Earth has no sorrow heav"n cannot heal

Hello, hello! 

I will try and refrain from freaking out that October is almost over...BUT OH MY GOODNESS!!!! That flew by so fast. WITCH month even is it?? I black CAT even believe it. GHOUL you gotta be kidding me! ORANGE you glad I am so punny??

Anyway, this week was another incredible week. I swear a mission is full of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We experienced both this week, but what makes the Gospel so FULL is that the we can see the Savior in both. And this week I surely did! 

Miracles: 

So first off, NONE of our investigators came to church yesterday...and we tried so hard! No Kim, no Robert and Kayla, no Trina, no Christina and Sam :( It was a rough one. BUT miracles still came. Our recent convert family, Perry and Kelsie, came for the first time in quite a few months! And they NEEDED it! We were determined to get them there, so we showed up bright and early yesterday with breakfast in hand. We knocked on the door at 7:45 am determined not to leave until they were in the car on the road. We rolled into sacrament meeting 5 minutes late, but it didn't even matter, because they were there! It was the most incredible meeting. It was as if all of the talks were written just for them! There was one moment where I looked over and Kelsie was in tears. My heart! I know that Heavenly Father knows and LOVES His children. He knows and loves them so much! And things will get better. I have a testimony that this Gospel can heal broken families, and if they do their part, the Savior can and WILL heal them. 

But in other news, we had a really cool miracle last night with our returning member Sister Cleveland! She is now the only active member of her family, and she doesn't really have a testimony of her own yet. She has two children and is currently going through a divorce, but she is trying so hard to do what is right! As we were reading in the Book of Mormon I felt prompted to share what I studied about obedience that morning. So I followed the prompting and testified about how we can be totally obedient to all of the commandments, but still not get anything out of it! How? By withholding our heart! Heavenly Father REQUIRES our heart, and that is when the blessings come, when we give our WHOLE heart to Him. We haven't really gotten anywhere with her yet, but all of the sudden something clicked when I said that, and she stopped us. "That is me!" She said. "That is exactly what I do, I am obedient just to be obedient." We have been praying for weeks to be able to discern her need, and there it was. And it came simply through following a whisper of the spirit. We were able to immediately address it and leave her with a commitment to change, but more importantly, a DESIRE to do it! Ahh it was so powerful. It's incredible how Heavenly Father can guide us to study for others without really even knowing it. The scriptures are the MOST powerful tool in conversion! I am so grateful for my studies. It really is a time I treasure every morning. 

Funnies: 

So we have this older couple in our ward named the Schroeders and they LOVE the missionaries. Like LOVE them. They are converts and they have just adopted all of us as their grandchildren, which is the best thing ever. Anyway, this week we were over there for dinner and they asked us to help with some service so we went outside to help. The Elders showed up just as we were finishing and getting ready to leave and for some reason Texas came up. (That is a DAILY occurrence with Sister Preator. She LOVES her state...) Anyway, one of the Elders asked what the Texas colors were and before Sister Preator could answer Brother Schroeder piped in and said "black and blue!" Sister Preator got all hyped up and said, "No, they are red, white, and blue!!" Then Brother Schroeder was silent for a minute, and quietly came back with, "Huh, no, I think they are black and blue because Oklahoma is beating the heck out of them." Hahahahaha I about fell on the floor laughing and Sister Preator turned bright red. It was so funny. Man Texans sure do love Texas! 

Spiritual Thought: 

Yesterday really was a POWERFUL sacrament meeting, and I just wanted to share a sweet and simple truth that I learned with all y'all while I was there. It came from the musical number that two of the most incredible sisters in the ward sang: "Come, Ye Disconsolate" (#115) This hymn has become my new favorite, and it is all because of the last line of the first verse. "Earth has no sorrow, that heav'n cannot heal." I can testify that that is true. I know that this world is FULL of tribulation, turmoil, distress, heartache, and disaster. But no matter the trouble heaven can and will heal us, we just have to look up. I encourage all of you to look up this week and continue to remember who the Savior really is. He is our healer. He calls to me, and He calls to you. 

I love you and hope you have the best week!! 

xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen 

Pics: Happy Halloween! Courtesy of Mama Bengtzen's package :)

Put Christ FIRST!

Missions are the most incredible thing, but man they fly by so fast! SO FAST! I cannot believe it is the middle of October...and I cannot believe it is Monday again! But alas here we are....

Miracles:

This week was another incredible week! We worked SO hard and saw a lot of miracles. It's so cool to be able to see investigators PROGRESS! I think those are the greatest kinds of miracles on a mission.

So updates...

We saw Kim on Saturday and had the most incredible lesson with her. Walking in we had no clue what we were going to teach, so we plead for the spirit to be with us, and then sat in her living room and began to talk for a bit. All of the sudden she started asking all of these questions about what happens after we die and what life was like before we came to earth and yada yada yada. Sister Preator and I both looked at each other then looked at Kim and then started teaching the Plan of Salvation as if on cue! It was the most powerful Plan of Salvation I have ever taught on my mission, and I don't think I realized why it was until towards the end of the lesson. As we began to teach about the spirit world Kim opened up to us about how two of her sisters have passed away from cancer. As soon as she said that I felt their presence and realized that they were there with us! I was wondering why this little room felt so full. We have been praying as a mission and as a companionship to find people whose ancestors are prepared to hear the Gospel, and I have no doubt that Kim is an answer to that prayer. I know her sisters are waiting, and I pray that she will have the courage to step forward and follow the Savior's voice. I love her so much. So, so much. I am so grateful that even though we did not know what she needed when we first walked in, Heavenly Father did, and the spirit directed us to say what needed to be said.

Sadly, she didn't come to church on Sunday :( But she will come around! I have faith!

As for Robert and Kayla we had an AWESOME lesson with them about following the prophet at one of our members homes this week. Our member invited them over for dinner and we were able to come along with! Free food and the spirit...what could be better?? Nothing! It was a special night. We watched this video about Joseph Smith and committed Robert and Kayla to pray to know if he was a prophet. Robert looked at us and said, "Well I already know he was. I know he was. But I will keep praying!"

AHH I love him!! He has such a sincere heart and desire to learn.

Sadly, they didn't come to church either, which was a bummer. We aren't sure exactly what has been going on the past two days, but something is fishy, so keep them in your prayers! The adversary works hardest on those who have the most potential for Eternal Happiness!

 Also this week we found the most incredible new investigators. They are a family from Sudan and the parents names' are Christina and Sam. We taught them the Restoration and they both had the most incredible reaction to the first vision. I have never seen two people more visibly affected! Christina cried and Sam would not stop smiling for anything. It was so sweet. It is so incredible to know that there are good people out there, who desire to come closer to Jesus Christ, and who are open to feeling the spirit. I love this work!!!

Funnies:

This week we had a yellow jacket in our apartment so naturally Sister Preator caught it in a cup and let it loose on our balcony. Her grand idea was to open the screen door, vigorously shake the cup, and then shut it real fast. Well in part she succeeded, the bee flew out quickly, but then she got nervous and THREW THE CUP! She just chucked it! And it busted into pieces. Hahaha I have not laughed that hard in a long time. I took a picture to document it, so enjoy the attachment!

Spiritual thought:

I was pondering upon Lehi's vision of the tree of life the other day and the most interesting thought came to me. When you read 1 Ne. 8 Lehi describes what he sees and how he sees it...I never realized that the first thing he saw was the tree, and then the surroundings. I think this says so much about the way Lehi lived his life. He saw Christ first. One of my favorite scriptures is D&C 6:36. The Savior pleads with us to "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." I think that is one of the most difficult things to do, to put the Savior first, especially in our thoughts. I believe that is a life long pursuit, but every day we can be better. So I urge each of you to try and put Christ first this week in your thoughts. When things get frustrating, difficult, or dreary, look to Him. He truly is the light of the world and I promise if you are seeking Him you will have nothing to doubt and no need to fear.

I love y'all!

Have the greatest week yet!

xoxo,

Sister Bengtzen

It's fall y'all!

Hello hello! Fall has finally arrived here in the good ole NE and I am so excited! I finally got to pull out my sweaters. WOO HOO! It was 60 degrees today and after about 5 minutes outside Sister Preator decided it was now Winter...haha Texas girls...what are you gonna do?? I sure love her though...so I guess I will keep her around. 

Sunday timed picture!

So I'll be quick, but what a week of miracles! 

Miracles:

First off, we had this incredible lesson at the Trail Center with this lady we had never met before. She was a referral from some sisters who gave her a tour at the TC almost a year ago! We felt prompted to follow up with her and now she is an investigator! Her name is Kim and Mama you would LOVE her! She just reminds me of you :) She has been through more than anyone I know, and she is still going through it all, but she has great faith and just keeps swimming. Anyway, the lesson was AMAZING and the spirit so strong, and then we walked her out to her car... It turns out someone broke into her car and stole her purse and everything in it while we were in having our lesson. Of all the cars in the parking lot it just had to be hers!! She fell apart right there in the parking lot then got up and drove off without saying anything else. It was horrible. We ended up going to see her yesterday and to be honest, we didn't have much hope, but we actually saw her and had a lesson! We talked to her about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how He understands all that she is going through. We also testified of the light that comes into our lives when we read the Book of Mormon and how it truly testifies of Jesus Christ. She committed herself to read it that night and committed to come to church next week and to meet with us on Tuesday. So all in all it was a roller coaster of a week with her, but things are going well now! She has A LOT of drama in her life, so keep her in your prayers. 

Sabrina and Sister Mecham on splits in the rain!

Also Robert and Kayla and Layla and Jayla all came to church on Sunday and stayed all 3 hours. They absolutely LOVED it and cannot wait to start coming every Sunday! The ward swallowed them up and so far they are going to dinner at a member's home with us tomorrow, having FHE with a family next Monday, and Layla and Jayla are preparing to be in the Primary Program coming up! Robert even got up and bore his testimony and said he is "here to stay!" The spirit was so strong as he spoke and everything that came out of his mouth was straight from his heart. It was just a miracle! Seeing him up there made me so happy, and I thought about how happy parents must be when they see their children learn about the gospel and gain a testimony for themselves. What a joy that must be! And then I thought about how Heavenly Father joys in us when we come to recognize what is true for ourselves. He must love being a Father! Anyway, we had to push Robert and Kayla's wedding and baptism date back to the 11h of November :( but they are still progressing so well toward it! We taught the WOW this week and they accepted it no problem. What a miracle! Tithing is this week, so continue to pray for them! 

Sunday Selfie

Funnies: 

We went to see one of our members in the hospital this week and as we were leaving she grabbed each of us by the hand and said, "I just want you to go home and find the love of your life, and send me a wedding invitation...that is all I want in life." Haha and she was being so serious! Sometimes I wonder if she is Betty White...if not I am sure she is her long lost twin! 

Spiritual thought: 

I just have a quick quote to share with y'all this week and it's a short one. 

"Love is what you go through together." - James Thurber

If I have learned one thing on my mission, it is that the Savior has perfect love for ALL of us, and I know that is because He has been through everything we have WITH us. I love my Savior. I love His work. I love His gospel. And I know He truly lives. 

I love you all and I hope this week is the best one yet!

xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen 

The miracles of General Conference!

What a weekend! I love General Conference. What a blessing it is to sit and listen to the words of the Savior from His living prophets and apostles.

The miracle I wanted to share this week has everything to do with General Conference because when it comes, who doesn't see miracles?? Our investigators Robert and Kayla and of course their daughters Jayla and Layla were able to come watch the Sunday Morning session of General Conference with us at one of our member's homes. They rolled up all dressed in their church clothes with Books of Mormon in hand. My heart just sang! The spirit was so strong as we entered our members' home and prepared to be taught. During the session Robert and Kayla sat on the couch intently listening, hand in hand. At one point Robert even jumped up and placed his phone right next to the TV so he could record one of the talks! (We later explained that he could get all of them online in just a few short days...haha) But it was just so sweet to see a family so excited to learn from prophets and apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ for the first time. Robert and Kayla are just GOOD people. And as the scriptures teach, "There are none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fullness of my gospel..." (D&C 35:12) So please just keep them in your prayers so that they can truly receive the fullness of the Gospel on October 28th!

Sabrina and Sister Preator with Whitney before she moved to Georgia.

As far as our other investigators go...we have three that are progressing very well!

One is a mother of 3 who is expecting her 4th very soon, and she is incredible! Her name is Trina and she is just eager to learn. She has read the Book of Mormon every day this week and we are going to set her for baptism when we see her on Thursday! She just wants to do what Heavenly Father wants her to do, and she has the most real intent of anyone I have met!

Our other progressing investigators are Jennifer and her mom Kathy. That is another miracle. Sisters have been teaching Jennifer for a while, and she knows it is true, she has just had a hard time overcoming her Catholic roots! We have been praying for her mother Kathy to join our lessons in hopes that it might help Jennifer and this week she did! Jennifer is probably in her 30's and Kathy in her 60's. But they are an awesome family! We are doing a scripture study with them tonight at a member's home, so we are so excited for that! They will hopefully be set for baptism after this week too.

Dress up?

Food coma?

Funnies:

Sister Preator wanted to experiment with my makeup and she got a little carried away...so please enjoy the attached pictures. Also just to redeem myself from my last email about DQ I am attaching a picture of this fancy salad we made this week. WOO HOO! (I strategically hid the hunk of raw cookie dough, so you could not see it in the picture...)

Spiritual thought:

I have been pondering on General Conference this morning and again, I cannot truly express how grateful I am for it. Something I noticed in particular this session was the focus on the Family Proclamation, and how important the family truly is! I have a horrible memory, and I forgot my notes, but my favorite quote was "Salvation is a personal matter, Exaltation is a family matter." I have been mulling that over in my mind again and again and my heart is so full. I have been taken back to a training Sister Gardner gave us a few weeks ago and something she said has rung clear in my heart. "I can testify that we do better together." These last few weeks have been hard on my family. But how grateful I am that we are in this together, that we are a family. I can too testify alongside Sister Gardner that we do better together. I love my family. Heaven would not be heaven without them! And I am grateful that my Loving Heavenly Father has placed families at the center of His eternal plan. I love this gospel. I love this work. I love my Savior.

Talk to you soon!

xoxo,

Sister Bengtzen

My new mill is OLD MILL!

Hello! 

Last week was transfers, so I am now in a new ward with a new companion! The Old Mill ward in Omaha is my new home and Sister Preator is my companion! She is INCREDIBLE and we have been having a blast together!! She is from Texas, North Dallas to be exact, and she is going home with me. It's like heaven sent us to each other or something...haha we have just been seeing miracle after miracle and we are dreading the fact that our companionship will only be for a short time! 

I can't wait for y'all to meet her though. She is as Texas as you can get and I love her for it. 

Sabrina and her New companion Sister Preator!

The Old Mill ward is definitely a change, but it is a good change! It's quite a large ward and covers a HUGE demographic of people. Blah, blah, blah that's boring...let me get to the good stuff!

Miracles: 

So we have this incredible couple that is investigating the church and their names are Robert and Kayla! They have two daughters named Layla and Jayla, so I get them all confused like every day, but that's ok! I think they understand my confusion..haha! Anyway, the other night we had a lesson with them and they invited 3 of their extended family members to join! We asked Kayla a question, I don't even remember what we asked, but her response was something I will never forget. She said, "My goal is to go into that temple, with my family. We are going to that temple. I hear you feel like you are in heaven when you are inside, and I am ready to feel heaven." How incredible is that?? They have only been investigating for a little while and already they have caught the vision. It's all about the family! The only road block we have is that they aren't yet married :( But we are working on it! So hopefully a wedding and a baptism will take place in the near future! I have ALWAYS wanted to have a wedding and a baptism...dreams come true! 

Another huge miracle occurred with another one of our investigators named Jennifer. I had never met her, but while we were planning I felt super prompted to share Elder Holland's "Like a Broken Vessel" with her. During our lesson we watched the short video and she was visibly overcome! She kept saying, "He was speaking right to me!" And he was. It was so incredible to see how the spirit could work through me to help someone I had never even met before. It goes to show that this really is His work and not mine! 

Oh and now for my favorite miracle of the week! One night all of our appointments fell through, so we prayed, and Sister Preator felt very strongly that we should go see the Wahls, a LA family in our ward. We stopped by and none of them were home, EXCEPT their nonmember friend living with them! And her name is Whitney. We ended up having like a 10 minute conversation with her and invited her to come to the Trail Center with us the next day. She said YES! SO we were able to take a tour with her and the spirit was so powerful. She committed to pray and read and I have faith she will! She moves back to Georgia in like 3 days :( but it was so cool to see how perfect Heavenly Father's timing is, and how aware He is of His children. He knew where we needed to be that night and exactly who we needed to see. I love being a missionary! 

Sisters at the Zoo

Funnies: 

So Sister Preator and I made the decision this week to be healthier missionaries. This is how the conversation went: 

 

SB - "We should try and eat healthier this transfer." 

SP - "Oh yes! I agree. Let's do it." 

10 minutes later 

SB - "I am kindof hungry..."

SP - "There's a DQ just up the street, and they just got this brand new brownie bite blizzard." 

SB - "I AM SO DOWN!" 

Welp...we tried! Haha 

Nothing fishy here!

Spiritual thought: 

In my Book of Mormon reading this morning I came across a verse in Mosiah that resonated deeply in my heart. I feel like there have been a lot of times in my life where I have been unsure and even somewhat fearful of the future. There are days where I look at the world and I think how on earth am I supposed to raise children here? There are days where I see the horrors of pornography and the destruction it causes to families and I think where on earth am I going to find an eternal companion who will not succumb to this temptation? And there are days when I hear about the mass destruction and disasters around the world and I think how can I find joy in a world like this? How can anyone? 

In Mosiah 5:3 it reads, "We...through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have GREAT VIEWS of that which is to come..." 

I know that is only a sentence, but it pierced my heart with truth. We don't need to fear, we don't need to worry, we don't need to have these questions! Why? Because we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Through the goodness of God and the witness of the Holy Ghost we can have HOPE. Heavenly Father didn't send us here to be afraid, but He sent us here to learn, to grow, and to keep His commandments regardless of the circumstances we are in. I am so grateful for my mission and for the testimony that I have gained of my Savior because I KNOW that I don't have to fear. I know that I can someday be a wife and a mother, raise a family in this world, and find joy! I am so grateful for parents who had the courage to do what was right, and for the example of so many others who have done the same. I pray that I can find those who are afraid and with the help of the Savior hush their fears and lead them to a far better land of promise. I LOVE this work. I love this Gospel. I LOVE my Savior. And I leave this with you all in His name. Amen. 

xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen 

P.S. Sister Preator and I conquered the zoo in the rain this morning.

He Will Always Be GRANDPA

First off, I want you all to know that I love you. Mom, Dad, Grandma, Brie, Maggie, Jakey, Abby, Aubsy, Bugs, I love you. I love you more than simple words on a keyboard can express. 

As my little trio was driving to the library this morning we were listening to my flash drive and a song came on that I have heard many times. But today it struck me differently. The chorus seemed to, as Joseph Smith said, "enter with great force into every feeling of my heart." So I thought I would share it with all of you. The song is referencing the Savior, and I feel as if this week, these few sentences describe in perfect detail how I have felt: 

"When my strength is weak, I can feel you carry me

In the darkness left for blind, I can feel your hand in mine

And your whisper heals my soul

And I plead with all I know

Don't let go

Don't let go

Don't let go." 

I think one of the hardest trials that we face in this mortal life is physical death. And the world's view on what comes after varies so widely. But I am so grateful to know that I have been given the truth. I know what Heavenly Father's plan is and I know what really happens after we die. I got the news on Wednesday morning that Grandpa passed away. President Gardner, one of the most incredible men I have ever met in my life, drove to Lincoln to meet with me and tell me in person. I cried for a really long time...I am still crying...but it's not an empty cry. It's a cry full of mourning, and grieving yes, but it's also a cry full of hope and of gratitude because I know the plan! And I know this is not the end. I think the hardest thing is that I can't be there with all of you. But I know that I am where I am needed and that Heavenly Father knows His children. I know that the Savior is with all of you and that you are all under his care. When we are weak he carries us, when we are blind he leads us, when we are broken he heals us, and he will NEVER let go. I have been pleading this week for open eyes and an open heart, to see and feel Grandpa here with me.  And those prayers have been answered. I wanted to share just a few experiences that I have had, because I want you all to know that he  is still with us. That he is watching over us. My prayer is that your eyes and your hearts will also be opened to seeing and feeling Grandpa with you, because I know he is there. 

We are teaching this man from South Sudan and his name is Thomas. We found him last week and it turns out he is a former investigator and was almost baptized. We have seen him every day this week and he is preparing to be baptized on the 7th of October. During one of our visits Thomas seemed particularly distressed and we asked him what was wrong. He told us that that very day his aunt had passed away from cancer. My heart ached as I watched this grown man weep, and I marveled to myself about how incredible Heavenly Father's timing truly is. I showed Thomas a picture of our family and bore my testimony about how families can be together forever through Jesus Christ. Tears filled my eyes as I thought about how grateful I truly am for this knowledge. After I was finished Thomas' eyes met mine and I smiled. He looked at me quizzically and said, "You must know that this is true...4 days since he passed and you are smiling...you have the truth." And he is right! We do have the truth! I felt as if Grandpa was with me in that moment, reminding me of what I know, and helping me to see this man through Heavenly Father's eyes. 

Another experience I had this week has to do with our recent convert Cheyenne. We were able to have dinner with her in a member's home on Friday and we taught about eternal marriage. The couple we ate with bore the most powerful testimony about preparing for eternal marriage and the blessings that come from it. After they finished the spirit was strong and I felt prompted to share about Grandpa. I was able to talk about how Grandma and Grandpa were sealed in the temple  and that because they were sealed by the power and authority of God their marriage was never going to end, even though he has passed on. Again my eyes filled with tears as I felt Grandpa there with me. I am so grateful for temples and grateful to know that families are FOREVER. The sealing power is real, and NOTHING can break that bond. Cheyenne was overcome as we spoke and just filled with light. She comes from a hard family situation, and wants so badly for her family to be different. I know that through the Gospel of Jesus Christ she can have an eternal family, just like ours. 

There have been so many other instances this week where I have had my eyes and heart opened to see Grandpa. I know without a doubt that he is with me, and with all of us. He truly is our BIGGEST fan! He is cheering us on even louder than he's cheering for his UTES! And that's a big deal.

I have taken so much comfort in the scriptures this week, and there is one in particular that I have been eager to share with my people. It's found in Mosiah 16:7-9 and it reads, 

"And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting there could have been no resurrection. But there is a resurrection, therefore the grace hath NO victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. He is the life and the light of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened,; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." 

Because of Jesus Christ we have no need to fear. He has overcome this, and I testify that we WILL be with Grandpa again. He will be the same Grandpa that we all know and love, and I cannot wait for that day. 

I love you all and I know that the Savior is with you. Don't let go. 

xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is REAL!

Sabrina, Sister Nuemberger and new friends

I think all of us have moments in our lives when the gospel becomes real. Sometimes it is a combination of small moments that eventually open our eyes to this all encompassing eternal truth, and sometimes it's a big event that seems to tear us away from the world just long enough to recognize how thin the veil really is. I have been blessed on my mission to have both of these experiences, and I feel like this week that statement has especially rung true. THE GOSPEL IS REAL and JESUS CHRIST LIVES. 

I just want to share a couple of quick experiences and then I will get on my way! 

First off, we have this investigator named Ameerah and she is 16. Sister Neuberger found her a few weeks ago, but she has kindof fallen of the map since then. Well, this week Sister Neuberger stopped by her home on exchanges and she was actually there! She set up a return appointment and we ended up going to see her with our recent convert Cheyenne, who attends the same high school. As we began our lesson we talked about how the gospel has blessed our lives and then asked our recent convert Cheyenne to bear her testimony. The moment she opened her mouth it felt as if the entire world around us stopped spinning. Her testimony was so simple, but the spirit that accompanied it was Celestial. And it all started with, "The moment I started learning about the church I fell in love." How incredible is that?! Our sweet investigator began to cry and we ended up committing her to be baptized just moments later. It was the most surreal yet REAL experience and I was so grateful to be able to witness these two young girls feel the reality of Jesus Christ and His teachings. This work never ceases to fill my heart and soul! 

Sabrina and companions with investigator Gloria

Another experience we had this week has to do with a man by the name of David. We went to visit Georgina at the AA House, but she was not home, so we started to speak with a potential we have there that's name is David. He told us about some of the things he has been through in his life and how the adversary has attacked him recently. As we began to testify he asked us if we could sit and stay for a moment. We of course accepted the invitation and ended up having an incredible lesson with him! He talked about how he has never felt worthy of God's love, and has always been afraid of his wrath! It was the most liberating experience to be able to "burst his fetters" and tell him that Heavenly Father is a loving God! He truly is our Father! As we shared this truth David's countenance changed and he smiled. And smiled and smiled! It was as if a weight as big as a semi truck had been lifted off of his chest. We committed him to read the Book of Mormon and pray and he said he would. 

Go Big RED

On a funny note, just yesterday we met this man from South Sudan and he told us he was a professional soccer player on Real Madrid. I think he was lying, but I got a picture with him just in case! He told me I was courageous like a lion and we are going back to teach him the Restoration tonight, so wish us luck! His name is Thomas. I will attach the picture! 

Sushi

I just want all of you to know that I know that Jesus Christ lives. My mission is to testify of him and declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life. (3 Nephi 5:13) I know that He is the way, that He loves us, that He is with us. I know that life can be difficult, but the veil truly is thin, and this is all for a greater purpose. We can do ALL things through our Savior, Jesus Christ! I testify this is His work and His church, and I say these things in His name. Amen.

Xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen