Larissa - Was 3 now only 2!

I have the most amazing mission President EVER. He gave us the amazing opportunity to go to the temple as a mission (our mission is huge so we went on different days in groups) but we got to have a session together as sisters and the temple president, AND we were also able to have a training in the temple with our  mission president and the temple president:) Talk about a Spiritual experience. I found out so many things and my understanding has grown so much. I know that the temple is sacred and is the House of the Lord. What a blessing it was to go and be taught from on high. The entire experience in the temple lasted about 5 hours and it was amazing! 

These week we lost our trio:( so sad, in our mission we have sister that come from Temple square for 1 transfer to work and do some outfield training and work. We had one that left half way through the transfer so Hna. Duke had to go to the other area. So no more tri companionship power but its okay. 

Me and Hna.Bonhard have received so many bendiciones this week! We found 5 new investigators this week totally unexpected with other memebers or through other investigators. We also had a HUGE miracle because we have a family we are teaching Familia Avalos and we had not had the opportunity to see them in about 3 weeks. It was so hard because they were progressing and had a date but with complications it fell through. We had the huge blessing of finally getting contact with them and finding out that they have been reading and praying everyday. They said they would also come to church, we were kind of discouraged when we got the message that they couldnt make it but we found out they actually just went to the other ward with there neighbor:) seriously so amazing! They are so prepared and this family is so beautiful. 

I also had a very humbling experience this week. We had two experiences where people completely rejected and slammed out faith. I never realized how much that really hurt. One of the gentle men was basically calling us crazy for being missionaries and that our religion does not come from Jesus or God. At that moment I felt so much sorrow, I wanted them to know what I know. It hurt that they could not be open to the amazing message that we share. All I wanted was for them to just listen and let the spirit in, but that was not Gods plan and so we respected what they had to say and went on our way. well we will actually be going to do service for one of the men so that will be interesting:P haha 

I have realized that even when people tell me that what I believe is weird, wrong, stupid, a lie, I know what I believe, I know that this is the Restored church of Jesus Christ and that we have the authority of God. 

We had a cool OYM (open your mouth) experience with a man on the street and we ended up talking with him for an hour and the spirit was so strong and felt prompted to ask him to be baptized, he shared with us that he had already been baptized but he feels so strongly that he needs to be again. We explained about the priesthood and his eyes lit up. He told us that this is what he had been looking for and this is what he needs in his life. It was an incredible experience! 

I faith is growing daily and is becoming unshaken. I love this Gospel and I will live by its principles and that will never change! I love this work! 

Con muchisimo amor,

Gracias por todo,

Hermana Heckel

P.S. We caught a cockroach the bigger then my thumb, its amazing how strong you can be when you need to move a couch out of the way to catch a bug:) 

Larissa - Pics

 Cockroach

 Houston Temple

Hermana Heckel and Bonhard

Larissa - Choir Todo los dias!

Hi Everyone,

So this week was absolutely AMAZING!!! We had zone conference this week and that was so powerful and so amazing! It was my spanish conference so it was cool to finally teach in conference in spanish. next time it will be completely in spanish:)  so exciting. I am loving spanish more and more and it is starting to become easier and easier (sometimes) to speak. Still having trouble understanding but I am not worried, If I give all I can God will bless me in this work. 

So this week we had to go to choir every morning to sing for all the conferences and that was an amazing way to start off the day. Things definitely brings the spirit and is so powerful. I love the opportunity I have to come to choir every week. Our leader Sister. Chang is leaving though and it is so sad to see her leave but it will be exciting to see who is called next to lead the choir. 

I got to talk to my beautiful family this week:D Oh my goodness all my baby brothers have become BIG brothers, all of them taller then me and all have deeper voices and it is so crazy. and the best news in the ENTIRE WORLD! MY BROTHER GOT HIS MISSION CALL!!!!! He leaves in 6 weeks for California Roseville, English speaking. Only tears and squeels could show how overwhelmed with happiness that I was feeling at that moment. That was the greatest surprise in the entire world. You are going to be the most amazing missionary. Life has taught you so many lessons already that will help you with the people in your area. and God needed you in 6 weeks because there is someone out there you need to find now, who needs the testimony of Travis Heckel. I know you are so prepared and as ready as can be. You will love the temple and all its blessings because it truely is the house of the Lord. We are going on a mission temple trip and I am so excited. We are going to talk with the Temple President in the temple for a couple hours after the session as well. Such a blessing and so excited for this amazing opportunity. 

Travis Words can not describe how proud I am of you and all you are and will become. You are so amazing and are such an example to me. You have gone through so much and have turned all those experiences for your good and it has helped you become who you are:) I am so happy for you I dont even have words to express my emotions right now. haha only tears. Thank you for being an example of the believers and following the Lords promptings and becoming once of the army of Helamen. 

This week we had a HUGE miracle. We were at home doing some studies and missed a phone call and listen to the message and it was a women that we had taught a while ago who wants us to come back and teach her again. She says she is ready to recieve the Gospel! Heavenly Father does prepare his children and we are here to find those that he has prepared for this great work.  

I Love this new area so much! we have had so many miracles that I cant even express. God truely does bless his missionaries. One blessing I will mention is the blessing of strength physically and mentally. We are riding our bikes about 15-20 miles a day and we are booking it. I know that without Gods help I would die half way through the day, but somehow I always recieve the energy I need to get where I need to and share our message clearly without feeling tired or weary. Until I get home at night and crash:) But I know that God really does bless his missionaries in all aspects of the work that we are in need.

I love being a missionary and sharing this amazing gospel with everyone I meet.

con amor,

Hermana Heckel.

P.S. 

The bike seat that I worked so hard ti fix completely fell off and broke while I was riding it the other day:) so I had to get a whole new bike seat, but riding the bike without a seat is definitely an adventure that was so funny but I could do without for the rest of my life:)

Travis Mission Call

Travis has received his call to serve in the Roseville CA mission.  He is very excited and reports to the MTC on June 25.  Yes you hear correctly.  We have already had a shoulder surgery and still have wisdom teeth to go!!