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