Be the Blessing!

March 23, 2015

Hey family and friends,

Thanks for the support you give to the local missionaries in your wards, it is the most direct way we can show our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the restored gospel.

Last Monday we played wally.  It was so fun!  Tuesday we had an interview conference, and for the first time in about 10 months I had a formal interview with President Willard!  The other times I had always given my interview time to other missionaries that needed more help.  I mean, I talk with President every day, so its not like I needed his attention or anything, but I really did feel God's love for me as he expressed the trust he has in me.  I learn each and every day the importance that our "shadow" has.  I mean the impression we leave on people.  A simple smile can change someone's day, choosing to laugh instead of complain not only is healthier, but it shows Christ's love.

In my district meeting, I taught the district about making and keeping commitments.  I am 100% positive that without constant action to keep the flame of our faith burning strong, it'll go out.  The winds of temptation and noise of the world want to put out or hush our faith. He want us to be "too busy" with other things.  Whether the missionaries come to your house to help you make commitments to repent, pray, study the scriptures, or not, we all need to make our own personal commitments with God.

We fasted and prayed for Veronica Choque because she was having a lot of tough times ever since she decided she wanted to be baptized.  She joined us in fasting and prayer two weekends ago, and this last Saturday was happily baptized a member of Christ's  restored church.  She truly is a Latter-day Saint.  As she bore testimony of the restored church I was deeply impacted.  

For those who don't know, I found Veronica and her family in a street contact.  I know God guides us towards his children.  God will guide you to change the life of someone in need.  Be the blessing that someone else needs.

With love,

Élder Bender  

The best 2 years

March 16, 2015
Good day to ya'll

Tuesday I went and dropped off a few missionaries at the airport who'd finished their full time missions.  Amongst the group was Elder Shumway, a good buddy I made on the mission, and also Elder Oliart, my trainer.  It was fun that he could be my first companion, and I could be in a way, "His last companion" sending him home.  He helped me a lot and we learned a lot together.  He taught me to work HARD in the sun, and we did!  I owe a lot to him.

Elder Butts my companion is great.  He is humble and always looking for ways to improve.  He teaches with love, and I admire that.  

Wednesday and Friday mornings I went with the other 3 secretaries in the back of a flat bed truck to go pick up the materials from the houses that closed.  The closing and opening of areas requires a lot of preparation!  However it also provides us with the opportunity to tour the city in the back of a truck.  It resulted in some fun pictures and videos.

Veronica is doing great, she is learning a lot about the repentance process as she prepares to be baptized.  Please pray for her that she can make that baptismal covenant this weekend!

Carlos is a new investigator who came to church like 10 weeks ago, and then disappeared, he showed up again this Sunday and we have a visit with him today.  Hoping for lots of progress there too!

Love ya'll!

Élder Bender

                                        Saying Goodbye to Elder Oliart, my trainer, in the airport :(

                                                                     The lunch crew.

Driving around in the truck going to pick up materials! 

                                   Happy as can be!  Going to pick up material.  Sweatband included.

                                       A face full of wind, and a wind full of smiles.  With Elder Juarez 

                                           With the goodies!  Thank you Family and Grandma Huyett

                                    Dropping off Elder Shumway.  His last Bolivian Burger King supper.  

                                               Bowling with my companion Elder Butts one p-day.

Smile

This weekend Elder Balderrama came to our stake conference.  It was amazing.  I find a thrill and a special spiritual boost every time I learn and feel the need to repent.  To change.  I know the gospel of Christ is a gospel of change.  May we all change daily to become more like Him.

I had my eyes opened in the priesthood session of stake conference (which I might add had about 40 priesthood holding members in attendance, and 28 missionaries) as we opened the scriptures to D&C 84:33.  There is truly power in the priesthood and great blessings that await the family as the head of the family honors the priesthood of God.

Today in my personal study I learned a lot about Christ's love.  The Master and Creator of the world felt a true joy as he looked upon the praying saints in the Americas in 3 Nephi 19:25-30.  As the scripture says he ¨smiled at them¨ for their obedience. 

Why has God given us the capability to smile?  Christ shows us that it's a way to show contentment, and lift the faith of others.  I truly believe that as we smile and let our "light shine" we will lift the faith of others.  We will be representatives of Jesus Christ, and we will be guided by the spirit to know how to minister to those feeble in spirit.  It's our duty, if we don´t smile and serve, who will?

I love my Savior.  I want to make Him smile.

Love,

Élder Bender

Transfers went great!

So maybe I have already said this, but the transfer planning and organization is my baby.  It's 100% my responsibility that no one misses flights, that they know where they are going, with whom, when, and how they will get there.  With 250 missionaries and 6 zones outside the city, it's a big project.  Did I forget to mention that same week I pick up new missionaries, and send home old ones?  Plan for their first and final interviews with President?  Yeah, I don't sleep transfer week.   So I figured that with all of that you're bound to forget something, or someone is bound to get confused and lost, miss their flight, bus, etc.  Nope, this week went perfect.  It was indeed a miracle!

7 new missionaries came to the mission, and 26 went home.  Wow!  That's a lot.  I got a new companion in the process.  Elder Butts from Texas.  He's a great guy, he's only got 6 months in the mission, and is super humble.  I appreciate that.  

Veronica Choque told us the other day that she prayed, and received an answer, she wants to be baptized ASAP!  This weekend will be Stake Conference, so on the 14th she'll be making that sacred covenant.  God is a God of miracles.  We have found quite a few new people simply by working our tails off, and doing it with faith.  

Saturday I feel like I worked SO HARD, and nothing happened at all.  Sunday, we did the same thing and it was just miracle after miracle every half hour!  The Lord has His ways to teach us, humble us, and at the same time hasten His work.

Help Him in this grand work!

Love,

Elder Bender

 Flying to Tarija with Elder Garcia last week

  Elder Garcia

  Elder Garcia

 Carnaval Pizza

       Zone Picture

                   Elder Garcia and I on the airplane to Tarija

                The Castillo Family, Future Elder Castillo

                 The Ledezma Family, Future Elder Ledezma

                         Elder Garcia, Elder Gallager, and I together in Tarija.  Buddies from the MTC.

         Elder Garcia

                                       Super Tacos from Gattopardo!  The best restaurant in Tarija!

             The Plaza Principal in Tarija, super pretty.

                                                                       

                             Mini plane - Amazonas.  There were about 22 people on it, all seats full.

      The American group of friends

        Elder Morris!  I love that guy!

         Another group in the micro going to the airport at 4AM

                                Cinnabon Breakfast... Yum.  Elder Juarez was with me for that trip!

                                Relaxing in the massage chairs waiting for more missionaries in the airport.

 Brother Pedro!  He's our best friend and designated driver.  Kicking it in the massage chair by my side.

 My everyday handbag.  Made up of scriptures, extra cash, and passports.

Mini birthday party for Elder Shumway.  Love that guy!  Tres leches cake... Mmmm!  Pedro and Liada made the day once more!

Double Prizes!

Due to last weekend being ¨Carnaval¨ a sinful Bolivia holiday, this week you get a two-week update! (that's if I can remember all that happened...)

Friday the 13th I got more sick than I think I ever have!  I woke up at 1am and puked my life out until about 8:30am.  Then finally tried to sleep.  Then 48 hours of not being able to keep anything inside of me.  All in all, I was humbled to my knees, literally.  After it passed its 3 or 4-day cycle I was back to 100%! (luckily it was right before the 3 days scheduled carnival time period so I didn't lose proselyting time.)  Sadly, President Willard got the same thing I had right after me and was also down and out for 3 days.  Looks like the Lord needed us both to be more humble.

Well starting with Carnival, o sea, Carnival.  It's a party where one ¨gets rid of the natural man¨ by drinking, partying, and living sinfully for three days with the hope of purifying yourself before Easter.

We as missionaries had strict orders to stay inside these three days and had a lot of time to study the scriptures, watch church movies (on the mission projector), etc. It was good.

They have the tradition during carnival to throw water balloons and paint at each other in the street.  (Not quite sure why)  But everyone goes out in the street and makes a big mess.  We may or may not have thrown from our 4 story roof a few water balloons at Babylon down below. ;)  Good times.

Thursday-Friday my companion and I flew down to Tarija to do some investigation in a few clinics down there.  Basically, that means being copilot I learn a bunch about health insurance and other random legal doctorish stuff.  The best part of it all was that I was able to visit the Castillo, Ledezma, and Rojas, families!  Three convert family I had the privilege to teach and baptize while I was in Tarija.  9 Months after their baptism they ALL are doing great.  The Ledezma family and the Rojas family are disciples and faithful students of the Book of Mormon and study it every day.  The Castillo family is a staple in church, and are give great service in their callings as each member of their family holds a key role in Elders quorum, Relief Society, Young Women's and Young Men's.  I am honestly so happy to be able to feel like my effort has made a big change in the Lord's vineyard.  The Central Ward will be sending a lot of families to the Temple this year!

The Lord lives.  It is His work and His glory.

Love,

Elder Bender

I sadly didn't bring my camera to the offices today to send pictures of Tarija,  however, these are a few pics my companion took.  Next week I´ll send pictures with all the converts and stuff!

Not so less active

Hi!

It's something really special to see the gospel of Christ change people's lives.  

This week I participated in a zone conference with President Willard where he taught about the Doctrine of Christ.  It was so great, there have been few times where I have felt the spirit so strongly.  I learned that EVERY Christlike attribute is present in the true doctrine of Christ.  

It's intriguing how in any scripture ANYWHERE, you can see how the doctrine of Christ really is in the heart of why it was written.

I firmly know that the Gospel/Doctrine of Jesus Christ is a clear path that guides us towards an eternal joy.  

It's been a pleasure to see David and Mari Pardo really apply the Doctrine of Christ in their lives.  They are so lively and excited about each gospel principle and really strive to put these principles into their daily lives.  It's safe to say that David is not so less active=)

We also have been teaching Luis, a 39 year old less active returned missionary.  He hadn`t been active for more than 10 years, but with all enthusiasm he is doing all he can to LIVE the Doctrine of Christ on a daily basis.  It's safe to say that Luis is not so less active now either:)

I invite you all to truly strive to live the Doctrine of Christ.  As you study it you'll feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost showing you in how you can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

-Elder Bender

Pictures are from last week's baptism of Yonnathan and Paola Espanda and Mari Pardo.

Os amáis unos al otros

Dear Family and Friends,

It's been a great week.  Lots of trips to the airport, Cinnabon, and baptisms.  ¿My letters are getting quite repetitive now'a days aren`t they?  Hmm. let's see how I can spice this one up.

Wednesday I went with my district leader to his area for a quicky exchange.  At 8pm my bishop called me and said, ¨Elder Bender!  I have two baptisms for this Saturday, I need your help, can you baptize two more on Saturday?¨  Umm...  ¨Of course bishop!  As long as they fit the area baptism requirements and pass their interview!¨  

The Espada Family attended church for 20 years in Cañoto.  My ward.  They moved out of the ward boundaries and didn't want to go to their new ward.  They wanted two of there kids to be baptized in Cañoto who hadn't been baptized yet, however they couldn`t due to the fact that they lived outside the boundaries.  However they continued attending in our ward. Simply enough, they moved back recently and wanted to be baptized on Saturday, and they were!  Yonnathan and Paola Espanda accompanied Mari Pardo and made the baptismal covenant on the 31st of January.

It was a beautiful baptismal service!  I am so grateful for my awesome ward, their support, and the miracles the Lord is working here in our area.  It has been all His work, we are simply just instruments.  

February 1st 2016 the Pardo Family will be seal for time and all eternity.  Shortly after David (Mari's husband) will be bishop.  No lie they are the best!  They teach us every time!  My companion and I have been ¨watery eyed¨ more that twice this week due to the exceeding joy the work of salvation brings us.  I invite you all to participate in this marvelous work and feel the spirit in its purest form, serving others.

With all my love,

Élder Bender