California

Re: No news is good news :)

My Mom and Shawn had another email conversatiion yesterday. 

They talk about everything and anything. So I am not going to put all of their conversation up. 

Email to Ben and KoriAnn

Speaking of sickness, Elder Merrell threw up today because for P day us and some youth from the ward went to a trampoline park (the one Utah is much better by the way) and after all the flips we did, he wasn't feeling too well haha! He's feeling better now though. Elder Merrell is so funny! The more this transfer goes on, the more I realize he acts like Elder Kirkham! It's odd. They could be good friends. I saw Elder Kirkham today actually! Did you know in California they have 2 week missionaries? the priests sign up to live a mission lifestyle for 2 weeks with us. We didn't get one, but I think the idea is brilliant! I never would've done that when I was a priest, so props to these kids for preparing for a mission!

Glad to hear that you enjoyed the story of the guy raging about the devil. Oh my goodness, when it happened, my feet picked up so quickly and I bolted from the door. Elder Merrell is used to it, but c'mon I used to be scared of toilets, so it only makes sense that would freak me out. We had an interesting time tracting this week! We went tracting on a private road, but I didn't know that so this couple got angry with us because they were in their robes outside enjoying their weather. Then we went tracting in a gated neighborhood and everyone was really nice to us except this one guy who said if he saw us in the neighborhood again, he'd call the cops on us. Oops. I wonder how God feels about us tracting in areas that say no trespassing?

Oh my goodness, I forgot Dave and Jamie had a baby! Oh man, that's exciting for them. Hopefully I will see a picture. I hope you're recording Brighton when he plays tball. I'd love to see some videos when I get back. Except by then he'll be playing coach pitch. Man, that kid is just the cutest! It's kinda hard being away from him and this fun period in his life! But that's okay, I get to see others grow in a different aspect. 

Here's a funny story for you. So we're living with Brother Wilson and his wife passed away 2 years ago. The other day Elder Merrell found some unopened tights of hers that he put on to be funny and all the sudden the door closes. So Elder Merrell rips them off and we were a bit startled. Then I was praying and then our keys fly off the table. Then lastly, Elder Merrell and just fallen asleep and thump! His whole body nails the wall. I asked him if he just flinched in his sleep, but he claims he was minorly possessed hahaha, I can't tell this story without laughing. That night was freaky though.

Lastly; it kinda stinks when you find people interested in the gospel who aren't in your area. We met these kids who live 20 minutes away, but we were at the park and they asked us to play soccer with them. We lost 3-0, but we send them scriptures every day and we even went to a trampoline park with them for P day. It's kinda cool because even if they don't end up investigating right now, imagine what's gonna happen when they see missionaries in the future. They're gonna be like "these guys are cool! They played soccer and we went to a trampoline park with them!" The seeds have been planted and who knows what's gonna happen with them. It was a fun week! But at the same time very slow. We have found a new investigator every week for the past 8 weeks, but not this week, It's okay, there were highlights all throughout the week (:

Wow this is a long email! Hope it was entertaining. Thanks for sharing, I love to hear from you guys so much (: I love you and miss you guys!

Love,
Elder Bennion

Summer

Email to Mom

That's too bad that the Powell trip has it's cons for the Walkers. But a pro indeed for your trip. I bet you're stoked! Speaking of fun things, are you going to the One Republic concert on Saturday? I just remembered it's this weekend and I hope you have someone to go with! If not, the tickets were cheap, it doesn't matter to me what happens with em (:I must say thank you for the packages! I felt very spoiled and am excited about the frooties. And those blue sour patch kids, mmm (: You know me all too well!
I'm sorry to hear things are still tough about Grandpa. It's not very easy when the house is next door i'm sure. When the right words come, feel free to write me and allow a letter to console your feelings. Thank you for the newspaper by the way. I also saw that Sam Schumann got married! Crazy.
Thanks for the update on the family. I hear Connor is gonna be at APTC this week. You're gonna have a quiet house this week! And Blair and Shayley are playing softball together? That's neat! I'm sure her games aren't as fun as Brighton's. I really hope Brighton will be involved in some league when I get back. He's gonna be such a great athlete. I miss that little runt.
Well, the mission is great! I meet so many great people. We tracted into a lady named Nancy and she was so great. She isn't interested in the church, but she said she would love to have us over for dinner sometime. She's nice. We were invited to a barbeque on Saturday, that was cool. I can't think what else, but overall it was a good week. Bryan and Heather didn't come to church so we were kinda bummed, but there's always hope for next week. I'm excited for this week. Many more adventures will follow i'm sure!
I love you mom. I miss you so much. Thanks for taking such good care of me out here. It's tough being away some days, but the Lord and the people here make things easier to bear. I love you. Have a great week (:
Love,
Elder Shawn Lyle Bennion

Email to Ben and KoriAnn

Sounds like summer is in full swing. I remember always getting Lagoon season passes. All those years of rides made it slightly dull for me. Once a year is good for me (: Now Disneyland, that may be a whole different story! Oh man, when Brighton goes to Disneyland, he is going to freak! I remember showing him a video when I got my mission call and that's all he talked about haha! Goodness, he's just the cutest.

Hearing your story about Rebecca; I swear this kind of situation always happens with missionary work ha. You have a really good situation to work with and then BAM the adversary strikes which causes us to naturally postpone the task we had in mind. It's funny to me how bringing up the church is self-induced difficult. It all requires prayer for when you should make a spiritual move on their family. It'll happen, pray for the patience and for the well being of their family (which i'm sure you already are). I'm sure the sister missionaries are just as bummed as you are. I know I get really excited with the families in the ward when they have a missionary opportunity and it doesn't end up working out. But don't worry, the right time will come. God recognizes the situation and will allow something to work out (:

Also, no patriarchal blessing?! Man, that thing has been such a vital tool for me. If you're contemplating it, it'll definitely give you the advice you need. Getting mine was such a humbling and overwhelming experience. I remember we said a prayer before the blessing and the second my knees hit the ground I sobbed haha! They're the neatest things (:

Well, Alta Loma is cool. Courtney's baptism will probably be on June 21st. Bryan didn't come to Sacrament but hopefully his family is okay. He's being hard to get ahold of "/ But the work still moves on! President Hobbs says this area requires diligence so i'm workin on that.

Btw, loved the package. Thank you so so much, that was very sweet of you guys (: I'm not sure what i'm gonna get. Probably Panda Express haha, i'll let you know. 

Love you! keep doin work (: Miss you guys so so so much!

Love,
Elder Bennion

Our 20 Year Old :)

Email to the Family

Because my conversion came through reading and developing a testimony of the Book of Mormon, I've been praying to find someone to share this book with that would have a similar experience. Sure enough, my prayer was answered this Fast Sunday right after church. We received this text from one of our investigators named Bryan:

"Thanks guys! and don't worry we are still super interested, we are just waiting on Ollie (his son) to feel better. Please continue praying for us, I have quit drinking all alcohol, all hot drinks (coffee and tea) and have stopped smoking completely. Outside of attending church, I have been trying to live my life according to the principles. I just think you guys may be on to something. I am reading the book of Mormon and although I am developing questions, I feel as though there is logical explanations for everything. I am also finding most of what has been said about you guys from the non-believers is unfounded and often has no truth. I have been very impressed by the positive consequences from my life changes. For the first time in my life I feel as though God is trying to lead my down a path, or I'm just finally listening. Either way my faith is growing based on results and reaffirmations. So I guess I'm saying thank you for not giving up on me. I've also been telling others about what I'm learning and because of the changes they are seeing in me, it appears their heart is softening to the teachings. Thank you guys very much! You may have saved my life!"

Some things you need to know about Bryan. Bryan had no faith in God 2 months ago and he wasn't living 4/5 things within the word of wisdom. Not to mention we received this text on fast Sunday. God is so incredible as he speaks to people through the book of Mormon to show that He does care about his children. He does provide the best for you and he does that through continued revelation. Not only did Bryan have a good experience with the Book of Mormon, but because of the joy within his heart, he has been sharing what he has learned with others. That's how the Gospel should be! A life-saving richness and fulness to our lives and i'm so so happy to see that Bryan experienced this. Miracles happen. And this one was definitely the most special to witness on my mission (:

Email to Ben and KoriAnn

You are in fact talking to a now 20 year old and of course I don't feel any different, but boy is it weird how time moves so quickly! Today is the beginning of my 4th transfer, how is that even possible?! 

I'm sorry to hear about Sister Garcia, that's too bad that emotionally she isn't stable. I hope she doesn't feel like a failure not take it to heart. Everyone's mission is different and i'm very excited to see that the hard part for me is over ( I think). In some ways it kinda stinks when you get transfered. I was excited to leave Hesperia, but i'm gonna be sad when I leave Alta Loma. I've loved serving here so much! The ward takes good care of us. My birthday here was pretty good because of them. The Martinez's got me a gift card to Target! Love them. And sister Nowa made me chocolate chip cookies, and the Fitisemanu's are having us over for cake today! On my birthday we did a service project, went tracting, studied, and went to a wedding. Not your average birthday, but still good regardless! I'm excited to get birthday packages though, that's for sure haha! 

Well, now that you heard my story about Bryan, how exciting is that?! It was so cool. Also, Martha is an investigator of ours who bore her testimony on Sunday. It was such a good fast sunday. Then as we went tracting later that day, we stopped by a lady named Ida's. Her pastor (who is a girl!) told her not to talk to the Mormons. This happens waaay too often here! but we re-assured her that the church is a good thing and she said she'd read the book of Mormon. We're making progress here and that's what matters, right?

Well, just know that I love where i'm serving much more than my last area. I'm happy here and am excited to here for another 6 weeks. Things are good with me, and I hope things are great for you and your family. Enjoy those T-ball games, i'm sure Brighton will get MVP by the end of the season (;

Love you and miss you!

Love,
Elder Bennion

Alta Loma

Well, the Alta Loma ward is so so so great. I love them so much. The Martinez are my favorite family in the ward and they gave me a birthday card, that was awfully nice of them. And the best news. Courtney Smith is getting baptized on June 14th! This one is for real gonna happen though because we planned on the 24th of June, but she moved it up by herself! She's 15 and friends with someone from the ward, but she's ready. I'm excited for that. A guy named Dylan King in the ward is gonna baptize her, it'll be a very neat experience (: Oh man, on Friday Elder Merrell and I went to this Muslim Mosque! we went because we met a girl at the park and she said she'd come to our church if she came to ours. It was interesting. Kinda weird to me that people on view Jesus Christ as a Prophet, but it got her to see what the church is like. Her husband came and he was excited to see people well dressed. At the mosque, people come in normal clothes usually, so he was excited to see no tattoo's at church haha! I'm not sure if they'll become investigators, but it was still a neat experience. But yeah, things are good here. It'll be a fun week because there's a wedding on Saturday and we're meeting with an investigator named Fiorella who may end up with a baptismal date, we will see. Wow this is a long email!
Well, thanks for everything. Glad to see your fam is up to great things. Those T ball pictures are SO cute, oh my heck haha! I miss brighton so much. He's gonna be a great ball player. Miss you guys, talk to you when i'm 20 (: Love you!

Love,
Elder Bennion

Mother's Day

I'll update when My Mom forwards me her emails from Shawn.

Email to Ben and KoriAnn

What a day yesterday was! It touched a lot of different emotions, but it was so good to see all of you guys (: It warmed my heart that I got to spend 2 hours with the best people I know. There were many good laughs had. Brighton is just the cutest "Shawn stop crying!" haha! He hasn't lost an ounce of how adorable he is. You are indeed lucky to have the husband and kids that you do. And Bristol walks around without any problem! Man she is getting big! And Brighton starts Tball?! I'm excited to see his athletic talents into action and see them develop and which sport he ends up liking most. There's no doubt in my mind he'll be an all-around athlete. He's gonna be a very popular kid, wouldn't you agree? He's such a nut (:

 

Glad to hear that mom was in good spirits. I can't imagine what it's like to have both parents gone. I thought she was gonna have a hard time with Grandpa, but she seems to be doing well. I know it's a further thing to discuss, but what are they gonna do about the house? That basement holds so many good memories of my childhood! haha. I guess we'll see what happens there.

I hope you had just as good a time as I did yesterday. It was nice to hear from you guys. That two hours flew by and it makes me anxious to skype again ha. 

Well, I ought to respond to some other emails. Thanks for chatting yesterday, it was so nice to see you all and good luck with your calling, the funeral, your family, etc. I love you, have a good week!

Love,

Elder Bennion

A Great Week!

Email Conversation with Mom

 Mom, this week was the best week I have had on my mission so far. It was a really good week for me because it involved a lot of stuff with the members, the dinners were awesome, and we got 4 new investigators! Now the problem is getting these investigators to not be so flaky! Grr. But either way, I love you and am very much looking forward to this Sunday!!! Love you more, love you most (:

Love,

Elder Bennion

DO YOU SEE WHAT I AM HOLDING.

This is Perry (:

The Tate's are a super awesome family in the ward and when we were over there, we were outside (because everyone in California has nice backyards and pools pretty much) and it was dark, but I hear this dog barking and I can see a long body and once I found it was a wiener dog, I FREAKED. I was so stoked. And good news, Perry likes me! She's so stinkin cute. They want her to have babies, so if for some odd reason they have puppies in two years when we visit, i'm convinced it's a sign to get a wiener dog. I hope you enjoy this picture (:

Mansions and New Companion

Email to Family

That explains why people keep telling me I look happier haha! That makes sense. I need a cord for my camera so I can send some pictures home! You need to see the houses here, OH MY LANTA. Mansions are so neat. We tracted them and they were interesting! They were actually pretty nice too, just not interested (:

Well, i'm very much looking forward to Mother's day! I'm so excited to see Brighton ahhh! If I do skype, it won't be till at least 3:00 (Utah time). We have church 9-12, ward correlation 12-1, and ward council 1-2. Goodness, Bishops spend so much time at the church!

Either way, things are good here! It was a bit stressful this week as a lot of plans fell through and we weren't really getting anywhere with finding new investigators, but we set a baptismal date with a girl named Courtney. The thing about this area is if we want baptisms, we need to work with the members more. Alta Loma didn't have ONE convert baptism in 2013. That's awful! So a girl named Mckenzie is killer at inviting her friends. We're eating dinner with 5 or 6 non members on Sunday, so that'll be fun!

Elder Merrell and I work really good together so far! We quote spongebob often and we cruise in our 2014 corolla and that's awesome. he's a good contacter. I think God  placed me here to gain the ward's trust, because the ward isn't too thrilled with the Elder's right now, but i'm determined to change that!
well I love you so so much and am looking forward to our skype date very much (:

have a great week!

Love,
Elder Shawn Lyle bennion

This is me and Elder Kirkham waiting for the eclipse! It didn't happen till like 1:00, so we didn't get to see it, but we stayed out till 11:00 (which was a half hour after our bedtime, yikes!)