Dear Family & Friends,
What better way to break in the new mission home than 12 adults and 9 children under one roof?! The Heap Family Reunion 2021 during the first week of August was a blast. We are grateful that all of our children, their spouses, and all the grandkids could come to the great Michigan Lansing Mission. We were able to plan our schedule so that many of our responsibilities could be handled by the two counselors in the mission presidency. Thanks President Brown and President Gentile!
Thank you to Stacy and Andrew for organizing everything! Highlights include: Potter Park Zoo, Hawk Island Family Olympics, lots of art by the grandkids, camel rides, Harry Potter Costume Party and Murder Mystery Dinner, Mackinac Island, hanging out at our friend's lake cottage near Traverse City, hunting for Petoskey Stones, hiking Sleeping Bear Dunes, swimming in Lake Michigan, games, movie night, and an intense ping pong tournament, which Elmer won but Ammon was a close second.
Brady, Liv, and Bennett at Meridian Historical Village
Hawk Island fun with Liv and Lucy
The artistic renderings of Jordan and Eloise
Elmer and Maeve bonding at Potter Park Zoo
Eloise, Olivia, and Lizzy on a camel ride
Potter Park Zoo has a baby black rhino! I know it looks like a picture of me, so look closely.
Bennett and Marnie
Brady and Uncle Gavin ride the camel too
Draco Malfoy, Professor Minerva McGonnagal, Sirius Black, Hedwig the Owl, and Harry Potter
Harry Potter and Luna Lovegood (and their baby Jane, which is a secret story in the Harry Potter series revealed exclusively here)
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger - Apparently, they also have a baby now named Josh, who solemnly swears he is up to no good.
Professor Severus Snape and Bellatrix Lestrange
Rita Skeeter and Hermione Granger
Professor Dolores Umbrage, Gilderoy Lockhart, Hermione Granger with Liv and Maeve
The ferry to Mackinac Island (say it Mackinaw if you know what's up)
Fort Mackinac
The grandkids' favorite thing on all of Mackinac Island? Ice cream at Sadie's - Liv was a little worn out until she saw this ice cream with sprinkles.
The Grand Hotel
Arch Rock
Jane at Island Lake up north
Josh and Papa
Lindsey and Ammon living their best lives on vacation in Michigan
Hunting for Petoskey stones
Overheard: "Papa, you're a good guy! Grandma Amy, I'm not talking to you." -Brady (3)
The hikers at Sleeping Bear Dunes
Lake Michigan - no salt, no sharks
Yesterday, we celebrated one of my favorite days of the year: Elmer's Birthday! Mainly, we did what we need to do as mission leaders. But there was some time for fun. We started the day with 5+ miles of exercise at Hawk Island (not an island but a beautiful park in Lansing) and a stop at Quality Dairy (where we did not get anything made with dairy). We ended the day with a delicious dinner in downtown Lansing. Mission business took us up to Cheboygan and Grayling for the weekend, so we added one of Elmer's favorite activities on Saturday - hiking! Well, there aren't many mountains in Michigan, so it's more walking than hiking. We conquered the Au Sable River Trail in Hartwick Pines Stake Park near Grayling. There was a torrential downpour for the entire time we hiked almost four miles. Sunshine before and after, but we were soaked from head to toe for the whole hike. We both thought it was beautiful and so much fun. When the trail signs gave us two options: Steep Climb or Less Difficult, we both quickly said, "Steep Climb." Clearly, we were made for each other.
Au Sable River Trail - Hartwick Pines State Park
What over five miles in 98% humidity looks like! @Hawk Island
So many things have happened in the mission since I last wrote. Be prepared for photo overload! We had a big transfer sending home 18 excellent missionaries who finished strong. With the global pandemic, a regular transfer doesn't occur. We have missionaries who extend and others who are on a different schedule due to reassignments. So this last group departed starting August 11 to August 25. Another missionary went to his original assignment in the Dominican Republic. We also welcomed 18 new missionaries after some pretty crazy travel adventures for the two elders who came from Arizona.
We were greatly blessed by a two-day visit from Elder Randall and Sister Shelley Bennett. Elder Bennett is the President of the North America Northeast Area of the Church. They had joined us for a virtual mission tour in May that changed, for the better, so much in our mission. They both felt strongly that they needed to meet our missionaries in person. We were also blessed to have our Area Seventy and his wife with us, Elder Rick and Sister Dyana DeVries for these meetings. Some of our missionaries who were supposed to return home at the transfer were able to stay an extra week so that they could be a part of this instruction with Elder and Sister Bennett. We prepared an agenda for the two meetings where we met with half our missionaries gathering in Midland and then the other half in Grand Rapids. But that agenda was quickly ditched as we followed the Spirit. It was a remarkable experience for every missionary.
One of the sweetest things to me was for the missionaries to hear from a General Authority of the Church that their sacrifices are known and valued by the Lord. No effort is wasted. Missions are completely worth it. This message had an especially tender feeling for us as Elmer's brother, KC Abney, passed away on August 7th after battling cancer. He was a great husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and missionary. We wished we could have been with all the family. Also, we have a missionary who went home for a few days to attend his father's funeral. He has a brother who is also serving a mission a few states away from us. We are thankful they could return home for the funeral and then come back to serve. The gathering of scattered Israel is a huge work. It requires some heavy lifting. It is totally worth it. Jesus Christ leads it. It is His work. We feel the joy in what we do each day even through our tearful times.
KC and Marilyn Abney
As a mission, we are focused on our purpose and the urgency we feel to prepare ourselves and the world for the Second Coming of Christ, simplifying the way we teach, and keeping charity at the heart of all we do. We pray every day to have charity possess us as we live the two great commandments to love God and our neighbors.
With great love,
Elmer & Amy
Horchata with Sister Sunkees, Sister Gill, Hermana Black, and Hermana Anderson!
Elder Neilson, Elder Bennion, Elder Olsen, President Heap, Elder Johnston, Elder Hall, Elder Garfield, and Elder Nicolia
In the mission home
To the airport
Saying goodbye to Elder Ryan Hatch and Elder Ian Crookston before they finished their missions. Thumbs up all the way! When we first got to the mission, Elder Hatch was over all the vehicles. What a journey we went on when we had many more companionships than vehicles during the height of the reassigments! That whirwind helped prepare him as a successful leader in the mission. Elder Crookston was an amazing trainer and zone leader. He may have served in the most areas within the Traverse City Zone, but they loved him in Kalamazoo too.
Elder Korbin Hughes may have started his mission experience in Brazil, but he brought his heart to Michigan. We loved him from the second he got off the plane. It is all going by too quickly.
We treasure the time that Elder Bennion served as one of our Assistants! His love for the Lord is contagious.
When Elder Neilson served as our Assistant, we will always remember how he loved each missionary and even loved the early mornings around a transfer because he got to see more missionaries.
After almost becoming a permanent part of Big Rapids, a place she loved to serve, Hermana Anderson moved into the Spanish work in Grandville and Sturgis and brought joy to all she served.
Elder Johnston came to us via Brazil. We hope to never see a global pandemic again, but he has been a blessing in the great MLM. One of the best ideas for a plan when technology becomes a distraction: Throw your phone down and do some squats.
Hermana Black brought a light everywhere she served. While the pandemic kept her out of Argentina, we feel thankful she came to Michigan. She showed Christlike love to everyone. She even encouraged me to keep studying Spanish even though mine is iffy. We cannot even say how hard it is to part with these missionaries.
If you know Sister Gill, you know she has a huge heart and a remarkable story to tell. We could not be more impressed or love her any more. Most companions in 18 months award goes to Sister Gill!
Sister Sunkees! More missionaries from Texas please! Her faith is an example to us all. Favorite quote: "The Book of Mormon is so true. I don't see why everyone doesn't get it."
When Elder Wilson was an Assistant for a day and got to see Elder Jackson Meacham off at the airport when we couldn't make it there to say goodbye. Everyone who served with Elder Meacham was better for it. He will be greatly missed.
Sister Huffaker along with Sister Black and Sister Anderson all began their missions together at the Mexico MTC. When COVID hit, they were all sent home and happily all ended up back together in Michigan. Sister Huffaker simply got work done. She is an inspiration to us all, and we are so thankful for her testimony and love of God.
Sister Kershaw was a leader and a support wherever she served from Petoskey to Jonesville and beyond! Her kindness is an example to us all.
When we first arrived, Elder Hall was working in the office over housing, which became an unusually big responsibility as we were flooded with reassigned missionaries who all needed places to live. What a champ! He was a faithful servant leader in the mission.
Elder Olsen was many missionaries' favorite companion. He made others smile and shared the gospel!
I don't know what happened to Elder Alvaro Nicolia's photo with us at the Lansing Airport! But luckily I have this photo with him and his companion, Elder Atwood. These elders pioneered our Mission Technology Council and helped us organize, train, and prepare for the future using technology to share the gospel and teach God's children here in Michigan. They were an integral part of the Mission Leadership Council in their roles and Digital Finding and Teaching Specialists. Anyone who meets Elder Nicolia post-mission would be lucky to have him as a friend - and we highly recommend hiring him!
Saying goodbye to Elder Haden Leavitt who began in Peru, Elder Treven Anderson who is off to finish in the Dominican Republic, and Elder Ben Seeley who began in Brazil. We love these fine missionaries and know the Lord is grateful for their efforts.
Elder Stone, President Heap, Elder Dallin Anderson, and Elder Stone as Elder Anderson finishes in Michigan after beginning in Guatemala. We are forever grateful for his service and commitment to the Lord and to the people he served in two places. Viva la zona sur española!
When you show up at 5:00AM to find out that your flight has been cancelled. Then you go back and find out that Missionary Travel accidentally rescheduled you for the next day, but somehow the airline has mercy on you and puts you on the flight anyway waiving all the change fees. Blessings! (We didn't want Elder Anderson to leave us, but I promise that we had no part in his scheduling problems.)
That one week we had four Assistants - Elder Neilson, Elder Burnside, Elder Power, and Elder Stone
What a transfer looks like all around the Michigan Lansing Mission! Elder Power and Elder Stone's first one and Elder Neilson and Elder Burnside's last together. Let's see if I can correctly name where the missionaries meet up to get the job done.
Mission Office/MSU Institute
Mount Pleasant
Grand Rapids
Kalamazoo!
Things left behind in the transfer van or trailer - none of it belongs to Elder Tueller!
Six out of 18 new missionaries arrive on schedule: Elder Jorgensen, Elder Stewart, Elder Nathan Rasmussen, Elder Ethan Rasmussen, Sister Traughber, and Sister Nielsen
Ten more made it with some delays: Elder Whitehead, Elder Jensen, Elder Huntsman, Elder Andrus, Elder Yeomans, Elder Wells, Elder Ferguson, Sister Griffith, Sister Clinton, and Sister Atkinson
Elder Joshua Rasmussen, Elder Nathan Rasmussen, and Elder Terron Mecham of Alpena (we cannot have too many Rasmussens or Mechams)
Elder Gomez and Elder Ethan Rasmussen of Greenville
Sister Ross and Sister Traughber of Cheboygan
Sister Palmer and Sister Nielsen of Hastings
Elder Maxwell Stewart (also cannot have too many Stewarts) and Elder Blackburn of North Muskegon
Elder Jorgensen and Elder Mitchell of Lansing
Sister Clinton and Sister Kurtz of Grayling
Sister Atkinson and Sister Mamata of MSU - Go Spartans!
Sister Griffith and Sister Anthon of Ludington
Elder Yeomans and Elder Bess of Spring Lake
Elder Andrus and Elder Canning of Meridian
Elder Jensen and Elder Atwood of Battle Creek
Elder Whitehead and Elder Moray of Fremont
Elder Huntsman and Elder Powell of Williamston
Elder Wells and Elder Gotcher of Manistee
Elder Ferguson and Elder Onines of Petoskey
After getting 5 minutes from the Lansing Airport, getting turned back, spending the night in the Detroit Airport - one day later, Elder Higbee finally got to meet his trainer Elder Houskeeper and head to Grand Valley.
Trains, planes, and automobiles (since there's a train at O'Hare): Elder Clouse finally made it to Lansing about 28 hours after expected. He and Elder Elliott then took off for Bay City.
At the mission home with Elder Neilson and Elder Burnside. We meet each Sunday afternoon with the Assistants and counsel together. Let me just say, and this goes for of all our missionaries, the future is in good hands!❤️
Sister Hansen, Sister Sauer, and Sister Schmidt spending Sister Sauer's last night in the mission home that included an amazing visit with Sister and Elder Bennett.
If we look like we've been crying, that is correct. Sister Sauer is a powerful teacher of the gospel. She stayed as long as she could in the MLM until her mom said, "Can you at least pretend to be excited about coming home?"
Bonus! We love when our missionaries come back to Michigan to visit us. Thanks Mangum Family!
And the Reading Family too! We love the change to brag to a former missionaries parents about how great they are, as if they didn't raise them and know already. 😍😂
When our former missionaries (Dalton Bell, Kayla Klusman, and Jaynie Van Quill) have a mini-reunion without us, we feel a little bit jealous. But keep these pix coming!
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