We saved a kid from getting the snot beat out him by his mom...

VALENTINE'S GIFT!!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A MIRACLE IT WAS...1.Because our money came 3 days late... We ate a lot of chocolate for the last 3 days...LOL and 2 because I have been using a used pillow case since the beginning of my mission...Someone gave me it.. SO NOW I HAVE MY OWN LOL

Miracles

Several miracles... I can only write a couple though... We saved a kid from getting the snot beat out him by his mom... He was acting out really bad..He´s 14 and his dad died 6 months ago from a heart attack.. She was ready to use a steel bar to discipline him. We stepped in and told her to give us 20 minutes alone with him. We went in and 20 mins we walked out and she had a new son. They are now great new investigators!!! hahahaha As we talked, the neighbors all gathered outside the house to wait to see the result. When we left ,they all accepted for us to pass by their houses too!!! HAHAHAHA talk about awesome! :D 

Another miracle was that we went and visited a member who lives at the top of a giant hill... We were having a pretty bad day but the sister just got out of surgery... She is about 60 years old... We stepped into the house and shared with her and her friend/Future husband. During the lesson she paused us and  said ¨ did you know that I knew you both were here before you even said hello? I thought it was because I have really big feet... But she told  us it was because the minute we arrived at her property she felt a very calming spirit that calmed her down a lot apparently and that all of the pain from her surgery left in an instant,and that the pain still hadn't come back the entire time we were sharing the scripture¨...It left us stunned. She was so sincere as well. We moved the candle closer to read the scripture and as we did the spirit truly testified to me once again that we really are representatives  of Jesus Christ...

WOW THE BLOG WORKS!! I HAD A BLOG MIRACLE!!! A sister who is new in  our mission from BRASIL came up too me and said ¨ Elder Hefner Te Conozco¨ (Elder Hefner I know you) I was super Surprised obviously... She told me that Elder Guzman served in her ward and gave her the blog to follow... She told me that reading the blog every week helped her prepare A LOT to be ready for the mission... She is a really spiritual Hermana!! WAY TO GO MAMA!!!

Hey so no photo´s this week... The Computer doesn't want to send them.. :/ But we had a good week!!!
HEY I have to go!! IT IS 6!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!

Elder Hefner

TALK ABOUT THE LORD MOVING MOUNTAINS....

Bringing a little of AMURICA to the DR... Making Mama Hefner´s famous Lasagna!! With all humility I can say.... IT WAS JUST LIKE HOME YES, IT WAS JUST LIKE HOME!!! AND THEIR WAS NOTHING LEFT.... They just kept coming back for more... and more... Then they invited others from the street in to eat lol... That´s the culture here... You always make extra because they expect friends or even strangers to come in and share a meal... It is amazing!!

That´s Rossi and her family.. They should be getting baptized this month!

WE HAD A BAPTISM!!! I Am SENDING YOU THE PICTURES NOW!!!

Baptism of Jose Miguel...The man is literally a Genius... He is a teacher of children with Special needs... The only that exists in my area. He runs the school from his house and is a truly incredible person. Every time I leave a lesson with him I feel as though I learned  more than what I am able to teach hahaha

Loving training "his kid"

I AM GREAT. lol We have had several people accepted to be baptized... The Mission President challenged us to give away one Book of Mormon this week and watch the miracles since I have a kid (standard practice)... We thought that was to easy so we gave away 5..: All accepted to be baptized... TALK ABOUT THE LORD MOVING MOUNTAINS.... IT´S THE FIRST TIME IN 8 MONTHS that I haven´t had to be a district leader!!!

He is going to be an AMAZING leader and Elder... The Lord really sent me the cream of the crop... I have been enduring for 14 months... 9 more is just right around the corner. The nurse said I will probably have problems the rest of my life but it´s ok. I have accepted it. The Lord healed me once when I was in utter need with my spine... If it's necessary he will do it again after my mission.. If not it´s a great way to always remember the mission lol
Don´t send me medicine... I won´t be able to take it... The DR of the Caribe has a tight leash on me. LOVE YOU!!! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! TTYL!!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!

ELDER HEFNER

The Bella Vista District!!!! .... For the first time in 9 months I haven´t been a District Leader... I am really relieved that I can just focus on training my kid... HE´S A FIRE BALL!!! 

Want to know how to stop an addiction?

District Bella Vista!!!

A very important request (this Elder knows the importance of food and families)

I am writing my mission President right now but please while I am writing SEND ME HOW TO MAKE LASAGNA!!!! lol IT´S CRITICAL! ALSO how to make the ricotta cheese... BY THE WAY! HI!!! I am making lasagna tomorrow.. lol

E-mail support for his companion Elder Laureano

YEA YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HIS FACE!!! (I got the missionary mommas to e-mail his companion for he gets no support from home) LOL And thanks so much!   He is good and we have been working really hard... Thanks for the inspiration it really helped!

It is possible to stop an addiction

My week was great.. 4 more people accepted to be bapized... We have SO MUCH WORK it is incredible!! WE HAVE A BAPTISAM THIS SATURDAY!!!! His name is Jose Miguel.. He is actually a teacher of children with Disablities... HE IS A GENIUS. HE has a year with the missionaries but finally feels ready to be baptized! WOO. Last night we had a cool experience.. Wanna hear??

So last night we were teaching a lesson with Pablo.. Pablo´s brother Javier is going to be baptized this month. Pablo has a HUGE problem smoking.. To the point that he told us that every 15 minutes he has a huge anxiety to smoke. We were working with him on and off but last night we got to teach the restoration. It was AMAZING. We were talking for over 90 minutes answering all his questions. He committed to read the ENTIRE Book of Mormon from the start so that he can be baptized at the same time as his brother. Then at the end of the lesson I felt inspired to ask if he had the desire to smoke during the duration of the lessons... He paused and looked at me and got really serious and said ... Wow I really haven´t... I then looked him square in the eye and told him, ¨Pablo THIS IS EXACTLY the power of the message that we carry¨ The Spirit filled the room and his eyes went wide as he understood. I then promised him through the Spirit and the Authority of our callings that the Lord would help him conquer his addiction. HE accepted to stop smoking and asked us to come back TONIGHT (The next day) To watch the movie of the Restoration. Pablo and his brother are 22 and 23 years old .. The lord is revealing all the Priesthood for the future ward of La Herradura...

Learning as I teach

Thanks dad... That quote was incredible... I hear your knee is still bothering you.. I think it´s finally time to realize the real diagnosis here. You´re old man... lol na just kidding. My kid is great. He´s a fireball with a powerful testimony. Dad if there is on thing I have learned here it is that The power of the Priesthood is real and it is a sacred responsibility. I had a cool experience the other day... I was giving a capacitation on the Holy Ghost which was given to me by my District Leader and it truly was incredible. I prayed all morning and studied but only came up with one scripture to use. I got up to speak without anything planned but with full confidence in the Lord. I got up and the Lord loosed my tounge and I gave what I truly believe was the most Powerful Capacitation I have ever given... I spoke for 15 minutes and was given several inspired questions to ask the entire time and make comparisons I never had even imagined. It was funny because one of your favorite scriptures in DyC 76 was written in the back of my Preach my gospel and I read it right before I began speaking and everything clicked. It was the testimony of the Prophet Joseph on the reality of the Saviour. I got up after and started by reciting the First vision and the Spirit filled the room to the brim. I then made the connection that the Spirit is always so strong when we quote this vision because the Holy Ghost´s job is to testify of the Father and the Son... And what better opportunity foes he have than when the both are talking at the same time to a Prophet of the latter days. We only have heard the two talking at the same time 3 or 4 times in all recorded history. It was incredible how the Spirit opened up my understanding in this moment AS I WAS TEACHING. Thought I would share that with you.. Lots of love

Regarding his stomach illness

It´s getting there! EVENTUALLY!!! lol Mom I think we both need to just accept that I will be sick my entire mission and have that be the end of it. lol Besides I only have 9 months left in the field... lol I have put up with it for 14 months TO THE DAY... I can deal with it for  9 more lol

But hey I have to go soon... I love you a ton.. HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!! :)
TE AMO TAMBIEN!!! ESTUDIE LAS ESCRITURAS EN EPSAÑOL ES MEJOR!!! ADIOS!!! (I love you too...Study the scriptures in TE AMO TAMBIEN!!! ESTUDIE LAS ESCRITURAS EN EPSAÑOL ES MEJOR!!! ADIOS!!! they are better...goodbye)
Elder Hefner

The other night when I was running out of money..

I AM TRAINING AGAIN!!

SORRY MOM I AM LATE!!! BUT I AM HERE HURRY AND RESPOND!!! lol President surprised me and called. His name is Elder Laureano. He´s from the capital and he´s incredible. I can literally see the Spirit in his eyes.  I can´t explain how happy I am to have him. He is a recent convert of 3 years. HE WAS A PITCHER FOR THE TEXAS RANGERS. He tore a muscle in his arm though and decided to serve a mission instead of try and recover... If you can it would mean a lot to me if you could write him. 

The District from Hato del Yaque!

The area has EXPLODED MOM. I have never seen such miracles in all of my mission... We have over 13 families we are teaching and  most of them have a baptismal date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom I literally am 100 % healthy... I have never been able to work so well in all of my mission... I will send you a picture  next week of my new companion! He´s writing right now... Give him a second :) If you can also send stuff for him in the next package whenever you want that will be cool... Also I really need some Zyrtec when you can... Sorry to ask :/

Me and Pablo

Really fast because I only have 8 minutes... The ward choir sang Grande Eres tu (How great though art) for ward conference IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH! It was so amazing. They had me sing solos on the second and fourth verse. The Second in English... But I told them I had to sing the fourth in Spanish... It was the first time I had to sing balling crying. The Spirit touched my heart so hard that I expressed every ounce of my testimony in the Fourth Verse. For the first time in my life I wasn't nervous performing. The members and visitors were in tears as well. There were so many people at church they couldn't fit everyone... People were standing. This ward is incredible...also my comp got his Identity stolen on his Personal card so I have been paying a lot for him... The other night when I was running out of money.. I dug into my pocket, that was empty before, to find if I had a cracker to eat and 200 Pesos appeared in my pocket out of nowhere........ I only left the house with 150 pesos that day. BUT I HAVE TO GO! I need to put a good example for my son... I will talk to you next week!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!! LOVE YOU!!

Elder Hefner

And the bishop's wife made Arroz con gandules AND LASAGNA in the same time... THE MIRACLES JUST DON´T STOP!!!  MY TWO FAVORITE FOODS!!!  

Ever since I was a little kid I have had an activity I have loved to do...

My desk AKA my favorite area!

MOM I AM HERE!!!

Hey P-Day got changed to today for this week!!!! (My response: You got to be kidding me!!!!!!!!!!! I have not written your e-mail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) LOL I am fine!!! I AM FINALLY RECOVERED!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO. LOL no i am not sick!! We have a 3 hour training tomorrow so president thought it would be a better idea to have our P-day today instead of tomorrow! I have a message for you guys?? It´s pretty cool if you ask me... But it will take me a while to write... My week was good... really it was amazing! WE SAW SO MANY MIRACLES!!!!

A little golfing on P-Day!!! We have a course in our area!!! The biggest miracle was that a nonmember came up to us and said ¨You guys mormon?!¨ we yelled YEA! He replied that his son was the bishop of the ward and that he owned the course... He then proceeded to give us 2 for the price of one. It was a miracle because my comps personal card wasn't working either!

The goats on hole 3!

Just a talk I was asked to write a couple of weeks ago...

Hey Guys... Just a talk I was asked to write a couple of weeks ago... I had a feeling that I should share it with all of you. LOVE YOU GUYS!
  
Ever since I was a little kid I have had an activity I have loved to do. My dad taught me from a very young age how to body surf... We never really had the means to buy a real surf board but I was happy to learn how to body surf! It´s really easy. All you have to do is wait until the wave comes near and right before it hits you you´ll feel a tug. At that moment you have to jump in the air and put your body flat like a surf board and the wave will carry you all the way to shore right in the center of the wave. Well one time when I was 16 A wave that was massive came. I thought I could handle it and mistimed it. The size and power of the wave held me under the water for what seemed like eternity but what was really 15 seconds. I ended up smashing my head into the seashell ocean floor and found myself drowning for the first time in my life. To imagine the size of this wave... At this point in my life I was a full 259 lbs... Sometimes in life, we get thrown a wave that we just can´t handle. I found myself in this situation in my mission. I was sick for a total of 12 times straight. Passing 14 months of my mission without rest for my body. I truly didn't think I could keep going. As missionaries here the physical demand on our bodies is already strenuous enough. I asked the Lord why is was that it had to happen. The Doctors from the mission and Caribe even were pushing to send me home. As I was lost in my own confusion and in reality pain, The words of a familiar scripture came to my mind. I opened my scriptures to Doctrine and Covenants. There I found the words of The Prophet Joseph Smith. Here he explains the situation and the feelings he was feeling, He says ¨When I learn that the storm is fully blown over, then I will return to you again. 2 And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all,and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Sometimes we are called to pass through trials and sometimes we have it a little easier, but I have learned something these past 14 months. We can not lose Hope. Hope is the ¨anchor of our souls¨ (James E. Foust)  It is what can see us through any storm. According to Preach my Gospel, 
¨Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. It is believing and expecting that something will occur. When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good. Hope helps you conquer discouragement. The scriptures often describe hope in Jesus Christ as the assurance that you will inherit eternal life in the celestial kingdom.
President James E. Faust taught:
“Being blessed with hope, let us, as disciples, reach out to all who, for whatever reason, have ‘moved away from the hope of the gospel’ (Col. 1:23). Let us reach to lift hands which hang hopelessly down¨

So yes, life is going to throw us some waves we just can´t handle. THEY ARE NECESSARY. Without them we can´t grow, but let us follow the council of brother Joseph. When the deep waters come, when the waves get too big, when we are held under feeling that we can´t get up again. Keep Swimming. The wave will pass. Rescue is on the way. We get so confused beneath the swirling waters that in our greatest moment of crisis we forget to look up. There is an old friend waiting to pull us out, our eternal Lifeguard. Yea even Jesus The Christ. He has spent time in the deepest water. He has been pushed down farther than any man who has walked this earth has been pushed. He is the only one with the strength, knowledge and love who can lift us out. I find peace in what I am now truly called to be and do. As a missionary I am his representative. Maybe the words of my favorite hymn can sum up what It is We as missionaries are called to do The hymn goes like this

¨

1. 1. Brightly beams our Father's mercy
   From his lighthouse evermore,
   But to us he gives the keeping
   Of the lights along the shore.
   (Chorus)
   Let the lower lights be burning;
   Send a gleam across the wave.
   Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
   You may rescue, you may save.
   2. Dark the night of sin has settled;
   Loud the angry billows roar.
   Eager eyes are watching, longing,
   For the lights along the shore.
   3. Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;
   Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,
   Trying now to make the harbor,
   In the darkness may be lost.
   
   As his representative I testify that He lives. He is waiting to lift up the hands that have fallen in despair but only if we seek him. In the sacred name of Jesus the Christ. Amen. 

ELDER HEFNER

PS - SO I finally got the house clean enough to send pictures... lol The Flag is the door to my Bathroom LOL...Our Living room and ¨Sofa¨ and our life saving water tanks! WOO Our Washer and Dryer... Lol jkjk dryers don´t exist here. See clothing lines????