this has been the longest week ever. my companionship currently has
a baptism to plan for this weekend, 4 other people set to be baptized
soon, we have 22 investigators, and 15 recent converts to take care
of... needless to say we are BUSY! every night we plan as a
companionship, normally daily planning ends at 9:30 but the earliest
we've finished has been 10:15 (and we have to be in bed by 10:30). we
are constantly on the phone or making lesson plans or driving or doing
dozens of other things. I'm a little stressed...
it's been funny how clearly this is The Lord's work because 'the
numbers' for both areas have been amazing! and it hasn't been because
of us because we have only spent half a week in a area. but that
doesn't stop this work from going forward!
for example we were in Truro's sacrament meeting yesterday when
this non-member walks in, and tells us that she has been researching
'the mormons' and she has been looking for more in her life and that
this was probably it!!! yeah, that REALLY did happen yesterday!
Heavenly Father is amazing! I am so inadequate, so weak and yet with
HIM all things are possible, including building up two areas at once.
I wish I could write more but I've had a very stressful preparation
day and it is soon coming to a close...
THE GOSPEL IS TRUE! JOSEPH SMITH IS JESUS CHRIST'S PROPHET! Read the
Book of Mormon and see for yourself
I love you all and pray for you!
Sister Bentley
05 Mar 2012
That's right Emergency Transfers this week!
one of the Sisters in Halifax has been sick for 5 weeks and so
Saturday they sent her home. on Friday Sister Davis and I were weekly
planning in our apartment when we get a call from President Simpson.
He informs us that Sister Russo would be going home and that we would
be in a trio with Sister Huppe (Sister Russo's Companion)! but then
President added. "that leaves us in a tough spot though sisters
because there are lots of great people that are being taught in
Halifax. so I need the three of you to work both areas."
yup, you read that right... so I am now working in Truro and
Halifax South. My two areas are over an hour apart (and we past 3
other mission areas on our way) and they are as different as night and
day! Truro is a small town and Halifax in the capital of Nova Scotia!
we've almost knocked on every door in Truro and in Halifax they don't
even knock on doors because of all the people you meet on the street!
President said that this arrangement needs to last 9 weeks and
that it is our responsibility to keep both areas thriving and strong
for when the new Sister comes (in 9 weeks). So that means that the
next 9 weeks will consist of 3 companions, 2 areas, 2 Apartments, 2
cell phones, 1 car, 1 YSA Branch, 1 Family Branch, over 20
investigators, no travel restrictions, and we currently have 4
baptisms to plan for. ...Crazy right?...
I'm going to be so busy! literally every thought, every action
must for the people here because we have so many to care for! I'm
nervous and excited. this is going to be a crazy awesome adventure!
one of the great things about it is that it will totally depend
on the members' diligence to keep the work going. because we aren't
going to have much time to do anything but teach, our 'finding time'
is going to be very limited. In the YSA Branch I'm not too worried,
they have so many great kids that are talking to their friends about
the gosple and want to help with the work! in Truro I'm a little more
nervous, but no unhallowed hand can stop The Lord's work! I have
complete faith that this is The Lord's will and that I've just began
nine weeks of miracles!
So I'll be spending half the week in Truro and half in Halifax,
carrying all my food with me and living out of a suitcase. Right now
i'm in Truro and on Wednesday night after teaching a lesson we are
driving to Halifax to stay until saturday night.
frankly, I'm honored that we were given this assignment there
are so many other areas that are closer to Halifax and yet The Lord
chose me, Sister Davis and sister Huppe to care for them both! I hope
I am dilligent enough to let The Lord bless the areas!
Love Sister Bentley
one of the Sisters in Halifax has been sick for 5 weeks and so
Saturday they sent her home. on Friday Sister Davis and I were weekly
planning in our apartment when we get a call from President Simpson.
He informs us that Sister Russo would be going home and that we would
be in a trio with Sister Huppe (Sister Russo's Companion)! but then
President added. "that leaves us in a tough spot though sisters
because there are lots of great people that are being taught in
Halifax. so I need the three of you to work both areas."
yup, you read that right... so I am now working in Truro and
Halifax South. My two areas are over an hour apart (and we past 3
other mission areas on our way) and they are as different as night and
day! Truro is a small town and Halifax in the capital of Nova Scotia!
we've almost knocked on every door in Truro and in Halifax they don't
even knock on doors because of all the people you meet on the street!
President said that this arrangement needs to last 9 weeks and
that it is our responsibility to keep both areas thriving and strong
for when the new Sister comes (in 9 weeks). So that means that the
next 9 weeks will consist of 3 companions, 2 areas, 2 Apartments, 2
cell phones, 1 car, 1 YSA Branch, 1 Family Branch, over 20
investigators, no travel restrictions, and we currently have 4
baptisms to plan for. ...Crazy right?...
I'm going to be so busy! literally every thought, every action
must for the people here because we have so many to care for! I'm
nervous and excited. this is going to be a crazy awesome adventure!
one of the great things about it is that it will totally depend
on the members' diligence to keep the work going. because we aren't
going to have much time to do anything but teach, our 'finding time'
is going to be very limited. In the YSA Branch I'm not too worried,
they have so many great kids that are talking to their friends about
the gosple and want to help with the work! in Truro I'm a little more
nervous, but no unhallowed hand can stop The Lord's work! I have
complete faith that this is The Lord's will and that I've just began
nine weeks of miracles!
So I'll be spending half the week in Truro and half in Halifax,
carrying all my food with me and living out of a suitcase. Right now
i'm in Truro and on Wednesday night after teaching a lesson we are
driving to Halifax to stay until saturday night.
frankly, I'm honored that we were given this assignment there
are so many other areas that are closer to Halifax and yet The Lord
chose me, Sister Davis and sister Huppe to care for them both! I hope
I am dilligent enough to let The Lord bless the areas!
Love Sister Bentley
27 Feb 2012
first of all, where on earth did February go? secondly, I'm so glad
you saw Mrs. Pressley! I've been thinking about them! I remembered
Anna on her birthday, I wanted to send her a card so badly but I don't
have their address. I think they live on HWY 81? anyways, if the
Pressley family is reading this, I love you!!! and Anna, HAPPY 21
BIRTHDAY! (13 days late...)
as for me well, I've been so richly blessed the pass week! It's such a
blessing to get to see the change the gospel makes in people's lives!
I just love the Lord so much for allowing me to be here and for
trusting me with this sacred assignment to further His work.
Sister Davis and I have been working hard this week and staying busy.
we've been teaching lots (investigators, members, recent converts and
less active) the Spirit has just been so evident in our work this
week! I just love that Sister Davis and I do so little but as long as
we trust in The Lord than The Spirit is what changes hearts and minds
and gives people the opportunity to find true happiness in their
lives!
so physically I'm SOOOO tired... but spiritually I just want to keep
going all day. example, on Saturday morning I woke up at the normal
time of 6:30, but wasn't feeling to great. nonetheless I prepared for
the day. during companion study I really wasn't feeling good, I kinda
had a breakdown... my dear sweet Trainer told me to go back to bed. I
reluctantly obeyed. I fell asleep around 10:30 am and I didn't wake up
until 6pm... that is how tired I was! needless the say I feel much
better. but what better way run yourself exhausted than in the service
of The Lord.
Lorizana Family, thank you for the letter! I LOVE all of the
homemade cards! they totally brightened my day! my companion was a
little jealous that I got so many sweet/ crafty notes! you all are so
wonderful! thank you again!
today for personal study I was reading Alma 52-55. and I really struck
me how Heavenly Father uses all of our 'little trials' for our good
and that as we continually choose to grow from our hardships in life
we will someday be a useful (and sometimes required) tool in
furthering His Work. just like Laman, he had to go through a lot of
trials which eventually lead him to be the means that so many of the
Nephites (people who use to be Laman's emeny) were able to be rescued
without the shedding any blood! amazing! see what happens when we let
The Lord be our guide?
Love,
Sister Bentley
you saw Mrs. Pressley! I've been thinking about them! I remembered
Anna on her birthday, I wanted to send her a card so badly but I don't
have their address. I think they live on HWY 81? anyways, if the
Pressley family is reading this, I love you!!! and Anna, HAPPY 21
BIRTHDAY! (13 days late...)
as for me well, I've been so richly blessed the pass week! It's such a
blessing to get to see the change the gospel makes in people's lives!
I just love the Lord so much for allowing me to be here and for
trusting me with this sacred assignment to further His work.
Sister Davis and I have been working hard this week and staying busy.
we've been teaching lots (investigators, members, recent converts and
less active) the Spirit has just been so evident in our work this
week! I just love that Sister Davis and I do so little but as long as
we trust in The Lord than The Spirit is what changes hearts and minds
and gives people the opportunity to find true happiness in their
lives!
so physically I'm SOOOO tired... but spiritually I just want to keep
going all day. example, on Saturday morning I woke up at the normal
time of 6:30, but wasn't feeling to great. nonetheless I prepared for
the day. during companion study I really wasn't feeling good, I kinda
had a breakdown... my dear sweet Trainer told me to go back to bed. I
reluctantly obeyed. I fell asleep around 10:30 am and I didn't wake up
until 6pm... that is how tired I was! needless the say I feel much
better. but what better way run yourself exhausted than in the service
of The Lord.
Lorizana Family, thank you for the letter! I LOVE all of the
homemade cards! they totally brightened my day! my companion was a
little jealous that I got so many sweet/ crafty notes! you all are so
wonderful! thank you again!
today for personal study I was reading Alma 52-55. and I really struck
me how Heavenly Father uses all of our 'little trials' for our good
and that as we continually choose to grow from our hardships in life
we will someday be a useful (and sometimes required) tool in
furthering His Work. just like Laman, he had to go through a lot of
trials which eventually lead him to be the means that so many of the
Nephites (people who use to be Laman's emeny) were able to be rescued
without the shedding any blood! amazing! see what happens when we let
The Lord be our guide?
Love,
Sister Bentley
20 February 2012
... whenever people ask about my family I always tell them
that the first grand-baby is coming soon, and that she is going to be
just the cutest and that she will be spoiled rotten!
okay so weather this week, it's been so warm! I even didn't have to
wear a scarf the other day! and the day before I started sweating a
little while walking up a hill, which tells me two things 1. I am out
of shape 2. SPRING IS COMING! everyone is shocked! but I'm so excited!
the sun has been shining almost all day everyday...
they changed the sister dress/ grooming site. so if anyone wants to
look on the site and send me fun cloths (especially jewlery and
purses) like this site that would be sweet. you don't have to, just a
suggestion.
http://missionary.lds.org/dress-grooming/dress/shoes/?lang=eng
so on Saturday Sister Davis and i planned and put together our
first baptism. sadly, it wasn't for one of our investigators but it
was for one of the 8 year-old girls in the branch. she had been
wanting to be baptized since she turned 8 in September, her mom didn't
know how (and didn't want put the effort into learning how) and no one
else in the branch took the initiative to do it and so the Sister
Missionaries took care of everything. normally the branch mission
leader would be the one to coordinate most baptisms but he was just
baptized himself 3 months ago and we are in the prosses of teaching he
about the church/ his calling. everything came together in the end but
it was kind of a disaster. Sister Davis and I agreed that now we have
experience for when we are planning for our children's baptisms.
as I as reading the Book of Mormon this morning I came across
Alma 38:9 to me it was saying that true wisdom= faith is Jesus Chirst.
I love this gospel so much! I love that I get to share it with others.
my favorite thing I've experience so far on my mission is seeing
change in the countenance of those we are teaching. seeing the spirit
work in someone really is amazing. and I'm so blessed to get to see it
first hand!!! and I don't do anything, the Spirit literally does all
the work. did I mention I'm so blessed to be here? I love it and I
love HIM who's work this is. I keep thinking "these were times never
to be forgotten" (I'm pretty sure that's a quote from Oliver Cowdery
talking about working with Joseph Smith)
tomorrow is my first Zone Leadership training. it over an hour
away in Newglassgo. it will pretty much be roll playing from 8 am to 4
pm and since Sister Davis and I are the only sisters in the Zone we
have the privilege of roll playing with President Simpson and the
Assistance... I'm kind of terrified.
OH and President Simpson also asked (well really it was more of an
assignment) to speak with him next week in sacrament meeting. I don't
mind speaking but i'm a little bit intimidated to speak with him.
... so Sister Davis and I volunteer at a nursing home on Fridays, and
there are always people there who volunteer their time and talents to
sing and play for the seniors. I always think "Henry and I could
totally do this..." wouldn't it be fun to go sing some old show tunes
for a nursing home?
the work is hard, and the 'numbers' aren't satisfying. but it is the
sweetest feeling to come in after working your heart out all day,
getting rejection after rejection and having no "measurable success"
but then getting on your knees and feeling the Holy Ghost whisper your
work has been excepted by The Lord. up to this point in my life, I
have never felt anything so delicious, so sweet, so satisfying as to
have the Holy Ghost "consecrate my performance... for the welfare of
my soul" (2 Nephi 32:9)
love you all,
Sister Bentley
that the first grand-baby is coming soon, and that she is going to be
just the cutest and that she will be spoiled rotten!
okay so weather this week, it's been so warm! I even didn't have to
wear a scarf the other day! and the day before I started sweating a
little while walking up a hill, which tells me two things 1. I am out
of shape 2. SPRING IS COMING! everyone is shocked! but I'm so excited!
the sun has been shining almost all day everyday...
they changed the sister dress/ grooming site. so if anyone wants to
look on the site and send me fun cloths (especially jewlery and
purses) like this site that would be sweet. you don't have to, just a
suggestion.
http://missionary.lds.org/dress-grooming/dress/shoes/?lang=eng
so on Saturday Sister Davis and i planned and put together our
first baptism. sadly, it wasn't for one of our investigators but it
was for one of the 8 year-old girls in the branch. she had been
wanting to be baptized since she turned 8 in September, her mom didn't
know how (and didn't want put the effort into learning how) and no one
else in the branch took the initiative to do it and so the Sister
Missionaries took care of everything. normally the branch mission
leader would be the one to coordinate most baptisms but he was just
baptized himself 3 months ago and we are in the prosses of teaching he
about the church/ his calling. everything came together in the end but
it was kind of a disaster. Sister Davis and I agreed that now we have
experience for when we are planning for our children's baptisms.
as I as reading the Book of Mormon this morning I came across
Alma 38:9 to me it was saying that true wisdom= faith is Jesus Chirst.
I love this gospel so much! I love that I get to share it with others.
my favorite thing I've experience so far on my mission is seeing
change in the countenance of those we are teaching. seeing the spirit
work in someone really is amazing. and I'm so blessed to get to see it
first hand!!! and I don't do anything, the Spirit literally does all
the work. did I mention I'm so blessed to be here? I love it and I
love HIM who's work this is. I keep thinking "these were times never
to be forgotten" (I'm pretty sure that's a quote from Oliver Cowdery
talking about working with Joseph Smith)
tomorrow is my first Zone Leadership training. it over an hour
away in Newglassgo. it will pretty much be roll playing from 8 am to 4
pm and since Sister Davis and I are the only sisters in the Zone we
have the privilege of roll playing with President Simpson and the
Assistance... I'm kind of terrified.
OH and President Simpson also asked (well really it was more of an
assignment) to speak with him next week in sacrament meeting. I don't
mind speaking but i'm a little bit intimidated to speak with him.
... so Sister Davis and I volunteer at a nursing home on Fridays, and
there are always people there who volunteer their time and talents to
sing and play for the seniors. I always think "Henry and I could
totally do this..." wouldn't it be fun to go sing some old show tunes
for a nursing home?
the work is hard, and the 'numbers' aren't satisfying. but it is the
sweetest feeling to come in after working your heart out all day,
getting rejection after rejection and having no "measurable success"
but then getting on your knees and feeling the Holy Ghost whisper your
work has been excepted by The Lord. up to this point in my life, I
have never felt anything so delicious, so sweet, so satisfying as to
have the Holy Ghost "consecrate my performance... for the welfare of
my soul" (2 Nephi 32:9)
love you all,
Sister Bentley
13 Feb 2012
things are going okay here. the week went by so fast! today is the
first day of my 2nd transfer. life as a missionary is just crazy. I
can't explain it, just go on a mission then you'll understand.
we've been knocking a ton this week, (and it's crazy to me how many
men answer the door with no shirt on in the winter) and it hasn't been
fun because of the weather! but because of our dillegence and The
Lord's blessings we have a lot of teaching appointments this next
week.
I realized this week that I don't feel satisfied when sister Davis
and I have "good numbers" for the week. what brings me the most
satisfaction is walking into the apartment at the end of the day and
feeling The Holy Ghost assure you that your work has been excepted by
The Lord. When I feel that way, than I'm ezcited to wake up the next
day and knock for 12 hours just as long as it is for The Lord.
...
I was just talking to someone that had been in GA this week, they said
it was pretty cold! that's too bad!
honestly, -3 is warm. I'm greatful when it's just -3. the weather this
week has been crazy. on wed it was kinda warm (+5 degrees) and sunny!
on thrusday it was +3 and rainy, everyone said it was 'pouring rain'
but they've never seen a Gerogia rain storm. on friday and most of
saturday it was still pretty mild. then Saturday night/ Sunday morning
I incountered something I thought people only joked about... FREEZING
RAIN... on Sunday morning we woke up to -17 and an sheet of ice an
inch thick on EVERYTHING! trees were frozen in strange directions and
all the outside stairs has become ice-ramps! and sadly here in Nova
Soctia they are 'cancel happy' meaning they look for any and every
excuse to cancel everything! so church was canceled. you know what
that means? we knocked doors all day yesterday! woohoo! it wasn't too
bad. it was a little scary walking on ice all day but I survived.
actually it's kind of a funny story, we had been out for a few
hours and I was cold, and no one was listening, so I was complaining
to The Lord in my head about the weather and how hard missionary work
is sometimes. I then thought/ prayed to The Lord "Father am I even
suppose to be here?!? why aren't things happening?!? Why don't you
just send me some place else if I keep messing things up?!?" I had
scarcy thought that thought when I slipped and fell right on my back.
as I layed on the ground for a moment I realized I was being silly and
I instantly started laughing! Heavenly Father had just knocked some
sense into me. I felt so much better after that! (BTW I slipped on a
non- smooth ice patch of ground, so there was no logical reason for me
to fall)
on that note, sister Davis and I have almost knocked all of Truro...
seriously! we are kind of freaking out about it. we are going to try
to start working through members more.
...
06 Feb 2012
Dear everyone,
I'm cold... you know it's cold outside will your face hurts the
moment you walk out the door!
last night we were knocking in -16 weather with a wind chill of -28!
THAT WAS COLD! we could only be outside for about twenty minutes
before we were numb (even though I was wearing 10 layers and toe
warmers!). needless to say we only knocked for a twenty minutes last
night! LOL!
I was talking to someone from Alberta the other day and she said that
-25 in Truro feels like the -60 in Alberta! so yeah, it's cold. I
pretty much wear ever item of clothing I own every day... okay it's
not that bad. but there have been times while knocking that I think
about my MTC District that went to California and Arizona and I try
not to get jealous.
...
so the Truro Branch just had someone return home from their mission
in Texas. during church he came right up to us to announce with pride
that during his whole two years he never had to knock a door. The
Halifax Canada mission is different from Texas. but it doesn't have to
be!
everyone listen closely to what I'm about to tell you. HELP YOUR
FULL-TIME MISSIONARIES! and I don't mean feeding them. I mean prepare
your friends to except the gospel. don't throw a BOM in their face, to
tell them that HAVE to meet with missionaries or else. live the
gospel! and I don't mean just be good I mean OPEN YOUR MOUTH and tell
people why you have so much peace and happiness in your life. as you
freely and happily talk about the Gospel I promise it won't be awkward
and you will receive the blessings that come from fulfilling YOUR
responsibly from THE LORD to find people for the missionaries to
teach. knocking is a way to find but it is not effective. it takes me
and sister Davis 2 hours to find one person that is willing to let us
come back 5 out of 10 times they aren't home when we go back 3 out of
10 times they change their minds. and out of the 2 that actually
listen 1 lets us come back again and .5 actually progress in the
gospel. most poeple are brought into the church by their friends
inviting them!
I'm so grateful to have the gospel in my life! what a joy! what a
rare blessing to have been taught the only true gospel my whole life!
think about only 15 million people have this message. there are so
many more that need to hear and are willing to hear! we just have to
share with them. (it will only be awkward if you make it awkward)
...
so I've been trying to find some
really dependable snow boots, but they are hard to find in a small
town like Truro...
whoever thought of sending the tacobell sauce was BRILLIANT! there is
taco bell up here but no sauces, it kind of blows my mind! feel free
to always send more of that! ;) thank you so much for the package! as
soon as the UPS truck pulled up I just knew it was from you guys.
the church is just so different here.
I mean it's the same organization and gospel but the people... are
just so Canadian...
Canadians are seriously the most indirect people I've ever met!
communication is so bazaar, no one listens to each other and no one
takes the initiative to actually DO something they would rather sit
around for hours and TALK about doing it. seriously! Branch council
will run for over 2 hours, and nothing will have been decided or
delegated! last Sunday we were in the meeting for 2 1/2 hours before
the Progress Record was even mentioned! and no one ever looks at the
handbook.
BUT there is hope, the Lord has had 5 young families move in from
places where the church is stronger and these families understand how
the church is suppose to run, so I'm hoping they will be able to help
get everything straighted out!
love you,
Sister Bentley
I'm cold... you know it's cold outside will your face hurts the
moment you walk out the door!
last night we were knocking in -16 weather with a wind chill of -28!
THAT WAS COLD! we could only be outside for about twenty minutes
before we were numb (even though I was wearing 10 layers and toe
warmers!). needless to say we only knocked for a twenty minutes last
night! LOL!
I was talking to someone from Alberta the other day and she said that
-25 in Truro feels like the -60 in Alberta! so yeah, it's cold. I
pretty much wear ever item of clothing I own every day... okay it's
not that bad. but there have been times while knocking that I think
about my MTC District that went to California and Arizona and I try
not to get jealous.
...
so the Truro Branch just had someone return home from their mission
in Texas. during church he came right up to us to announce with pride
that during his whole two years he never had to knock a door. The
Halifax Canada mission is different from Texas. but it doesn't have to
be!
everyone listen closely to what I'm about to tell you. HELP YOUR
FULL-TIME MISSIONARIES! and I don't mean feeding them. I mean prepare
your friends to except the gospel. don't throw a BOM in their face, to
tell them that HAVE to meet with missionaries or else. live the
gospel! and I don't mean just be good I mean OPEN YOUR MOUTH and tell
people why you have so much peace and happiness in your life. as you
freely and happily talk about the Gospel I promise it won't be awkward
and you will receive the blessings that come from fulfilling YOUR
responsibly from THE LORD to find people for the missionaries to
teach. knocking is a way to find but it is not effective. it takes me
and sister Davis 2 hours to find one person that is willing to let us
come back 5 out of 10 times they aren't home when we go back 3 out of
10 times they change their minds. and out of the 2 that actually
listen 1 lets us come back again and .5 actually progress in the
gospel. most poeple are brought into the church by their friends
inviting them!
I'm so grateful to have the gospel in my life! what a joy! what a
rare blessing to have been taught the only true gospel my whole life!
think about only 15 million people have this message. there are so
many more that need to hear and are willing to hear! we just have to
share with them. (it will only be awkward if you make it awkward)
...
so I've been trying to find some
really dependable snow boots, but they are hard to find in a small
town like Truro...
whoever thought of sending the tacobell sauce was BRILLIANT! there is
taco bell up here but no sauces, it kind of blows my mind! feel free
to always send more of that! ;) thank you so much for the package! as
soon as the UPS truck pulled up I just knew it was from you guys.
the church is just so different here.
I mean it's the same organization and gospel but the people... are
just so Canadian...
Canadians are seriously the most indirect people I've ever met!
communication is so bazaar, no one listens to each other and no one
takes the initiative to actually DO something they would rather sit
around for hours and TALK about doing it. seriously! Branch council
will run for over 2 hours, and nothing will have been decided or
delegated! last Sunday we were in the meeting for 2 1/2 hours before
the Progress Record was even mentioned! and no one ever looks at the
handbook.
BUT there is hope, the Lord has had 5 young families move in from
places where the church is stronger and these families understand how
the church is suppose to run, so I'm hoping they will be able to help
get everything straighted out!
love you,
Sister Bentley
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