Elder Heaton in Week 38 of his mission.

Well I've been here for quite some time and now I understand the poem Brother Leslie shared with us at the mtc. "To some there comes a call to love a land, a race, a nation, not their own.." This place really is home now. I love it so much. There is nothing like this work it truly grabs a hold of you and takes you away. You get lost in it. It's like I'm out working Wednesday, then the next morning, I'm emailing all of you. The time is zooming by just as I said it has and predicted that it would go faster. 

I realize the importance of loving the people everyday. Because these aren't just a bunch of filipinos. They are my brothers and sisters. In the plan of Heavenly Father, we are his family he wants us all to be with him. How can it happen if there isn't any missionary work? Temple work? Or a restored gospel? How can the Lord be merciful if everyone doesn't have an opportunity to hear the gospel? That is why we are here. "to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy ghost and enduring to the end" 

I love this work so much. It has brought me so much joy there is nothing like it. There is nothing like it because this work is not of human its God's work here on earth. Think; Christ was a carpenter when he lived here. Isn't there divine symbolism there? He is building his masterpiece here on earth and we are his tool box. But tools don't mean a thing if they are broken. Therefore we must be our best and do our best. Strive for perfection and doing what the Lord wants. Not just as missionaries but as sons and daughters of God. I love you all and hope you take a moment and ponder what the Savior has done for you. How much he loves you and cares for you.

--
-Elder Heaton

Philippines Bacolod Mission

Food and Fun in the Philippines...

First post from Brazil!

{This is all Elder Goldhardt had to say this week... :) }


"Português is awesome!!!"


***He will try to update more next week!

On to Tampico... Hopefully!

{Here is Elder Hedin's first update!}

I can't e-mail pics or even get on the blog here in the MTC but hopefully if I get my visa I'll be in Tampico on Monday! Yeah I know how Bud feels I wasn't able to go to the temple for my first like 4 weeks because it was closed and now that we're going weekly I can really see a huge difference in the spirit that I have during the week and it's an awesome experience, and since I'm the district leader I get to choose if we do a session or initiatories or a sealing session so I made my district do a sealing session last week and it was their first time so they were a little nervous but I told them it was great and we ended up having a really spiritual experience. and there is a Temple in Tampico but I don't know how often I will be able to attend. Well i'm out of time but thanks for everything! ...I will see you in 2!

(I'm really glad you set up the blog and I can't wait to be able to get on!!)

Update from Sacto!

I'm getting transferred to a tongan ward with Elder Lasalosi! My mission President said that I'll be starting to learn Tongan! So my comp is going to help out with that. Don't know how thats going work but I guess that's what the Lord needs. Man I was so stoked to hear that, I couldn't even believe it so I'm ready to do this man!!! Thank ya'll so much keep up the good work Ofa Atu!

Elder Victor Taufui

...__________________________________...

photos!

Spare time?... This is the first Chinese missionary sent outside mainland China for his mission.  History in the making!

Elder Nacho!!!!!!!

Service... Before...

...After...

Hanging out...

...Waiting for mail!

...No Comment... :)

Fun in the Philippines...

Giddy up horsie...

Elder Heaton "owns" this water buffalo...

Rice Harvesting

Elder Heaton's new bathroom... Nasty!

Shower anyone?

Elder Heaton and Elder Stokes in a sugar cane field.

More from Estonia...