That is so weird. I am still hoping that some freak thing happens that would allow me to get extended for 4 weeks. That would be awesome.
I don't have much to say other than a couple of stories:
I just talked to President Gardner and he received a letter from the First Presidency saying that they have no objection to K being baptized. BAM!! Right when I leave.
There was a baptism in the Heights on Saturday that was sweet. A lady named T was getting baptized by her, husband. What the parents, and pretty much whole rest of the family didn't know, was that the 14 year old daughter, E, was going to be baptized at the same time. I talked to E after the baptism and this is how she laid it out to me. The Baptism was Saturday and all the secret stuff started happening Wednesday. The family was having an argument of some kind and out of no where the Sister missionaries showed up and things calmed down. E said that her parents were really pushing her to get baptized at the same time with the mom but she was always a little rebellious to the idea. After the whole Wed. argument she said that some things clicked and she felt like she needed to get baptized. After the Sisters left, she ran outside to tell them that she wanted to be baptized without her parents knowing. So, they did the interview, the... everything without her parents knowing. I heard about what was going on and when we got to the church I saw the mom in white baptism clothes but no daughter. I was really confused wondering where the daughter was. What I didn't know was that the surprise was literally going to be last second. And.... that's what happened. Up to the time that T no one, except for those who planned it, knew that E was getting baptized. The mom came out of the water and saw Emilee standing at the top of the font in white. The whole time she had her baptismal clothes under her church clothes. It was awesome. One of the coolest baptisms I have been to.
I guess I wont bore you with other stuff. I will just tell you about it when I see you in Gilbert.
I will close this email by saying that the church is true and will always be true. I really didn't completely understand what I/we/our family had for a long time. I always knew that these things were good and right and true and that we had a living prophet and the Jesus Christ atoned for the world but, I didn't know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was so real. These things are real. Once again, the church is true. That one statement should affect every decision that we ever make.
Love
Elder Parker Heywood
Monday, March 14, 2011
...a note from Mom
I have tried to not offer too much in the way of opinions or clarifications as I have faithfully posted Parker's letters on this blog. As we near the end though I feel like I just need to share a quick note because I am having a hard and emotional time posting his last letter.
Everyone says that these two years have gone by so fast and they can hardly believe that he is coming home. I, on the other hand feel that it has crawled by. I missed him so much at first then realized the amazing things he was accomplishing and was happy to sacrifice our years with him for the better. It is truly a miracle to watch Parker and other boys his age; give up everything to go and serve the Lord for two years. It is a miracle for these youth to survive high school and be worthy enough in our church standards to participate in a mission. We, as his parents are just proud that he had let his faith grow enough to get that mission call. The growth that he has realized the last two years is an added bonus that we couldn't fathom when he left. He has truly grown into a man who is righteous, caring and loves the Lord.
We thank so many people, mainly friends, grandparents, great church leaders, teachers, coaches and seminary teachers who helped us raise him. Being able to serve in Montana for two years has blessed so many people; him, us, the people of Montana, etc. How grateful we are for all of those who have helped him financially, emotionally, and the prayers that you all have offered. We can't thank you enough; but please know that we do indeed thank you. We are filled with gratitude for all of you. We also thank the people who have cared for our son in Montana. We know that you feed him, love him, listen to him and pray for him also. Thank you!!
We know that Parker doesn't want to come home and has truly caught the vision of life itself and the purpose of our lives and the importance of Jesus Christ. We would love it if he could come home, eat lunch with us and spend an afternoon telling us his stories, then return to Montana. That isn't how it works though; he needs to come home and accomplish other things. We will miss his letters and miss sharing his stories and fun wit with those of you not in our own home! We must say, he is just as entertaining at home if not more, and if anyone ever needs a good laugh...come by our house anytime that he is home. He IS the life of the party around here.
As I close, I want family and friends who are reading this to know that I also have great love for our Savior. I know that he lived and died for all of us. I know that the gospel that he established in the New Testament times has been restored to this earth. I "stand all amazed" that I have two sons who can go into the world as representatives of Jesus Christ to teach the world about his great plan of happiness. Being a mother of missionaries is icing on the cake of motherhood.
So.....I will post the last letter from Parker and close out this "blog"
Love, Jill (and Dave) Heywood
Everyone says that these two years have gone by so fast and they can hardly believe that he is coming home. I, on the other hand feel that it has crawled by. I missed him so much at first then realized the amazing things he was accomplishing and was happy to sacrifice our years with him for the better. It is truly a miracle to watch Parker and other boys his age; give up everything to go and serve the Lord for two years. It is a miracle for these youth to survive high school and be worthy enough in our church standards to participate in a mission. We, as his parents are just proud that he had let his faith grow enough to get that mission call. The growth that he has realized the last two years is an added bonus that we couldn't fathom when he left. He has truly grown into a man who is righteous, caring and loves the Lord.
We thank so many people, mainly friends, grandparents, great church leaders, teachers, coaches and seminary teachers who helped us raise him. Being able to serve in Montana for two years has blessed so many people; him, us, the people of Montana, etc. How grateful we are for all of those who have helped him financially, emotionally, and the prayers that you all have offered. We can't thank you enough; but please know that we do indeed thank you. We are filled with gratitude for all of you. We also thank the people who have cared for our son in Montana. We know that you feed him, love him, listen to him and pray for him also. Thank you!!
We know that Parker doesn't want to come home and has truly caught the vision of life itself and the purpose of our lives and the importance of Jesus Christ. We would love it if he could come home, eat lunch with us and spend an afternoon telling us his stories, then return to Montana. That isn't how it works though; he needs to come home and accomplish other things. We will miss his letters and miss sharing his stories and fun wit with those of you not in our own home! We must say, he is just as entertaining at home if not more, and if anyone ever needs a good laugh...come by our house anytime that he is home. He IS the life of the party around here.
As I close, I want family and friends who are reading this to know that I also have great love for our Savior. I know that he lived and died for all of us. I know that the gospel that he established in the New Testament times has been restored to this earth. I "stand all amazed" that I have two sons who can go into the world as representatives of Jesus Christ to teach the world about his great plan of happiness. Being a mother of missionaries is icing on the cake of motherhood.
So.....I will post the last letter from Parker and close out this "blog"
Love, Jill (and Dave) Heywood
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Elder Heywood Info
Elder Heywood returns on March 17th at 11:00 am. He will be flying Frontier from Denver (can't remember the flight no but I'll try to post it sometime); that would be Terminal 3 at Sky Harbor.
He will report on March 27th at 9:00 am at our church building on Houston & Lindsay!
If there are any faithful followers of his blog left? He would love to see you!!!!
He will report on March 27th at 9:00 am at our church building on Houston & Lindsay!
If there are any faithful followers of his blog left? He would love to see you!!!!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Second to last email for the missionary in MT. I know they told you to not count but, what the heck, its pretty hard not to count when youre in the month you go home. I go home on the 17th. Today is the 7th. 10 days. Whats up. This is my last official week of proselyting. We will be here the whole week so I think we will be going for a mission high on lessons. We will see how it goes. I think I also just want to tract all day everyday to see what we can uncover up here in the dirty north arctic.
So, cool news. I one first place at the ward potato carving contest. We had a baked potato dinner then afterwards carved potatoes and raced potato cars. It was rad. I have never had so much fun with potatoes. It was a ninja turtle.
D gets baptized this Thursday.
We recently started meeting with a part member family. Long Story story short... maybe I will tell you the full story in 10 days. But, The C family is a part member family and we have been teaching the Husband. He has long been investigating the church and we are the missionaries who get reap the baptism. Bro C worked for the Cardinals for a long time and told us that when he sets his date, Deuce Latui will baptize him. Too bad I wont get to be here for that.
We have 4 Elders and 2 sisters that are all waiting for visas in our mission. They are all headed to Brazil. Two of them are serving in Sao Paulo. Elder Jacob Hamblin from AZ is getting ready to serve in Sau Paulo Interlagos and Elder Dearborn is getting ready to head down to Sau Paulo North. No South missionaries. Dang. Elder Goff has a friend that just went home from the South mission. His name is Preston Guthrie from Mesquite, NV. I sure hope Riley gets to visa wait in Montana. Actually, I hope he gets there (Brazil) asap but if he has to visa wait anywhere I hope it's Montana.
There is a family here in Billings that has a son serving in Manila but, there son's really good friend from BYU-I is serving in the Bacolod mission. I cant remember what his name is but he is a ZL. I think its Elder Havry or Hambry or something like that.
Church is true.
Elder Parker Heywood.
So, cool news. I one first place at the ward potato carving contest. We had a baked potato dinner then afterwards carved potatoes and raced potato cars. It was rad. I have never had so much fun with potatoes. It was a ninja turtle.
D gets baptized this Thursday.
We recently started meeting with a part member family. Long Story story short... maybe I will tell you the full story in 10 days. But, The C family is a part member family and we have been teaching the Husband. He has long been investigating the church and we are the missionaries who get reap the baptism. Bro C worked for the Cardinals for a long time and told us that when he sets his date, Deuce Latui will baptize him. Too bad I wont get to be here for that.
We have 4 Elders and 2 sisters that are all waiting for visas in our mission. They are all headed to Brazil. Two of them are serving in Sao Paulo. Elder Jacob Hamblin from AZ is getting ready to serve in Sau Paulo Interlagos and Elder Dearborn is getting ready to head down to Sau Paulo North. No South missionaries. Dang. Elder Goff has a friend that just went home from the South mission. His name is Preston Guthrie from Mesquite, NV. I sure hope Riley gets to visa wait in Montana. Actually, I hope he gets there (Brazil) asap but if he has to visa wait anywhere I hope it's Montana.
There is a family here in Billings that has a son serving in Manila but, there son's really good friend from BYU-I is serving in the Bacolod mission. I cant remember what his name is but he is a ZL. I think its Elder Havry or Hambry or something like that.
Church is true.
Elder Parker Heywood.
Monday, February 28, 2011
I have some insights for Jared this morning. So, it sounds like he is getting doubled out? Both he and his comp? I will assume that is the case. We all know that missionary service is supposed to be self less and with and eye single to the glory of the Lord. Even if he is getting doubled out... he makes it sound like no missionaries are ever going to teach his investigators ever again. Anytime Elders or Sisters get doubled out here, usually there is a long list of information/directions that the missionaries write up for the new fellas comin in. I dont understand those Philippino missions I guess. Why not write up some stuff for the new guys comin in?
This last week, D told us that she wants to get baptized. We asked her to set a baptismal date. The Baptism will happen on the 10th of March!
We had a sing along at the mission home just last night and had lots of people show up. The Ns came and even brought a non member friend. Those kiddos are the best missionaries.
We finished up our Zone conferences this last week. We had one here in Billings and the other in Cody, WY. We spent the rest of the week in Cody and Worland. I am glad to be done with all that stuff. After sharing your departing testimony at 4 zone conferences, it gets long. It makes you think about going home more than you should.
I think you should send some more citrus. It was gone within a week. Lots of missionaries coming in and out.
Alright everyone. I am saying this once. 18 days left. See you then. I am glad to go home to no snow.
Elder Heywood.
This last week, D told us that she wants to get baptized. We asked her to set a baptismal date. The Baptism will happen on the 10th of March!
We had a sing along at the mission home just last night and had lots of people show up. The Ns came and even brought a non member friend. Those kiddos are the best missionaries.
We finished up our Zone conferences this last week. We had one here in Billings and the other in Cody, WY. We spent the rest of the week in Cody and Worland. I am glad to be done with all that stuff. After sharing your departing testimony at 4 zone conferences, it gets long. It makes you think about going home more than you should.
I think you should send some more citrus. It was gone within a week. Lots of missionaries coming in and out.
Alright everyone. I am saying this once. 18 days left. See you then. I am glad to go home to no snow.
Elder Heywood.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Last week's schedule (super abbreviated or in a huge hurry??):
We woke up and left at about 4:00 this morning from Missoula so that we could get back and still have some sort of a Pday.
We leave Billings Tuesday. Car troubles slow us a down a couple of hours. We are in Butte by Tuesday afternoon. We do T-ups. Wednesday we whip out second 1/2 half of Butte T-ups and head to the ZOO. T-ups and then wake up the next morning for Zone Conference with the Missoula and Kalispell zones. Tract a couple of streets after the conf and find a new gator. Drive to Helena and have ZC there. Get to see H and the Js. Next mornin', leave for Big Fork and have a thumbs up day. In Polson for church the next morning. Dustin baptized @ 6pm and we get home by 10 the next day, today. Success. That's our week.
Sure was great having a 30 minute discussion on reincarnation with a he/she.
We leave Billings Tuesday. Car troubles slow us a down a couple of hours. We are in Butte by Tuesday afternoon. We do T-ups. Wednesday we whip out second 1/2 half of Butte T-ups and head to the ZOO. T-ups and then wake up the next morning for Zone Conference with the Missoula and Kalispell zones. Tract a couple of streets after the conf and find a new gator. Drive to Helena and have ZC there. Get to see H and the Js. Next mornin', leave for Big Fork and have a thumbs up day. In Polson for church the next morning. Dustin baptized @ 6pm and we get home by 10 the next day, today. Success. That's our week.
Sure was great having a 30 minute discussion on reincarnation with a he/she.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sorry about the email from last week. I was going to do it but then It was Tuesday. Then, it was Wednesday. Now, it's Monday again.
one of the highlights of the week: Sweet cowboy hats on sale that were purchased for only $30.
I felt like I was in the Phili's this last week seeing all the poor people walk around with their nothingness in Hardin, MT. Its interesting to teach people in the city about the Word of Wisdom. They think there is no harm in their pleasureable modern day revelation no-no's. At times Its is hard to help them understand. We understand, but, conveying that same understanding to someone else is really hard.
Jared seems very happy and very convinced of what he is doing. Do you notice how he has learned Gospel principles and, even though in a rather rebuking way, asks people to live them (Dana and Chris and Luke)? The man speaks truth. That, my friends, is the Spirit in his life. Do you notice how I like to point out all of my observations as well? Yep, that is because I have really recognized what the Gospel can do for someone.
Pres Gardner has still been very busy and we still havent sent off Karla's letter to the First Presidency. We hope to be doing that this week. We also have zone conferences this week. My last ones. Sad.
A couple of neat experiences:
We got a call from a lady in our ward the other day about a very tragic death of a young boy of a family she knows. We are in the process of contacting that family.
We got a call after that one of a non member family who wants to have their handicap son get a blessing. Ive never done one of those.
We tracted into a less active man who wasnt on the church records. We went back a week later and he talked about how he was never going to go back to church. He had problems with the church when he lived here and there and here and there, etc. After the blabbing, Elder Goff shared a scripture with him and the whole atmosphere changed. He started talking about how good the church was and started telling us how we needed to come over more often and help his girls get back to church.
D will hopefully be getting baptized before Mar. 17th. She got an answer and wants to be baptized.
Last piece of news: In Polson I taught D & S. The young guy married to the older lady. He called me up last week and wanted me to baptize him. So, this Sunday, I will be in Polson for church and also baptizing D at 6pm.
Elder Goff got a call a couple of weeks ago from a lady in Worland, WY. She wants him to baptize her on the 27th of Feb. We will be in Worland for church on that Sunday.
The Sunday after that, will be stake conference.
The Sunday after that will be in the Gilbert AZ 4th Ward.
Elder P Heywood
one of the highlights of the week: Sweet cowboy hats on sale that were purchased for only $30.
I felt like I was in the Phili's this last week seeing all the poor people walk around with their nothingness in Hardin, MT. Its interesting to teach people in the city about the Word of Wisdom. They think there is no harm in their pleasureable modern day revelation no-no's. At times Its is hard to help them understand. We understand, but, conveying that same understanding to someone else is really hard.
Jared seems very happy and very convinced of what he is doing. Do you notice how he has learned Gospel principles and, even though in a rather rebuking way, asks people to live them (Dana and Chris and Luke)? The man speaks truth. That, my friends, is the Spirit in his life. Do you notice how I like to point out all of my observations as well? Yep, that is because I have really recognized what the Gospel can do for someone.
Pres Gardner has still been very busy and we still havent sent off Karla's letter to the First Presidency. We hope to be doing that this week. We also have zone conferences this week. My last ones. Sad.
A couple of neat experiences:
We got a call from a lady in our ward the other day about a very tragic death of a young boy of a family she knows. We are in the process of contacting that family.
We got a call after that one of a non member family who wants to have their handicap son get a blessing. Ive never done one of those.
We tracted into a less active man who wasnt on the church records. We went back a week later and he talked about how he was never going to go back to church. He had problems with the church when he lived here and there and here and there, etc. After the blabbing, Elder Goff shared a scripture with him and the whole atmosphere changed. He started talking about how good the church was and started telling us how we needed to come over more often and help his girls get back to church.
D will hopefully be getting baptized before Mar. 17th. She got an answer and wants to be baptized.
Last piece of news: In Polson I taught D & S. The young guy married to the older lady. He called me up last week and wanted me to baptize him. So, this Sunday, I will be in Polson for church and also baptizing D at 6pm.
Elder Goff got a call a couple of weeks ago from a lady in Worland, WY. She wants him to baptize her on the 27th of Feb. We will be in Worland for church on that Sunday.
The Sunday after that, will be stake conference.
The Sunday after that will be in the Gilbert AZ 4th Ward.
Elder P Heywood
Monday, January 31, 2011
Six weeks but who's counting?
Its me again. for the one hundred and second time or whatever. Can you believe that? I sure cant. 6 emails left then I'm done. Like I said a couple of months ago. I really dont want to go home. What will I do? I think its a lot better being a missionary than being a student. I could care less about going home. This is my negative comment for the week. Sorry family, you're great and everything but, I have a good family here in MT. JK, but seriously.
Alright. We got some big updates from last week. This is how are transfer schedule goes: Elder Ives drives the Wrangler Wagon down to Riverton, WY and back on Sunday. On Monday, he goes all the way to Kalispell. Tuesday, back to Billings. Wednesday, back down to Riverton. Elder Goff and I were at the office Sunday morning making sure that Elder Ives had everything he needed to get started on his adventure. (we figure out and type up the transfer routes for him, etc) He left. Then, we left for church a couple hours later and notice that one of the brand new cars at the mission home had a flat tire. We said whatever and left for church. I was speaking anyway at this kid's farewell and was pretty nervous anyway. The flat tire didn't even cross my mind. We got a call our third hour of church from Elder Ives saying that he had two tire blowouts and was running 3 hours behind. It clicked and we realized that it wasn't a coincidence that the tire on the car back at the mission home was blown out too. We got back to the mission home and counted 11 slashed tires. Kind of a bummer. The Van was supposed to leave this morning at 8 but because of getting all the spares replaced didnt leave until 10:30. Everything this morning was running way behind.
A didnt come to church. I think we backtracked with him a little bit this last week. He is doing good. I think we will keep meeting with him. We both feel that he just doesnt understand what we are asking of him. I guess, with no religious background, he doesnt really see or hasnt ever really seen or experienced the love of our Heavenly Father. Thats what commitments are for. Get him to where he needs to be and where he would want to be as well. I think he takes religion, generally, to be some sort of extra-curricular activity. No understanding.
D is going to get baptized before I leave. I dont know that for sure. I just feel it.
K just wrote up her letter to the First Presidency. We will send that in this week. I dont think it will happen but I would hope that she gets permission quickly.
Other than that, The MBM is flyin high. We start another crazy transfer of meetings, picking up the greenies, and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Church is true. That statement, right there, should influence every decision that we make.
Love you dearly,
Elder P Heywood
ps I did get some citrus. The box is almost empty. Its just sitting out in the office. It was good thanks.
ps I dont want to go home.
ps I forgot to tell you about my new 6 week diet before I go home. I call it, "6 WEEKS TO SEXY". I am already feeling healthier.
Alright. We got some big updates from last week. This is how are transfer schedule goes: Elder Ives drives the Wrangler Wagon down to Riverton, WY and back on Sunday. On Monday, he goes all the way to Kalispell. Tuesday, back to Billings. Wednesday, back down to Riverton. Elder Goff and I were at the office Sunday morning making sure that Elder Ives had everything he needed to get started on his adventure. (we figure out and type up the transfer routes for him, etc) He left. Then, we left for church a couple hours later and notice that one of the brand new cars at the mission home had a flat tire. We said whatever and left for church. I was speaking anyway at this kid's farewell and was pretty nervous anyway. The flat tire didn't even cross my mind. We got a call our third hour of church from Elder Ives saying that he had two tire blowouts and was running 3 hours behind. It clicked and we realized that it wasn't a coincidence that the tire on the car back at the mission home was blown out too. We got back to the mission home and counted 11 slashed tires. Kind of a bummer. The Van was supposed to leave this morning at 8 but because of getting all the spares replaced didnt leave until 10:30. Everything this morning was running way behind.
A didnt come to church. I think we backtracked with him a little bit this last week. He is doing good. I think we will keep meeting with him. We both feel that he just doesnt understand what we are asking of him. I guess, with no religious background, he doesnt really see or hasnt ever really seen or experienced the love of our Heavenly Father. Thats what commitments are for. Get him to where he needs to be and where he would want to be as well. I think he takes religion, generally, to be some sort of extra-curricular activity. No understanding.
D is going to get baptized before I leave. I dont know that for sure. I just feel it.
K just wrote up her letter to the First Presidency. We will send that in this week. I dont think it will happen but I would hope that she gets permission quickly.
Other than that, The MBM is flyin high. We start another crazy transfer of meetings, picking up the greenies, and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Church is true. That statement, right there, should influence every decision that we make.
Love you dearly,
Elder P Heywood
ps I did get some citrus. The box is almost empty. Its just sitting out in the office. It was good thanks.
ps I dont want to go home.
ps I forgot to tell you about my new 6 week diet before I go home. I call it, "6 WEEKS TO SEXY". I am already feeling healthier.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Facebook, Blogs, lds.org....
Prophecy about the Future of Missionary Work
In 1974, President Spencer W. Kimball issued an amazing prophecy about the technology driving the gospel message.
"Technology will help spread the gospel. We need to enlarge our field of operation.… The Lord will lay in our hand inventions which we can scarcely conceive whereby we will be able to bring the gospel to the peoples of the world…. I have faith that the Lord will open doors when we have done everything in our power. I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse….We shall use the inventions the Lord has given us to awaken interest and acquaint people of the world with the truths, to ease their prejudices and give them a general knowledge. We shall need to answer specific questions, and perhaps that can be done by two-way radio and TV perfected to a point beyond our present imagination. It is conceivable that such a program greatly perfected could be multiplied ten thousand times in ten thousand tongues and dialects in ten thousand places far and near…. Tens of thousands of young missionaries endowed with the power from on high will follow up the proselyting.[ii]"
(Thanks Ivonne)
In 1974, President Spencer W. Kimball issued an amazing prophecy about the technology driving the gospel message.
"Technology will help spread the gospel. We need to enlarge our field of operation.… The Lord will lay in our hand inventions which we can scarcely conceive whereby we will be able to bring the gospel to the peoples of the world…. I have faith that the Lord will open doors when we have done everything in our power. I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse….We shall use the inventions the Lord has given us to awaken interest and acquaint people of the world with the truths, to ease their prejudices and give them a general knowledge. We shall need to answer specific questions, and perhaps that can be done by two-way radio and TV perfected to a point beyond our present imagination. It is conceivable that such a program greatly perfected could be multiplied ten thousand times in ten thousand tongues and dialects in ten thousand places far and near…. Tens of thousands of young missionaries endowed with the power from on high will follow up the proselyting.[ii]"
(Thanks Ivonne)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
After two years...he wants a "smothered" pork burrito. He should do a commercial...
My release date is Thursday, March 17th. My flight into Sky Harbor should arrive at 11:00am. I will be home in time for Lunch. Costa Vida?
What up fam?
Elder Goff and I spent the weekend with the Fishers. They stopped in and saw us in the mission office on Friday, we saw him in the temple Saturday morning, sat by them all 3 hours of church on Sunday, and then ate dinner with them at the Wells Sunday night. It was awesome to be with them. I couldnt believe how well they remembered us. They were like proud parents. President Fisher, now Elder Fisher, remembered everything about me. It was crazy.
We met with A on Saturday again. We showed up at 1:30, which was the appt that we set up with him the week before, and he wasnt there. We were really disappointed. We stopped by about 3 hours later and caught him home. You tell he felt guilty about not being home at 1:30 but we talked about things and left knowing that both of us were rejoicing and had been edified. He told us that he is still really skeptical but once we helped him realize that he has nothing to lose he settled in a little bit better. He told us that he doesnt want to stop meeting with us if its something that might be good for him. Good logic A. We are hoping and praying for him. He even prayed at the end of our lesson. BAM
K and D. Now, just D. K was causing some problems and she got moved. So, we are only teaching D right now. We had a lesson the other day with D and she had a list of about 8 questions. Really good q's too. Consider her... PROGRESSING in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
K has her interview with PG tomorrow. Things are getting put in place for her baptism.
TRANSFERS: At this point. We still dont know what is going to happen. Who knows. Next Monday I may be writing you from Polson or Helena
At the end of this week we have a musical fireside in Red Lodge that I get to conduct. On top of that I get to speak in Sacrament Meeting.
Tell Luke that I really liked his email from last week. I wanted to ask luke to send me some star wars quotes. Dont ask why. just do it.
Love
Elder Parker Heywood.
Check out my new pics on FB
check out my blog this week on COACH JESSE PARKER
What up fam?
Elder Goff and I spent the weekend with the Fishers. They stopped in and saw us in the mission office on Friday, we saw him in the temple Saturday morning, sat by them all 3 hours of church on Sunday, and then ate dinner with them at the Wells Sunday night. It was awesome to be with them. I couldnt believe how well they remembered us. They were like proud parents. President Fisher, now Elder Fisher, remembered everything about me. It was crazy.
We met with A on Saturday again. We showed up at 1:30, which was the appt that we set up with him the week before, and he wasnt there. We were really disappointed. We stopped by about 3 hours later and caught him home. You tell he felt guilty about not being home at 1:30 but we talked about things and left knowing that both of us were rejoicing and had been edified. He told us that he is still really skeptical but once we helped him realize that he has nothing to lose he settled in a little bit better. He told us that he doesnt want to stop meeting with us if its something that might be good for him. Good logic A. We are hoping and praying for him. He even prayed at the end of our lesson. BAM
K and D. Now, just D. K was causing some problems and she got moved. So, we are only teaching D right now. We had a lesson the other day with D and she had a list of about 8 questions. Really good q's too. Consider her... PROGRESSING in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
K has her interview with PG tomorrow. Things are getting put in place for her baptism.
TRANSFERS: At this point. We still dont know what is going to happen. Who knows. Next Monday I may be writing you from Polson or Helena
At the end of this week we have a musical fireside in Red Lodge that I get to conduct. On top of that I get to speak in Sacrament Meeting.
Tell Luke that I really liked his email from last week. I wanted to ask luke to send me some star wars quotes. Dont ask why. just do it.
Love
Elder Parker Heywood.
Check out my new pics on FB
check out my blog this week on COACH JESSE PARKER
Monday, January 17, 2011
Hey. Make sure that you tell Savanna hi for me and that she better have a baby before I get home. One more thing to tell the two love birds. Tell them that I, Parker Heywood, "sure do love them."
Hey. This last week sure was good. We went to Bozeman, Billings, and Glendive. Elder Goff and I sure stayed the night at VJs house so that was good and entertaining as always. He wants to meet the fam if we come back up. The only prob is... Glendive is 3 hours east of anywhere Ive served. That's six hours roundtrip if we just want to see a couple of people in Glendive opposed to "driving through" all the other areas Ive served in. Sure isn't convenient. I told V that he is just going to have to go down to AZ for a trip.
Elder Max Elmer stands right next to me as I type this email. I sure do love him. He sure is one great solid piece of spiritual steel, serving out in the middle of nowhere. We are having zone olympics today so both Billings zones are going up against each other. Billings East and Billings West. Everyone from the outlyings areas (Elmer - 100 miles out of town) have driven in today. Its gonna be so sick x2 (POUND)
Last week: You know when missionaries write home about how the Lord really "blessed them with success?" Well we sure did have one of those weeks this last week. Let me tell ya about it. We hadn't been in our area for the whole beginning of our week so we got off to a great start. Elder Davis (QC, AZ) had taught a guy up in Havre who moved down to Billings a while back. The missionaries here (my area right now. PIONEER PARK ward), at that time, were teaching this guy. We will call him Luke. So, now its about 7 months later and Elder Davis calls us up asking whatever happened to ole Lukey. I say I have no clue. Four weeks go by and I get a call from Elder Davis again asking me about the Lukester. I embarrassingly tell him that we haven't contacted him and decided that we better do it. Saturday night we plan to go by this guys place and see what the big deal is. We have about 40 mins before dinner and go knock on his door. No answer. Well, we then decide to spend our remaining forty minutes knocking the surrounding doors. First door we knock on, a 30 year old man named A answers the door. It was really weird. He was very intrigued at what we were doing but also very cautious and taken aback. You could tell he really wanted to figure out who the two mysterious young men were on his doorstep but also was very anxious and nervous about us knocking on his door. It was so weird. Ive never felt two emotions so present at the same time like we experienced the other night. Anyway, long story short, A lets us in and he has no religious background. We set up a return appt for the next day and take a member of the ward over there with us. The lesson goes very well and he starts talking about church attendance and what not. Ive never had an experience like it. STAY TUNED next week for A. Moral of the story: Sometimes the Lord leads us to people when they aren't actually the ones he has immediate plans for. We are so human sometimes. I invite you to: metaphorically, "knock on the house next door."
This week we also started teaching some Foster kids living with an awesome family in our ward. Two girls from Poplar, MT. K and D. We have taught them twice now and have another appt this Saturday.
Elder Goff hasn't baptized anybody his whole mission and he just received news that a lady wants him to baptize her in Worland, WY on the 27th of Feb. We were just talking the other day about the possibility of him going his whole mission without baptizing anyone. Wish granted.
This week we finish off our very redundant facebook presentations in Worland WY, Powell WY, and Billings Heights. Sure cant wait to be done with this blasted thing.
Elder S from Tempe, AZ went home this last week to be with his mom for her last couple of days. She has cancer. Some of the missionaries are still in mourning about that. But, I think he/they will be ok and things will be alright.
Sure do love and appreciate ya,
Elder Heywood.
8 weeks hahahhalkkdjlkfhdshlahlhalsd
Hey. This last week sure was good. We went to Bozeman, Billings, and Glendive. Elder Goff and I sure stayed the night at VJs house so that was good and entertaining as always. He wants to meet the fam if we come back up. The only prob is... Glendive is 3 hours east of anywhere Ive served. That's six hours roundtrip if we just want to see a couple of people in Glendive opposed to "driving through" all the other areas Ive served in. Sure isn't convenient. I told V that he is just going to have to go down to AZ for a trip.
Elder Max Elmer stands right next to me as I type this email. I sure do love him. He sure is one great solid piece of spiritual steel, serving out in the middle of nowhere. We are having zone olympics today so both Billings zones are going up against each other. Billings East and Billings West. Everyone from the outlyings areas (Elmer - 100 miles out of town) have driven in today. Its gonna be so sick x2 (POUND)
Last week: You know when missionaries write home about how the Lord really "blessed them with success?" Well we sure did have one of those weeks this last week. Let me tell ya about it. We hadn't been in our area for the whole beginning of our week so we got off to a great start. Elder Davis (QC, AZ) had taught a guy up in Havre who moved down to Billings a while back. The missionaries here (my area right now. PIONEER PARK ward), at that time, were teaching this guy. We will call him Luke. So, now its about 7 months later and Elder Davis calls us up asking whatever happened to ole Lukey. I say I have no clue. Four weeks go by and I get a call from Elder Davis again asking me about the Lukester. I embarrassingly tell him that we haven't contacted him and decided that we better do it. Saturday night we plan to go by this guys place and see what the big deal is. We have about 40 mins before dinner and go knock on his door. No answer. Well, we then decide to spend our remaining forty minutes knocking the surrounding doors. First door we knock on, a 30 year old man named A answers the door. It was really weird. He was very intrigued at what we were doing but also very cautious and taken aback. You could tell he really wanted to figure out who the two mysterious young men were on his doorstep but also was very anxious and nervous about us knocking on his door. It was so weird. Ive never felt two emotions so present at the same time like we experienced the other night. Anyway, long story short, A lets us in and he has no religious background. We set up a return appt for the next day and take a member of the ward over there with us. The lesson goes very well and he starts talking about church attendance and what not. Ive never had an experience like it. STAY TUNED next week for A. Moral of the story: Sometimes the Lord leads us to people when they aren't actually the ones he has immediate plans for. We are so human sometimes. I invite you to: metaphorically, "knock on the house next door."
This week we also started teaching some Foster kids living with an awesome family in our ward. Two girls from Poplar, MT. K and D. We have taught them twice now and have another appt this Saturday.
Elder Goff hasn't baptized anybody his whole mission and he just received news that a lady wants him to baptize her in Worland, WY on the 27th of Feb. We were just talking the other day about the possibility of him going his whole mission without baptizing anyone. Wish granted.
This week we finish off our very redundant facebook presentations in Worland WY, Powell WY, and Billings Heights. Sure cant wait to be done with this blasted thing.
Elder S from Tempe, AZ went home this last week to be with his mom for her last couple of days. She has cancer. Some of the missionaries are still in mourning about that. But, I think he/they will be ok and things will be alright.
Sure do love and appreciate ya,
Elder Heywood.
8 weeks hahahhalkkdjlkfhdshlahlhalsd
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Goal for 2010
In case anyone was wondering about the 1000 goal of baptisms and reactivations for the Billings Montana Mission...we learned from yet another missionary's blog that the final number was........1006!
Contratulations to the all the hard working missionaries in Billings Montana!!
Contratulations to the all the hard working missionaries in Billings Montana!!
A Note About FaceBook & Blogs
(This is an excerpt from Elder Heywood's companion's (Elder Goff's) last letter. He explains what the mission is now doing with facebook and gives more detail then we have gotten from Elder Heywood...we thought any blog followers might be interested....)
As I type this I am sitting passenger going through Butte, MT. Elder Heywood and I are spending our P-day driving to Kalispell, MT. For the next couple of weeks we will be going to each zone in our mission with President and Sister Gardner to do training and to introduce Facebook, and blogging to the rest of our mission. Up to this point it has only been District Leaders and Zone Leaders using facebook and blogging. We will be the first mission to get everyone online. President says that if it’s going to be a pilot program we better test it out. Why not have everyone try it. We have no reason not to trust everyone else with this great new ability. I’ll admit though, I am a little nervous about it being available to all of the Elders. I’m not worried about the sisters, they are saints, and will do great with Blogs and Facebook. The Elders are easily swayed. I think they will do well for a while, but then start to slack and use it for the wrong reasons. Elder Heywood and I have talked a lot about our concerns, and have had some ideas we shared with President to help keep The Elders using it correctly. We are going to have the Zone Leaders Monitor the Missionaries in their Zones. They will go to both facebook pages and blogs of missionaries in their zone and make sure they are doing what they are supposed to. Elder Heywood and I have said that the Zone Leaders will have to be “buttheads” so that everyone will use it for what we are supposed to. I think most of the Elders online now have done a great job; there are of course a select few who have already lost the privilege. So there will be a punishment, or a consequence, which will be deleting your blog and facebook. President, Elder Heywood and I came up with 3 pages of guidelines, Tips, hits and rules for Proselyting online. So I guess it will either work or it will crash and burn. J We’ll see what happens.
As I type this I am sitting passenger going through Butte, MT. Elder Heywood and I are spending our P-day driving to Kalispell, MT. For the next couple of weeks we will be going to each zone in our mission with President and Sister Gardner to do training and to introduce Facebook, and blogging to the rest of our mission. Up to this point it has only been District Leaders and Zone Leaders using facebook and blogging. We will be the first mission to get everyone online. President says that if it’s going to be a pilot program we better test it out. Why not have everyone try it. We have no reason not to trust everyone else with this great new ability. I’ll admit though, I am a little nervous about it being available to all of the Elders. I’m not worried about the sisters, they are saints, and will do great with Blogs and Facebook. The Elders are easily swayed. I think they will do well for a while, but then start to slack and use it for the wrong reasons. Elder Heywood and I have talked a lot about our concerns, and have had some ideas we shared with President to help keep The Elders using it correctly. We are going to have the Zone Leaders Monitor the Missionaries in their Zones. They will go to both facebook pages and blogs of missionaries in their zone and make sure they are doing what they are supposed to. Elder Heywood and I have said that the Zone Leaders will have to be “buttheads” so that everyone will use it for what we are supposed to. I think most of the Elders online now have done a great job; there are of course a select few who have already lost the privilege. So there will be a punishment, or a consequence, which will be deleting your blog and facebook. President, Elder Heywood and I came up with 3 pages of guidelines, Tips, hits and rules for Proselyting online. So I guess it will either work or it will crash and burn. J We’ll see what happens.
Monday, January 10, 2011
I would much rather be on dry roads than icy roads. It gets a little scary driving down the highway at 70 and have your car's back end slide out. I like Montana but I dont think I could live somewhere that snowed and had sub zero temperatures. The last week was really long. But, really good. I like being able to see all of the missionaries and see how they are doing. We finished off the week in Great Falls, Helena, and Butte. After doing the same presentation 4 times in a row it gets a little bit redundant. We still have 6 more to go. This week is Bozeman, Billings, then Glendive. They should be good.
Its kind of a bummer not being in an area full-time. I feel like there are lots of things we miss out on. I think the times when I'm happiest are when I know I have a good relationship with the ward, when we are finding, and teaching, etc. Its a little bit harder to do that here, especially when you leave Monday and get back Saturday night. But, things are good.
I don't know what will happen the last transfer. I propose that I either stay or go back to an old area. I'm good with whatever happens but that would be my proposal.
We spent another evening in Helena seeing oldies. We saw a lady who Elder Jensen and I baptized. I didnt tell you but, she hasnt been going to church for the last 6 months. We talked for quite a while and she had all kinds of concerns. It came down to her not having a strong testimony and getting baptized for some of the wrong reasons. She talked about all of the stresses and problems in her life and told me how hard things were for her... financially, with family, with church, work, etc. I felt like I needed to do something about it so I made her a promise. I told her that if she would read the BofM she would have more peace in her life. I asked her if she would try to read through the whole things with me before I went home and she politely told me that she wouldnt. It almost had me in tears. Its been a long time since I was that depressed. What can you do? Overall, our visits went good.
Here in Billings we are still teaching K. She had a mild stroke on last Wednesday and I think things have been a little bit scary for her. She came to church Sunday and we sent her right back to the emergency room because she was trippin on her new meds. It was pretty bad. I thought we were going to have another stroke right there in the foyer. She is crazy for coming. She is doing well. She will soon have her interview with PG and send a letter to the first Presidency.
Our new theme for the year is: 2011 Entrusted by Heaven. We had a couple other ideas that rhymed with 2011 but they didnt really fit: 2011, Beware of the Pharisees Leaven. And... Dos Cero Uno Uno, Learn to Blog with Frank Bruno. haha. There is a guy on facebook named Frank Bruno who is part of the church program. He is always helping missionaries do different things online so we decided that could be one of the new themes. Prez didnt go for it.
Thats all
Love
Elder Heywood
Its kind of a bummer not being in an area full-time. I feel like there are lots of things we miss out on. I think the times when I'm happiest are when I know I have a good relationship with the ward, when we are finding, and teaching, etc. Its a little bit harder to do that here, especially when you leave Monday and get back Saturday night. But, things are good.
I don't know what will happen the last transfer. I propose that I either stay or go back to an old area. I'm good with whatever happens but that would be my proposal.
We spent another evening in Helena seeing oldies. We saw a lady who Elder Jensen and I baptized. I didnt tell you but, she hasnt been going to church for the last 6 months. We talked for quite a while and she had all kinds of concerns. It came down to her not having a strong testimony and getting baptized for some of the wrong reasons. She talked about all of the stresses and problems in her life and told me how hard things were for her... financially, with family, with church, work, etc. I felt like I needed to do something about it so I made her a promise. I told her that if she would read the BofM she would have more peace in her life. I asked her if she would try to read through the whole things with me before I went home and she politely told me that she wouldnt. It almost had me in tears. Its been a long time since I was that depressed. What can you do? Overall, our visits went good.
Here in Billings we are still teaching K. She had a mild stroke on last Wednesday and I think things have been a little bit scary for her. She came to church Sunday and we sent her right back to the emergency room because she was trippin on her new meds. It was pretty bad. I thought we were going to have another stroke right there in the foyer. She is crazy for coming. She is doing well. She will soon have her interview with PG and send a letter to the first Presidency.
Our new theme for the year is: 2011 Entrusted by Heaven. We had a couple other ideas that rhymed with 2011 but they didnt really fit: 2011, Beware of the Pharisees Leaven. And... Dos Cero Uno Uno, Learn to Blog with Frank Bruno. haha. There is a guy on facebook named Frank Bruno who is part of the church program. He is always helping missionaries do different things online so we decided that could be one of the new themes. Prez didnt go for it.
Thats all
Love
Elder Heywood
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Late
Dear Family, I am sitting here in a car, driving to Kalispell while I write to you this fine day. We are going to be spending our Pday driving almost 500 miles. I would rather take a shower with a bear than drive to Kalispell on my pday. I would rather go on a date with Rosie O’Donnell than drive to Kalispell on my pday. I think you get what Im trying to say. I wish I didn’t have to drive to Kalispell on my pday.
LAST WEEK: We had our east side leadership meeting in Billings and drove to Helena the next morning for our west side meeting. The Helena meeting ended early afternoon. Elder Goff and I then spent the rest of the day visiting old places and old faces. We went from house to house from 3 to 9:30; and we could have spent another week or so seeing others. It was a splendid day. . The next morning we had district meeting with the Helena district and saw another couple of families then headed for Billings. On our way home we stopped in a place called Big Timber, which we are actually passing through RIGHT now, to visit a man named Rumple. Here’s a little background on our friend Rumple: He is a 55 year old un-wed mystery man. He got to know some of the Elders up in Great Falls and started getting attached to some of them. He later moved to Big Timber to move on in his life. In a much unknown way, he got our phone number and started calling Elder King, asking him when he was going to come see him. He would call several times a day sometimes over 60x a week. It was getting ridiculous. So, Elder King and I decided to go see him one evening. After a visit that can’t even be described, he never called us ever again. Elder Goff and I decided to do the same thing this last time through Big Timber and the calls are still at a minimum. I will have to show you a picture of Rumple and us. He answered to the door in long, red, woman’s night gown. I’m so glad to have these great spiritual memories of my mission. I will never forget the big, red, long, night gowned Rumple.
After our meetings, we were able to get in 3 lessons with the Cs, J and M, and K. They were all good.
We had a really good fast and testimony meeting yesterday. One of the better ones in the past year. There were times when we had 6 people waiting up on the stand to share testimonies. It was good.
In our meetings this last week, there was a time allotted to role play the first vision with each other. We had all done it a million times before but, we did it once again. I know, personally, I have recited the 1st vision thousands of times. Even though this might have been the 3000th time, the experience was just as spiritual as ever. It was a really special experience for everyone. It made me think about the night of my setting apart and talking about the first vision. For most people, concerns might arise about polygamy or doctrine, etc but what it all comes down to is if Joseph is a prophet. It’s as simple as that. And I think that that is why the spirit is always very present when sharing feelings or testimonies about the first vision. Apart from the Atonement, its seems to be one of the most important things we can bear testimony of. Even now, when talking about it. It is a blessing to know that.
I am sorry for not sending you my letter Monday evening. We didn’t have time and went right to bed. We got to stop in Polson and see the Burninghams, the Atchleys and Bro Heskiel. It was good to see Emy again. She acts, walks, and talks like a normal member. We talked about her and Earl getting sealed to their parents. We talked about how lots of her kids have been interested in the Gospel. We talked about a lot of things. It was good. I haven’t seen them in over a year. Since 2009.
Bye
LAST WEEK: We had our east side leadership meeting in Billings and drove to Helena the next morning for our west side meeting. The Helena meeting ended early afternoon. Elder Goff and I then spent the rest of the day visiting old places and old faces. We went from house to house from 3 to 9:30; and we could have spent another week or so seeing others. It was a splendid day. . The next morning we had district meeting with the Helena district and saw another couple of families then headed for Billings. On our way home we stopped in a place called Big Timber, which we are actually passing through RIGHT now, to visit a man named Rumple. Here’s a little background on our friend Rumple: He is a 55 year old un-wed mystery man. He got to know some of the Elders up in Great Falls and started getting attached to some of them. He later moved to Big Timber to move on in his life. In a much unknown way, he got our phone number and started calling Elder King, asking him when he was going to come see him. He would call several times a day sometimes over 60x a week. It was getting ridiculous. So, Elder King and I decided to go see him one evening. After a visit that can’t even be described, he never called us ever again. Elder Goff and I decided to do the same thing this last time through Big Timber and the calls are still at a minimum. I will have to show you a picture of Rumple and us. He answered to the door in long, red, woman’s night gown. I’m so glad to have these great spiritual memories of my mission. I will never forget the big, red, long, night gowned Rumple.
After our meetings, we were able to get in 3 lessons with the Cs, J and M, and K. They were all good.
We had a really good fast and testimony meeting yesterday. One of the better ones in the past year. There were times when we had 6 people waiting up on the stand to share testimonies. It was good.
In our meetings this last week, there was a time allotted to role play the first vision with each other. We had all done it a million times before but, we did it once again. I know, personally, I have recited the 1st vision thousands of times. Even though this might have been the 3000th time, the experience was just as spiritual as ever. It was a really special experience for everyone. It made me think about the night of my setting apart and talking about the first vision. For most people, concerns might arise about polygamy or doctrine, etc but what it all comes down to is if Joseph is a prophet. It’s as simple as that. And I think that that is why the spirit is always very present when sharing feelings or testimonies about the first vision. Apart from the Atonement, its seems to be one of the most important things we can bear testimony of. Even now, when talking about it. It is a blessing to know that.
I am sorry for not sending you my letter Monday evening. We didn’t have time and went right to bed. We got to stop in Polson and see the Burninghams, the Atchleys and Bro Heskiel. It was good to see Emy again. She acts, walks, and talks like a normal member. We talked about her and Earl getting sealed to their parents. We talked about how lots of her kids have been interested in the Gospel. We talked about a lot of things. It was good. I haven’t seen them in over a year. Since 2009.
Bye
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)