Berry, Benjamin T

So this week was greatish. I was sick last week, so that's why I didn't send an email. It was torture. It just lingered with me. My problem is, anytime someone tries to guess where I'm from, they always say I look like I'm from Utah. Like seriously? Do I LOOK like I'm from Utah? Don't answer that. People from Oklahoma are just the best. People treat me like a stray dog and they're always like, "you poor soul...almost dying to tornadoes," and I'm always like, "bruh it's not like that." I do miss the thunderstorms though. The weather here is either foggy or flipping a million degrees. Anyways, yeah I just bummed for a bit as my companion soloed all the service we signed up for the previous week. Shout-out to my comp Elder Kesler. We've been doing a lot of apartment finding/tracting, because it's the most effective and it's been fun to meet some pretty great people. We met two guys named JEFF back to back!! One was a past...

Well, everyone, I'm going home. Joking, I'm still out here—mwahaha. We got transfer news, and I'm staying here for another round in Exeter, and I'm excited for another transfer. We're mega working with inactives and part members right now, and it's popping off. Plus, my sweetie Elder Kesler is still with me, and he's a breeze to work with. My mission father, Elder Lovejoy, is going home, and my heart aches at his departure. He's waxed strong in his wisdom and age and will truly be remembered in the corner of my heart. RIP, my brother—I hope you can find a valentine. I always struggle to write these emails because I'm not sure what to say and how much detail y'all want to know about the work here. So I just usually tend to write my life's story. There are two things I've been focusing on: God's will and prayer. I think God's will is one of the hardest and most rewarding things ever. But it's so hard—1. To seek His will, and 2. ...

This week was a blur, and sometimes it do be like that. We had lots of success working with members because that's been a struggle in this ward a little bit. It's kind of the saying when 20% of the people do 80% of the work and vice versa. We're trying to get more members involved, and boy, it's hard to invigorate them with some drive for missionary work! But we've really been pushing it, and the stake presidency has been backing us in our efforts, and it's slowly but surely getting better. Nevertheless, waffles. I love waffles and pancakes. I think waffles are better because the texture is way better, and when I put the peanut butter, it fits in the little squares. We had a waffle social activity on Fast Sunday, and boy, the waffles were good. I accidentally got some Tajín on my waffles. It was good to see some members there that don't always come to the social activities. We were on our way to dinner when this Dodge Dakota pulled up speedily next to us and...

What's up? It's ya boy Chips Ahoy! Anyways, not quite sure what to write this week, but I'm glad I still have my fingers to write with. These past weeks have been good, and we saw some success in the work. This area is pretty hard, but the members are goated, and it's cool to see some of our labors come to fruition. I went on exchange and got invited into this house, and they had a whole mariachi band in there. I got to play the drums for them, and they were impressed and accepted me into their band. Unfortunately, half of them were drunk, so I don't know if I'll stay in the band. We were able to have lots of people come to church this week, and it was awesome! We've been doing a lot of inactive work and were able to bring someone back to church who had not been in almost 30 years! We also found new people to teach this week, which was a great hope because that's been a struggle in this area. We also did some service for a lady who had left the church, w...

Anywho, sorry if this email isn't my best work. This week was good down here in Exeter! This week was fun because we talked to lots of people! However, it's so hard for some reason to find people to teach. People will talk to us and stuff but aren't interested in anything to do with the gospel. But we've had lots of success with members and less actives. We went up to Three Rivers in the mountains to clip some goat hooves for a lady we've been teaching, and it was fun! I would grab and wrangle the goat between my legs while the lady, Ashni, clipped the hooves. It was fun until the goat got bored, looked up at you with a blank stare, and tried munching on your shirt. Later, we helped with the chickens, and I got pooped on, of course. I remember when I was younger in school, we went on a field trip to the OKC zoo and had a "zoo snooze." We stayed overnight, and it was hype! Anyways, I remember going into the bird enclosure and getting pooped on by some parro...

Anyways, this week felt long. I feel like the first week of a transfer always feels long, but it was good to say the least. I'm companions with Elder Kesler, and it's awesome! He is such a charitable missionary, and I really admire his desire to do work and help others feel the love of the Savior. He does absolutely nothing to take away from the Spirit. I will say, because his legs are long, it's very easy to kick a rock between his legs as we walk. This area is good, and the members are starting to like me, hopefully. I think sometimes they can't tell I'm joking because I joke around all the time. Personally, I think they just see me as competition. I was having a rough day the other day, thinking, "Hm, this area is difficult, and we're really struggling to find prepared people here." Then later that night, on a Zoom meeting, President shared the classic Ether 12:6: "6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show...

Hey everyone, I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I apologize for not sending an email last week, but here I am. These past few weeks have just been different than the rest of my mission (in a good way). I've been out for about 9 months now! I'm halfway done with a sister mission! Jkjk This Christmas season has been quite remarkable, and I can't remember a time in my life so focused on Jesus Christ, especially on His humble birth. I feel the Spirit every time I read and ponder on His beloved coming into this world. On Christmas, we actually didn't have any plans besides some that morning, so we got with other elders and went caroling for about 4 hours and saw tons and tons of members and friends. Everyone answered the door except one. It's funny because we sang the same song, "Silent Night," each time. We got Burger King too, and it was lit. We got transfer news, and I'm staying in Exeter, CA. Elder Quigley is leaving, and I'll be with Elder Kes...