Let Your Light So Shine

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

This week I have been studying the life of Christ. I really liked this part of his Sermon on the Mount. The Savior was very bold in His teachings and the people who listened felt the power of His words. He is an example to me and the greatest teacher. He teaches us here that we should show our light to the world and show our faith by our good works. I know that these are words from our loving Heavenly Father. I know that as we follow the example of Jesus Christ, we are blessed with light to illuminate our path of righteousness and help others find their way as well. We will have more abundantly the guidance of the Holy Ghost and joy in our days. I have felt His love each and everyday in the mission and I hope that everyone understands that these blessings of love and light are available to all.


Hey Everyone!


The heat is starting up again, we are preparing for another hot summer. I have lots of favorite foods here! I have really like the shrimp, tacos, and there are sandwich with grilled meat called tortas which are really good. And also a seafood called ceviche and fried fish. Several people have told me about Trump and the crazy things he is doing with North Korea...


This was a pretty fun week! This week we worked on a challenge made by one of the missionaries in our zone who challenged us to find 25 investigators in 2 weeks. We started out a little weak in the first week by only finding 5 new investigators. The Lord really blessed us in this last week by finding 17 new people to teach. It was a miracle for us because we at first were discouraged but we put our faith in Him and He provided the way to find His children we need to share our message of hope. We felt satisfied with out efforts.


We are excited for the baptism of Genaro on Saturday 25th. He is also animated! He is such a prepared and a brave young man. He has 8 brothers in his family and his mom and dad but only he has progressed. His brothers have been listening but have not yet gone to church. Genaro is going to be a great example for his family and in time they too will want to be baptized. We had to teach a lot in a short amount of time but he has been well about studying and praying daily. We have felt happy to help this young man become a disciple of Christ.



A crazy story that our investigator Jesus told us this week  was when he was a little kid like 7 years old, he was picked up by drug dealers. They look for the kids that aren't well looked after and who can become potential drug dealers so they would do things to train him. For example, they picked him up when he was in the street and hung him by his hands and beat him with a board, they made him fight a seal, they buried him in the sand so his head was sticking out and the craziest thing was that they forced open his mouth and shoved down a snake and it was alive in his stomach. He didn't know what to do and so he thought to drink mineral agua and the carbonation made the snake leave out of his throat after four days, BUT left babies! The two babies left out the other end. We were in shock when he told us that haha.

Ward Activity

Thank you all! Have a beautiful week

We Can Receive Grace & Mercy

Mosiah 15:9 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.


I love this scripture! This talks about the Savior's Atonement. He suffered and died for us, and rose on the 3rd day. He gave us the opportunity to repent and become new again. He has made it possible the Resurrection of all men. He made it possible that we can receive grace and mercy from our loving Heavenly Father. I am so thankful for my Savior, Jesus the Christ!


Hola a todos! This last week our mission president gave us a 6 week challenge to study the scriptures especifically about Jesus Christ. Pte Nelson recently completed this challenge and learned more about the Savior and strengthened his testimony about His Gospel and His life as well as the prophet Joseph Smith. In the back of the scriptures in the Scripture Guide where we are looking up, studying and marking every scripture that we find about the Savior. I love this challenge and I love everyday that I can come to know the Son of God more and become more like him. Our companionship studies have been more interesting now with the challenge.


I made my 10th and final trip to finish my visa and become legal here in Sinaloa again. I went to Culiacan to receive my green card that allows me to live legally here in Mexico for one year. I was so grateful that I am finished dealing with all of the immigration things so I can focus on the work my last few months of the mission. When we went to the offices of the mission. President and Sister Gabaldon were there and we all participated in arm wrestling contests which was pretty fun! I have lost a lot of strength haha....


This week was a little rough. We have had a a few situations with our investigators and members that have been trying us. However, we are preparing Genaro, our investigator of 15 years old for his baptism for the 25th of this month. He is such good young man! The Albatros ward needs more youth, there are very little. We taught him the Restoration this week. Our other investigators haven't had time to listen or are not progressing.


We had a Family Home Evening on Thursday and we participated in the choir for the Ward Conference which was fun! I miss singing in choir!


I am grateful for this Gospel and I know that it blesses my life!


Thanks for everything! Have a great week!


Elder Bennett

So Much to be Thankful For

Alma 29:14 But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi. 15 Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward! 16 Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy.


I wanted to share this scripture this week. I have come to have a gratitude for everything that has happened in my missionary service, the difficult and the sweet moments. I have come to feel joy and happiness for the joys of others. Even though success has come in different ways than I expect, I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who loves and knows me and blesses me for my obedience. I know that He is there for me and comforts me in difficult times and gives me joy in the beautiful experiences. I know Jesus is the Christ; the Savior and Redeemer of the World. I know that it is only by Him that we can be saved and returns to God's presence. (John 14:6) There is much to be thankful for!

My companion and Josue on Fast Sunday

Hey everyone!


This has been an amazing week! I am enjoying my new companion, Elder Gonzalez for the joy and spirit of work that he brings to Albatros! He is such a great Elder! He is from Puebla. He works very hard and we get along really well. I am trying to help him learn English and it is brain  
racking trying to remember English, there is no problem with writing it, it's the talking... We have started out week one of the transfer super well!

The Relief Society President, Lupita, invited us over and made us crepes

We recently put a baptismal date with a young man named Genaro. He has 15 years old and he has a lot of faith in Christ. We are going to baptize him on March 25! We are so excited! He is attending seminary and is going to church every week and reading the scriptures! Not many youth these days are doing that!

Part of our area

We had a special experience with one of our investigators that we have been teaching for a while now named Jazmin. Her boyfriend who is the father of their two children recently returned back with her and they are progressing amazingly. They are now praying as a family and they attended church for the first time! Ahhh I was so excited because the blessings of the Sabbath Day are so special and she has made lots of changes in her life and is seeing the blessings and gaining a testimony. The Lord is blessing us and our investigators in many ways!

Chorreadas

We have worked hard this week to find new investigators. We have had to leave a few of them for a while so the seed that we have planted in them can swell and grow. We have a few new people in teaching that are progressing as well!


I love this gospel, I love the Church of Jesus Christ, I love my family and I love God! Thanks for your love and help!

Mini General Conference

Alma 38:12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.

Elder Tineo & Elder Castillo

This week, an Area 70 member Elder Clayton shared this scripture with us in our conference with him and other general authorities. He talked about how as missionaries we currently are under a structure of rules of a full time mission. There will come a time in our lives that we will write our own manuals. We will have to become disciples of Jesus Christ, even when we are not obligated to do so. We have to become true converts of Christ in His gospel so that when the trials in our lives come, we will decide to choose the right and be true disciples of God in our daily lives.


Holaaa a todos!


This was a pretty crazy week!

With Elder Cruz- probably in Culiacan?

Well first of all, the highlight of the week was the conference with President Russell M. Nelson of the 12 Apostles. Along with him came, Elder and Hna Valenzuela, Elder and Sister Piper, Elder and Sister Clayton, and Pte Nelson. Wow, it felt like a mini general conference! We weren't allowed at all to take pictures but just the memories and experiences of being with these individuals was such a privilege. When I shook Pte Nelson's hand, he told me "Good morning, Elder Bennett."

Mexico Culiacan Mission with President Nelson

President Nelson also met with Catholic and Government leaders in Mexico

One of the things that Pte Nelson talked of in his talk was about marriage. He said that we (the Elders) think that we have found the girl that we want to marry we have to ask ourselves "Does the lady that I want to marry have faith in God like Hna Gabaldón?" I thought that was pretty interesting. We really do have an amazing Mission President and his wife. Pte Nelson talked of Christ as well. He talked about 10 attributes of Christ. I liked when he talked of Jehovah, and how Moses had to climb up Mount Sinai to talk to Jehovah. He said sometimes we have to climb our own personal Mount Sinai to reach the Lord in our lives. It is true because sometimes it's not easy, but it will always be worth it in the end.


Transfers are today! I will stay in Albatros - Mazatlan another transfer, I have 4 and a half months here now. I am with my new companion Elder Gonzalez from Puebla! He is a greenie in the mission still with 3 months. He likes to work and we are going to baptize this transfer :) Elder Sanchez went to my old area of Tanques. I gave him a few survival tips haha.

Lunch on Wednesday- I love seafood!

Work here has been difficult. This last week started La Carnanval, (Carnival) which is a week long celebration of fiestas and eating and dancing. People come from all over the world to this carnival, so it's a pretty big deal. We have had little success in teaching this week due to the parties haha.


Thanks everyone! Have a great week!


Elder Bennett
Reply Reply to

Splits

Hey Everyone!


2 Nephi 3:12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the
Lord.



I wanted to share this scripture this week because it refers to the Bible and the Book of Mormon. They are both testaments of the restored gospel and testify of Christ and his glory. I know that they compliment each other and help us come closer to our loving Heavenly Father. I know that it contains the fulness of the gospel and helps us to become more Christlike. I know it is true by studying them and praying to know!


This was a pretty busy and stressful week.


We have been enduring to the end here in Albatros. Transfers are next week and we know there will be changes. We are getting excited for this Saturday to see Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the 12. We have to leave at 4 in the morning to go to Culiacan to see him.

Splits in Villa de Union

This week, we went on splits Elder Sanchez and myself with Elder Quezada and Elder Horrocks on Tuesday, the four working at Villa Union. Elder Horrocks and I worked together and I was able to help him with his little Spanish and teach him some things too. He is a good missionary. We put in two baptismal dates and got 7 new ones this day. Also on Friday we did our district activity to find new ones in the Vicente Guererro area. We were Elder Serrano and I and we had four contacts and a new one in an hour and a half. 

In the Albatros area, we are persevering. We are following up with the investigators progressing and finding new ones. Since the change of key indicators and focusing on the four, our contacts and references have not been many but we are trying to have lessons with the PF's and contacts / references of past changes. Our date investigators have been discouraged. Jose does not want to go to church because of the pain he could not walk and his skin. He got discouraged a lot when his brother told him that there are no miracles and he does not need religion or God to heal  but it is the money that will cure him. We are trying to work with him so he will be baptized 25 of March.


Thanks everyone, have a great week!


Elder Bennett

Sharing Love, Peace and Joy!

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

I really liked this scripture this week when I read it. I know that when I give or when I am serving my fellowman, I am giving and serving to the Lord. He always blesses us when we do His will. His will is that we love the Lord with all thy heart, might, mind and strength and also that we love thy neighbor as thy self. I know that through selfless service and acts of kindness and charity, we can receive the joy of the Spirit more abundantly in our lives. So my challenge is that we can do unto others as they would do unto you.


Hola a todos!


It's been a pretty good week, in fact, every week is a good week! The mission is such a great blessing in my life. I love that I can share love, peace and joy to others each and everyday. A simple phrase of testimony can set events in motion that affect someone's life for eternity.


We have been working with several investigators this week. We are pretty excited about José who has a baptismal date for 25 March. We had to put his date in a future date because of his lack of attendances to church. We have lots of investigators that are progressing and we are just working hard to teach them and guide them through the process of repentance and invite them to come unto Christ.


I have been enjoying the new changes in the missionary schedule and the focus on 4 key indicators, as well as the standards of excellence.


I never mentioned some of the new changes in the missionary schedule worldwide. So we still wake up at 6:30, but we no longer have a order in which we do the things. We just need to do the following things before 10:00 am. 30 minutes of exercise, breakfast, get ready, 1 hour of personal study, and 30 minutes of planning. Then during the day we are expected to do 30 more minutes of comp study, and 30 minutes of language study, but at the time we want. But we are supposed to be out of the house by 10:00 working and back home by 9:00. The idea is that we are to be our personal agents and not locked to a certain schedule. The idea is that we will be healthier and more efficient missionaries. They also changed the numbers that we track. The only 4 numbers we count and report now are: 1) Baptisms and Confirmations 2) Baptismal Dates 3) Investigators in Church, 4) New Investigators.



The idea is that these 4 numbers are the most important. I like it. Its kinda a normal habit before with all the numbers we had, to try to reach the goals just so the people that report with you see good numbers. But now those numbers don;t get seen by any one else, and just the numbers that truly matter. Makes us work harder in my opinion


This week we had a zone conference and interviews with Presidente Gabaldón. I really do like my Presidente, after our interviews he took us out to Carls Jrs. He is pretty funny! We also received exciting news that at the end of the month we are going to receive a special visit from Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. We were super stoked!


Have a wonderful week everyone! Take care!


Elder Bennett



PS. This is me taking a treatment, drinking hot cinnamon tea and with medicine. I had a cold and one of our investigators in less than 30 minutes put me back together :)

We All Need God's Blessings

Alma 58:10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people. 11 Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him.

Basketball with the Compas!

In my studies I have been reading about the two thousand stripling warriors and their great diligence to keep the commandments of God. They were in war with the Lamanites and having troubles with them and they prayed mightily to God and they were blessed with peace. I love this story because each day we are fighting our own little battles and have challenges but when we are obedient and keep the commandments of our Heavenly Father, He will bless us in our afflictions and give us an assurance that we will overcome and our faith will become stronger.


Holaaa from Mazatlan!

Early morning exercise on the malecon

Elder Sanchez and I have been well! We have been working a lot with our investigators and being very patient with them. We love them and want the best for them. We were able to put baptismal dates with some, José for February 25 and Ramon for March 11. We have struggled a lot with putting baptismal dates but the Lord has blessed us that we could help these individuals to prepare for this important ordinance.

We had a pretty successful week, lots of ups and downs like always. A little scary all the assaults and murders that are going on lately but I never doubt in the Lord's protection when I do His will. I never doubt or fear because that is the opposite of faith and so I feel calm and segure that all will be well here. A 17 year old boy that lived in front of us was killed in an accident, the owner of our new apartment was assaulted after she took out $600,000 pesos from the bank, and a contact in the street told us that 20 minute before someone was killed like 2 blocks down from where we were, but I feel safe and protected from the world through my obedience and diligence to the rules and commandments.

Getting ready for the Carnival, which is a big deal here

It has been interesting the transition to the new mission schedule, but I am loving it! The new schedule allows us to use our agency more as missionaries. Lots of missionaries after the mission are becoming inactive or don't live the Gospel as strong as they did in the mission and so the First Presidency wants that we can get in a routine in the morning of studies and preparation that we can continue to put in practice after the mission. We have morning time to get ready in the morning and time to study as companions in the street which I like.

Sweet tie from Chiapas!

Sometimes it's a little frustrating when our investigators don't do the invitations that we extend. Elder Holland of the Quorum of the 12 said that we need to be sad when they don't read, pray, or go to church- we know these things CAN and WILL bless their lives so we need to be happy in their successes to live the Gospel and help them learn to make it a daily habit and a way of life. We all needs God's blessings, no one can live without them. We can be even more blessed in our lives when we do His will, and repent of our sins so we can be cleansed and have His spirit to be with us.


Tengan una buena semana a todos! Dios les bediga!


Elder Bennett