Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Promptings...Never second guess them...Transfer

That pig is going to die in 15 days....

Promptings

Note from mom: So my e-mail to Elder Hefner last week started like this:
My dearest Elder (Son),

Is there something wrong? Woke up in the middle of the night on Wednesday. 3 AM!!!
I immediately prayed for you...not that I do not pray daily...just added an extra prayer. I love you son...so much!!!

So your feeling to pray for me on Wednesday was correct... Thank you for your prayers. THEY HELPED A LOT... We are so in tune it isn't even funny...But Wednesday I was pretty sick.. I didn't leave the house for 5 days. All I know is that I had ¨El Dragon de Dos Cabezas¨ lol.. It´s the nickname the Missionaries have for when you are so sick you can't keep anything down...

More Promptings

I didn't have a lot of miracles this week because I was in the house sick but I had a great one today... and I would like share The story of Ironelis!

I helped reactivate Ironelis... The Elders are going to start teaching her husband now... Her reactivation story is pretty incredible...

OK! So Ironelis is the daughter of one of the most faithful members of the ward..: Hermana Mila. Hermana Mila is 65 years old, can hardly see, but every time we go over she has a reference and wants to know when she ca leave with us to teach them! Well Mila left on vacation and Ironelis is staying in her house (Which happens to be much easier for us to visit.) One day when we are walking we get a call... She calls us and says ¨Me and my baby are super sick... can you come to give us blessings?¨ We knew that we were the only ones who would go give her a blessing because no other leaders were even close... But we had a choice to make. We were pretty far from her house (About the distance of our house to the Lakefront) and our next lesson was even farther in the opposite direction of her house. What do you do? Well the answer was pretty clear. As Priesthood holders of God we take an oath to uphold and honor our priesthood and use it to bless the lives of others, and to use it to keep our Covenants of Baptism (Mosiah 18:8-10). We started in the other direction and started walking. We showed up to her house covered in sweat and exhausted. We administered blessings to her and her new born baby boy of health. She asked us where we had come from and we told her the truth. And as quickly as we had come we left to go to our lesson in the opposite direction. From where we were it was about Our house to Downtown Kissimmee... We got to the lesson and no one was there. In fact every other lesson we had fell through that day. I was a little frustrated because we had done what we should have and yet we didn't have a single lessons... Well the blessing is seen now... She has come to church for 5 weeks straight and the other day I went and asked her how she was and she told me that her and her baby have not had a Single problem with their health since the moment we left their house that day. It helped seal her testimony of the Priesthood, that God´s authority truly is on the earth. Sometimes as Priesthood holders we are called away from our families. We are called on to go and give blessings late at night, or are put out of our ways with callings that seem hard to bear. The Priesthood truly is something that we are called to BEAR, but in reality it is God´s power here on the earth and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Only church that holds this authority. It was Restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith and because it was we have the opportunity to change lives. We just have to be willing to walk the path Christ walked... After all... If Christ could walk all the way to Jordan to be baptized... We should be able to start up our cars and drive a few minutes to fulfill our own duty.

Saying Goodbye to Esperanza 

Last District meeting in Esperanza... Saying goodbye was rough but it´s good to go start growing again in a new area! :)
Visiting Charo and Kelvin in the hosptal to say bye... really going to miss them...


.... and saying goodbye to Wally and Nicole... :(



Transfer - new area - new companion

I just got to my new area right now... I am a step dad to Elder Pickett! He´s a really cool guy.. BUT I am back in Santiago... You know what that means... AMERICAN FOOD WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I am in Bella Vista.. but I am in the BOONIES lol  I got home but my bags down and left to write to you!!! lol You will get all of the new pictures next week lol My comp is from Utah.. A town called Cedar City. He has two Sisters as well.. One is 22 and the other 14!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA


2nd Fried Burrito Activity... Esperanza got 3 new investigators and 2 less actives to church... WAY TO GO FRIED BURRITOS!!! lol

Hey I have to go now though.. Need to put a good example for Elder Pickett!!!
I will let you know next Wednesday abou Skype!!!! LOVE YOU!! HURRAH!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Hefner

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Miracles thanks to our burritos


Got a call at 7 am to help move a truck load of dirt before our zone meeting at 9 am.... The zone meeting was an hour away in bus so we moved it all in an hour!! Using a tiny shovel and a paint bucket........ TALK ABOUT ROUGH hahaha but the Lord was merciful and sent a Wheelbarrel after 45 minutes !

Hey mama! How´s Lilly??? Are the boys (the dogs) adjusted to her yet???

Yea I love the pictures... WOW MARY LOOKS SO OLD! And I already know you made dad Lasagna... I MISS IT SO MUCH lol

Burrito night???? IT WAS AMAZING!! WE SAW SO MANY MIRACLES BECAUSE OF IT!!!! THE WARD CAME TO LIFE... And I have now been officially invited to cook in half the member homes... They all say I am getting married the minute I get home... Kevin wants to open up a business with them... I told him the Idea was Copyrighted LOL
I taught a lesson. It was a talk by President Faust in the Liahona from August... It is called Feed My Sheep.. It talks about our responsibilities as members of the church for the people we teach.. This Sunday the Bishopric was all in suits at church before 8:45! The testimony meeting had EVERYONE in tears because the Spirit was so strong. Kelvin bore his testimony for the first time... WOW that was powerful. He was the one most touched by our message. Then we had our first ward council in 5 months... Also the Chapel was full to the brim of people... It was incredible .. Lol now I am saying the secret to teaching is The Spirit and Fried Burritos...I am cooking again on Saturday for a few less actives we have ... I think it is going to be awesome!
Actually this was the talk.... Share it with everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of Lambs and Sheep

By President James E. Faust (1920–2007)
Second Counselor in the First Presidency

My little friend was frightened in the storm, and I could hear it bleating.
lamb
Photograph by Suren Manvelyan/Thinkstock
When I was a very small boy, my father found a lamb all alone out in the desert. The herd of sheep to which its mother belonged had moved on, and somehow the lamb got separated from its mother, and the shepherd must not have known that it was lost. Because it could not survive alone in the desert, my father picked it up and brought it home. To have left the lamb there would have meant certain death, either by falling prey to the coyotes or by starvation because it was so young that it still needed milk. Some sheepmen call these lambs “bummers.” My father gave the lamb to me and I became its shepherd.
For several weeks I warmed cow’s milk in a baby’s bottle and fed the lamb. We became fast friends. I called him Nigh—why I don’t remember. It began to grow. My lamb and I would play on the lawn. Sometimes we would lie together on the grass and I would lay my head on its soft, woolly side and look up at the blue sky and the white billowing clouds. I did not lock my lamb up during the day. It would not run away. It soon learned to eat grass. I could call my lamb from anywhere in the yard by just imitating as best I could the bleating sound of a sheep: Baa. Baa.
One night there came a terrible storm. I forgot to put my lamb in the barn that night as I should have done. I went to bed. My little friend was frightened in the storm, and I could hear it bleating. I knew that I should help my pet, but I wanted to stay safe, warm, and dry in my bed. I didn’t get up as I should have done. The next morning I went out to find my lamb dead. A dog had also heard its bleating cry and killed it. My heart was broken. I had not been a good shepherd or steward of that which my father had entrusted to me. My father said, “Son, couldn’t I trust you to take care of just one lamb?” My father’s remark hurt me more than losing my woolly friend. I resolved that day, as a little boy, that I would try never again to neglect my stewardship as a shepherd if I were ever placed in that position again. …
After more than sixty years, I can still hear in my mind the bleating, frightened cry of the lamb of my boyhood that I did not shepherd as I should have. I can also remember the loving rebuke of my father: “Son, couldn’t I trust you to take care of just one lamb?” If we are not good shepherds, I wonder how we will feel in the eternities.
From James E. Faust, “Responsibilities of Shepherds,” Ensign, May, 1995, 46, 48.


Are Sarah and Duncan there?! If they are tell them I need new British flag socks.. Mine are EXTRA ¨HOLY¨ lol OH! And tell them I say Hi!!!
Sorry we lost internet in the other Internet place and had to hop a ruta to another one but I only have enough time to say Bye... Put the message from James E. Faust on the blog please... It says enough...Love you guys... Sorry... I tried to go fast but these 1992 Hondas only go so fast.... Tell Ganne and Ben that I am praying for them...
Talk to you next week! Time to go preach!!
Elder Hefner


THE NAVARETTE ZONE FOR THE LAST TIME TOGETHER!!!!
Gotta see Hermana Bonilla from my old District... Technically we are Siblings in the mission (Had the same ¨Dad¨) lol 


Found a reused tithing envelope in the envelope stack...... EW lol
New Restaurant!!! We eat Rice Beans and meat EVERYDAY... But these beans had a little more flavor lol

Thursday, December 10, 2015

How I knew Lilly was being born and a lesson that change my life forever

Pretty sweet DOUBLE RAINBOW

Truly a Comforter

A note from mom and dad: On November 29, 2015 Elder Hefner's sister Glorianne gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. What is amazing to us is that the minute the doctor decided that a C-Section was needed and Glorianne was prepared for surgery by many nurses, a message comes from a member in Dominican Republic asking if the baby was born. He said that Elder Hefner was with him and wanted to know. The Spirit bore witness to Elder Hefner that his niece was being born and that all was going to be well for both mother and child.

My week was good... I kind of lost it a little when I was with Kelvin and he was giving reports on Lilly... I had to leave the room.. It was a massive trial for me this week and still kind of is.. Kelvin writes all the messages for me through his phone so I don´t break any rules... I am glad to hear my little niece is good and healthy.. I am sure Ben is going to ball crying when he blesses her in church... Wish I could be there to be part of the Circle but it´s ok... Abuelo is going to be there in my place :) One thing now is that I am super sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit... He has been a constant guide now..It´s the only way to be an effective missionary...
My miracle boots finally bit the dust... We got caught in a downpour and had to walk in mud up to our ankles for about 2 miles... Needless to say we fell a few times and when we got to the lesson our investigators couldn't believe the mormons were so ¨Dedicated¨... We got a good laugh out of it! BUT it officially destroyed my boots...

A lesson that change my life forever

It´s amazing really... I have preached in probably 1000 lessons or more.. walked more than 1000 miles here... but I finally have one lesson that has changed my life forever. We are preparing an 8 year old boy named Lizandro (HE IS INCREDIBLY INTELLIGENT) but this 8 year old boy has taught me more about this Gospel than anyone else. To teach to him is to teach pure doctrine and truth. To explain that the family can be eternal is something of wonder and amazement. To be honest I feel as though I am truly in the place of the Savior as he calls the Children one by one to bless them.. I finally understand why. If we could all look at the Gospel through the life of a child there would be no war, grief or anxiety. It is purely simple and simply pure. We have a Savior. His name is Jesus The Christ. He was slain for the sins of the world. He loves us. The family exists forever not just for right now. It's no wonder that we read in The Book of Mormon in Alma 32
¨ And now, he impaireth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned.¨
I know these things to be true. The Lord´s true church has been restored once more to the Earth. He is the leader of this church. I am His representative and it is the most sacred calling I will probably ever hold. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Restored church on the earth. In his holy name. Amen.

Elder Hefner

Cooking with some of our ward members

Using Jackson Barattiero's tie

GUINEA PIGS!!


Preparing the meat for Thanksgiving Lunch. IT´S THANKSGIVING!!!! My old companion Elder Olalere and I decided to throw a thanksgiving... I cooked most of the food and it was pretty tasty (Not to toot my own horn lol) The zone of Missionaries really enjoyed it!


 







We got caught in the rain and had to wait an hour and a half in the rain for the guagua (bus) to come after interviews with the president... President´s wife couldn´t believe our luck and just stood in the church with her hand on her head lol



LOOK 407!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

An almost serious accident and Thanksgiving




Busy Week and almost serious accident

PLEASE I ONLY HAVE 30 MINUTES!! SEND ME THE RECIPE FOR HOW TO MAKE GREEN BEEN CASSEROLE !!! LOL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PACKAGES THE WHOLE ZONE CAN´T BELIEVE YOU... 

YOU CAN´T BELIEVE THE DAY I HAVE HAD... SO STRESSFUL AND on Our way home almost got into accident but it is ok the lord really protected his missionaries today...
I have had a really rough week to be honest and on the way to the internet center we literally almost died... I boldozer pulled out in front of our bus that was going 75 mph... It almost broke the window where the sisters were seated... The lord protected his missionaries.. Thank you for your prayers of saftey for me. THEY WORK...

A week of feasting

The activity tomorrow will be for 24 missionaries and i am cooking FOR ALL OF THEM lol HELP ME. I have inherited the SANTIAGO Party gene! lol I could not find turkey  but I am going to barbecue Chicken and Steak :) I am doing a Christmas activity of fried burritos to try and get the ward going again... All the church leaders are invited and the zone leaders want to come and talk to everyone. The thanksgiving activity was originally planned for just a few people but Elder Olalere my old comp was transferred into the zone as a district leader and Elder Christensen is the other and Elder Faalogo the other District leader so all the district leaders are best friends and we have a really white zone so the activity changed to everyone...WE HAVE 6 PEOPLE WITH A BAPTISMAL DATE!!!!! 4 of them are families who we are helping to get married as well :D WE HAVE EXPLODED WITH WORK... We have 6 with a baptismal date... more then 30 investigators and more than 35 less actives we are working with... 

Thanksgiving Message

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ... I am grateful for an unborn gift from our Heavenly Father who was probably one of our best friends before this life even started. I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ... His never ending love is the reason I am who I am and the Reason that I am becoming who I am becoming. I am grateful for a gorgeous little sister who is growing into a beautiful young lady. I am grateful for an amazing Older sister and Best friend. Someone who I have always relied on. I am grateful for a brother in law who always knows when to crack a joke exactly when I need it. I am grateful for a mom whose love knows no bounds and has existed and will always exist throughout the eternity's. I am grateful for a Dad who has always been example of pure charity and love, someone who is my dad and my brother. Someone who leads his home as Christ would. I am grateful for two loving Grandparents who have always been my support and have always been a refuge for when the storms of life get too hard... A butterscotch from grandpa and a big ole hug from grandma accompanied with a giant plate of Potato Salad... I am grateful for my sacred calling as a missionary, that this Thanksgiving I am able to give the greatest gift I have to others, The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love you guys so much but I have to go soon... My time is up... 
I miss you guys more than you can imagine... What I wouldn't give to be with you all tomorrow around the table... But honestly their are people here who need me more. I promised Heavenly Father before this life that I would live to serve others less fortunate than I... Even if that means leaving behind those I love more than any other in this world... I love you guys so much! Hurrah for Israel... I will take lots of Pictures this week!

OH I AM SENDING THE PACKAGE THIS WEEK OF BULTOS... Inside dads bag is your Christmas gift... YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OPEN IT!! AND INSIDE BEN´S IS LILY´S CHRISTMAS GIFT! DO NOT OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS!!! Ok NEXT WEEK! I will be writing probably around two because I have to cook! LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!!! TALK TO YOU MUCH MORE NEXT WEEK!!!

Elder Hefner