2025-12-12_email_hermanapo-heywood

From: jason.heywood@gmail.com To: kaitlynn.heywood@missionary.org CC: kaitlynn.heywood@gmail.com Date: 2025-12-12 Subject: Hermanapo Heywood

How are you doing? Are you feeling any better? How are the fecha commitment-apos coming along?

Things here are ok. Alexa is full blown snotty teenager mode. Natalie is doing good. I'm proud of her. Its been hard on her breaking up with Ben, but she is being intentional about her actions and working hard to make good choices. Mason is also in "trying to figure out who I am" mode. I'm proud of him. He seems to have an inherent testimony and honors his priesthood. We set up chairs at the church every Sunday, but if I'm not ready he will leave without me. He doesn't rely on me to fulfill his priesthood responsibilities. I'm proud of him for that. Bryson is working hard in Logan, at his job and at school. He was named employee of the month a couple weeks ago. He is going to come home for a couple days, starting today. I think he's done with finals.

I've been off the tirzepatide for about 2 months and gained 10 pounds. POOOPIE. So I went back on it. We'll see if it can help. I hate that I can't have horrible eating habits and not have to pay for it with tight pants.

Tomorrow is the winter dance for Nata. She is going with this jolly asian budhist kid. He is nice, but it's interesting to me that his family has that belief. That's very non-standard for most people around us. Natalie has been sharing stuff here and there with him. He's a funny kid. He can turn on the asian accent when he wants - honestly though - i don't know if its on purpose haha.

It's getting colder here. I hope it snows for Christmas.

I was thinking about our conversation. There are so many reasons that Heavenly Father allows us to go through trials.

Isn't the roller coaster of life interesting? We appreciate the downhills for the happiness and exhilaration, but the uphills can be hard and full of anxiety, fear, exhaustion and despair. They can be, but don't have to be.

2 Corinthians 12:9 9. ...My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

David was a small little rock-yeeter compared to Goliath. A 14 year old boy was chosen to restore the Lord's church, the Nephites were always outnumbered in their struggle for survival. The Lord shows his strength through us, imperfect and weak people. The blessing Paul mentions here is that he is grateful for his weaknesses because he gets to see the Lord work through him. Perhaps if we didn't have the weaknesses, or those uphill challenges, we wouldn't as clearly see the Lord in our lives, working miracles. Because when I am weak, then am I strong.

I love you! Have an amazing time! Enjoy every moment! The Lord is with you. Pray hard, work hard, and choose to be happy!

D&C 68:6: 6 Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.

-Dad