My First Area and NEVER GIVE UP HOPE

 Our house. We live on the bottom floor!

I AM HERE

Hey mom and dad! I am finally here en El Campo. My companion's name is Elder Flores and he is from Guatemala. I will be his last companion and from what I hear he is the best trainer in the mission! He is a really cool guy and is working on his English. I am helping him with that as he is helping me with Spanish. I am in the City of Santiago as my first area.  My areas name is Cristo Rey. I am pretty sick with a nasty intestinal infection by it's all good. I am getting antibiotics for it soon. My companion lit up when I told him I enjoyed cooking and we already went and bought everything to eat! I am10 mins by car 30 by foot to the mission home. Today is my P=day and I love you. I love you lots! Keep preaching the gospel... Btw the scripture I asked you to hang in the Languages just so happens to be THE MISSION SCRIPTURE lol haha The Spirit is awesome! TTyl mom and dad LOTS OF LOVE.

Elder Hefner

PS Tell Mary I love her and miss her !!! And Glorianne and Ben!

View from the bus on my way to Santiago

 Elder Flores and my cooking-My companion is great and the area is awesome as well! and It is just as spiritual like the CCM  

My first lesson

I am so glad to be out in the field.. I don't have long to email so I will be frank just because I have to pay to email you .. I taught my first lesson in a Dirt floor house with holes in the metal tin roof. I am so humbled to be here mom and dad... I love you all... The apartments are pretty bad... Like there is mold everywhere but I am loving every minute out here. My companion has been a zone leader twice and district leader twice and the president and everyone says he is the best in the mission. Know that I am well. I am blessed enough to be in an apartment with running water and a light. I love you all. Please pray for peoples hearts to be open because i am ready to labor without ceasing.

Electricity is always going out. This is me planning by flashlight. 

First Service Project - Building barb wire fence

Never give up HOPE

Hey guys just wanted to share an experience with you all that is strengthening my testimony so much.
I got a call from my mother 3 days ago saying that my dad a 95 percent blockage in his heart and then had severe Pancreatitis. His Pancreas was an hour away from exploding. He is still in the hospital but he is seeing miracles everyday. It was funny because when I got the news I only talked to my mom for about a minute and then said ok.. did he get a blessing and She said yes. I Then I spoke to my dad and said ok then I have to go. I went back into the lesson I was teaching which JUST HAPPENED to be on HOPE and the POWER of the SAVIOR and I bore my testimony to these families. We were teaching about 16 people some which were return,inactive missionaries. I told them what had happened and told them that I knew that my Redeemer lives. My companion and I are now doubling our efforts to teach and preach because I know that through my service, my father will see miracles. I am here to serve the Lord and I am ready to be a missionary. My first thought after that call was not to ask God why or curse him. My first thought was to preach the Gospel and that is exactly what I am going to do. We are teaching so many people that most nights we don´t get in until 10 or later. We already have two baptisms lined up. One is on the 31st and the other on the 14th of February ! It´s just been super spiritual over all.. We teach 24-7 ! I am receiving the gift of tongues though every single day...  I know this work is the greatest on the face of the earth. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is The restored church of my Savior and I know it to be true with all my heart. In the Name of my Master and Savior Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Elder Hefner

My agenda with a picture I felt I should take

A scripture I read that really helped me this week!

My Spiritual Message

My spiritual message is to never give up hope. Read Romans Chapter 8 and be strengthened.

 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Next week I´ll send you a recording of me singing and my testimony because it doesn´t want to work. I love you though! Talk to you later and I am praying everyday for you!

Love,

Elder Hefner

From the Mission News Letter - Arrival January 13, 2015

Arrived safely to the Dominican Republic Santiago Mission

Elder Hefner arrived to the area he will be serving

Your son, Elder Timothy Alexander Hefner, arrived safely in the Dominican Republic Santiago Mission.  I am pleased to have him here.  His trainer is Elder Hector Daniel Flores García from San Pedro Sacatepequez, Guatemala.  He is an excellent missionary and will take good care of your son.  They are assigned to the Cristo Rey Area in the Santiago Sur Zone.  

I appreciate so much the enthusiasm and desire your son has to serve his fellow man.  He now has the opportunity to serve donating 100% of him time to the Lord.  We ask you to help him cherish him mission, to work hard, to fight discouragement, to love his companion and the people he is serving.  He will need encouragement and support.  He will experience trials that will strengthen and profit him eternally.  Weekly letters are very important in maintaining a missionary’s enthusiasm.  We would request that your letters to him be uplifting, spiritually edifying, and mission centered. 

I will do everything I can to help your son serve a successful mission.  I thank you for your support and look forward to time serving with your son.  

Sincerely,

John L. Douglas
Mission President

My last P-day in the CCM (MTC)...My Purpose As A Missionary

"I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." D&C 84:88 

My last P-day in the CCM

"So this is my last P-day in the CCM. I leave Tuesday at 5:45 in the morning. So this week we got to go into El Campo and it was AMAZING. The Lord was preparing me big time! The first person I taught was an inactive lady we weren't even supposed to teach. Elder Mendez told me to share my favorite scripture and I was prompted to share a scripture in Mosiah. When I did, the Spirit of the Lord took over and she began to weep. Even though I didn't say much the whole lesson I knew she felt Christ's love. Also, my first time in the field I TAUGHT A HAITIAN WITH THE SANTO DOMINGO WEST MISSION PRESIDENT ! It just proved to solidify my testimony that i need to learn Creole."

"Candids of my face as elder smith tells me his crazy stories"

Our family needs to be a missionary family

"Our family needs to be a missionary family. Continue to keep feeding the missionaries and invite AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO BE TAUGHT BY THEM! My mission call extends to all of you. Invite as many as will listen to come unto Christ. I promise that as you do you will receive blessings that will be unfathomable to you. It only takes one family in the ward to set the standard and be an example to all. I know it is a lot to ask but it isn't me that is asking it is the lord. We have been counseled by the apostles to "FEAR NO MAN." "

Elder Hefner's family at the MTC is the Benjamin District. As you can see Elder Hefner's companion doesn't like to smile or pose so he said the picture to the right is                    "us doing " The Elder Smith" "

What I learned from my District in one word

I know we were chosen to be together at this time for a reason. What I learned from my District Brothers and Sisters in one word:

Hermana Brown : Obedience 

Hermana Fielding : Faith

Hermana Ah Quin : Strength

Elder Orr : Comedy and laughter

Elder Alatini : Courage

Elder Smith : Silence

3 Nefí (3rd Nephi) in the languages of our household 

"Also just one more thing... Please frame these Three Scriptures somewhere in the house where everyone can see. It is 3 Nefí in the languages of our household (English-Spanish-Haitian Creole): 

 13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

13  He aquí, soy discípulo de Jesucristo, el Hijo de Dios. He sido llamado por él para declarar su palabra entre los de su pueblo, a fin de que alcancen la vida eterna.

  13 Gade, m se yon disip Jezikri, Pitit Gason Bondye a. Li te chwazi m pou m deklare pawòl nan pami pèp li a pou yo kapab gen lavi pou tout tan.

My purpose as a Missionary

"As for other spiritual experiences this week, I had my exit interview with President Freestone. He told me in my interview that I had to figure out my purpose as a missionary very quickly and trust me I guess the Lord's time is very fast for me. I found my purpose two days later after when I was reading on the temple grounds in Alma 36. I had read those verses several times before but this time the Spirit read them to me. With a voice so clear it was as if Abuelo delivered it from behind me. I heard " THIS IS YOUR PURPOSE. YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW ALMA FELT AND YOU MUST DO EXACTLY AS ALMA HAS DONE"

"It was amazing mom. The Lord wants me to GET TO WORK the minute I am in the Field... It's been mind blowing mom. I am so ready to be out in the field in 4 days! :) I love you! lol ttyl Love you I'll talk to you on my next P day idk when that is but love ya tty next week! Don't forget to Frame those scriptures! "

 

Broke my finger

" I broke and tore all the tendons in my ring finger.and it REALLY hurts to even type this much. It will take two months to heal sooo yea. But yea I'll be fine so don't worry. The doctor down here luckily is a hand specialist and told me it will take a few months to heal properly..."

  ALMA 36:26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God.

This week has been INCREDIBLE...The Blessings of Obedience

New Years Celebration at 10:25. It was also the first night for a bunch of elders here! They are here for two weeks going to the West Indies Mission and for a bunch of the Spanish elders just came for two weeks and they are going to Puerto Rico and Santiago.. I have commissioned my District to find our family in PR and baptize them! 

As we start a new year

As we were striving to be obedient I helped an elder decide not to stay up unitl midnight on new years and we took a vote with all the districts and they all agreed so we made 10:25 our 12 this year. As we counted down we yelled happy new year and the minute we did we hear a knock. It was the sisters from another District asking Their District Leader Elder Madsen and his companion and me and Elder Smith to give her a blessing in a time of severe trials and because we were Exactly Obedient we were able to with the Spirit and it was amazing. There is no better way for me to begin a new year then by blessing the life of another through the Priesthood !

Elder Hefner and Elder Smith with Elder Orr's stash for New Years Celebration

Elder Orr - He got all this together

This week has been INCREDIBLE

Hey Mom and Dad. This week has been INCREDIBLE. One story in particular I need to share with you is this one. I had the impression to fast to be a better district leader and example to others and so I did. That same day I got paired up with Hermana (name withheld) in a session of teaching and I knew it was the moment that I had been fasting for. Instead of teaching her  like a pretend investigator I tought her. In the opening prayer of our lesson I begged the Spirit to guide me as to what to say. When I did I heard the words in my mind clear as day you need to teach her about where to turn to when she is in need of strength. Then it gave me very specific scriptures to share and a Question to ask. When I asked the question in the very first part of the lesson she began to sob. Everything I shared with her is what she needed the most. I knew that was my role and that I was the only one who had the capability to say what she needed to hear. If you are ready I have another story that will bring the Spirit Please let me know love you.

Our reply was: We are here!!! We are ready!!! Happy New Year!!

Tender Mercies from two points of view

We are part of a private group on Facebook were Missionary Mothers share their Elders/Sisters experiences on the field in order to uplift each other. To our surprise a Mom posted the following:

My daughter has been at the DR MTC for about 4 weeks now. She shared a really neat story in her email today. I just wanted to say thank you to those Elders that she is serving with that were able to help her when she needed it. What an amazing experience she had! 

"Also, a couple nights ago I randomly started getting these super sharp pains in my stomach and I literally could not move. I took Advil and they just got worse and worse. I was planning on sleeping in a chair because every time I went to lay down the pain just increased. So I finally decided to go ask the elders if they could give me a blessing. We knocked on every door and woke up every elder in here because we didn't know what room our elders were in. So that was embarrassing. But apparently all the elders in my district couldn't sleep, which is super rare because by the end of the days you are dead tired. Anyways, when we knocked on the door and asked for a blessing they were all freaking out saying that's the reason they couldn't sleep. But the coolest thing happened during the blessing. The elder that gave it to me said, "Christ is looking down on you smiling because of how proud He is of you" and as soon as he said that I saw, clear as day, a smile. So awesome and immediately after receiving that blessing the pain was gone. The power of the priesthood is real, my friends. I probably needed that experience to humble myself and not only did it strengthen my testimony in the priesthood all the elders in my district gained a stronger testimony and that's sooo cool."

This was our response to that mom for Elder Hefner shared the following Miracle in his e-mail:

I share the story from the Priesthood side...Just sharing for the Spirit was overwhelming when I read it and for everyone to know that Heavenly Father watches over our children. This is what my son wrote: "so there was a night this week were it was 11 at night and NONE of the Elders in my district could sleep myself included. We are a district of exact obedience so we are always in bed by 10:30 but this night it was 11:10 and we were laying in bed with the lights off and just couldn't sleep. Then the Miracle happened. We got a knock on our door from one of the Hatian teachers. He said one of our sisters was in a lot of pain and required a blessing. Luckily we were all wearing shirts and shorts so we threw on our name tags and ran out the door. She asked Elder Alatini to anoint and for me to bless. As i put my hands on her head I closed my eyes and Everything went bright white. It was as if I had closed my eyes while standing outside at noon day and the sun was shining directly at me. I felt my self recide from my own mind and the Holy Ghost filled every ounce of my frame and mind and spoke words to this Sister. I remember saying to arise and be made completely whole through her faith in Jesus Christ. After the blessing was over the Severe STABBING pains that she had had for hours were completely gone."

Unconditional Love

Last night of Haitian Elders at the CCM

I had to say goodbye to my Haitian brothers when the left the CCM. I have had to do very few things as hard as that in my entire life. I have a Special love for the People of Haiti like my father before me. I asked the CCM president and he has confirmed that there are hardly any Haitian speaking elders in Santiago. That is because they are all being sent to Haiti. And they have no one that can teach creole here. The Haitians bring their teachers from Haiti. Dad please begin preparing things to send to help me learn Creole. I love you guys I really do. I have faith that I can learn this. I will do all the lord asks and I have a feeling that I am going to pick it up really fast because he has ALOT of work for me to do. My Blessing from The lord says " I will bring MANY souls unto Christ while on my mission" Luckily there is an elder here who is going to Santiago who speaks fluent Spanish and Haitian! And I have already gotten a PMG in French.. He will help me learn Haitian through Spanish... Blessing? I think YES.  It was hard because I know that I will not see most of those brothers again in this earth. They bore us testimony saying that we were angels because we embraced them with all our hearts and loved them because we didn't judge the color of their skin. They bore their testimony in broken English of the truthfulness of the gospel in Broken English and I have never heard a more powerful testimony. I love these people so much Mom and Dad I really do.

Our Response to Elder Hefner was: We already have had the same confirmation. On Tuesday we were in your room and your dad was reading you mission call letter and he read the line that said about your mission will be change according to your mission president and your dad said: It wouldn't surprise me if his mission president ask him to speak creole".

"My room...I love you guys"

"May we remember these ABCs as we begin our journey into the new year, cultivating a positive Attitude, a Belief that we can achieve our goals and resolutions, and the Courage to face whatever challenges may come our way. Then the abundant life will be ours." Thomas S. Monson

Spending Christmas Away From My Family

Study time with Elder Smith

Selfie with the MTC (CCM) President

On Christmas and Mother's Day, Missionaries of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints get to call home. We spoke to Elder Hefner for 20 minutes yesterday. Because he is currently in the MTC, the call was short so all missionaries were able to have a turn calling home. Our hearts are full of joy! His Spanish is so good! This coming from his Puerto Rican mother. He speaks with a beautiful Spanish accent! I cannot express how much peace, happiness and love we felt when hearing his voice.The Spirit witness one more time that Elder Hefner is at the right place and the right time. I will confess that Christmas was not the same without him. We missed his very early wake up call Christmas morning (he was always the first one up) and his handing out of the presents. Tim Sr. did the honors for I could not bear having anyone else do it. We ended the call with a beautiful family prayer. It was given by Elder Hefner in Spanish.

CCM Lunch Room

CCM Christmas Lunch

Elder Hefner Christmas Tree

We received an e-mail today and will like to share some of it with you:

Hey mom and dad... Soooo week three is almost over and it has been the toughest/most spiritual weeks. I have received such personal revelation that is mind blowing... First and foremost I was very very ill for the beginning of the week. I am fine now but because of it I had to miss going to the Temple. It was horrible because I really wanted to go but I learned so many things because I didn't... I was the first to get sick and because of it, I was able to help everyone else who was sick. I felt more like the Savior because I was able to succor those who stood in need of comfort because I already knew what they had gone through.

On Christmas Day there were no employees that would cook so I went to the kitchen and made rice for about 40 people.We also ate your cookies. Don't worry, I have lost 6 more pounds. I am at 229. Btw all the Elders are telling me you are friends with all of their moms... We all laugh about it A LOT XD...

Spending Christmas away from my family was completely worth it because even as Christ was born to save us all it is now my time to go help others be born of Christ... That's the quote I told a member of the Seventy when he was talking to us about 10 ft away...

I walked with my Savior before this world was. I KNEW HIM. He was my best friend. I have been saved for these days because the Lord was teaching me my first lessons and preparing me to come down to this earth to usher in the coming of the Savior. I will forever be his instrument, to bring to pass His will and His Glory. Mom and Dad, invite the missionaries over as often as possible.  I love you all so much!!! Everyday I remember the Three names I bear on my name tag: My Family, The Church's and The Lord's. I will serve with complete honor and obedience. 

- Elder T. Hefner

We stand tallest when we are on our knees...

Missionaries at the CCM (MTC) are broken down into Districts. Here is a picture of the Benjamin and Alma Districts.

Glory did you know

As I was driving towards work this week, the Christmas song Mary Did You Know came on the radio. As I listened to the lyrics, I could feel the love of Mary towards her son Jesus Christ, the same love that I have for mine. I then switched the name Mary to Glory. 

Glory did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? 

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you. 

As we read Elder Hefner's message, we are reminded that God's mercy and blessings are available to those that we serve and help come unto Christ. Our son has come to teach  and remind each of us the importance of Trials,Prayer, Faith and Trust.

A message to you

Timothy Hefner	Dec 18 (1 day ago)
to me, Timothy

Hey everybody! Just so you know I love you all. Your support in my calling as a missionary has been tremendous and VERY NEEDED. Some people think that when you are called to serve a mission every trial and hard time just stops because you are on the Lord's time. I'm here to tell you that this is FALSE. These past couple of weeks have been nothing but trial after trial for the Missionaries in the CCM (MTC).  We are all very tired and I personally went 2 weeks running on less than 4 hours of sleep because my concern for these Elders and Sisters is very very high. Through much fasting and prayer things have begun to return back to normal. The Spirit has returned to the CCM and for the moment we are able to stand tall. Although it's important and 100% vital to remember that we stand tallest when we are on our knees. I have witnessed Miracles unfold in my life and in the lives of others. I've finally been able to sleep for more than a few hours a night thanks to the help of my mission president.  It's funny though, no matter what Satan tries to throw at us HE CAN'T STOP US. No unhallowed hand will EVER stop the work from progressing. The Truthfulness of the Gospel will go forth boldly, nobly and independently until The Great Jehovah will say " The Work is Done!". The Authority to act completely in the Lords name is back on the Earth. My companion has shown me this to be the truth. The Lord has used us to bless the lives of others with such power that it has sanctified ourselves and brought us closer to the Lord and together. We have learned that the Spirit is so vital to EVERYTHING. It has blessed us as we have followed it's guidance and we have seen the consequences of not following it as well. I promise that as we strive to have the Spirit as a constant companion AND work equally hard to be worthy and ready for It's promptings that It will bless our lives dramatically. I need all of you to know that I am losing myself to this work. My problems are so tiny compared to the grand scheme of things. Elder Bednar promised us that the biggest difference between the Savior and us, besides the obvious, is that when he was tempted or had hard times he never turned in towards himself but ALWAYS turned out towards other. That is what I have taken to heart. This is what I have learned. I can say now with all honesty of heart that I can answer as the Savior did when he said "For the cause have I come into the World" Now I can say that I have come into this world not Called to Serve but Born to Serve. I am here to help others along there path back to our Father in Heaven and It will not stop after these two years. I love you all.

Elder Hefner

Elder Smith...Elder Hefner's Companion

A message to us

Hey I got all the packages !!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! My District also loves you for all the Candy. I will be calling Christmas at 2:35 your guys time! It's a phone call and I'll just be calling mom's phone but please know it's only for 20 minutes MAX! The ward  and Kony Finance are so awesome and I really appreciate all the cards. I'm doing o.k. for the most part. The weight of leadership is a tough one to bear though. We are saving the cookies for Christmas and we did Temple work for 15 of the family files you sent me. My favorite thing at the CCM is my companion and THE FOOD hahaha. My least favorite thing is probably that we have 16 hour days and we can't take naps! I miss you guys but I am not letting it interfere with my work... PLUS I'm losing a bunch of weight as you can see from my red Picture. My companions in the District love to work out!

Some things never change...Elder Hefner flexing

Ok,hey I have to go soon but thank you for all the packages they have really helped me A LOT... I love you guys so much and your missionary efforts have blessed my life Tremendously! Hey, before i go can you send me the big family picture with us all and the dogs!!!