Best P-day

Hey cutie bu-tooties! Life is good down here, and yesterday was a huge National Holiday of the war they fought for there Independence. It sucks when we don't have p-day right, that and Lex didn't write me again so that also sucks, but whatever it’s cool, I'm not stressing! God knows whats up! 

• Who should we be praying for?

I don't really know probably Margarita and the family Romero that should do us good in the prayer game. 

• Who is your very most favorite person in Argentina?

My favorite person in all of Argentina? Uhh I don't know I really love Roberto Gerry and I really love Mario Burnett but I don't know who my favorite person is in the country is... 

• Do you guys keep your apartment pretty clean or is it a pig stye?

Our apartment is a mess, its better then some but the other guys never wash their dishes and my study desk is just always a mess, because I am never there to clean it. 

• Do you know I miss your face?? Send me pictures of it!!!

I'm sorry pictures are hard and I don't like sending them, they waste a lot of time and then I need to take more photos to send them! 

• Have you talked in church lately?

I haven't spoken in church in a long time, but its been a rotation with my companion every transfer so it was my comps turn 3 weeks ago. So ya thats my life! 

Monday we went to a place called Valle Grande and it was the best p-day I have had in my entire mission I loved it all of it—it was incredible! We rock climbed more or less, its more like we just walked up a fat rock area that was just way fun and it made me way happy, then we went to a dam and just this huge lake…the temptation was way hard, but I didn’t swim — I'm a good boy! 

Tuesday we went to Andrea’s and found out the Joana and Manuel broke up…photo included of Manuel and Joana and thats sad, but it saves us from the awkward law of chastity lesson, but still sad. I had to give a blessing of council to Andrea so that all could go well with her lawyer stuff and it was awesome! 

Wednesday we just had no luck and it was a rough day.

Thursday the same.

Friday we had a good day, we taught Johnaton Sosa and it was just awesome and his kid Augustine who is ten and not baptized. Johnaton is menos activo and his kid just likes to learn and talk with us and its just fun to be with them and help the kid  understand more about us and the church, and he really likes it so we are going to see what we can do with him it should be awesome! 

Saturday, is the journal entry picture I sent you...rough day....

Sunday was stake conference and it was good, but it was transmitted to us from an 1 mile and a half away and we couldn't understand a word…even the Latinos didn't get a single thing out of it so that was rough, but thats fine and thats life so its cool! Then we didn't get to teach anyone.

So it was a little harder week, but it was good and I'm happy so don’t stress, all is good with me. I love you guys so very much and I pray everything is good with you! 

I love you guys more then I can ever say! 

Love, Elder Jayson Benedict

Way Good Week

Its been a way good week I'm honestly not sure I have ever taught so much in my entire mission, it is freaking crazy and awesome at the same time! I don't have a ton of time, but I will try to explain it all. 

• How are your investigators doing this week?

All the investigators are doing really well and learning and its really good! 

• The weather looks like it is awesome this week for you—but pretty cool overnight. Do you have enough warm clothes? Do you need to go buy more sweaters?

I have plenty of warm clothes and some days I can still wear short sleeves, but I'm also a hot body and I'm riding a bike everywhere! 

• Tell me something you love about your companion?

He is way funny and likes to be happy! He is way outgoing, but only in English and he just knows a lot of fun stories! 

• Tell me something that can drive you crazy about the missionaries in your apartment?

Something that drives me crazy…over sleeping in the morning!! We all got sick this week and slept in two days and now they just keep doing it and it bugs me so bad! That and not leaving on time! People think that unless we know we are going to teach we don't need to leave the pension, but thats dumb! We have a schedule of work hours and if you don't want to do  it then

go home! I'm sick of being your mom!! I hate being mom of the pension and tell people what we should be doing.

I went way hard on baking this week -- so I have a bunch of pictures!!

I made way good banana bread!!

Monday we taught Joana and it was good but sorta tense. I don't know if they are having relationship problems, well I know they are, but it was just a little odd. We are going to keep seeing what we can do. We also cooked an asado (its like the Argentine barbecue) it was so good! I’ve actually started to like meat, I don't know whats happened, but there is this one kind that is super good! 

Tuesday we also taught a lady named Patricia and her son. She is a member, but the not her family, but they are all kinds of ready! So we are going to keep working with them, but the problem is they live 4 kilometers away. At least I get a good work out in! 

Wednesday we taught the great grandparents and it was good and awesome, way fun people!

I made these rolls -- but they weren't as fluffy as mom's

Thursday we had two lessons with members, a lady named Margarita who is awesome, she is reading the Book of Mormon and enjoying it I think, and she has way good questions and it was just some really good stuff! We then taught Andrea and Italo and it was just a quick little thing for them and I liked it a lot! 

Friday we taught a buddy of mine named Daniel and it was good! He liked it — way nice guy! We then taught an old investigator Gonzalo and it was just nice to see him again and get to chat with him!

Chicken Cordon Bleu -- we made it, it was way easy. My companion is way cool to  cook stuff like that!

Saturday we taught a guy named Walter. Me and my companion were way tired so we were kinda going lazy, but at least we made it into this house and shared a little bit about reading the scriptures. It was good and a good reminder for him about what he is missing! 

Sunday we taught Patrica again and blessed the home.  We got the Catholic father involved and he seemed to like us and kinda became our friends because of the blessing we gave. It was awesome and I loved it! Then we taught Margarita again about the Plan of Salvation…it was good stuff!

I made braided ham and cheese bread, and I also made a cinnamon brown sugar braid, but we ate it before I could take a picture!

So we have taught a ton as you can see. Honestly the best week of teaching in my mission so thats cool!! I love it here, I'm doing good! I'm way out of time and have to go catch a bus for todays activities, but I love you a ton and miss you like crazy!

Love, Jayson

Good Day Talking to You

I’m glad you liked the flowers—they were really awesome! I heard the story of dad that’s pretty funny! Probably a good call to write me before you go to Skype me, I'm a pretty boring person though, I'm sorry I wasn't more fun yesterday! 

I love the rain so much I want to go play in it so bad, but I'm a missionary and we don't do that! One time when it was pouring rain here we all just ditched our clothes, put some basket ball shorts  and we went outside in the cold and just played in it, but that was like 10 seconds nothing more so I need some good rain playing! 

I miss American pizza so much! The pizza here is just not the same, but thats okay we can't always have everything we want! I don't know if you know this, but from the Mexicans I've talked to about Cinco de Mayo, its not really a thing for them, they like don't even realize it happens when it passes nor celebrate it! We go harder for Cinco de Mayo then the Mexicans!

I need the braided bread recipe — that sounds way good and I know I could cook it here with out any problem and it sounds way good! 

227 days until Christmas -- is a long time you know that right? I have so much time until then, but whatever its cool I can make it! 

I think I explained my companion poorly. I love him to death, he is one of my favorite people and we get a long great!! He just isn't the hardest worker without me putting forth the first effort!  But I love him to death! 

Monday we taught some less actives and gave a blessing and it was way good, nothing super special, but at least we weren't just riding all night!

Tuesday we had a lesson with some really old people that I love, they are kinda my way of doing something when I'm beyond tired of not getting into any houses, but at least I have them for that! I don't think I'm going to ever get that old man to the church, but I will keep trying! They are my great, great grandparents ;) I forgot to mention that on I met a guy from Utah in a BYU hat and a Yankee baseball jacket and we talked in English for a long time. He lives in Orem and is way cool, but his family is less active and lives in my area so we are going to start working with them as soon as we can!

Wednesday we just sat on a bus for 6 hours!

Thursday we had the conference with Elder Zabillos and it was awesome! Then in the night we went to Andrea and Italo and it was good to chat with them, we are going to see if we can get them married or separated, and then get that man baptized! 

Friday we had lunch with a way cool family that have non-members as part of the family and we taught them a little and it was way fun! I had a blast in that house! But it is in the Hermana’s area so they will probably never go by, and baptize the dad that just needs some chastity lesson and is there! He had a vision that he needs to join the church, but he just cant because his wife isn't ready to marry him, but she could be! Then we found this lady and she talked about something I had said the first time I met her that she loved, and it was just a cool new investigator!

Saturday we ran by this guy Areal as a last moment thing and he was way cool and we got to teach a lesson so that was cool, but I'm not sure they will really ever progress.

Sunday we spent all day talking to you guys, so yup it was a good day! 

So that has been my week,  I love you mama and I cant wait to see you again when we can! 

I love you to the moon and back! 

Love,
JAYSON

It is starting to get COLD!

So that really sucks that both the packages you sent me came back unclaimed! All I really want is ties though, I really, really want ties. I need more ties to give to my comps! Don’t stress—if I get sent back into the Mendoza area I’ll be able to go pull it out myself and then it will be fine, so just wait for me to leave the very South of the mission. 

• What is your companions full name? How are you two working together? What is his personality like—quiet, shy, talkative, boisterous???

My companion is Nicholas Steven Hamideh, he is part Palestinian and part Peruvian and half gringo and way awesome. He is kinda one of those elders who isn't a hard worker, but he is not going to hold me back from being as obedient as I want. We work good together, but he likes working way far in the area so we have biked a ton this week! He is way fun when it is us in the pension or when we speak English, but when we enter a house he is super quite and then I just have to lead a lot of the stuff we do! 

• Is it fun in your apartment, or do you get on each others nerves? 

The apartment is way fun, I love them so much—its awesome! 

• I noticed you were wearing your sweater in your turtle picture—is it starting to cool down a bit? Do you have heating in your apartment?

It’s way cold now and we have no heat in the house, so its just freezing always!! I’m going to have to break out the sleeping bag here soon, and no I didn't buy sheets, Elder Evans gave me one of his fitted sheets for my bed! 

• I loved hearing about your grocery shop—do you ever go out for dessert, or do you just make all your own desserts? If you do go out, where do you go for treats, snacks or desserts?

We go to dessert at Grido its a cheap ice cream shop!  ¡It’s fun! 

• Are the YM/YW activities pretty much the same in Argentina as they were here home?

Young men and young women is like the same-ish.

• How did teaching go this week? Any success now that you have been together with your new companion for a week or so?

Not a ton of success teaching, but thats okay! 

Monday we learned how to make a way good Argentine tortita!  I love it! I’ll show you when I get home, but  they are super fatty! No luck that day! 

Tuesday we didn't get to teach this day! 

Wednesday we had lunch with Joana the lady who came to church, but we didn't get to teach her a lot so thats sad, but it was a way good lunch! 

Wednesday we did a ton of menos activos and it was good to help them and just teach them. I like to help menos activos and its nice to have something to do that and we went way far that day — like five kilometers just for one house! 

Thursday we did service and then we just had so little luck that night, we go and work a lot, but its not like we always get to teach which is sad! 

Friday we were in San Rafael. It was just for a meeting, but we were there all day so that sucked, but I got to talk with Elder Houghten who I love a ton and it was just a nice little day, I met a Hermana missionary who has a personality equal to Lexy's and it was really, really weird....

Saturday we taught a guy who didn’t even remember who Joseph Smith was! He is a member and his family is too, but he promised to read and today we are going to pass by and teach him again! 

Sunday no investigators came and then we just had a normal Sunday. We taught Flavia though and it was awesome—she is ready, but she had some concerns about Nephi and Laben so we addressed that! 

I’m all out of time, but I love you a ton and can’t wait to see you Sunday!

Love, Jayson

I have a new companion

So this week has been  little harder, but thats okay its been transfer week so not a ton to write about so thats a little sad for you. Something that I have realized this week is how many friends I have made in this area — thats what is awesome about being somewhere for almost 5 months now! 

• So you got a new companion this week? What is his name and where is he from?

So my new companion is Elder Hamideh, he is Palestinian I think by birth and he is way cool! He is from Sandy, Utah — so all kinds of close again! 

• How are you getting along with your new companions in the apartment?

We get a long really well, all of us — we are just four gringos and its just fun and I’m basically trying to teach two areas, because the two other boys have never been in this area and I know at least a little about it, but way awesome! 

• When you go grocery shopping, do you walk, bike or take public transportation?

We just walk to the shop we use, it is less then from our house to the church, or maybe like going to the Walters house at the most! 

• Do you buy enough food for the whole week?

I  try to buy for the week, but I usually have leftover food, it just depends, I usually don't eat dinner because its bad for us, but I eat a little breakfast—so its mostly what I buy! 

• What are the stores like? Compared to Super Walmart, Smiths, Bowmans or 7-11??

It is like a Bowman's kind of store, but with a lot less selection—but not 7-11 status! 

• Has the volcano eruption in Chili affected you at all?

I know nothing about volcanos in Chili! 

• How is the teaching and sharing the Gospel going this last week?

This week we only taught one investigator this entire week but we had two investigators come to church! 

Monday and Tuesday we just went and said good bye to all the people that LeFleur wanted to and I made pancakes for a family that I really love! 

Wednesday my comp was supposed to get here at 11:00 but didn't get here until 7pm. In the mornings before he got here I made two cakes and I took them to my friends, one a lady gave me chicken, investigators that gave us lunch and a hotdog, a bike shop guy who opened just for me when he was doing family things and I don't remember who else, but I have tons of friends. I’ll make a recording about all of them next week! 

Thursday and Friday we taught some menos activos, but its hard because my companion knows nothing about the area — I have to do everything, plan and pick names and just it all falls to me so its a little hard, but its fine I know this area really well so I just have to do more then I'm used to, but its cool I'm not worried about it! 

Saturday we taught Joanna and Manuel and it was just awesome! We shared the Plan of Salvation and they loved it — the kids were crazy and they weren't really paying attention, but we shared “The Because of Him” video and they loved that!

Sunday Joanna And Manuel, Italo and Andrea all came to church! If you can remember Andrea and Italo from a while back they are all familiar so its just awesome!! Two of those are investigators, two are meno activos so it was just awesome! Way great sacrament time, I just loved it! Other then that nothing happened! 

So there is the week! I love you lots and I’m living to talk to you guys on Mothers Day! 

Your amazing! 

Love, Jayson

Transfers this week--I'm staying in General Alvear

I need to be a little fast—I'm already over my time, but thats okay you guys are worth it!  I had 44 emails when I got on today and it has been crazy! I have so much to tell you because it has been a way good week! The first picture is what I had to do for my tire to make it work for me, the second happened on Monday and the third is all the turtles I have collected so far in my mission! 

• Did you get to teach Ruben, Manuel and Joanna, Ana, Marcus, Iya and Borrus, and or Flavia this week? How are they doing? 

I taught most of those people this week and I will explain it through the week! 

• How are you and LaFleur getting along this week? I have been praying daily that you can get along and be happy!!

We got a long really well this week — so don't stress! 

• Did you find out if you are getting transferred this week, or are you staying put?

We got transfers last night—I stay and LaFleur is out. I am the only one who is staying in my pension so thats weird, but its fine!

• Did you cook anything yummy this week?

I made chicken last night, but I don't have a picture sorry! 

• Will you let me know if and when you receive packages from me

I still haven't got any of the packages or letters besides the red birthday one! 

• Besides your family, the Bros and Lexy…what do you miss most?

I really miss activities—snowboarding, biking, motorcycling and stuff like that!! I burn for that a lot that and just chilling and wasting time!

• Did you know that you have been out in the mission field 250 days today!!

I’ve been out that long already…what!!! Thats absolutely crazy! 

Monday we didn't have any luck, but when we were playing soccer there was a small broken metal re-bar basically that was hanging from the goal to the fence and it was high enough that the Argentines wouldn't hit it, but I'm not Argentine and when I was following Elder Pyne who is really short sopriting I just got closed lined by that bad boy so that wasn't good, but it didn't bruise or get black, but it does still hurt! In the end we won the game because that wouldn't stop me from playing! 

Tuesday I had intercombois with a Peruvian this day and man are Latinos weird…it was Elder Charca! 

Wednesday we did a ton of menos activo work and it was good to just get to teach a little and get in a house! 

Thursday we went and taught Leo and Ana kinda. We went over to teach and then they invited us to lunch,we didn't have lunch this day so we stayed and just chatted to them for a while. The husband Leo just came out straight and told us that he loves weed and smokes all the time, but thats fine we are not really teaching him, just Ana and she is super busy, but still way good lesson stuff.

Friday we had interviews with President and that was awesome!! I love that man so much he really is incredible! Also that night we had a lesson with Ruben and it was incredible and we taught him about the spirit world and all that jazz, it was way good and then at the end we extended a baptismal date for the 23rd of May and he said yes so we are going to work for that date, so I'm way pumped for him! I think he is really going to make it, but we just need him to pray in the right form! 

Saturday we taught Marcus and he is reading his Book of Mormon and he is way awesome and was really trying to pay attention and learn, so now we are going to try putting a fecha with him for the 23rd maybe as well, we are not sure yet but it should be awesome! Then we taught a new guy and he was way weird. He shared a book of prayers with us, it was way weird!

Sunday we taught Flavia and she was way awesome and she told us that she knows that she needs to work on her connection with God, and that is why she is talking to us. We didn't have a Book of Mormon with us but we are giving her it today and she is interested and its awesome! 

That was my week and I have no more time, but I love you so very, very much and think of you all the time and I cant wait until the 10th! I'm going to talk to you so soon! Let Lexy know that she is invited to be there! 

I love you mom! 

Elder Benedict

Really Awesome Week!

So this week has been really awesome!! I was able to teach a lesson to an investigator every day—it was absolutely incredible!!! That almost never happens and until this point has never happened, but now it has! Also I have been exactly 8 months away from home now and  it’s just been awesome to be a missionary! I miss home so much it about kills me, but thats okay. I love the bros letters that I read, they make me burn more then anything! 

To answer your questions:

• Ana, Ruben, Diego and Mariana,—did you get to go and teach them again?

We did teach Ana and Ruben, but Diego no.  

• Is your bike all fixed?

My bike is all fixed and nice and better—it was a little pricy but thats okay, its all better now! 

• 26 days until I get to talk to you—I am so excited!!!

I cant wait the 26 days to talk to you!! Can you remind me what my Skype stuff is?

Monday we taught Ruben with a member named Raul Espieres. He is the elders Quorum President and a way good guy. We taught this way powerful lesson about the Plan of Salvation and it was just amazing! Hermano Espieres testified and it was just amazing!! He bore testimony about how the gospel has changed his life, and made his life better, and saved his marriage! It was just incredible! 

Tuesday we taught Manuel and Joanna this night part of the Restoration up to the Apostasy. Joanna said the prayer to start the lesson. She said the first prayer she has ever said in our form… \at least and it was just way cool to hear her do it!  The spirit was way strong and I love it! Manuel then said the closing prayer and it was awesome! 

Wednesday we taught Ana this day. We taught prophets and she said, “Oh, so thats what that punk does.” It was way funny, but we tried not to laugh and just kept teaching and it was just a really good lesson. She is super down to learn for herself and know from the feelings of the spirit! 

Thursday we taught Marcus the boxer. We just re-taught because it had been two weeks since we last saw him, and so now we are going to go teach him on Wednesday with his wife who has never listened to us. It’s going to be great! 

Friday we taught Iya and Borrus — way nice people who are musical missionaries for another church, but way nice!! We went and taught them the new initiative the Church is doing which is “Because He Lives” in english I think. It’s way awesome and they are more friends then investigators because they are way firm in their church, but we do enjoy sharing with them! 

Saturday we taught Manuel and Joanna again and it was just amazing! She is already reading the Book of Mormon had questions about the two types of the priesthood and why it’s important  and then we talked a lot about how they can know. It’s been hard — her husband never got his answer, so we told all of them to do it again and to keep trying and it was really good stuff! 

Sunday we taught Flavia. She is way nice, she isn't really investigating but she is down to learn and its just nice to have people to teach to. When we taught her about the apostasy its like it made sense and it was just cool to see her eyes change as she understood more and it was really awesome!

So in total it was a really good week and we have had a lot of success! Me and La Fleur have been struggling a lot to get a along, so please pray that he can be happy and patient and all will be well, because I'm not sure how much I can give. 

I love you parents so very much and I hope you get better and dad can handle his trip! 

I love you with all my heart! 

Love, Jayson Benedict

Elder Zacharie La Fleur sent this with the caption "He didn't even know though"