Sister Benson: Ohio Cleveland Mission: July 10, 2013 Massillon, Ohio

Hey friends and familia!!

So today is Tuesday! Our P-day is weird this week because transfers are this Friday. We found out last night that all four of us are staying (BIG surprise there....). We haven't found out about the rest of our district, though, so this week should be interesting.

The last week has been full of ups and downs! We had a good 4th of July, complete with hot dogs at a recent converts house. A few of the eventful things of my week...

#1) BED BUGS. So Ohio has bed bugs. Like the real deal. "Don't let the bed bugs bite" is real life here. And it's scary. A few members of our ward have them. One of which did not tell us and we have been over at her house recently. Luckily we did not get them, but now she is not so happy with us that we won't come back over. Another woman asked the other Sisters to come over to get toilet paper for her out of the basement because she has a bad knee. And she has bed bugs really bad. So instead, they went to the store, bought her some, and tossed it towards her door from afar. So we have been hoping and praying that we won't get bed bugs.

#2) Our investigator Susan is a talker. We have been struggling to help her progress and to answer her questions because she talks more and faster than any other person that I have ever met in my life. This week, though, we saw her twice. Both times we actually had a good conversation! We helped her resolve some of her concerns and we really listened to her. It was so awesome. The second time we went over, we walked into her house and she had MoTab playing. So our lesson had background music, like on The District. It was stellar. The spirit was so strong. We love Susan so much!

#3) There is a lot of corn here! And rolling hills. Also: when we go up to the top of the highest hill (pathetically short, actually) we get so excited because we can actually see things below us. Elevation is amazing. I miss the mountains. Just a little. But I love how green it is here!

#4) Sister O'Driscoll went to another doctor. They still aren't sure what's causing her to have a hard time breathing. They gave her a few things to try and we are going back in a couple weeks.

#5) A member in our ward made us the most amazing Italian food ever the other night. It was angel hair with alfredo sauce, vegetables, chicken, sundried tomatoes, and cilantro. It was delightful (I say this because my dad keeps asking what kind of food we are eating...).

#6) I really loved receiving letters from so many Idaho relatives this week! (And also Pappy!). I love you all!

#7) Last week we received a media referral. This person got on mormon.org and requested a missionary visit. We love when that happens! We went and talked to him and he is awesome! He had genuine questions and really wants to learn more. One thing that he asked us while we were there was, "...So if I were to convert, how long will it take?" Um. Hold the phone. Amazing! We talked to him about how it is different for everyone. It can be anywhere from 3 weeks to 18 years (really though, there is a man in our ward who investigated for eighteen years.) So anyway, the point is that this guy is awesome. We are so excited to talk more to him.

#8) There is a family who just moved into our ward yesterday from the L.A. area. It's an elderly mom and her daughter. Her other daughter is also here helping them move. We visited with them yesterday and they are so awesome! They asked us if there was a day this week that we could come over for dinner. (Two hours earlier, our schedule was pretty much booked solid until later in the month, but a member cancelled. Coincidence? I think not!)

#9) The last few weeks have been a little harder because we haven't been able to get out and work as much as we have wanted to because of Sister O'Driscoll's breathing. One thing that I have definitely been working on is hope and optimism! There has not been a lot of time that we have been able to work, but the things that we have done have been great. The people that we have been meeting with are so great. I love the people of Ohio so much! I love sharing the gospel and there is absolutely nowhere else that I would rather be right now. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that it can change a person's life and bring more happiness to them than they have ever known.

I love you all! Thanks for your love and support. :)

-Sista Heather Benson!!