11/28/2016 - 3 Dinner Appointments on Thanksgiving

Nov 21 - today was the first p day that was actually laid back! It felt nice honestly. Today we pranked the Hermanas car, which I believe I already told the story. Well, today we actually washed our car hahaha. We went to a car wash and it was the first time that I've went through a car wash where I was the driver. I'm such a big boy now look at me go. Every Monday we have din din at the Rogers house. They're an awesome family! They're very open too it's hilarious. We also went shopping for a little bit like usual, but we hardly needed anything. I can feel myself getting fatter guys it's tragic. It's like a plague. But on a happier note, we had an appt tonight with less active members that I think went well. The Spanish was there. The family was cooperative. And they said they would come to church! Ojalá!!! 

Nov. 22 - so today was transfers and nothing changed for me. Luckily!! But my roommate Elder Austin got his new companion, which is Elder Snarr. He's a character! I like him he's pretty funny. Also, Hermana Morris is home now and Hermana Lopez is companions with Sister McGee (her daughter), and then sister McGee is training a new sister. So they're in a trio. I don't feel so bad about my Spanish now because there's another person learning!! Hahahaha. Also, I'm not sure if I ever mentioned this, but here we have "posterity". Maybe it's like this in every mission, idk. But for example, Elder Familia is my dad and I am his son. Elder Fenton was Elder Familias dad and so he is my grandpa. But elder Fenton died (went home). So my grandpa is dead. And another example, Hermana Lopez trained Hermana McGee, so she's her daughter. And now Hermana McGee is training and so she has a daughter now. So, hermana Lopez is in a trio wither her daughter and granddaughter. It gets kind of confusing when a trainee is trained by two different people. Who gets custody? No one may never know 

Nov. 24 - today was thanksgiving!! HOLY we ate a lot of food!! I am seriously so full it's disgusting. I guess that's what part of this holiday is, no? We went to three different familias today. We ate a TON at the first one, just a couple bites at the second, and quite a bit at the third. Oh my gosh I swear I gained 10 pounds not kidding. When we were at the last house (one of our investigators) we just talked to the family for a while and maaaaan they are so awesome! They're so energetic and open and crazy just like my family. It was a good time to get to know them and be friends with them. The first house we went to was the Stake Presidents house. We ate sooo much and I was shoving food down my throats and my stomach was crying like plz stop homie youz over doin it! It was cool though because one of the relatives there knows Elder Familia and his family because he served in the Dominican Republic. And so of course he speaks Spanish, and so does the stake president. It was a good time today! Rough time with the food though. At the third house we went to she gave us so much food I was just like... ah heck with it BRING IT ON BRING IT ON!!

Nov. 26 - today was a good day!! Every day during studies I'm soooo tired!! I've got a good schedule for working out in the mornings though! The plague is getting under control fellas. We taught a lesson today that was just really good! I'm getting better at actually speaking words during the lessons now. Crazy stuff, crazy stuff. Yesterday we had weekly planning and I feel bad because I straight fell asleep during it and Elder Familia just finished doing the stuff. Whoops it was a rough time. I am ALWAYS tired! It's getting easier but at first it was like an un unbearable tired, and now it's like I can handle it if I need to but homie I still wanna take that afternoon nap I always took back home today I fell asleep during lunch. I regret nothing. 

 

Elder Hepworth

Enviado desde mi iPad

You wouldn't think 60 degrees would be cold outside, but Arizona changes you!

Mission "Twinkie Fun Run"

Elder Hepworth's true view of his area

Elder Hepworth and 2 of his roommates (not his companion)

11/24/2016 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING SURPRISE

Good Evening All,


Today we had the pleasure of having two of the Elders serving in our stake to our home to enjoy a Thanksgiving Dinner.  We were very grateful to have Elder Tomas Familia and Elder Brett Hepworth in our home.  They are excellent missionaries and we loved having them.  They brought a wonderful spirit into our home.  We had so much fun treating Elder Familia to a real American Thanksgiving dinner - his first in the U.S. - and we had our son, Rhett (with wife Becky and kids, Annie, Brig, Camille & Elizabeth).  Rhett had met Elder Familia's family in the Dominican Republic when he served his mission there almost 16 years ago.  We had a good time remembering all the things we love about the Dominican Republic and the good people who loved our son all those years ago. 

Para la familia Familia - le amamos a su hijo y nos disfrutamos mucho tenerlo en nuestra casa.  Es una cosa muy pequena que podemos hacer sabiendo que uds. tambien cuidaba a nuestro hijo cuando era misionero.  Saludos a todos en la D.R.!

To the Hepworth Family - Your Elder is doing so good and we love him so much.  This is a great companionship and we are so lucky to have them assigned to our stake. 
I wanted to send both families the pictures as proof that they're in good hands here and that they miss their families and are so grateful for you all.  But, they are also grateful for their Savior and wouldn't want to be anywhere else than in His service right now. 
Que Dios les bendiga a todos,
La Familia Larson (Brad and Bev) in Mesa, AZ

11/21/2016 - Missionary work is hard, but so worth it!

Nov. 14 - today was P day! And ok my gosh it was a stressful one too. Some days really test my patience so we did service this morning, and Elder Familia left his bad there. So we went back and they weren't home and so we called them and they said they would be back in about an hour. That wasn't good news because they lived far away. So tonight we called them while we were heading over to their house just to see if they had found it and we were planning on picking it up just right then and there. WELL, they couldn't find it. So we traveled all those miles just to go back with nothing. So basically long story short, we find out that they won't be back home until 6-7 pm tomorrow night. Elder Familia is very stressed cause he's like emotionally attached to his bag ha. But on the bright side I emailed ma homies back home and they alls doing good.

Nov. 15 - wow what a day guys!! Missionary work is hard, but so worth it. I don't have much to say because we honestly didn't have much success. But one funny thing is that tonight we had Volleyball at the church (the members play every Tuesday or something like that). And during I was laughing so hard because everyone was getting heated and hit and we were cracking jokes. I just stink at sports guys so I refused to play today but it was a good laugh.

Nov. 17 - today was a pretty good day!! I was in a good mood! During companionship we video recorded ourselves role playing with a stuffed animal and it was hilarious I mean of course the lesson sucked tho, on my part. Tonight we gave a blessing to someone! Missionaries always are asked to give blessing. Like a lot. But hey blessings see good, blessings are good!! Not much happened today though. But we did clean our apartment and now it looks all spiffy! I have one side not: learn to laugh! Laughing is healthy and the only way to get through like. Learn to laugh at yourself when you make a mistake. 

Nov. 19 - today we got transfer news!! So I'm still being trained by Elder Familia, luckily. But elder Austin (in our apartment) is getting a new trainer and his companion is moving areas. Tragic story. But anyways, today was rough! Always happy though always happy. They say that the best day to proselyte is on Saturday.... no. Nobody wants to talk and nobody will answer the door. NEVER GIVE UP. Also to improve my Spanish I'm making a deal with Elder Familia that we can't speak English to each other. It'll be good! 

It's crazy how fast the time goes by. It's just been about three months since I've left. This morning we pranked the Hermanas car hardcore! It was hilarious we put honey on their windshields and some spider web from Halloween, and then we tied soup cans to the bottom of their car so that when they drive they're dragging them along, and then we put a balloon on the antenna just for fun. We won the battle hermanas  

Enviado desde mi iPad

11/14/2016 - FINALLY GOT MY IPAD!

PRICELESS!!!

Mom's Tag Picture!

Ok si I'm not sure if this is exactly what you wanted, but I have every day written down and even a little Spanish in there tell me how the Spanish sounds!

 

Nov. 8 - Today was the first day with the iPad! We also had exchanges today, which was an interesting experience. I was companions with Elder Austin, and we are two new missionaries... So it was weird because I don't know the area insanely well, and Elder Austin didn't know it at all of course (because it was my area). So after we had the meeting for our iPads we went out to teach la familia Contreras, then to dinner, and then to another appointment, and then to the church so we could have wifi to set up our iPads. It was such a struggle to set them up!! 

 

Nov. 9 - Today was our Zone Temple Trip!! I love the temple so much. The Mesa Arizona temple is so gorgeous, and whenever I enter into the temple I just feel peaceful. It just feels so right to be there. I also had the chance to go through for someone that another Elder found on family history. I don't really know if that's super cool, but it was pretty neat for me. After the temple we went to a restaurant for lunch called "Wings Express" with the other Elders that we live with. It was some pretty good food! You could see the diabetes and or heart attack radiating off of the food. We then came back to our area and my companion and I went to the church to finish setting up my iPad and do some personal study, then we did companionship study, then we went to dinner (which was once again me just enjoying my food while everyone talks in Spanish and I'm like yes mhm I get you. Not.) We also taught someone that went really well in my opinion. I was able to understand the people better, and I was able to teach them easier and more!! It was exciting snaps for me everyone. Also, Trump won the elections?

 

Nov. 10 - well, so we had a ZTM (zone training meeting) today, and then we had a stake correlation meeting this night. The ZTM lasted FOREVER. But I was ok with it because it was very spiritual. It reassured me as to what I want to be like as a missionary. I definitely want to look bad on my mission, when it's over, and think that it was the best two years and that I did my absolute best. But anyways, after the meeting we went and bought lunch because we thought we deserved it after that meeting. They have a $1 cravings menu at Taco Bell, who knew¿? They have some beautiful creations at that fast food restaurant. So then we came back to the apartment and ate, had companionship study (we were on exchanges so I studied with Elder Giacoletto). Elder Giacoletto and I went to dinner. He is m English speaking missionary and we actually went to someone's house who the mom spoke Spanish! So I got to practice a little bit today!! We then went to the church and he showed me some fancy shmancy stuff on the iPads and then we had our stake correlation meeting. 

 

Nov. 11 - so today was a good day! It was weekly planning, just like every Friday is. Maaaaaaan I was so tired during it. I wanted to fall asleep so bad and have Elder Familia finish it but NO I was obedient and pushed through!!! So today we taught the plan of salvation to someone and I could actually speak enough and have enough confidence to speak to them, and specifically about the Atonement. And then tonight we went and visited an investigator and we sang two hymns to her and the others there. I can totally testify of that bringing the spirit! And I was able to talk to them!!! 

Nov. 12 - alright fellas, these days go by so fast! It's already November 12! So, for today's journal entry or whatever you want to call it, I'm going to try to write it in Spanish. When I say try, I mean try! So y'all that can speak Spanish don't judge. 

Entonces, hoy my compañero y yo, y también los Elderes en nuestra casa fuimos al servicio para algunas personas que estamos moviendo. Después les ayudamos, nosotros regresamos al apartamento y continuado nuestros estudios. Y luego, claro, nosotros predicamos a todas las personas. Teníamos citas con dos familias hoy. Con una de las familias, yo podía entender muchas las palabras, pero fue difícil! Pero, yo dije mi testimonio sobre el libro de mormón, y en my opinión, estuvo bien. O, y una chistosa historia. Esta noche, Elder Austin estaba jugando con fuego, específicamente, con una vela. él pensó que estaría divertido. Bueno, Él básicamente rompió el vidrio porque el fuego era muy grande y Él quería to blow out the candle but the fire was too big (idk how to say that without having a mental breakdown), entonces pone la agua a dentro de la vela, y rompió! había mucho humo. Estábamos asustados porque la alarma en el apartamento. Cuando estaba ocurriendo, Elder Austin estaba diciendo "oh crap Elder oh crap!!!" Mientras tratando a parar el problema. Fue my gracioso!!! los hombres son locos.  (Google translate!- So, today my companion and me, and also the elders in our House went to the service to some people that we are moving. Then we help them, we returned to the apartment and continued our studies. And then, of course, we preach all persons. We had appointments with two families today. With one of the families, I could understand many words, but it was hard! But, I told my testimony about the book of mormon, and in my opinion, you did well. O, and a humorous story. Tonight, Elder Austin was playing with fire, specifically, with a candle. He thought it would be fun. Well, he basically broke the glass because the fire was very big and he wanted to blow out the candle but the fire was too big (idk how to say that without having a mental breakdown), then put the water to within the sail, and broke! There was a lot of smoke. We were scared because the alarm in the apartment. When it was occurring, Elder Austin was saying "oh Elder crap oh crap!  "While trying to stop the problem." It was very funny! 😂😂 men are crazy.)

Nov. 13 - wow today was pretty dang good day! So church always wears me out. Like that sounds bad but it's just so spiritually good it's exhausting. So tonight we had an appointment with an investigator and it was SO COOL!! I was able to teach the lesson. Like actually teach some stuff and not just lean on my companion! And also my companion went to the bathroom and I was able to carry on a convo with them and understand them! My Spanish is also flowing easier. It's crazy stuff. Also, the investigators we taught today were from Guatemala, and then grew up speaking some Native American language. So, when then moved here to Arizona guess what the language is that they learned.... SPANISH. I honestly thought that was weird because there are plenty of people that speak English here but nope they learned Spanish. Extraño stuff. My companion was talking to me and half way through the conversation he switched into Spanish and I didn't even realize that he did! How exciting guys.

 

Enviado desde mi iPad

 

Elder Hepworth

Elder Hepworth and Elder Familia
Trainer

 

11/07/2016 - Don't be rebellious kids do what you are told.

HOLA

 

Another week it has been, fellas. The weeks go by so fast and the days all mesh together so I forget what even happened. I forgot what I had for lunch.. and I'm still eating it. 

Anyways, every week is the same and every week is the best as a missionary! This last P day was Halloween right?? For Halloween all of the missionaries went to the visitors center, the family history center, and the church over there. In the family history center we were "looking for dead people". In the visitors center we watched short movies. One of them was called "The Entertainers". It was really cool! It's about the Japanese family that sings and apparently is really famous. I low key felt rebellious because the movie showed them performing and their music videos and stuff, and of course as a missionary you can't watch that kind of stuff. Lol it wasn't even rebellious but that's as close as I get. Don't be rebellious kids do what you're told. Anyways, and then in the church we played some minute to win it games. It got SO heated. One game that I was a part of was, me and another missionary put on scuba diving flippers, and another missionary had a plate strapped to his head. Me and the other missionary with the flipper needs to put up tortillas with the flipper and flip them up onto the missionaries head with the plate. It was so hilarious!! We looked so stupid and especially the missionary that had the plate on his head because he was bouncing around trying to get the on the plate. Also, starting as of yesterday, the Elders that I live with and the Spanish sisters in our area have started a prank war. Yesterday we stuck halloween spider web all over their car and so last night we were talking to them on the phone and they were like "just so you know you have started a war." Let the games begin  This morning they put Vaseline on our apartment door handle, and on the two other elders car. BRING IT ON. 

Pero el fin, that was my week. I hope your guys's was great!! Live life to the fullest. 

 

Elder Hepworth

 

 

Elder Hepworth drives, Elder Familia his companion/trainer from the Domican Republic tells him directions from the maps on his iPad in Spanish and Elder Hepworth said he doesn't know his way around Mesa, doesn't understand directions in Spanish and "mom we have made a ton of wrong turns and have had to turn around." 

11/04/2016 - SURPRISE PICS E-MAILED TO MOM

Elder Deller and I got to have chimichangas for two sisters birthdays this evening. We did have cake and ice cream also. Candle blowing. Spanish and English versions of "happy birthday". It was a great dinner party. These young people are amazing. We absolutely adore them. They work hard and have huge spirits!!

 

He is very happy and fun to be with.  No worries about him. I think his Spanish is good.

 

Mom responded thanking him for these pictures and told him to tell Elder Hepworth we love him.

 

Elder Hepworth responded "He texted back: "te amo tambien mama "

Translation:  "I love you too mom!"