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.

Good News!

Hello friends and family!!! It has been a fantastic week here at the MTC. I found out that I DO NOT need surgery on my finger which is a good thing and that I will only need this blasted cast on for a bout 6 weeks for proper healing. I don't really understand what the fuss is about. I can bend it just fine and it doesn't even hurt. But the doctor says that if I don't keep the cast on then it may result in arthritis(sp). So I'll keep it on. I guess that's what the big deal is.

 

Spanish is great. Still love the language. I'm learning more and more every day. Conjugations are confusing but most of the language actually makes sense to me as far as structure and the meaning of words goes. But its a whole new programing to my head so its rough. But that's ok. I can and I will learn this language.

 

Troubles as a District Leader are almost over. I will probably be released from my position next week since it's usually a 4 week position. Also our district gets really small since 4 people are going to Peru to continue at that MTC. I will miss them but there is nothing  wrong with the 5 of us that are staying here. We really enjoy each other and we help each other. Sometimes I wish that we had a sister missionary in our district to help calm things down but at the same time I would be worried for a sister missionary around these elders. Or rather just one.  But I really do love them all and I want them all to grow. Big improvements have been shown this week. And it has been good.

 

Gospel study is amazing. I simply love reading and learning about promises from God and the great men that went before to lay the foundation for the Kingdom in these latter days. We had a devotional last night with Elder Zwick from the 70 as the speaker and it was AWESOME!!!!  I learned so much!  I was humbled and uplifted at the same time and I went crazy with excitement to hear more of what he had to say.  Basically what I got out of it (and this is VERY basic) is that so many men and women suffered through so much and worked through incredible trials for the purpose of making our lives today that much better.  I know that I will face trials and obstacles but I also know that I will not be alone.  I will have help all along the way.  I will have the Holy Spirit as a constant companion to keep me safe and to guide me to where I am needed.  "The field is white" and I can't wait to get out there to give all that I have to offer.

 

 It is time for my companions and I to head off to the temple now so I will leave you with my appreciation for all of your support and for your prayers.  I love you all and I  wish you could all be here to enjoy this experience with me. There is nothing like it that I have experienced so far.  Feel free to write me and to ask questions. I t is fast and easy if you get onto Dearelder.com. I 'd love to hear from all of you.  Thank you to all that have written.  You have made my time here that much better and I love you for it.  Peace out All!!!

It's coming along!

SO! This week has been rather interesting. I am actually getting into the duties of being a District Leader and it's getting rather hard. There are some things that I probably otherwise would have been oblivious to going on and now I have to deal with it. No, I am not complaining. Just keeping you all up to date. I love my position and I am trying my very best to set a proper example for these men.

Language is going well. I'm just practicing it and getting better as I do. New concept right? My prayers are almost entirely Spanish. I can bear my testimony (to some degree) as well. Other day to day words and phrases are slowly creeping into my vocab. It really is a beautiful language. I hear the Swedes and the Norway Missionaries a lot in the dorms and its just so rough compared to Spanish. I love it.

I had a huge letter written here and it shut me off and didnt save it so I will have to redo it. The main point was this. Christ lives. I know that He lives and loves us. I feel it every day. Heavenly Father is always there when we feel alone. I know this as well from experience. I know that what I am doing is right. I know that I have been blessed all through my life with a loving family and great friends. I love you all. I pray for you. If you ever need someone to talk to just write me and I'll get back to you the next wednesday.

This is Elder Heath signing off.

Woo Hoo! More time!

HEY!!! so I was able to negotiate some more time! WooHoo!! Like i said before, life is great! I was called to serve as the District Leader and I am loving it! I have such a great district! There are 9 of us in the district and we are all very different but what we have in common is a great desire to serve the Lord and to serve faithfully with the Holy Spirit as a constant companion. I pray constantly that I will be able to lead well and be an example to these awesome men that I am serving with. They say I am doing just fine but I kind of think that they are just being nice.

Spanish is rough but I am praying for that as well and it is nice to see the hand of the Lord helping me. My prayers are now mostly Spanish. It's fantastic to feel Heavenly Father's love when I am speaking to Him in Spanish. It is the best way to go to sleep.

For Thanksgiving, Elder Holland came and spoke to us about being thankful. IT WAS SO AWESOME!!! We then did a service project making bags for kids that have issues with school supplies. That was way fun. The food wasn't all that people said it would be so I was a little disappointed (of course anything would be after you have had turkey deep fried in peanut oil). But I ate well so i am happy. Before I went into the MTC my Grandma bought me some Piroulines (sp) and i shared with everyone on my floor. I am now a rockstar here. Haha.

My companions, Elder Brown and Elder Lockwood are very funny. I could not in good conscience talk about the jokes and other humor that we share because you wouldn't get it.  But rest assured that I am laughing and constantly happy. We will be friends long after our missions.

But for a funny story about me...... Wednesday was our first preparation day and thus our first laundry day. It did not go well. It was packed and confusing and many washers and dryers were broken. After a long period of time we finally got out and went to our rooms to put it all away. I did something dumb. I tried to throw my laundry up the stairs. But the nylon cord caught my fingers and burn the skin smooth on one and twisted around the other. It hurt but not life stopping so. I thought I had only sprained the finger that got caught so I ignored the pain as best I could and went about my day. Last night I noticed that it was continuing to swell and turn purple so we went to clinic. It was closed for the holiday. So we went to the front desk. They sent me to the emergency room because that just what they have to do. I got x-rays of my hand. My finger is broken. No pain though. Just a splint.

Well I'm out of time again. I love you all and I keep you all in my prayers! Write me so I can know whats going on!

Elder Heath

My first letter!

Hello!!!

This is my first email home!!!! I LOVE IT HERE AT THE MTC!!! I have two companions. Elder Lockwood and Elder Brown. They are both fantastic! Yes it is not usual for there to be three missionaries in one companionship but that is just because we are special! :) Haha. But seriously i love these guys. I'll send a picture next week. 

 

Spanish is going well. I have a few problems  with remembering the words unless I'm reading them but I love the language. We have two teachers, Brother Ortiz and Brother Mcallister. They are fantastic and quite funny if I must say.

 

I have a great district here and we all get along very well. Going along with that topic I was made District Leader and I am really enjoying getting to know everyone and making sure they are all alright. Life is truely good here. I have never felt El Espiritu Santo sooo much!

 

There have been problems with the internet and I only have a few minutes so this letter will be shorter than the ones to come.

 

Love you all!!! WRITE MEEE!!!!

Elder Heath