New Grandsons 💙 💙, Elmer is 62 🤩, I Missed July🤦🏻‍♀️, A No Mosquito Summer, and We Met Another Elmer!

At Grand Haven South Pierhead Outer and Inner Lights

Dear Family and Friends,

The most exciting thing for our family right now? Two new grandsons born in August!

Lindsey and Ammon had their second child, Rudy Jared Bennion, on August 11th. We are thrilled! Lindsey got to the hospital in Phoenix at 3:40am, and Rudy was born at 4:12am. She is a champ! They are all doing well. Jane is liking Rudy more and more.

Lindsey and Rudy

Rudy Jared Bennion

More Rudy

It took a graham cracker and a pacifier to get this photo. Completely worth it!

Jane and Rudy

And Hillary and Newel welcomed a second son on August 22nd, Everett George Mecham. He was also in a hurry to be born and came two weeks early. Hillary is amazing, and Newel was right there with her, getting much more involved than he imagined. The doctor got there too late for the actual birth, but the labor and delivery nurse, the charge nurse, the doula, and Newel were all there to support and help Hillary and baby Everett. Josh is somewhat disinterested in his new brother and has been overheard saying, “Baby all done? Baby all gone?”

Everett George Mecham

Everett

Everett and Josh

Josh is handling big brotherhood like a shark

Others had a first day of school photo. Josh is going to flight school.

At the Green Valley Ranch Public Library

We didn’t know the actual reason we had children was to get these terrific grandchildren, but out kids’ ROI is going through the roof. Parental paydays are sweet, but grandparent paydays seem to be even better. Elmer thought we should set a goal to double to number of grandchildren we had while on the mission. I tried to give him a goal-setting training (an idea right out of Preach My Gospel Chapter 8) by explaining that this goal is not his to set nor within his power to accomplish. It didn’t fly when he ran it by Lindsey (maybe too soon after having Rudy), so I have hope that he won’t bring it up to Hillary or our daughters-in-law. He felt a little accomplished when I told him that we’ve already more than doubled our grandkid total since we received the call to be mission leaders.

First day of school for Heap kids in Lehi, Utah

First day of school for Heap kids in La Jolla, California

August is shaping up to be a pretty big deal in our family as Hillary celebrated her birthday two days after Everett was born (celebrated = got some rest), and Elmer’s birthday is today. Even though we are apart, I know he is overwhelmed with Happy Birthday wishes from the missionaries (current and returned) and other loved ones. I know because some of the video greetings have come to me with the message, “We know President Heap isn’t as social media savvy as you are, Sister Heap. We want him to get this, so please share with him.” 😅 Done. Last year, we went to dinner at a very nice steak house in Lansing, and he got the tomahawk. This year, he’s alone and conducting interviews in South Haven. Maybe he’ll go to Culver’s. 🎉🎈🎂 

One thing you need to know about the birthday boy is that he often flexes when he makes shakes - enjoyed here by Elder Sargent and Elder Elliott.

Just like our first summer in Michigan, hardly a mosquito has been spotted this year. I think this is the norm, and last summer's Horror of A Million Mosquitos was a glitch for this beautiful state. Sure, we heard mosquito rumors, but now we can more certainly say that Michigan is pretty much paradise in summer. 

We had a transfer in the middle of July, and I honestly thought I wrote a blog about it as I usually try to write once a month. Nope. I don't know what happened to this blog in July, but it was an amazing month. We said goodbye to some of the best missionaries to ever serve the Lord and welcomed ten faith-filled new missionaries, including seven Spanish-speaking sisters. We did ask the Missionary Department to send us some Spanish-speaking sister missionaries assigned to the Michigan Lansing Mission. Until this time, we had elders assigned to the mission to speak Spanish and some fantastic reassigned hermanas due to the pandemic. Otherwise, we've just asked sisters who were assigned to speak English to teach themselves Spanish - sometimes in that first interview right off the plane! However, we didn't realize they would send us one on June 1st and seven more six weeks later. Do we have eight Spanish-speaking companions to train them? No. But they all have wonderful trainers and are off to a great start.

If I haven’t made a shameless plea for senior missionaries already, here it is: You are desperately wanted and needed. Whatever is holding you back, fix it, plan to get out of it, change it, run away from it, sell it, and/or throw it away, or at least pray about it (God may have some great work for you to consider), and come be a part of the greatest work happening on earth. We’ve sent home some fantastic senior missionaries and have no one to replace them. We think that part of the Missionary Department might have blocked our phone numbers. 😉 We need a Spanish-speaking couple, more couples to help the Traverse City District grow to become a stake, and so much more. Every branch in our mission would be blessed by a senior missionary couple. If you want to come, give us a call.

Sometimes the travel from the Mexico MTC is tricky. Don’t get me started on problems with Customs at DFW. Four Hermanas who arrived in July from the Mexico MTC didn’t make either of their connections in Dallas or Chicago. When it looked like they were going to be stranded for over 24 hours, the Chicago Illinois Mission led by the wonderful President and Sister Chase (who arrived only a few days before this happened) came to the rescue. One of their great senior missionary couples, Elder and Sister Peterson, gathered them from O’Hare and took them to the mission home. President and Sister Chase fed them and put them to work the next day before the Petersons got them back to the airport and on their way to Lansing. We are so grateful! The delay resulted in two days of welcoming and training new missionaries, but we are happy they are here. Travel blows up the mission calendar more often than not.

Sometimes luggage arrives but missionaries don’t (see July’s transfer), and sometimes missionaries arrive but luggage does not (see August’s transfer). Sometimes neither arrive (see the global pandemic). Even if we have to send the Assistants back to the airport in the middle of the night multiples times, it always seems to work out.

We also had a transfer on August 24th. Saying goodbye to these wonderful missionaries gets harder and harder. We are committed to honoring the great sacrifices and work of the missionaries we’ve served with by continuing to build momentum and strengthen the kingdom of God here in Michigan. We were all a bit of a mess in the morning. Then by the afternoon, our joy was back as we received 14 new missionaries. 

Since our mission has been focused on the many opportunities to do great work on Saturdays and Sundays (rather than slacking off going into Monday, which is preparation day — much like many workers slack off on Friday going into a weekend), we have seen so many wonderful things happen all over the mission. One thing we didn’t expect is that Elmer and I are suddenly able to have a few hours each month for a preparation day ourselves. It is a commandment that all missionaries, even mission leaders, take a preparation day each week. We’ve averaged less than one a transfer (that’s a six week span). We can’t say enough about how great it has been to eliminate all missionary meetings except baptisms from the weekends.

I am in Denver right now, enjoying this special time with Hillary, Newel, Josh, and Everett. In a week, I will go to Phoenix to be with Ammon, Lindsey, Jane, and Rudy. I’ve promised to return to the mission since Elmer seems a bit lost without me. There is still plenty for me to do online and with my phone as we plan for the upcoming outdoor zone conferences, meet missionaries’ health needs, keep the calendar updated, emails, etc. I really miss planning, studying, and exercising with Elmer. I don’t know how we will ever function long-term if we can’t be together 24/7!

We love you all and are thankful for your prayers and support,

Amy & Elmer

With our friend, Judy Ritter - the Mayor of Vista, California, at her lake house at Heart Lake near Gaylord, Michigan. The lake life is the best here.

Found one of our favorite words in Petoskey

Had a visit from the former Elder Tyler Davis and his parents

And another from the former Sister Makenzie Hansen and her mom

Elder Gabriel Larsen and Elder Conrad Bradford

The Sister Training Leaders at Mission Leadership Council

Mission Leadership Council - July

We 

Sisters DeLaini Moss and Savannah Hafer, Elders Dillon Gubler, Jared Onines, Dallin Zacher, Luke Tueller, and Tanner Averill

Elder Gubler, Elder Andrew Mitchell, Elder Erick Gomez, Sister Jordan Evans and Sister Madison Woolley

Elder Kaleb Woolsey, Elder Onines, Elder Bradford and Elder Gavin Kibbey

An actual preparation day activity at Tahquamenon Falls in the UP. Michigan has over 300 waterfalls. I don’t think we have time to get to them all. Tahquamenon is sort of said like phenomenon.

The tannins in the water that leach from cedar trees upstream make it brown. Locals call it Root Beer Falls.

No one was in danger here at Michigan’s second largest state park. 

We feed our smoked whitefish obsession when we are Up North.

A historic day in the Traverse City District: The Cheboygan Group became the Cheboygan Branch. President Russell M. Nelson said that every day of the mission can be historic, and we believe it! Many great missionaries have served in this area including these sisters, one of whom (MaKenzie Hansen) came back for this day as a returned missionary.

Seeing Elder Pacheco off to his original assignment in the Mexico Cancun Mission after his visa came through. We hope they have ramen there. It’s his favorite.

A visit from the former Sister Emalie Harris and her dad

The amazing missionaries who departed in July: Elders Kenyon Hughes, Jonathan Spencer, Dallin Zacher, Gavin Kibbey, Sisters Emma Ross and Kaia Nance, Elders Kason Hamblin, Gabriel Larsen, Joshua Powell, and Andrew Mitchell

Heap Shakes in the mission home!

A teary goodbye at the Lansing Airport

Our Assistants - Elder Kibbey and Elder Tueller! Who will ever forget “Rise and Shine” and “Get in the Arena with Jesus Christ?”

Six of the ten new missionaries who arrived in July: Elders Hunter Brinton, Hunter Garbett, Kaden Christiansen, Hermanas Chloe Nelson, Olivia MacIlroy, and Kiana Scott

Sister Richins and Hermana Nelson of Grand Rapids

Hermana Kenworthy and Hermana MacIlroy of Grandville

Sister Webber and Hermana Scott of Holt

Elder Woodland and Elder Christiansen of Benton Harbor

Elder Garbett and Elder Gathercoal of Kalamazoo

Elder Meyers and Elder Brinton of Ithaca

The next day, las cuatro hermanas perdidas arrived: Hermanas Jaden Downs, Emmalee Langford, Makenzie Jackson, and Brooke Lau

Hermana Jackson is the younger sister of Andrew and Stacy’s friend, Josh Jackson, who was staying at our house when she arrived in the mission, so we FaceTimed Josh and his wife Nicole (who we know as Georgia from her days as Stacy’s teammate at BYU).

Hermana Mullen and Hermana Langford of Paw Paw

Hermana Downs and Hermana Baldwin of South Haven

Hermana Lau and Sister Church of Spring Lake

Hermana Jackson and Hermana Peterson of Traverse City

Mission Leadership Council - August

With Elder Averill

With Sister Mosher

Some of our returned missionaries who welcomed home Elder Kibbey - Kevin Paul, Jackson Leavitt, Kika Stone, Cam Garfield, Gavin Kibbey, Chase Bennion, David Anderson, Zach Burnside, and Cole Hunter.

The Sisters at MLC

With Elder Mitchell

Transfers!

Welcoming our wonderful new office missionaries, Elder Russ and Sister Christine Armstrong from Idaho, who serve over Vehicles and Housing. As long as we’ve been in the mission, we’ve had young elders fill these roles and every transfer or so they have to train a replacement. As missionaries return worldwide, our mission size has decreased, and we need every young missionary in an area. The Armstrongs are amazing and such a faithful example to our missionaries along with Sister Denise and Elder Nigel Rogers from England (Kent - more specifically) pictured here, who serve in the office as well as the Mission Secretary and Mission Finance Secretary.

With Elder Rhett Parkinson and Elder Ethan Coombs

With Sister DeLaini Moss and Sister Rebecca Winkel and the giant zucchini they brought us from the place where they give community service.

I regularly send recipes out to the mission for food that is nutritious, budget-friendly, and satisfying. Hermanas MacIlroy and Kenworthy actually tried my chili recipe and gave it two thumbs up.

At the last interview with Elder Lyle and Sister Darlene Bawden from Colorado as they finished their outstanding service in Grayling. They also blessed many lives in the communities of Houghton Lake and Gaylord as well. This mission was their second. They are true disciples and irreplaceable (literally). 

Up North with the Sisters of Kalkaska - Sister Marker and Sister Traughber

At a little gathering in Wilson State Park in Harrison with some of our senior missionaries

With Sister Baumgartner and Sister Galbraith in Harrison

With Elder Boyce and Elder Willden of Hart

With Sister Richardson and Sister Palmer of West Branch

The Sisters of the Midland zone

With Elder Carson Coon

Sister Hafer tries to remember how to use a real camera - Elder Elliott, like President Heap, is a fan of all things old school.

Midland Zone Conference

Kalamazoo Zone Conference

With Sister Mamata

With Elder Call and Elder Squire

Elder Tueller, Elder Nichols, Elder Pectol and Elder Millward

Traverse City Zone Conference (Ask Elmer about toes in. I. Can’t. Even.)

With Sister Janette Lake. She and her husband Elder Kevin Lake from New Mexico serve in the Traverse City District in both the Kalkaska Branch and the Traverse City Branch. They are changing lives and blessing many people for good.

If you forgot to vacuum your car before zone conference vehicle inspections, repentance is for you.

Elder Ballard, Elder Curtis, Sister Wolford, Sister Gibson, Sister Porter, Sister Evans, and photobomber Elder Jensen.

The Sisters of Traverse City Zone

This cat thinks she lives at the mission home. She showed up one rainy Sunday and basically hasn’t left the deck. We don’t feed her or invite her in. We aren’t home much and cannot have a stray cat. Help!

Saying goodbye to Elder Luke Nichols and Elder Jacob Pectol

Grand Rapids Zone Conference

With Elder Iain and Sister Cathy Cryer from Oregon who serve in Big Rapids Branch of the Grand Rapids Stake. Elder Cryer (a former stake president) is also in the branch presidency, and Sister Cryer is an example of charity and gospel scholarship to us all. They are finding the spiritual sleeping giants where they serve and have helped many either return or enter the covenant path. They also got to help us be a part of the training that Elder Ulisses Soares gave at the June 2022 Mission Leadership Seminar.

Selfies found on my phone are pretty great

Holland Zone Conference

The Sisters of the Holland Zone

Some of the Elders at Holland Zone Conference. I have an impressive video of Elder Matangi doing a Tongan dance in his suit to thank his trainer and now zone leader, Elder Averill at his last zone conference. It’s fierce!

Lansing Zone Conference

The Elders (and one President) of the Lansing Zone

The Sisters of the Lansing Zone

With Sisters Webber, Moss, and Winkel

With Elder Field and Elder Parks

Sisters Anthon, Mosher, Hill, Church, Stewart, and Santos

With Sister Zimmerman and Sister Atkinson

Down in Hillsdale with Sisters Malan, Mamata, Bennett, and Sister Rand who is an angel here on earth

Commemorating Sister Malan’s mission dream come true - a trip with the Heaps in the Heap Jeep 😁

At a baptism in Bay City, we met Sister Clinton and Sister Ward’s friend, Elmer! When he introduced himself, President Heap was surprised to know this man knew his name instead of realizing that they shared the same first name - deadest name in America according to the Social Security Administration. 😂

Our Assistants Elder Elliott and Elder Tueller - last time in the mission home for weekly planning meeting with us

August MLC

The Sister Training Leaders at MLC

Only Elder Tueller was really ready for the picture to be taken

With Elders Elliott and Tueller - Go Green!

View from the lighthouse at Silver Lake State Park (Lake Michigan)

Little Sable Point Lighthouse | Yes, we climbed to the top!

White River Light Station & Museum

One more reason we love Michigan - the gardens

Grand Haven Lights

One more in Grand Haven on Lake Michigan - always fresh, sometimes frozen

A visit with the former Hermana Mckenna Schmidt and her mom

With wonderful members in the Holland Ward

At the baptism of three great men in the Holland Ward

Transfers! The Armstrongs survived their first round and didn’t run screaming from the mission.

More from transfers

Transfers is a big production

Elder Hall played “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” on his violin in the mission home as part of our departing activities and testimonies.

Our August 24th group of departing missionaries: Elder Tanner Averill, Elder Luke Boyce, Elder Carson Coon, Elder Luke Tueller, Elder William Baird, Elder Brent Hall, Elder Seth Millward, Sister Lauren Mosher and Sister Alyssa Stewart

We are forever grateful for them!

When Cheddars can’t seat your group, head to the World Buffet in Lansing. Elder Rogers is the local buffet expert in our group.

Elder Boyce

Elder Averill

Sister Stewart

Sister Mosher

Elder Millward

Elder Hall

Elder Coon

Elder Tueller

Each one of these missionaries made significant sacrifices to finish their missions. Some extended, some either missed the beginning of college or were home for a few days before it started, some gave up opportunities to play college sports this year. All followed the example of Jesus Christ to finish strong. Our hearts are full of joy because we get to serve with such fine young men and women.

Fourteen new missionaries all arrived on the same flight. Fourteen bags didn’t make it. However, the Mexico MTC missionaries came through Miami avoiding Dallas altogether. 😎 Welcome to Elders McKinley, Monson, Tegan, Bohn, Harrick, Ward, Shaw, Moyes, Curtis and Andrus and to Sisters J. Lee, Gamett, Arrington, and A. Lee.

With Sister Lee and Sister Gammett

Elder Andrus and Elder Ballard of Houghton Lake

Sister Baumgartner and Sister Gamette of Harrison. Sister Gamette’s Young Women’s leader was Megan Fereday (who also played soccer at BYU with Stacy) and her Seminary teacher was Megan’s husband, Matt.

Elder Curtis and Elder N. Rasmussen of Oscoda

Elder Harrick and Elder Doman of MSU - Elder Harrick’s parents are good friends with Elmer’s cousin, Doug and Victoria Turley.

Sister Arrington and Sister Cressall of Cheboygan

Elder Jenson and Elder Bohn of Kalamazoo Spanish. Both elders play the violin and have taught music lessons (it will be hard not to show favoritism), which we didn’t know. The Lord knows, of course.

Sister Webber and Sister A. Lee of Holt

Sister J. Lee and Sister Gibson of Cadillac

Elder McKinley and Elder Walker of Wyoming - Elder McKinley has lived all over the world including South Korea, Nigeria, Thailand, Kuwait, Angola, Northern California, and Texas (his family just moved to Kazakhstan). His mission dream was to serve in the US, speak English, and serve somewhere cold. We’ve got it all covered. ❄️ 

Elder Monson and Elder Stoker of Allegan - Elder Monson’s Seminary teacher is our friend Jake Wright. Love these connections!

Elder Willden and Elder Tegan of Hart - I taught Elder Tegan some Spanish he didn’t learn at the CCM in Mexico City during new missionary training. Thanks for the back up, Elder Willden and Elder Jenson. 😁

Elder Marsh and Elder Shaw of Battle Creek - Elder Shaw graduated from college before he graduated from high school. 👨🏻‍🎓

Elder Ward and Elder Nelson of Charlotte

Elder Fonnesbeck and Elder Moyes of Sault Ste Marie

Let’s Go!