Happy May Day!

This was a really cool home we found while tracting. Had koi fish in the pond.

Flashback to first night in the mission

Dear Family!

Wow it seems like last Monday was forever away, I almost couldn't remember what we did. Thank goodness for a journal and area Book! We did have some amazing things happen this last week though. A lot of answers to prayers.

Tuesday we got to drive up to the D.C. Stake center where we had a Zone Conference. A lot of the training's at it were about diligence within our missionary work. I think the training that stuck most out to me was the "Diligently Fasting" workshop that the D.C. Zone leaders gave. To be completely honest I don't really remember the exact things that were said by them, but it made me ponder on how my fasting has been recently. How it's been throughout my life and things I can do to focus on the fast. Elder Chamberlain also has helped me tons with that as well by the example that he gives. 

Wednesday we saw some answers to our prayers. At the beginning of the transfer we decided as a companionship that we were going to keep someone always on date. Not just for the benefit of them, but also for the enthusiasm that it puts into our finding. Last Saturday Melissa got baptized and we were fresh out of progressing investigators. Monday morning Brother Harris texted us saying he had a part member family reach out to him and express interest in meeting with us. So anyway, we had a great first lesson with Gerelle. At first his wife didn't even know that he had reached out to us and scheduled an appointment. We got to know him and got to see the complete change of heart that he has had. And we put him on date for the 20th of May. Usually they need to come to church before we can consider them "on date" but he had been coming to church already for weeks.

We had an appointment later into that day that we stopped by Sister Thomas' home and taught her. She was a bible referral who we found out just lost her father and we read through Alma 40 with her. It truly touched her heart and it was an amazing experience to be able to be there for that lesson. As we were walking onward to go contact this guy honks at us and petitions for us to come over. Turns out he is working for Vivient as summer sales. After finding out how much time I have left he told me to call him when I get home and he can get me a summer sales job as well. Even though I don't know exactly what is in store, it's always nice to have a backup.

There is this member who is visiting his mom right now. He is a returned missionary and his mom is not a member. She loves having us over though because she loves to cook for people, and thankfully we love to eat! We helped Clandi (the son) tie up bundles of sticks for the dump truck to come pick up. It just showed me that the Lord is working many ways to prepare others for the gospel.

Saturday we had another answer to our prayers. We had taught this guy from the Congo last week, his name is Fortunat. We had invited him to be baptized as well and he accepted. Except this week we were able to get him a ride to church in which he loved and enjoyed it. During our lesson with him we were going over John 10:16 and talking about that scripture. After we had finished discussing that he had this excitement and said, "I understand! I Believe this is true!" So that was a key turning point which was super exciting.

Sunday we had a really neat experience with this guy named Eric, it'll definitely need to be a story I tell when we Skype or when I'm home. But it was just amazing and we are excited for him. Sunday dinner the Vogel's had us over. Elder Vogel's son was there.  He isn't a member and it was pretty nice to finally be able to meet him after hearing lots about him. Bless Sister Vogel for all that she does for us!

Other than that it was a pretty great week! I hope everyone had a great one as well!

Love,

Elder Bentley