April 16, 2008 - Letter #3, I bore my viejo testimony

Hi Mom! I´m sory that I am writing on a Wednesday, but its because I was going to go to Guayaquil today and get my suit ordered and tailored. President wanted me to go meanwhile my comp is going to the skin doctors… so, we cleared up today free of any appointments so that we wouldn´t miss anyone while we are in Guayaquil. But, just last night the nurses called us and said that someones Schedule got mixed up, and now we wont be going. I was so annoyed Mom. But, oh well. Sometimes we pay for someone elses irresponsablity. I´m over it.

Well things are going good here.. just stressing until the end. We had our last zone conferance, and I bore my “viejo” testimony. I am the oldest Gringo in the mission, not counting President Ridd. The time flies by so fast, especially after Reading that email of me opening my call. I liked the poem! How long did it take you to write that?

Sadly, I Heard about Elder Jenkins and I cried when I Heard that he went home. I can´t wait to visit him, and to meet his parents. I also can´t wait to get to work in our new Ward! OH! And Gough wants me to go to SLCC, haha but I know that you already did all that work to get me into Weber. I am still planning on going to Guatemala with Ben, but I don´t know if he knows yet. Mom, about a million things are going through my head right now, and most of them are our investigator families… some should get baptised on May 3, but sometimes they change their mind, so we´ll see.

But it sounds good that your going with Jose Alvarado, he just got married, in the Temple too, so you´ll be able to meet his cute, new wife.

As for the future, I don´t know exactly what is going on yet, but I do want to be a killer guitar player, better than Eddie Maiava! J Thank you Mom for all that you´ve done for me! I can´t wait to see you all in about 2 weeks, and Jordan is trunking me out with talk of a Jack Johnson concert that he is going to take me to! Love Ya!

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Hi Son,

While cleaning out my files last week, I came across this photo of the day you received your call to Ecuador Guayaquil North. That was so long ago, but it seems like it was just yesterday. It started a whole flood of thoughts about how time has passed so quickly, and caused me to reassess where we were back then, and where we are right now. Look at the photo, and think for just a minute on these same thoughts, and then I hope you appreciate our thoughts below. We love you.



January twenty-fifth. 2006, the year…
A very special envelope to our house did appear.
"Elder Hema T.L. Heimuli," this mail was clearly marked,
For you whom o'er the last two years in Ecuador's embarked.

You'd gladly have gone anywhere, any city or country name.
What difference can just two years make? Aren't most things still the same?
There's still the extended family -- still no more siblings to add.
And we are still your "very-far-from-perfect" Mom and Dad!

Your white brother is still around, but we're sure he'll soon go.
Hevynn's still gorgeous. Houston's still smart. And, yes, we still have snow.
Lucille still faithfully awaits -- Helam keeps her tuned,
And Harrison's still cute (although his talking has ballooned)!

So, what has changed o'er these two years? What's so different now?
The family moved, a cousin born, Marqel's got 4 kids -- wow!
Missionaries like Grams and Gramps have packed their mission bags.
Tama, Maveu, Sifa, and Grandpa Heimuli all wear nametags.

Tolu's getting ready to serve. Thor might be nearly wed.
Helam's dating. Driving, too! Whew, it all hurts my head.
And YOU! You've lost a bit of weight. You're sporting a great tan.
You speak a language fluently that we can't understand!

But best of all about what's changed, is who you have become:
A man of faith, a man of courage, a man who loves God's Son.
A man of great example to his family and friends.
A man who's worked, prayed, sweat, and cried...when folks chose different ends.

A man whom we have always loved, and will continue to.
A man who has a future bright in what you choose to do.
A man who will continue now to work with all your might.
In all you say, in all you do, to walk within His light.

Love lots, Very-Far-From-Perfect Mom & Dad

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