Mom,

Wow, it is good to see that people are getting so excited about missionary work. It is such a big push that is happening world wide right now. Advice for your talk, I would just tell the member that they need to study PMG. It is the key to missionary work. It does not just apply to full-time missionaries. There is a sister in the ward right now who is very fired up about missionary work and she studies it. I could tell because the other night we were teaching an investigator in her home and she used the commitment pattern found in chapter 11. Awesome. There is a scripture I really like  for member work. 1 John 4:18 talks about love casting out fear. Sorry, I can not think of too much else.

Things are going really well here. As I told dad, we have two investigators that are doing really well. Jon is really cool I told you about him last week. Now he has a date to be baptized on and he is reading the Book of Mormon really well. A miracle this week happened with Liz. We taught her on Tuesday and invited her to church. She said she was unsure and would let us know. We called her on Friday to follow up and she told us she decided not to come because she was uncomfortable with it. After that my companion and I prayed that something would change to give her the desire to come. She called us Saturday morning and left a message saying she wanted to come. Miracle! God answers prayers.

I must get going mom. I love you. Have a great week. I am doing very well. I love being here, there is no better work in the whole world.

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent October 20,  2013

Mother,

This week was a little bit of a crazy one, but it was a lot of fun. We have been going on a lot of exchanges lately and Elder Hamilton does not have his UK license, which causes me to stay in the area because I can drive the car. He is in the fun process of getting it though. I am so happy to have that off my back. Thank you for the assistance you gave me to help me attain it. I owe you and Dad a lot! I will pay you back for everything. I have a funny old couple next to me right now. It is funny hearing them try to use the computer. ha

We had a really cool miracle this week. When I first got here we got a referral from Mormon.org for a man that requested a Book of Mormon. We went to his house and gave him the book, but he would not let us teach him. He said that if it wanted us to come by he would contact us. Whenever someone says that it means you will not see them again. I know that sounds really negative. Anyway, so we saw him once after that, had a chat, but he was not interested beyond that. That was like 5 months ago. The miracle is this, this week we were driving somewhere and we got a text and it said something like this, " Hi, this is Jon I am not getting the Book of Mormon. I think it would be good for me to be a Mormon for a month, come to church, read, and do what Mormons do for a month and see if it suits me."  It was so awesome! We taught him the next day and he came to church this Sunday. It was cool. He is 23 and has a job.  It would be good for the Bath ward to have some strong YSA. That is the big event of last week.

This week we have zone conference down in Poole. We will be driving down there, it's a decent drive. Not too much else happening here though. That is really cool that Alex is the art teacher at the high school. What happened to the other guy? The track coach, I can't remember his name.

Thanks for your email mom. You are great. Good to hear you and dad are getting to spend some time together. You two are great. Have a good week. Love you!

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent October 13, 2013

Mom,

I am pretty sure I talked to you about both Grandma's letter and conference. I watched conference last week. The only session we are unable to watch is the Sunday afternoon, because it would go till about 11 at night, so I have not seen that one yet, but look forward to seeing it come out in the Ensign. I read Grandma's letter and I replied to it. It was really good to hear about different things in her life. Since being on my mission I have realized I don't know much about my grandparents and I want to be better at that.

This week was really good for the area. We did an exchange with the ap's who now live in a place called Reigate, which was part of my first area. We had to drive there on Wednesday and it was cool to see the old area. I went on another exchange with Elder Patten.  He and I always end up together. I enjoy it though, because we are good friends and he is a really good missionary. Our main investigator at the time came to church, awesome. She is getting close to accepting a baptismal date, pray for that if you will. Elder Hamilton and I get on well and are working really hard. I am getting really close to people in the ward here. It is starting to feel like my home ward, I really like it. You would like the people here as well.

I am not too sure what else to say. I read Grace's talk, that is going to be really good. It seems quite complex, I think Grace is a lot older and wiser than when I last saw her. She has a strong testimony! It is good to hear. You are a great mom. Thank you for telling me I am a good missionary.  You are a good mom. Love you.

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent October 6, 2013

Mom

This week was crazy. I get on with my new comp, Elder Hamilton, really well. He is a funny man. He is from Colorado, but went to BYU for a year. A good guy. I got Cooper and Kenzie's wedding announcement a couple of days ago in the mail. It is weird, but I am happy for them as well. Getting married is becoming very peculiar now a days as we heard about in conference and I see every day.

This week was yet another one full of driving. We had to drive a sister missionary into Reading on Monday, because she is done with her mission. On Tuesday I went to the doctor. On Wednesday we drove missionaries around all day for moves. On Friday we had an all day meeting at president's house. On Sunday we watched conference all day. It was so good. I love conference! It is the super bowl for me in my life right now. I hope I can keep that mentality forever.

I am doing really good mom. I read grandma's letter. It was really powerful. She is growing so  much. We need to get Ali out on one. I have been talking to her about it, so we will have to keep our fingers crossed. Love you much mom. You are the best. Have a great week! Study the scriptures.

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent September 15, 2013

Mother,

Wow, Kate is like going pro or something. Do you think she is going to shoot for playing University level? What a cool sister to have. Tell her that I love her and pray for her every night. Not much happening right now? Is it weird only having two kids at home? That is a sign of age you know? Kidding mom.

This week has been a stressful one. Chris is getting baptized on Saturday, which always makes things a bit more intense, but it is also really cool. We then have two more people, Rex and Sammy who are preparing for the week after for baptism. A lot is happening, it make me happy, but also tired. We also did two exchanges this week. Meaning we swap companions for a day. We do a lot of those as zone leaders, it is a really cool way to minister to the zone. I got to work with two missionaries I had never worked with before, Elder Gunnel and Elder Hagedorn ( you can imagine what it was like serving with him for a day with our last names). They are cool, both from Utah one from Provo and the other from Cache valley.

I love you and I will send some pictures now, because I think that gets me out of emailing more. ha,

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent September 9, 2013

Mom,

This week has been a fantastic one. The zone is doing well and we have been seeing some good progress from our investigators. We were able to teach a lot of lessons to investigators this week with a member present. Those are the best lessons by the way, nothing really compares to those.

The weather is starting to get colder and it is getting darker earlier, not good news for a missionary. It is good here. We do not get thunder storms really. I think there have been about two the whole time I have been here. It just rains all the time and it really is not even a hard rain, more of a drizzle.

Ali is loving life a University isn't she? ha. She really likes to tell me about it. I am glad to hear she is so happy. Today, we are going to the driving range with one of the Bristol District, that should be a load of fun! It is nice to be able to where normal clothes, but when I wear them I feel weird and out of place. Weird huh?

Well, pray that we are able to see miracles this week. I love you mom and hope you have a great week. You are the best!

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent September 2, 2013

Mum, 

 

We still get time to teach people. Last week was just moves/transfer week, so that is when everything goes a little mad. This week we had the conference that Elder Christensen and I are in charge of setting up, it went well. We also had the AP's stay at our flat two night in a row because they were going to our conference and wanted to a work over the day after. I don't think I told you, but one of my friends became an AP a couple weeks ago, so it was good to have him around. He is a great missionary and teaches me a lot when I am with him. I will try to send a picture of the two of us although it always seems to fail.

 

Chris is doing good. He came to church this week. He actually brought two of our other investigators with him, so that was pretty awesome. It is always a good Sunday if you have 3 investigators at church. The two other people that came are Rex and Sammy.  They are this young couple we have been teaching. They are doing really well and progressing in the gospel. The zone is also doing good. Overall I just feel good about how things are. I love this ward! We have a very supportive ward. It is so young, which is not too normal for English wards. It makes things feel really fresh. 

 

Grace and Kate look really cute. I can not believe how old they are, it's weird. Kate is in 8th grade. I remember being in eighth grade, it is a wonderful year, haha. Oh, I am finding it so hard to think of things to email about. Ali emailed me this week. You're right, she is a good girl. I have a lot of respect for her. I think she is a lot more mature than I was when I went to University. You should be proud of her. I am going to go now, but you have a good one mom and I'll hear from you next week.

 

Love you,

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent August 19, 2013

Mom,

Thanks for the pictures. I don't have too much time today, we are taking a sister that is going home this week towards the temple, so we have little time to do much else. It is really weird to see Ali going to University. It scares me a little. I can't imagine what is like for you. I emailed her this week and last week to hopefully give her some nuggets of knowledge that I learned from uni. I also gave her Alma 37:35-37. She'll do great

This week was a good one. We got a new car! ha. It is like brand new, definitely the newest car I have ever driven. We taught Sammy and Rex this week for the first time. They are a younger couple. Really cool though. They both came to church this week. Chris is still doing really well. He is progressing nicely. We have a good ward that is working to push the work forward. Thanks for all you do. Have a good week and love ya much.

Elder Hegerhorst

Mom,

I am emailing you last, and I am not sure what to say. I am loving my mission. You are right that I am growing a lot. All of my priorities have shifted. I have such a different perspective on things, it is really amazing. I love it. I am so grateful for the work you and Dad have put in to give me this experience. Hopefully I will be able to pay you back for it. The Gospel is the best thing in the world! Ha, there are some of the affects of my mission right there. 

 

This week was a good one. I am happy because the zone had one of the best weeks it has had the whole time I have been a zone leader. I love being a zone leader because I have the opportunity to forget about myself even more than as a normal missionary. I love it, it gives me the opportunity to serve a lot. We had Chris at church again this week, he is a great. I did an exchange with a missionary from Liverpool and another from Northern Ireland. Ha, the Brits are the best. I am not too sure what else to write. Sorry, my brain seems to be working slowly right now. 

 

Thank you for keeping me up to date on what is happening in the family. We have the best one in the whole world! Love you all so much. I think a recent convert might add you on Facebook, her family just got baptized. Awesome family! You should accept the friend request. 

 

I have to go but love you and have a good one. 

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent July 29, 2013

Mom,

I know you always want a really large letter for me I am just not sure what to write. This week we had zone conference down in Poole. It took us about 3 1/2 hours to get down there, and the same to get back. It was really tiring in that sense, but it was a really good conference. We learned a lot about using members more in missionary work. It is something the church is putting a massive emphasis on right now. We all need to do more than we are right now. We had two investigators at church yesterday. One was a guy from Jamaica we met the night before. He is really cool. His mother is an investigator of ours and she had us over for a bbq. It was really good! They make some really nice chicken. whoo! Of course I am focusing on food. We also had a man named Chris at church. He is really cool. He was studying a lot with the JW's recently, but it didn't work out with him and now we are teaching him. He is really cool. He drove to church in Bath which is pretty far from where he is from... probably a 40 minute drive. Stuff like that really shows some dedication, so we are really happy to work with him.

We had a cool miracle yesterday. We had a goal for the day that we wanted to invite someone to be baptized and we did not have any appointment with investigators that we could invite, so we knew we would have to invite someone on the door step of the street. We decided to knock and we prayed mightily that there would be a person on that street we could invite. We got knocking and met some good people, but no one that was interested. Then we knocked on this door and a woman answered. We got talking to her and she opened up and told us that her brother has cancer and she is really struggling with it. It was really cool, because we were able to bear powerful testimony of the atonement. I really felt the spirit. Those are the best moments. She told us she would be baptized if she came to know it was true. We are seeing her this Saturday.

Well, I hope this is a long enough letter. I love you and thank you for all that you do!

Have a great week.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent July 22, 2013

Dad,

Things are going well here. I really enjoy the weather, it is just really nice to have a change of pace and to feel the sun on my face. I think that we take that for granted in Utah. ha. The weather there is just so different. I think we came up with a good zone vision for the transfer. We had a meeting last Friday, where we got all the district leaders from our zone. It was good because we believe that if we can help our district leaders catch the vision we have for the zone then we will have a lot of success.

We had a kind of crazy week, but it was a lot of fun. We did two exchanges, one with the elders in Portishead and the other with the elders in Minehead. It is always fun to do an exchange, they really help you to work hard because you want to show them a good example (not that we should need that as an incentive). We saw a lot of good things happen. We taught 23 lessons in our area this week, which is pretty good. We are kind of in the building stages right now again, so it is fun. We met some really good people and had some spiritual experiences. I would like to say I am starting to understand missionary work, but I am sure I am not. ha.

I hope President Mitchell stays as well. I would really like to have him as my coming home stake president, but heyho. I love you dad. The church is true. I know that God answers prayers and He is aware of everyone of us. Have a great week.

Elder Hegerhorst

With Elder Christensen
Bath, City of the Living

Mom,

I love that billboard! It is really funny. I forgot we have such nice mountains in Utah as well! whoo! It is because we have such a great outdoors in Utah that we are so tempted to take such risks. Josh looks like Tyler. How weird. How old is Josh now? 10? I can't remember how old he is, lame. What is happening with Ali? Tell her that she is in trouble with me. Kate's team is good again? I feel lost as to which team she is on now, and if they are good or not. Good to see she is winning though, there is no better feeling. Tell them all I love them

I am not too sure what to say about this week. I feel like I just told it all to dad and now there is nothing for me to say. Okay, I will tell you a random story that was funny, but yet it was spiritual. So, we have a Jamaican investigator named Liz and we wanted to teach her with a Jamaican lady in the ward named Jean. We set it all up to happen this Friday. We got to the teach and Liz wasn't home, so we were scrambling trying to figure out what we could do now that we had Jean with us ( you have to make the most out of the time you get to work with a member). I remembered that we had another Jamaican potential investigator that we could stop by and Jean said she knew them ( there must be an under ground Jamaican community that we are unaware of). We drove over and knocked on the door, Icelyn (the potential) answered and we got into conversation. Eventually she invited us in. We sat down and started talking about religion, Jean started to tell her conversion story, and this weird thing started to happen, everytime Jean would say a positive thing they would chant "yes, yes,yes" or if it was negative "no, no,no".  This went on for quite a while and the whole time I was just smiling. They were talking about some funny doctrine and the whole time my companion and I did not say a thing. I felt like I did not understand what was happening. It was like a Jamaican language. It was so funny! At least I thought so. It was also cool because we now have a return appointment for this week with Jean again. I tthink we will just let Jean speak, because she really seems to know how to relate to them.

I got my licsence by the way, I don't know if I told you that. It happened about three weeks ago! the test here is like 100 times harder. The Lord definitely helped me pass. We should be getting a new car this week, which is pretty nice. I am happy! You stay happy mom. You are a wonderful mother. Talk to you next week! 

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent July 15, 2013

Mom,

Yes, it was a fantastic experience to see the Daniels get baptized. They are a wonderful family. We had a really cool experience yesterday. Elder Baxter of the seventy is the father of a woman in our ward and he is visiting her right now. He came to church yesterday and spoke for about fifteen minutes. It was really cool because he directed most of his talk to the Daniels. He is a funny man as well, he had the ward laughing on a couple of occasions. The spirit was so powerful as he spoke, he talked to us about receiving the priesthood and what a privilege it is. I liked it a lot.

My new companion is from Virginia. His name is Elder Christensen.  He has been on his mission one more transfer than I have.  This is his first time being a zone leader. He is a really hard worker. I have learned that already.  We have had a couple of opportunities to do service with him and he works hard to get the job done. It will be a good transfer.

Things are going pretty well. We are in the building process now that the week is over. It has been ridiculously hot here the last couple of days, I am dying. Glad to hear everyone is doing so well there. Sounds like you and Father had a good time on your anniversary. Congrats on 22 years of eternity! Love you two. Hope you have good week. talk to you later.

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent July 8, 2013

Mother & family,

I am sorry that I have so little time this week. I just drove Elder Evans to the office elders who will take him to the temple until he goes home on Wednesday. I am now with Elder White, who is a missionary in my zone whose companion also went home.  I won't get my official companion till Wednesday. The Daniels did get baptized! It was a very spiritual experience, I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. I baptized the son and Elder Evans baptized the parents. Yesterday I confirmed the parents and Elder Evans confirmed the son. It was Awesome! There is nothing more spiritual than that. It is has to be one of the best weekends of my mission. The weather has been nice so it makes everything more enjoyable.

Grace got baptized I am so proud of her. She is now in the fold of God. Glad to hear she got my post card. Love her. Good to hear you all had a wonderful 4th. The ward had a BBQ on the 5th so I felt like I kind of celebrated it as well. It was really cool. I should probably get going, but thank you for the emails. Sorry this is so short. I wish I had a bit more time, but I don't. I know the church is true, Grace definitely made the right choice.

Love you guys and have a great week!

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent July 1, 2013

Mom,

I don't know where the time has gone today. I seem to not have much time left. The picture of Grace is fantastic! She does look really old. The Daniels are getting baptized this Saturday, so Grace will be getting baptized on the same day. It will be a very special day for me.

We saw a lot of miracles this week. The major one was in the change of heart Paul Daniels had. He was unsure of baptism, but something just changed this week. It is such a blessing to be able to see that change take place in a persons life. It will be the first time I have seen a whole family come into the church. Big blessing! Elder Evans has his last week as a missionary this week,  so that is going to be fun as well.

 Well I need to go, a lot to get done today and my fingers are tired. I love you though mom. Thank you for all you do!

Elder Hegerhorst

Mom,

This week has been a really good one. We found possibly the most interesting person I have met on my whole mission. His name is Lazarus, which really says it all. He is really intelligent and knows all about he Book of Mormon and quite a bit about the Restoration. We invited him to read the Book of Mormon and then to ask God if it is true, and he said he didn't need to. Then he says watch this, he opened the Book of Mormon to a random page and then read a really good scripture, looked at us and said "How can that not be true?" We just laughed and said good point. He is so interesting. Other than that, the **** came to church again. They are doing really well. On Saturday we went to a baptism with them and then did some service for them yesterday. Last night the whole family also went to a ward fireside.

 

We have heard of the broadcast, but it is not coming here until the 4 of July. So I will be watching it on that day. A nice Independence Day celebration. I can't really think of any thing that has happened of late. I am so grateful I chose to come on a mission though! It is already changing my life. I have not been happier at any other time. I know God is there. I know that true happiest can only come from living the principles of the gospel. That is why we need to share it. Not to get numbers, but to bring others unto Christ. John 3:5.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Mom,

 

This week has been another crazy and really exciting one. We had to organize the Zone Training for the first half of the week, which had me a little stressed. I think I was just stressed out because I had never done it before. It went really well though! Well, at least that is what people told us. I liked it a lot. We ordered so much pizza. Elder Evans and I wanted to get the most pizza we could for the money we had. We asked each missionary to bring 3 pound and we would provide lunch. There was a total of like 28 people at the conference and we got like 22  pizzas. It was great, there were even two pizzas left over in the end. 

 

We also had an exchange with the AP's again. It was really good. I always learn and grow when we get to work with them. They are two very powerful missionaries. We also had what is called a cottage evening. It is like a home evening, but different members of the ward come and invite their friends. We brought the **** family. They really enjoyed it, it was basically two hours of pure fellowshipping, I think it was really good for them. They are progressing really well! I am so excited for it. Pray for them. The Bath ward is like amazing. The crazy thing is that they had not had a baptism for over a year before *** baptism. I think the Lord is about to pour some serious blessings on them. 

 

Sorry for not emailing yesterday, Elder Evans and I had to drive a missionary to the temple so he could go to London to get his passport. He and I went into the heart of London, it was really cool. London is an awesome city. We will have to visit it as a family. 

 

I was studying the Atonement this morning. I am so grateful for it. Through the Atonement we are saved for both physical and spiritual death without any cost. What a gift! I love the Savior. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He is my Redeemer. I am so grateful for Him.

 

Thank you for writing me Mom. I love you. Have a great week!

Letter to Kate
June 9, 2013

Kate,

 

How are you doing! Are you excited for the summer? I heard that you changed football teams. How do you feel about that? I think it will be good. You look so old in the pictures mom sends. I can't believe that you are almost 14, that is so old! kidding. I  have been having a good time. We had a baptism on Saturday, which is awesome. 

 

I love you though, Kate. I am sorry I am so rubbish at writing you. I love you lots though. Keep being good for mom and dad. Make sure you read your scriptures. It will make you happier. Love ya! Have a great week

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Castle Coombe

England is so beautiful!

Mom & Family,

 

It was a really good week!  *** was baptised! It was so cool. After the baptism he was in tears because of the spirit he was feeling. It was probably one of the best baptismal services I have been to. He is really solid. I don't know if I told you or not, but his wife just recently returned from being less-active, so they now have their sights set on the temple. It is such a blessing to see people progress in the gospel like that. We have also been teaching a family called the ****. We have been teaching them for just over a month and they just came to church for the second time last week. They are a really cool family. They are shooting to be ready for the 6 of July. They have a 9 year old son named Jack, he is the best. They are such a cool family. I haven't had the opportunity to teach a family like this on my mission thus far. We also had a really good week in the zone. We were able to see a lot of success. The Lord is hastening his work.

 

I was reading in Moroni 7 this morning. It is such a great discourse on faith. I would highly recommend it. I feel like I got so much out of it. Elder Evans and I may have to go to London this week because his passport is expiring soon, so he has to go to the London Embassy. We are doing a zone training this week, so Elder Evans and I are in charge of organizing that. I am going to send some pictures and not write as much.

 

The church is true! I know that God lives. I know he answers prayers. I love you all. Have a great week.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Letter sent June 2, 2013

After hearing about Steve's mountain biking accident

 

Mom,

 

This week has been crazy! we basically drove the whole week. We had to take the missionaries going home on Monday to a place called Reading.  Then we had to drive people to their new areas on Wednesday, then on Friday we had to drive to Presidents house for a meeting. It has been an adventure. I also have my theory test for driving tomorrow. 

 

This Sunday was amazing though! We got this family that we have been teaching for a long time to come. The Mom is a member, but her husband and her two kids are not. One of the kids is 9, he is called Jack. He is really funny. He said that church was fun, but that sacrament meeting was boring. I remember thinking the same thing when I was his age. We also have *** getting baptised this Saturday! Awesome. He is so solid. I love the guy. You would like him as well. He is such a kind guy. I will send you pictures of the baptism. I am really excited for it.

 

I think those are the basic things of this week. This morning I was studying Ether 12. It is such a good chapter. I really love verse 37. I would love to have Jesus Christ say those words to me one day. That is the verse that Hyrum Smith read to Joseph in jail. They have a lot of power. You should read the chapter there are too many good things to say about it.

 

I need to email Ali, but thank you for emailing me. Dad and I are just free spirits, mom. You should send some pictures of dad and Ali. love you.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Letter to Grace
June 3, 2013

Grace,

 

You are the cutest thing! I am sad that I can't make it to your baptism, but I know you are doing the right thing and that makes me so happy! I miss you. I don't have any one to hug out here, so be prepared to be bombarded with hugs. Did Richard have an accent? If he did, then I will try hard to develop mine. I love you, Grace. Have a great week and enjoy the weather!

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Letter sent May 26, 2013

Mom,

 

I really loved your email this week. I have always known you have a testimony, but it was so good to hear you say it like that. I think being Relief Society President has been a big blessing. It is funny how callings can do that to us. I know that my calling to be a missionary has totally changed the way I deal with day to day life. I love it. The gospel can give us such a better picture on life and the things going on around us. I don't know if you saw what happened in London this week, but it was a pretty big deal in our week. A lot of people were saying that religion causes those things to happen. They are somewhat right, but they do not understand that Jesus never taught us to be like that. Elder Evans and I watched the bible videos this morning, they are amazing. I love them! It may be the fact that those are one of the few forms of movies that we can watch, haha.

 

This week has been a really good one. *** is doing really well. We had to give him a new date to be baptised, which is the 8 June.  We have been teaching a family called the **** for a while. The wife is a less-active and the rest of the family is non members. Anyway, we invited the family to be baptised this week. When we did it the 9 year old son shouted for joy, it was great. That was a big miracle. We were able to teach a lot this week, which was also really nice. The Zone had the best week since I have been a zone leader. We were really blessed this week. We are going to be doing a lot of misc. tuff this week, but it should be good. It is transfers this week, I am almost positive I will be staying.

 

I love you lots, mom. Glad to hear you are all doing so well. Keep reading the scriptures. Ether 12:4. Have a great week and enjoy the time off.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Letter sent May 19, 2013

Mom,

 

It sounds like a wonderful week for the family. I am proud of Ali for graduating seminary! (even though it is a quite easy thing really. haha.) This week has been a really good one for us. We did a couple of exchanges, one of which was with the AP's. It was really good I was with Elder Curran. I could really see how much he loved the gospel. He always testifies to people with so much power. He is a convert. It reminded me how blessed I was to have the gospel my whole life. I was also reminded of how much I love it. It is the best! The Book of Mormon is so true. I read a scripture the other day... Mormon 9:14. It talks so simply. You should read it. I really love it.

 

That stinks that Grace is sick! Someone so cute can not be sick! Tell her I will pray for her. I will also, of course, pray for Cami. That is a bummer, but she wrote me and seemed really happy, so I don't think she is letting it affect her at all. What an example. I would probably be frustrated.

 

England is beautiful. I am really coming to love this place. The people are awesome too. I think you would get on really well with the English. The weather is no good here. It is still rainy and cold, the same old.  I have been on the computer all day so there is not much strength left in my fingers.  Our investigator is doing swell, we are also working with a really cool family!

 

Have to go, but I love you! Have a great week.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Cole driving through London
May 2013

Joe gets baptized
May 2013

Postcards from Preston: A Missionary Miracle

Postcards from Preston: A Missionary Miracle: Last Saturday  the elders were playing some basketball in the adjoining stake center.  This cute Elder Hegerhorst went up for a basket and ...

Mother & family,

How are you? Thank you for you emails, this week has been even busier than last week. We had something called MLC which is a mission leadership meeting, so we had to drive to Kingston.  The catch was that Elder Evans and I were assigned to pick up some sisters so we had to drive to a place called Paignton. The trip was something like 700 miles, so we did a lot of driving. Crazy. We drove to Kingston, dropped off the sisters, then went to another missionaries flat, stayed the night then went to the meeting the next day. It was a good meeting. President Millar and the AP's spoke to us. It was good.  The reason we did not email yesterday was because we were running from place to place. We had to pick up a couch in a city that is about an hour drive from our house. We barley got the couch in the back of the car and we were driving down the freeway when we notices the gas light come on, we were still far away. We also had an MOT which is like safety and emissions. So we ended up just rolling into the shop with no petrol and a couch hanging out of the back. It was really funny! Elder Evans and I laughed a lot.

We are doing some good things here. It has been crazy, but really good. We are setting some good goals for the zone and trying to encourage them to realise their potential as missionaries. Sorry I don't have much time. I will do my best to get you a nice long email next week. Love you all so much, and thanks for your emails. I will get back to you. Have a great week!

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent April 22, 2013

Mom,

 

This week has been crazy. It is just such a fantastic time to be in the mission field. You hit the nail on the head with the pain of furnishing new flats. Elder Evans spent a lot of the week last week furnishing ours. It is so much work! I never realised how many things we use every day and take for granted.  Example: the other night we had to buy a really easy meal because we had nothing to make it in. We made it in the oven, but then we realised we had nothing to eat it with like a fork or anything. We ended up sitting on the floor eating it with our hands! It was funny though. Don't worry though mom, we have all that worked out. We have not slept on the floor yet. Luckily a sister in the office ordered some beds that got to us in less than a days time. We spent a lot of time this week cleaning and preparing the other flat for the Sisters to move into . We spent so much time doing it because we knew that Sisters would be moving in. Last week was also the official moves day. It was a busy day. There are 29 missionaries training this transfer, and there are like another 60 coming in soon. Lots of changes. Being a zone leader is like being a mom I decided. You have to deal with all these little problems that no one ever really sees, until they are a mom! well I don't know if I have the right to compare anything to motherhood, never really experienced it myself. The motive behind the analogy was to give you and idea.

 

Our area is doing okay.. ha not too well really. We have two investigators. **** is the main one. He is a boyfriend of a recent convert. He is a really nice guy. He goes to church, reads the Book of Mormon and prays. All he is struggling with is getting a spiritual witness that God is there. Maybe you can pray that he will recognise his answer. It is a brand new area, which means Elder Evans and I will be hitting the streets this week. I am excited to do that though. There is something exciting about the thought of opening a whole area and just making it into what I want it to be. More what the Lord wants it to be. We are going to have to seek His guidance a lot this coming week/transfer. My companion is feeling better. He is a really good missionary, a really good teacher and I am excited to learn from him. He is Australian, not sure if I told you that last week. And guess what? He know Tory Mason! He met her in Saudi Arabia. Crazy huh. Do you know what is going on with her? Both him and I are curious. I don't hear from those people.

 

Not too sure what else you want to hear about. I am doing well, a little stressed, not bad though. I love you so much mom. Thank you for taking the time out of your week every week to send me an email. It is really nice. I hope all is well. Tell me if I can do anything for you. I will continue to pray for you and all the family. Tell them I love them. I think I will send you and Email addressed to Kate.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Bath, England
Look familiar to all you fellow Les Miserables fans? :)

Mother and family,

Once again I have no time to email you guys.  Basically it has been the craziest week of my mission. I got emoved to Bristol and am now a zone leader. I got emoved, because of another missionary.  It's a long story, but this is what was going to happen at transfer time but it just got sped up at this moves. It sounds like you had a good time in Cali. I printed off your emails so I can read them in more depth. My new companion is Elder Evans, and we are in the city of Bath right now. It is so cool! Look it up online, it has a ton of history. Sorry we have a conference to get to at the temple for the leaders.

Love you all! Have a great week,

Elder Hegerhorst

Nigerian Food.  I think I see the cow foot!

Mother,

 

This week was a good one.  ***** was not baptised, for some random reasons though, the chapels heating broke, none of the bishopric were going to be able to make it. We came to the conclusion to postpone it a week, but ***** was totally fine with it. He is a really good kid. The second 18 year old baptism I have had this year. I think it is good though. We had some good stuff this week. I went up on exchange to Woolwich, which is basically like Nigeria right in the middle of London. I had some good food pepe, foofoo, jolof rice. It is actually really good. (it has a lot more flavor than English food) The gross thing was when they put some cow foot in there and some other like cow skin stuff. I ate a little bit but started to gag when I thought of it as a cow's foot in my mouth. I would not suggest you ever try it. It was fun though! I was with one of my favorite missionaries, Elder Benedetti from France. He is a cool guy.

 

I can never think of what else happened in the week when it comes time to email you. I am really sorry to hear about Jenny. I really feel for her. It is because the Lord knows she is strong and can take these kind of trials. I am proud of Cami for getting on her mission. I was a little worried because of this man friend she has found. She is going to be a really good missionary. Tell her I love her. I am so jealous that you guys are going to California for vacation! The sun would be so nice, we just don't see any of it here. Oh, did you already send off the Easter package? The reason I ask is because my face is seriously breaking out and I mean that. I think I need some proactive or something, so if you could give me suggestion on some things I can do I would really appreciate that. I have bought some over the counter stuff, but it does not seem to be working.

 

I love you so much though mom. Hope you had a good birthday! Heard you have been using my surround sound haha. Tell Jenny I will pray for her. Hang on, you got Grandma's teenagers email? Does this not defeat the whole purpose? Have a good week.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Cole says this is a proper English breakfast

Mom,

 

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY! How does the being 43 feel? I think that is still young so I would not worry about it too much. haha. I hope you know I think you are the best Mom in the whole world. I love you very much. Glad to hear you have been having a good week. I sent you a card, hope you get it soon. My brain is super confused today, so if this letter seems scatter brained that is why. I had no idea that it was St. Patrick's Day yesterday. I guess they do not celebrate that here.

 

Our week was a good one, we only had one investigator at church, but we are seeing a lot of people come through the wood work. I don't know if I ever told you about ***** and *****, but we were able to take them to the temple on Saturday, it was awesome. ***** was talking about how he eventually wants to be sealed to *****. It was really cool, but we may have to cross the bridge of them having to get married before they get baptised and that is not an easy one. *****, might be getting baptised this Saturday. The reason I say might is because we just want to make sure he is ready. Oh, I am staying in Maidstone with Elder Blumenthal for another transfer by the way. He is a really good guy, he teaches a lot about loving the investigators and also a lot about world of warcraft, haha. He was the kind of person that played that game a ton before his mission. I can't really remember what else happened this week.

 

Thanks for telling me about the girls. It sounds like Kate is basically a star, she is the kid you and dad have always deserved ha. I told her that I am starting to like soccer a lot more, becuase it is so much bigger here. Did she get my email by the way? Tell her that I am proud of the young women she is becoming and to keep up the good work. Grace, I miss her a lot. There is this litte girl in the ward named Rose who is like 6, but she reminds me so much of Grace. She is cute. Ali, what a punk. tell her that the spirit goes to bed at 12 anyway so there is no good reason for her to be out. Good that you two ended the argument in hugs and kisses though, what a girly thing to do.

 

I need to email grandma, so I will have to end this letter. I love you though mom. hope you have a magnificent day! Take care.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent March 10, 2013

Mom,

 

This week was a really good one! We had 5 investigators at church, it was a direct answer to our prayers and fasting. I really felt the Lords hand in it. I love this work. It keeps you on your toes so much though, there is always something more that needs to be done! I guess that is just how it is with life though! **** is doing really well, he came to church again and seemed to really like it. He is a very genuine kid. I think he is starting to recognise the spirit and see the way it works in his life and in others. The area is seeing some good things happening. We were able to get some good lessons last week and pick up some new investigators, it was something we really needed. Elder Blumenthal and I have been working hard and it seems like that is beginning to pay off.

 

Have you gotten Grandma's emails? It sounds like she is doing so good and learning so much. I am very proud of her. She is a really good example to us as a family. It's really sad to hear what Aunt Jenny is going through, I hope she gets better. I will continue to pray for her. Ali, is 18. It is weird, both of us are getting so old (must make you feel a little old) haha. I am kidding. She is a good girl. Oh, yeah I had ***** send her a message for me. He is a reallly good kid. He just got his call to the Alpine, Germany mission. He does a lot for us. The other week he took us to this really good place called Nando's. That is probably why I like him so much.

 

How are things going with you? How is work? How is the ward and your calling? I am sure you are doing well in all of those. Have you studied anything good in the scriptures recently? I am not sure what else to write about. It's moves this week! That is always pretty exciting, but I don't think much will change for me.

 

Well I love you very much mom! I hope you have a wonderful week. Take care!

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent March 3, 2013

Mom,

 

I have not gotten the package yet. I just contemplated lying to you to put you at ease, but I figured it is more important to tell the truth. It looks like you sent it to the correct address though. I don't know why it has not come yet. They don't leave things on the door step here if you are not in so you don't have to worry about that. I think it just takes things forever to get to this country. By the way I think I am starting to really love England. I was thinking about it this week and it's a really cool place. I think you would like it, they have the same sense of humor that you and I do. It is so dry. Love them, you'll have to come over and we can visit some of the people I have taught.

 

Transfers are coming up, they are next week, crazy. It is really weird, every transfer goes by quicker than the one before. It seems like I just started serving with Elder Blumenthal. things go really quick. I can't believe Richard is going home soon either. I think he is a Ap though, because sister Millar came up to me last week and said that an Elder Flores told her to say hi to me. The meeting they were at is a meeting that only AP's would go to, so basically he is in the top dog seat. I am sure he is a really good missionary. He can tell you all you want to know about England, I bet the two of us will have very similar missions.

 

I can't believe Jenny is still sick! I feel so bad for her. It sounds like she is going through a little bit of hell. Tell her that I love her. You never sent me their address by the way, I want to write them, but I am a wingnut and threw away the box that hadd their address on it.

 

We have had a couple cool things happen this week. We are working with this young man named **** and Elder Blumenthal and I fasted last week that one of our investigators would be able to make it to church and he came! (that was a poor sentence) That was cool. He is scheduled to be baptised on the 22 of this month, so that was cool.

 

Got to go mom. I love you so much! Have a great week.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

 

Sent February 18, 2013

Mom,

 

Why does this keep happening with Jenny? Will you please tell her that I really appreciated the package that she sent me for Christmas? Those were some really good treats and a nice Patriots shirt. Tell her that I will be praying for her this week and that missionaries prays are super powerful so she will get well quick! ha. Poor Jenny. Well, I hope you have a good time in Georgia, not sure there is much to do there though.

 

Well I am trying to think of what I can tell you.. I told dad all the spiritual stuff, but I wanted to think of something funny I could tell you. Well, me and my companion are trying to learn cockany rhyming. Not sure if you know what that is, but it is like this slang that comes from London. Like Trouble and strife.... wife. So you can say something like "I am at home tonight with my trouble." not sure if that makes any sense, but I think it is funny. And so does Elder Blumenthal. We have been having a lot of people starting to progress, which is really nice. We have just had a hard time getting people to church which isn't too nice. haha. I am happy though. England is such a weird country I can't wait to take you guys around here someday.

 

Not sure what else to talk about. Let me know if I can do any thing for you. Have a good week and thank you for sending me a package and for wishing me a happy birthday. I feel like I am getting so old. How weird to think that you will never see me while I am 20. It will be a good year though. Love you lots Mom!

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent February 11, 2013

Mother,

 

Life is good. Missions are crazy you know? But, man, I am so blessed to be a part of it. I do want to teach the gypsie guy, we called him this week and he said he will hopefully be free some time this week. My companion is cool. He is such a sincere missionary, he is teaching me a lot. I have enjoyed learning from each of my companions. It is pretty funny. I wish I could share more with you. I guess we will be able to watch it in the after life. Did you like my story about testimony meeting? Come on.

 

Things are really changing in the mission. We have been told that like 70 new elders are going to be coming in the next few months and that is just elders. There are going to be new areas opened and almost the whole mission is going to be training. crazy. It is exciting though. We are having a zone conference next week to be trained on how to handle it and how to handle the Book of mormon musical coming to London. Elder Blumenthal and I have had a good week though. I told dad some of the stuff and I am just to lazy to type it agian.

 

Grandma is going to have such an adventure. I think it will be funny to hear about. She will also be amazing. I think Valentines day here is just about the same as in America, but choclate here is better. Ha. It has been cold an rainy, but what is new? I don't know what else to tell ya.. anyway. I love you lots mom. Have a good week. You are the best. I look forward to spending more time with you when I get home.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent February 4, 2013

Mom,

 

Yes, I got a new companion, but I am stilll here in Maidstone. He is cool, he is form Vegas. Grandma sent me a large email so I feel like I am very updated on what is going on with her.  A senior couple named the Otley's always make us food. Like a couple of weeks ago they made cafe rio salads. All of the Americans loved it, but a couple of the foriegn missionare were confused. So, I really like senior missionaries. Grandma sounds like she is doing really good. She bore her testimony to me like three times, I thought that was cool. You can tell when people are really feeling the light of the gospel.

 

That is a really funny testimony meeting. This man sounds likee he is a real character. You want to hear what happened in our testimony meeting. So this week an older man in the ward passed away named Alf. It was really sad. But because of this everyone was getting up to the stand and bearing powerful testimony, it was really good. The spirit was really strong. Then this guy got up out of the audience who had been to church the last couple weeks. He had just moved to Maidstone from like Latvia or something. He gets up to the stand and says "I know this church is not true. Joseph Smith was not a prophet, there was no first vision. I know these things" then he handed a paper to the bishop and sat in the audience. Everyone just went silent. This old lady leaned over to me and said " what did he say?" I told her then she said " oh bless him! we all go through that stage, we'll forgive him!" Man, it was funny.

 

some other things that happened this week.... We met a roman gypsie. Yeah like the ones on my big fat gypsie wedding. He told me all about his life and I kind of laughed. but they are kind of the gangsters of England. He wants to meet up though so plus. We are teach a Peruvian this week you'll have to tell Cam. Nothing else really. We are also teaching an American.

 

Those are some good pics. Of course the one winter I am not there it just dumps. LAME. Well I love you, Mom. Have a good week.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent January 28, 2013

 

Mom,

 

This week has been a good one! it is moves on Wednesday so I think I will be getting a new companion. Hopefully he will be a cool guy, cause I have been really lucky up to this point with my companions. I don't know what it would be like to not have one that I got on with. Maybe I will be lucky enough to have good companions my whole mission. Grandma was set apart? That is pretty cool. Wait, you can see her after she goes into the MTC. She is so spoiled. When does she actually leave for Tonga then?

 

I kind of explained to dad all that is going on in our area right now and I am just too lazy to write ti again so if you get the opportunity, look at his letter. We had Zone training this week. it was cool, got to have an interview with President Millar. He is a greay man. Our mission is going to get a lot bigger. In the next three months we have some thing like 60 new missionaries coming in and only like 20 leaving. They are going to be opening new areas and all that stuff. It is an exciting time to be a missionary. President told us that we all need to be ready to train. So, not really too much going on, we get fed a lot in this area and it is causing me to gain weight. haha. Not too much else to say.

 

I love you very much mom. I am glad to hear you are doing well. The Church is true. I love the Gospel so much. I think we forget how awesome it is I love it. Take care.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Christmas Dinner with Christmas Crowns

Opening Christmas Presents

Mom,

 

How are you feeling mom?  You never really tell me things like that. I bet you are doing a great job at your calling. There is a chapter in the bible with a couple parables. I can't remember which chapter.. somewhere in Luke I think.  Ask dad about the chapter with the prodigal son.  There are three stories in there. They explain three different ways of taking care of people. You should read it. It has been helpful for me.

 

This week was an intersting one. We had a less-active guy come to church for the 2nd time in a row. It snowed all day yesterday, so they cancelled the last hour of church and half the ward didn't come anyway.  I think we got about 3 inches and it seems like the whole country will shut down. Anyway, I love you lots, mom. Sorry it is short have a good week.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Mom,

 

I am doing really well. Everything went well for ***** baptism. He is such a good guy!  I honestly can not believe the amount of faith that he has. He just knows. The church has just started to build his faith. I had the opportunity to baptise him which was really cool. He is big guy, so I had to work out the whole week before to get him out of the water! ha. Kidding. It is a joke that we have with him. A mission is in the back of his mind which is kind of cool. I think when he gets more and more involved in the church it will just grow. That would be cool, but can't get too ahead of myself.

 

Grandma is going to be a great missionary. It is going to be a huge test, but it is good for her. Missions aren't easy, but they are way more rewarding than they are hard. Tell her I love her. I think I need to email her actually, I'll go do that. Things are good here. We have found some solid people which I am stoked about. I love you mom and miss you. Have a good week.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent January 7, 2013

Mom,

 

Sorry, there will be no pictures this week. I am lame and forgot to bring my camera. ***** is totally on track! He is such a stud, not like the normal english teenager. We see him three times this week. He just has so much faith. This sunday was fast and testimony meeting and the theme seemed to be missionary work, so all the members were telling there conversion stories (almost everyone in England is a convert, well I guess we are all converts). After the meeting ***** said to me " I guess you guys were heaven sent. I was praying to God for help, because my faith was waning and I didn't know what to do. Then you guys knock on my door and now I am here." That was a really good thing to hear. It makes all the lows of missionary work totally worth it.

 

Tonight we are planning on extending a baptismal date to a couple that we have been teaching for a while. It is going to be a big night! Pray all goes well for us. Sounds like things are slowing down a lot there. Yeah, everyone seems to be sick here, Elder Sparks was for a little but he is good now. Grandma has her farewell?  That came so quick! How is she feeling about it? Tell her I know she will be great.

 

Well that is about all I have to say. I will send you some pictures of the baptism. Hopefully we will be having some more. ha. Love you all.  Love you mom. Have a good week.

 

Elder Hegerhorst

Sent December 30, 2012

Mom,

 

It was really good to see you guys also. I don't know what I expected. For some reason I had all of these butterflies in my stomach. ha. I was nervous to talk to you and I don't get nervous to talk to strangers on the street, it was really weird. I liked it though. You are basically the same. Except Kate and Grace, they are getting older and more beautiful. They just need to take a chill pill on that. Love you all. You all looked good. You too, mom. I didn't really get home sick at all. I think I thought about it for a couple of hours and moved on. My mission is my life now, so it almost seemed weird that you guys weren't on missions. Don't know why.

 

Who is going to take care of grandma's house when she is gone? Grandma does worry a lot. I thought it was really funny how she started to cry when I came on, and even more funny when she started to take pictures, she hasn't changed. Avery, needs to just marry Dan. You can tell her that for me. Cami is totally living the whole byu scene.

 

Things are going well here in Maidstone. We have ***** who I am pretty sure is going to be baptised. He has come to church twice now and is loving it. I think he knows the church is true, he just does not want to admit it. He is scheduled to get baptised on the 12 of January. We are working with a couple of other good people. We should start to get some more because the holidays are ending. I am happy with that.

 

I love you mom. Tell the fam that I love them. Tell Grace I love that horse. My companion thought she drew it. ha. thanks for all you do. Have a good week.

 

Elder Hegerhorst