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.
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