4-8-13

Seventh change in Los Plátanos and called to be a District Leader.

I'm still in Los Plátanos for another change! Who knows how long I'll be here haha. I remember when Dad was telling me that I would be out of here after my third change if not my second haha.

Elder Close and I are well. We had some rough moments this past week, but I'm remembering what you all told me about this time being one of the toughest time in the mission so I'm being as patient as I know how to and it is definitely showing its rewards. Every little conflict that we have had, we have been able to bounce back. I'm thankful for the gospel and this missionary work and how it allows us to do that.  I'm learning so much.

"C" is doing extremely well. She appears to be good friends with people in the Young Single Adults and went to General Conference with us on Sunday. We're working with her mom right now (who has a baptismal date for the 21st!). She has come such a long way and I am so happy for her. Her biggest trial right now is smoking but we are working with her and praying very hard for her.

We are struggling so hard to find new investigators so please pray for that specifically for us.

Oh, and my zone got split due to the huge numbers of incoming missionaries. I am now the District Leader for six missionaries! I'm excited to help and serve that way. I was used to it because Elder Smith was a district leader and I actually missed that dimension of the work after he left. So I'm happy that I get to aid in that part of missionary work again.

How did you all like General Conference? I loved it! I was actually hoping that they would say that the time that missionaries served was extended to three years haha. I watch half the Conference in Spanish with "C" and with another missionary. It's not the same unfortunately, but it's not bad. I watched Elder Perry's talk (I think it was him, he spoke about obedience to the laws of the Gospel) in Spanish and I could see him getting so passionate in the background, but the interpreter was pretty neutral. That was a bummer, but it's still great how well the Church can instantly speak to the whole world at once, despite language barriers.

I finally got your package this week and loved it.  I ate the Teddy Grahams during Conference haha. :)

I ran out of time so I need to go. I love you all so much! Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I always do the same.

Arto amor,

Elder Hill

4-1-13

Hey everybody!  Happy Easter!

First, I LOVED all the videos that you sent me this past week. I loved seeing everyone and seeing a lot of you. I was surprised to see Maddie with her glasses! But you are super gorgeous Maddie so no worries. :)  Lindsey, you look great and older. Maddie and Lindsey look older, Kurt just looks jackkked (you're welcome for the comment dude), and Mom and Dad just look younger than ever. ;)

I really miss you guys! I had a great week this week, although it's starting to get colder. Just think to yourselves, every day that's warmer for you, I'm just that much colder. ;) haha. It's a fun change though from the heat. I like drinking Ecco more now that it's colder.

Elder Close and I are doing well. He's slowly adjusting to Spanish. This companionship is teaching me a little more about patience in a different aspect I guess haha. We have a lot of fun though when we get all goofy so that's good. :)  Elder Close confirmed "C" yesterday! He was so nervous all week and when he gave her a blessing, he was shaking so much. "C" said her head was being shook the whole blessing haha, but she said it didn't bother her. There are just things that happen she says. She's a good sport. :) She's meeting a lot of the ward now! Her mom also wants to be baptized now because she has seen the blessings that the gospel has brought. Also, when we taught her about temples and baptisms for the dead, she was sold haha.

We taught some less actives that I didn't know before, so we're working with them. We also "broke up" with "F", but we're still on good terms. He said he thought about it and he didn't want to make too many promises that he said he wasn't going to keep always. So, we're done with him for now.

We had a fun activity on Saturday. We watched a play that a guy in our ward was in that was recorded as part of BYU's art program. He had special rights to show it so we invited investigators and watched it. No investigators showed up, but it was a good turn out still and "C" was there. It was so funny to watch our friend from our ward in the play because he had to hide his Chilean accent a little to make it more neutral. It was funny. :)

Nothing too interesting happened to me on Easter, but it was still a good day! I'm super excited for General Conference now!

I miss you all so much and pray for you constantly. I hope all is well at home!

Muchísimo amor,

Elder Hill