Miracles on Miracles!

Miracles!

So Tim and Phoebe are just miracles in and of themselves. They seriously are the most prepared people and they are so ready to be baptized. They came to church yesterday all aglow and it just made my life. Sadly they had to leave this morning for Arizona so that Phoebe could spend time with her mother while she is put on hospice. They are not sure how long they will be gone, but they are eager to get baptized the second they come home! Phoebe was adamant yesterday about speaking with the bishop for a few minutes. I asked her why and she told me that she wanted him to know that she has real intent to be baptized, even though it has taken her a long time to get there. She wanted to promise him that when she gets home she fully intends to make that commitment and to be a member of the one true church and finally partake of the Sacrament worthily. I have never met someone so prepared or eager to enter into this gospel. She knows it is true with her whole heart! And Tim is the same. They are building a foundation of faith together and they are becoming stronger and stronger every day. When we first heard that they were going to have to leave so suddenly because of Phoebe's mother's health I must admit I was super frustrated. I wondered, why now of all times? Just before they are going to be baptized?? But then I was quickly reprimanded by the spirit and was reminded why not now? What a blessing it is that she is able to face this trial with the truth and knowledge she has now attained. And what a blessing it will be to have the comfort and strength of a ward family behind her as she endures this hard time. Heavenly Father's timing is perfect, and that is something I need to trust more in!

Tim turned off the AC so he decided he didn't need a shirt.

Also this week we went to teach Rita! (She is the one who is living with her BF and can't get baptized until she moves out)  And Holy smoke you are not going to believe what happened. We are sitting on her couch in her home and just chatting on like Wednesday or something and all the sudden she mentions that she is going to talk to her sister in law to make plans for her wedding! We both looked at her and were like SAY WHAT?!?! She just smiled and laughed and was like yeah, I am getting married! Haha so that happened. We are going to have an African wedding! Let's just pray that she follows through and that all works out. She wants to be baptized so bad, and the fact that her BF agreed to marriage is a literal miracle!

Splits with Sister Jordan, Love her!

Ok, so lastly, my favorite miracle of the week (besides Phoebe and Tim because they are just a miracle of my whole mission..haha) is a miracle that occurred just last night. Yesterday was a rough day because most of our investigators did not come to church and we had to "set-aside" quite a few this week because they did not have real intent and were not progressing. Phoebe and Tim came of course, and that was so wonderful, but I was still quite bummed and wondered what more could I have done to help these people understand the urgency and importance of this gospel and this message? Now I realize that was such a prideful way to look at it, because people have their agency, and I am simply a mouthpiece for the truth, but still I was heartbroken. Church and especially sacrament were quite rejuvenating, but even as we went on to our evening appointments my heart was just sad. Towards the end of the night we went to visit a lady named Brandy. We tracted into her fiancé a few days ago and he invited us to come back and talk to her. She was so kind, and so open with us and with our message. We shared the Restoration and towards the end Sister Smith bore a powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon and how it answers questions. All of the sudden a question came to my mind and my heart started pounding...the spirit kept nudging me to ask, ask! So finally I slipped in and asked Brandy if there was a question she had recently been asking and wanted to find an answer to. She immediately got emotional and told us how the last couple of weeks she has been waking up in the middle of the night in panic attacks wondering what is gonna happen after she dies. Sister Smith and I just looked at each other awestruck, then excitedly explained that the next lesson we teach answers that question! And we left her with a Book of Mormon and told her to read Alma 40 to find an answer to her question that night! She said she would and we are planning to see her later this week. This experience solidified to me the importance of teaching by the spirit and trusting in the Lord even when things are discouraging or hard. Even though we had a less than phenomenal morning we were able to see miracles and see someone be brought closer to Christ because we were simply worthy and willing to open our mouths! THIS CHURCH IS SO TRUE!!!

Fun facts:

Yesterday I was leaving a voicemail for this lady and I closed "in the name of Jesus Christ...ahh..uhh...bye!" So I guess you really know you are a missionary when you start bearing testimony over the phone...lol

Twins 

Spiritual thought:
Alma 26:27 - I'll let y'all find out for yourselves why this is so good!

HAPPY PIONEER WEEK!!!!

Love you so so so so so so much!

- Sister Bengtzen

A wrestle before God

Sabrina, Sister Smith and President's wife Sister Gardner.

Ok, so we had interviews with President this week and it was awesome! He is the most amazing man I have ever met! He loves us missionaries so much and he takes the time to get to know each of us personally and individually. We only talked for like 15 minutes, but he gave me all the advice I needed to keep on swimming. He is so in tune with the spirit, and just loves the work and this gospel. I am grateful for him!

Also we had the opportunity to go to his home on Friday and have a Mighty Change of Heart study. It was my comp and I plus two other companionships of sisters. We had lunch in his home and just an incredible discussion about how we can be better missionaries and better help others come unto Christ. It was an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my mission. President and Sister Gardner truly are amazing, and I know I needed them. They are helping me so much.

Also Sister Smith. She is what I need, and I need not say anything else. I love her with my whole heart and am so grateful that she is training me. She pushes me and makes me work and loves me all the same!

Ok miracles!

This week we went to Sharyce's house to start teaching her the new member lessons and had one of the sweetest experiences. All of her kids came into the living room toward the end of the lesson and we decided to have a family prayer. All 10 of us circled up and held hands while Syriana (the oldest girl who just got baptized) said the prayer. It was the sweetest prayer I have ever heard and the spirit was remarkable. That family has my whole heart, and I am so grateful to have seen them come to know the gospel.

Phoebe and husband.

Also! Phoebe has not smoked in 7 days! THAT IS A MIRACLE. She has hardly had any cravings and her and her husband and both so happy! Their relationship is so different. They laugh and joke and love! And their son has seen them making these changes in their life and now he wants to stop smoking, and he is planning on coming to their baptism. Another miracle! The one downside is that Phoebe and Tim have to go to Arizona all of the sudden because of a family memeber. They have no clue how long they will be gone, and they may not be back for their own baptism...so keep them in your prayers! (for smoking and for taking care of her family memeber) Phoebe is so awesome though because she already found the address of a church to go to in Arizona and they are already making plans to attend next Sunday so they can continue to have the same baptism date if they get home in time for it. Seriously they are remarkable! So prepared!

Our teaching pool is slimming down, so this week we are going to focus on finding! Which means loads of biking! IN THE 100 DEGREE WEATHER. Haha which will be fun. Kinda...

Just gotta talk to everyone and find those that the Lord has prepared for us!

Spiritual thought!

This week I have been reading Enos. I have honestly been reading it for 3 days and I am only like 15 verses in. It is SO GOOD. As is every chapter in the Book of Mormon, but this one especially! Enos 1:2 states, "I will tell you about the wrestle which I had before God" and I am sure all of you have heard that verse a lot. I know that I have, but I really studied it this week and decided that it doesn't matter how many times you hear it it's still applicable! I find myself wrestling with God every single day here on the mission. The natural woman inside of me really doesn't wanna get up at 6:25 and go running, the natural woman inside of me really doesn't wanna knock on another door, and the natural woman inside of me really doesn't want to do it all over again tomorrow. And that applies to all walks of life, mission life or not! Sometimes we really don't have time to read our scriptures or say our prayers today, sometimes it is really hard for us to get to church or the temple, sometimes we don't want to go to YW, YM, or Relief Society, and sometimes we don't want to help that family in the ward cut down that old tree in the front of their house, even though we know we should. It's a wrestle! And we are human, we struggle, that natural man or woman is part of us! But through Christ we can fight it. I have such a testimony of doing the little things. Doing the little things every single day to fight that natural man, to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and to ultimately choose God instead of choosing the world. When we do the little things, especially when it's hard, then we are blessed. The Lord understands that it is a wrestle, but oh my heavens he is cheering us on louder than anyone else! His hand is stretched out toward us constantly, and if we grab it he will help us in the fight. I love the line in the song Praise to the Man that states "sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven" I sing it to myself all of the days! Heavenly Father is waiting to bless us, he wants us to receive what he has! But we must sacrifice our will (the natural man) for His. When we do the little things, great blessing come!

Sabrina, comp and their mission fairy godmother.

Fun facts!

This week I smashed my hand in a car door and the car door literally closed! And my comp started driving. I did not know that could even happen! My fingers were sticking out of the door like that scene in Tangled when Flynn's hand was sticking out of the closet! Haha but no worries I am just fine. It hardly even hurt.

Also we had dinner with an investigator at a member's house this week and she showed up in a full ball gown with her hair done and crazy jewelry. She is from Africa...so maybe she thought we were taking her to some 5 star restaurant when we said dinner, but either way it was hilarious. We looked so dumb and underdressed in comparison.

Also we were teaching this Native American woman on her porch the other day and her husband came up behind her and screamed at us! Scared the living daylights out of me, then he just laughed and asked his wife where his brain surgery papers were. SO strange....

Sabrina and Sister Smith in the rain.

LOVE YOU ALL! Hope this week is a splendid one!

THEY JUST DROWNDED HER!!!

Holy guacamole! This week has been a week of miracles! As every week seems to be, and I am so happy to be here on a mission! Missions are hard, but missions are happy!

Sharyce and her kids Taijaon and Syriana were BAPTIZED on Saturday! And oh my goodness it was the most stressful day of my existence. Their baptism was at 3:00, and I kid you not, we did not know if they were going to be baptized or not until like 2:30. Haha. It was so unreal. Satan works hard, but the Lord always pulls through. This is His work! The morning of the baptism Sharyce's youngest son, Tahir, had to be taken to urgent care because of all these freaky bug bites and she was so stressed and unresponsive. We did not know what to do. We went to visit her a little later in the day and they were home, but she was still beside herself and would not even talk about the baptism. Which again made us very uneasy. Her little guy was so fussy, and then I remembered I had put cortizone cream in my bag that morning, so we ran to the car and grabbed it for her. She said from the moment she put it on him he cheered up, and he was calm for the rest of the day. Holy mini miracle. After all that drama, and a slew of other things, 3:00 came and the family was baptized. Like I said, Satan works hard, but we have the Lord on our side, so we have no need to fear! 

OH! But the best part of the baptism (and this is where my subject line comes into play) was Kiman, Sharyce's 4 year old son. Sy was the first to be baptized and mid baptism Kiman just screamed "They just drownded her!" And then Taijaon went to get into the font and he was like, "Are they gonna drownded him too?!?!" Then Sharyce got in and he was like "Drown her!" Haha I could hardly hold it together! So funny. Kids are the best. 

The baptism was loud and crazy and chaotic and perfect. Sharyce and Tai and Sy were so happy. They were practically beaming, and it was like nothing else in the world mattered in that moment. They were doing the Lord's will and that was that. On Sunday they were late to church, so we thought they weren't going to be confirmed, and that was 10x more stressful than anything else, but they came and they were confirmed and the spirit was strong and all was well. The ward is giddy with excitement, and so happy that a family has come to Christ! Sharyce, Sy, and Tai are honestly so happy. They are so ready for this step, and so prepared to be disciples of Christ. They already have been their whole lives! Sharyce is such an amazing Mama, and I am more and more in awe of her every single day. She will be such an asset to the kingdom and I can't wait to see her grow.I am so grateful that the Lord put them in my path and that I was able to see them Come unto Christ, and I will be able to see them continue! This gospel is so good. 

Ok, one other miracle in particular that I want to share is about our investigator Phoebe and her husband Tim. Phoebe is like crazy, haha and she loves Hawaii, and weird stained glass art, and hippie clothing, and smoking. Yeah smoking. She has been smoking for like 40 something years, and it is the only thing keeping her from baptism. Well the Elders were teaching Tim and we were teaching Phoebe, then this week we went over to her home and Phoebe made us lunch! So we ate lunch with Phoebe and Tim and a member and Phoebe all the sudden said "Oh I told so and so that I was going to be baptized." and we were like Phoebe, what?! And so off she went with her weird hippie analogies about birds singing in her heart and the oceans of the sea and all this jazz and now she is being baptized! And then Tim was like, "Oh I am also going to be baptized." And we were like what?!?!? It was unreal. So now we are teaching Tim and Phoebe and they are going to be baptized on July 30th. Well, Last night Sister Smith and I were prompted to go to her home and commit her to stop smoking, right then, right there. To be honest, I was quite terrified, but we prayed earnestly to know what to say and the spirit pulled through! As it always does! Phoebe was so prepared, the Lord knew she needed to commit to stop smoking that night, and that she would be strong enough, willing enough, and ready. We went in and took all her cigarettes and she promised she was done, forever. Then the Elders came over and gave her one of the most remarkable blessings of strength and comfort that I have ever heard. Phoebe was practically beaming, but the icing on the cake was her husband's reaction and their connection through it all. Tim had a stroke some time ago and has been quite disabled ever since. That event has put a huge strain on their marriage and overall relationship, and Phoebe has grown very distant from him. Through this experience, through them coming closer to Christ, and making the decision to be baptized together, everything has changed. They have started communicating more, loving more, enjoying each other more, and just all together coming closer to each other. Last night as Phoebe received her blessing she held Tim's hands while doing so. After it was offered they looked into each others' eyes for a solid 2 minutes and the love and strength that radiated from them both was indescribable. This gospel is blessing her, and this gospel is blessing her marriage. It is undeniable.

Fun facts: 

Storms here are like insane. This past week we had two giant storms that started at like 2 AM and finished up at 4 AM. I know because I was awake for the whole thing. HOLY HANNAH I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE OR THAT MY APARTMENT WAS GOING TO BE BLOWN DOWN LIKE THE HOUSE OF THE LITTLE PIGGIES! So insane, but so cool. Lightning and thunder like I had never seen before. I love it! 

Also I ate jello. RIGHT?!? Jello! It was horrible. But I ate every bite and smiled through it all :) The Atonement helps with even the smallest things. 

Also some neighbor of ours across the street has a pet monkey I think...it screamed and I saw it climb into the window the other night. I kid you not.

Spiritual thought: 

D&C 78:18 One of the best scriptures ever! I find myself getting so overwhelmed here in the mission. Overwhelmed with everything I have to do, all I have to become, but this scripture gives me such comfort. We cannot handle everything now, we are human, we have to take things one step at a time. Ultimately it is all in God's time. I am never going to be a perfect missionary, but with God I can improve every single day, as can each of us in everything we do. We make small choices every single day. We can either choose to be confident or feel otherwise, choose the Lord's strength or our own weakness, choose to have faith rather than fear, choose to be patient and loving or annoyed, etc. I hope this week that we choose Him. That we choose God. Because that is always the correct choice. We cannot bear all things now, but the Lord will lead us along.

Love you all, so so much! I am so grateful to be a missionary and to be in Nebraska!

-Sister Bengtzen 

God Bless Nebraska! 

(And anyone who comes within 10 feet of Lincoln during the 4th of July!)

MIRACLES! 

Sharyce and her two children (Taijaon age 11 and Syriana age 9) are going to be baptized THIS SATURDAY! OH my heavens it is so exciting! They are so happy and so ready! I cannot wait! They have come to church every Sunday and they are so stoked. The spirit in their family is so strong and the ward already loves them to death. Her 7 kids basically double our primary, so everyone is really happy! I am so grateful that the Lord has let me see His hand in each of their lives, and in bringing their family joy and peace. I cannot wait to see them enter the waters of baptism and continue to bring themselves closer to Christ. Their joy is so real, and so is my joy in seeing them. This work is remarkable. Oh and this Sunday was fast Sunday....and let me tell you, there is nothing more difficult than trying to fast when 7 children pull out a pizza lunchable and eat it right in front of yo face. I have never wanted a lunchable so bad in my existence...haha but I focused on what I was fasting for and it was all worth it in the end. 

Sabrina and Sister Smith at the Zoo on the 4th

Also this week I was able to run into a lady while we were bike contacting and speak to her in Spanish. When we realized she didn't speak English I went to tell her goodbye and all the sudden I started spouting of some words in Spanish! Like what? Haha I have not a clue what I said. But I could understand her very well! She started telling me about how she believed in God, but didn't go to church and how she cleaned office buildings for a living and how she was frustrated her husband never wanted to have kids. It was nuts. By the end of our like 15 minute conversation she had practically asked me to send the Spanish elders to her home to talk about God. I hope she accepts the gospel, I know it could bring her such peace, haha especially if someone who spoke coherent and understandable Spanish sat down with her and testified of the truthfulness of this gospel. We got to end with a prayer and the spirit was strong. 

Sabrina and comp with a New Convert

Ok, so my favorite miracle of the week came in the form of a 21 year old named Cara! So backstory, the only active laurel in our ward is named Amelia, and she is amazing. Seriously amazing. She is the only member of her family and has been through more than I can even imagine, but she is so strong. We go out with her all the time and she is the raddest girl in the world. She is the one that sent you all of the 4th of July pictures Mama! Anyway, she works at Noodles and Company and Cara is her coworker. One day they got talking about God and the Holy Spirit, and Amelia, the incredible missionary she is, bore her testimony about all of that and about Joseph Smith! Then she invited Cara to meet with us. Let me just say that ward member missionary work is pure gold! Holy heavens this girls was so prepared. She is going to college here in Nebraska, and we had the opportunity to teach her in Amelia's home with Amelia! The spirit was tangible, I swear it, and we all got emotional. We testified about the Restoration and the Atonement and she kept saying "I feel it." and "I need this." Which just made the whole experience more and more powerful. From the moment I met her I loved her with my whole hear, and I can just picture her being baptized and changing her life. I can see her being so happy, and through Christ she can get there. 

Miracles miracles! 

Sabrina with Max's designed 4th of July package.

Anyway, I believe it is my duty, as an American, to share with you the joys of Nebraska on the 4th of July. So prepare yoselves..... 

HOLY LINCOLN. God bless Nebraska, You'd better believe we are proud to be Americans, because WE ARE. The last 2 days have been a literal war zone. I kid you not. I don't think any fireworks here are illegal...or atleast no one listens to the law if they are, so all day and night on July 3rd and 4th people were lighting up the sky. It sounded like we were being attacked from every angle. My bed frame shook all night, and I got NO SLEEP. Haha I have never experienced anything like that in my life. I live amongst a bunch of hoodrats! Haha but it was quite an exciting night. America is such a nutty place....but I wouldn't want to be born and raised ANYWHERE else. Proud to be here, proud to love it :).

Also I made this fantastic purchase yesterday! (Pictured below..) Hehe let me know if you like it!

What does a Mom say about this. haha!

I am so blessed. 

This week in District meeting we had a lesson on faith. We read Daniel 3:15-18 and talked about what faith really is. These verses tell the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they are about to be thrown in the fiery furnace. They have great faith in the Lord, saying they will not be destroyed by the flames, but that the Lord will protect them. However, the real testament of there faith is found in verse 18 with three words: "But if not" They believe they will be saved, but if not, they have the faith that the Lord will glorify them because when all is said and done, it is His will. 

Our real trials of faith come when we experience the "​But if not's." We must learn to trust God regardless of the outcomes. We must know that the Lord's will is mightier than ours, and His plan for us is better than our own plan for ourselves.
I hope we can all strive to have greater faith, even while we are facing those "But if not's" 

Love you all!

God Bless Nebraska! 

(And anyone who comes within 10 feet of Lincoln during the 4th of July!)

MIRACLES! 

Sharyce and her two children (Taijaon age 11 and Syriana age 9) are going to be baptized THIS SATURDAY! OH my heavens it is so exciting! They are so happy and so ready! I cannot wait! They have come to church every Sunday and they are so stoked. The spirit in their family is so strong and the ward already loves them to death. Her 7 kids basically double our primary, so everyone is really happy! I am so grateful that the Lord has let me see His hand in each of their lives, and in bringing their family joy and peace. I cannot wait to see them enter the waters of baptism and continue to bring themselves closer to Christ. Their joy is so real, and so is my joy in seeing them. This work is remarkable. Oh and this Sunday was fast Sunday....and let me tell you, there is nothing more difficult than trying to fast when 7 children pull out a pizza lunchable and eat it right in front of yo face. I have never wanted a lunchable so bad in my existence...haha but I focused on what I was fasting for and it was all worth it in the end. 

Sabrina and Sister Smith at the Zoo on the 4th

Also this week I was able to run into a lady while we were bike contacting and speak to her in Spanish. When we realized she didn't speak English I went to tell her goodbye and all the sudden I started spouting of some words in Spanish! Like what? Haha I have not a clue what I said. But I could understand her very well! She started telling me about how she believed in God, but didn't go to church and how she cleaned office buildings for a living and how she was frustrated her husband never wanted to have kids. It was nuts. By the end of our like 15 minute conversation she had practically asked me to send the Spanish elders to her home to talk about God. I hope she accepts the gospel, I know it could bring her such peace, haha especially if someone who spoke coherent and understandable Spanish sat down with her and testified of the truthfulness of this gospel. We got to end with a prayer and the spirit was strong. 

Sabrina and comp with a New Convert

Ok, so my favorite miracle of the week came in the form of a 21 year old named Cara! So backstory, the only active laurel in our ward is named Amelia, and she is amazing. Seriously amazing. She is the only member of her family and has been through more than I can even imagine, but she is so strong. We go out with her all the time and she is the raddest girl in the world. She is the one that sent you all of the 4th of July pictures Mama! Anyway, she works at Noodles and Company and Cara is her coworker. One day they got talking about God and the Holy Spirit, and Amelia, the incredible missionary she is, bore her testimony about all of that and about Joseph Smith! Then she invited Cara to meet with us. Let me just say that ward member missionary work is pure gold! Holy heavens this girls was so prepared. She is going to college here in Nebraska, and we had the opportunity to teach her in Amelia's home with Amelia! The spirit was tangible, I swear it, and we all got emotional. We testified about the Restoration and the Atonement and she kept saying "I feel it." and "I need this." Which just made the whole experience more and more powerful. From the moment I met her I loved her with my whole hear, and I can just picture her being baptized and changing her life. I can see her being so happy, and through Christ she can get there. 

Miracles miracles! 

Sabrina with Max's designed 4th of July package.

Anyway, I believe it is my duty, as an American, to share with you the joys of Nebraska on the 4th of July. So prepare yoselves..... 

HOLY LINCOLN. God bless Nebraska, You'd better believe we are proud to be Americans, because WE ARE. The last 2 days have been a literal war zone. I kid you not. I don't think any fireworks here are illegal...or atleast no one listens to the law if they are, so all day and night on July 3rd and 4th people were lighting up the sky. It sounded like we were being attacked from every angle. My bed frame shook all night, and I got NO SLEEP. Haha I have never experienced anything like that in my life. I live amongst a bunch of hoodrats! Haha but it was quite an exciting night. America is such a nutty place....but I wouldn't want to be born and raised ANYWHERE else. Proud to be here, proud to love it :).

Also I made this fantastic purchase yesterday! (Pictured below..) Hehe let me know if you like it!

What does a Mom say about this. haha!

I am so blessed. 

This week in District meeting we had a lesson on faith. We read Daniel 3:15-18 and talked about what faith really is. These verses tell the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they are about to be thrown in the fiery furnace. They have great faith in the Lord, saying they will not be destroyed by the flames, but that the Lord will protect them. However, the real testament of there faith is found in verse 18 with three words: "But if not" They believe they will be saved, but if not, they have the faith that the Lord will glorify them because when all is said and done, it is His will. 

Our real trials of faith come when we experience the "​But if not's." We must learn to trust God regardless of the outcomes. We must know that the Lord's will is mightier than ours, and His plan for us is better than our own plan for ourselves.
I hope we can all strive to have greater faith, even while we are facing those "But if not's" 

Love you all!