Elder - Teaching

So this has been one of the craziest weeks I have ever had! A mission is seriously the place for everything on a schedule to go nuts!!! You know as a missionary you meet so many different people, some you get close with and others you simply are a walking step in there life.  But your greatest friends and those you come closest to are other missionaries. I love many of those I have had a chance to serve around, and I have come very close with a few. One in particular is a missionary in our current home who earlier this week jut lost his father in a plane crash.......that was hard, me and him have kinda been shy and just hung out with each other a lot. And to see this come crashing down on him was hard. I spent all day and a half with him listening to all his cool stories of his dad. It honestly killed me to not only have that happen to him, but to see how positive he was being! He never asked why me?? Or anything negative like that. We eventually took him to the church where a member took him to the airport to go to the funeral, He should be back today! But this thing during the week left me thinking a lot about my family and friends. I seriously love all of you guys and appreciate all you have done! I really do love you guys and would do anything for you. I don't know what I would do without you guys. I seriously am so blessed to have you guys in my life! This is the second time that a missionary I knew well has lost someone close to them. It's kinda crazy because a mission is seriously the best place for that. I don't know any missionary who has gone home permanently because of it. This gospel can do amazing things I could never have imagined or describe. I didn't even have a sliver of understanding before my mission.

        Also this week we have been able to visit so many different PMF and investigators. As I got to know them, I realized melt these people are mormon, they live the life style, they join family and friends at church. They give service and follow the word of wisdom. They do everything except baptism!! It gets frustrating sometimes seeing how close they are and yet they deny really believing and knowing. 

One of the families we visited was the Daniels........the father is an example of a extreme gamer....he has majorly slacked on his family duties.....he decided to put everything into world of warcraft...he lost his job forcing his wife to work...and doesn't care for kids to much. We go over a lot trying to encourage him to break free and take on his responsibilities.....especially since there being forced to move. It really makes me sad, I have met a lot of gamer dads out here and this is the first time I have seen one who has seriously fallen into it. NONE OF YOU will be like that....but it amazes me people are like that in this world. But he does have a very wonderful 8 year old daughter and crazy smart 10 year old son. I enjoy going over and playing with them and showing them all the "cool" Book of Mormon adventures. 

     We also visit another family, the Hawkins, they are currently divorced and we are teaching their daughter who is going back and forth between there homes. It amazes me how positive she is being in this situation, and the divorce has not only helped the mother to find a new husband, but to also return to church activity again. They absolutely love talking to us and having us over for dinner....hey watch a lot of tv, haha you can connect and start lessons over the craziest things you saw before the mission. We first met.....connected of the walking dead.....and now we are teaching her and preparing her for baptism. It is funny and exciting to share stuff that they seem to know nothing about. 

    there are many many more families and individuals we are teaching but those two are the biggest priorities right now, I really do enjoy going and teaching.....even though I hardly say anything at all.....I feel like I'm going insane because I don't talk a ton anymore. But YA know! Well and here are two funny things that have gone on this week also, one is that I awoke to.....ants!! Everywhere!!!!! They got in all the food and dishes and everything, I've spent a whole week scrubbing and eradicating the ants, yet every morning they seem to appear in increasing numbers. They had gotten all over me when my bed was near the kitchen so I had to move away....gosh those demon pests never just die! There are pictures down there of the first small group that appeared. Since then it gets bigger and bigger, so I'm going nuts trying to find an exterminator to help me in the apartment.

We are having a blast with the many things we do out here, I do take a lot of pictures...I'm just lazy at posting them ;) but I love all you guys and will post a ton more....another surprise is the fog here is so thick....you literally can only see thirty feet in all directions, kinda scary pulling into our home since we can't see the garage. But it's way fun to see it....its zombie weather. I have a ton more to say but I'll cut of for now.....here's one last surprise that will start of my letter next week. Just check out the picture on the bottom. I really love everything we have done, I love the support I got and can't wait to hear from you guys. Peace to you sirs and mams!! 

Love elder heckel "echo" 

-Elder Heckel

Larissa - PICTURES :)

1. Hna. Cabezas,

2. Sofia

3. Camyla

4. mama Mariana

5. Graffiti artet? our names Manuel is the best.

6. Manuel (papa) Emilia, and Manuel (hijo) - I made them all smile:)

7. La familia Ramos:)

8. Edi Gonzalez and his 3 kids and Jessica:)

Travis- Transferred to Gridley.

Dear family,

     All is well in California, I was just transferred to the Gridley 1st ward! This new area is fantastic, I kinda feel like I am in Heber City again. It's a small town yet it kinda feels big and there is a ton of farm land! Like ALOT! There is mostly rice and walnuts, but we have a variety of all different fruits and vegetables. Haha but switching to a new area was nothing like I thought. It's kinda a scary experience to have this big of a change and to not know everyone in the ward again. Things function differently in the are here then in Shasta lake but I enjoy this change and I am excited to tackle it. I'm slowly learning to love not only the new area, but also the new companion. His name is Elder Ramos, he is a Texas/Mexican, he comes from a big family of 13 (mixture of two families) he is super intelligent, funny, and loves to listen to music and sing. He enjoys the work and shows more emotion in things then most people do. He loves the work out here and has gone through many different changes. Oh I almost forgot, he has been out about 18 months already! But he is very cool and really pushes me to be a new kind of missionary which I am thankful for. 

 We have already taught so many different families since I have been here. One for example is a family called the grays. They are a smaller family, there is the mother ,who I haven't really got to know yet, who's going back to college to get a degree. Her daughter who is a 20 year old medic in the army and works in California. And there is her son, he is a 14 year old football player, he is very innocent and shy and is the greatest one to teach. The mother is semi-member and the daughter we aren't sure is yet or not. She knows a ton but we have yet to find her records. And the son hasn't really had a chance to see the gospel till now. When his father died, her mother fell into a depression for a while in which she was able to contemplate her life from then on. She decided it would be good not only to go back to school but to also start having the gospel back in their lives. We are teaching many part member families just like them, and it's always crazy how different the situation is, some are arrogant and stubborn and refuse to change, others are humbled and are open for God to guide them. I know that as I get to know them more and more I will love these people and get to know them better.

  I also would like to thank you guys for the package you sent. It was super nice and I was in need of some of that. Although I'm at a loss what to do with the Electric tooth brush I just bought. But I love it......hey did you realize that keyboard is for a tablet? It won't work for my iPad...hahaha it's fine I'll just send it home again. But I thank you for it and the letters, they really do make my whole week a ton better. As hard as it is to believe we missionaries do get discouraged, we do lose sight of why we are out. But the letters give us great motivation to remember the support we have and why we are here. 

Also I love that you sent me cookies...unfortunately I can't really eat them to much gluten for me right now. Gluten I don't think does to much to me rather than a little sleepy, but since I have said this people have fed me so much healthier that I never want to change. It's become a habit to say that I to everyone, Hahahaha but I still love it! And I am thankful for the chance, I seriously don't think I have eaten healthier in my life and I am now doing all sorts of workouts...I'm searching for weights still so I limited to running and push-ups but it's working fantastic.  I'm thankful for it, also the coat you got me is super nice, but since I moved south to a warmer climate I have not been able to use the jacket....I only got to use it twice!! 

So crazy thing. We went and helped a boy to finish his eagle project of planting trees. He was planting them everywhere in town and guess what else was going on to...a spider migration. Their are hundreds of spiders using their webs to fly through the air and land on everything. I freaked out at first and tried everything to keep them off of me. Buying then I got use to it....but they where everywhere!! These tiny jumping spiders ridding the wind with their webs. So their are a million webs everywhere to. I wish I has taken pictures but I forgot my camera. It's all the farm land creates a crazy breeding ground haha. Many of you would freaked out haha.

  I have so much more to talk about and wish I could take the time. But things have changed, work is harder heck I have lessons on p-day now before 6:00 it's insane. But I love it and you guys, I'll tell YA more about those I teach and what goes on. I also will tell YA about the family history stuff I am learning it is quite cool when you have a full understanding of it. I have learned so much especially that I'm a Laban,In the sense that I constantly have to be reminded of God and his miracles all the time. I enjoy it and hope you all are enjoying life. Try learning new stuff and keep me in the loop on what's going on! Anyone have questions tell me I'll be here to answer all week.  

Love Elder Heckel

Travis - Heading to a New area

Hey you there! YA you! Stop messing around and focus! This letter is very important, so give it your full attention. . . . . . It's from Elder Heckel!!! Hahaha it's such a joy this week, I really can't explain why I am happy this day. Of all times it's kinda a crazy time. These past two weeks have been quite crazy. So where to start?? Oh ya, 

Transfers are today and surprise!!! I am moving to a new area put area....and so is my companion! I guess the Shasta lake area enjoys having two new missionaries constantly. Haha oh well it makes me sad to leave this area at such a prime time. I'll start off by saying I am sorry I did not write for the past couple weeks. Two major things have recently happened. 

     One was a ward blitz! A blitz is when the missionaries select one ward(Shasta lake) in the are and all the missionaries (22) go and tract and teach there for one day! I had to plan and carry out this whole operation, and since is was the first time to ever happen in this area. I had no guide lines to go off of. But I took my time and study to prepare and over prepare again. And the result was great success. We where able to more then double the teaching pool, we also visited many less actives inviting them to join us once again. We saw a dramatic increase in the attendance in church after that, we have had much enjoyment in seeing people find that happiness and light in their lives again. 

     I am so thankful for the chance I have been given to teach and help these people in Shasta lake. This town at first impression doesn't seem to be the greatest place. But as you live here and interact with all the people your eyes are open. These people have there own aura about them. Especially the members here, they aren't like any other ward I have been to. It's always has something exciting going on..from someone getting trapped in the elevator to a hobo that got into the church and was hiding. It always was a fun time and yet there is a strong spirit...there are members here who grew up their whole lives in a small ward surrounded and bombarded by these other churches who dislike and even persecute us. These people have some of the strongest testimonies I have ever seen. They have lived the rough life and yet pulled a 180* spin around into these people that are loving and caring. They are willing to go out and help with no though to there being a reward. I really hope the missionaries cherish the moments they gave here....yes they may not be like every other ward...but it has its own special spirit. I will forever be thankful for the friends I have made here.

      I also got super sick recently. I can't really tell you what it exactly was....a mixture of my companions uncleanliness and my own stupidity. Either way I couldn't have gotten this at a worse time haha, actually I take that back for the lord I know he perfected it. During this sickness we had to move out of our old apartment into this new cottage.(I will post pictures) this new cottage was pretty far away and it happened to start raining that day also....hard! And as a missionary...somehow you take out more stuff in an apartment then you do coming in. It was a crazy two days of trying to get our desks, books, beds...everything to the new place. Miraculously we managed to get it all there without destroying anything. Hahaha(I have a funny sorry for later about the cleaning) it was well worth it, and I also had to get to so many lessons...haha some rejected me for fear of getting he flu!!! But we worked through it......

     honestly right now I'm kinda bewildered about transfers...through my cunning works o figured out early that both me and elder gentry are leaving the area. We are amazed as I am going to gridley and elder gentry is going to auburn! He is going zone leader!! I trained two zone leaders!! Haha but I am building up....but it's gunna be hard....from the people I talked to who served around this guy...I'm kinda baby sitting. He isn't the greatest missionary by any means. I think the lord is challenging me, but I've made my stand last week and don't plan on changing! I love the work I do and have much to overcome. I must cut this letter shorter than I wanted. But know you all are awesome and I pray for you every day.

Elder heckel 

Larissa - BLESSED BEYOND ALL REASON

Hola:)

This week was a AMAZING week. Really I can't even explain. Well I can so here I go:)

First off I had exchanges to the Houston 8 ward with Hna. Call and It was great. We got caught in a down pour as we road our bikes.... there was no where to ride for cover for about a mile.. and we were about 5 or 6 miles away from our car...... so that was fun:) no really I was dying laughing the whole time. We then got fed the greasiest chick in the entire world.... haha life in a Spanish speaking mission! Love it. I actually had my favorite food Pasole 3 times this week. but it was three different kinds:) Kinda happy about that one. 

Second. We went to the temple as a mission again and after the session we had a training in the temple:) better then the first time. We were able to go with elders and so it was good to hear there opinions and comments instead of just all sisters. I know that the temple is the house of God. It was an amazing experience. We also were taught by the temple president President Crane and his wife. It was spectacular. I love the temple so much! I also cant wait to take my recent converts to the temple for baptisms for the dead:) 

THIRD!! Well as I said last week. Manuel accepted the invitation to be baptized this last weekend and everything went amazing. God definitely prepared this family for the gospel! He was also baptized by Manuel his son. It was so special. haha while Manuel papa was in his interview for his baptism Manuel hijo was in his for the priesthood. He received it the third hour of church and baptized his dad that day. What a special moment. I was able to sit next to Emilia during the Ordinance and it was amazing just watching her and seeing how the spirit has touched her life and changed her. She was so overjoyed that now her family was united.

FOURTH!!!!!! So after the baptism we had a Devotional for recent converts and investigators. The Elders in our district were in charge. They asked Emilia and Manuel hijo so bare their testimonies. After the baptism they were a little scared and didn't want to and didn't feel like we could share anything with the people there. I said a prayer because I knew they had something to share that would touch someone there. So after some gentle persuasion they said yes. They both Bore PERFECT testimonies. It was amazing. There conversions are so strong and they didn't seem nervous at all. not ganna lie I was worried it was going to be a "travel Log" but it was perfect. Both of them testified that they new the church was true. I have never been so happy! it was amazing they really brought me to tears. I love them both so much and I am so happy that Manuel papa decided to be baptized and in one year they can be sealed together as a family! it was literally amazing. 

Oh BEST DAY EVER!! I was talking to Emilia (who is full on Mexican doesn't speak any English) and she told me that I looked like I was from Monterrey and  spoke like her too:D What the happy! I loved it! I was literally overjoyed that my Spanish was actually that good! yay:) and apparently there is a part of mexico where I will fit in perfectly! 

Such a great week! literally couldn't have asked for anything better:) So blessed! 

Con muchisimo amor!! Gracias por todo! 

La Hermana Heckel! 

P.S. With possible transfers this week please send any letters to: 

602 Eldridge Rd. Sugar Land, Tx. 77478

1. Which ones real????:D

2. Serious Mexican photo! 

3.me and my comp at the temple

4. My wonderful Zone

Larissa- So many MIRACLES! I LOVE THE SACRAMENT!!

Dear Family and Friends:) 

MANUEL IS GETTING BAPTIZED!! Yes one beer a week drinking Manuel decided to stop drinking and be baptized this sunday! we are so excited for him to take this step with his whole family and we have plans for them to go to the temple with his family:) AHHHH so amazing. He accepted the date the same way his wife did. haha we gave him the questions and he said yes!!! ahhhh we are super excited!!! 

So for P-day last week we had another Zone activities but Only the houston 8 district was there with us so we invented a game called "one Bounce" now we cant play any other game. its kinda like volleyball but you play off the walls and you get one bounce. let me tell ya.... it was crazy... and I thought I left my shoes at home so I was barefoot in the gym... let me tell yeah I was sore and had blistered feet... it was an adventure. BUT SO FUN.

We also had the trunk o treat this week! so weird that its not a very common thing here. Totally necessary because Texas can be a little dangerous. We invited our neighbor that lives with us and she loved it. and we are going to have the English missionaries start coming by. It was cool to see all the investigators that thought it was the coolest thing and said they would definitely come back next year and wanted to know more about the church:) Love it!! Our bishop and his family are the bumble bees

Cool fact: My bishops name is Obsipo Nesiosup his mom is from russia his dad is from Peru and he grew up half of his life in argentina and in the united states... so yes he speaks Spanish, Russian, and English perfectly and he is kind of a genius too! pretty legit. His daught can understand all three right now... no big:)  

So missionaries never get the heads up on anything... so when we woke up on sunday morning to the alarm clock of hna. Hull..... we were all ready and waiting for the sister to come pick us up and were getting a little frustrated at how late we were ganna be and I grab the phone to txt them and ask them where they are at...... then got even more frustrated that we could have slept in for ONE MORE HOUR!! I don't think I have laughed so hard. But we got personal study in before we went to church. That never happens! so blessing!! 

This week I found out a lot about the Peg-an religion thing... still confused but we met a girl that says she is peg-an and she taught us to crochet.... random right?? but hey we shared a wonderful message with her. so it was fun. 

We had alot of random teaching expierences that were super awesome. This week was really a crazy week cause we taught soooooo much and saw a huge change in our area. I know that this month is going to be awesome.

 I love my companion she is the best EVER!! The spanish is good basically understand everything and can speak alright! ANother miracle!! 

Well I love you all and hope you had a wonderful happy halloween. We got to go in early on halloween and study:) I loved it! 

Love.

Hermana Heckel