This last week was good for us. We found 2 new investigators: Clifford and Sharon. They are Native and he about started crying when he told us that he wanted to be baptized and "WANT WHAT YOU GOT" He speaks 8 different indian languages including Navajo. (which I want to learn how to speak one day) Cliffs indian name is Windwalker and he dances at pow wows all over the nation. He makes all his own costumes too and regalia. I want him to make me some moccasins. We have our first lesson with them Wednesday. He called us to make sure that we could have a lesson for two hours instead of one. Let me tell you guys. Thats sayin alot if an investigator is calling YOU. WHOO. POO. COO. BOO. LOO. DOO the DEW.
Its pretty exciting especially with transfers coming up in 2 weeks. We are continuing to help people out and teach them the truth. Most of them are having trouble keeping commitments ie getting to church, etc etc etc etc etc etc etcetc egce etc. Thet just dont want to get saved I guess. We helped this other indian guy, named Everettr, who is a member, write some emails to his internet girl friend who lives in the Phillipines. I guess she is going to come visit in a couple of months. Everett has a guy living with him who can draw real well. He gave me a copy of one of his drawings and autographed it for me. We also had a good lesson with Bill (one of the tr ct guys) He had been gone for a while touring the state with some local band called goodnight sunrise. Check them out. They might be good from what weve heard.
We also ran into this very nice Less Active lady who wasnt on the church records or anything and she came to church in her wheelchair. She has MS and cant walk very well. She has 3 kids and I have no idea how she does it. Her name is Jennifer.
Lets see what else did we do this week? Ate some antelope, sang at the community gospel sing in Townsend (which was awesome by the way) I always love when I get to dance in church.
So, at Maryns Bridal Shower did you meet Linda Willhite?
Tell me more about Jareds teaching experience. Was it real life or just a role play?
Tell Chris that he had some dang good poems. they really reflect his thinking and personality. Clever Girl. (name that movie)
Overall, I really am very very very excited for conference this weekend. I wouldn't ever believe that I could ever love the church so much, or General Conference, or meetings, or reading scriptures or talking to people about the church. OK, I'll admit it, Im in Love. Her name is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I say that will all respect. I really do though. Put the word out for me in the singles ward that I want to be the ward mission leader when I get home. Alright? K. Back to conference. We are hoping to have lots of people watch it. Its going to be awesome. so sick. pound pound.
Write with any concerns or questions. Im pretty much the Dr. Phil of the mission. That includes any of my viewers or listeners. Thanks!
Elder P Heywood.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Live it. Love it. Don't Leave it...
These last couple of weeks have been so frustrating. I have been so mad with some of the people we have been teaching. I just have no idea what Heavenly Father wants us to do with them. I have no clue. Dont get me wrong, Things are still great, people are progressing and moving forward to their baptismal dates its just that we are struggling to have investigators keep their commitments. With respect to all the garbage that we are facing we both, Elder Lewis and I, fasted to get some direction on decisions that should be made. Things are good just not quite what they should be.
Its so important that we share the Gospel. I think as members and missionaries we just think everything is grand. We have no idea. I don’t have any idea the kinds of problems people have. We need to share it. So many people are just plain messed up and need the joy the gospel brings.
On the bright side of things, we had some good visits this week. We stopped by a less-active ladie's house and she has a husband who looks 20 years younger than she does and he is from Finland.. Anyway, We had a good talk and got on the subject of Saunas. Fins pronounce it Sa-oona. They talked about how its the culture in Finland where everyone has a sauna. I guess they go into them naked and it calms them down or something after a hard days work. He said they also do business deals in them with people etc etc. Its kind of an all purpose place to meet and hangout. NAKED. They then started talking about how they were building one outside in their backyard and it was going to be finished soon. They told us that when it was finished we should come over and SAUNA with them. Not her though. Just him. I am worried that he is going to want to be baptized and won't seal the deal until we SAUNA with him. Wouldn’t that be the weirdest?
Remember when Elder Condie came to tour the mission in Oct.? Well, I never told you the joke that he told us. here it is: There was an aetheist who argued with his Christian Friends about Christ. His Christian Friends always told him that he would be sorry resurrection day. So... When resurrection day came, the Aethiest rose from the grave and poked his head out of the ground and said, "I'll be damned" and he was. A general authority told us that one.
We taught Mary Byrd again and it was LAW OF CHASTITY time. Talk about awkward. Teaching a 14 year old girl about the Law of chastity in the Staleys home. I did the teaching and not only taught Mary about it but all of the parents, grandmas, kids, Mary’s brother, etc. If anyone felt more awkward than me it was Mary. Wow. That will go down in the Journal for sure.
So we went out on splits with a guy a couple weeks ago and he had the worst gas. In the middle of the prayer he... and I laughed. When the prayer was over everyone looked at me like, "what in the hey" Everyone acted like nothing happened. Thats just like being in chile a couple weeks ago and denying that there was ever an earthquake.
Things are good. A couple of frustrating issues but overall good. We will make it through. We have it a lot easier than most people. Its sucha blessing to have the Gospel. Live it. Love it. Dont Leave it. As Paul says, "be a prisoner of God"
This week is going to be red vines baby
Elder PHeywood
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
I want to know ASAP about the person who got called to Billings. Find out for me.
I just got Bens letter today right before I got on the computer. I think Atlanta is going to be a sweet mission. If I could pick somewhere else to serve I think it would be Arkansas, down south like Georgia or Alabama, or New York City. I think a mission like that would be sweet. If MT had more diversity like those places it would be the sweetest mission in the world. It is a rare occurence to see a person of another race in Montana.
I got Gabe’s letter too. Man, what a mission experience. Crazy. (Parker's friend, Gabe is serving in Concepcion Chile) Here’s our crazy mission experience: If I wrote out the whole thing it would be long. So here’s the short. We got a call on Saturday night from the other Elders to go check up on one of their recent converts who just got baptized. He is about 85 and just got of an assisted living place. They called us saying that, Louis (that’s his name) had called someone else telling that person that he wasn’t going to make it through the night. We were close by so we made the stop by. First obstacle: the apartments that he lives in can only be accessed with a key and/or buzzing IN to a tenant. I started pushing all the different buttons and finally someone buzzed to let us in. They were probably wondering where their visitor was. anyway, we run up to his room on the 4th floor (PS we knew where he lived and everything because we had moved him in about 2 weeks earlier) and knocked on his door. It was dark and no answer. The door was unlocked so we went in expecting a dead man on the floor or something and there was no one to be seen. Second obstacle: the lights didn’t go on in the house and we started yelling for him. We searched around and finally heard a groan from one of the rooms and went in and found him lying down. THE END I guess he had been having some jolts in his heart and was feeling weak. He had low blood sugar levels and was kind of out of it but ended up being ok. Within the next 5 minutes a nurse showed up and some other church members. We gave him a quick blessing and it was all good. the worst part was answering the phone that was ringing off the hook and people talking to me demanding to know WHO ARE YOU and WHERE IN THE ?$#@ is LOUIS? That’s my mission story for the week.
Actually, another good one: We were contacting some LA members of our ward and we happened to be at the right place at the right time. Her name is Desa 'Deesuh' O and she has a 10 year old daughter named Jillian. It Basically went like this: Hey do you guys want to baptize my daughter? What do you think of that Jillian? Jillian says, "Sure" Desa says, "When can you guys come and teach us" "what time is church?" "Alright, see ya then." Pretty Sweet cakes huh?
We also had a lesson with DO last night. One of the trailer park guys. He is progressing. Just slower than we'd like him to. He's pretty much a big white giant with biceps the size of a small Volkswagen wagon? whatever. Just kind of like that book we read in high school with George and Ernie? something like that. "I want to pet the puppies George" Yep kind of like that. He was telling us some crazy stories. Wow. He is pretty sweet, Even though by the end of our lesson he has halfway filled up a gatorade bottle with spit from his chew. We are all Children of God though. The Gospel is like a giant ship that has seats that can fit anyones butt size. No matter who you are the Gospel can help and take you where you want and should be.
All other investigators are doing good. we need to continue to find people. Lots of things are changing in our mission too. We had the big guns come up from Salt Lake to a leadership meeting and gave us some good counsel. Cant wait for General conference.
Thank-you for all the wonderful bright white short sleeve shirts. I am going to be the prettiest girl at the ball.
One more question. Did the reflections of Christ people come out with new DVD? yes or no. You can take money out of my account if they did because I want it.
LOVE ME DO. I was going to write some other stuff down but I forgot about it. I wrote it all down but left my planner at home.
Elder Parker Heywood. this week = so sick x2 (pound pound) red vines + mr. pibb
I just got Bens letter today right before I got on the computer. I think Atlanta is going to be a sweet mission. If I could pick somewhere else to serve I think it would be Arkansas, down south like Georgia or Alabama, or New York City. I think a mission like that would be sweet. If MT had more diversity like those places it would be the sweetest mission in the world. It is a rare occurence to see a person of another race in Montana.
I got Gabe’s letter too. Man, what a mission experience. Crazy. (Parker's friend, Gabe is serving in Concepcion Chile) Here’s our crazy mission experience: If I wrote out the whole thing it would be long. So here’s the short. We got a call on Saturday night from the other Elders to go check up on one of their recent converts who just got baptized. He is about 85 and just got of an assisted living place. They called us saying that, Louis (that’s his name) had called someone else telling that person that he wasn’t going to make it through the night. We were close by so we made the stop by. First obstacle: the apartments that he lives in can only be accessed with a key and/or buzzing IN to a tenant. I started pushing all the different buttons and finally someone buzzed to let us in. They were probably wondering where their visitor was. anyway, we run up to his room on the 4th floor (PS we knew where he lived and everything because we had moved him in about 2 weeks earlier) and knocked on his door. It was dark and no answer. The door was unlocked so we went in expecting a dead man on the floor or something and there was no one to be seen. Second obstacle: the lights didn’t go on in the house and we started yelling for him. We searched around and finally heard a groan from one of the rooms and went in and found him lying down. THE END I guess he had been having some jolts in his heart and was feeling weak. He had low blood sugar levels and was kind of out of it but ended up being ok. Within the next 5 minutes a nurse showed up and some other church members. We gave him a quick blessing and it was all good. the worst part was answering the phone that was ringing off the hook and people talking to me demanding to know WHO ARE YOU and WHERE IN THE ?$#@ is LOUIS? That’s my mission story for the week.
Actually, another good one: We were contacting some LA members of our ward and we happened to be at the right place at the right time. Her name is Desa 'Deesuh' O and she has a 10 year old daughter named Jillian. It Basically went like this: Hey do you guys want to baptize my daughter? What do you think of that Jillian? Jillian says, "Sure" Desa says, "When can you guys come and teach us" "what time is church?" "Alright, see ya then." Pretty Sweet cakes huh?
We also had a lesson with DO last night. One of the trailer park guys. He is progressing. Just slower than we'd like him to. He's pretty much a big white giant with biceps the size of a small Volkswagen wagon? whatever. Just kind of like that book we read in high school with George and Ernie? something like that. "I want to pet the puppies George" Yep kind of like that. He was telling us some crazy stories. Wow. He is pretty sweet, Even though by the end of our lesson he has halfway filled up a gatorade bottle with spit from his chew. We are all Children of God though. The Gospel is like a giant ship that has seats that can fit anyones butt size. No matter who you are the Gospel can help and take you where you want and should be.
All other investigators are doing good. we need to continue to find people. Lots of things are changing in our mission too. We had the big guns come up from Salt Lake to a leadership meeting and gave us some good counsel. Cant wait for General conference.
Thank-you for all the wonderful bright white short sleeve shirts. I am going to be the prettiest girl at the ball.
One more question. Did the reflections of Christ people come out with new DVD? yes or no. You can take money out of my account if they did because I want it.
LOVE ME DO. I was going to write some other stuff down but I forgot about it. I wrote it all down but left my planner at home.
Elder Parker Heywood. this week = so sick x2 (pound pound) red vines + mr. pibb
Monday, March 8, 2010
Hola mi familia...
It is wonderful to hear from the wonderful land of AZ.
I really want to read that talk by Elder Oakes. Sounds awesome. I have a talk that I got by Bro Jackson (a member of the ward here from Mesa who went to school with Beth Schield) that he got on his mission that was given by a GA at amissionary zone conference back in the 70s. It talks about some very deep doctrines. The kind of talk that you would read and research only if you were on a mission. I will get a copy of it and send it to you guys. Youll have to tell me what you think.
I was also wondering...... maybe....... if you could...... send......... maybe......... some ...... short sleeve white shirts. I dont have any and its starting to get warm. The last couple of weeks have been in the 50s. Almost all the snow is melted of the ground. Let me know what you think on my proposition.
NOW FOR THE INVESTIGATORS: The Eternigator decided, FINALLY, that she wanted to get baptized!! whoo whoo. The only problem is that she wants to get baptized after I will leave. She and some other members of the ward didnt want to have to baptism without me so they called Pres Gardner and talked to him about letting me stay and extra couple of weeks. He pretty much said "no" so I guess I am going to miss her baptism. Remember the "sleeping giant?" Well we taught her and her non member husband. Went well. Husband said that for him it was just a matter of "WHEN" rather than "IF." I was pretty stoked about that. The only problem with teaching some people is that They feel this urge to share all of their deepest darkest secrets and concerns with the missionaries. It gets kind of weird sometimes and the awkwardness level goes through the roof but, hey... what can I do? They love me. Maybe I should be a counselor and work for LDS family services. There are two of those guys here in Helena and I dont think i would mind doing what they do. Next up at bat are Rod and Lisa. I love them to death but ROd has just got some issues with things. He is kind of the keystone to the whole family. If we cant get him to go, no one goes. and that is how everything is. It seems like everyone is sick too. Megan Mesa, Brian and Isabel, etc etc aka some of our most promising investigators have been a little under the weather. Its been hard on us. Wer are teaching and finding all these people and no one comes to church. What the flippity flip man? We have been really blessed though. Still working with lots of less actives and doing good. We are getting along and My patience is growing stronger. Remember what we talked about right before I left home about having no patience with certain types of people? Its all good though. Nothing to worry about. Things are goood.
I hope you guys get to meet the Mckeans one day and the Alsburys. Two of my favorite familes. Look for an email from Janet wilkins. She is going to send you a picture.
I thought you would be proud of me if I told you that some of the ladies in the ward have helped us out with working the coupon system. They gave us some coupons that allowed me to buy 5 boxes of cinnamon life and 5 boxes of instant oatmeal for 5 bucks. A savings of 38 dollars. Do I make you proud?
RECENT CONVERT News: I dont think i ever told you that the Atchleys were housing the missionaries in POLSON now did I? well they are. Tell the Burninghams hi for me.
I got some training for Jared: Alright Bear. I am going to give you some questions that you have to answer as if I was an investigator. Have them all answered and back to me by next monday. They will start off easy.
1) I have the Bible and need no more of the word of God. Why do I need the Book of Mormon if it says in Revelations that "if anyone shall add or take from these things... the plagues and calamties that are in this book shall come upon your head" ( i didnt qoute the scripture exactly but I hope you get ths jist of it)
2) Why at the end of Jacob would it say "Adieu?"
to be continued....
See you in one year!! haha EPHEYWOOD
I really want to read that talk by Elder Oakes. Sounds awesome. I have a talk that I got by Bro Jackson (a member of the ward here from Mesa who went to school with Beth Schield) that he got on his mission that was given by a GA at amissionary zone conference back in the 70s. It talks about some very deep doctrines. The kind of talk that you would read and research only if you were on a mission. I will get a copy of it and send it to you guys. Youll have to tell me what you think.
I was also wondering...... maybe....... if you could...... send......... maybe......... some ...... short sleeve white shirts. I dont have any and its starting to get warm. The last couple of weeks have been in the 50s. Almost all the snow is melted of the ground. Let me know what you think on my proposition.
NOW FOR THE INVESTIGATORS: The Eternigator decided, FINALLY, that she wanted to get baptized!! whoo whoo. The only problem is that she wants to get baptized after I will leave. She and some other members of the ward didnt want to have to baptism without me so they called Pres Gardner and talked to him about letting me stay and extra couple of weeks. He pretty much said "no" so I guess I am going to miss her baptism. Remember the "sleeping giant?" Well we taught her and her non member husband. Went well. Husband said that for him it was just a matter of "WHEN" rather than "IF." I was pretty stoked about that. The only problem with teaching some people is that They feel this urge to share all of their deepest darkest secrets and concerns with the missionaries. It gets kind of weird sometimes and the awkwardness level goes through the roof but, hey... what can I do? They love me. Maybe I should be a counselor and work for LDS family services. There are two of those guys here in Helena and I dont think i would mind doing what they do. Next up at bat are Rod and Lisa. I love them to death but ROd has just got some issues with things. He is kind of the keystone to the whole family. If we cant get him to go, no one goes. and that is how everything is. It seems like everyone is sick too. Megan Mesa, Brian and Isabel, etc etc aka some of our most promising investigators have been a little under the weather. Its been hard on us. Wer are teaching and finding all these people and no one comes to church. What the flippity flip man? We have been really blessed though. Still working with lots of less actives and doing good. We are getting along and My patience is growing stronger. Remember what we talked about right before I left home about having no patience with certain types of people? Its all good though. Nothing to worry about. Things are goood.
I hope you guys get to meet the Mckeans one day and the Alsburys. Two of my favorite familes. Look for an email from Janet wilkins. She is going to send you a picture.
I thought you would be proud of me if I told you that some of the ladies in the ward have helped us out with working the coupon system. They gave us some coupons that allowed me to buy 5 boxes of cinnamon life and 5 boxes of instant oatmeal for 5 bucks. A savings of 38 dollars. Do I make you proud?
RECENT CONVERT News: I dont think i ever told you that the Atchleys were housing the missionaries in POLSON now did I? well they are. Tell the Burninghams hi for me.
I got some training for Jared: Alright Bear. I am going to give you some questions that you have to answer as if I was an investigator. Have them all answered and back to me by next monday. They will start off easy.
1) I have the Bible and need no more of the word of God. Why do I need the Book of Mormon if it says in Revelations that "if anyone shall add or take from these things... the plagues and calamties that are in this book shall come upon your head" ( i didnt qoute the scripture exactly but I hope you get ths jist of it)
2) Why at the end of Jacob would it say "Adieu?"
to be continued....
See you in one year!! haha EPHEYWOOD
Monday, March 1, 2010
Well....the big news is this:
I had 4 Transfers in Helena which means 24 weeks. approx. 6 months. I have now had two, 6 month areas: POLSON and HELENA. We got the transfer calls last Friday which tells us who is getting moved. Elder Brooks, the missionary who called asked us who we thought was leaving and we all gave our answers, etc, etc. The suspense was killer and then he said that only ONE of us was leaving out of 8 missionaries in our district. The missionary who got transferred was not me. It was Elder Goff. That means that I am staying in Helena for 5 Transfers, 30 weeks, approx. 7.5 months!! Whoo Whoo! Let me tell YOU, it was pretty scary! (AMD) Only two areas and I’ve been out for a year.
These last couple of days have been depressing for Elder Goff and myself. This has been one of his favorite places and the whole ward loves him. I guess they sang God Be With You Til We Meet Again on Sunday for the poor guy. He is getting transferred to Lander, WY.
I talked to Elder Journey the other day and he goes home in May. That is so weird that someone I’ve served with goes home in a little while. Elder Tanner goes home in June. I talked to him the other day and he said he went through Polson and got to see some people.
This last Saturday night we went out to Townsend to the Gospel sing where a bunch of different denominations get together and sing Gospel music. Was alright. Not the best. Lots of old people that think they have good voices sing so... you know how that goes. Plus, its gospel music. We spent the night in Townsend with all 8 elders in the same house. I slept on a recliner, worst sleep ever. Never sleep on one. Sunday morning we got a ride with one of the high councilors from Townsend to our Ward Conference in Helena. It went pretty well.
Lots of things I learned. Then, last night we had stake priesthood meeting that we were supposed to sing at but it didnt work out so we just had Elder Lanham play the piano. It was a very spiritual day. You should start writing your thoughts down during sacrament meeting and those things and see what comes of your jots and tittles at the end of the day. There’s some good stuff.
Well... Were getting rushed off again. Maybe next week I will be able to write more about our investigators. They’re doing goood. I am planning on giving that Reflections CD to a recent convert so hope you don’t mind. Let me know about the Tsunami that was supposed to hit Hawaii etc. I heard that it was a lot smaller than they thought it was going to be.
LOVE ME DO.
Elder Plheywood.
I got some Training for Jare Bear in my next email.
These last couple of days have been depressing for Elder Goff and myself. This has been one of his favorite places and the whole ward loves him. I guess they sang God Be With You Til We Meet Again on Sunday for the poor guy. He is getting transferred to Lander, WY.
I talked to Elder Journey the other day and he goes home in May. That is so weird that someone I’ve served with goes home in a little while. Elder Tanner goes home in June. I talked to him the other day and he said he went through Polson and got to see some people.
This last Saturday night we went out to Townsend to the Gospel sing where a bunch of different denominations get together and sing Gospel music. Was alright. Not the best. Lots of old people that think they have good voices sing so... you know how that goes. Plus, its gospel music. We spent the night in Townsend with all 8 elders in the same house. I slept on a recliner, worst sleep ever. Never sleep on one. Sunday morning we got a ride with one of the high councilors from Townsend to our Ward Conference in Helena. It went pretty well.
Lots of things I learned. Then, last night we had stake priesthood meeting that we were supposed to sing at but it didnt work out so we just had Elder Lanham play the piano. It was a very spiritual day. You should start writing your thoughts down during sacrament meeting and those things and see what comes of your jots and tittles at the end of the day. There’s some good stuff.
Well... Were getting rushed off again. Maybe next week I will be able to write more about our investigators. They’re doing goood. I am planning on giving that Reflections CD to a recent convert so hope you don’t mind. Let me know about the Tsunami that was supposed to hit Hawaii etc. I heard that it was a lot smaller than they thought it was going to be.
LOVE ME DO.
Elder Plheywood.
I got some Training for Jare Bear in my next email.
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