Sister Benson: 4/18/22

 

He IS risen

Scout Benson <scout.benson@missionary.org>

Mon 4/18/2022 7:46 AM

Let the WHOLE WIDE WORLD REJOICE!!! happy Easter everyone! I hope yall had a weekend full of family, candy and Easter eggs.... but most importantly I hope yall had a weekend full of Christ. Easter is an absolutely massive holiday in the South. Our church attendance literally tripled with all the inactive people that came yesterday to show off their new Easter dresses. The entire WEEKEND was spent at family gatherings. We ate low country boil, ham, soooo much Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, strawberry pie, cake..... pretty much it was Thanksgiving. Like literally Thanksgiving and Easter in the south are the same except it rains more on Easter. So yes, our weekend was spent with FOOD. but you want to know my favorite part about the south? Jesus. Every gathering was centered around blessings. Family, love, hope. The weekend was full of crazy mission stories, testimonies, and gratitude. I heard people I've never heard bear testimony stand up and cry because they KNOW that Christ the Lord was risen today. Alleluia. (I know how many hymn quotes can I get in here??? Probably a lot don't test me) So yes, we spent a lot of time hiding eggs. Candy filled and hard boiled. We spent a lot of time eating our weight in really good brownies. But most importantly we spent a lot of time giving thanks for our Savior, who on Easter Sunday rose from the grave so that each of us could someday do the same. Everyone in the south wears a cross. It's a beautiful symbol of their belief. But I wish I could wear the empty tomb. Because he LIVES. And I know it. 

This week. Was a whirlwind. I feel like I say something like that every week but for real for real it has been. It's gone so fast.... and the craziest thing is that transfer calls are this week. Sister Swain and I have been together 5 weeks this week. Huh. Mission time is.... actually insane. Gotta love it. 

So this week we had good things and bad things. As always. We had a lesson with our friend Bradley. Who called us a couple days after conference and was like HEY. I watched conference. ALL OF IT. that.... never happens. So anyways we taught him the first two lessons last week, and this week we did lesson three. The doctrine of Christ. And we invited him to be baptized may 14th. :) he is SO excited!!!! So that is amazing. So exciting. 

And a sad one.... our friend karley. Who was a miracle. She has been dodging us the past couple weeks.... and this week she finally told us that she'd found another church and was no longer interested... and that was kinda heartbreaking honestly. Sister Ashby and I had worked so hard. Agency sucks sometimes..... 

But another good thing! We met a lady named Kimberly and her husband Ken. We taught them the plan of salvation in their little home. It was awesome and they expressed interest in being baptized. But it was SO HOT. all my Utah buddies have NO IDEA. I have never sweat so much from doing absolutely nothing. We're sitting there in their unairconditioned trailer just... dripping. Not a pretty sight. And it's only April. 🤗 

On a tradeoff this weekend Sister Petersen and I met a man named Zachery. And he is elect. He wants to change so badly. We gave him a Book of Mormon and are going back soon!!! We gave out two copies of the Book of Mormon that day street contacting. That is unheard of in our area. The Lord moves his work in mysterious ways!!!! 

This week was good. I'm grateful for my Savior and the time I get to dedicate to him. Happy Easter :)) 

Sister Benson 

Ps. Alternate title: the democrats made Walmart confusing. 

Our Walmart is a whole mess right now. They're rearranging everything. And this old guy walked past us and like a creepy horror movie got real close and- with his crazy eyes- he whispered to us "the democrats did this" and then just wandered away. Political views aside, it was really creepy 😆 but also funny. The end! Love yall!!!