1.     What has been your biggest challenge this week?

 So my biggest challenge this week was Spanish! Sister Torralba has been teaching me lots and has been helping me a ton to perfect my Spanish. This week I just had a hard time remembering what I learned and I was just thinking too much. So sometimes it got a little rough. Like when we were teaching the restoration to Giovanny, and I had to say the first vision, which I had memorized and have said lots of times, but I totally choked and after words I wanted to crawl under a rock. It was still an amazing powerful lesson and I got a chance again to redeem myself later on in the lesson.

We bought some Valentines doughnuts for ourselves

2.     What has been your biggest concern? 

My biggest concern this week has been finding people to teach. We dropped everyone. Yes even Giovanny. He was so elect and had been keeping commitments and reading the Book of Mormon and we had an amazing powerful lesson on the restoration. We knew he was going to get baptized but right as we ended the lesson the family that he lives with came home and looked at us like we were Satan. We just got a bad vibe from her. On Sunday, when we went to go get him from church, he didn't answer and he won’t text us back so we are pretty sure he was influenced by his family. We were so sad, but we know we will find more to teach. It’s just been rough. It always makes you think, Am I being obedient? Am I doing what I am supposed to? Am I withholding us from finding a family and receiving blessings? But miracles will happen for sure!

Valentine's Day breakfast

3.     What has been your biggest success?  My biggest success this week was saying a perfect prayer in Spanish where Sister Torralba didn't have to correct me afterwards. Yay!! Finally starting to get the hang of this. It was sure great and gave me more confidence. Elder Gibbons (greenie gave us valentines! so cute!! hahah we love him! ) 4.     Who has been your favorite person this week?  Why? My favorite person this week is Sister Alvarado. She and her husband are a young couple in our ward and super amazing. She came out with us one night and was talking about her mission and her experiences and how she wishes that she could again be fully dedicated to the Lord. To have that hour of personal study every day and just be able to only think about helping others. What she said really made me realize how special this time is and how it’s so important to not take it for granted and to love every moment. It’s so important that we use the Lord’s time wisely. She is a big example to me. :) We also had a cool experience with her as well. The person that we were going to teach with her ended canceling on us and she said that we should go see this less active family who hasn't been to church in a year. She says that they never open the door to church members but she said that we should just try. So we did and the wife opened the door! We were able to go in and uplift her and get to know her. She is super awesome and she wants us to come back again. So excited to re activate her. Sister Alvarado was really inspired.

Elders fixing our tire. What service!

    5.  What has been your most significant tender mercy?
My tender mercy this week would be not dying. Friday the 13th was super scary! We were driving to somewhere, I can’t remember. As we were driving, I look to my right and see a car that was two lanes over. It moved over to the lane next to us and you think after he switched lanes he would of stopped, right? Well nope! He kept going right into us. Yup, he hit my side of the car and sandwiched us into a median.  We hit the median and he just kept driving. Hit and run. Sister Torralba drove behind him and honked at him and finally got him to pull over and once we got out of the car he said it was our fault (he was Cuban). He said that we didn't see him and yada yada. If we didn't have our badges on it would have been different, but we were calm. We had to call the police and get all of that paper work and stuff taken care of. I am okay and so is Sister Torralba and it’s a miracle that our car just has some dings. Yeah, defiantly a tender mercy that we are okay.

Eating sushi with the Elders

    6.  What are you looking forward to this week?

What I look forward to this week is just finding new investigators. Especially a family! There is a family ready for this gospel!! :)

    7.  Do you have a goal set for this coming week?  Tell me about it.

A goal I have for this week is being bold! I need to go beyond my comfort zone because as they say, there is not learning in the comfort zone and no comfort in the learning zone.

    8.  Which scripture has had the biggest impact on you this week?

The scripture that has had the biggest impact on me is in Mosiah chapter18, where it talks about how we should impart of our substances and server others. This week we were asked to go visit an old lady in our ward who recently went to the hospital and had her leg amputated. I was a little uneasy because I don't really like hospitals so I wasn't all that excited. Her name is Sister Carrington and I have to say I felt so bad about how selfish I was when I met her. Sister Carrington is 70 years old. She is strong in the church. She has a lot of health problems though and so does her husband, who right now lives my himself and has had 4 strokes and can’t walk. They have a son but he doesn't really help them. Even with all these challenges, she is still smiling. When we got to her room, the first thing I saw was her smile. She was beaming from ear to ear. We were there to serve her but she was serving us. Even in the hospital she was doing missionary work and giving us referrals. She is just amazing. Just a couple days ago she had some of her toes amputated as well.   She is a trooper and her testimony is so strong. After seeing her, I read that scripture and it made me think of the talk, Aren't We All Beggars? It so important that we serve others and as Disciples of Christ impart of our substances willingly and help those who are in need spiritually and physically.  Mother Teresa said "What we do is nothing but a drop in the ocean, but if we don't do it, the ocean would be one drop less." We need to do all that we can to help others. After we left seeing Sister Carrington, I was so happy and uplifted knowing that we helped and served her. She is amazing and I am so glad I got to meet her :)

Sister Carrington

I hope you all have a great week!! I love you all so much! Can’t wait to get your package!! Thanks for all you do!!!

Hermana Heacock

Hey Family!!

First, here are the answers to your questions for this last week.

          1.     What has been your biggest challenge this week?
My biggest challenge this week, probably being patient. We have been struggling to find people this week and sometimes I just want results now! I can sometimes get a little anxious but I am working on that! All about trusting in the Lord which has been one of my themes this last couple months.

     2.  What has been your biggest concern?
My biggest concern this week was my companion, just trying to help her stay positive and upbeat. She has her moments and it scares me so just keeping her happy :)

     3.  What has been your biggest success?
My biggest success this week was reactivating a less active!! America came to church this week, second time in a row which makes her not a less active. We call her our Dominican grandma. She is amazing and I love her so much! Such an awesome experience.

America, our Grandma

    4.  Who has been your favorite person this week?  Why?
My favorite person this week, does God count? Really cliché but spent a  lot of time on my knees this week praying for guidance and comfort. What I realized is that this is the longest I have been away from home but the closest I have ever been to God.

One of my favorite pictures of Christ

    5.  What has been your most significant tender mercy?
Our most significant tender mercy this week was while we were knocking doors. We have a hard time getting members present at our lessons so we had been praying for a miracle that we would be able to get at least some member present in our lessons. As we were knocking, a Young Single Adult comes up to us and said, “You girls look like sister missionaries.” We were like yeah we are and she said “I thought so, I just came home from YSA.” We were like no way! We asked if she wanted to come knock with us and she said of course. While knocking we were able to teach a few lessons with her and found a less active we didn't know about. He is in YSA but he is so cool and when he said the closing prayer he said “thanks so much God for reminding me the church is always there for me.” It was such a great tender mercy from Heavenly Father.

    6.  What are you looking forward to this week?
One thing I am looking forward to this week is finding new people to teach. Our teaching pool is super low so I am so excited to go out and knock some doors and harvest!

    7.  Do you have a goal set for this coming week?  Tell me about it.
A goal I have this week is to be more patient with myself, with my companion and with the work.  Enjoy the little miracles that come our way. Do not take anything for granted.

    8.  Which scripture has had the biggest impact on you this week?
The scripture that has had the biggest impact on me this week is Deuteronomy 31:6-8. After praying one night, the scripture came to my mind "Don't be afraid neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with you.” The next day when I went to go look for that scripture I couldn't find it. I know it’s a scripture mastery but I just couldn't remember where it was! So as I was reading the bible I found this one I had marked a while ago and it was pretty much the same thing and better! It was just what I needed :)

So we had to drop Nuvea and Teo. They weren't progressing, couldn't meet with them and they didn't make time to come to church. Super sad but we know that God will provide us with another amazing family to work with!! We had to drop Claudia as well. She wouldn't make time to come to church and she just had a lot of problems happening where she didn't have time to meet with us. :( We know that we have planted seeds though and that we will continue to find! :)

First Sunday with new Elders'

We have had some changes to our mission. Who knew? Always changing things. We don't have to wear cardigans anymore!! Yay!!!! So happy! Such a blessing. We were all excited about that and guess what!? Sister Calvo is my STL now. Super happy and excited to serve around her again right before she goes home. She ends her mission in April. Super excited about that. Miss her lots.

Saying goodbye to our DL before he heads home.

And his companion

I had an awkward experience this week. We were in a grocery store getting  some food for America and we were having trouble finding some things so we ask this guy. He is tall, blond and kind of nerdy. Anyway, he helps us with what we were looking for and then turns to me in front of all the customers in the Hispanic isle and says "might I just say you have the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen!" I say “thank you that's very kind.” He says "and they just compliment your beautiful smile.” Customers are just like oh brother and my comp is cracking up. I say, turning red "thank you very much." He says "you have a beautiful day, beautiful." I say “thank you. You have a good day too.” We then walked off. Well, later on, we end up needing help again and guess what? He is right there and ready to help. After he helps us again, he says “you have a great day gorgeous.” I say, can I give you a card?” He says “yeah .” I said, “We are missionaries and here is a card that shows where our church is, you are more than welcome to come.” He says “okay, yeah sure.” He was  a little disappointed but oh well. We left and my comp said, “you should of asked him to be baptized. He was drooling so much over you he would of said yes. Most awkward thing ever!!!!!!!!!

​What happens when elders have your camera. hahah

Our teaching pool is super low so we are just planning on finding this week! I am excited for all the tracting we get to do!! It’s going to be super good!! Excited to see miracles!!  Thanks so much for all your prayers and support!! I miss you all soo much!! Thanks for all you do!! :) I hope you all have an amazing week!!

Hermana Heacock

Hey Family!!!

Let me tell you about how I found out about the Super Bowl. On Monday, Sister Torralba had a doctor’s appointment. She is in her appointment and I am just sitting outside waiting, just chilling. Then all of a sudden, the assistant to the doctor comes out and calls me by first name. So weird. She says the doctor wanted me to tell me something.  While she is saying this, I am thinking, oh know something is wrong. The doctor said the Seahawks lost! I was like what?!?!? I probably said it a little louder than I should. I asked by how much and he said by 3 points. I was so sad. Sister Torralba said that the doctor gave her play by play of the Super Bowl and she said my companion is from Seattle. So he had the assistant come out and tell me. I was sad but it’s okay they only lost because I wasn't home. Next year they will win!

Go Seahawks!

So transfer call update!...... I am staying!! Me and Sister Torralba are staying together another one! Yay! I am so excited itIs so nice not having to pack! It will be the first time since I was done being trained! So excited to continue to help our ward and the people here.

This week we saw so many miracles. We had an exchange with our STL. It was so much fun. We had a cool experience. We were praying for a place to knock and after the prayer all three of us had a different prompting to go to three separate places. Usually when that happens we pray again until we agree on one place, but we felt we needed to knock in all 3 places. So we did.  We taught some pretty powerful lessons and found a lady who had been taught by missionaries before and has gone to church and is still reading the Book of Mormon. Her name is Alejandra and we have been working with her this week. She has some questions because she used to be Catholic. She had questions concerning Mary. She is super awesome and we are excited to continue to teach her. She even lives with members.

We have also been working with Claudia this week as well! Her testimony is growing so much! She is so amazing. She hasn't come to church yet but she will. She has been reading and summarizes everything she has learned which is awesome. It is so amazing to see them change and grow and see the happiness they have has they read. She definitely has more light in her eyes.

Cool picture of Book of Mormon I took

As for Nuvea and Teo, we haven't been able to see them in a while which has been sad. We are going to see them tonight and see if they have been keeping commitments. If not we will probably drop them, which will be super sad! But we know we have planted seeds and we have done all we can do. Sometimes agency is hard. I wish we could just take it away sometimes but its all part of Gods plan for us.

Our relationship with our members has increased so much! We are finally starting to build trust and good relationships with them. We had a cool experience a couple days ago. We were praying about what member we need to go see and visit and we had a feeling we needed to go see a certain member. We went and it turn out this member has a less active son. Right before we went to see her, her and her son were talking about how he wanted to go back to church. When he saw us pull up he said, “mom did you really call the missionaries?”  She said, “No i didn't.” She was in tears because it was an answer to her prayers. We got to teach the son and he is super cool!! It was a great miracle.

Me and Sister Torralba have been fighting a head cold all week and Saturday night we didn't get any sleep. When the alarm went off, we decided to set it for a little later and try and get some sleep, but I couldn't sleep. So I woke her up and said, “Sister, I know if we get up now and do our studies that we will see miracles and that's just what happened. The next day on Sunday, a less active named America, that we have been working with finally came to church!! She hadn't been in over a year and she just showed up! As well as another less active! It was like having investigators at sacrament. It was such a miracle. It just shows that when you put your trust in god you will receive blessings. :)

  

This week as well I got a letter that was from a BYU devotional. I encourage you to look it up, it’s so good. It’s called Real Intent. I learned how important it is that we don't go through the motions. I was reading in Ether 1:34-39 about the brother of Jared, how he prayed to the Lord constantly. It is only six verses, but over these six verses it could have been years that he had been praying. It said that he cried unto the Lord. He prayed with real intent. He did it because he was driven by the love he had for God. Because he was so faithful, he was able to see the Lord. The same needs to be for us as well. We could do things because we love God not because we love man. Super good talk. Please read!  

My commitment to you all is when you say your personal prayers at night, to pray at least for 10 min and really council with the Lord. I know you will really feel the love that he has for you and you will receive so many blessings!!  Thanks so much for all that you do! I love you so much!!!! :) I hope you have a good week!!!

Hermana Heacock