Dont Cry for Me Argentina

Dear Family,

First off, Mom, to answer your questions. I dont really care where we eat, but I know you dont like questions like that so I will go with Cafe Rio, get the good old tomatillo dressing running through my veins again. And as for what you want to serve after the block on Sunday, I dont really have a preference. What ever is easiest for you. I have been bragging about your cooking abilities to lots of friends so just work your magic and all will be happy! About the day I get home. I havent really thought about it. I know.... I promise I am decisive, but I still havent comprehended that I am actually coming home. If you have to go to BYU that is more then fine. Just leave the keys to the car (dont worry, Seth will be driving) the keys to the church, and money for ice cream. Not sure when you will get back from teaching, but if it is before sunset I would love to go up the trail by our house and watch the sunset like old times. Maddy you better be up for a bike ride on the tandem. And Mom, no one is allowed to go to school. 

This week was amazing. I am so incredibly happy. I was able to go on exchanges with Hna. Rodriguez whom I trained a year ago and it was an incredible experience. We worked so hard and I thought that being a year apart would have made our teaching rusty but quite the contrary. It felt like we had been together the whole time. Lunch came around and they canceled on us and it felt so normal to be cooking side by side. By that I mean she cooks the food, I cook dessert, and then I clean everything up. It was so good to see how she has developed her gifts and how incredible of a missionary she has become. I was hoping I could end my exchanges on that note but there were some complications and so it looks like I will have to do at least one this week as well. 

I feel like I should say something really profound and demonstrate all I have learned on my mission this being my last email home and all, but turns out not too many things have change in the last year or so. I am still obnoxiously competitive (basketball this morning at 6 was proof). I still cant speak spanish perfectly, I still have no idea what I want to study, and even though I have been surrounded and bitten by tick infested dogs for the last while I still want a giant dog (sorry mom, somethings wont ever change.)

But I guess I have changed a little. And if I haven't completed changing yet and can at least say that I have learned a lot. My testimony has been solidified. I have a love of hard work. I understand the importance of unity. My love for you guys back home has been amplified almost as much as the love I have for the people here in Argentina. I understand the importance of personal virtue. I recognize the influence of the Spirit. Have the faith to act, and the humility to pray. 

The mission is incredible. My heart aches at the thought that I have to leave. On Saturday we got into a taxi with this really creepy guy and when he asked when we were headed back to the states I just started to cry. I think I scared him more then he scared us... Menos mal! 

I love you all so much! I love Argentina so much! I guess I will see you guys soon!

The Gospel is true.

Life is Wonderful!

Love,

Hermana Hill 

Life gets harder, but life makes us stronger

Dear Family,

I am just about to end my fast so I can´t think very well but I had some extremely humbling experiences this week and I just want to share everything I can with all of you.

I attended my last leadership meeting in mendoza this week. I don´t think I will miss the 4 hour bus rides but it was powerful. On the ride there I got to thinking about all the zones I have been able to work in. Out of the twelve zones I have done missionary work in 10 and spent at least multiple days in 8 zones. And when I got to consejo I was fairly excited to bear my final testimony. I have been to 12 consejo´s which means I have witnessed many many many missionaries give their last testimonies over the last year. You can tell who have died and who has only become more powerful. I was so excited to prove that I have not died and just feel the whole room with the spirit. But as I stood to give my last testimony, nothing came. I have always felt so guided by the spirit and no direction came. I bore the simple truths that I know are true and sat down humiliated. I learned a powerful lesson, that I hope to never ever repeat. Without the spirit we are nothing. It doesn´t matter how long I have served a mission, how long I have been in leadership, how many zones I have served in, I am still infinitely separated from God if I am not humble and properly access the atonement. It hurt to see how prideful I was. I feel embarrassed for even admitting out loud that I actually wanted to prove that I was a good missionary. The spirit is always hard to access when our focus is on ourselves. 

This week I have also been fairly sick, which made everything worse. We had so much to do, and we ended up doing it all anyways, against my companions better judgment but I figure I can recuperate when I am home. But this week things have changed. I just love these people so much. I just wish I could restart my mission and serve again with all that I have learned and with all the love I have now. And I guess I will just have to love y´´all to death when I get back. 

It was awesome to hear that Ben got baptised. Ironically enough we had a baptism the same day. And I just couldn´t help think about Ben and how exciting it is that he got baptized. I still cant believe I have nephews the age of getting baptized but then again I guess Little Jeffrey will be getting the preisthood next year. 

Was going to share a super funny experience but I just got like three calls in a row and should probably go fix a couple problems. But I will be able to talk to you all soon. 

 But to answer a couple questions fast. 

Dad, I am not taking block classes, I accept the assignment to speak on the 28th, I don´t really care where I work but I have a feeling I will have a couple options, I still am planning on going down to Albuquerque but it won´t be for too long, and it is not because I don´t love you guys. Give me three days and you will want to kick me out of the house again. 

Love you all!

Hermana Hill! 

Amanda's Letter

Dearest family,

I have absolutely no time, but know that I am so happy! We taught more lessons this week then I have in a long time. Since a couple crazy weeks in San Rafael. And More then half of the lessons we taught were with members. The ward is getting super involved. We put this poster out for people to sign up for assignments for a baptism and people that have never come out to lessons with us got really excited and I have a feeling we will have some of the best food in all of Argentina in this next baptism. 

I went on exchanges with a bran new missionary and I just love the power they have. 

Mom, I realized that I never finished my letter to you last week! I cannot believe you are so ancient! Happy birthday! Know that I love you with all my heart! And I am so excited to show you how much I love you in a couple of months. Well I guess it is a couple of weeks now. 

Sorry this is short, it might even be shorter then Ryan´s letter but I will leave an interesting thought. I have studied a lot of the power and authority missionaries have, and with that has come the power we receive from the spirit. As I was studying the spirit and interesting image came to mind. The judgment bar of God. I was standing and God questioned me how I spent the time on my mission. As I explained all the thoughts and feelings of my heart the Holy Ghost stood as a witness before God and testified that he had been present and could validate in front of God that my words were true, because he had been present. Perhaps the judgment bar of God is far different but all I know is how important it is to have the spirit as our constant companion. To not only direct us but to testify of truth. To witness before God that we have fought the good fight, and we are worthy of our reward. 

The gospel is true.

Life is wonderful!

Hermana Hill

Love you so blasted much!! I would send pictures but all of them got erased..... 

Que tal eh, pues mi hijito

Querida Family,

No tengo nada de tiempo. Transition to English, I don´t have anytime at all. We generally write first thing in the morning but today was a provincial holiday so we played a little basketball, volleyball, until blood was spilt and then cleaned the pension and made our way to lunch with a couple families in the ward. The Columbianos made Sancocho and we made dessert. Toddy empenadas (aka the best dessert known to man. I can´t take all the fame for the creation but I have adapted the recipe and may I say that it is genius!) Empanada tapa, chocolate chip cookie, dulce de leche, chocolate, one more cookie another tapa and then you fry the whole ordeal)

This week was amazing! Truly I am so incredibly blessed to be with the Hna. Norr. We wake up early to go running every day, (menos mal with the empanadas we are making) and she is so supportive. I have come to realize that unity within the companionship makes success a natural consequence instead of an active fight. And with Hna. Norr the success just flows. I also feel like God is blessing me for trying to do my best so far on my mission. Yesterday Hna. Norr said, ´´This has got to be the easiest area I have ever been. People let us in. The members are willing to help. We have awesome investigators. And people come to church.¨ Her comment made me laugh as I looked back to the last transfer where I felt the complete opposite. But we do have some solid investigators and we had 5 people come to church for the first time yesterday. Just no one is married. 

Elder Viñas of the 70 came to Mendoza and we traveled to hear him. It was so powerful. I actually got to see him speak twice and ran into lots of members from Godoy Cruz, my first area. I have always been nervous that no one would remember me, but I was so thrilled to see them and it was nice that they were thrilled to see me. (But I guess with the last name of ´gil´ (or stupid) I am hard to forget).

Life is great. Just so happy! Thank you for all of your support and prayers. I found this scripture in Juan 10:10 today that I love. It is true. Christ did not just come to give us life, but a more abundant life. I plead with all to use His sacrifice to more fully feel the happiness that is inevitable when filled with His love. 

The gospel is true and life is wonderful!

Hna. Hill 

Plan of Salvation (fun size)

Dearest Family,

This week has been crazy! Hermana Norr is amazing, we have been working crazy hard. Our first day she told me that she was hoping to get Hermana Sorensen as her comp and that I am the closest thing that she can get to Hermana Sorensen in the mission so she is happy, and so am I! But so happy! She is super patient, and goes along with my crazy ideas. 

There is a new missionary in our pension from Utah. She is great. She has fire. Not as much as me but she is just what I needed. I just love her so much and she likes to run stairs even at 630 in the morning. Got to love her!

Not tons of time, but I had this long thought process this week hopefully I can capture a little of it. So I came to the conclusion that the mission is just the plan of salvation at a smaller scale. Do you remember how excited I was to come on my mission? I am pretty sure it was a similar experience when we were waiting to come to earth. And now as I am coming to the end I feel like I would do just about anything for a couple extra days of life, similar to many who search for a way to prolong the inevitable. But even though days slip away I have found that instead of the slightly skewed thought process that if one doesnt work hard they will suffer the wrath of God. But the mission is similar to our life on earth and that every day is an opportunity, not a punishment. Let me explain. 

A greeny comes and regardless of what they do in their time on the mission if they finish they return an RM. I have yet to meet someone who has digressed on their mission but have seen incredible differences based upon the level of dedication, desire, faith, and diligence one places in the work and the person they are able to become. Similarly we two have our first estate. And regardless of what we do on earth will not take away the happiness we felt when we were in the presence of God. But truly God only wants us to be happy and has given us an incredible opportunity that requires dedication in order to fully capture and enjoy. 

I remember a couple weeks before the mission the whole family was dancing around the kitchen on a Sunday afternoon. Jordan was being Jordan and hence Mom was laughing so hard she was snorting (probably shouldnt say that out loud), I had Daniel in my arms and Hannah finaly agreed to dance with Josh. And as everyone else danced and laughed I remember recognizing how hard it would be to leave all of you whom I loved SO much! And though I never let you guys know it was a struggle to leave you all. So why did I leave? A little of a faith, I think, but know I cannot imagine my life without la familia Ibanez, without companions, with out the familia morel, flia Kim, flia marinero, and if I keep going I will never end. But I am ever grateful for all I have learned, the people I love, and who I am becoming. And now I realize that this life is a time to prepare to meet God and practice for the happiness we can have in Heaven. I realize now that I am obedient not because I fear Hell, but because I hope (the spiritual sense of the word) because I hope for Heaven. 

Love you all!

The gospel is true.

Life is wonderful!!

Hermana Hill 

Ser una luz, en vez de un juez

Dear Familia,

Can´t tell you enough how much I love you! I figure I should remind you all! Even though we are no longer going to Jerusalem together anymore and that some of you went backpacking in the Chalet without me....(but really... you couldn´t wait? Backpacking is my favorite!!) Just kidding! 

Dad you wanted to know a little more in depth on my investigators. We are teaching a young couple Gonzalo y Daniela who have a child but are not married. They have been to church 5 times now but need to get married. This week we had a go big or go home because they are not progressing towards baptism. They read, they go to church, they pray, but they don´t understand the importance. It takes about two months to do all the paperwork for marriage. But they understand the importance. And came to church early on Sunday. 

We are teaching another family, that was a reference from a an Abrir la Boca. Super Solid! Didn´t come to church this week though. We called them until they woke up but still didn´t come. It is just hard because it is more then normal to go to sleep at about 4 or 5 in the morning on Sunday and it is hard for people to wake up at 9ish to come to church. But we have been having people set alarms in their cellphones when they commit to coming to church which helps a little. 

This week I sent Hna. Lawrence home. It is wierd because 5 of the girls going home this transfer were with me in the MTC. But ya esta. I am so excited for this transfer. Hna. Norr is coming from San Juan. I did two exchanges with her when I was in San Juan and love her to death. It will be de 10! I am just so excited to work a full! I am sad because they took out both of the Salvadoreños. But last night I made Papusas for them completely by my self and they were stellar. But I will miss them a lot! On a positive note, Hna. Rodriguez is coming to kill my MTC companion and I am so grateful God answered my prayers to let me see her before I leave. I don´t think words can describe how much I have come to love some of the people I have met on my mission. 

This week we were presenting Zone conference and though it was powerful, a thought came to my mind while we were teaching. It was a thought that came from a letter you sent to me Mom. We were talking about the atonement the power we have from the atonement and the scripture Mom shared with me from Revelation 12:11 and how the blood of the Lamb and our testimony is all we need to overcome any and all opposition. Its true. In those moments of darkness, or confusion, or pain, stating out loud the simple truths that we know with all of our heart can cut through even the darkest opposition. This Saturday was really rough for me. My heart just hurt. But that evening we were eating with a less active family and as we listened to complaints that seemed to fill the atmosphere with doubt, fear, and anger it was amazing the stark difference pure truths cut through as we bore with the power that comes the power and authority of the calling which we hold.

The gospel is true.

Life is wonderful!

Love, Hermana Hill 

Some peoples children

Dear Family,

The week started with a trip down to Mendoza for Consejo. Some of my best friends from the mission are leaving next week and it was hard to say good bye. I also got some really great news from letters from people in old areas.  It is a sad realization that some of these people I might never see again. It honestly broke my heart. But I put my act together on the 4 hour bus ride home and now I want to work harder then ever. 

This week we dropped a lot of people and found a couple. One of them is a PM family that is amazing. I asked if it would be alright if we woke them up Sunday morning and gave them the warning that I am fairly pesada. But they agreed. On Sunday I think it hit my companion that she is leaving next week and how she wants to die. We got up really early and walked a lot stopping by everyone we had invited to church. Not a single person came. But I think we woke up about 15 people. It was sad but it I felt like I had done all I could have done. Positive side affects though. We saw loads of members on their way to church and all of them were amazed at how far away we were from our pension. We are starting to get more and more member referrals. I just hope that they are able to see the fruits. 

This week a family gave me A Nikestrike soccer ball. I think that is comparable to giving up your first born child. Made me feel super great! I really love this ward. Well we are off to go hiking this morning! Have a wicked awesome week! Love you all! Thank you for your prayers and for your letters!

The gospel is true!

Life is wonderfuL!

Love,

Hna. Hill

Amanda's Letter

July 28, 2014

Dearest Family,

I just love you so much! I don´t think there is a luckier person in the world. This week was great. It had its opposition but so does anything that is worthwhile in this world. We had more lessons this week with a member then we have had all transfer. And we had huge support for Mikaela´s baptism. I was extremely happy because more people came to her baptism then the stake activity the following day. 

We had a rather funny moment though. I think I mentioned that I we live in the middle of centro? Well we were walking from out pension to the church through centro centro with 3 plates of brownies and in the 5 blocks to the church 6 people stopped us to talk to us! This is coming from the same five blocks that people try to avert our gaze (like that is going to stop us from talking to them) and reject a good 19 times out of 20. I found it hilarious. I think we will walk around centro with plates of brownies from now on! But who can say no to hot brownies smothered in chocolate and dulce de leche. 

Had my first interview with President Goates. He is such a good guy! Way different from President Avila. It is official. I am coming home the end of September. He denied my plea for an extension. He too showed me my itinerary. It broke my heart, but I have been smart and misleading everyone in the ward that I still have a ton of time left, and if anything knowing when I go makes me even want to work harder. My poor companion. It is a good thing she loves me! 

I studied prayer a lot this week, and put it into practice even more. I feel like there are so many blessing just waiting for us, and just like it says in the english bible dictionary so many of these blessing are conditional on us asking for them. Sometimes it just blows my mind!!! How lucky are we? Can you imagine your life without prayer? I sure can´t and there is nothing more powerful then when you teach someone to open their heart to their Heavenly Father and you find yourself listening to some of the first sincere communication between child and Father. Thank you for the prayers you send in my direction. I really do feel the power of those prayers! I love you all so much!

The gospel is true.

Life is wonderful!

Hermana Hill

Assume the Good, Doubt the Bad

Dearest Family!

Stop it!! You guys are going to Bill Cosby live!!! He is still living? just kidding!! That is awesome!! Jealous! I still think I can quote a line or two from most episodes of the 8 seasons of the Cosby Show. Good luck Jordan and Dad in the Spudman! I have no doubt that you will finish with flying colors. Maddy, I love you more than you love me, period you can´t erase!

No one is super happy this morning here in San Luis... I can´t imagine why.... I just hope no one thinks I am from Germany. My goal is to make it home alive... But people still went crazy after the partido. This is the first game that we were asked to stay inside all day. Went to church and that was it. We cooked some awesome food though and had a long time to catch up in my journal. 

I had a first this week. Hna. Goates came out with us. I have had 4 different presidents and this is the first time I have had one of their wives come out with us. She served her mission in columbia and we taught the Colombian family it was amazing. She is super powerful and they came to church this week. They are ready to get baptized but it just takes forever to get people married in this country. Especially if you are not living in the country legally (can´t imagine why...)

Not really sure what else to say. This week was good. We had lots of solid lessons and I went to La Punta for exchanges (a little place in the middle of nowhere where there are probably more dogs then people) and I fell in love. Clean air, open people, mountains, awesome companion, solid plans, and giant dogs. What more do you want?! I will have to send a pic. 

I came to some profound conclusions this week. But pretty difficult to explain them all, but I feel like I better came to understand my Savior. It still amazes me all He has done for all of these people, but more then ever, what he has done for me!

Love you all!

1. Missionary by day.

2. Argentina fan by night.

3.La Punta

Talk less say more

Dear Family,

This week was super interesting.  I had a really amazing experience on Tuesday night. I ended up sleeping at the presidents home on Tuesday and me and Hna. Lawrence slept where the 70, area authorities, and apsotles stay when they come to our mission. (Yay, I am moving up in the world!) But tuesday night as I knelt by my bed to pray on carpet (a dream!) I pored out all my hopes and dreams I had for Pringles the following month and towards the end I had the coolest thought. I wonder who else has knelt at that same bed and pleaded with the Father for the exact same thing. In that moment I felt so unifyed with purpose or the motivation that ties us all together, the salvation of mankind. We are so lucky to know, and live that truth. 

The new president is excellent. Did you get the email he sent you, dad? He was taking a picture of Hna. Enos, Hna. Lawrence and me when my camera died. He felt bad, it didn´t matter to me but he told me, ¨No, tomorrow you will have consejo and you deserve to have pictures with you and the other Elders and Sisters there.¨ And left with a look of determination in his eyes. About 15 minutes later returned with a charger in hand and the exclamation ´´I found it´´! The true character of a man is not only measured by his boldness when standing for truth, but even more so in  the sincerity and love shown in the little things.  Him and his wife also not only supported us, but helped us pull a prank on the AP´s.... AKA I love them! 

We were only able to work the full day through on Thursday and Friday. But we were blessed to be teaching and not be out finding. We also got some amazing referrals from members this week. This is the first time in my mission that I have gotten confidence from the members so soon. I am super excited to be here!

Yesterday we had a lesson with M. it has been a struggle to find her but even though she is never home on Sundays we felt like we should go and found her yesterday. She let us in and the first thing she said was, ´´Just a sec, let me grab my Book of Mormon´´ She came back and within the last week has read up to 1 Nephi 14 and asked her teacher if she can do a book report on The Book of Mormon instead of the classic they are reading. Super proud of her. We were inviting her to be baptized when her Mom walked in. Her mom is super catholic but among her praises of saints and virgins she answered my question if she has seen a change in her daughter since she started reading the Book of Mormon. She answered yes. And we were in the process of putting fecha on the both when her father got home from work. The third time was the charm. The spirit was strong. And needless to say, The Book of Mormon is true. The parents didn´t accept a baptismal date but they all know it is true. 

Another miracle, a young couple we are teaching decided to get married. It is a long process but are taking the first steps of being an eternal family.

I got whatever Hna. Lawrence got, I am sick enough that I got a blessing but not sick enough to stay inside. Pray for me though, I don´t feel that great and we have a way awesome P-day planned with the sisters from sucre and some less actives and investigators. 

Love you all! Praying for you! 

The gospel is true. Life is wonderful!

Love,

Hermana Hill

pics.... LOOK!! I found a jazz coat! And a BOM shirt (quite literally the Bomb!) I also found a wicked awesome night gown  but figured I am already embarrassing myself enough with swag.

Amanda's Letter

June 21, 2014

Dear Family,

So I leave to Mendoza after church tomorrow and won´t get back to Wednesday so President told me I could use a half hour and he made me promise that I would at least use a couple to tell you I am fine and happy!

I absolutely love San Luis which sounds weird because I am right in the middle of one of the most European provinces in Argentina. Everyone is white, there are no ascequias (open sewer), hardly any dogs on the streets, no garbage, I haven´t seen any robings yet, and only one dead animal on the side of the street. I live in the middle of centro, like outside my door is a Peruvian farmers market and the giant screen that the government puts up for the Mundial. You think I am kidding but look at the pictures!

It also feels like a European mission. We were at a bus stop  and the first person I tried to talk to took my Mormon.org card from my hand crumpled it up and threw it on the ground and walked to the back of the group of people. Not a single person let us in their house for my first two days here. But we had three miracle lessons yesterday and contacted a way good referral from the bishop this morning. I remember my first week in San Rafael. It sounds rough, but so far I haven´t minded it. It is so easy to distinguish who wants to listen and who doesn´t. I honestly haven´t minded it so far. I am really lucky that I have an amazing companion. We get along really well. The other sisters in my apartment are hilarious and love to cook. They are both from El Salvador and I love Papusa so I am happy! And I am working with two of my favorite Elders in the mission in my ward. They really work, and even though we are all ending soon every single of us really wants to not only be here but give it everything we got. You better be excited to read my family letters this week. I can just foresee all the miracles. OH I am so EXCITED!!! 

I love San Luis!

I love this work!

I love my life!!

And being the first day of summer I guess this letter would be incomplete without.... HAGS!!

Hermana Hill

The crossroads with the Holy Ghost

Dear Fam,

We have an awesome group going up to Zonda with us today so that will be way fun. Will send pictures for sure next week. 

You would think that by now I would know what to write in family letters but I got nothin. 

This week I have thought a lot about agency. How Satan's plan from the very beginning was to take away our ability to choose. As we follow Gods plan we are given more and more choice. Perhaps it is the culture, but I feel like the classic parenting style here is taking away freedom so the only option is choosing good, but somehow children manage to choose wrong. The absolute strongest families I have seen are those who have taught their children all they could and leave them at the crossroads with the Holy Ghost. And when I came to that realization I changed slightly how I teach. It is crucial to ensure that investigators know how the spirit feels and then let the gentile Spirit guide their footsteps instead of my forceful hand. I just wish they could see the blessing that comes from living within guidelines of our Father in Heaven. 

The mission is so strange you can be so incredibly happy and then within two hours can be filled with so much sadness. For example, yesterday at church was Fast Sunday and we called down the blessings for our investigators to come to church. Tons of less actives came but no one was home when we went to pick them up (sadness). So we went to Relief Society and Sunday School with no investigators but G. ended up coming to bless her child and brought her whole family to come and watch.(Happiness) I was so happy as Hno. Q. stood up to bless this precious little baby after the sacrament. The spirit was strong and L. (the youngest of the Kim Family) got up and bore her testimony and from the podium invited her family to get up as well. I just couldn´t handle all the tender mercies as God showed me the progression of so many as they stood to bare their testimonies. (pure joy) Hno. Q. left church to pick up Emmanuel who was attending another church at the time, he is so awesome.(bliss) I left church on a spiritual high and knew that this family too had felt the spirit and were so prepared for the restored gospel.

 Just a couple hours later we got off a micro that we had barley caught after a controversial birthday lunch where the newly activated member and her devout Evangelical son-in-law didn´t see eye to eye on religion, and broke our fast eating super vinegary cow intestines. We had a leadership meeting that wasn´t as efficient as I would have hoped and I left frustrated and late to our next appointment. We got to the house and we were greeted with open doors but with the sad news that his wife had just barely left and the sad knowledge that even though we had prepared a spirit-filled lesson we could not enter the house to teach it. We left and decided to see if we could walk faster then the bus that only passes once every hour and had just dropped us off. As I walked the long road back to civilization with profound and not so profound thoughts filling my mind. The happiness seemed to be reduced by the surrounding darkness. Each footstep was heavy and forced and hurt from my feet who reminded me I couldn´t keep wearing my whole-y shoes, or my back that wasn´t exactly happy with the extra gospel principal books I was lugging around.  When we finally reached city limits and could walk side by side by my companion it was a wake up call that I wasn´t alone nor could I assume that I was the only one who was about ready to burst with thoughts. Hna. Barney and I had an amazing conversation that was interrupted constantly as we talked to those around us, but by the time we reached home I was so incredibly grateful for the infinite and eternal truth I knew, my family that has gone before, and those I have by my side. And in that moment I was so grateful for all those before me who in that crucial moment at cross roads listened to the still small voice of the Holy Ghost and amidst the darkness, chose light. 

The Gospel is True.

Life is wonderful!

Hermana Hill

Amanda's Letter

Dear Family,

I am glad to here mom is back home from the hospital! Take that ICU!!! You´ve got nothing on her!! 

This week we saw loads of miracles. But I had a moment this week that rivals for top experience of my mission. So while I was in Colorado there was a less active father who had a daughter serving a mission. I grew to love the family a lot and I really had nothing to do with his change, we just had him come teach lessons with us all the time,  but during the 9 weeks I was there I was able to see him come back to the church. There were few moments in my mission that have more sincere from his wife giving me a hug with tears rolling down her face as she read to me the letter from her daughter who was serving a mission when she found out that her Dad had received a temple recommend and that they could be sealed the day she returned from her mission. Ever since that experience I have made sure that I keep tabs on all the missionaries families to make sure they are very much spiritually alive when their children return from missions. 

Well the Familia K.... was baptized about a year and a half ago and their oldest son is serving his mission. They haven´t been coming to church but the family is amazing. This week we had the whole family come with us to teach another recent convert lesson and the families clicked, pero de 10!! The Marinero family asked Hermano Kim why his family joined the church. I wasn´t quite sure what he was going to say because about 6 weeks ago he told me he wasn´t quite sure if God existed but he bore such powerful testimony of the change that comes when one is living in harmony with the gospel. The familia marinero began to cry and we had a mini testimony meeting. The spirit was strong and I know it testified to everyones heart. At the end Hermano Kim borrowed a  guitar and we all sang How Great Thou Art at the top of our lungs. I just wish I could have sent all of this to their son. This Sunday when I arrived to church the Familia Kim hadn´t gotten there yet and I called and they didn´t answer. I was sad they didn´t wake up but at the end of Relief Society (we have church backwards here, sacrament at the end) the presidenta welcomed Hermana Kim, and Hermano Kim to Relief Society (it had been a long time since they got their so early that they had both come into the RS room) It made me so happy! So grateful for the changing power that comes with the spirit. 

I love my comp! Hna. Barney! I knew her before the mission so that is way fun! We found our Robles family this week. Father is less active. Mother super receptive with two cute kids. 

I am fasting from English so it is weird to be writing so much English. Spanish is still a struggle. I still speak wrong. I can understand everything and I talk too fast. But I still don´t know the rules. Guess I should have had more Spanish lessons while doing the dishes with you, James! Oh and I am a huge RIVER fan!! And it is not because they won it all either. 

The Gospel is True.

Life is wonderful!

Hermana Hill 

Triumph: Try with a little umph!!!

Dearest Family,

I had the strange desire to write this in the form of a poem but not think will be happening... What rhymes with family? Clearly the length in the mission is directly correlated with the loss of creativity. 

Good thing I talked with ya´ll last week cause this week my voice is a mix between batman, and that frog voiced kid from little rascals. Its getting cold and managed to catch a little gripe. It was able to work fine though, just hope no one gets the wrong impression and a long with all the other misinterpretations about our faith is that they all their ´´homely Mormon women (mark twain)´´ talk like men too.  I did get a fever for a day or two and woke up in the middle of the night due to moaning. I thought the unrealistic thought of ´´the nerve of Hna. Sagers to wake me up!!´´ but then I came to the sad realization that the awful guttural noise was coming from my own throat. I am up to three blankets at night.... Its getting cold (yes, mom, I am thinking about turning off the fan)

Dad, this monday I decided to print off all your articles from the Ensign and downloaded your articles and humored myself listening to some strange man trying to be my Dad. I came to thinking, can you send me ´´Dealing with Differences´´ from that fireside that you gave with Mom before she died. That way I can listen to the both of you. And also Dad, you inspire me!! I love the way you write! I found myself crying during personal study the next day and now I am 5 paragraphs into memorizing The Family: a proclamation to the world. I love you so much. I am so grateful for the temporal sacrifices you made to be one of my best friends!! 

This Monday I realized, being the last week of the transfer, that this might be the last week I had to work with Hna. Sagers. We made some awesome goals and worked incredibly hard this week. We found so many potentials. The line kept coming to my head from my memorizing ´´Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of Heavenly Parents, and as such, each has a Divine nature and destiny.´´ I was overwhelmed with the love I have for not only you guys back home, but all my brothers and sisters. 

Mom, know my prayers are with you. Keep me updates on the surgery! I didn´t realize how serious everything was. You guys sounded so nonchalant on skype last week! 

Love you all!

Hna. Hill 

1. Need I say more.

2. At your request mom, here is a normal faced picture as well...

Amanda's Letter

Dearest Family,

Feliz 5 de mayo!! I celebrated by stilling some Mexican candy from Elder Garcia yesterday during leadership meeting!! Love spicy candy!! And I got my hands on some legit Mexican spices for tacos. Hay carramba!! 

Oh, what time is Ryan calling yáll for mothers day? Don´t want to crash the party, I will call on Saturday for cinco minutos and we can figure that all out then. All I ask is answer the phone... (not like the airport Mom, just kidding! I love your guts!) 

This week was weird. We had consejo and we ended up spending about 2.5 days in Mendoza. I got really good at medical translating though. Right when I was filling confident with my Spanish they through me another whole line of vocabulary. And before you get the idea that I am dying of some exotic parasite you should know that 1. this is Argentina and their is hardly anything exotic. 2. That would be my companion whose suffering from parasites 3. Really the nurse has been in the U.S. for the last couple of weeks so I ended up translating everything to help her catch up. Next day was President Avila last zone conference so we only really worked 3 days this week. 

I have this really complex thought process that I will try to write down. During Zone conference an Elder I had worked with at the beginning of my mission got up to give his last testimony. When I had worked with him he was not exactly obedient and it was sad for me to see him waste so much of his mission. But as he stood to speak I was amazed by how much he had changed in the last 4 or 5 transfers. The spirit testified powerfully, and taught with his heart. At that moment I realized that he would be returning a hero. He had served a full mission, and from what I could see, he would leave reconciled by the grace of our Savior and, thus, would leave perfect. 

This week ´´give us this day our daily bread´´ really caught my attention and as I was thinking about this and in relation to the manna that the children of Israel gathered daily I couldn´t help but think of this Elder, and who we are really comes on a daily basis. It goes both ways. It doesn´t matter how disobedient you were yesterday you can repent and receive your daily bread for that day. And it doesn´t matter how hard I work I cannot save my bread for tomorrow. With the sound of the alarm I must wake and give my all, yet again. It was slightly disheartening at the moment I came to that realization. That the work never stops. That there is never a break. That even when I am released I still need to stand in the face of opposition and I know that if I keep doing what I am doing I will never receive a break. So why do we jump out of bed when the alarm rings? Why to we continue to serve when we are rejected? Why to we continue to cry with those that mourn knowing that they probably will choose to cry even if there are reasons to laugh? Why do you continue to love your children even though they never listen to what you say? Because we show our love to God by being obedient. Because the faith to build must be followed by the diligence to maintain. Because we know that in order to live (spiritually) we must collect our daily manna. And in order to live joyfully now and for forever we must be spiritually alive.

The gospel is true. I testify of that. And because it is true, life is wonderful.

Love,

Hermana Hill

Amanda's Letter

I wanted to use the subject ´´Even falling on your face is a step forward´´ but felt like the other was a little more inspiring!

I wrote lots of emails this morning and now I don´t have nearly as much time as I hoped to tell you about how awesome this week was. And it just gets better! I woke up this morning at 6 to a text from E..... sincerely apologizing for not coming to church yesterday and that she promised she would go to sleep earlier so that she could fulfill her commitment to us the following week. (got to love texts like that) We also live above a bakery so I get to wake up every morning to the smell of freshly baking croissants. Though a blessing it is also a curse. Its like when you walk through the mall and come across the pretzel store and you know its a waste of money and time but your mouth starts to water and it looks really tempting. It is a good thing I am learning lots of self control on my mission. It has been said, you cannot say ´´Lord, I am your servant´´ until you can say ´´I am the master of my soul´.

Well this Saturday Hna. Sagers and I sat down at a plaza to start our fast when some kids playing soccer over shot the goal and I ran over to kick back the ball. I looked at my companion and she yelled ´´Fine, 5 minutes´´ with her permission I decided to show up the 13 year old with my mad goalie skills. I dropped by bag next to the goal post and I am proud to say that not a single goal was made and got three different houses who the boys said had just had baby´s (one of the best way to get referrals because they KNOW everyone and will tell you where everyone lives) I ran back to the bench and we started our fast. I was excited for the day we had 3 solid lessons in a row and all with different members. I opened my bag and my heart sunk when I realized that the phone had disappeared and when I looked to the kids playing soccer they had all magically disappeared. Mad that the phone had gotten stolen I was determined to get it back. So something you should know about Argentina. Just about everyone sleeps siesta in San Juan. Only people from about 7-22 are awake. And because the police generally take their nap too it is a perfect time for..... well, no good.

I walked over to one of the older groups who were smoking, I am not quite sure what and asked if they knew where the kids lived and explained that they had just stolen my phone. I loved one of the guys response ´´Are you serious? Kids these days!´´ but they were so nice! One whistled a guy on a bike and in the space of about 3 minutes they had gathered all the kids together and told them they needed to give our phone back NOW or else.... One kid told us what house to go to and the whole clan came with us to knock and ask for Fede. He quickly returned the phone!  It was awesome. It made me think twice about the labels we put on people. The whole experience was super funny. 

Had an awesome exchange this week. I went to Pocito which is in the middle of NOWHERE! I did not get a single rejection the whole time we were there. The people were so humble and willing to change. That is what I thought missionary work was like and always imagined myself in that kind of pueblo but I have grown to love cities as well. Well I should say I am growing to love them. 

We got an awesome new ward mission leader this week and I am super excited for the fire he will bring. But I have a feeling I would be able to stay in Rivadavia for very long. But long enough to get the work pumping. 

We went to Ullum last P-day. I have some super funny pictures of me frolicking in the flowers and me being me but they are all on Hna. Sorensens camera, and I still wish to get married someday, so for now these pictures will have to suffice!

The little things

Dear Family,

The internet is awful today so hopefully this will go through.

This week had its ups and downs. But obviously had more ups then downs. Guess who I was able to do intercambios this week with?!?! Hna. Sorensen!! We killed it! They are in the finding process (like us all) but we found 6 stellar investigators. We pulled a San Rafael and called down the blessings of Heaven. I was also taught a beautiful lesson.  So packages are not getting through to Argentina but E´ C. Came back from General Conference with a suitcase full of stuff for Hna. Sorensen. I was really touched when he dropped by the pension after driving 11 hours just to drop of the package. When Hna. Sorensen realized the sacrifice the busy member of the 70 had made for her she asked why, he then said, ´´Anything for the family of an old companion.  He did the same when we were serving¨  I do believe I have made some of my lifelong friends here on the mission.

This week I realized the importance of enjoying the journey. This week Hna. Sagers and I had a rough day. No one was home, well that’s not exactly true, lots of people pretended not to be home which is always worse. But there is this gorgeous field and we took 5 minutes to watch the sunset. I was overwhelmed by all of God’s love for us. While we were there a young family must have had the same idea and had a good conversation with the family.

This week I studied the atonement and found that as I did so I couldn´t wait to leave the pension to do work. Horarios have changed and we can leave at 9:30 and there have been huge miracles as you are out of the pench by then.

I have to send you the sweetest picture! S….. also gave one of the most powerful testimonies I have heard at a baptism and the confirmation was also very sweet. I am so grateful  I was a part of her baptism.

The Gospel is true!

Life is wonderful!

Hna. Hill

I´m Ancient...

Dear Family, 

Today I opened my email, wrote a quick email and then saw that I had received my Trunky papers. Sigh.... Why is time going by so quickly?!?!? Dad, are you coming to back home to Argentina when I end my mission or are we coming back together when the Cordoba temple is dedicated? (Please note that Sí o sí vas a regresar conmigo). Is the Stake President still the same? What is his email address?

This week was crazy!! I cannot believe it has only been a week! We had a way awesome Zone Meeting last week. Hna. Cooley didn´t have much time to prepare but the spirit was so strong! It was a good way to end my time in San Rafael. I didn´t say goodbye to hardly anybody. Not even all of the recent converts, but didn´t feel like it was necessary. I still miss San Rafael a lot though. But even more then I miss San Rafy, I love chimbas. I love Sister Sagers so much! She is an amazing missionary she is also very profound and I feel like everyday is very edifying. And I don´t mind that she laughs at everything I do. Makes me feel super funny.

This week there was a day that was really long. We didn´t get into any houses. Just rejection after rejection. We talked to everyone and their dog (quite literally, Hna. Sagers has this thing for those really ugly small dogs that do nothing but bark and pee, and as you know quite well, I am more of the giant dog type, and it is a great way to start a conversation) With the owner of course.... We got shut down at one house with a giant Rottweiler, but they gave us a reference of a young couple down the street. We ended up teaching them later that night. Jordan, you once asked me if I felt the presence of my Mom on my mission. I have from time to time. But during this lesson I felt her so strong. I could barely keep myself from crying during the whole lesson. We sat across from a couple that had been married for 2.5 years above their heads was a picture from their wedding where their joy was evident but the husband after fighting cancer  for the last 2 years had changed a lot in appearance but still had the same hope in his eyes and it was evident that the two years of struggle had brought them closer together then further apart. My heart went our to the young couple as it hit close to home, particularly this time of year but also I fully remembered that this next week also includes Easter with the promise to those who are true and faithful will be fully healed, spiritually, and physically. And even though I could not promise this young couple that they would be able to stay that much longer in this life. I could, with power from my own testimony and that of my Mom, that they could be together for eternity if they allowed Christ to spiritually heal their hearts. 

The gospel is true.

Life is wonderful!

Love Hna. Hill

Live, Laugh, Learn

Dear Family!

Dad!! Happy Birthday!! Que lo cumpla feliz!! I really thought of you yesterday during Elder Packers talk and was touched that of all the titles He could choose He chose the title of Father. I am so glad you too are my father and for all those long walks we went on and all the time I would come into your office and you would set aside your work and take the time to put me first. I love you lots! Happy Birthday!

This week was not an average week. I left Monday afternoon for Mendoza, stayed in Mendoza for tuesdays counsel meeting and instead of coming back we had a sisters conference. A year ago this mission had 16 sisters. This sisters conference we had just under 70 sisters. We all climbed Cerro de la Gloria and looked over all of Mendoza. We all had a dinner at Presidents home and the following day I was incharge of two hours of activities for all the sisters. Turned out being a teen counselor really has come into play. It was a blast. We also had a marriage and family therapist come and teach us how to deal with conflict (not nearly as good as you Mom) and now I am just waiting for to have an argument with my companion so I can practice everything I have learned (just kidding).

So I got back to my area thursday and had weekly planning and district meeting. Then we had conference Saturday and Sunday. We worked efficiently for the time we had. Yesterday I was extrememly touched as I watched the C.... Family as they watched conference (Hna. Reyes and I were sitting behind them) When Pres. Monson stood up, husband and wife straightened up and turned a new page of notes and their daughter pointed and said, ´Look, it is the prophet of God´´.

I loved conference! I have so many awesome plans for this next transfer!! I AM GOING TO RIVIDAVIA!! I am giong to la provincia de San Juan. Everyone tells me that I have one of the best wards in the mission! I am so excited! And I will be traveling a ton, me and Hna. Seagers are over the whole province. I love San Rafael so much. I have seen so many miracles and we have so many people progressing right now but I know I am leaving these precious souls in capable and dedicated hands.

Preach My Gospel from this week: Pg. 152 or 163 in spanish. (About having your line in the water all the time you are fishing) This week because we were out and about, or in meetings it was hard to do the typical missionary work. But I had a way cool experience with Hna. Ashby the new mission nurse. She asked me to take a picture of her as she bought food from a street vender for the first time. I translated for her and we talked to the vender for awhile it came up that his wife died 6 months ago and that he was raising a 9 year old daughter by himself. Testimony was shared and we got all of his information so the missionaries in Mendoza could teach him. I didn´t think anything of it, I mean that is what we do all the time. But Hna. Ashby was so excited. I was able to be part of her first Abrir la Boca. She showed everyone the address and phone number of José and had his baptism planned by the time we left San Martin Plaza. I realized then how easy it would have been to have only taken the picture and not have said anything. I realized that we are always represantives of Jesus Christ. We cannot allow these miracles to pass us by. We must be agents unto ourselves decide to share the peace that comes with the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that does not mean only finding, but stregthen where we are. I remember one siesta in Godoy Cruz there was NO ONE and I thought to myself ´´What the heck! I came her to testify, not to walk´´ In that moment the impression came ´´Well then testify, you are not alone.´´ That siesta me and Hna. Rodriguez had one of the most powerful conversations that determined the character of person I want to be when I return! That line in the water is a continous thing! It doesn´t start when you leave the apartment. You decide what type of missionary you are going to be at 6:30.

Preach My Gospel Study: Lesson 3 in chapter 3. Study along if you so desire!

Sabés? I feel kind of embarrassed for admitting this, because it meant I didn´t listen to all those Family History lessons we had during family reunions, but from Hill, Ray, Mulford, and Snell side how did we come to know the truthfulness of the gospel?

The gospel is true.

Life is wonderful!

Stay cool!

Hna. Hill

O be wise, what can I say more

Fam,

First off, Mom, remind Jordan to answer my email of this week!! Thanks!

This week was awesome! I believe I worked smarter this week then I have so far on my mission. That has been my focus this tansfer. That and recognize that all of these little goals are really for the purpose of helping families to be together forever. It is so much better to teach families instead of just people. 

This week we had an attendence of 63 people at our baptizm on Saturday. We had 2 different recent converts perform most baptisms and they brought lots of family and we were able to contact lots of references and pass a lot on from other missionaries that were there.

I had a really sweet experience. Elder Martinez baptized Veronica but she started to cry before entering the water. She got really scared and Elder M. had no idea what to do.I knelt down on the top stair and asked if she wanted to pray. Elder Martinez said one of the most powerful prayers I have heard and she boldly took steps of faith, I don´t think I have ever seen someone that happy come out of the water. Her Mom was so excited as well! Families, they are wonderful!

I was also able to stand with Hna. R....... as she watched her oldest son baptize F.and A...... It was powerful. I could feel so strongly this mothers desire for her children to walk in truth and the joy knowing that her 17 year old son had made a 180 degree turn and was now worthy to baptize someone which made their goal of going to the temple in July that much more possible. 

There were lots of highlights of this week. I had an awesome intercambio in Ballofett. I am impressed with the calaber of new sister missionaries that are coming in. When does Kaylee Hill come to Argentina? 

Oh and I got letters from the Zundel family this week. My district leader Elder Stocks, gave them to me and says to say ´´Hi´´. Heidi, I need your mission email, so I can answer all your questions. 

Love you all! And for those who are Philly, enjoy.Sorry, I am not there to make the Panini´s.

Love you all!

Hna.Hill

Dedication

Dear Family,

We worked really hard this week. Big surprise there.... Just kidding but this week was awesome. Mom, you said something about the fourth semester starting, that is insane! Random fact that I find hilarious is that today starts week for of school here in Argentina and the kids have only gone to school 4 days of the last 3 weeks and will only have school on Friday this week. All the teachers are on strike until the government gives them a pay raise. All the parents and children are getting restless but hey, who can complain about having an extra month of Summer?! 

And Maddy, I don´t even care if you become every ones favorite Aunt but make sure you just enjoy all the time you have with our nieces and nephews. I cannot believe that Seth got a job!! Tell him he needs to write me again! 

The leafs are changing and falling and along with that comes the change in temperature which has left both Hna. Cooley  and I talking like dying cows but actually people listen more carefully to see if they can disypher what we are saying. We found this awesome guy from Haiti. By the time everything was cleaned up from the baptism we only had like 30 minutes left to work so we hit the streets to reach the daily goals and saw miracles. 

But the highlight of my week was when I was working with Hna. Flores in her area. They have been teaching a 17 year old for about 2 months and they haven´t been able to get permission from her father for baptism. Hna. Flores and I started the intercambio on our knees praying for the opportunity to talk to her father. As we entered her house she told us he wasn´t there. We taught the lesson and toward the end he entered the house and headed upstairs with the word ´´chau´´ or goodbye.... Hna. Flores brought up the story of Ester and the spirit was so strong. We prayed together and we asked her to take the steps of faith to invite her father to listen to us. As she asked how she was going to do that we heard him start to practice is guitar. So we invited her to ask him if we could listen to him play. She was terrified but stood and with steps of faith asked him to enter the room. She entered again followed by her father who is an excellent musician. During the first two songs she sat her back to him with her head down. I recognized his second song he played (turns out listening to the Herb Albert CD on repeat on Saturday morning cleanings did help me prepare for my mission) I was so grateful for the confidence that comes from hope and the knowledge that God will fulfill his promises. His response to my question was ´´I will support my daughter in her decision¨. I don´t think I will forget the facial expression of T.....We invited him to listen to what we were teaching his daughter and he said next time. And ended with a final song. I couldn´t help but radiate the happiness that I could see in T... eyes her held was held high and I couldn´t help but think of all the modern day Esters all around the world.

Love you all! And remember it takes steps of faith to accomplish those things that are most important. 

The gospel is true.

Life is wonderful!

Hermana Amanda Ray Hill

Amanda's Letter

March 17, 2014

Dear Family,

This week was insane! I fell in love with Malargue. It is the furthest city south of the mission. I am so sad I didn´t bring my camera. I haven´t seen a sunset that beautiful in years. I was working with Hna. Jasso who is a new missionary and is super full of fire. Malargue is way small and we had to walk at least 3 kilometres just to get to our first appointment but that evening has been one of the best in my mission. We took the young women's president from the branch who comes from a family of 12 and went from finca to finca (a kind of farm...) and taught family after family. It was a big leap of faith for the Hermana to finally share what she sincerely believed and it was very well received. Her niece from our first visit asked if we were walking and offered us her truck. So she came with us to all of the rest of our visits and by the end of the 5 hours was asking what she needed to do to be baptized. She drove us back to town and she drove out of the way to make sure she knew how to get to the church on Sunday. Oh it was beautiful. I was excited to keep working in Malargue but we got a call that night and ended up traveling back to San Rafael at 1 in the morning. 

Hna. Cooley and I were both exhausted and fell asleep on the 4 hour ride. I remember jerking awake and immediately grabbing my bag and it wasn´t until I was off the bus when I realized how blessed we were that we didn´t keep on sleeping all the way to Mendoza (another 3.5 hours). Who knew the spirit was an alarm clock too!

On Sunday we had 3 investigators that beat us to church and T. ended up making some really good friends. I just love her! She got to the church at 8:20!  This week we taught her the Word of Wisdom and she told us that she coffee wasn´t strong enough to be bad for her. And when on for the next couple minutes about how there is no way God would ask her to give it up. After she finished her rant we asked her to pray in that moment to ask God if that is what He wanted her to do. She started her prayer and immediately said, ¨I know I need to give up coffee, and know that you can give me the strength´´. She hasn´t drunken coffee since. And she is coming with us to visit some menos activos this week. If you can include Familia Millard in your prayers that would be great!

This upcoming week will be really crucial. And we had lots of change in the zone including new sisters! Hna. Hatch is back in my Zone which is so great. Just love her to death! Quite literally.... as she is ending her mission soon. 

Raquel and her family is doing great. The ward is helping her out a ton. She has helped me realize how much I have been blessed with and the sincerity we should all have. Basically, if you can´t tell, I have fallen in love with San Rafael! I love it here! I never want to leave!! 

Love you all! Heidi, I wish you the best luck on your mission! I promise I will write you when I get home!! Until then, you can read the plethora of letters your family will write!!

The gospel is true.

Life is wonderful!

Hna. Hill

I´m loving it!!

Dear Family,

I am at a period of my life on my mission that really I am in love with everything. The weather is perfect (for the most part), I have an awesome companion, we found 3 families last week (and mom I think you completely misunderstood me, there were 80 people in sacrament meeting JAMAS have I ever had anywhere close to that number of investigators at church) give me a couple more weeks... Just kidding. But I love my mission a lot. And I have always been blessed by miracles during my mission and whenever I get a new companion they are always really good at recognizing all the miracles and reminding me of how blessed we really are!

One specific miracle- we were walking and decided to talk to EVERYONE (1st best way of finding people). During the siesta we were walking quickly and we got lost (2nd best way to finding people) we stopped a lady who was watering her lawn (illegal, but the police sleep during the siesta too) and as we talked to her she asked, ¨are you guys christian?´´ and we answered in the affirmative she invited us in telling us she was looking for a church. Though she lives alone we contacted her family that live around centro and on Sunday the whole back row was filled with honest seekers of truth.

This week I started the Book of Mormon again. It is so true! I love that book!! By theme for this week is Hebrews 10 -
35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

 36 For ye have need of ^apatience, that, after ye have done the ^bwill of God, ye might receive the ^cpromise.
 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man ^adraw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
 39 But we are not of them who ^adraw back unto ^bperdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

I have been amazed at the power that comes from the words of the scriptures. After consejo I really wanted to purify my heart and remembered the peoples desire, after King Benjamin's sermon, to do good continuously and as I studied King Benjamin's sermon this week I found that the change was wrought about my the better understanding of the character of Christ, and what he did for us.  What the atonement really means. How powerful it is to know of that infinite and eternal sacrifice. How powerful it is to know and be a witness of Him at all times and in all things and all places. And though I do not fully understand what He has done, it has changed my heart. How blessed we are.

Thank you for the updates on Grandma. Say goodbye for me, give her a big hug, kiss, send my love and remind her of all those times I snuck into her room in the super early morning to talk to her and even though I would wake her up she still loved me.

Love you all!

The gospel is true, and life is wonderful!

Hna Hill