Hola Familia,
Well another great week. Lots of changes and lots of awesome experiences. I am now emailing you from Atotonilco, Mexico which is like 20 minutes from where I just was. I have a new companion Elder Stirland from Alpine, Utah. He is short and a red head, but he seems pretty cool. I dont really know Ive only been with him for like 2 hours. Im all settled in to my new apartment. Its way bigger, but not quite as cute. haha Its above a lil tienda and it has a great view of the huge catholic church out the window. So yea, ill let you know how i like Atotonilco next week when i know some of the members and all that good stuff.
So, we got to go to the estadio azteca to watch the cultural event for the rededication. It was pretty much sweet, we were way up close and it was amazing. Im glad you got to watch it! It was also cool to see Elder Curtis Porter and all my buddies from the MTC. Also, Elder Austin McNeil ( i dont know if you know him ) Lots of other people as well. Its always nice to see familiar faces down here in Mexico. We didnt get to see a lot of the dances because we had to wait below the stadium so we could go on the field and sing Called to Serve. I think that all the missionaries are going to get DVDs of the Cultural Event thing so you can watch it with me in 19 short months, ok?
Lets see, then SUnday morning we went to the rededication and it was amazing as well. It really reaffirmed my testimony that President Thomas S. Monson is a Profet of God and also strengthened my testimony of temples. They really are Casas del Senor.
We turned out only having one baptism to end our run in Apaxco with Elder Obregon. We had it last night at like 9. It was sweet. We baptized Ivon Resendiz Ramirez. She is the mother of that lil girl in the pictures last week. She is way tight. Elder Obregon and I sang Para Siempre Dios Este Con Voz. (God Be With you Til We Meet Again) IT was awesome with all of the branch there. A lot of people were crying because they knew that Elder Obregon and I were leaving. It was a really spiritual experience. Elder O and I also gave our testimonies and it was really really cool. The Spirit was really strong. Ill send pics.
Mother, I really appreciate hearing about the same funny Alyssa story 2 weeks in a row..... It wasnt quite as funny reading it the second time, but i still enjoyed it hahaha. (Alyssa, you can use that to put in moms book, i think mom might be getting up there in age) No se crea madre!
Ive seen a ridiculous improvement in my Spanish skills this last week. I dont know what happened really. Everything just started clicking and I gave a couple lessons all by myself (while Elder Obregon was playing with some kids) I think that this cambio it will improve a lot also because Elder Stirland is kinda quiet and Im more of the friendly get to know ya misionero. (I get it from you Mother) Oh im also excited cause my new zone leader is awesome. His name is Elder Bautista (Like Juan el Bautista/ John the Baptist.......kinda ironic) He is way cool and has over 200 baptisms in his mission so i plan on learning a lot from him. He is also in my district so ill see him a couple times a week.
Answers to your questions....
1. Yes, i have more pics, but not very many, i usually send the ones i like
2. I probably couldnt watch Brads games if you sent them to me cause that is against the rules.
3. I dont think they really celebrate Thanksgiving mom, its sorta an American Holiday, but usually members ask us what we like to eat and ill be sure to eat Turkey on Thanksgiving.
4. We had a bus with a bunch of other missionaries. We didnt get back til like 3 in the morning. Then we had to wake up at 7 to go to the Rededicacion. I was really tired.....
Well, thats about it. Thanks for all your love and support. The Church is true, there is absolutely no doubt about it. Im so thankful to know that familias can be together forever. I love you all!
Until next week......
Con amor,
Elder Greg Heap
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Last week in Apaxco
Hola familia, November 10, 2008
Another great week here in Apaxco. We´re working hard and should see some baptisms this last week that we are here. Yep, This is going to be my last week in Apaxco! Loco! Also, my last week with my trainer Elder Obregon. I´m like 99% sure that im going to be going to Atotonilco which is like 10 minutes from where im at. It is supposed to be a really hard area and since I´ve been in the field, there have only been 3 baptisms there. Should be a challenge, but Im ready for it. I don’t know who is going to be my next companion, but I do know that my apartment is going to be like 4 times the size. I´ve already seen it because our zone leaders are living there now. I´m pretty excited for the change, but we will see how everything turns out!
We had zone conference last Thursday and it was awesome! I love zone conferences, Pres. Nancollas is awesome! We talked about a lot of topics in the conference, but my favorite part is when he showed clips of when Michael Phelps won the gold in 100 M Butterfly and the 400x100M relay. I was just thrilled to watch sports for once, the first time in almost 5 months! Haha President Nancollas did a really good job of relating it to missionary work though. He related Michael Phelps butterfly race to missionary work saying that we need to finish until the end and how we need to be working hard through out all of our mission and keep enduring to the end. He also talked about the trainer of Michael Phelps and in the clip it showed him cheering for Phelps. He compared himself to the coach, and he said that he is cheering us on as we baptize and are obedient. Finally, he talked about how before the 2x100 M race the Frenchies were talking smack and he related them to Satan. It was pretty funny, everyone was dying laughing. He said that Satan is always going to be there telling you that you can´t win, you can´t baptize, you can´t speak Spanish, you cant do it. BUT, with hard work and with the Spirit you can conquer any challenge that you have in the mission. I´ve been thinking about that a lot lately and it gives me so much strength to KNOW that we are in the truth and that I am a disciple of Christ. I know that there is nothing that I can´t do with the help of the Lord.
Lets see, this next week should be pretty sweet with the re-dedication of the Mexico City Temple. We don’t get to go to it on Sunday, but It will be broadcast in our stake center. What we do get to go to is an event Saturday in the Estadio Azteca. It should be really cool. Like a cultural dance and singing and speakers and all that good stuff, im excited. We are also going with all the missionaries in our mission so that should be cool to see some familiar faces.
This morning was fun, we played soccer with some Elders here in Apaxco. My team beat Elder Romney´s team so you can talk trash to his mom if you would like! Haha No se crea!
Oh, also I received letters from Ali and my buddy K.C. at the zone conference and a dearelder thing that you sent me of one of Elder Scurrs letters! In one of Ali´s letters she said that you started me a blog…..What?! I didn’t know you knew how to do that mother? I guess that’s cool!
Oh one more thing, Dad, my mission leader in the branch said that he´s coming up to work for you. He says he´s really good with his hands and he will do whatever you want. Hé also wants me to add that he feeds me really good (which is true!) and that if you want to come visit you always have a place to sleep here in Apaxco. He´s a stud, his name is Hno Ciro. He helps us pick up investigadores for church and he is hilarious. He´s kidding about going up to the states, not that he would be able to, legally, but he likes to joke about it.
Oh and i just read a lil bit of dads letter and he said todd cauge 2 TD´s.... awwww yea! Go Ravens! Tell Todd i´ve been praying for him a lot lately!
Well that’s it for today, I love you all so much and I thank you for your love and support. I know this church is true and that God lives and loves us and wants us to be happy. I know that we will receive so many amazing blessings as we are obedient to the commandments of God. I also know that we can receive revelation and answers to our prayers if we have the Spirit with us. Thanks again for everything!
Con amor,
Elder Greg Heap
Another great week here in Apaxco. We´re working hard and should see some baptisms this last week that we are here. Yep, This is going to be my last week in Apaxco! Loco! Also, my last week with my trainer Elder Obregon. I´m like 99% sure that im going to be going to Atotonilco which is like 10 minutes from where im at. It is supposed to be a really hard area and since I´ve been in the field, there have only been 3 baptisms there. Should be a challenge, but Im ready for it. I don’t know who is going to be my next companion, but I do know that my apartment is going to be like 4 times the size. I´ve already seen it because our zone leaders are living there now. I´m pretty excited for the change, but we will see how everything turns out!
We had zone conference last Thursday and it was awesome! I love zone conferences, Pres. Nancollas is awesome! We talked about a lot of topics in the conference, but my favorite part is when he showed clips of when Michael Phelps won the gold in 100 M Butterfly and the 400x100M relay. I was just thrilled to watch sports for once, the first time in almost 5 months! Haha President Nancollas did a really good job of relating it to missionary work though. He related Michael Phelps butterfly race to missionary work saying that we need to finish until the end and how we need to be working hard through out all of our mission and keep enduring to the end. He also talked about the trainer of Michael Phelps and in the clip it showed him cheering for Phelps. He compared himself to the coach, and he said that he is cheering us on as we baptize and are obedient. Finally, he talked about how before the 2x100 M race the Frenchies were talking smack and he related them to Satan. It was pretty funny, everyone was dying laughing. He said that Satan is always going to be there telling you that you can´t win, you can´t baptize, you can´t speak Spanish, you cant do it. BUT, with hard work and with the Spirit you can conquer any challenge that you have in the mission. I´ve been thinking about that a lot lately and it gives me so much strength to KNOW that we are in the truth and that I am a disciple of Christ. I know that there is nothing that I can´t do with the help of the Lord.
Lets see, this next week should be pretty sweet with the re-dedication of the Mexico City Temple. We don’t get to go to it on Sunday, but It will be broadcast in our stake center. What we do get to go to is an event Saturday in the Estadio Azteca. It should be really cool. Like a cultural dance and singing and speakers and all that good stuff, im excited. We are also going with all the missionaries in our mission so that should be cool to see some familiar faces.
This morning was fun, we played soccer with some Elders here in Apaxco. My team beat Elder Romney´s team so you can talk trash to his mom if you would like! Haha No se crea!
Oh, also I received letters from Ali and my buddy K.C. at the zone conference and a dearelder thing that you sent me of one of Elder Scurrs letters! In one of Ali´s letters she said that you started me a blog…..What?! I didn’t know you knew how to do that mother? I guess that’s cool!
Oh one more thing, Dad, my mission leader in the branch said that he´s coming up to work for you. He says he´s really good with his hands and he will do whatever you want. Hé also wants me to add that he feeds me really good (which is true!) and that if you want to come visit you always have a place to sleep here in Apaxco. He´s a stud, his name is Hno Ciro. He helps us pick up investigadores for church and he is hilarious. He´s kidding about going up to the states, not that he would be able to, legally, but he likes to joke about it.
Oh and i just read a lil bit of dads letter and he said todd cauge 2 TD´s.... awwww yea! Go Ravens! Tell Todd i´ve been praying for him a lot lately!
Well that’s it for today, I love you all so much and I thank you for your love and support. I know this church is true and that God lives and loves us and wants us to be happy. I know that we will receive so many amazing blessings as we are obedient to the commandments of God. I also know that we can receive revelation and answers to our prayers if we have the Spirit with us. Thanks again for everything!
Con amor,
Elder Greg Heap
Yes....the gospel has all the answers
Hola Familia,
November 3, 2008
I gotta make this email short this week because I have absolutely no time today. I gotta get a haircut and we have an appointment with an investigador soon. haha (yes we are working on Pday today) To answer your question about not working 2 hours because of the siesta hours.... No, we dont get that break. We work from 10 a.m. to about 9 p.m. just about everyday sometimes we get in a little late ´cause of appointments, but those are our working hours.
Ooooook, not a whole lot of exciting news as far as investigadores and baptisms this week, but we should have 1 or 2 next week.
Saturday morning that old man that i brought sacrament to a few weeks ago passed away, so yesterday we had his funeral service. It was pretty sad for the branch. The funeral services went really well yesterday. Elder Obregon and I sang his favorite hymn as a musical number Grande Eres Tu (How Great Thou Art) It was neat to be a part of the servicios. I dont think i´ve ever been to the part of a funeral when they put the casket in the ground and offer the blessing. It was sad cause a lot of people were crying, but it was a good missionary experience for us because a lot of people were asking us questions about what happens after this life. It is such a comforting feeling to know that we the Church of Jesus Christ has all the answers and it is perfect in everyway.
Lets see, on a much happier note, it sounds like everyone had a great Happy Halloween! Your pics were great! haha i have the cutest nieces and nephews! Here we had Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. The kids here (trick or treat) 2 days!! No fair haha! And they ask for money instead of candy! its ridiculous. Elder Obregon and I bought a bag of candy to give out while we were out and about walking the streets. All the kids would run up to me and say, (in spanish of course) Hey its a white person, lets go ask him for lots of money! haha they were dissappointed to only receive candy, but as missionaries we dont get payed very well ; ) haha
I received letters from Grandma and Grandpa Heap tell them thank you and that I´ll be praying for Uncle Verl and his family too! Also received a letter from Car! Tell her thanks and that i love her! Oh and I sent Todd and Ash an email last week, let me know if they received it.
Oh and Bradley you´re a stud, 9-0, Go Toros!
Love you all! Until next week
Con amor,
Elder Greg Heap
November 3, 2008
I gotta make this email short this week because I have absolutely no time today. I gotta get a haircut and we have an appointment with an investigador soon. haha (yes we are working on Pday today) To answer your question about not working 2 hours because of the siesta hours.... No, we dont get that break. We work from 10 a.m. to about 9 p.m. just about everyday sometimes we get in a little late ´cause of appointments, but those are our working hours.
Ooooook, not a whole lot of exciting news as far as investigadores and baptisms this week, but we should have 1 or 2 next week.
Saturday morning that old man that i brought sacrament to a few weeks ago passed away, so yesterday we had his funeral service. It was pretty sad for the branch. The funeral services went really well yesterday. Elder Obregon and I sang his favorite hymn as a musical number Grande Eres Tu (How Great Thou Art) It was neat to be a part of the servicios. I dont think i´ve ever been to the part of a funeral when they put the casket in the ground and offer the blessing. It was sad cause a lot of people were crying, but it was a good missionary experience for us because a lot of people were asking us questions about what happens after this life. It is such a comforting feeling to know that we the Church of Jesus Christ has all the answers and it is perfect in everyway.
Lets see, on a much happier note, it sounds like everyone had a great Happy Halloween! Your pics were great! haha i have the cutest nieces and nephews! Here we had Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. The kids here (trick or treat) 2 days!! No fair haha! And they ask for money instead of candy! its ridiculous. Elder Obregon and I bought a bag of candy to give out while we were out and about walking the streets. All the kids would run up to me and say, (in spanish of course) Hey its a white person, lets go ask him for lots of money! haha they were dissappointed to only receive candy, but as missionaries we dont get payed very well ; ) haha
I received letters from Grandma and Grandpa Heap tell them thank you and that I´ll be praying for Uncle Verl and his family too! Also received a letter from Car! Tell her thanks and that i love her! Oh and I sent Todd and Ash an email last week, let me know if they received it.
Oh and Bradley you´re a stud, 9-0, Go Toros!
Love you all! Until next week
Con amor,
Elder Greg Heap
Mexico City Temple Open House
What up Fam...or (to whom it may concern)
This week was so busy and so awesome and amazing at the same time. Wednesday we went to the temple as a branch and it was awesome! The Mexico City Temple is sweet! You can always feel the Spirit so strong in the Temple, dedicated or not! I think there is a video on YouTube that an Elder told me about that is the same movie that everyone watches before they went in the temple. Kinda a prep for all the non members that dont know what the temple is. Check it out.... ask Johnny or Carli how to use YouTube aight mom! haha After the temple we had a bar b que with the branch across the street of the temple, it was delicious. I love our branch.
Then, on Thursday morning we had interviews with PRes. Nancollas and he said that Elder Obregon is goin to be leaving me this next cambio (Nov 16) and im goin to get another companion and be here in Apaxco still. Im pretty excited and sad at the same time. Sad cause Elder Obregon is awesome and i might get a lame comp, but excited cause im going to be able to grow so much in my teaching and speaking and everything so im pumped about that!
Saturday we went to the temple as a zone to help direct traffic and answer questions. There was seriously a million people there. When we went on Wed there wasnt that many people but Saturday was a ton! I mostly directed buses and answered questions at a booth thing, it was pretty tight! The Mexican people are awesome! I also got to see Elder Farmer one of my buds from the MTC there so that was cool. On the bus ride there and back I got to talking with Elder Romney about when we played bball together, specifically when I hit that buzzer beater to beat them my J.V. year.... good times good times.
Lets see, we got back late Saturday and we had a bunch of appointments so we were literally sprinting around town. Great fun!
Then the highlight of the week, as if there werent many, was on Sunday! We had 5 baptisms, a grandma (Rosa) and 4 of her grandkids, Moises, Noe, Mariella, and Ernesto. They are tight! Hermana Rosa had 18 kids (7 died before they were born) but 18!!!! Can you imagine, we did the math and she was pregnant for about 12 years of her life. She is so sweet and says (gracias a dios) (thanks to god) after about everything we say. We´re are teaching here other kids and grandkids, but we´re having a hard time getting them to church. There are like 25 people living in these 3 little houses all next to each other. Its sweet.
We were supposed to have 6 baptisms, but the other Hermana didn´t show up.... Anyways it was a great experience to have that many baptisms in 1 day. Im just loving the work and trying to do all that I can to improve my Spanish and TEaching and siempre working to have the Spirit with me.
Oh, something tragic happened yesterday in the afternoon, I accidentally deleted all my pics on my camera! Tragic i know, hopefully you´ve been saving my emails (what do you do with my emails by the way?) and saving my pics that i send! Elder Obregon is going to send me the pics from the baptism and some other pictures that he had on his camera that i wanted to send, so i can send them to you, but i have 0 pictures on my camera...... So dont worry mom, my memory card isnt quite full yet! haha
Thats about it from your favorite missionary! I love you all!
I know the church is true and It is the most important thing in the world to me. It brings me so much happiness and so much joy and it is so awesome to be able to focus on bringing others that happiness!
Well.... until next week!
Con Amor,
Elder Greg Hea
This week was so busy and so awesome and amazing at the same time. Wednesday we went to the temple as a branch and it was awesome! The Mexico City Temple is sweet! You can always feel the Spirit so strong in the Temple, dedicated or not! I think there is a video on YouTube that an Elder told me about that is the same movie that everyone watches before they went in the temple. Kinda a prep for all the non members that dont know what the temple is. Check it out.... ask Johnny or Carli how to use YouTube aight mom! haha After the temple we had a bar b que with the branch across the street of the temple, it was delicious. I love our branch.
Then, on Thursday morning we had interviews with PRes. Nancollas and he said that Elder Obregon is goin to be leaving me this next cambio (Nov 16) and im goin to get another companion and be here in Apaxco still. Im pretty excited and sad at the same time. Sad cause Elder Obregon is awesome and i might get a lame comp, but excited cause im going to be able to grow so much in my teaching and speaking and everything so im pumped about that!
Saturday we went to the temple as a zone to help direct traffic and answer questions. There was seriously a million people there. When we went on Wed there wasnt that many people but Saturday was a ton! I mostly directed buses and answered questions at a booth thing, it was pretty tight! The Mexican people are awesome! I also got to see Elder Farmer one of my buds from the MTC there so that was cool. On the bus ride there and back I got to talking with Elder Romney about when we played bball together, specifically when I hit that buzzer beater to beat them my J.V. year.... good times good times.
Lets see, we got back late Saturday and we had a bunch of appointments so we were literally sprinting around town. Great fun!
Then the highlight of the week, as if there werent many, was on Sunday! We had 5 baptisms, a grandma (Rosa) and 4 of her grandkids, Moises, Noe, Mariella, and Ernesto. They are tight! Hermana Rosa had 18 kids (7 died before they were born) but 18!!!! Can you imagine, we did the math and she was pregnant for about 12 years of her life. She is so sweet and says (gracias a dios) (thanks to god) after about everything we say. We´re are teaching here other kids and grandkids, but we´re having a hard time getting them to church. There are like 25 people living in these 3 little houses all next to each other. Its sweet.
We were supposed to have 6 baptisms, but the other Hermana didn´t show up.... Anyways it was a great experience to have that many baptisms in 1 day. Im just loving the work and trying to do all that I can to improve my Spanish and TEaching and siempre working to have the Spirit with me.
Oh, something tragic happened yesterday in the afternoon, I accidentally deleted all my pics on my camera! Tragic i know, hopefully you´ve been saving my emails (what do you do with my emails by the way?) and saving my pics that i send! Elder Obregon is going to send me the pics from the baptism and some other pictures that he had on his camera that i wanted to send, so i can send them to you, but i have 0 pictures on my camera...... So dont worry mom, my memory card isnt quite full yet! haha
Thats about it from your favorite missionary! I love you all!
I know the church is true and It is the most important thing in the world to me. It brings me so much happiness and so much joy and it is so awesome to be able to focus on bringing others that happiness!
Well.... until next week!
Con Amor,
Elder Greg Hea
Monday, October 20, 2008
...seeing the fruits of our labors!
Hola Familia,
Alright, i dont have much time today to write, but its ok this week was pretty normal. One exciting thing though is that my speaking and teaching skills are really improving. Ive been getting some good practice.
We´re teaching this old guy that is like 85, but looks like 180. He is really funny, but is pretty slow when it comes to understanding the lessons. We have to ask him like 12 times a lesson when his baptism is going to be before he gets it right. The good thing is that I teach all the lessons when we go to visit him. Its such good practice for me. I told Elder Obregon that i want to get better at teaching so he told me to study a different subject or lesson every morning and then i can teach it to Eutimio (the old guy) So, thats going great and its helping a lot. Hopefully Eutimio doesnt die before his baptism cause he seems way ridiculously old. Oh well, we´ll see what happens.
Another funny/gross thing that happened this week was that our drain broke AGAIN... but this time worse. It flooded our house with gross water. Im learning a lot on the mission, how to work, how to cook, and even how to be a plumber! (oh the life of a missionary haha)
Oh! and we got a referencia this last week and it was like way far away. Elder Obregon and I didnt have money to get there so we walked like an hour and a half through the desert. It was awesome haha. The lady is cool and she´s way interested so it was worth the walk. All the scenery and everything is amazing here. I pictured Mexico completely different! I mean we´re in the desert sorta, but there are really cool lush green farms and corn fields that we walk through like everyday. Its a cool experience being here besides the fact of the whole baptizing teaching and learning spanish thing. Everything is going great.
Alright, thats about it from this last week, but this week is going to be sweet. We are going to the temple open house with our branch and investigadors on WEd. and then going as a mision on saturday so im super pumped about that. I love the temple. Hopefully after it gets rededicated we can go through. Maybe as a Christmas present from PRes. Nancollas.... well see´.
Other highlights of this next week.... we should have 3 baptisms.... . and at least 3 or 4 the week after that! We are really starting to see the fruits of our labors and I hope that continues until I have to come home haha...
Thats about it.... I havent had time to read all your letters, but im planning on it! I did catch that the Ravens won and that Brad didnt play at all......Is coach Joseph on drugs? I guess the answer is pretty obvious, but i just thought i´d throw the question out there. Oh and im excited to read the letters from Brad and Alyssa, ill be sure to answer to all of those next week!
Oh! before i forget mother, i need american stamps!!!! Asap por favor! And Dad, dont worry your letters aren´t boring! Im glad everyone is doing great! I pray for all of you every night individually! I love you all so much and thank you so much for your love and support! Ill be sure to send pictures next week, i forgot my cord to hookup my camera to the comp. I have some cool pictures with me and a bunch of lil kids....BE EXCITED!
Con amor,
Elder Greg Heap
Alright, i dont have much time today to write, but its ok this week was pretty normal. One exciting thing though is that my speaking and teaching skills are really improving. Ive been getting some good practice.
We´re teaching this old guy that is like 85, but looks like 180. He is really funny, but is pretty slow when it comes to understanding the lessons. We have to ask him like 12 times a lesson when his baptism is going to be before he gets it right. The good thing is that I teach all the lessons when we go to visit him. Its such good practice for me. I told Elder Obregon that i want to get better at teaching so he told me to study a different subject or lesson every morning and then i can teach it to Eutimio (the old guy) So, thats going great and its helping a lot. Hopefully Eutimio doesnt die before his baptism cause he seems way ridiculously old. Oh well, we´ll see what happens.
Another funny/gross thing that happened this week was that our drain broke AGAIN... but this time worse. It flooded our house with gross water. Im learning a lot on the mission, how to work, how to cook, and even how to be a plumber! (oh the life of a missionary haha)
Oh! and we got a referencia this last week and it was like way far away. Elder Obregon and I didnt have money to get there so we walked like an hour and a half through the desert. It was awesome haha. The lady is cool and she´s way interested so it was worth the walk. All the scenery and everything is amazing here. I pictured Mexico completely different! I mean we´re in the desert sorta, but there are really cool lush green farms and corn fields that we walk through like everyday. Its a cool experience being here besides the fact of the whole baptizing teaching and learning spanish thing. Everything is going great.
Alright, thats about it from this last week, but this week is going to be sweet. We are going to the temple open house with our branch and investigadors on WEd. and then going as a mision on saturday so im super pumped about that. I love the temple. Hopefully after it gets rededicated we can go through. Maybe as a Christmas present from PRes. Nancollas.... well see´.
Other highlights of this next week.... we should have 3 baptisms.... . and at least 3 or 4 the week after that! We are really starting to see the fruits of our labors and I hope that continues until I have to come home haha...
Thats about it.... I havent had time to read all your letters, but im planning on it! I did catch that the Ravens won and that Brad didnt play at all......Is coach Joseph on drugs? I guess the answer is pretty obvious, but i just thought i´d throw the question out there. Oh and im excited to read the letters from Brad and Alyssa, ill be sure to answer to all of those next week!
Oh! before i forget mother, i need american stamps!!!! Asap por favor! And Dad, dont worry your letters aren´t boring! Im glad everyone is doing great! I pray for all of you every night individually! I love you all so much and thank you so much for your love and support! Ill be sure to send pictures next week, i forgot my cord to hookup my camera to the comp. I have some cool pictures with me and a bunch of lil kids....BE EXCITED!
Con amor,
Elder Greg Heap
Monday, October 13, 2008
....a week full of miracles
Hola Familia,
Wow what a week, probably my favorite week since Ive arrived. I feel like the Lord has blessed me so much in my experience so far. With a great companion and a great area and Im strengthening my testimony every single day.
Well, this week was full of miracles. We found 16 new investigators. 3 families and a couple. 9 of them went to church. We reached all of our goals and we are pretty pumped about the upcoming weeks. Hopefully it will result in a bunch of baptisms! We are trying to shoot for 1 baptism this next weekend. We got some persuading to do, her name is Josefina and I think she wants to get baptized, but her husband is lame. The good thing is that he is out of town working for the next month so we think shell get baptized while hes gone haha.
but we will see what happens.
David y Paula finally got confirmed yesterday after 3 long weeks! They couldnt go the week after there baptism and then it was conference so that was cool that they finally got confirmed. Everyone loves them haha.
Lets see what else.... oh yesterday we got to take sacrament to a man named Alfonso in our branch and hes 83 and cant come to church. It was amazing. First of all it was like 45 minutes away. Our car that we were riding in barely got there because we had to take a dirt rode threw a bunch of creeks and basically climbed a mountain in it. But it was so worth it when we got there. He was the sweetest old man and was so grateful that we made it. He cant move out of his bed and his wife cant move him cause shes tiny so its a pretty hard situation, but they are so humble and we sang them Grand eres tu, how great thou art, and they were both crying. Its experiences like those that make me so happy to be here on a mission. There is so much work to do and so much we can do to help, all we have to do is show up. Heavenly Father really knows his children and Im so thankful to be an instrument in his hands.
Oh also, we had another sweet experience I think it was Wednesday. We got a referencia like 3 weeks ago, but we havent had time to check it so WEd. we finally did. I told Elder Obregon that we should check all our referencias instead of knocking doors so we did. (Elder Obregon is up for doing anything besides knocking doors haha) I really think it was revelation or something that gave us the idea to check em because when we got to the first one, there was a girl that was really sick and sweating and the family was all sitting around. They are basically dirt poor so they couldnt really do much to help her, but we had the opportunity to give her a blessing. Elder Obregon gave the most perfect blessing and we sang a hymn and shared a message about How other people might not know what they are feeling but our Savior does. We went back Friday and the girl (Mereya) was already doing a lot better. Her and her mom went to church on Sunday and they really enjoyed it. I think we will be able to baptize them in a few weeks!
Well, I just read Brads article of the newspaper. 5 touchdowns? What?! Who are you Bead? Oh, thats right, my lil bro! haha thats so awesome man, you have no idea how proud of you I am. Im jumping around in this lil internet cafe, absolutely pumped! Keep it up brotha...
I know as you continue to improve and work hard, everyone is gonna want you. Always remember whats important and dont let your head get too big haha, but know that i love you and im so proud of you!
Well family I gotta be finishing this up.... its Elder Obregons birthday today so we are going to eat at Hna Reynas house right now. (Shes basically my mom from mexico) and reina, in english, means queen, so i just call her queen mama de mexico. She thinks its funny and she swears shes going to visit me in utah someday. Apparently she knows someone in utah and i told her that im probably going to go back to school up there. So she said shes goin to visit.
Oh we also had a zone conference this last Thurs. President Nancollas is a stud! Oh and when we were there we had to take pills to kill all the bacteria or worms or whatever we might have so dont worry im healthy. haha I guess we do that every 6 months and then right before we leave for home. Oh, I also got the dearelder about daniels call and I got one from Robert Sirrine and one from Ali! Tell them all thanks and tell Dan im proud of him, he will love it in Oaxca or however you spell it!
Anyways, everythings going great, i still havent gotten sick or anything and im working hard and having fun! I know this is the work of the Lord and i know that as im obedient, I will be blessed. The church is true. God lives, he loves us and knows us and wants to bless us. Jesus Christ is our Savior and through him we can be limpio and pure. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet and restored the Church of Jesus Christ. I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I know the scriptures are AWESOME! I know familias pueden ser eternas (can be forever) And other than that I dont know a whole lot! The Church is True!
Con Amor,
Elder Greg Heap
Wow what a week, probably my favorite week since Ive arrived. I feel like the Lord has blessed me so much in my experience so far. With a great companion and a great area and Im strengthening my testimony every single day.
Well, this week was full of miracles. We found 16 new investigators. 3 families and a couple. 9 of them went to church. We reached all of our goals and we are pretty pumped about the upcoming weeks. Hopefully it will result in a bunch of baptisms! We are trying to shoot for 1 baptism this next weekend. We got some persuading to do, her name is Josefina and I think she wants to get baptized, but her husband is lame. The good thing is that he is out of town working for the next month so we think shell get baptized while hes gone haha.
but we will see what happens.
David y Paula finally got confirmed yesterday after 3 long weeks! They couldnt go the week after there baptism and then it was conference so that was cool that they finally got confirmed. Everyone loves them haha.
Lets see what else.... oh yesterday we got to take sacrament to a man named Alfonso in our branch and hes 83 and cant come to church. It was amazing. First of all it was like 45 minutes away. Our car that we were riding in barely got there because we had to take a dirt rode threw a bunch of creeks and basically climbed a mountain in it. But it was so worth it when we got there. He was the sweetest old man and was so grateful that we made it. He cant move out of his bed and his wife cant move him cause shes tiny so its a pretty hard situation, but they are so humble and we sang them Grand eres tu, how great thou art, and they were both crying. Its experiences like those that make me so happy to be here on a mission. There is so much work to do and so much we can do to help, all we have to do is show up. Heavenly Father really knows his children and Im so thankful to be an instrument in his hands.
Oh also, we had another sweet experience I think it was Wednesday. We got a referencia like 3 weeks ago, but we havent had time to check it so WEd. we finally did. I told Elder Obregon that we should check all our referencias instead of knocking doors so we did. (Elder Obregon is up for doing anything besides knocking doors haha) I really think it was revelation or something that gave us the idea to check em because when we got to the first one, there was a girl that was really sick and sweating and the family was all sitting around. They are basically dirt poor so they couldnt really do much to help her, but we had the opportunity to give her a blessing. Elder Obregon gave the most perfect blessing and we sang a hymn and shared a message about How other people might not know what they are feeling but our Savior does. We went back Friday and the girl (Mereya) was already doing a lot better. Her and her mom went to church on Sunday and they really enjoyed it. I think we will be able to baptize them in a few weeks!
Well, I just read Brads article of the newspaper. 5 touchdowns? What?! Who are you Bead? Oh, thats right, my lil bro! haha thats so awesome man, you have no idea how proud of you I am. Im jumping around in this lil internet cafe, absolutely pumped! Keep it up brotha...
I know as you continue to improve and work hard, everyone is gonna want you. Always remember whats important and dont let your head get too big haha, but know that i love you and im so proud of you!
Well family I gotta be finishing this up.... its Elder Obregons birthday today so we are going to eat at Hna Reynas house right now. (Shes basically my mom from mexico) and reina, in english, means queen, so i just call her queen mama de mexico. She thinks its funny and she swears shes going to visit me in utah someday. Apparently she knows someone in utah and i told her that im probably going to go back to school up there. So she said shes goin to visit.
Oh we also had a zone conference this last Thurs. President Nancollas is a stud! Oh and when we were there we had to take pills to kill all the bacteria or worms or whatever we might have so dont worry im healthy. haha I guess we do that every 6 months and then right before we leave for home. Oh, I also got the dearelder about daniels call and I got one from Robert Sirrine and one from Ali! Tell them all thanks and tell Dan im proud of him, he will love it in Oaxca or however you spell it!
Anyways, everythings going great, i still havent gotten sick or anything and im working hard and having fun! I know this is the work of the Lord and i know that as im obedient, I will be blessed. The church is true. God lives, he loves us and knows us and wants to bless us. Jesus Christ is our Savior and through him we can be limpio and pure. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet and restored the Church of Jesus Christ. I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I know the scriptures are AWESOME! I know familias pueden ser eternas (can be forever) And other than that I dont know a whole lot! The Church is True!
Con Amor,
Elder Greg Heap
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