Family!

Thanks for all the prayers and love and support. It’s been rough but nothing I can’t handle. I have a firm testimony that Heavenly Father doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle. This week we had interviews with President Richardson and we talked a lot about me going home early and he gave me a priesthood blessing which was really awesome and helped a lot. But on Sunday I fasted on what Heavenly Father wanted me to do. During Sunday school I received my answer. It’s funny how Heavenly Father gives us answers in funny ways. In Sunday school we were talking about service and how important it is to serve others and Heavenly Father told me right there that I was selfish for wanting to go home early and that through service is how we are able to forget the pain. Basically Sunday school ended with me in tears. So I will be staying for the rest of my mission. I know that by staying I will be able to meet people and experience things that I wouldn’t have had if I decided to go home early. I know that Heavenly Father will give me the strength to continue to the end!:)) You can call me Warrior Heacock haha.

One of my favorite Elders!

 Thanks Dad for all of your support. I wouldn’t know how to get through this if it wasn’t for your example!! I know it’s been hard for you, but I think I can speak for all of kids that we never thought you were boring at all because we still got to do so many fun things with you just like other kids and we knew that it was a sacrifice for you to do that so thank you!! To us we have an amazing Dad. You have taught us to be tough. That no matter our limitations we can do anything!!! Because of that, its helping me finish my mission. Heavenly Father’s plans for us are so perfect because he knew I would need a strong example like you to help me and to show me how it’s done:) I love you daddy and am so grateful for all you have done for me and our family!! :) 

My District in Palm Springs. I will miss them!

Thanks as well for that talk on perseverance. https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/04/the-blessings-of-perseverance?lang=eng  I really needed that!! Thank you so much Dad. Super inspired!!You’re right it’s not in my dna!! haha And those zoodles sound so good!! I have changed a lot of my eating habits on my mission too eating better to i am excited!! :)

It was so much fun!!! We got paint and pool toys and went at it!!! Soo much fun!! :)

So we got transfer calls last night and I am transferring!! :(  It was a big shocker because in my interview, President Richardson said I was staying. I am going to be super homesick for this ward. Pretty much everyone has plans for me to come back and stay with them and go sightseeing. So we will have to visit soon! It’s really hard to say goodbye. I feel like this is my home away from home but I know Heavenly Father has other amazing things in store for me and I am excited to see what it is and to find out who my new companion will be!!

Saying goodbye to the Espinosa family! Their son is Magic Dan. I love them so much!!!

I am sad to say goodbye to Damien too:( This kid is amazing!! On Sunday he came to church and Bianca came and she has a problem with the church’s stand point on same sex marriage because she supports it. So the day before on Saturday we talked about the church’s stand point. We read the letter from the prophet and the family proclamation. Then on Sunday in Relief Society that’s what the topic was on, and I love this ward but the lesson was a bomb shell. It could have a whole lot more spiritual but instead it was a lot more of people’s loud opinions and bashing. So Bianca was in tears at the end. We were on our way outside to talk to her in more of a quite setting and then Damien comes up to us and starts talking to us. Then out of nowhere he stops and looks at Bianca and says, “Can I talk to you?” He then just starts bearing testimony about the church and how true it is and sharing his conversion story. He starts talking about how amazing us missionaries are and the whole time I am in tears because the spirit was so strong. I was so happy and proud of him. He said, “I don’t know why I needed to share this with you, the Spirit just told me too. I don’t know what’s going on but I can tell you are having doubts and all I can say is don’t just believe.” It was so boss and so inspired. Bianca was crying and was so touched!! It was the best experience ever!!!! I love Damien so much!!! I am so grateful and blessed that I got to find and baptize him and see him grow!!

​This is the white family!! Saying goodbye to them :( miss them lots!!

I don’t have much more time, but thanks for everything family. I have to go pack. I love you all so much and I am so excited to tell you about my new area and companion!! Oh and so i hope you haven’t sent my package yet because I won’t be at that address anymore.....  I will send you my new address next week!!!

   

Briaunna