Written October 24, 2011

Hello again everyone.. .Time is flying by it's so wierd. But at the same time it's slow... and I am working, doing my best. :)

Not a whole lot to tell about this week, I had a down week in terms of sickness.. it was tough.. however...

-Our On-Dates both fell off-date :( but for reasonable reasons.. still hope!

-George (one of the on-dates) was schitzonphrenic, had the biggest pile of weed i ever seen in my life on his coffee table, and was freaked out by deep doctrine taught in church. He said he didn't want to meet anymore.... which is sad, he had potential to change and progress A TON, but I know that someone else will find him.

-Antonio the 9 year old was on date for yesterday, but his dad wouldn't give permission for him to be baptized. However, on the bright side, his mother seems to be making huge progress. She really is feeling the spirit and coming closer to God. It's so cool to see that! I think it's worth just as much as the baptism statistic to see a re-conversion. We're still working with them, praying really hard that their dad will give permission.... he wants to wait till he's older and can 'decide for himself'... this coming from the guy who wanted to baptize him when he was a baby into the catholic church... womp womp.. We still have charity for him..

Our district leader, Elder Larson, is training a cambodian missionary (Elder Sorn), straight from cambodia, he's a really funny little guy. We were talking to him a ton it's amazing how fast people learn english (he's still learning, but he's good..) haha.. Last time Elder Larson was training a random foreign kid we told him he was getting deported (Elder Song)... this time we put his name tag in Jello, I think it made his whole life. He was showing all the other missionaries pictures on sunday during our zone get together 'fireside'... So funny.. hopefully we'll get our hands on him again and get some funny phrases into his vocabulary.

Overall, it was a long week really, I've been hammered a lot recently, I'm just doing my best! Keep praying for me and I'll pray for you. I know the Church is true.. I can see the eternal perspective. Christ is living, He is so so so so close. I love the Lord, I love His Gospel. I'm slowly aligning my will with the will of the Father.... very much not perfect. But I'm doing the right things, trying my best.

Love ya! see ya soonish relatively

-Elder Hill

Written October 17, 2011

How is life everybody?!

This last week was good.. it was crazy, and I felt like crap for most of it- BUT! the church was true.. and my birthday was fun. haha .. We're really trying to make better relationships with the members... both active and less active.. and potential. We were able to get 2 more people on date, one of them is a boy named Antonio.. he is 9 and his mom is a less active. She realllllly wants him to get baptized but the tricky part is his papa is called a "devout" catholic. Which in this case seems to mean, he doesn't go to church, know what he believes, or strives to keep any commandments, BUT! he calls himself Catholic.. we need his permission.. he won't give a response. :/ so he's on date for sunday but.. it's tenative.

We also have a guy named George who is 25 from the dominican republic. He came to church and was put on date by the Renton Elders for the 19th of November. (pretty far off...but we're hoping to bump it up).. November 5th would be good. I think one cute member girl could be the difference maker for him. haha... you know they say- Date em', Dunk em', Dump em' is one of the best conversion techniques.. (I don't know who 'they' are.. don't ask.)

I'm still sick and crap.. it's raining a lot now, but we got a car again so mission President feels for me.. I hate my immune system.. It should be called my 'mune' system.. Cause I'm definitely not IMmune. .. ponder on that thought.. get back to me. haha

Elder Merrell's birthday is today, so we are going out to lunch with Sister Wie and probably going to go shopping with all the money he made from selling his Magic The Gathering cards. He is a super nerd. hahahaha... anyways..

I got to attend a sealing this last week for the Dalrymples.. so awesome. They were Recent Converts in the Burien ward. Brother Dalrymple was reactivated, Sister Dalrymple baptized in October last year, now Brother Dalrymple is in the Bishopric and Sis. Dalrymple is in the Relief Society presidency.. pretty good swing. Now they're stuck with eachother for eternity.. if they are faithful of course.. .. It was cool to be invited and see them recieve their endowments and sealing covenants. :) church is true.

Well--- Overall it wasn't a bad week, all things considered... I hate being sick, but I'm growing from it.. I love the Gospel, I'm studying, learning. such wonderful stuff. The Book of Job has been a favorite, really deep truths can be found there. Wonderful comforts. I envy his persevierance and patience in trial.. I'm working on it. haha,,

I love you all so much.. Keep being good.. I'll see ya soon.

-Elder Hill

HOla! familia! + friends.

Today is a great day, I've been blessed witha P-day B-day. haha It will be super fun I'm sure of it.. and I'm sure I'll not tell you alllll about it next week.. as for the last weekk..

-I'm with my good buddy Elder Merrell, We're partying all the time, and getting a lot more effective work done. It's amazing. I'm enjoying it, my health is still a bugger.

- Tim Asay came to church yesterday in a suit and tie, with shiney shoes, and shiney new scriptures.... it was awesome.. He usually showed up late and in a polo and jeans.. so big jump.. Church is true.

- Tim Asay ALSO was baptized for the remission of his sins by his could be future father-in-law last night... He was seriously speachless, and I've never seen the little tyke so happy. (actually he's bigger than I am, and older, and smarter, but...)

-It never gets old to see people making right decisions, ... really reinvigorating.. Hopefully we'll see some more real soon. . . . Church is true afterall :)

-I'm the one who writes my own story.

- It appears, that the Ward loves us now. It's miraculous actually.. I don't know how to explain it. A lot more fun and optimistic. Also, the Burien ward loves us, we have dinners with them as well.....

- OH! I got to see almost all of the people that got baptized while I was in Burien.. still active, and asking for callings.. :) I love the gospel, and that is the happiest thing ever.

-Not a whole lot of excitement.... I was sick again this week..

So- Spiritually speaking, I really was praying hard for a baptism the last few weeks and trying to refocus to get work done. I think I recieved exactly what I needed. I hope I can get a lot mroe done before my time is up. (which should be not soon.)

I love the Lord and I love the Gospel. I was reading in Alma 14 yesterday, it really touched me how Alma said that they still had work, that the Lord would take care of them.... That chapter is kinda depressing, all of their recent converts and investigators get burnt.. in front of them-- but! Silver lining, they all go to heaven.. for dying in the cause of christ..

The church is true ladies and gentlemen... read those scriptures, and change your life daily.

I LOVE YOU MUCHO, ELder HiLL

Friends and Family... This week was trying..

Well- Fantastic news everyone.. We're going to have a baptism in SeaTac, hopefully this weekend. Things are looking really good with our investigator Tim. Tim texted us last friday while I was on exchange with the District leader Elder Spencer, He asked if he could meet with us (which was surprising because he has been super hard to get ahold of). He basically said that he had been talking to his member girlfriend, during a tribulation ridden week, he gained a testimony of the book of mormon.. And basically put himself on Date. for October 8th.. I can't think of a better birthday gift. it's christmas... (Pray for it to happen..)

I should probably mention what happened with transfers... I'm staying in SeaTac! Elder Fullmer was transferred to Bellevue and is going to be companions with Elder Jackson (My last comp) and Elder Merrell returned to SeaTac to be my companion. Elder Merrell was my District leader when I was trained, he was in SeaTac for 14 months, I replaced him.. now he's back. haha It's a pretty crazy series of events.. It'll be a good change of pace from Elder Fullmer.. I loved Fullmer, but man he was something. haha

The Church was so true this weekend.. Conference was lifechanging.. really revealed a lot of things I needed to know. I also got an opportunity to talk to some of the old members from the Burien ward, have Pouli and Lynn write in my journal... If I had no other accomplishments than working with Pouli and Lynn, I would say my time was WELL spent. It's amazing. I can't really express how wonderful it was. A true testimony builder, and humbling experience. I'm very very grateful.

Well, not a whole lot to report on this week, it was the least amount of actual work I've done during my mission experience.. I attempted to ride bikes, I don't think the hills are doing well to me.. almost died.

Well, I'm workin hard and striving my best to keep the faith! i'll do the right thing I promise. Keep praying for me everyone! I love you, I need mail from you. haha Remember, I'm authorized to promise blessings. -- Consider them promised.

Love always, Elder Hill

(sent sept 26)

The Last week was tough, rewarding, filled with lots of opportunities to grow :) A good week..

Some interesting things that happened...

- I finally got a nickname from Grandma, Elder Fullmer has been "Crazy Boy" for months, and I just recieved the nickname of "Handsome Boy" and she said my aura is better now than when I first left home (I showed her pictures) so, I suppose that's a positive :) haha .. Thank you grandma for being awesome..

- We accepted an invitation to go have "chinese food" with sister Wie and Brother Smith... Lets just say it was authentic. We ate Jellyfish, Sharkfin, 'cold chicken', Duck, some slimey stuff I don't know, salt and pepper fish, and thank goodness for the plate of mongolian BEEF. whew.... Elder Fullmer ate a chicken head, including the beak for 30 bucks. eek, Even grandma was grossed out. haha

- We taught the Plan of Salvation to Van and some of his buddies.. It was a good lesson, but we're struggling to get through the importance.. so maybe a lesson on Jesus in General to get the spirit going could do the trick..

- We tried to teach a 9 year old the other day, He was so distracted, and constantly kept bringing up his dead cat... oh- How my patience has grown. I love my family more than ever, ya'll were never that bad afterall.. haha.. Some peoples' kids.

- Watched some church movies with Sister Wie, Grandma.. Grandma is slowly getting closer to baptism... for the second time.. long story- but, she's getting copies of all the movies cause she loves them... if only she wasn't leaving next wednesday..

Anyhow.. I've been studying and really learning a lot... In my down time when I'm frustrated and really just wanting to work and not be bogged down with my stupid health, I find solace in the scriptures. It's such a beautiful thing the Lord has given us... Throughout my mission experience people have asked me "why does God let bad things happen"... If we take things in perspective understanding how God sees the beginning from the end, death really isn't the worst thing.... I just recently had the epiphany helping me understand Agency SO MUCH MORE... We truelly have the choice between eternal life or eternal damnation and death... The Lord cannot take that choice away. We have equal right to be damned as we have to salvation. Bad things like murder or rape happen, that's an example of someone's agency, choosing to do evil... Sadly, they have the right to that.. Anyhow.. kinda off topic.. The Church is true...

^^^ Came out as spiritual thought vomit... decipher if you dare.^^^

I'm doing my best to keep workin, I'm slow, but I'm putting the effort forth, I'm gonna do the right thing :) The Lord will abide I know it! Faith is great ain't it?

I love everyone! Keep being awesome.. I will see you all soon (not too soon..)

-LOVE, Elder Hill

(sent sept.20)

this is my quick email!

The church was true this week.. lives were changed, and Christ was testified of. :)

I know the work is true, everyone read your scriptures! I LOVE YOU WRITE ME!

hello Everyone..

Hello! This was a serious week. For serious work.

The Lord really guided us in the limited time we had.. we got some good work done. I'm soooo grateful for the blessings :) Thanks to everyone who is helping with prayers, support from home thank you so much!

We had a really rollercoastery week. but my favorite parts were on Sunday.

-We had a recent convert/investigator meeting with the Stake Presidency, President Larkin, and all the missionaries in the zone. Pan Manna, whom was one of my recent converts in the Burien ward was there, along with some chuukese people I worked with. :) We got one Burmese kid to come, his name is Van and he is 16- really interested.. When they went around the room bearing testimony, Pan Manna bore her's in Burmese.. it was so powerful, I have no idea what she said- but it was great. After she was finished, i turned to Van and said "What'd she say" he said "She like Jesus." haha.. that's good! haha..

-THEN we had a special Stake Conference with a video broadcast from SLC, Elder Holland and Elder Packer were the speakers.. along with Elder Snow of the presidency of the Seventy.. and another woman whose name and title escape me.. They were really good messages, it was really cool-- But before the conference started, Van had to leave because there was an emergency at home.. so he left.. :( We were sad that he missed the experience of hearing from modern Prophets... It was still good.. Pan Manna paid attention, and even took notes a little (She barely speaks english.. how amazing..) haha ..

-We had a dinner with a family- The Crockers.. Some of my favorite. Very smart people. I got to reminisce a little bit with Brother Crocker, as he was familiar with IT Crowd.. - Josh you know what that is. - hahaah... so funny.. They were great, and talked about psychology a lot. Very interesting.. Brains do a lot of stuff.. haha..

-After dinner, we felt prompted to go see Hatnu and Mary (Burmese members) We were in the midst of showing them a video, Elder Fullmer and I were glued to the tv, and someone walked in and sat down on the couch accross from us.. After the video I looked over- THERE WAS VAN! .. from earlier.. apparently he knew Mary from school, and he speaks more than just Hakha/Burmese.. so they can talk to eachother.. What a great miracle- There's the fellowship. haha He should be our Burmese priesthood one day.. It was so cool, to talk to them about temples.. they're excited to go one day.

Overall it was a tough week. I'm pounding vitamins like a madman, and praying like crazy. I'm confident that the right decision will be made. The Lord does work in mysterious ways.. Usually it's tough. I reaaallly hope I can retain all the knowledge I've gained out here.. One of my favorite things this week was studying D&C, with background story.. D&C 11 was really special to me this week. It was a revelation to Joseph as Hyrum asked him how he could serve the lord.. The Lord was so pleased with his willingness to help. :) There's a short verse, I don't remember which one, but it goes something along the lines of this "Your work is to strive to keep my commandments with all your heart, might, mind, and strength." Thats OUR work for everyone.. as you strive to do that, the Lord will lead you to those you can help. I'm striving my best, I'm feeling the promptings, and seeing miracles in my life. I challenge everyone to read D&C 4 and D&C 11 and choose a goal to do better on this upcoming month or so. Lemme know how it goes.

I know this church is true.. I love the savior so much... he truelly 'leadeth me' as it says in... I want to says Psalms 23.. Check it out..

I love you all so much.. Keep writing, and if you aren't writing.. WRITE. haha I love mail. I'm grateful for all the help i receive. I miss ya, I'll see ya soon (Not too soon.) haha

-Love always, Elder Hill..