One Crazy Week

Dear family,

Sounds like you all had a fun week! The tough mudder looks like it was a blast! We'll all have to do it sometime!

That's so funny that this week went by fast for you, because it was really slow over here! It was mostly just CRAZY, so time went by slower. Let me start at the beginning:

Monday night I was folding our laundry from early, when all of a sudden Hermanas Boyd and Quintana come out of their room and toss their phone at me, both of them crying. Immediately, I knew something bad was going to happen, and when I saw President's name on the phone, I knew someone was either leaving, or someone had died. So I picked up the phone and talked to President, and he had me put it on speaker. He explained to us that hermana Fischetti (remember her from like a year ago) is super sick and has to end her mission 9 weeks early. Problem is that that leaves her companion companion-less. This companion is also a brand new missionary. So President felt like Hermana Quintana needed to be emergency transferred to go up and finish training this new missionary, and that she would go to her new area Wednesday morning. So we spent the night crying, and then Wednesday morning we drove Hermana Quintana to San Jose to be picked up by her new trainee. It was really sad. So that left Hermana Boyd, Hermana G-G and I back in a trio, but this time covering two areas. Problem is that our areas are pretty far away from each other, and there's usually lots of traffic getting from one to the other. So we have been left with the challenge of working in both areas, reporting numbers separately, trying to find members to come help us, and dividing time between the two areas. Lets just say it's been insane. It's super hard, because we all have things that we need to do in our different areas, but trying to condense that down so we can work 50-50 in each area is really difficult. But we're working on it, and we think we have something figured out. in two weeks we'll go back up to 4 missionaries, but the two weeks will be hard. But we'll do it! It's been really fun though. 

Friday we got to have our ward Cultural night activity in honor of the 16 of September, which is Mexican Independence day. I bet you all thought that was 5 de Mayo huh? Well, it's actually el 16 de septiembre! surprise! But we had a fun activity, and you got to see the videos and everything. We got special permission to do the dance, and it was super fun. I felt like a real Mexican. :) Just kidding. But it was really fun to be able to participate and learn a little bit about the culture. They also asked the missionaries to sing something, so that was fun too. :) The member that keeps sending you videos and pictures is Hermana Martinez. Her son is serving in SLC so she is super good to missionaries, and always wants to send pictures and videos home to parents--she gets it. :) She's a sweetheart. I love her so much! 

Then on Sunday we found out that the sewer pipes had been backed up at our church building, and the carpets needed to be cleaned and none of the bathrooms were working. So church was cancelled, and we spent an hour yesterday morning calling and texting the whole ward and getting information on different spanish services. We ended up going and visiting in a little branch that's pretty close to our house. A lot of our members were there too, and it was really fun. I think we tripled the attendance of the branch yesterday. :) 

It's been a crazy week, but a big learning experience and I'm grateful for every minute. I hope you all have a great week. Good luck with final mission preparations, with school, with work, and whatever else you have going on! I love you all, and hope you have a fantastic week!

Love,

Hermana Bingham

Here are the pictures and videos I received from Hermana Martinez this week: 

1 Hacker Way

Dear family,

I'm glad you got the pictures from Hermana Ponce. She is an active member that we work with a lot because she's going through a really rough time right now. She's a sweetheart and takes good care of us. In the pictures we are about to eat some pan dulce, so basically bread with lots of sugar on top. That specific one we were eating is called a concha. It's super delicious. Usually you eat them with hot chocolate or milk or coffee if you aren't Mormon. :) I would suggest hot chocolate. But the good Mexican kind. Don't worry, I'll bring some home. :) Probably not the bread, because it would get stale. We'll just have to ask the Finkenthals where a good panaderia is. :) Or I'll just go to the Mexican stores. they'll probably have it. :)

That's so crazy that Bryce is leaving in two and a half weeks! and shortly after that I'll be starting my second to last transfer. Crazy! It's so weird how fast time flies. Bryce, the mission will the the longest, hardest, but shortest thing you have ever done. That sounds really weird, but I'm serious. Days are long, but the weeks and months and transfers FLY by. You'll be so exhausted, but you won't want to trade it for the world. And then at the end of your time, you'll wish you had more. Trust me. So just live it up from the first minute. Enjoy EVERYTHING! 

I'm super excited to come home and help you with those sealings! It will be super fun. I'll just live in the temple my first week home. Sound good? We'll do all the names you can find, and then go home and find more! I'm excited. I miss being able to go to the temple all the time. 

This week has been full of miracles AGAIN! Wow, this area is amazing. So I was all stressed out this week because Amada and Bernardo are now members, so the problem of "what do we do now?" arouse. But only for a second, because we know we just have to go find. But sometimes it's stressful! But we were do blessed for our diligence. I was on exchanges up in Menlo Park on Thursday, and Hermana GG and another sister went and stopped by Adriana's house. Adriana is a recently re-activated member that introduced Amada and Bernardo to the gospel. She lives with the father (Andres) of her two girls, who is not a member. They are planning on getting married in November (hopefully we can push that up). So Andres has not really been interested in learning more. We've taught him a couple times, and the last time we went we thought that there was no potential there. That he was completely uninterested, and that we needed to give him some time. But, on Thursday when Hermana GG stopped by, he was there. And he was a totally different person. He brought out chairs for them, smiled, was happy, and told them he was planning on coming to church on Sunday, because he asked for Sundays off. They only had time to talk him for a minute, but then on Sunday he showed up to church, and was a COMPLETELY different person. He was happy, and he really enjoyed it! Then Sunday night we talked to him more, and taught him the restoration. He was really interested, had a smile on his face the whole time, and said that he wants to gain a testimony of his own. He wants to know for himself. He accepted a baptismal invitation, and is going to pray about a date. It was a miracle. He is completely changed. The Lord really does soften people's hearts and has prepared people to receive the gospel. It was such a testimony building experience. 

Thanks for all the support and love you give. I love you all, and I pray for you all the time. I hope you have a fantastic week. Love you!

Love,

Hermana Bingham

Amada gave us ice cream, and 10 year old Nicole topped it with a cheezit. Yum

Drove past FB headquarters while in Menlo Park on exchanges. No big deal. 

Amada and Bernardo

Hello family!

Yesterday I kept thinking about how Bryce was giving his farewell talk! That's so crazy!! I bet he did wonderfully! I would love a copy of the talk! (hint to Bryce). Also, if you want any information about Argentina, we have a member of our ward from Argentina, and she said you could give her a call. Her name is Claudia Auxier, and her english is really good, so no worries there! But if you want to ask her some questions, she is up for it. She has some family in Mendoza so maybe she can give you a few hints as to what to expect. Her number is (650) 400-2169. 

Our week was awesome. Amada and Bernardo got baptized!!! It was so incredible! Their 10 year old daughter Nicole didn't though, but that's alright. That was super up in the air. Nicole has some learning disabilities, and her mental stage is that of a 3 or 4 year old. But she retains information about Christ, and how we can live with him in the sun someday, and she knows baptism makes you clean, and she LOVES learning about Joseph Smith. They found the Joseph Smith movie on youtube for her. She's adorable. She wants to be baptized, but she wants to wait a while. President Mella met her and said she could get baptized now or later, but he would baptize her now, but Amada and Bernardo decided to let her pick (they had wanted her to wait and learn a little more so that she understands what she's doing). Nicole decided she wanted to wait and get baptized with her little sister. Problem is that Diana is only 6. so we're going to keep working and see if we can get Nicole baptized before I go home. :) But Amada and Bernardo got baptized, and it was incredible experience. Even the baptismal service was focused on the temple. They talked about how they were so excited to get sealed, and the RS president gave them a picture of the temple, the bishop talked about their sealing... it was incredible. President Mella's big focus has been "Beginning with the end in mind" and to me, the Chavez family really has done that. They have begun with the end in mind. They temple is the centerpiece of their conversion, and they are doing everything they can to get there. they come to ever activity, participate in church, read their scriptures and pray as a family, they hung up a "Family: Proclamation to the world" in their home, along with pictures of them at the temple... wow. They have allowed the gospel to enter into their home and change their lives. It's amazing. I just feel so blessed to be a part of their story. The other day they asked when I go home, so I told them December, and they asked if we can have a big reunion in January. They want us to come back quick. But I promised them I would be back for their sealing. So just so ya'll know, I will need to be back in California the end of next August or the beginning of next September. That's something I can't miss. :) It's just so incredible to see the changes in their lives. Yesterday was Amada's birthday, and it was so perfect. she received the gift of the Holy Ghost on her birthday. But we got to talk to them about how they felt after, and they feel this new found sense of energy--like they aren't tired and feel like they've been on vacation. :) They are the sweetest family, and are making so many changes in their lives. We have a recent convert temple baptism trip this Saturday, and we're hoping to get them to come to that. And then Bernardo will start preparing to receive the priesthood really soon here. Bishop is on top of things. It's so amazing. 

It's been a good week. This upcoming week we're going to have to do a lot of finding, because our most progressing investigators just got baptized! But we are also very excited to work with the family to teach the recent convert lessons, and to help Nicole prepare for baptism. Keep her in your prayers so that she'll be able to get baptized soon! 

I love you all, and I hope you have a fantastic week. Keep going to the temple, and keep up the good work with everything else! Endure to the End!!! Yeah! Have a great Labor day, and a great week! 

Lots of love,

Hermana Bingham

Familia Chavez, Hermana GG and me, and Bishop Haight.

La familia Chavez with Adriana Mayoral and her daughters Genesis and Andrea. They are the members that introduced Amada and Bernardo to the church!

Communication and Humility

Hey family!

Wow, what a crazy week. Sounds like you had fun too with school starting and everything. That's so crazy, everybody is growing up! Jayson driving to school, Kyla is wearing makeup (you look beautiful by the way hermanita!), Bryce isn't even IN school... crazy! 

So there was an earthquake here a couple nights ago, you're right. I unfortunately didn't feel it. I've always wanted to feel a small one. And every time one has happened at home, or here, I'm always sleeping. Just my luck right? Just as long as I'm not in a big one though. :)

Afton is engaged? To Brandon Taylor? Wow. Tell them congrats for me if you see them! It's super crazy to see everyone getting engaged right and left. We like to keep up on the missionary gossip out here, and when a missionary that served here goes home and gets engaged, we all find out. People get married super fast. Remember Sister Craig? She got home, got engaged 3 weeks later, and got married less than 9 weeks after that. So less than two transfers after being home, she was married. Weird right? Especially since she didn't really date the guy before. but they knew each other. It was interesting! But they're happy, and that's all that matters right?

Sounds like education week was fun too. I love quinoa. It's delicious. But yeah, expensive. They also make quinoa pasta. I saw it at grocery outlet last week. So that's fun!

So I know you all want to know what happened with transfers, so I'll cut to the chase. I stayed companions with hermana G-G and we're staying in our area, and Hermana Boyd got a new companion-- Hermana Quintana (I served with her in Monterey! She's awesome), and they are taking over on the the elders areas, while the elders are in a trio. It's fun. The poor hermanas are so stressed and so tired, but they are working really hard, and I know that things will get figured out soon. That means that there are 4 of us in our 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment though, which always makes things fun. We got a bunk bed, and had to rearrange all of our furniture, but it was really fun. And now our apartment is dejunked of all the former missionary clutter, and it's clean and fresh! Yay!

So the most exciting news of the week is that Amada and Bernardo decided to get baptized this Saturday the 30th of August. We are SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited! They are both progressing so much. We had a little scare though. Bernardo didn't understand the whole word of wisdom thing. He didn't get why we can't drink coffee since it's natural and from the earth and everything. So that first lesson didn't go super well because of a few different things. But we met with him the next morning, and focused on faith, and blessings that come from our obedience. He agreed to stop drinking coffee, or at least try his best. That's all we can ask right? But he was totally good with tithing, and now we just have to teach the small things. It will be an exciting, exhausting week. :)

Something that I've been thinking a lot about this week is communication and humility. Sometimes, having a companion is hard. Really hard. And my companion and I have a bit of a struggle communicating. There are a lot of times where we have a slight disagreement or something, and she just stops talking. And I try to talk to her about it, and she won't really talk. Or she just justifies her actions, her point of view. Now to solve the problem, I have to apologize for whatever it is that I did wrong. But I haven't gotten a single apology this week, even though I try to be open and tell her that when she does x, it makes me feel sad, or I don't really appreciate it, or whatever. And sometimes it's hard to be the bigger person. But I think Heavenly Father is teaching me patience. And how to communicate. In Relief Society yesterday the lesson was on marriage. And the sisters were talking about communication, and how it takes tolerance, and humilty. Obviously we aren't perfect, and neither is our spouse/companion. Sometimes we have to apologize, even if we didn't do anything wrong. Even though it's hard. We have to be the bigger person, and step up to the plate. Lead by example. communicate with them, even if they don't communicate with you. I have my weaknesses, so does she, but if I want the companionship to work, I have to do my best. Even when it's hard. It may sound like something I should've learned a long time ago, but it's been on my mind, and I'm having to relearn it. :)

Thanks for all the love and support. I love you all, and I hope you have a fantastic week! 

lots of love,

Hermana Bingham

Here are the pictures are of our early morning hike today. 8.77 miles! I'm exhausted. :)

Begin With The End In Mind

Hello family!

It's been an amazing week. Wow. First off, I'm so excited that Bryce went to the temple. What an awesome experience. Before we know it Jayson and Kyla will be there too. That's crazy. I miss going to the temple every week. I honestly think that is one of the hardest things about a mission--we don't get to go to the temple very often. And we are some of the luckier ones, we get to go do a session before general conference, and we can take investigators up to the outside! Oh, and if someone we taught and baptized gets sealed or receives their endowments while we're still here, we can get permission to go. We're so blessed. But every time I go, I get really homesick when I leave. Especially because I know I won't go for another 6 months. So take advantage of it. Go often! Enjoy the blessings of living so close to so many temples!!

So the highlight of this week is that Amada and Bernardo got married on Friday! It was such an incredible experience. They were so happy, and glowing, and we can already see the difference it has made in their lives. They've changed so much, and it's all from repenting and keeping the law of chastity! And they have the goal of the temple. For their wedding gift from us, we printed out some of the pictures from our day at the temple and bought a frame to put them in, and displayed it at the wedding. They were so happy. They told their family about it, and it was a great teaching opportunity. Even though they aren't members, they both sat and talked with us and their family about eternal families, and how that is their goal. It was like teaching a member present lesson without a member. It was awesome! But really, the change in them is incredible. And on Saturday the came to a baptism, and then we taught them a lesson afterwords, and they are just so happy! And they were talking about having us come back and visit after we all go home, and we told them we would for sure be back for their sealing, and they got so excited. :) And yesterday Amada told us that they are thinking about August 31st for their baptism. That's so soon! They are making so much progress. I'm so excited for them. Really, they are the greatest! they just make my week, every week. I feel so blessed to be able to work with them. They are amazing, and I know the Lord has prepared them. I just feel grateful to have the chance to know them. And I am so grateful that they are progressing towards the temple. Presdient Mella has been really wanting us to "Begin with the end in mind." (there is a talk about that from the mission presidents seminar.) With the Chavez family, I really truly believe that we are beginning with the end in mind. Our goal is the temple. And they are going to get there. 

In other news, we will be picking up a 4th sister tomorrow, and splitting into two companionships. I can't tell you much more than that, because I don't know anything. But it will be super fun. I hope you all have a fantastic week. I love you all!

Love,

Hermana Bingham

The Chavez family!

us and the happy couple! 

The Spirit and the Temple

Hello family!

Thanks for all the letters this week! It's crazy that school is starting so soon! The summer flew by! I'm excited that summer is over, because that means less people will be on vacation. :) Which means more people will be at home for us to teach! 

Bryce is going to the temple on Friday! That is so exciting! Don't worry Bryce, you'll love it. You go in not knowing much, but you'll figure it all out, and you'll understand the sacredness of the temple. It's my favorite place in the whole world.

This week has been a great one. Wow. Speaking of the temple, we got to go yesterday! We took Amada and Bernardo and their daughters. They are getting married on Friday, so this was PERFECT for them. Really, it was a game changer. Amada is ready to get baptized. But Bernardo has been a little more hesitant. But he felt the spirit so strongly while we were there. It was incredible. And now he understands the spirit, and how this gospel is what he wants. And he actually wants to work towards baptism now. I'm so excited for them. Hopefully they'll get baptized here soon. We're working really hard with them. It was so incredible to see the change that took place in him while we were at church, and then at the temple. It was amazing. It really testified to me that the spirit changes people. And of the spirit that is there at the temple. We didn't even have to go inside to feel something incredibly different. And I appreciate it a lot more now since I don't get to go to the temple as often. But wow, it was amazing. We basically took their engagement pictures for them outside the temple. It was so fun. I'll send home some of my favorites. 

At the Visitor's Center we were able to watch the hour long Joseph Smith movie. And as I was watching it, it was amazing to feel how tangible the spirit is. We were watching the part about the first vision, and Joseph was in the grove praying, and Satan comes and tries to overtake him. And it was dark. Like, the cinematography didn't have much light, but the spirit wasn't really there either. I didn't like the feeling. But then, as soon as I saw the pillar of light burst through the darkness, I was overcome with this feeling of peace. It was so interesting to see how the spirit works. Throughout the rest of the movie, when there was a scene with yelling, or the scenes with persecution, the spirit wasn't there. When Joseph was in Liberty jail, you hear the voice of Satan talking to him, and it's just dark. But as soon as the voice of the Lord jumps in, there is an overwhelming spirit of peace. After that, my companions and I were talking about how the spirit is driven away so quickly when there is contention or loudness. That's something I really want to always have. I want to be sensitive to the spirit, and be able to feel him leave, so that I know what I need to do to have it back. It was an incredible experience, and I'm so grateful I had it. I'm grateful for the constant guidance of the spirit, and the heightened sensitivity I have as a missionary. I'm learning a lot. 

I love you all, and I hope you have a fantastic week. Always remember to live so that the spirit can be where ever you are. :)

Love you!

Hermana Bingham

 last monday. We made yummy lunch!

 last monday. piggy backs!

 some deal, huh?

 Matching in blue, dinner at a pupusaria

Youth from the Menlo Park Stake. We helped them with their youth conference

 and they came on splits with me!

Chavez family - Bernardo, Diana, Nicole and Amada

 All of us in front of the Christus

 Selfie!

The Chavez familia

 I caught this precious moment... So cute!

 Us and the girlies

 Us and the whole family

 Cool name tag picture

 So CUTE! I love them!!

 The whole group again

 Beautiful sunset

One more selfie

August Already!

Holy Crap! It's August!

Wow, I cannot believe how fast time is flying! July just FLEW by! It sounds like you all are feeling it too. I mean, Bryce is giving his farewell talk on the 31st! He only has tw omonths left! That's crazy! Jayson and Kyla are starting school again soon! Wow, I can't believe it. Life is coming fast people. Really fast. 

I'm so glad you got to see Myley this week! I'm glad she's going to come over too. It will help you get a little bit of an idea of what to expect, and it will get her out of the house. It will be good for everyone. :) And Bryce can get some pre-mission pump up stories! 

That's crazy that all those sacrament meetings will be missionary speakers again. I guess it makes sense, people left, now they're coming back. But I didn't think Matt and Conner left that long before I did. I guess they did though. I just have a really terrible memory. Wow, that's crazy. We're all old now. WEIRD!

Anyways, this week was a really good week. We had a really good MLC (Mission leadership council) and we got to talk a lot about consecration. And it really made me just want to be better. I want to be even more consecrated, and just give EVERYTHING to the Lord. I would say throughout my mission, I've given a very good chunk of my all, but honestly I haven't been completely 100% consecrated. I've had the desire to be, but sometimes I think about home, sometimes I worry about things that I don't really need to waste my time with. I worry about the past, when really, I need to look at what I'm doing right now, and devote 110% of it to the Lord. That is what I want. I'm in my last area, and I want nothing more than to give my all to Him. I want to work harder than I've ever worked before, and be more obedient than I ever have before. I want to testify with more power, I want to be more bold, I want to do my all to bring others to Christ. So that's what I'm going to do. consecrate myself. And I know that if I do, I'll see miracles here. In Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21 it says "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." As we are obedient, and consecrate ourselves to the Lord, we will see blessings. I know that is true. With all my heart. 

I love you all. I hope you have a fantastic week!

Love,

hermana Bingham

p.s. Just in case you would like to go, President and Sister Watkins will be giving there homecoming talk (finally) Sunday, August 10th at 11 a.m. The address is 1125 E. Alpine Blvd. 

Alpine, UT