Sister Benson: 11/21/22

 

Week 53: bedrest, baptism, and bawling my eyes out

it has been another week! and WHAT a week it has been. So here goes my email, a trilogy. 

BEDREST. On Tuesday morning.... Sister Palmer and I woke up with fevers. And before anyone even comes AT me about being sick again.... i already know. but like everyone we know is sick and as missionaries you just are around all the people and my immune system is shot and.... yeah. SO. We were told to go to the doctor again. Sister Palmer came out with a cold, an ear infection, and a sinus infection. I came out with BRONCHITIS. For real this time. last time it was inflamed bronchi, now i have bronchitis. The odds are not in my favor. So.... we told the doctor why we kept getting sick. (i.e. around people, no rest for the weary, etc.) and so... she quarantined us. Which was rude. So a lot of this week we were quarantined. But! A big miracle was that we were able to actually rest up, and that it didnt interfere with the BIG thing that happened next. 

BAPTISM. So after spending a couple of days making calls from the couch, we got up early Saturday morning, to fill the font. :) Neil's baptism was perfect. seeing him in his white jumpsuit made me cry. The Spirit was palpable when he came out of the water. He and Lynns someday sealing was spoken of many times, and SO many people came. Sister Palmer and I had the opportunity to sing a special musical number and I was asked to speak about the Holy Ghost. It was a really cool experience all the way around. We are SO SO proud of Neil, because this decision will change his entire life. And knowing him has changed mine. <3 I look forward to the day that Lynn and Neill get to go to the temple together and be sealed for time and all eternity. I have such a testimony that THAT is what marriage is SUPPOSED to be. Infinite. God designed us to be eternal, and I love being able to help people come closer to that. 

BAWLING MY EYES OUT. Here we are. Our final leg in the journey. Saturday was transfer calls. So right after crying at the baptism because the Spirit was so strong and I was so happy, I cried 'cause I found out I'm being transferred. Its a little town in the pan handle called Lynn Haven. A fishing town, about an hour from the Alabama border. Its in a different time zone, its at the edge of the mission, it should be super fun. I've been told that the culture is just like being in Alabama, so we're going right back to the south baby!! My comps name is Sister Morley, and ive never really met her but she seems nice. I'm excited. BUT. I'm probably just the most sad to be leaving Gainesville. After six months you really grow to love a place, and love a people. Im so so so sad to be leaving, but im eternally grateful for the friends ive made and the lessons ive learned. Gainesville will always have a super special place in my heart, but im looking forward to what God has in store for me. Hymn 270, Ill Go Where You Want Me To Go.