The boys look so much older in those pics! I swear they'll be bigger than me when I get back haha! I'm glad Houston got his project done but did you guys HAVE to cut off all your hair?! JK, the boys look great! haha I bet YOU are the one who is the most relieved out of all of us that it's all done. I thought we'd have another one getting his on the eve of his 18th bday:)
Time is trucking along here in C-town. Oh man, it's the smallest town I think I've ever seen! No lie! I can't really explain it, but maybe we'll just have to take a trip up here one day. There is a McDonalds, but I don't know if you can use that to judge how small places are anymore. McD's is EVERYWHERE! It's small but not third world. I really do like it, though. It's something very different and a really good experience. Everyone is pretty nice here and it just has that small community feel where everyone knows everyone else.
Cedartown has this annual arts festival that is HUGE! (well, as in popular) It's been going on for 41...ish years. People love it here. It was this weekend so we decided that it'd be a great opporitunity to just talk to people. For a couple hours saturday afternoon we just walked around and talked to people and it was really cool. We met some really cool people and helped to dispell some myths that people had (we were asked several times if we had 3 wives, horns, if we were allowed to dance, etc.)
In the center stage of the park there were this group of seniors doing a dance number to elvis. They invited me and Nay to dance the electric slide so we did. It was great and a lot more people were open to us in the park after that. They came up and talked to us! Some people have the idea here that Mormons and Amish are the same thing. People just need to understand that we're normal human beings just trying to live our lives the best we can. We changed Cedartown's view on Mormons haha now when we bike down the road, people honk and wave to us or stop us to talk because of that festival haha!
The spanish work here is very slow as well. In 4 years Cedartown went from a spanish branch to a group of 10. Sad. We have been focusing on strengthening the spanish members so they can help in the missionary efforts. It's going. We've made some pretty good relationships with people here. Makes sense, though, cuz everyone here is so cool! We just work everyday and try to seek the Lords help in everything we do.
In church I did translate again and I got OWNED in combined 3rd hour. The topic was the church welfare program and how is should be used. I guess we've been having problems. So, everyone had something to say about it and they all talked way too fast for me to translate. I got some studying to do:)
Elder Nay's spanish is good for a greenie. He surprised me the first few days we were here! It's hard cuz there is so much english here, but we're trying to speak more and more spanish.
It's been a hot week, but everything else is going great! I love you guys and I pray that dad and hema heal up everyday haha! Mom, I expect a pic of your new do! Aight!
Love you!
--Elder Heimuli
ATLANTA GEORGIA TEMPLE
Monday, April 30, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Semana 71 - Goodbye, Chamblee
Hey mom!
There have been a LOT of changes to me this past transfer. First off all, I am in a new area: Cedartown. It's a little little hick town up north close to the border. Holy cow, this is so different than the ATL!!!! I'm surprised that there is even spanish work here. My companion is Elder Nay from Bluffdale, UT. This is his second transfer in the field so I am finishing training him. He's a cool kid and we get a long great.
We also don't have a car, so we just put around on our little bikes. My butt is SO SORE!!!!!
I was also made DL here, which I don't like very much...not gonna lie. There's so much extra, almost non-missionary related stuff I have to do now. But, it's what I'm supposed to do now hahaha. My first few days here were crazy! In this area, our work is half english half spanish so thats been the weirdest thing to get used to. It's hard for me to sound elegantly in English, especially when I teach the gospel. The words come out choppy and spanish-like. hahaha Nay thinks it's super funny. It's like he's traning me in english The people here are really cool, though. Members and non-members. Here in Cedartown we serve in an english ward, and we have only a small group of Spanish speakers. So, as a result, we have to translate for all of the meetings. I've translated before, but only to one person at a baptism or something. It's a lot more nerve racking when you have to translate for multiple people in a big meeting for some reason. It's a good, humbling experience for me:) This past Tuesday I said bye to everyone in Chamblee branch.
Our day was so full cuz I was runing around trying to talk to EVERYONE and I still missed some people. I was excited for the change of scenery, but at the same time I was really sad to be leaving all of my friends that I've made! It kinda makes me scared to see what happens when I go home. At least I have a chance to go back at the end of my mission. That'd be so cool!
It sounds like everyone there at home is growing up so quickly! Harrison is 7?! The last letter I got from him kinda hit me with some reality cuz it was so well written. When I left he was just learning how to write the alphabet, now he writes like a champ! Houston to prom? He might still be too young...hahahahaha jk jk! Sounds so fun!
I pray for you guys every night! Thank you for all you do! I'm doing good here in...Cedartown!!!!
--Elder Heimuli
We also don't have a car, so we just put around on our little bikes. My butt is SO SORE!!!!!
I was also made DL here, which I don't like very much...not gonna lie. There's so much extra, almost non-missionary related stuff I have to do now. But, it's what I'm supposed to do now hahaha. My first few days here were crazy! In this area, our work is half english half spanish so thats been the weirdest thing to get used to. It's hard for me to sound elegantly in English, especially when I teach the gospel. The words come out choppy and spanish-like. hahaha Nay thinks it's super funny. It's like he's traning me in english The people here are really cool, though. Members and non-members. Here in Cedartown we serve in an english ward, and we have only a small group of Spanish speakers. So, as a result, we have to translate for all of the meetings. I've translated before, but only to one person at a baptism or something. It's a lot more nerve racking when you have to translate for multiple people in a big meeting for some reason. It's a good, humbling experience for me:) This past Tuesday I said bye to everyone in Chamblee branch.
--Elder Heimuli
Monday, April 16, 2012
Semana 70 - I may have actually gotten uglier outside
Hey mom!
Yeah, it's really crazy that I only got 7 months left. I actually thought I had a bit more...but now that you mention that it's going by faster than I expected haha. Scary. It's already the end of this transfer and I don't know where the time has gone.
It sounds like the Heimuli men are falling apart, but don't worry, I'm in one piece now hahaha! All those stories about Dad and Houston were hilarious! I'm trying not to laugh out loud here in the library.
My health is good, and so is Elder Thomas. Especially cuz we've been on a very strict otai and spam diet haha. Aight, maybe that's not so healthy, but we're happy:) This guy is super funny and is trying to be the whitest tongan ever hahah. I think I got him beat though. When we're not working, we play rugby, drink otai, talk in tongan, whatever. Thomas didn't like spam at first, but now he's getting the hang of it.
This week was good and bad all at the same time. We were able to see a lot of our investigators, but we didn't have any "real" lessons. It's true, the "free agency" thing is a bummer sometimes haha but that's how it is. This week was really good, though! No lie!
As for the BEST thing this week: we went to the temple! Nayeli, a member here, went through the temple this friday for the first time in a LONG time and she asked us to go with her. She changed her life BIG time for this, so she was really excited but nervous.
Anyways, so we went to the spanish session and that was different. If that wasn't cool enough, there were some members from the Cunningham branch there! They were there because Myra was taking out her endowments! SO COOL!!!
I got to see Pres. Gonzalez and a few other members. Being there with Myra reminded me of my first time in the temple hahahahaha. It was really awsome to see those two: one for the first time, the other first time in a long time, but they both had this happiness about them. I loved it!
I did get the package from Pam, but I haven't sent a thank you yet, I'll get on that today! She's so cool! Don't worry, I'm sharing the wealth with the other polys in our district:)
So yeah, we're just waiting to see what happens with transfers. I think I'm out, so we'll see if I'm right. I will be sad to leave this area because this is where I've grown the most so far.
(Elder Heimuli and his District...he'll be sad to leave them if he is transferred this week)
I was talking last night with Brother Madsen and he mentioned that I'm lots different than I was when I first got here. He could see the progress I made and he said it was really cool. I do feel like a different person and I'm glad. I've really grown in good ways. I agree with E. Lemon when he said "I'm still the same, just a better version!" I may have actually gotten uglier outside, but it's the inside that counts really hahehoheha!!!!
I love you mom and I'm praying for my very crippled family every night! Keep up the fight, keep up the driving manual!
--Love E. Heimuli
ps. I'll send pics a little later!
pps. Thakn you so much for the support you give me! Every week I get a letter and feel so loved! I don't think I ever realized how lucky I am for that! You're the best! Love you!
Yeah, it's really crazy that I only got 7 months left. I actually thought I had a bit more...but now that you mention that it's going by faster than I expected haha. Scary. It's already the end of this transfer and I don't know where the time has gone.
It sounds like the Heimuli men are falling apart, but don't worry, I'm in one piece now hahaha! All those stories about Dad and Houston were hilarious! I'm trying not to laugh out loud here in the library.
My health is good, and so is Elder Thomas. Especially cuz we've been on a very strict otai and spam diet haha. Aight, maybe that's not so healthy, but we're happy:) This guy is super funny and is trying to be the whitest tongan ever hahah. I think I got him beat though. When we're not working, we play rugby, drink otai, talk in tongan, whatever. Thomas didn't like spam at first, but now he's getting the hang of it.
This week was good and bad all at the same time. We were able to see a lot of our investigators, but we didn't have any "real" lessons. It's true, the "free agency" thing is a bummer sometimes haha but that's how it is. This week was really good, though! No lie!
As for the BEST thing this week: we went to the temple! Nayeli, a member here, went through the temple this friday for the first time in a LONG time and she asked us to go with her. She changed her life BIG time for this, so she was really excited but nervous.
Anyways, so we went to the spanish session and that was different. If that wasn't cool enough, there were some members from the Cunningham branch there! They were there because Myra was taking out her endowments! SO COOL!!!
I got to see Pres. Gonzalez and a few other members. Being there with Myra reminded me of my first time in the temple hahahahaha. It was really awsome to see those two: one for the first time, the other first time in a long time, but they both had this happiness about them. I loved it!
I did get the package from Pam, but I haven't sent a thank you yet, I'll get on that today! She's so cool! Don't worry, I'm sharing the wealth with the other polys in our district:)
So yeah, we're just waiting to see what happens with transfers. I think I'm out, so we'll see if I'm right. I will be sad to leave this area because this is where I've grown the most so far.
(Elder Heimuli and his District...he'll be sad to leave them if he is transferred this week)
I was talking last night with Brother Madsen and he mentioned that I'm lots different than I was when I first got here. He could see the progress I made and he said it was really cool. I do feel like a different person and I'm glad. I've really grown in good ways. I agree with E. Lemon when he said "I'm still the same, just a better version!" I may have actually gotten uglier outside, but it's the inside that counts really hahehoheha!!!!
I love you mom and I'm praying for my very crippled family every night! Keep up the fight, keep up the driving manual!
--Love E. Heimuli
ps. I'll send pics a little later!
pps. Thakn you so much for the support you give me! Every week I get a letter and feel so loved! I don't think I ever realized how lucky I am for that! You're the best! Love you!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Semana 69 - Happy Easter!!!
Happy Easter!!! My sunday was great! I'm just so grateful for this time of year! Yeah, the candy and little bunnies and stuff are all great, but the true meaning of Easter is much more beautiful. Church was just full of everyone bearing their testimonies of the gospel and it was so cool to see. I for one am so grateful that I have the gospel in my life and for the sacrifices that EVERYONE has made to make that happen.
Oh man, the Hawaiian food at Grandma's birthday sounded so great! I really miss poly food, not gonna lie. We found this little restaurant on the way to the chapel from our house called Waikiki (hawaiian bbq). We went there for the first time a few weeks ago and I got some chicken katsu...IT WAS SO GOOD!!! I think I've just had one too many torillas in the past year and 1/2.
That's so cool about Hema/Normas date! I'm glad Jessye treated them well haha.
I hope everything goes well with Hema's surgery, that's crazy! I bet he'll go right back into playing music when it's done--he's a tough kid.
I can't believe Hev met Morris! When me and him were comps he would tell me that him and his friends would go to St. George a lot. I thought that was odd ...I mean, Why come to Utah when you can go to Vegas? haha!
I actually haven't heard from any of the coaches from Weber...so yeah. Everything else out here is going good. My allergies are still here but not as strong as they used to be. I'll be good in a little while. This week went by so fast. It's all going by so fast.
Why is Harrison's party so soon?
Well, just know that everyting in the ATL is good for another week. The work is still the work but I love it! I'm so grateful for you and everything that you do for me! Same goes for the whole family! It's crazy that this is the last full week of this transfer, and then we'll see what happens! Time's going fast!
Love, E. Heimuli
Oh man, the Hawaiian food at Grandma's birthday sounded so great! I really miss poly food, not gonna lie. We found this little restaurant on the way to the chapel from our house called Waikiki (hawaiian bbq). We went there for the first time a few weeks ago and I got some chicken katsu...IT WAS SO GOOD!!! I think I've just had one too many torillas in the past year and 1/2.
That's so cool about Hema/Normas date! I'm glad Jessye treated them well haha.
I hope everything goes well with Hema's surgery, that's crazy! I bet he'll go right back into playing music when it's done--he's a tough kid.
I can't believe Hev met Morris! When me and him were comps he would tell me that him and his friends would go to St. George a lot. I thought that was odd ...I mean, Why come to Utah when you can go to Vegas? haha!
I actually haven't heard from any of the coaches from Weber...so yeah. Everything else out here is going good. My allergies are still here but not as strong as they used to be. I'll be good in a little while. This week went by so fast. It's all going by so fast.
Why is Harrison's party so soon?
Well, just know that everyting in the ATL is good for another week. The work is still the work but I love it! I'm so grateful for you and everything that you do for me! Same goes for the whole family! It's crazy that this is the last full week of this transfer, and then we'll see what happens! Time's going fast!
Love, E. Heimuli
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Semana 68 - Why baptize 'em if we're not gonna keep 'em?
E Thomas and I are doing great here! The weather here is HOT!!!! So I'm not missing the "Utah spring" that much haha! We're getting ready now to go and enjoy the weather by playing rugby!!!! Yay!
This week was REALLY slow haha but still good as always. It was the end of the month, so as always, we had a lot of walking to do. We had some really great FHEs with some of our less actives this past week as well. We're hoping that they'll start getting the desire to come back to church. It's crazy how many people are baptized but then just become less active in the church in general. At times it just seems kinda pointless, yeah? Why baptize 'em if we're not gonna keep 'em? We're working hard with the ones we ARE teaching and trying to get them to gain a testimony again. It's basically like we're starting with investigators haha. It's great though, I love it!
Conference was really great! I watched most of it in spanish just to try it out...a little difficult. Blessings of still being in the states haha. I did watch one of the sessions in english and it was awsome! I really loved all of the talks and i'm like you cuz I can't really pick my favorite. Was it Uchtdorf that spoke on forgiving others and loving others? I really liked that one and found MANY areas where I can improve hahaha!
Well, there's not much else to tell ya. No investigators came but one of them DID watch it in their house (Norma and Athina) so that was cool. We met this guy on the street that wanted to come, but he didn't show.
Everything is going great! Thank you so much for all you do for me! I don't know if I told you, but Grams and Gramps Murray sent me a package a little while ago. Can you thank them for me? They never leave an address so I can't do it personally!!!!
Love you, E Heimuli
This week was REALLY slow haha but still good as always. It was the end of the month, so as always, we had a lot of walking to do. We had some really great FHEs with some of our less actives this past week as well. We're hoping that they'll start getting the desire to come back to church. It's crazy how many people are baptized but then just become less active in the church in general. At times it just seems kinda pointless, yeah? Why baptize 'em if we're not gonna keep 'em? We're working hard with the ones we ARE teaching and trying to get them to gain a testimony again. It's basically like we're starting with investigators haha. It's great though, I love it!
Conference was really great! I watched most of it in spanish just to try it out...a little difficult. Blessings of still being in the states haha. I did watch one of the sessions in english and it was awsome! I really loved all of the talks and i'm like you cuz I can't really pick my favorite. Was it Uchtdorf that spoke on forgiving others and loving others? I really liked that one and found MANY areas where I can improve hahaha!
Well, there's not much else to tell ya. No investigators came but one of them DID watch it in their house (Norma and Athina) so that was cool. We met this guy on the street that wanted to come, but he didn't show.
Everything is going great! Thank you so much for all you do for me! I don't know if I told you, but Grams and Gramps Murray sent me a package a little while ago. Can you thank them for me? They never leave an address so I can't do it personally!!!!
Love you, E Heimuli
Monday, March 26, 2012
Semana 67 - I just knocked out
Oh man, this week the pollen has been KILLING me!!! I don't know if you know, but spring here in georgia is crazy! The first couple weeks of spring we practically have pollen storms out here haha. The cars, streets, houses, EVERYTHING is covered with a blanket of pollen. It's all just yellow. I don't know how allergies are for you, but I'm constantly sneezing, I get huge headaches and I can't breathe thorough my nose haha! It's fantastic!
(Makes you wanna sneeze just looking at this pic, right?)
I usually don't like taking medicine, but a few days ago it was so bad I finally broke down and took some benadryl. Then, I tried to keep working...but that didn't happen haha. We were teaching the Flores fam and I just knocked out. Elder Thomas taught the whole thing! It's good for him to practice his spanish, haha. I guess it was funny cuz I woke up and said some crazy stuff and then went back to sleep! The kids thought it was so funny! Since then I haven't taken any meds and I'm just suffering, but the pollen should be done this week.
(Thomas & Heimuli at the F fam house before Heimuli went into a benadryl-induced stupor)
E Thomas and I are doing great. We're getting along and just doing work here! This week has been kinda slower. L canceled his appointment with us this week and I haven't heard from him since, but I keep praying for him. Maybe we can talk to him this week. We've dropped a few of our investigators and are just trying to start over. It's a long process but it is what it is.
Church was great though! Luis didn't come and neither did the Flores or Ramirez families...but Norma and her daughter Athina came!!!! Athina is 15 and super cool! She reminds me SO MUCH of Hevynn--super sarcastic, funny and kinda mean to her younger siblings (kinda?) but you can tell she really loves them:) I was so happy because her and her mom are in a weird situation but are so close to being baptized! Can you pray for them?
(Athing blast from the past with Athina at her quincinera when Elder H was companion to Prince)
Things are just moving along here, and the time is starting to pick up...a little scary for me, haha! I was on exchanges with my ZL Elder Landsaw this week from Bountiful, and he goes home in a couple weeks! That was weird cuz I remember when he picked me up from the airport when he was AP. Time flies!!!!
I didn't get the package cuz they didn't deliver it to the house, but I'm gonna go pick it up from the post office right now! Thank you so much!
I'm super excited for General Conference this weekend! I hope you guys are too! I love you mom and tell everyone else I love and pray for them!
--E. Heimuli
(Makes you wanna sneeze just looking at this pic, right?)
I usually don't like taking medicine, but a few days ago it was so bad I finally broke down and took some benadryl. Then, I tried to keep working...but that didn't happen haha. We were teaching the Flores fam and I just knocked out. Elder Thomas taught the whole thing! It's good for him to practice his spanish, haha. I guess it was funny cuz I woke up and said some crazy stuff and then went back to sleep! The kids thought it was so funny! Since then I haven't taken any meds and I'm just suffering, but the pollen should be done this week.
(Thomas & Heimuli at the F fam house before Heimuli went into a benadryl-induced stupor)
E Thomas and I are doing great. We're getting along and just doing work here! This week has been kinda slower. L canceled his appointment with us this week and I haven't heard from him since, but I keep praying for him. Maybe we can talk to him this week. We've dropped a few of our investigators and are just trying to start over. It's a long process but it is what it is.
Church was great though! Luis didn't come and neither did the Flores or Ramirez families...but Norma and her daughter Athina came!!!! Athina is 15 and super cool! She reminds me SO MUCH of Hevynn--super sarcastic, funny and kinda mean to her younger siblings (kinda?) but you can tell she really loves them:) I was so happy because her and her mom are in a weird situation but are so close to being baptized! Can you pray for them?
(Athing blast from the past with Athina at her quincinera when Elder H was companion to Prince)
Things are just moving along here, and the time is starting to pick up...a little scary for me, haha! I was on exchanges with my ZL Elder Landsaw this week from Bountiful, and he goes home in a couple weeks! That was weird cuz I remember when he picked me up from the airport when he was AP. Time flies!!!!
I didn't get the package cuz they didn't deliver it to the house, but I'm gonna go pick it up from the post office right now! Thank you so much!
I'm super excited for General Conference this weekend! I hope you guys are too! I love you mom and tell everyone else I love and pray for them!
--E. Heimuli
Monday, March 19, 2012
Semana 66 - Hot Week
Holy cow, it's been a HOT week! Try mid to high 80's hahaha. And of course, this is the week where we've had to walk a lot because we don't have that many miles left:) It's been a really busy week filled with lots of walking and tracting to find. Being able to work all day is such a BIG blessing for me becuase my area has been a little slow for a long while, but Elder Thomas just came from an area that was booming with investigators. He was packed with set appointments every day for 3 transfers, so that means he hadn't spent much time tracting and contacting...spoiled hahaha. He's a trooper cuz he just keeps trucking along with me even though he's dying of thirst or getting rejected all day or sweating waterfalls down his face. This area is the best haha!!!
We have started to see that hard work pay off. We are getting some solid investigators now and dropping the ones who have no interest. We have found some formers who are cool and we are also trying to help the less active families kick it into gear.
Want to know the BEST thing that happened this week? Yesterday we weren't expecting too many great things to happen at church cuz Mireya wasn't home yesterday and our other investigators just didn't have time to come, as well as some less actives--I was just excited for the 3 hours of rest. When sacrament started I got a text from Luis Soriano (an investigator that I've had since I got to Chamblee and I've been trying to get him to go to church, but it's never happened) who we haven't talked to for weeks, asked us what time church starts. I thought that was weird, but answered him. He said he'd try to come, but I was skeptical after he's told us that so many times. Sacrament ended and he never showed. After sacrament meeting I was sitting in the back talking to I and just enjoying my time when this guy walks past whom I recognize--it was Luis!!!! I was shocked but so happy! He came in a taxi (which is expensive!). Long story short...ish: he was very interested about the priesthood and wants to know more so he's coming back next week! But we'll find him a ride so he'll have some money to live on.
We are starting up family home evenings with the less actives here and I would really love some good activity ideas! Your FHE's sound super fun and that's exactly what we need cuz a lot of the less active families have young children or teenagers.
Everything is going really well out here, mom. Thanks so much for everything! We're just busy busy busy (I even forgot it was St. Patricks Day ha...but not my 15 month mission b-day hehehe). I don't need anything as of now.
I love you and the whole family! Talk to ya'll later!
--Elder Heimuli
We have started to see that hard work pay off. We are getting some solid investigators now and dropping the ones who have no interest. We have found some formers who are cool and we are also trying to help the less active families kick it into gear.
Want to know the BEST thing that happened this week? Yesterday we weren't expecting too many great things to happen at church cuz Mireya wasn't home yesterday and our other investigators just didn't have time to come, as well as some less actives--I was just excited for the 3 hours of rest. When sacrament started I got a text from Luis Soriano (an investigator that I've had since I got to Chamblee and I've been trying to get him to go to church, but it's never happened) who we haven't talked to for weeks, asked us what time church starts. I thought that was weird, but answered him. He said he'd try to come, but I was skeptical after he's told us that so many times. Sacrament ended and he never showed. After sacrament meeting I was sitting in the back talking to I and just enjoying my time when this guy walks past whom I recognize--it was Luis!!!! I was shocked but so happy! He came in a taxi (which is expensive!). Long story short...ish: he was very interested about the priesthood and wants to know more so he's coming back next week! But we'll find him a ride so he'll have some money to live on.
We are starting up family home evenings with the less actives here and I would really love some good activity ideas! Your FHE's sound super fun and that's exactly what we need cuz a lot of the less active families have young children or teenagers.
Everything is going really well out here, mom. Thanks so much for everything! We're just busy busy busy (I even forgot it was St. Patricks Day ha...but not my 15 month mission b-day hehehe). I don't need anything as of now.
I love you and the whole family! Talk to ya'll later!
--Elder Heimuli
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