Hey family! That includes EVERYONE! We are all brothers and sisters of God. :) I hope life is going well and you are enjoying the last few weeks of summer. Usually this time of the year I'm dreading the rainy weather coming back and the start of school. I was fortunate last year to not have to worry about the cold weather in Hawaii and this year I don't have to dread September. I'm actually excited for September and a little cooler weather. San Geezy is HOT! There were four days this past week that were around 105 degrees. Saturday was really humid and I'm not going to lie, it was horrible.
We did a lot of walking this week all over the st. George Vally trying to find new people to teach. There is a plethora of hispanics in St. George. More than I could have ever imagined but the key is finding them home. They work like... well Mexicans and when they are not working they play soccer or go to Las Vegas. It basically takes divine inspiration to catch them at a time when we can talk with them. We met a couple new people that have a desire to learn and that is music to my ears.
Thursday was a funny day. Dixie College as well as Dixie High started up last Monday so there are a lot more young adults in St. George. I thought we got honked at a lot before school was in but now I feel like Elder Leguizamon and I are in a beauty pageant when we walk. Constantly I'm waving to someone driving by. Thursday we were walking by Dixie College and we needed to fill out water bottles because it was blazing hot. We walked into the arts building and asked where the drinking fountains were. We were getting a drink and some girls said "hi" and asked where we were from. Elder Leguizamon was still chugging water so I told them where I was from and that Elder Leguiz is from Argentina. I told them he is new and doesn't know very much english. One girl looked at him as he was drinking and says, "Aww, he looks so thirsty." It was hilarious because I would then translate things from engish to spanish for him and he would answer in broken english. They talked to him like a little kid. After we left we couldn't help but laugh.
One of my favorite things about serving in St. George is the kindness members show to us as missionaries. They often offer us rides and are eager to feed us for dinner. Just the other day we were walking and a man named Nolan Grey picked us up. He had a ram bar, boots, flashlights, and and other things that a SWAT officer would have. Come to find out he worked with Uncle Tim when he was an officer here! it amazes me how every week I seem to meet someone who I know or that knows my family or friends. I feel so fortunate to receive all the love and support out here. I love this work and at times feel blessed beyond measure by my Heavenly Father to be serving in Zion.
this week I was thinking a lot about what I could give up in order to be a better missionary and grow closer to my Father in Heaven. After some pondering, D&C 121:34-36 came to mind. I read the scripture and felt an overwhelming feeling I knew what I could change. (If you haven't got up to read that scripture already, go do so now and then continue reading) A lot of times we become complacent in our actions. We feel as if we have done what is asked of us, things are going good, we are on the mountain top. Many are called, in fact we are all called by God to do His work, and yet so few are chosen. Why is this? This life is all about progress. If I've learned one thing on my mission I've learned that this life is a refiners fire. We start out as raw material. Nothing too special but full of potential. Then we begin this journey through the fire and flames. It is hot, we are pounded day in and day out by the adversary, bent, pressured, and tried. When all is said and done what we all want is to come out of the fire a gleaming and valiant sword which stands for righteousness and honor. In order to become that perfectly crafted sword we must endure, we must constantly improve in order to become sharp. I know that God is the perfect blacksmith. Trying me, testing me, throwing me in the fire so that one day i will be battle hardened. Never stop looking for avenues in which you can improve yourself. Become more like the Savior. I know He lives. I know He loves us more than we will ever know. I'm so thankful for this time I've been given to serve Him. I'm truly livin' the dream! Vaya con Dios.
God is love,
Elder Bennion
P.S. I forgot to mention I'm getting transferred to Pineview/ Washington spanish, hence the title of this weeks letter. I'm so excited to be going out there! This is an area I've been dieing to serve in for awhile. My companion is going to be Elder Lopez again as well so we should have a good old time. Well I have to go!
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