Week 98 - I Don't Know if I'm Gonna Come Back

"At first the hours seem like days and the days seem like weeks, but before you know it, the weeks will feel like days, the months will feel like weeks."

On the way to the BYU vs Georgia Tech game sporting his "blue" sweater given to him by the Madsens.
It's not BYU-blue.  Not even Georgia Tech-blue.  It's like eye-blinding "look at me" blue!

This was the prediction given to me in the MTC by...I forgot who, but someone who had already served a mission. Maybe my teacher???  Anyways, this fact is standing true as I'm sitting here watching the sun set on my mission. This past week has flown by and it really did feel like only yesterday I was sitting here recounting to you the experiences of my previous week. I am so grateful for all the things I've been able to do.

The front came in last night and I'm here shivering with my fingers half numb, trying to type out all of my experiences haha. I guess God's warming me up for snow-filled Utah. (It snowed yeah? that's what I heard anyways...)

This week has been one thing after another and it seems like I'll be going full-steam ahead until the end. Monday we didn't take a p-day, we just wrote letters. Tuesday was normal and then on Wednesday we headed down to Fayetteville for a leadership training meeting. There were all the current mission leadership in attendance but as well about 30 other missionaries who I can just assume will be future leadership. They're getting 'em all prepped for when all of us old timers kick it hahaha.

It was really great. Brother Watson came to speak with us. He is one of the people who put together Preach My Gospel and he had some amazing things to say. It wasn't anything new, but the way he put things made it so clear to me and everyone else in the room. He taught the Doctrine of Christ and how it is the center of EVERYTHING. The Atonement and it's amazing capabilities should be the focus of all we do. He and Pres Harding then introduced some things that the mission is going to do a little differently: ie, using creative ways to get our message out there (like concerts or musical numbers or other stuff) and being normal people but representatives of Christ (ie, going to the BYU game!). It made me kinda sad to see that there are all these wonderful things going on...and I won't be a part of it. We all left that meeting with a renewed commitment to continue being obedient PMG missionaries. Pres Harding is kind of a goof (in a great way!) and LOVES symbols and visuals. So he brings out this huge, legit sword to the meeting and asks all of us to sign it and agree to 100% obedience. I signed it, of course!  :)

This past friday me and my boy E Paxson set up an exchange with...my other son Romero!

Elder Heimuli & his youngest son, Elder Paxson

Romero came with me and we just did work. We were able to talk. I wanted to make sure that he recognizes he is here for a reason. I freaking love this kid and I'm so proud of what he's done. I'm planning on visiting with his family once I'm home to let them know how great he is. Anyways, so we had a good time. I know it's been hard for him cuz his very first transfer E. Hansen went home. Then he's here now with me going home soon. And his comp right now is going home next transfer. Not to mention all the CRAZY people here in ATL making it hard to stay positive! Romero will be a great missionary, and when I see him all i can think of is "Ammon." He was a little down yesterday at church, so I called him last night to see what's up.  :)

So, saturday we went to the BYU game and holy cow, I've never been more trunky in my life!!!

Georgia Atlanta East Zone enjoying the pre-game festivities!

The night before there was a fireside and I talked to Brandon Doman, Steve Kaufusi (and Bronson...who is HUGE!) and some other players I recognized from high school. Then, on actual game day I talked to Jason Kaufusi (who was sporting a nice blue uniform hahaha,

[Note from Mom:  Jason would have been Helam's coach at Weber but now is coaching at the Y...good for him!])

Lance, umm?

[ANOTHER Note from Mom:  Reynolds...gosh, these kids need to know who these legendary folks are, instead of just calling them "Dad's coach" or "Dad's teammate" every time!]

(well, you know...Dad's coach...I think that's his name. Anyways, he says hi!), Chad Lewis and they were all talking about how they need to get me to BYU.

And then, oddly enough, one of the cheerleaders came up to me and it turns out it was a girl I went to high school with! That was super weird. I got into this weird mood at the game cuz I just felt like I was back in Utah and it freaked me out!

L to R: Elder Paxton, Elder Heimuli, Elder Romero & Elder Shelly
Are their noses bleeding yet?

Speaking of the Madsens (at the beginning of this post), the blue sweater got attention!
Here are Elder Heimuli, Brother Madsen & Elder Charlesworth
(Elder C's sweet mom, Lacey, sent this pic!)

I don't know if I'm gonna come back, it's just too weird. I like being a missionary here. If you don't see me step off the plane come Nov 15th, you may have to fly out here and drag me back!

Kimberly was baptized Sunday morning and it was great! There was lots of support from the ward and it just set a great tone for the rest of the Sunday. I am so lucky to be here and I feel like I'm finally seeing the fruits of 2 years of struggling in spanish,  hahahhaa.

L to R: Elder Smith, Elder Heimuli, new member Kimberly, Elder Paxson & Kimberly's sons

Oh, and there was a fall festival at our chapel saturday after the game. We got there late and missed all the festivities but i don't care cuz when I got there I heard this shriek "Muuuuliiiii!!!!" and I turn and I see the Mata family from the Chamblee branch there! I ran over there so quick! We spent the whole time cleaning but it was great cuz I saw all those awsome mexicans that I love!!

That's it for my week. I hope it was descriptive enough  :)

Tell Houston that he needs to go all the way to the finals so I can cheer them on! That would be so sick!

Anyways, I love you all so much. Love ya mom!

--E. Heimuli

Week 97 - Hope to See a Mormon in the White House

(Note from Mom: For two years, Elder Heimuli has submitted a small paragraph to wonderful missionary mom Gayla Allen. Gayla's son, Kevin, is serving in the Mexico Merida mission.  Gayla has diligently put together this incredible monthly newsletter which highlights now over 40 missionaries from the same Bountiful High School graduating class of 2010! As Elder Heimuli's mission winds down, this newsletter is certainly something he -- and Mom -- will miss! Here is Elder Heimuli's last and final paragraph to be included in the November newsletter.)

Hey everyone!

This is just a quick (and last) letter to all of my brothers (and sisters?) in the field. Nothing too formal or epic, I just wanted to let everyone know that I am grateful for the opportunity I've had to serve as a full time missionary for 2 years. I have learned and grown in stature as well as in spirit and testimony. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ for the enabling power of the Atonement and the power of obedience and diligence. Please take all that you've learned, all that you've become, and move forward! There are so many great things to do while we're here, but not a lot of time to do them. Use that Spirit you've been able to master to keep making right choices. I love you all lots! Catch ya on the flip side! 

 

Gayla, thanks for the newsletters. I will miss getting them every month but look forward to seeing you all in person! 

--E. Heimuli 

(Now...on to this week's letter from Elder Heimuli)

Hey Mom!!!

Yes, it's crazy that Week 97 is goners. I keep having these small moments of "Holy cow, you're almost done," but then that wears off in a few seconds and I feel normal -- like I'll be doing this for the rest of my life. That wouldn't be so bad either.

I can't remember any details from this past week. I know that we worked very hard and we have seen some tender mercies for it. Tuesday I went out to Dunwoody and served w E. Baugh for the day...IDK where he's from. Anyways, it was Spanish and I was so stoked! We saw a family that they've been working w for a while. They had a baptismal date but then it fell through cuz they have some marital issues to work out... But they're fantastic and they kept trying to feed us! (There is so much I miss about Spanish, but I don't really miss having to stuff myself everyday.) But we withstood the temptation and taught them a quick lesson. Spanish was a little struggle that day for some reason, but it got better after I was there for a while.

As for our investigators, Ky is still shooting for this Sunday! The ward is so supportive and we're BUSY this week hahaha so we're trying to figure out how to get everything done that we need to before then. Bro. Saldana is helping a lot though, so that's great! D hasn't come to church yet. We saw her last week and she said she's been busy but she'll be coming when she's got a spare moment. J (Marriott girl) was busy when we showed up for out appt last week. We're going by there right after this, so wish us luck. Kn is still awsome, but we are trying to figure out how to get her to church. She is very capable of getting there, and she told us she would go, but she just did not tell us when. Bleh...at least she loves the BoM! So we're just trying to keep on going w our investigators that we have now. Things are a little slow w them, but it's ok.

I got the ballot and I signed it and sent it the day of. Things are getting intense here w the whole elections. Well, intense in a good way. People here LOVE Romney and always tell us that they hope to see a Mormon in the White House. That's been cool to see, but the persecution is gonna come soon -- you know it!

The most interesting thing I'm doing now, in conjunction w missionary work, is trying to read the BoM before I go home. I am so far behind but I'm reading like a beast! I read a while back in 1 Ne. 15:24 where talks of the Word of God and how we must hold fast to stay strong against the temptations of the devil. It connects so well with Jarom 1:10 which talks of how the prophets taught ("threaten" is actually the word they chose to use, haha) according to the word of God. God's way is so clear and exact, and if we continually hearken to those things, we cannot err.

So will the BHS stadium have to be renamed "Bishop Larry Wall Stadium?" hahaha, that would be great! That man is so amazing!! I still remember lessons that I learned from him during those high school football days. As a missionary, I've gained such a great respect for bishops and branch presidents. They do A LOT!!!!! Great men.

Well, everything is going well and we're all doing great. Just trying to do the Lord's work. Thanks for all the love, prayers and support -- and keep 'em coming!!! I love you Mom! Tell everyone what's up!

--Love, E. Heimuli

Week 96 - So Very Blessed to Be Here

Good morning Mom!

I don't know what it is about P-day, but they've been super cloudy and gloomy lately. The weather here has been weird cuz it's only on p-days--the other days of the week are pretty warm and sunny. Falls just acting up over here haha.

Thanks for getting those addresses for me. I appreciate it a lot. I'll be sure to write them or something. Oh, and i did get the packages and I am sharing the wealth! Hahaha way too much sweets for me anyways--I'm trying to slim down to look good for all my fans back home:) ...well, fan haha.

No, this past week has been really great! I don't know why, but we have been really blessed! Things just started to work out.

Final Transfer with Elder Paxson & Elder Smith

We found two super legit new investigators: D (a girl...yeah, she even admitted that it's a weird name for her) and J. We met D just knocking around the neighborhood of a less active member. She answered the door and immediately let us in. She told us that she had been praying for help and we knocked on her door. Classic missionary story, yeah? E. Paxson was freaking out cuz it was such a cool miracle.

J we met knocking a random street in a remote part of our area. It's pretty crazy cuz most of the houses on her street are vacant or super run down. She pulled up to her house right as we were walking by. We talked about the BoM cuz she works for the Marriott and has always seen the BoMs but has never read it. She is way cool and we're going back to see her this week.

Hindulo is good. We saw him the other night and got some good pics w him and his fam. He is really happy and loves that he is a member now! He can feel the holy ghost so distinctly. They're working on going to the temple--so we'll see what happens. It won't be for another year so maybe I'll need to fly back here one day.

The Beautiful Smith Family:  baby Nayhalo, Ghensa, Elder Heimuli & Hindulo

Oh, and last night we had a lesson with Ky. First one in about a transfer. We got in there and asked her if there was anything she had questions about or anything we could help her with. She said no but then said after a short a pause, "I guess we can just get ready for my baptism now." I couldn't believe what I just heard. There was about a 5 second delay until I could say anything. I was able to pipe out, "Wait, do you feel like you're ready now?" and she responded, "Yeah," with a nod of her head. I froze. I'm not use to success like this. I couldn't believe that after all this time of struggling she finally is gonna be baptized. E. Smith was a champ and took over. We set her date for the 28th!

Kn is good and said that she'll come to an actual church service to make up for the conference haha. She is loving the BoM! She even picked her own homework assignment--Mosiah 27, which is a really good chapter.

I'm trying to finish reading the BoM by the end of my mission. I'm in the first chapter of 2 Nephi...I need to pick it up hahha!

Elder Heimuli met up with old friends & companions at his final transfer.
L to R: Elder Perez, Elder Heimuli, Elder Thomas & Elder Searle

I'm so very blessed to be here and I'm grateful for all your support and love and prayers! I'm doing fantastic and just want to keep working hard! Love you all and I'll talk to ya'll soon!

--E. Heimuli

Week 95 - She Gave Me a Hug!

As I read your letter just a few minutes ago, I realized that I have so many blessings in my life. There wasn't anything that's changed dramatically, I have just become more aware of those things that I either over looked, or took for granted. Time has moved by so quick and isn't halting one bit. It's October now and I am faced with the daunting reality that the mission for me is actually ending--this realization has come in painful, hitting waves over the past week: resulting in near whiplash--and it's very sad. It has, though, given me time to reflect and see the change that I've gone through. 

One thing I just want to hit on is that I am SO very grateful for you and your example of charity and love. When I read about your encounter w Art Nielsen tears came to my eyes (yeah, the ability to "not-cry-like-a-ten-year-old-girl" was a blessing that I USED to have in my life, but now that it's totally gone I see that I even took that for granted haha) I thought of how thoughtful it was for you to not just give him a ride home, but to go in to meet his wife and talk with them. That means so much to people and I never really understood the impact of loving actions like that until my mission. Harrison was part of something really beautiful. Can you send me contact info for Art and Coach Evans? If you can't then can you at least tell them that I'm thinking about and praying for them?

The past week has been eventful. We had transfers and got our new boy on Wednesday! E. Paxson from Gresham (near Portland), OR. I don't got a pic yet, sorry. We'll get one soon  :)  He's a funny kid who has a great testimony.

Pres. & Sis. Harding

We had our "Meet the President" meeting on Thursday, where the entire mission got to officially meet Pres. Harding and his family. Sis. Harding and her son Stockton, her daughter Candice and her son (forgot his name) and his wife (forgot hers too) all arrived last Saturday. At the beginning we kinda did the "wedding line" greeting where they stood there and all us missionaries formed a line and walked in front of them, shaking their hands and greeting them. 

After I greeted Pres. Harding, I moved on down the line to his wife. Sis. Harding looked at me and said, "I can do this. This is from your mom," and with a big smile, she gave me a hug! Thanks Mom! Luv ya! She continued to say that she met you and thinks you are such a wonderful woman--of course I agreed :)

This weekend was great! General Conference is my favorite! We were late to the Saturday morning session (due to lack of communication among members) so I missed the official announcement of the mission age change, but when I did hear it it blew me away! That's crazy! Missionaries are already too immature as it is! hahahah I'm kidding, whom the Lord calls, he qualifies, yeah? It'll be a great blessing for those who take that step and heed the call to serve. A testimony of Jesus Christ is all you need. A knowledge that He loves you, and faith that as you do the Lord's work your family will be blessed, the work you do here will go beyond this life and that you will change and become better. These things are so very true!

Kn came to the Sunday afternoon session w her son and her boyfriend. Oh man, it was rough for them. I sat by them and they looked so bored! After it was over I asked her, "Well, how did you like it?" and after a brief pause, she said carefully, "It was...different." hahahaha! I remember feeling that way not too many years ago! hahahaha! Oh well, maybe the spirit touched her some other way! They bounced after that. 

Tell Elders Soliai and Fraughton that I send my love and gratitude!

All is well here and I don't need much. I just need enough time to do what I need to do here. May God be with you during your hectic day.

Love ya lots,
--E. Heimuli

Week 94 - I Will Die in Lithonia

Hey Mom!

Wow, so Reed Johnson is headin to the mission field already?! Time moves quick! He will experience much growth and much learning as he works as a missionary, I can attest to that. But, as one who is coming to the end of his mission I have learned that, no matter how much I learn and understand, some things--like the meaning of the word "tutelage" or why Utah State is all of a sudden good at football--will forever stay out of reach of my understanding. Humbling.

This week has been such a blessing. I don't remember many details but there were a few things that I have clear remembrance of. Thursday was one of my most memorable days.

We started off the day by going to the temple. Pres. Harding called a ZL council but decided that he wants us missonaries to go to the temple more often. I'm ok with that hahaha. Well, blessings don't come w/o a little anxiety. The meeting was scheduled to start at 9 am. ATL traffic is HORRENDOUS but that particular morning we were making good time thanks to some expert driving. At about 840 am we were well on our way: 30 miles away from home and about 5 minutes to arriving at the temple..yes! That's when I decided to take a quick look at my wallet to make sure I was prepared...I wasn't. It dawned on me that my recommend was sitting on my desk in our apartment. All I could do was laugh and turn right back around. We let Pres know that we were gonna be a little late as we fought traffic back to Lithonia and then once again made our way back to the temple. We got to the temple at 915. Oh yeah.

We did a session and it was a good experience. E. Smith hasn't been to the temple for 14 months, so he was just ecstatic about his visit. Afterwards we had a meeting and Pres Harding expressed his ideas and shared a bit about his promptings with us. Staying true to "mormon time" (which means never start or end on time) we went over time about an hour and 45 minutes. We were getting anxious towards the end cuz we had a baptism to get to at 6pm. It was 4:45 and we still had to travel through ATL rush hour again.

The meeting ended and we BOLTED out of there. For most of the trip to the chapel in Lithonia we were in stand still traffic. As we were sitting there trying to plan out our plan of attack we kept realizing how unprepared we were for everything. We had no programs for the baptism, I had no clothing, no one was at the chapel and the baptismal font was empty...and it was 5:45 and we were a good 8 miles away. During these times I just laugh. By some miracle the cars parted like the Red Sea and we sped toward the chapel and arrived with 5 minutes to spare. Hindulo wasn't even there. It was just us two and Bishop Young. We made the preparations and quick! When Hindulo finally arrived we pulled together one of the smallest, simplest baptisms I have ever been to in my life. We were a whopping 6 people (and a baby). Despite the few numbers of people, the ones that mattered were there. The Spirit flooded the room as I baptized Hindulo (and nearly broke my back from trying to make sure he was completely submerged. The water level was ridiculously low due to being pressed for time to fill it). Really cool experience.

Elder Heimuli, Brother Smith, Elder Smith

Sunday was great. The other missionaries had two baptisms that morning so in sacrament we had 3 confirmations. That made for a very powerful rest of the day. Hindulo, his wife and his daughter were so cute w there matching african patterned clothing.

Ky came to church again. We still haven't gotten to meet w her. Crazy! Kn is good. I wasn't there for the last lesson we had with her but things are good. We just need to find out how we can help her take the next step.

Oh, we got a new ward mission leader and guess who it is?! BRO SALDANA!!!!! Oh man, I'm so excited! I freaking love him and his family! you have to meet them some day, you'll love 'em too!

I talked to Pres Harding this morning and it was confirmed that I will die (finish my mission) in Lithonia. I will be staying with E. Smith, but we're gonna have to take that posterity picture again cuz we'll be training someone again!!!! E. Smith is pretty excited hahaha.

Alright, I love you guys! Thanks for all you do!

with love,
E. Heimuli