Dear Family and Friends,
Merry Christmas! We received a major winter storm named Elliott and googled “bomb cyclone.” I prayed for a white Christmas, and it looks like I over prayed.
President Heap loves to shovel the drive and the walkway.
Christmas Day in the mission home included a little time with Hermana Santos, Sister Ward, Elder Yeomans, Elder Gathercoal, Elder Sargent, and Elder Ferguson. We sang Christmas carols to a few neighbors and also a few of their Ring doorbells.
As we begin our third winter in Michigan, it feels strange to know we will soon need to make plans for our lives after the mission. We really don’t have time to contemplate much about what it will look like. We only know that we will miss this opportunity to serve and love these amazing missionaries in the great Michigan Lansing Mission. Each one has blessed our lives in unique ways. We have been inspired every day by their willingness to sacrifice, love, and serve so that others may have the hope and peace the gospel of Jesus Christ brings. Not one in a million would do what they do every day. While we are all imperfect, we have found joy in becoming more Christlike each day by living the two great commandments. As we love God and love His children and forget ourselves and go to work, we are transformed as we spend time with our Savior and Redeemer in the scriptures, in prayer, and in His work. We love the message we share, which is beautiful and simple — Come unto Christ.
We also love the people of Michigan. We’ve made some dear friends and have great neighbors who are committed to finding us a second home in Michigan. We’re for it, of course!
We spent Christmas Eve at the Rinner home again. If you are wondering where the best Mexican food in Michigan can be found, it's at Jill and Dennis Rinner's house especially on Christmas Eve. We have loved celebrating with them and their family and friends. The enchilada feast, beef tacos, bean dip, and guacamole are delicious (a couple serving a mission for another church in Hungary flies in each year for it), and the love and friendship make our holiday bright.
Everything about the Rinner's home on Christmas Eve is delightful - the friends, the food, Jill's eye for design and decor (check out her Facebook page - Bungalow 47)
These beef tacos are to die for. Elmer believes an entire blog could be devoted to Jill's corn casserole.😋
I may or may not have been the one to eat all the homemade tortilla chips and guac. And Jill and Dennis' daughter, Lizzy, makes the best sweet pulled pork we have ever had (including Cafe Rio's). There's no recipe, so I might be moving in with her after the mission to learn her magic ways.
Earlier in December, we had our Christmas Zone Conferences where individuals, groups, and the missionary choir performed beautiful Christmas music, instruction was given, spirits were uplifted, and food was eaten. Our mission presidency counselors, President Brown and President Gentile, taught about unseen miracles, how no effort is wasted in the service of the Lord, and the blessings of being willingly exactly obedient as we gathered half the mission in Mt. Pleasant and half in Kalamazoo. We are grateful for the Relief Society sisters in both these areas who made us feel so loved by providing a delicious brunch. We are not supposed to ask the members for any help with food in the mission, but I decided that Christmas time might be an exception. They were gracious and willing to help. President Heap and I gave some instruction and led a discussion about the Restoration and having our own sacred grove experiences. When we were in Palmyra, New York we picked up about 200 leaves from the Sacred Grove, laminated them (actually, Sister Rogers did this step probably taking our names in vain in the difficult process), I added a ribbon and made a book mark for each missionary. We also gave them Christmas ornaments with one of the names of Jesus Christ (thank you to Jan Stubbs for this idea - our missionaries have loved it every year).
Holland, Lansing, and Kalamazoo Zones at the Kalamazoo Stake Center
Grand Rapids, Traverse City, and Midland Zones in Mt. Pleasant
When we saw the preparation that the Midland Stake Relief Society put into our Christmas Zone Conference Brunch, we said, "Is this for us?!" So nice, and the same was true in Kalamazoo. Yes, that rhymes. Anytime you can make a rhyme with Kalamazoo, you should do so.
We saw eight missionaries return home a little before the transfer to celebrate Christmas with their families while three sister missionaries in the group stayed behind to finish the transfer in their areas with their companions. Elmer sent off the early group without me there, and I was impressed. Everything went so smoothly with him pulling off both his responsibilities and mine. We were grateful that two of our senior couples, the Armstrongs and the Sullivans, plus the Assistants, Elder Yeomans and Elder Sargent, could also join him to send off these marvelous elders and sisters. I enjoyed all the photos and videos the missionaries sent me while I was in California to let me be a part of it from afar.
Bidding a fond farewell to Sister Becca Winkel, Sister Courtney Hill, Sister ShiAnne Sampson, Sister Teesha Richins, Sister Noelle Hansen, Sister Shamae Gardner, Elder Jared Onines, and Elder Dillon Gubler
A gathering of many missionaries in the mission home before departures
President Heap with our December departures - Sister Carlee Stephenson, Sister Brynn Williams and Hermana Samantha Santos to depart December 28th 😢 We know their families are excited, but it is hard for us to say goodbye.
Every transfer, we think, “These missionaries who are headed home are irreplaceable.” And they are! But new missionaries arrive with their own gifts, abilities, and desires to serve. What an evidence that the Lord is in the middle of leading this work by using anyone who is willing and has a desire to serve. The small and simple things indeed. He also uses the worst business plan ever (send home your most experienced, capable missionaries and replace them every six weeks with new missionaries who know very little about how to do the work). We believe it works this way so that we may know the glory is His. We feel privileged to be a part of it.
One family tradition that we have incorporated into the mission is the commemoration of Joseph Smith's birthday on December 23rd, which we have done as a family for many years. Because of the Prophet Joseph Smith, we have affirmation of the individual identity of Heavenly Father and his Beloved Son Jesus Christ and Another Testament of Jesus Christ - the Book of Mormon, which is evidence of the restoration of the gospel. Our children join a zoom meeting with all our missionaries and many of them share their testimonies of Joseph Smith as the prophet of the restoration and blessings they enjoy because of his life and mission. It is one of our missionaries favorite devotionals. When Marnie was asking Gavin what family traditions he would like to carry on in their family, she was thinking of caroling and cookies when he said, "The family devotional on Joseph Smith's birthday."
If you get a Christmas card from us this year, consider it a minor Christmas miracle. I spent a week in La Jolla this month. I went out to help Andrew and Stacy with their kids and to meet our new granddaughter, Alice. I hope I helped a little, but I felt like mainly I just hogged Alice as much as I possibly could. She is a sweet baby, as a fifth child should be. Lucy was my favorite roommate for part of the week, so I felt like we really got close. Lucy is quite interested in money (especially if found in her brothers’ wallets), eating the candy out of her brothers’ gift bags under the tree, and getting into anything she thinks she isn’t supposed to have. While I was in California, Jordan was baptized by Andrew. And Andrew also blessed Alice Carolyn Heap. Ammon blessed Rudy Jared Bennion. It was sweet to be there for these three special, sacred family events. Even if I feel like a fish out of water when I’m not with Elmer. I was so grateful to be there and also felt a little heart-broken that Elmer wasn’t with us. He has certainly made sacrifices when it comes to missing these once-in-a-lifetime family occasions. When Lindsey and Ammon’s first child, Jane, was blessed, none of our family was there. So it was important to Lindsey that her family be a part of Rudy’s baby blessing. I also got to see so many dear friends in the Pacific Beach Ward (the ward formerly known as 7th). Our bishop, Ray Richmond, did so much to make Jordan’s baptism special, including filling up the font on his way home from a morning surf session. And his wife, Alicia, was helping in the kitchen to make sure everything Stacy, Holly (Stacy’s mom), and I had prepared was warm and ready to go. Stacy planned a little brunch for after the baptism, which was such a nice way to say thank you to the many friends who came - families from Jordan’s school as well as dear friends from La Jolla and the ward. I know I say it often, but Andrew and Stacy are wonderful! Gavin drove down a few days before the baptism, and I loved spending some time with him. He made sure I got down to see the ocean at Windansea and ate tacos at Oscar's. Marnie was in a wedding on Saturday in Utah, but we got to see her and some of the Burnett family when Ross and Rebecca had us over for a delicious dinner on Sunday night. I also loved spending time with Lindsey, Ammon, Jane, and Rudy. Traveling with new babies and toddlers isn’t easy, and I am so grateful they would make the effort so we could be together.
Stacy, Andrew and Jordan - Jordan's baptism
The Andrew & Stacy Heap Family - Jordan's Baptism and Alice's Blessing
The Ammon & Lindsey Bennion Family - Rudy's Blessing
The attempt to get a picture of the cousins in front of the Christmas tree - Jane, Lucy, Bennett, Jordan, Alice, Brady, and Rudy (who is not having it)
Brady, Lucy, Jordan, and Bennett while Christmas light watching in Clairemont
More fun with Christmas lights
Before Brady's T-K Winter Sing with Brady, Stacy, and Alice all bundled up
A fun surprise to find that Brady's teacher is my friend, Stephanie Halloran! Her kids went to school (since preschool) with Lindsey and Gavin. She is a wonderful teacher and an amazing person!
Lucy & Alice
For Bennett's Winter Sing program, the children were told they could dress up for the holidays, so Bennett wore his MSU jersey (it was about 45 degrees out). Go Green! Go White!
While in California, these lovely women in the Pacific Beach Ward had a baby shower for Stacy and Alice. It was so nice to see friends and meet some of the new ones who have moved into the ward while we have been in Michigan.
La Jolla Cove with Brady and a bit of bird poop - still a pretty spot!
With Jordan, the newest member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pacific Beach Ward
With Rudy
As 2022 ends, we wish you health and happiness in the coming year and send all our love!
Elmer & Amy
In Grand Rapids
Lunch in Frankenmuth with our senior missionaries - Office, Member & Leadership Support, Church Service, and Records Preservation: Elder & Sister Armstrong, Elder & Sister Deibel, Elder & Sister Smith, Elder & Sister Robison, Sister King, Elder & Sister Rogers, Elder & Sister Cryer, Sister Abbott, Elder & Sister Lake, Elder & Sister Fitu, Elder & Sister Sullivan, Elder & Sister Rollin, Elder & Hermana Marchant, Elder & Sister Liggett, Elder & Sister Doty, President & Sister Heap
At our last Mission Office Staff Meeting with Elder & Sister Armstrong and Elder & Sister Rogers before the Rogers departed from the great MLM. We should be crying not smiling!
At Kalamazoo District Council - Elders Wells, Yates, Anderson, Bohn, Garbett, and Jeppson with Sisters Griffith and Baumgartner and Hermanas Langford and Nielsen
Battle Creek District Council with Elders Stevens, Woolley, Stallings, Monson, Sisters Richins and Walker, and Elders Shaw and Clouse
At Jonesville District Council in Coldwater with Elders Woodward, Adair, Henry, Holyoak, Walker (a bit hidden), Gray, and Heramanas Baldwin and Tiatia
With Hermanas Baldwin and Tiatia
Merry Christmas from the Lansing District - President Heap, Elders Parks, Jenson, Bonham, Yeomans, Cordova, Sister & Elder Rogers, Elders Squire, Harrick, Bennett, Willden, Sargent, and Sister Heap
Confession: Sometimes in stake missionary coordination meetings on Zoom, I get distracted by cute grandkid photos (Everett featured here).
December's Missionary Leadership Council playing along with President Heap's natural toes-in pose for photos. If you know, you know.
Hugs at MLC - Sister Galbraith and Sister Baumgartner
Elder Schreiner and Elder Ballard
Sister Gibson and Sister Williams
Sister Church and Sister Hill
Elders Jensen, Yeomans, Gathercoal, Nelson, and Ferguson
President Gentile with Hermana Santos, Sister Ward, and Sister Galbraith
Elder Schreiner, President Brown, and Elder Stevens
With our Digital Finding and Teaching Specialists Sister Wolford and Sister Stephenson. They coordinate our social media teams, serve on the Mission Leadership Council, and are a huge blessing to us all! Plus they sing and play the piano like angels.
With the Ithaca Elders Meyers and Nissen and the Harrison Sisters Winkel and Gamette
We always try to get a selfie with Sister Zimmerman!
With Hermana Downs
When you ask Elder Moore to take a photo of the group, you get this. Selfies on Sister Heap's phone are a mission tradition.
Last zone conference with Sister Hill
Last zone conference with Elder Gubler
Last zone conference with Sister Winkel but not her companion Sister Gamette
Spring Lake District Council with Hermana Peterson, Sister Marker, Hermana Lau, Sister Heap, Sister Kitzman, Elder Bailey, Elder Hansen, Elder Hunter, Elder Davis, and Elder Jorgensen
Oscoda District Council with Sister Clinton, Sister Wilson, Elder Smith, and Elder Curtis
The Lundington Sisters Roundy and Adams
The great members in Michigan opened their hearts and homes to the missionaries for Christmas - This photo was send to us from the Christensen Family in the Paw Paw Ward (President Christensen is also the Stake President of the Kalamazoo Stake) who celebrated with his parents and Hermana Nielsen and Hermana Langford.
Merry Christmas from the Bennions in Phoenix
Merry Christmas from Rudy whose cute smile reminds us of Andrew when he was a baby
Merry Christmas from Everett in Aurora
And from his big brother Josh
Merry Christmas from Eloise - Student of the Year (maybe it was month, whatever)
Merry Christmas from Liv - a gourmet chef and/or fashionista in the making
Merry Christmas from Maeve (no elbows on the table but feet are okay)
The Lizzy & Tyler Heap Family
Merry Christmas from some of our returned missionaries in Utah who went to the temple with Elder & Sister Rogers (we don't know the girl on the far right, likely a granddaughter of the Rogers or a photo bomber)
Some of the MLM Utah returned missionary zone at Sister Mamata's homecoming report
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