Elder Clark Tour

Dear Family!

This week has been a really eventful exciting week for the entire mission you could say! It all started off while I was on an exchange with the Zone leaders. We were down in Annapolis, Elder McBride and I, and we started to do our finding for the day. It had been a very wet and rainy day so it was very discouraging getting rejected in the pouring rain! Right before we were going to call tracking quits before dinner, we knocked on Matt's door.

When he answered he was very puzzled on why we were there. As we told him we had a message that would change his life, he was starting to let the spirit into his heart. He then Let us into his home a few minutes later. We taught him the first discussion and it was cool to hear how the lord was preparing him for us to be there. He has anxiety attacks but hasn't had one for months when the day before we were there, they started up again. His fiancé will be excited to hear he let God back into his life.

Thursday was the day we had the mission Tour with Elder Kim B. Clark. He wanted to have a little meet and greet at the beginning so the meeting started at 8. We had various sessions talking about Repentance, obedience and the Book of Mormon. It was great to be able to hear words from a member of the 70. The great thing afterwards was when the Assistants announced who would be interviewing with him between the 3 zones. They picked 9 people and I was one of them! It was really great to be able to chat with him one on one and it's an experience I'll never forget!

That night we were super pumped to go out tracting. We decided since we were a little short on time we would just go to the street behind our house. We were only out for 90 minutes but had some quality conversations with some great people! We gave away all the copies of the Book of Mormon we had on us so it was very successful. This coming week we will be going back to follow up with them all and see how they liked the first chapter of Nephi.

The last few days of the week were focused on trying to follow up with the people we have already met in the past. It's hard when everyone works all day and get home at night just wanting to go to bed and repeat their day. But Friday we had a couple of appointments lined up. We got to meet with Andrew the Atheist and talk more about God. He opened up more to us and we were unsure how to help him because it's nothing we have either dealt with. But he will be a strong member of the church, we just need to help him realize he has a loving Heavenly Father.

A scripture that stood out in my studies this last week, in Alma 60:23 it reads, "Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." Sometimes as we are trying to help others, we first need to cleanse ourselves. We cannot help others until we are in a good position to do so. But as we spiritually prepare ourselves, God will give us opportunities to use that strength we have received.

Much love,

Elder Bentley 

December Is Here!

We went and picked up the Zone leaders truck from them last Monday

Temple during Christmas Time!

Me with a guy Elder Bailey knows

Dear Family!

The weather this week has been in the 50's with a wind chill of who knows how cold. No matter what you wear the wind trumps the clothes that you wear. But other than that, it's been a great start of December!

Sadly nothing too exciting has really happened. We have spent most of our time trying to contact our potential investigators. With the transfer that happened halfway through the week, the district changed up. No one in Brooklyn was transferred, but we got 2 sets of missionaries from another ward in our district. I'm hoping that with the new district I'll be able to keep the reverence of the meetings.

Thursday We did have the chance to go down to the temple for the Festival of Lights. We met Sheryl a Richards from Chick fil a down there on the opening night. She is an inactive member, so it was very great for her to meet us down there and feel,of the special spirit of the Temple Visitor Center. We were able to watch the Potomac Suzuki String Orchestra as the showing that night. Following that as we were talking about the temple, she asked us tons of questions that were leading into her curiosity of returning back to church. 

Something cool that happened while we were there, after she had left, we were taking a picture of the lights when I saw a guy taking photos as well. I walked right up to,him thinking he was a member and started chatting. Figured out that he was driving on the 495 and thought he could get some great photos of the huge white building he saw. He had only been there a few minutes planing to be there for just 5 minutes. He thought it was awesome how easily I started the conversation with him and he wants to meet us down at the Visitor Center again for the Lights.

Sunday after church had ended, I was bombarded by members who were grateful i had stayed and were giving me music to play for Christmas. By the end of it, I think I've gotten three requests for songs to learn for either Christmas day or the Christmas Party, to be honest, I'm not really sure. I'll just learn them today and have them whenever they need them! It's great though because the Branch really needed me this month for music and I stayed here.

Other than that it's really been normal week. We have been encouraging people to do the 25 ways in 25 Days from Mormon.org. If you haven't had the chance yet to check it out, get on the website and start serving! Funny moment from that, we were with Brother Ledbetter and this lady walked up asking if we could take a photo, but then she couldn't find her phone. She realized it was in her pocket 5 seconds later and felt all awkward. So he said to her, "And just in case you forget, your glasses are on your face." It was so him to say that, then moments later he got a scolding from his wife. He then looked at us and said jokingly, sweet Elders, I've done my service for helping the blind see.

Anyway I hope everyone has a great week!

Love,

Elder Bentley

It's Almost December!

This is Theo, he got baptized on Saturday. He was one I was teaching when I first got to the area, but when they switched the boundaries, the other elders got to teach him.

Dear Family!

Well there were some great things that happened this week!

Tuesday After a day of failed appointments, we went to visit one of our potential investigators Jamie. As we were walking up to his door, he motioned for us to come in so we did. We sat down and he started talking to us about things that have been happening lately. Then he turned the conversation to death so we were able to talk about the 3 kingdoms of glory with him. He was so excited to hear what we had to say it was tons of fun to see him love the message. Quote from Jamie, 'I eat Thunder and poop Lightning!"

Wednesday we had the opportunity to go down to the temple and help around the grounds. We decorated a couple of bushes and trees in lights and helped around with yard work. It was really cool to work on the lights because so many people come to see them! Brother Rogers, the guy in charge, was so thankful because of our service him and his crew would be able to take off Thanksgiving to spend it with their families. Between that and fighting traffic to get home, that contained most of our day. 

Thanksgiving was a pretty dandy day. We got to play football with some members in the morning. After that we commenced to our thanksgiving meals. The first one was with the Dotimas family. Knowing we had more after, we tried to control our food intake, but the meals was so great we just kept eating until we were packed full! As we were going to the next meal, we went and gave the leftovers to a homeless guy named Danny. He was super thankful and deserved a good meal for thanksgiving. Our last meal of the night was with Sister Rigsby. She is the new Relief Society president so we had a good chat about some of the members over dinner at Bob Evans. Then following that we helped her decorate her Christmas tree so she wouldn't have to do it alone!

Saturday we got to go and explore the top neighborhood of our area. There is an area with tons of Burmese speakers. We are just stuck because they know little English but always invite us into their homes. We are going to do what we can for them in regards to acquiring something they will be able to understand more. But for the meantime we shared Christmas videos that were just music and the video so there wasn't any worry for the language barrier.

A thought that came to mind this week. When we encounter people, we have the blessing to share with them the happiness we have. Sometimes as we share that love, they won't want to be receptive or will reject what we have to share. But sometimes we don't think about the influence we can have on others. They way we treat and deal with others can drastically change the outcome to them accepting the gospel. So continue to try and help others, because no effort is wasted.

Love,

Elder, Bentley

Happy Thanksgiving Week

Krispi Kreme for P-Day? I THINK SO!

Temple Trip!

Dear Family!

Well this week has been a huge learning week for me. I guess I learned the power of forgiveness and why we should forgive. The series of events that happened between this week was to teach me a lesson in a way.

So after the two Elders tried to walk to the Temple, I spent a lot of time with President talking about the options for transfers and whatnot. Friday when he decided that they were good to stay until transfers is the day I learned my lesson. Friday night after the day of working, we had exchanges with the Zone Leaders set up. Elder Rowley came here with me and we had a great time together.

After the typical nightly routine, we started talking and before we knew it, it was time for bet. At midnight I wake up to a pounding on the front door. I was over and see it was the other two Elders. I didn't know what to do so I woke up Elder Rowley to see what he thought. We couldn't fathom what they had done to end up knocking on our door at midnight. We weren't sure what they had done. After getting Elder Rowley up, they disappeared. (So great now he thinks I'm just imaging this.)

We walked towards the back balcony and heard them opening the outside door to the balcony. I quickly made sure the lock was locked so they couldn't get in. We had this weird standoff where we were trying to figure out why they were there. Finally they say that President Johnson sent them over because no one heard from us. Between our talking after we had got home, we completely forgot about Friday night Callins. I am so used to elder Guzzle bringing in the phone that we forgot it in the car.

During that event that night, I had just built so much anger and stress because of the series of events. Then as I was laying in bed I started to think about it on their part, they left their home at midnight to make sure we were okay. Everyone thought we were gone or dead so they came to make sure we were good. After counseling with the Lord, I forgave them for the previous stresses they caused and it was a huge learning experience for me.

But the rest of the exchange went pretty well with Elder Rowley. We went out and worked hard, set up a couple return appointments for this next week. Talked to a ton of people. We made cookies to give to our neighbors to invite them to the temple grounds for the Christmas lights. It was a great exchange.

Sunday night was Why I Believe. Two weeks ago I got a call from some sisters asking if I could accompany them as they sang. I practiced the song and when it came time to play it, felt pretty good about my end of things. As I was practicing after church, Sister Romney came up and said she knew they arrangement and offered to sing to it so I could hear how it fits with the parts. We had a great Why I Believe and made the hour long drive back home for the night!

Love,

Elder Bentley 

Sending Sunshine

This is Randall, we met him at bass pro shops on a Pday. We were browsing the fly fishing and he pops up and says, " are you the LDS missionaries?" Then he was all excited because he was talking with his friends about us and the church. He took this photo to post on Facebook but he was a pretty great guy. We invited him to the Festival of Lights.

Our Companion photo for the transfer

Dear Family,

Well this week has really been a week of learning and experiences for me that is for sure! There were also a couple of great things that happened this week so that was a bonus.

Well the miracles came in when we went to meet with Andrew. We have had a hard time getting ahold of him and helping him progress, but we finally were able to sit down with him and talk about the commandments that need to be lived so he can prepare for baptism. He is doing great, except his desire to still get tattoos. He also got his drivers license finally so he can drive himself to church!

I've spent some time practicing the piano this week for two things, the first is the Primary program. We got a prompting to text Sister Thompson to ask her if she would like for me to play the piano for the Program. She of course delighted to hear that so we got to spend some time with them Saturday morning going through the program. 

Following that program, we went and helped out at a horse farm of a nearby investigator. She was throwing a little shindig to boost her riding lessons and we talked with people about the church as we helped with it. We got back though quickly because we had an appointment to catch with another investigator, but when we got there, he cancelled.

Sunday was when the real miracle happened. We were at church and I was up playing the prelude so we could get started. When to my astonishment I looked over and there was Andrew standing with Elder Guzzle! Even better, he had he whole day off of work and invited his boss who was he original member who referred him to us! We had a great Primary presentation for the congregation and got onto the rest of the day. We tried to set an appointment with him, but he worked too much this coming week.

Tuesday was when the real drama and learning experiences came. Monday night the other set of Elder told us they were going to try and walk to the Temple for the Temple day on Wednesday, the only thing was they were leaving Tuesday morning to do it. After they told us I fought back the prompting to call the Zone leaders because we thought they were joking. But sure enough they headed out. I tried to tell them not to go and to be at district Meeting, but when we walked into the building, Elder Carling told me I'd just have to be the bad guy and call them in.

After much discussion with the Zone Leaders and President Johnson, we are waiting to hear what is going to happen with that companionship. It was hard for me to call back on them because I didn't want them to hate me for doing so. 

But the learning experience came as I talked with Elder Guzzle. He related this whole experience back to Nephi and his Brothers. We know that Nephi was in tune with the spirit and because of that his brothers didn't like him. They tried to bind him up, kill, and get rid of him. But he was protected because he was a servant of God. As we focus of the savior and his teachings, no matter what comes into our way, we will be able to keep that focus on the promptings of the spirit. 

Love,

Elder Bentley