Hi Mom! Wow! What a conferance! I really was happy for my last conferance in Ecuador. I actually missed most of it because we were out inviting people to the conferance... I figured, I can always sit through an entire conferance, and take notes when Im at home. But this was my last chance to invite others to see Living Prophets and Apostles. It was a wonderful experiance. I believe that the fasting worked. The Lord is revealing his will, and we are trying to get things ready for this last month! Im so thankful for the mission, and I am going to miss it a lot. I also really liked that email about the guy that had little time left to live. What a perspective! If everyone had that perspective, that life is short, and that we dont have a lot of time left, there would be a lot less unhappiness, and alot more obediance to Gods commandments. I am sure that everyone will realize that blessing that await, and those that we have lost one day... hopefully it wont be too late to reclaim those blessings.
I am really happy for Tolu! Elder Lesu was a wonderful missionary, and friends are the hands that will lift us up, or the claws that can drag us down, soon Tolu will be on a mission.
I actually got your package finally! I loved it! All the letters telling me how excited they are to see me, and making me trunky! Haha... Im not trunky. I also cant believe that Tyler is getting maried! Its true, that I already knew, but thats crazy!
Im glaad that the cousins are going on missions, and that they will soon have the blessings that I have recieved. I love you Mom! Thanks for everything, even the business cards those are cool.
March 31, 2008 - Letter #5, I really don't want to go home so much
Hi Mom! Well, this last week went by pretty fast. This scares me, because I have so much to do in such little time! I also love the mission mom, I really don´t want to go home so much. Thank you so much for fasting with us. I have been stressing so much because I am not so sure if I can do what I need to, when I need to. But knowing that everyone fasted gives me much comfort and tranquility. I think this month will go by very well. We have been just working away as usual, trying to plan the best we can during the week, filling every half-hour with something to do. I am also very excited that there are 3 Elder Heimuli´s out right now. Having us out here is good for the family and for the Lords work too.
I can´t believe that I only have 5 weeks left. I haven´t gotten your letters yet, but it´s something I can look forward to. Mom I love you, keep praying for me, so far these last few weeks have been the best, very spiritual. I am still planning to make that suit, 200 would be more than enough, it all depends on how much the material costs. The suit guy charges about 80 bucks to custom tailor the suit, and the rest is the material which I have to pick out, and have no idea how much it costs.
And I guess I can tell you more stuff when you are here in Ecuador, but right now, we are going to leave! Love you all!
I can´t believe that I only have 5 weeks left. I haven´t gotten your letters yet, but it´s something I can look forward to. Mom I love you, keep praying for me, so far these last few weeks have been the best, very spiritual. I am still planning to make that suit, 200 would be more than enough, it all depends on how much the material costs. The suit guy charges about 80 bucks to custom tailor the suit, and the rest is the material which I have to pick out, and have no idea how much it costs.
And I guess I can tell you more stuff when you are here in Ecuador, but right now, we are going to leave! Love you all!
March 24, 2008 - Letter #6, Fast with us
Hi Mom! Well, the week was good. I witnessed a lot of miracles, and blessings. I really liked your letter, and how President Hinckley wore himself out in the work. I would very much like to do that before I come home. I have thought about it, and I need one little miracle. I just need that the Lord reveals his will, so that I can follow it. And I would like to ask you all for a little favor. Last week, I have fasted a few times for a lot of reasons. This week I will also be fasting, so that the Lords will be revealed. Would you all participate in a fast with us? We will fast on Thursday afternoon til friday afternoon for that specific purpose. There are a lot of good families, and I am not sure which ones will be baptized before I go. Someday they will all be baptized, but we look for the chosen few.
Also April 8th, Im going to Guayaquil to get my suit tailored. Thank you so much mom for your support, Love you all!
Also April 8th, Im going to Guayaquil to get my suit tailored. Thank you so much mom for your support, Love you all!
March 17, 2008 - Letter #7, Dad always told me...
Hi Mom! Well, I´m glad that things are going fairly well back there at home. I hope that you will be able to sell the old house, although times are a little difficult for selling a house. But I am positive that someone is looking for a house. Sometimes times are hard, and sometimes I feel that no one wants to listen to us, then I think… well, someone is out there, out of the thousands of people in Jipijapa, I just haven’t found them yet. I think I have something that can possibly help the kids, and other people who are struggling right now.
I think sometimes we get stuck in small vision. Small vision is what I call, the symptom that leads to desperation, hopelessness, ignorance, and often sin. When I used to play football, Dad always told me that to run the ball, one must open up his eyes. Then, follow the play. When the play is going into motion, Dad says to go 100%. Its interesting how Dads little philosophy applies to the real life, and the gospel. I feel that the secret to success lies in his little philosophy.
VISION
It all starts out with a little vision. Open your eyes. Where are you? I ask this question in the same sense that God asks Adam, “Where art thou?” in the book of Genesis chapter three. Do you think God knew where Adam was? If He did, then why did He ask? God wanted Adam to figure out that question for him self. So in that same sense, ask your self, where am I? , and where do I want to be? One of the best older Disney cartoons that I have seen is Alice in Wonderland. Because the story is sooo crazy, I sometimes wonder if the writer was stoned. But there is a part that is very important. In the middle of the story, Alice has already fallen down the hole, lost herself in Wonderland, and wandered for a good while. She is traveling along a path, and she comes to a fork in the road. At this time, the Chesire Cat appears, and starts talking with Alice, and this is the point that I want to come to. Alice eventually asks the cat, “Where should I go, which road should I take.”
The cat asks her, “Well that depends on where you want to go.” Alice says that she doesn´t know, and the cat says something rather profound. He says, “Well if you don’t know where you want to go, it doesn´t matter which road you take.” You see? It´s all about, vision. Many people that have serious problems are that way because they have no idea of what they want to do in life. If people knew that there is a God, if they REALLY knew, and never forgot, I promise that they wouldn’t sin.
If you want to be a scientist, great! Be a scientist. If you want to be a singer, fantastic! Be a singer. If you want to be the best father or mother in the world, perfect! Go for it. But if you don´t have any idea of what you want to be, you will be a NOBODY. As soon as you have the vision, don´t lose it! There are a lot of things that can be distracting, but if you would just stay focused, you´ll win.
In football, the plays are there so that you know what to do and so everyone knows what is going on. You have to have a gameplan.
FOLLOW THE PLAN
You need to have a little plan to be able to get to the VISION that you have. Your plans can include: Ok, I´m going to go to California, record some single that is going to make my brother like rap music again, while in the mission in Ecuador. Things like that. If I want to be rich, I better figure out a way to do it, then study my butt off and get A´s every semester. (Just so you know, before the mission I didn´t want to be rich that’s why I´m going to study my butt off when I get home.) Here I´ve learned to set goals every day. We have a saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Don´t be a failure. Plan things out, and you´ll find that you´ll make a lot of things happen in your favor.
GO 100%
Now that you know what you want, and you know how you are going to get there, get to work! Vision and planning is about 30% of the equation, the other 70% is work. What would have happened if Jesus, come the night of the atonement, decided that he was too tired to atone and that he could do it the day after. Then come the next day, after planning the atonement since the beginning of time, Jesus decided just to atone for half of the sins of the world. I tell you that it would have been worthless. Planning is worthless if we don´t put work into it, but 100%! Maybe doing your homework or things like that may not be like atoning for the sins of mankind (Although sometimes it may seem that way), but just the same if you don´t put your whole heart into the work, what did you plan so much for?! What did you prepare so much for?!
I know that these things are true; I mean I see it more clearly than ever. Everything you want in this life and in the next can be accomplished through these simple steps. And believe it or not, I first heard this fall from the lips of Dad! He was right! Haha… so try it! You´ll be amazed just as I am.
Well this week was pretty good I witnessed a lot of miracles and stuff alike. We have a lot of families that we are teaching, and I mean a lot. I´m kind of lazy right now, so I won´t write about all of them. There is a family named Urunaga, they are progressing really well. They disappeared a couple of weeks ago, and they reappeared. A cousin of theirs died, and so we taught the plan of salvation to them, they felt the sprit really strongly the day we went to visit them so we´ll see what happens. Other families only need divorces and marriages to be able to get baptized. Out of all, everyone needs to assist church. That is the hardest thing to do for them because it´s something new. I think that we should have a few baptisms the end of this month and the next month.
Thank you for everything that you do for me, and Ill talk to you soon!
I think sometimes we get stuck in small vision. Small vision is what I call, the symptom that leads to desperation, hopelessness, ignorance, and often sin. When I used to play football, Dad always told me that to run the ball, one must open up his eyes. Then, follow the play. When the play is going into motion, Dad says to go 100%. Its interesting how Dads little philosophy applies to the real life, and the gospel. I feel that the secret to success lies in his little philosophy.
VISION
It all starts out with a little vision. Open your eyes. Where are you? I ask this question in the same sense that God asks Adam, “Where art thou?” in the book of Genesis chapter three. Do you think God knew where Adam was? If He did, then why did He ask? God wanted Adam to figure out that question for him self. So in that same sense, ask your self, where am I? , and where do I want to be? One of the best older Disney cartoons that I have seen is Alice in Wonderland. Because the story is sooo crazy, I sometimes wonder if the writer was stoned. But there is a part that is very important. In the middle of the story, Alice has already fallen down the hole, lost herself in Wonderland, and wandered for a good while. She is traveling along a path, and she comes to a fork in the road. At this time, the Chesire Cat appears, and starts talking with Alice, and this is the point that I want to come to. Alice eventually asks the cat, “Where should I go, which road should I take.”
The cat asks her, “Well that depends on where you want to go.” Alice says that she doesn´t know, and the cat says something rather profound. He says, “Well if you don’t know where you want to go, it doesn´t matter which road you take.” You see? It´s all about, vision. Many people that have serious problems are that way because they have no idea of what they want to do in life. If people knew that there is a God, if they REALLY knew, and never forgot, I promise that they wouldn’t sin.
If you want to be a scientist, great! Be a scientist. If you want to be a singer, fantastic! Be a singer. If you want to be the best father or mother in the world, perfect! Go for it. But if you don´t have any idea of what you want to be, you will be a NOBODY. As soon as you have the vision, don´t lose it! There are a lot of things that can be distracting, but if you would just stay focused, you´ll win.
In football, the plays are there so that you know what to do and so everyone knows what is going on. You have to have a gameplan.
FOLLOW THE PLAN
You need to have a little plan to be able to get to the VISION that you have. Your plans can include: Ok, I´m going to go to California, record some single that is going to make my brother like rap music again, while in the mission in Ecuador. Things like that. If I want to be rich, I better figure out a way to do it, then study my butt off and get A´s every semester. (Just so you know, before the mission I didn´t want to be rich that’s why I´m going to study my butt off when I get home.) Here I´ve learned to set goals every day. We have a saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Don´t be a failure. Plan things out, and you´ll find that you´ll make a lot of things happen in your favor.
GO 100%
Now that you know what you want, and you know how you are going to get there, get to work! Vision and planning is about 30% of the equation, the other 70% is work. What would have happened if Jesus, come the night of the atonement, decided that he was too tired to atone and that he could do it the day after. Then come the next day, after planning the atonement since the beginning of time, Jesus decided just to atone for half of the sins of the world. I tell you that it would have been worthless. Planning is worthless if we don´t put work into it, but 100%! Maybe doing your homework or things like that may not be like atoning for the sins of mankind (Although sometimes it may seem that way), but just the same if you don´t put your whole heart into the work, what did you plan so much for?! What did you prepare so much for?!
I know that these things are true; I mean I see it more clearly than ever. Everything you want in this life and in the next can be accomplished through these simple steps. And believe it or not, I first heard this fall from the lips of Dad! He was right! Haha… so try it! You´ll be amazed just as I am.
Well this week was pretty good I witnessed a lot of miracles and stuff alike. We have a lot of families that we are teaching, and I mean a lot. I´m kind of lazy right now, so I won´t write about all of them. There is a family named Urunaga, they are progressing really well. They disappeared a couple of weeks ago, and they reappeared. A cousin of theirs died, and so we taught the plan of salvation to them, they felt the sprit really strongly the day we went to visit them so we´ll see what happens. Other families only need divorces and marriages to be able to get baptized. Out of all, everyone needs to assist church. That is the hardest thing to do for them because it´s something new. I think that we should have a few baptisms the end of this month and the next month.
Thank you for everything that you do for me, and Ill talk to you soon!
March 10, 2008 - Letter #8, I decided to say hi to those kids
Hi mom! Well, things are going pretty good. Last week the best thing that happened was when we went to Zone Conferance.
President did this wonderful example, the whole conferance was just an awesome learning experiance. Usually the missionaries complain that no one fellowships the investigators and stuff, when they visit church... but during the course of the zone conferance, the tables were about to turn on us. We started the conferance and everything was great, then I noticed that there were three kids there, about 18 to 19 years old. I just figured that they were visiting because they were dressed in suits, I figured that they were preparing for the mission. We continued our conferance, and during the break, I decided to say hi to those kids, and get to know them a bit. After the break, President Ridd gave his discourse. He called those three kids up to the stand. Then President asked us what there names were... I had totally forgotten. Then he asked us if we knew a little bit about them... I didn´t think to ask them what their interestes were. Then President Ridd asked the kids, of all of the missionaries present, how many of them had given them a warm welcome... they said about 6. There were 44 missionaries present. I thought that was an amazing lesson.
Other than that nothing much is going on, except the work. Pretty soon we should have a few baptisms, hopefully they come through.
Thank you so much for the packages, and for the hawaiian salt (I wanted the one that does work on Ecuadorians:)... little by little we are going to plan it out so that, right before I go, well have the party! Also before I go im going to make a suit, but Ill head out to Guayaquil in about 3 weeks, to get my measurements, and material. So dont send me the money before then, because Ill probably just spend it. Im glad that you liked the letter, I hope that it helps them. I love you very much mom, and Ill talk to you later!
President did this wonderful example, the whole conferance was just an awesome learning experiance. Usually the missionaries complain that no one fellowships the investigators and stuff, when they visit church... but during the course of the zone conferance, the tables were about to turn on us. We started the conferance and everything was great, then I noticed that there were three kids there, about 18 to 19 years old. I just figured that they were visiting because they were dressed in suits, I figured that they were preparing for the mission. We continued our conferance, and during the break, I decided to say hi to those kids, and get to know them a bit. After the break, President Ridd gave his discourse. He called those three kids up to the stand. Then President asked us what there names were... I had totally forgotten. Then he asked us if we knew a little bit about them... I didn´t think to ask them what their interestes were. Then President Ridd asked the kids, of all of the missionaries present, how many of them had given them a warm welcome... they said about 6. There were 44 missionaries present. I thought that was an amazing lesson.
Other than that nothing much is going on, except the work. Pretty soon we should have a few baptisms, hopefully they come through.
Thank you so much for the packages, and for the hawaiian salt (I wanted the one that does work on Ecuadorians:)... little by little we are going to plan it out so that, right before I go, well have the party! Also before I go im going to make a suit, but Ill head out to Guayaquil in about 3 weeks, to get my measurements, and material. So dont send me the money before then, because Ill probably just spend it. Im glad that you liked the letter, I hope that it helps them. I love you very much mom, and Ill talk to you later!
March 3, 2008 - Letter #9, Gladys
Hi Mom,
Well things are going good around here. Elder Peters and I are just working as usual. Last wekend we had the baptism of a sister we were teaching. She has a really strong testimony and we found here only two weeks ago! A Little bit less, actually. She was so prepared for the góspel, that when we asked her if she would be baptised, she said, I thought you`d never ask! She is wonderful, and so nice. She has changed a lot. Despite problems with her family, and her exhusband, she found the faith to be baptized.
We have some families that we are teaching, and it seems that we have hit a wall with some of them… I don´t know what to do. The were progressing so well, and I thought that they would be baptised before Gladys (the lady who got baptised last week.). I guess that the Lord Works in mysterious ways. I cant tell you all the miracles and blessings that I have seen, because I dont have enough time to write it all.
This next week, we are trying to gear up to finish the month off strong. We have a bunch of trainings and meetings to give to the branch leaders here. Hopefully we will be able to have some baptisms later on.
Mom, I just want to thank you for all the help, love and support that you and Dad have given me. Tella ll the kids hi for me, and tell them to be good! (: I´ll send that special letter to you also, in another email! Love ya! Les Quiero mucho!
Well things are going good around here. Elder Peters and I are just working as usual. Last wekend we had the baptism of a sister we were teaching. She has a really strong testimony and we found here only two weeks ago! A Little bit less, actually. She was so prepared for the góspel, that when we asked her if she would be baptised, she said, I thought you`d never ask! She is wonderful, and so nice. She has changed a lot. Despite problems with her family, and her exhusband, she found the faith to be baptized.
We have some families that we are teaching, and it seems that we have hit a wall with some of them… I don´t know what to do. The were progressing so well, and I thought that they would be baptised before Gladys (the lady who got baptised last week.). I guess that the Lord Works in mysterious ways. I cant tell you all the miracles and blessings that I have seen, because I dont have enough time to write it all.
This next week, we are trying to gear up to finish the month off strong. We have a bunch of trainings and meetings to give to the branch leaders here. Hopefully we will be able to have some baptisms later on.
Mom, I just want to thank you for all the help, love and support that you and Dad have given me. Tella ll the kids hi for me, and tell them to be good! (: I´ll send that special letter to you also, in another email! Love ya! Les Quiero mucho!
RE: Heimuli Itinerary
From: Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission [mailto:2012960@ldschurch.org]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 2:33 PM
To: Pania Heimuli
Subject: Re: Heimuli Itinerary
Dear Elder Heimuli's Mom,
I was wondering how many are planning on coming down? Just you and your husband? If you could let me know I would appreciate that.
Thanks,
Elder Willis
Mission Secretary
>>> "Pania Heimuli" 2/22/2008 12:04 PM >>>
Dear Elder Willis,
THANK YOU so much for the information. I called the missionary travel office and spoke to Stephanie. She asked that I inform you of Elder Heimuli's return flight plans, so here they are:
Elder Heimuli, my husband and myself plan on leaving Guayaquil late Thursday night, May 8th, on Delta Airlines. We will take care of all Elder Heimuli's travel expenses and do not expect reimbursement of any kind from the mission or the Church.
My husband always travels with his cell phone (which works fine in Guayaquil, but don't know if it will work in other areas of the mission). Please keep his number on file if you need anything at all while we are there. His number is (801) 673-6654.
Take care,
Elder Heimuli's Mom (I won't be called that for much longer, so I'd better use it as much as I can!)
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 2:33 PM
To: Pania Heimuli
Subject: Re: Heimuli Itinerary
Dear Elder Heimuli's Mom,
I was wondering how many are planning on coming down? Just you and your husband? If you could let me know I would appreciate that.
Thanks,
Elder Willis
Mission Secretary
>>> "Pania Heimuli" 2/22/2008 12:04 PM >>>
Dear Elder Willis,
THANK YOU so much for the information. I called the missionary travel office and spoke to Stephanie. She asked that I inform you of Elder Heimuli's return flight plans, so here they are:
Elder Heimuli, my husband and myself plan on leaving Guayaquil late Thursday night, May 8th, on Delta Airlines. We will take care of all Elder Heimuli's travel expenses and do not expect reimbursement of any kind from the mission or the Church.
My husband always travels with his cell phone (which works fine in Guayaquil, but don't know if it will work in other areas of the mission). Please keep his number on file if you need anything at all while we are there. His number is (801) 673-6654.
Take care,
Elder Heimuli's Mom (I won't be called that for much longer, so I'd better use it as much as I can!)
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