12/29/2014

Well everyone this is the last email of the year. I have had a very good year as well. I have grown and learned so much about myself and the gospel. This week wasn't the best week as far as the work goes because everyone was so busy with holiday things. It was a great Christmas though. On Christmas eve we got to spend time with the zone and President and his wife. We saw meet the Mormons which is an awesome movie. On Christmas morning we had a brunch with the senior missionaries and it was great. Then we just chilled and talked to our families. It was so hot though on Christmas and the days before that it didn't really feel like Christmas haha. Since the day after Christmas though we have had rain everyday. It has rained pretty hard too so I had to buy an umbrella. It is a lot cooler and better than the rain though.


Have a good week everyone. I will talk to you next year.

Elder Hepworth

12/25/2014

 

Here a some pictures from our Christmas morning event of your son. Thought you might enjoy them.

Elder Heyen

Elder Hepworth sporting the tie and "Return with Honor" pen we sent in his Christmas package from home.  He approves!

 

 

The ward members in the mission boundaries put together 200 individual presents/packages for all the elders in the South Africa Johannesburg Mission since the mail had been on strike for months and no packages from home were arriving. 

Bless the Angels in South Africa!

 

 

12/22/2014

Merry Christmas everyone! Well in a few days. I don't know if there is snow there because I had heard that it all melted awhile ago. I hope you guys enjoy a white Christmas though.  It is so hot here. Yesterday it was so hot and humid I was sweating bad and refused to say it was Christmas time. This week was pretty good. On Tuesday we went to another area and did a mega booth. It is where the whole district is there and we contact people. We have a bunch of supplies to hand out and a big picture of Jesus for people to see and draw attention. After the booth we helped a return missionary move and then after we moved his stuff he wanted us to get water for him. In some of the villages they have to go fetch their water. So I did it but I wasn't happy about it because I felt like he was using us and wasting our time. Then I remember the scripture Mosiah 2:17. It made me feel bad especially because this time of year we should be serving more than ever. The day we celebrate Jesus Christ birthday is this week and what a great opportunity it is to serve as his disciple during this time. I miss everyone but I'm so glad I'm here.  This week we had zone meeting and the thing that was talked about the most was unity. It was like it was prepared for me. I have an African companion right now from Malawi and we are completely different. I have only had American companions before too. We took the advice and we are getting along a lot better now. We must have unity to bring the spirit to the people. At church on Sunday we had sacrament meeting then after we watched the Christmas devotional. It was awesome and make me miss home because everything was decorated. After that we had the Christmas party and ate pizza and soda. It was pretty awesome. Missionary work is great. It is an experience that will make you stretch and grow so much. Heavenly Father molds us into who he needs us to me out there. I love you all. Have a blessed week.

Elder Hepworth

Eating Pizza At the Church

Mission Tour 2014

 

12/15/2014

This week we had much success plus some difficulties. We had 26 lessons so we are teaching a lot of people and finding cool people. The problems are getting them to church because it keeps raining on Sunday and they keep going places for the holidays. It is like their summer here in South Africa because that is how the schooling works. We are working hard though and the Lord will bless us as we do. This week I had an exchange with a brand new missionary. He has been out for 3 weeks now and he is from South Africa down in Port Elizabeth. He is a good teacher for barely coming out. I know that I was really bad and hardly knew my stuff ha. It is great to see how much progress I have made. My companion said that I need to train and that I'm powerful ha. We also had an exchange with the zone leaders this week and I got to go with my old companion Elder Olson. It was pretty cool because he drove and knew where to go and all I had to do was teach. On Saturday we had the mission tour and Carl B. Cook from the seventy was here. He is the area president and a very good teacher. The zone where I'm at is very small so it was very personal. I learned that I need to work smarter and be a progressing missionary so I can have progressing investigators. On Sunday we had a lesson on living in the world but not of the world and I thought how true that is. I got a letter from my mom and she said the world is getting worse everyday and it is so important that we make sure we are not of the world. We must strive to live like Jesus Christ. Have a good week everyone.

 

Elder Hepworth

12/08/2014

So this week was interesting. On Wednesday and Thursday we couldn't go to the area because they were blocking the road for a strike to have water piped into their homes. They try to solve things with mob justice and it never works as we can tell with the post office strike we had that is now over. So my companion and I went to different areas with different missionaries. I spent the day with the only other two Americans in the district so that was pretty fun. The rest of the week we were husting all over trying to see everyone that we had missed. It gets difficult here in South Africa because everyone is on break and leaving to different places. We had one who was so awesome and was on date already but he left to Joburg and won't be back until Janurary. During church on Sunday I realized that it really is a perfect church run by imperfect people. There are always things that I see that aren't done right but I can't do anything about it. It is hard when I come from a place where the church is so strong ha. In our Sunday school class they were being very disrespectful and it was frustrating. I'm grateful to be on mission. It is awesome to be an eye wittnesse of the gospel frontier in South Africa. All the other missions that have ipads can keep them. Thank you for all the prayers and I love you all!

 

Elder Hepworth

 

12/08/2014

 

The one next to me has been to Pocatello, Idaho for a debate tournament so I thought that was pretty cool!

 

Elder Hepworth

12/01/2014

 

 

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY ELDER HEPWORTH!  LOVE MOM AND DAD!

 

 

 

This week was good. I can't believe it is December now. It doesn't feel like Christmas time because it is so hot. I hear about all the snow at home and it makes me jealous haha. We had transfers this week and I got a new companion. He is from Malawe so he is African. It is a little different because I have only had American companions so far but he is great. We will continue to do the great work we do up here in Lenyenye, Limpopo, South Africa. We had Thanksgiving this week with the senior couples and it was great. We ate so much food that I thought I was going to blow up. It was my birthday this week on Friday and I worked right though it. It had to be the hottest birthday I have ever had. We have been doing a lot of finding this week. We have found a lot of potential people which makes me happy. One person we met named Phetole was so awesome. We gave him a date right then and  there so we will see if he lives up to it. I have a quote to share this week that I found in my studies. Ezra Taft Benson says it is easier to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent. So remember everyone to stay close to the gospel in these last days. I love you all and am so grateful for all the support.

 

Elder Hepworth

 

 

 

11/28/2014

A special E-mail from Elder and Sister Heyen in Derick's area on Elder Hepworth's 20th birthday.

Just wanted to reassure you that Elder Hepworth had a nice Thanksgiving meal at the church with the rest of the missionaries.  We also made sure he had a happy birthday today. We sang to him and gave him a present with lots of chocolate.  One picture is of Elder Hepworth and his new companion is Elder Dzowa from Malawi.

 

Enjoy!

 

Elder and Sister Heyen

 

 

11/24/2014

So this week wasn't very exciting. The first three days were the same as usual but then my companion starting getting sick and we were in the flat the past 3 days. Sitting in the flat is the most boring thing ever. On Saturday though I went to another area and had one of those guys stay with him so that wasn't to bad. This week is transfers and I'm getting a new companion but I'm staying up here in Tzaneen. I'm pretty excited about it because I get to be up here with all the senior couples who spoil us through the holidays ha. I love this area too. It is so hot and doesn't feel like my birthday, Thanksgiving, or Christmas are coming up. I have a lot of driving to do. It is 5 hours drive down and 5 hours drive back up. I am wondering who my next companion is going to be. It isn't always fun to have a companion you like for just 6 weeks. Especially with the chance you will get one you don't like haha. Well everyone have a good Thanksgiving and eat lots of food. I pray for you all. Have a great week. Sorry this one is kind of short.


Elder Hepworth

11/17/2014

So this week was pretty awesome. On Monday we went to this mini zoo thing but we got to go in and feed and play with the animals. There was monkeys, cats, tigers, lions and a few other animals. It was pretty sweet. Tuesday was pretty sad though. We found out that another one of our recent converts little brother died. That is the second one in this area. We went and supported the family. It seems like the gospel gets to people just in time. They aren't really sure what happened to him or the other one. Heavenly Father must have a special work for them to do. We did some more tracting this week and found some awesome people. We are still working hard despite the heat or rain. It has been raining pretty good for the past two days but I don't mind because it isn't hot ha. I was on exchanges with other missionaries in the district most of this week because my companion had to go and do many baptismal interviews which is sweet. Being the district leaders companion I get to go on exchanges a lot and I have been with everyone in the district so far.

On Saturday we had an adult special meeting for all the branches up here with one of the seventy and it was pretty cool. They talked about gospel culture and love in families and covered many issues. Hopefully it helps. On Sunday I gave a talk about love in families and told them to show their love for their families and one another. Then after everyone was saying I love you to each other and it was kind of funny. Mission is great. It isn't easy but it is worth it. Have a great week everyone. Be safe driving and stay warm. I hear there was snow and I'm missing that ha. Love you all.

Elder Hepworth

11/04/2014

It is already November. I can't believe it but it is here. Before I know it the year 2015 will be here. This week was great. It went kind of slow but it had much success. Our zone leader came up and went on an exchange with us and conducted a baptismal interview for two of our investigators. They are good to go and will be getting baptized this week. We have been finding many new people and teaching a ton. Missionary work seems pretty much the same just with minor differences everyday. I guess that is what makes it not so boring.

Yesterday we went to Kruger national park which is a big game park like yellowstone. It was sweet. We got to see many animals. We saw giraffes, elephants, lions, and many other animals. It was a lot of driving and sitting because we couldn't get out of the car but it was sweet. I can actually say that I have seen all of these cool animals up and close. 

I've learned a lot so far on mission. I'm super glad that I came out because most of the gospel knowledge I have I have learned on mission. I also becoming a much better person. I didn't realized how much of a blessing a mission is until recently. I wouldn't have regretted it if I didn't come. I'm glad the Lord has sent me to Africa. I definitely feel like I'm supposed to be here. Thank you for all the support and love. I pray for you all. Have a great week. 

Elder Hepworth

10/27/2014

This week was great. We went to the waterfalls again so the new guys in the district could experience it. Then we did missionary work all week. We had a very successful week. We have two investigators named Penny and Kealebogile who are two sisters who received their witness of the Book of Mormon. We have been working with them for awhile and they finally got it and they will be baptized in a few weeks.

On Saturday we had a cool day. Usually Saturday is pretty hard but we both studied about praying with faith in the morning and the Lord will bless us. So we prayed for a successful positive day. Though the day we gave service to two people. Taught 7 lessons and got fed twice haha. It was a good day. 

This coming week is going to be an interesting week because everyone is taking exams. They do school years different then us. So they are having their exams and then school is out for the year. I have realized that seminary was a huge blessing in my life. As I have been teaching I have remembered stories and things I learned in seminary and I use it in the lessons. I still wish I would have taken it more seriously. 

We just started conference because we are on the frontier. I know it is old news but I really enjoy it now that I'm on mission. I am just realizing now how important the gospel is in our lives and how we need to use anything that the Lord gives us. Stay close to the Lord and have a good week. 

Elder Hepworth

10/20/2014

October 20, 2014

I have to say Happy Birthday to my mom this week. I hope she has a good one. Her first one without me. I bet she is going to cry ha. This last week was transfers. On Monday we had a 5 hour drive down to the office and spent the night. My companion got his bag somehow stolen with some very important things in it. He was so humble about it and knew God would take care of him. I'm missing that guy but my new companion is pretty sweet. His name is Elder Olson. He is from Salt Lake City, Utah. He knew the new mission president before he even came so he has got an in haha not really. Our mission president is awesome and trying his best to lead the mission the way Heavenly Father wants. My companion is the DL and he is only one transfer only on mission than me. After the 5 hour drive back up it was dark and we didn't get to work until the next day. He is really enjoying it up here. It really is amazing in Limpopo, South Africa. He is learning the area and meeting all the great people. Just like everywhere else it has it's problems but I love it. I want to stay in this area for this transfer and another. Hopefully that is God's will. We have been having very spiritual lessons and lots of fun. Just yesterday one person we saw was getting her hair done and we had them put a weave in our hair haha. On Saturday we found out that our recent convert named Desmond's little brother died. He was only seven months old. It was so sad but the gospel got to him just in time. We are going to do service for the family this week and go to the funeral. Families are forever. Stay close to the gospel. I love you all. Have a good week. 

Elder Hepworth

10/06/2014

This week was great. It is getting pretty hot up here in South Africa and it is supposed to be getting hotter. Last Monday we had a family home evening with one of our member families and it was so much fun. He shared a message about journals and I need to get better at that. Record keeping is important. We played games and they even fed us which was awesome haha.

Saturday was a weird day. We didn't have much success in the missionary work but I feel like Heavenly Father just won't let us have a bad day he makes it funny. To make the story short we were driving to get some food so we could start our fast and in the middle of the road was just sitting a man. We thought it was weird and laughed. Then on the way back a woman was screaming at us in her language for help. Someone said it was something about her husband. When we got up there it was the same guy in the middle of the road. He was so drunk he had no way to get home and she wanted our help to get him there. So she picked him up and they climbed in the back of the truck and her grandchildren got in and we took them home which wasn't far. It was a random act of service that we just had to laugh about after. The lady was so thankful so we felt good about it even though we weren't supposed to have them in our truck ha.

On Sunday our two baptisms last week were confirmed and they received the Holy Ghost and one of our recent converts from last month received the priesthood. I got sick in the evening so we went home early and I slept. When I woke up I was feeling a lot better. I always feel bad when I have to go home early because the time to serve is extremely short but I figure that Heavenly Father doesn't want us to feel bad while we serve. We must not run fast than we have strength but still serve with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. Finding the balance is the trick haha.

My hero is Jesus Christ. When I was young my heros were the power rangers. I had all the action figures. Then when I got older my dad became my hero. We have spent a lot of time together and had good times. Now that I'm on mission I realized how much Jesus Christ is my hero and everyone else. He has suffered for us. He has died for us. All out of love. That was the most heroic act of all time. May we always remember him like we promise in the sacrament prayer.

Elder Hepworth

09/29/2014

This week has been great. It went extremely fast. We had our two baptisms this week. They went really well. One of them was a mother of a missionary in  Cape Town and the other was a wife of a member. The husband got to baptize her which was cool. At church we had over 100 people show up and usually we only have about 80. We had a goal to get over 100 people there and we did it. A lot of them were less actives and 5 of them were investigators.

On Saturday we had an activity were the senior couples came and played a movie in the chapel and we invited everyone all week to come. We are doing this to try and bring back less actives and get members and investigators involved. We watched Legacy and I had never seen it before. I really liked it but I'm not sure if that is because it has been so long since I saw a movie ha. On Wednesday it was heritage day and everyone was supposed to dress up in beads and traditional stuff but we were the only ones who did. The people just took it as a day off and time to drink ha.

I'm really enjoying mission. This is the busiest I've been so far since I have been out and it is great. It is exhausting, stressful, and hot but I love it. Missionary work is great. The work must go forward.

Elder Hepworth

09/22/2014

Wow I can't believe it is already the 22 of September. This week went by fast. It feels like just yesterday I was sitting here sending my last email. So in South Africa they all have meanings to there names and they ask me what my name means all the time. Then a member this week looked it up and it said it a motto that is faithful unto death. I just thought that was pretty cool and thought I would share it. Stay faithful Hepworth's haha. They also said in a town near where I am there is a store called Hepworth. I guess it is a clothing store. It would be cool to check it out but it is pretty far away.

We had successful baptismal interviews this week and will be having two baptisms on Sunday. They are both very powerful. I first met them when I had just got here and they weren't going anywhere. I was wondering why we were wasting our time on them. Then over time and visits they became very powerful and good friends. It taught me a lesson of patience in people.

We have been traveling to this pace far in our area and giving out some church material because one of our members works there. There is no way for them to get to church or be baptized but we are setting roots there.

One thing that has kind of been on my mind a lot is families. Families are such a blessing. Up here they don't cherish families as much as we do back home. They pay for their wives pretty much in their culture and the families don't sit together in sacrament meeting together. It isn't to sham bock on these people but I've just realized how much the gospel does bless families. The gospel is such a blessing when the whole family lives it together. Simple things as family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening are so important. Families that pray together stay together.

Elder Hepworth

09/15/2014

This was the best week we have had since I have gotten here up here. Our stats were awesome. We have been asking for referrals and they have been coming in like crazy. They have been good new people too. Not just jokers. We are so busy and it is good. We had 11 investigators come to church which was like whoa! haha.

This week we went on two exchanges because of my companion's district leader responsibilities. The day that I was in the area we had a really good day. We took a young man who was just baptized two weeks ago. His name is Desmond and he loved it. He said it was the greatest day ever. So either we are awesome and he had tons of fun or there just isn't anything to do in Lenyenye haha. The other day I was in town with another missionary and lets just say I'd much rather be in village and township that town because it is a lot harder.

Saturday was a weird day. In the morning we attended a funeral. It wasn't just any other funeral though. The father of a missionary serving in Durban mission had passed away. It was sad but the missionary was really strong. he had been out for so long and I could see by his face that he was a good man and a good missionary. Then later on in the day we had an investigator break down and tell us that her  parents had both gotten HIV because her dad cheated on her mom and didn't tell her and she was just really worried about them dying because the youngest is 6. Then we come home and find out that an elder that is in our district got a call from President telling him that his grandmother passed away. The whole tragedy thing that day was freaking me out but I pray hard for everyone.

I have been thinking a lot about prayer. When we are on our knees we aren't praying to our beds but to our FATHER who is in Heaven. My companion gave a talk at church yesterday about prayer. He gave a quote by President Monson that said..."A man is tallest when he is on his knees." Remember to say your prayers and remember who you are praying too. The relationship that we can have with each member of the godhead is so important.

Have a good week everyone!

Elder Hepworth

09/01/2014

Wow it is already September. Time is going by fast. This week I will be out for 6 months officially and I can't believe it. I feel like I just left.

I'm not training or anything and my companion is staying the same. I'm excited about it though because I wanted to stay with him another transfer. We get along great. I have been blessed with awesome companions so far. It would have been cool to train but I will do what the Lord wants. 

We have one investigator named Patricia that we were teaching when I first got here and she was super shy and wouldn't talk and I was really discouraged about her. We kept going with her and now she is opening up. She bore her testimony about the savior Jesus Christ. She is honest and is progressing really well. She is getting baptized on September 28. We have had four baptism since I got here and it has been really awesome. 

This week we had our two baptisms from last week get confirmed and quite a few young men were given the Aronic priesthood or were put where they are supposed to be. We were able to join in when they received the Holy Ghost and the spirit was so strong. It is great seeing the change that this gospel will make in people and see them partake of the blessings. 

One thing that I have come to be grateful for is the members feeding the missionaries and helping in the missionary work. The gospel is great and I'm glad to be a missionary. 

Elder Hepworth

08/25/2014

This transfer is going by so fast. We are now in the last week of the transfer. I have enjoyed my time with this companion and I want him to stay for another but there is rumor that I might train. Whether he stays or I train I will be fine either way.

 

This last week was awesome. We had 29 lessons this week and I think that is the most I have had so far on mission. All of our appointments were going great and not falling through like other weeks. I don't have anything crazy or weird to say about this week. Everything just went really smooth which is nice every once in a while.

 

On Sunday we had two baptisms. They were of a 16 year old boy named Desmond and a 9 year old girl named Naomi. They are awesome and the baptism went great. The 9 year old is the daughter or a recent convert who is really strong and she started crying when she was baptized. Desmond is awesome and will probably be a stake president some day. Just another addition to the wonderful priesthood.

 

I spoke at the baptism about the holy ghost. As I sat down I realized it wasn't me speaking. That happens a lot and I am so thankful for the companionish of the holy ghost. The spirit is a wonderful gift from our Heavenly Father to help us through this life. We just have to listen.

 

Elder Hepworth

08/18/2014

In two weeks about I will have been out for 6 months and that seems pretty crazy to me. We had a good week. Well it didn't start off that way. My companion was sick on Tuesday and we had to stay in. I don't know if I'm cursed but either I or my companions always get sick. The cool thing is that the senior couples made us chicken noodle soup and brought it over once they heard that he was sick.

 

After he got better we got to work. It was a slow week because I wasn't pushing him too hard. On Saturday we had a helping hands activity where we build a playground for a school. It was a great experience but the lack of construction equipment was killing me. All I could think the whole time was my dad and I could have this done in like an hour. We had to do it the old fashioned way and use shovels. We definitely made an impact on that school and I'm sure they appreciated it.

 

On Saturday night it rained an on Sunday. Not many people came to church because of the rain. Like only a few have cars and some walk really far. It is funny how we can take the things we have for granted. Church was good though and I'm always tired after we have our lunch appointment because I'm used to the Sunday nap but we push through it. No rest for the righteous missionary either I guess.

 

On this coming Sunday we are having two baptisms which is exciting. Our zone leaders came up on Friday to do the interviews and the one that went with us is a funny guy from Austrailia. One is a 16 year old boy named Desmond who is awesome. The other is a 9 year old girl who her mother is a convert and is super strong. We will find out this week who is baptizing them and it would be cool if it was me. There are a lot of less actives in this area so we are working with the branch on that. There is a ton of work to be done and we are doing it up here in Limpopo, South Africa. I hope everyone has a good week. I keep you all in my prayers. We are sure lucky to have this blessing of the gospel in our lives. I'm so happy that I get to share it with others.

 

Elder Hepworth

08/11/2014

This week has been good. It has been a weird week though. Like everyday what we planned turned out different but they were good days. I'm still having tons of fun up here. I wish to stay here for all my mission haha. My companion who is district leader recommended me for training which is crazy so that might be coming next transfer.

This week we went on two exchanges. I went on exchanges on Thursday and Friday with two different elders. The fist exchange was because my companion had to do a baptismal interview. The second was a normal exchange. It was an interesting couple of days because I was in our area both times and I haven't been here for very long. I got lost a couple of times and didn't know what to do but I make it through. This area is big and crazy to learn but I will get it down soon. 

On Friday we had zone meeting. It was cool because up here we don't see many other missionaries. Two of the elders from my fist zone are in this one with me. Elder Robins from Burley, Idaho is in this zone and it was cool seeing him and talking to him. 

On Saturday we had some funny things happen. We saw a guy who was so drunk he fell down a hill. Then 30 seconds later we saw a black midget which is so funny looking that we sat there laughing with tears in our eyes for quite awhile. I've been teaching my companion how to drive and he was practicing starting up a hill and he peeled out and fish tailed up the hill on accident. Then on the way home we were super exhausted and he had his head out the window. I rolled it up without looking and then I see him looking at me with the funniest face. He tells me what happened and his head got pinched and he didn't say anything or react quick enough. 

I'm having so much fun out here. My companion and I get along great. We have good times and we are working hard. We should be having some baptisms in a couple of weeks. I love mission! 

Elder Hepworth

08/04/2014

This week was an eventful week. Each day I had something nice to write in my journal. I drive a lot because my companion can't drive a stick and I'm going to have to teach him. This is my second companion that I will have to teach but I'm a good teacher. We haven't had time to though. We are so busy. This area is booming like crazy and there is a ton of work to be done.

So on Tuesday we took some other Elders to a part of there area to far to walk. Then after dropping them off we thought we could get to our area a faster way. Then we ended up getting lost for two hours and having to back track. Then on Wednesday we were having a good day and everything was going good but then our 6 and 7 canceled and we found out there was a member in the hospital. So we went and visited her and it made her day. Then we gave her a Book of Mormon to comfort her. Thursday my companion and I got offered a wife because we are American. Friday was the funniest day. We were teaching the law of chastity and this family has two dogs with to much energy. So as I was explaining it my companion goes and none of that and we looked over and they were humping each other. The timing was just so funny.

This week I studied a talk in the Liahona about perfectionism. Sometimes I don't feel good enough and this talk really gave me strength. We don't have to be perfect we just have to strive to be the best we can be. Jesus Christ will make up the rest. Mission is great. It is deffinitely the hardest thing I have ever done. They didn't say it would be easy though they just said it would be worth it.

Elder Hepworth

07/28/2014

Well I'm in my second area! I have been transfered to Lenyenye really far in the northeast in the providence Limpopo. It took 5 hours to drive here from the office. There are mountains everywhere and giant trees. I'm so excited to be here. It is like my home. We seriously teach people on the mountain side. We have a bakkie which is a pickup truck. I will send a picture of it. We are in a branch and they are awesome. They give us tons of referrals and help a lot with the missionary work.

My new companion is Elder Cazier. He lives in Germany but is from the USA. His dad works for the air force. He is really cool and we get along great. I have been blessed with companions so far. I don't have a picture of us yet or of the area because we were so busy this week. This area is booming and I'm just excited. We had two baptisms on Sunday. This is where the missionary work is happening. 

There are a ton of senior couples up here. They help a lot with the work and they feed us! haha. Man this area is great. I'm really loving mission. My testimony of the gospel has grown so much. I'm almost 5 months and I don't know where the time has gone. 

I don't have pictures of my companion or area right now because we were so busy this week but I will get them this week. I'm not sure what else to say but if there are any questions just ask. 

Stay close to the Lord everyone. The church is true. I love you all.

Elder Hepworth

07/21/2014

Well that was week six of the transfer and the big news is that I'm being transferred. I don't know where to or with who but I'm excited. I'm finally leaving my first area. I'm becoming experienced on mission and I feel like I just got here ha. They say once you are over four. and a half months you aren't a greeny so my mission status is going up. 

On Wednesday we met a guy named Nathi who as we walked up said he was going to commit suicide. We had a powerful lesson. It was so powerful that we had to take a break after. I hope we helped him out. The next missionaries will continue to visit him. He needs the gospel.

This week we had a lot of fun because I live with a missionary who is going home on Tuesday. Except of Thursday my companion was sick and we sat in the flat all day. On Friday morning we got to go to the temple and we got there and the session was full. So we volunteered to sit out and wait for the next. Then the mission President came in and asked if we wanted to do sealings. We got to proxy for boys and witness. After that we also did a session. It was a long time in the temple but it was fun. 

After that we ate at Yankeys. It was a little like an American burger place. We planned on going to carnivore a place where you eat all kinds of meat but the APs wouldn't let us. We all had a king kong monster burger which is huge. I only ate half. Then we got Mcdonalds shakes after haha. it was a good day. 

Yesterday Wendy the lady who got baptized last week was confirmed and it was a cool experience. I'm having tons of fun in South Africa. I'm happy to be here and I can't believe how fast the time is going. 2 Nephi 1:23 Keep on the amour of righteousness.

Elder Hepworth

07/14/2014

I got my first baptism which is exciting but that is the highlight of the week. Time is going pretty fast out here as we work hard. Our area is really taking off which is exciting but transfers are next week and I think I might be moving to a new area. I will know on Saturday. 

So the baptism was stressful and exhausting. She had to be baptized seven times. It wasn't her fault or the young man who baptized her. The problem was that her gown kept floating and everything must be under the water. It finally worked after seven times though ha. 

We had a nice dinner at there house after. Well it is nice here ha. W had chicken and this bread with nice gravy. We also had salad and potato salad (which is different here) and beat root. The rest of the day we walked a lot and taught a few lessons. In one of the lessons there was a mouse running around. I'm not scared of mice but I was scared it would run up my pant leg so I couldn't focus ha. 

The week was good. It is awesome to see the change in peoples lives the gospel brings. Share the gospel. (D&C 88:81 I hope thats right ha) Warnabrother! 

Love you all!

07/07/2014

I hope everyone had a nice week and good 4th of July. Of course they don't celebrate that here but we did our best. In district meeting we sang the American songs and looked up scriptures where the Book of Mormon talks about America. 

I had a really good week. We worked so hard and it definitely paid off. We taught 24 lessons this week. We found 7 new investigators that seem really powerful. We did a lot of tracting which isn't my favorite but as we went forward in faith we were led to prepared people. I won't tell you about all the people we met but I will as we continue to teach them. 

As we were tracting one day I was really trying to tract with the spirit and I led us to a guy who we taught and wanted to come to institute and I was really excited. Then as we moved on we were walking and we both felt like we needed to turn back. Then a drunk lady called us over and we couldn't get rid of her. Finally we walked away and went to a house in which we got rejected. As we walked out she was standing there with a guy now. He said she tells me you stole her money and I almost laugh. I'm just like you got to be kidding me. He then sees Jesus Christ and I tell him we are missionaries. He just smiles and laughs a little and says sorry guys I will set her straight. It was pretty funny experience. Heavenly Father lets us have a little humor in our work. 

I'm pretty excited for this week because I'm going to have my first baptism. Her name is Wendy and we met her when I was about two months in and I have taught her everything and she is now getting baptized. She is really powerful. We taught her the word of wisdom yesterday and tithing or it was more like she taught us. I'm excited for here and so is she except she is a little nervous. 

Missionary work is awesome. I just reached four months this last week and I can't believe it. I am having a great time out here. I'm finally getting used to everything including teaching. Have a wonderful week everyone. 

Elder Hepworth

06/30/2014

This week has been hard. I have been sick all week with a cold. I don't like staying in the flat because it is boring and it sucks for my companion but we had to stay in Saturday. I haven't been able to work to my full potential because of this sickness and it make the week bad. We didn't have very many lessons or as many as we could have had. We had a bunch of cancellations and no shows.

Sounds pretty depressing but weeks and days like that happen. One of the prophets said sometimes missionaries have to walk through a little bit of what Christ went through. We just have to move forward in faith. I know this week will be better.

We did have some very powerful lessons this week. We teach with such power and the Spirit is definitely there. We have even made some of our investigators and less actives cry ha. My companion said we have had some of the most Spiritual lessons he has had on mission. He keeps telling me I'm a great missionary and teacher. Especially when I get discouraged. 

This week was my Companions birthday and we made cupcakes and had a lot of fun. Mission is lots of fun but only if you make it. I'm so grateful to be out here. Time is going by pretty fast. This week I will be 4 months which is crazy. Happy 4th of July everyone. Have a great week. 

06/23/2014

I'm getting close to 4 months and I can't believe it has been that long. This week has kind of sucked. I don't have much to say about it. I live in a four man flat and all of us got sick this week. I think we came down with some African cold.

We were having some powerful lessons at  the beginning of the week. I was pretty sure we were going to have the most lessons I have had in this area. Then the end of the week came. We all got super sick and had to stay in the flat. I was in on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was the worst because I was all achy. Even today I still feel like junk. 

It is all Adam and Eve's fault because they brought pains and sickness in to the world but if it weren't for them I wouldn't be here sooo ya it is kind of a toss up haha. The good thing is we have the atonement. From Alma 7:11-13 we learn that not only did he suffer for our sins but Jesus Christ went through our pains and sicknesses. We can't sink lower than the infinite love of the atonement. 

This week is going to be much better I hope. My companion and I are getting along good. We teach very good together which is the goal. He isn't as much fun as Elder Saunders was and I get bored in the flat. Not every companion can be ideal and I am greatful for the ones that I have had. 

In about two weeks I will have my first baptism. I am super excited. She is so powerful and definitely knows it is true. Many missionaries have had a few baptisms already this far in their mission. I don't know why it has taken me so long to get mine but I am grateful for the mission I am serving. Stay close to the Lord everyone.

Elder Hepworth

06/16/2014

This week has been great. Sorry about some of the grammar errors this email will have. the keyboard is being dumb. So I got my new companion. His name is elder Cluff. He is from Arizona. He is cool and a great missionary. We already work well together. He pushes me really hard. We are working so hard and I can tell we are going to make this area strive. He said he really loves this area. all the investigators and members are powerful.

Wow I don't really know what to talk about this week. We have had so many spiritual experiences. every lesson has been amazing. I am getting so much better at teaching. I can't definitely see myself improve. My companion said that I am a good teacher. He said I was a little rusty at tracking at first but I'm getting much better. I remember when I first came out and how bad I was at teaching and I was afraid. things get better with experience and the lords help. 

I'm loving South africa and I would recommend a mission to anyone who is contemplating going. It is such a great blessing to be in the service of our Heavenly Father. Fear is natural. I was super scared coming out but here I am. Stay close to the gospel. Share the gospel. I promise you will be happy. Love and miss you all!

Elder Hepworth 

06/09/2014

Well I just finished my last week of training. Tomorrow I will have a new companion and I'll be leading the area. I feel pretty ready but ready or not here it comes haha. I'm a little worried about the first time I get a new companion. I don't want a black one haha. I'm not racist though. I got a long so well with my trainer Elder Saunders. I thought we were brothers at times. It is kind of funny how you have to go half way around the world to meet one of your best  friends who lived an hour away. Everything will be okay though. The Lord's will be done right? This transfer is huge. Every companionship in our zone is getting a new companion haha. I can't wait to see my buddy Elder Worton tomorrow and see how he is doing with training.

This week was sweet. We started it off my going mini golfing on p-day for Elder Lucking's birthday. It was one of the coolest courses I have seen. Throughout the week we taught awesome lessons as usual. On Saturday we had a braii (barbecue) with the Mahhumanes. They are our homies and Elder Saunders is going to miss them. We have a few investigators who are going to get baptized in July. Wendy and these two boys named Dumisani and Xabiso. Good luck trying to say their names. They are sweet. I'm happy to say I will have some baptisms to show my hard work. 

On Thursday we had zone conference and there was like 60 or so missionaries there. It was a fun experience it being my first one. It was sooo long though haha. Like 5 hours. We got fed some killer stir fry. It was our mission presidents last zone conference. He goes home June 30. He is a sweet mission president and I wish he was my president but the new one will be mine for most of my mission. 

I hope everything is sweet at home. My mom said the ward mission leader said that since you have a son on a mission you have to find some one for them to teach. He is darn right! This is a missionary church. I didn't realize it until I got out here. I can be blamed for avoiding missionary work before but I definitely won't when I get back. It is everyone's responsibility. I gave a talk on it in sacrament meeting a few weeks back and I'm going to challenge everyone to help find people for the missionaries. It is super important and it hastens the work. Oh and tracting SUCKS! Haha there is a better way. So get to work peeps. Pray for missionary opportunities. Stay close to the Lord. Love you are and miss you!

Elder Hepworth 

06/02/2014

I just want to start off my email this week by wishing my brother Brett and father a happy birthday this week. Also myself a three month mission birthday haha. I can't believe it is June already. Time has flown. At times it seems slow but I look back and it has went fast.

My mother asked me what changes I will make when I get home and my answer is everything relating to the gospel haha. I will read my scriptures and pray more. I will do my home teaching. I will do missionary work. I will stop being what they call a Sunday Mormon. The gospel is a lot more important than we think it is sometimes it is everything. We need it. We need to use it!

 

Our days were full and busy this week. We taught a lot and we put a lady on date. I haven't had a baptism yet but I will. Our area is progressing well. I'm  pretty excited about it. I'm done with training after this week which is sweet. I'm definitely getting the hang of mission. I'm so happy not to be a newby haha. 

This last week on Friday our zone had a temple trip. It was a great experience. Going to the temple and feeling the spirit so strong and knowing you are helping a soul in the after life by doing those ordinances is a great experience. I encourage everyone who is able to go the the temple to go! Whether you are endowed or you just do baptisms for the dead. The temple is where we all need to be and strive to be. 

Love you all!

Elder Hepworth

05/26/2014

Another week bites the dust. Time is flying and I don't even remember what happened the past week. I had to go through my planner to remind myself. This week had some adventures as every week on mission does.

On Tuesday my companion was sick with a bad migraine so we were just going to stay home. The zone leaders came over to go on exchanges with the other two elders in our flat (apartment). The zone leaders decided to have Elder Booker, an elder from our flat, and I to go and work both areas. So we went out and had to cancel some appointments and we worked both areas at the same time. We got more lessons than we would have had if we had just stayed home. So it was a good day. 

Over the next couple of days we had our normal routines. We worked hard and had some good lessons. What is impressing me the most is being able to see our hard work paying off. Our Heavenly Father is watching us and blessing our area. We have met many prepared people. Our members are starting to work with us and give us referrals which is the best way. Our hard work is paying off. 

On Sunday we had to speak in church. Guess what I had to speak on? Yup! missionary work! We were asked to speak for 10 minutes each and I got up there and spoke for 17 minutes then I was handed a paper that said times up. Then my companion got up spoke for 13 minutes and was handed the same paper. We thought it was pretty funny that we both went over and were told to sit down haha. The other funny thing is that I was only half way through my talk. What I would like to share with you is that missionary work is for everyone. It is everyone's responsibility. I would like to ask my family and everyone else to help out the missionaries there. Feed them and prepare people for them because it means a lot to us missionaries. 

The church is true. We all know it. It brings us true happiness. What better way to show your Heavenly Father that you love it than by sharing it. There are many things that I've learned and want to change about myself on my mission and this is one of them. Missionary work!

Love you all, 

Elder Hepworth

05/19/2014

Another week down! Time is flying. Sometimes I think it is going slow but then I look back and it has been 2 and 1/2 months. I feel like I just got on the plane. This week is kind of a blur for some reason. We had a good week though. Our area is starting to become better. We have been working really hard. The missionaries that were in the area before us were pretty apostate ha. I'm hoping to have some baptism next month. Quite a few actually. Which is getting me excited.

The weather is sucking. It is getting a lot colder. Winter is definitely on it's way. It is not even close to Idaho but my body is already adjusting and I'm running for a sweater when it is like 70 degrees. The days aren't bad especially with the sun but sometimes the sun isn't shining. It is way cold in the morning though. It is hard to get out of bed on time or get out of the hot shower ha. But we do it so we are obedient and receive blessings.

This week was eventful. I went on exchanges with our district leader who is Elder Lucking. We had a good day and taught 3 lessons. We were teaching and as I was talking he was looking for a scripture in the topical guide. I looked over and said Romans 3:23. Which is about sin. He was like uh ya and flipped to it and read it haha. I think it did pretty good with him. I can definitely tell I have improved and continue to improve. The next day President came over to study with us. We made sure we did everything exactly right. He was like this looks like a model companionship study haha. 

On Saturday I had an impression to go see this guy. I stopped and told my companion. We started walking that way and I was just praying that I listened to the spirit correctly haha. We met with the guy who was luckily there. It wasn't really what I was expecting but I was okay with it. We decided to walk to our next appointment. On the way there a lady called us over and invited us in. We taught a lesson to like four people who seemed interested. Hopefully something comes out of our visit with them. But the thing is if we hadn't gone that way to that next appointment she wouldn't have called us over. Always follow the spirit and don't question it. 

Read your scriptures. Say your prayers. Go to church. This gospel brings real happiness. South Africa is awesome and I'm happy to be here. Love you all! 

Elder Hepworth

04/28/2014

left to right: Elder Robins from Burley, Idaho...Elder Lucking from Utah district leader...My companion Elder Saunders Utah  AND Elder Hepworth is 2nd from the left!

04/14/2014

Everything is good here in South Africa! This week was pretty good. We had a strength building activity and I learned more about myself. The biggest part of the week was on Saturday. So I have been away for just over a month. We did a stake activity with the youth were each missionary took a young man and showed him how missionary life is for the day. I was nervous but I stepped up and took charge. I talked to a lot of people and taught some powerful lessons with this young man. This activity was to help the youth but I think it helped me more. I was lacking confidence in my abilities as a missionary. This activity built my confidence. I'm so happy to be a missionary. I'm happy to be out here serving the Lord. The church is true. My testimony and relationship with the Lord is growing a lot. I promise as you hold strong to the iron rod you will be so much happier in your life. The Lord wants to poor out blessings upon us. When we do what he has asked of us he will help us. I'm grateful for this gospel in my life. Sorry this week is kind of short but it has a big message to me. Have courage. Stand alone or stand out. It will be okay when the Lord is on your side.

Love, Elder Hepworth

-All the way from South Africa

04/07/2014

Everything is good here. There isn't really much to email about because I'm still getting accustomed to the culture and missionary life. We kind of had a rough week this last one. We had a ton of cancellations. It is okay though. I'm having a lot of fun and I have made great friends. Especially with the missionaries around me. I went on exchanges for the first time this last Friday with Elder Robins. He is from Burley, Idaho which was really cool. He is way cool and we had a good time. We went and taught this young boy they had run into. They had gave him a Book of Mormon the last visit and he was reading it when we walked in. I was like wow and I could tell through the visit that he was very interested and powerful. We also visited this man who has just been baptized the prior week. We gave him is new member box of goodies and he was so excited. We told him what everything was and he was so happy. He liked having the bible, doctrine and covenants, and pearl of great price. He was so powerful and I could tell he was prepared by the hand of the lord. He pulled out the general conference liahona they had given them and pretty much taught us haha. I can't wait to find people that are prepared for me. We watched general conference and it was awesome. I hope everyone got to see it. We watched all of them in the chapel. We watched Saturday morning and Sunday morning live at 6 at night haha. Then the rest was downloaded. We watched so much conference on Sunday haha. I haven't seen Sunday afternoon yet but we will next week. I really liked all talks but I really liked the prophets talk on courage. We are living in a tough world and we need to have the courage to stand up for what is right. Whether we have to stand alone or stand out it doesn't matter. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In a world full of changing values we need to stay strong and hold on tight to the rod. I had a reconfirmation that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet. I know this church is true and my testimony has really grown. I had a testimony before I left but it is so much bigger now. I can't tell you how grateful I am for the life Heavenly Father gave me. I didn't realize how blessed I was until I came out here. Dad was right when he bore his testimony. Count your many blessings name them one by one. I love the gospel and I'm excited to share it. Be strong everyone and remember how much your Heavenly Father loves you! love you all!

Elder Derick Hepworth

-all the way from the South Africa Johannesburg Mission