Semana 63 - Keep My Commandments

Hey mom!

There was some pretty big news this week, yeah? First of all I'm SO glad to hear that Aunty Momi and Uncle Tini & family are doing great. I have been praying for them every night and I'm glad my, as well as everyone else's prayers, were answered.

Then, right before I read your email, I read an email from Pres. Satterfield that announced our new mission president and I was so surprised to see they were from Bountiful. I didn't really make the connection until I read your email to me, but yeah, I do remember Brit Harding. Cool beans.


New mission president (Deborah & John Harding from Bountiful!) coming to Georgia Atlanta Mission in July 2012.

They'll be here right towards the end of my mish hahaha. Too bad. I'm excited to meet them!

Well, now I guess it's my turn to give MY boring weekly update haha. This week was a pretty great one actually. Not because we found a golden investigator that wanted to be baptized immediately or something like that--it was actually the opposite. We had no real investigators at the beginning of the week. The other ones kinda dropped off the face of the earth. We worked every single day to try and find, contact, reactivate, whatever we could to stay diligent. People did let us in the teach them, but they had no real interest. However, despite our words falling on deaf ears, we just kept teaching, preaching and inviting. And you know what? I'm happy! I'm happy cuz I am doing what I'm called to do. When people hit hard times like this it's easy to get discouraged, throw your hands up and just say, "You know what? I'm done! Why do I need to follow the rules, be diligent or any of that if I get no results!" A lot of people become less diligent in keeping the rules, the commandments, but I read the scripture in John 14:15, 20 that talks about those who love Christ will keep his commandments.

"If ye love me, keep my commandments...At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."

It's that simple. He loved us enough to give us his life, so how hard is it to follow some rules that will acutally make you happy? Yep, so that's what I read and it has stuck with me ever since, keeping me humble and keeping me diligent!

So, I guess the best thing that happened to me was that I have realized the love God has for all of us and the way that we can show it back!

I am doing great out here! I love you guys a lot!

Semana 62 - Moses 1:39

Hey mom!

I'm doing good! I got to write today because we're at a members house. I don't know why EVERY holiday has to be on monday...it's really inconvenient for missionaries. It's funny how stuff like that (holidays, mail, church) mean so much more on a mission.

Thank HEAVENS we got our gas turned on this past thursday. Towards the end of the week I gave up trying to shower, cuz it took so much time, and just washed my hair for the last couple days. Gross. Well, Thursday afternoon the gas got turned on. So when we got back from our 8 hour meeting, I jumped straight into the shower. Oh man, it felt good! Now waking up in the mornings aren't the most terrible part of our day. The weather was really cold (but no snow) during the week or so that we had no gas, but it warmed up Friday and it's been good since then. Go figure.

I finally got the package you guys sent me a few days ago and I just wanna thank you! Haha I'm scared I'm gonna put on a few pounds from all the candy I've gotten, but hey I get to enjoy while it lasts. :)

This past week was just as easy as last week...which isn't so much hahaha. I've been working extra hard these past few weeks and eventhough I haven't seen much "fruit" from my hard work, I know that I'm here to work and I'm satisfied. No investigators to church but we did have our branch conference. DyC 39:7-13 was a scripture that the stake president challenged us to read as a stake. I just liked how it talks of a greater call that we all have as members of the church (not just missionaries). It says "work" in verse 9 i think and I connected that to a scripture Moses 1:39. God's whole purpose is to bring his children eternal life, so don't you think we would find the most joy in doing the same thing? I know that THAT'S true! But like God, we can't force eternal life on anyone we just let them choose for themselves. This is a thought that has been helping me out the past few weeks of "no success." 

Sunday, a member pulled me aside randomly and said, "Remember: Don't worry about things you can't control." I was confused it was out of nowhere but recently I've just been worrying about why I am not seeing success even though I am working hard. She didn't explain why she felt like she needed to tell me that, but I'm glad she did. It gave me the little push I needed to keep going.

Our new place is so cool now that we have heat! But I think I'll only be here for another 2 weeks haha. Sad.

Well, that's all. Tell every one that I love them!

--Elder Heimuli

Semana 61 - Change

Hey mom!

Another week gone here in "Hotlanta" only not so hot. This week is the coldest one yet, and I mean COLD! A few days I thought it started snowing, but just freezing temps. It is crazy cuz only last thursday it was 70's but since friday its hit at about the low 30's.

Oh, another announcement! We moved apartments! So now we have a new address. Yes, we moved thursday into a new apartment cuz the old one was infested with ants and the rent was getting raised.


Goodbye, old apartment...

That took about two days to do: wednesday all day to pack and thursday all day to unpack! The new apartment is good though except for one problem: we have no gas.


Hello, new apartment with gigantic mirror!

The gas is off and won't be turned on until this NEXT thursday. It's just my luck cuz the coldest temps hit right as we have no heat in the house and no hot water hahaha! It's been an adventure! SO cold in the mornings!


Elder H's morning ritual: thaw out by the portable heater

And we've had to heat up pots of water and kinda sponge bathe ourselves! Never thought I'd have to do that in the states, but its great! But I am excited for this next thursday...


Ahhhh...nothing like a hot shower!

Because of all the moving, extra studies and extra meetings that we had this week, there wasn't a whole lot of time for proselyting. I was kinda mad about that, but what can ya do? I just think of this as kind of a prep period. Once Padawan is trained and stuff the work can go back to normal. Then it's up from there!

Everything is good here. We're both just doing what we do. Church was pretty empty. It's ok, next week it'll be rockin! The BEST thing that happened to me was that I am trying SO HARD to change and become better! It's always difficult to stretch yourself or reach a little higher, but it really is worth it.

I guess one "theme" this week was about CHANGE. We were teaching a less active's husband, who isn't a member. Well, we actually went by to see Leti, the less active, but she was sick. The husband, Jerson, was home though and he let us in and we just started talking. First it was about nothing, but then he opened up about his life. His family, and what brought him to the US. He came because his parents in Guatemala were in debt and they needed help. He came here and worked, starting with nothing but one pair of clothes. After two years he saved enough money to pay off the debt and finally buy some descent clothes. He's been here for 6 years and the parents are debt free with their own car. He was so happy when he was telling us this story. Jerson said that it was hard but he wanted to help his parents more than he wanted clothes, or a new house, or other luxuries like that. He then told us how lately he's wanted to do the right things spiritually (read the scriptures, go to church, etc) but at the same time he wants to keep doing what he's doing. He said he needs help to be more "spiritually mature," and that when he sees us, 19 or 20 year old kids, he wonders how we are able to put off worldly things and do what God wants. I told him it's very difficult.

But this reminded me of a quote by Elder Bednar that says, "Nothing outside can make us move for very long. The only thing that moves us comes from within..." or something to that effect.

I told Jerson that if he is motivated by love of God or family he'll do the hard things, like when he had to work for his parents. He didn't really respond but we invited him to motivate himself and do the little things God asks us. I wish I could say "he jumped up and wanted to be baptized right then" but that's not what happened haha. That experience helped me, though, keep striving to become better this week.

Well, hopefully I get that package today haha! Love you mom! Talk to ya later!

--Elder Heimuli

Semana 60 - Another Car-Fast Day, A Dead Raccoon & Cinco Quemejes

Dear Mom,

Hey! Yeah, I'm feeling better this week. I think this letter is gonna be a short one. Just a quick rundown of our week. So we didn't have any investigators come to church. Lame. But we did have 3 less actives! Yay! N came and they had the temple prep classes that started sunday so he came right on time!

This week we didn't have too much success with our investigators. We are working slowly with the ones we do have, so they can understand our message more clearly. But this week we had another "car fast" and it was funny cuz it was the only day this week where it POURED rain! So, we walked around in the rain for a few hours and found no new investigators.


Elder H & Padawan on Car-Fast Day where, yes, they abstain from driving their car...so of course it will rain that day!

It's ok, though. We did meet a lot of interesting people and find a dead raccoon hahaha. Gross.


Now see, they would have never seen this from their car...

This week, I still feel like it was my b-day cuz we had a few more "b-day" dinners that families wanted do for us. One is actually a dry member named Norma. She's cool. But we went out to a mexican restraunt with them.

Another day we went over for dinner with Luis and Kaessey, cuz Kaessey told me she wanted to make me a cake not one to smash my face in.


A pretty cool cake -- even without the Weber State colors.

We got to the house (all the missionaries) and we ate dinner.


Elders Going, Benedict, Bakes and Heimuli

After dinner they told us they wanted to play this cool game called " Cinco Quemejes." They explained that we had 5 people be quemejes. We lined up in single file order and I was the second one in line from the front. Luis was ahead of me. We all crouched with our eyes closed.


Hmmmmmmm......

One by one we all had to say our number and then jump in the air while the people on the side clapped. This sounded SO LAME but Luis assured us it was fun. So we did it. When it got to me I said "cuatro quemejes!" and jumped up, still feeling there was no point to this game. With my eyes still shut, I heard Luis yell his number, jump up, and then I felt this plate full of whipped cream smash into my face and I realized, "Oooooh, they got me good!"


Question of the week: How many times can people smash food in Elder Heimuli's face before he quits falling for it? Answer: Apparently, as many times as they want!

So know this week we are still hitting it hard. Not much else to say! I'm keeping you all in my prayers and I love yall!

--elder heimuli

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?