Surprise! Let's Play "Where's Heimuli?"

Dear Mother...again...

Do you guys want to play a fun game called "Where's Heimuli?" Here's how you play:

-go to ctrlds.org
-find the files about the Atlanta Temple Open House/Rededication
-open them and look through the pics
-see if you can find me!

I know for sure there is one picture there of me and Elder Morris. This random asian dude with a camera came up to us and was like, "stand over here," and he took our picture then said, "this will be on a website," and he told us the name. I totally forgot about it until now. I don't know if there are more but if there are see if you can find them!

Alright, love you again!

--Elder Heimuli

(Note from Mother: I give up!)

(New Note: Jessye found it! At http://www.ctrlds.org/album53/ade?full=1 but I have no idea who the guy is in the middle...the name tag says "Usher" but it certainly doesn't look like him)


(That's more like it!)

Semana 24 - "If all else fails, do what Nephi did"

Dear Mother :)

What is the BEST thing that happened to me this week? Well, I'd have to say the baptism on Saturday. Now, before you get too excited, it was in our branch. They were investigators of the Smyrna elders. The dad was an inactive member who was baptized in Mexico, so his wife and 10 year old son was baptized saturday. Really cool to see. Of course it was completely disorganized and there was no one from the branch presidency there until the last 5 minutes but it happened.

Everyone is doing fine. The finding is...going :) We are finally moving forward with some marriages, but there are still a few problems here and there. Haha it just sometimes seems like we are more worried about it than the couples are. Crazyness!

Sorry this is late, every library is closed on Memorial Day! I did get the poly food and thanks so much for it! I like eating food that doesn't make me sick for days afterwards for a change hahaha! Good ol' rice and corned beef. And yes, of course I shared everything with the other elders.

Ha the Tallahassee Mission is actually mostly Alabama with the little panhandle of Florida...pretty interesting. If you met the people down here in the South, it wouldn't be a mystery why the boundaries are so crazy!

The temperature here is starting to climb like crazy! It's been in the middle/high 90s the last couple of days and the humidity isn't helping. I'd LOVE for a little rain right now. There was a huge storm that passed through Thursday where it just rained sheets of water and had tons of lightning, but since then it's been hot. Our Sunday we just decided to teach like crazy. We busted out 8 lessons in about 3 or 4 hours. It's pretty sad how many people don't want the gospel as part of there lives hahaha. We had no investigators come to church (well, besides Juan but he's solid) so that was lame.

The BoM is so great! I'm glad you are all doing the challenge and I'm sure you're all learning a lot as a result. I know I am...well, as much as I can squeeze out from Spanish haha. I've been lagging a few pages cuz I'm so busy, but I'm trying my best to stay on top of it! Spanish is a beast! Probably one thing that stuck out to me was Laman and Lemuel and how they always needed a stern reminder. Especially for me, and teaching so many different types of people, I have seen the ones who have needed that stern reminder. The way you go about doing that is the way Nephi does. He does it out of love and wants them to change to improve themselves. I have experiences where I've called someone out just because I was frustrated or I wanted to make them look stupid--and that's not the way. Showing them boldly and directly but lovingly at the same time will get through to them much more effectively. When I do that, the outcome is much better. Nephi is such a great example in everything--if all else fails, do what Nephi did.

Love you all and I hope this week is full of blessings!

--Elder Heimuli

Semana 23 - Let the Reading (of the Book of Mormon in 2 Transfers) Begin!

Que onda?

Alright, so transfers has passed and only Elder Haight was moved out.


(Elder Haight & Elder Heimuli were comps in the MTC, then they both landed in the same house when they arrived in the mission field. After 22 weeks, Elder Haight has left Helam behind...)

Elder Benedict moved in and is comps with Elder Henderson. We're all pretty excited about the situation now!

I'm glad that you guys have taken up the reading assignment along with me:)


(Elder Heimuli wearing what he calls his "Houston Mask" -- Houston is Elder H's 14-year old brother; Mom does NOT think that's very funny!)

You have all learned so much from only the first few chapters! I am reading the Libro de Mormon (totally in Spanish), so its a little hard for me to understand everything super precisely and it takes a lot more time to read, but I still learn lots from it!

I love what everyone said, and it's all so true! Nice work Mom, Harrison, Houston, Jessye, Sifa (Dad? Hema/Norma? haha jk). I especially like Hevynn's one-liner (I'm not sure if that was cuz she was inspired or just didn't read;)) but the sole purpose of the Book of Mormon IS to help us remember Christ. The title says "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" and that's exactly what it is. We're told that we need to have faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement in order to progress towards eternal life. Faith is believing in something that is not seen. The BoM is a record of the people in the Americas who believed in Jesus and his atonement and yet they didn't see him (until way later of course). The people in the Bible lived with him, saw the miracles he did and they still crucified him, believing that he was NOT the son of God. Our redeemer. The promise that we are given in the last 2 paragraphs of the introduction (which we use to teach investigators to obtain a knowledge of it's truthfulness) can apply to us as well. Search (read), ponder and pray and you will obtain a testimony that this Book is true--therefore what it teaches is true: that Jesus Christ is our Savior. Cool, yeah?:)

Our week was pretty alright, we did find some people to teach. The funny thing is that they've all been like 15 year old girls, that's kind of the trend we're finding out here these last few weeks but hey, they listen! Nothing too solid yet. The ward is all doin good and stuff and yeah crazy Hermano Brown taught again. The funny thing was that last week on Tuesday, Elder Ybarra went back and talked to his investigators and they were like, "Yeah, we liked it. It all made sense!" Hahaha so now we're trying to figure out if Hermano Brown is crazy, or inspired...both maybe? This sunday though we were laughing cuz he couldn't say this one word in Spanish then he just turns to me (probably cuz I was closest to him) and says, "yo hablo mejor que tu," and then just keeps on trucking with the lesson. I laughed so hard but I was kinda bugged cuz he called me out, but whatever:) I'll get better at Spanish!

The Hispanic food is starting to take it's toll on me, I don't know how much longer I can eat oily beef and corn tortillas...please send me some corned beef or something! Wahoo? Just anything poly! I made Spam, eggs and rice the other night and it was SOOOO good! Oh, and maybe dad could tell me how to make 'otai? We've been with the Atlanta english zone a couple times the past couple weeks and I'm learning more and more tongan haha. Crazy Tongans.


(Elder Heimuli doing a service project at the beautiful Atlanta Temple with another Tongan missionary -- Elder Liuanga from Nuku'alofa, Tonga)

Oh, and we also caught some fish and brought 'em home, cleaned 'em, and cooked 'em up! Not gonna lie, I can bake a mean fish! It's kinda creepy when you got em sitting in your kitchen sink and they're just floppin around, starring at you with their soul-less eyes...but you get over it when you eat them a couple hours later:)


(Elder H -- 19 years old and still plays with his food)

Well, that's it for now! Thanks for everything that you guys do! I love you all and pray for you all!

--Elder Heimuli

Semana 22 - Finally...a letter. Farewell, Evan! Funny thing happened...

Hola familia! Alright, so this is the email I sent yesterday but I got back on the computer today to do my president's letter and I saw in my inbox that it got sent back to me. Sorry if you didn't recieve a letter from me yesterday, but here it is! (Note from Mom: Yes, I was a bit concerned...well, deeply depressed and freaking out are probably more accurate descriptions.)

Well, it sounds like your Sunday was a lot busier than mine! Haha That's really cool about Evan's farewell and everything! Wish I could say I'd rather have been there to see it, but nah -- a mission is much better :) I heard about Kenny and I sent him a letter on Saturday so hopefully he gets it in the next couple of days. I don't know if I have time right now to write everyone cuz transfers is this Wednesday and we're a little busy, but I will find time to write real letters to everyone! I need Craigory's address...

I hope everyone's happy...especially Norma who married this SUPER AMAZING guy (who's just a little hairy...) that loves her lots and would do anything for her! I'm pretty sure she knows all that already haha! Hema: Toca en la guitarra una cancion bonito para su querida esposa ahorita!



I sent that letter about the reading from the President, so whatever it says, just go with it! Elder Morris is good and our week was still pretty slow...not many elect people :( But hey, we're still goin! "No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing." And we plan on working until "the Great Jehovah shall say, 'it is done.'"

On Sunday we just had church like normal. We usually teach the Gospel Principles class because the person with that calling doesn't do it. This week we didn't have to though, cuz Hermano Brown (this crazy old Venezuelan guy) taught it. He is the former second counselor who just got released this past week and called to be the teacher. He knows a lot of doctrine, but he's a little 'loco de la cabeza' and says a little too much sometimes. This week he was telling an investigator about how her child has a different name in heaven and was proving in class why other religions were false (she is Catholic). I just put my head in my hands and prayed that she'd come back next week!!!!!!

The funniest part of yesterday was when we were parked at a stop light and Elder Morris saw a screwdriver in the road. We were in dire need of one. He ran out to grab it but then dropped his pen. The light turned green so he started panicking. When he bent over to get his pen, his pocket barfed and all the cards fell all over the road. We were all in the car laughing. So he scrambled to grab the cards, jumped in the car and drove across the intersection and then we almost hit some people trying to cross the street, and while we were stopped in the middle of the intersection, a car almost hit us. We were just busting out laughing the whole time, except Elder Haight who was a little freaked out. Pretty sure everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong. We just drove off really fast to save us the embarrassment.

Well that's all the action for this week. I'll be sure to let you know about transfers and all that good stuff next time!

Love you! Pray for you!

--Elder Heimuli

PS. I'm staying in Marietta with Morris another transfer hahaha

Semana 21 - Pics, Pets, Places, Putting People in the Past

(Note from Mom: Shortest letter ever -- to be expected since we just talked to Elder H on a conference call 24 hours before!)

Hi familia,

It was great to talk to you guys yesterday too! It made me nervous to speak in Spanish to Hema cuz my Spanish skills aren't that great, but i'm glad you guys think so haha! I'll keep working hard on improving so i'll be even better in 7 months time:)

I'm bummed I didn't talk to Grandpa H! That guys should have talked or something haha! Tell him hi from me and that I want to talk him and also Dad for longer than 2 minutes, yeah? And yes, I got to talk to grams so that was cool. The conference call was kinda overwhelming at first because I couldn't understand when everyone was talking all at the same time!

Good luck at the farewell next week. Tell Elder Parry (and Craigory) that real men go to the South! Then, apologize to Craigory and tell him thanks for the letters and that I'm doin fine! (Evan's dad). I'm sure Jessye would love to go to game night!

The kids sound great! Except Harrison didn't talk hahaha. I'm sad Hevynn is mean to the Brothers, that's why i'm glad i'm out here cuz I'm out of hitting distance hahaha. Tell Houston to work his hardest--I wanna see a freshman starting Varsity/All-State when I get home! Just keep loving them like I know you always do, Mom!

Some of these first few pictures are "The Black Supper," me and my pet Mighty, and a few pics of me and Morris at the temple with some former investigators hahaha.

I'm sending more as we speak!

Love you guys and have a great week!

--Elder Heimuli


Mighty the Duck was a short-lived pet -- no, he didn't die; he just wasn't a pet for long...after he pooped in the tub...then pooped in Elder Morris' drawer...Mighty was sent out into the big, bad world.


Me holding a puppy! I named him P-Gunie! (Note: I'm sure P-Gunie's actual owners were thrilled with that name...good thing "Mighty" was already taken)


Us in CokeWorld -- we drank this nasty drink called Beverly that tastes like earwax!


Eating at a park on Mother's Day because we picked up some food from a member but we didn't wanna go back and eat in our messy house...the guy who took the last picture asked if we were the "Normans" ...I just said yes...


So Henderson's birthday was on the 28th and we made a cake out of ding-dongs and put candles on it, then we used those candles to make mini-smores! (we're so creative!)


Pic of us burning the tie that Elder Haight's girlfriend gave him (cuz he got dear johned!)


Me and Morris at the Temple with some former investigators...who need to get married

Almost Mother's Day (BIG smile!)

Buenos tardes!

As you know, this Sunday is Mother's Day and you guys have the special priviledge of hearing my beautiful voice IN PERSON! You guys are so blessed:) Hahaha jk. Anyways, so I WILL CALL you guys but you will have to tell me what time is best for y'all. Sundays I have to go to the church at 9am for meetings and I just stay there all the way until church ends at 2:30pm.

So, for Utah time that means I go from 6am until 11:30am. (Note from Mom: Actually, that's 12:30pm Utah time...only 30 minutes before our church meetings start...short conversation!)

I know you guys have church and all that good stuff at 1 right? I can call in between when I finish church and you guys start? Utah time: 11:30--1:00 (Another note from Mom: That's not right...oh well)

Just let me know what would be good with y'all, yeah?

Love you all!

--Elder Heimuli

Semana 20 - When he spoke I knew for a surety that he is a prophet of God

Hola familia!

So the weather here is holding haha. It's not like we're very aware of what goes on in "the outside world" anyhow, which also includes weather. The only reason I knew about the huge storm is becuase the tornado sirens were going off that night (which happens more frequent than you'd expect) and in the morning there was a tree that fell on a car hahaha. It was right next to our car but ours didn't even get a scratch--nice to see even the Lord's cars are protected:)


Sad...someone's car got the brunt of a tree snapped by a tornado


Really sad...Elder Heimuli noticed inside the car was a Haitian flag (hasn't Haiti suffered enough?)

The week was good. We dropped a lot of our investigators because they hadn't been progessing, so this next week our focus will be finding. We did teach a lot of lessons though, so that was a plus. We went on a few exchanges this week and one of them the greenie came with me! It was kinda weird to be the one who knew more Spanish, but it was good.

This Saturday we were able to watch the Cultural Celebration. It was broadcast in our chapel. It was cool to see everyone excited about the temple and how many members there actually were in Georgia! It surprised me! It was funny though cuz there were just so many kids doing each dance that it was kind of a mess. They'd be all squished together on stage and banging into each other cuz 1/3 of the kids were lost, 1/3 of them looked like they didn't wanna be there and the other 1/3 actually knew what they were doing. It's ok though cuz President Monson was totally into it the whole time.

Sunday we drove out to a chapel in a city called Brockett where the rededication was to be broadcast. We didn't have church cuz there were 3 different broadcasts. We went to the 9 o'clock one. It was really cool to be apart of another temple dedication. The coolest part for me happened when President Monson spoke right before he dedicated the temple. When he got up to speak I just looked at him and started to cry. I didn't cry because of anything he said, but just because of how he appeared. When he spoke I knew for a surety that he is a prophet of God. I know that we have the one man on earth now who speaks with that authority from God and that he leads the true church of Jesus Christ. That was the first time I've ever recieved a witness like that before in my life and I'm so very grateful that I did.

Now I know crying doesn't always mean that the Spirit is present, but I know that was the case during the dedication yesterday. In Alma 5:45-46 it talks about receiving an answer through the Holy Spirit. Read it and do the things it says if you are looking for an answer to a question or even guidance and it will be given to you. Like Elder David A. Bednar said in general conference--whether it is by "sudden illumination" or a "gradual increase of light" you will know when you recieve that answer.

Oh and just a funny little thing happened. After the session I met a poly lady outside who said she is Sione's (Johnny's) sister and she went to school with Dad. She says hi:)

I finished reading the BoM this morning. I started the day I left the MTC and I commited myself to read it all the way through for the first time. Yay! I did it! It was such a good experience! Funny though, because a couple days ago President Satterfield told us to read the BoM all the way through (again) and this time invite our families to read along with us. So starting next transfer he wants us to start and every week talk about what we've read with our families--he said that we should finish in 2 transfers. Cool beans?

I will probably be allowed to email you guys before mother's day to set it up. so yeah.

Love you all!

--Elder Heimuli