Sister Benson: 4/4/22

 

Yummy Italian Ice

Missin' conference with my momma

Alternate title: its a swamp thing

Hello!! I hope you all had an amazing conference weekend!! Before i get into the crazy that was my week I want to tell a quick story. A year ago in October was conference (duh). My family and I have ALWAYS watched conference. That was something my parents were so good at. And- as shown by this weeks email title- my mom was good at providing snacks, coloring pages and things to... keep us quiet so she and my dad could listen. (But this conference i didnt have my momma and it was so SAD.) But the October 2020 conference was kinda special to me. Devin and I had just started dating and I had invited him to come watch with us. He had... politely refused and said he was going climbing with friends. WELL. He did. And then like less than an hour into conference he showed up at my house mumbling something about how he'd dislocated his finger and had nothing better to do. And so he sat and watched EVERY single session of conference at my house. Now, this may seem like a funny story where Heavenly Father went mmm you're done and popped his finger out of place so he'd watch conference (which is it) but also it was SO special. Because he was really paying attention. And now, as you know, Dev is serving faithfully in Chile. Plus he sent me a suuuuper long email JUST of conference highlights this morning. So we're gonna use him as an example. What changed? From coming and watching conference for probably like three reasons (he couldn't climb anymore, to hang out with my awesome fam and... probably eat the good food my mom made) to sending me huge emails about conference and loving it. Obviously a lot of things have changed, but Ill tell you the big one I think. Action. He started going to church every week. He started praying. He started putting things to the test. He started DOING things. So. What can you do to get more out of conference? put in some work. Listen to it again, print it and highlight it, take notes, ask questions. Whatever it is just put in the work to get more. What can you do to get more out of church? Try it out! Focus on the talks, think about the atonement and repent during the sacrament, talk to people, make friends. What can you do to get more out of this gospel? Take action. Read your scriptures DAILY. Pray. Study. I know that it is not easy to believe in what you cannot see. I know that it is not easy to introduce yourself to people in a new ward or talk to people in the ward you've been in forever. I KNOW its not easy to sit through at least eight hours of general conference. So start small. But you have to start. Read ONE talk. Read ONE verse. Say ONE prayer. It all starts somewhere. Who knows. Maybe you'll end up on a mission in Chile ;) 

This week something very sad happened. Our friend Champange had a run in with a baptist preacher. And despite all we had taught and all we had testified, she still has agency. And she has chosen to join that preacher's church. She said that she thought the only way to receive the Holy Ghost was through "the mormon church". Which... it is. The ONLY way to have the gift of The Holy Ghost is through the laying on of hands by those who have the authority of God to do so. And that authority is only found in this, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. And as much as we tried, she didn't understand. Agency is an amazing gift. So I am BEGGING you to use your agency to chose eternal life. My heart is broken for Champange. And I don't say that to knock baptists- southern baptist are amazing don't listen to whatever anyone says- but they do not have the authority. But I promise you that this church does. I promise you that the covenant path is the only path. And I plead with you to get on it. Out of love for each of you. If you're not on the path, find it. I promise it will change your life for the better. If you are on the path, stay on it. Its just as easy to fall off. And help others stay strong. I love you all and want what is truly best for you. And it IS this. 

For an explanation of the alternate title, Waycross, Georgia is right on the Okefenoke Swamp. (shout out to Cindy and Hallie) And so a lot of things we do here are swamp themed. This weekend was the Swamp Fest!! They have vendors and food trucks and live music and the WHOLE town comes out. It was a massive event. And so much fun. So Sister Swain and I headed out to spread the word. We gave out one Book of Mormon, (which is really good for us people don't usually want them) talked to an anti guy, Sister Swain got hugged by a drunk guy.... oh and also we ate a lot of food. Including me trying fried gator tail!! Definetly a bucket list item!! Now ive eaten racoon and gator!! and yes... it did taste like chicken. But also it was very different from chicken. It was super good!!! 10/10 would recommend. :)) dont worry many pictures will be shared. 

In other news JAMES!! Our star student is doing amazing. He is down from 2 POTS of coffee a day to 2 CUPS. And he says it is tasting worse and worse so he thinks he's just gonna stop. And that's the Lord for you!! He will change your taste buds so all the things you're not supposed to have are really nasty!!!! GOD CHANGES LIVES!!!

Anyways thats all i have for yall!! Except the thousands of pictures ill send your way. I love yall!! Thank you for all you do!!!!