February 4, 2013

Hello Family!!

This week was definately a crazy one and one that has really impressed on my mind a couple of questions such as, why am I here? and why do I do what I do? Let me explain a little before I answer these questions that have called up my thoughts. On Thursday my companion Elder Andrus had a doctors appointment where he found out he has arthritis in his knee. The same knee that he had surgery on about a year ago. This came as a punch to the face but what added more to the already hard news was that in about 5 to 10 years he would need to have a total knee surgery because right now he has a knee of a 50 year old. We asked about physical therapy and the doctor said that if he were to get physical therapy he would not have to get a total knee surgery for 15 to 20 years. We left the appointment and discussed his future, we both came to the tough decision that for him to do physical therapy and live up to the qualifications as a missionary was not an option. He talked to Pres. Durrant and he agreed. The next day Elder Andrus got a call from President Durrant that he will be going home on Saturday and to pack his bags, that he has served as best as he could but that it is time to get your health in order and move on. It has been quite a wild ride he has had as a missionary and one that will keep him telling stories for years. This is the best thing for him. All of this has led me to think just really how easy it is to hang up the towel and walk away, and how elect we must be to serve as Representatives of Jesus Christ. Yesterday at church we were asked one question and it was, "Why do we do what we do?" this has really led me to think, is it because of Fear, maybe it's because of Duty. Both are understandable and both I think are building blocks to what really should be the reason to why we do what we do, and it is said beautifuly in ST John 21:15 where Christ asks Simon Peter, Do You LOVE ME. Do I do this because I love God? or because I think it is my Duty or out of Fear of what might be thought of me if I don't? The real reason we should do anything is because we love God. Now doing things because it's our Duty is good but not correct if it is not done because of your love for God. "The Crowning characteristic of love is always LOYALTY" (Jeffery R. Holland) When we Love God we will be loyal to our Creator and the Duty he has intrusted to us, whatever it may be. So I answer these two questions that have plagued my mind after much thought and prayer, I do what I do and I am here because I love God. No wonder it is the first comandment. I love this gospel, the spirit, the knowlege I have gained through the Holy Ghost and the wonderful plan of happiness that permits me to live with my family forever, and the love that I have for my Savior and my God. I love ya'll so much and I hope ya'll have a wonderful week.  Take a moment to reflect on these questions as I have done, then evaluate and adjust yourself accordingly to that which God wants, and that is your LOVE.

 

Love,

Elder Henze

 

January 28, 2013

Hey Mom

That is so tight!!! Send him my best!! (Ben Knight being in Panama on his mission). Well this week was pretty good we worked as much as we could which wasn't as much as I'd like. My companion has some health issues,and I'm fine to accomodate a little but we still have to work. So we did.  I pushed him. Hopefully he will get feeling a little better and we can start blessing more peoples lives. So sorry this is so early in the morning but we have some other things we have to do today. Although I do want to share a really cool experience that we had with the "Just Serve" element that we have in the mission now. So this week we went to a Methodist Church and offered to be of service to them. They were shocked, and well they put us to work. There was a man setting up chairs for a thing they were going to have which is like a fireside. I'll tell ya, I had no idea what goes into setting up chairs! I mean they have to be measured out from how far away from the other row and all sorts of things.  It was funny and the guy was really nice. Then he asked from what denomination are we, we told him the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. He said oh ya, I think I know that church.  My companion said ya we're the Mormons! haha!!! The guy went quiet for a little while.  I think he was shocked that we weren't ravenous Bible bashing 20 wives kinda people. A couple minutes passed by and he began to talk to us some more after I think he had processesed who we really are.ha! Then a little later when we were almost done, another guy came in and introduced himself to us. He turns out to be a little higher up in that church and he had some great questions and we were able to identify them by the answers he would give back to us as we told him our little stories on how we got to the mission. I told him after I graduated I came out. He said so they wanted you out here before ya did anything else huh?  I said I chose to come out before I did anything else, its a voluntary act to serve a mission. He said since when did the Church do that?  It hasn't always been like that, and I said well ya it has been. He was taken aback. My companion and I explained a little bit more and then left on really good terms with this gentleman. The first gentlman actually gave us a tour of the church! It has the biggest stained glass chapel in the United States or the World something like that and George Bush goes to that church.  As well they have a baptismal font outside, it was pretty cool. Oh and the best part they even have a STARBUCKS in the church!!hahaha It was a really cool experience! I loved it and the people there loved us as well. We had some good conversations and learned how to set up chairs like a pro!! ha I love this work!  It is so much fun and I love getting to know people of other faiths, because I think we think of them sometimes in the same light that they see us; Horrible, blood sucking, 20 wives, Jose Smith lovers. When really we're not and they aren't as bad as we think sometimes so it was a great learning experience and so much fun! I had a smile on the whole time, even when the gentleman would fix my rows.ha!! Well mom I love ya tons and I hope you have a great week and all goes well keep strong and pushing along! And don't forget Keep Smilling;)!!! love ya!!

Love Elder Henze

January 21, 2013

Hey mom!!

 Hey well I'm sorry this isn't going to be too long but maybe I can get on tomorrow because we had meetings yesterday and today so my prep day has been crazy! I sent dad some stuff so if you want you can have him read it to you and I will hopefully get to you tomorrow and if not don't worry I'm good and the Lord will provide for the family and for me. I love ya'll so much, oh and I had a question about Ben Knight how is he doing?? And where is he at? Well take care I will talk to you later. Love Ya

Love Elder Henze

 

Hey dad

 It's going well here, I love it and this new oportunity to serve more missionaries is awesome!! The training I gave on Friday was good I thought. I was pretty nervous but I felt like I gave it well. Then this weekend we had a huge meeting, we are going to be testing a new mission technique here in Dallas. It is one of 2 missions in the world that are testing this technique and I am so pumped!!! It is called "just serve" and we are going to be doing tons of service each week and that will be a huge part of our focus now from the hours of 10am to 5pm when people are at work and it's less effective to knock doors. This program is what I have been thinking about doing in my companionship but this is on a whole other level, it's crazy! I'll have to tell you more about it when it starts getting going more. But this is so cool to be a part of God hastening his work! I know your going to find a job dad, God has been guiding our family so you will find a job. Just keep doing what is right and the Lord will have to belss you D&C 130: 20-21. Well dad I got to get going but I love you so much and I hope your week is great! Love Ya DAD!!!!

Love Elder Henze

January 14, 2013

Hey Mom!!

You're right it's TRANSFERS!!!!! I will be going to the city and will be the District Leader, I'm pretty nervous but I think I'm more excited than anything!! I have been in this area for 6 months and I can't tell ya'll how much I love the people here in this ward.  I can't wait to come back some day and get to say hi to all the wonderful people!! I had interviews with president this week and it was really good. I got to tell him that ya'll are moving and the how it's all working out and it was just a really good interview.

So Dad's out in Boise looking for a job. I can only imagine how many places have his applications!!haha dad will find work soon I have no doubt of that. It came to my head today that when you get there if you still want to work you could probably work with Auntie Julie at the UPS store;) Just a thought;)haha Well I'm sure it is tough not having dad at home but it's for the greater good and better well being of the family. Think of it like God and Jesus Christ I'm sure God missed his Son tremendously, especially when he saw what the Jews did to him, and he wouldn't intervine even though his love is even greater than what we can comprehend because he knew exactly how much better our lives would be and how many of his children would be able to make it back to live with him because of this sacrifice. I know that the family is being led by God, and the greatest things come with the greatest sacrifice.  You bet ya I'll fast for ya'll I'm all over it.

So today and tomorrow are your first 2 days as a sub. Boy O Boy!! you got it mom weiled that paddle!!;)hahahaha you'll do great! I love ya mom! Well I best get going now but I hope you have a great week and keep your head up the 6 months will go by in a flash and the family will be together again. Keep Smilling;)

Love Elder Henze

PS this is my new Address:

3443 Mahanna #1311

Dallas TX 75209

Hey Dad!!
Dad I can Only imagine how hard your working to find a job and I
know you will be blessed for your efforts!! So this week I received some
news, I will be changing where I'm at. I will be moving to down town Dallas and will be the District Leader there. I'm really excited and I can't wait to serve my fellow missionaries more. I'll send Lene' an Email.
I got an email from Darcy today too so I will have to get to her,haha! I'm glad papa is getting better and I'm sure having you there is really helping out a ton! Keep praying dad it's like hunting when we haven't gone out to scout, pray and be lead where you need to be and it will be right. I love you so much dad and I can't thank you enough for the example
you are to me and for the hard work you are doing. Know that I love you and I pray for you always!

Love Elder Henze

 

January 7, 2013

Hey Mom

WOW! Way news a whopping -22 and I'm freezing at 47 hahaha!! Well this week has been a goood one, this morning I was reading over my patriarchal blessing and I can't begin to tell you how much I have learned about what God wants for me and what I must do. It's the greatest when you learn things from the spirit and when you follow it, it turns out to be the answer to someones prayer.  Mom i can't tell you how much I have prayed for the family that ya'll will be guided to do what the Lord wants and that dad will be able to be used as that instrument that God so desperately needs in this day and age. The move does come as a shock to me but one of sadness or happiness I can't quite say. But this I will tell you Mom, I don't feel any Doubt, that this is what God wants for our family, this to me has been the answer to my prayers. As you all keep the comandments and continue to read the Book of Mormon on a regular day to day basis and follow the Spirit, Dad will find a good Job and He will be blessed with the things he needs to take care of the family I PROMISE YOU THAT!!!

Changing gears here, that is way cool to hear that Emily is going to TEXAS:) Spanish speaking!!!! Whoop Whoop!! That is so cool!! Give her my best and tell her to get tips from her brother and share them with me;)haha! By the way how is Lexie doing?? I haven't heard from her in a while and I was a lil curious why? Could you find out how she is doing for me and let her know I miss her and send my love, as well to her family!!;) well mom I love you I hope you have a great week and keep your head up! You're the best!!

Love Elder Henze

 

Hey Dad!!

Sounds like a new years started off right to me;) Dad I can't tell you how blessed I am to have you as my dad and Janet henze as my mom! This decision ya'll have made has come as an answer to my prayers. I can feel the great plans God has for you and the wonderful experiences that will come with this. Well dad I don't have much to say except I glory in my God! I think in Alma 26:11-12 can sum up for you the way I feel. I was reading my patriarchal blessing today and I read this part that said " You have been born of NOBLE PARENTS!" I couldn't Agree More. I love you dad and I know wherever you go in the Lord is where you need to be. I feel a lot of peace with this decision ya'll have made, the peace that only comes from the Spirit and is kindled with truth. I love you dad and I can't thank you for all you have done for me in my life.  It is too big of a debt to repay but I will do my best, of that I can promise you! I must get going now but I hope you have a great week and remember your father in heaven is watching over you. Carls Scripture sums it up great Joshua 1:9:)

Love Elder Henze

Until We Meet Again Dad!

December 31, 2012

Hey mom!! I can't believe the weeks already over!! and Nic is engaged!!!!!! holy crap!! Anyway, I'm glad y'all had a great Christmas and I was so grateful for the opportunity to talk to all y'all! Send Ronnie my love I miss that guy and I can't tell you how much he has helped me in the mission. I wasn't able to talk to Danny unfortunately. I hope he's doing good I feel bad he couldn't hear me and had to go. Please let him know I love him too! So today it is raining and we get to bike to the library 2 miles away!! Yahoo! Oh and that book, I gave y'all the wrong name it's called "Day of Defence" it's sweet! As for the baptism, it went really well. The mans wife came and she really liked it so we will start teaching her soon!:) I'll send you a picture. He is a big guy about my height and Danny's build but a little fatter. He's huge but all it took was once and it was good! It was a great experience. I haven't been in that font for a while and it defiantly has given me a different respect for the sacredness of what we do. After I said his name I forgot the rest of the prayer, which is funny because I have said the prayer out loud and in my head about 10000 times and about 100 times just in that day! ha ha but the Lord stepped in and I just let muscle memory pretty much take over and I said it perfect. It was just a great experience! Well mom I love you so much and I'm so glad y'all are doing good and having a good time. I hope you got my message if you could loosen the strings on my guitar because I forgot to and if it sits for a long time with the strings tight the neck will bow and that won't be good. Please give Carl my best WAY TO GO BRO!!!!!! that is way cool!! good job! that's about all I got mom but I hope y'all have a great day and week and I can't wait to hear from you next week! Love ya mom!!

Love Elder Henze

 

 

December 17, 2012

Hey mom!! how ya doing!! It sounds like Carl is tearing it up!!!!!!! That a boy! As well as all the other news I'm glad y'all are keeping up with FHE and the the boys are doing good and y'all are going on the Trek!! That will be way cool!! As for this week it has been good.  I can't believe it's been a year!! It went by so fast! I did hear about the shooting and I felt like Mormon when his people were falling because of the wickedness of the people. It has made me sick thinking about so I've been doing my best not to but I'm glad that we have a Savior who has paid the price for our little ones. Well last night there was a Christmas choir thing and that was really cool! But right before the choir thing there were 2 people hit while riding bikes.  The street had tons of blood on it and the members were freaking out thinking it was us.  I couldn't tell you how happy I was to tell people we are all okay. The choir thing happened about 30min later and I just couldn't help thinking about how we are in there with our families and enjoying the wonderful music and the birth of Christ while there is a family who is receiving the news about their son being killed while riding his bike. How short is this life. Something I have found really beautiful is whenever a Hispanic prays, one of the first things they pray for is another day to live. How right they are how wonderful is it that we have another day to live and enjoy the journey. Well mom I have to get going but I love you SO much and I hope that you have a great week. My plan is to Skype with y'all so I might call y'all first then set up Skype or I'll let ya know more next week I'm not to sure just yet but be ready with Skype.

  I am so grateful to hear that Hermana McKee is coming out of the coma and what a great miracle that is if you get a chance read Mormon 9 it talks about miracles and i just love it!! Please keep sending them my love!! I love you mom!!

Love Elder Henze

 

Hey paps sounds like Carl tore it up! That is great to hear! Well dad sounds like the trek is singing your song big guy hop to it!ha ha I've been working hard out here my companion tells me he has never been this exhausted in his mission;)ha ha! At least I'm doing something right.ha ha! well paps I got to get going we're looking to go to down town Dallas today and I'll be seeing Mr Edwards there as well so that will be cool. Well dad I love ya tons and I hope you have a good week. I will defiantly keep you in my prayers and even throw up a couple more your way!! There is a talk that was given in the last general conference that I think you should read if you get the chance. It's by Dieter F. Uchdorf called " Of Regrets and Resolutions" its a great talk and it talks about making the best of our lives I love it and i think you might find some peace in it. Well paps take it easy love ya and have a great week!!

Love Elder Henze