Elder Heiner will be having hernia surgery this week. He will be moving to Asuncion from what we know. We do not have an official surgery date. The Mission President is hoping for Thursday.
Here is what President Callan sent to us last week:
| A quick update....We are looking at the end of next week (perhaps Thursday) as the possible time for the surgery. Our mission nurse is working with hospital to work out the payment arrangements before we have the surgery. Elder Heiner is back in his area with instuctions on what he physically can and can't do. When we have an exact date for the surgery, we will let you know and bring Elder Heiner and his companion in to Asuncion. He will most likely have him here during conference weekend after the surgery so our schedules are much lighter. Thanks for your support. President Callan NOW FROM ELDER HEINER! |
This week has FLOWN by! I cant believe its already Monday and Im emailing you again! I dont really know what to say, not much has happened since we got back from Asuncion.. We worked there all week waiting to hear when we could come back to Santa Rita- it was fun working with the office Elders and meeting their investigators and members! It was a fun experience there in Asuncion.. We taught a lot of lessons, I got to do an annointing for a blessing for an investigator, and I didnt get to shave or brush my teeth for 5 days! Im sure glad I got gum in that package! By the way I made French Toast for my companion with home made syrup and it was amazing! I put a little cinnamon in there too so I felt like I was back at home :) My companion is doing well with everything, hes not complaning- just workin! Im not sure if we'll have a special change or what, but thats what Im assuming will happen. This morning I was starting to get a little scared for my surgery, just really uncomfortable, but after I read your emails I felt a lot better! I know I'll be alright, everything will go well and how its supposed to. It will probably take the doctor like 20 mins to fix it haha, but I'm not worried. Its like Dad told me on the phone, Just another adventure in Paraguay! I'll be sure to have pictures taken before and after to send home :) After knowing this doctor, he'll probably take pictures of every step of the way! Yikes! I'm not worried thought, I'll just go in, he'll give me the "cocktail" and I'll be outta there before I know it! I was thinking about how awesome it would be to go home to get the surgery.. I would get to be with my family and have fun! I think it would have been really hard to say goodbye again though. So for that, I'm glad I'm getting the surgery here!
I've almost been on my mission for 6 months!! Oh my goodness! In like a week and a half, I will have been on my mission for 6 months. Almost a fourth of the way through.. I was just thinking about what I've learned, how much I've learned, and how fast I've learned it! I've learned a new language in 6 months, I've learned more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 6 months than I have in my entire life, I have study skills- and the desire learn! Its incredible what this is doing to me.. I know, without a doubt, that I'm learning all of these things through the Spirit of the Lord. Because I'm here doing his work, He is blessing me with all these things... Not to mention how happy I am! I've seen and felt a change within my being, my heart has been softened and opened to the promptings of the Spirit.. Watching and helping people change their lives for the better is an incredible feeling. I've gained my own testimony through all of this and my Heavenly Father is setting a foundation for the rest of my life. It makes me so happy to feel this way! And I've only learned a little, I've got a looonng ways to go! I'm so excited for whats ahead.. It really is true that the sky is the limit.. And the sky leads into the Eternities.. I've got a lot to do!
How's everyone doing? It was so good to hear from all my brothers and sisters! I got a little choked up when I read your emails.. My comp had to ask if I was alright! claro que si! Umm.. My mind just went blank. My thought process is in Spanish so its hard to translate things haha..
Quick story! The other night when we were doing our contacts, there were 3 guys (like in their 40's) standing there smoking so we went and started talking to them.. The one I was standing by looked at me and said, "vos sos lindo.." which means something like, "youre beautiful" hahaha I just looked at him and said, "whaat??" (but in Spanish of course).. He thought I didnt speak Spanish, I dont know if he was hitting on me, or drunk, or what.. I just laughed and we walked away. I know its not the coolest story, but I thought it was funny.. Also, people here think that we're spies and that we're here to steal their "majic water" and kill their families. Others think that we get paid $100 for each person that goes to church with us.. And then after, the US government pays us like $50,000 or something like that. hahahaha! There was a guy that started lecturing us about that.. He told us we were sent by the US government and that we're here to brainwash the people in Paraguay because theyre not as educated as us and blah blah blah.. My companion and I were just standing there smiling at him, then he stopped after about 5 minutes of talking at us.. We looked at eachother, then at him, and my comp said, "I'm from Honduras.." and I said, "We're sent by Jesus Christ and we're here to share His teachings with everyone.. No one is obligated to anything, its by their own choice.." Then my companion started talking to him and shared a really brief summary of the Restoration.. After that the guy started saying how great it was that we're doing this and blah blah blah for another 5 minutes, then he invited us to his house haha. So I've learned that when people are mad, you just wait til theyre done, collect yourself, and use your mind and the truth when you speak.. And you'll end up in a good situation!
Thats about all I have for this week :) President said that I'll be calling home before I go in for surgery and that he'll give me a blessing! And again after the surgery I'll call. I hope you all have a great week! I love you!! Don't worry about me, everything is fine! I'm in the Lord's time..
I love you!
Elder Colby Dane Heiner
I've almost been on my mission for 6 months!! Oh my goodness! In like a week and a half, I will have been on my mission for 6 months. Almost a fourth of the way through.. I was just thinking about what I've learned, how much I've learned, and how fast I've learned it! I've learned a new language in 6 months, I've learned more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 6 months than I have in my entire life, I have study skills- and the desire learn! Its incredible what this is doing to me.. I know, without a doubt, that I'm learning all of these things through the Spirit of the Lord. Because I'm here doing his work, He is blessing me with all these things... Not to mention how happy I am! I've seen and felt a change within my being, my heart has been softened and opened to the promptings of the Spirit.. Watching and helping people change their lives for the better is an incredible feeling. I've gained my own testimony through all of this and my Heavenly Father is setting a foundation for the rest of my life. It makes me so happy to feel this way! And I've only learned a little, I've got a looonng ways to go! I'm so excited for whats ahead.. It really is true that the sky is the limit.. And the sky leads into the Eternities.. I've got a lot to do!
How's everyone doing? It was so good to hear from all my brothers and sisters! I got a little choked up when I read your emails.. My comp had to ask if I was alright! claro que si! Umm.. My mind just went blank. My thought process is in Spanish so its hard to translate things haha..
Quick story! The other night when we were doing our contacts, there were 3 guys (like in their 40's) standing there smoking so we went and started talking to them.. The one I was standing by looked at me and said, "vos sos lindo.." which means something like, "youre beautiful" hahaha I just looked at him and said, "whaat??" (but in Spanish of course).. He thought I didnt speak Spanish, I dont know if he was hitting on me, or drunk, or what.. I just laughed and we walked away. I know its not the coolest story, but I thought it was funny.. Also, people here think that we're spies and that we're here to steal their "majic water" and kill their families. Others think that we get paid $100 for each person that goes to church with us.. And then after, the US government pays us like $50,000 or something like that. hahahaha! There was a guy that started lecturing us about that.. He told us we were sent by the US government and that we're here to brainwash the people in Paraguay because theyre not as educated as us and blah blah blah.. My companion and I were just standing there smiling at him, then he stopped after about 5 minutes of talking at us.. We looked at eachother, then at him, and my comp said, "I'm from Honduras.." and I said, "We're sent by Jesus Christ and we're here to share His teachings with everyone.. No one is obligated to anything, its by their own choice.." Then my companion started talking to him and shared a really brief summary of the Restoration.. After that the guy started saying how great it was that we're doing this and blah blah blah for another 5 minutes, then he invited us to his house haha. So I've learned that when people are mad, you just wait til theyre done, collect yourself, and use your mind and the truth when you speak.. And you'll end up in a good situation!
Thats about all I have for this week :) President said that I'll be calling home before I go in for surgery and that he'll give me a blessing! And again after the surgery I'll call. I hope you all have a great week! I love you!! Don't worry about me, everything is fine! I'm in the Lord's time..
I love you!
Elder Colby Dane Heiner
