Travis - A lot of moving

Hello

Everyone

It's

Another

Monday!!

Haha, this feels so quick for Monday to be present. This last week was
full of a lot of laboring in the work.  We where able to teach James
who really appreciates our messages we bring, he has always been
afraid of going into something fully without a sure knowledge. And we
discussed a lot about faith and how God does not creat a church with
all the knowledge of him ever, but only the things that pertain to our
salvation. We also say again that the lord truly had prepared people,
a girl named Cailey. She has been through the refiners fire and has
been searching many churches. When she came to ours something said
this was right and she keeps asking what she has to do to join. She
reads and loves the scriptures and has actually been dating a in
active return missionary who is coming back now!! It's a mega bonus,
but we just learned minutes ago she is moving out of our mission :(.
But we are excited that she found this and are working to make sure
she meets the missionaries down there.
   Also Most of what we did this week was service, I felt like a
moving company. We helped several non members who needed up moving
into the sisters ward out here. It's exciting as each of them face a
different circumstances, but we helped them move all there oversized
furniture to tiny houses or apartments. It's really cool all the
things people have Collected over the years but I always thought they
had to much stuff....until we had to move our apartment this week. Oh
boy what an exciting time traveling back and forth until our housing
coordinator brought a trailer over. It was exciting to get out of our
old area and into a new one. And it's such a blessing because the
part,net chosen is where several of our investigators moved too! So we
have to only walk, I will say now how thankful I am for cars and
bikes! All you people out walking about, must walk like 20 miles a
day! We are just finishing unpacking all our stuff. A new place makes
all the difference for yourself.(I'm sorry for those in foreign
countries, trust me I'm appreciating what I have) I hope you all are
having an awesome time and we will see you all later.


Elder Heckel

Travis - A week to remember

Oh what a good week!
 We have spent a lot of This week doing service. We are reaching out
to different groups in the community and working at different donation
places and at food banks. It's such a blast being a missionary. In a
million years I would never have guess that I would enjoy spending
time talking to complete strangers. We met with our melt prominent
investigator right now which is James! James is an older retired man
and his girlfriend who just can't help but bust out jokes left and
right. He always loves bringing smiles to people's faces but when the
gospel comes along he seems to be uplifted by the spirit in which his
most common phrase is 'I don't know why more people don't Lenten to
you guys!' Although he has a lot on his plate being retired he does
have a desire to be baptized and we are working word to help him get
to the church...on time :). But another miracle we had is we are doing
a lot of finding and changing in our teaching. Working with a few
wards is quite difficult (I can't imagine the Utah missionaries) but
we are really working with members in the YSA to meet people, we have
done a lot of work of going out on splits visiting less actives. These
people are so AWESOME too because they all grew up together majorly or
they know them from somewhere. So when we teach they get pretty blunt
and really know how to fellowship and answer concerns. Best of all
though is that because we got out working with them, they in turn each
have given us REFERRALS! Getting referrals and good ones are few and
far between, but it makes our day to know that someone trusts us to
teach there friend.
 But you know exciting things keep going on too, I've become more
involved in helping missionaries with there iPads since the majority
of tech people just went home :,(. It's giving me new insight into how
missionaries each work as I view there set up for teaching and who
they are teaching. But it also made me realize and focus on teaching
missionaries that they are the tools to teach in the hands of the
spirit NOT the iPad. Sometimes it seems missionaries and members rely
to much on a good movie or touching story to make them feel the Spirit
and do all the teaching, when in reality the best way to ignite the
spirit is to connect and share your own testimony. So I always
challenge missionaries to go without iPads and see what happens. The
spirit can work greatly simply through us, for it is where truth comes
from. Although scripture and teachers help, the best way to help
someone learn is straight from God.

I'm doing great, and I hope all of you are having a fantastic time!!

Love y'all

Elder Heckel

Travis - Mormon Valentines :-)

Dear family,

This week was fabulous. I know I say that a lot, but everyday as a
missionary is truly a blessing. Sometimes it does feel like you don't
accomplish much, but this week we had the opportunity of meeting some
YSA potentials! These people were super NCOs but you come to find out
about all the new religions people have. Like one lady we met believes
when you go out and pray in the forest you connect with God through
nature. Others believe that when you rock out hardcore. It's sad that
they try to force A spiritual feelings. But she was receptive and
hopefully she will want to feel that new spirit as she puts it.  And
this week we also met with another part member couple. He is quite
cool, he loves the gospel and knows a ton about it but doesn't go
because of his wife's wishes. We are helping her to recognize the Holy
Ghost when it speaks to her, she shared with us some amazing
experiences and miracles hat she perceived to be God talking to her.
But she has a kind heart and says she wants to try everything we have
to refer before giving up trying.
  I want you guys to know how great the scriptures are, I've started
new studies in the Book of Mormon really analyzing it. I get made fun
of being so analytical and scientific thinking but there is so many
treasures to be gained from this book. Its the only book next to the
bible to really teach you, not only gods word but his will. I found so
many answers from the Book of Mormon, every time something relates or
straight out tells me things I know I should be doing, things need to
know. No other book truly can change every time you read it like this.
One of the coolest things I noticed in the Book of Mormon is about
Lehi! Reading through you could guess that Lehi was a convert! He
starts of praying to God and truly wanting to know him.  That is also
why Laman and Lemuel murmured so much because they had not had the
opportunity to learn and be converted. We learn nephi's prayer and
conversion also Sams and Sarah's conversion. They all took the
challenge to find the truth. But we learn that Laman and Lemuel do not
have the desire to ask the lord. Multiple times it states how they
rely on there wisdom instead of seeking the lord. It makes it quite
exciting to visualize being there and in there position. I would
challenge anyone to not read the scriptures with real intent and not
feeling the spirit. I love you guys all a ton, sorry for he crappy
emails haha. I'm trying enjoy every second of being a missionary this
pday. We are currently eating in and out and might I say this has to
be the best lettuce burger ever!

Have a happy Valentine's Day.

Love elder Heckel!

Here are some Mormon valentines!!

Travis - A lot of stuff!

Hey everyone!

      What a week it has been. It's been quite the excitement over the
past few weeks, first off the miracles where awesome! So Abbie our
main investigator has now had all the lessons! All we are waiting for
is a few family issues to be resolved and she will get baptized!!!
Yah! The lord has been very merciful in helping us over this week. Me
and my companion traded off two days in being sick, but crazy enough
is the fact that those we had planned for that day called us and
rescheduled later during the week! So we where able to  meet up with
all of them, another miracle was we came across two former
investigators, This older couple had listened to the discussions
before but when we showed up they shared a desire to once again hear
more (go spirit!). We had a fantastic lesson about faith and invited
them to start reading the Book of Mormon together as a couple. They
agreed and said they would also come to church (I'm not sure if they
came, we didn't have time to check after sacrament, cross your fingers
they did!). We had another lesson also with Kenney and his sister! It
was a good lesson as we tried to introduce the gospel to his sister.
But she is a tough nut and is a little resistant in feeling the
spirit. Don't quite understand why but she is indeed willing to listen
though so we are glad. Kenney on the other hand loves it all! He wants
to be a part of it and we are indeed excited for him to make those
covenants, but he is waiting for his sister to want to join as well.
So it will be a great experience for both of them to do this together.
 But this week has been a blast of fun, elder Sanborn is an amazing
companion. He's very real with people. Most those we are teaching have
been learning a long time! So we worked out very deep lessons in which
to establish the seriousness of what we share. We expected most to
push us off and say they where done, but most actually kept us and
said they would take it seriously! Especially our YSA we teach! Gosh I
hope people at home aren't as flaky as them, it's sad the amount of
drugs they get into also. They try to hide it, but even small usage is
visible to people. Overall it's a good time out here being a
missionary. I still feel brand new to the mission haha, we have
exchanges and tie always a humble Experience because these new
missionaries teach me so much that I never thought of. I'm so grateful
to be a missionary and serve the lord out here, there is seriously
nothing better than this! Haha thank you all for your missionary work
updates too! I read all of them and greatly enjoy the spirit you put
into it.

Haha one last funny thing is I had another animal incident (sorry big
cat fans)........ But it was with  a cat. So this thing believes that
it owns us, it lays on the hood of our car, leaves prints everywhere.
And most of all when we go to open the door to our apartment it tries
to run in. It's not scared of us at all, even when we try to chase it
off it comes back. Finally I had it with this cat it's stinky and
gross and so it came in and wouldn't go out of the apartment. I pushed
it with my foot towards the door  and it hissed at me. "OH! No you
didn't!" So I ran over and grabbed my foam axe and walked back slowly.
And like golfing I lined up with the door, pulled up and promptly
knocked it's little butt out the door. I heard it scream as It flew
out the door, it flew further than I thought which left me pretty
surprised! And it obviously ran off, and so we closed the door and
returned to what we where doing. Then a few minutes later we looked at
our sliding door where the cat sat against the glass, stared at us. :O
I gave up, I guess it's our new House pet? Hahaha Anyhow I hope this
gave you a good laugh! I thank you all for your emails! Your all so
wonderful!

-Love  Elder Heckel

-Would you recognize Jesus Christ now?
-For all you missionaries too!
-oh the many cool things you get to see!!

Travis - Time just flies

Hey all you people, 

           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

Travis - New Companion, New opportunities

You know it's always interesting when life changes. Different
emotions flow and it seems for a moment that your kid a at a loss. It
especially reminds you how prepared you are for change, even
missionaries can get comfortable doing something and not going outside
here comfort zone. So elder Poulter left and that day I got Slder
Sanborn and oh boy I can already tell this will be an interesting
transfer. Elder Sanborn is from Boise, Idaho and is a country boy. He
loves hunting and fishing and just being outside. He is a very smart
guy with a different perspective than most on the gospel. He seems to
be really humble and can read people like no other! He understands a
lot of people and their situation and sympathizes with them. I'm glad
to have this opportunity and can't wait to see what awaits it. So in
his first week we where able to go teach Abbie who has been
discouraged by the way her father is treating her (he really dislikes
Mormons) but we had a very touching lesson reviewing the restoration
and focused on how becoming converted to the lord is where we truly
receive his help and blessings not just convinced. She cried during it
and called us alter letting us know nothing her father could say would
stop her from being baptized.
   We also met with Ricardo and his girlfriend Selena, who is about to
have her first child. They where reluctant at first but after speaking
with us for a while they started to really open up. They have a strong
desire to follow the lord, but they are scare of the unknown. We
reassured them that the lord knows where we are going and if we make
obedient in all we do he will never lead us astray. They both shared
the strong desire to start following and even asked when church would
be the next time? These two miracles I believe started of a good week
for transfer, there are many people the lord puts in ALL our paths for
us to help. I'm so thankful for this chance to be a missionary out
here and I don't wanna miss a minute of the lords guidance in helping
in this very important work. I age to go now to help a set of
missionaries with a project. But I promise to share more next week!
Love y'all

Elder Heckel

Travis - Happy New Year!

Yes just as the title says......happy new year everybody!
2016, it came so fast that I still don't really feel like it's a new
year. With a new year comes time for new year resolutions. It's so
funny how many people are opening their doors just after New Year's
Day and there are quite a few people out walking or running. I just
hope their resolutions last longer than a week! But we prayed really
hard that this next year will be a year full of success, that we may
find new people to teach. And a miracle happened this week, a random
less active from the singles ward contact us. He said he felt
impressed that he needed to come back to church. So we met with him
and talked about why and what he needs to do and he came to church! He
is a golden less active and I'm thankful to be able to raise his
spirit and trust in the lord.
  Another miracle is that Abby and autumn have now had just about
every lessons of the gospel, they love going to church and have
friends in the ward. She lives and keeps the commandments, the only
thing we are awaiting is a few technical things in the family and
helping her receive her final answer on the Book of Mormon. We are
fasting that she may fully receive it and all goes well that she will
get baptized!
             Last mini miracle is with Eric, not only did we catch him
home but he confessed to a special feeling he has when we come. He
tried going to a few other churches but nothing matches the feeling he
has had with us. He wants to learn all he can of how to get that
feeling constantly! :) He is still struggling with staying positive in
such a bleak moment in life but he wants his daughter to now sit in on
lessons. But like all things God teaches that a part of agency is time
and patiences. The gospel works in a unique way, it makes us sad to
run into people who don't accept the gospel right here and now. But we
know that's only now that their not ready, eventually they will truly
have that chance to accept it and I love to picture that they will
eventually get baptized and be a disciple of Jesus Christ. So a goal I
 made is to try making the best impression we can, something that
sticks out, with each person we see.
       Also transfers has come up! I am staying in the area, but Elder
Poulter is leaving to Citrus Heights . It's been such an honor to
serve with him, he is a great missionary. He holds the spirit of the
lord so close to him and amplifies it out to all those he meets. He
teaches by that very spirit and you know his trust and works are all
in the lord. I love him so much and we had some very crazy adventures.
Honestly before the mission I didn't believe when people told me 'I
would have some good and some bad companions'. I truly though I would
always get along with all my companions no matter what. I never had
faced people I couldn't find some ways to get along with. But then
again I never had to live with them! It's been an eye opener at how
different people are, you will truly meet those people who are
practically your twin, they are just like you and get along great. And
you meet people who the only way they could be anymore different then
you, they would have to be little green aliens (sometimes I wonder if
they are); and everyone in-between! I have had both kinds of
companions (Elder Poulter being one of the better). The ones I don't
get along with aren't bad or horrible people, if fact far from it.
They are usually the best people, because they can help to see what
strengths and weaknesses you truly have and build upon them. You learn
to cope and build of one another in different ways, and better ideas
come from two different minds than from the same ones. Hahaha I just
make the best of what I can. God has full control  and the more I
realize that the less I stress about anything. I love it! Oh did I
mention that I my new companion is Gluten free also!?!? He has celiac
disease! We are totally going too have an awesome time. I'm so glad to
be out here, their is literally no place is rather be....except
heaven...only heaven would be better.

 It's a new year and new beginnings, forget what's happened in the
past and look forward to the future!

Elder Heckel!!

P.s. That jelly bean game down their is the worst invention ever. It's
like Russian roulette with there being good and bad jelly beans(bad
ones range anywhere from barf to canned dog food, and it tastes very
realistic) I've already lost like 6 times in a row. Hahaha and our
heater broke, so we got a cooler one