Monday, December 14, 2015

Travis - The Best Time to Move.

Hey any who are still alive!!

     Ahh what a great week. This one felt a little longer than others,
but I think it's anticipation of Christmas. I hope you all have
awesome plans for this Christmas season. It's a special time of year,
especially with 2015 coming to a close? Man what happened to the time?
This week we had a lot of service; we started out the week with what
was suppose to only be an hour of service. But moving a dental office
supplies turned out to take about three hours. Quite an exciting time
and never in my life have I seen so many needles. 😬 then we went over
and helped a couple laid their van to move to Utah! We just met these
less actives and they came to church a few times before this move. But
hey best place to go is Utah to get reactive again. The finally male
though that day is what got me, some other elders called and asked for
help in loading up an older couple who is getting evicted from there
apartment. So we went over to the address and knocked on the door.
After a minute goes by of a dog barking the door swings open showing a
man with only five teeth. And then WHAM!! This stench I have never
smelled in my life hit my nostrils, I literally felt like I had been
punched and I heard my companion behind me gag a few times.
       We quickly greeted him and walked in to join two other elders
wadding through .....everything.....I have seen a lot of hoarders but
these people had TONS of stuff just dumped everywhere. It amazed me
more because their was dog poop everywhere and it was so gross, I
thought I might throw up (I have a pretty strong stomach). But we got
to work loading everything into boxes and bags. Hahaha during it my
companion couldn't take it, he rushed to the window and pulled it open
and sat their taking in air for a while. But as we cleaned up their
stuff we learned that they had only lived there 3 months and had
already been evicted from like 2 other apartments earlier. It actually
made me sad though to because he use to be a famous national reporter,
he had been all over the world and had been quite wealthy. We don't
fully understand how he ended up here and this way, but it still
amazes us it happened. But I'm grateful we could help them a little
bit in any way we could. (Some of the other missionaries murmured
about having to help) I quickly shot them down. It doesn't matter
whether or not someone deserves your service or help. That's not the
way Jesus Christ worked. He said to love all, enemy or friend. To help
everyone whether or not they deserve it. Plus if we don't do it....who
will? They are in need and we can help. But I was relieved when we did
finally leave after packing a ton of it. I might have to burn my
clothing hahaa. But we had good miracles this week! While at subway we
where grabbing my companion his sand which so as he finished I went to
wait out side and accidentally bumped a black dude. I quickly
apologized and he asked me why are we dressed like this? Then it took
off from there and now he wants to learn how we know so much about
Jesus Christ!!! It was awesome! He's was so funny and loved what we
shared already about why we celebrate Christmas. We broke very strong
testimony in which he was touched that we would be out in the
forefront of the world sharing bold your belief. People take religion
to personal,y and try to hide it away like its a bad thing? But not
us!
   Another awesome miracle number two  we met with Ricardo again and
talked more about the plan of salvation. And when we talked about how
the family can be together forever. His eyes got really big and
immediately he cut us off telling us how we must be talking straight
from Jesus Christ himself because hats truly what he desires in his
life. To have a happy family, one united always. He immediately told
us he wants us to tell his girlfriend the same thing and that he wants
to get baptized! We shared that he must build a testimony first of the
Book of Mormon and Joseph smith so he eagerly accepted to start
reading a lot by next time. I'm so happy to have this opportunity to
see someone just have the gospel fit like a lost puzzle piece
perfectly into their life. Plus he already keeps the Word of wisdom!
Haha bonus
   Last thing I wanted to share was about James, James is leaving for
a month sadly. But he said that what we have shared truly has touched
him and he says over the trip he will read the entire Book of Mormon.
He has a very exciting personality but when we share about the gospel
he seems to calm down and really take it to heart. We broke final
testimony of our Saviors love, of his work and life. We shared my
favorite scripture John 10:14 "I am he good Shepard and know my sheep,
and am known of mine" and told him no matter where he goes, what he
does; the lord will be their right by his side helping him with every
personal problem or trial you face.
  I know now especially how important it is to remember him, for
because he was born we can be born again! I love you all and can't
believe how fast time flies. I don't want to miss I time I can spend
with the wonderful people of California. This world is such a great
gift one I plan to take full advantage of this time to help anyone I
can. The lord has been so great to me, now it's our turn to give!

Love you all,

Elder Heckel





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