Travis - I'm Blessed.

Well these past two weeks have been crazy! It's been super nice weather here, I hope ya'll are having great weather there! So this week has been chuck full of some of the most random things, we spent a great deal doing service for some new investigators including planting trees putting up fences, laying bark, reading books, sticking in cabinets, fixing computers, cooking and everything else. It's been v Ray fun but tiring few weeks. Somewhere down the line I caught a cold I could not slip up! So I spent half a week with tissues stuffed up my nose. It was very funny especially when it came time to teach the brand new missionaries how to use their iPads. To say the least we are out of Tissues. 

  Onto more awesome things, these few weeks have been very spiritual weeks. I spoke a little on Connor and Chase Vanliew, their the sons of a couple in our ward. They just returned the same day from their missions in Argentina and Chile. Plus brother Penney's son also got home from Ecuador the same day. So we have spent a few days here and their serving with them before they take off to college at BYU-I. I learned a great deal from them, one being in a lesson with Fusae, (the budist lady) we hit kinda a wall where she wasn't really progressing. But when they came in and help us reach they introduced alma 32 and bore strong testimony to the importance of knowing the truth of what we say. At first she didn't really react to what they said till the next day when we contacted her and she told us the impression she felt yesterday night and how she realized she needed to start asking her questions to God! My what a wonderful thing to hear. They gave us tons of incredible advice too, it's been very invigorating to hear how they study and do the work down in South America and it has inspired me to become better. 

  Another fancy miracle is Scott Edwards, the man I mentioned with tattoos everywhere. We taught him again the value of the atonement and invited him to seriously look into the Book of Mormon not only for himself and his family. We ended by showing him the video"the hope of gods light" and we shared a humble testimony on the lords love for us all. As the movie progressed and we bore testimony of it, you can see in his eyes a burden being lifted, like he finally could get relief from all that he has faced. He got kinda tears eyed and we sat their for a minute feeling such a great spirit before closing. These moments right their! are the ones I love in missionary work, I would trade 1000 lessons for 1 of these few lessons where you not only see but can feel the changes that can come to them. 

   I love this gospel everyday I'm out I count as blessing to me! I wish I could do this longer an two years but I must give a chance I guess to others. This seriously is one of the greatest things I ever chose to do. One last thing I wanted to end with is a story I heard in testimony meeting one that I believe you will all appreciate.- A local farmer went to town one day searching for an extra hand to help with the farm. This farmer came across many different people come forward for the job. As he went through asking them why they should work for him some boasted of being smart or strong while others talked of being experienced. Finally he came a crossed a young man, he didn't look super strong and was kinda quiet and when the farmer asked him why he should have the job and the only reply was "I can sleep through a storm" curiously the farmer chose the boy. As the days went by the boy indeed worked hard helping on the farm. On one particular night though, the farmer was awoken by a terrible storm going on. He quickly arose and rushed over to the young man nudging him to wake up and help him. But the boy was sound asleep and could not be awoken. Finally the farmer gave up and rushed outside to the barn, where he found the horses neatly tied up and the sheep already inside shelter. Curiously he ran over to the other building to find the hay all secured away and all the tractors and tools put away. Astonished he went back to his home where he saw the young boy with his calm and peaceful look upon his face as he slept and he realized what the boy meant by saying he could sleeping through the storm.-

This time is a time of preparation, don't let the luxuries of life fool you. We must all prepare for when storms enter in our lives. If we will spiritually prepare ourselves by reading scriptures, praying and following all the lord has asked. We will have the strength and peace we needed for when chaos tries to enter our lives. I love you all and will see you next week. 

-Elder Heckel 

Travis - She came to Church!

Dear everybody!

Hey everyone how's things going?? It's a blast here in California! Literally we got a 10 minute blast of rain!!! That helped to clear the thick smoke that's been all over, the two large fires has really done some major damage in California. One towns been completely wiped out and hundreds of houses lost. Please pray for those who where righteous and lost their homes. 

   Yes I'm still here in Loomis serving.........hahaha it's a blast still, we have taken the time to knock doors somewhat and try to teach anyone we talk to. I never realized how big a chicken I am at trying to speak to people along the sidewalks. Anyhow it's sure a blast! We have had many touching moments. It's been such a blessing to meet these people some in very good situations while others in less pleasing situations. We met a man at a bus stop,who has been wandering all of California for years wondering what he should be doing, he's made hundreds of dollars and Leto them as fast as he got them. But when we share the Book of Mormon with him...he went from a puzzled look to one full of hope. As we shared the potential of great testimony that can be gained and how the spirit can guide you with his love and light.  He excitedly asked if he could have a copy and started to cry, we quickly explained the spirit he was feeling and encouraged him to find it. He graciously accepted and we parted ways. It's been over a week since we last saw him at the bus stop. I can only hope the best for him! 

  Another miracle is the small Japanese lady we are teaching, she came to Church!!!! Yes oh how great it is, this struggle of over four years of work is finally paying off. She is feeling the spirit more and more each time we visit. She always talks about how hard the transition is from nudist to Mormon and doesn't know if she can do that. She is so torn up about it we just promised the greater peace and blessing that can be given. I've never taught more in depth lessons with such a strong spirit I sweat from my eyes (cry). I only wish the best for these people and I cannot stand to see people facing such darkness and sadness. I wish I could only do more, She is progressing very well.

   We are doing a lot of service over these weeks including helping someone rid them of a skunk that got caught in a raccoon trap. They didn't believe I could do it without getting sprayed, but a good hose, a towel and 10 seconds of holding breath as I fumble to open the door way. Then right after we went and cleared a backyard that hadn't seen a axe or mower in over 10 years. The grass was taller than me! And I guess their was poison oak because those with us found rashes all over but I didn't have anything happen. 

   One last miracle was one I had recorded in a journal but hadn't shared yet. we had a little boy stop us and ask us if we know Jesus? We answered yes and had quite a good conversation as to where Jesus was and how he could help him. When his mom finally came over, she immediately tried to pick him up but he complained against it. He said......he had to figure out how to get Jesus home that he may help him make his family happy. We needed up talking to her and finding out that she had just had a divorce and their was a lot of contention in the home with the kids and all the little boy wanted was peace and happiness in the home. So we gave them a family proclamation and she quickly accepted it and walked off, we waved good bye to the boy she was holding. 

    It tore my heart to find that the small And humble truly see the battle raging by satan to tear homes up. But this is what we do this work is so important especially now I can't see myself  doing anything else. I challenge you all to hand out a family proclamation to someone to celebrate the anniversary of it and to brighten someone's day. Love ya'll and we best be seeing you later. 

Elder Heckel