The mission is crazy. Seriously. Crazy. Its a 8 layer bean dip of emotions. Let me just bullet point these last few weeks:
Two weeks ago, we had Elections.. I dont know politics here in Ecuador but the people are like Middle Schoolers..Its basically a sign competition..Whoever has the fanciest buttons and banners wins. Craziness. 

Last week, we had Carnival. Its basically 4 days of throwing water at people. Its the weirdest tradition.. Wait.. Actually the weirdest is New Years.. Men dress up like women(scandalous men-women) and block the cars in the streets to beg for money/dance for money. Im from SIN CITY and this tradition was weird.. But back to carnaval.. we were stuck in the house for 3 days.. I was about to go crazy.. Its literally 100 degrees out and we are stuck in a sauna of a house. Wow. I cant even tell ya. Terrible..

Heres our investigators:

We had a baptism this passed week.. Hermana Guadalupe Delgado got baptized.. She is 60ish years old and is so cute. She is from Otavalo(lamanite blood) and is so adorable. I was so happy to see the change she felt during her conversion. She had alot of regrets in her past, deep-heart wrenching regrets that she has lived with for more than twice my age. She felt so much hope in the gospel.. So much love and peace. She calls us her angels. 

Her husband is now interested..my companion had a question and answer discussion with him and slowly, we really feel like he will come around. The Lord helps hearts change. He knows us. 

Her grandson, Kevin, is also  being taught.. Hes 11 and super hillarious. He is so PILAS (this means..smart) and will answer questions for us and he knows alot.

Valeria.. is a 17 year old single mom. She is so loving. She lives alone and really needs the Gospel. She is so curious and just loves us. In the midst of all problems and hardships, we can be a source of light as missionaries.

Briggette is a 12 year old girl whos mom is a member but she is REALLY inactive..she JUST came back to the church literally yesterday and was like ready to come back! Shes starting institute and is working on living the principles of the gospel. Her daughter has a few friends in the young womens but has never actually been to church! Woohoo! She has a baptism date for the end of the month.

So, heres the blunt Hermana Bennett comin´ out. I have officially decided that I dont care about numbers. I am not here to collect people as if I were collecting stamps.There is a stereotype in South American Missions that we can baptize billions of people..which is true..but also I have realized that we have ALOT of people that go inactive, because they were dragged into the baptismal font and they werent truly converted and did not have firm testimonies. I personally, as Hermana Bennett have really worked hard to follow the spirit, love the members and investigators and LOVE EVERY DAY. 
Its helped me so so much.. Ive just learned to depend on the Lord. 

:) Im also excited that my aunt and uncle are getting baptized the 22nd.. :) I expect a full sized Hermana Bennett to be present.. HAHA! 


love yoU ALL.
Hna Bennett

I cant write this week..NEXT WEEK! :) know that I love you and everything is okay!
Love you always,

Hna Bennett

Hola! 


SO this is kind of fast but here it goes.. :)

Teaching all nations..
Jesus instructed His disciples to ¨teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all thing whatsoever I have commanded you¨ Matthew 28:19-20 

President Russell M. Ballard said in The Search for Happiness, Through the years, I have watched countless missionaries come and go, and I have seen extraordinary things happen in their lives and in the lives of their families as a result. The work they are called to do is hard and sometimes discouraging. But because they have the assurance that they are on Gods errand, they are able to valiantly serve Him. I often suggest to those who want to know if the Church is true that they soend a few hours working with our missionaries. It doesnt take long to learn that no one can do all of the things a missionary does everyday without knowing beyond any question that what they are doing is right and true. 

Blessings from missionary work: Difficult languages are learned, weaknesses become strengths, challenges become oppritunities, trials become triumphs, adversity becomes an adventure in the service of the Lord- example of fruits of living the gospel..

This week has been trying. Part of it is that I havent been sleeping well, so Ive been physically drained. My black leather Clarks...are starting to gain holes.. That makes me feel GREAT. It means we are walking and ton and trying to find new people. I have a new companion. Im just getting on routine of having a new companion. Her name is Sister Chacon from Honduras. Shes an Hermana Leader and is SO exact. She likes to be in charge.. So its good..she is a go getter... She will do everything. Its good. We have been walking and just meeting new people. 

I was kind of down this week, Im not afraid to say it.. But I know that Satan knows where to get strong people. I basically have told myself, I can work for the Lord for (one more hour).. or one more day.. or one more minute..and it mentally gets me through. The mental aspect of serving is tiring.. I had thoughts that..Man, Im never going to learn this language, Im never going to be given any responsibilities, no one is going to like me, etc.. It was discouraging.

The Lord knows me. He knows you. All that is good comes from Him. Get through the little tasks and trials and TRIUMPH in what you are already doing. This is hard. But its worth it. I love my family. I cant even express HOW important families are. There is NO time to wait to repent or time to waste with your families. 

Its hard to be on a mission because you realize how much your familiy means to you. I just want to HUG MY FAMILY. Give me 365 more days. 

I love you all.

Christ lives. I know it. 


Seis Mil Besitos!

Hermana Bennett

**** FYI: We can't get her pictures to download to us, Viva la Ecuador- It is how its been, not great computers there!! bummer!*****
Hola

This week was so awesome. Lemme just tell ya. First off, we had a training with the President of the mission. It was so great. President Torres is so inspired. He really is so in tune with the spirit and taught us two principles that are KEY in this mission. He taught that we lack obedience and we lack faith, more than anything else. He spoke on obedience with exactness and following EVERY little rule we are given, from going to bed at 10:30 to teaching with certain techniques,etc.. Going to bed at 10:30 is not a hard rule for me to break. I am passed out by then..ha! This is a picture of Hermana Carollo and I at the training. I just love my companion. She is so great.Seriously I have countless journal entries just expressing how much I admire the way she loves and looks at ALL people with a
a sense of hope. She knows her worth and everyone elses also. I love her. 

This is a picture from our Baptism with Mercedes and Narcissa.. They are DOLLS. It was a beautiful day.. All the way on the left is Hermano Franco, our ward mission leader and the second man with his arms folded is Danny..hes about to leave on his mission to Aguascaliente, Mexico! Hes so great. We are so grateful for the brothers in our ward. Many of them dont hae much time in the church, Danny has been a member for two years and is so great. They really love us and care for us..Ive never been in a ward SO hands on. We joke that members have more lessons with the missionaries present than missionary lessons with members present. We ususally dont even have to find or call members, they will just be like, We are leaving with you. They are our ANGELS! 

Im so grateful for a ward family! I dont have my family here with me but I have people who would bend over backwards to help my in this cause. Thats one sure thing I absolutley adore in this church is that we have family, everywhere. I could live in ANY part of the world and feel the same. The culture is different, perhaps the food more fattening, but its all the same. We are all the same family. 

I just love it. I love this gospel. I love the oppritunity to change and grow. Im so short on time, always but I have worked hard this week to count my many blessings. I invite you to do the same :) 

Love,
Hna Bennett

PS TOWN CENTER WARD IS AWESOME. I am so loved from my homeward. Thanks for the letters. I have so many of them. I am spoiled rotten. :) I love you SO MUCH. 

This week Bekah didn't write us one big letter. We had a Q & A because she was short on time. Here are some of the things I could share.
Bekah: Are you there, I am online.
Mom: Hi, hows life in the big city?
B: Haha Yeah I have a story behind that one. its super normal here actually.. we see police, drugs, etc.. SINS!
Its okay though, we are always with 3 member men.. So i just dont worry..plus fear is of satan. 
M: Okay, not freaking out!! I know your protected because you are being obedient.
B: HAHAHAHA!! 
M: How is the teaching going??
B: Really good. I have to stay so close to the Holy Ghost, the teaching is very intense. It is changing their lives. It can be intimidating. Pray for the children we are teaching, they need support. It is going so well. 
M: How about the spanish, because I feel like I have to translate..
B: Very Good, much better! I love it here, mom! I love the people I am serving. 
M: I am not surprised. You have a big heart and a gift of being able to lovingly serve people. you always have! We sure are proud of you!
B: thanks, mom. I have been reading a book you need to read, Our Search for Happiness. Its so good. 
M: I will read it. How is the weather been? Are you writing Danielle and some of your friends?
B: its 5 degrees past satans enferno. haha. Yes, and its like Danielle's on a cruise...and so are some of the others..meanwhile here in the ghetto!! HAHA! 
M: Hey, did you finally get all your christmas packages?? 
B: Oh yes, it was so amazing!!! I had three boxes in one day. I felt so loved by all my family in ARIZONA!!! I will write as soon as I can, but tell the Hoyler's, Grammy, the Bustamante's,Aunt Patty, and the Horns,Nana and Aunt Lisa. Thank you so so so much!!!! I live to hear from my family!!! I needed everything!!! Thanks so so much! And then the box from the ward was so awesome too. I love the banner from the YW, and the stocking was so great.. there are so many letters in the box I am taking my time reading them!! I really treasured everything...made me cry!! I feel so blessed to have so many people who love me!! TELL MY CUTE VISITING TEACHER, SISTER DAVELINE ILOVE HER!!!!!! I have to go my time is short this week. I love you, mom.
M: I love you too, darling. Be smart, be safe, and remember why your there!!! 

Querido Familia y Amigos!
How are you? This week I have really seen miracles and have felt the influence of the Spirit in my missionary life. Ive had a lot of thoughts
running through my head this week. Most of which concern my future family and the blessings that the gospel gives to families. This week I
had transfers, I am now in Guayaquil, Ecuador in a ward thats called Los Esteros. I know, I know.. like every two weeks I am somewhere different. Gotta love Ecuador! :)
This sector has so much success.. The church in general here in Guayaquil is HUGE. Seriously. I saw a GINORMOUS chapel building/institute building this week. Its so
cool. I love that the work is so strong down here. What a blessing.
 
My companions name is Hermana Carollo. Shes from Colorado and shes awesome. She has 2 more transfers than I do in the mission. She went to BYU-i before the mission.. Shes a doll. We are a super good team. We realize each others faults and really help eachother in the areas where the other companion is missing. For example, this week I had a super big desire to contact, (In this sector, there are CRAZY amounts of people just hanging out in the streets) So I kept getting this desire to do so, but she told me its a little weird to just start small talk with random people.. So I just followed my gut and opened my mouth..Which helped her feel comfortable teaching a short lesson/whatnot. We found a inactive member and other new investigators from following this prompting. Blessed life.
 
As of now, we have 7 progressing investigators (which means they are on target to get baptized in two weeks) and like 4-6 more that we are working with to progress. Man, I feel so grateful that the Lord trusts me enough to prepare this people/children for baptism. So we have 5 children that are getting baptized this next week.. Baptizing children is something we kind of avoid as missionaries because we dont want them to become inactive because they dont have support. I was a tad hestitant, not gonna lie. This week, I taught them.. and literally fell in love. They are golden. When I teach them, I think of 3 Nephi 17.. 
 
Verses that inspired me:
4: They are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them...
5 .. and they did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
21.. The Lord blesses the children.. prays unto the father for them
24.. The children are encircled with fire and angels minister unto them
 
I just want to emphasize that the Lord loves these children. He loves them and understands their struggles individually. There whole lives have been a little disfunctional, a tad out of control and they havent been given the example that I have.. My entire life, Ive been increbily blessed with a family, a ward family nonetheless, morals and people to set me straight when I act out, but not everyone has this. I cant compare myself to the Savior because I am not even close to being so humble, loving and perfect, but seeing the light in their eyes when we teach reminds me of verse 5. They look upon us like we are their angels. We are helping them draw their path in this life, helping them develop attributes and know that they are children of God and he loves them. Ah. It makes me so happy. I just cant express how much joy these angels give me.
 
I realize how I want my future family to be. How important it is to have a mom and a dad and a loving family that can care for your needs. Not everyone has this and the gospel gives people this oppritunity, this light and ward family. The church is TRUE. Hasnt been any truer. The Truest.
 
Its true.
 
I just love to be a missionary! Im never coming home. Okay. Just kidding.
 
Please pray for me :)
 
Love always,
 
Hermana Bennett
 

**I am writing this because at the end of her mission we will print this into a book and I want her to have my thoughts or her dads thought every now and again.**
I laid in bed last night thinking to myself about Bekahs mission. Thinking how wonderful it was that she so quickly decided to go and serve the Lord when President Monson changed the age. At her farewell I remembered she shared how restless she was up at school that she "felt" something was coming, a big change. She was right. I am thankful she new to listen to the Spirit. She recognized it. I am hoping I am doing the same things 
I did to help prepare her for the little kids. Sister Ewell in our ward always says, " you need to try to do the basics!" I feel like we always tried to do that. She was also prepared by her Young Women's Leaders. They taught her valuable lessons that she needed and she uses everyday in her mission. My short list of things to do to prepare our little children for their missions reads like this:
Teach them to love the Scriptures.