Week 40 - Happiness is the Reward

Dear Mom,

Haha thank you for sending me that Easter egg hunt invite! Good times. I wish I was there to get that egg cuz you know I would have. 

Heimuli Family Easter Egg Hunt invitation

But since Bo and Harry got it I hope they enjoy it. I'll get it back when I come home but that's not for awhile so they are off the hook till then :) Like you I'm glad no one got hurt haha. Harry's protective gear made me laugh! 

Ready to hunt (aka battle) for the golden egg...just missing Elder Heimuli!

And thank you for the Easter package!!! I loved it and so did our zone haha! 

Elder Heimuli & McCloud made Easter goody bags for all the missionaries in their zone

My favorite part though was being able to read all of those funny and loving letters. And Harry's awesome drawings :) And seeing the pics of those aloha outfits on the babies, they are so cute!! haha Keep sending me more pics and vids!

How lucky are Hendrix and Kiegan that their grandparents go shopping for them in Hawaii?! I bet it was fun. Bummer you only got to stay for like a day. Hope Lani feels better and I hope Dallin recovers as well. Tell them both I love them! And congrats to Lana! She will be a great mom!!

I hope Grandpa continues to go to the temple. Glad he has some clothes that fit now. I know it must be very hard when even Grandpa has a hard time, But I also know he will always pull through! Heavenly Father has a special place in his heart for Grandpa. He is my example of temple attendance and a righteous patriarch. I hope I can be just like him. In fact every day it seems I have a chance to think about how grateful I am for the many examples I have had in my life. Hema, Helam, Hevynn, Bo, Alyssa, Norma, Harry too, my grandparents and so many people have influenced me to be better. I hope and pray that I am able to live up to their examples and expectations, and that I can be to someone else, what all of them have been to me :)

Serving here in Niles is a lot of hard work and I love it. It's also a lot of responsibility and I'm slowly getting the hang of it. Some days are better than others but everyday there are people in our zone who need our help. So I try my best, I try to stay positive and I hope that it is enough. 

Elder Heimuli's parents received President Cleveland's letter last week

Fortunately, McCloud is awesome. He works hard and he's great. Our ward had a pinewood derby so we decided to make our own cars so we could join them haha!! Unfortunately we lost but it was still fun.

Elder Heimuli and McCloud with their pinewood derby cars

So this week has been a struggling week for us. Not many people were kind to us but hey whatcha gonna do. We received a call Monday night from the guy who was on date for baptism. He said he didn't want to do it anymore and doesn't want to speak to us anymore either. We were pretty depressed. No, we were very depressed. It was sad. However we prayed hard and we knew we got our answer when we felt that we just needed to go out and work. Of course tracting sucks. I'll be honest, it does haha. Not many people actually want you there and we can tell. But we were obedient and we still did it. By Friday we were so tired of it. We were pretty close to just going back to the apartment, sitting down and just stopping. But then we realized we had a lesson with a part member family. We thought, "Well, we need to go." 

We taught the plan of salvation. And I was reminded again how much God loves His children, every single one. We actually didn't plan on inviting this guy to baptism this early because he used to be pretty hard core anti Mormon. But we did. And he accepted. It makes me emotional again just writing to you about it. I can't even tell you how grateful I was and how humbled I was at that moment. God rewards diligence and obedience. And He will always give us a reason to keep going. We finished out the week strong and even picked up a new investigator that we will be teaching this Friday so I'm excited :)

Besides finding and teaching people we also go on a lot of exchanges with other missionaries. Some areas or companionships just need a boost so we go to see how we can help. I actually really like these because I get to know the other missionaries better than just knowing their names.

On exchanges with an Elder Blakely...from Bountiful :)

Looking back at this week there's no doubt that God is involved in His work. And make no mistake it is HIS work. It's not mine or president's, it's His. And I'm happy to be part of it. Nine months have flown. I have learned alot in this time and I know I still have alot more to learn. During hard weeks like this one I rely alot on the things I've read or heard. This week I remembered a quote my trainer taught me. I loved it so much I wrote it down because it applies not only to missionary work but to each of us as we work on being disciples of Christ! 

Obedience is the price

Faith is the power

Love is the motive

Spirit is the key

Christ is the reason

Happiness is the reward :)

This quote is my favorite and tells me exactly how I can have happiness. It's similar to one of my favorite scriptures D&C 93:1

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;

I testify that if we come unto Christ with faith, being willing to obey all of God's commandments lovingly, and always reaching for the companionship of the Holy Spirit we WILL have happiness.

Anyways that's what stuck out to me the most this week. Love you and I pray for you all always.

Ofa Lahi Atu!

Elder Heimuli

Week 39 - Keep Calm and Don't Worry

Hey Mom!!

Elder McCloud & Elder Heimuli in the truck

Wow babies galore haha!! Well that’s great it’s good to hear that I’ll have more little Heimulis to come see when I get back haha!!! How’s Faith? I hope that she is feeling better! I am still praying for her health and Lani's. How is Aunty Lani? 

The new Provo Temple is just stunning! I mean all temples are beautiful but this one is really cool haha! Harrison has been to alot of open houses!! Keep it up because any chance to go to the temple is great. Speaking of temples how’s everyone’s temple attendance? haha I know you said you just went on Saturday and I know I’m sounding nosey but from the people we work with and the families we've seen whose parents are members I realize how much stronger their relationship could be if they would only go to the temple. The temple helps maintain our families’ relationships. So I just invite everyone at home and whoever reads this to PLEASE go to the temple. I wish I would’ve gone more often before I came out here.

Still busy with all of your YW leadership stuff huh? It sounds like you are doing some great work mom, and I love hearing about that!! And you still find the time to write to me every single week and I am very grateful :) 

How was Uncle Ricky’s wedding? Too bad you had to leave early but how did Dad and Harry enjoy Hawaii? And yeah so the Moala’s father’s name is Pule Moala. However, his son Inoke knows Bruce! Haha so yeah I bet this is the same family that Maryann’s dad converted. It was fun to talk with Inoke about Bruce haha! I miss that guy. How are the Tukuafu's? How’s Norris? I miss that kid too. 

"Welcome to SB (South Bend)" sign

Me? I’m doing great thanks for asking :) This week was good. Unfortunately our investigator who was on date didn’t show up to one of the lessons so we have to push his baptism out until after conference weekend. :( However he still came to church and is progressing really well! Two more investigators came to church and it was awesome. I also had to give a talk last minute because a sister didn’t show up haha, but it went well. This week one of the miracles McCloud and I saw happened while we were driving to an appointment one day. We got a text from another investigator. He said he needed to talk to us ASAP... We were freaked out thinking, "Oh no. What happened?" Well we met him at a resturant and he bought us dinner. Then he said, "Well I just wanted to tell you that I’m getting married. And you two are invited..." haha!!! We were so relieved. He had a long complicated past. But now he is getting married to a member and he has started to express his interest in baptism. We are stoked!!!! 

Enjoying life in the Niles Michigan Zone

Elder McCloud is awesome. I enjoy being his companion and he knows alot. He has been a zone leader for almost 9 months now so he knows how to do things. We were in a Stake Mission Correlation Meeting and the President warned us that the council wasn’t very nice towards the missionaries. He told us to be prepared. Me, being a greenie ZL, I was totally freaked out and I was fumbling through all my papers and stuff. Then McCloud just looked at me and said, "Calm down and don’t worry. I’ll walk you through it." And he did. I think he did for me exactly what Christ does for each one of us. D&C 19:16 reminds us why:

16 For behold I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent.

Because He suffered for our sins, pains, sorrows, everything, He is in fact the only one who knows EXACTLY how to walk us through the trials and tribulations of our individual lives. So we should try and remember to "keep calm and don’t worry." He will walk us through it. All we have to do is repent. Anyway, the meeting went well and the stake presidency was satisfied. Grateful to be surrounded by such great missionaries!!

With Elder Taka

Anyways thanks for everything mom :) Love you!! 

Ofa Lahi Atu!!

Elder Heimuli

Week 38 - Flint McCloud

Hi Mom!!

I’m so happy to hear about the tender mercies God has shown towards our families. I’ve also realized that God is always blessing us. Are we just receptive enough to see them? Throughout this experience I can see how He has not only blessed Aunty with health but also many family relationships were strengthened. It’s a big reason why we’re here, to be taking care of one another, willingly sacrificing our own time to help others. But another blessing is that we also appreciate this fragile gift of life. It’s easy to lose and we are only here for but a small moment, that’s why I am so grateful for God’s tender mercies and the blessings of Family. I pray our family continues to stay close and rely on God and His power.

Wow, you are just always busy huh mom? But never too busy to go on a date with dad even if it’s to the grocery store haha. How was that movie? Was it good? I often wondered what it would feel like to be the one who had to carry out the order or even just be a part of the crucifixion of Christ. What would I be thinking? Would my beliefs be changed or would I have been so hard-hearted? I hope I would’ve been like the centurion who wept. I hope I would have changed if I was there. 

Yeah Mishawaka Ward is in our zone so if I am ever in that area I will say hi to that Tahitian family if I can :) There are actually a few Poly families up here in South Bend! The Vakalahi's and the Moala's. Guess what? We went to pick up the South Bend elders and the Moala's invited us over to grab some food. They made Lu, Taro and lots of good food. I was so happy!!!

So Uncle Ricky is getting married! Yay tell him congrats from me! I guess I need to study up on the Widow of Nain cuz I don’t remember her. Either way I know Hevynn will do great cuz she always does haha! Hema and Norma are going to Brian Reagan!? Dang I’m jealous! I love Brian Reagan haha. I hope they have fun. How’s Helam doing? How are all of the little families doing? I pray they all raise them like you and dad raised us :) rooted in the gospel, and super good looking (jk that’s just Harrison and Hevynn. Rest of us are out of luck.)

Well, Niles Michigan is interesting. It’s a small town. But because we have a full time truck we have to cover 4 or 5 other towns as well. So our area spans for like 80 mi. It’s a huge area!! But it’s awesome. 

Elder Flint McCloud is my companion. Cool name huh? He is from Kaysville and he has been out for about 18 months. He is great, I love the guy. He knows the area well and we work hard.

The past week we have been getting in each night and right after we are done planning we just pass out haha! But this week we put a man on date for March 26th!! We also have 2 other potentials for baptismal dates that we pray will be receptive and willing to take this step. Please continue to pray for those we are working with. I know you are all praying for us and I want you to know that I can personally feel the blessings coming from all my family’s prayers!

As for the "ward" it’s only 50 members..... the other 100 are all less active, so we have our work cut out for us, haha! But I know God will help us as he does for all of his servants.

Sorry this letter is short. We are super busy and seems we are always running to and from everywhere and everything haha! We have to head out and take some supplies to the elders!! Love you mom and tell the family hi from me!

Ofa Lahi Atu

Week 37 - Work Work Work

Dear Mom,

We had a combined District meeting and it was college-themed -- our last meeting as a district.

So reading about what’s been happening I’ve thought to myself, "Man, this would be detrimental IF we didn’t know about the Plan of Salvation."

I am so grateful for this plan and the way that God has paved for us so we can return to Him. Not only has God given us a way, but He has provided the answers to all our questions and concerns through this plan and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have the beautiful assurance that we WILL be together forever if we choose to follow God’s commandments. In following God’s commandments we are also blessed, we are so blessed LITERALLY, and for the most part I think we understand that.

But then how are we going to get over the various physical trials of mortality? It won’t be easy, but since when was the crucifixion easy? Since when was the suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane easy? Never was it easy for Christ. In Alma 7:11-13 it talks about the reason why Christ suffered so.

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

I know Christ will be there for us in the midst of our afflictions, for He has already suffered them. I pray we always remember and keep in mind the glorious Plan of Salvation and always remember that the center of it is Christ’s Atonement. I invite everyone to read this scripture. I know I’ve probably already shared it before but it’s such an awesome scripture that I have to share it again. Again I will be praying for Aunty Lani, Laukau, Faith, and the Tuipolotu family. I love them all and I know God does as well.

Yay you got to finally go back to WX 17th ward haha! Did you have to introduce yourself? How is everyone? Tell Harry congrats on getting his recommend!!! I bet the Provo temple is beautiful! 

So as for this transfer, we finished on a pretty good note. No, our investigator didn’t come to church but I know he will come next week. Elder Ellsworth will be staying in White River with an Elder G Wright. 

Leaving the big city of Indianapolis -- last stop Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts

I've been assigned to be a Zone Leader in Niles, Michigan, with an Elder McCloud. I was hoping President would let me be with Freeman haha, dang. Also I was kind of mad because I just paid a lot of money to fix my bike and now I won’t use it because I’ll have a full time car, ok so maybe I’m not that mad :/  But if President would’ve told me just a few days ago I wouldn’t have had to spend that money haha! 

A sister in our ward threw us a bonfire for our last night.

Our district is awesome and I’m really going to miss them a lot!! 

One of my favorite missionaries, Elder Huntington, from West Jordan! I love this guy. I'll miss him.

But it’s all part of being a missionary right? 

Last week we decided to tour Lucas Oil Stadium because we knew half the zone was leaving. It was such a blast!!!  I got to see my first NFL stadium ever!!! While we were there I was able to take some pretty cool pictures that I’ll send to you. 

Me in front of Frank Gore's locker!!!

I don't know why I started flexing again just because I stepped foot on a football field haha! Trying to pretend I'm still in shape (not).

Also this week Ellsworth and I were able to find a couple of new progressing investigators. I hope they keep progressing here in White River!!!

Thanks so much for sending all the pics of the family and especially the babies. I watched that video of Kiegan rolling haha! And Hendrix is just so happy and handsome. Speaking of babies, I finally made a planner cover of the babies, and everyone loves it. I love it most of all and they are growing so fast, holy crap! Time does fly fast, especially in football, too. I can’t believe it’s Helam’s senior year, last spring ball, he should tear it up this year, then go NFL! I know he can, just needs to work work work. He's no stranger to that. And what? Norms made pork hash! How did she know how to make that? See, if she never married Hema she would’ve never known what pork hash was, so now that she does, please tell her to send me some haha. I miss playing 5 Crowns with the family. Good job mom in winning, it’s all because I wasn’t there to beat everyone ;) haha. 

But to sum it all up I am so excited to see what Niles and my new zone holds. Hopefully God will guide me and help me grow into this new role. Love you guys soooo much and I will see y’all again!

Ofa Lahi Atu

Elder Heimuli