Hermana Heywood

Kaitlynn in the Chile Puerto Montt Mission

2026-02-28_email_you-got-this

February 28, 2026 · Martínez de Rosas, Chile

From: jason.heywood@gmail.com To: kaitlynn.heywood@missionary.org CC: kaitlynn.heywood@gmail.com Date: 2026-02-28 Subject: You got this.

MI HIJA BONITA-PO,

I have been thinking about you a lot. And I have so many questions!!! 😄

How are you liking your new area — Martínez de Rosas — and the new leadership "powers"? How's the geography compared to your last area… still gorgeous, just… wetter? Is it as rainy as you predicted? How are you balancing proselytizing with the extra leadership responsibilities without feeling like your brain is juggling flaming bowling balls? 😂

How are the ministering calls going? What are you learning about people… unity… and yourself? Have you done exchanges yet? And how is it having a Spanish-speaking Latina compañera — has she leveled up your already pro level Spanish? Are you two having fun? I bet you're learning a TON with a real native speaker.

Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies

I loved hearing you say, basically: "If God called me, there's a reason God called me… and He's not going to leave me alone in this."

You are 100% correct! God isn't asking you to already be perfect at leadership. He's asking you to keep saying yes and keep showing up. And then He does what He does best: He qualifies people who are willing.

On the days you feel behind, unprepared, or like everyone else got the "leadership manual" except you, it is important to remember: God never calls people because they already have it all mastered. He calls them because He's about to teach them. The call itself is evidence that He's willing to walk with you through the learning curve.

Neal A. Maxwell said:

"God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability."

I really like this order. It is so helpful and comforting. It shows the Lord meets us where we are at, it is not only TOTALLY OK, IT IS WHAT HE WANTS! That means, your first job is not "be amazing." Your first job is:

Then, heaven adds the power over time. Sometimes the growth will feel obvious ("I handled that better than I used to!"), and sometimes it'll feel invisible until you look back and realize you're not the same person you were six weeks ago.

Also, one more thing: being qualified doesn't always feel like confidence. Sometimes it feels like peace that shows up in the middle of fear. It feels like getting up anyway. It feels like doing the right thing even while your stomach is doing flips.

That still counts. That is qualification happening in real time.

Let the Lord Lead

It is critically important to allow the Lord to lead. What do you notice in both pictures? Look closely. Which allows growth and which doesn't? I am both of these at different times in my life, and honestly, different times in the day or hour. In either case, one leads to growth, the other leads to me just being tired and feeling like a failure when the answer is so easy. In both pictures, someone is actively working for us, to serve us, to help us, to help us stay on the path.

Hermana Heywood: Zone Savior

"Zone Savior" is such a dramatic phrase 😂 Like you're about to raise both arms and slowly descend from the sky in a pillar of light (better don the suit pants). But I get what el presidente meant. I don't think he meant, "Go fix everything." I think he meant, "Go bring all the things that make Kaitlynn, Kaitlynn, to this new zone. Go be you. Kaitlynn is full of life, happiness, is real, is driven by faith and testimony, is warm, empathetic, has a giant heart and loves to have fun in her work, and works hard. So be you. Keep pushing at a sustainable pace. Do your best and just one more, each day. You're the kind of person who can walk into a hard situation and not panic. You get bit on the money maker and walk it off. You get a huge gaping wound in your head and you smile with a big bloody picture. You don't have to be the loudest voice. You bring something better: steadiness. And steadiness is what helps other people breathe again.

Hermana Heywood: Climber of Mountains

Do you ever feel like the mission is one mountain climb after another? It's a stretch. But here's the secret: Climbers don't mentally to climb a mountain by pretending it's small. They prepare by deciding it's climbable.

And here's the even better secret: you're not climbing alone. Your strength isn't "I can do this by myself." Your strength is "I'm going to do this with Christ." That is the trade that changes everything:

And just to be clear, you're not the Savior of the zone. Jesus already has that job handled.

Your job is this: - love people - lift people - invite people forward - help companionships try again - help sisters remember why they're here

That kind of leadership looks simple, but it's powerful. It changes a zone quietly from the inside out.

And I know you: you'll do it without making it about you. That's the best kind. ♥️😜

4) The Power of Small and Simple Things

If the zone feels "hard" or "sin ánimo," your brain might want a big fix: a big speech, a big change, a big moment. But revival rarely comes like a lightning bolt. It comes like sunrise. Small. Gradual. Real. Small and simple things are not "cute" in the gospel. They're how God works. In other words, saving a zone won't look like one heroic day. It'll look like steady, repeatable good choices that slowly change what "normal" feels like in that zone.

Examples of small things that change everything: - You and your comp start the day with a real prayer, not a rushed one. - You notice one sister who's discouraged and call her just to listen. - You give one sincere compliment that's specific: "I noticed you did ___ and that mattered." - You help a companionship reset their goals without shame. - You help sisters talk to each other instead of about each other. - You teach one principle simply and clearly, and it sticks. - You model what "calm obedience" looks like.

And here's the crazy part: those small things compound. They create a new culture without anyone making a big announcement.

Also, remember: a "small win" is still a win. - A little more unity is a win. - A little more effort is a win. - A little more honesty is a win. - A little more courage is a win.

If you can get the zone stacking small wins, you'll get momentum almost accidentally.

5) The power of Humor and Connection

I loved what you said about not wanting to be the "no-fun" leader while still being obedient. That tells me something important: you understand that joy and righteousness aren't enemies. I approach my leadership in that exact same way.

Keep. Your. Humor. (Just keep it clean lol, and use it at the appropriate times. Watch that language.)

Keep your warmth. Connection is not fluff—it's trust. And trust is what makes leadership work.

A zone doesn't just need rules. It needs relationships. It needs sisters who feel safe enough to be honest. It needs companionships who don't feel like they're failing just because they're struggling. It needs laughter that reminds people, "We're okay. We're together. We can do hard things."

Remember: Authentic joy never requires making someone else smaller. Said differently, the kind of humor that is a builder, is not humor that builds at someone else's expense.

That's the line and a good guardrail. If humor protects people's dignity, it builds unity. If humor starts poking at someone's weakness, it slowly leaks trust and gives a voice to the adversary when they are at their low points. Because they will hear your voice through his influence. I say that because when someone has made fun of me, it's their voice I hear when the adversary wants me to feel alone, isolated and hopeless.

Your humor can become a gift in the zone: - it lowers fear - it softens hard days - it helps sisters breathe - it keeps companionships bonded - it makes the work feel human

Humor has so much power, and fun can still have the same power with 100% obedience. Fun can be: - making Spanish mistakes together and laughing - doing a silly "word of the day" - celebrating tiny wins - a funny mission story at lunch - a goofy photo on P-day - turning a rainy day into "okay, we're doing this anyway" energy

Joy isn't a distraction from the mission. Joy is part of what makes the mission sustainable.

6) Dancing in the Rain

I really do love the rain, but when it stays cloudy for days and days, it starts to feel a little heavy. It's like the gray weather makes everything else feel harder than it actually is.

You were honest about how heavy it feels to imagine rainy days where it's just you, your comp, and a ward, and it can feel isolating and depressing. That makes sense. Weather can mess with your head in a real way, for good and bad.

Just remember this: rain is just the setting. It's not the story. It's not a prophecy about your happiness. It's not proof that the transfer will be lonely. It's just… rain. And some of your sweetest "tender mercies" might show up in the rain—not because rain is fun, but because

God is often closest in uncomfortable and difficult places.

So, what do we do? We look the rain right in the face and smile, because we aren't going through this alone. God trusts us enough to put us in the rain, and He loves us enough to let us grow through it.

So what does dancing in the rain look like in everyday life? It could look like this: - You look for the tender mercies (they happen more often on rainy days) - You see your companion as God does, even when it's probably easier to get upset. Then let God take the frustration from you. - You laugh when you poo your dress - You acknowledge how gross it is to clean up maggots from your shoes, then laugh as you gag.

Also, the tiny things can make a big difference. - dry socks - warm layers - something hot to drink on a cold day - a small routine you and your comp defend (even 10 minutes) - little celebrations - writing down tender mercies so you don't forget them

Those things aren't "extra." They keep you human. They keep you steady. They give you perspective and uncover God in your life.

8) Home Peepols

Home is good. It's a little chaotic. A lot of love. Same story 😂 Everyone is healthy and happy.

Mason and I watched Avengers: Age of Ultron. He narrates the whole movie and predicts everything like he's the director. It's hilarious… and also I'm pretty sure sitting next to him builds patience and long-suffering as a spiritual gift.

Alexa keeps growing, Natalie keeps growing, Bryson keeps growing, Mom and I keep growing. Lots of growing up in the hizzo!!

And I just want you to know: we talk about you, we pray for you, and we love you like crazy. You're doing something brave and real.

I love you, Kaitlynn. Mom and I are so proud of you.

Con todo mi amor, Dad-apo ❤️

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