General Authority Visit!

Our Mission

Saying good-bye

Me and Elder Mullen

Dear Family!

Let's just say that this has been such a great week! We had our transfers and even a surprise visit from some special guests! 

Tuesday we had a Zone training where we got to sing our Mission song as a Zone before transfers. We met as a Zone to start the new trainings that will be heading this new transfer. After we had finished with the meeting we went up to Jackie's home to teach her a lesson. We talked about the Plan of Salvation and she loved the message. She wasn't too happy to hear that we were both leaving the area. We said our goodbyes and got on our way! Brother and Sister Dotimas took us out to Texas Roadhouse to thank us for all we have done for the branch. They told us to get what we wanted so we got nice steaks and racks of ribs. We are so very grateful for all they have done for us.

Wednesday we packed all our belongings into our car to the brim and started our journey down to the temple. The Assistants had a program set to try and quickly set the companion swap so before we knew it we said goodbye and I was on my way to my new area! My Companion is Elder Mullen from West Valley, we will be serving in Upper Marlboro which is the Capital Ward. We were straight out to talk with people and to teach a guy named Keith!

Thursday we got out finding all day. The fruits of that day ended up us being at the last door of the day checking on a potential in our area Book. We knocked on Kuwanda's door and she opened it up and talked with us. She had gotten contacted by missionaries in Puerto Rico and the referral got sent to us. That was 2 years ago though so good thing we are cleaning out our area Book!

Saturday we had a special Meeting. A week and a half ago we found out that we would be having a special meeting with some authorities of the Church. We got down to the stake center in Virginia early for a picture with everyone and the apostles. As we anxiously waited for them we were separated as missions but could see the D.C. south mission. Elder Randal K. Bennett, Elder Anthony Perkins, Elder Peter F. Meurs, Elder Garrett W. Gong, Elder Ronald A. Rasband and Elder M. Russel Ballard all walked in for the picture. We then got escorted to the chapel where our mission was privileged to shake Elder Rasband's hand before we walked into the chapel. We got to hear from each seventy and apostle during our meeting. Elder Ballard showed a lot of his funny side which was great to see! We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to see these apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ and to listen to their words. Elder Rasband said it was only the 2nd time he has been in a missionary meeting with two presiding apostles. Ever. They were in the area to meet with leaders of church and country and took time out for us!

Saturday after our meeting we got out and worked hard. We had a day full of appointments that we had. Our first one was with a Nigerian named Vivian. She is on date for the 29th of January and has such a great fire! We had the Relief Society President there for support and her testimony! Then we went to Carlos' home and visited with him and his wife. They were in the middle of a family argument but by the guidance of the spirit we were able to get in and teach many important doctrines. One of those was that of Elder Ballard's last General Conference. We felt impressed to share the video of Family councils with them to help them with their struggles. Then we finished the night off teaching Jennifer at the church. We got Brother Jordan (a ward missionary) to come to it with us. He brought his wife since it was at the church. We bore powerful testimony of the truth and divinity of the gospel. She is excited to read and to pray about the Book of Mormon.

Sunday was nice to be back into a ward. As we walked into the chapel doors I realized how much I missed hearing the organ prelude music. I have been liking this ward so far and I only expect great things to come out of these next few transfers! A senior couple in the ward took us down to the temple so we could go to Why I Believe with Vivian. She is so dedicated she thought it was at 6 in the morning. She was up and ready by that time. Talk about dedication!

I know that we have a living prophet today. I know that as we abide by his teachings and always strive for the spirit we will be able to know that the words he teach are true. I am so thankful for this gospel!

Love,

Happy January!

Dear Family!

Well to say the least, it has been getting pretty cold this week. On Sunday when we left for our Branch Council the temperatures were reading 3 Below zero. Regardless of that we made it to church and I'm pretty sure they had the AC on, but that's okay. Since our last few weeks in the branch President Johnson told me at interview I would most likely be leaving. This didn't halt the work at all.

Monday night, before P-day actually ended, we had an appointment with a Festival of Lights referral. When we knocked on her door, she answered and let us in with no hesitation. She is from Burma but has pretty great English and reads it well. She was overjoyed to see that we were from the church. She had us sit on her couch and her and two of her younger sisters came and sat down to listen to what we had to say. That was a pretty neat experience. We had received some pamphlets in Burmese from the mission office so they were able to read it in English and we left one in their language for them. 

Wednesday I went down on exchange with the Glen Burnie 2 Elders. I got down into the area with Elder George who is just finishing his training and let him lead the area. We had a pretty great day that started at the hospital so he could have some warts removed. After we had gotten out finding we were in a neighborhood that was private and this guy got pretty mad at us "Soliciting" we tried to explain it to him but he cussed us out and slammed his door. With even more determination we knocked the next door. The previous guy came out and yelled some choice words and we ended up being asked to leave. The lady from the main office who asked us to leave knew we had every right to be sharing the gospel. She just had to ask us because we are guessing that guy called and complained.

Thursday as we went out to go check on a referral, she wasn't home. As we were walking down to the home Elder Guzzle noticed a little antique shop that was there. We walked inside and ended up teaching the owner of the Store. His name is Morris. As we had walked in I noticed a well used bible on his desk open. We got into conversation with him and ended up giving these Thai boys bibles and talking with Morris about the gospel. He said he isn't very religious because he doesn't like how the religions of the world go at each other. He was pretty reluctant to read the Book of Mormon and said he would stop if he found anything that contradicted what his Bible says. That was pretty neat to go in and end up needing to be there.

Saturday we were sitting inside during our studies and it started to Snow! At first it was little flurries but eventually picked up and we got an inch or so. The Assistants sent out a message to everyone saying to stay off the roads but to keep proselyting. We used the bus as our transportation and ended up getting to see Saul and then Jackie. It was pretty sad when we weren't able to get in with Saul, he told us he was moving to California and they were in the process of packing. They aren't really fans of the cold he said. We still had a great day and were able to get out and share the gospel even though Maryland was frozen over.

Sunday at church since transfers are coming up the members were in a state ready to just say goodbye to me. Even though we won't find out what will happen with transfers until tonight, we are expecting that I'll leave. It truly has been a pleasure to serve in this Branch because I have been able to play the piano. It really let my skills improve so I enjoyed the experience.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Love, 

Elder Bentley

Happy New Year!

Dear Family!

Well the weather here has been pretty mediocre. We have been trying this week to pick back up our teaching pool so that has made it quite the week.

Tuesday after our district meeting, we went to go and try stop by Andrew by his work. We finally were able to catch him at the time that he was out stocking shelves so we set an appointment with him Friday morning. Following that we went home to drop off our car to save miles and went on the bus to our areas. Elder Guzzle felt like we should go check on a potential so we bused to her home. She was very nice and told us that she was having a hard day and that it had to be God that had us come to her home that day. We had a great lesson with her and she felt the spirit really strong. After the lesson she told us that we were the first missionaries that she has ever let into her home. She is Catholic so that was pretty huge for her to say!

As we were walking back to the bus stop, we ran into this guy who called himself Coach Braun. He was pretty crazy. We talked with him about things that had been troubling him and he went off on about 30 tangents. Beside the fact that he totally made the conversation go off topic, I guess he just needed the opportunity to talk with somebody who would listen.

Wednesday night we had another great appointment with a man who told us to come back last week. When we knocked on his door for the appointment, he told us he wasn't expecting us to actually come back. He wanted us to come back and was grateful that we remembered him. As we talked about the Book of Mormon with him, he said that he had seen it before. He used to work as an air attendant. As he was working one day, he saw a copy of the Book of Mormon laying on a seat and read that it was another Testament of Jesus Christ. He said he was more than happy to have the discussions and we will be returning next week to teach him more!

Friday night we had interviews with President Johnson so we were able to talk about ways to help the district. He told me that I was most likely leaving the area when this next transfer comes up. Transfers will be on the 11th of January so we will find out what happens next week! After he had finished interviews, he walked out and took off his suit jacket, looked at us and said, "How about a game of 3 v 3 in basketball before I leave." We were way excited when he said that. A game was played and afterwards gave us permission to drive to the Mission office in Potomac to grab Elder Criddle's Omaha Steaks that had been sent to him. 

New Years Eve we got to proselyte until 5 p.m. The most exciting thing that happened that day was our giving our Burmese investigators pamphlets in Burmese. They were way excited to receive things they could read in their own language and be able to understand it. Dung Khai looked at us and said "This is good" giving us a thumbs up. We were required to be in our apartments for the rest of the night and had to stay in.

Hope you all have a great week!

Merry Christmas!

This is the group of missionaries I came in with! It's 17 months later - just before the Sister's go home.

Taking the Mission Photo

Dear Family!

Well beside the fact that we already talked about things that have been done in the last little while, I'm still going to tell you again!

Wednesday I went on an exchange with Elder Morgan in Glen Burnie. It was really nice to see how hard they are working and how they are the only companionship I don't have to continually think of how to help! We went out and taught many people that day. It was a mix of less actives, recent converts, and a home bound we also got to visit. Throughout the day it was nice to get to talk with another Elder and see how he is doing.

Thursday we decided it was time to hit a couple of areas pretty hard. Elder Guzzle and I went out to McDowell Street and knocked on door aimlessly until we were out of time. It was actually pretty eventful for a few reasons: We had tons of light the world cards we wanted to give out, got to teach a couple of people, and got a few new investigators. With Christmas coming up we knew more people would be home so there was no better time to teach about Christ!

Saturday we had gotten approved to have a mission wide party so we all met at the D.C. Stake center. There we got to see all out previous companions and districts. It was a nice little reunion. The party ended with a mission photo which we are excited to be able to have. It was also strange to see how many missionaries there were that I didn't know! 

That night President Johnson let us go to a Christmas Eve Party in Chevy Chase. The party was catered by some local people who love to feed missionaries! It was a great time to sit down and to converse with more people! The best is at the end though when we all sang carols. Sister Matsen (Chevy Chase Ward Matsen) was so thankful that I could play the piano she invited me and my companion back for Dinner another day. We would have loved to claim it, but it's across the mission from us so we won't be able to make one.

Then Classic old Christmas was a killer! It was great to see the love and the support the branch gave to us! They were very kind and we gots tons of candy! It was eventful, brunch, dinner, games, and best of all we got to Skype home! Seeing the family always makes the Holidays the best. 

Now it's back to regular missionary work all day everyday about. But it was nice to think after the long weekend we got to get our P-day today still!

Thanks for all the prayers and support!

Love,

Elder Bentley

It's Almost Christmas!!

On our way to Kathy's in the freezing rain!

Christmas Party!

Dear Family!

There have been a couple of strange but awesome things that have happened this week. It's been quite the weather with the cold, ice and rain! 

Tuesday After we got everyone back in line following Zone Training, I was able to go down to interview Brother Childs for Baptism. It was great seeing his enthusiasm as we went into the interview. My favorite thing about being able to do the interview is hearing how the Lord worked with them throughout their lives to prepare them for his Gospel. There were things that he didn't even realize until the interview that had been in preparation for this event.

I was able to go on exchanges with Two of the Elders in my district this week. First exchange was on Wednesday and the second one was Friday. I love being able to get to help them figure out ways to improve their companionships and to work harder. Elder Guzzle and I have been taking turns leaving and staying for the exchanges so we could both be able to work in the area.

 We were able to have a nice sit down lesson with Taurum. He is from a country just West of Thailand so his English is limited. He has been taking classes to learn it thought and loves how we can both talk about God and do it in English. His 10 year old daughter knows English pretty well from school so she was a help in the lesson. We found that we needed to keep it simple for him so he could understand it. But at the end when we invited him to read the Book of Mormon he was enthusiastic about it.

Saturday Morning we woke up to a good coat of ice on everything! Just about everything was frozen over so the mission told us to not take the cars out. That makes sense saying there was a huge 40 car pileup just a mile away from our home where an oil truck blew up and cars were sliding on the ice.

Anyway, we walked up to Kathy's home to visit with her knowing she'd be home. (She just lived a few blocks away from our apartment) She was more than willing to welcome us into her home and even had some fresh cookies made! we got into a great lesson with her and talked about her past and how the Lord has been with her. As we finished the restoration she was "thirsting" for more knowledge and was excited to give the Book of Mormon a read! 

That night we had the ward party as things warmed up and the ice melted. It was a pretty low attended event because of the conditions, but was still a great event. It's great to get the branch together to build the unity within the branch and to get to know everyone more! The meal was a family setting so it made a great environment for that!

Other than that nothing else exciting has happened and it's been another Great week working for the Lord!

Love,

Elder Bentley