Pure Exhaustion!

I'm tired.

Really tired.

BUT GOOD TIRED!

I've been having to work really hard to feel the Spirit and it wears me out!
But I love the feeling :)
Being warn out by the Spirit is awesome!
That guy and I are like best buds!

It's been kind of hard for me to feel and recognize the Spirit lately though.

I don't know why.

It's annoying, but I'm working on it.

We had a really cool specialized training this week teaching us about finding and strengthening families!
Super cool!
I'm so excited to put what I learned into action! :)

This week we saw Ronnie with a member who used to be his neighbor!
It was awesome!
The Spirit was there and I was worn out from it for 3 days.

The member we brought was perfect.

She was bold and loving.

I really hope we can help Ronnie.

He is really depressed from his wife's death.
I don't blame him, but it's so sad to see how obsessed he is and how much it's ruining him.

He doesn't fully understand the gospel yet and how he can find peace with his wife in the eternities.

I'm so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel that gives me peace in times like that.

It's ok to be sad, but it's happy to know that families are forever :)

I love that guy :)

We had a really cool experience where we found 3 investigators.

We went to check up on a potential and her cousins were over.

The potential didn't listen, but the cousins did.

We started to teach them the Restoration with the pamphlet and it was way rough and awkward.

Part way through we said "Hang on, Let us get something."
We have these cups that we teach the Restoration with sometimes and we happened to have them in the car.

So, we taught the girls with the cups and they loved and understood it.

They are super excited to read the Book of Mormon!
We get to see them again this week and hopefully with their parents :)

The amazing part, is that we had a goal to find 3 investigators that day.

We didn't have much time to find because of the training and weekly planning, but the Lord blessed us and we found those 3 girls and one more :)

God is so good! :)

I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so glad I got to talk to my family!
I miss them so much, but I know I'm where I need to be :)

Have a blessed week!

Love,

Sister Heywood

Michigan Only Believes in Sidewalks Sometimes

Well, it was the end of the month, and we were low on miles, so we rode bikes.

YAY!
My muscles and butt were sore, which is always fun.

So we went on exchanges on Tuesday and that's the day we rode bikes.

For the first part of the day I was with one of my old companions, SISTER TAYLOR!!!
I love her!
We rode bikes for a week when we were together, so this Tuesday was like old times :)

First we rode down to visit an investigator.

Now, you have to know that I was on an Elder's bike.

It was too big.

I had to either stand or use my tippy toes to ride it.

So, we rode down to the investigators house.

We got lost, couldn't find it and I was on a bike that was too big for me in the rain and then the humidity once it stopped raining.

We decided to knock the street we were by.

We couldn't find a place to lock our bikes, then Sister Taylor's bag broke and I made a makeshift bag with the plastic bags we happened to have in our pockets.

We knocked and had a good time.

Taught some good lessons.

Found some good potentials.

Then we rode home on a bike that was too big and with a broken bag.

BUT we made it home after I rode through a big puddle and got covered in mud.

It was fun!

So, later, a member said she had bikes we could borrow.

We only had two and there were 4 of us, so two more meant we could all ride bikes.

Remember when I said I was on a bike that was too big.

Well, then I borrowed a kid's bike from the member.

It was little and pink and even had a little white basket.

At least people think I'm a child, so I didn't look like an adult on a tiny bike.

IT WAS FUN!

On Wednesday, we found Ronnie!
His wife just died in January.

We told him that he could be with her for eternity and he let us in.

We taught him the Plan of Salvation.

On Saturday, we went back and taught the Restoration.

AND he came to church on Sunday, AND he knows some of the members in our ward :)
He's so cool.

He wanted us to anoint him with the priesthood the first lesson, so he's got a lot to learn, but he's cool :)

Thursday we got to go to the temple and boy did I need it!
I love the temple!

Let's see did I forget anything?
Oh yeah.

I locked us out of our apartment last night.

Yup. That happened.

I left the keys in the apartment and then we locked the door and closed it.

We were stuck in our hallway for 2 1/2 hours.

The Elders even tried to help us break in.

So, yeah.

Fun times.

It's always an adventure when you're with Sister Heywood.

Well, I love you all!

THE CHURCH IS TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Sister Heywood

Did You Hear They Changed the Missionary Age to 14?!

So....yah they didn't really do that, but everyone here in Grand Blanc thinks I'm 14.

I know, I just turned 20.

I haven't had this issue in other areas haha

Actually I've gotten 15 a couple times, so I'm growing up :)

Yay!

Well, this week was pretty good.

We did a lot of knocking.

No one was interested this week.

We got 0 new investigators.

Actually, we found a few potentials, so that's good!:)

Our investigators John and Lisa are finally keeping commitments!
It's been so hard to get them to do that and they finally did!
They wouldn't read the Book of Mormon on their own.

They just wanted us to read it with them.

We told them that it's great for them to study with us so we can help them better learn the stories and stuff, but that they need to read on their own so they can have their own experiences and gain their own testimonies.

We will still study with them, but only if they've read the chapter on their own before hand.

We had to do a lot of establishing our purpose in this lesson.

Sometimes as missionaries we fail to establish our purpose right from the beginning.
I think fear gets in the way.

So, that didn't happen with John and Lisa at the beginning.

Not saying that the missionaries who started teaching them failed or anything.

They didn't!
But, now that we have done this, John and Lisa will be able to progress better and faster. :)
We invited them to pray to know that the Book of Mormon is true.

We asked them to do that last week, but they said they didn't even think about it.

SO we committed them this week and they said they will.

We also invited them to be baptized once they know that the Book of Mormon is true.

We talked about acting on our answers, so they agreed to be baptized.

We didn't set a date with them, but now they know that baptism by the proper authority is our goal and desire for them.

We also saw Brandon this week.

(The one who came to church!)
We taught him the Restoration on Monday and the Plan of Salvation on Friday.

He's an interesting guy.

He's had a rough run, been in and out of jail, things like that, but he's awesome.

Lessons are funny with him.

He's like an annoying big brother.

But lessons with him are good and he's going to convert, he just doesn't know it yet :)

He's so cool!

Well, not much else to tell :)
I love you all and I know the church is true!

Here's a cool video by one of my favorite people :)
http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=1289877050001

Love,

Sister Heywood

Easter Miracles

Well, this week was pretty darn awesome!

We taught 13 lessons and found 4 new investigators (That's more than they found all last transfer.)

On Wednesday at 7 we got a text from our zone leaders telling us we've got two more hours in the day and so they wanted to challenge us to find 1 new investigator.
So Sister Watko and I said, "ok, let's do it!"

We decided to go see a potential....she wasn't home.

We felt we should knock on her neighbors door before we drove away to another potential.

Robin answered the door.

We taught her a little bit about the Restoration and we're going back to see her this Wednesday.

BOOM! New investigator!

The Lord blessed us for our faith and diligence.

Well, we were so pumped that we said, "LET'S GO FIND ANOTHER!"
AND WE DID!

We went to see a potential named Anamika. 

She's a cute little Indian woman.

The first time we met her, her husband was there, but on Wednesday it was just her.

We taught her the Restoration.

She didn't understand it very well, but she invited us to come back the next day when her husband would be there.

BOOM! New investigator!
The Lord blessed us for our faith and diligence.

It was pretty cool!

Now, I know you're all wondering what happened at our return appointment with Anamika and her husband.

Well.... it was interesting.

We taught the Plan of Salvation.

Navin (the husband) was the only one listening.

Well, he was hearing, but not listening.

They have a Hindu background, but his beliefs are different.

He doesn't believe that we're real.
He believes in our spirits, but not our bodies, and he believes that we are all God, because God is knowledge and when we gain knowledge, we become God.

It was interesting, but it's his beliefs.

Now here's what got me...we asked if he loves his son.

HE DOESN'T LOVE HIS SON!!!!!
He says we can't get attached to things, because they aren't real and they're temporary.

He compared his son to a letter.

He was given a letter and has to take care of it and make sure it doesn't tear or get wet.....WHAT?!
I wanted to cry!
He doesn't love his son!
That poor boy!
Which also means he probably doesn't love his wife.

Crazy!
Mom, Dad!
THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, yah.

We dropped them.

Not because of his beliefs.

We just didn't feel like we should set up a return appointment.

This week we talked to a lot of people and only one of them wasn't nice (he wasn't rude, but he wasn't nice.)
It's because of Easter and it's warming up here.

People are always nicest right before the holidays.

So the one rudeish guy, haha, went like this:

*knock*

*door opens*

GUY: Hi, how are you?
US: Good.

GUY: We're not interested. Happy Easter.

*door closes*

That was it.

We just laughed and walked to the next door.

On Saturday, we helped a former sort some stuff in his garage and him and his mom surprised us and came to church!

We also have a family who is on and off active who's 10 year old boy wants to be baptized and we're going to start teaching him.

He came to church too!

Sister Watko met this guy before I got here, and we've been trying to see him again, but he's never home.

HE CAME TO CHURCH!!!
He scooted out before we could talk to him, but we left a note on his door and he texted us, so we've been in contact with him.

We also had 3 less actives at church, two of which I have really high hopes for :)

I'm so excited for what this week has in store for us!
We're seeing so many miracles and I'm so excited :)

This church is true!
I know it with all my heart.

I'm so grateful to be doing the Lord's work and I know it's true.

I know that my Savior lives and loves me, and I am so grateful for His loving, atoning sacrifice.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Love,

Sister Heywood

"I'm Sorry, But You're Not"

FIRST OFF!
Happy Belated Birthday to my cousin Cooper!

Happy early birthday to my cousins Spencer and Emily!
And happy marriage to my bestie Carly!!!!!!!!

Well, I LOVE MY NEW AREA AND COMPANION!
I'm in Grand Blanc with Sister Watko.

Sister Watko is way cool!
She's from Utah (surprise!)

She's short, like me. :)
She's funny and she laughs at my jokes.

We get along super well!

I just love her.

Grand Blanc is great!
How do I describe it?

It's like farm land...but not.

I like it.

It's right by Flint.

Don't worry guys, I'm safe.

Besides, if anyone tried to attack me, my little man syndrome would probably kick in and I'd tear them to pieces.

#dontmesswithme

Well, you're probably wondering why I gave this e-mail this name.

We knocked on a guys door and this is how the conversation went:
US: "Hello, we are missionaries! We're representatives of Jesus Christ."
GUY: "I'm sorry, but you're not."

US: "What?"

GUY: "You can't save yourselves, only Christ can save you. He died for your sins. You've got to study your scriptures."
US: "Oh yah, we believe all of that."
GUY: "Well you're wrong."

US: "..........................?"

GUY: "Just study your scriptures."

Um, sir, I study my scriptures for 2 hours every morning and sometimes extra.

Plus, we just agreed with you and you said we're wrong, doesn't that make you wrong?
Let's just say his argument was invalid.

We'll go back to see him someday.

He's totally getting baptized.

We call him Beef Jerky, 'cause he was jerky. :)

I love that guy!

I've started giving people nick names.

Well, mostly dogs.

But it's fun :)

We've met some super cool people!

Andrea:
She is going to rehab soon, but will read the Book of Mormon in rehab and call us when she gets out.

She really needed us the day we say her.

I love her!

Laurel:
At first, Laurel was really closed off to us, but we kept talking to her anyway and she started to soften up.

We taught her a little bit about the Restoration.

You could tell she felt the Spirit.

Her eyes watered up a bit.

We prayed with her and then we gave her hugs and that made the tears come.

She was so sweet!
We left her with a card, but I'm praying she'll come to church.

We'll probably go see her again :)
She's going to get baptized:)

I love this area so much!
It has a lot of potential!

We only have 3 investigators and 1 of them I haven't met yet.

The area isn't very alive, but we're going to pick it up.

I know we can do it.

I don't think missionaries that were here in the past knew the potential or had faith to achieve that potential.

That's going to change and I'm excited!

I love you all!
And thanks for the birthday wishes!
I had a good birthday :)
How could I not?!
I'm a servant of the Lord.

I'm preaching the truth!

THE CHURCH IS TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Sister Heywood

It's All Down Hill From Hill Street

So yah, I hit 10 months a couple days ago.

2 of my favorite people are going home.

And I'm getting transferred. 

It's really started to hit my that I'm nearing the end of my mission.

I'm on the down hill now!

Well goodbye Hill Street.

You've been so good to me.

BUT I won't miss all the cookies.

I'm getting fat.

I've named my belly Laquanda.

I might write a song about it.

Anyway, I've had some really good times here!

Did I ever tell you about the guy that asked:
"HAVE YOU HEARD OF FLESH EATING BACTERIA?"

Yes, he yelled it.

Yes, he's from India, so re-read that in and Indian accent.

Or did I tell you about the guy that wore shorts in the cold and told me that he doesn't get cold because his man parts are really big?

Or what about the time someone told me that Mormons eat children for breakfast.

(I'll clear this up for you....Mormons don't eat children, or drink their blood.)

Maybe I told you about the mice, the awkward looks people give me when I say hi, or the guy I had this conversation with:
Me-"Hey can we walk with you."
Guy-"Uh sure...."
Me-"Do you go to school here."
Guy-"Yes..."

Me-"What do you study?"
Guy-"I study a lot of things, but right now I'm studying an awkward situation."

He was a cool guy!

Let's see...what else.

Mice, bugs in my mac and cheese, bugs in my flour, gross water that I have to boil so I don't get sick. 

All good times.

I just love Hill Street :)
I love U of M and I think I will buy U of M stuff for the rest of my life.

I love all of my investigators.

I'm sad to leave them because they're all starting to progress so well!
The work has really picked up and I'm sad to leave, but the Lord needs me somewhere else.

I trust that the Lord will put the right Sisters here to take care of those I love.

I know this church is true.

I know it with all my heart.

That testimony was solidified when I watched General Conference.

Who watched it?
It was awesome wasn't it!
I LOVED IT!!!!

Thomas S. Monson is called of God.

He is a true prophet.

I know that the Apostles have also been divinely called.

So, it's my 20th birthday on Thursday the 10th.

I have a birthday wish for you all!

Write your favorite scripture on a piece of paper and take a picture with it.

THEN tell me in the email or letter (however you send it) why it's your favorite scripture :)
If I don't know you or you're a member or non-member, it doesn't matter.

If you're reading this, I want to know your favorite scripture.

Here, I did one too:

D&C 6:36 is one of my favorites.

Why? 

It's short and simple and if we look to God, then there is no room for fear or doubt.

I love you all!
Love,

Sister Heywood

 

That Was Delicious! I'll Have Another!

So this week was way sweet! 
We had an amazing miracle!!!!!!

Sister Frost and I set a goal to have 4 new investigators.

Well, then President Gerber challenged everyone to find 5 new investigators this week.

That's hard to do.

Especially on Hill Street.

BUT Sister Frost and I decided we were going to do it.

No matter what it took, we were going to find 5 new investigators.

Well, from the get go it looked like everything was going to work out.

We had it set up for us to get 5 new investigators :)
We had 4 by Thursday.

Just one more.

JUST ONE MORE!

We thought we had it in the bank!

We had an appointment set up with someone for Friday and they would become a new investigator.

She forgot and didn't show up.

We rescheduled for Saturday.

We were going to get 5 new investigators!

Well...our rescheduled appointment was early, and she didn't wake up.

We were pretty bummed!
We were going to get 5 new investigators easy, we thought.

Then we only had Sunday to find 1 more new investigator.

I fasted and prayed for just one more.

I wanted one so bad!

We even went contacting before church in hopes we'd find someone.

We didn't.

I started to think that maybe we wouldn't reach our goal.

I thought, "you know, if we didn't have that goal, we wouldn't have worked that hard."

Part of me also thought that maybe we didn't work hard enough.

I was sick and had to rest a lot.

I pushed that thought out my mind fast though, because the Lord assured me that I worked to the best of my ability this week.

So, we were pretty bummed we didn't find anyone before church.

I wasn't sure we would have time after church either.

(Church is at 1 so everything is weird with the time.)

We had an appointment set up at 4 with Henry.

Well guess what.

HENRY BROUGHT A FRIEND WITH HIM!!!!!

HEAVENLY FATHER PRACTICALLY PLACED A NEW INVESTIGATOR IN OUR LAPS!!!!!

The lesson went really well.

They accepted baptismal dates for May 3 :)

Earlier in the week we had two other investigators accept baptismal dates for  April 26 :)

Good things are happening here.

Satan kept trying to bum us out, but nothing worked.

You know we also had our investigator Martin drop us.

He's from China and his parents won't let him join the church.

It's sad, but I had a comforting feeling that everything will be ok.

We get to see Martin one more time this week, so we'll figure everything out.

Now, just because all this happened, it didn't mean that this week was easy.

It was still hard.

Really hard.
BUT it was worth it.

I cannot wait for the miracles that God has in store for us this week.

I've felt that way about my whole mission.

It's been way rough, but beyond worth it. :)

I love being a missionary!

This church is true.

I know it.

I know that the Book of Mormon is true.

1 Nephi 1:3

I love you all!
Have a great week :)

Love,

Sister Heywood