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.....