Does almost really only count in horseshoes?

Family,

It was another pretty average week. Nothing too amazingly exciting to talk about. Once again, we came reeeeallly close to completing with our numbers this week, and we didn't. That's REALLY starting to frustrate me. Every single week is the exact same story. We always ALMOST make it, but we never do. I'm pretty tired of "almost." I just want to be able to DO IT! I don't know if there's something I'm doing wrong, or what. I've been trying so hard, but like I said, it's always "almost." Anywaysss, sorry about my rant. I'm just really frustrated right now. But, I'm glad everything's good at home and that you're all having a good week. Can you believe it's already general conference again? I know I can't. My mini is going home on Tuesday because he has to start his studies. So, looks like I'm going to be in a trio again, which will complicate things significantly. But, with faith all is possible, right? Well, I really don't have much else to say, so I'll talk to you next week. I love you all!

Ohhhh! One more thing. I have another Christmas request. I would LOVE to have the Book of Mormon audio cd in Portuguese. I've been studying it quite a bit lately, but I don't have a way to hear how they talk. If you could somehow find that, that would be awesome (:

Amá siempre,

E' Jacob Bentz

this might be the coolest flower I've ever seen...

I hope one day I'll go to an area where
EVERYthing looks like this...

 

Spring is in the air....and so is the rain!

Family,

Well, this was a pretty normal week. As normal as a week can be on the mission, anyways.... haha. It is definitely starting to warm up here a little bit, though the temperature still changes pretty dramaticly sometimes. I'm still doing fine with my mini missionary, and we're still working hard. I can't believe it's almost general conference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAHHHHHHHHHHHH! That'll make two in Loma Grande! I can't even believe that I've been here for that long... I might even be here for Christmas! Hey, speaking of that, the things I want the most are some more franks hot sauce, more ties, and another photo album, maybe with some pictures of me and my band. (((: That's all for now. So i just have one cool little story for this week: Saturday, it was raining and freezing cold, and I forgot my umbrella when we left. We had a bunch of visits planned for that day, but they all fell though. So, we were left with clapping doors in the pouring rain, in the richest part of the area. NO ONE would let us in, even though we were both soaked to the bone and obviously freezing cold. But then, the idea came to my mind to go see someone we had talked to the other day. I doubted the thought, because I didn't think he'd be home. But, we had nothing better to do, so we went anyway. And sure enough, they let us in!!! And we found two new families living there! God always is watching out for us. Well, I hope you all have a great week. By the way, thanks for telling me the Katie Wagner story. That is a pretty amazing experience. I love you all! hasta la proxima

E' Bentz

this is what we were working in the day that no one let us in.
Yeah..... :P

My mini missionary!

my new suit!

Staying in Loma Grande

Family,

Well, I wanted him to stay, buuuut he left haha. This has been such a crazy week. Hmm seems like I say that a lot huh? i don't think "normal" exists on the mission haha. Well, we had transfers. My name came up, and it said "companion to be announced." I didn't have a companion! I was supposed to get a mini missionary, but he decided not to come at the last second. So, I was in a trio for a few days, until they found another mini friday, now I'm with him. So yeah, I've just been all the heck over the place this week. It's also been really cold and rainy the last few days. This time of year, the weather changes super fast. One day you're sweating because of heat, and the next your shivering cold. Sooo yup, here I am, STILLLLL in Loma Grande haha. Y'all just might as well move my membership record to be here permanently.  IVE BEEN HERE FOR SO LONG!!!! But it's okay, I love the people here. It'll be pretty hard when it comes my time to leave. So what kind of dog is Bear? I can't figure out what she is. Well, I hope you all have a great week and that you know that I love you all very much. Till next week!

E' Bentz

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNA!!!!!!!!!!!! 9 years old. Wow, you're getting old! Haha =P

bear is so cuteee!!!! I can't wait to meet her (: I've really come to love animals on my mission. Haha no idea why

sometimes you can't tell if they're sunrises or sunsets........

the coolest little hamster thing i've ever seen! (:

 

La Torreto's: Possibly the best pizzeria in all of buenos aires. 

right around the corner from where we live

 

the sunrises are just as cool as the sunsets

Every Member a Missionary

Family,

well this has been another roller coaster week. Sooo many things happened, both good, and not so good. We had an awesome baptism Saturday! It was a really sweet experience. We worked so hard to get that baptism. Now we have to keep working for more. This area has been so hard for me. It's tested me in every single way imaginable. And it looks like I'm staying here some more. President told me today when I saw him that I'm staying here and training again. Which means I'll most likely be here for at least two more transfers. I've been here for SO LONGGG! Haha. But i think I'm okay with that. The members and converts here are like my own family. I've really grown to love them. So, here we go again. Transfers are always so nerve-wracking. Pray for me. I love you all! 

E' Bentz

this is the activity we did to get references from the members.
They had 30 minutes to give us as many references as they could.
Whoever gave us the most won a cake. In total they gave us 368!

these were the cakes that they could win

the baptism of Mirta Chaván (((((((((((:

this is Reina, one of our most awesome members.
The last baptism we had is thanks to her

Try and Try Again

Family,

 

Well, this week was pretty awesome. Remember how at first I said that we were starting from zero, had nothing going on, and that nothing we did worked? Weeeeellll that's all changed!!! After 6 weeks of trying, failing, trying, failing, and trying and failing again, it's finally working out! We found that the secret to it all is patience, diligence, and perseverance. Also working with the members. We have 6 people with baptismal dates right now, and all but one were references from the members. I've grown to seriously love this ward, this area, and my companion. The first little bit of this transfer was definitely one of the hardest trials of my mission. Now, looking back, I realized that I learned SO much. I feel like a completely different person. My faith has increased a ton, and overall, I am happy (: Next week we have a baptism!!!!!!!!!!!! =DDDDDD FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!! Her name is Mirta. And she is awesome. She was a reference from one of our recent converts who wants to whole world to be a mormon haha. So this week we'll be getting ready for that mostly. it's been warming up quite a bit, and the leaves are starting to come back on the trees. I forgot how nice it is when every thing's green. So how's things at home? How's everyone liking (or not liking) school? Well, I don't really have much else to say at the moment, but I do have some pics to send. I love you! Till next week!

 

Amá Siempre,

 

E' Bentz

grilled rat anyone?