Hey FAMILY!

This week was awesome.... Lemme see if I can lay it out right...

Monday- Not P-day.... but great day! We had a meeting with Pouli and
Lynn, talked about P. Blessings, they're so ready! It's amazing to see
them grow day-to-day, we also met with Aayanna who is a 'less-active'
in our area that is living with her boyfriend and has several children
with him... not a good thing.. but she is doing better, we're excited
for her. ... after that we met with the Woods, who again- are trying
to convert us. Makes me so frustrated when people worship the Bible
and not Jesus. The Bible is a good book, but the fact is- you don't
decide what's true or not, all you can do is search it out.. Maybe I'm
crazy.. I don't worship the scriptures.. I love them, don't worship
them.
after we had our brawl with the Protestants, we visited the Clarks
around the corner for a little cool-down... They are awesome retired
couple who are the epitome of gossiping mormons. It's so funny. I love
them to death. They are wonderful.
We also- had a great time with the Johnsons, who we have a running
monthly dinner with now.. You know you're popular when you have a
consistent dinner. :)

Tuesday- was PDay, and transfer day... so we naturally did nothing all
day but visit Spanish Elders, mess with them, clean up the apartment..
and nap.. and study.. and have fun.. haha I'm getting good at juggling
a soccer ball? it's cool. haha I loved it.. then Dinner at the Dacus'
after visiting the Dalrymples.. who are both some of my favorite
people ever.

Wednesday was packed with meeting. Zone meeting happens every time we
have transfers... we had a lesson from President McMullin who spoke
about Discouragement.. Discouragement is a loss of faith- we can't
risk this, it's not an option. If I know the church is true I can't be
discouraged. because- God wins, I'm on god's side, and I should glory
in the agency.. I don't want to take it away from people, even If
they're choosing the wrong things.. it was great, he also spoke about
the ministering of Angels and how we are entitled to those miracles...
President Larkin made a surprise visit and spoke for long enought o
make all of us late for our next appointment. he's great for that...
haha jk, I love that man. He has true charity, and he loves us. I love
hearing from him, slowly I'm getting to know him better.
after zone meeting, we tried to visit the Sung family- to no avail..
they ditched us, which is sad. But we were guided to visit the
Decampose family... however- we were stopped by a less active member
before we got there.. His name was John.. i think-- he had just gotten
out of rehab and couldn't get money to eat or a ride to spokane.. so
we felt bad and fed him and gave him money for a bus ticket... whether
or not he bought booze with it Idk, I'm oblivious to this and I refuse
to know.-- we get blessings either way.. he was down on his luck, the
lord took care of him. I love him, I wanted to help.
After this-- we had an amazing dinner with the Dorsetts and Pouli..
Pouli is going to dominate this ward. Easily.

Thursday we put Teray on date for baptism... I'm gonna have to tell
you about the crazy stuff he's done later-- I'm runnin gout of time..
but anyhow.. He's great.. .. I'm so excited for him..

friday/saturday

John came with me to another ward's baptism.. (it was in samoan, and
the closing prayer was in spanish so he was super confused...
hahahaha) but anyhow.. it was a good time. he leaned over to me during
it and said "all the people who say bad things about the church, just
haven't investigated it yet."... he's golden.

Saturday we had a lesson with the Crockett family! I have NEVER gotten
them to let us teach them.. so that's new, and we're optimistic for
that..
Saturday Night.... we went to the Chuukese family for Easter party..
it was intense.. Roasted pig, wings, hot dogs, rice, some blue stuff I
don't recognize.. and.. some strange cake.. Idk, it was good.. I love
the chuukese.. Wea and Pete are both quitting Chewing to be baptized
real soon... I'm prayin for them all the time.. I love them so much.

Sunday was great- I'll tell you more later.. I'm out of time' I love
you so much..

-ELDer HILL

WOAH!

HEY FAMILY!
So- I'm not transferred once again, I may be here a long time if
things go well... Elder Jackson is staying here with me and we're
scheming to DOMINATE this transfer. SO- Lowdown on what's going on in
our areaaa

-Lynn and Po'uli (that's how you spell it i hear..)
Lynn was baptized last saturday, and it was seriously the most amazing
baptism.. We couldn't fit everyone in the Relief Society room cause
she had so much support and massive amounts of missionaries with their
investigators.. great stuff. Po'uli was able to baptize her and that
was the best part for me.. I love that man and he really was ready and
worthy. I'm glad the bishop let him. At first they didn't think it was
possible.. so yay, little miracles. The spirit was so strong at the
baptism... Po'uli gave a great great talk, he had to stop because he
was crying.. it's so great to see all those polynesians tearing up.
They are so close to the spirit. amazing.. after the baptism Brother
Tupou (Pouli's dad) came up to me- tears streaming down his face,
hugged me and said 'thank you so much'.... wow- that's what missionary
work is ALL about. Those moments make everything worth it. YES!... but
in reality, I DID NOTHING. Only the spirit could have changed that
man. It was great to stay along for the ride.

After the baptism we had a huge feast-- never seen so much random food
in my life. It was delicious. haha Tongans do it right.

-John Fitzgerald

John had some great lessons about how the Lord can comfort us and show
us He truely does love us.. he's praying for comfort and love.. he's
had such a hard life he really should be a bitter old man.. but he's
not! I envy that.

but he continues to struggle with tithing, he doesn't take care of his
money very well and... well he tries to go back to his other church
constantly.. On sunday he went to his old church... we were sad-...
BUT! at the amazing choir concert he showed up! and he came to me and
said "I think I want to talk to the bishop and pay tithing"....
apparently the other church wasn't as great as he thought. HA!
inferiority...

-Sung Family--

The sungs still don't speak english and the lessons are still
amazing... We tried to teach them about the priesthood.. which is a
lot harder than it sounds. I promise.. they didn't think they need to
be baptized again, so we're going to keep trying.. however--- they
came to church.. which is a huge difference :) I definitely didn't
expect it.. so we're moving forward. I love them. they WILL recieve
this truth.


funny stories---

John has a new roommate named John... (I know..)

-The roommmate john has been sitting in on lessons and asking
questions.. he probably isn't accountable.. but he's said some things
I've never thought Id' hear... for example: after we read Lehi's
dream... he said "man.. that fruit is it apples?" I said.. "no it's
eternal life." ... then he said "That would make REALLY good wine...
can we make wine out of it?" and I said "wine out of your Eternal
life?.. that's a bad idea." and he said ".... have you ever had a
REALLY good wine.. it might be worth it." haha... wow... hahaha

-I use my nametag as a baby toy regularly now.. children love me..

-a man asked me if our church really believe Satan had a second
chance..... oh dear.. haha

- Elder Jackson tried to teach deep doctrines of 'intelligences' to a
hostile couple.... ack.. i literally kicked him.

I love you guys so much.. I'm running out of time.. WRITE ME A LOT! I
NEED IT! THE WORK IS GREAT, CHURCH IS TRUE EVERY DAY.

-LOVE ALWAYS, ELDER HILL :)

Lynn's baptism:

Somos Misionares! De la inglasia de jesucristo de los santos de los ultimos dias!

---

HEY EVERYBODY!

This week was really good.. Let's see if I can remember it well enough
to tell you how good it really was.. I should be keeping a note pad of
things to tell you guys-- I always think this..

WELL! Monday we got to have P-Day, it was good and we ate so many
cookies I almost died.. AND we had a great member dinner- which are
pretty common now that we've gotten to know the members pretty well.
They like us WELL FED.

Tuesday- We had an awesome lesson with Pouli and Lynn, talked to them
about all of their trials, and hard stuff going on.. They are so
strong and they're changing right before our eyes! It's so awesome to
be able to witness the Spirit having such an awesome effect on them.
Elder Jackson and I have gotten so much help in our teaching. We
referred them to Moroni 7... They have a baby now.. his name is
Jeremih (yes, not jeremiah, jeremih) I dunno... Something polynesian.
We also had President Interviews which went very well, I think he
might leave Elder Jackson and I together.. He felt impressed to give
me another blessing, so that's pretty awesome.. I'm so thankful for a
good mission president. He really loves ALL the missionaries it's
spectacular.

Wednesdayy... We only had a lesson with John, and some members...
HOWEVER! It was a great day too! Elder Jackson and I need some slow
days to remember why we work so hard for the great days.. John has
been getting better and better and learning more and more.. He's
getting pretty strong. He doesn't want to be in the situation he is
any more. We've given him a lot of hope. We also had dinner with the
Dorsetts.. we love them. They have a 3 year old named Mason.. I really
want he and Asher to be best friends.. Conveniently they are moving to
BYU in a few months.. hmm... :)

Thursday wassss great! we got back in contact with someone we had a
lesson with a few weeks ago while tracting.. Joan,... guess what! SHE
IS READING THE BOOK OF MORMON!... wow.. this is new. She's already to
Alma 32, so she's getting into a lot of the good stuff.. she already
wants to read it again. We're hoping to invite she and her husband to
our Easter thingy this sunday.. as well as the "relief Society Super
Saturday".. (sounds boring, but good tool to get people to church.)
Really excitiiiing... We had another lesson with Pouli and Lynn and
they are just on FIRE... they love the gospel so much, they want to
get to the temple as soon as possible. The marriage last saturday was
important, but they have the right mind set.. Pouli told us "it's only
a step to being sealed in the temple"... SO awesome.. Pouli is
amazing..

Friday was really efficient.. we had a few good lessons, John was
excited to learn more and watch some church movies.. I love it when
people want to learn more.. and ask questions. Questions are gold. I
had a lesson with Boli, he invited us to Easter dinner with his
family, which sounds like a 'queer' old time... hehehehe.... I also
got mail so that makes friday amazing.

Saturday was action PACKED with Pouli and Lynn.. Lesson- planned their
whole baptism, Pouli is speaking (I'm super excited for this..) AND
they got married.. It's a big step. We're hoping to get the whole
family back fully active. We also had great lessons with our Bermese
(who said they would come to church.. but lied. grrrr...) and the
Decampose Family (Eternally less active.. won't find time for church
at this point.. :( ) Things went well though.. I'm VERY optimistic for
the whole crew. :)

Sunday was the best.. even though it was a dissaster in the thought of
people coming to church... Half the poeple I wanted didn't come.. but
we had some huge chukeese come and Lynn and Pouli were wonderful so it
was mad eup.. It was the last sunday for the Pulokas, Bishop Puloka
and sister Puloka are headed to BYU, (Maybe you'll meet them! I might
send stuff with them to come by so watch out this weekend!) They
spoke in church and the stake president called out for missionaries...
and- Elder jackson spoke.. Whew** thank goodness it wasn't me. **knock
on wood** .. :) After.. we went to the pulokas and I ate so much food
I could have exploded.. but it was so delicious I couldn't stop.. haha
It was great, we got to hear from Sister Puloka about her mission and
she told us to get married as soon as we're off... the pressure is
coming from all sides.
We tried to meet with some less actives... We did see the burmese,
they felt bad for skipping so we're gonn akeep bugging them, I love
em.. but they neeeeeed to get into church.. frustrating. The
Decamposes.. SWORE they'd come next week.. so we'll see (I'm losing
hope a little.. but I'm still VERY optimistic ;)
After all the day, we were exhausted and finally got a chance to have
WMC.. recently our correlation has been terrible and our Ward mission
leader hasn't been real 'into' the work.. So we're getting to know him
better, he's pretty nerdy.. I think he's not as grumpy as people
think.. I think he's just really awkward.. it happens when lots of
Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing computer nerds get together.. hahah... I
love them though...
We were looking for something to do sunday night, and Boli let us in..
Let us talk for a while.. I think he's getting interested.. The Lord
can change him I know it. We talked about Joseph Smith and the Book of
Mormon, the need for another testament.. he hugged us.. **awkward** so
we kniow he felt the spirit.. .. we can always tell by the hug..

Well, things are really great.. I hope you can see how amazing every
single day is.. I'm doing my best with my time.. WRITE ME LOTS! I love
mail... I need the pickme up sometimes.. I love you guys so much.
-Love, ELder hill

HELLO FAMILY!

This week was awesome.. we got to do so many great great things..

Tuesday- We met with some Less Active Polynesians.. the Tupou family,
and we are returning Pouli to activity and baptizing his soon-to-be
wife this month.. I may or may not get an opportunity to be a witness
at a wedding.. it's touching really.. It really was a miracle though,
I'm so excited for it. They want us to come over all the time... which
means I'm going to be gaining a lot of weight because it's an 8 course
meal everytime we go to their house.. It's insane... They didn't make
it to all of confrence, (i think they watched at home) Pouli came to
priesthood and.. then couldn't come sunday because his wife was in the
hospital.. eek.. Hopefully no problems there, we'll see tuesday when
we meet with them. :)

Wednesday- Was super duper fun, we got together with the Burmese and
they finally met members of the ward! Super (i don't remember if I
told ya'll about this or not...) They met the Dorset family and sister
Dorset used to be an ESL teacher so she reallly knows how to
communicate with people who speak little-to-no English.. SO that was
amazing, we learned a lot about them and we were INCHES from getting
them on date.. I think they'll be a lot more long term.. BUT! we have
hope, Elder Armstrong and I lost hope a little.. haha and Elder
Jackson and I have found it.

We did our RMA forms last night, and we DOMINATED this last transfer..
usually we have somewhere around 60-70 lessons in the period, and
Elder Jackson and I had 100! Woot.. such a great month, teaching a lot
is so amazing. I know it makes an effect on every person we meet with.
It's by small and simple means that great things are brought to pass.
This is soo true.

I've almost finnished the New testament and I'm halfway through the
Book of mormon again. I love the scriptures and I've never endluged in
them so much. I'm so thankful for the Prophets of old... One day I'd
like to read the full stories of the Bible.. Maybe Joseph Smith
translated a bit?? that'd be nice.

As of April 1st we don't have to wear our suits all the time! YAY!
except, we can't wear sweaters and if it's cold--- it's back to
suits.. so that sucks again, but I like wearing suits so it's not so
bad. . . . .

CONFERENCE!

I loved conference.. there are answers to every question in there,
Elder Holland had it right when he said you would recieve an Epistle
from God... WOW I loved all the talks, it's amazing how much more
conference means to me now that I'm a missionary and this is my life,
Too bad most of it was about marriage and that's really just not an
option right now.. haha... maybe in 18 months. and a little bit more.
haha

There was some investigators there with other companionships (I only
had John Fitzgerald there, and some random less actives) One lady
asked if "all the area 70s were distinguished by red ties".. and
"what's an epistle" and... some other random things.. it was pretty
good. it's always good to get to know other missionaries and their
investigators..

ALso- a choir from Orem High came to our stake center for a session,
and we got swarmed by a ton of high school girls.. some of which I
have met before.. eek, they quizzed me on preach my gospel... let's
just say- I obliterated their questions. hahahah

... I can't think of anything else... I really should try harder to
remember some of the funny things that happen... I'll keep a note pad
of things I want to tell you guys about better.. (I write in my
journal every day but, that's not really interesting.. haha )

I love you guys so much- I haven't gotten mail in ever. so write me a
lot OK?! I love you guys, miss ya.. I am doing well, keep praying for
meeee..

-Elder Hill


ps. This is the last 2 weeks of the transfer.. so I don't know where I'll
be in 2 weeks.. so keep that in mind. alright?! THANKYA!

I love you kids

WOOT! It was a fantastic weeek in Burien. We had such great success
and I'm super excited for April. We got 30 lessons (which is a lot
more than we've gotten in the past, usually we have 17ish) So that was
really exciting, and we had a bunch of new investigators that are
super promising and I just love them already.. Also- I'm totally sick
with something, not sure what.. haha It just sucks so I'm pounding
Vitamin C and walking slow basically... ALSO- My camera is doing weird
stuff, might be busted.. all the pictures are way over exposed and
super bright? I reset all the settings to regular and it keeps doing
it so.. idk what to do? any ideas?? It still takes video just fine..
haha

So- This week, I had a wonderful time at the Chukeese baptism and
after party. They are such wonderful people, and they feed us the most
random things I love it. Also- we ate dog meat possibly.. so that's
weird. haha But they are so fun to visit, they have a million kids
(not literally a million guys...) running around and all of them
loooooove the missionaries, so I get my fill of kids bugging me all
the time. Thank goodness. I'm learning so much from them and I'm
really excited to keep teaching them and getting to know them.

I have been studying like crazy this week... Probably not approved but
Elder Jackson and I stumbled into 'history of the Church' in the
church library, lets just say I read 300 pages of it over the
weekend.. it's amazing how much easier studying is out here. I feel
like before I could never focus, but I love this stuff so much now I
can't seem to not read it.. Anyhow- I probably won't be able to finish
it cause, I decided to focus on scriptures more.. even though it was a
great commentary and background on the Doctrine and Covenants and it's
super interesting to read about joseph Smith and his journals and
stuff.. bummer rules eh?!

Well- Easter is coming up, ALSO-- April fools is coming up.. which is
going to be good, Elder Jackson and I are scheming on how to catch a
squirrel and release it in the spanish Elder's apartment.. We'll keep
you updated on that, and I'm sure I'll get pictures of it somehow..
haha

I met a really interesting old Air Force Pilot... his name is Kevin
(naturally) and he's pretty nuts, we're gonna try and teach him.. He
talked to us for a good 15-20 minutes about how we shouldn't eat
animals, and that the 'critters' are not for our personal food and
hunting.. or something.. anyhow- I'm lookiin around the room seeing
beaver pelts and antlers.. and then he said "if Ya'll ever need food
I've always got steaks in the fridge" ... so , he's something else..
haha

OH! EXCITEMENT! I was wandering around our ghetto-heights area and we
bumped into our Burmese Family (the Sungs) turns out, their cousins
just got baptized by missionaries in Kent! so we're going to be
hooking up with them and we're also getting a member or two to meet
them and help them learn English. So many blessings come to those who
work hard and are obedient.

The more i'm out here the more i realize that there's just not enough
time.. I'm doing my best to soak up every moment and make the best of
my experience, serving the best I can.. I love studying, I love this
gospel, it's so amazing to realize how much this truelly means..
Sometimes I feel the spirit so strong... The burning in my chest is
amazing! (I might be running a fever... but I think it's probably
both?) ... I hope you guys are studying hard and learning from every
part of life. THIS gospel is the only most important thing.. I'm so
excited to share it with the world.. I love you guys so much, Write me
more.. I got no mail all week :(

=-Love, Elder Hill :)

Ahh.. week 2 of transfer 2.. this is nuts!

This week went by really fast I swear, it's super weird. We're working
really hard and learning a lot along the way. Elder Jackson and I are
getting along really well, getting to know eachother all the time. The
mission field is such a great place, I love serving and teaching and
learning so much!... Even though I do miss everyone a lot, I do love
what I'm doing here.

Last sunday (yesterday) we were supposed to have 7 people in church..
instead.. we had ZERO. I was disappointed, but the Hopes (the senior
couple in our area that we work with) had a couple really ancient
less-active families show up which was a miracle in and of itself! I
don't know what we're gonna do when the Hopes leave. They do such
amazing work. They leave in September.. Eek..

We had a few funny experiences this week and a few really awesome ones..

I'll start with awesome(spiritual)
Nung, our most promising investigator, had a few lessons with us and
believes it's all true! He's reading the book of mormon and learning
from it. We asked him what he has been studying and he relayed to us
some things he has been learning from a Joseph Smith pamphlet we gave
him (it's the only thing the church has in Burmese) He told us the
entire Joseph Smith story and how he felt the spirit and what he
learned from it. SO POWERFUL... Amazing, just a month ago Elder
Armstrong and I were ready to give up on him because he was so hard to
get a hold of. Thank goodness we didn't.... He didn't accept the
baptismal commitment because he has a bit of a 'lost in translation'
problem.. He doesn't understand the priesthood or authority... So, he
said he'd follow the example of Joseph Smith and pray for the 'wisdom'
or knowledge. He'll probably be baptized before this transfer is
over.. Elder Jackson and I are making some great goals this transfer.
We want to bring some families back into activity, we have some
schemes cooked up to do it. I really believe great things will happen
if we're faithful. It's like Ether 12 says, miracles come from trial
of faith.. We have reallllly been tried recently, not having hardly
anyone to teach... So Nung was a bright spot.

Another powerful one- we were teaching the Burmese Family that speaks
Chin-Hakha... (a dialect of Burmese that is totally different?) They
are the Sung Family... They don't understand us very well, but they
know we have something of worth. They always feel the spirit and we
love to teach them because they want the truth SO BAD... I have an
English to Chin dictionary, so.. hopefully we can cook something up
with that. Won't be easy. Especially because I can't read Chin
hahaha.. Anyhow, we've been praying for them a lot.. really pleading
for a door to open for us to teach them. It's tough.. We'll keep
trying


OK- Some funny stuff..

Kevin- as always was a great spot, he invites us to come over every
night now.. so we're a favorite of his now. haha, He loves Elvis. very
much, and he constantly sings it and dances like him.. I wish I had a
decent video or picture of him I'll try. Maybe even get him to talk
into the tape recorder.. OHHHH... that would be sweet. Anyhow, he said
we're the smartest people, and he said he thinks I probably don't have
any mental issues.. So that was a relief :)

2 Days ago, Elder Jackson and I were walking home, our appointments
had fallen through and it was about 8 o'clock.. So we were gonna head
in early, when we met a whole bunch of Homeless drunk people.. and
they said a lot of things.. that are not appropriate for emails, or
ears.. or anything really. But one of them said our names were funny..
his name was gibberish.. I had no idea.. so jokes on him!

Few days ago, we were walking to an appointment and started talking to
a guy at a crosswalk, i said "We're missionaries, are you familiar
with the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?" he said "I'm a
pastor for Normandy Park blah blah blah blah.." and I said "Oh, that's
cool, do you have a minute we could talk?" and he inturrupted and said
"You're not turning me into a mormon, There's a better chance of me
making you a Christian" and I said "I AM Christian.." "he said, You
know nothing about Christ..." as he walked into a bar... hahaha....
Some people's kids..

OH! Great news! BYU! haha Elder Jackson and I were walking home and
this truck stopped by us and yelled "hey you mormons! Go BYU, JIMMER
FOREVER!" hahahaha.... he had a big University of Washington sticker
on his truck even.. and Jimmer was on the front page of the paper.. so
nuts, what am I missing?! (nothing, because I'm preaching the word.
haha)

OK, I love you guys so much.. Miss you something ridiculous, but I'm
doing well. I might need more stamps.. Hook me up.. I'm poor.. thanks
so much. I love you guys! AND My pants are still too big.. thanks mom.

love always, Elder Hill :)

Hey everybody!

So! week 1 of transfers how is everyone? good? good. Elder Armstrong
is gone from me now, we were able to see him again on Friday cause we
had dinner with him, his family, at a member's house. It was good. I
feel like I'm gonna do great things even without him. Elder Jackson is
from Spanish Fork, he's a good guy. Little naive at times but I love
him just the same. We've been doing a lot of finding and visiting less
active/recent converts. It's so sad how many people have fallen away
from church. I hope they can get closer again, we're working really
hard.

John Fitzgerald recieved the priesthood yesterday! WOW, so awesome I
love being able to give this gift to others. He was really excited for
it, he is moving really fast. We showed him a DVD about President
Monson called "on the lord's errend" he always loves church movies. He
knows it's true, it's so cool to see someone I watched convert and
grow. I also got a chance to stand in on a baby blessing for one of
the Less actives in the ward. She lives with her boyfriend and her
boyfriend is Muslim... It was a really emotional day for her, as her
dad blessed the baby... I really wish she could straighten up her
life. Such wonderful people, such trying circumstances.

Elder Jackson and I got hooked up with what they call the "online area
book" today, it's basically an updated ward list that a member put
together. Really cool, all missionaries should be hooked up with this
software. It's super simple, I don't know why they don't.

Our main investigator right now is Nong, he didn't come to church
again *sob* and we're still trying to show him why he needs to be
baptized again, but he's really willing to learn and that's what
matters! I love to teach him. He's Bermese and he has a ton of friends
in the area, so he would be a huge connection for us. Hopefully
baptized in April.

Well, Not a lot happened this week, it was pretty slow (first week of
transfers... and everyone was grumpy) but I'm doing work, I'm working
every bit of my being and praying and fasting for more opportunities
to work! I love this gospel and I know it's true! I am learning and
growing so fast.. Keep praying for me! i need every ounce. :)

I love you guys so much, I sent a memory card with Elder Armstrong to
drop off at the house, so you'll probably get to meet him if you're
there? I also sent a huge thing of letters and my journal.. and that's
it I think.. just store everything else for me? somewhere safe, I want
them. :) I love you guys.. miss you sometimes a lot.. I'm doing the
work though, I won't waste a single second I promise.

love, Elder Hill :)