Murica 11//20/11

Almeria reunion: Elder Lignell, Elder Hamilton & Elder Bennett


I like the Jacob scripture, I read it this week. I like the cross reference in the D&C 101:
55 And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his aservants: Go and gather together the residue of my servants, and take ball the strength of mine house, which are my warriors, my young men, and they that are of middle age also among all my servants, who are the strength of mine house, save those only whom I have appointed to tarry;
56 And go ye straightway unto the land of my vineyard, and redeem my vineyard; for it is mine; I have bought it with money.
57 Therefore, get ye straightway unto my land; break down theawalls of mine enemies; throw down their tower, and scatter their watchmen.
58 And inasmuch as they gather together against you, aavenge me of mine enemies, that by and by I may come with the residue of mine house and possess the land.

We have to read the entire Book of Mormon before Christmas, and mark every time it says God, or Jesus, or Santo de Israel, or Cordero de Dios, etc... And i´m in Alma right now. I´m doing it in Spanish. I´m having fun doing it.

Gabriela was baptized 2 years ago. One of her friends name Cesar came to church yesterday, and he´s super pumped about the gospel. The Hermanas are teaching him. The only thing, is that in his Book of Mormon, he´s got a big ole´ sticker of the Virgin Maria. Cesar used to live in Archena with a Bolivian man named Jaime who is a member of the Church but inactive.

Jaime and most of his family was baptized when he was 14, but lost contact with the church when he moved to spain 8 years ago. The Father of Jaime, after years of investigation was baptized about a year ago, and he has a super strong testimony that the church is true. Missionaries never worked in Archena where Jamie lives.

When Cesar lived with Jamie, Jamie talked to him all about the church, about the Book of Mormon, and it was the true restored church. Then Cesar moved away.

Jaime found me and Elder Corradi about 3 months ago, walking on the street. He walked up to us and asked if we were mormons. We got in contact and reactivated him.
Jaime and Cesar were super suprised to run into eachother at Church yesterday. They both found the church seprately. That's awesome!

The whole town of Archena is doing good. One of the guys we taught a while ago wants to change and be baptized now. His name is Luis. he was so impressed by his buddy´s good example and also by Gabriela's change of lifestyle. He lives with a couple of menos activos, and they also are becoming excited about the church again. Archena is great. Its just far away.

Dia de la accion gracías, en Murcia!! We ate at a place called "Foster´s Hollywood"


Thanksgiving was cool. The food wasn´t the best, but it was fun nevertheless.

Murcia 11/28/11

Murcia & Alicante Zone Conferences.


Everyone agreed that the food was deliciously good!



Elder Bennett particularly loves the dessert. One thumb up for the cook!!!!

Murcia 11/20/11

I got to confirm Luis this sunday also. I had to repeat it. I said, by the authority of Melkisdec, instead of ´sacerdocio of Meldesidek.´ But, nevertheless, he got the gift of the holy ghost. His friend, Gabriela is awesome. She´s just flirting to convert. She brought another guy to a baptism on Saturday, and I think he´ll be next to go into the water.

These are some of the saints that come into Murcia once in a while and then other times the Missionaries go out to them to take them the sacrament. The wards are growing and in the near future there should be another ward in Murcia. That is great news.

This thanxgiving we´re not gonna do anything. There aren´t any american families here. So we´re gonna celebrate it today, on p-day, and go to an American restaurant. (which is super expensive, it's like 12-18 Euro meals.) but it's Thanksgiving... might as well splurge and it's the only norteamericano restaurante here in spain. (Although other missionaries tell me there is a kfc, I still have not found it yet.)

When do I have to decide to get into school?
When do I have to do my registration? its comin´ up, isn´t it?

What are you guys doing for Thanksgiving and for Black Friday?
Thanks for taking care of the credit card.

Murcia 11/07/11

I don´t really have a pday today. I´m at the mission home. There are 7 of us who are getting a son or a daughter (greenie to train).

Elder Avellar, Elder Bennett, Hna Perera, Hna Bascope, Elder Velasco, Elder West and Elder Peterson


The table is ready to sit a lot of us for a good meal.



My son's name is Elder Melgarejo (see pic below). He's waiting for his visa to come before he leaves for Puerto Rico where he's been called to serve. I'm excited to be working with him.

Murcia 10/31/11

The loss of the car did suck!! It certainly changed the way we do missionary work, but that's ok. We just have to make a few adjustments. The bus system is really really bad. But, one city is doing well. It's called Archena. We´ve been having good success there. We have quite a few people investigating the church in that area.


We also had stake conference in a city called Alicante. We rented a bus and had the meeting in an university auditorium. It was cool. I saw Elder Hamilton there. I can make a few spanish dish. I learned to cook this Spanish food called "Paella". It has rice with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, onions, peppers, and stuff. It's so good. I also found the best Italian desert called "Tirasumi"... Wow!!!


We had a companion change lately. I am no longer with Elder Corradi. By the way, I thought that maybe when I get home, we could speak french...so until then get practicing and "parlons francais."
Elder Bennett & Elder Corradi