Welcome to SNOWmaha!

So guess what?? We had to drive to Iowa this week and it was the one day that is snowed! Haha good thing I am from Utah and can pretend that I know how to drive in the snow...

But in all honesty it was an adventure! But aside from the excitement of it, I had a really simple and wonderful experience. As we were passing a semi I felt a distinct impression to change lanes and did so. Miliseconds later the semi swerved and changed lanes, the driver had no idea we were there, and the situation could have turned deadly very quick. I am so grateful for the still small voice and the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to lead me and to guide me even in the most simple tasks. Heavenly Father is so aware of us. 

Anywho, I have a new companion and this is her first area! Her name is Sister Collins and she is from Northern California. She is the sweetest and most prepared missionary to walk planet earth! No joke! She is so eager and excited to work and to study and to love! We are going to have a blast together and I just cannot wait. Cannot wait! We are still in Chalco Hills and the work is just moving forward. I know that Heavenly Father has prepared so many people that we have found and are finding and I am excited to continue inviting them to come closer to Christ. 

Updates:

Kelly and Dave came to church yesterday and they were so grateful just to feel the peace and serenity that it brings. They already love Sister Collins and are excited to be taught be her! We are going to see them this week and help them increase their faith on the W.O.W. Man I love them. 

The Ritonya family is also doing well, they didn't come to church yesterday :( but we are working with them on that! We are going to teach them the Plan of Salvation on Tuesday and I am so excited because I know that it will answer so many questions that Lydia has! I am so grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, and the fact that Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and wants me to be with those I love forever. I just want the whole world to know it! I guess it is a good thing I am on a mission! 

Also keep the Tinnells in your prayers, Shannon has surgery coming up and she needs the comfort and peace prayer can bring. 

Miracles:

This week we had a HUGE miracle! On Wednesday night after planning we received a phone call from a member of another ward with a referral! On Thursday we stopped by the referral's home and had the most incredible experience. Her name is Angela and she has an 11 year old daughter named Katie. We taught them the Restoration and Angela just began to cry. She kept saying she knew this is what her daughter needed and she knew it was truth. She said the man that referred her didn't mention anything about Joseph Smith or a prophet, and the fact that that could be true was so exciting to her! Her life seems to be in shambles right now, and things are chaotic, but she is so prepared. After she shared the message she expressed a sense of hope and even joy, and she was determined to move forward in faith because Heavenly Father really is aware of her. She accepted baptism on January 7th and her daughter did as well! She even said she worked with a Mormon and he has Sundays off, so she is going to ask for Sundays off as well! And all of this came about because someone had the courage to open his mouth! Ahh I love this gospel and people! 

Also this week Richard and Phyllis offered to feed us dinner and that is a miracle because hopefully we will be able to teach Richard a message! YAY! 

Funnies: 

For Sister Collin's first real meal in the field we went to a sketchy drive thru Chinese restaurant that used to be a taco bell. It was good and we didn't even get sick! 

Also I got bit by a spider so I am expecting to be shooting webs no later than Wednesday...I will keep you updated. (It wasn't poisonous Mom, do not worry!) 

Spiritual Thought: 

So the reason we drove to Iowa this week was because the YW General President, Sister Oscarson, came to meet with all the sisters in the mission! Oh my heavens it was wonderful! So my spiritual thought comes from her. She shared a verse from the Bible that really impacted me and I would like to share it with all y'all. 

So a little context, this verse is the Lord's response to Sarah after she finds out she is going to have a son in her old age. When she first hears the promised blessing she laughs, thinking it is impossible, but the Lord's words are so simple and so powerful. Genesis 18:14 "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" 

I have been thinking about that a lot this week. Sometimes the challenges we face and the hardships we are dealt seem too difficult to bear. Other times the hearts of those we are called to serve seem too hard to touch. And yet on other days our own will seems too hard to shake. This verse gives me great comfort in all those situations. When we rely on the Lord, when we trust Him, when we let him do his work and his will, then nothing is too hard. I know that to be true, and although I need to apply that more fully into my life I am grateful for the experience of a mission. My mission is helping me to see the Lord touch those hearts that are hard, overcome those trials that are hard, and shake MY will which is hard. This gospel is so good, so humbling, so powerful. 

I love you all very, very much! 

Keep on lighting the world like you light mine! 

xoxo,
Sister Bengtzen