Dear Elder H,
Surprise! Grandpa, who's driving to Orem in the drifted snow, telephoned me seconds ago and asked that I send you an email on behalf of the family. While driving, he was talking to your mother, who's off today (MLK Holiday), and she informed him that today would make two Mondays in a row that she hadn't written you, which means she hasn't been in office those days. Not wanting you to worry, she thought it best that someone write...I'll sub as best as I can. Since I don't have details about her goings-on, let me have the pleasure and blessing of writing what I do know...if you've already heard/read about these events, please excuse the repetition.
About your wonderful family: The last Sunday in December, Grandpa and I were witnesses in Stone Creek's Sacrament Meeting of how the Holy Spirit touches the hearts of those who are doing as the Lord commands, i.e. attending required meetings & renewing their covenants through partaking sacramental emblems. Your talented mom organized and accompanied all present & past youth and youth leaders of SC Ward including Hevynn and Helam in a spine-tingling rendition of Walk Within The Light. Additionally, accompanied by Aunty Tina (composer of Walk and other uplifting songs) Mom and Hevynn sang a beautiful duet, one of Tina's originals that I had not heard before. These two special numbers and the wonderful messages of your friend Elder Lopez and the sister missionary who spoke the same time as you did when you were leaving for the MTC...made for one of the most spiritually uplifting meetings ever! The tender mercies of the Lord touched all those present, including your Dad, Houston, Harrison, Sifa & family, and Grandpa/me. What a perfect way to end 2007.
Sandwiched in between their service to others and their work commitments, your Dad and Mom are engaged in busy "after work" duties such as packing/moving from Bountiful to Woodscross (it's a good thing the distance is short.) Your new family home is beautiful, and it already feels pleasant, peaceful, and comfortable. LIttle by little, piece by piece, your budget-conscious parents are doing their best to furnish it. Grandpa and I are proud of how your folks manage to fit in service, work, and family in everything they do...and then still do more! I think it's because they have a missionary out in the field, who is working very hard to serve the Savior. And the Lord blesses the elder's family in return. What do you think?
We held our traditional New Year's Day gathering. Your entire family, all Pili's, Uncle Tamaiti & 7 children (yes, Tai came back from Univ of St Mary's at Kansas), Marqel & family, Tina & husband Denny & daughter, as well as friends and other relatives, in all 53, were there. It was great to get-together to begin 2008 with food, hugs, and kisses. Of course, we misssed you and Tama and the rest of Aunty Kookie's family (who live in Hawaii now). You and Tama, being away, understand, more than your younger siblings the importance of FAMILY. As Grandpa and I grow older, it becomes more emphatic and real, that we are not happy without our family. That's why I'm grateful for such times when all of us are able to gather together to express love one to another as Jesus has commanded.
Granpa and I are learning much on our mission. We are thrilled with opportunities that come to us to serve others on a regular basis. According to a recent report given in our last prayer meeting, The Family History Library has welcomed over a 160,000 visitors in the past 6 months who are first timers. Another time we were informed that 70-80% of these visitors are non-members. Isn't that exciting? We don't preach' we simply help, but I know that seeds of kindness go with them when they leave the FHL. Some visitors have commented that they didn't realize the Mormons were so nice. Wow! Isn't it true that we may never know how much our example impacts the Church?
Exciting work: G & I have been slowly doing work for our family members (as we learn to help others, we are also helping ourselves). We went to the Mt Timpanogos Temple 1)Thursday evening (after doing our mission assignment during the day) to participate in the sealing of Aunty Kookie & Uncle Manu and their 3 little ones (they flew from Hawaii without really knowing that authorization would be received--truly a modern day story of faith & fasting); 2) Friday morning (no mission duties), we did the initiatories and endowments for Uncle Peter and Aunty Doris (gpa's deceased brother & sister); then 3) Saturday morning, we did their sealing to parents and also gpa's mother's sealing to her parents with Aunty Kookie's/Uncle Manu's help. (Your mom was on work assignment in New Orleans Wed-Sat and your dad was babysitting Harrison, so we didn't ask them; and Aunty Lani was tied up.) What an awesome weekend to visit the temple 3 consecutive days and feel of the Spirit--so strong and enveloping. The Lord places temples around the world that saving ordinances can be performed for the living and the dead, and while we engage in the work there, guess whose cups fill to overflowing?
A little news about your similar-aged cousins: Thor's returning to UNLV today (one reason Grandpa went to Orem was to say good-bye), but he's planning to return home as often as possible since he has a girlfriend, RS pres in singles ward. Tolu's not returning to UNLV as he plans to get a job, save, and spiritually prepare for a mission. (We're excited for him!) Kaimana's back at BYU; however, because of the illness and now death of his grandma Soliai, he's missed weeks of classes. We saw him last night for a minute, and he said he'd return tonight, so we're looking forward to his visit when we can counsel with him about schooling vs preparing for a mission. (Wouldn't it be wonderful to have him and Tolu out around the same time? Who knows what the Lord has in store for them?) Marqel is due any day (her fourth), and she's finding things a little tough, but she has never stopped attending Church, so I think she'll do well. She tells me she relies on Heavenly Father a lot. Elder Soliai, like you, is training inexperienced, newly baptized companions and is finding the experience a bit challenging, but ,like you, he relies on much inspiration and much more perspiration. Grandpa and I are grateful for such dedicated missionary grandsons. You two are like Helaman's stripling warriors, battling the adversary where you are. And we know you're making a difference, one soul at a time.
We love you, Elder Heimuli. Yesterday's Sabbath Day was filled with the Spirit for us, and we pray that it was the same for you. We rejoice in the teachings of the Church for 08, and feel blessed exponentially with studying the Book of Mormon and the life of the Prophet Joseph in the same year.
I bear you my testimony that I know that Jesus is the Christ, that He lives and is the only Begotten Son of our Father. I know also that the Prophet Joseph Smith truly saw the Father and the Son and through the Holy Ghost he received revelations to organize the only true church on the earth today--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ's gospel and is another testament of Christ along with the Bible. I'm grateful for the scriptures, for the living prophet and apostles that we have today, and for the infinite atoning sacrifice of the Son. I am humbly grateful for opportunities to forgive, to be forgiven and to serve. And I testify that the knowledge that Our Father, Our Savior, and Familes & Friends love us is what brings the greatest personal joy and motivates me to do my best in all things. This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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