Tuesday, August 25, 2015

When I read this I began to Sob...

The Navarette zone piled into a tiny bus the day of transfers!

I am Here! AND WITH 100 PERCENT HEALTH lol

I am dead serious! lol I am back at 100 Percent and had one of the HARDEST most CHALLENGING yet AMAZING week of my entire mission!!!

So I will tell you some parts because I can´t write everything it would be impossible... So I had to stay with my Zone Leaders for 3 days because I didn't have a companion. AND MY AREA DIED. I lost all my investigators except one family and it was pretty rough. I found myself a companion and called the Office and they cleared him... HE IS AMAZING. 
Me and my new companion HERMANO Peralta!

We started by returning to Santiago to see the Baptism of one of my Investigators and after that we went to work. 
The Baptisim of Pricel in my last area that I got to back for.. I should be returning in the next 3 months for 4 more People! LOVE THIS WORK!!! 


We had doors slammed in our face NON STOP. ALL of our investigators refused to go to church and I literally hit a breaking point. Oh and after all of this having just recovered from 2 weeks with Amoebas... I sat in church and looked at Dionis and he could tell I was exhausted. I really had nothing else to give. He began to write in his journal and he then showed me the page. Inside it said ¨ This week I have learned a lot from Elder Hefner of Pure Obedience and Love. He has been thrown out and cast out, he has passed through so much but still continues to serve. To me this is Pure Charity.¨ When I read this I began to Sob. Right after the 2nd Councilor in the Stake Presidency got up and gave a talk that could have rained fire from Heaven about Trials and he spoke right at me. I am pretty sure he knew I needed it. We then Concluded with the Hymn Come Come ye Saints. I realized... Well I need to set an example, I am not Dead yet so I can teach on preaching...lol I have accepted a new Phrase in the Mission that has driven me and I taught it to my comp... At first I created it as a joke but it quickly became a Reality. ¨We preach until The Death... And then after we keep on Preaching¨ It is a really true Gospel Principle (Doctrine and Covenants 138 53-The End) We found 2 GOLD Families in the following days and I got to give a blessing. The Sisters in the Ward had been asking for a blessing for a Sister who was super sick for 3 weeks and NO ONE HAD GONE. I had the impression I had to drop all my appts that night and go. I asked the permission of the Bishop to go and give it as soon as possible and he gave it. When I layed hands on her head the Spirit filled me (As I had asked in knelt prayer with my companion in the Church before) and I blessed her with strength to endure literally ¨Until the End.¨ I just felt like I couldn't bless her to recover... After we left and returned home my companion had informed me that this women had severe Cancer... But before we got home we stopped by a members house right next door to the Blessing of the Sister and the Hermanas had a lesson planned and one was trying to push us out the door but The Spirit spoke clear as day that we had to give a message, but about what I had no clue. That is when the oldest son asked me to teach him how to give a blessing... He is due to receive the Higher Priesthood soon... I agreed and we sat everyone down and I asked Hermana Cordova to start teaching the Oath And Covenant of the Priesthood. I then Followed teaching about the Power and Authority of the Priesthood and what it means. It was the single most powerful lesson I had ever taught in my Life. I shared Brother Walker's Story (Brother Walker was a member of our ward. Before Elder Hefner went on his mission we found out that he had a pretty big tumor in his jaw. The day before his surgery Elder Hefner said the Spirit told him that Brother Walker had to give him the blessing. Brother Walker I believe was in his 90's and had a hearing and speech impediment. Once he finished giving the blessing to Elder Hefner he stated that nobody had ever asked him to give a blessing. Shortly after that blessing, Brother Walker passed away.) and we were all filled with the Spirit so strong none left that room without tears. I then demonstrated with my companion how to give a blessing and talked about the true power that is their through Faith and The worthiness of the Holder of the Priesthood and how Impossible it is to give a blessing without Guidence of the Priesthood. I then Shared the Story of when Dad gave the Blessings to the two Boys.. One to Heal and One To let one pass on. The two Young men in the room were filled with tears and told me as I left their utmost burning desire to be worthy to receive such an authority and use it justly. I left them Sections of Scripture to Study to prepare. We ended with a kneeled family prayer. We then left to walk home. It was 9:15 and we were at least 2 kms from the house. We began to walk faster than most people jog to get home on time. That is when someone passed offering us a ride ( WHICH NEVER HAPPENS HERE) And we accepted and shared with the Driver and the Captain of the Local Army who sat in back for 5 mins until the ride home. Through the Strongest of Storms we are more able to clearly see the brightest light. And Often when we see it it is overpowering and can´t take it all in at once. The same goes for this gospel. It is the Truth. To any who need to weather the Storm of life, KEEP GOING. The Light house is there. Keep searching and it will guide you to safer waters. In the Sacred name of Jesus the Christ my Master. Amen.
Elder Hefner
Me and Hermano Peralta buying REAL PIZZA!! WOOOOWWWWW :´) 
and this is not dirt.. IT is the pile of dead mosquitoes after 2 days of not sweeping them up.... Needless to say I am being eaten alive lol

I send him this message
Look at this from  the Church Website...Is your mission going to serve CUBA?????????????? Before your mission only showed DR. The US Embassy opened in CUBA last week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Inline image 1

THAT IS CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol that will be funny if I get ¨Transferred¨ JAJAJAJAJAJA
GREAT! But hey i have to go pretty soon... I love you and thank you so much for all you are doing.:  But yea I have to go I love you a ton.. LOVE YOU HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!
Elder Hefner

Sunday, August 16, 2015

What have you done with the time I gave you on earth

Me with Hermana (Sister) Anderson from my district.

Unexpected changes

Hey So I am not training this week... The Assistants called and my Kid didn't make it. Instead they told me i will be serving with a MEMBER for 6 weeks... But he didn't come either so now I am in a trio with my Zone Leaders hopefully only until Sunday... 

Me with Elder Weber y Alvarez... Zone Leaders and friends.

But that means I won't be able to teach and my area and all those we had progressing probably won't be progressing anymore...So I am in a trio until the mission can find a member to put with me... Which could be more than just one week. And I only will really be working in the zone leaders area since my area is a 30 minute bus ride away...
Me and Elder Galleguillos...he just got transferred

... And No I haven't recovered from my sickness yet. This makes 2 weeks with this infection.  ,... lol I am on a heavy duty antibiotic to kill amoebas. If I am not better by the time it is done I promise I will call the mission Nurse. ... I am just going to Missionary up and go to work... Honestly mom the Elders here are a WHOLE OTHER BREED OF MISSIONARY. A lot of times they leave and throw up on the way to an appointment. If we stayed home every time we got sick we wouldn't be doing anything hahaha. I'll be fine. Really with the Mini missionary I will be with him when he gets here for a month or so and then I will train after that... Or at least that is the plan. I don't know it is just hard because We finally got our area revived from the dead and then we get yanked out again... Dominicans are a very friendly people and expect you to stop by at LEAST twice a week... The two greatest insults you can do is 1. Not Stop by and 2. Not eat their food... Please don't worry about praying for me but please pray for my investigators that their hearts may be soften when i return...
Our English class... Elder Galleguillos teaching... And I have the ugliest Bob Marley you have ever seen lol

Yes I can function if I am sick...lol YOU can't function properly if I AM SICK is the problem JAJAJAJAJAJA QUE MUCHACHA MAMA! (you are such a girl mom!) MIRA tu sabes que tengo la forteleza de Los Hefners. (you know I have the strenght of the Hefners) Mejor soy su hijo.(Better than that I am your son) Siempre tu estabas enfermo y todavia estaba siguiendo fiel no importa solo para ayudar la Familia.(anytime you have been sick you maintained your faith to help the family)  Papa Tambien. (Dad also) Yo puedo Hacer Este Obra. (I can do this work) Estoy usando Sabiduria.  (I am using knowledge) NO TE PRECUPES OK! lol (do not worry, okay?)Te quiero mucho (I love you lots)
My District with the Obispo (Bishp) por el ultima vez. (for the last time) Hermana Anderson se fue y (is gone and) Elder Galleguillos tambien...(also)

A message to all of us

This week I was reading and studying something very sacred and I had a realization about our Pre-mortal Life. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we believe that God has a Plan of happiness for each one of us. We believe we lived before this World was as Spirits with our Father in Heaven. We had the capacity to grow and to learn and most importantly to choose. If you would like more information about this just see Mormon.org
We felt it necessary to follow our Savior Jesus Christ. At times it is easy to forget that WE ARE his children. The Offspring of God. His Children in the Spirit. Each on of us has the Opportunity to be like him. We must choose to walk in His path though. When we choose other diverse paths we can not come closer to him and it only leads us to utter sorrow. He is the way, the Light and The Life. No man can expect to stand before the Judgement bar at the last Day and Ask "Who are You" when he presents his marked hands and feet to us. WE WILL KNOW CLEARLY. He is The Christ. The Only begotten Son of the Father in The Flesh. We will be judged by him for our works and deeds. How will we reply when he asks " What have you done with the time I gave you on earth" Will we reply in utter sadness as we say in reality nothing.. I focused on Material things, my job and parties with my friends... Or will we be able to say... " I tried to do all that you asked... Here is the result of my work... And there we will look behind and see all those we brought with us.. I testify this is the Truth. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elder Hefner


                Me with Hermanas Zeggara y Nauca they were from the CCM with me.. 


Me with Elder Christensen again.. We will be together in the same zone until he dies! WHAT A BLESSING!



and me with Hermana Jorden..> She's dead she went home today!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!! GOT TO GO BYE!!!








Tuesday, August 11, 2015

I am now Feki!!! lol NO MORE KOLIPOKI!!!

New house

A message to mom

Hey Mom just emailing to tell you that I will be emailing tomorrow around 12-2! I have to be in a meeting during our normal email time ... LOVE YOU
So then 45 minutes later... Tim and I are at the grocery store...
MOM GET ON !!! CHANGE OF PLANS I HAVE TO WRITE NOW!!!!
HEY BIG CHANGE OF PLANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM HERE!!!!!!!!!! I won´t be able to write for the next 3 days... lol
MOMOMOM
MOMOMOM
ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!!
MOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOM I HAVE TO GO SOON!!!!
I then get a text from Glorianne...mom check your email...Timmy is trying to e-mail you! I honestly don't know what I would do without technology...we pulled over and started reading messages...
I got a call from my mission President about 20 mins after our email. He called me while I was in the hospital. He told me that I was assigned to train... I AM ALSO GOING TO BE A FATHER. (that means he gets to train a brand new missionary) That means  i have to go back to go to meetings all day in Santiago tomorrow! And then I have to be in a meeting all day the next day as well!
So I asked, what is wrong? Why are you in the hospital?
Nothing???? lol and Ummm I gave my first capacitacion (training) to a Zone... The Spirit was super strong... Then I went on an intercambio (exchange) with the Zone Leaders and We taught a lesson where the Holy Ghost was literally in the room with us... Me being called to train is a huge miracle slash I don´t know... It is going to be crazy.. I am one of the youngest Elders along with Elder Henze to train in the Mission in 3 years...
They say being a trainer is the most important role in the mission...And yes I am still District leader... I just am now training a brand new missionary at the same time :o This whole period of training is going to be ALL HUMBLING....... This is a huge blessing and learning experience... But I have to go soon...

They Say the trainers learn more from the New Elders than any other time in the mission... I can´t wait to see what the Lord has in store... It is exciting and SUPER Humbling..Especially if the put me with a greengo... I am going to need to learn Perfect Spanish A LOT FASTER...

Hey I am sorry I don´t have a lot of time... I have to go soon.. I promise we will have more time next week. I ask for your prayers as I begin a new chapter in the mission. Please pray for my health and for me to be humbled... If I am not humble I will be the worst trainer in the world.. That is what Elder Flores Taught me... Also that I can be blessed with Charity... I love you so much mom!

I send my love and Devotion!!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!!!!! I am now Feki!!! lol NO MORE KOLIPOKI!!! I will work hard so that Dad´s recovery will be blessed. He and you have a great work to do. Do not be surprised if the Lord begins asking more of your time and talents. GIVE IT TO HIM. PUT HIM FIRST. PLEASE you don´t know the blessings he yet has ready to pour down if you say yes to the missionaries, church leaders or time teaching assignments.. If you feel it is hard look for the video from the church ¨Only a Stonecutter¨ and say yes and put him in the first place! Love you both with all of my heart. You are in my prayers every night. 

Elder Timothy Hefner¨The Second of Many¨more to come! :)
The Sunset in this amazing Paradise I call my new home... 
 

 


Or House.... btw when we are both in  the kitchen slash laundry room we have to dance the tango just to cook lol We have water only 3 days of the week...we collect water and take shower with that bucket...lol

A message to dad

DAD!!! I just got a call from the Mission President.... I have been called to train... I am truly overwhelmed to be honest. I only have 4 weeks in this HUGE area and only 8 months in the mission... I knew something big was going to happen because Satan has been relentless with temptation and I have been super sick, the Lord is humbling me. I have a pretty good infection in my stomach but not to worry the doctor started me on a heavy duty medicine and I will be good in a week. I have been praying for you every morning and night to fight through the pain and recover your strength quickly so that you can build up the kingdom of God and help to move the work along tenfold. Whenever the rehab is killing you just remember you have a Missionary praying for you. I have come to love the furnace of affliction. It is beyond hard at times but the blessings that come are those of the eternal nature. How grateful I am to be your son dad. Keep fighting. Keep Pushing. Mike Tyson once said ¨You are never out of the fight¨ Paul has said ¨ The Trial of our faith is more precious than gold¨ and the Savior has said ¨In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the World.¨ I have felt his love this week and grown in my depth of the atonement like I never knew was possible... I am starting to finally begin to understand those few hours in the Garden that made eternity in The Celestial kingdom possible. KEEP GOING. I know The Lord has a great work in store for you and our family. You do all of his will there and I will try to do all of his will here.
Lots of love
Elder Hefner



and eating typical Dominican food BOILED BANANAS AND ONIONS... YMMMMM  AND DOMINICAN PRESSURE WASHING!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOO lololol

 ¨Only a Stonecutter¨ Video - enjoy!






Monday, August 3, 2015

So something that no one knows is that...

Found a pig roasting over an open fire... Kind of like Dominican Chestnuts but its only July...

Wounded Feet

So something that no one knows is that I have Plantar Fasciitis in my feet. I have had it since my Senior Year in High School... It can be a dull throbbing in the feet or a sharp pain due to inflammation of the feet. Well, mine is in the range of Sharp pain in the Tips of my toes and in my Heel and Achilles Tendon... It has hurt me Severely to walk everyday, especially since we are walking anywhere from 5-9 miles a day... And yes, I counted. I couldn't understand it to be honest. Why would God want his servants to suffer more than already necessary to preach the Gospel... We read in Nehemiah that God Blessed the Israelites that their feet wouldn't swell in the Desert.. AND THEY COULDN'T GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER FOR 40 YEARS! So why did I have to feel this now? What lesson do I have to Learn? With this Question I poured into the Scriptures to find answers. I read conference talks and cross referenced them with everything I have been learning and it finally clicked. If I can I would love to share my findings with you all... 
 If we follow the example of our Savior his entire ministry was spent walking. He walked over 60 KMS just to be Baptized by John the Baptist in Jordan... Not to mention his several trips between the cities of the coasts, Galilee and Jerusalem. He walked A LOT. On his feet he brought the Good Word to all who would listen, no matter the Distance. Given all his Miracles, I am sure He could have just ¨ Carried himself away¨ (as happened when he was tempted by Satan) to any of these places. But He chose to walk. He chose to find every person possible to help them and to serve. To stop on the Wayside and to search for all those ready to hear the New Covenant, and the New Law. To let them know that the One to be an Eternal Sacrifice had come. It is interesting to read that in Ephesians chapter 6, In the Armor of God the feet are ¨Shod with the Gospel of Peace.¨ It is easy to wait for an easy way out. For a time when we don´t have to walk the Long road, at times thinking that we are passing through ¨ The Valley of the Shadow of Death.¨ Why can´t we just skip to the End where we live with Heavenly Father in Heaven without pain and with eternal joy? Why is it we have to face trials and feel pain? It is so easy to ask, ¨ Why do I have to feel this pain?!¨ The answer to this question is a question. How many times on this path have we thought to look up? To forget our aching feet and see our fellow travelers struggling to make it as well... To see others with burdens much greater than our own. Have we thought to stop and help? Have we tried to follow our Lord´s Perfect example? Can we be the Good Samaritan? We are not the only travelers with aching feet and tired backs. The Lord has said ¨Come unto me all ye that are weary and Heavy Laden and I will give you rest.¨ IF we are truly disciples of Christ shouldn't we want to do the same? It is funny that when we forget about our own problems and begin to start helping others, like we promised in our covenant of Baptism as recorded in  Mosiah 18:8-10

 8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?)

we begin to change. We begin to feel the love of the Savior. He becomes the center of our lives. We begin to see his face in ALL who have fallen by the wayside. All who are weary and want rest. Who are looking for the healing power of The Atonement even if they themselves don´t know it. We should be happy to stand on Wounded Feet. To ATTEMPT to even TRY to walk some of the path that He has walked. I bear testimony that this is the path He walked. HE has marked the Path. HE has tried the darkness of despair utterly alone so that WE DON´T HAVE TO. He has placed lights along the path and He stands waiting to hold our hand as we try and walk it behind him. All we have to do is look up from our own aching feet and see those around us. As we begin to extend this hand of love and charity all along the path find it much easier to walk. They see the good in this life and begin to be filled with joy, and before we know it we will reach the end of the Path where stands The gates of Heaven. There at that moment we will look to our left and right and see all those we brought with us. There we will weep at the joy that we helped in the Salvation of our Fellow Brothers and Sisters. Then the Savior will come up to each of us and we will fall on bended knees weeping with joy as He says ¨Well done my good and Faithful Servant. My grace has made thee whole¨ even as clear as he has said ¨ Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me¨  And there we will weep with joy and the tears of our joy will fall upon his wounded feet. We will feel the nail prints. We will know that He is The Christ and then we will begin to walk the path of eternal life through The Gates of Heaven.  To close I want to share the Words of Elder Jeffrey R Holland a living Apostle and Special Witness of Jesus Christ as he says ¨I thank Him and the Father, who gave Him to us, that Jesus still stands triumphant over death, although He stands on wounded feet...; I thank Him and the Father, who gave Him to us, that He still extends unending grace, although He extends it with pierced palms and scarred wrists...; I thank Him and the Father, who gave Him to us, that we can sing before a sweat-stained garden, a nail-driven cross, and a gloriously empty tomb.¨

I testify of Him as well. He lives and is our Eternal Captain, In the Sacred name of Jesus The Christ. Amen.
Elder Hefner
 I got this for dad for father´s day but it broke... I was going to send it but the clay wasn´t set all the way... Please know that ¨It is the thought that counts..¨ ..

pig roasting over an open fire
Us moving a house in the ward (Me doing all the ¨ Heavy Lifting¨) lol.
A picture that shows just how much weight I am truly loosing in my new area.. AND NO I AM NOT SUCKING IN MY GUT lol... 
Me and Elder Alvarez de Guatemala
 ME and two of the girls I am currently Teaching with the family from the Noche De Hogar BarBQUEEE!

My e-mail to Elder Hefner and his response

Heavenly Father and the Spirit are amazing! So I am at work this morning and all of the sudden I felt I needed to send an extra e-mail to my Elder Hefner (today is P-Day) with the subject:
Elder Hefner's response:
NO WAY I TOTALLY WAS SINGING THIS TODAY IN A RUTA FOR SOME RANDOM REASON!!! WE ARE IN TUNE MAMA!! lololololol

Ok I have to go momma!!! I LOVE YOU ! Tell dad I love him! ttyl!!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!!
Elder Hefner