Hi Mom!! Well, this week we had 2 BAPTISMS!! Monica, and Clara got baptized! And they are such good converts! I was so happy for them, and I just feel so much better. I dont know when the next baptisms will be, maybe Ill be gone next change. Im glad that the family is doing good, and you cant lose track of Lopez, I need to find him.. he owes me five dollars. Just kidding, but Im gonna hang out with him.
As for Gough, I invited him over for Christmas Eve.. I would like to talk to him, and get him to go on a mission. I got a letter from a girl named Berkley (I dont know if you remember her) but shes going to go to Brazil on her mission.. but its the Belém mission. I also heard that another friend of mine is going on a mission, his name is Jake Rose. So, yeah.. thats whats going on. Ill probably call you in the morning at about 11 or 12 in the afternoon MY TIME (I dont know how Utah time works) so, Im excited to hear from you!! nWell, IU love you mom, thanks for everything! Gotta go, dont have much time left!
December 10, 2007 - We must care for them
Hi Mom!! Well things are going well here.. I did go through the box, and I loved the MUG by the way!!! It was the best present EVER!! I also have my tree proudly hung on the wall! Well, Garner is cool, and we are still working as hard as ever. We have found alot of good people that are progressing, especially Clara and Monica... they have a fecha for next week. Gladys hasnt gotten baptised yet, we are having some trouble with her. Also with Jimmy Duran, he has kinda stopped having intrest in the gospel. We are struggling to get them to get baptised although, maybe I was just sent to prepare the way for other missionaries... Im trying hard to not except the fact that maybe it just isnt their time yet... I thought that it was hard not having baptisms for about 4 months now. Then I thought about Missionaries in Europe, and how they NEVER baptize! As for Chongon, the little city by our sector, its totally bombed, Jose Alvarez disappeared and I havent been able to find him..
Ive havent been to Chongon for 4 weeks. Its so hard to convince people that they need God. The prophets have been trying to do that for years, but people just like to sin. Its so hard to understand the patience and love that God has for us. Theres a scripture in the book of mormon, in the book of mormon that says: (Roughly translated) Unless God visits his children with pestilance and disaster and other really bad stuff... they wont remember him. I have come to realize that even members of the church arent safe either.. I have been working with countless numbers of inactives also who cant seem to repent either. I love the mission, it has changed my life. There are thousands of wonderful, good people out there. And out of all those wonderful people, maybe half will let you into your home. And out those few that let you in, half will progress. And out of those who progress, very few will repent and be baptized. Therefore, I have two conclusions. 1. I have learned something very important, and inspired. Its a quote that came from a very well know Catholic-woman. When asked about the horrible state of a country where she had previously tried to make a differance, Mother Teresa said,"God doesnt ask us to be Successful, he just asks us to be Faithful." We need to try and be more faithful, sure... very few will be baptized, but the worth of souls is great, and even if we bring save it one soul unto christ, our joy will be great.
2. The souls we bring into the fold are so precious, there are not a lot of them... so we must care for them. There are alot of inactive families in your ward. And all of them are inactive because some Brother or Sister in the church offended them... is it any wonder why the Apostles, in every confrence, talk about Being careful NOT to offend, or to be slow to be offended, or how its not what goes into the mouth that defileth a man... Of course I know that my family is the greatest family in the world! And when I get home, I would love to try and reactivate families.. because for inactives, they need more than just Missionaries to get back to church, they need Friends.
Well, heres my testimony, I know that the church is true. The members are those who are learning to become perfect, and we need to remember that we arent there yet. I know that Joseph was a prophet, and Jesus is our savior. The book of mormon is the evidence that the church is true. I know that by abiding by the principles of that book, one will have increased faith, will begin to see miracles, will be able to see angels, and will get to know Christ.
Well, I love you mom! I cant wait to talk to you guys, say hi to everyone! And tell Dad that I love him too!
Ive havent been to Chongon for 4 weeks. Its so hard to convince people that they need God. The prophets have been trying to do that for years, but people just like to sin. Its so hard to understand the patience and love that God has for us. Theres a scripture in the book of mormon, in the book of mormon that says: (Roughly translated) Unless God visits his children with pestilance and disaster and other really bad stuff... they wont remember him. I have come to realize that even members of the church arent safe either.. I have been working with countless numbers of inactives also who cant seem to repent either. I love the mission, it has changed my life. There are thousands of wonderful, good people out there. And out of all those wonderful people, maybe half will let you into your home. And out those few that let you in, half will progress. And out of those who progress, very few will repent and be baptized. Therefore, I have two conclusions. 1. I have learned something very important, and inspired. Its a quote that came from a very well know Catholic-woman. When asked about the horrible state of a country where she had previously tried to make a differance, Mother Teresa said,"God doesnt ask us to be Successful, he just asks us to be Faithful." We need to try and be more faithful, sure... very few will be baptized, but the worth of souls is great, and even if we bring save it one soul unto christ, our joy will be great.
2. The souls we bring into the fold are so precious, there are not a lot of them... so we must care for them. There are alot of inactive families in your ward. And all of them are inactive because some Brother or Sister in the church offended them... is it any wonder why the Apostles, in every confrence, talk about Being careful NOT to offend, or to be slow to be offended, or how its not what goes into the mouth that defileth a man... Of course I know that my family is the greatest family in the world! And when I get home, I would love to try and reactivate families.. because for inactives, they need more than just Missionaries to get back to church, they need Friends.
Well, heres my testimony, I know that the church is true. The members are those who are learning to become perfect, and we need to remember that we arent there yet. I know that Joseph was a prophet, and Jesus is our savior. The book of mormon is the evidence that the church is true. I know that by abiding by the principles of that book, one will have increased faith, will begin to see miracles, will be able to see angels, and will get to know Christ.
Well, I love you mom! I cant wait to talk to you guys, say hi to everyone! And tell Dad that I love him too!
Hi Dad! Hi Grandpa!
December 3, 2007
Merry Christmas, Felíz Navidad, Mele Kelikimaka...
Hi Dad! How are things going? Everything is great down here! I opened your package today! Thank you for everyrthing inthere, especially the socks and the food! I thankful for such great Parents, and for helping me get through the work! I hope everything is good up there, Everyone down here is still talking about how you came down, and everything... did you know that your famous? Not only with the missionaries, but, there are some white people in our ward that work and the US Consulate, they have been all over the world, and still remember you from the 84 team... I was like, Hi Im Elder Heimuli, and they say... hey are you related to Lakei? I say, yeah, hes my dad... and for a minute they forget Im a missionary and start talking football. I tell ya, I cant escape your shadow, youre famous.
Well, I just thought that was funny... I have this other funny story that made me think how hard it must have been to learn english for you. My comp and I knocked on the door of a members house because he had to use the bathroom. A little kid named JJ answered the door. My comp started talking to him, and I wasnt paying attention at exactly what he said. But the litle kid looks at my comp weirdly and says, "ok" and then runs into the house... then he comes out with a piece of bread and hands it to my comp. I just started laughing, because my comp asked for bread instead of asking to use the bathroom.
Yeah, well things are going well, and Im just excited to talk toyou guys on christmas.. Thanks again for everything!
--------------------------------------------
Felíz Cumpleaños Abuelo!!
Happy birthday, I just wanted to thank you for the christmas gift, and send you a little email.. I know you dont have much time for personal things Elder Murray, but I just wanted to say Hi! I hope Grandma is doing well also, Im praying for you guys just as you are praying for me! So, weve got a really powerful thing going on! I love you both very much! I hope that everything is going well... just thought I´d share something. I dont know if I have already told you, in my patriarchal blessing, I was blessed so that someday if I strengthened it, my testimony my become as strong as yours Grandma! It specifically says that! I know that this is the Lords work, that he lives and guides us in our daily life. Im not quite there yet grandma, but I know that if I work hard in this work, it may someday be that way. Love You Boths Lots! And thank you for everything!
Merry Christmas, Felíz Navidad, Mele Kelikimaka...
Hi Dad! How are things going? Everything is great down here! I opened your package today! Thank you for everyrthing inthere, especially the socks and the food! I thankful for such great Parents, and for helping me get through the work! I hope everything is good up there, Everyone down here is still talking about how you came down, and everything... did you know that your famous? Not only with the missionaries, but, there are some white people in our ward that work and the US Consulate, they have been all over the world, and still remember you from the 84 team... I was like, Hi Im Elder Heimuli, and they say... hey are you related to Lakei? I say, yeah, hes my dad... and for a minute they forget Im a missionary and start talking football. I tell ya, I cant escape your shadow, youre famous.
Well, I just thought that was funny... I have this other funny story that made me think how hard it must have been to learn english for you. My comp and I knocked on the door of a members house because he had to use the bathroom. A little kid named JJ answered the door. My comp started talking to him, and I wasnt paying attention at exactly what he said. But the litle kid looks at my comp weirdly and says, "ok" and then runs into the house... then he comes out with a piece of bread and hands it to my comp. I just started laughing, because my comp asked for bread instead of asking to use the bathroom.
Yeah, well things are going well, and Im just excited to talk toyou guys on christmas.. Thanks again for everything!
--------------------------------------------
Felíz Cumpleaños Abuelo!!
Happy birthday, I just wanted to thank you for the christmas gift, and send you a little email.. I know you dont have much time for personal things Elder Murray, but I just wanted to say Hi! I hope Grandma is doing well also, Im praying for you guys just as you are praying for me! So, weve got a really powerful thing going on! I love you both very much! I hope that everything is going well... just thought I´d share something. I dont know if I have already told you, in my patriarchal blessing, I was blessed so that someday if I strengthened it, my testimony my become as strong as yours Grandma! It specifically says that! I know that this is the Lords work, that he lives and guides us in our daily life. Im not quite there yet grandma, but I know that if I work hard in this work, it may someday be that way. Love You Boths Lots! And thank you for everything!
December 3, 2007 - Nosotros somos Representantes de Jesucristo...
Hi Mom!! Yes, I got the Christmas Package, and I loved it!! Thank you so much! Im looking forward to giving away the rings and the candy canes and stuff!! Well, This last week was ok.. me and my comp made it a goal to find people and families that need the gospel.. and some friends, for this holiday season. We found a widow, whose daughter is special. She has some rare brain thing that impedes growth of her brain. The daughter is 19 years old, but acts just like a 10 month old little girl. The Mother has had lots of questions in her life, and wonders why did all these things happen to her daughter? Why me? A popular question that many people ask themselves. I, even have asked myself the same question. Mom, you shouldve seen the look on this lady, when we read a little bit from Alma 40, about the resurrection... and then, we shared a little about what the Prophet Joseph Smith said, after asking himself the question, what happens when children suffer, or die..
We told this widow that she was a very elect daughter of God. That her daughter is elect also.. We explained that in her state of being now, it was impossible for her to sin, because she is not capable to do so. Therefore, her daughter is saved. We expressed the mercy of our Father in Heaven, and the love that he always has for us. We told her that God has trusted his elect children, into the hands of elect parents. But in few words we said, that her daughter was like that because she was so valient in the premortal life, God wanted her to come back to him, without tasting the bitterness of sin, neither the pain of true repentance.... The lady was touched, she finally recieved the answer to her question. We, of course, told her that she (the mother) yes, would have to repent and be baptized to be saved WITH her daughter.. we´ll see what happens the next visit.
We hadnt had baptisms, but the next week, well have two. And much more in the future hopefully.
But I wanted to share that story, because while I was teaching, I learned something very important. God gives to his most valient children, the most marvelous trials. I applied this to myself. Here in the misson, when we knock doors, we first introduce ourselves like this: Hola, Buenos Dias, Yo soy Elder Heimuli, y ésto es mi compañero... y nosotros somos Represtentantes de Jesucristo...
..So, If we say that we are representatives of Jesus Christ, wed better act like it. Just like Elder Holland said, If we are going to be his representitives, how dare we not ask to taste the smallest amount of what the savior tasted? I remember that every time something does not go as planned. Now, you guys arent representitvies of Jesus, but you can remember this when you have troubles: God gives his most faithful children, wonderful trials..
You are the most wonderful family that an Elder in Ecuador could ever have! Thank you for all that you have given me! I loved that tree by the way! Everyone looks so differant, and my comp is in love with Hevynn. And everyone else is just so big... I weighed myself... I weigh about 206.
So, about the christmas calls, I was wondering if I could call the monday after christmas, or before... because Im excited to talk to you guys, but I would rather work on Christmas day, and find families! But, right me what you think..
Oh, and can you thank the simons for me! Or maybe just show them this letter:
Querida Familia Simón,
Thanks a million for the cookies, I seriously cried while I ate them I was so happy.. the missionaries thought I was strange. Until they tried the cookies, and they started crying too. I think Elder Beck wants to marry Sam. Anyways, thank you Crystal so much for the food, and for keeping my family out of trouble.. It must be hard when you have to keep Drew out of trouble at the same time. Muchas Gracias!
Les amo, Elder Heimuli
yep, love ya, talk to ya later! Stay Healthy, I know its cold... but at least you cant get Dengue Fever, and I miss the snow.
We told this widow that she was a very elect daughter of God. That her daughter is elect also.. We explained that in her state of being now, it was impossible for her to sin, because she is not capable to do so. Therefore, her daughter is saved. We expressed the mercy of our Father in Heaven, and the love that he always has for us. We told her that God has trusted his elect children, into the hands of elect parents. But in few words we said, that her daughter was like that because she was so valient in the premortal life, God wanted her to come back to him, without tasting the bitterness of sin, neither the pain of true repentance.... The lady was touched, she finally recieved the answer to her question. We, of course, told her that she (the mother) yes, would have to repent and be baptized to be saved WITH her daughter.. we´ll see what happens the next visit.
We hadnt had baptisms, but the next week, well have two. And much more in the future hopefully.
But I wanted to share that story, because while I was teaching, I learned something very important. God gives to his most valient children, the most marvelous trials. I applied this to myself. Here in the misson, when we knock doors, we first introduce ourselves like this: Hola, Buenos Dias, Yo soy Elder Heimuli, y ésto es mi compañero... y nosotros somos Represtentantes de Jesucristo...
..So, If we say that we are representatives of Jesus Christ, wed better act like it. Just like Elder Holland said, If we are going to be his representitives, how dare we not ask to taste the smallest amount of what the savior tasted? I remember that every time something does not go as planned. Now, you guys arent representitvies of Jesus, but you can remember this when you have troubles: God gives his most faithful children, wonderful trials..
You are the most wonderful family that an Elder in Ecuador could ever have! Thank you for all that you have given me! I loved that tree by the way! Everyone looks so differant, and my comp is in love with Hevynn. And everyone else is just so big... I weighed myself... I weigh about 206.
So, about the christmas calls, I was wondering if I could call the monday after christmas, or before... because Im excited to talk to you guys, but I would rather work on Christmas day, and find families! But, right me what you think..
Oh, and can you thank the simons for me! Or maybe just show them this letter:
Querida Familia Simón,
Thanks a million for the cookies, I seriously cried while I ate them I was so happy.. the missionaries thought I was strange. Until they tried the cookies, and they started crying too. I think Elder Beck wants to marry Sam. Anyways, thank you Crystal so much for the food, and for keeping my family out of trouble.. It must be hard when you have to keep Drew out of trouble at the same time. Muchas Gracias!
Les amo, Elder Heimuli
yep, love ya, talk to ya later! Stay Healthy, I know its cold... but at least you cant get Dengue Fever, and I miss the snow.
November 26, 2007 - I just die on that hill everyday!
Hi Mom!! Well, things are going good here, my companion is cool, bad this Christmas is going to be HOT! Its hot and sunny weather, and I just die on that hill everyday! But its okay, we just met a really cool family there! Mom, I just wanted to thank you for everything that you do for me! I know that you dont have to and thats why I love you!
Well, how are the kids! I hope everyone is doing well! I am doing just great, and Ive decided that I am going to try and be perfect these last 6 months, its going to be hard, but im willing to try.
So Ben is coming home in December? Thats GREAT!! Its so hard to get an extension, im glad hes still out there! Well, theres a family of 4 that we are trying to get married so that they can get baptized.. the sad thing is that the husband wants to get married and get baptized, but the wife doesnt want to get married. Our families are progressing but are progressing slowly.. but Elder Rasband said, that even if they are progressing slowly, we need to help them even more! Thats why its a little frustrating..
Well, I love you Mom! And Im looking forward to talking to you this christmas, I dont know when yet,.. but, Im Excited!!
Well, how are the kids! I hope everyone is doing well! I am doing just great, and Ive decided that I am going to try and be perfect these last 6 months, its going to be hard, but im willing to try.
So Ben is coming home in December? Thats GREAT!! Its so hard to get an extension, im glad hes still out there! Well, theres a family of 4 that we are trying to get married so that they can get baptized.. the sad thing is that the husband wants to get married and get baptized, but the wife doesnt want to get married. Our families are progressing but are progressing slowly.. but Elder Rasband said, that even if they are progressing slowly, we need to help them even more! Thats why its a little frustrating..
Well, I love you Mom! And Im looking forward to talking to you this christmas, I dont know when yet,.. but, Im Excited!!
November 19, 2007 - Can't Repay the Lord
Hi Mom!! Well, things are good. My comp is Elder Garner, and hes from Magna Utah. Hes a big kid, not fat.. but a pretty thick guy. Hes really cool. Seright is gone, but his memory.... and all the crap he left in the house, still lingers. We are pretty excited to get to work, and we have big plans. I just wanted to thank you guys for all the support that you give me.. the Heimuli family is the reason why Im working so hard. We had the oppritunity to listen to Elder Rasband talk to us, it was really great!! He said something that stuck with me, he said that many missionaries start the mission thinking, Im going to work hard to repay the lord for all the things that hes done for me. But after a long time in the mission, we realize that we CANT repay the Lord for his love, and all the blessings that hes given us. Its impossible. Because he always gives, even though we dont always repay. But, I started thinking that I can try and repay you guys for all that you hav done for me, and I can repay you Mom and Dad, not by paying YOU (because Im broke) but by giving to others. Because I have seen the example that you have given me, and I know that you would do the same. Love you Mom and Dad, for all that you do. Im love the Lords work, but I am excited to go home in six months! (: Love ya all!
November 12, 2007 - This sector is really hard...hearted
HiMom!! Well things are doing good.... Im just working and a got your last package!! Thanks, it was really cute. Im healthy and fine, and just trying to get some baptims.. this sector is really hard.. hearted. But we should some fruits of our labor soon. Today is super pday, we couldnt leave til 12:00, its my comps last pday, so we have a lot to do, and a lot to see, and not alot of time! Love ya Mom!! Ill write you more next week! Love ya..still have to write to president.
[A large group of elders "viejos" left the mission this week. Elder H met Elder Andy Alldredge's family who came to Ecuador to pick him up...great idea! Elder H's mom and Elder A's mom, Rinda, met on the LDS Missionary Moms website.]
[A large group of elders "viejos" left the mission this week. Elder H met Elder Andy Alldredge's family who came to Ecuador to pick him up...great idea! Elder H's mom and Elder A's mom, Rinda, met on the LDS Missionary Moms website.]
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