Hey Elder Hefner. Is the Mission tough?

They really wanted to take district photos... 

Well during our last zone meeting my Companion Elder Gomez got up and the first thing he said was " I am so grateful for my time here in La Vega I have learned so much this transfer from Elder Hefner"... it filled my heart to the brim. 

My last picture with Elder Gomez... He got transferred and moved up to District leader in Esperanza!! It was my 1st time in the field being district leader in that same area for 6 months! PRAY HE CAN WITHSTAND THE HEAT!

I hit kind of a low point this week. I was just so INCREDIBLY tired and my new companion needs a lot of love. One morning I went to my suitcase and felt as though I should go through the Old letters I have received. I opened one I got from the Young Men from Kissimmee and it was from Matthew Strickland. It was very short and all it said was " Hey Elder Hefner. Is the Mission tough? I hope it  strengthens your testimony. Stay Strong." The minute I read those inspired words the Spirit touched my heart and I began to weep. It's funny who the Lord uses to fulfill his will and show his love. I walked around the rest of the week with that letter clipped in my name tag.. We have several people who are progressing. We had a new family come to church this week as well!!!

My zone before transfers

And my Companion is very special.. he is a recent convert to the church... He Was baptized in 2014 waited exactly a year and then came out into the mission. He has 9 months. President sent him here so that I could help him out and so that I could learn more charity. He reminds me a lot of Mary... LIKE A LOT. BUT he loves to clean so the house is always spotless! hahaha

My new companion! Elder Moran from El Salvador... needless to say I won't be speaking English anytime soon LOL ...Love this guy...

Let Eggy stay as long as he needs... even until after I get back. I WILL GLADLY TAKE THE COUCH! That't one thing that I love about Dominicans... they ALWAYS invite people in and are willing to give THEIR LAST PESO to give food and clothing and a room to others. It is INCREDIBLE the amount of love they have... THEY even make Extra food just in case a neighbor comes by when they are eating because they would feel bad if he went without.. and a neighbor ALWAYS comes... I am really glad he is staying in my room... 

Hey i have to go though... I love you a ton.. HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!! Make it a great week! Make sure to pray fervently. We can't force anyone to feel the spirit but we can pray that their hearts will soften and open. Love you Both with all of my heart. GO BE MISSIONARIES! Tell dad that even though he took off his tag awhile ago he will forever have the responsibility of Preaching the Gospel. YOU MOM are his eternal companion that will bring a STRONG second witness and testimony to the things he knows and has learned and will pierce hearts as only Sister Missionaries/members can do. Work in a team and with a Spirit of Unity and the Spirit CAN NOT be restrained. Miracles will happen. This is the only true church of Christ upon the face of the earth. Remember that. Dad holds the same power with which worlds were made and holds THE DUTY of Preaching the Gospel as a High Priest in the Holy Priesthood. I have the utmost confidence in you both and in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Master, our Brother, and our Exemplar. All my Love, 

Elder Hefner

Also Hermana Zegarra went home! It's scary to think all these sister who I came into the field with are ending... 4 MONTHS LEFT 0_o




.Made Fried burritos for the last time as a district!

Them who are upon the isles of the sea

Picture from the following week for the computer did not allow him to upload pictures





Hey Pops... Everything is going great... Either me or my comp is being transferred... I think it will be me but I am not sure... It Doesn't matter really. I was thinking a lot the other day about several things and the change the Lord has done with me. I can't lie I am EXHAUSTED. I met with a 70 yesterday and he looked at me once and could tell I was about ready to fall over and take a nap where I was standing LOL. He Looked at me and asked how I was doing... I said GREAT.. He looked at me again and then said Are you sure? with a smile I said yea I am good... It made me chuckle. I was going through Memory lane and thinking of Tanden the other day and the small part I played in helping him get on the mission.. It fills my soul with complete joy to know that he is leaving... If you could get his email for me I would love to write him to see how he's feeling. I will keep Ben in my prayers... Love you dad. Keep the Faith
Elder Hefner

Hey mom....I was writing a lot to my mission president... He seemed really tired this morning when he called... MY COMP is moving up to District Leader... So that means one of the two of us is leaving Wednesday.. I think it's me... all the signs are there.... I probably won't get to see Saul baptized.. He could just move me to be a District Leader in another place... I have been District leader for a year and 3 months.................................................. I wouldn't be mad either way..... lol And I hope so... I sent him that same scripture. I think he is just exhausted from doing so much AND being a full time dad of 3 kids... One being 6 years old..... I am sure he is pushing himself to the very limit honestly...AND we have to non members who went to EFY that came back yesterday and sought us out... They told us they wanted to start the discussions IMMEDIATELY and wanted to be baptized. The 18 year old one said he wanted to serve a mission !!!!! It was incredible...

Naaa I am good.. BUT what you can do is send a little mail pouch that is yellow just with Visine in it... My eyes are messed up... LOL That only costs 3 dollars. Elder Tuckers mom has sent one EVERY WEEK of his mission! lol I made Fried Burritos for my District today... They were all VERY happy.... lol

Na it's ok I think I want to see you guys in the airport.. The ride home will be tough enough.. I feel like it's just something I need to do by myself. And Yes I am I would rather not talk about it... Na I am not sick my eyes are just SUPER dry... Dad will understand me about the Plane thing... Plus I have always dreamed about coming home and seeing you guys at the end of that hallway in the Airport. Plus we have to go on the Cruise Immediately so it would be easier.. 

Honestly mom I have changed alot.. I love you guys.. I have to go now. Hurrah for Israel!
I love you both a ton... I just resent my email to dad... Tell grandma thank you for the recipes!!! I didn't have time to write anyone else just you and dad! TALK TO YOU NEXT WEEK!!!!!

Elder Hefner

My Mission Scripture. 2 Nephi10:21-25

 21 But great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the isles of the sea; wherefore as it says isles, there must needs be more than this, and they are inhabited also by our brethren.

 22 For behold, the Lord God has led away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure. And now behold, the Lord remembereth all them who have been broken off, wherefore he remembereth us also.

 23 Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.

 24 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.

 25 Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY EVERYONE!!!!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY EVERYONE!!!! 

Hey Mom!!! Yea I heard about Disney Springs before I left!! YOU ALL LOOK GREAT!!!! Me and my companion are getting along AMAZINGLY! I am really hoping they leave us together for another transfer! "S" is doing good! We had an Incredible cita (appointment). I went on Intercambios (Exchanges) with the Elders Quorum President... He has the exact same life story as "S".. SO NOW "S" is inviting his wife (She's Separated from him) and their SIX KIDS TO LISTEN! HOW AMAZING IS THAT?!!! I really have felt the difference as I have focused on getting lost in the Work... The Key to getting lost in the work is charity.. and charity is the key to attaining and MAINTAINING Priesthood Power (Along with being Virtuous) . All is well right now. The Lord is giving me sufficient strength to keep loving the mission and continue on! :)


FOR 6 lbs of ribs and all that food it was only 30 dollars... TALK ABOUT AWESOME!!!

Also I need to start thinking about School... Really need to get my FAFSA Done....

Probably Valencia and then UCF... I have 3 years without Studying... It may take me a semester to get back into the Swing of things.... hahaha Hey I have to go though. I love you both SOOOOOOO MUCH!!!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HURRAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Talk to you all next week!!!!!! HAZ TU LO JUSTO!!!! Remember who you are!! :) BE that one family in the ward that every Missionary loves!!!

Elder Hefner

This is also the Bag of Elder Hefner ! hahaha 

This is our District and the 2 zones

So we had a giant barbecue! I MADE RIBS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALMOST 2 YEARS....  I ended up cooking for almost 2 zones even though it was a "Bring your own meat and cook!" type of thing... District Framboyanes ate the best though... Potato Salad, Ribs, WATERMELON!!!, GRAPES, and DORITOS... It was so GOOD! To Quote Elder Tucker who goes home in 9 days... " That was the best meat I have eaten In 2 years..." LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

"DO YOU BELIEVE IT OR NOT?"

WE FINALLY have someone with a date for baptism. We have been fighting for 3 months to find someone. His name is Saul! The other day I got a little sick again and didn't know If I could make the walk to church. As I was sick The Spirit brought a distinct memory to my mind. The 2nd time my Mission President wanted to send me home, The Lord sent a Member of the 70 to my ward building and I was guided to ask him for a blessing. He happily accepted. He Didn't bless me to be healed but said " I bless you with enough strength to end your mission successfully and with honor." As I was bent over sick the Spirit POWERFULLY brought the words to my mind and said "DO YOU BELIEVE IT OR NOT?" I got up in that moment and left the house as fast as possible. During the 15 minute walk I sang hymns to take my mind off of it and RIGHT AS we crossed in front of the hospital a Haitian young man in a Doctors uniform turned the corner at THE EXACT SAME TIME AS US and began walking by our side. THE COOL PART WAS THAT IT WAS IN ENGLISH!!! He told us his name and said his family was Mormon and read to him often out of the pages of "The Mormon Bible" and that he really wanted us to come by and teach... He then took the long way home to continue to speak with us until we were in front of the chapel. He wanted to go to church right then and there but an urgent situation came up so he gave us all his information and told us to stop by... IT WAS INCREDIBLE!

We have been having blackouts lately so this is us planning... Going back to the times of Grandpa Hefner LOL

I have to get off now... I am sorry it was so short today.. Next Monday will be longer!!! I will be buying a little bit of food next Monday... FAIR WARNING! lol I am really grateful too you both. I can't tell you how much I love you. It's time to give it my all for the next 4 and 1/2 months. We as a family will cross the finish line together hand in hand. A Mission is a family affair. As you pray for me, I pray for you and as that happens we go from Earthly love into a more Celestial sphere of love and trust. HURRAH FOR ISRAEL. Hoy, Manana, y Siempre (Today, Tomorrow and Always)

Elder Hefner 

Btw I have seen Abuelos name 4x's this week!!!