a lot of patience.

Saturday morning the Olney Elders invited us to their member's home for crepes! Brother Cobb had us over for a fantastic breakfast where we got to have a nice conversation with him. He had us move some things before taking us to a ward party where it was at a park. We fished a little and learned that we should stick to being fishers of men because fishers of fish didn't turn out with any luck. Brother Cobb took this time to get to know Bailey and I and by the time he drove us all back he had invited me back because he loves that I play the Piano.

Sunday was a sad day because it was my last sabbath this transfer. I've gotten to know the ward so well I can take attendance from the back of the chapel looking at the back of the heads. Most people would say I've been here too long but it was a good length of time because I grew close to most of the members and knew them all on an individual basis. I am sad I don't get to meet and greet these new members moving in and get to know them more, but that'll be Bailey's job! I got my fair share of piano playing in because when we went and visited Brother Cobb he had me just sit down and play until I felt like I didn't need to any more! 

Overall it has been a great week! I hope that Bailey can pick the work up without me and that this next transfer yields fruit!

Love,

Elder Bentley

It's crazy to think that victor is already 1! That means that in a week and a half I will hit my year mark! I have a few pages left in my journal and my calendar is almost expired. The time out here just flies and especially with this area change it'll make things go even quicker.

July 18th

Dear Family!

Well this week we have had a couple of great missionary finding moments, so that is helping our area a ton. We spent most of our finding time this week Tracting even though it's been close to 100. 

Wednesday while we were Tracting this barren town home area where you would have thought no one lived. Granted it was 2 in the afternoon the dead hours, but we were far away from home and had an appointment at 3 so we knocked doors. We knocked the door of Jose who after some conversation told us he was interested in learning more. He said that about 5 minutes before we knocked on his door he was looking at photos of the temple! Coincidence.... I think not! We will be meeting him down at the visitor center this weekend so we hope everything goes well with him!

Wednesday night we got to go out with the priest quorum for exchanges. I went with the older two boys to go and teach Shaka. When we arrived there he wasn't home, but we had the back up plan to go visit Brother Coberly. We taught him about the atonement, more for the priests to have the experience. One of the priests has his call and so it was a great opportunity for him to learn.

Thursday we got to go have our first interviews with President Johnson. They were 20 minutes interviews which were long since there are 190 missionaries in this mission. He asked about the work, the ward and about a couple of little cultural things in Maryland. He had me discuss the music rule with him and he is going to be changing this mission's music to more spirit inviting music. He is still a little timid to make changes just because he wants to be the nice guy. This mission loves and respects him so if he makes a rule, we will all follow it.

Friday while I was on exchange with Elder Wilsher we were out Tracting apartments. We knocked a few sets of buildings with no luck, but were determined to talk to some people. We knocked on the door of James who was at home watching his kid. After a 30 minute conversation we got a return appointment with him. He started off the conversation saying he wasn't ready for religion, and ended off with him contemplating the atonement and how to repent. We were able to show him the Mormon message "Reclaimed" and that really touched his heart. Thank goodness for iPads!

Friday night and Saturday Morning we were over at Lulu's home for dinner and then for service. She had Elder Bailey mow her lawn and I cleared out a patch of weeds for some of her new flowers to grow next year. It was great because after her son took us out to an all you can eat restaurant. He is less active so it was a great opportunity for us to build a relationship with him. Having been here the last 9 months it hasn't been since the last month that we have been able to talk and meet with him.

Church miracle! We were just about to start sacrament meeting when lo and behold Betsy and her family walked in! But it just wasn't her and her kids, she brought her husband! It was awesome to see Gio come to church! Baby steps with him she said so that will hopefully bring him back to church. 

Sunday President and Sister Johnson spoke at Why I Believe. They were super nervous but did a great job. You can still tell they are getting used to everything but here in a little they will be delivering powerful messages. At Why I Believe you could really see how much of a goof ball President is. 

It's been a pretty great week and the work is picking up!

Love,

Elder Bentley