Serving with all my Heart, Might, Mind & Strength

2 Nephi 2:22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end. 23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin. 24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things. 25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

District Meeting

Last Sistrict Meeting of the transfer

I shared this scripture with my district this week in my last district meeting of the transfer to help the missionaries understand that it's important that we have joy in our service. I know that it would be difficult to share light and joy with others if I am not being an example of the believers and not living up to the Lord's standards. He gives us a promise that if we are obedient to His commandments and mission rules then He will guide us in our paths and we will obtain a testimony that Jesus is the Christ. I know that as we are obedient, we receive joy! Joy lasts forever but happiness is only temporary. The Gospel brings us the direction, peace, comfort, and joy that we need to overcome daily trials and keep moving forward becoming more like Christ.


Hello!


I am happy about the experiences I am having here in Pescadero! Transfers are the next week and we aren't sure what is going to happen. This next transfer will be my last before I'll be heading home in August. I am going to keep persevering and serving with all my heart, might, mind and strength! Ahhh I'll be turning 21 this week as well!!! Crazy!


We had a few challenges with our investigator Jesús this week. The Elders from San Lucas came down to do the baptismal interview and Jesús didn't pass his interview because of his lack of interest and according to him, he feels 50% yes and 50% no about his decision to be baptized. His family did not want to listen but now they are opening more and we are going to teach the whole family of Jesus. We feel a little frustrated because in the interview he said he has doubts that God exists and that because God made us sinners through Adam and Eve. We have asked inspired questions and he understands the doctrine well but still feel that it has not obtained a testimony from the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith.

After the interview of Jesús, we had to go to Cabo San Lucas unexpectedly due to one of zone leaders who recently became sick and hasn't been able to work all week. We went and helped Elder Tapia while one of us stayed with Elder Escalante in the house to take care of him.


We have been working hard! Elder Yzquierdo and I have become great friends, we are always laughing together!


This last week there has been talk of tropical storms and hurricanes coming on the way and so we will see what happens here later on this week!

Platanos

I know Christ lives and loves me! I love my family and I know families can be eternal. I know the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the Gospel and it changes the lives of those who read and apply it's contents.


Elder Bennett

Backyard Chickens

The Sabbath- A Delight!

Doctrine & Covenants 59:9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; 10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;

A member gave us a jar of peanut butter

Today in my District Meeting, I gave a training about how to help our investigators keep the Sabbath Day Holy and attend church. I learn so many awesome things and strengthen my own testimony as I prepare these trainings! As we attend church and partake of the sacred ordinance of the Sacrament, we are humbly showing that we love God and are willing to be obedient to take upon us the name of Christ. We will be worthy to have the guidance of the Holy Ghost which will guide us and protect us from the temptations of this world. Sunday should be a different day than all the rest because it's the Lord's day, that we should direct our thoughts and actions toward Him. I know that as we do it we will "keep ourselves unspotted from the world" and will be blessed the rest of the week in all things! Is the Sabbath Day a delight for you?

Hey everyone!
 Another crazy week! We had our zone conference in Cabo San Lucas this last Friday and it was great! It is always special to be able to receive instruction from our inspired leaders. I can detect the love and concern Presidente Gabaldón has for all the missionaries in this mission. Something that I really enjoyed of this conference was when Pte Gabaldón talked about the Light of Christ and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He explained that before our investigators are baptized, each one of them can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost through the Light of Christ, which helps each one of us discern between the good and the bad. But until someone is baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and confirmed is when they can receive the constant light and guidance and comfort of the Holy Ghost. I loved how he said that we can have the company of a God with us at all times if we are worthy, how wonderful is that! At the end of the conference, Presidente and Elder Daines (the assistant) went to La Paz for the next conference and they brought us to Pescadero.

Zone leaders & Elder Daines

This week was a little tough with our investigators. We were on our way back to house on Wednesday night on our bikes and some people hiding in the dark threw rocks at us but luckily none of them hit us which was good. Jesus our investigator that we are going to baptize this week has a few doubts and doesn't feel prepared for this Saturday and so we are trying to help him as much as we can so he can receive the covenants of baptism and follow the example of Christ. Maximino and Concepcion are very unstable and only want to take advantage of the help the Church gives but aren't willing to follow God and have faith so we have to leave them for a while.

A pet ostrich

We had a cool experience this week! We had 8 investigator attend church which is the most that we have been able to help attend church! We were especially happy when we saw a young couple, Julio and Gabi attend church with their 2 year old daughter. Gabi is going to have a baby in these next few days. In church in the class of the Relief Society, they talked about service and being self-sufficient. They quickly were fellowshipped by Pte Henry and his wife. Later that day Gabi called Hna Yolanda that they were in need to go to the hospital in La Paz and Presidente Henry and his wife gave them a ride to La Paz and have that good experience to attend church and they were blessed for their service.

On the way to Todos Santos

I love this church! I know it's true! It has brought so much joy and happiness to my life and to my family!


Elder Bennett

Cooking: fried fish and french fries

We made chicharrones for lunch one day

Opposition in All Things

3 Nephi 26:9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. 10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation. 11 Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people.


This scriptures called my attention this week in my personal studies of the Book of Mormon. In this part of the Book of Mormon, the Savior personally ministered in the Americas and was teaching his Gospel and establishing His church. I love this promise to us that if we believe the things that he taught us when he came (3 Nephi 11-27), we can receive the greater things. This scripture reminded me of the promised blessings as we live the Word of Wisdom, a commandment given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, that we can receive ''hidden treasures'' and great knowledge. These commandments are meant to try our faith, if we are obedient, we are blessed. I know that God blesses those who deserve His blessings- those who receive His word and then act on it!


Hey!


This was a tough week. Our investigators Maximino and Concepcion are going through deep trials right now. Concepcion felt sorry for herself this week because she has been really struggling to learn what we have been teaching. This family has gone through a lot and now Maximino and Concepcion got in a fight and now are separated and their baptismal date is no longer going to go through. We have seen great progress with them and have seen and felt the influence of the Spirit with them but now we are seeing the work of the devil separating families and detaining their spiritual progress. Max is going to move away and we don't even know where Concepcion is at to keep visiting her but we are still praying fervently for them.


Teodora as well was progressing and we put a baptismal date for 24 of June and her family wasn't in agreement with this decision because she has already been baptized as a child and is not ready to take such steps right now but I know that we have been able to help prepare her so that further down the road somebody else can baptize her. A lot of the investigator that we have been teaching told us not to come back for personal reasons and so now we just have to keep looking for those who want to learn of Christ and follow Him.


There are a few positive points that occurred this week! Presidente Henry is now back from California and is going to keep helping us with the branch's progress. We now have found solutions to our problems about not eating and Presidente Gabaldón has helped us a lot as well. Our investigator Jesus is doing really well and preparing for his baptism on June 24! He attended seminary this week and we were super happy about that! For the first time in my mission this week I gave a lesson to an American lady here in Pescadero. I didn't think I would be able to do it very well but the Spirit was able to help me with the correct words that the lady needed to hear.

Full Moon

"Es preciso que haya opocision en todas las cosas.." 2 Nefi 2:11


Elder Bennett

Great Strides

Splits with the Zone Leaders in Cabo

Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.


My companion Elder Yzquierdo shared with me in our companionship studies this scripture and it really intrigued me. I realized that the Lord promised us here a very specific blessings if we choose to keep the commandments. If we keep the commandments, the Lord will bless us with health and protect us from the sicknesses and diseases of the world. Christ is our 'Healer' and can give us relief if we come to be sick or afflicted. I know that God keeps His promises and will bless us with strength and health if we give heed to His word.


Hooola buenas tardes!


This week was a bit tough, we fought through a few trials but at the end of the day we are happy and healthy!


We have been bringing 7 investigators to church every week these last few weeks! We have been happy because these 7 people have been making great strides in their progression in the Gospel. We had a great Fast and Testimony Meeting on Sunday. The Stake President came down this week to preside and helped us out a lot in the challenges we have been facing alone, since our Branch President is still in California. There is now a first counselor in the Branch Presidency in the Pescadero Branch so there is progress! A few families from Utah that were here for vacation were present in the meetings and they brought a special spirit that our investigators could enjoy. I was happy to translate a few of their testimonies in Spanish.


We now have a baptismal date for Maximino and Concepcion! They accepted to be baptized on June 17 and another older lady that we have been teaching named Teodora accepted a baptismal date for June 24. Concepcion and Teodora don't know how to read but what I really admire of them is their desire to follow Christ and be obedient to His commandments. We are very happy with the results that we are seeing in this branch. The Lord has blessed us in many ways, even though it has been difficult, we are being diligent in the work! Last night, we received a call from President Gabaldón to tell us how proud he was of our work and help us out with the struggles of the meals and the water in the church for the baptismal font.

Mangoes growing in our backyard.

It is starting to heat up a lot! I'm starting to feel a lot more the sun burning my skin and the people always tell us that it is still cool right now that it will start to get a lot more hot soon!


I know Christ lives, I know He loves us and took our place to suffer the sins of the world. I know that He continues working miracles in our lives if we choose to follow Him in faith. I know God's true church has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the Gospel and can help us come closer to Christ following it's precepts more than any other book. This is my living and growing testimony that I share in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.


Elder Bennett