My Joy Is FULL!

Elder Hill skipping on Railroad tracks~My Joy Is Full!

I have called this weeks letter "My Joy is Full" because Lorena and Raul are active in the Church, faithfully paying tithing EVERY week, and they are always on lds.org when we show up at night. Their two boys, Gael 7 and Uriel 4 are learning the gospel and want to be missionaries like us, with shirts and ties and name tags. They actively seek to attend the primary activities, even if they have to travel a few miles on a bus to get to the stake center or our chapel. Raul drives a camion, or basically an informal bus and is always reading the pamphlets and his principles of the gospel book when he is on his breaks. They are headed for the temple for sure! 

Elders Hill, Ton & Ortiz before today's transfers

Still gotta eat! Chicken Mole Enchiladas

My new companion arrived in La Quebrada today. His name is Elder Galvan from the furthest Northeast Corner of Mexico. I don´t remember what it is called, but that is how he described it to me. He is like 1.9 meters tall (6 feet) and a big guy. Really nice guy. We have only been together for an hour, but there is good to come. READ MORE OF ELDER HILL'S LETTER HERE!

Opposition Is Necessary To Gain A Testimony And To Grow. Trials Are No More Than Opportunities To Learn And Grow To Become What Heavenly Father Wants Us To Become.

Elders Hill and Ton w/ Investigator

Hola! 

It seems like I was just at the computer last week writing a letter. It went by super fast because Elder Ton and I are working in two areas with just us. I have been thinking about a few things to write, just because I don’t remember everything that happened this week, especially in order. However, here are a few things that happened this week: 

-We were walking from appt. to appt. one day and in front of us were two little girls playing with bubbles, but the huge kind with the big wand and all. Elder Ton was watching the bubbles float in the wind to see how long they would float without popping. As the bubbles started to pass behind us, he turned his head and was watching the bubbles while we were still walking. Then I heard a nice thud.... I turned around and he had walked into the back of a parked car! And we walk fast, too! I know that it’s not funny when people get hurt, but this was hilarious. I’m trying not to laugh about it right now in the internet place. Oh, Elder Ton.... 

Elder Hill's Zone @ water balloon play

-Today we went to a chapel about 40 minutes from where we are and had a huge water balloon fight/capture the flag with 18 Elders and 2 Sisters. We estimated that we had filled approx. 1000 water balloons to play with. That was super fun! However, our team lost the first few fights. I am still convinced that they won because they had the sisters, but oh well. It was fun to play with the entire Zone for a few hours. It was really nice to wear shorts and a t shirt in the sun again.... it has been a while. 

-I cooked Mexican style eggs. Not that exciting, but it was the first cooked meal in the mission. 
 

-Yesterday, the bishop in Valle de Tules pretty much set the whole ward straight during his talk. He talked about how every member has a calling and a duty, but he spoke with power. He asked everyone why there were empty seats in the congregation when they could be filled by their family that they home teach or visit teach. He asked the members if they are doing their duty as members of the church... but he left it open. It was a pretty powerful talk, and I´m sure that somebody in the ward was a little scared at that moment. Man, I was even a little scared, and I don’t have to answer to him for my calling! 

-One thing that I learned in Zone conference last week, is that one description in the Scripture Study Guide (for Spanish scriptures, I think it is Topical Guide for English) of the TRUE Church of Christ, is that there is opposition. If this Church weren’t the only true church on the face of the Earth, It wouldn’t be so hard to send missionaries to countries, presidential nominees wouldn’t have such a hard time with the media, and life would just be easy. It is not that way because we are the true church. Satan doesn’t like it, so he will send false tyrants to oppress, false prophets, and false churches that teach pieces of truth, but that with the small lies he has their hearts. Opposition is necessary to gain a testimony and to grow. Trials are no more than opportunities to learn and grow to become what Heavenly Father wants us to become. 

-We met with a family this week who are talking with the Jehovah’s Witnesses right now. After we explained the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, we told them that they would receive an answer if they prayed. They asked that if they didn’t feel something good, would we go to church with them one day? I said yes....and so did my companion, but only because I did. However, I know that if we read the book of Mormon with true intent, we will receive an answer through the Holy Ghost. Chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel tells us how we can receive answers to prayers by the Holy Ghost. 

That’s what happened this week. Mexico is great, and the people are really wonderful. I’m excited to keep going and to keep teaching. I hope that I don’t get moved this week. President has said that he might have to close some areas this transfer because we don’t have enough missionaries coming in to fill all of the areas. Hopefully it won’t be my area, but we’ll see. 

Be good and stay strong, 

Elder Hill
3:02 AM  Man Son...THANKS! I REALLY NEEDED ALL THAT! Love you so dearly! XOXOXO So happy you got to have fun today...actually it's way late, so sore..tired. Came in, made late dinner, got kids to bed and I just showered and could finally stop and read your letter! XOXOXO

Funny thing..few pix and 4-6 were sunsets...here is the photo of the shirt I made him..of all the backgrounds and photos...I chose the one below. See the correlation/connection...whatyamacallit!!

Matthew's shirt, Called to Serve in Spanish. Sunset from our house front porch! We love Sunsets, can you tell!?

Earlier that day.....

Sunday April 22, 2012

Dear Elder Hill,

Hola mi Hijo de oro!

Watching , “That Promised Day” The Coming Forth Of The LDS Scriptures

Deepen your appreciation for the massive effort made to create the Topical Guide, Bible Dictionary, Joseph Smith Translation, footnotes, maps, and more. Listen to those who worked on the project over 30 years ago and hear their inspired ...

the story of how our LDS Scriptures came to be. Pretty cool! I have been taking notes for you, but think I will just make DVD! It IS REALLY awesome! Great missionary tool actually because it shows how they took all the bibles and made this one. Also covers the making of the Santa Biblia. It’s an hour long, may be shorter online. http://byutv.org/watch/495be0e6-f235-464a-b971-00f6b9597809 It was very awesome! They ended up having Cambridge (UK) print it since they had printed most all of the Bibles since the 1600’s.

Monday…I was typing a quick history on Bible...it'll have to wait. I have been outside all day digging up our lawn, sprinklers and rolling sod...for Alan & Melinda’s forms to be put in tomorrow, J !! Tired, burnt,  ache! I'll upload some pix..you'll see them when you upload to photobucket! LOVE YOU!

Hola! Como estas? Hola! Estoy bien. Gotta go. love you! Te amo mucho mi hijo de oro!!

How many pesos a month do you get? 1200, 1400 or 1500?1400 pesos, or 140 bucks.

Do you always use the same place to get on internet?  Usually, unless it is full of guys playing computer games.     Internet café? Yes

Do you know if you are changing areas during transfers?  Don´t know until Saturday before at 9pm  What area?

Spiritual Guess? No

If you left your battery inside your camera, it could ruin it. If so let me know and I’ll text Ruth to go take it out. I don’t remember. Text her. 

I have received some letters from other friends, and I have replied to each one about a month late because we just don´t have time.

…I understand that you wait, I wait too. But patience is a heavenly virtue to be acquired here. (Told me we may not get an email a week if he has to write the Bishop, Tyler or Bishop T, I had a little fit.) Also, you will get your phone call either May 10 or May 13... which do you prefer? May 13, Mother’s Day!  If I get emails from Thueson, or Bishop, or Tyler.... I reply. That´s all. 

Love you all. 
Gotta go! 

And what´s the deal with Alan´s yard? I hope you aren´t spending money you don’t have on his project. Love ya!

Dude, NO $$$ to spend. Alan is building a wall and I was taking our side up! I prefer Mother's Day, J Love you! Do I have pix?? ;)

 XOXOXO

Elder Hill's Amigos, Amigas y Familia

President Hanks Was Right ~ The Lord Speaks The BEST Spanish!

Elder Matthew Michael Hill Mexico City Temple

Thank you for the package. I will look for it in a few weeks when we have transfers again. Let Kathy know that I have received her letters, but with all of these weird things happening in the mission  lately, I haven´t had time to write ANYONE, including the girls. Tell Ryan congratulations and happy birthday for me. I wrote him a letter but don´t know if he ever got it. Should have  come this last week. Tell Kim and Grammy hello as well.

Thanks for your help with everything. It isn´t easy being so far away from life as I know it , but it is worth it. Before I know it, it will all be over. Tell Josh, Des, Mike, Ryan, Allie and all hello.

 I uploaded some pictures of when we went to the temple and the MTC that is right there, too.

Mexico City 'MTC'

The fruit is the first course of our breakfast every Wednesday. 
I didn´t take a picture of the second portion this last week because  it was whole boiled chickens, and I was a little bit distracted to take a picture. 

(He must've known I would be horrified 2 pairs of ECCO shoes in 2 months!)

My shoes that have paint-- well, those are the work shoes, and the less dirty are the dress shoes. Don´t worry, neither have paint and both are very shiny. I take care of my stuff. 

Everyone-- 

What a week!!! Just like many times in life, we had a really good few days, and a few really hard days. So goes the cycle. My companion went home on Thursday for medical reasons, and I don´t think that he will be back. He only had until January 5th so I  don´t think he will have time to come back. That was strange because I lost my trainer, but I was working in a trio for a few days with the elders in the ward that we share the building with. 

ELDERS' NUNEZ & HILL IN THEIR APARTAMENTE

We would have been in a trio for two weeks until my companion arrives during the normal transfers, but president called last night and moved one of the elders in our trio to another area to cover for an elder who broke his ankle playing basketball. Elder Ton, my temporary companion, says that this transfer has been extremely weird. I agree.


Read More Of This Letter HERE!

ELDERS' NUNEZ & HILL ~ LAST DAY AS COMPADRES (Taken by Mission President's wife)

Here we have a picture of Elder Hill with his last companion.  I got to have a good visit with Elder Hill.  You're right,  he is an awesome young man.   We're lucky to have him.  By the way, he is doing great with his Spanish.

Take care.....Trisha Call (Mision Presidente esposa)

My First Baptismal Confirmation in Sacrament Meeting & How Often in Our Lives Do We Try to do Something Good, and There is a Loud ''noise'' of Some Kind That Distracts Us?

MATTHEW'S FAVORITE STAKE PRESIDENT
President Cory F. Hanks the day Matthew was ordained an Elder

Hey,

     This last Tuesday I got to go to the temple to visit the doctor at the MTC there. He is serving a mission as well. He is from Colorado, but that is all I really know about him. I got to ride the subway for the first time. It was pretty funny because everyone has to run from stop to stop to catch their next line. We didn´t because, well, I  don´t really know why. We did not have a time limit I guess.  

Who’s Cocina w/ orange and green?  Mine/ours. 

Can/do you ever cook there?   We can, but i have not.

Best Green Chilies & Chicken Enchiladas EVER huh… Recetas para la madre? (Recipes for Mother)  No recipes yet. I´ll ask some of the sisters when we eat with them if they can write down a few recipes.

     Yesterday I performed, as you could say, my first baptismal confirmation in Sacrament meeting. I confirmed Raul a member of the Church and Nunez confirmed Lorena. Surprisingly, the words actually came out pretty clear and concise. I was pretty worried at first, but it was all good.

 

     Another man named Arturo is one of our investigators. He went from being the highest of the high in the government, had lots of money and possessions, and was incarcerated for something that the government accused him of. However, he now lives in a small little house here in my area, he has very little, but is happier than when he had all of those possessions. 

Elder's Hill & Nunez w/ Lorena, Raul & hijo's prior to baptism's between General Conference SUNDAY sessions! 

     I realized this week that EVERY time we try to  teach a lesson, there is an extremely loud noise of some kind. Whether it be a train, truck, motorcycle, or whatever else... there is always an interruption when we try to teach a principle of the gospel. Every time we try to do the right thing. How often in our lives do we try to do something  good, and there is a loud ''noise'' of some kind that distracts us? Just a thought.

     This week we also tried to find an investigator who lives on ''calle 19 casa verde'' or Street 19, green house. Well, here in mexico they like bright colors. Guess how many houses on that street were green? A lot. We may have found them, on the last green house that we knocked. We still don´t know, but it is a possibility.

That´s all my time for this week. Give my best to Sister Little and President Hanks. Yes, he can write me, but I can´t reply unless I get permission from my President. Which I won´t, and I think that he will be okay with that.

Con amor,

Elder Hill 

Your Testimony is One of the Few Things That Will Transfer to the Next Life & I Can Testify That Success Comes With Hard Work, No Matter the Subject.

Thanks for your words of wisdom about conference and such. It is good to hear that you are watching conference and gaining a testimony. Your testimony is one of the few things that will transfer to the next life... always remember that. So, it might as well be strong while we have the opportunity to do so. I hope Josh and Destiny are doing well as they finish up the year. Yet another school year almost gone. When I get home, Des will be in junior high and Josh better be on a mission... just sayin´. Thanks for the money, too. I will go to the store tomorrow and pick it up. Our p-day is over because we had to go to the offices. Happy Easter this week and have fun! Tell everyone hello for me. And tell Hawkins what´s up with the move? Anyway, it´s all good.... I´ll see them when I get back. I uploaded pictures to photobucket so they should be there. Well, it´s half way anyway. I don´t copy my letters to my president because they are personal and very short. He doesn´t like long letters.... he just wants a progress report. And I don´t write in spanish because it takes way too long and I don´t have the time. Not to mention that I don´t speak spanish well enough yet to make all of my thoughts clear, and translators make it even worse. Let kathy know that I got her letter, but I haven´t read it.

Meeting House

All-

Conference this year was special in several ways. 1) It was in spanish 2) We baptized Lorena and Raul between sessions on Sunday and we ate food at the chapel as a ward 3) It´s in the mission field. I´ll be honest, I only got bits and pieces of the talks because the translators speak really fast to keep up the pace, and it is a bit strange that the voices are different. That will take some getting used to. Good thing I have three conferences left to get used to it! It was great to watch the priesthood session because we showed up to the stake center and they had a separate room for the 7 guero elders (white guys) to watch in english. I was really glad that they did that because that is the one session that I really wanted to understand. The other talks I got bits and pieces, but I can wait until may to get the liahona and read the talks then.

This week we found a 22 year old guy named Nestor just by knocking on doors in his building because an appointment that we had didn´t show up, and that happens often. But what doesn´t happen often is that we knock the doors in that apartment building and find a guy who lost his mom 6 months ago to breast cancer and is searching for answers. His dad is a Jehova´s Witness, but Nestor doesn´t feel right when he talks to them. We taught him the Plan of Salvation and he wants to know about the restoration. We haven´t met with him in a few days, but I hope the best for him.

Luis is a reference that we had. He is 20 and he showed up to church and said, ´´ I want to change my life. I like it here. I like the book of mormon. I want to keep coming to church. I want to get baptized.´´ Now, it wasn´t that cut and clear, but then again it really was. He is now moving from his house in the capital to a house for rent here in our area, which means we can baptize him. I can testify that success comes with hard work, no matter the subject. Isn´t it amazing that a parable about the gospel can be made to nearly everything in this life. That is not a coincidence. It is naturally supposed to be that way. Jesus created the earth, so why wouldn´t his gospel reflect it? And I mean the earth, not the world.


That´s my time for today. Love you guys! Be good! 

Elder Hill & Nunez' desks

Last day in Arlington Texas with Compadre Coffman

Elders Hill, Nunez & Tolentino on P-day!

From their apartamente in La Quebrada

Service project: Haircuts