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.
Monday, August 16, 2010
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
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
A Montana Parable
Hey. Just FYI. I didnt get Jareds email and I want it. Try to send it when you get the chance. PS Who in the heck is "Grandpa" Stott. How do you think Jared is doing in the MTC?
You all know that we spent the first part of last week in Billings doing our special training. For clarification, the training is meant to make us better teachers. Not anything new, just taking stuff out of PMG and focusing on it a little more in depth. It lasted from 8:30 to 9 the first day and 8:30 to 4 the next day. It was lots of sitting and discussing. It was really good just really long. Elder Brooks and I each had to give a 30 minute discussion of which we found out about 2 days before the meeting. Ive learned a lot about winging it on the mission if you cant tell. And... of course I had the best topic: How to Involve Ward Council and Ward Members in helping Investigators attend Sacrament Meeting. What would you say for 30 mins about that topic? The whole training meeting was very last minute but went really well for how unprepared everyone was.
For Katie, who asked the question of, "What is new?" Well, let me Tell you...Once every transfer we had zone confrences, Interviews, and ZLCmeetings with Leadership meetings every other transfer. Now, Zone Conf's will be quarterly along with interviews, ZLC meetings once a month (instead of once a transfer), Leadership meetings every other month which will now include trainers on top of ZLs and DLs, and Specialized Training once a month. From what I understand, every mission should be doing the new training that has come out now. It will be pretty interesting.
This week we had an awesome lesson with A. I guess I should first start off by saying that we cant figure out why she wont come to church. All she tells us is that she will try to make it and then doesnt come. It is so weird, she has talked about not having a dress and then always solves her own problem by saying she can wear her dress slacks. We called her the other morning and then she said she didnt have enought time to get ready. She didnt come. There are just so many little different little things that dont add up. She has agreed with our teachings and then has said that she wants to get baptized, but she doesnt do anything about it. Its almost like she invited us in because she was too nice to say no and still just leads us on. For the next lesson we are going to just try and sit down with her and get her problems out on the counter. She is a mystery. She is so nice, just a mystery. We still havent tried everything. It will just take time.
The other day we had ward conference. It was good. There is something that I thought was intriguing. Our Stake President, Pres Hamblin, gave an interesting talk in our combined meeting during 3rd hour. The things that were intriguing werent really about what he was saying but how he was saying it. He isnt the most eloquent and powerful and intricate speaker, but he speaks so lovingly and gently with lots of conviction. Like I said, the talk that he gave was no Elder Holland, definitely prepared and thought about but not pretty. Even without any huge speaking skills the spirit was just as strong if not stronger because of his testimony, his own personal knowledge and experience with what he was talking about. He was very convincing. It was so cool. I want to be like that. I think its the same way with Pres Gardner. I want to teach like he does too.
Some lady was asking me about our Heywood heritage and if I was related to Heywoods in Calif. Could anyone fill me in on that?
Apart from that stuff, We will be in Wolf Point and Poplar this upcoming week. The great Reservations of Montana ahhhh. Nothin like chattin with and shootin the breeze with the Lamanites. Talkin about the good ole days when Uncle Sammy was up on the wall gettin arrows shot at him, or when Grandpa Ammon chopped off those gang bangers arms. Those were the days. Cant wait to go catch up with the Lamanites.
I hope to have another good week. I wonder what the Lord has in store for the town of Glendive. stay tuned.
Elder P Heywood
PS This Parable came from Bro Mclendon. A member in Lewistown. A parable that fits perfectly for MT
I was driving one day down the highway, between pastures. I was looking out at the scenery, when I saw a beautiful place out in the distance just on the other side of a pasture. I just had to go to the place and see it, it was so beautiful, so I pulled over and walked over to the fence. Just then, the ranch manager came over. He was a strikingly dressed man, all in white: white boots, white hat, white chaps, and a long white cowboy jacket. He asked me what I was doing.
"Well," I said, "I would really like to go to that place on the other side of the pasture, it's so beautiful. I was hoping I could just walk over there."
"We'll have to ask the ranch owner," he said.
Just then, I heard the ranch owner's voice. He must have been shy, because I couldn't see him, but I heard him, and he said:
"You may walk across. But, there's one rule: in order to get into that place, you must enter with clean boots."
Well, that should be no problem, I thought. I had brand new, shiny boots, and it was just a walk across the scriptures. But the more I looked at the field, the more I became worried: it seemed to be a large bovine minefield.
"To help you get across," the ranch manager said, "I'll give you this cloth to clean your boots."
Grateful, I took it from him and thanked him. I looked at the cloth, and noticed the tag read "Rep, Ent." I head never heard of that company, but didn't think to much about it. I stuffed the cloth in my back pocket and set off.
It took me a long time to get through that pasture, almost a lifetime. Every so often, I would stop, pull out the cloth, and bend over and clean off my boots. Finally, after that long journey, I got to the end of the pasture and to the gate of that beautiful place, and there was the ranch manager waiting for me. I was so excited, but just then I heard the ranch owner's voice again.
"Your boots are just a little bit dirty. I'm sorry, but they need to be clean."
I looked down and my heart sank. There was a little bit of dirt still on my boots. I didn't know what to do. I'd come all this way, and cleaned off my boots as often as I could, but this little bit of dirt would keep me from entering this beautiful place. Just then, the ranch manager spoke up.
"Come, I will clean your boots," and he bent down and, using his white coat, cleaned my boots perfectly clean.
Then, the Ranch owner spoke again, and said, "It is good. You may enter."
"Well," I said, "I would really like to go to that place on the other side of the pasture, it's so beautiful. I was hoping I could just walk over there."
"We'll have to ask the ranch owner," he said.
Just then, I heard the ranch owner's voice. He must have been shy, because I couldn't see him, but I heard him, and he said:
"You may walk across. But, there's one rule: in order to get into that place, you must enter with clean boots."
Well, that should be no problem, I thought. I had brand new, shiny boots, and it was just a walk across the scriptures. But the more I looked at the field, the more I became worried: it seemed to be a large bovine minefield.
"To help you get across," the ranch manager said, "I'll give you this cloth to clean your boots."
Grateful, I took it from him and thanked him. I looked at the cloth, and noticed the tag read "Rep, Ent." I head never heard of that company, but didn't think to much about it. I stuffed the cloth in my back pocket and set off.
It took me a long time to get through that pasture, almost a lifetime. Every so often, I would stop, pull out the cloth, and bend over and clean off my boots. Finally, after that long journey, I got to the end of the pasture and to the gate of that beautiful place, and there was the ranch manager waiting for me. I was so excited, but just then I heard the ranch owner's voice again.
"Your boots are just a little bit dirty. I'm sorry, but they need to be clean."
I looked down and my heart sank. There was a little bit of dirt still on my boots. I didn't know what to do. I'd come all this way, and cleaned off my boots as often as I could, but this little bit of dirt would keep me from entering this beautiful place. Just then, the ranch manager spoke up.
"Come, I will clean your boots," and he bent down and, using his white coat, cleaned my boots perfectly clean.
Then, the Ranch owner spoke again, and said, "It is good. You may enter."
Monday, July 19, 2010
The "Dive"
Alrighty Ma and Pa. Here it is. For the week of 7/12 - 7/18 in what we call.... THE DIVE
Its good to see and hear and feel and know and love and learn that... Jared got to the MTC ok. I should be sending him a letter. Let him know that. He will be in there for about 3 months so there should be some pretty good correspondence before he goes to the moon. Have you gotten an email or letter yet?
Its been pretty blasted hot here in the ole' Glendive and its only tippin the scales at about 92. Man. I cant wait to get home to 130. The beginning of the week was good. We have District Meetings in Miles City and went to that on Tuesday. Those are always good. Elder Thomas is our DL. He is from Snowflake but spent the last year of High School in Orem. I like him a lot. He is with Elder Rice in Sidney.
On Tuesday we had dinner at the Murautos, a family that lives in Beach, ND. She made us the best Mexican food that Ive had yet on my mission. The other Murauto Brother who lives in beach own a restuarant there so we eat free when we get out there. They filled us in on the new game show, MINUTE TO WIN IT. It is our (Elder Brooks and I) new favorite past time.
On Thursday night we traveled to Billings, slept, then woke up super early to go to Helena to have a meeting. We have some crazy new things happening that the church wants us to start implementing. As for meetings, we will have Zone Conferences once a quarter, Leadership Meetings once every other month(that includes ZLs, DLs, and Trainers), Specialized trainings once a month (All of the mission) and ZLC once a month as well (which will most likely happen in Helena again with zone leaders) That means lots of meetings for us. Our Zone is teaming up with both Billings zones, and Bozeman to do our specialized training which will happen All Tuesday and ALL Wednesday in Billings. This all happened pretty fast. At the beginning of the transfer I guess PGardner got sent all of the curriculum that we are supposed to be learning. Basically it is what is going to be taught to missionaries in the MTC beginning in May 2011 and has been given to all the missions so that we can be caught up on what is supposed to be learned before the new kiddos start coming out. It is pretty exciting but really hectic for everyone especially President. It will be good though. We got to have a sneak peek this last week and it was really good. There are new DVDs that accompany it too.
I couldn’t think of any activities/things that you could do for your camp theme but if you can wait a week I will have some ideas. On that note, can you think of any object lessons that we can use with my bull whip. I am getting pretty good with it. Just like Jim Craig on Man From Snowy River. Let me know.
I think you asked about how many stakes we have? I think we have 11 stakes in Montana but with Wyoming included our mission covers 14 stakes. Does that blow your Albert Einstein or what.
Lots of things have picked up. We are now trying to get back in with the one couple who left on their honeymoon. They were both at church the other day and looked happy. The one kid looks like he is already a member. I will keep you updated on what happens.
We are also teaching a lady who is mentally, not all the way there but still wants to get baptized. She is adopted by a family in the ward and they want to have a baptism so we said ok. Her name is Jackie and she is very sweet and LOVES JESUS!!!
Overall we are doing good. Alice didn’t come to church again but whats new? She is sitting on the fence and “don’t want to go no where”. This week should be exciting though and we should have some good things happen. Why? Cause were going to make it happen.
I’ve said this a lot but I wish you could meet some of the people here in Glendive. They are my brothers and sisters and I’m trying to help them hold on to that Iron Rod. The thought for the day is Hold to the Rod. Get a Grip. This is because we cant invite people to hold onto something that we already aren’t holding onto ourselves. So, lets get a grip and invite others to get a grip as well
Check out mormon.org they redid it again.
Send me Jare’s letter
Love Elder PHeywood
Its good to see and hear and feel and know and love and learn that... Jared got to the MTC ok. I should be sending him a letter. Let him know that. He will be in there for about 3 months so there should be some pretty good correspondence before he goes to the moon. Have you gotten an email or letter yet?
Its been pretty blasted hot here in the ole' Glendive and its only tippin the scales at about 92. Man. I cant wait to get home to 130. The beginning of the week was good. We have District Meetings in Miles City and went to that on Tuesday. Those are always good. Elder Thomas is our DL. He is from Snowflake but spent the last year of High School in Orem. I like him a lot. He is with Elder Rice in Sidney.
On Tuesday we had dinner at the Murautos, a family that lives in Beach, ND. She made us the best Mexican food that Ive had yet on my mission. The other Murauto Brother who lives in beach own a restuarant there so we eat free when we get out there. They filled us in on the new game show, MINUTE TO WIN IT. It is our (Elder Brooks and I) new favorite past time.
On Thursday night we traveled to Billings, slept, then woke up super early to go to Helena to have a meeting. We have some crazy new things happening that the church wants us to start implementing. As for meetings, we will have Zone Conferences once a quarter, Leadership Meetings once every other month(that includes ZLs, DLs, and Trainers), Specialized trainings once a month (All of the mission) and ZLC once a month as well (which will most likely happen in Helena again with zone leaders) That means lots of meetings for us. Our Zone is teaming up with both Billings zones, and Bozeman to do our specialized training which will happen All Tuesday and ALL Wednesday in Billings. This all happened pretty fast. At the beginning of the transfer I guess PGardner got sent all of the curriculum that we are supposed to be learning. Basically it is what is going to be taught to missionaries in the MTC beginning in May 2011 and has been given to all the missions so that we can be caught up on what is supposed to be learned before the new kiddos start coming out. It is pretty exciting but really hectic for everyone especially President. It will be good though. We got to have a sneak peek this last week and it was really good. There are new DVDs that accompany it too.
I couldn’t think of any activities/things that you could do for your camp theme but if you can wait a week I will have some ideas. On that note, can you think of any object lessons that we can use with my bull whip. I am getting pretty good with it. Just like Jim Craig on Man From Snowy River. Let me know.
I think you asked about how many stakes we have? I think we have 11 stakes in Montana but with Wyoming included our mission covers 14 stakes. Does that blow your Albert Einstein or what.
Lots of things have picked up. We are now trying to get back in with the one couple who left on their honeymoon. They were both at church the other day and looked happy. The one kid looks like he is already a member. I will keep you updated on what happens.
We are also teaching a lady who is mentally, not all the way there but still wants to get baptized. She is adopted by a family in the ward and they want to have a baptism so we said ok. Her name is Jackie and she is very sweet and LOVES JESUS!!!
Overall we are doing good. Alice didn’t come to church again but whats new? She is sitting on the fence and “don’t want to go no where”. This week should be exciting though and we should have some good things happen. Why? Cause were going to make it happen.
I’ve said this a lot but I wish you could meet some of the people here in Glendive. They are my brothers and sisters and I’m trying to help them hold on to that Iron Rod. The thought for the day is Hold to the Rod. Get a Grip. This is because we cant invite people to hold onto something that we already aren’t holding onto ourselves. So, lets get a grip and invite others to get a grip as well
Check out mormon.org they redid it again.
Send me Jare’s letter
Love Elder PHeywood
Monday, July 12, 2010
Alright, this is the deal. We will probably be emailing right now and maybe around later today at 5. First for Jared: You've probably already heard it a million times but a mission is not easy. I am not going to lie, every time I have gotten transferred or moved or get a new comp or if anything happens... Homesickness starts to set in. Just for a day or two then I'm good. There HAVE been some missionaries though who have not gotten over it and it messes them up. All they can think about is HOME. HOME. GIRLS. GIRLS. The ones who do good are the ones who really forget all of it and do missionary work. The places you live in and the people you teach start to become home for you as soon as you start to do what you are suppose to do. That's my piece of advice. It will be awesome. Best 2 years for sure. Actually, I don't know about that yet. I've only been out for 16 months. So, best 16 months, as of now. Its all part of THE PLAN right?
As for the ole town of Glendive... all I can say is wow. Unlike any other place Ive been on my mission. Flat, Ugly, Awesome. The members here remind of the members in Lewisotwn, so sick x2. Its nice to not have the whole town born and raised in Montana. You actually get to have some normal conversations. A lot of the people here work for the Railroad and work in the oil fields. Most of the Town is owned by a couple - three families which makes it hard for big business to come in. Its quite an interesting place. If you look at a map I will give you a written guide to how big the Glendive stake is... pretty much all of Eastern Montana. As far up as Glasgow, PLentywood and Malta, comes down to about Jordan and Wolf Point, Down to Miles City and as far down as Ekalaka and Broadus. HUGE. Some of the Stake Leaders live so far away that they have this set up to where they have video conferences with the Stake Presidency. Crazy. Reminds me of James Bond.
About my ride to Billings from great Falls. I forgot how crazy some of the people that ride the bus are. I talked with some Japanese girl, who lived in Hawaii, surfed, was working on her PhD in Plant Pathology, was 30 years old, and somehow ( I couldn't really understand her) got to Helena and was going to Portland, then LA, then back home to Oahu. Camping the whole way and smoking a little weed here and there, but nevertheless, almost having a doctorate in Plant Pathology. Another guy I talked to was pretty much homeless but was carrying around this cowboy hat that had been signed by all these famous artists. He was headed to Missoula. When we got off the bus I saw him run over to this little pine tree at the bus station and start playing with his ankle. I soon saw and comprehended that He must have had some bladder problems and was releasing (manually) his liquid wastes. right there on the front lawn of the bus station. Moral of the story: I don't regret taking the bus that day, even though I left at 3 and didn't get to Billings until 11:30 and ripped a whole in my suit pants. I did get to spend the night with Elder Unga too so it was definitely worth it. Unga is new AP.
I DID see Max Elmer the other day right before I left to Glendive, from Billings, at the Greenie breakfast we had at the mission home. HAA I cant believe he's in this mission. Guess who he is getting trained by? Elder Ben Thomas. My MTC comp. He is going to Love Elder Thomas. Best decision made by President Gardner ever!! Keep me posted on what he says about his area. It's a pretty sweet area. Anaconda and Deer Lodge. My camera was dead so I didn't get a picture with him but he took one with his camera. It was weird being at the mission home after I hadn't been there in 16 months. It was also hard and even weirder to say goodbye to Elder Tanner, West, Quiocho. They are all home now.
As for people we are teaching... there aren't too many. We are working with a couple of people. One lady has already told us she wants to get baptized but its a matter of GETTING TO CHURCH. Another Lady that we might baptize is slightly disabled but has now been adopted/ a family has received custody of her and we have been given the permission to get her baptized. The next person we are working with is a couple that just got married. T is a member and D has been investigating just for a little bit. He is kind of keeping it on the DL though. From what Brooks knows, its just a matter of time. Could be next month, could be in a million years. Hopefully not.
Just in case you are wondering, the Church is still true and will always be true. I should probably try to write more spiritually minded but I just can't keep away from the stories. I do have another couple good stories but they are not appropriate for email. Maybe when I get home.
Its a very nice area though. We get treated very well. I just hope to have some good things happen while I am here. We could definitely be tracting out the whole town. Lots of Mosquitoes. Very Awesome. Isn't every area though?
Still cant believe that I saw Max. Haha. Hes a funny kid. Also a kid named Elder Whitlock who went to Mesquite.
Write back with any other questions.
Tell Gram B. that I love her. Just tell all the Grandmas in the world that I love them.
Tell Dana to get ready for High school. No kissing boys. You too Luke. ('that' CAN go on the blog!!)
Love Your MoMish
ElderPheywood
P.S. Elder Brooks is a good looking guy from St. George. He's about 5'6" (short) and looks like Matt Damon. Every single lady/little girl/teenage girl is in love with him. Its a good thing hes not a little taller or he would really be in trouble.
As for the ole town of Glendive... all I can say is wow. Unlike any other place Ive been on my mission. Flat, Ugly, Awesome. The members here remind of the members in Lewisotwn, so sick x2. Its nice to not have the whole town born and raised in Montana. You actually get to have some normal conversations. A lot of the people here work for the Railroad and work in the oil fields. Most of the Town is owned by a couple - three families which makes it hard for big business to come in. Its quite an interesting place. If you look at a map I will give you a written guide to how big the Glendive stake is... pretty much all of Eastern Montana. As far up as Glasgow, PLentywood and Malta, comes down to about Jordan and Wolf Point, Down to Miles City and as far down as Ekalaka and Broadus. HUGE. Some of the Stake Leaders live so far away that they have this set up to where they have video conferences with the Stake Presidency. Crazy. Reminds me of James Bond.
About my ride to Billings from great Falls. I forgot how crazy some of the people that ride the bus are. I talked with some Japanese girl, who lived in Hawaii, surfed, was working on her PhD in Plant Pathology, was 30 years old, and somehow ( I couldn't really understand her) got to Helena and was going to Portland, then LA, then back home to Oahu. Camping the whole way and smoking a little weed here and there, but nevertheless, almost having a doctorate in Plant Pathology. Another guy I talked to was pretty much homeless but was carrying around this cowboy hat that had been signed by all these famous artists. He was headed to Missoula. When we got off the bus I saw him run over to this little pine tree at the bus station and start playing with his ankle. I soon saw and comprehended that He must have had some bladder problems and was releasing (manually) his liquid wastes. right there on the front lawn of the bus station. Moral of the story: I don't regret taking the bus that day, even though I left at 3 and didn't get to Billings until 11:30 and ripped a whole in my suit pants. I did get to spend the night with Elder Unga too so it was definitely worth it. Unga is new AP.
I DID see Max Elmer the other day right before I left to Glendive, from Billings, at the Greenie breakfast we had at the mission home. HAA I cant believe he's in this mission. Guess who he is getting trained by? Elder Ben Thomas. My MTC comp. He is going to Love Elder Thomas. Best decision made by President Gardner ever!! Keep me posted on what he says about his area. It's a pretty sweet area. Anaconda and Deer Lodge. My camera was dead so I didn't get a picture with him but he took one with his camera. It was weird being at the mission home after I hadn't been there in 16 months. It was also hard and even weirder to say goodbye to Elder Tanner, West, Quiocho. They are all home now.
As for people we are teaching... there aren't too many. We are working with a couple of people. One lady has already told us she wants to get baptized but its a matter of GETTING TO CHURCH. Another Lady that we might baptize is slightly disabled but has now been adopted/ a family has received custody of her and we have been given the permission to get her baptized. The next person we are working with is a couple that just got married. T is a member and D has been investigating just for a little bit. He is kind of keeping it on the DL though. From what Brooks knows, its just a matter of time. Could be next month, could be in a million years. Hopefully not.
Just in case you are wondering, the Church is still true and will always be true. I should probably try to write more spiritually minded but I just can't keep away from the stories. I do have another couple good stories but they are not appropriate for email. Maybe when I get home.
Its a very nice area though. We get treated very well. I just hope to have some good things happen while I am here. We could definitely be tracting out the whole town. Lots of Mosquitoes. Very Awesome. Isn't every area though?
Still cant believe that I saw Max. Haha. Hes a funny kid. Also a kid named Elder Whitlock who went to Mesquite.
Write back with any other questions.
Tell Gram B. that I love her. Just tell all the Grandmas in the world that I love them.
Tell Dana to get ready for High school. No kissing boys. You too Luke. ('that' CAN go on the blog!!)
Love Your MoMish
ElderPheywood
P.S. Elder Brooks is a good looking guy from St. George. He's about 5'6" (short) and looks like Matt Damon. Every single lady/little girl/teenage girl is in love with him. Its a good thing hes not a little taller or he would really be in trouble.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Transfers...
Hey Jill and Dave and family and friends and loved ones and Elder Davis' mother and ones that I don't even know ....
Here's the scooper pooper, We are in Great Falls right now. We got transfer calls. I am leaving. I am going to Glendive to be with Elder Brooks. I am upset. Here's the little bug about all this. We were asked to try and get a ride from one of our members to Billings but no one could do it. We then found someone who could go to Great Falls and now we are in Great Falls where I will be taking a bus down to Billings (10 hours) and from Billings to Glendive (5 hours. in a car thankfully)??? Pretty non efficient if you ask me. I thought I would never have to take a bus again. Welp, I guessed wrong. Pray for me. I don't mind getting sent to Glendive but look at a map and see if you see what I am seeing.
I will try to send a quick email before next Monday but I am glad to hear that ole Germaine will be coaching at the Crik. Elder Davis' mom sent me an article on the new coaching staff over there and it sounds like they will have some good things going for them.
Missionary work in Lewistown (before I left): C: a Local man that we tracted into who let us teach him about the restoration and plan of salvation and took the commitment to Read THE BOOK OF MORMON WHooo. Too bad I won't be there for it. E and D: an older couple who are both non members but (E) had 2 sons and an ex wife who were/are members and served missions. We only got to meet with these two families once a piece but hopefully things keep rolling for them. I know Elder Holbrook will do a good job. Our ward likes him a lot and his father has taught him everything he knows. With those two items in the ole bag he should be a wizard of a missionary.
So does Jarebear have a week and a half?
Google 'Kyle Shobe and the walk em boys' I am not sure if they have a web page or not but I think they are playing in AZ within the next 6 months. You should see them. They are all from Lewistown.
Love me do,
Talk to all yall later
EldParHey
Here's the scooper pooper, We are in Great Falls right now. We got transfer calls. I am leaving. I am going to Glendive to be with Elder Brooks. I am upset. Here's the little bug about all this. We were asked to try and get a ride from one of our members to Billings but no one could do it. We then found someone who could go to Great Falls and now we are in Great Falls where I will be taking a bus down to Billings (10 hours) and from Billings to Glendive (5 hours. in a car thankfully)??? Pretty non efficient if you ask me. I thought I would never have to take a bus again. Welp, I guessed wrong. Pray for me. I don't mind getting sent to Glendive but look at a map and see if you see what I am seeing.
I will try to send a quick email before next Monday but I am glad to hear that ole Germaine will be coaching at the Crik. Elder Davis' mom sent me an article on the new coaching staff over there and it sounds like they will have some good things going for them.
Missionary work in Lewistown (before I left): C: a Local man that we tracted into who let us teach him about the restoration and plan of salvation and took the commitment to Read THE BOOK OF MORMON WHooo. Too bad I won't be there for it. E and D: an older couple who are both non members but (E) had 2 sons and an ex wife who were/are members and served missions. We only got to meet with these two families once a piece but hopefully things keep rolling for them. I know Elder Holbrook will do a good job. Our ward likes him a lot and his father has taught him everything he knows. With those two items in the ole bag he should be a wizard of a missionary.
So does Jarebear have a week and a half?
Google 'Kyle Shobe and the walk em boys' I am not sure if they have a web page or not but I think they are playing in AZ within the next 6 months. You should see them. They are all from Lewistown.
Love me do,
Talk to all yall later
EldParHey
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