Semana 54 - Christmas, Wedding, Baptism

Yep, this may be a little short because I did just talk to you guys:)

[Note from Mom: We waited an hour for his call on Christmas morning. Hema & Norma came over before they had to head to the airport for one of their fun day trips -- this time, to San Diego. The rest of us were packed and ready to go to Hawaii. After we talked to Helam, we rushed to the airport only to find the flight overly full, so we switched last-minute plans and flew to San Diego, too. Our married ones met us there and we had a blast. The Mormon Battalion Visitors Center is amazing...and free...a must-see! The zoo, on the other hand? VERY expensive, but Harrison still loved it.]


The family at the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center. Harrison at the San Diego Zoo.

This week was really great! We didn't get as much done lessons wise because there was a lot of administrative work that we did this week, but hey, numbers don't matter. What matters is that Luis Figaroa was baptized last week!!! That day was crazy cuz there was so much we HAD to get done before the baptism. First of all I had to prepare a talk with very late notice and study 4 hours cuz I'm training. Then that afternoon, even though I'm not a DL, I was the one that interviewed Luis because everyone that could speak spanish taught him, including me. I was just the one that taught him the least amount of time haha. Not gonna lie, it was my first one so I was stressing a bit. If he would have surprised me with a deep dark secret during the interview I wouldn't know what to do...but it was all good haha. That night they got married, he was baptized and we had our branch christmas party all rolled into one.


This is what it's all about!

Christmas eve and christmas day we just spent the whole time house hopping. We had an appointment with members just about every hour and every appointment was to eat...oh man.


The missionaries enjoying Christmas Meal #5.

I survived and so did Padawan.


Elder Heimuli & Elder Bakes

The members here are so awesome and we also got a few gifts. I got this awsome sweater and beanie.



Nayeli bought us all these matching sweaters...except for mine.



She couldn't find a black one in my size, but I just figure she did it cuz I'm her favorite and she didn't want to let everyone else know. It was a good last christmas on the mish. I went out in style. ha.


Playing home-made ghetto ping pong -- creative.

Love you and I'll talk to ya'll later!

Love, Elder Heimuli

"The Lord Will Provide a Way"

Found this Elder Heimuli original on YouTube...cool.

Semana 53 - Padawan

Hey mom!

It's true, Prince headed up north! Transfers was kinda crazy cuz we were sure we were gonna stay together for one more but Charlesworth was called DL only 6 months out and I am still here and TRAINING!!!! What the weird?



I'm one of the youngest trainers in spanish for years hahaha so I didn't feel ready. It's going well though, haven't totally failed in spanish yet haha. My padawan's name is Elder Bakes. He makes my job easy, though, cuz he's not scared to talk and teach. Super legit.



So everything here is going great! We just had another investigator, Sonia, go with her 2 kids! Then we had Norma and her daughter! Rosana didn't go cuz her baby got sick the night before. She did tell us last monday that she wants to go every week cuz she knows it'll be good for her baby. So in total we had 4 inv. and 4 less active members attend! Yay! I just have a big testimony of service and that it goes a long way! In the meeting we had with Pres. Satterfield at transfers, Sis. Satterfield said, "you don't serve someone because you love them, but you love them because you've served them."

I have been really trying to serve everyone and I can truly say that I have a greater love for everyone here. It's a good thing I didn't get transfered or I'd be a wreck haha. God won't give us something we can't handle:)

So for calls this sunday we're gonna only go to sacrament which ends at 10:30. So I guess whenever is good for you guys after that I can call? Just let me know! And I'm just gonna call your phone this time?

Everything here is going well and I'm doing good! There's not too much to say since I'll be talking to ya'll here in a bit, and all there is to do is work, work work--but I just wanted to say that I love you mom! I love you all and I'm so happy I have such a great family! I'm so blessed!

Love, Elder Heimuli

Semana 52 - Hump Day, Half-way, 1 Year

This week has been so great!!! Which is a good thing cuz we have transfers this wednesday so we ended it in style! We are thinking that we won't be transfered but who knows, we get calls tonight so I'll let you guys know what happens later!

Anyways, I just wanna say thanks for the packages! I got all of them, I believe. I'll send a thank you to Grandpa and Grandma Murray soon. When I got the "Hump Day" one I kinda tripped out. It's been a year already?? It's SO INSANE how quickly time flies by!

First off, the lesson we had with Rosana and Silvana and their family Monday went great!! Thank you for your prayers. We met them with Nicolas and that first lesson Rosana commited to come to church! Her sister wanted to come too, but she couldn't because of work but said she will ask for the next Sunday off so she can come! That was Monday. Then we went over again thursday and taught them the BoM. They were all very interested and S said she would read it and everything by the next time we come over (which is tonight). Rosana was ready to go to church and everything, as long as we got her a ride. Gladly.

During the week we have been working with a lot of other potencials and formers. Had lots of good lessons and even found 9 new investigators this week!!!! We have worked so hard and this week we've seen some of the "fruits of our labor." It's really cool.

We were with N cuz he came with us to help teach someone, and we just asked him when his birthday was, then he said, "I turn 34 on...December 4th (which was two days prior to that)." We freaked out and were like, "You didn't even remember your own birthday?!" Haha he said no. No one did haha. So we told him we were having a party at his house in an hour. Prince and I made cupcakes for the kids and bought him a sweater!



Good time! I love that family!!!!



Sunday was so awsome! We had Rosana and her two month old baby come! The members were so cool and EVERYONE greeted her and asked how she was doing. We were both stressing about how she would feel in church but it went great! The teacher didn't even teach false doctrine in class either, so yay!!! I was just really happy cuz we had her, and the Flores family is committed to getting active. They were all there as well. A was there too, an excommunicated member who was ready to give up trying to re-join the church after last week. But we talked to him and had really spiritual lessons with him and now he is trying twice as hard. I just love missionary work and I can finally see why I'm out here!

Well, the weather is chilly here. Just in time for Santa.



We're doing great here and just excited to do the work. Prince and I don't wanna be transferred cuz we're doing such good work here. It's great. He says he finally feels like he belongs in this mission. I know how he feels. It's great out here.

I just love everyone here. I love the Church. I love the season and the Savior Jesus Christ. I love our investigators. I love the members. I love my companion. And I love all of you at home!!! Take care and I'll let you know about calls, Mom!!

Love, Elder Heimuli

Semana 51 - December Already?

Hey mom!

I love you!!!

Wow, is it December already? It's hard to remember because it just seems like Fall over here haha. No snow! I'm SO happy about that, but the cold is kind of a killer. It hasn't been too bad the last week, so we'll see what happens later in the month. And i'm almost half way done too. Yep, it's flying by and it worries me a bit to tell you the truth. All I can do is work even harder, like Dad says yeah?

Thanks for the package and all the shaving stuff, man, I needed it. I felt I was shaving off my skin rather than my facial hair. But I got all the letters and I loved them! I'll be sure to write back to everyone.

Quick story: So one night last week we were at a dinner appointment and we were about to leave, then we realized we didn't leave with a spiritual thought. We felt impressed to do that first. So we shared the thought and got home a little late. When we got home, we got out of the car and there were these two ladies carrying a mattress. We ran over and offered to take it from them. Found out they were from Uruguay and their ceiling collapsed so they were moving everything from their apartment to one clear across the complex. They didn't own a car, so they called a taxi to help them move their stuff. Well, we told them that we could put their things in our car so they didn't have to pay for a taxi and then we carried all their furniture for them as well. The lady just had a baby 2 months ago as well. We moved everything and they were so grateful. They tried to give us money but we declined everytime, so they INSISTED that they at least feed us dinner, so we are going over tonight to do that and share our message. Pray for us!

Church was good. We didn't have any investigators but we did have 3 less actives, and Nicolas Flores came and he drove himself! Despite his back problem he still came. That shows me that he is changing and more willing to do what is needed in order to go to the temple. We had a good lesson with Nicolas and his family and then we cut Ivan's hair into a mullet cuz we thought he'd look super cool...and we were right! He's so cute and pretty much one of my best friends out here!


Cute, huh? One of my favorite 'chamacos' out here!


Just us cutting I's hair. I was trying to get him to get the hair out of his mouth so he wouldn't eat it.

So yes, everything out here is good and I am excited to be doing the Lord's work! The more time goes by, the more I realize that I love all the people here so much, and that one day I'll be gone. So Charlesworth and I try our best to do whatever we can to make all their lives just a little bit better.

I love you mom and all you guys at home! I'll see you in a year but it may be a bittersweet kind of deal, ha. Just ask Hema.

Love, Elder Heimuli

Semana 50 - Cardigans, Football & Thanksgiving

Hey Mom!

Prince and I are both doing good! It's starting to get a little chilly again, but I got your "warm" package the other day so I can handle it haha! We both now have matching cardigans that we busted out the other day at a branch activity!


Matching cardigans!

Errbody's jealous! Haha but thank you so much Mom!

This week went by really fast! Time just keeps picking up the longer I'm out here!

Anyways, for the beginning of the week we tried to work really hard cuz we knew at the end of the week we wouldn't have a whole lot of time due to Thanksgiving and other activities. So, we found a few people who were willing to listen to us. We had to sort of start over with our investigator pool, but it's ok. Hopefully these people we found are more solid.

For Thanksgiving morning we played football with an English ward and some English missionaries. The games were really fun. We got kicked off the field, though, by a city soccer team that was having a tournament that morning. So, we headed over to another field to play soccer with our branch.


Us missionaries, after playing sports with Bro. Madsen, the 2nd counselor in our branch (he's from B-town!)

On the way, I saw a bunch of these huge black guys playing football, so me and one other missionary went and played with them. They weren't that good, though. I'm trying to be humble, but I just ran all over them. Disappointing. After an hour of that, we finished and we joined our branch's soccer game in the next field over. By that time I was so tired! I am so out of shape I'm kinda scared to come back and play football ha. So that game lasted another hour and a half.

It was 3 when we finished and we headed over to the S family's house for Turkey Day linner (lunch+dinner). It was really good and we had a lot of fun there. Such a great family! Then we took the MARTA all the way down south to East Point city where we ate dinner at another members house! We were really full but the members are so cool here they just wanna feed us all the time!


Eating "patas de pollo" (yes, that is a chicken foot going into Elder H's mouth)...really gross, not gonna lie...

We took the sketchy MARTA train back home at 930 at night, but no one messes with us cuz were pretty big compared to most people here...unless they have a gun or something...

The Flores family didn't come to church this past sunday, so that was really sad. We went over afterwards though, with the branch president and that was really a good lesson. I guess Nicolas just woke up late cuz he was up all night with his back pain. They still really wanna get sealed in the temple so it'll just be a process but we'll be there every step of the way.

Everything is just moving along here. Thanks for all you do mom! Tell Houston hey and that he's the best! Those football pictures you sent me were so cool, he looks like a beast and bet he plays like one too! Aight, well I'll talk to you next week!

--Love Elder Heimuli

Semana 49 - Praise Jesus & Thanksgiving

Dear Mom,

First off, I'm glad to hear updates on everyone! Everything here in Atlanta is going good!

This past week Atlanta had the priviledge of hosting the Saints Unified Voices choir directed by Gladys Knight and Charlesworth and I were one of the lucky few missionaries who got to help with the shows. There were only 14 missionaries who were picked to proselyte during the shows and talk to the non-members who were attending.

The choir performed a total of 6 shows--Fri, Sat, and Sun with 2 each day. So, we worked ALL day for those 3 days at the show, so we didn't get much work done in our own area haha. It's ok cuz the experience was SO AMAZING!!!! The music was very up beat and soulful and very very spiritual. You could tell who was Mormon during the show cuz they felt a little uncomfortable when someone would stand up, start clapping and yell, "Praise Jesus!" I loved it. All of us missionaries were super excited cuz this was our chance to stand up and start dancing hahaha!


Elder Charlesworth & Heimuli dancing in the parking lot

Really though, Gladys Knight has such an amazing testimony and it could be felt through her music. Whenever she would belt out a solo, I would get chills. Even though I watched the show 6 times, it never got old and the spirit was super strong throughout. I got to shake her hand!!!! Oh man, pretty sure I almost fainted hahaha! It was cool though, cuz even though the show had her name on it and a lot of people went because of her, Gladys refused to sign autographs and take pictures because she wanted the focus to be on Jesus Christ and His restored church.


Missionaries sharing "Gladys Knight and the Saints Unified Voices Choir" music & message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ

It was just really cool and we had a lot of success. 1020 referrals (but not really any for Spanish...boo!)! We worked really hard and usually didn't go to bed til 12 or even 1.


Elder Charlesworth & Heimuli pose for a picture while everybody else cleans up after an SUV concert

So, we're super tired but happy from the experience. And we are excited to get back to working in our area!


NOTHING can detract from a missionary's enthusiasm...okay, maybe Wheat Thins...but nothing else!

I'm doing great! A little tired, but nothing I can't handle:) The weather here was really cold, and then the past couple days it's been really humid and hot...so I don't know what's going on with all that.

The Flores family is doing good. The dad's back is still messed up but they were at church again on Sunday! We'll be going over there tonight to have family home evening with them.

I don't get to see the Huckaby's anymore...sad.

For Thanksgiving we're gonna be playing sports in the morning and then we have 3 dinner appointments I think...IDK, I just know that we're gonna be busy ha! You're Thanksgiving sounds great!

Well, I hope all is well and I'll talk to you next week!

--Love Elder Heimuli

Semana 48 - Super Great Here

Hey Mom!

Everything is going super great here! It's getting a little cold but it's not snowing thank goodness! No one would know what to do here haha it'd just be a huge panic like it was last year haha!

Thank you so much for the b-day gift! Charlesworth was really happy about the spam and corned beef ha. Besides that, one of the best things that happened to me last week was that yesterday we had 4 less actives to church yesterday!!! We were so excited! We've been working with this family since I got here. Family of 9 who is less active. Anyways, Charlesworth has actually been working with them to get them active since he got here. A while back the dad got in a accident at work that messed up his back and now he can't drive because his legs go numb if he drives too long. Since most of the people in the branch don't have a license or even a car, no one could give him a ride. So, slowly he lost interest in coming. Well we taught them a lesson about how in order to recieve blessings we need to be willing to do our part first, like go to church. Well, a member came with us and kinda threw down, but it was good cuz the next day we went by and they were totally changed. The whole family wanted to go to church, even if it meant driving themselves. We were blessed though, cuz we found someone who could give them a ride! So they were at church and that was awsome. Tonight we are going over to teach a FHE about temples. They want to get sealed together as a family.

This whole week we have just been working hard and trying to really work with the branch. It's something that is super important. We think it'll really help the area and the spanish mission in general.

Yeah, Charlesworth told me about Coach Mac last week, which he heard from his mom. That's a bummer. It's just sounds like football news is just all crazy in Utah haha.

(Note from Mom: Here's a timely article about Coach Mac's missionary zeal and Elder Heimuli's dad...waaaay back in the day!)

I'm super happy you guys got to meet Elder Jones! I hope he's doing good. It's weird that he's not a missionary anymore. And I'm glad he said I'm a good missionary, even though that's what all "dads" are supposed to say about their "kids" hahaha.

Sorry if this email is lame and short, but this week has kinda been a haze haha. I can't really name any specifics, but I just know that I've been really happy so far and have been trying my best to work hard and be good! I love you mom and tell everyone in the family I say hi and love them too!

Love, Elder Heimuli

Semana 47 - Seven Minutes Away

Dear family,

Well, I did get transferred and I was really sad. I was holding on to a bit of hope that something crazy would happen and I'd stay, but we got the calls and Stockman is training. Monday and Tuesday were spent taking pictures, saying goodbye and packing.











So, when we finally got to transfers and I got the news that I was getting moved! The funny part is that the area is in the same branch and I was only moved about seven minutes away. I was really excited cuz I still get to work with all of the members! I'm with Elder Charlesworth, whom you know already.

Charlesworth got sick so we were inside for a few days, but we visited some investigators and one already has a date. The problem with her is that we can't find her at the moment...she is single with three kids under the age of 5 and jobless cuz her last job started checking for papers. She has no phone and was evicted from her apartment, so she was living with these gross people but last time we went over they told us she moved out. That was last Thursday. We have been praying hard that we can find her and that everything is ok.

Other than that, we have been cleaning up the area book and mapping. This area is a little disorganized but we are getting it together. Our main focus is working with the members in our area so we are trying our best to set up FHE and other member lessons. We are super excited about the transfer cuz we can see a lot of potential from the area.

That's about it really, just a lot of planning and organizing the area--my new home for 6 weeks.

I can't think of anything I really need right now...not gonna lie, it's getting kinda cold and a sweater would be nice!

Oh, and for Halloween we only got two trick or treaters (one is from a part member family in our complex, and the other was just a random kid. We named him chancho). I assumed that would happen anyways because we have that picture of Jesus on the front of the door and I was guessing that it would repel most if not all trick or treaters. But my hypothesis was confirmed. I was sitting in the living room and I heard these kids outside the door. One kid was talking, and he was leading the other kids in their trick or treating. I heard him say "Ok, you go knock that door. You, knock that one. and you, knock that one." There is a pause, then kid goes, "but we're not gonna knock that one. They're Christian so they don't believe in Halloween." I just started busting out laughing right there! I didn't really ever think people thought like that, but whatever. We had candy waiting for 'em.

That's about it. I love you all so very much and I appreciate all the prayers and support that you guys give me. The whole extended family, the people in the ward, and everyone who I don't even know about. Thank you and mom will be getting pictures from me so you can all see my beautiful face:)

Love, Elder Heimuli

Semana 46 - Happy but Never Content

Dear my favorite family

Well, the end of another transfer and the calls come tonight. We're all pretty sure that I'm leaving cuz we have 6 spanish missionaries coming in and Stockman is projected to train. I'm a little sad but we find out for sure tomorrow. I have loved this branch and this area so much!

It's been a very growing transfer for me and I have a lot of people here that have helped me is so many ways! Other than that I am, "happy but never content," as we all should be in life. I'm happy with where I am at the moment, but I constantly strive to be better. This is the counsel that Elder Clarke of The Seventy gave us.

The weather here is really cold in the mornings, but around the afternoon it heats up to where we usually can't stand to wear our suitcoats, but we'll see how long that lasts haha. As for the food situation, I really am ok. You actually don't need much food to survive hahaha I'm kidding, but if you feel you need to send something, I wouldn't be against it:)

So, this week was a little shorter than usual--be it that I wrote Wednesday--so not too much has gone on. We prayed very hard this week to find out what we could do to help start up the area. As you probably know, we haven't really had too much success recently and this past week all of our investigators dropped completely. So now we have an empty pool hahaha! It's ok, cuz we have been working hard with the less actives in our area and we now feel that them and the members are key. So pray for the members and less actives in our area, please, that they'll have friends that are searching for the gospel. Other than that, our "former" investigator L (now Stone Mtn's) is progressing fine. He and K came to church and that was really exciting! Other than that our week was full of good bye pictures and farewell dinners and even a birthday party.

I don't know too much info on Elder Jones and his homecoming. I can try to find out more so we'll see, but yes he is going home this wednesday. I'm getting old!

I was studying the talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks titled, "Desire." Where he talks about the important role desire has in what we become. He says desires turn into thoughts, which dictate our priorities, which shape our choices, and then turn into actions, and THOSE ACTIONS DEFINE WHO WE ARE. We must always strive to have righteous desires, because they ultimately lead to our becoming. To really change our desires Elder Oaks suggests that visualizing what you can become, will give you that strong desire to reach that goal. We are all sons and daughters of heavenly parents. We can become like them. We can live for eternity with our family, friends and loved ones in infinite happiness...and the first step to reaching that goal is desiring it. As we constantly look towards what we MAY become, we will shape our lives in righteous ways to achieve it. Something like that. Ok, so I just decided that I speak confusingly in Spanish AND English now hahaha!

Thank you for all the prayers and support. Please pray for me as well that I may constantly have an 'eternal perspective' as I work. Love you all and I'll talk to you later!

Luv, E. Heimuli

Semana 45 - P-Day, Pumpkins, Persevere

Dear mom,

First off, I apologize for not writing on Monday, but I have a very good excuse: it wasn't P-day hahahaha! I am writing you today because we switched our p-day from monday to wednesday so we could go to the temple today. We JUST finished a session and it was great. Crazy that's been almost a year since I've been in the temple to do a session. Sorry for the bummer Monday ha.

Anyways, it's great to hear from you guys. Since we didn't have p-day on monday my internal clock's been out of whack. I thought yesterday was friday all day! It felt like just one, big, long, week. It's great.

I'll fill you in on the happenings starting monday...

As you heard, we had dinner with the Huckabys last monday and got to participate in their FHE. It was super fun! We ate super good food, had a lesson by us missionaries, and carved pumpkins (while eating super good desert).



(This little guy is too adorable...even with his messy pumpkin hands)


We were split up into 3 teams, but I think Stockman cheated cuz his partner was the "pumpkin judge" haha.



For the record, me and my partner had the COOLEST pumpkin--not just the "cleanest/best smelling" one.



Earlier this week we lost Luis who had a baptismal date...to the Stone Mountain Elders! We realized last week that he actually lives in the Stone Mountain area and not ours so we had to hand him over to them...sad. But Stone Mountain is still in our branch so that's still cool. We can still go to the baptism and see them at church.

You guys can pray for Jose, who is a guy we've been working with for a while but has been making progress. These last few weeks we've had pretty solid lessons with him but we need to see him more frequently. Like many others, he works a TON and is usually not there for the first appointment we set with him. We have to drop by a few times until we actually find him at home. He's really cool and humble though.

This whole week has been pretty lame on lessons. We thought we'd get a whole bunch cuz we planned to find all week--ask for referrals, knock, whatever we can. But it's super hard to find trailer parks or complexes here in this area (besides where we live) and more around the temple. We just keep finding neighborhoods with giant houses full of rich people...the opposite of what we want, haha. And when we did find some Spanish-speakers they either didn't wanna talk to us, or lied to our faces that they would be home for another appointment.

But the best thing that happened this week? JUAN GOT MARRIED AND BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!

Yessir, you heard me right. My beloved Garcia family is now fully Mormon.



On Saturday, Stockman and I had a busy day. First we went to a baptism for the Sisters that was great, and Stockman and I shared the story of The Restoration in English! Talk about STRESS. And I was the one who had to share the First Vision by memory. It's hard when I've never EVER had it memorized in English, and the Spanish version is all mixed up. It went good, though. Then we bounced quickly over to M to go to Juan and Emily's wedding, which they held in the chapel. There were SO MANY missionaries there and it's really amazing how many people were actually involved in Juan's conversion.

(Note from Mom: Wish I could name all the missionaries who worked with Juan...but I can't. Here L to R: Anderson, ____, ____, Heimuli, ____, Stockman, Luis, Emily, Garcia daughters, Jones, Carpenter, Charlesworth, ____).


It was really great and then immediately after they were married, Juan wanted to be baptized ASAP. When the service started, I was asked to translate for a lady who only spoke english. Talk about more stress than the first vision. It was my first time translating too, but they said I did good. The baptism was so awsome!



Me and Jones (my trainer) were so excited when he was dunked, we almost jumped up, screamed, and gave each other high fives--but we refrained and settled for girly squeals of joy.

Time moves by pretty quickly out here in the mission. My dad (Jones) dies next wednesday and it seems just like yesterday I was a greenie struggling with spanish.

(Looking back to when Helam was a greenie, with Ramon and Elder Jones)


Now I'm ten months old and still struggling with it, hahaha). The mission is really fascinating and scary. It makes me reflect on the sadness and joy i've experienced and will yet experience. A mini-life is what i've heard it called, and the one thing that needs to be done in life (and in a mini-life) is PERSEVERE. From all the things I've been hearing from home, the happy and the sad, that same thought comes to my head: what needs to be done is persevere. There is a quote by Pres. Monson that says, "Faith is always pointed to the future." We all know what our goal is: Eternal Life. Now the only thing that needs to be done is persevere. Despite challenges, sadness, or other obstacles, we MUST persevere in faith towards our Heavenly Father who is waiting for us with His arms extended. Tell everyone I love them. The family, Pres. Gordon, and others.

I'm doing perfectly fine out here! Thanks so much for your support and prayers. It really does help. The weather is a bit warmer now, so it's all good:)

--Elder Heimuli

ps. pics are coming

Semana 44 - Blisters, Maps, Conversions

Hi mom!

I'm doing good and everything is still moving along here. Not as well as we'd like, but it's going as well as God likes, hahaha.

Our zone sports day went well. We played a big game of soccer, then rugby, then football. By the time we got to football I was SO tired! We had about 30 missionaries and it was really fun! It rained the ENTIRE time we were there haha. The weather held until we got to the park, then it poured non stop until about 8 that night, it was great! It felt more like we were swimming than running. I did make the mistake of buying brand new cleats the morning of, so I had a couple nice blisters and a pretty pronounced limp to go along with it.

A lot of our time this week was spent making our map of the area. We pin up our investigators, members, and potential investigators. It takes hours to do. We're still not completely done but we're getting there. The map is useful for visualizing the areas we can work in throughout the day as not to waste miles and time.

As for investigators, we haven't had much success. There were a couple families that we found and seemed really great but they never answer the doors again haha. This week an English elder came on exchanges with me (again) so that meant I had to teach all by myself for a few days. It's a great experience but very overwhelming. We went by Luis' house and gave a blessing to him and his girlfriend. Then we taught them how to bless their house. I guess Casey felt like there was a weird spirit in the house and recently they've been feeling contentious and stuff like that. We talked with them later in the week, and they were feeling better and decided that they're getting married the 1st of December and we set up a date for his baptism for the 3rd. Those are for next transfer and we're all positive I'm being transferred. Just my luck, right?

So, as for the "conversion story" I don't know if I'm gonna have a crazy one any time soon, but I don't really expect them cuz God doesn't work like that...too often. He is more of a "step by step" kind of guy. The conversions I have heard of or seen have been progressive things. Even in Ramon's case, I found out my last transfer in Marietta that he was actually a former investigator of Elder Henderson's when Henderson was in Marietta as a greenie...almost two years earlier. He didn't just fall out of the sky and into the font. The Lord prepared him and he was converted through the Spirit over time. There is that scripture in Alma 25 (?) that talks about how the Lamanites that were converted by Ammon were converted by the Spirit and for that, they stayed firm in the gospel. Even though what I witnessed with Ramon was a quick, he-obeyed-everything-we-taught-him experience, he was actually shown the gospel earlier and the Lord worked with him over a period of months and years up until the point he was finally spiritually converted and told us he wanted to be baptized.

Thank you so much for the shoes, shirts and packages! You guys are the greatest! Oh, and before I forget, How is Ben Heimuli doing? I've been thinking about him a lot. How is his family doing? Can you tell them that I say hi, and I love them, and I pray for them? Has my cousin decided on the mission yet?

Yes, mom, we're eating at members' homes:) Don't worry about me! And we're going over to Berwynn's granddaughters house tonight to eat and teach a lesson in their FHE. It's gonna be good!

Anyways, I love you all and I hope you all have a good week!

--Elder Heimuli

(Note from Mom: I received a wonderful email from Berwyn's granddaughter Emily with pics of her family and the elders' Monday night dinner/family home evening/pumpkin-carving contest! Her oldest daughter and Elder Stockman took the "best-lit" pumpkin award, while her youngest son and Elder Heimuli won "cleanest/best-smelling" pumpkin (not too many years ago, Helam never would have won a "cleanest/best-smelling" award...I'm so proud).

Semana 43 - Columbus Day, Surprise Contact, Back to M-town

Yeah, it surprised me that the libraries were open today as well. I guess people here don't believe in Christopher Columbus...haha. Maybe a bit like how some don't believe people need to actually keep the commandments to be saved. Weird.

Anyways...I'm doing great! The sun is shining and it is another p-day! We're gonna go play sports today as a zone so that's really exciting. Especially since I haven't exercised in a transfer and a half, and you can tell.

This week has been good. We find some investigators and we lose them. We still have our couple semi-solid ones. There hasn't been much progression, but we are still working with them. We're still waiting for Luis to see if he is gonna marry his gf so we can set a date, but we didn't see him all this week. We got in to see Jose and he is progressing once again. We didn't teach an actual lesson to Francisco this week, but saw him on the street once. So pray for them.

We're still working hard every day. One day we got a referral from Chamblee elders and we decided to go contact it. When we knocked on the door, we were shocked when Tony answered! He is 18 and lives where Stockman and I both served before. I thought I'd never see him again, and the night I left he wasn't in town so I didn't get a picture with him. But there he was and we were both speechless! I was so happy and all of us just started talking. His dad and brother both live there. The referral was from his sister in law. So now we're gonna go by and teach them! Super cool and I was so happy!



Saturday we went to another DIA DE LAS NACIONES but this time back in Marietta! How awesome! Stockman and I were so excited to go and see everyone! Pretty sure one of my happiest moments was just seeing everyone I knew and talking to them.

(Guess this is Elder H's happy face? Hm.)


It felt like I was home! Everyone was doing great! J has a date for this Saturday but is still waiting to see if the divorce went through. He'll hear word back today. The coolest thing was that there was a lady there named Margarita. She was an investigator I found and taught and she was really awesome. We later fell out of contact cuz her machista boyfriend came back and he didn't like us. Anyways, she recognized me and we started talking and she is getting baptized with her son on the 22nd! Oh man, I was SO happy! One cuz she still knew me and two cuz she is finally getting baptized! I knew she was a good one!



That's all really. Our area is still trucking, slowly, but at least the work is progressing in the world. Well, that's all for now, I'm gonna send pics in an email.

Love you!
Elder Heimuli

Semana 42 - Conference, Marshmallows, Polys

Hi mom and family!

I decided to recount my week backwards. So I have to agree that conference was amazing this weekend. I can't tell you how many things I learn now that I actually watch it! It's great! Since all of the talks were so great, it's hard to pick a favorite. I did my questions again this Conference and every single one of my concerns were answered. I know it shouldn't, but it surprises me every time I do it and it builds my testimony that God really loves us. He knows our problems and the challenges we face and he tells us the answers through our prophets and other leaders of the church. Like the words of President Uchtdorf, "Our Heavenly Father is the most powerful being in all of the universes and he loves you." ...or something to that extent. I know that's true. I have more light and direction in my mission and my life.

I did get the package! We swung over to pick it up as we headed over to the saturday morning session. I actually got it a couple days before but we were out of miles and had to walk everywhere. Thank you so much Hevynn for the chex, and mom and dad for the letters and the food! ESPECIALLY the letters! The shoes are great too, of course I want them! I just didn't want to get them dirty and ruined like my other ones...but I busted 'em out just for conference--I was lookin' good haha!

In between sessions on Saturday we went to a little girls' birthday (I forgot her name...) and that was fun. It's ok that I forgot her name cuz she's not in my area haha. There they had these GIANT marshmallows and I tried to see how many I could fit into my mouth at once, without chewing, and I only got 2!



They were as big as my face! The Sunday session we just all got together (8 of us) and cooked a bunch of spam, rice, eggs, and corned beef. Oh yeah, I'm converting everyone in the mission into polys.

Speaking of Polys, here's Elder Kivalu, Elder H, Sister Havili, Sister Nansen and Elder Lauese


Stockman and I were hoping to see a couple people at Conference but no luck. We spent the last half of the week walking and tracting and inviting our little hearts out. We know that if someone hears the prophet speak, there's no WAY they won't know he is sent from God. But yeah, no one came. It's ok though, cuz that meant I could watch conference in english and I get a lot more out of it that way.

Luis gave us a scare cuz he's been canceling his appointments with us for the past week and a half, but we finally did see him last night and he's doing good. He watched conference in another ward and he really liked the talk about the BoM. He knows it's true now haha! We need to work on his marriage but once that happens we'll have a date. Other than that we have a couple ok investigators but we are still trying to find the elite! I want a good story to tell Harrison...maybe he can just tell MY conversion story, cuz that's the biggest one i've witnessed out here. It's cool, I'll find one.

Besides that our week has been a little iffy, but super great. I'm so blessed to be out here and learning the things I am! I love it--the good and the bad!

I just barely destroyed my running shoes this morning playing basketball so I think I need other ones. But please don't go and buy brand new ones, I feel bad. Go to DI and grab some 5 buck ones and that would be AMAZING! Besides that, just send me your love! Well, here's me sending my love! (and pics in a little bit...)

--Elder Heimuli

General Conference broadcast: Elder Kivalu (from Tonga) and Elder Heimuli (from Utah)

Semana 41 - Goodbye Shumway, Hello Stockman

Hi mom!

So I have another transfer here but I got a new companion, Elder Stockman. Shumway got transferred somewhere with Elder Haight, my MTC comp. It was a surprise cuz we were POSITIVE we were gonna stay together another transfer, but God has other plans haha.

It's good though, Elder Stockman is cool. He is a super good missionary and I'm trying to learn a lot from him. He came out with Elder Shumway so they have the same amount of time. Stockman is from Sandy, UT and went to Brighton High School. There are SO MANY Utahns here! This past transfer we had about 8 or so new missionaries and all of them were from Utah, except one who was from Idaho...close.

The transfer so far has been pretty ok. We are back down to one solid investigator (the others just disappeared) and we had to push his date back so hopefully we can still pull it through. One crazy thing was that last transfer we barely had any food, and only a few dinner appointments a week. So far, in the first week, I think we've had a dinner appointment every day and there were two or three days where we had two dinners in a span of two hours--oh man, I thought I was gonna die! Hispanics are like Polys: you eat EVERYTHING on your plate, and then get seconds. You have no choice.

This week was just full of planning for the transfer and trying to teach whomever will let us. Stockman and I are speaking Spanish the WHOLE TIME and it's great! I'm learning a lot faster this way. Thus far, we've spoken more spanish to each other than english. The week has just been full of me learning and improving and I have a feeling that's how it's gonna be for the whole transfer. I'm super excited.

Church was good. We didn't have any investigators or less actives come but it was still good. I forgot that it was fast sunday cuz of conference! How lame am I? So yeah, I'll definately be fasting extra...soon!

I'm super excited for General Conference and it's crazy that it's here already! I remember last conference I was just a greenie! I don't really need any activity things for conference seeing as we have no investigators, but when we get some, I'll be sure to make a maze or somehthing for them to do hahaha!

This week we've taught a lot about profets and how they are God's messengers. They are here to guide us and to warn us. Theirs words can comfort us, heal us, help us, and may other things that I don't even know. The only way to know is to experience it yourself. One cool thing I've been doing during conference (since Thomas told me to do this last year or so) is I write down questions I have or things I need answered in my life, and pray for guidance and council. It's amazing that every time I've done this, and paid attention during conference, every one of my questions have been answered by the talks given. They really are the words of God and He is there to help us in our lives if we just seek him and heed those answers.

The weather here is still pretty hot but it's been cooling down. Maybe not cool enough to break out the sweaters but maybe in a month or so. It's crazy how fast time flies by...and how slow it seems to limp past as well...it's all a matter of perspective. My perspective is that I'm here to help others, and in the process learn a whole bunch of stuff myself. There's never enough time to learn everything.

Thank you guys for all that you do and tell everyone that I love them. I will talk to you all later!

--Elder Heimuli

PICS! A few weeks ago, Elder H mentioned seeing his uncle in a missionary article in a church magazine. Today he scanned and sent it.


At Coke World with Comp #5 Elder Shumway who was transferred last week.


Having smores on Elder Shumway's last night as Elder Heimuli's comp.


District photo at the Atlanta Temple.


Elder Heimuli enjoying a cold one with the founder of Coca-Cola (disclaimer: neither the drink nor the founder seated at the table are real).

Semana 40 - Great teams, Happy families

Hi Mom!

So, yeah, super confusing what happened last week. I hope you got my replies to your emails last week as well, I think they were scattered over two letters or something. No worries, I got the letter today with no problems!

That anniversary story is so cool! Totally worth the $100 steaks, yeah? I know that what you learned in FHE is true. The bonds we form here on this earth with our families are supposed to last forever. That's the way God intended it. This is how we obtain the greatest happiness here on this earth, and when we are reunited with our Heavenly Father with our families we experience infinite happiness (Mosiah 2:41). That's why Satan tries so hard to destroy the family with all of the evil things we see in the world today. The only way to stay strong and endure to the end is through obeying the commandments God gives to us--ITS TRUE!!!!

I'm glad all the kids are doing great! Sound busy but great! I'll send you a cool conversion story for Harrison...as soon as I get one haha! And speaking of stories, did they stop making the NEWSLETTER? I haven't seen it for a while.

Our week was good. We have just been working hard to finish off the transfer. Wednesday is transfers and we get calls tonight to find out what's gonna happen. We are thinking we are gonna stay together, but you never know cuz the transfers here are unpredictable.

For right now we have Luis as our investigator with a baptismal date for the 1st of Oct. We have a few other progressing that we have pretty big hopes for: Jose, Francisco, and Anet. The area is really picking up so it's exciting. I can't say the same for my Spanish, though, but maybe you're right...but a big MAYBE. It's really challenging to improve and constantly get better, and I love it for the most part. It is what life is all about.

We went to Jake and Emily Huckaby's home again for dinner on Friday and they were hanging their BYU flag with pride outside their front door...but I don't know if they left it there after that game hahaha. I guess there are no Utah fans back here to make fun. They are doing great and they're super awsome! Their kids are cute and HILARIOUS too! They may be a Handful for them, but they are great entertainment for us haha!

Like I said, I'm doing great! The weather is getting chilly, though. I guess it's gonna be a cold winter. There's not really anything I need--just your love and support and I'm golden! Thank you all so much for what you do for me and I'll talk to you later!

Luv, Elder Heimuli Pic from Elder Pasiaka's website!

Semana 39, Part 2 - Remembering 9/11 & Football

After resending my letter, I finally got a reply:


Yay! Ok, I got the letter! Super cool!

I do remember when the twin towers were hit, I was at school waiting for the bell to ring. I think I was in Mrs. Allen's 3rd grade class too. Wow, that was a long time ago. But it's always good to remember times like that, not dwell on them, learn and continue moving forward. "The future is only as bright as your faith." (Thomas S. Monson).

Oh man, I didn't think I'd ever miss football as much as I do now hahaha! Work first. Play later, yeah? I can't wait to come back and get back into it! Good for Houston. Keep being a stud. I can't believe Bountiful lost to Viewmont, ughhh! Houston better not lose to them when he plays. Boo Viewmont! Boo Hema! (hahaha jk bro, you cool),

Work here is going good. Then it rained for 4 days in a row but now it's starting to heat up again. I like the cooler weather much more. And I did get the box dad sent. Thank you so much! I don't wanna wear the new shoes cuz their so nice compared to my other ones I have haha! Church was good and we only went to our branch.

Well, that's all for this second installment! Love you guys!

--Elder Heimuli

Semana 39 - Where's My Mail?

The only thing that makes a missionary mom sadder than not getting a letter from her missionary, is to get one from him asking, "Where My Mail?" Don't have a clue why it didn't send. From my outbox, it looks like it sent. So here's what he said without the benefit of the 100 questions I usually ask in my email:


Dear family,

Yes, today is Monday. Seeing as I didn't get an email today from you guys I figured it was either one of two things: armageddon is here and it hasn't reached the south yet, or you guys are sending me a SUPER DUPER HUGE package in the mail today and put the letter in there! I pray it's the second one!

Anyways, I'll give you guys a rundown of what the happenings are here in Atlanta.

This week we commited two people to baptism. One guy is Jose who we met last week just knocking doors. It's a pretty funny story. So when we were knocking we weren't having any success, people wouldn't let us in, let along answer the door. So on our last door we knock, I look down and there are two pennies face up on the ground. I just laugh and pick 'em up and hand one to Elder Shumway. I told him that this guy is totally gonna answer the door and want to be baptized. We just laugh and wait a little longer. Well we decide we're done for that complex and turn to walk away but then someone answers the door. He immediately just invites us in and we have a lesson with him. Then next lesson we have with him, a few days later, we soft commit him to baptizm, which he said yes.

Then we recieved a referral from the Yankees (North Missionaries) for a guy named Luis. They told us he's super golden, so we're just like, "Great! Thanks a lot!" We go over to his house and meet him and his girlfriend Kacee. She just moved here from Florida and is a recent convert of 10 months. He is from Mexico. They're both in their twenties, so they're young and super cool. He wants to get baptized and marry her and maybe serve a mission if he's not too old first. So we had a lesson with them and it was good. We set a date with Luis for the 1st of October. Really exciting stuff.

One of the biggest events this week was a party called Dia de las Naciones. It's a big party the branch holds every year. It's a celebration of all the Latin countries where we do a tour of the chapel, eat food (dishes from every country) and they put on a show made up of all the dances from the different countries as well. It's really successful and we get a lot of non-members to come to it. This year, one of the people in charge, Sister Saldana, blackmailed us into singing a musical number. She said if we didn't sing, she would stop feeding us! Well, once the whole thing was done she said we did great and then added, "you guys didn't really think I'd stop feeding you, right?" We performed a song called, "How Can I Be?" and I played the uke. We only practiced twice and half the singers didn't even know the song haha. It was fun though!


(Elder H in the middle playing the uke)

Luis and Kacee came to the party and cheered us on haha! We met a lot of cool people at the party, got a few referals, and ate a lot of good food. I'd say it was a success!

This is the last full week of the transfer so we're just gonna finish strong. Oh, and I heard Juan has a date for the 20th of Oct or something so that was cool to hear!

Well hope you are all doing great and I'll send pictures in a separate email!

Luvs--Elder Heimuli