Sister Benson: 1/31/22

 

Helloooo my people. Yep thats right, this week is transfers!! Ive been here a whole transfer! A seven week one too. Crazy right? Luckily Sister Ashby and I are staying together in Waycross for another six weeks. :) Im very happy about that! But out district is getting shuffled around, so itll be interesting Im sure! Our district leader is one of the Waycross 1st elders, and hes getting moved aaaaaalllll the way far away to Pearson. And I know none of yall know where that it but its like 30 minutes from Waycross but still somehow out of our zone. So he'll be gone.... but Elder Stafford, the other Waycross 1st elder, will be getting a trainee!! So Waycross is going to be a party. We're excited. 

This week has been so much fun!! We have had like... zero dinner appointments this week due to a COVID spike at church, but the one we did have was with out bishop and his wife!! Theyre great. But bishop told us he eats pound cake with mayo on it. And mayo sandwiches. And literally plain mayo by the spoon. I dont know what southerners deals are but.... mayo is NOT delish. Oh well. But I did try a (home grown, homemade pickle bring or whatever its called) pickled quail egg at his house!! It was actually super good. But Sister Ashby thought hers mayyy have been fertilized. The fun of eating at peoples houses and trying new things!! Speaking of I ate coon yesterday. It was not that delish. Actually it wasn't thaaaat bad but... racoons eat trash. So.... it was not super appealing. But I did it!! It was like... really gamey. I'll try anything twice... I guess 🤢

On Friday morning Sister Ashby and I met up with the elders at a ranch called Hooves to Freedom. It is a Christ centered therapy ranch. Its pretty much real life Heartland, but with Jesus. Which if any of you have watched Heartland... they could use it. But anyway!! The lady who runs it- Hillary- is amazing. They have like seven horses I think, two shetland ponies, a donkey and two real ugly cows. Like for real I dont know what happened to some of the cows in the south but they are... not cute. But the horses are!!! So what Hooves to Freedom specializes in is therapy for people with trauma. disabilities, or family unity struggles. And some other stuff too. But they dont do just normal horse riding lessons. Its super cool!! It is usually a couple week program, and sometimes they dont even ever get on the back of the horse. But they learn life skills and things by being around the horses and doing certain things with them. It actually sounds really cool! And all this with a focus on relying on Jesus. I love the south. Anyways I absolutely loved serving there, and im so hoping we can go back. Often. :)

Last Thursday we started our 65 day Book of Mormon reading challenge!! We're in 2 Nephi 20 now! I have been reading it with a focus on finding the love of Christ. And let me tell you, this pass along copy is turning RAINBOW with markings!! Its amazing!! It is also amazing how much of a testament reading it this fast is to the fact that Joseph Smith could not have written this himself. It had to have been through the power of God that he even TRANSLATED it this fast. This book IS a testament of God and his reality. I know for a fact that if you read this book sincerely, and you genuinely ask God if it is true. He will make known to you that it is. I know it. 

I love yall soooo much, thank you for all your love and support and prayers!! I can feel it :) Can I ask yall a favor though? Could you pray for some people for me? I know with the faith yall have good things can come from so many people praying for someone by name. ❤ Corey, Miss Joie, James, Gunner and Ernie could really use prayers. And Devin. Because what missionary doesnt need prayers right? :) 

Thank you and I love yall so much!!!!!