Week 36 - I Know All About the Mormons

I’m doing great out here! It’s the last week of training Elder Ellsworth so it’s pretty crazy how fast time flies!!

Wow, another little Heimuli coming and around Hevynn's birthday!! That’s great!! Haha tell them congrats from me and that I love them. 

What great scriptures you shared. Keeping God’s commandments brings blessings, ESPECIALLY during tribulations. That’s where many people who leave the Church believe God has abandoned them. But I testify that God will never abandon us, usually we abandon Him. Scripture study and prayer will definitely get us through the different trials we are facing. It’s when we stop doing those things that we start to lose our faith and start to fall in the midst of our trials. It’s all like one giant circle, but to sum it up, prayer, reading, and keeping the commandments will ultimately bless us and keep us from straying from the path.

I was just thinking about Aunty Lani when I read Alma 26:27 where it talks about how when we bear with patience all of our afflictions, God will give us success. This means that even if we have all the diligence and obedience in the world, we will still have to bear the challenges we are facing. Again, God never abandons us. He provides ways for us to get through these trials through the love we receive from our family, good friends, leaders, His Gospel, repentance and the Plan of Salvation. 

When loved ones pass, it’s sad. I’m so sad for Uncle Tom and Aunty Ana and glad you and dad are going there to support them. We all know how they feel because we have all felt it. Nephi felt it in 2Nephi 4. But instead of letting it shake his faith, it increased his faith. Read this scripture, it will help. And I will keep everyone in my prayers!!

Tell Harrison, Congrats!! I’m proud of him, he is killing it right now haha, even if he doesn’t think so. That’s good that he didn’t lose on asparagus ;) And what’s a carafe? Did you feed that to him for dinner the next day like you did with me and asparagus haha.

Well this week we had a pretty cool experience. So we were biking to an area about 7-9 miles away from our house and halfway to that area my tire like blew up!!! So we stopped. No one could give us a ride for like 4 hours. So we looked at each other and half-jokingly I said, "Well God wanted us right here since he popped my tire so let’s work." We really did believe we needed to be there. So we tracted for 3 hrs. Finally on the last house a woman came out and answered the door. I told her we were missionaries and she said, "Oh you’re Mormons!! I know all about the Mormons!!"

We both thought in our head, “Oh crap, she knows ‘all about’ the Mormons.....then she surprised us when she said, ‘I love them.’

She then told us the story of how when she was about to die from a clot when her neighbors, who were Mormons, prayed and checked up on her constantly. She lived, much to the surprise of the doctors, and she was grateful to our Church. So we were able to teach her and we are going to see her again this week! Anyways just a reminder of how charity goes a long way. That’s pretty much the highlight of my week. I am still reeling from how fast this is going! Love you mom and tell everyone I love them as well!

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Elder Heimuli

P.S. haha GHS!!! What a lame high school [Elder Heimuli got this picture of Harrison at the District Spelling Competition held at Viewmont]

Week 35 - You Ees the Missionarees?

HIYA :)

Well this week has been very busy. I decided to push my district and shoot for 100 lessons and 20 new investigators. We only got 96 lessons, but we found 33 new people to teach!!! Haha it was a great week, and so we are going to be full of appointments for the next few days haha. But that was a result of us going out constantly and working. I can’t lie, it was tiring. But this week should be great!

Isn't this a great wall painting?

No I have not been able to reach the New Zealanders from Butler because I’ve been helping out the other missionaries in the area. But I’m hoping to contact them soon!

At Butler University

You’ve been running around a lot too! Glad you met Dook’s brother at the youth dance. I didn't know people actually went to those jk jk. His name is Simi. I remember him from LPA!! He's awesome. If you see him say Houston says hi. And tell the Munk family I said hi and tell them I asked how Harley is doing on her mish! Also I’m excited for Norris this season! With Coach J there it will be such a great offense. Makes me almost wish I could be there haha. But I am still grateful for Coach Wall and his work ethic he instilled in all the players at BHS. Greatest program ever and Norris will do great. Tell him hi from me and to keep trucking everyone that comes across him in football.

I Have a Testimony is such a beautiful song. Thanks for sending it to me Mom. And it’s even better when all of those beautiful voices come together. Hevynn and Harry killed it!! Hema, Helam, and Bo did also!! Bo would decide to start singing really good when I’m now on a mission haha! I already told you this but I’ll say it again for all the family to see. I showed the other elders and they were like, "Whoa your family is so talented! What happened to you?" I replied, "I got the good looks. They just got the good voices." ;) Haha. And yes I did give them all that winky face when I said it cuz you know I got both, lol!! I’m so blessed to be part of such a talented and spiritual family! 

So again it was a busy week. A lot of tracting. As all the siblings know, tracting is FUN (haha) but LONG. It’s even longer when people just talk for hours. However something funny happened. Elder Huntington and I were on a litte exchange when we knocked on a door. The guy looked at us and walked away. I said, "Well, he's not coming out. Let’s move on and keep knocking." Huntington told me to wait. He said he felt like he would answer. Suddenly, the door burst open and a little Spanish dude came out and yelled, "You es the missionarees?" We said yes! He shook our hands vigorously and said, "I’m Fabio!!! I love missionaries!! I live in Utah back in time!! My family members, but not me. I want to be baptized!"

We had a lengthy conversation then he invited us to come back for cake and kool aid. So I’m pretty pumped for that (the invite, not the cake and kool aid. Ok I’m pretty pumped about the cake and kool aid too). But it just goes to show that a little patience goes a long way. In this case, eternal salvation for Fabio.

Sunday was kind of frustrating because the people on baptismal date couldn’t make it to church. So now we have to push it back to March 22nd and I won’t be here most likely because that’s when I’ll be finished training Ellsworth. He’s doing good. He’s picking up the work well.

With Elder Ellsworth in the background

Oh and the district LOVED my Valentine’s bags for them haha!! I wish I would’ve snagged pictures of that but I forgot. Sorry!

I see Brad more often than you would think. He's in a different stake but I see him a lot at meetings. I will tell him you said hi. He is doing great too. Also Mana is leaving on April 6th so the farewell will probably be the Sunday before then. Thanks for wanting to go support him.

Whoa congrats to Maddie and Dallin on their mission calls!! Haha I’m excited for both of them!! They will come out and I will be just about a year out, that’s freaky!! Do you have dallins email? I would love to email him! Also with Dallin’s court of honor Aunty Lani will be busy! Tell their family I love them and I miss them. Not Lauryn as much, just the rest of them ;) haha jk jk

Oh btw I found some of Sifa's hats here at the Lids store! Haha I freaked out because I was like, "My cousin made those!!!!" I saw a kid walking out with one so I was pretty pumped. What happened to Faith? I hope she will be fine. I’ll keep her in my prayers. and if you see them again tell them hi from me. I love them more than Bo haha!! And I also hope Hevynn is ok. Seems like medical issues just plague our family :/ along with you guys being old! For real though, read Alma 26:27 :) it talks about afflictions and bearing with them and the promise God gives us. I reflect on this scripture a lot because I get a lot of doors slammed in my face. :/

27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren…and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

I love you all. I pray that God will always guide us and that we will be receptive and ready to act on that prompting. 

Love you Mom and Ofa Lahi Atu:)

Sincerely, Elder Heimuli

Week 34 - Fefe hake?

Hey mom!

Yup you already guessed it. Because of Presidents’ Day so we couldn’t email yesterday :( 

First off thank you for the package!! I got them all and I was able to make some nice little valentine gifts for everyone! You’re the best mom! And I’m glad the flowers made it to you. Even though I couldn’t be there I hope the flowers kinda felt like I was home.

So the best thing that happened this week was that one of the investigators decided to take a job where he has Sundays off!!!! So we are hoping he will then come to church more often (he has no excuse now haha). But other than that things have been going well. It’s been a bit chilly but the area is great and I am loving the people! 

This week we also went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders and there is a college in my area called Butler. Elder Shoeneman and I went there to personal contact and tract. 

We got cold and no one wanted to stop and listen to us, so we went inside the basketball stadium to warm up. Then we saw these two brown girls walk past and Elder Shoeneman said, "I think they’re poly." I looked at him skeptically and said, "We’re in Indiana. There are no polys." But I decided to muster all the Tongan I knew and yelled to them, "Fefe hake?"

One of them turned and said in a New Zealand accent, "I’m not Tongan. Sorry!!" haha!! So I ran up to talk to them. They are both from Auckland. One’s Cook Islander and the other is Maori. I was soooooo happy! We got their information and, hopefully, we will start teaching them this week :) So pray that they want to learn more!

So on Valentine’s Day I actually went on exchanges to Carmel area to go sing at a baptism. When I got there I met a lot of really nice members who, upon seeing my name tag, looked at me and asked, "Any relation to the Heimulis who played at BYU?" Then we had that conversation again (the one I’ve had over and over many time, haha) about Dad. Haha it’s always funny. As soon as the baptism ended, a family invited us over to their house. It was fun! We just got to know each other, played games and the family actually knows Uncle Vai. He was their stake president!  We talked and talked and then we had another jam session. Our cars were grounded so we couldn’t go anywhere. I was fortunate enough to have such a great family allow us to be in their home.

Haha wow my grandparents now have 8 baby chicks, huh? Happy anniversary to Grandpa and Grams! What a special bond to be married for that long, and even more special is the eternal bond that they share as well!! I love them so much and pray for them always. I really don’t have any clever or cool names to give to the chicks, so I’ll just let Harry take care of that. He is a lot more creative than I am haha!

Here’s my favorite scriptures from the chapter you guys are reading in John (chapter 15).

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

To put it simply, follow His counsel and commandments. Later in the chapter we read that the 2 great commandments are, Love God and love thy neighbor. It makes sense then that if we love God, we keep His commandments even as Christ did (because again, aren’t we disciples and followers of Christ?). And because Christ followed God’s commandments He abided in God’s love, and we can also if we but just follow His commandments, too. The Savior promised in verse 10 and 11 that we will abide in God’s love and our joy will be magnified and full. That is such a wonderful scripture and I hope you all keeping reading and keep studying!! 

I’m sorry mom, but I forgot my camera when I came emailing.... so I will get them to you a later time!! Love you mom and tell the family I love them!

Ofa Lahi Atu

Sincerely, Elder Heimuli

Week 33 - Crazy Awesome Day

Hey MOM:)

Yeah I actually was at a member’s house and they "accidentally" left the game on. We told them we couldn’t watch it and they refused to turn it off. So we decided to give up and watch the first half and have dinner haha!! 

Then after that we left before half time and went home and got things ready for P-day. Anyways that’s what we did yesterday.

The Hodson family used to live in Hilo. The asked me what I like to eat and I said I love Spam. They went all out with Spam musubi, poke, spam, rice, pineapples and li hing mui. Then they gave me all this Hawaiian food to take home with me so I probably gained 20 lbs at their house. Don't send me any more food please haha!!!! I was soooooo happy that night!

This week was very busy. Tuesday we did service pretty much all day so we were exhausted. 

Chopping wood. That's right, with my bare hands...

We decided to head to a Taco Bell and have lunch. While we were there, there was a girl who was just staring at us. Finally we turned, and her dad who was standing next to her said, "Oh Elders!!!" Haha the girl was wondering who we were because we were all dressed up and stuff! She didn’t see our tags. We found out she was looking for the YSA ward here. She lived in Italy and her dad was visiting to help move her stuff in. So we chatted and got her on her way to the YSA ward and the chapel. 

But the busiest part of this week was Caitlin’s baptism! 

At Caitlin's baptism (I can never get a serious pose!)

Ellsworth and I were so happy to see her baptized and confirmed the following day. It’s a funny story. She was baptized before but she was never confirmed because after the baptism the family actually fell away from the church for 3 years. 

With Caitlin's awesome family

We finally contacted her again and she was baptized! The other elders in our ward also had 3 baptisms so we had a total of 4 baptisms!!! We were at the church from about 10am to 4pm just getting thigs set up and taking things down. What a crazy awesome day. 

Other than that things have been pretty good. The weather isn’t freezing anymore and we are able to tract alot now that things are warmer. However please keep the other 2 investigators who are on date in your prayers please. They are struggling and we need all the help we can get! 

Things are still busy as usual back at home huh? But it looks like the family is still going strong!! Oh and by the way I got a package from Helam and Alyssa :)

Care package from Helam & Alyssa

Tell him thank you soooo much and I got the pics of baby Kiegan! Now they are hanging up on my wall! 

My wall's looking better!

Kincade emailed me and told me about Coach Wall. How blessed I was to be part of such a great football program and to be taught by such a great coach! I love him and the whole coaching staff! I wish the best for Coach Wall and I can’t wait to hear who the next coach will be. I’m guessing Coach J :) Tell everyone on the staff I said hi and thank you. Again, congratulations to them for overseeing such a great program and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to play football there and at the next level.

Anyways the biggest thing I’ve learned this week was about Faith. Faith is a power, not just a passive belief. And if we want to use this power we must first strengthen our faith. This is all through diligent scripture study and prayer, obedience to god’s will and commandments, and praying sincerely and honestly. I promise you, this will bring miracles if we are willing to do these things. Where are you lacking? What lack ye yet in these areas? I challenge you all to find one of these areas, and work on it!!! 

Anyways I love and miss you all!! I pray for you guys and wish the best for everyone in everything!!

Ofa Lahi Atu

Elder Heimuli

Got 2 bloody noses during my studies, so I took care of that problem!

Week 32 - Go NOW

Hi Mom :)

I am doing great!! Things this week were pretty good. I think the best thing about this week was the beautiful weather we've been having! It went from negatives to 40's and 50's!! We were so blessed. There were also some pretty cool miracles that happened this week.

Out enjoying the "warm" weather today, I just had to snap this pic of black Jesus

So one of the investigators on date wouldn’t answer the phone or answer the door for the last couple of weeks so we decided to just ease off and see what happens. One day we were driving around her neighborhood going to another appointment when something said, "Visit her now." I thought it was just me being me and I thought, "I need to get to this appointment right now. I’ll do it after."

But it came to me again saying, "Go NOW" so I literally flipped a U-turn and went immediately to her house. As we pulled up she was just about to leave her house. We were able to talk to her and figure things out! Listening and heeding the promptings of the Spirit should always trump other things that we had planned at the time. And we still made it to the appointment on time as well!! BLESSINGS!!

At home

Your schedule sounds hectic! But when the Stake Presidency receives revelation then we must follow the revelation they receive as swiftly as possible, and Go NOW. I bet it was great to see all the youth! I know you love that. 

Haha and Helam is 24 daaaaaaaang!!!! Sad I missed his bday but from the pics it looks like you guys had enough good company around. So fun to have the whole fam there except Harry :) And that sneaky Aunty Nei, always paying for stuff, though I never complained haha. Tell her hi from me and that I love her!! How are the little families doing? I’m loving the pics of the babies :) 

This is my study area. I've gotta add the pics of the babies!

It is such a blessing to have chapels to meet in and worship in. Being in Utah we have the extraordinary blessing of having them almost on every street, and in Woods Cross, some of them are literally right next to each other! However, we must be careful not to take those blessings for granted. I love seeing members here because they drive from long distances and everywhere to come to church. And having the opportunity to clean that place is yet another way we can show our gratitude to God for the gift we have been given. I’m glad you and Dad had a chance to teach Harry about this blessing :)  I kinda miss those times. When I would do all the work and he would play with the toys in the nursery haha. 

Trying to practice uke and sing every once in a while...of course it was a church song!

Speaking of chapels, another cool miracle. We were practicing how to conduct a church tour. Elder Ellsworth and I were about halfway through when a member walked in and said, "Are you doing a church tour?"

"Well we are practicing for one."

Then he said, "Well me and my friends are going to take a walk around the city and they aren’t members. You think you could give them one real quick?"

We both were shocked because we had no plans of teaching anyone or giving a tour anytime soon. But of course we said yes. It was a really spiritual tour and the couple loved it. Another example of how to just go and do as the Spirit directs. This couple live in a different ward’s boundary but I know the Spirit they felt will help them. In the Lord’s house is where His Spirit can abide, and I’m sure that’s why we love church buildings, chapels and temples, so much!!!

Things have been going well. We have been able to teach alot and we have a baptism this Saturday!!! I’m so excited. Also Ellsworth is doing really well and he has come a long way!!! Things are starting to look really good in this area and I’m so grateful for the many tender mercies God shows us every single day!!

I hope things keep going great! Love you.

Ofa Lahi Atu

Elder Heimuli

Week 31 - Missionaries Don't Convert

Mom, I am doing GREAT :)

So the best thing that happened this week? Well first off we had a missionary training session that was broadcast from Utah. Elders Bednar and Oaks were the Presiding Apostles at it and it was a training session to all the missionaries in the world. And what a blessing.

Missionary Training Session with my District

They taught a lot about teaching repentance and letting the Holy Ghost be our guide. Because if I learned anything from this conference, it’s that missionaries DON’T CONVERT. We baptize the converted. Weird right? But think about it, why baptize them unless they have expressed true repentance? If they have applied the Atonement in their lives and felt its power, through the Holy Ghost, then they will be converted. We as missionaries must have the Holy Ghost be with us constantly in order to help convert. A missionary brought up the point that the Spirit brings the truth into the investigator’s heart. But Elder Bednar stopped, and said "Well yes the spirit can bring it UNTO, but into." People need to accept it for themselves. We merely bring it unto them, right outside the gates of their hearts, and furiously knock on the doors. But the most crucial step in conversion, is letting it in. So in order for all this to happen we need to have the companionship of the Spirit through diligence and obedience. 

Also this week we had 2 of 3 investigators on date come to church :)  Ellsworth and I were so happy!! In fact we had 4 total investigators at church and our ward set a record for the most people at church ever. So it was pretty cool. However I will not forget that the Lord had His hand in having them all there. I mean, this IS the Lord’s work!

I did not know Hevynn was working there at the temple! That’s great, and you got to spend some time with your 2 favorite grandchildren too! Hendrix is getting so big and handsome like his uncle, and Kiegan is sooooooo cute :) 

Hevynn and Bo spoke in their ward? Well, put two spiritual giants together and you are bound to feel the Spirit then! Bo's story about obeying the Lord’s will is so applicable to missionary work and everyday life. I know that in order to give that blessing Bo must have been really in tune with the Spirit, meaning that Bo had to have been obedient and diligent, ready to be that vessel for the Spirit. As members we should always strive to stay worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. That way when the opportunity arises for us to go and bless others, we will know what to say at the very hour and minute we need it. 

Now follow that up with Hevynn singing a musical number!? I wish I was there!!

How’s Harry doing? How are Hema and Norma? How are Helam and Alyssa? And how are Hevynn and Bo? How is the whole family doing? If there is anything I can do, I will do. I love everyone and miss you all! I worry about dad also. He's not as young as he used to be and I know he's constantly working his butt off just to provide for us, but don't let him kill himself doing it. 

I received the packages and thank you :) haha spam and rice is the bomb!! And there’s nothing you need to send me mom. Don't worry about sending packages and stuff. Just keep me updated on the family and that will be more than enough for me :)  I’ll manage just fine!!!

Elder Ellsworth is still going! He's starting to pick up the aspect of missionary work, but one of the most noticeable part about training him is that I've realized there’s not only a lot to improve on for him, but even more so for me! My district is great! 

My District is the best!

We are leading the mission so far, we just gotta keep working and keep praying! Oh and transfers are tomorrow! Of course I’ll be staying for 6 more weeks but Elder Moli and Elder Tafuna will be moving in just 4 miles from our house and into our zone! Haha, so 2 more Polys.

Elder Cruz is transferring. I'm gonna miss him!

Love you mom and thank you for everything:)

Ofa Lahi Atu! 

Your favorite Elder Heimuli, right Hema and Helam? :)

Week 30 - We Will Be Blessed

Sorry for the late reply! So yesterday was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so we couldn’t email :(  I knew you would be sad, but better late than never. right?

Well I haven’t got the packages yet, but I know they will come and THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the packages and stuff you guys send me. It means a lot. In fact I bought a really warm jacket and hat for tracting. It makes it sooooo much easier when I’m not freezing to death!! So please make sure to tell dad thank you a lot from me :)

Coach Anderson wrote me this week and I was able to talk with him! I hope that this trend keeps going toward recruiting more Poly players. I know they know there’s a lot more than just BYU and Utah :)  Coach Anderson is an amazing coach and I am still very grateful for the opportunity he gave me.

You stayed up sooo late working on that talk!!! Man, I bet it was a great talk though no doubt about it. I’m glad you told me about meeting all those people in that ward. I bet you’re a proud mom. It’s also so great that people remember Hema and respect him. Same with Helam and Hevynn! I can say that I am truly blessed to have had such great examples in my life. In my older brothers and sister it’s almost like I had a map showing me exactly what to do and even sometimes what not to do. When you have such strong, respectable, lovable, and just all around great family members it makes it easy to live right. I hope I can be just like them for Harrison and the babies.

Wow Sunday was as crazy for you as it is for us!!! Running around at all those different meetings and still finding time to see the family at the family meeting! You’re amazing mom, and I know you always do it all out of love. Love for our family, love for your young women, and mostly love of God. :) It’s also good to hear of all the upcoming babies!!!! Tell Tini boy and Ben them all congrats from me. I will be waiting for pics of all the babies I’m missing out on, haha. I hope the video I sent cheered people up, because it was a blast for me haha. It’s kind of hard to dance out here when you don’t have the time but I still got it, lol!

This week has again been miracle-filled. Ellsworth and I were dropped by one of our baptismal dates. She said she wasn’t ready and that she will come back on her own time. We were sad. We tried so hard. We really believed that obedience and diligence would bring something, it just was not what we were expecting.

So we were just dropped, and we were just starting our studies, when we got a phone call. It was from our bishop. He said, "Elders, I have someone for you to teach."

It was a part-member family. In a crazy twist of events, she was never baptized and confirmed. so we went right over there and taught her. She is now on baptismal date for Feb 6th. It truly was a miracle.

Unfortunately, it’s really cold here and people don’t like to open their doors or stand around and talk. Some are struggling with commitments so if you could pray for them, that they may keep the commitments, that would be great! 

But if we are diligent and obedient we KNOW we will be blessed. We can always apply that exactly to our lives as well. If we are obedient to God’s commandments, we will be blessed. From loving one another, to going to church, to praying and crying unto the Lord, or even having our thoughts directed towards Christ WE WILL BE BLESSED. There’s really nothing more that I want for the people we find and serve, and the missionaries I support, and especially my family. I think most times those blessings are simply that we keep our thoughts pure, which keeps our actions in line with God’s will, and make our families (parents, wives, children, etc.) more like heaven on earth. I’ve seen it, and I know you will see it when you follow the commandments of God and the counsel of His servants. 

I love you mom. I love and miss everyone at home.

God Bless You All   

Ofa Lahi Atu:)

Sincerely, Elder Heimuli

Week 29 - Move On

Hello Dearest Mother:)

Indy has some beautiful sights

This Sunday was crazy because it snowed. Since it snowed the roads are iced over. The mission cars got grounded when we were actually at church, and when cars get grounded we can’t use them because of weather. But we needed to take the car back home. So I decided to take the car back and drive very carefully. Well when we were literally just down the street, I slid into the curb and broke the tire.... Haha so that happened.

It's so cold over here

But other than that, this week was great. There were a few BEST things that I’ll share with you. So we helped move a couple who felt they were "wronged" by the church. They seemed kind of standoffish but by the time we were done they were happy and talking to us and I could see how the service we rendered softened their hearts. The next day we had interviews with President Cleveland, and it was fantastic! He helped me understand much better the principles of Patience, Faith, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. But one thing I really grasped was Forgiveness. We all try to repent of the sins that we have made in the past, realizing that we ALL make different mistakes. But when we linger on those mistakes they become a burden. Repentance is an important step in feeling clean, however, we need to understand that afterwards we need to move on. By being able to look forward and try our best, only then are we truly sanctified. So if we said somehing we shouldn’t have, we must repent and try to make it right. And then MOVE ON!! This reminds me of Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah. Remember how Lot’s wife looked back and turned to salt? She was about to go forward, but then she halted…and she looked back. So learning from that I came out of the interview ready and willing to put forth more Faith. The next day Elder Ellsworth and I put 3 people on baptismal dates! All are progressing right now and we just picked up 2 new solid progressing investigators this week. It’s been a miraculous week and it’s all because we put forth A LOT of faith. He will always come through when we are willing to show our faith through our actions (aka hard work!).

We also had Zone Conference in which I had to do a musical number on the uke... 

With Elder Pau'u before we performed our Christmas dance

Haha that was fun, but one of the greatest things that happened at the conference was that I got 2 letters! One was from Brother Smith and the other was from President Gordon. It was so great. They are so kind to think of me. It was their Christmas cards and it made me feel sooo happy! So next time you see them tell them I love and miss them and that I am so grateful for what they did for me!

Elder Ellsworth is doing very well! I made him teach some door lessons without me helping at all haha!! I just looked at him whever he tried to pass the conversation on to me. But he did very well and things are looking better! In fact Cruz, Huntington and Ellsworth and I were all on our way to a dinner appointment. 

The 4 of us

Ellsworth and I were supposed to go teach a referral but Cruz and I decided to send the two greenies to go do it :) 

Elder Cruz

Haha they were freaking out but I called up a good ward member to come to the lesson and we pretty much left those two to do it! The member reported to me after the lesson that they did very well. So Cruz and I were like proud and happy dad because our sons were able to teach that lesson. If you think about it, if this gospel wasn’t true, then putting the bulk of its fulltime preaching in the hands of 90,000 18- and 19-year olds would probably not be the best decision. But the Church IS true, and God loves His children, and the Holy Ghost testifies of truth, so thank goodness we can’t mess it up! As long as we are worthy of the call and the companionship of the Spirit nothing will stop this work from progressing. 

Whoa Hendrix is already 6 months and Kiegan is 2 months today? Time really is going fast. Thank you for the family's prayers. They make such a difference and they help my companion and me sooo much. Again I love and miss you guys so much!! As for things to send me you know you don’t have to :) I’ll be fine! I pray for you all! 

Ofa Lahi Atu

Elder Heimuli

Week 28 - So Many New and Really Weird People

HELLO AGAIN!!!

My New Years was great. We had New Years off because everybody in Indy are still drunk from the night before haha!! We got to have a new years football bowl so I was pretty happy about that!! But I’ve been super sore because I haven’t played football like that in a while! Afterwards we went to the chapel and played even more sports!!! We played bball for like 3 hrs and you all know how good I am at bball :)

With Elder Howard (he's a crack up) and Ellsworth playing bball

Then we all went out as a zone and got some good pizza at a cool restaurant. Then we returned home and did the next best thing... we slept :) so it was very laid back. But the next day me and Ellsworth hit the streets hard haha. No success but we just gotta keep going after it.

It seems like New Years was pretty eventful for you guys :) It must be crazy now because everyone of course has not only our family, but their other side, and their own family. I also miss that Japanese New Years meal tradition!!! Haha maybe you should send that left over Poke my way ;) jk everyone probably ate it all!! But you are right, time goes by so fast out here I shouldn’t let a moment slip by and I am still trying to grasp that. I’m not as experienced as you all in Life but I will do my best to not let it just go by without me noticing. 

So this last week we've still been struggling. I’m still having a hard time finding accountable investigators. However I just have to grin and bear and like you said, I can’t let anything slip by me. But I’m getting used to the city. In fact it’s a lot of fun!!! You meet so many new, and really weird, people!! Haha what a joy it is!! My boy is doing good. So of course his name is Elder Ellsworth and he's from San Bernardino, California. He's doing really well now and he's grasping the way to work quickly. Yet we are both learning as we go, both growing more and more daily.

My boy Ellsworth and I on our bikes. He's freezing. I don't think they have this kind of weather in California. I don't think we even have this kind of weather in Utah! It's cold.

Yeah I was also excited to hear Stanford beat Iowa!! They deserve it, and I shot Coach Anderson an email about a month back to see how he was doing! He didn’t reply but I knew it’s because he's very busy!!!! 

Oh and yes mom, I am doing my best to lead the District. It’s stressful but it’s okay because there’s only room to grow right? The ward provides great support and the bishop is awesome!! He expects a lot from the missionaries so it makes me step up my game just a bit more. 

And again New Years is one of my favorite memories because I always know that Grandma and Grandpa are there :) I miss them alot and I love them ALOT!!!!!! Please tell them that when you hear from them. I hope and pray for their health and all the families!!!

This upcoming week we have a goal to put 1 person on baptismal date and 2 progressing investigators. So please pray for us in reaching this goal :) 

Love you mom!!

Ofa Lahi Atu!! 

Elder Heimuli

PS. I got my camera back. Here are some Christmas pics!

Reading my Christmas letter from the Fam

LOVE the Robinson Family!

Thanks Dad for the belts!

Huntington and I were so happy to open our Christmas packages!

Week 27 - First Christmas in Indiana

Dearest Mother :)

I had a great Christmas after we skyped! We got to spend time with families in our ward and we got some much needed rest which we never get haha! But the best part of Christmas and the best thing that happened to me this past week was definitely being able to talk to you guys and skype!! 

Skyping Elder Heimuli on Christmas Day - he looks skinny

Getting the package with all the gifts and letters was a close second. (Elder huntington says ... hello)  

Nevermind Elder Huntington...focus on the guy in the background who just opened up his Christmas package and couldn't read all the Heimuli family Christmas letters fast enough. He looks happy!

Sorry I left my camera in another elder's car :( so these are the best I got but when I get it back I will make sure to email you all the pics on my camera! I'm sorry!! 

And I’m sorry if I was weird.... haha

He looks the same ha!

I didn’t know how to skype everyone so if it didn’t seem very personal, my apologies!! Good thing Hema was there to help. Next time around Mother’s day we'll have some more one on one time haha! I loved seeing the whole family there at home. I loved talking to Hevynn, I miss my sister, even though it was a little weird to see Bo there in our living room on Christmas morning but I’ll get used to it haha. It was great to talk to my brothers and sisterinlaws. I had to keep reminding myself that I’m a missionary and I couldn’t just jump on a plane to be there. I REALLY LOVED seeing Hendrix and Keagan for the first time....they are the cutest babies ever, like their handsome uncle in Indiana. I wish I could have talked a little longer. I’ll admit I teared up when Hema sang. And it was kinda hard for a bit afterwards. I’m missing out on so much but seeing all you guys made it all fine for me :\

So Elder Quick told me about Mo’s mom passing on Christmas morning. My prayers and love go out to Mo and his family. But you’re right, what makes the gospel beautiful is knowledge. Knowledge in knowing where we are going, what’s going to happen, and ways we can apply Christ’s Atonement in our life. Christmas is about Christ’s birth, but the reason why His birth is so significant is that only He could become a mediator and bridge. Mediator because He is the Only One who could satisfy the laws of justice and mercy, and Bridge because He is the Only One who could bridge the gaps in our lives. In Alma 7 it talks about how Christ will succor His people. He knows what our pains are and what were are going through. But I can’t just tell people about it. They must apply it themselves by offering up prayers and earnestly seeking to do whatever the Lord asks. If we do this we WILL find comfort. So mom give my love to Mo, and tell him I will always be praying for him and his family. I love the Manu family.

My companion and I are doing better. He's starting to pick things up pretty fast so I hope that he is able to start doing stuff on his own. It’s kind of like trying to teach a baby the alphabet. And I’m talking about myself. I need to be more simple in my training methods and stop trying to throw everything at once on him. The work is slowly coming together. Sadly, Sunday night 2 investigators pretty much dropped us.... so I was pretty bummed out. And it’s been raining a lot, so biking is interesting haha!! I need to be more grateful about the challenges I face. I know better. What you told that Helam said about the loads we carry is interesting and true. Earlier this week I was listening to David A Bednar’s talk about Burdens. In his talk he speaks about how his friend got a truck and decided to grab some wood up in the mountain. It was snowing hard and unfortunately he got stuck. He tried and tried but he couldn’t get unstuck. Instead of just sitting there doing nothing he decided to go ahead and load up the truck with wood. After loading it with all the wood that would fit, he decided to start the truck one more time and try it again. Because of the added weight he was able to get unstuck and move. The weight that we carry isn’t always a burden. In fact, like you mentioned before, these trials will help us in the end. They will give us the momentum we need to go forward.

Anyways, thank you again for everything mom. Please thank dad for me, too. I’m so glad he drew my name :) Thank you for the packages but most of all thank you for the great family that you and dad raised. So many amazing examples that I fortunately got to see and use many of the things I learned from them right now in my life! Love you ALL.

Ofa Lahi Atu,

Sincerely, Elder Heimuli