Semana 59 - Turning 20...and There Was Much Rejoicing!

Hey Mom!!!

Well, you are officially writing to your 20 year old son! Is that weird for you, cuz it definately is for me! I look in the mirror and say, "Whoa, you're old! So that's what a 20 year old looks like...nah, not possible, you still look 18."



But then if you ask anyone out here (porque todos son enanos) they all think I'm 25 just cuz I'm SO tall haha.

I'm gonna start from the beginning of the week.

P-day we found out that we were staying together and there was much rejoicing.



Yes, I am bummed that I still have to study for 4 hours everyday because of the training plan that Padawan has to do, but it's all good. We're glad to be staying. So, that meant this wednesday we didn't go to transfer meeting (that was my first time EVER not going to transfer meeting. Weird feeling.) so we just worked. The week was good. Nothing too amazing happened. For right now our big focus in the mission is personal revelation and being exactly obedient! This mission is very strict and we just got some new rules and this week they told us that we cannot have any sort of games, instruments and stuff like that. So that means I'm sending Lulani home to you guys. So heads up and take care of her!

Now, for my b-day!!!! Oh man! I just wanna say that it was AWESOME!!!! The celebrations actually started the night before. Friday night the Madsens (he's a BHS alum) called and asked if they could take us out to dinner at a stake house for my b-day. When we get there it was jam packed full of people and I'm like, "What the heck? Why are there so many people here for my b-day?"



But then I realized that these things exist called "weekends" where people go out and do stuff cuz it's when they have a break during the week haha. TOTALLY forgot about those! So yeah, went there and I had some baby back ribs that were so good! I couldn't remember the last time I had ribs, but I CAN tell you the last time I ate tortillas! Last night.

Then, my actual b-day was great! I just did the normal stuff: Made padawan make me breakfast, made padawan clean my room, made padawan brush my teeth, etc. Hahaha I'm joking.

I opened presents that morning...


(Elder H's family each sent him a package of 20 things. This 1st pkg was from 6-yr old Harrison who sent Helam "20 foods" -- who doesn't love "foods"?)


(Elder H looks a little nervous about Houston's pkg -- "20 glowstick products" such a glowing sword, mask, rosary [what?] -- yes, useless but fun)


(Hevynn sent "20 cold-weather items"...cocoa, socks, cough drops, hand warmers, a digital thermometer?)

...and I LOVED the dvd I got from everyone!! For reals, I watched it like 7 times in a row.



Luckily, it just replayed over and over so I just sat there mesmerized for about 25 minutes. I couldn't stop smiling through the whole thing! Everyone is so different! So yeah, super awesome gift!


(Smiling...or crying?)

That night we went to Nayeli's house.





So there's a birthday tradition in Mexico where the "sapo verde" (bday person) makes his wish, blows out the candles, and then everyone chants "mordida, mordida, mordida" and the person has to take a bite of the cake.



While they take a bite, someone smashes their face into the cake. With my super awesome skills I successfullly took a bite w/o my face getting smashed into the cake, but when they cut me out a piece to eat for reals and handed it to me, I was a little too cocky and felt very prideful.



That's when elder Cowley pushed the piece into my face.



They all laughed. I laughed. Then they did it again. I love everyone here! (I'm being sincere)



B-day was great! Sunday was stake conference and we heard from Elder Walter F. Gonzalez and M. Russell Ballard. Good stuff. The work is still going slowly, but we're working hard. Oh, and I'm still sick and I'll probably go to the hospital to pick up some antibiotics. Then I'll be 100%!!!!

Tell Aunty Momi and Uncle Tini that I'm always praying for them! And Ben too if you ever talk to him! I love you all back at home and thanks for making my 20th bday a memorable one! I'll talk to yall later!

Love, Elder Heimuli

ps, I'm sending pics!

Semana 58 - The Lord Will Provide the p-day...the 20th b'day...the way

Hey Mom!!!

Not gonna lie, I'm so happy it's p-day today cuz I finally can get some rest! I'm feeling a little better so that's a blessing. Last week I was asked to rest a few days and we had to cancel some appointments cuz I didn't want to get any of our investigators sick, especially R and her baby (who isn't the healthiest little guy). Everything's going good, though. Bakes is good.

We do have transfers Wednesday and I'm not sure what's going on yet because we'll be getting calls tonight. Everyone is sure that me and Padawan are staying together so that's pretty much what I'm banking on. Maybe you should send the package to the office cuz if I am transfered it'll be there at transfer meeting, and if I'm not, I'll get it before my birthday anyways.

Speaking of birthdays, it felt weird seeing that "20th" next to "birthday." My days as a fun-loving teenager are coming to an end...sadly. I honestly feel like I'm degressing in maturity but whatever hahaha.

We did find a new investigator a few days ago and he is pretty cool. His name is Alvaro and he looks like a pirate. For reals, with the ponytail, moustache, button-down shirt, scar across his eye, parrot on his shoulder, etc. Ok, I was joking about the parrot, but the rest is legit. We just found him knocking. We had a few good lessons with him and he is also the first hispanic I've met whose favorite sport is volleyball. We hit it off well haha. Then another investigator that we've had for a while, Luis Soriano, started progressing (keeping his commitments/doing what we ask)! He read a bit of the BoM and wants to go to church! The challenge now is actually getting him there, but step by step, right? We're finally finding out what he needs to help him in his life and he is realizing that he needs to start taking those steps to improve his situation. It's good.

Church was fine. No investigators or less actives.

There's nothing I really need for right now, thanks though! Oh, and I got that "pick-me-up" package you guys sent! Thank you so much! I needed that! I also got the package uncle sifa and tami sent but I guess some ants got into it and the office had to replace the box, so I didn't have their address so I couldn't send them a thank you. But tell them thanks! The goodies were great and Tami is so nice! I'm excited to meet her when I get home!

Keep on being great and I'll talk to you later!

Love, Elder Heimuli

[Remember the youtube link from a previous post of Elder Heimuli's song, "The Lord Will Provide The Way" ??? Well, the kids decided to re-record it for Elder Heimuli's 20th birthday!]

Check this out -- Hema, Norma, Hevynn, Houston & Harrison's rendition of TLWPTW!

Semana 57 - Pushing Against the Rock...I'm So Glad I'm Here

Just got your letter and I am doing ok. I wouldn't say I've had much of an improvement, but I'm still alive aren't I? hahaha I'm joking, I don't wanna scare ya. I'm fine, and Padawan and I are trying our best.

It's SO GREAT to hear from you guys and all of the things that are going on! It seems like there are a million and one things happening all at once and I probably only get the condensed version :)

MLK Day wasn't really a huge celebration like you think it'd be. Really, the main thing people did to celebrate was not go to school...and close the library.

This week was fine. We had some good lessons with Rossana and a few other people. Padawan had his first experience where an investigator got freaked out by a baptism commitment and never wanted to talk to us again hahaha! Good experience :) Then it was just the usual ups and downs.

Seeing as the transfer is coming to a close this next wednesday (the 25th...ish?) it is time to confess all. This past transfer has been kind of a struggle for me. As I work and strive my hardest to do all the things i'm supposed to, it all seems to go nowhere. As I've been running in to brick wall after brick wall, I've tried to keep moving forward, but it gets harder. (I'm not complaining, I just want you to understand my position.) Being a trainer here is crazy cuz it puts a lot more on your shoulders: you are the only one who knows spanish, how to work, what to do, etc. The people you teach don't wanna hear from you, or only pretend to want to hear from you. The people that do progress, end up dropping off the face of the earth. Learning spanish in the USA is hard to do, blah, blah, blah. I'm sure everyone in the family can relate (ie. a ton of school work, crappy job, mountain of bills, sickness, relationship and other personal issues, etc.). Well, when someone is faced with things like this they feel isolated, alone, and helpless. Maybe they ask, "Why me?"

One thing that has helped me is this story:

Pushing Against The Rock

A man was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared.

The Lord told him He had a great work for him to do, then showed him a large rock, explaining that he was to push against the rock with all his might.

This the man did, and for many days he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulder set squarely against the cold massive surface of the rock, pushing with all his might.

Each night, the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling his whole day had been spent in vain.

Seeing that the man showed signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture - placing thoughts in the man's mind, such as, "Why kill yourself over this? You're never going to move it!" and "Boy, you've been at it a long time and you haven't even moved it one bit!" Satan gave the man the impression the task was impossible, and that perhaps the man was an unworthy servant because he wasn't moving the massive stone.

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man, and he started to ease up in his efforts. "Why kill myself?" he thought. "I should just bide my time, putting forth just the minimum amount of effort, and that will be good enough."

And this he did -- or at least planned on doing -- until one day, when he decided to take his troubles to the Lord.

"Lord," he said, "I have labored hard and long in Your service, putting forth all my strength to do that which You have asked of me. Yet after all this time, I have not even budged that rock even half a millimeter. What am I doing wrong? Why am I failing?"

To this heartfelt plea, the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when long ago I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you to push against the rock with all your strength. This you have done. Never once did I tell you that I expected you to move it -- and never by yourself. Your task was to push.

"Now you come to Me, your strength spent, ready to quit, thinking you have failed. But is this really so? Take a look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled; your back sinewed and brown. Your hands are calloused from constant pressure and your legs have become massive and hard. Through great opposition you have grown much and your ability now far surpasses that which you used to have. Yet still, you have not succeeded in moving the rock, and you come to Me now with a heavy heart, feeling spent and discouraged. But I am always here, and I will move the rock. Your calling was to be obedient and push, to exercise your faith and trust in Me, and this you have done."

We are put through things that will make us stronger and more capable. The only thing we are asked to do is PERSEVERE. The "lonely" feeling is a big one for me, but I'm still working on it, and I know if I continue working, I will be ok.

The mission is an awsome experience, and as I take a step back and take a look at the big picture, I'm so glad I'm here. Even though we may feel alone in this life, we should always remember the Lord's words to Joseph Smith [D&C 121:7-8] when he was in Liberty Jail (poorly translated from spanish), "My son, peace be unto thy soul, thine adversities and afflictions will be but a small moment. And then, if thou endure it well..."

Well, I love you and I'll talk to you next week! Tell ALL the family that I love them!

Love, Elder Heimuli

p.s. do you like my new haircut?

Semana 56 - If you receive a prompting to do good, follow it

Dear mom,

Sorry for the no letter last week, I have it in my sent box but I don't know why you didn't get it. Well, I sent it again so hopefully it works! Last week we didn't e-mail cuz the libraries were closed "in honor of the day after new years day" What is that? hahaha anyways, we also had our zone p-day and we played some good ol' rugby! Super fun! Maybe I'll try out for some rugby when I get back home!

I am doing good! Very very tired and a little sick but that's the life of a missionary! I'll be fine! I did see Houston's pics last week and I think I cried a little bit. My reaction in my brain was a little similar to Coach Rose's reaction...maybe a little more profane hahaha joking joking! He does look good though.

We are slowly building back up our teaching pool. We were actually able to find Sonia and teach her again!!!! Yay!! Everything is going good with her! We taught her about reading, praying and going to church to find an answer. It was good. She's slowly keeping her committments...slowly. We still haven't been able to find Rosana. Hopefully everything is good with her and her family. This week too we knocked into a family and taught them about the plan of salvation. I know we were meant to find them cuz when we knocked on their door Padawan did his shpeal on how the church is restored again and the lady (Eri) was very hesistant and about to reject us but then I felt impressed to share the plan of salvation and how families can be eternal and then she took a step back and just opened the door. It kinda blew me away at first and we just stood there for a couple seconds with dumb looks on our faces that said, "what just happened?" We've taught them twice now and all the lessons went well.

I'm glad you got to see Haley! Do you know if the Johnsons got the card and letter I sent them?

It's crazy to hear all these things going on at home and none of it seems real haha.

I loved that story about Harrison and his testimony. Also on your spiritual prompting. As baptized members of the church we are entitled to the guidance of the Holy Ghost and we receive SO MANY promptings from him, more than we realize. That's a big thing I've learned out here is how to recognize those promptings. This is something I'm trying to teach my boy. I know he receives revelation but like you yesterday, he's uncertain whether or not it's his own thoughts or the spirit. He's getting it slowly. One thing that helped me start is a saying that goes something like "if you receive a prompting to do good, follow it. There's no need to worry if it comes from the spirit or your own thoughts." I shouldn't have put that in quotes because that's not exactly what it said, but it's close. One of the most rewarding things ever is to be the answer to someone else's prayer. I have been that in so many ways (on the mish) and it makes me SO grateful that I am one who God trusts enough to help one of his children. Follow the promptings you receive and you'll see what comes from them.

E. Bakes is doing great and we're working harder (and training harder) than ever. I'm glad you got to meet Prince's mom! He actually told me that just barely haha. We're jealous:) Anyways, that's all. Love you mom and talk to ya later!

Love, Elder Heimuli

Semana 55 - Didn't get a letter? Happy New Year!

[Didn't get a letter from Elder Heimuli last week -- hopefully, we'll get 2 today!]



here was last week's letter. I don't know why you didn't get it but here it is! This weeks is on the way:)

Hey Mom!

Happy New Year! I'm still trying to get used to writing a "12" instead of an "11" haha. It's crazy to see how fast time flies by and a little scary as well. My time is very limited here and I want to make the most of it.

Well this week was a lot like last week because of the new year. A lot of people were still busy with family stuff and the members wanted to make sure we had a lot of food hahaha! We lost contact with most of our solid investigators so that's really sad...they just stopped answering our calls and their doors. Not much you can do cuz people have their agency! Everything is going good here, though!

Yeah, I received the package from the Eyre family! I threw the actual package away before I got home so I couldn't send them a thank you from me...but tell them thank you very much!

For the new year we had to be inside at 6pm so we had a full day of one baptism for the other elders, a game of basketball with the new convert and 3 different dinner appointments hahaha! Well, we were worn out by the time night rolled around so we actually took the opporitunity to go to bed early for a change (about 10:15-ish)! So we drank our martinelli's and hit the hay. It was great! At around midnight I wake up to a loud pounding on our door. I just thought, "ughh, drunk people." So I rolled out of bed and went to the door. Open it up and I see that it's Brother and Sister Madsen! [Brother Madsen is a Bountiful High School alum.] They yell happy new year and hand me a giftbag! I got a cool cardigan! They had one for Bakes too but he was out haha. They are so cool!

The weather is finally getting cold over here! The past two days have been FREEZING!!!! But it's all good cuz I have warm stuff to wear. I just think Georgia weather is funny cuz it's also been the sunniest it's been for a while ha!

Well, I'll send pics! Love you guys!

--Elder Heimuli