T'was the week before Christmas...

Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the midwest, Sister Bengtzen was knocking, inviting others to get in their Sunday best!

The Book of Mormons were placed in each home with great care, in hopes that the Holy Ghost would soon testify there. 

Sister Collins in her snow boots, and Sister Bengtzen in her hat, had just begun tracting and everyone seemed to have a cat.

When all through Omaha the temperature dropped 50 degrees, but nothing, I repeat nothing could stop those sisters from getting on their knees! 

We taught and we testified and we studied and we sang, and we saw miracles and more miracles as the Christmas bells rang!

I can't remember the rest of the story....but I know God loves me and loves you, so enjoy the rest of this email and know I love you too!

Miracles: 

Angela and Katie are doing so well! AHHH! We took them on a church tour this week and as we walked into the chapel the spirit grew stronger and stronger until it enveloped the entire room. Angela was in tears by the end and said the closing prayer, it was so powerful. Her daughter Katie came to church and she loved it. The fellowship she received was an answer to many prayers! As we were talking with her the other day she said something that struck me. She said since she has been reading the Book of Mormon and coming to church and meeting with us that her world has literally gotten brighter. She said she goes to the grocery store and instead of focusing on all the negative in the world she sees the good in people and mercy of God. She has had a change of heart!! This whole experience reminded me of what Alma taught the people of Zarahemla: "Behold, he changed their hearts; he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the everlasting word..." (Alma 5:7) Great miracles are being wrought in her life and the life of her daughter because of her faith and her effort in exercising it. 

So there is a part-member family in our ward and they are from the Micronesian islands. The wife has been a member since she was young and the son was baptized at 9 years old. The husband has taken the missionary lessons several times, but has never committed to be baptized because he could not give up drinking. About a month and a half ago Sister Rook and I went over and did a Book of Mormon read with the mother and son. We told them to approach the reading with a question and a prayer. They did so and the son said the prayer, he asked that they might receive guidance on how to help his father come to the truth and have desires to be baptized. We opened to Alma 6 and read verse 6 "Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God." They received their answer! The next day we fasted and we went over every night that week and prayed. And those prayers and that fasting has been answered! A few weeks ago Junior, the husband, had an experience that was very, very humbling. The next week he came to church and told us he is ready to change his life. We saw him that week and committed him to live the Word of Wisdom and be baptized on January 7th. This week we went over to their home and the spirit was there! In their home!! Junior was so happy, his countenance was full of light and he said he felt peace. Joy had just overcome him and it was like it was a completely different person! He is ready. The Lord truly answers mighty prayers, and loves his children. And fasting brings miracles! 

Funnies: 

This week it got to -3 degrees F, -20 with wind chill. It sure felt like -1 billion degrees though! Our car windows got frozen shut and my toes are still numb. But onward ever onward! I have never been happier!

Sister Collins and I played pillow hockey in our apartment this week! (I was trying to be creative on helping her with homesickness...) I almost broke a lamp and dented the door. Key word: ALMOST. For the record I won. 10-6 

Spiritual thought:

 In Luke 2:10 it reads "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." I was reading that and thinking about that this morning and this overwhelming thought came over me. As missionaries, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we have the blessing and opportunity of declaring good tidings of great joy to all people. We carry the same message as an angel of the Lord! We are commissioned to tell the world that we have a loving Heavenly Father. He sent his son to die for us, and take up his life again...for us. Jesus Christ, the son of God, is our Redeemer and our Savior. He lives. He wants us to be clean, to be happy, to be healed, and he has given us the Atonement to make all of that possible. We have a prophet to guide us and to guide our families. We can be together forever with those we love, and we can and will see our Father in Heaven and our Savior again someday. We know the truth. 

This Christmas I am grateful to be close to my Savior, grateful to be here in Nebraska of all the places, grateful for my eternal family, and so grateful for the good tidings of great joy which I get to share! 

I love you all and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! 

Love Sister Bengtzen

This is HIS work!

This week has been an INCREDIBLE one. I love being on a mission, I love being a missionary, I would not give it up for anything in the world! 

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree!

Miracles: 

Yesterday the Ritonya family came to church, well at least Lydia and Brad did, and they loved it! They want to come back!! And they want to bring their children. They both marveled at the feelings they felt, and were struck by how welcomed they were. It was so wonderful and so happy! It's been amazing to see how their understanding of who Christ is has grown, and in turn, how their desires to have a personal relationship with him has grown as well.

Angela also came to church and she stayed all 3 hours and participated. Plus she brought food and clothing to help feed anyone that was in need. SHE IS AMAZING. I know that Heavenly Father is preparing so many of his children to hear the restored gospel, but I truly believe she is ready right now! She is set for January 7th to be baptized with her 11 year old daughter and she loves so many things about the church, but more importantly she loves Christ and she is eager to come closer to him. She is a true joy! And a pure miracle. 

This week we also had two potential investigators (Louis and Dorrie) come to church and we are meeting with both of them this week. It was a trying week for me in a lot of ways, and I got REAL overwhelmed at one point, but I was reminded to take a step back and trust that this is the Lord's work, and He will take care of it. And of course He did. So many miracles, people are progressing, and lives are being touched! Including my own. I just love this work!  

Funnies: 

There was this spider that was hanging from a light in our apartment and I killed it with my shoes, but I am not sure if I actually hit it or just scared it. Nevertheless, I looked to see if it was on my shoe and it wasn't! Then I saw this small speck slowly plummeting to the floor...so either way I think it is dead. Complete silence filled the room. Then out of nowhere Sister Collins just quotes scripture: "Great was the fall thereof." I about died. I guess you know you are a missionary when you understand that reference and think it's funny. 

I told one of our members that Sister Collins is an elite fisher(wo)man and that she has trophies all over our apartment. He really bought it. Haha poor Sister Collins...I think she thinks I am crazy but she is too sweet to tell me that. I LOVE HER! 

Spiritual thought: 

This week I have been studying hope and in my Book of Mormon reading I have been studying about the signs of Christ's birth and his death. The passages about Christ's death portray a strong sense of darkness and despair, and I cannot even imagine what it must've been like to be on eaerth when He was crucified. However, as I was reading this week, and thinking about hope, I came upon a verse that struck me. 3 Nephi 10:10 "And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood; and the mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease; and their mourning was turned to joy, and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer." Even though that was the darkest 3 days the world has ever known, the earth came together again, sadness was turned to joy, and mourning became praise and worship. How hopeful that is! No matter how dark or dismal or dreary this lonely world may seem there is always hope. Through the restored gospel we know that Christ will come again. All the wrongs of this world will be made right, and all the destruction and chaos will turn to peace and perfection. How grateful I am for my Savior and my Redeemer, who promises me hope, even when things seem hopeless. 

I love you all very, very much! Keep on keeping on! 

- Sister Bengtzen 

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 

He is THE light

So Nebraska all the sudden got cold...what the heck?? 

 My Micronesian Mama

Miracles: 

Kelly and Dave had a relapse, but that is OK because the Atonement is REAL. They have been busy because of Thanksgiving, so we will see them this week and I will have a better update for y'all next week. Before I left on my mission I saw it as such a sacrifice, 18 months away from my family and my friends and my life, and although those things are hard, I realize that it is a much greater blessing than any sacrifice I could imagine. But seeing how much Kelly and Dave are sacrificing and changing for this gospel is very humbling. I tend to get impatient when people don't keep commitments because I know just how much this gospel can change their lives and help them, but I need to recognize that for some it is a BIG change, and it requires time and a whole lot of patience. So that was a small miracle for me...recognizing that I need to be patient. I needed to be humbled. And I need to keep on loving and inviting. 

We met a family this week and they are incredible! The Ritonya family. The mother is form Peru! That's right Jakey... Lima. Peru. SAY WHAT?! They are so stellar. At first we talked to the mother and her heart was really hard, we asked her about her family and her life and she kept wondering why we even cared. But slowly she began to open up to us and we had like 15 small opportunities to testify of Jesus Christ and how families can be forever. Then she jokingly invited her whole family into the room to listen to our message and expected us to be all embarrassed or flabbergasted. Welp! Not us! We were stoked! We started with a prayer and the spirit just flooded in. We shared the message of the Restoration with their entire family and told them that this was the way that they could be together forever. It was so incredible to see each of their countenances change. We committed all of them to read the Book of Mormon and to pray together and individually. We are going back to see them tomorrow night with a member and I just cannot wait! 

Richard and Shannon and their kids are doing well! They didn't come to church yesterday because it was "too different" so we are going to see them this week and hopefully increase their faith and trust in Christ and in his restored gospel. I know they may not be ready right now, but we planted a seed, and someday I know it will be harvested. They are a wonderful family. They have such light, and I know someday they will recognize this is the only way to be together forever. 

Phyllis is feeding us Christmas dinner, so three cheers for that! I love her. SO MUCH! 

We haven't been able to see Jacob and Kortney because of the holiday, so hopefully we will see them this week and I will have an update for you next week. 

 Sabrina and Thanksgiving crew.

Funnies: 

I had an allergic reaction to a corn stalk this week...I know that sounds kind of sad, but really I promise it was funny! Plus it's corn...and I am in Nebraska...

Spiritual thought: 

Ok so first I want to start with a scripture. Ether 4:12 "And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good...For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world." I don't know if any of you have had the chance to look at the new video the church released for Christmas this year, but if you haven't, drop everything you are doing and go to mormon.org right this moment!! It is the best thing the church has ever done! Besides being Restored... 

Anyway, it is a Christmas initiative all focused on Christ being the light of the world, and as followers of him, we are a light to world as well. It gives us 25 different ways over 25 days that we can be a light to the world and invite others to come unto Christ. So go watch it, do it, share it! In an ever darkening world I am so grateful to know that the light in my life, Jesus Christ, is a light that can never be darkened. No matter how alone, or sad, or heartbroken, or unhappy I may feel I know that the Lord is with me. I know that his Atonement is there to help me. I know that there is something better. He is my light, He is THE light. 

I love you all and hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, even though I wasn't there :) 

xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen 

Gratitude and Gravy...that's what it's all about!

Sabrina and Sister Rook

Miracles: 

Y'all are never gonna believe this, but you should because this is Heavenly Father's work and he has power to do all things! Kelly and Dave committed to live the Word of Wisdom this week and gave us all of their cigarettes.!!! WOO HOO! When we went over on Tuesday to visit them we committed them to live it and the spirit was so strong. Dave described these feelings of just pure joy and eager excitement and we were able to help him recognize that that was the spirit. He was so thrilled that he was worthy enough to feel it. The following day two members of our ward went with us and gave each of them a priesthood blessing. The spirit was heavy as one of the members bore testimony of the power of the priesthood, and Kelly and Dave were so calm and simply happy. The feeling in their home has changed leaps and bounds since we first knocked on the door. They are preparing to be baptized in January! 

So the family we have been doing service for, Shannon and Richard Tinnell, and their two sons, came to church on Sunday! HUGE MIRACLE! One of the members that spoke mentioned a priesthood blessing and Shannon immediately turned to me and asked if she could receive one. So last night, we had a very sweet experience with our bishop and YM president as they gave both Shannon and Richard powerful blessings. They say they are "comfortable" with the church they attend, but they want to learn more. They need prayers. More than anyone I have ever known. So please send prayers their way. I know that they will recognize the blessings of the gospel if they just have faith and experiment upon the word....they are one of the most tight knit loving families I have ever met. They have gone through trial after trial together, and still they continue. They need this.

Ok, last but not least, Jacob and Kortney! Jacob came to church with our investigator Chris last week and we finally had the opportunity to teach them last night. We boldly testified of the Restoration and they accepted the invitation to be baptized. As we read Moroni's promise I could literally see the light in their eyes as they realized they could know this for themselves. That Heavenly Father didn't want us to just tell them what was right and what was wrong, but that they could personally ask him and receive an answer! They are the cutest younger couple...not married (yikes) but they have such faith. I can't wait to see their relationship with our Heavenly Father and Savior grow. 

Also Phyllis and Richard are doing swell. Richard still hasn't come to church yet, but he will get there! 

Funnies: 

Here is a joke... 

Where was Noah when the lights went out? In d'ark

Hehe ok one more...

Did Eve ever have a date with Adam? No, it was an apple 

Spiritual Thought: 

I have been thinking a lot about gratitude this week, obviously because Thanksgiving is coming up! But I was reading about the Savior's ministry and something struck me. When Jesus Christ performed the miracle of the loaves and the fishes, the first thing he did was give thanks. (Matthew 15:36)

 He simply gave thanks. Thousands of people were hungry, he only had 7 loaves and 3 fishes, he was exhausted, his disciples were frustrated, and the first things he did was simply give thanks and trust in Heavenly Father to do the rest. Sometimes I am slow to give thanks....all the time I am slow to give thanks. I pray that I can learn to remember that, not only during this Thanksgiving season, but always. I pray the same for you. 

I hope all of you eat lots of turkey and stuffing and rolls and potatoes for me! Know that I love you and I am beyond grateful that Heavenly Father put you in my life. 

I LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU! 

- Sister Bengtzen

P.S. We took Miguel to the trail center this week and passed him off to the Spanish Elders! They promised they would keep us updated. He is the BEST!

DUCK in cover!!!

Hello, hello! I am realizing that my emails are all over the place, so I am sorry about that. Sometimes I just get too excited to tell y'all about everything that is going on. I will try to organize it better this week!  

Updates: 

Kelly and Dave are incredible! They definitely have their struggles, but we are moving forward. They came to church yesterday and it was a really good meeting, as it always is! We went and visited them after church and we took a member of our ward with us. He shared with them his conversion story, and at the end of it everyone was silent, just sortof enjoying the spirit of the discussion, and then Kelly looked at this member and asked, "It felt like you were coming home didn't it?" He nodded, and she smiled real big. "That's how I feel," she said. "I know that I am coming home." OH THAT I WERE AN ANGEL. My heart almost burst. Please keep their family in your prayers. They are so close. I know they are gonna get there, they just need all the prayers they can get right now. 

Karl kindof dropped off planet earth for a few days, haha but we are working on seeing him this week, so I will keep you updated. Sharlo works 7 days on and 7 days off, and this is her week on, so it is harder to get in contact with them.

Our new investigator Chris Earls came to church this week, and he loved it! He even brought his brother in law Jacob! And get this...his friend lives in OUR apartment complex. Crazy miracle! We have another appointment with both of them on Tuesday and we are bringing a stellar member with us. They are eager to learn more. SO eager. 

Miracles: 

MIGUEL!! I think this may be the biggest miracle of my entire mission thus far, no joke. Miguel is the most incredible investigator the world has ever known. And he has the most incredible story....so here goes.

Every P-day we shop at Walmart, and a couple weeks ago the man who was greeting us stopped us at the door and started talking to us. He told us that we had a light with us, and that it was different, and he thanked us for walking with God and lifting others, including himself. He could only talk for a moment, because he was working, so we gave him our number, and waited eagerly for him to call. Well he didn't. So next week we made a point of finding him at Walmart and asking him why he hadn't! He said he wasn't sure whose number it was so he didn't want to call. (Excuses...) We told him it was ours, and again he promised he would call! And guess what...HE DID! We ended up meeting with him 3 times last week, answering questions, giving him a Book of Mormon, reading it with him, and inviting him to be baptized. Turns out his daughter's best friend is a member and he has always admired her and her family for what they believe and how they live. He has read the Book of Mormon every night since we gave him a copy, and he knows that it is the word of God. He even called us and asked us if we could take him to visit the temple and the Mormon trail center. WHO DOES THAT?! MIGUEL DOES. The sad part of the story is that he isn't in our area, and he wants to go to the Spanish ward, so we have to hand him over to the Spanish Elders :( BUT a miracle nonetheless! We are planning to take him to the trail center and to see the temple this week and pass him off to the Spanish Elders there. And we will keep in contact as they teach him, so I will keep you updated. He is the cutest little man from Panama, has backpacked all over Jerusalem, and just lives to serve. He truly is incredible. 

Also, Phyllis invited a friend to come to church yesterday, and we are going to start teaching her this week. After the meeting she asked me, "Why are there so many different churches, didn't Jesus Christ just make one?" OH my goodness...let's talk about a missionary's dream! She loved church and felt so welcomed, so hopefully she will become a new investigator!
Also, another one of our returning less active members brought her non member granddaughter to church and she LOVED young women's! We have an appointment to teach her this week as well, and we are excited! 

Funnies: 

Sometimes knocking on doors gets pretty rough, so Sister Rook and I try to make it fun! Well, everyone in Nebraska has these tacky blow up decorations for the holidays...which is annoying...but this week I had a brilliant idea. We knocked on this man's door and when he answered I was imitating the blow up turkey in his front yard. This is basically how the conversation went:

Man: "What are you doing?"

Me: "I am imitating your turkey!"

Sister Rook: *suppressed giggles 

Me: "Aren't I funny, don't I look just like it?" 

Man: "No."

Sister Rook: *full on laughter 

[Insert awkward pause here]

Me: "Well we are your missionaries in the area!..."

Man: *slams door 

Also this week some of the Elders in our zone put a plastic duck underneath our car. I told them I used to live in Canada and a member of their ward told them that Canadians love ducks....so naturally they gave me a huge plastic duck. I will send pictures. 

OH AND BEFORE I FORGET I GOT TO SEE SISTER SMITH THIS WEEK!!!! One of our STL's had her birthday on Monday so we had a little partay and she was there.  I love her so much!  

Spiritual thought: 

This morning I was reading in Helaman 5 about Nephi and Lehi and their experience in prison. As I was reading about the cloud of darkness that came over the people in the prison (Helaman 5:28) I starting thinking about darkness...what even is darkness? So naturally I looked it up in the dictionary. Darkness is defined as a lack of or the absence of light. Hmm...somethin' to think about eh? 

In Helaman 5:40 these people in the prison ask "What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?" In response to this question they are counseled in verse 41 to exercise their faith, to cry unto the Lord, and to repent. In other words...to let the light of Christ in. Verses 42 and 43 shows the consequence of their righteous efforts. "And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry...yea and they did cry even until the cloud of darkness dispersed...and it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw the cloud of darkness was dispersed...they saw that they were encircled about, every soul, by a pillar of fire." 

I think so often the world in which we live seems overshadowed with darkness and just like those in prison, we ask, "What shall we do that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?" The answer? Let the light in. Mosiah 16:9 teaches "He is the light and the life of the world, yea a light that is endless, that can NEVER be darkened."  No matter how dark the world may seem, no matter how angry or upset or wicked people appear to be, remember that darkness is only an absence of light...and by letting in the light of Christ, it can be overcome. 

Love you all loads and loads! 

- Sister Bengtzen 

Corn pits and croutons

Sometimes weeks just fly by and all the sudden I am sitting here in front of the computer screen again and all the days are blurred together! Haha but my goodness I love this work, and there is nowhere else on planet earth I would rather be. Sister Rook and I have seen so many little miracles this week and we have just had a blast together. I don't think I have ever laughed harder at myself than in these past 3 weeks, and luckily Sister Rook is more than willing to laugh at me as well! Haha we are having too much fun. 

 Corn Pit on Halloween night.

Miracles: 

So first off, Kelly and Dave are doing well. They have family in town this week, so they weren't able to come to church yesterday, but they asked us to come over to meet Kelly's sister Audrey who is a Jehovah's witness. We stopped by for a little while and were able to answer a ton of questions about the church and about missionary work and it was a great little visit. Dave said a prayer before we left and like always it was so heartfelt and sincere. I think Audrey was a little taken aback, and the spirit was strong. They are so happy. SO happy, and it has been incredible to see the gospel change their lives so much in such a short time. They are working towards being baptized probably in the second week of December. YAY! They are just eager, and ready. Keep them and their family in your prayers though, especially Dave's daughter Jasmine. They need it! 

Also, we went to see Karl this week and found out that he has a WIFE! Her name is Sharlo and she is wonderful. Just like Karl she has great faith in Jesus Christ and is looking for truth. We invited them to come to church next Sunday and they seemed excited! So woot woot! 

In addition to all that we found 2 new investigators this week. Their names are Chris and Fallon Earls. They are a cute couple living in an apartment just down the street from us. We were going to see one of the less active islander families in the same complex and he popped his head out of the door and asked if we believed in Christ. We told him yes! And then we proceeded to answer some of his questions and teach him and his wife the message of the Restoration. Both of them accepted Book of Mormons and an invitation to church next Sunday! They are so kind, and so genuine! While we were sharing the message Fallon stopped us and said, "huh, I have always wondered why they aren't prophets on the earth." TALK ABOUT PREPARED! Haha I am so excited to see them this week. They are ready to change, even if they don't know it yet! 

And last but not least, we were going about knocking doors, and offering to do service, when we met Richard! He said he's been going through a lot with his family right now so we asked if he could use some help. He asked if we could come back and clean up his yard and we said of course! So we raked like 56 bags of leaves and I am so sore....but after we did it we talked to his wife and she was SO grateful! We set up a time to have lunch with her on Wednesday and share the message of the Restoration. She is really excited and so are we! It is amazing to see how service softens people's hearts! 

Phyllis and Richard are doing well, they had a little bit of a leaking pipe issue this week, which we helped with, but they are doing swell! Phyllis really wants to invite Richard to come to church with her, so keep that in your prayers. She needs the courage!! 

Sabrina and Sister Rook on Halloween night

Funnies: 

On Saturday there was this guy tailgating in his driveway with all his friends and family so we decided to join their party. And then on accident we literally joined their party! (But do not worry we didn't watch the game!)

We didn't have a dinner,  or any money, haha so he let us have some of his soup and cheese and cupcakes and some water. We ended up answering a ton of questions about Mormons and the guy that owned the home gave us his contact information and told us we could come back. He was so kind. His name is Eric! 

Dave asked what they call people from Utah, I told him Utahn and he thought I said crouton. So now he introduces us as "the beautiful Sister Rook" and "crouton" 

Also someone asked me if I was 15 this week....not funny. 

Sabrina and Sister Rook at YW in Excellence

Spiritual thought: 

I have been thinking a lot about happiness this week and I came upon this quote from President Monson that I just love. "The happy life grows upon us year by year, little by little, until at last we realize we have it. It is achieved in individuals, not by flights to the moon or Mars, but by a body of work done so well that we can life our heads with assurance and look the world in the eye...You don't find the happy life - you make it." 

Happiness isn't easy to achieve...but nothing worth having is. And just like everything good, everything that comes from God, it comes line upon line, precept upon precept. BUT the most wonderful thing I have learned about the gospel is that there is always room to be happier. There is always more truth to find. More service to give. More love to have! I am happy today, but I know that that happiness will grow as I continue loving, serving, searching, and experiencing. How lucky we are recognize what can make us happy now, and lead us to ETERNAL happiness in the future. 

I love you all. I really do! Have the best week. 

xoxo, 

Sister Bengtzen