A Look Into My Day

I will cover some things requested that I discuss. And so my day goes like this...(and then I"ll write the good stuff!)

I wake up in the morning before 6:30. I hop into the shower and out in 5 min. I get dressed, I make my bed and shave.  I then go to the class at 7:00 with my companion and we have personal study time for an hour where simply study to our hearts content the wonderfulness of the gospel.

Then we go to breakfast at 8:15. Breakfast is good. We then return to the class room where we have a teacher. Harmano McAllister is in the mornings now. Class for 3 hours and then either gym or M.D.T. (missionary directed time) which is our choice of what we do. Being the good missionary I am and my companion also, we usually study the language or work on prepping for our next teaching opportunity.

In gym I play four-square. No it is not the kid's game you think. The ball moves fast, low and hard. Just try to stay in for a solid 5 min. Entonces... Then we have lunch.  The food here is pretty good all around. There are some meals that are just..... no. But most are great. After lunch is either gym or more M.D.T. till dinner.  After dinner we have another 2 hours of class.  Last semester we had a LOT more class.  I need time to write the good stuff.

So last night we had the AWESOME opportunity to hear from Elder Holland for the second time during my stay hear in the MTC!!! IT WAS SO AWESOME!!!! He speaks with so much passion. I can feel every work is directed towards letting us know that he wants the best for us. Not only for the church because that is imporant, but for for ourselves as individuals. He loves us and wants this experience to be as life changing as his mission was for him.

He spoke last night on the different missionaries that have gone out in the past years of the church. "You are the hope of Israel. And you are only 19. Be the best you can be because there is no going back. Never go back." Or something to that effect. He then went into the story of Peter the apostle returning himself and the others to fishing after the death of Christ. It was all he could think to do. He did not understand that when Christ asked him to leacve his nets it was forever. That when Christ asked him to throw away his paddles it was forever. That his mission was not just during the Saviors life with him, but forever. Upon Christ's return, He asked peter 3 times, "Do you love me?" to which peter replied each time, "Thou knowest I love you." It was not until that last reply that he was converted. He then became the mighty apostle that people would sleep in the streets for in the hope that his shadow would pass over them. My mission is forever. I will never go back. I love Him.

I love you all!!!
Until next time!!! Elder Heath, Out.

Just waiting....

Just waiting for my travel plans.... they should come this week!!!! I will either be going to Mexico on the 17th or I will be reassigned to a stateside mission until my visa goes through. I am so excited!!! 12 more days!!!!

Life is good. Language is going well. The gospel is so fantastic. I love it! My companions are even better every day. We are growing and it's amazing. I can't really imagine how life was before the MTC. It's not a matter of brainwashing or anything like that, it is simply that life is so great here. It will be interesting to leave and be introduced back into the real world. Of course, it won't be MY world. It will be some obscure place that I have been to. But I know that it will be a wonderful place. I know that I will have a work to do there and I will give it my all. Whether it is in Mexico or in the states somewhere it doesn’t matter. I will have purpose.

As it goes here, we had another fabulous speaker for the Tuesday night fireside. His name, Elder Baxter. He and his wife are from the U.K. Hilarious!! He spoke on the proof in the Bible  that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. And how we are in fact Christians because "No person with a shred of sanity can look at this church and actually believe that we are not Christian. Everything we do in prayer, in church, in sacrament and in teaching from the writings of the holy prophets roots us in the label of "Christian". What sets us apart is that we do not believe in the "Trinity" which is of course the godhead in one personage. We are correct in the fact that They are in fact 3 distinct personages. When Christ was baptized, He "...came straight way out of the water" and the heavens opened. Heavenly Father then spoke to the effect but maybe not exactly, "Behold, this is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." The Spirit then manifested Himself in the form of a dove. If this was one being doing all these things, then that being has multiple personalities. Thus those people with that condition would be as gods and no therapy would be needed. I know that we have a loving Father in heaven. I know that He sent His son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins and take upon Him our pains and afflictions. I know that the Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead and is our constant companion as long as we live worthy of His presence and His guidance. I know that these three distinct individuals are one in purpose. And that purpose is for us to return to the presence of our Father in heaven. I know these things and I say them to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

This has been Elder Heath wishing you all a great new year! Write ME!!!!!!

Christmas in the MTC

SO! I had a fantastic Christmas in the MTC! We had a devotional Christmas Eve and then they put on Mr. Kruger's Christmas for us. Then for Christmas we opened our presents, skipped breakfast to eat the food we had been sent, went to a talent show that was AWESOME!!!! (the Russians did a "You a Missionary Now" song to the tune of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance". HILARIOUS!!!!!!) Then we had another devotional in which Elder Nelson spoke!!!! OH MY GOSH IT WAS SO GREAT!!!! He spoke about Jesus and His mission. Not only His time here on earth but also his role in our lives before this world and after this world. I found that there is so much that I take for granted. I will do my best to have Christ in my thoughts every day. It is so critical in order for us to become like him and to glorify our Father in heaven.

 

     Lunch was when they made our "Christmas Dinner". It was really good.

 

     We then had a fireside in which a volunteer and a newly called mission president read and partly acted Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol". They were SO good! I enjoyed it very much. The President Smith (the MTC president) talked about the connection of Charles Dickens with la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los santos de los ultimos dias. Charles Dickens published the first compliment to the LDS church. He said that the Saints are the most wholesome and honest people in the world. Or something to that effect at least. But the funny thing is that he said that after traveling with the members that were leaving England to come to America and he was trying to find all the bad and bash them. Instead he found the truth. Mwahaha!!! I love those stories!

 

    Sunday morning we had the privilege of hearing from Elder Nelson again. FANTASTIC!!!! From there is was a normal sunday, then monday, tuesday and today is.... unfinished. But it is turning into a great day as well. Rarely do I actually have a bad day. I love the snow. Utah is great when it comes to snow.

 

    Ok. So here is my piece of wisdom for the week. When you talk to someone about the Church or if someone is talking to you, the objective is not to invite people to join a church. The purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ. To connect/reconnect them with the Spirtit. After that, it's all on them and their faith. Faith being an action. An action in trusting the Lord and doing those things in your life that help you understand His plan and love for you. Invite. The worst someone can do is say no. And that only hurts you because they are your brothers and sisters. Invite so they have the opportunity to say Yes. They said it once before because they are here. Help them remember. Help them connect/reconnect with the Spirit. Help them come unto Christ. I love you all. I want you to do this as well. Come unto Christ. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

     This has been Elder Heath. Signing out.

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!

It is the Christmas season!!! But of course you all already know that. Quick updates with my day to day life and then to the good stuff.

Spanish: Going well.  I am learning a ton. In me next post I will include some Spanish.

Companions: I am back to two companions. Elder Canaan is off to Peru. (I'm pretty sure I told you about Elder Canaan....) I am happy. I am closer to them both now than I ever have been.

Finger/ Health: I am doing well. Sleeping better. Finger gets xrayed on the 30th. Showers are cold. I have too much food. Im getting into shape pretty well.

Gospel (a.k.a. "The good stuff"): Last night we had our weekly devotional. Elder  Bowen spoke. His wife spoke first and she made some fantastic points  and did very well. Her over all message was what my father has been telling me for years. "Write down your goals. In the action of writing it down, it is not only easier to remember, but it also is the first step to action in keeping your commitments." That is not a direct quote but it gets the point across. So I challenge myself and anyone reading this. Write down your goal. When the time comes to make a decision concerning those goals, you will not hesitate but act immediately upon the choice that you have already made. Great thought for life.

     Elder Bowen then spoke. He spoke about Christmas. He told a story about a little boy that saw a man with a beautiful car andd  asked "where did you get that car!?!" "My brother gave it to me for Christmas." "I wish I...." The man thought he was going to say  "i wish i could have a car like that" But the boy said "I wish I could be that kind of brother" That hit my heart like a piano. I thought of my brothers. I thought of everything that i DIDN'T do for them. Take the "mas" out of "What can i give for Christmas?" and make it "what can i give for Christ?".

     I dont have the time that i need to fully express myself but my last point is when Elder Bowen read the story of Christ's birth. He read the part where the sheperds went and saw the Christ child in the stable. What did they do after they saw him? Do you remember? I will tell you. They went about the city proclaiming all that they had heard from the angel and all that they had seen of the baby. Their excitement of what they had seen and heard was so great that they could not bare to hold it to themselves. They spread the news to all that would hear them.

     We have that message. We have that same news. Are we as excited as those men? Do we go about to all that would hear us and tell the world of the news  that Christ has come? That Christ has been born that we all might have salvation? That is what this season is all about. Give the true gifftt  of Christmas with fervor and excitement.

    

     I love you all. Have a wonderful Christmas!!! This is Elder Heath signing out. 

Whew!

Well it has been the most relaxing week so far. I was released from District Leader on Sunday and it's kind of nice to just focus a little more on my companions and me. But, as it is, Elder Lockwood has been called to be the new District Leader so it's still very in my life. Just on the other side. Mwahaha. I know he will do a great job. He is a great man and an awesome missionary. Combine the two and you have a leader in the MTC.

My Aunt sent me some lavender oil to rub on my feet at night to help me sleep and it has worked great! It still takes me a bit to fall asleep but I am sleeping much more deeply. I didn't share with you that I was having sleeping troubles because it never came to mind while i was writing but now that there is a solution(and a very good smelling one at that) it's easier to remember. Haha.

Our district is becoming smaller because there are missionaries going to the Lima MTC today. That means that we will have quiet in class and it will be a lot easier to focus on studies. Haha. They like to have fun. Sadly though, one elder that was supposed to go to Lima won't be able to. His visa didn't come through so he is here for a while until everything gets sorted out. So i now have one companion. Elder Brown. Elder Lockwood is with Elder Canaán. We are now 4 in the room and that has promise of some interesting times. These next few weeks will be interesting. I'll keep you posted., Peru

So here is a fun story. My teacher Harmano McAllister had us working on principles in PmG and committing en Español. I chose to talk about the Atonement and my challenge to him was "Seguirá al ejemplo de Jesucristo y se bautizará?". Entonces, ante the challenge, I was trying to say in English, "We can all be cleansed through the....... um...... el expiacion....?" "The Atonement." "Oh right..... That's a good sign right?" "Very" I then continued with the principle and made the challenge. I am still laughing at the incredible fact that my English is being corrupted by Spanish. I just reread this and realized that I used Spanish instead of English. Haha. "Entonces" means "anyway" in an indirect translation. And "ante" beans before. I LOVE THIS LANGUAGE!!!!

So every Tuesday night we have a devotional. This last devotional last night was great!!!! Elder Pieper spoke about agency and the wonderful gift that it is. He spoke about Jesus and His agency to do what He did. I knew that He chose to come here, suffer and die so that we could have joy and salvation, but I never really put a lot of thought into the depth of the choice He made. Or that He really did CHOOSE. It wasn't demanded of Him. He would not cease to exist if He chose not to. But He chose and we know what comes of that. We can repent. We can cry out to our loving Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ and be blessed. Salvation is at hand through the atonement. I know this. And I know that everyone reading this can know it. If you already know it, then stop reading and go tell someone. if they already know that's fine. Tell them again. Remind them. If they don't know, they will.

I love you all. I keep you in my prayers. I would love to talk more to you so write me so i have addresses.

This is Elder Heath signing off.