Australians are so weird sometimes

Happy Father's Day!!!!!!!! You see, I am EXTREMELY GLAD that I was reminded because here in Australia, FATHER'S DAY ISN'T IN JUNE!!!!!! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHEN IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, talk about a week! The only things that you really need to know about are how we picked up 2 more baptismal dates!!! So, we are up to 4 dates!!! 2 on the 3rd of July, and 2 on the 31st of July. It should be a very exciting transfer! You may be wondering though, wait, WHO WILL IT BE WITH. Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in the history of the Mission of Elder Connor Evan Bennion he is getting a REPEAT COMPANION! Elder Makai and I will be together for at least another 6 weeks and that is BECAUSE WE HAVE WORK TO DO!

Here's more about our 4 dates:

1. Guan (July 3rd). Chinese University student who has an OUTSTANDING belief in Jesus Christ, and said the line of the century when we asked if he was going back to China soon, he said, 'I'm going back in December, and when I go back, I'm going to build the LDS Church there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He hasn't even been baptized!!! He's so awesome!!!!!

2. Ali (July 3rd). We contacted Ali about 3 weeks ago and left him with a Mormon.org card not really thinking anything of it, but because the Lord prepares His children, Ali went and researched the website, and then approached us about a week ago and said, "YOU NEED TO BAPTIZE ME!" He is amazing and honestly wants to be baptized. Here's the scary part, he is from Iran and when he told his family he was getting baptized they practically disowned him. But, he said that he doesn't care he knows that this is true!!!!!!

3. and 4. Leo and Wang (July 3rd). These two practically have the exact same background! They are practically the same person! Both University students who are going back to China form about the 10th of July to the 18th, so, we had to push their dates back to the 31st which is actually the LAST DAY of this transfer.

That's really all that you need to know. Honestly. It has been a GREAT week and the week that lies ahead will be even better.

I LOVE AND THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND YOUR LOVE!!!!!!

Love, From Down Under,

Elder Connor E. Bennion 

Lord works miracles

I apologize in advance that I am an AWFUL emailer!

It's as easy as this- I am currently serving the City, and I wanted to leave about a week ago. I was TIRED OF THE CITY! But, now, I can't leave the City! IT's the best place in the Mission!!! We have 2 Baptismal Dates! One is named Guan who is set for the 3rd of July, and hen another is named, 'Wang" and although we just met him on Saturday, he is on date for the 26th of June!!! Plus, Elder Makai and I reconnected with 3 past baptismal dates that just STRAIGHT UP dropped us. Now, they are willing to listen, and want to learn more. They want to be baptized again! The Lord works ABSOLUTE MIRACLES! And the City is full of them! We now have our VERY OWN teaching space. Lterally probably the biggest news, and biggest addition in the History of the Australia Adelaide Mission. The City Zone goal of Baptisms for the year 2016 is 80. We are currently at 6. Because of City Headquarters, we are going to reach the goal of 80. I will be one of the Pioneers of City Headquarters, and this is going to change Missionary Work in the City for the rest of eternity! THAT'S THE MOST NEWS I COULD TELL YOU! It is actually the last week of the transfer, so, we will see if Elder Makai and I get to stay together. I hope so, because we have PLENTY of work to do! I cannot WAIT to see what the Lord has in store for this Mission.

Love, From Down Under,
Elder Connor E. Bennion

Birthday lunch with Brother and Sister Pearce (Plus their son and friend)

Churro's for Elder Makai's Birthday (Well the day before(Which was May 29th!(I couldn't send pictures for the LONGEST TIME!!!)))

Birthday Cake at the Berridge's on May 29th (Elder Makai's Birthday)

Another picture of the cake (IT WAS AMAZING CAKE!)

Another week in Paradise

In all actuality, bad news father- South Australia gets FREEZING in the Winter. Okay, maybe an exaggeration, but, IT GETS COLD HERE when you are getting DUMPED on in the rain. But, this is Australia! Beautiful Zion. It's been another GREAT week building the Lord's Kingdom. Once again, it's not exactly that AMAZING things happen, more so, that it is just MIRACULOUS to see people who are willing to learn the Gospel. I am still trying to keep my head above water because we are sinking just a little bit. We had one of our Investigators named Matthew who was on Date for the 19th of June say that he was an atheist, so he dropped us completely. Another two dates: Jharny and Ivana who are mother and daughter were sick ALL week, so we didn't get to meet with them, and aren't quite sure if they are still wanting to get baptized, so, for now, they are not categorized as Baptismal Dates, and lastly, Jake who does want to be baptized DOES NOT have a phone, so, we have no way of contacting him, so, currently are one and only Baptismal Date is Guan who is now set for the 3rd of July because exams are all during the week of his original Baptism Date which was the 19th of June. THROUGH ALL OF THIS, THE LORD PROVIDES, AND IS ALWAYS AWARE OF US! There was this guy his name is Ali (Pronounced Ally(I fear he might be gay)) who I have talked to before about two weeks ago, and when I was walking by him on the street the other day, he stopped me and was like, BROTHER! YOU'VE GOT TO BAPTIZE ME!!!!! WHAT?!!!!!!! THAT'S A FIRST!!!! So, we have our first meeting with him tonight, so, FINGERS CROSSED! I LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH, and I LOVE DOING THIS WORK!!!!!!

Love, From Down Under,

Elder Connor E. Bennion

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

So, it was Elder Makai's Birthday on Sunday, so there are some pictures over the week of the celebrations. Some were dinner or lunch with members, and some are just fun.

For the week, nothing much to report. In way of fulfilling a request:

Baptismal Dates are ALL scheduled for the 19th of June (Last Day of the Transfer).

#1 and #2: Jharny and Ivana: I may have told you a little about Jharny, but she is about 28, she lives in the City, and Elder Makai and his trainer found Jharny and her little girl Ivana when he started his mission in the city about a year ago! We went and visited her and discovered that Ivana is turning 8 on June 19th, so, WE COMMITTED THEM TO BAPTISM! We still have plenty of work to do, but I know that the Lord works miracles for those who open their hearts!

#3: Guan: Guan is an interesting guy. He is about 22, he is chinese, and he goes to Adelaide University, so he is UP TO HIS EYEBALLS with schoolwork, but has a great understanding, and a GREAT desire to follow Jesus Christ. I will try to get a picture with our dates, but, if it hinders the work, IT MUST BE STOPPED! Just a fair warning.

#4: Matthew: OH MATHEW! Matthew also is Chinese, is up to his eyeballs in Uni work, and has a GREAT desire to follow Jesus Christ but can't QUITE find the drive to learn who Jesus Christ REALLY is. I know however that God has prepared him. We actually met Matthew through his friend Ben. Ben met with us once, and then brought his friend Matthew. Ironically enough, Ben no longer meets with us. BUT, we will see if we can change that!

#5: Jake: Jake actually follows practically the EXACT same pattern as Matthew because, Matthew brought Jake to one of the Lessons, and Jake was like, man, I want to be baptized. One minor road-block...you guessed it: Chinese. It's not very popular or even encouraged for Chinese to be involved in Religion, but, the Lord has prepared him. A minor miracle with Jake was how we actually lost contact with him, and then in China Town the other day he was like, "Bennion?" HE CONTACTED ME! He was like, it's so good to see you, so, I asked him straight up, Jake, we lost your phone number, do you still to meet and be baptized on the 19th? He was like, "Yeah". SO, BACK TO WORK!

ALL 5 OF THESE SOULS HAVE COME TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS CHRIST, NOW IT IS MY DUTY, MY PRIVILEGE TO BRING THEM UNTO HIM. I love to be a Missionary. Keep me in your prayers, and I will continue to feel of His love, and yours. If you need ANYTHING, don't hesiate to ask. I walk with Jesus Christ everyday, He is seeking those who need His love. Allow me to help you, as I learn how to lose myself in His marvelous work.

LOVE, From Down Under,

Elder Connor E. Bennion