Monday, January 25, 2016

Let it SNOW!!!! :)

Hey y'all!!!!
        This week was quite exciting because something out of the ordinary happened... IT SNOWED!!! We were all quite excited, but it also meant that during the storm on Friday evening (because of freezing raining) and Saturday morning (because of the snow) we had to stay in our apartments haha! So that was quite exciting!
 
        The rest of the week was really good too!!! I will share with you some quick highlights: 
 
        We did service at Habitat for Humanity on Tuesday which was awesome! We help sort and organize through a few things.
        Wednesday we had a Worldwide missionary broadcast! We combined with the West Columbia Zone to watch that. We had trainings from different general authorities on how to become better teachers. The theme of the broadcast was "Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts." The overarching message was that as we become better teachers and become better guided by the Spirit, those we teach will not only be baptized, but be truly converted to the Gospel. Part of it was a group discussion with a set of missionaries serving in Utah. It was really cool to get to hear their experience and see how we are all doing the same work around the world!! I just loved how the big push was on better relying on the Spirit. I am learning so much that it just makes sense to follow the guidance we receive from God. Not only does everything go better, but we are also happier! So it was great! The highlight of my week! On our way back we stopped by firestone to get out tire fixed from last Saturday! Wahoo!
        Thursday we did service at the Library and had a lesson with B. ! She is still doing great and loving the Gospel! She just wants to learn as much as she can, as fast as she can! It's amazing to watch how she is continuing to grow and develop even after her baptism and as she learns even more. We also held our weekly Book of Mormon class!!!
        Friday we planned for our week and then went and taught two lessons to some potential investigators we have been contacting so that was awesome! Then we had to come in for the evening because of freezing rain.
        Saturday morning we woke up to a slight snow storm!! We were really exciting!!! There was just enough on the ground to pick up  a tiny snowball with my finger! But it was enough that we needed to stay in until it warmed up. Yay for rare snow storms!!! We were very happy!!! Then we taught a lesson. Then we went to the baptism that the Elgin Ward was having!!! That was great!!!
        Sunday we finally got to sing the musical number we had prepared with a few other Sisters in the ward that we were going to sing the Sunday after Christmas, but that was the day Sister Harvey was super sick. We sang the song "Let There Be Peace." It went very well!!!! Then we had a lesson with the family that was baptized in August.
        So all in all it was a very great week!!!!
 
        Recently I have been studying out of the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. It's been really cool reading because these are stories that I grew up hearing, but didn't realize they were all to the same Daniel and how close they all happened together. So to briefly overview.... Daniel was a boy that grew up in Jerusalem but was captured and taken to Babylon  to be a slave there. The King, Nebuchadnezzar, had certain food that he wanted his servants to eat, but they went against the Jewish laws. Daniel and his friends stood up and said they wouldn't eat them. The King did it as a sort of test and then was surprised when they were the strongest servants. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and since he knew that Daniel was religious, he asked Daniel to interpret (when no one else could) and Daniel was able to. Daniel's friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego) were then preserved from the fiery furnace that Nebuchadnezzar threw them into because they wouldn't worship the false idol. Daniel Interpreted another dream for Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar died and his son, Belshazzar, took over. Belshazzar hosted a bad party and then he sees the hand of the Lord write on his wall. None of Belshazzar's advisors could interpret the writing. Belshazzar's wife said, "Wait! Your dad used the Jew, Daniel to interpret dreams, so lets ask him." Because Daniel interpreted the writing, Belshazzar appointed him to help him rule. Belshazzar died, Darius took over and made Daniel second in command. The other rulers got jealous and convinced Darius to set a law saying people can't pray. Daniel got caught praying and was thrown into a lions den. Because of Daniel's faith he was not eaten. Darius was so amazed and grateful that he makes a new law saying that the Jews can no longer be persecuted because of their believes.  So Daniel has to go through a lot of crazy things. I'm sure at times he was not exactly sure why, but the important part is he remained FAITHFUL. Because he did, it eventually (through a round about way) led to religious freedom for the Jews. So, often times God takes us down a long winding path and we may not know where it leads or why we are there. But when we get to the end we will be able to see the purpose for all things. As we follow Him and remain faithful he will guide us to our best destination!  So basically Daniel is one of my new favorites! He's pretty awesome haha!
 
Well that is all I have time for today! I love y'all so much and hope y'all and doing well!!! Have a blessed week!
 
Love always,
Sister Amy Bennett :)
 
A little bit of snow and a whole lot of love and happiness!!!