Happy Halloween

The best portrayal of "black Jesus" that I've seen on my mission.

We went to go visit a potential investigator at the hospital and finally got to use this parking spot!

Dear Family!

This week has really been a testimony builder on going out to work. Elder Guzzle and I have been on top of getting out to go finding. The blessings it brings when both missionaries want to go work is so much nicer to have now!

The miracle was on Tuesday night, specifically with our lesson with Wiley. We were already feeling pretty great. That morning as we walked to the bus stop, a guy pulled over and got out of his car to talk with us. Some missionaries gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and he has been reading it. He asked us about Ether and the things he was reading in Ether. The funny thing he said was, "I don't see why you guys are called Mormons. If you asked me, you should be called Moronis" 

Anyway, as we pulled up to Wiley's home, this car pulls in next to us. Brother Hyer said that he saw our car and thought "oh missionaries!" Then the spirit told him to follow us. He unrolled his window when we got out and asked what we were up to. When we said about to go into an appointment he was like, "Oh great! Are you ready for a member present?" That was such a blessing for everyone! First brother Hyer recognized the spirit and acted on it. Because of that we got a member in with our appointment to see how Wiley was doing!

The rest of the week really seemed like it was such a blur. We had appointments here and there, with meetings back and forth. It has been great serving in Brooklyn Park. Sometimes the area is hard, but others it just such an enjoyment to see the craziness in the world. Things that I've learned from, defiantly stay away from drugs. We were visiting with Sister Bolan Sunday night and she was telling us her story. The negative influence that drugs had and the desperation that it led her to. It was a great visit and lot was learned. 

Things I don't understand, for some reason Maryland has all these weird bugs that seem like they serve no purpose whatsoever. We were visiting with a new family that moved in and they talked about the differences between our west and here. They have gotten close to us because we can hold an actual conversation with them and somewhat know what they are going through in the branch. We have had this bug problem in our apartment, for some reason everywhere I turn there is ladybug here and one there! It drives me insane because they are too nice of bugs to squash but they don't belong in a house!

We met a couple of great people while we were out tracking this week. There was this guy named Jamie who was out in his porch just sitting there. We had a great talk with him and will be stopping be this next week to visit with him and talk about the Plan of Salvation. He doesn't live here, but spends lots of time with his sister who needs his help so he kind of does? He talked about the difference in the neighborhood that has happened since he was a lad. But he wants us to come back so we will be there!

Then last but not least, the Halloween party. I wasn't expecting it to have that big of a turn out, but when we got there the cultural hall/chapel was full of people eating. It was a potluck situation so everyone gave what they could! We got to help the ward primary with the actual Halloween part by helping the kids make fall crafts. We got done and I gave the building a good vacuum because it needed one. (Small building only took 20 Minutes for the whole thing)

I hope everything has been good at home!

Love,

Elder Bentley

Transfers With the Mountain Man

The Merrill girls brought up their snake for us to see.

Elder Guzzle and me

Dear Family!

Well this week we had our transfers! I got the call that I would be staying another transfer and would be receiving.... ( ha you have to wait until I get that far in my letter)

Monday night was a pretty cool night. We were waiting for our call out and decided we would stay in our apartments area. I looked at the map and told Elder Mellen we were going to go visit a less active member. We got there not really with the best hope, but they let us in. Brother Merrill and his daughters are members, even though they don't come to church, they still talk and teach about the church. We will be working with them to hopefully reactivate them. His two girls 11 & 13 loved having us over to visit and share a message so hopefully that'll be our in.

Tuesday was our last district meeting of the transfer. We had our little testimony meeting where Elder Sudweeks gave his "death testimony" he's going home. The rest of that day was Elder Mellen preparing his bags and packing for transfers.

Wednesday Morning Brother Klecz came and picked us up in his truck for transfers. He took all four elders down and came home with only two. The other set of Brooklyn Park Elders got a car so they drove it back. I got my new companion, Elder Guzzle, he is from West Jordan, Utah and likes hunting fishing and the outdoors. We got back home and went right to work. This will be a great transfer with him and we will get in lots of hard work.

Thursday night we got to visit Elizabeth and Gwynn. She said Gwynn was asking when we would come back and was excited for us to come and teach. The biggest miracle is how Gwynn tells her mom to read the "Mormon book." We talked with her more about the Book of Mormon and about fasting and tithing. She's progressing slowly but it's better than no progress. It's definitely helpful to have her 4 year old daughter pushing her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon.  

Saturday we went to check on a bible referral named John. He had come back from a work trip and had the day off. The best part of that visit was watching the spirit work in his mind and in his heart. He was saying like the Bible has this but that doesn't, or that it wasn't written by inspired men. But by the end of our little conversation with him he had the Book and is going to read it and pray about it.

That's about it that I have for the week!

Love you all!!

Elder Bentley