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!!!

 

True Greatness - The Story of the Flat Tire

IT GOES TO SHOW... IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT COUNTRY WE ARE IN... ELDERS LOVE FRIED BURRITOS. hahaha

HAPPY FATHERS DAY POPS!!!!!!! It's pretty funny... This week I shared our story twice about going to conference to help out struggling families who had disobedient youth. It truly brought the Spirit. They could truly see the love we have as Father and Son. We had a great week this week.... We had a man show up to church named Saul... We are pretty sure he is going to be baptized... And 2 of our Investigators have read in the Book of Mormon up until Mosiah!!!!!!! I AM SO STOKED...  I am still in the Mission zone 24/7. We are contacting A LOT and finding SEVERAL families. I am glad they called you to the Sunday School Presidency. TRUST ME. SUNDAY SCHOOL MAKES OR BREAKS SUNDAYS. What our Investigators remember most about Sunday is the classes. When they are good EVERYONE leaves so Spiritually uplifted. When they are just the teacher talking the whole time it's worse than Trigonometry zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... lol I am TRULY understanding the Atonement to a whole other level right now... I can't believe how close I feel to the Savior now... I hope all will be well this week... Love you dad

Elder Hefner

SOOO my old comp stopped by!!! SURPRISE!!!!! It was good to see " Elder" Suero again... 

 OK ANYWAYS I AM DOING FANTASTIC!!!!! lol We have seen a lot of good results this past week!!! Well this week we had a class In Elders Quorum about " True Greatness" it was ALL ABOUT SERVICE. That's when a great memory came to my mind that I haven't thought about in A WHILE. One day on the way to work at Disney I was driving and saw an older gentleman with a flat tire... I stopped and offered to fix it for him... I figured why not? I had a ton of time anyways... So I stopped and he gratefully accepted. I left and went on my way as if nothing even happened. When I got to work one of my friends Jim ( Names changed) stopped me before I clocked in and said HEY I saw you on the side of the road and already told the leaders what you were doing just in case you are late!! I said thanks even though I still had a ton of time until I clocked in. Later on I found my self in a working bay with Jim working side by side for 45 minutes. He immediately asked about the mission I was going to serve and asked for an explanation about "Mormon" beliefs... I gladly explained and was happy for the missionary moment!... Turns out that word got around of the act and "Jill" Also found me and began to ask A TON of questions about my mission and the church... It turned out she told me to sit with her after work (2200) and explain her everything... Word of my mission continued to spread and one by one people of all ages began to ask me questions. My favorite was when "Jake" Asked me right in the middle of directing a hundred people " Hey Tim I know about your mission and everything... I was born on your churches ranch actually and went to church with my friend a couple of times as a kid... But I have a sincere question... Who is Jospeh Smith and what's so special about him?" It was incredible to see how ONE ACT of kindness began a MISSIONARY WILDFIRE. I testify of the Saviors when he said that they "Shall see our good works and glorify our Father who is in Heaven".... After all the Scriptures say that through small and simple things.. We will see miracles. 

I cook for them everyday but my one day off ( PDAY) They begged for Fired Burritos and then almost literally fought over the last two... lol 

THE MEMBERS HAVE SUCH CONFIDENCE IN US NOW! Before the area was dead but now we are seeing some real progress!!! Thanks for asking... The Bishop even called a special meeting on Sunday to talk about missionary work .. The first counselor said " WE finally have 4 good missionaries who want to work... LET'S USE THEM GUYS!!!" LOL We set up alot of intercambios.. " Exchanges". Hey I have to go soon... My Pday is over... I love you!!! Thanks for everything!!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!! LOVE YOU MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Hefner

P-Day in Paradise

P-Day in Paradise

Hey momma! I am here!! I. AM. ALIVE. lol I am the same lol! I have some AMAZING pictures coming of us visiting a waterfall today. It was nice to get active LEAPING and climbing over giant boulders to get there. My mission president isn´t to worried about me. I saw him Sunday. He only joked about how skinny I have gotten lol

I LOVE YOU!!!! :) lol I really think the Lord is just pushing my limits and purifying me honestly... We found a ton of new people to teach and we are trying to work hard!!! Really this week was only 4 days so nothing really big happened... But we did find a guy named Saul that was really stoked to read the Book of Mormon!! He had a sincere desire to read and wants to come to church this Sunday! I am pretty excited to see were it goes! The Lord provides me the strength to leave everyday... MY COMP IS AMAZING. WE ARE THE BEST OF FRIENDS. He is really obedient and has a lot of energy. He is best friends with Elder Laureano and is from his same group in the CCM... HE´s been the greatest blessing to get me through everything !

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL. Remember mom.. No pain or affliction is greater than Gethsemane... If you really want to feel better study the life of our Savior. Because I have these afflictions The Lord has been able to Humble and purify me. Love you mom. With God all things are possible. 

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HURRAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Transported back several years to when I was 13 or 14

So in the states you have to worry about the dogs getting into your trash... Here is giant herds of cows... After destroying our neighbor's trash they came for ours which resulted in me chasing a bunch of cows down the street... lol 

Hey Pops... so glad Tanden is going on a mission...My favorite memory was when I was driving with him stopped at a light on OBT. He looked over to me and said " I may make mistakes sometimes but I really do want to serve a mission because I know the Church is true" ... That moment was a great one for me. He will be a great missionary. He has a solid testimony. Thanks for the encouragement, I am trying to keep going with all I have. WE HAD 6 people show up to church on Sunday! We have been praying fervently for them!!! I am glad the Lord is giving you something different. You have done a great job as the High Priest Group Leader. If you can please pray for my investigators especially one named Cristian... That is so his heart softens... Thanks pops love ya

                  

And this is my face when i realize that I haven't taken any pictures for mom this week 2 mins before leaving for the Internet Center.... LOL

Hey mom! Yea your right... LOL I don't feel the hottest but I am still going strong. I can no longer eat anything that has milk or cheese or anything like that and now most fruits are prohibited .... It's a very hard diet for a missionary.... I am living off of bread AND the Bread of Life... LOL Don't worry I found Lactose free milk here and am just going hard on Lactose free milk and Cocoa Krispies... LOL

The Lord has a way of helping so that my sickness doesn't get in the way of my proselyting time. I have been working a lot of Building my Spiritual confidence and it has been working wonders... I knew Kenai would be fine. I have found myself missing him more and more. First thing I might do after I get released is go for a swim with him in the pool. lol If you want I can share a message with the blog? OH ALSO BIG NEWS. PDAYS ARE CHANGING TO MONDAY STARTING MONDAY!!! This is my last PDAY on Wednesday...... 

The other day I was sitting in a Noche de Rancho ( It's like Family home evening but with 2 or 3 familes and investigators!) and the subject was prayer. We watched a Mormon message by President Monson and immediately I was transported back several years to when I was 13 or 14. I had not thought about that day for a VERY long time. We had something very scary happen to our family. While my sisters and I were alone at home Winds began to pick up and an incredible storm full of hail and downpour water began.... Now being from Florida we are used to these type of conditions. The only problem was that is began to increase in Intensity. At that point we were able to see a Funnel Cloud begin to form above our neighborhood area. The Three of us immediately went to where we called " The Hurricane Closet"... Now being the only guy in the house I didn't want to look scared, especially for my youngest sister who was crying because of fear. At that moment I remember saying one of my first REALLY SINCERE prayers. It wasn't out loud and it wasn't elaborate or beautiful. It was very few words consisting of " God Please save us and my parents." We knew Our parents were on the way back home and were DRIVING in those conditions. In the words of my mom " We couldn't even see the road, I have no idea how we made it home." As they arrived home our hope was rekindled as we saw the lights from the jeep flash across the front window... very shortly afterward the storm dissipated. Prayer works. It Really does.  

LOVE YOU!!!... TALK TO YOU ON MONDAY!!!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!

Elder Hefner

How your children are ALWAYS WATCHING

The Zone!!!

This is our area..... LOL

Hey mama !!!! I don't know how much time I have... Not feeling super hot. I may need to make a "Final Countdown" Run to the bathroom.... LOL I am doing a little better. WE HAVE FOUND TWO AMAZING FAMILIES!!!!!!! I am praying t hat they get baptized! I have had some incredible spiritual experiences this week.... Including a couple hearts that have softened even though we thought it impossible. I also literally saw a miracle.  Also photos are on the way! PUERTO RICO LOOKED LIKE PARADISE!!!!! I am glad you guys had fun! I want to go after the mission!

A couple that I interviewed for baptism... 

So I want to write all of you about the power of example. As parents something think that setting an example is important.. Others not so much... Well I want to talk about the power of example and how your children are ALWAYS WATCHING. When I was 4 years old my parents took me to church. ALWAYS. My only memory of my youth was the experience when I first learned how to pray. I remember that someone walked up to the Pulpit to pray. My father immediately bowed his head and shut his eyes and clasped his hands together. You need to know that I looked up to my Father as a giant among men (I still do.) Anything he did I copied. I immediately closed my eyes and clasped my hands. I then peaked up after about 6 seconds to see if I was doing it right. I saw my dad then bring his clasped hands to his head and with his thumbs rub is eyes with his eyes still shut. I followed suit... I had no Idea why I did it but it's what he did. Almost 17 years later until today I still have the habit of rubbing my eyes every time I bow my head to pray. The lessons a parent teaches their kids are far more powerful than just words... Our Savior taught an excellent example of this when he said in Matthew 5  "14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.


 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Hey I have to go!!! I love you guys a ton!!!!! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!!!! BYE!!!

Elder Hefner

My new companion who arrived today... ELDER GOMEZ!!!