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