Copy of Church Newsletter Article

I have been remiss in updating Ben's blog on a regular basis and with Christmas upon us I decided to post the most recent article I submitted to our church newsletter.

When we last left Elder Corbett back in October he had just been made senior companion and given a “verdecito” to train. Soon thereafter, we received a nice letter from his mission president and his wife, President and Sister Olsen, in which they informed us of this new assignment and noted, “Training a new missionary is a very sacred responsibility. The Lord and we are confident that Elder Corbett is prepared.”

Elder Corbett has been challenged by this new assignment as his companion’s Spanish is limited and he is quite shy. He noted that initially he was having to do the bulk of the teaching, but since then his companion has made good progress. And they have been working hard and right from the beginning. Benjamin noted that his companion got two huge blisters on his feet after the first week there.

One inspiring experience they had during the first weeks was an immediate answer to their prayers. Benjamin indicates that “This morning before we left we decided to pray specifically for a man who was married, humble and willing to go to church. An hour into proselyting we found a man who I first walked past, but feeling like I needed to talk to him, I turned around. He ended up being really interested, well-off, and educated. We asked him if he would go to church and he said he would. An answer to our prayers. Even if he doesn’t go to church this Sunday, I know it was an answer to our prayers. We felt so great afterwards!”

One of the highlights in November was the baptism of the Luna family. You may recall that Elder Corbett and his companion helped the couple get married in October. Well they and their 14 year old daughter were finally baptized and a week later the father received the Aaronic Priesthood and passed the sacrament. Benjamin also reported that one sister that he baptized back in October, gave her first talk in Sacrament meeting and did an excellent job. He was very proud of her.

Another special experience in November was meeting a young woman who was introduced to them by some members. He reported, “We had an awesome lesson with Mariela. It was really spiritual. We taught about the gospel of Jesus Christ in the house of a member family.” A few days later Mariela introduced them to her boyfriend and they gave him the first lesson. Benjamin notes that it was great as Mariela helped them teach it and bore her testimony that she knew it was true. He concluded by writing that at the end of that day, “We got home happy for the hard work we had done during the past week!”

They have had the chance to do service for members and non-members alike. They have generally been helping people with their large farm gardens and he and his companions have been learning good farming techniques.. Most recently Ben reported, "Today we went to do some service for the boss of one of the members. She asked if we could come by to sacar some yuyo..or take out weeds. Well we showed up and instead of some yuyo..it was more of a forest! It was massive. With the four of us we got hacked, and racked, and pulled out all the weeds. A 3 and a half hour project! There were huge ants, spiders, and beetles everrrrrywhere!"

Elder Corbett continues to have interesting experiences in which he learns more about the way of life of the people in Deán Funes. For example, “ We have been working with a couple of inactive families trying to get them to come back.. One of them is the Family Arrieta. Today we went to their house and they were boiling lamb heads. We tried some; the tongue. It was really good. At least I liked it. I think Elder Bushnell was pretty grossed out. Just the thought of eating tongue.”

(DISCLAIMER: The following pictures are graphic and may cause you to lose your appetite or if you are currently eating may cause you to lose your lunch! Don't say we didn't try to warn you! It's more than I got! -Elizabeth)

Before:

Cooking:

Final Product: YUM YUM!

Benjamin has found the zone conferences that they have every 6 weeks to be a source of great inspiration and knowledge. He reported that in one conference last month the mission president spoke much about the power of the Book of Mormon and how they needed to use it more. At that conference they received a new “folleto”(pamphlet) to help them explain to their investigators what it is. And in their most recent one President Olsen dressed up as Santa Claus and his wife as his chief elf, and they handed out a gift to each missionary, shorts(basketball?) with the mission logo on it.

The weather has been quite warm as it is getting closer to summer. One day it hit 107 and Benjamin observed that “It was so hot my sweat was sweating! [And} I’m losing weight; the fat just sweats right off!” But the temperature does vary, with several days in the 90’s followed by a number in the 70’s.

On December 1st Benjamin celebrated his 20th birthday(“You’re not a teen anymore! Or was the title of that oldie but goody “You’re not a kid anymore”?). Two member families had him over for a nice dinner with a birthday cake and then at the end of the day the other missionary companions surprised him with a cake and decorations. Then, a couple of days later at a zone conference, all the missionaries sang “Happy Birthday” to him and Sister Olsen gave him a brownie. Benjamin said it only could have been better if his family and friends had been there.

This past week the Corbett family was thrilled to receive a Christmas package from Benjamin. He sent us a nice letter along with a variety of snack food that is popular in Argentina. For example, a container of dulce de leche(caramel), which is something that Argentines love to use with cakes, cookies, etc. He sent us a few “alfajores”, very typical cookies, which consist of two round sweet wafers or cake joined together with dulce de leche or jam and covered with powered sugar or chocolate frosting. It is kind of like a “Moon Pie” . He also sent us a snack pack of Oreos, with dulce de leche filling(only in Argentina). He also sent some orange, lemon, grapefruit flavored Tang and a couple of bon bons(peanut butter crème filled chocolates). We were also glad to learn that he got the Christmas gifts that we had sent him about 4 weeks ago.

As Elder Corbett approaches his first Christmas in the mission field he certainly misses his family and friends, but he is feeling the true Spirit of Christmas. He has indicated that they have four investigators, the brother of Brother Luna(mentioned above) and his wife and son, plus a woman, Adela, who are to be baptized the day after Christmas.

We want you to know that Elder Corbett truly appreciates the letters he has received from everyone.

Ben's 20th Birthday

Today is Ben's 20th Birthday! I just wanted to write a quick something about Ben! He is such a fun guy! He loves soccer and people. Ben is friendly with everyone that he meets! He makes friends no matter where he is and is liked by all! He is loyal to his family and dedicated to finishing his goals. Benjamin has been doing really well on his mission and is putting his whole effort into doing the best job that he can! Argentina is lucky to have him! But they cannot keep him! They will have to give him back in February of 2011 or around then! :)

It is snowing here in Lubbock today! The first snow of the winter, just in time for Ben's Birthday! The big 20! Hope they are celebrating with him there! He said that he didn't have any specific plans, just to find, teach and baptize! Happy Birthday Benjamin! Have a great day!

Latest Photos!

I am sad that I cannot update this blog more often, but I'm so glad that Dad has taken on the role of writer and I can help by uploading the pics! I have been extremely busy with school! I will say that reading Ben's mail each week is a great treat! He is really enjoying his mission and I'm so thankful he is my brother! :) I love you Ben! Here are the much anticipated photos:


This is a picture of some of the members that attended the baptism of the Flia Luna Family


Ben and Elder Bushnell with the Flia Luna Family


Another Pic from the Flia Luna family baptism

The house in Dean Funes where Ben stays

Notice the tree in the background has fallen over. Ben says this is from a strong wind that came through! He must have felt like he never left Lubbock with wind like that! ;)

Here is their study area! See Mom's: your boys can keep their desks and rooms organized and clean! They just don't do it when you are looking! :)

A horse and buggy carriage.

The Basketball court. Ben thought it was interesting how the cement did not go all the way across, just around the goal posts.

More Asado!

This was a pic Ben sent in October that was never uploaded! It is of a BABY tarantula they found near their house! Blegh! It makes me shiver thinking about it!

Please if you get a minute write Ben a short note or send a Christmas card for the holidays! He loves to get mail! :) If you need the address it is posted to the right!

It's warming up in Argentina!!!!

I’ve either gotten busier or lazier lately since it has been 4 weeks since I last updated this blog.


In one of Ben’s recent messages he shared the following with us: “I miss you all so much!! I think about you all each week!!! [But] this work is the most important work that I could be doing!”

About 4 weeks ago Benjamin reported that a very important event took place for Argentina: the national soccer team qualified for the 2010 World Cup by beating their neighbor, Uruguay, 1-0!! Had they not won that final game of the qualifying round, they ran the risk of not playing in the World Cup for the first time in 40 years. Needless to say, that was good that they won since otherwise Argentineans would have been extremely down in the mouth for the next year.

However, the most exciting news this past month for Elder Corbett and his companion, Elder Bushnell, took place about a week ago. The Luna family, father, mother and their oldest daughter, got baptized(see photo). They have spent much time with this special family over the past 2 months. On one visit they made tacos for them which the Luna’s found delicious although quite spicy. As Benjamin informed us, Argentineans generally do not like spicy foods. Ben used a package of taco seasoning that his mom had mailed him.

Elder Corbett reports that they have been working very hard. About 4 weeks ago, the Mission President, President Olson, gave all the missionaries the challenge to work during the siesta period, 2:00 – 4:00. Benjamin observed that by doing so they have more time for “citas”(appointments) and invitations, but, since his companion’s Spanish isn’t that strong, he must do most of the talking and that it can get tiring. On the other hand, he reports that his Spanish has improved considerably since arriving in Argentina. In his own words, “I feel like I can understand almost everyone now...still I don’t know all the vocab but I can put everything together.”

Benjamin has reported that the weather is, to use his own words, “HOT HOT HOT! It is so hot that my sweat is sweating.” It is also quite windy with dust. It really sounds a lot like West Texas weather. Especially with the ups and downs with the temperature. For example, one day it might be 107 and then the next drop 30 degrees, then back up to the 90’s. The day of the Luna’s baptism they only had cold water to fill the font, but it worked out okay since it was so hot that day.

One new experience Benjamin has had in Deán Funes is with “quintas”, what they call farm gardens in Argentina. He notes that the one that a member family has is “huge” and they grow lettuce, tomatoes, and all sorts of vegetables. Benjamin and his companion have learned how they plant and water and have even helped out a couple of times. The members have been nice enough to share some of their fresh produce with the missionaries.

For the first time Benjamin shared with us a comment on the economic conditions in Argentina. One morning they saw two poor kids digging through their trash. They went outside to see what they needed and found that they had gotten an old bag of food the missionaries had thrown out. Benjamin observed, “I can’t believe the poverty here!” However, they also had found a copy of the Friend(el Amigo), the Church magazine for children, so they were going to be fed spiritually as well as physically.

He reports that about two weeks ago they finally received a DVD with General Conference in Spanish and watched it in church. The branch president some how also got a copy of the last session in English and invited the missionaries over to watch it. This was Benjamin’s comment:
“ELDER HOLLAND is amazing. Such a powerful talk on the Book of Mormon! Also one of the missionaries here, his dad talked . Elder Ringwood of the 70.”

Well, that’s all for now! Be sure to look at the photos that he sent recently, which his sister Elizabeth is going to post.