Still in Fort Payne

Hello Family!

The photos were on my other SD card, which I actually sent out just this morning. It should get to you in a few days. I'm probably going to just start doing that now; it's so much easier. As far as news on the transfer, I am staying in Fort Payne for at least another transfer (October 10th). They're still working on my visa. Elder Whipple and I will be staying here, but Elder Anderson's getting moved. We are both getting new companions, so now there will be four of us in Fort Payne. When the Assistants called last night and told us all that, I was pretty disappointed that my visa still hasn't gone through. I spent a lot of time last night praying for peace and strength. I woke up this morning feeling much better about it; I felt at peace and comforted. Heavenly Father still has things he needs me to do here. My work here is not quite finished. It did make me feel a little better to know that none of the other visa waiters that came out with me got their visas either. I guess we'll all just keep moving forward here for at least another six weeks. At least I get to see the leaves change. I'm actually really excited about that. There will be plenty of pictures. (: Yes, we have been receiving multiple texts from President Holzapfel regarding the storm, telling us to make sure we have our 72 hour kits, gas in the car, and extra water. We have all those things. We also have a mission-wide conference call tomorrow night about the storm. With me being so far north, I won't have to deal with the brunt of the storm, but there is always a danger for this part of the country when hurricanes come through: the leftover energy and moisture from the storm will often spin off tornadoes (aren't you glad I used to be such a weather nerd? ;), and they're saying this fall will be particularly bad for tornadoes because they virtually didn't have any this spring. The weather's been strange here: unseasonably cool, and the leaves are changing way early. Is the weather acting up back home? I've also heard of a lot of earthquakes in random places. Last day prophecies are being fulfilled all around us it seems... I haven't had very much opportunity to use my Spanish here; I feel like my ability is slipping. I still do my studies every day, but it's not the same as being able to actually talk to people. I'm really really hoping that my new companion will be a full-time Spanish speaker. There are a lot of Hispanics here, but I'm just not good enough at Spanish on my own to be able to do much with them. Yes, I've been keeping up with my exercise, practically every morning except Sundays. At first it was REALLY hard for me to exercise in the morning, but I've gotten more used to it. I'm also trying to expand my diet. I'm going to try my hand at a few different pasta dishes this week. We'll see how it goes! We did learn a lot of good things from Elder Koelliker. The biggest thing we learned was the importance of getting your investigators to pray. I applied that to myself, and the importance of ME praying. Recently, I've been learning what it means to "pour out your soul unto God." I find my nightly personal prayers getting longer and more sincere. It's becoming more like a conversation than a "prayer." I truly believe that this is the ONLY, and I mean only, reason I am able to have such a good attitude about being here. I've had to ask for it. Always remember how important prayer is. I've adapted a motto for getting through the hard times on my mission: I take it day by day. When I can't handle days, I take it hour by hour. When I can't handle hours, I take it minute by minute. When I can't handle minutes, I leave it up to Heavenly Father. Living by this has helped me so much. I know it can help all of you as well.

Well, I think that's about it for now. Thank you for all your love, support, and prayers. Please continue to send me letters. They mean more to me than you realize. I love you all!

Love always,

Elder Jacob Bentz

Zone Conference

What once was lost, now is found...

Hello family!

 

Sounds like everything is going decently well as school starts again. How does everyone like it? I remember when I was in high school.... it's kinda weird that I can actually say that now. =P I'm sorry Jenna's having a hard time. I'll be sure to keep her in my prayers. Yes, we do get fed here, more than we did in Lorna. I still make a lot of my own stuff though. I've been trying to eat at least an apple a day, and I've been adding more exercises to my morning routine. I'm getting a lot stronger (and quite a lot bigger than I used to be). I think Heavenly Father is blessing me for my efforts. Yes, I've been able to play and do all those things. I've played piano at a few member's homes, and I'm almost always singing something. I even taught elder Anderson how to play Lead Kindly Light on the harmonica yesterday. He thought it was so cool haha. Mom: You're helping with the choir??!! That's AWESOME!!! You're going to have a lot of fun (: What is it that you'll be doing? I've rediscovered how much I love photography. I'll send all the pictures I have in a bit, along with the ones from my other camera. Nope. No typo there. MY OTHER CAMERA!!! I FOUND IT!!!! It was right in my BACKPACK which I looked through like 50 times!!!!! We all freaked out when I found it yesterday. Well, I guess you were right, Mom. I had it all along. I do not understand how I didn't see it in my backpack, which I use every single day. So now I have two cameras I guess, haha. And about labeling pictures, we have limited time to email, and I don't exactly know how to do it with gmail. I wish I could, but I'll just have to go through them all with you when I get home. I will say that all the nature/CTR ring pictures were taken at this state park we stopped at to talk to people on the way home from seeing a contact. Just an update: as the 29th gets closer, I will be finding out if I'm going to Argentina next week. If I am, I'll be able to call home for about 20 minutes. Keep me in your prayers! Even if I do end up staying here, it'd be okay, because I've grown to love Alabama. Well, I think that's all for this week. I love y'all!

 

Love,

Elder Jacob Bentz

Fort Payne

Hello family!

I hope everything is going well at home. I think this was everyone's first day of school right? I can't believe it's already that time! Everything is good here in Fort Payne. Here's some interesting facts about the area: It used to be spelled Fort Pain because the trail of tears actually began right here. The band "Alabama" is from Fort Payne. At one point in time, 3 out of every 5 socks in the world came out of factories in Fort Payne. Last of all: Remember the movie October Sky, one of my favorites? Well, that story actually happened not too far from here! I freaked out a little bit when I found that out (:

It is gorgeous up here. Everything is really spread out and all the towns are TINY. We have bikes, but we mostly use the car and have members give us rides because the area is HUGE. The branch members here are awesome, and I love the people. Almost all our efforts at this point are focused on helping strengthen the branch members and the less-actives. We also do a lot of service. In other words, this is SOOO much better than tracting all day, every day. So much better. I'm in a trio with two others, Elder Anderson and Elder Whipple (Elder Anderson is from Utah and Elder Whipple is from Showlow AZ), who've been here awhile. It's so nice not having to worry about not knowing what to do. It takes an enormous weight off my shoulders, and honestly helps me focus on becoming a better missionary.

So last week we went to a store called Unclaimed Baggage. It gets lost/unclaimed baggage from airports around the world and sells it for super cheap. They had a whole section for cameras. So, I picked one that looked decent and was relatively cheap. At least I don't have that to worry about anymore. I WOULD be nice if my other camera happened to show up though. I had a lot of pictures on there. There'll be pictures attached to this email, by the way. The computers here have a slot for sd cards.

So, this morning, I decided to cut my own hair. The razor setting I used turned out to be WAYYY shorter than I thought it would be. Like..... wayyyyy shorter. SO, I look like I either just joined the marines, or am undergoing chemotherapy. (: I also accidently took a chunk out of the back because my hand slipped. So it looks like I have a bald spot too. Awesome!!! So yeah, you'll all laugh really hard about that, I'm sure. (; At least I don't have to worry about doing my hair for awhile!

Another interesting thing, we have some pretty extreme weather up here. This is tornado territory, in case you weren't already aware. We have weather alarms in all our apartments to warn us when thunderstorms are coming. We've had some pretty big storms, but no tornadoes thankfully.

Well, I think that's about all I got for now. Hope to keep hearing from y'all! I love you all

con amor,

Elder Jacob Bentz

Fort Payne, Alabama

Before....

and After....

OOPS!!!

Transfer to Fort Payne

Hello family!

 

BIG NEWS:

I'm getting moved to another zone. It's a place wayyyy out in the sticks called Fort Payne, which is about a three hour drive from where I am now. The Assistants will be picking me up at 9:45 tomorrow morning. They're moving me there because they need help with the Spanish members. I'm honored by this assignment, but I'm also very sad to be leaving here. I love the members here and all the people I've met and worked with. There are some amazing things happening in this branch, and I won't be able to see them happen. But, the Lord needs me elsewhere. I guess he's trying to get as much use out of me as he can in the extremely short time I have here. I'll either send the new mailing address home in a letter when I get there, or I'll just wait till Monday to send it. Exciting stuff!

 

By the way, when again is the next transfer date for BAW? Please continue to keep the visa in your fasts and prayers. A lot of times, elders actually end up getting reassigned to Alabama because their visa never went through. However, through impressions and answers to prayers, I do feel like I will still get to Argentina eventually. Your faith would be very much appreciated to help the process go as quickly as possible.

 

Camera hunt update: I actually had the camera for a week in Alabama. Then one day I realized that I couldn't find it ANYwhere. I've looked in the car, in the library, in the chapel, in my room, in my backpack, my closet, and I've asked just about everyone if they've seen in. And nothing. It's gone. I still have the extra battery, the charger, and the other two SD cards, but one was in the camera and had a LOT of pics on it from my last week at the MTC and first week here. I'm sorry you have to go through the hassle of getting me money to buy a new one and all that. I honestly have no idea what happened to it.

 

A very good thing about me being moved is that I'll actually get to have a trainer. Elder Thayne and I have been doing really good, and have finally started to figure everything out. But, like always, as soon as you're comfortable with your situation, the Lord just moves you to an entirely new one. Apparently, putting two brand-new missionaries together isn't an uncommon practice, especially for visa waiters. It just makes things easier, logistically speaking.

 

Other than that, I don't have anything particularly interesting to talk about. Hopefully all my stories from the last email were uplifting and inspiring. And Dad, thank you for that little quote you put in. It's so true!

 

Con amor,

Elder Jacob Bentz

Adjusting to Birmingham

Hello family!

Wow so much happens in a week. It's insane! It's still hotter than Death Valley here, and the hills I have to ride up, and up, and up (it really seems like I hardly ever get to ride down) seem like they're getting taller and there's super glue on the pavement and I have sandpaper for tires. Seriously, this bike riding business (especially here with the heat and the hills) is the hardest physical thing I've EVER had to do. I don't know if I'm just weak or what, but it's a big challenge for me.   

Preguntas que no fueron contestados: On pday we do laundry, studying, shopping, emailing, and we go back to work at 6 pm. The members in my branch are awesome. It is extremely small, but the faith is very strong. They are all very nice and loving. About 10 of them aren't baptized for this or that reason, but they still pay tithing! It's strange...

So, I lost my camera. I have absolutely no idea where it went or what happened to it. It's stressing me out. I feel like it will turn up eventually, and I keep praying to find it. There's always so many things I want to take pics of, then I realize I don't have a camera. I reallllly hope it turns up.  

Me and Elder Thayne had a rough start this week. We were both feeling really down and discouraged. We both felt completely lost and useless, and we weren't getting help from anyone. We were trying to be the best missionaries we could, and we felt like we weren't getting anywhere. See, our situation is that we don't have anyone to tell us HOW to be a missionary. So, we have to rely on our own limited knowledge and resources, and mostly the spirit. Back to the story: we were feeling really discouraged. But, after many prayers and blessings that we gave each other, we started feeling a lot better, and we started having success. We have both received undeniable impressions, both from feelings and physical evidence, that Heavenly Father is very, very pleased with the work we are trying so very hard to do, and to do it right.

Another story: Yesterday (Sunday), Elder Thayne and I had our first baptism. No, I didn't stutter, and no I didn't typo. Her name's Jennifer, a little girl who lives in an english ward pretty far from my area. She and her family are spanish, so they wanted the ordinances done in spanish. Our zone leaders, who work in the ward this family lives in, picked us for the job. I was both amazed, humbled, and excited all at once. Elder Thayne did the baptism, and I did the confirmation. I gave my first blessing in SPANISH!!!! It was a powerful manifestation of the gift of tounges. It was an incredible experience.

Another story: Our very first day out, me and Elder Thayne met a man named Felipe. We found out he had talked to missionaries before and that he wanted a Book of Mormon. Unfortunately, we didn't have one because we were just thrown out there without knowing a single thing about what to do other that knock on doors and talk to people, never mind the fact that most of the people talk in spanish and neither of us know spanish very well. Okay, I'm done ranting now (: ANYWAYS, we went back a few days later and gave him a B.o.M. We went back multiple times after that to see him, but he was never home. Last night on our way home from a very long, yet very good day, we decided to stop by one more time. We didn't see his truck in the parking lot, so we assumed he wasn't home. So, we decided to write him a note inviting him to church. As Elder Thayne was writing, Felipe walks out the door. Neither of us knew the other was there. He proceeded to tell us that he's been thinking a lot lately about us missionaries and how he really wants to change his life and start coming to church. I was blown away. It was a miracle. This is just one of the many. many little experiences such as this that happened that day. Best day of my mission yet, by far.

Another interesting experience: We talked for about an hour and a half with a Muslim couple yesterday. They were very affixed in their beliefs, as were we. We talked about the different things we believe and we both asked each other questions so that we could better understand each other and overrule those common stereotypes people have of Muslims. They were really very nice and respectful. He even got water for us, gave us a plate of figs (which I'm not a fan of but I ate 5 because he kept telling me to "eat more!" hahah), and got us some juice. There are so many good, wonderful people in the world. It's so awesome to be able to see that there is still good in the world, despite the wickedness.

Well, I appreciate your continuing updates on what's happening at home, prayers, and faith in me. It helps. It helps a lot. More than you know (unless you've been on a mission). Adios for now! Les amo mucho.

para siempre dios este con vos

con amor,

elder jacob bentz

Elder Bentz and Elder Thayne

Alabama Birmingham Mission

Family,

Well, here I am in Sweet Home Alabama!

Everything here is going well. Well, it is now. I'm not going to lie, the first few days were really hard for me. Me and Elder Thayne are both visa waiters, and we are living in an apartment with two other elders who've been here for quite some time. The first day in the field, they took me and my companion up to an apartment complex and dropped us off. They said, "Okay go knock on some doors. We'll be back in four hours to pick you up." Neither of us knew what to do. I was scared out of my mind!

So, we just started knocking. It went better than I thought it would, the people here are very nice, especially the blacks and hispanics. Just about everyone is willing to at least listen or talk to you for a little while. The next few days were pretty much the same. I felt so lost. I did't know the area, the people, or enough spanish to maintain an effective conversation. It was really difficult, but it taught me to rely on Heavenly Father like I've never before had to. That experience taught me how to have faith. Real faith. Luckily, Elder Abac, one of the other elders living with us, told me that we'd be doing a lot of team-ups, which is where me and Elder Thayne go out with one of the more experienced missionaries. I've been going out with Elder Abac. He's so awesome. He's from Guatemala, and speaks really good english. We have a kind of trade off, he teaches me spanish, and I teach him english (: I've learned a lot from him about doing door approaches and the mechanics of being a missionary. Elder Thayne is great too. He's a really hard worker, and a very dilligent missionary. He's waiting to go to the Buenos Aires Sur (South) mission. I am assigned to a spanish area and we do go to a spanish branch and work with the spanish members. One family, the Frias family, is actually from Buenos Aires. They live three blocks from the temple! They're very excited that I'll be serving in their former home. The weather here is.... interesting. I honestly did not think it was possible for a human being to SWEAT so much. The humidity mixed with the heat is just incredible! It doesn't bother me too much, though. Or, I should say, I don't let it bother me. I am going to have very strong legs by the end of my stay here. We do have bikes that we ride frequently. The other two elders have a car, but we use the bikes for team ups and other things since only one of the elders had permission to drive. Riding bikes through the streets of Hoover (a part of Birmingham) is.... fun!!! =D There's no bike lanes, and virtually no crosswalks. I've had to learn the art of "urban biking." The first time me and Elder Thayne had to ride home on our own was pretty intesne. I had no idea what I was doing and neither did he, because he comes from a small town in Utah called Aldemont. After going out with Elder Abac, I learned how to do it right, so it's all good now. There are a LOT of hills here. Big hills. Very. Big. Which makes for good biking exercise! First gear has become my best friend (; I have 4 potential investigators now, two of which are very promising, and one of which me and Elder Thayne found on our own yesterday!!! I'm very excited. Him and I are going to teach our first lesson on our own tomorrow to a guy who's dating a member in our branch. He's not hispanic, but he comes with her to the branch meetings and uses the translator headphones to understand what's being said. I can understand about 50-60% of what's being said at this point. I'm going to be so much better at spanish by the time I get o Argentina. This Alabama mission will be such a blessing for me. I will only be that much more confident and prepared by the time I get to Argentina
I am still doing my exercises in the morning and my spanish is actually really really good for how new I am (according to Elder Abac). Living on my own (without parents) is a cool experience for me. I've found out that I actually know how to do a LOT more than I thought I would (thanks to awesome parents who made me do chores and learn how to cook and such). MY confidence level is so much higher now. All in all, I'm very happy. (: All is good here in beautiful Alabama. There's probably sooo much more I want to say, but I can't think of it right now. So much happens in a day, much less a week here. Hope to hear (start getting letters) from you soon!

para siempre dios este con vos

love,

elder jacob bentz

The Batman 

A little missionary stress relief? 

"Languages: Spanish, English, French, Italian, German"

Elder McBride from Gilbert

My Mission - Buenos Aires West, Argentina

Elder Jacob Bentz and Elder Taylor Reber