You love without service but you can´t serve without love!!

Dear Family,

I will be brief (not Ryan short, don´t worry). 

This week was another pretty rough week but I decided last p-day that I was going to be go-lucky happy. It rained straight for 4 days, and am one of the 2 missionaries in San Rafael (of the 22) who love the rain! It may have helped that I have the coolest rain boots ever. This meant that Hna. Sorensen made me carry her on my back over some really big rain puddles which I didn´t entirely mind. And on Friday on the way back from area 3 I jumped in 22 awesome puddles. I should have taken pictures but didn´t. Supposedly it rained more yesterday then it did in the complete last year in San Rafael, but that came from some Argentines and they like to exaggerate a little bit. 

We got a call and had to travel up to Mendoza for Visa stuff and ended missing almost two days of work. Which was disappointing because we had some big plans. And due to the rain only one investigator came. But it was one we dropped a couple weeks ago and this was a big step for him so hopefully he will get baptized soon. 

We had a miracle Tuesday. We are rarely at the church. But Tuesday we were waiting with a member for a less active to come with his almost wife who is not a member to do a church tour and they didn´t show up. We asked if we could leave the member with a prayer. As we said Amen, we heard the door open to find a mother of an investigator. Even though we invite her to every lesson she generally is too busy or leaves during the lesson. But she came in sat down and started to cry telling us she didn´t know where to go but knew that she could find peace in our church. We had a member already there and shared with her a powerful lesson. It is difficult for lots of missionaries to work during the siesta because it is ridiculously hot and everyone is asleep but I have found that the majority of the miracles I have been able to witness have happened during the siesta. 

Can´t believe Covey and Annie are married!!! I got their announcement this week and it was funny because Hna. Sorensen visa waited in the mission when he was AP. And then she showed me all the notes she had taken from different conferences where they had spoken. Thanks for the pictures!!! 

Well I am off!! I love you all!! And I am keeping Grandma in my prayers!!

The gospel is true.

Life is wonderful!!

Hna. Hill

Let us not take counsel from our fears

Dearest Family,

I was brought to tears as I read emails today. I want to particularly like to thank Abby, Mom, and Becky. It brought back a flood of memories. I am so grateful for the people who have influenced, and continue to influence me to do good! I am grateful for the influence Mark has had on our family. And know that I was praying for you all especially the Mulfords this week. 

This week was rough. We tried to find, and find, and find, but didn´t have much success. We had planned a día blanca for the 22nd of February, and were hoping for at least the minimum of 9 baptisms of the 15 we are preparing. But yesterday we ended up dropping the I....... family (which broke my heart), which were 4 of the secure baptisms, and no one attended church this week. I have been very blessed in my mission and it had been the first time that no investigators have come to church in many months. With that we will have to focus really hard on Camila, Sergio, Lydia, Karen, and Lourdes who have the required amount of Assistencias but I don´t know  if they will be fully prepared by the 22nd. But we will do all we can and leave it to the hands of the Lord. 

Pray for Lydia, she is down to 5 cigarettes a day, (came down from 40), but she needs to move out of Enzo´s house this week, and they have nothing, but she is fairly determined. And yesterdays lessons was super powerful.

We had an awesome ward activity this week. I took Aspen Foolies to a new level and we had a blast. Also I brought Nutella and basically I am every ones favorite missionary. ....not that I wasn´t before..... Jk. But only 1 investigator made it and no one brought friends, but it was a blast and I am confident that if we do another one in two weeks everyone will bring the neighborhood children. And mom sent me peanut butter cookie mix so the food will not lack there. (Thanks for your inspiration, Mom) P.s. we always try to bring members to lessons and as we analyse who would be best we generally come up with the same three people and as I was thinking how awesome it would be to have my family in the ward I was serving in. Not only would we probably double the population of San Rafael, but the fellowshiping would be ridiculous! So though I can´t have you here in Argentina with me. So help me, you better be fellowshipping where you are!! 

Hna. Sorensen sends home 14 pictures a week, and I think I have probably sent home 14 pictures my whole mission. But I will send a couple. 

1. LOOK NUTELLA!! put to good use.

2. Turns out sending me to barter at the market in Ecuador at age 10 was not a bad idea. Turns out I still have the old touch!

February!

Dear Family,

First off, I went to Mendoza and they had my Christmas package waiting for me.... So apparently the one that is in Buenos Aires is a different one. And I would advise you not to send anymore packages. And I doubt there has ever been a missionary in the world that has send that, but NOTHING is getting through. But my Christmas package was wonderful! Hna. Sorensen and I had a blast and I had two intercambios this week so they enjoyed everything as well. Funny thing is that I brought home a package for Hna. Sorensen and she got a calender too, and uno, and tons of candy! It was hilarious. But I got an ultimate Frisbee so clearly you guys win!! And thank you so much for pictures. Everyone I have shown thinks I have a gorgeous family! I would have to agree!

Second, everything is changing here and fast. When I went to Mendoza the taxi I took cost almost 40 pesos. Two months ago it cost just over 20. Bread is now at 18 pesos a kilo. Everyone is loosing jobs, especially here in San Rafael. My heart has been broken again and again this week. San Rafael is a smaller town. Its main source of income is tourism (has beautiful places like Nuihil, Valle Grande) and fruit. This past winter was strong and froze/burned all the fruit. Not very many people are traveling because of the economy and there is no fruit. In this past week there has been a huge influx of people on the street. 

Last night I couldn´t get C...... out of my head, she was way out of the way but we stopped by at about 8 last night and we helped her pack all of her boxes. Just broke my heart. It is a rough situation for all. And I feel like when you are in these situations of turmoil it is so easy to ask why. To question out of faithfulness you are put in difficult situations. The active members of the ward are suffering as well. I just wish we had more time to visit everyone who needs help. We have taught many lessons this week but people are not progressing. I just wish I could help people understand the blessings of obedience. Mosiah 2:41 has climbed to be one of my most favorite scriptures. 

We dropped lots of people this week. Which always is hard. Saturday we were focusing on finding and prayed hard on Friday to find a family of 4 the following day. Saturday was rough. Nothing and it was warm. But we continued working hard. Walking during the siesta and talking to EVERYONE!! We were not let in at all! But at 8:45 we found our family of 4. A grandmother with her 3 grandchildren. God answers prayers. We recieve testimonies after the trial of our faith. Do what you know is right and the blessings follow.

I love you all. Send your prayers this way. 

Your favoritest, smartest, funniest daughter, Duh! (I know I am missing a couple adjectives) 

Skills that pay the bills 2

Dear Family,

 I was so caught up in answering questions that I didn´t even explain my subject. So here in Argentina I am amazed by the transportation. For example yesterday there was a Father peddling a bike with the mother on the handlebars holding two children! Last week was my favorite though. I saw  a family of four on 1 motorcycle with the Father holding the stroller in one hand. Okay and that was tied with the family on the motorcycle where the mother was nursing... I still am amazed.  

Mom... I was going to avoid it all together but you directly asked me the question. I feel awful for telling you, but the package made it to Buenos Aires and then called saying there was complication and then it disappeared. I am so sorry Mom! But it is the thought that counts! Christmas was amazing anyways, I didn´t need the package. And plus, you finished my wedding quilt last week!! You should hide it away so I don´t see it until I am married .I would say you would be trying to hint at something but then again Jordans has been finished for how many years? Jordan, I am praying for you bro! Speaking of marriage!! ROSIE CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU ARE ENGAGED!!!  

And Maddy, congrats! I miss dancing around the kitchen with you. But looks like it paid off. Way to get a gold medal!! And Mom told me you were drooling! GROSS!

 This week was amazing! We hit a my record with lessons with member a present this week. And even better is that it involved 13 different members. We are doing awesome here in San Rafael. Hna. Sorensen is the best!! And yes, mom, we have already discussed roommate plans. We would destroy in intramural sports. We live about 5 blocks from the church and we look hilarious running to the church every morning with our soccer ball (yes seth, it is MY soccer ball) and a basketball. I am still awful at soccer, but have noted some progress.  

Last night I think I had my favorite lesson I have ever had on my mission. The member we took was well prepared for what we would be teaching, he is also awesome (returned missionary, elders quorum president) the family has a desire to learn ( had completed their reading assignment), we had prayerfully taken the sacrament that day and understood the eternal goal and blessings it would bring to the family. It was so powerful. We used many scriptures and ideas were used that we had not planned and was led so clearly by the spirit. We left, after the oldest son prayed for the first time after being called on by the head of the houshold. He prayed for us, and his family to take the steps towards baptism. We left and the member was pumped. We got some good referrals with him, and had another PEPO with him for the Family I. All in all I arrived home with a heart full of gratitude for the miracles that God places in our lives, and exhausted. Missionary work is the best, despite its difficulties. We planned hard for the following day. And I am excited for this following week.  

I wanted to mention Glorita, and Jessica, but maybe the story next week will be even better with their progress.  

I love you guys lots!  

Life is good! We are doing awesome! (and we had a cold storm this week that took the weather from 110 to high 60 and 70. I love my life!! 

Hna. Hill 

 

Skills that Pay the Bills

Dear Family,

So being the start of 2014 I decided this morning to set some goals. Yes, I know I am about 20 days late but if my math is correct that is the equivalent of starting sacrament meeting 9.86 minutes late and for Argentina that is REALLY GOOD. Seeing as though our ward Christmas party started about 2.5 hours late this year. But regardless my goal I set  is to be a better daughter, sister, missionary, etc. (yes I know it is not a SMART goal dad but it is a start) I figure for a start instead of fleeing the country and avoiding all real contact with you guys, I will settle my difference and start making my way back home, but be patient it might take about 10 months or so. Also as a part of this plan is to actually show that I read the letters you send by responding to questions (thank your for reprimanding me today, Hannah) and showing that I actually read the letters you send.

So for starters. Mom! Congrats for getting a teaching position at BYU!! Perhaps I will take classes from you and Dad my first semester back! And Mom, your thoughts on Revelations 12 were really powerful and made me think of 1 Nephi 17 when Nephi reprimands his reprimands his brothers after their ¨We might have been happy´´ pity party. Testifying is one of the most powerful ways of overcoming temptations. 

Maddy take a look at the 2nd picture I attached! But don´t pass out, alright? Or if you do make sure you have your pillow case with you :)

Other questions I should answer, Dad I am not sure when I am coming home, I have an interview with President and will ask his opinión and get back to you. We eat with members everyday. In Argentina during the summer they don´t generally eat dinner until about midnight so we eat lunch with people at about 1 to 2 everyday and they feed us so much! Worst food I have eaten was cow intestine but that is nothing compared to Moms cooking so... JUST KIDDING!!! I actually miss your cooking so much. It is still hard for me to eat steaming hot food when it is the dead of summer. Speaking of summer, it has been in the 40´s all week which is pretty hot for San Rafael but nothing compared to Piurra. But nights it has been super hard to sleep this morning we gave up and decided just to start exercising super early. 

Other questions.... Hmmm... To answer your pre-mortal life/creation question, Mom. I would have to say I helped with where water meets land. Whether if is small rivers, the ocean, or waterfalls. And then of course the Stars. It has been weird so come accustomed to tons of new constellations. 

This week... Was awesome we found 10 solid investigators this week, but we had 8 lessons with members fall through, which was really sad. Not tons of people came to church this week. 

I had many super humbling experiences this week. I don´t have time to share them all but hopefully next week!

I love you all so much! Hopefully I am to a start of a successful year of becoming better. 

Love,

Su misionera serviedoles en San Rafael

Speak Well and Be Heard

Dear Family,

Transfer calls came last night and I AM GOING TO.... stay!! I am so excited! And better yet, I am staying with Hna. Sorensen. So that is awesome!! Lots of new sisters came into the zone so the only thing that will really change is a lot more exchanges.

Speaking of exchanges I had an awesome exchange this week and I taught a lesson in English! She was from the Czech Republic!! I thought of you Hannah! But sad day, because when I found out her orgin I immediately wanted to speak to her in Czech and couldn´t remember a single word. Literally, not a single world. Clearly your language lessons late into the night right after you got home were wasted. Sorry! We found some solid investigators and at the end of the day I was slightly disappointed I couldn´t be there to teach them the rest of the transfer. We are teaching an older couple in my area who had some children living in the Area of the sisters of the exchange, and when we went to contact them it turned out E..... (the older lady) was at her daughters house. The whole family listened and I am waiting for the Hermanas to get to the cyber to see if they came to church. But they are golden!!

This week I saw some interesting things. And at one point during the week I analysed some of the situations I had witnessed and began to fear a little bit for the future. How in the world am I going to raise children in this world? It just seems as though the adversary has such a powerful influence. It just breaks my heart to see all of these broken families. But as I was in the middle of thinking of all the difficulties that the families face I was filled with peace knowing that we have the solution to the almost impossible problem. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ. How grateful I am that the atonement is infinite and eternal. That we have the promise that if we build our ourselves, and our family on the foundation of Christ we will overcome all. (Helamen 5:12, 3 Nephi 18:12-13, 1 Nephi 13) We are so lucky that we have this crucial key to the plan, where so many people do not. No need to fear, when we are full of faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement.

Les quiero!

The gospel is true,

Life is wonderful!

Feliz Año nuevo!

Family,

I decided to back up all my photos and I don´t know why but everyone is talking to me in the Cyber today so I wasted lots of time. Funny how computer time has changed from your first day in the mission to now. 

But this week was awesome. I had some super powerful experiences. Number 1. I went to Mendoza and was surprised to greet Presidente Avila with a cane. He broke his ankle over the holidays. You could tell he was in lots of pain as he talked to us. During the meeting my pen I was taking notes fell onto the ground and not wanting to interrupt I simply took out another one to continue taking notes. As soon as the assistance's were done President stood with much pain, he slowly made the way to the front where I was sitting and with much effort and the pain that was evident in his locked jaw and the wincing of his eyes found my pen on the ground and returned it to me. I am fairly stubborn and have never been one to allow others to help me and as I apologized to President he interrupted me and in front of the 30 missionaries said, ¨No, Hermana Hill thank you for the opportunity you gave me to serve you.¨ I was sincerely touched at the simple act of tenderness and new that this man of God would and has taken equal care of each of his missionaries. It was an incredible example of the Savior who is willing to show the love for the 99 by demonstrating the love for the 1. How the atonement is a one by one experience. How we too must remember the needs on the individual level and regardless of our sacrifice show that we are first witnesses of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Number 2. Y. hasn´t smoked in 13 days!!! We had an awesome lesson with her on Saturday where she brought out her doubts and fears of taking the step of baptism. She said she just needs another confirmation that this church is true. I have felt the spirit directing me before in lessons but the words were exact at what was supposed to be asked. I asked if she had faith in Jesus Christ. Then the baptismal questions followed. The spirit was strong. And after explaining the baptismal covenant she still explained her fear. I surprised by hearing myself say that as a representative of Jesus Christ she would receive her confirmation that she needed to take this step the following day during testimony meeting. She explained she was coming and then I asked her to demonstrate her faith by baring her testimony in front of the ward once she received her confirmation. She accepted. We promised blessings and testified and we started to fast. The next Sunday we got there early and I played prelude. The spirit was strong and about 20 minutes in Y. stood up and walked to the front. I couldn't help but cry as she first thanked everyone for welcoming her and she concluded with the phrase, ´´And I too, would like to add my testimony, that I know this church is true.¨ 

You have to love it when the investigator has announces their own baptism. She has been on fire ever since. During Relief Society visiting teaching was taught and she bajó la caña (or reprimanded) the ward as she said that the lack of visiting teaching demonstrates a lack of love for God and commitment to the truth. I guess that's what happens when you are a lawyer. She is great! She will be a leader for the rest of her life! The ward is super pumped and starting to give us lots of references. The only problem is that of the 12 people we have received 10 of them are in the Elders area, but I love San Rafael. I cannot believe that we are in the last week of the transfer. I just hope that Hna. Sorensen and I will be able to work another 6 weeks together. 

Love you all! Only 3 packages came in for the whole mission for Christmas still. Last time they had a backup like this in Buenos Aires they just ended up burning all the mail which I think is hilarious. My companion was horrified. Haha! Oh I love my life! And I love you!!

Have a good week! I am glad you are doing better Mom! Prayers are answered and I have been sending many of them to Utah!

The Gospel is true.

Life is wonderful!

Hna. Hill