What happens in Walmart stays in Walmart

Sunset Kearney

Bobsy, so glad you are home safe! I am expecting pictures sometime...so get on that ;) Bugs I swear if you don't stop growing I will lose my marbles. Also Jake and Abby you look as adorable as ever. Thank you for your prayers! I feel them!

Miracles: 

Kenna (not her little girl)

So we have been working with our investigator Kenna for quite some time, and this week something remarkable happened! She has been wanting to be baptized for a few weeks, but her mother just isn't supportive and it has thrown a serious wedge into their relationship.  We decided on Thursday to fast and pray specifically that her mother's heart might be softened. We had an awesome lesson with her on Friday and she committed to pray about a specific date to be baptized. Today while we were grocery shopping we received a text from her and it said "Do you think July 22nd would be an ok day to be baptized?" To which we immediately responded "Absolutely!" She then proceeded to tell us that she talked to her parents and they aren't exactly on board with it, but they said they would come to her baptism, and she has decided to be baptized on July 22nd!!! I hope our fellow Walmart shoppers enjoyed my reaction because I was FREAKING OUT! Haha. What an incredible testimony to me of how Heavenly Father hears our prayers and how fasting really does bring down the powers of heaven. 

Also this week we haven't heard much from Brad, which is a bummer, but I am hoping it is just because he is busy with his new job! I really do know that Heavenly Father led us to him, and I am confident that he will continue to learn more about the gospel. 

Oh and on a side note, our recent convert Stacey is going on Trek this week, and she is SO excited! Haha I think when she first heard about the fact that we dress up as pioneers and walk for days she was a little hesitant, but she has jumped right in and I can't wait to hear about the experience she has. Also she gave a talk in church on Sunday and it was so sweet! As she spoke tears filled her eyes and it was evident that the words she was saying were directly from her heart. It is such a gift to see someone change through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I am so grateful to have a front row seat to that miracle each and every day. 

Funnies: 

Only in Nebraska!

Sister Meik tried to tackle me the other night because I told her she would not succeed even if she tried. Well I was right, she highly underestimated my ability to climb furniture and leap long distances. I made it through unscathed. 

Also earlier today I was sharing the message of the Restoration with this guy in front of our house and in the middle of me asking him a question Sister Meik started to giggle. I quickly glanced at her, with a scowl on my face I'm sure, and then I started to giggle too. It is a pretty stormy day here in Kearney, and because of all the static electricity in the air, both Sister Meik's and my hair was standing straight up. ( I don't know anything about science...so I am not sure if I can attribute it to static electricity...but that made me sound intelligent so I am going with it! Haha) 

Spiritual Thought: 

Field is white....

I think as we try to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout our lives, it is inevitable that the adversary will attack us at every chance he gets. I think one way he tries to reach us is by telling us that we aren't good enough, or throwing this lie of "perfection" in our faces. Telling us that we need to be better than we are, and that no matter how hard we try, if we make mistakes we simply are not good enough. I read this quote the other day and it is so simple, but so profound, and it opened my eyes to this lie of perfection that Satan was trying to tell me.

 "Remember that repentance is NOT the backup plan. Repentance is the plan of happiness for EVERY person." 

I am so guilty of forgetting that. Heavenly Father sent His Only Begotten Son to the earth so that we could repent. So that we could progress, change, and become more like Him. I am so grateful for a knowledge of Heavenly Father's Plan. I am grateful to know that I can change, that I can become better, that I can progress, but that I don't have to be perfect. 

I love you all and I hope you have a stellar week! 

xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen 

The Savior is more important, isn't He?

Pioneers

Hey team! Time is just flying and the work is hopping! I love, love, love, love my mission and I am so grateful to be here! 

Miracles: 

Ok, so I have told y'all a little bit about Brad but I am just going to start at the beginning for sake of this miracle!  About 3 weeks ago, we met our investigator Brad while he was playing the guitar on his porch, and at first when we saw him he acted quite strange and kind of shocked.  Well this week we were finally able to have our second lesson with him and it went really well! We taught him about the Book of Mormon and read the introduction with him and took a short church tour. At the end we again invited him to read and pray and to attend church. About 3 days later we received a call from him and he began to pour his heart out to us. He told us that he was sorry for how taken aback he was when we first met him, but that there was a reason for it. Four years ago he had a dream and in that dream he saw Sister Meik and myself vividly, and has remembered our faces ever since. He said the most remarkable part of all was that the first thing we shared with him was the story of a boy, who saw visions and had dreams, and communicated with God. He has always felt like God has led him through his dreams, but no one has ever believed him, and so he is hesitant to tell others. He told us that the story of Joseph Smith pierced his heart and so he read half of the Book of Mormon, in ONE NIGHT! And on our phone call he promised us he would read the rest by our next meeting. The rest of the Book of Mormon!!! We asked if he had the chance to pray about it yet and he said he did, and that it was a sweet experience. He is excited to tell us more about it in person. Throughout the entire conversation my mouth was gaping open and I wanted to cry and scream and sing and faint all at the same time! Haha, the spirit was so strong and it was so evident that Heavenly Father had led us to him, and that he is ready. There are so many blessings that come when we talk to everyone and when we follow the promptings of the spirit! In the moment I felt that Heavenly Father trusted me...and I cannot think of any knowledge that could make me happier. 

Also this week we also had a cool miracle with one of our members. We had dinner with them on Monday night and they gave us a referral, so we stopped by her house. It turns out her husband had just left her and they were getting evicted from their home, so she was a complete wreck. I had just watched this video from Elder Holland earlier during P-day, and I felt like I needed to show it to her. As she watched it tears filled her eyes and she just exclaimed, "God knows me!" We were able to leave her with a Book of Mormon and go back and do some service for her. I was so grateful for an inspired member in that moment, who led us to someone who need Heavenly Father and His love. He is in the details! 

Funnies: 

 Sabrina and Sister Gardner rocking the red!

 Sabrina and President Gardner looking Straight out of  Nebraska!

District Baseball 

Last night Sister Meik was driving and she we had quite the traumatic experience. She was telling me all about her studies and she was talking like a mile a minute when all of the sudden this rabbit ran across the street and slipped right under the tire of the car going the opposite direction. It got smashed right in front of us! And Sister Meik went silent. After about 3 minutes she looked over at me and in the quietest voice said, "That was my first experience with sudden death..." Haha I could not help but laugh! She is so sweet and innocent. I LOVE HER! 

Also we dressed up like pioneers this week, because that is what we Mormons do apparently, and helped out at this museum here in Kearney! Well long story short, some lady asked me if she could interview me for a news story and I looked at her and said, "Well apparently I've never been on live television before.." Haha we both started laughing and we were able to give her a card. And I was on the news! Woo hoo! Look out Ellen. Here. I. Come. 

Sabrina being interviewed for Nebraska TV

Spiritual thought: 

I feel like I get to this point in my email and I look back on my week and think about all of the things Heavenly Father has taught me. So I really do feel like this is more for me than it is for any of you, but thank you for being patient with me. This week I have been really overwhelmed thinking about all of my weaknesses and shortcomings and faults. I think we all go through days and weeks like that, which is good, because that means we are human! But I was reading a conference talk during one of my studies the other day and the spirit whispered something to me. It said, "The Savior is more important, isn't He?" And I must admit it caught me off guard. Well of course I thought! He is the most important. And then, slowly, what I was being taught came to light. I think sometimes I am so busy worrying about what I am doing wrong to allow the Savior to make things right. Sometimes I am so caught up in my own weaknesses that I forget to look to the Savior for strength. The Savior is more important! More important than my flaws or my mistakes or my weaknesses. I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven, grateful that He saw enough value in me to send a Savior to the earth. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that He can make more of us than we could ever make of ourselves. 

I love you all! 

Happy June!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen 

Coffee in the chapel!

Hey funky bunch! It's your favorite missionary Sister Bengtzen! I wish I could say that this week we had shake n' bake chicken...but we didn't. We had lots of Pizza....Ewww. (Wow you had better get that reference or I will be so sad...I know I am out of date, but still I think I am so funny...) 

You know that pirate ship ride at lagoon where you go up and down and up and down and you feel like you're going to be sick? Yeah that is kindof what our week was like...but it's OK! Weeks like this come...and they go! And we learn and grow through all of the ups and downs and become stronger because of them. 

Miracles: 

So I was able to go on exchanges with Sister Sekona again (she is the Tongan missionary from California) and oh my goodness...that girl. We have a riot whenever we are together, so Tuesday was a day for the books! We both went like a thousand miles an hour and found 2 new investigators and talked to like 50 people and just worked hard! It was the most exhausting day, but we both went to bed with the biggest smiles on our faces. Our new investigators Lyle and Jessica seems so solid, and we are excited to help them progress, so we will see what this week brings! 

Also our investigator James, from Gibbon, came to church on Sunday! It was such a miracle! Our YSA has maybe 20 active members, so everyone was SUPER excited to have a visitor there. The branch just wrapped their arms around him and it was so sweet to see. James has been through a lot, and he is quite rough around the edges, but our members just loved him regardless. It reminded me of the scripture in Matthew 25:40 "Insasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." You could feel the love of the Savior just pouring out in every interaction with him, and I was so grateful. People are so good. 

Sabrina, Sister Meik and Sister Church

OH AND GET THIS! Stacey went to the temple on Saturday to do baptisms for the dead for the first time and we got to go with her. It was so happy! And Sister Church got to come AND one of the members I got super close with in Lincoln showed up at the temple to surprise me!!!!!!! Talk about tender mercies and miracles all over the place! Stacey got to do family names and the spirit was so strong as we watched her perform the ordinances. We are so blessed to have a temple in this mission...it is such a wonderful reminder of why we are here. It really helps me just let go of the world for a few minutes and hang on to eternity. 

Funnies: 

So our investigator James, who came to church this week, got a ride from one of our cute YSA girls! He got in the car and the first thing he asked her was if they could stop at a gas station and get some coffee. This poor girl had no idea what to do! So she said yes. Hahahaha so James showed up to church with a fresh cup of coffee and a big old smile on his face. He has a lot to work on...but he really loved church and is excited to come back! 

Spiritual Thought: 

So like I said this week has just been hard. Hard is such an un-descriptive word. But I don't have the energy to think of another one. I think one of the most difficult things I have experienced on my mission is seeing people I love struggle - whether that be spiritually, physically, or emotionally - and knowing that there isn't anything I can do about it. The other night I was just pouring my heart out to God and this question came to mind. It was as if the Savior was directly speaking to me, and He asked, "Are you confident that I am there to take care of those you love, even when you can't be?" It took me back for a second as I thought about it. But after a few moments I confidently said yes. I am. And it was an ah-ha moment for me. Not that it took away my pain, or my sorrow, or the struggles of those I love, but it reminded me what I already know about my Savior and about my Father. I am so grateful for my testimony of Jesus Christ because I know that He isn't just there to comfort and console me in my afflictions and my hardships, but He is there for all of those that I love. The scripture in D&C 84:88 has become very real for me. He is on our right hand and our left and his angels are round about us to bear us up, and the same is true for all of those that we love. 

This is the work of God. This is His church on the earth today. This is a fallen world, but with Him we can hope for something better. 

I love you all and I am praying for you nightly. 

xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen 

Fisher's of Men!?!

Sabrina by the lake

Hey team! Today will be quick because I don't have a bunch of time! Mama & Daddy - I got my eyes all fixed and they got me some sweet new contacts that are soft lenses and they will be great for the next 7 months! Seriously I can see EVERYTHING! Haha I have been reading every single sign and Sister Meik is sorta sick of hearing me say "I CAN READ THAT!!!!" The contacts I used to wear require several appointments and just a lot of time, so I will get that all fixed when I get back :) But for now we are in good shape, so thank you thank you thank you for setting that appointment up and taking care of me! I paid the copay with my card, so if you have any questions just give Sister Gardner a call and she can contact me! But I feel like a grown up and everything is good! Wahoo!!! 

Sabrina with cool sunglasses

Miracles: 

We saw Kenna this week and she is doing so well, she came to us with some intense questions but we turned her to the Book of Mormon and to prayer and she really took hold of that. We also committed her to go to church with her questions and she said she would. She went to church on Sunday and called us after so excited and said, "so many things clicked today!" She was able to talk to the Branch President for a time and that was a HUGE blessing and she attended all 3 hours of church! I know that she was greatly blessed for doing so, and I know that Heavenly Father is eager and willing to answer her questions, just like He is eager and willing to answer all of our questions! So thank you for your prayers! She really is doing well!

Also this week we met 2 new investigators! Brad and James. They both live in Gibbon, NE which is like 25 minutes from us. And they are so prepared! Brad is in his 40's and has been divorced and has gone through quite a rough go. He moved to Gibbon to get away from the crowd and we met him sitting on his porch jamming on the guitar! James is in his 20's and he has been through even rougher things! He was adopted at age 12 and has been all over the country. He has no other place to live, so that's why he is in Gibbon. They are two totally different individuals with completely opposite backstories, but they both readily received Books of Mormon and were excited to learn more. It's cool to see how the gospel truly is for EVERYONE! 

Also STACEY IS GOING TO THE TEMPLE THIS WEEK!!!! WOOOOOOOO! And Sister Church gets to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYAYA!

Funnies: 

Sabrina in Omaha with some of her fav sister missionaries

So today we went to this lake with some other sisters and all of these people were out fishing. We started talking to one of them and he asked us if we were out fishing? Me, thinking I was clever quoting scripture said, "No, we are just fishing for men!" Hahahaha he looked at me so strange. And that is NOT what I meant. I am by no means out in Nebraska to get a boyfriend...but it's fine. I am sure Heavenly Father thought it was funny.  

Spiritual Thought: 

So this week I was thinking about all of the things I have tried to plan in my life. I feel like I had this plan since I was little about where I was gonna go to college and that plan sure changed. I feel like serving a mission was never really in my plan, but clearly that changed! And I also feel like I had this plan of how my mission was going to go, but that has also changed. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father's plan is better than mine, and that He knows better than I! I found this scripture in Proverbs that teaches this truth so simply. "A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps." (Proverbs 16:9) I am grateful to know that God has a plan and I am grateful I get to share that with others every day. 

I sure love you all and I hope you have a wild time on all of your adventures this week!!! 

xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen 

ONE YEAR older and wiser too!

Hey team! Can you believe it is already almost JUNE?! I cannot...I still want to know what happened to April? 

Miracles: 

So Stacey is going to Girl's Camp this week and she is through the roof excited! I am so jealous, I wish I could go! Haha but I know that she will have a wonderful experience and I am so grateful for the programs the church has to help each of us along our way.

Also we committed Kenna last week to invite her Mom to a lesson and she did! So her mother came to our lesson this week and it was awesome. We answered so many of her questions and the spirit was strong. We invited her to read the Book of Mormon and she said she would, but she refused to accept the invitation to pray :( But we will keep working with her. I have great faith that the word of God will soften her heart and lead her to ask if it is really true. But the miracle of it all is that Kenna's mom gave her permission to continue taking the lessons! And Kenna is thrilled. She has incredible faith. Her family and friends have approached her again and again and again with Anti-Mormon material and she has confronted it prayerfully and patiently every single time. Her testimony is so strong and she has great resilience, so keep praying for that girl! 

Also this week I went on exchanges with Sister McPhee, a brand new missionary! We had the weirdest lesson of my life with this guy who kept saying Jesus and Peter and Paul were all part of a gang...but she just testified like mad and the spirit was there! It was so cool! And we have a return appointment! So that is exciting! 

Spiritual Thought: 

This week I was studying about keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. So many people we run into every day talk about how they can worship God anywhere: at home, at school, or in the wilderness! Why do they need to go to church? 

Well I was pondering upon that and I ended up reading the story of the 10 lepers in Luke 17:12-19. In a sense all of us are like the 10 lepers. The Savior suffered for ALL of us and is willing to heal us ALL, just as he healed ALL the 10 lepers. Now I imagine the 9 lepers who didn't return to the Savior...I'm sure they were grateful! I am sure they yelled "hey thanks!!!" as they ran down the dirt road. And I am sure they spoke highly of their healer, and in a sense I think that's similar to most of the Christian world. But what's the difference between the 9 lepers and the 1? The 1 came back, fell at the Savior's feet and thanked Him PERSONALLY. That's what we have the opportunity to do at church every single Sunday. We partake of the sacrament, and by so doing we renew our covenants, thanking our Savior Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven PERSONALLY for all they have done.

So here's the quote for the week: "It is far better to follow the Creator than the crowd." - Elder Sabin. Choose to be the 1! 

I love you all loads and loads and loads! (of laundry that I still need to do....oops!)

xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen