Facebook? Really?

Wow, have I got some crazy and exciting news for the Heywood family.

(Comment from the editor:  Last week Elder Heywood chastised his mother..the editor...me...about her use of "then" vs. "than".  Really?  I correct spelling, and lack of punctuation for the blog and honestly he has never used an apostrophe since he left on his mission.  So I gave him a hard time about chastising me...thus the following paragraph....oh and I am not correcting a thing this week.)

Before I get to that, I would like to comment on a couple of comments that were made. It would be better "than" writing the exciting news first. About the then and than comment.... mom.... were talking about the use of the wrong words here and grammar, not punctuation. Punctuation doesnt mean anything. Ask Katie, she ' ll agree with me. ex: The Heywoods boat isnt working today. vs. The Heywood's bote isn't working today. What stands out more and reflects the intellect of the individual more. The 1st one without any punctuation or the 2nd with the boat spelt wrong? This is a horrible ex that came off the top of my head but I think you can get the feel of what I ' m trying to convey.

Rob Gardner: The Lamb of God is recently released right? He also came out with another one that was pretty good. Its all about Joseph Smith. You would like it. But, you are right about weird. That is really weird that he spoke to the stake. I wonder if he would do something in Montana. Like a firesided or something. Montana needs something like that. Theres not a ton of talent in the music department if you know what I mean. The Garden soundtrack is something that a couple of missionaries have and Ive heard a little bit of it.

Alrighty THEN; mission news: As you know we went to a meeting in Billings this last week. What was presented blew us all away. There was a pilot program happening in the New York Rochester mission in the last 6 months. They utilized face book and blogging websites to share the gospel with people in the areas where the missionaries were serving. THAT pilot program just got extended to the Montana Billings Mission and is now in effect. Yes, me, the most anti-facebook person in the world is in the process of making a facebook linked to a blog and mormon.org profile. It will be interesting. I dont have it up and running but it should be by the end of this week. I will be known as Elder Heywood on facebook and will be trying to share the gospel online for one hour every day. Right now its only the district leaders and zone leaders taking part in this. I think we were told there are now 8 missions doing this and only a select few from every mission. Its a big deal and Im actually kind of excited to see what happens. I only have 5 months left so hopefull I can see some of the fruit from this action.

On Saturday we got to go to D's baseball game here in Glendive. It was just a scrimmage but was nice to get to watch some sort of competition. Perfect weather too. Plus the b-ball kids showed up and we got to talk to some of their friends. After the game, in the evening, we had a lesson with D  and D. That was the second time that we taught them in the week. The Tuesday previous to that meeting was a special experience. Beforehand, Elder Snyder and I had been discussing what to do with D  and both discussed where he was at with his testimony. We had both thought that he knew what he was getting into and felt that what he was being taught was good and all but we werent sure if he had really had any spiritual experiences which could and would anchor him down. Does that make any sense? Basically, we didnt want him to be baptized just because He "liked" what he was being taught and becuase he had a girlfriend back at home that was supporting him and encouraging him to do it. We got to the church and decided to watch Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration. We had really just been pounding out all of the lessons and decided it would be good to watch this movie. After the movie, Elder Snyder and I both bore powerful testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith and then asked how he felt about the Church. We already knew what his answer would be saying that he felt good but he shared a special experience that let us know he was really ready for baptism. He told us, "Sunday morning my girlfriend left for home and I was feeling sad and a little homesick. After the Sunday morning session, I felt so comforted and happy about my family and the decisions I was making. I felt like everything was going the way it needed to go. It was then, that I realized even if things dont work out between me and her, I still have this(the church)." It was a very special experience and goes in the top 5 most spirit packed lesson that Ive had in my mission. It was good. He is awesome.

M and S: They fed us last night and we had a really good lesson with them. They are awesome. I actually really enjoy being in their house. They are now considered progressing investigators and are consistently reading the Book of Mormon. stay tuned for them.

We finally got in contact with J and T again and had another interesting experience. You dont know J but he is a non member and his wife is a member. J likes to drink and smoke a lot and knows that he shouldnt. His personality is really laid back and lax and we were having a pretty good discussion and then out of nowhere he leaned forward in his chair and said with serious tone and sensitivity in his voice that he needed help. It was just for that little bit though, like he was someone else for 5 seconds and then went bakc to his normal self. They said they were going to show up for church but then ended up not. bummer.

Lots of other good things happened and thing are continuing to progress. Our zone found 14 new investigators which is really good but probably really bad considering Jared is having 4 baptisms this weekend and they are all in his area. But, we are doing good and trying to pump em out. Within these next 2 weeks we are only going to be in Glendive for about 5 days. Glasgow, Wolf Point and Billings this week with an out of the blue Helena trip next week and Billings for Elder Allan F. Packer. 2 weeks after that, transfers.

Elder Facebook Heywood