District Leader

Ben is the new District Leader in his area. He was waiting to hear if he was going to be transferred but he is staying in Gadsden. He was really excited - he loves this area! Not only is he the District Leader he is also training a new missionary! He's only had one trainer (Elder Ryszka) and is now a trainer himself. He is getting a missionary straight from the MTC. He said he was really overwhelmed with these new responsibilities. He asked everyone to pray for him because he says he needs it! He is sad because Elder Ryszka got transferred to Toopelo, Mississippi and will be leaving. It was actually his very first area in the mission so he is excited to go back but sad to leave Gadsden and Ben. He is going to be the zone leader there.

We got a tape from Ben this week that had a lot more detail on it then in his email. Elder Ryszka spoke on the tape first. He said Ben is such a hard working missionary and that his testimony is so strong. Ben told us lots of things on his tape. He said he's been way busy this last week. He baptised Anna on Sunday. It was his first baptism, actually doing the ordinance, and he said it was amazing. He's really nervous to train a greenie and to be the district leader. He got his new companion on Nov. 13th. I'm sure we will hear more about it in this week's email. He said he's glad he had Elder Ryszka as his trainer. He learned a lot from him. He said he's working really hard.

They had a Halloween party at the Helm's house. They have a lot of land. They are members of the church and Sister Elm just had surgery. He said there were a lot of people there and that he missed his family.

They are teaching David Weaver (Sandy's brother). He has some pretty bad addictions that he is working through. David said he has never had such a strong desire to quit smoking. He said he's never felt this way. He's wanted to quit several times before but has never had dedication to do it. He said it's different now that he has hear about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He says he feels like he is getting strength from somewhere else. Ben says it's pretty incredible.

Ben said he is so excited to talk to all of us on Christmas. He took a minute on the tape to talk to each one of us in the family. It was very sweet. He says he prayers hard for each one of us everyday. He loves the packages from home, they brighten his day. The weather in Alabama has been about 70 degrees. He says sometimes it gets really cold from the rain. It's nothing like the weather here! He's hoping for a white Christmas although he's hesitant it will happen. He said they shut the whole town down when it does snow there because the people don't know what to do!

Time is going by really fast. They picked up a 3 foot Christmas tree for their apartment and they hung up some stockings. He puts his letters in the stocking until he can open them on P-Day. He says it's like a little surprise!

He said the people in Gadsden live in really humble houses. He said it's nothing like in Utah. He has learned so much from the people there. He also said they teach their lessons at the church building as much as possible. The Spirit is so strong there and there aren't any distractions like at their homes. The gym at the church has a carpet floor. He's said it's pretty different to play on.

He loves pictures from home, of the family. He says he uses them to break the ice. He shows everyone our pictures. He gets to go to the temple once a month. He just kept saying that time is going by so fast. He's sad to see Elder Ryszka go. He says that don't believe in saying good-byes. They say, "See you Laters" instead. He says he plans on hanging out with Elder Ryszka when he gets home.

Ben looks great and sounds great. We are so proud of him and his new leadership calling. We are all praying for him and know he'll be able to handle the new stresses of being district leader and a trainer. "With God, ALL things are possible." We are SO proud of you BEN! Keep up all the good work.