Sister Benson 1/10/22 & 1/17/22

 

Last week

Hello dear friends!! Ive been listening to the Saints a ton this week so I feel like thats how I should address yall. My dear friend. 

This week has been a slow one and I have little to share. Sister Ashby and I started feeling sick last week, starting with me having a pretty good headache and sometimes even a migrane-- it turns out I look really cool wearing sunglasses over my glasses- for over five days straight. And then it turned into Sister Ashby coughing, both of us having a runny nose, pretty aweeeesome stomache pain, and just being exhausted. So, we got tested. We began quarantine on Wednesday, the day we got tested, and felt sick the whole time. We were sure we had COVID, so results or not we opted to keep the people we love safe and stay in for the recommended five days. And so we did. And let me tell you.... it was boring. 

I HATE monopoly. With a passion. I think it is one of the worst games ever invented. Who wants to play a five hour game, just to lose miserably and be angry?? No game makes people more angry than monopoly. But we were so bored that I actually agreed to play monopoly with Sister Ashby. And I lost horribly. And was angry. I hate monopoly.

We have listened to 38 chapters of The Saints since Friday. As of Sunday night. And its soooo sad. But also so faith strengthening. The things that the early saints went through so that I could be safely on a mission today- with a good apartment and a nice car- I have never been so grateful. I encourage you to read/listen to The Saints. And get your tissues ready. 

We also listened to a really good three hour lecture about the Dead Sea Scrolls. I have never heard much about these scrolls, but listening to this lecture had Sister Ashby and I jumping around our apartment in our PJs screaming THIS CHURCH IS TRUE. And if youd like to listen to it I will gladly send it to you. :) 

This week has been one of boredom, but also one OVERPOWERED by the Spirit of learning. Although sometimes I felt like I was going to puke all over the floor, I would not have traded this week of straight knowlage overload for anything. And by the way, we got negative results back Sunday afternoon. :) So I have no idea what we had but it wasnt COVID, and we're feeling much better!! 

A couple of the days this week Sister Ashby and I went and chalked little inspirational messages with bible verses on peoples driveways!! And let me tell you, it is not easy to find an actual concrete driveway in Waycross Georgia. But we found some :) And we had someone reach out to us through someone else and thank us. It made us feel like we were still doing the Lords work, even while quarantied. 

Thank you for all of your continues prayers and support!! I love hearing from yall!!

This week

Hellooo my wonderful people!! This week has felt sooo long, but its been a good one. A ton has happened for sure. 

First things first... remember how Sister Ashby and I started the Saints in quarantine? Well that was like a week and a half ago. And we finished the first volume, and are ten chapters into the second one. Needless to say, John Taylor and Heber C. Kimball own our hearts, Warner Parrish is the perfect example of what NOT to be-- that jerk-- and Sydney Rigdon... come on man I had so much faith in you. I would encourage yall to read The Saints. Church history is awesome. I truly have a testimony that Joseph Smith was a called prophet of God. I also have a testimony that our PERFECT Heavenly Father, and PERFECT Savior Jesus Christ, have given us a PERFECT gospel. But they work through IMperfect people. :) 

Waycross Georgia is a wonderful place. I dont think I have ever loved a place so much in my life, with all its faults and flaws. This week we've found a new person by going to an abandon house, been told by a man on a bike.... with a rake? That we were "lookin mighty beautiful." *must be read in a smooth jazz voice* I asked a man if his wife was his daughter.... learning... and growing. :( And been attacked by many dogs for the first time in my life. Well... not really attacked but they were pitbulls. The only reason I didnt die was because I had faith that if the Lord REALLLLY wanted me to go to these houses, He wouldnt let me die by dog. :) All in all, I would stay in Waycross my whole mission if they asked me to. The people here are so kind. 

This week I would like to share my testimony of obedience. Being a missionary-- and a disciple of Christ-- means that you have to follow commandments and standards that are sometimes really hard. Its an interesting thing being a missionary. You are more often than not left to govern yourself, which gives you a lot of opportunity to chose whether to be obedient or not. Sister Ashby and I have been working really hard lately to be obedient and we have seen the blessings. This week we have found FIVE new people. For our mission, especially this area, that is a ton. We have placed FOUR copies of The Book of Mormon. Which.... is four more than we've done any other week in the mission lol. Im not saying that if youre obedient you will be able to give out copies of The Book of Mormon, but I am saying that if you are obedient the Lord WILL bless you. Elder Holland once said in a talk I dont remember that (and this ones for you Elder Goodwin) "The Lord loves effort." So put in the effort and he will bless you. :)) 

It really has been a long week but I dont feel like I have a lot to write. One amazing update: wonderful wonderful Elder Ashcraft made it aaaaaaaall the way to Concepcion, Chile this week!!! I would greatly appreciate yall keeping him in his prayers, as I would appreciate yall keeping me in them. <3 

I love yall so muuuuch!!! Much love from Waycross!!!