January 28, 2008 - Death of President Hinckley

Hi Mom! Things are going okay here. Im glad that the kids could show their appreciation for Pres Hinckley that way. I found out that sunday night... I was talking to President Ridd, and he told me. When I told everyone, we all got so sad. Elder Jenkins and I cried all night. But I like what it says in the 2 Timothy 4:7 He peleado la buena batalla, he acabado la carrera, he guardado la Fe... (I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith...). Such a scripture was written for President Hinckley.

Well, all Ive got are big plans for the branches that we are working in here... I want to give them the vision, the same vision that I have, the same that President Hinckley had. The world is in desperate need for leaders of the church. The adversary his angels rejoice in the death of a prophet, one more soldier for good has fallen, and its seems that the world is becoming worse everyday. Tell the kids to dont ever think that we have time to rest in this great battle. They must do what it says in doctrine and covenents, to be ACTIVELY ENGAGED in a good cause. I like that phrase... first, engaged-what does that mean? I like to think completly focused... to be entirely envolved, like the wedding engagement, (by the way mom, now that Mikelle doesnt have a boyfriend, you need to make sure that she stays single til I get home...(;)

And the last word, ACTIVELY. President Hinckley is the best example. He was 97 years old, and he traveled the globe everyday. Interesting how sometimes we complain when we have to do home or visiting teaching, just once a month. Find a new way to honor President Hinckley... like, find a friend who hasnt been to church in a while, and ask him if he wants to hang out on sunday! Youll find out that its really easy to share the gospel when you are just being a friend, I think its more affective than being a missionary. Or you can find a friend who is not mormon, and invite him to a mutual activity! That was president hinckleys vision, that was his dream.

Well, I love all of you very much, and Ill talk to you guys later! Oh, and the Valentines package is great, thanks!

From G+G Murray (Temple Square Missionaries)

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.

January 21, 2008 - The Church is true, and that's all that matters

Hi Mom! Well, your email was blank... and the email that I wrote from last week is at the end of the email you sent to me.. any way, last week was just horrible, we almost had 4 baptisms, but we ended up having 0. I was a little sick, but now Im feeling better.. so hopefully this week goes a little better. I think that as the end is getting nearer, im feeling more and more tired. Its okay, Im going to make it...haha, we just need these baptisms to go through. Well, I hope that everything is going well at home, and I hope that everyone is good... I love that song from Hevynn, even if it is a rough mix.. she sounds good! My companion and I are dong well, and I need you to tell the goughs thank you for the 20 bucks, and for the lovely christmas card! THank you so much mom, for everything that you do for me, and I wanted to ask you to thank Dad for me too! The Church is true, and thats all that matters.

January 14, 2008 - Gods-eye view!

Hi Mom! Well, let me tell you a Little about Jipijapa. Its a small place in the hills of Manabi. This litte town has a busy Little section called Centro, surrounded by green rolling hills. Jipijapa is like the Little stop people make, before they head to the beautiful manabi beaches, like Puerto Cayo, and Puerto Lopez.



The people are just as warm and wonderful as the Little town sounds. When I say warm, I mean it as hospitable. Its cold down here, because its raining almost everyday here! But im sure its still warmer than it is up there in Utah! In Jipijapa, there are two branches, which have been branches, since the 50´s. There are few strong members here, and a lot that need help. I see a lot of potential here, I imagine its how God sees every one of us. However, the itch and taunting of temptation frequently affect these wonderful people.



There is a friendliness and love here, that is a legendary quality of the manabi people.

Sadly, this warmth and love, is only barely matched by their love of alcohol. The hardest part is finding fathers that are ready for the gospel, ones that need and want it. Because we, all to often, find only those that need the gospel. Ya know, seeing peoples lives from (what I like to call) Gods-eye view, is the greatest and sometimes saddest experience.. I´ve experienced. The potential to great things is inside every one of us. Yet, we look at our potential sometimes, with mans-eye view. We are always comparing ourselves with others. But to the Lord, it doesn’t matter how much we´ve sinned, or hated, or failed… as long as we have the desire to change and do great things, and little by little, strive to do those things, God´s happy!

How wonderful would the world be if we saw everything through Gods-eye view! We would forgive faster, and be slower to judge. Faster to repent and slower to sin.

So, this Is what was on my mind today, if you happen to read this to future missionaries, or kids that are deciding, invite them to change the world, and aspire to have a gods-eye view. To couples with problems, invite them to do the same.

Now that my spiritual message is done, me and my comp are doing fine! Pretty soon we should have 4 baptisms.. and a lot more planned out. Im having a great time Mom, so don’t get too excited that Im coming home! Haha, just kidding… I expect a party with Pizza, and steak when I get home! ( You could even, put steak on the pizza) I love you Mom! Talk to ya later!

A Note from Sister Ridd

January 11, 2008

Hi Pania,

How are you today? I just wanted to write and tell you that I spoke with your son today. He is SUCH a good person. He was concerned that we didn't have your new address in the office. You had given it to me in a previous email, so we are okay!!!

However, my real reason for writing is to share something I just knew you would want to hear. President Ridd has to read 180 letters from the missionaries every single week. It takes him hours and hours. I am often in the office here at home as he is reading, but I just do my own work, while he is sitting on the other side of the office, reading.

This afternoon, as he was reading, he said, "I should send this letter to Elder Heimuli's mom." Then he read a part of Elder' Jenkins' letter out loud to me. (I generally never know what the weekly letters say). Elder Jenkins is Elder Heimuli's new companion. This is only Elder Jenkins' second change in the mission. He and Elder Heimuli have only been together about a week and a half. After President read what Elder Jenkins had said about your son, I asked him if he would email just a part of it to you. He said that although he would love to, he didn't think he should. The letters he receives are written personally just to him, and he wants to keep the confidence of the missionaries. I hope you are following all of this.

I think I took the long way around getting to the good part...... Although Elder Jenkins was trained by someone other than Elder Heimuli (for one change), it wasn't until he received Elder Heimuli as a companion that he really started to love the mission.



He talked about how patient and powerful Elder Heimuli is, and how he was doing so much better with his Spanish because Elder Heimuli was helping him, and how he was teaching more and more of the lessons now, and he went on and on.



It was a beautiful testimony of what a wonderful companionship should be, and the effect an obedient, loving, senior companion can have on an impressionable new missionary. We were touched by the letter, and felt such a profound love and appreciation for Elder Heimuli.

There, I shared the letter with you, anyway....I hope I'm not in big trouble!!! (Just kidding). As a mother I just had to share this with you.

I hope you are all well and happy and doing well in this new year.

Love,

Sister Ridd

January 7, 2008 - $4,000 to NOT go on a mission

Hi Mom! Well, the first week in Jipijapa is over.. Im ready to work this week, everything has kind of settled nicely. Like, after the big move here, it was hard to get into the groove… but now I think that we are ready to get moving in the work.

Mom, Im so glad that my last letter was good for the ward. Not much is new, except that It is raining a lot down here. Its always muddy, we are always dirty… but I shouldn’t complain, at least I can eat sea food! I guess everything is fine, and I feel a little tired that’s all. I hope that everything is settling down there at home too. I love you all, and I cant wait to see you all later this year! Oh heres Jenkins´number and moms name: Angela Jenkins, shes not a member. This is Jenkins´ brothers number , because his family moved, 1 801 782 2017. He is a member, recent convert. So that’s all the info that I got so far. Ill have more next week.

So, Elder Jenkins has an interesting conversion story, he never went to church, because his father is inactive, and his mom isn’t a member. When Elder Jenkins went to College, he started listening to missionaries. After his older Brother got baptized, he decided to also. Elder Jenkins is the second to last in a family of 10 kids! Only 5 of them are members. Something interesting is that Elder Jenkins´ Dad tried to pay him 4,000 dollars to NOT go on a mission! I think that inviting them to my homecoming would be a great idea! Me and Jenkins are good friends, he plays the drums. Well, I love you mom, and Ill write you more next week!

December 31, 2007 - He only asks for 3 hours

Hi Mom, So things are really hectic right now also. What has happened is that last Saturday, I got a call from President Ridd. He said that he had a special assignment for me.. I agreed to accept it, Im going to a place called Jipijapa, I don’t know if you remember it.. Im back in Manta. I am no longer serving as a Zone Leader, but as a District Leader.. supposedly there are two Branches down here, and they both need help. My companion is not a veteran in the mission anymore either. His name is Elder Jenkins, hes from North Ogden, and he is a new convert to the church. He has about 4 months in the mission, Including the MTC. He seems like a great guy, and Im excited, but knowing that I am going to be really busy around here, more busy than I was when I was a ZL. So Im in the settling process right now, and am getting geared for a powerful finish to my mission. President said that I will also train again next change. So that is what is happening right now.. Ive only got about 3 changes left. Not a lot of time! Ive been thinking about Helam a lot, and how his new ward doesn’t seem appealing to him. Maybe you could read this to the whole family one night, if you don’t think that it is too strong. I don’t know the situation, but you do mom! Who knows, maybe you can read it to some inactive kids or something.. its about the importance of Church.

Ya know, Im so grateful for the mission and what it has taught me. I only hope that I can continue to become a better person. Its exactly when Satan stops our progress, that we begin to become miserable. Slowly, of course, gradual at first, the adversary begins his wicked designs. “Its okay if you go to church late just this once..” or, “You can take the sacrament next week..” Then, every time, members that begin on the downward slope find faults in the true church of Jesus Christ. I have seen the same destructive routine my whole mission. It has caused the strongest members here to fall. I know that this is the Lords church. I know that it is perfect even though the members of it, aren’t.

The Lord´s church is also a church of “evolution”. I say evolution because the Lord doesn’t change, and neither does his church. Did ya know? The words Evolution and Progression, are very similar. And sometimes the Lord does peculiar things, to get us to progress… to get us to EVOLVE. He sends his servants from a wonderful ward in Guayaquil, to a branch in a remote part of Ecuador like Jipijapa. Sometimes the Lord divdes a ward, and places us into a new situation. New faces, new friends, new attitudes and personalities… sometimes new is frightening, believe me, I know. But should we accept that change, with thankfulness? When the Lord splits a ward, or changes the boundries, should we not go where he tells us to go? Or do you believe that the Lord has made a mistake, or that YOUR judgement is greater than His?
I know that the Lord protects us, and loves us. He would never give us anything that we cant handle, or anything that would harm us in any way. I always use this example with those who don’t want to go to church… are you ready? Lets see how good at math you are: In Exodus, chapter 20, Moses reveals the 10 commandments. In Six days the Lord (Jehovah, who is Christ by the way) made world and everything that in them are. On the seventh day, he rested. The Lord gives us OUR WHOLE LIVES, but we´ll just do the math over a week long period. How many hours are in a day? (24) Okay, good… now how many days are there in a week? (7) Okay, now how many hours are there in a week? (168) So, God commands us to go to church, on what day? Sunday, okay and how long is church? (3 hours more or less)



So out of the 168 hours that God gives, he only asks for 3 hours.. is that too much to ask? May you make the right decision, and my you do it with a smile, and a willing heart, I know that you will be blessed, because I have.

Well love you mom, and Ill write more next week!