April 15, 2013 Yeah, you're right, the Webbs stopping at the Stake Center on their way home to Washington was pretty cool, weird though, I'm sure all of you have had those sur-real moments when it just doesn't seem like it's been that much time that has past and the occurrences of events, etc. Inception-like stuff, too hard to understand. So an update with the once was "softball of a knee"... the swelling is getting better and the abrasion is clearing up, it's more of a scar and less of a scab now. My flexibility is still haltered, my knee can't bend in certain ways and there is still a little bit of pain when I walk a lot. There was the dangdest thing though on exchanges w/ Elder Rogers in Ontario, we were basically on the road the whole time, District Meeting was in Baker, everybody always gets a kick out of my stuff, I had conference trivia and Restoration sticky note game stuff it was fun, afterwards Elder Epperson did Baker Bob's Half-Gallon challenge in like 5:57, which is way good, like among the best, he puts food down like no one I really know, anywho, we drove to Ontario, then to Parma for an interview, then like back to nowhere Oregon, and back, and then in the morning to Baker and then to La Grande home. But that's not the point either, on exchanges I'm taking a shower and there was a little bit of water that had collected so I was going to finish the shower by just soaking my leg in it and rubbing the bruises down a little, but when I went to get up with my right hand, it slipped on the wet tub and my knee reacted and bent back in a weird way and I was like "Ohhhawwa" and Elder Rogers came to the door and shouted, "Hey, do you want any pancakes?!" and I was like, "Ohhh gosh, explained the situation and because of the tight, concentrated pain I felt like puking and no pancake at the moment. Pretty funny though whenever a bystander hears like a falling noise in the shower when it's a healthy person. Sister Phyu has been home for like a month and I got an email from her. The comp is a good driver. Egberts are good people. Hmmm interesting about the 21st thing with the other missionary coming home same day as me . WONDERFUL about the scholarship stuff and classes. I'm healing from a minor cold, I've had a few nasty coughs, probably not to the extent of Shelly's type but loud, and a few days ago the chills, glad I'm over that. We have been going over these directories with the Bishops and Relief Society Presidents of people that they themselves dont know, which is a good sign of attendance and participation because both have a crystal ball, and it has lead us to find a few new investigators. One of them being this guy that has like Staph in his right leg, anyway we had a lesson with him got to know him better and gave him a Finding Faith in Christ. He ASKED US if we were going to follow up with him and teach more, love to hear that. He called us and said he cried the whole time and would love for us to teach him more and he wants to come to church so we are looking forward to that. Well I gotta get going but it was great to hear from ya, love ya lots - Elder Bennett Oh, and a lady who I did service for and taught while we were in a Tri-panionship for a while who said she'd never get "dunked" was just baptized this Friday, so that's way awesome to see and be a part of, she asked me to say the opening prayer. Have a good one! :)

April 8th, 2013 Yup, still in Oregon for the moment, which I'm fine with for now, a lot of stuff is building up and starting to happen to I definitely want to be a part of that. Don't want to set myself up for changing whats going to happen or anything. Elder Christensen is a stellar missionary, love 'em to death. I would totally feel fine with handing over "the reigns of the area" his way, he's totally ready for it and he's only 7 weeks out in the field. Conference was good, big focuses on the importance of teaching in the home, families, testimony, and obedience. I wonder if there is going to be like a major trial of all of our faith here pretty soon or something, even though there is stuff trying to get us everyday. I mean like an event that is just crazy. You asked where we watched it, we just watched it at home on our TV that we have.haha. just kiddin', we watched the first session at the Royers (senior couple that went to Russia, Novosibirsk) because the Stake Center satellite thing wasn't working, then we went to Brother Bradshaws to help him paint a little in his new part of his business during the break and watched the after-noon one there. After the Priesthood session, Bro.Bradshaw took us to Baskin Robbins for a cone of ice-cream, of course, Reeses. Kyla and the scorpion is a scary story, she'll be able to play in the den of the asps and the cocatrice soon enough, but for the current time, keep her away :) It was funny when President was calling to check on the leg and he started with, "Elder Bennett!! Ohh, how is the "softball" doing today?!" We've got a pretty legit group now, the Fellowship of La Grande has returned. We picked up two new investigators last night, which is always great. ? if you ever remember me talking about him, we went over there at about 7:45 or so and we were let in. He was playing his friend in NBA 2K13 and was VERY involved in that, but we were able to teach his girlfriend and daughter and get to know their backgrounds and beliefs. Our trips to Elgin have been fairly successful, we gave a BOM to a lady after contacting someone and she accepted and gave us her number and said we could teach her. ? and ?(both NM, been taught by the missionaries in the past) have a set apt. for this Wednesday and Bro.Hendrickson (WML in Elgin) is coming with us. Well we're going to go get our free weekly Subway and shop for some Ramen and whatever. Anywho have a wonderful week you guys! - Love Elder Bennett

April 1st His letter was not published due to his experiences and privacy of the people but.... I have had alot of people wanting to know how Elder Bennett is, so here is the update. Saturday night he was standing behind the Toyota truck that the missionaries drive and there was also a car behind them., it is a mission rule that the one not driving stand behind and guide the driver into the parking place. The missionary at the wheel didn't stop and pinned Billy between the two vehicles.. He was taken to the hospital for an X ray, he has an injury to his leg, mainly the side of his knee, it was very painful, he has quite a bit of swelling , brusing, and a laceration that did not require stitches. They did not find a break. He is on crutches and we are praying that he recovers quickly and is able to get around without pain. It could have been so much worse. We are very blessed...Monica Jenkins Lindsay was in La Grande, Oregon on Sunday and saw him at church, she said he was on crutches and made his way up to the pulpit to bear his testimony....Bless his heart..We are counting our blessings.

March 25th 2013 This letter was long but really couldn't be published because of experiences with people and families personal stories..... Transfers did happen..... Hardy goin to Eagle, (My District) I'm still DL, also still in Oregon MacFarlane staying:Training a new missionary Lehmuller leaving-Eagle:Training a new missionary Poplin: Nampa West Porras: Meridian somewhere

Monday, March 18, 2013 So, while I was in Caldwell for the Leadership Meeting, we broke out into companionships and I was with Elder Beard for the day. So technically I was serving in Nampa for 24 hours. While there, we had a lot of great visits and drop-ins that we were able to set up future follow up and visits. The last stop of the night was an interesting one though. We went to a home and had what you might call a mini debate of Religion. He is a nice guy and has a sense of humor so it wasn't a hostile conversation, it ended up a somewhat good note, and I heavily challenged him to read the introduction to the Book of Mormon and he agreed to do it and asked when we were coming back. You've got to be bold and testify of what you believe, if you notice in the Bible Videos on LDS.org Jesus lays down the law and doesn't let up when it comes to testifying of truth. It's been awesome to read from the atonement packet that we received from President Cannon. It's a challenge to read it before Easter and I learn so much every time I open it up. On Tuesday the Youth asked us to come and speak on the Atonement for about 20 mins. or so to all of the YM and YW. Check this out sometime... http://www.lds.org/ensign/2000/12/the-wondrous-and-true-story-of-christmas?lang=eng. The Atonement is 3 parts, when I was growing up and sometime said it, I only really thought about the Garden, but it involves the Crucifixion and Resurrection to complete it. I was also under the impression that the Atonement was only for sin and sufferings that we go through, but not the case as well, there are a plethora of things that it contains. Something that I learned today.... So often people say that the Jews/Romans killed Jesus, that might be true to a certain point, but not really. No one could take the life of Christ but Himself. He offered His life willing, "Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit". A man can't possibly kill the Son of God (Remember when Judas betrays Him and Peter cuts off that guards ear off and the Savior says to stop and reminds Him that if He really needed to, He could have 12 legions of angels come and like kill everybody), he gave His life as a ransom for many and He took it up again on the third day. So there ya go, spiritual thought of the day, commitment = watch the Bible video of His last week, named the "Final Days"... will you do that? I promise that you will love it. see giving commitments is easy. http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/categories/bible-videos-chronologically?lang=eng The transfer is only 5 weeks this time because of the whole influx of new missionaries and the shortening of MTC and Mission time by one week. So it's going to be the last week of March. You expect me to audibly/write where I would like to go, heck no, that just puts you in a position to have the opposite happen to you, I don't know exactly what is going to happen this time around, never do. Good to hear that Chalms is doing good, he's a good kid, it'll be fun to see him again. We made our way out to "Pumpkin Ridge" wherever the heck that is, I'm still confused how we even got to that place. Our WML over Elgin lives there and so does a potential investigator, it's like the Journey to the Center of the Earth or something. He showed us some awesome cars, like 1930 on luxury cars that he restores and sells. There was one that was bought and sent to Germany that got him a Million dollars, no joke, some of them there is like only 400 or so that were created, so he enjoys doing that... Had two amazing experiences this week where investigators tried to cancel 10 minutes before (fear,doubt/Satan) and we persisted and had some of the most spiritual lessons I've had in awhile. Both were actually on our way to La Grande from Elgin. Also a 16 year old boy wants to be in the YM and go to the activities. We did have a referral that we received from a member, and went and contacted her this week, it was a bomb lesson (good type of bomb). We taught the blessings of having the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation , a member went with us. He bore solid testimony and really helped the cause. She wants her daughter to really get involved in the YW. I felt like that Ty Pennington guy (have no idea how I can still remember that) on Saturday when we were putting sheet rock on Brother Bradshaw's ceiling of his additional rooms that he is adding to the Potter's Shack. Between this project and building that shed with Bob, I like know how to build my own house, I'll just build one across the street past the sidewalk in front of the house, just a one bedroom and one bathroom gig for meditation :) On Saturday we also had to fill the baptismal font, it was pretty steamy (like a little less than Jacuzzi) according to the people that went in it, thats how it always is though, and I said, "Well, now you know what it feels like to be "Baptized by Fire" ", they got a kick out of that. We had this missionary fireside in Baker City with the other Elders yesterday, my topic was on the blessings of my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I shared my thoughts, scriptures, the summary in True to the Faith on pg.117 and showed a clip called, "We're still a family", one more to check out. http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/youth-curriculum-2013/02-february?lang=eng#2012-10-001-plan-of-salvation-were-still-a-family Well, that's about it for this week. Have a great week :) - Love Elder Bennett