Good day.
This last week we had a good week. Our zone is doing really well with missionary work. Lots of good things have been happening. You are probably wondering about Ds baptism. It was one of the best baptismal services Ive ever been to. Nothing really out of the ordinary/extraordinary happened. It was just a nicely planned baptism with an opening and closing song, talk on baptism/holy ghost, baptism, and confirmation (which all took place on a Wednesday apart from Sunday because of work scheduling etc) The thing that made it so special was that (my own thoughts) there seemed to be such great rejoicing from everyone at the service AND beyond the veil. I really cant describe what it felt like but there was definitely a spirit of rejoicing there. Not to mention that we had 7 ex/active missionaries there. I would like to describe a little bit about the confirmation. D asked Bishop S to give the confirmation and it was very powerful. Bishop Sreally gave some inspired counsel and promises. Indescribable. How many times can I say that everything is real and true? I don't know. I don't think that testifying will ever stop.
Another thing that Ive observed this week has to do a lot with people and choices. The phrase, "make good choices" is often referred to and commonly used among all races, sects,....... everyone OK? It has almost just been an overused and misunderstood phrase because I don't think that people are actually taking it to heart. Most people would not be in the binds, hassles, problems, situations, and CRAP that they are in if they would make the right choices. For Example: What friends/people you are going to associate yourselves with, what you are going to eat/take into your bodies, if you're going to read your scriptures every day, if you're going to spread a rumor or lie or bad information about something or another, etc,etc. You now may be asking yourself, "Parker, theres obviously more to this than what your saying. What is the bigger picture here Parker?" I will reply to those rhetorical questions by saying, "It all starts with a thought, boys and girls. Make sure those thoughts align with the Lords will and you will do fine. You will have a happy and progressive life if you listen and follow... no, even better, HEARKEN unto the words of the savior. Be obedient. Make good decisions, make the RIGHT decisions." again, you might ask, "where does all of this - , so un-like you, prophetic, angelic, teeming with semantic and literary complexity wise words of COUNSEL come from?" I tell you, "from my experiences and observations. I know no one is perfect but how far can Christ gap the bridge between our finite mortal and incomplete selves..... to an exalted and resurrected and glorified and perfect.....heir of the Celestial Kingdom? I will answer my own question. We need to have FAITH. We just don't understand." I am going to say one more thing and THAT IS: Please let people change. Have Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
At church yesterday we had two new college kids come for the first time. One was a member and another was a non member who we will have a lesson with on Tuesday night. Yes. Bam. Whoo. These two Brodeos are also from Utah, like the Basketballers, and also have Sunday practices. Bum.
That is pretty much our last week in a condensed, spiritually enhanced form.
We have been trying to get out to Ekalaka so hopefully that will happen within the next couple of weeks. There is a lady down there who is a non member and an active member as well. She is the wife of the Elders Q Pres will be getting baptized. When? We don't know because they are so dang busy and hard to get in contact with and 100 miles away that we just don't know.
Lots of young wives in the ward are pregnant and getting ready to have babies. One should actually be having hers today. It makes me think a lot of Aaron and Katie.
Love.
Elder P Heywood
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Love you like a cowboy with a pair of new wranglers...
So, yes. I have been with Elder Snyder now for about 5 days. He has brought some good things to the area and we are getting some good work done.
The big news is: D the drummer D is getting baptized Wednesday! Crazy huh. I guess he just kind of decided that last week. It was here and there and then he finally decided to go forth with it. So, Ex Elders Quiocho, Wilkins, and Baumgarten will be attending along with Brooks and Fischer who will be coming in from Billings the day of. Its pretty exciting. The Crazier part of all this is that his parents, who I vaguely vaguely remember from his and T wedding reception a month or two ago, live in Helena. Believe it or not, I was with Elder Lewis and we contacted his dad, who is or I should say, WAS a Less active member of the church. After Talking to D on Tuesday all of the pieces of the puzzle got put into place. Back in April, when we contacted the dad, it came to the attention of his very very anti mormon wife that she had been married to a mormon for all these years. I left before all the "STUFF" happened but after several visits over there from US he told us that he would no longer need to be contacted from anyone which arose the discussion of NAME REMOVAL etc etc. (Dont get the wrong picture here. It wasnt done in a rude or mean manner. It was very respectful and kind. The kind of less active visits that you hope to get when discussing name removal.) Anyway, the mom found out the husband/dad was a member and didnt handle it too well. The Police were involved, for some reason, and efforts were made to get the Dad/Husband off the church records. It was done. Lo and Behold I end up in Glendive the son is now getting baptized. small world here in MT. This all came to our attention last wednesday when we had dinner with them and he said he had just gotten off the phone with his mom from Helena, informing her that he was going to be baptized. lets just say they spent a couple of hours on the phone and she DIDNt disown him. Thats good. And now he is going forward with it. Wednesday night. Be there or be square.
J and J didnt come to church this last week but that is ok. They were up until 5 that morning dealing with a baby who had a fever. The lesson that we had on Friday with them went better that ever. They were asked to be baptized once they came to know that the Book of Mormon was true and both said "YES" WOW. Bam. Theyre both going to get baptized by the proper priesthood authority of GOd. Can you believe that? yep. Children of God making one step at a time. We are still working with them on Word of Wisdom and ..... getting married. Yikes. J closed the lesson by saying a prayer, mind you, for the first time out loud. K, their across the street neighbor who I told you about last week, said she went to their house afterward and said something was different. "It just felt different"
FYI. I think i told you that Elder Sherwood and I were speaking at a YSA fireside last tuesday night? Well we did and it went awesome because there were about 5 non members there. along with the spirit. Its always good when he shows up to those activities. Well, after we got home that evening, Bishop Steffen called me up on our cellular phone and told me that he felt like I needed to give a talk in church on Sunday. I said, "I will go and do" JK but seriously. My talk was on priesthood service and preparing for a mission. It went well. Perfect for the 3 college kids that came to church and our vast numbers of Aaronic Priesthood. the 3 kids that came up were from Utah and were all on Basketball scholarships. Kind of a sucky place to go to school but hey, its a scholarship. One of the players dads was with him and snuck out of class to meet us in the hall informing us to keep an eye on his son and exchanging telephone numbers with us. ha. So hopefully we can start a FHE group/Mish Prep/ something spiritual because we were informed that the Bball coach here at the college makes Sunday practices mandatory on purpose, if you know what i mean. butt head, if you know what I mean. We will see what happens.
Look for an August 14th issue of the mormon times and there should be an article on old Kyle Shobe from Lewistown.
Just some other news: We are having an outdoor Zone Conf in September. Allan F. Packer will be touring our mission in October. I also get a letter from Stephen Anderson this last week informing me that he has now been out on his mission for 13 months. While in Ogden he met my mission Grandpa, Elder Ty Ashton, who, by the way, is getting married 9/11. YOu should be friends with him on face book or something mormon-like like that. I got a call from Marcus Journey the other week informing me that he was in Helena with his family. I also got a call from Bryce Lindhardt who is also engaged and getting married in October. On Friday night Elder Snyders brother got permission to come see him. He and his fiance, who both graduated Law School and are getting jobs in Syracuse and Manhattan, spent the evening with us. They took us out to dinner and afterwards bought us tooooo many groceries. It was awesome.
Like,
Elder Heywood
The big news is: D the drummer D is getting baptized Wednesday! Crazy huh. I guess he just kind of decided that last week. It was here and there and then he finally decided to go forth with it. So, Ex Elders Quiocho, Wilkins, and Baumgarten will be attending along with Brooks and Fischer who will be coming in from Billings the day of. Its pretty exciting. The Crazier part of all this is that his parents, who I vaguely vaguely remember from his and T wedding reception a month or two ago, live in Helena. Believe it or not, I was with Elder Lewis and we contacted his dad, who is or I should say, WAS a Less active member of the church. After Talking to D on Tuesday all of the pieces of the puzzle got put into place. Back in April, when we contacted the dad, it came to the attention of his very very anti mormon wife that she had been married to a mormon for all these years. I left before all the "STUFF" happened but after several visits over there from US he told us that he would no longer need to be contacted from anyone which arose the discussion of NAME REMOVAL etc etc. (Dont get the wrong picture here. It wasnt done in a rude or mean manner. It was very respectful and kind. The kind of less active visits that you hope to get when discussing name removal.) Anyway, the mom found out the husband/dad was a member and didnt handle it too well. The Police were involved, for some reason, and efforts were made to get the Dad/Husband off the church records. It was done. Lo and Behold I end up in Glendive the son is now getting baptized. small world here in MT. This all came to our attention last wednesday when we had dinner with them and he said he had just gotten off the phone with his mom from Helena, informing her that he was going to be baptized. lets just say they spent a couple of hours on the phone and she DIDNt disown him. Thats good. And now he is going forward with it. Wednesday night. Be there or be square.
J and J didnt come to church this last week but that is ok. They were up until 5 that morning dealing with a baby who had a fever. The lesson that we had on Friday with them went better that ever. They were asked to be baptized once they came to know that the Book of Mormon was true and both said "YES" WOW. Bam. Theyre both going to get baptized by the proper priesthood authority of GOd. Can you believe that? yep. Children of God making one step at a time. We are still working with them on Word of Wisdom and ..... getting married. Yikes. J closed the lesson by saying a prayer, mind you, for the first time out loud. K, their across the street neighbor who I told you about last week, said she went to their house afterward and said something was different. "It just felt different"
FYI. I think i told you that Elder Sherwood and I were speaking at a YSA fireside last tuesday night? Well we did and it went awesome because there were about 5 non members there. along with the spirit. Its always good when he shows up to those activities. Well, after we got home that evening, Bishop Steffen called me up on our cellular phone and told me that he felt like I needed to give a talk in church on Sunday. I said, "I will go and do" JK but seriously. My talk was on priesthood service and preparing for a mission. It went well. Perfect for the 3 college kids that came to church and our vast numbers of Aaronic Priesthood. the 3 kids that came up were from Utah and were all on Basketball scholarships. Kind of a sucky place to go to school but hey, its a scholarship. One of the players dads was with him and snuck out of class to meet us in the hall informing us to keep an eye on his son and exchanging telephone numbers with us. ha. So hopefully we can start a FHE group/Mish Prep/ something spiritual because we were informed that the Bball coach here at the college makes Sunday practices mandatory on purpose, if you know what i mean. butt head, if you know what I mean. We will see what happens.
Look for an August 14th issue of the mormon times and there should be an article on old Kyle Shobe from Lewistown.
Just some other news: We are having an outdoor Zone Conf in September. Allan F. Packer will be touring our mission in October. I also get a letter from Stephen Anderson this last week informing me that he has now been out on his mission for 13 months. While in Ogden he met my mission Grandpa, Elder Ty Ashton, who, by the way, is getting married 9/11. YOu should be friends with him on face book or something mormon-like like that. I got a call from Marcus Journey the other week informing me that he was in Helena with his family. I also got a call from Bryce Lindhardt who is also engaged and getting married in October. On Friday night Elder Snyders brother got permission to come see him. He and his fiance, who both graduated Law School and are getting jobs in Syracuse and Manhattan, spent the evening with us. They took us out to dinner and afterwards bought us tooooo many groceries. It was awesome.
Like,
Elder Heywood
Monday, August 16, 2010
Hanging in Miles City Today...
I thought that school started this week not next week. The kids in MT dont start until next monday. Summer is over like that.
Well, I know you are all waiting to hear about transfers so hear it goes. I am now, as I type, in Miles City. Yep. I am waiting for my new companion so that I can go back to Glendive because Elder Brooks left. Hes gone. He is now serving and finishing his last 2 transfers off in Billings where he will most likely be teaching C. So I guess there was a reason for him to go to that lesson. I am getting Elder Snyder who also has 2 transfers left. So, I will either be getting transferred this next transfer or staying for HIS 2 and then get transferred the transfer after that which will put me in GDive for 4 transfers aka 6 months aka a week before Christmas. Elder Snyder served in Lewistown about a year ago so we will have some good things to talk about. Ive met him a couple of times just coming and going and He will be good for me. He is from CA. Other news from transfers: Goff is ZL with Hinton. haha. You will have to start reading his blog again. I also heard that Holbrook is getting doubled in with another missionary to an area that hasnt had missionaries for about 7 months. Im proud of my boys. Just like katie having a baby when I get home, all I am asking for before I leave the mission is a couple of grandboys from Holbrook or Jensen. I dont think it will happen though. thats about it for transfers though folks. Its lookin good. I guess I will add this: Our zone is getting 4 missionaries. 2 regulars and 2 greenies. Speaking of greenies, how is Elder Elmer doing? I havent sent him a letter yet but I should.
This past week: 2 BAPTISMAL DATES!! A and D, but, both didnt show up to church the other day. hmmmmm. J and J did, the ones without the Bdates but the others didnt. I dont get it. Anyway, last Wed we went over to V.J. house to play cards with D and T just so that we could have a fun type of setting becasue whenever we teach D and T it is always in a lesson type situation. So, we played cards and had a good conversation. Afterwards, I mean after we left, D and T stayed over at Vs until really late talking about baptism and he challenged him to setting a date. I mean, it was pretty logical because D is all ready for it. So after D and T left I guess he had told T that he hadnt felt so peaceful about everything in his whole time investigating. Thats the scoop on the Big D. As for A, she is a mystery woman. Im sure she could have her own episode on that pbs show that the Mom and Katie watch. or should I say, watched? She is a straight up Mystery. This week is has to be a climax for her or she wont reach her baptismal date.
J and J are a whole other paragraph. Elder Brooks and I both felt that, even with all the crap going on, they are investigating and coming to church because they want to change and realize a "lack of something" in their lives. Hopefully we can help these people make a change in their lives and have a good experience at church. Ive learned a lot of things on my mission. Ive learned that the world is screwed up. I learned that there is nothing else in life except for the Gospel. There is nothing to live for without the Gospel. You cant just go away from it and say, I’m happy. Its not true. Read your scriptures every day and consistently, constantly strive to "know" Jesus Christ. All of this is real. I know it is. If you get time read the talk by Jeffrey Holland that talks about Lots Wife. It was in the January ensign. That is my assignment to our family for this week. When you read it think about HOW PEOPLE CAN CHANGE.
There is this family in The Dive that we always see. We are always eating there and doing laundry there and they have these 2 cute little girls. The Ds. I have lately been having lots of conversations with sister D about the Gospel and she swears that her daughter, Eternity, sees things and know things. Interesting and terrifying at the same time.
I thought I would also add, Ive said it a million times but I will say it again, Montana has the most interesting sacrament meetings. The county fair was happening; so at church, I couldnt even count the number of kids that had their faces painted and partaking of the sacrament. Thank goodness there were no deacons passing the Lords Supper with rabbits painted on their forehead. whoo. also, it is hard to not be judgmental and try to decide who is LA or a non member because half of the people that come in wear shorts and a t-shirt with tennis shoes. We even saw a kid yesterday who was wearing cleats. Hahah. I laughed soo hard. you have no idea.
thats my week
We also got roped into giving a talk tonight at a fire fireside on the bank of the river here in Miles City for a YSA FHE. It should be interesting. I am giving a talk on the BOM.
Love you dearly,
Elder Parker Heywood.
Well, I know you are all waiting to hear about transfers so hear it goes. I am now, as I type, in Miles City. Yep. I am waiting for my new companion so that I can go back to Glendive because Elder Brooks left. Hes gone. He is now serving and finishing his last 2 transfers off in Billings where he will most likely be teaching C. So I guess there was a reason for him to go to that lesson. I am getting Elder Snyder who also has 2 transfers left. So, I will either be getting transferred this next transfer or staying for HIS 2 and then get transferred the transfer after that which will put me in GDive for 4 transfers aka 6 months aka a week before Christmas. Elder Snyder served in Lewistown about a year ago so we will have some good things to talk about. Ive met him a couple of times just coming and going and He will be good for me. He is from CA. Other news from transfers: Goff is ZL with Hinton. haha. You will have to start reading his blog again. I also heard that Holbrook is getting doubled in with another missionary to an area that hasnt had missionaries for about 7 months. Im proud of my boys. Just like katie having a baby when I get home, all I am asking for before I leave the mission is a couple of grandboys from Holbrook or Jensen. I dont think it will happen though. thats about it for transfers though folks. Its lookin good. I guess I will add this: Our zone is getting 4 missionaries. 2 regulars and 2 greenies. Speaking of greenies, how is Elder Elmer doing? I havent sent him a letter yet but I should.
This past week: 2 BAPTISMAL DATES!! A and D, but, both didnt show up to church the other day. hmmmmm. J and J did, the ones without the Bdates but the others didnt. I dont get it. Anyway, last Wed we went over to V.J. house to play cards with D and T just so that we could have a fun type of setting becasue whenever we teach D and T it is always in a lesson type situation. So, we played cards and had a good conversation. Afterwards, I mean after we left, D and T stayed over at Vs until really late talking about baptism and he challenged him to setting a date. I mean, it was pretty logical because D is all ready for it. So after D and T left I guess he had told T that he hadnt felt so peaceful about everything in his whole time investigating. Thats the scoop on the Big D. As for A, she is a mystery woman. Im sure she could have her own episode on that pbs show that the Mom and Katie watch. or should I say, watched? She is a straight up Mystery. This week is has to be a climax for her or she wont reach her baptismal date.
J and J are a whole other paragraph. Elder Brooks and I both felt that, even with all the crap going on, they are investigating and coming to church because they want to change and realize a "lack of something" in their lives. Hopefully we can help these people make a change in their lives and have a good experience at church. Ive learned a lot of things on my mission. Ive learned that the world is screwed up. I learned that there is nothing else in life except for the Gospel. There is nothing to live for without the Gospel. You cant just go away from it and say, I’m happy. Its not true. Read your scriptures every day and consistently, constantly strive to "know" Jesus Christ. All of this is real. I know it is. If you get time read the talk by Jeffrey Holland that talks about Lots Wife. It was in the January ensign. That is my assignment to our family for this week. When you read it think about HOW PEOPLE CAN CHANGE.
There is this family in The Dive that we always see. We are always eating there and doing laundry there and they have these 2 cute little girls. The Ds. I have lately been having lots of conversations with sister D about the Gospel and she swears that her daughter, Eternity, sees things and know things. Interesting and terrifying at the same time.
I thought I would also add, Ive said it a million times but I will say it again, Montana has the most interesting sacrament meetings. The county fair was happening; so at church, I couldnt even count the number of kids that had their faces painted and partaking of the sacrament. Thank goodness there were no deacons passing the Lords Supper with rabbits painted on their forehead. whoo. also, it is hard to not be judgmental and try to decide who is LA or a non member because half of the people that come in wear shorts and a t-shirt with tennis shoes. We even saw a kid yesterday who was wearing cleats. Hahah. I laughed soo hard. you have no idea.
thats my week
We also got roped into giving a talk tonight at a fire fireside on the bank of the river here in Miles City for a YSA FHE. It should be interesting. I am giving a talk on the BOM.
Love you dearly,
Elder Parker Heywood.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Alrighty Kids...
Lots to talk about this week. First: Elder Brooks and I had a very unique and special experience to be part of a very small and private baptism. One of the members of the ward, Pres Clayton, who is also in the stake Presidency, is very good friends with a family in Idaho. A long time ago he tracted into this friend in Australia and later baptized him. The Friends name is P. Pres Clayton and P. have been friends ever since. Anyway, the family had an 8 year old daughter who got baptized and we were able to be part of it. It was very interesting. This is now the second time that I've able to attend a small baptism with a younger girl that I really didnt even know. Both times the spirit has been extraordinarily present. I dont know why but maybe because everybody is participating and or attentive to what is happening. It was a neat experience. And.... believe it or not, I played the Prelude and Interlude music. I was pretty proud. I know all you Elton Johns out there dont give a crap. But, for me, it made me grow an inch.
After the baptism, we had dinner at the Claytons with both families. Elder Brooks and I then started to get more acquainted with some of the Farrel family members and soon came tto learn that the oldest daughter had served a mission. She served..................................................................................................IN .......................the .................................Philippines. Bam. I couldnt believe it. I think Ive ran into about 3 people who have served in the PHILS ever since that call letter of Jayreds has been opened. Crazy Baby. We talked to her for about 2 hours about the Philippines because Elder Brooks dad had served there too. Man. Its going to be crazy. She was telling us just about everything. She was speaking and singing in Tagalog, She was teaching us cultural customs, she was telling us everything with a HUGE smile on her face. From food, to almost getting murdered by a man with a Machete crossing a bamboo bridge. So sick. She was pretty pumped to hear that Jared was going to Bacolod. She served up north of manila but heard good things about Bacolod. She also said she had so much success it made her sick. She was toooo excited to talk about it. All I can say is.... I want to go there. She was stressed out of her mind the first couple of months because she didnt know ANYTHing. But, once that all passed it turned into a dream come true.
There are some more members here in the dive who have lived in Gilbert. Some of their family members live right across from GHS. The Halls? I dont think I ever knew any halls. The member here showed me a picture and I recognized the Brother because he had helped out with volleyball but the sister who supposedly graduated in 09 was a ? to me.
I wish I could write to you about all of the stuff that has been uncovered to our eyes in this last week but that info will have to be for when I get home. There are lots of good and bad things happening. D is on the top of that list. He is the most awesome guy. I dont really even know him too well but I can just tell the type of guy that he is. Satan is working pretty dang hard on him right now. He is so frustrated and confused and angry and feels unworthy of everything. He was kind of brought up to understand that he isnt worthy of any blessing he recieves or for, in our case with teaching him, an answer to prayer and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He is really struggling with making decisions right now. I wish we would have had him talk to Pres Gardner when we were in Billings the other week. It just didnt work out though. I feel bad for D. He is the nicest person and is probably more worthy right now than any of us but he is mad and frustrated. I think I told you that his mom isnt so supportive, especially with the wedding that happened recently and him quitting their church. All of it is attacking him at the same time making everything a pretty big obstacle. We are praying for him.
A good thing that happened this week is that we are teaching two new people for the first time!! They came to church too. J and J are their names and they are awesome. They are friends of a lady in the ward and she had them over for dinner the other week and we are now helping and teaching them. Its so awesome to have people eat dinner with us and see how NORMAL we are. I think that for a lot of people in the world that is all it would take. One normal activity with the missionaries.
A is still a mystery. I think the spirit hasnt really touched her yet. Lets say, shes not letting it. She is not a lost cause yet. But, hope is fading.
Our meeting in Helena this past week was good. We had a really good meeting talking about leadership and lots of good uplifting spiritual topics. We also went on team ups with Assistants the day before Helena and got to work in Billings for a little bit. I was pretty upset because Elder Brooks and Unga got to teach a lesson to C without my understanding. C was coming to church in Lewistown with the Merrel family and was up there for the summer working on their ranch for the summer with the oldest son who C also plays football with in Billings. I didnt really put the two and two together until after they taught this "C who plays football" Dang.
Thats it. Good week. We will find out who gets transferred this Friday.
We are going to Beach, ND this evening and eating at the Muruatos resturant. That is usually the highlight of our week.
Almost forgot. We have been getting to know this girl that works at the town pump here in the DIVE and invited her to go bowling with us. Hopefully it goes through. Did I mention that we get free bowling here or that I bowled a 214 last week? Yep. Beat that Snake.
I love my mission. I really do. Its going to be hard to come home.
Lovey Dovey
Elder P Heywood
PS Hopefully this email made sense. I think a lot of it was out of context. Tell Katie to get pregnant.
After the baptism, we had dinner at the Claytons with both families. Elder Brooks and I then started to get more acquainted with some of the Farrel family members and soon came tto learn that the oldest daughter had served a mission. She served..................................................................................................IN .......................the .................................Philippines. Bam. I couldnt believe it. I think Ive ran into about 3 people who have served in the PHILS ever since that call letter of Jayreds has been opened. Crazy Baby. We talked to her for about 2 hours about the Philippines because Elder Brooks dad had served there too. Man. Its going to be crazy. She was telling us just about everything. She was speaking and singing in Tagalog, She was teaching us cultural customs, she was telling us everything with a HUGE smile on her face. From food, to almost getting murdered by a man with a Machete crossing a bamboo bridge. So sick. She was pretty pumped to hear that Jared was going to Bacolod. She served up north of manila but heard good things about Bacolod. She also said she had so much success it made her sick. She was toooo excited to talk about it. All I can say is.... I want to go there. She was stressed out of her mind the first couple of months because she didnt know ANYTHing. But, once that all passed it turned into a dream come true.
There are some more members here in the dive who have lived in Gilbert. Some of their family members live right across from GHS. The Halls? I dont think I ever knew any halls. The member here showed me a picture and I recognized the Brother because he had helped out with volleyball but the sister who supposedly graduated in 09 was a ? to me.
I wish I could write to you about all of the stuff that has been uncovered to our eyes in this last week but that info will have to be for when I get home. There are lots of good and bad things happening. D is on the top of that list. He is the most awesome guy. I dont really even know him too well but I can just tell the type of guy that he is. Satan is working pretty dang hard on him right now. He is so frustrated and confused and angry and feels unworthy of everything. He was kind of brought up to understand that he isnt worthy of any blessing he recieves or for, in our case with teaching him, an answer to prayer and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He is really struggling with making decisions right now. I wish we would have had him talk to Pres Gardner when we were in Billings the other week. It just didnt work out though. I feel bad for D. He is the nicest person and is probably more worthy right now than any of us but he is mad and frustrated. I think I told you that his mom isnt so supportive, especially with the wedding that happened recently and him quitting their church. All of it is attacking him at the same time making everything a pretty big obstacle. We are praying for him.
A good thing that happened this week is that we are teaching two new people for the first time!! They came to church too. J and J are their names and they are awesome. They are friends of a lady in the ward and she had them over for dinner the other week and we are now helping and teaching them. Its so awesome to have people eat dinner with us and see how NORMAL we are. I think that for a lot of people in the world that is all it would take. One normal activity with the missionaries.
A is still a mystery. I think the spirit hasnt really touched her yet. Lets say, shes not letting it. She is not a lost cause yet. But, hope is fading.
Our meeting in Helena this past week was good. We had a really good meeting talking about leadership and lots of good uplifting spiritual topics. We also went on team ups with Assistants the day before Helena and got to work in Billings for a little bit. I was pretty upset because Elder Brooks and Unga got to teach a lesson to C without my understanding. C was coming to church in Lewistown with the Merrel family and was up there for the summer working on their ranch for the summer with the oldest son who C also plays football with in Billings. I didnt really put the two and two together until after they taught this "C who plays football" Dang.
Thats it. Good week. We will find out who gets transferred this Friday.
We are going to Beach, ND this evening and eating at the Muruatos resturant. That is usually the highlight of our week.
Almost forgot. We have been getting to know this girl that works at the town pump here in the DIVE and invited her to go bowling with us. Hopefully it goes through. Did I mention that we get free bowling here or that I bowled a 214 last week? Yep. Beat that Snake.
I love my mission. I really do. Its going to be hard to come home.
Lovey Dovey
Elder P Heywood
PS Hopefully this email made sense. I think a lot of it was out of context. Tell Katie to get pregnant.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Saving Souls in Glendive
Dear Fam.
I am in Glendive. I am doing well. I am saving souls so that they don't go to hell.
We had an awesome lesson with D, who is married to a girl in the ward. The whole lesson we had was centered or focused on recognizing the spirit and receiving an answer to prayer. He is soo close to making the commitment. He has quit HIS church, in which he was playing the drums for, studied the Book of Mormon, and prayed. But, still, from what he says, hasn't received an answer. We committed him to be baptized when he received his answer and he said, "yes." We go to Helena again this week and D and T are going to be in Billings the same time we are so we are thinking of having a little meeting with pres Gardner in the mission home and taking them to see the temple. We will just kind of play it by ear. Overall, D's an impressive guy. He knows and understands everything we teach him and not just at the kindergarten level either. He could easily go on a mission or be a Sunday school teacher and probably do a better job than some of the teachers we have in the church. He is at church every Sunday and tries his best to feel the spirit. We think, the family thinks, we all think, that D KNOWS it will happen, its just time. We also THINK that he is still worried about telling his family, well, at least his mom. His dad is a less active member and his mom is a non member. These are exciting times, LET ME TELL YOU.
Interesting fact for the week: sources tell us that the leader of the wolf pack (actor) in the twilight movies is from.... Poplar, MT, where we were just the other week. A very interesting reservation. Another fact: It is said to have the most crime per capita in the nation. The missionaries working there have to have a lot of mental toughness. Its pretty hard being out in the middle of no where with very little missionary work going on. It was very different from the Polson reservation. It was pure bred native Americans. similar but not the same. Anyway, we had district meeting in Wolf Point and then went to Poplar for team ups. While there we witnessed many things. First, A little girl playing with a gun. Dying animals, naked lamanites, garbage everywhere, a fight over a bottle of vodka (it was like UFC front row. Two thirty year old dudes), etc. I could go on. I don't know what will happen to those people in the end. Lots of them grow up with no other life besides sitting around and drinking.
We taught A again this week and had a good lesson. She even prayed out loud with us. It was a good step. But, she didn't come to church, AGAIN. She has been quite the slacker this past week. Actually, ever since I've been here she has been a slacker, nevertheless, a sweet single lady. We don't know what to do with her. We are just praying that she will continue to receive spiritual experiences.
The rest of the week was good too. We had teamups with Sidney and Glasgow on Tuesday and Thursday both of them being here in Glendive. We tracted into a couple of people that might have potential and found a Less active lady that was kind of a lost sheep. I don't know if Ive told you about the other Less active guy that we've been teaching. Hes really cool. He reminds a lot of Aaron, except, with half of his body crippled. Normal top half, not normal bottom. I'm not kidding. He talks the same, laughs the same, looks the same, walks the..... wait, not that, smiles the same, everything is so similar. He is in love with sports and is an attorney doing family law. Maybe Aaron should be a lawyer. His name is K and he was baptized in the third grade but hasn't gone back to church ever. He is pretty much an investigator. He likes learning though and is honest and keeps all of the commitments we give him. We are going to ask him if he wants to come to church this next week. I love my spiritual brothers and sisters.
There was another couple of tornadoes that hit ND and MT the other week, one of them being in Glasgow. I hope we get one in Glendive. That would be awesome.
That's pretty much it for our week. Very good. People progressing, some of them at least. Elder Brooks and I both love it here. Transfers are in 2 weeks.
I should probably send you pictures of our shed. If you think by shed I mean the place where we would keep storage and lawn mowers and tools, I don't mean that. I mean, the place we live in. We rearranged that this week so we could have more space. Its nice and we are happy. I don't think I ever emailed about it. I also wanted to say that If you could send the quilt with the G's that would be awesome. I need those pretty soon. When we were doing laundry the other week Elder Brooks was doing the whites and put some of that liquid bluing concentrate on top of the clothes when they were already in the washer without diluting it. yep. I got blue spots all over my underwear. I should have snatched some of those tops too before I sent them back. Sorry for the demands.
Love
Elder P Heywood
I am in Glendive. I am doing well. I am saving souls so that they don't go to hell.
We had an awesome lesson with D, who is married to a girl in the ward. The whole lesson we had was centered or focused on recognizing the spirit and receiving an answer to prayer. He is soo close to making the commitment. He has quit HIS church, in which he was playing the drums for, studied the Book of Mormon, and prayed. But, still, from what he says, hasn't received an answer. We committed him to be baptized when he received his answer and he said, "yes." We go to Helena again this week and D and T are going to be in Billings the same time we are so we are thinking of having a little meeting with pres Gardner in the mission home and taking them to see the temple. We will just kind of play it by ear. Overall, D's an impressive guy. He knows and understands everything we teach him and not just at the kindergarten level either. He could easily go on a mission or be a Sunday school teacher and probably do a better job than some of the teachers we have in the church. He is at church every Sunday and tries his best to feel the spirit. We think, the family thinks, we all think, that D KNOWS it will happen, its just time. We also THINK that he is still worried about telling his family, well, at least his mom. His dad is a less active member and his mom is a non member. These are exciting times, LET ME TELL YOU.
Interesting fact for the week: sources tell us that the leader of the wolf pack (actor) in the twilight movies is from.... Poplar, MT, where we were just the other week. A very interesting reservation. Another fact: It is said to have the most crime per capita in the nation. The missionaries working there have to have a lot of mental toughness. Its pretty hard being out in the middle of no where with very little missionary work going on. It was very different from the Polson reservation. It was pure bred native Americans. similar but not the same. Anyway, we had district meeting in Wolf Point and then went to Poplar for team ups. While there we witnessed many things. First, A little girl playing with a gun. Dying animals, naked lamanites, garbage everywhere, a fight over a bottle of vodka (it was like UFC front row. Two thirty year old dudes), etc. I could go on. I don't know what will happen to those people in the end. Lots of them grow up with no other life besides sitting around and drinking.
We taught A again this week and had a good lesson. She even prayed out loud with us. It was a good step. But, she didn't come to church, AGAIN. She has been quite the slacker this past week. Actually, ever since I've been here she has been a slacker, nevertheless, a sweet single lady. We don't know what to do with her. We are just praying that she will continue to receive spiritual experiences.
The rest of the week was good too. We had teamups with Sidney and Glasgow on Tuesday and Thursday both of them being here in Glendive. We tracted into a couple of people that might have potential and found a Less active lady that was kind of a lost sheep. I don't know if Ive told you about the other Less active guy that we've been teaching. Hes really cool. He reminds a lot of Aaron, except, with half of his body crippled. Normal top half, not normal bottom. I'm not kidding. He talks the same, laughs the same, looks the same, walks the..... wait, not that, smiles the same, everything is so similar. He is in love with sports and is an attorney doing family law. Maybe Aaron should be a lawyer. His name is K and he was baptized in the third grade but hasn't gone back to church ever. He is pretty much an investigator. He likes learning though and is honest and keeps all of the commitments we give him. We are going to ask him if he wants to come to church this next week. I love my spiritual brothers and sisters.
There was another couple of tornadoes that hit ND and MT the other week, one of them being in Glasgow. I hope we get one in Glendive. That would be awesome.
That's pretty much it for our week. Very good. People progressing, some of them at least. Elder Brooks and I both love it here. Transfers are in 2 weeks.
I should probably send you pictures of our shed. If you think by shed I mean the place where we would keep storage and lawn mowers and tools, I don't mean that. I mean, the place we live in. We rearranged that this week so we could have more space. Its nice and we are happy. I don't think I ever emailed about it. I also wanted to say that If you could send the quilt with the G's that would be awesome. I need those pretty soon. When we were doing laundry the other week Elder Brooks was doing the whites and put some of that liquid bluing concentrate on top of the clothes when they were already in the washer without diluting it. yep. I got blue spots all over my underwear. I should have snatched some of those tops too before I sent them back. Sorry for the demands.
Love
Elder P Heywood
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