May 5th

I was transferred to Boxhill (aka little Beijing...about 75% of the people we see on the streets are Chinese) and I am loving it! I am in a threesome with Sister W (a new missionary fresh from the MTC) and Sister G (reunited! :) ). They are both fantastic missionaries and I have already learned a lot from them. We have seen many many miracles this last week. Here is one:

Last Wednesday, we were heading home at around 8:30pm and noticed that we had about 10 minutes until the train that took us near our home came. Sister G suggested that we go out on the street to talk to people for a few minutes as we waited. Within five minutes, we had already found two people who were willing to met up appointments for the next weekend. One of them was Lucy. Sister G stopped her as she was walking to the store and she had very enthusiastically set an appointment and gave Sister G huge hug and her number. We had a chapel tour with her the next week and she recorded the whole thing on her phone because she "did not want to forget anything we said." She loves the fact that our church does not have any crosses and that we put an emphasis on Jesus Christ's life instead of His death and is willing to be baptized later this month. She came to church the next day with her daughter and said she will bring another friend next week. Our experience with her has really given me a strong testimony of the importance of "using the minutes."

Scripture of the week: Alma 5:33.

33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto ^aall men, for the ^barms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.

I love this verse so much!! I get in the habit sometimes of thinking of repentance as something depressing (eq. I did something wrong and need to repent). But repentance's true meaning is taking the Savior's arms of mercy and, through Him, changing and having a fullness of joy. I also love how the first part of the scripture is phrased because, as members of the church and disciples of Jesus Christ, we are the Lord's invitation unto all men. It is through us that everyone can feel the love of God.

Love you all! Have a great week!

-Sister Bennion