Monday, October 15, 2012 3:23 PM Wayyyyy condensed version this week Well it's official. Transfer calls came through and President said, "Elder Bennett, you will be staying in Twin Falls South 1 and you will be training a new missionary, Elder Reed, you will be serving in Boise East 2 with Elder Vanzaling (Elder Hardy's previous comp., in one of the pictures. LOT of responsibility comin' my way. So, plans are that we are going to the Transfer Spot at 1:35 and head to Boise where I'll be staying for a couple days with missionaries that serve there. There is a training meeting at 5:30 today so I'm lookin' forward to that to find out more. Apparently we go out and do some contacting with the new missionaries, eat, and have some training/preliminary meetings before we head back home Wednesday sometime. The five baptisms went through but it was slightly a fiasco and like National Lampoons Baptism for awhile. The water-heater ignitor thing was not working so the water was freezing cold! One sister kept coming up and was cold so someone suggested that there be a "spotter" that goes in the water and helps her back up and makes her feel secure. I went in the bathroom threw off my stuff and was "skipper", the Bishop said, "Well that was fast!" and on that time it was full-immersion so it turned out good. She is such a great lady and the Spirit is so strong with her. With the difficulties that we had with the water we tried to prepare ourselves for the one with the four kids that was going to be less than an hour away, so we got those big church garbages (empty) from the kitchen and went with a member of the Bishopric to go get hot water from his house and come to dump it in and raise the temperature a little bit. Well, by the time we got back, somebody unplugged the drain so the water level dropped and the whole effort was basically wasted. It was good though and there was a lot of wet eyes when the mom bore her testimony of adopting these four kids. Wonderful night though, even with all of the hooplah that ALWAYS happens with any big event. That was a Ukelele that you saw. Elder Reed bought it from some other missionary. We use it for baptisms and he plays the "I Know When I am Baptized" song and we both sing it. So, we ate Coconut Breaded Trout last night, uhhhhh, sooooo goooooood, and the brother who fed us has been taking Martial Arts for years and taught us a ton of tips/stuff that he's learned, he's way good, like Liam Neeson good. We don't have a Mazda, its a Subaru Impreza, and it's a lovely car, waaaay nice handling. Missionaries do Weekly Planning which takes 2 hours or so usually at the church for a more official and less distracting environment, you get more done. Brother Gardunia, my Ward Mission Leader who's married to the Salisbury, txtd me and said that he was in Newton yesterday. Jessica Jenkins is a way talented writer and has a way of expressing her feelings, I appreciated her remarks.Thanks for sending that it was a great help to me. It's not that cold here, it's now suit-coat season. Well love you guys, have a spectacular week!!! Elder Bennett

Monday, October 8, 2012 1:28 PM One of the nicest, most spiritual ladies that I know, is being baptized on the 13th as well as the Hadlock kids ranging from ages 8-10.we are excited for this upcoming Saturday, it's going to be a busy one for sure. Oh some good news for you. You said that it was probably about time for me to send the camera card, I sent it out this morning, so hopefully you get it soon. There are some pretty funny videos on there and quite a few pictures, so enjoy. Let the kids know I love 'em and that I enjoyed those paintings/pictures that they sent me a little while ago. I hope they have a Happy Halloween and enjoy wearing their Pokemon costumes. Sangio Sub: I was on exchanges with Elder Sangio (Samoan name), our District Leader, on Tuesday. He's a great Elder and so kind, I imagine him as being a seminary teacher or something when he's older. They have a pretty nice set-up where they live, a separate entrance, own kitchen, and bigger bed-room and study room, but, it doesn't really compare to having Bob, I love that cat, he always like to come in and chill with me on my bed or when I'm getting a drink in the kitchen. We had Subway for dinner, it's been awhile, I love that place, they have amazing cookies. There's this girl that we taught and she is going to be baptized soon. Goes to show that you can plant a seed or have an influence in someone's coming into the fold even if you don't serve in that particular area. I felt like I "planted a lot of seeds" in Russia, but didn't really get to see the harvest, it was tough and really gets you down. But you have to have faith that every soul is great in the sight of God and that there is no effort wasted. I totally feel like I had a purpose there and that it prepared me for now and now makes me more appreciate the success that we've been having in this mission. . Jack-in-the-Box Churros: Way good, I had those and one of their breakfast sandwiches after the Bishop Store House Drive and right before our Zone Meeting that is presented and organized by our Zone Leaders. Conference: Not a lot new to you guys for the last two days, because you were doing the same thing as me. Loved Conference though, so many amazing talks. I always love President Monson's and President Utchdorf's addresses that they give. I'm pretty sure that President Gibbon's dad gave the closing prayer, tell me if I'm wrong. He just got released from the 70. So a couple other things before I head out. The 2012 Corolla in Red is a popular mission car, it always reminds me of our "Friday Field Trip Days" when I see one, I've even had to ride in one which is more weird for me to see an Elder driving it and not you. I love our Subi though, it handles so well and can turn on a dime. A car that I might get later, that or a Prius to save gas, and of course Midgie if she works by the time I get back. About Mike, an important factor is if he feels prepared. There are missionaries here that are 19-27, so it's quite a gap. If he is not quite ready at 18 then he can wait a little bit and I'll help prepare him for missionary life, we can sort of serve a mini-mission together if he wants for like a week or something. I didn't see that Holland Conference thing but it sounds cool, Ty and Jake will be going to China I bet. Wow Taylor getting married! That's way weird to me, tell him congrats from the his ol Ruski brutha from anutha mutha. That was a good quote by the way, it could be tied with the "Plan of Salvation". Well I love you all to pieces, peace n blessins, let Sarah, Justin H., Justin T., Papa, Mike, for sending mail, I'll try and get back to them as soon as I can. Tell John Mayhew that I saw him in Dollar Tree today at the check-out. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVEEEEEEEEEEE - Elder Bennett

Alex Bennett Monday, October 1, 2012 5:02 PM Well, another week has "flown" by as you have said. They all just seem to mesh together, it drives me nuts when I can't remember what even happened the day before for example because things are just so busy. An investigator that we have, called us up and asked us what she needed to do to be baptized. This is way cool because she has been investigating and attending church for like two years and is finally ready to become a member. We went on splits with one of the wards and I went with this guy in the bishopric who served in Seoul and the guy that we visited was married to a Chinese lady who went to like all major parts of Asia. So it was like a waaaay Oriental day for me, and I'd dare say that I ate Ramen that night as well, so even more so. A different day of splits (well they call them "splits" all the time regardless of whether we actually split ways, but we just had a third male on this night) and I took the Area Book with me so that we could contact former investigators or potentials if our appointments fell through, which they did, so it was very useful. We went to District Meeting and everyone except for us was late so I made the coolest set up of tables and chairs, it looked like a council that would happen in like Star Wars or something. We had dinner at a home. This beef stuff, fried lamb, rice, and these grain balls. Gave another talk in Sacrament yesterday. People who complain at having to prepare a talk given week's notice shouldn't, because we have had to with like a day's. It went way good though, mine was on Personal Revelation and how we can receive it for this upcoming General Conference. Today I got up did some of my laundry, ate a Brown-Sugar Cinnamon Pop-tart, we played soccer at this park with like 20 or so missionaries and then went to McDonalds for lunch. We then went to the D.I. to find some good deals. I found a cool dollar tie and a sweet Brazilian Jersey for Justin T. Yeah I have no idea what's in store for transfers either, I've been wrong twice on my guesses for the last ones. Alright, we'll talk to ya next week, peace n blessins. - Love Elder Bennett