Wow we don't quite understand how time can fly so fast. we feel like time literally has been cut in half because there never seems to be enough time to do all that we want to do in a day. I Apologize for missing last weeks letter. But this week has been a Blast! So to start off we had the opportunity to speak in Sacrament, and on my mission I have had very few times to go up and even bare testimony much less speak. But we where given ten minutes to share our own testimony's on any topic! So I and Elder Sanborn both prepared ours without sharing with one another what we where going to say. To make it even better we had two random less active families we have been trying to contact appear at church that day too! It was way exciting to see them there. Anyways Elder Sanborn got up first and shared his testimony of how to truly become converted to the gospel. He shared many steps and ways to track how well we are following our savior and truly not only learning but changing because of him. Then I shared about the truth of the atonement, How many of us view the story yet so few truly apply it to our lives. I followed up baring testimony of how to apply it in our lives and how we can become converted, not just convinced (there is a difference)! It was a very awesome to invite the spirit in that way.
In both the wards we have been struggling to keep a constant progressing investigators. It seems Roseville is the mid-point for peoples lives. They move here till they figure out or find what they really want in life then they move on. But we did have the opportunity of reconnecting with a man named Eddy who we met at subway. Eddy is super nice and can talk really fast! he invited us over to come read scriptures and pray with him and his friends. We figure it would be a good fellow shipping moment so we gladly went and guess what? to our surprise their was over 15 people there!
And even more surprising to learn is that it wasn't just a simple bible study but a "house church". So we were not afraid and decided to stay and hear them out. It started off okay with a prayer but quickly turned south when half way through a random girl pulled out her guitar and started singing the Christian songs from owl city and other bands. Eventually everyone joined in singing, Then it got weirder as people started swaying their hands while still in prayer stance and one guy got so into it he started almost yelling singing his own song about how he loved Jesus while doing interpretive dancing. Mind you they all have there eyes closed still. So by this point we are so confused we just got up and went out the door and I believe no one even realized we had left. Its so cool to see people seeking out God and his spirit but its crazy the ideas they have as to feeling or getting that. But Eddy did agree later on the next day that he wanted to meet up and ask us more questions about our religion.
Another fun thing Also is we picked up another YSA investigator while out visiting members. We happened upon a Girl named Chelsea who was going through a special program to help those having hard times in schooling, So we challenged her to invite a friend to church and that very night she called us up and said Kenny will be coming to Church! YAH, then we realized both our sacrament meetings go at the same time so we had to do splits. But the problem was the buildings we meet in are 25 minutes apart. So we had to drive over pick up a member drive back drop a missionary off and drive back then repeat the process. It got a bit stressful as my companion in the YSA kept straying off haha. Its a scary feeling to not have a companion by you. But we met with both investigators at church and set up return appointments with them.
But non the less we are having a blast here too. The work in helping the zone has given me a whole new perspective on missionary work, we helped the 7th ward plan out there first zone blitz. It was a fantastic experience for all the missionaries because we where able to go out with the members and work with them. Plus I was on Exchanges with one of the Assistants to the President Elder Sperry, Man he is an amazing missionary and man. he is super smart and talented, very good at getting in doors and connecting with people, yet he is super humble. He taught me a lot about listening and giving that quiet time vs just sharing. My goal this Transfer especially is to do just that, Learn to follow the spirit. Because it is so easy to feel you have enough knowledge to convince someone and forget that the real teacher is the Holy Ghost. Oh did I mention we got a world wide broadcast on missionary training from the Apostles? hahaha anyhow I've said to much this Email! I hope you all are having a splendid day, I hope to hear from some of you soon. You all have been so great to me in my life and helped me to where I am at now. I Hope you all have the opportunity to feel the love of God in your life and if not search for it. He knows you, Loves you and wants to be a part of your experience here on earth.
See you all next week.....sorry for late letter!!!!!
- Elder Heckel
