FELIZ AÑO NUEVOO!

Hey family...

It was sooo good talking to you all on Christmas! I was suuuper happy I got to talk to Matthew...err...Elder Heath too:) That made my day. I didn't think I was gonna get to talk with him:)

This week for new years we're gonna be with the same family...the only difference? The four Elders from our branch are gonna crash our party! Puuuucha. All six of us are gonna be together which will actually be really fun. I love this time of year in Argentina:) Oh...and we're gonna watch Monsters Inc 2...I'm super excited. I've also never seen that movie. Frozen was sooo cute. I've been singing the songs all week long.

This week we've got some more service planned as a district:) We're really excited. Yesterday was Elder Boyd's birthday so we had a small party in the church...we told him it was a meeting with the Elders quorum president. It was fun. After we played that game where you tie the balloon around your ankle and have to pop other peoples. It was fun...I took second place:) Hahaha.

Sooo...I think I pretty much to you everything on Thursday. But...I'm sure you've all seen the video the church made this year for Christmas..."He is the gift" Remember, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He is the gift. I love the video. It's really powerful:)

Yesterday as a district we took some time to share with each other our favorite scriptures...it was really cool. I came across seccion 31 in D&C...the section mom shared with me before the mission. Last night I read it again... inserting my own name and remembered lots of promises and blessings from my setting apart. How quickly this year went by! Puuucha. I'm not ready to come home yet friends. I'm determined to stay foreverrr! :)

Well..have a very happy new year! I love you all! Em and Craig...watch some good disney movies for me...it looks like you got a pretty good colection:)

I LOVE YOU ALL! Have a great week:)

Hermana Heath

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!

Hola Familia,

¿Como andan? This week is Christmas!! Can you believe it?! I sure can't. What happened to the year...I think we skipped half of it. But anyway...I hope ya'll have a very merry christmas this year. We'll be talking soooon!

So...this week was crazy. Remind me one day to tell ya'll what happened cause I don't have much time. But basically Hermana Rodriguez didn't end up leaving until Tuesday morning. On Monday night we were at the pension of the zone leaders until about 11:30PM with all the missionaries wrapping up suitcases in plastic bags and tape from the missionaries that had traveled north...the people from the colectivo wouldn't let them take more than one on the bus. Anyway...we had like 30 extra suitcases to deal with. Then we ended up eating hot dogs cause we hadn't eaten anything all day. We didn't end up going to bed until like 2:30AM that night. I love transfers. Let me tell ya. Earlier that day we played soccer at a field that we rented for two hours. It was fun...and Hermana Heath scored two goals. Ya buddy! It was a good day... Tuesday we got up at 5:00 so that my comp could be at the terminal at 6:30AM. Then  I was on splits with the other hermanas until that night when I got on the colectivo and couldn't sleep due to the man next to me snoring suuuuper loud. On Wednesday morning I was in the pension of the hermanas in comodoro for about 3 hours...there were 7 hermanas training...we had a great time talking and toward the end we started stealing each others phones to call people from our old areas. I got super lucky because Hermana Salazar is currently in my area in Rawson and Hermana Villela is in my area in Caleta Olivia so I got to call Mariela, Agustina, and Maxi!!! :) Then with Hermana Zanuttini we called the familia zampa. It was sooo good to talk with them. They're all doing great:) At about noon we went to the offices and met the new missionaries. 5 gringas and 2 latinas. My new companion is Hermana Solorzano from Guatemala. I'm soooo glad she speaks spanish. As of right now...training is NOT fun...but my companion is great so we're doing good. We had a looong bus ride back...somehow I was able to sleep for most of it. Then we worked in our area the rest of the week. We put 4 new baptismal dates this week and found two new investigators! I'm super relieved because we lost pretty much everyone we had last week and the week before. Anywayy...on Saturday morning we did service in san benito as a zone. We had to clean out a garage..it was filled with lots of...well...the only word I can come up with is crap. Yep...it was filled with crap. I'm pretty sure this lady is a hoarder. There was an opened bag of lays chips from 2008. Puuuucha. There were also car parts...couches...baby strollers...clothes everywhere...anything you can think of was in that garage. I impressed everyone with my ability to carry heavy things. It was actually just because the Elders never let us do anything so they're always surprised when they find out we can open a door by ourselves and everything. Who knew, right?! Hahaha...the Elders are great! Such gentlemen. Hahahah.

Well...that was my week. I left lots of things out...but that's all I can come up with right now and my time is running short...like always. But...on Thursday we'll talk! :) I LOVE YOU ALL! MERRY CHRISTMAS! :):):)

Hermana Heath

TRANSFERS CAMEEE! ...por fin! :)

Hola Familia,

Soo...I'm pretty much out of time. Again. How does that happen so fast?! Beats me. Anyway...this week was really long...but it was good. We had lots of fun activities in the church. On tuesday we had district meeting which was awesome. I had to talk about christlike attributes...I've learned a lot about them this transfer. On wednesday we went christmas caroling as a district...an hermana in the branch made us santa hats and everything :) On Friday we had our christmas dinner as a branch. We did the live nativity...but it looks like you already found that out...the members here are really good with facebook apparently. hahaa. Anyway...I was Maria...and i got to hold a baby...for all you RM's you know that we're not supposed to hold babies...but what was I gonna do? Make Joseph hold it? No way Jose! I definitely took advantage of that opportunity...and I loved it...i almost didn't give little baby benjamin back. he's the son of the elders investigators. Soooo cute. I was in heaven. Best day ever...it made the embarassment worth it:) On saturday as missionaries we sang at seminary/institute graduation. it was fun! then they told us transfers. I'm gonna be training. I go to comodoro tomorrow night to pick her up...another loooong bus ride. wish me luck! Hermana rodriguez is going to ushuaia with hermana reyes. she's got awesome zone leaders down there so she'll be okay. Well family...I don't have much else to share this week. Griselda and Miguel didn't end up getting baptized. Puuucha. They're soo close. keep praying for them. the elders are gonna take over now...so i've gotta find new investigators!! I love rio gallegos. the families here are AMAZING! There's one family in particular the familia fernandez that takes such good care of me. I LOVE THEM! :)

Have a great week! sorry for the short unorganized letter. I love you all...next week we're gonna skype! shoot. I forgot..I haven't checked on times with members or anything. i'll let you know the time...it'll probably be in the afternoon...like 6:00 my time...2:00 your time. when are you gonna talk with matthew? christmas came fast! next monday i'll let you know for sure :)

Hermana Heath

17 daysss:)

Hola Familia,

Sooo...it's officially the Christmas season here in Argentina. On December 8th everyone starts to set up their trees and decorations and weird Santa dolls with stringy beards. I think it's a catholic tradition...and Argentina kinda adopted it. Crazies! I can't believe how quickly this year went by. Are ya'll excited to talk to meee? :)

This week was reallly long..but it was a good one. Remember Griselda and Miguel? They're supposed to get baptized this weekend! Keep them in your prayers please! They're amazing..the only problem is they moved to the area of the Elders yesterday...puuucha. We're gonna keep visiting them until their baptism and then we'll start to have visits with the Elders and eventually they'll take over with the retention lessons. I'm gonna miss visiting them...we go almost every single day. Such a great family:)

On Friday we had zone meeting...Elder Ramos and Hermana Judd gave their last testimonies. Soo weird. Elder Ramos was one of my first zone leaders in Trelew...over a year later we were put in the same zone again. Elder Kern is finishing this week too...he's the one from Provo that I met playing volleyball in Wyview before the mission. How the time flies...I can't believe that I hit the 15 month mark this week. NO PUEDE SER!! Anyway...the zone meeting was great. I love being a missionary. It's the best ever. I learn so much every single day.

On Thursday we went out as a district to carol! We visited the menos activos and invited them to church and a chirstmas dinner we're gonna have this friday as a branch. The missionaries are in charge of the nativity...I got stuck with the role of Mary. Normally I would be okay with that..but this is not as simple as walking in with a fake baby and listening to uncle David or uncle Russell read the christmas story...this is acting...and there's a real baby involved. Acting is not my thing people. Oh well...it should be good I guess.

Oh...so here's mostly for dad...my district leader always tells me jokes to keep me sane this transfer with everything going on...the other day I told him the "what do a duck and a bike have in common?" he didnt' find it very funny...I think it was cause he didn't understand.

Okay..well I have to go! Have a great week!! :) I LOVE YOU ALL! The church is trueeee:)

Hugs from Rio Gallegos!

Hermana Heath

No email today.  It's going to be a long week... :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Mi queridisima familia,

So...what's up? I have about two seconds to send you an email...it's a holiday in Argentina (surprise! surprise!) and the only ciber open is super expensive asi que your email is gonna be short..that seems to be happening a lot lately...

First we had interviews with President and Hermana Rogers. Can I just tell you how much I love them! They're amazing...and they both motivated me to keep going. They love me:) Hahaha I'm so excited for ya'll to meet them one day.

...HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I totally forgot...but  I hope you have a splendid day. Make sure Shaun doesn't eat all the banana cream pie...I feel like we always had a battle for the last piece...haha. Man, I'm gonna be missing home on thursday..but honestly not that much. Give everyone big hugs for me!! :)

This week I got to talk for a few minutes with Hermana Hundley...benefits of being friends with the assistants. She's doing good...it's always great talking to her. It pretty much made my day...plus everyone in Gallegos LOVES her and so they automatically love me too. It's the best:)

On Thursday two investigators Griselda and Miguel got married!! Yahooo... they're 24 and 22 years old and have 4 kids...on Friday Griselda told us she's pregnant with the 5th...anyway...they're super poor, but they are the cutest family. We're working toward baptism with them. I LOVE them...Miguel reminds me sooo much of the Craig-meister...it kinda makes me wanna give him a great big hug every time I see him. They're awesome.

Ummm...last but not least...sketchy Argentina water is finally starting to affect me...or I should say my hair. My hair is FALLING OUT. As you can imagine...I AM NOT OKAY WITH THIS! Someone do some research and tell me what I have to do to keep my hair in my head...remember back in the day when my hair was long and pretty and thick? Well..those days are no more. Puuuucha. Someone help me please!  :(:(:(:( Hahahhaa...okay so I might have exaggerated a little bit...but really someone tell me what to do!

Yesterday in church we talked about what it means to be a true disciple of Christ..I LOVED IT! It's never gonna be easy...but it's worth it every time! Our first loyalty should always be to the Lord...in relief society we talked about taking the beam out of our own eye before trying to get rid of the mote in someone elses. So..it all tied together really well. It was an awesome day in church!

Okay that's all I can come up with this week! I love you all! Have a very happy thanksgiving! Hugs and kisses from Rio Gallegos!

Hermana Heath

Heyyy...

Hola Familia...

So...this week was EPIC. I didn't have time to read your emails...internet time is SUPER expensive here....soo...I'll read them later. Anyway...this week flew by...kind of.

On Tuesday I was in divisions with Hermana Johnson in centro Rio Gallegos. It was a good day...and a nice break from my companion. President Rogers wasn't kidding! Haha. I also hit 14 months in the mission...can ya'll believe it? I sure can't. The time is going by wayyy to fast. We're already half way through november!! Que LOCO!

On Wednesday we were at the dentist all day...my comp had to get a root canal last week and this week they did some other stuff. That night at 6:00PM we met up in the chapel and went to the terminal together...at 8:00PM we were boarding the bus that took us to Comodoro! It was sooo fun. I was sitting next to Hermana Garavito but Elder Ramos was in the other aisle seat across from me (my old zone leader in Trelew) It was the first time I had seen him since I left Rawson (he's in Calafate now which is about 3 hours outside of Gallegos) We talked until about 1:30AM about the mission and remembering good times in Trelew Sur. Hermana Garavito was also in that zone so she didn't get left out:) Haha. We only slept a little bit here and there...bus rides are impossible!

We got to Comodoro at about 6:30AM. We passed through Caleta and it pretty much ripped my heart out...I almost got off there. I could have made it to Maxi's house in 5 minutes running. Temptations. Anyway...we went to the mission office...the first Elder I saw that I recognized was Elder Alvarez...it was soo fun to see him. Then I saw Hermana Rasmussen, Hermana Zanuttini, Hermana Tumbaico...I had 7 of my 9 companions there. CRAZY. Haha...it was super fun. I finally found Hermana Hundley...it was the best reunion EVER. I love her with all my heart. We just kinda stood there stunned...neither of us knew what to say so we just hugged each other...from that moment on we didn't leave each other's sides all day. She's doing really well. I was happy to talk with her:) Elder Christofferson showed up with Presidente Gonzalez and Presidente Rogers and their wives at about 10:00AM. The conference was GREAT...and Elder Christofferson wanted to shake our hands...you can bet I wont be washing my right hand ever again...it's my apostle hand. I shouldn't have a hard time with that goal because in Argentina they rarely have soap anyway! Haha. Crazy Argentines.

We ate lunch after and then just had the whole day to chill in the church. It was the BEST. The other missionaries all left before our zone...which was sad..I cried when Trelew and Puerto Madryn left...and then again when Caleta Olivia left...but right before getting on the bus Elder Dunford asked for my agenda he knows my companion and that she's a little bit hard so he wrote on the front page "you're better than the whole bunch of them put together old sport" apparently it's a quote from the great gatsby...but it always makes me feel better during the day when I see it:)

Have a great week! The church is true...Elder Christofferson said so! I love you all!!

Hermana Heath

Rio Gallegos...

Hola Familia!!

Hey friends. So...my first week in Rio Gallegos was an ETERNITY. My companion is Hermana Rodriguez...she's got about 6 months in the mission and from Peru. She has lots of sicknesses including severe chronic gastritis and a couple other stomach problems so we don't get to work as much as I like... President Rogers is watching her closely which also means that I talk with him way more than I'm used to over the phone...which is probably good. Hermana Rodriguez has been labled as one of the "hard" companions in the mission for lots of reasons only one of them being her health...president told me if I can get throught this transfer I will have magnified my calling... haha...I think it was mostly a joke...at least I hope so!! Apparently she has a really strong personality. BUT! I don't tell you all this to complain about my companion because that's not cool. Mostly I'm just gonna send out a quick reminder...something one of my seminary teachers always said, "There are two types of people in the world...the ones you love and the ones you don't understand." I can tell it's probably gonna be a hard transfer...my companion is one of the people I don't understand yet. I'm gonna have to understand her to love her, and love her to understand her. We'll see how this goes! Wish me luck...and remember...don't judge people...because usually once we get to know them we love 'em!

I love Rio Gallegos so far. The members here are awesome. I love the familia Fernandez...and thanks to Hermana Hundley...they love me! Everyone here loves Hermana Hundley...and I get to see her in 3 DAYS! I'm sooo excited. It should be a great conference with the apostle. It's gonna be a looong bus ride though....

I can't really think of anything that happened this week...the Elders in my district are great. My district leader, Elder Rendon, is from Colombia...my zone leaders are great..I've met them both before...Elder Benitez...the kid that I sat next to for 5 hours during that protest in Caleta when I was headed to Grande? Good times. And Elder Mamani...don't remember where he's from... Chile I think.

Leaving Caleta Olivia was brutal. I cried HARD. Hermana Villela...my replacement...showed up about 2 hours before I left...awkward. I was not down to hang out with her and was surprisingly jealous as I realized that she was gonna be living in MY pension...sleeping in MY bed...eating lunch with MY families...visiting MY Maxi...I hope she takes good care of them. Anyway...Maxi was such a capo and stayed in the terminal with me until my bus left. His mom even came to say goodbye. That surprised me cause she doesn't want anything to do with religion (although she supports Maxi and is happy he's making good decisions with his life) She told me she's gonna miss me and that she loves me and thanked me for all I did for Maxi...yep...I was crying. Maxi gave me a letter and drew me a picture of a tiger...I didn't know he could draw...but wrote that the tiger was sad because I'm leaving...I try not to look at it because it makes me sad. I'm gonna get permission from President to call him for his birthday in a coulple of weeks...and at the conference I'll probably steal Hermana Davis' phone and send him a message...oh...Hermana Rasmussen is in Rawson...in my area...and Elder Tarwater is also in Rawson. I'm super jealous. Okay...so that's all I can come up with to tell you...next week I promise I'll write a good letter...I read all your letters this week so I didn't have a lot of time to write.

I LOVE YOU ALL! This week I've been singing "I'm trying to be like Jesus" all week long...what a great song. Do ya'll remember the words? :)

Have a great week! Sorry for the boring letter! Next week's will be awesome for sure!

Hermana Heath

Gallegos...here I come!!

Dear Family...

So...I made the mistake of reading everyone's emails before writing to all of you guys and now you're not gonna get a very good or long letter. Anyway... my head is spinning a little bit...but I'm not saying anything until someone confirms my thoughts.

Anyway...they told us transfers on Saturday night. I'm going to Rio Gallegos. I leave tonight at 9:00PM. I'm sad to leave Caleta and Maxi and the familia Zampa, and Natalia...plenty of tears have already been shed. Maxi is coming to the terminal tonight so I haven't had to say goodbye to him yet. Anyway... I'm excited to go to Rio Gallegos. I think. My new companion is Hermana Rodriguez I think.

This week was good. It flew by. Will the time ever slow down? I doubt it. Next week the apostle is coming. It's Elder Christofferson...but shhh don't tell anyone. Technically I'm not supposed to know that...none of the other missionaries know yet. Hermana Zampa told me yesterday(we ate cinammon rolls again yesterday!)...she has good contacts in the church:) Haha...anyway.

Well...for Halloween I dressed up as an Elder. I had a tie and everything. I borrowed Elder Dunford's name tag. Good times. Not as exciting as Emily and Craig I suppose.

We did an activity on Saturday night in the church..."trip to Hawaii." It's awesome...remind me to explain it to you one day.

Well...have a great week. I love you all. Bye!

Hermana Heath

...transfers...CHAN! oh...and Halloween. Weird...I was in Argentina for that last year too.

Querida Family,

So...Happy Halloween this week! I'm glad to hear you're all doing well. Today is another holiday in Argentina...but this time it's only for the province...every day is a holiday in Argentina. Bless their crazy hearts. Luckily the ciber is still open or we would be writing later today. Apparently though at 3:00PM a member is coming to teach us self-defense. Cool? We'll see...I'm sure I'll have some good stories for next week though.

This week was...normal. Haha. We had 4 lessons with member. That almost never happens here. The rotary is generally "too far away" for the members especially if they don't have cars...I'll be completely honest when I say I don't have much sympathy when they give me that excuse. Oh...yesterday the branch president sent me a text asking if I could give a talk in sacrament meeting about the importance of taking the sacrament. I guess someone canceled on him last minute...so I prepared an 8 minute talk in about 20 minutes....it went really well. God loves his missionaries...I never would have been able to do that before the mission...even less in a foreign language!

We had zone conference this week. It was really good. I always learn a lot from my zone leaders. I have two really good ones:) We ate lunch outside... my idea! I think it's called shepherd's pie in english...you know that thing with mashed potatoes and meat and hard-boiled eggs and cheese? pastel de papas se llama en español. I don't know maybe it doesn't exist in the states...don't really remember...I don't remember anything we eat at home besides french toast and peanut butter.

Yesterday we went to the hospital to visit the friend of a member. I really don't like argentine hospitals...probably not normal ones either...but I get a weird feeling inside when I'm there...luckily this hospital wasn't nearlly as sketchy as the one in Rawson where Elder Verges was. Still, I was very happy to be leaving!

I'm leaving from Caleta this transfer...I think. My guess is Comodoro...we'll see. I'm loving the sun in Caleta and getting a nice tan...hahaha. But really... my feet already look like they did when I left rawson in february...puuucha. Oh...and this morning my companion cut my hair...it was necessary. The wind here DESTROYS the ends. It's depressing.

Well...that's all I've got. Have a good week! I love you all! The church is true!!:) I finished the Book of Mormon this week again and started 1 Nephi the same morning...I love the scriptures! They're filled with amazing promises, blessings, and guidelines...look for them as you read and then learn to apply them!! :) For example...the very last verse of Alma 33 is one of my personal favorites that I've discovered in the mission:)

Well, bye.

Hermana Heath

400 days!

Hola Familia,

This week was really long and I don't really have much to tell so it'll probably be a short email. I didn't read most of yours either so I'll print them off for later.

This week on Friday we had zone conference with President Rogers. It was really good. He talked about how we can improve our teaching skills. He also told us that an apostle is coming to the mission on november 11th. He's not allowed to tell us who yet...any guesses? After the conference we went to get ice cream with just the hermanas and hermana rogers...we didn't tell president or the elders...anyway...that was good times. Hermana paid for all of us too. She's the best. Oh...and fun fact...she's really into selfies...it's pretty funny.

On saturday we had an asado at the church for mothers day. lots of meat. it was fun. they even rented a blow up jump house for the kids to keep them distracted all day. It was a fun afternoon...we were in the church like all weekend. on sunday we ate leftover asado in chapel with all the missionaries.

oh...and fun fact of last week? on monday night I showered...then the water got cut and i didn't get to shower again until thursday night. it was a long week. I can't believe it's already week five of the transfer. I've been a missionary for more than 400 days now...sometimes it feels like I've been doing it way longer than that...and sometimes I feel like I just started. the mission is weird that way.

Well..that's all I've got. Oh...except that last week Mariela and Agustina got to see Hermana Hundley in Puerto Madryn last week. They spent almost the whole day with her. Hermana Heath is super jealous here in Caleta Olivia.

Have a great week! The church is true! I love you all!

Hermana Heath

Happy Mother's Day?!

Querida Familia,

First off...here's a shout out to my amazing mother! Happy Argentine Mother's Day!! As I've mentioned before...Argentines are CRAZY! Soo...one of them one day must have decided that Mother's day should be celebrated in October rather than May...so there you have it friends...this Sunday (Oct 19) is Mother's day in Argentina! Thanks mom for being the best mom ever! Thanks for always loving me and supporting me especially now in the mission! It means the world to me. I can always feel your love and prayers. Have a GREAT day! :) You should probably eat some cake...I definitely will be eating some!

Soo...this week I almost got blown away by the wind several times...whoever named Chicago the "windy city" clearly never visited the Patagonia. Nada que ver. The wind was sooo strong. It stopped us in our tracks several times.. which happened in Rio Grande too...but the difference here is that my area is pure dirt...you can imagine what we look like when we get to the pension at night. Our skin is a full shade darker...no joke. Gotta love the wind:) It's been really nice outside though. I don't even have to leave with  my coat! BEST. FEELING. EVER. I feel like a new person...at least I'm not dressed in straight black from my head to my toes all the time...less "nunn-ish" I feel like. Speaking of new...this week my shoes were not gonna give any more...I, being a lil bit stubborn, didn't want to buy new ones...so my "mom" here in Caleta, Natalia Martinez, fixed them for me. She literally sewed them. I didn't know you could do that...but she did a really good job. The guy in modern shoe totally lied when he said these shoes would last me. Not even close, bro...pero bueno ya fue! :) They're super comfy so that's good.

Can you believe I turned 13 months old in the mission this week? I sure can't. OH! And get this...two youth from my branch here are gonna be in Utah visiting their brother who is studying at LDS business college in February and March...in other words...you'll get to meet them! They're AWEOME! We always eat lunch with their family...Aldana(19) and Martin(17)..such capos. I'm super excited about that:)

This week we visited a little old lady in my branch...Margarita Martinez. It was the first time I ever went to her house since she doesn't live in our area... but she invited us so we went. I'm pleased to announce that grandma homes smell the same in Argentina as they do in the states. It felt good to be home for a few minutes:)

This week we had a family night in the church. We played Jeopardy. The Elders did the questions. They did a really good job! We had a blast and we had lots of less-actives there. I love Caleta. We had a meeting with our branch president on Sunday...imagine...10 missionaries and president crammed into a tiny office space in the corner of a church in Argentina. Woah. Sometime it just hits me. I'm a MISSIONARY!

So, saddest news of the week. Elder Cardoza, a missionary from Argentina who was serving in Peru passed away this last week. He was 19 years old and had about 1 year in the mission. He was in a lesson with a family and had an aneurism? (blood clot in the brain?) I think that's what I heard, anyway. He started having convulsions and within 5 minutes passed away. He left from the district of CALETA OLIVIA. He was living in Puerto Deseado which is the smallest branch we have...20 member attendance each sunday. It's about 3 hours away on the map...right on the coast! Anyway...his family is originaly from Salta and they moved back there about 5-6 months ago. President Rogers (as the mission President at the time Elder Cardoza started the mission) had to tell the family. The family went to Peru to bring back the body. I don't really know much, but I do know that Elder Cardoza is in a really good place. I have no doubt that there is a place especially for him in the celestial kingdom. But, even still I can't imagine how hard that must be for the family and for the members in Peru...the other missionaries...his companion. No I can't even imagine. Please keep Elder Cardoza's family in your prayers:)

Well...sorry to end on a sad note...but it made me think of all the things in the world that can happen. Every single day we have here is a gift from God. It's too bad that it sometimes takes something as awful as the death of a missionary to make us realize that. I'm so thankful to know that God has a plan for us and that we can all be together forever if we live the gospel and endure to the end. What a promise! Go to church every sunday...read your scriptures...pray!

I love you all so much! Thanks for all your love and support! Have a fantastic week! And please...I know ya'll miss me like crazy and can't wait for me to come home but would you PLEASE STOP PRAYING FOR THE TIME TO SPEED UP! I really need it to slow down!  Hahaha...not cool, friends. Not cool. Anyway...on that note. Have a great week. Mom...happy argentine mothers day. Matthew...errr Elder Heath...keep up the good work in Texas. You're doing a great job! Kim...keep "studying" hard in spanish class (in other words...keep sending me emails;) haha) and Dad...I got you a reference for the office! One of the hermanas is gonna go visit you in the office when she finishes the mission....in December! I just happened to have one of your business cards in my wallet so I gave it to her...I might be a little biased but I told her it was the best way to go:) Emily...just keep being awesome...and as for the craig-meister? GO FAINTING GOATS!! Haha:)  I love you all! Hugs and kisses from Argentina! Have a great week! Woah...I just looked at the date on the corner of my screen...October 13! I can't believe it...we're already starting week 4 of this transfer! Only 3 more weeks in Caleta Olivia :( ohhh...and one last thought...a really exciting one! Remember Maxi? That kid that got baptized in July? Welp...he wants to go on a mission. Kill me. Just kill me. He melts my heart every day of my life. He's totally gonna go on a mission. He already talked with the branch president...all he has to do is wait to get the year of member and he's gone! He even comes to mission prep classes occassionaly:) OH MY GOSH! I love the mission. I love it so much. Okay...so goodbye for reals this time. Chau chau!! :)

Forever and always,

Hermana Heath

#MollyMormon

Hey Fam,

Sooo...this week went by sooo fast. I'm glad to hear you're all doing good! I read all your letters and you seem happy. I'm excited to see the new dishwasher (haha...it'll be the first one I've seen in 18 months!) ...I can wait a little longer though:)

This whole week was just really good. I'm suuuper tired but I'm kinda used to that by now. Everyday I wake up a little more tired than the last. I'm not sure how that's possible. So...it's confession time. This week I totally fell in love. Like HARDCORE. I was just sitting there one morning and it hit me like a ton of bricks...Captain Moroni is a STUD! I love reading the Book of Mormon. It gets better every single day! This week I finished reading the book of Alma and started Helaman...I don't really like the war chapters...but I loved reading about the kind of leader and man moroni was. Que capo. My goal is to finish the book of mormon again before the end of this transfer. I'm on track so far! How are ya'll doing with your book of mormon reading?

Umm...what else what else what else! ....let's start with Monday...we played ping-pong in the chapel and I beat one of the ward members that always comes to play with the missionaries. He's getting ready to serve a mission. His cousin, Pablo, killed me though. He cheats by making the ball spin...you know how Matthew does it? Haha...we had lots of fun though. Then we played futbol...er..soccer I mean. I loved it! I'm usually the only Hermana that plays...the other ones play relief society and sit on the sidelines chatting...one of them actually knits...no joke! Hahaha...no but for reals they're awesome. I love them all! They're super great...they just don't really like sports much:)

On Tuesday we walked sooo much. Across the whole city of Caleta and back. Literally. Over an hour walking both ways. Good times. Plus it was hot outside!! That's my "love from above" :) For the last 6 months I was never comfortably warm (except for nighttime in my sleeping bag!) I love the sun! Send me moooore! I'm super excited for summerrrr. I'm starting to get a good tan...ya buddy.

On Wednesday they leaders went to Comodoro for a conference so we were in a trio with Hermana Julio. She's great! She's from Chile and she definitely talks like one:) It's always interesting to meet new latino missinoaries cause they all have such different ways of talking...I can usually guess where they're from just by hearing them talk. Hermana Julio has like 4 months in the mission so it's even easier to guess cuase she hasn't picked up the argentine accent much yet. We had a really good time together though...we're gonna be friends!! She's from Viña del Mar..you know where they do the HUGE music festival every year? Cool beans. I'm gonna go visit her there someday. Later in the afternoon Elder Alvarez called me from Elder Kern's phone in Comodoro... we got to talk for a minute which was great. I was super happy to hear from him and he told me Hermana Hundley's doing really good in Puerto Madryn (apparently she's praying really hard that I get sent up there next transfer! Haha...I can't say I'm praying for the same cause I don't think that's allowed...but I'm not gonna tell her to stop and I definitely wouldn't object if that prayer get's answered!! ;) BEST COMPANION EVER!! :)

On Thursday...nothing exciting happened. Or at least if it did I dont remember. Oh wait! I caught a lizard that day!! Well...caught is a loose interpretation of the word...but we found a lizard and I picked it up!! Pictures to come...we named him Pancha:) It's a slang word they use here in Argentina that means to be relaxed or calm. Totally reminded me of all those family trips to southern utah...matthew and I would always work together to catch the lizards...one would be the distractor while the other would pin it down...hahaha...good times.

On Friday we had zone conference!! Yahooo...all the missionaries came so we were 20 in total. We had an awesome zone conference (zone leaders are the BEST! Such capos! :)) and then we did a zone street boarding activity. We invited EVERYONE to general conference. Hermana Xoj Baj and I did like 78 contacts in 2 hours...it was suuuper fun! Then on Friday night President gave us permission to do a zumba class!! Hermana Xoj Baj from Guatemala taught it. IT WAS SOO FUN! It was almost like dancing...almost! Haha. All 8 of the hermanas and several ward members came. We had two hermanas staying in our pension all weekend. They just left today.

On Saturday we got up and went to general conference!! We got to go to all four sessions. I even tried switching name tags with an Elder so I could stay for Priesthood session...no such luck. I don't know why I was so excited for general conference..I don't think I've ever been so excited for something in my life...maybe the mission is making me molly mormon or something. Who knows? We actually watched the conference in a separate room here with all the gringos..in other words...we watched it in ENGLISH! For the spanish talks though we just switched the channel and listened in spanish..it's annoying to hear the trasnlators when you can understand just fine:) Mom I did think about you during the cantonese talk...I had like a weird moment where it hit me that you talked like that on your mission! :) Mind-blown.

Sunday was just as great. I loved Elder Bednar's talk. I loved how that guy prayed for my FAMILY! I loved the spirit I felt...I just love conference. I love being a missionary. I love the gospel. Life is good! :)

Today we went to the coast and played basketball. It was super fun. Then we played in the chapel...ping pong again...Hermana Heath dominated...as expected! Haha. Then we ate hamburgers for lunch...homemade!! Oh...and right now in the ciber they're playing all of Enrique Iglesias' songs...spanish and english! Hahha...sometimes I think Heavenly Father gives us little rewards like popular music in the ciber when we're doing the things we're supposed to:) Hahaha...God is good!

Hey friends...the church is true! Keep doing the little things..remember the talk about the four things we need to do? I don't remember who it was by... Elder Scott maybe? Shoot I don't have my notes! But there were four things... 1) prayer! 2) scripture study! 3) FAMILY NIGHT! 4) Go to the temple!! Ohhh...and side note...Maxi went to ALL FIVE SESSION OF CONFERENCE. What a stud. I love him soo much. I wish you could all meet him...maybe one day! :)

I LOVE YOU ALL SOO MUCH! You're in my thoughts and prayers:)

Hermana Heath

Hey...one more funny story...this morning in the Anonima a gypsie tried to buy me. Not cool! We were standing in line and she turned around and started talking to us...she pulled a "do you have the time?" trick...please...I'm a missionary... I saw right through it...she proceeded to ask me where I was from...how old I am...how long I'm here for...where my family is right now and if there are other people that "miss me" along with lots of other things and then she just kept repeating "WOW YOUR EYES ARE SOO PRETTY!" Good times. Gotta love the gypsies! If you dont' hear from me next week I probably got kidnapped. No big deal. I'm lovin' my Argentine adventures!!

Have a great week!! I love you all!!

Hermana Heath

HAPPY CONFERENCE!! :)

Mi querida familia,

¿Como les va? ¿Todo tranqui no mas? Well...this week I did read all your letters and it sounds like you're doing good. Yahooo! Quick question...where is this ISIS group from? And did the US start a war with them? The other day we walked into a house and the international news was on...at one point during the lesson I recognized the voice of Obama coming from the TV which called my attention...I saw from the corner of my eye a bunch of bombings or something. It looked pretty freaky! Menos mal that I'm at the bottom of the world! :)

Sooo this week was like a whole transfer squished in to 7 days. It seemed like an ETERNITY! I have no idea why. Wanna hear a gross story? I must have blocked it from my memory because last week I forgot to mention that while on divisions with Hermana Zanuttini we ate lunch with Elder Kern and Elder Alvarez at a family's house...they fed us asado since Hna. Zanuttini and E' Alvarez were leaving...part of the Argentine asado is morsilla....also known as blood sausage. Because it was my first time at their house they gave me an extra large portion...everyone else at the table was jealous...I on the other hand was trying not to puke. I hate that stuff, che. It's nasty and makes me feel weird for DAYS...plus I've never eaten that much in one setting before. Anyway...blood sausage...one more reason Argentine's are CRAZY.

On the up-side...we had an awesome district meeting this week. We went around talking about each other's strengths...Elder Dunford...a brand new missionary...told me that I'm hardcore because I don't "put up with crap." he used an analogy of the dogs in Argentina....apparently I'm all bite. There are dogs that bark at you from behind the saftey of the fence...but I'm not one of those. I'm not sure what that means...but he said it was a really good thing. Huh. So friends...I'm hardcore.

Ooohhh..I did get to go to the general women's meeting. It was super good. I loved how much it talked about the temple...the members here want a temple...but they need to prepare themselves to have one! There were lots of things that I really liked and I think the members did too. I love the temple and I can't wait for them to announce one in Argentina Comodoro Rivadavia! It's probably gonna be the best day of my LIFE! :)

There was one day this week that was awful...not due to anything but the WIND. It was wind with dirt...in other words...at the end of the day we got back to the pension feeling like we had just spent the day at the sand dunes! literally. My shoes were FULL of dirt...and so was my hair...and my ears....and my clothes...and my forehead...and get this...even my TEETH. The wind here is sooo strong and it's horrible when it starts to pick up the dirt...plus it hurts when it hits against your legs and your face. Not cool bob scott (as my compa always says!)

Soo...I'm super excited for general conference! This friday we have zone meeting which should be really good too. My new zone leader is Elder Erickson. He's from Las Vegas and only has one transfer more than me in the mission. He's really cool...I don't know him that well yet though. It should be a good transfer here in Caleta! :) ooohh...today's some weird holiday in Argentina...for the workers or something so the grocery stores are closed...in other words we're not gonna get lunch today :( eat some extra for me pleeeease! We'll probably end up buying ice cream since it's the only thing open...not that I'm gonna complain much though;)

Have a great week! Thanks for your letters. Thanks for your prayers! Thanks for your love and support! I LOVE YOU ALL SOOO MUCH!

Hermana Heath

Transfers....CHAN!

Hola Familia!

I'm glad to hear you're all doing well. I took the time today to read all your emails and send you a bunch of pictures...so I don't have much time! Pucha. Sounds like Emily had a good birthday, and that Kim had a good time at homecoming. That makes me happy! I thought about you all a lot this week. My week was pretty rough. I totally had a mid-mission crisis three months late! I just realized that I love being a missionary soo much. I thought about all my areas and all the incredible people that I've met...Hermana Davis and I were talking through lots of tears...and I came to the conclusion that bits and pieces of my heart are scattered all over the patagonia. That was before transfers...so I also didn't know if I was going or staying. On saturday the zone leaders got the transfers...they usually tell us in the night but when we saw Elder Alvarez in the church I asked him and he told me everything. Haha...it pays off to be friends with the zone leaders:) Turns out that I'm staying here in Caleta for one more transfer. I'm definitely okay with that:) I love it here! Unfortunately..Hermana Zanuttini is leaving :( She's been my best friend here in Caleta. I have no doubt that we not only knew eachother in the pre-mortal life but that we were really good friends. She's amazing. Elder Alvarez is also leaving...to Puerto Madryn with Hermana Hundley. Joo..Hermana Heath didn't get invited to the party! Anyway...that's the only changes here in the ciudad de Caleta. I'm excited to keep working with my investigators here!

Umm...this week we did divisions so it was crazy all around. President Rogers and Hermana Rogers came to a baptism this weekend that the Elders had which was pretty cool. Then they stayed to give a marriage devotional. Apparently it was great. This week has been an eternity! I'm just ready to start the new transfer. I'm gonna miss my friends a lot...but that's part of the mission I suppose! It's a good thing I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!

Have a great week! I love you!! Sorry this was kind of a boring letter! Next week I'll try to make it better!

Hermana Heath

Argentine cemetery...:/

BEAUTIFUL ARGENTINE SUNSETS!

por las dudas that you missed the last one...

I love Argentina:)

I don't know about you...but I'm feeling 22!!

Hola Familia!

¿Como andan? Let's start with the most important part of this email....HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!! Dude...you're OOOOOLD. I can't believe you're already 22...then again I'm 20. Nutso. But really...I hope you have the best birthday yet! I LOVE YOU. But funny story...mom sent me some pictures of your cake (which looked DELICIOUS by the way.) and there's one of you doing the two fingers on each hand? Well...that's really funny because a while back I picked that up and I always do it. I showed the picture to the Elder sitting next to me and he busted up laughing. It's like we're connected, ems. Haha. I loved the pictures:) I'm now craving some chocolate after having seen that cake...I think I'll go buy some right as soon as I finish writing you all!

This week was AWESOME! I love being a missionary. As you all know I hit the year mark on Thursday. I can't believe it. If you were to tell me that it was three months ago that ya'll dropped me off at the MTC I would totally believe it. Anyway...to celebrate my one year a family threw me a surprise party. They made me a cake and everything! We ate pizza and there were balloons. Oh my gosh! It was soo fun. It was at like 8:00PM so we didn't have tons of time but still! :)

Anyway...on Thursday we had a bunch of lessons with member and we found some new investigators and then we had a lesson with Jonatan....he's a golden investigator that the zone leaders contacted in July...we've passed by his house a million times but were never able to go in...anyway on Thursday we finally got in the house and had a lesson. We taught the restoration and invited him to pray about Joseph Smith. He got his answer and started crying as he explained what he felt....we're talking about an 18 year old kid...this is not your average teenager. Anyway...he has a baptismal date for the 11th of October and he came to church with us on Sunday. He's a stud...but I kind of don't think I'll be here for his baptism. I feel like I'm gonna be leaving Caleta Olivia this transfer. I won't know until Saturday though! I can't believe we're already in week 6 of my 9th transfer in the mission. Crazy. Time flies when you're having fun! :)

This week it's been super sunny and I even started getting a tan... unfortunately the lines on my feet (that never fully disappeared) are starting to come back....but I'll take awkward tan lines over the freezing cold any day of the week!

Well family...make sure to give Emily lots of birthday hugs and kisses from Hermana Heath! I love you all and you're always in my thoughts and prayers...I would like you to ask you to please pray for three of my investigators that are progressing toward baptism...Jonatan, Emilia, and Carla! :)

Have an awesome week! I LOVE YOU!

Hermana Heath

You know you're in Argentina when....

Hola Familia!

This week was AWESOME. I'm so glad to hear you're all doing well. My week started out (skipping the really boring p-day) with interviews with President Rogers:) I love love love interviews. It's always a big spiritual boost and it makes me feel important when I get time to talk with President and let him know how I'm doing and how things are going in my area. I LOVE PRESIDENT ROGERS. He really is focused more on the missionaries and how we're converting ourselves than the numbers of every week. He told me he's glad I'm staying until March...me too! The visa waiters I came with all finish their missions in December! Ahhh! That's soo crazy:)

So...then my week got even better on Wednesday when Hermana Zanuttini stayed with Hermana Davis and I while her companion went to comodoro for a day for a leadership conference. We had a PARTY! I love Hermana Zanuttini. She's from Santa Fe, Argentina. She's just a great big ball of happiness and sunshine. Anyway...from there we had zone conference on Friday. The zone leaders talked really briefly about the Book of Mormon and then invited us to share our testimonies of the Book of Mormon. It was sooo cool. As missionaries we always share our testimonies with investigators and members and everyone else we come in contact with....but we don't usually get the chance to share our testimonies with the other missionaries. It was really cool and the spirit was really strong. :) I LOVED IT. I have the best zone leaders ever.

Sooo...from there we had a baptism on Saturday!! Technically she's the investigator of the other Hermanas..but they dropped her and the zone leaders started teaching her...they dropped her and last sunday Hermana Davis and I were talking with her (cause after the missionaries dropped her she still went to institute...weird.) and she was super happy and telling me how much she loves institute and studying the scriptures with the other YSA's. Okay... background story. Florencia is a GOLDEN investigator...she just changes her mind everyother day about whether she wants to be catholic or mormon. Sometimes mid-lesson she decides to be catholic again. It's really hard to teach her as you can imagine...she's a lil bit crazy...but she was super prepared. It just cost her a lot to make the decision to get baptized due to problems with her family mostly. Anyway...back to last Sunday night. I straight up asked her when she was getting baptized. She told me she wanted to get baptized but she wanted to be more sure. Well...as I was thinking about how she could be more sure...it hit me that Flor had never really been dropped before. The hermanas stopped visiting her but she still came to church. The elders stopped visiting her but sunday morning she's in the chapel again...she had never felt what her life would be like if she decided to be catholic tomorrow and never come back....so Im trying to figure out what to do...then it came to my mind: She needs to be dropped! That I knew already...the problem was I didn't know how to do it...how do you drop an investigator that participates in everything and does everything she's supposed to do even after you tell her you're not gonna visit her anymore? Well...CLEAR AS DAY it came to my mind and I tell you it did not come from me: "YOU HAVE TO UN-INVITE HER TO CHURCH. That's your only option." Jo. I swear to you all that I fought that impression soooo hard. You can't just go around telling investigators not to come to church! Well...as much as I fought it I knew I had to do it...so I told her not to come to church for two weeks. I told her not to talk to any of the missionaries...I told her not to participate in the activities...and well....I was TERRIFIED but I did it. In that moment she told me, NO! I would die without the church. So...what are you waiting for?! She told us she wanted to get baptized on Saturday...all week she was back and forth...but finally after lots of prayers on her behalf (and un-inviting her to church)...SHE GOT BAPTIZED! Woah. What a crazy week. It took the testimonies of all 10 missionaries here in Caleta Olivia to get her baptized. Technically...the baptism is of the zone leaders...but we all agreed it was a zone baptism...haha. Miracles in the mission!

OH....yesterday there was a fire in my area...it was only one house that burned down luckily. But you know when you're in Argentina when you can't tell if the excess smoke is a fire or a family enjoying a nice Argentine asado.

This week I started my third big journal of the mission. I can't believe I'm about to hit the year mark. That's insane! I don't ever want the mission to end. I think the best kept secret in the church is how hard missions really are. The second best kept secret is how amazing they really are!:) I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!

Well...I tihnk that's it for this week! I hope you all have a fantastic week! I love you soo much and you're always in my thoughts and prayers! Cuidense a full!

Besos y abrazossss

Hermana Heath

MAXI ES UN CAPO!!!

Hola queridos,

This week was really really fast and I feel like nothing really happened so it'll probably be a short letter. Sorry! Plus I don't have much time...BUT I'll give it my best effort to make it interesting and exciting anyway.

Sooo...on Monday we mostly just played soccer. I was talking to Elder Dunford (a brand new Elder from california who doesn't speak any spanish and isn't really a "sports" guy) and he asked if it's always the same...refering to playing soccer for p-day...yep bro you've got a long two years ahead of ya. Good luck. Haha:) Anyway...on tuesday we had our district meeting...it was good...I had to speak on charity and love. Then on Thursday we had an activity with the youth...we went to a facility and played something really similar to tenis but different and they also had some ping pong tables set up. There were like 20 youth there and almost all of them menos activos! That made us super happy! Plus we had like 6 investigators! Yahooo:) On Friday the zone leaders went to chile cause they had to leave the country along with like 6 other missionaries. I'm sure that was a party and a realllyyyy long bus ride. Hahaha...I can't think of anything else EXCEPT that yesterday in church Maxi gave a talk! He talked about the priesthood and did an AWESOME job. At the end of his talk he said "With the priesthood there's not really much to say...but there's a lot to do." Yep...that's the convert of one month for ya. He's changed soo much and i love seeing that. He also blessed the sacrament for the first time. I couldn't stop smiling the whole meeting and the Elders kept laughing at me but I didn't care:) I LOVE MAXI!

Oh..on saturday we had an activity in the chapel for MMT. We did a game night. We played some jeopardy...pictionary...missionary tag....musical chairs and then we did some relay races! It was really fun:) After the activity Elder Alvarez and I were talking with the Branch President and he told us lots of cool stories from his mission. I love being a missionary! It's the BEST! I can't wait to tell you all the cool stories from MY mission! There's a million that I just can't fit in the weekly email...plus monday comes around and my mind goes BLANK. haha:) Oh...this week we have interviews with president tomorrow and then a zone conference on friday. It's gonna be an AWESOME week!!!! :):):)

Okay...well I love you all sooo much!! Keep being excellent people. Have a fantastic week! I think about you and miss you and pray for you all the time!

forever and always,

Hermana Heath

Here comes the SUN!

Hola querida familia mia!

Well friends...this week was weird. I'm just gonna tell you again that I didn't get to read your emails before writing to you...what's new? Sooo...I'll be pretty quick today with my comments...I'm almost out of time...how does that happen?! Well...this week it just hit me again how much I LOVE Argentina. We ate some weird things this week...first was locro...which they usually only eat for big national holidays..like independence day...anyway....locro is made by sticking a big pot on the stove and then opening the fridge and throwing everything in...everything you can find. Then your neighbor comes and throws in everyting he can find...and so forth. In other words...it's a lil bit weird. Wanna know what was inside our locro this week? MONDONGO. For those of you who need a translation...that's cow intestine. Why? Why do Argentines feel the need to eat that? I can tell you that it's not because it's yummy. Luckily we ate in the pension so we could pick it out and throw it away...on other occasions I haven't been so lucky. Pucha. I promise to make ya'll some good Argentine food when I get home...but I'm gonna be just fine if I never have to eat locro again. It makes me a lil queasy just thinking about what could be in there. Ah. I just got chills for reals thinking about it no mas. Ewwww. Well...the week couldn't end there...the next day we ate fish (which all of you know I don't like) and then yesterday for lunch we ate SQUID TENTACLES. OH MY GOSH. Someone please just send me home. Sooo nasty. We ate them in the form of onion rings..I tried pretending that's what they were..but not so lucky for me is that I'm not really a fan of those either. Plus...the smell just gave it away too quickly. How I didn't throw up on the spot I'll never know...tender mercies of the Lord. So...that was the weird part of the week. The good part of the week is that my companion and I did 200 contacts! I think that's the record in the mission but I'm not sure...we're in desperate need for new investigators..but we still managed to have 6 lessons with member and 9 others. That's a good week here in Caleta Olivia in el Rotary hahaha. OH! And get this...MAXI CAME WITH US TO A CITA!! I was sooo excited. He shared his testimony about going to church...he said "you're there and you feel the need to be there...I can't really explain it..it's something you feel...the hermanas told me that's the spirit." OH MY GOSH. Have a I mentioned that I love him yet?! Such a capo that kid. This sunday he's gonna give a talk in Sacrament Meeting. OH MY GOSH! I'm sooo happy...I love seeing him continue learning and progress in the gospel...the branch members love him and they've done a great job of making him feel welcome and comfortable. Oh...after a really long day of 50 contacts and a couple of lessons we (the 10 missionaries in the branch) had a meeting with our mission leader...after he drove us and a companionship of the Elders home. We heard Whitney Houston on the radio. BEST DAY OF MY LIFE. I'll be honest...Hermana Davis, Elder Tyler, and Elder Dunford and I broke out into a chorus of "I will always love you" It was a great treat to end a really long day! Hahahha....medio trucho...but I feel like it's alright...:) I don't feel too bad about singing along! This week was soo sad here weather wise. Currently Caleta Olivia is under a bubble of gloominess and despair. The dark gray clouds are finally starting to clear up today and the sun is peaking out...a couple days ago Elder Alvarez(ZL) sent us a text "here come the sun" ....I sure hope so because it's been a loooong cold lonely winter here in Argentina. Okay I just realized that this is one huge paragraph....breathe Hermana Heath...

Alright...round two. Ready GO! So....despite all the gross food I was forced to eat this week...I really do love Argentina. It hit me how much I never wanna leave here. All the kids playing soccer in the streets...all the dogs...the teeny tiny cars...the colorful houses....the kiosks and panaderias on every corner...man. I LOVE ARGENTINA! Okay...so I can't really come up with anything else for the week..I'll try to think of some good stories or something for next week..I feel like these last few emails home have been pretty short and boring. Oh...and EMILY...I promise to write you FIRST next week. It's been way too long since I've responded to you! Dad...I promise to write you second next week...I always run out of time and never get to write to everyonee!! I hate that. Okay...welll...keep being excellent people. I love you all sooo much! Have a fantastic week! Cuidense!!

Muchoooos abrazos y besos comin your way from Argentina!!

Hermana Heath

Happy MONDAY! :)

Hola Familia!

This week was crazy and since it's a holiday here in Argentina the cibers aren't open so I've got 30 minutes on the chapel computer. Awesome. Well...my companion Hermana Davis finally got here on Thursday...we had two good work days...and then on Sunday she got sick and we had to stay in the pension all day. Talk about the longest day of my life. I don't know what I'm gonna do with my life when I finish the mission. It's sooo boring. Haha. Oh well...I'll worry about that when it comes!

So...crazy stories from this week? On Friday morning we had a district meeting. It was really depressing...they Split the district here in Caleta because there's ten missionaries plus two from puerto deseado...anyway...I'm now in a district with four missionaries. One of them is always talking up front...which means it's me...my companion...the district leader...and his companion. Puuucha. Smallest district of the mission for me so far. We'll see how it goes! When the missionaries came through I did get to see a bunch of old friends...Elder Elliz is gonna be finishing his misión in Comodoro in two transfers. I saw Elder Ramos my old zone leader and Elder Gutiérrez from Rio Grande....and guess what? Hermana Hundley and Hermana Garavito are gonna be companions!

On Saturday morning my companion and I were doing contacts in a part of our área that's medio dangerous....anyway...we were minding our own business knocking some doors when out of no where like 5 cop cars come driving up and a bunch of pólice officers with BIG guns got out...there were surrounding a van and banging on it....my companion and I quickly left that Street before we got shot. That was quite the experience. I think it was a drug bust....they were big boy guns. Freaky. Haha.

Well...that's all I can come up with for right now....plus I'm practically out of time. I will share something though that I've been studying. Sincé I had the day Sunday in the pension I decided to study (like all day) but I dedicated an hour to the plan of salvation and I learned a lot! We always think of the celestial kingdom as the final goal, right? Well...that's because it is...FOR US. The people in the other two kingdoms will be there because that's what their "goal" is so to speak. In D&C 88:22, 25-26, 32-33 it talks a Little bit about the people that can't live a celestial law wont be able to handle a celestial glory....my favorite is in verse 32 that talks about how we will go where we want to....we will enjoy the blessings of the kingdom we are willing to receive. In other words...we have our agency...and if we don't want to live the laws of a celestial glory here...we wont want to live them after this life either. So...the people that go to the terrestrial kingdom aren't there because they just "didn't make it" ...they're there because that's where they want to be. I don't know if that made any sense...but I thought it was kind of cool. Study it a Little bit if ya'll have time:)

Okay...have a great week! I love you all sooo much! You're always in my thoughts and prayers! Oh...and I hope mom and dad had a good anniversary...I did think about you that day I just didn't realice last monday that it was coming up so quick! :)

I LOVE YOU!

Hermana Heath

Oh...and I was so excited you got to see the McDonalds! Next time you see them tell them hello:) Also...dad I think I found the southern cross....I think. But either way it's a cool cross in the southern sky! :)

Mother knows best...

Querida Familia..

Okay..casi no tengo tiempo hoy porque tenemos traslados y bueno ahora en un rato mas nos vamos a juntar en la capilla con todos los misioneros y ...hold up. it just hit me that I'm writing in Spanish. Awkward. Anyway...in case you didnt understand that I have hardly any time today because of transfers...BUT ! I will tell you a few things quickly. First, I haven't read anything from your letters. Usually I at least skim them before but today I haven't even had time for that. Second, my companion is going to USHUAIA! Hermana Rasmussen is gonna be companions with Hermana Fish. She's awesome and was a visa waiter that arrived to Argentina at the same time with me. Third, my new companion is gonna be Hermana Davis who is coming from Ushuaia. I did divisions with her once while I was there. She and Hermana Rasmussen have the same time the mission...o sea...5 months. I'm excited to be her companion:) This week was long. All of our citas got cancelled. Oh...happy 11 months to me today! Hey...do you wanna know a story? So...this week I almost died like a million times. Ya buddy. On day we were in our area walking along not causing anyone any harm when a huge dog comes running out of no where and bit me right on the arm! Puuucha. It got me right on the forearm...actually I put my arm out to block it. Anyway...it didn't really hurt that much in the moment...and luckily it didn't break skin...but I've got some nasty bruises to show for it! So...I guess all these times mom has told me to carry around my dog dazer wasn't for nothing...it's not like I would have had time to pull it out though anyway. Oh well. Ya fue. Anyway...that was pretty fun. Oh...and wanna know what time of dog it was? a GOLDEN RETRIEVER. Yep...that's right. The good news of this week? we made LEGIT cinammon rolls with a member family! They were soooo good. Not quite as good as dad's...but I'm in Argentina...what can you expect?? We also had our zone conference. It was awesome! I love being a missionary! I learn soo much and I'm so happy all the time that I'm pretty sure one day I'm just gonna explode! Well...that's all I can remember from this week. I'm super tired...we've been up late the last couple of days getting Hermana Rasmussen all packed up. I'm gonna miss her a lot. She's been a great companion. 

So...this email is super short but I think I'm out of time! I'll write more next week! Sorry! I love you all! Be safe and have a great week!

Love you!! :)

Hermana Heath

Cinnamon rolls....YUMM!! :)

TRANSFERS?!

Hello Familia,

This week was sooo long. I seriously haven't had time to read anything...it's obnoxious being a week behind on responding to some things...but I'm glad Kimberly had a good week at girls camp and I assume youth conference was also great! I also liked the pictures from dad's birthday...re poquitos eran! there weren't very many of you! That's soo weird!

This week was just awful. I'll be completely honest. Hermana Rasmussen left me on Tuesday night to go do some tramites in Rio Gallegos...she was supposed to come home on Thursday morning. It's a long story...wanna hear it?! Okay...here goes.

On Tuesday night we took Hermana Rasmussen to the terminal at 8:00PM...Elder Alvarez and I talked and laughed about dumb things the whole time while the other missionaries tried to sleep. They're all boring. Hermana Rasmussen's colectivo didn't end up leaving until 10:00PM though cause it came late from Comodoro. I got to see Elder Lamb though since he also had to do tramites! That made me suuuper happy:) He seems to be doing alright...but doesn't really like Comodoro. Anyway...I got left with the other Hermanas for divisions...we slept the three of us plus Hermana Demott from pico truncado in the other hermana's pension and on Wednesday I did divisions with Hermana Judd. It was a really long day. I don't like divisions much...but we had three lessons with member! That's was pretty cool:) That night Hermana Demott and I came back to my pension cause it's only a 10 minute walk to the terminal and our companios were gonna get there early in the morning. Elder Alvarez called me that night and told me that Hermana Rasmussen had to stay an extra day but Hermana Demott's companion was gonna be there at 7:00AM. We met the zone leaders in the terminal at 6:30AM. Sent the pico truncado hermanas back to their area...iunfortunately hermana judd was sick and throwing up from something she ate so they didn't come to pick me up at the terminal and take me back to their pension so I got stuck there alone with the zone leaders. We took a taxi to the hermanas pension and I stayed the day there with them inside. It was a reallly long and reaaaallly boring day. What the heck am I gonna do with my life when I don't have citas..meetings..or contacts to be doing every second of every day?! FREAKY! Hermana Zanuttini and I made empanadas for lunch which was the highlight of the day. Anyway...on friday morning Elder Kern and Elder Murua (on divisions) picked me up early (like 5:30 in the freaking morning!) from the pension of the hermanas and the three of us went to the terminal to pick up my companion...the bus came but no Hermana Rasmussen got off. Pucha. Elder Kern called Rio Gallegos and it turns out had to stay another day! Thanks for the heads up Elders. Couldn't they have told us BEFORE we woke up at 5:00AM to go to the terminal?  I was sooo bummed. Anyway...the Elders dropped me back off at the penison of the hermanas...luckily we only spent half the day in the pension and then the other half we worked...but in their area. Friday night Elder Alvarez called and told me he just talked with the Elders in Gallegos and they had just sent Hermana Rasmussen off on the bus so FOR SURE she was gonna be on the bus this time. On Saturday morning Elder Alvarez and Elder Kern picked me up at the pension of the Hermanas early and we went to the terminal to wait for my comp. She FINALLY¨came. I was sooo happy to see her. We only have one week left together and I seriously missed her a ton! The zone leaders dropped us off at our pension and then my companion was so dead so she took a short nap. What a week of suffering.

Anyway...Saturday night we had a talent show in the church...it was awesome. Elder Murua sang typical Argentine music which was sooo pretty and then Maxi played the guitar!! He's sooo cool. I loved every minute of it! Everyone in the church just loves him soo much. It's crazy. Yesterday in church Maxi got ordained to the office of priest in the aaronic priesthood! Yahoo...next week he's gonna bless the sacrament! That is if he comes with a tiee! He doesn't like dressing formal much:)

Hey...yesterday was the 12 year anniversary of my baptism! Cool beans. I can't believe it's Agust already. This year has gone by sooo fast. Crazy crazy! This saturday they tell us transfers. Hermana Rasmussen is leaving almost for sure...I hope my zone leaders stay the same though. Half of my district is leaving...Elder Murua...Hermana Judd...Hermana Rasmussen...Elder Tingey...yep...that's exactly half! Puuucha.

Well...have a great week! I love you all sooo much! Keep being excellent! Read your scriptures and say your prayers!! :)

Hermana Heath

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDYYY! :)

Querida Familia...

First off...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! I hope you have the very best birthday everrr! You're the best dad in the whooole wide world! :) I hope you have some good plans to spend the day with the family laughing and eating cake and lets not forget a "scoop a banilla ice cream!" :) Thanks for loving me and supporting me always! I loove you sooooo much!

Welp...can you believe Matthew's a MISSIONARY! Woooooah. That's soo insane. I've been thinking about him non-stop ALL WEEK. No joke. I keep wondering what time it is there...trying to remember what he would be doing...I'll be honest...the MTC is a lil blurry. Haha...it feels like it's been forever...but at the same time just a few weeks back.

This week in Caleta Olivia was AWESOME! Maxi got baptized on Saturday! Yahooo:) The Elders helped us soo much with him. Elder Murua baptized him and it was an awesome day! The only down side? The water was really cold. Poor Maxi was shivering. Oh well..ya fue! Maxi wanted me to speak about the Holy Ghost so I did that and then we had made some brownies for after to share...the members were awesome and brought some cakes and desserts so we had quite a bit of food after! It's been super fun working with Maxi. I don't know how much I've told you about Maxi...probably not a lot. He's 19 years old. Hermana Hundley and Hermana Rasmussen contacted him one day on the street and he showed up to church the last sunday of last transfer...from there Hermana Rasmussen and I started to teach him...he got baptized in just four weeks! I think this week he's gonna get the priesthood and on Sunday he's gonna bless the sacrament! I think :) Anyway...Saturday was a great spiritual boost and Hermana Rasmussen's first baptism so she was super happy:) Thanks for your prayers on his behalf! :)

On Sunday...Maxi got confirmed a member of the church by Elder Tyler. Then I got roped into singing with Elder Murua. What a joke.  Elder Murua sings like a freaking angel. I've honestly never heard a 22 year old guy that sings better in my life. That makes it fun to sing with him...but also super intimidating. Elder Murua doesn't know anything about reading music...so he sings it his own way..in other words...he improvises. He told me while we were practicing during the week..."Hermana don't worry...I'm not sure how I'm gonna sing it yet..but it will sound good on Sunday I promise. Just trust me!" Alright...trust Elder Murua, Hermana Heath. We sang the EFY medley...it was good times. Okay...I was like dying of fear. I still don't like being the center of attention in that way...he sang great though and everyone afterward told us it sounded really pretty. The things I do in the mission.

On Tuesday we had our district meeting...we ate pancakes before to celebrate Elder Tingey's birthday...poor kid is stuck in Puerto Deseado...three hours away. Bummer. Anyway...I had finished eating and Elder Alvarez who was sitting next to me was still going. He was down to one BIG bite left and he was full so he picked it up on a fork and asked if I wanted it...I was also full but opened my mouth as a joke..as my companion and I laughed at the look on his face he quickly shoved the pancake into my mouth...it was a huge bite and I was laughing so hard that I couldn't chew or swallow. Good times. That's my zone leader for ya. Reeeeal mature. The district meeting was awesome though. We had a party. Elder Tingey gave me two alfajors for my birthday and I gave him..you'll never guess...a pack of Mac n cheese! What a nice person I am...seriously. I don't just give away mac n cheese to just cualquier persona...but he came in my group to argentina from the mtc and we're friends so I was super nice and shared with him. He was super happy. 

Ummm...I can't really think of anything else that happened this week. We were just a full with the baptism preparation. I love love love being a missionary. It's seriously the best! I hope you all have a fantastic week! Everyone give dad great big hugs for me! I hope you had a good week at camp Kim. So many good memories haha.

I love you all soo much! Keep being excellent people and remember to say your prayers! Have a fantastic week!

Hugs and kisses from the bottom of the worlddd!

Hermana Heath

Hey...I forgot...yesterday there was a massive rainstorm! It rained from about 5:00PM until 9:30 this morning! Crazy...we got sooooaked walking around yesterday...en cima there was soo much wind. It was crazy...my coat was soaked all the way through...we got to the chapel for mission prep class and everyone just looked at us like...is this real? We looked like legit zombies...the best raccoon eyes I've ever seen...soaked from head to toe...good times. Haha...menos mal that we didn't have to walk home after!

Anyway...have a great week!

Love and prayers,

Hermana Heath

WHOOPS.

Dear Fam,

Well..you're all getting the short end of the stick...I accidentally took a long time writing Matthew and I forgot that I still had to write to the rest of you...it's gonna be a really short email..but next week will be a good one I promise. Menos mal that almost nothing happened this week. WHOOPS.

So...yesterday I was in a play. An Hermana on Tuesday asked if we would help her with her sunday school class. We agreed...then she told us what we had to do. We had to act out 1 Kings 3...which is the story of King Solomon and the babies. I was the good mom and Hermana Rasmussen was the bad mom. Elder Alvarez was King Solomon, and Elder Murua the guard. What a joke. The things I do in the mission. The Hermana went all out though..in the chapel she put up a curtain and everything. I'll send pictures next week if I can.

This week we had our zone conference with President Rogers. It was 100% about the book of mormon. Man...the book of mormon is sooo cool. I love it! :) President wants us to use it more in our contacts. I'm excited to try it!!

So...I guess I'll tell you that we have a baptism planned for this weekend. Our investigator Maxi is progressing really well...he loves coming to church... reading the book of mormon...and praying...the only thing missing is the testimony! He has some doubts about some of the commandments. We're gonna work really hard with him this week so that he can get his answer and gain a testimony! Please keep him in your prayers...yes?? :) He's awesome! The other night he sent us a text saying he was going out to a party...but he promised us he wasn't gonna drink. He kept his promise though so that's good! Soo funny. Anyway...we're hoping he'll be ready for this weekend. That would be awesome!

Soo...I can't really think of anything else that happened this week...but in honor of Matthew leaving...I think I'll share a poem that one of my first zone leaders shared with me...

The Mission: Highs and Lows

A mission is a strange experience; it is a trial and a test.

A mission throws at you the worst; yet teaches you the best.

I've never been so happy; I've never been so depressed.

I've never felt so forsaken; I've never been so blessed.

I've never been so confused; things have never been so clear.

I've never felt my Heavenly Father so distant; he's never been so near.

I've never been so discouraged; I've never been so full of hope.

I feel I could go forever; I think I'm at the end of my rope!

I've never had it quite so easy; I've never had it quite so tough.

Things have never been so smooth; Things have never been so rough.

I've never traveled through more valleys; I've never climbed so many peaks.

I've never met so many nice people; I've never met so many freaks!

I've never had so many ups; I've never had so many downs.

I've never worn so many smiles; I've never worn so many frowns.

I've never been so lonely; I've never had so many friends.

Boy! I hope this is over soon! Man! I hope it never ends!

Well...there you have it folks. I couldn't have said it better myself. The mission is unlike any other experience in the world...but it's the BEST EVER!

I hope you all have a great week! Sorry there's no pictures or anything! Until next time! :) Yay for P-dayyy!

Oh...can everyone give Matthew like a million big hugs for me? That would be awesome...a few kisses toooo! :) Wish I could be there to see him off...but I'll definitely be there when he comes homee! Not that we're thinking about that yet...don't get trunky bud!! Jajaa...Hang in there...it's probably gonna be hard at the airport for all ya'll that are staying there no mas...but just think... Matthew and I are living the DREAM!! :) Okay okay...no more jokes... seriously lots and lots of hugs and for ALL OF YOU! Mom...dad...Em... Craig...Kim. Thanks for supporting Matthew and me always and for helping us get to this point! In just a few hours more Matthew and I are officially gonna be companions and doing what we always wanted! Thank you for everything! We have the best family EVER! I love you all sooo much. Remember that families can be together forever...we're only gonna be separated for a little bit! The time goes fast...trust me! :)

Have a great week! I LOVE YOU ALL!

Hermana Heath

FINAL COUNTDOWN!!

Hola mi querida family,

Well...I haven't read any of your emails...we don't have anyyy time in ciber hardly...so I'll try to respond next week...however I do remember that this week is the high adventure activity with the scouts so I hope you have a great week, dad! I'll look forward to seeing some pictures after! :) Also...I heard Matthew gave an awesome farewell talk! Bud...you've got like...8 days?! Holy smokes...that's crazzyyy! We're about to be companions, bro! I'm super super excited!! :) Enjoy your last week of music..movies...friends..girls;)..haha just kidding...but only kind of...!

Okay...well...this week was a good one...it was really long. I feel like I haven't written you in forever! My birthday was a good day...we went to see the sea lions..and guess what?! I TOUCHED THREE OF THEM! Is that dangerous?! Probably...but they move really slow...haha. They just chill there on the public beach so we would sneak up on them and get close enough to touch them...I've got some cool pictures and a video of me touching one..but you'll have to watch that later since Elder Alvarez has it on his camera. It's pretty legit though. Anyway...we went back to the chapel and played ping pong and soccer. That night Hermana Rasmussen and I ate cookies and milk in the pension...yummmy. I can't belive I'm 20. That's super weird.

Okay...Wednesday was Independence Day in Argentina...July 9th! We had an activity in the chapel with the branch and we ate locro...which is like a soup with every kind of meat you can think of thrown in there...it's like a patriotic(? I can't come up with the right word..) food. Cool. Then we sang the national anthem of Argentina and played some games. That day Argentina also played against the Netherlands in the world cup. President Rogers gave us permission to watch the game with a member. So...at about 3:30PM we went with the Elders to the house of the familia Quiroga here in Caleta to watch the game together. Argentina won...as I'm sure you already know...I was sitting next to Elder Murua...who is from Argentina and played semi-professionally before the mission...poor kid..how he suffered through that game! Hahaha...it was soo fun though:) That night Hermana Rasmussen and I bought ice cream to celebrate Argentina's win! :)

On Thursday night we got together with the other missionaries in Caleta and we made a collage of pictures of Christ and a big plan of salvation for a street boarding activity we did on Saturday. We were all working on our boards listening to music and having a good time and out of no where PRESIDENT ROGERS showed up. Super awkward. No one even knew he was coming..he had interviews with some members for temple recommends. There's a group of members going to the temple next week! :) Anyway...that was super weird...haha. Next thursday we have a zone conference with him and Hermana Rogers.

On Saturday we had our zone meeting in the morning. It was awesome. We talked about obedience and then our zone leaders talked about love and charity. It was soo good. I loooove my zone leaders. They're awesome.  I don't remember if I told you about them but Elder Alvarez is from Chile and Elder Kern is from Provo...I actually met him before the mission at BYU..we played volleyball together in Wyview..but he started his mission in Buenos Aires Norte so we didn't make the connection until we got here to Comodoro:) Anyway...after the meeting we all ate lunch in the chapel and then we went street boarding in el centro for a couple of hours. I got put with an Hermana who got to Argentina two weeks ago. She doesn't speak any spanish so I did the contacts...it was really fun though! :)

Welp...I guess that leaves us with yesterday. As you all know Argentina played Germany in the finals. I'm super bumbed they lost...but still super happy with how far they made it!! :) Anyway...we went to church in the morning...but then we had to go back to the pension after lunch....president rogers sent out a text saying we couldn't leave after 4:00PM...so we were locked up for like 6 hours yesterday with nothing to dooo! I took a nap at about 4:00 but it only lasted for about 45 minutes because the Elders were bored. We ended up talking with the zone leaders and our district leaders (since they were cheaters and were all together in a pension! luckies.) most of the afternoon. We told jokes and mostly just laughed about dumb things. Last night Hermana Rasmussen and I watched the movie Legacy. We layed out our two extra matresses in the kitchen and had  a slumber party. It was pretty fun...too bad the movie was in Spanish! Haha...they're so much better in English..oh well. Anyway...that pretty much sums up my week. It was a good one though!

I'm super happy to be here in Caleta Olivia! I miss Rio Grande soo much and after talking with Elder Tingey on Saturday who was in Rawson before coming here I got super homesick for Rawson...but..it's all good:) One day I'll make it back!

Oh...also...my birthday package came! yahooo. THANK YOU! I'm super excited to eat the mac n cheese! ...so is my companion! Haha:)

Well...make sure Matthew's last week is EPIC! Give him lots and lots of hugs for me! :) I had sooo many dreams about home this week...one of them was when I was already home and we were saying family prayer and it was my turn and I just missed matthew soo much. Haha...another one was at matthew's farewell and I just sat there like what the heck...this kid is going on a mission! Soooo weird. I can't believe how fast we all grew up. No puede ser!

Okay family...have an awesome week! I love you all soo much!! Until next timeee! :) Keep being excellent people. The Church is true! :) I miss you every day...almost! ...and you're always in my thoughts and prayers!

Hermana Heath

Rio Grande sunsets!! :)

a bunch of puppies...all from the same litter...?
How do you spell that?! Haha

Caleta!

sea lions in Caleta:)

 

Caleta Olivia:)