Trial of Faith and Make the Sacrament a Spiritual Experience Each Week

GREG OLSEN'S PAINTING ~ IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME (Thanks Greg!)
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Hola!

We are in week four of the transfer and we have had a hard time finding new people and those we have aren´t progressing as well as we had hoped. It´s a trial of faith and Elder Orozco and I have to overcome it and move the work along. Flor had a few challenges this week with how she is going to get out of the economical problems that she has. She sent us a message this week and basically told us that she was done with the church because since she has been meeting with us things haven´t gotten better. We went and talked to her with the Elders Quorum president and all she really needed to do was to vent. We promised her that if she would go to church on Sunday and take the Sacrament, looking for the answer to her prayers, that she would find it. The member who was supposed to pick her up on Sunday was running late and she called us all worried about how she wasn´t going to make it to the sacrament. I told her to have faith that we start late.... and we started late and she got to take the sacrament. We have an appointment with her tonight to find out what happened. I learned from that experience how worried she was to get to church on time to make it to the sacrament, and yet 40% of our ward gets there afterwards. The sacrament is the most important ordinance because without it the rest of what we do would be in vain. We renew all of our covenants through that ordinance, otherwise the baptism, confirmation, priesthood, endowment, and sealings would all be in vain because we all sin after receiving them and they would have no power in our lives without the sacrament to cleanse us. 

There was a referral that we went to look for a long time ago and the old lady said that who we looked for didn´t live there. She asked us why we wanted to visit with him and reaffirmed that she didn´t know him. We went back on Friday and found out that it was his super catholic grandma and that he does live there. He got to know the church in the good old USA on a foreign exchange trip and hasn´t been able to go back to church since he´s been home. He´s excited to keep going. He´s only 18 and so he could definitely be a future missionary. 

Keep up the good work in everything. Make the sacrament a spiritual experience each week. Make it more meaningful. It can be like making a new covenant each week if we just focus on every action that we did the previous week and decide to change what we need to be better. I promise that if you focus on every word, deed, or thought during the sacrament the Spirit will teach you what you need to improve to be more like Christ. Sacrament & Covenant Making~Ensign~W. COLE DURHAM, JR.

Love you all. Be good and have a great week! 

Elder Hill 

Making the Sacrament Personally Meaningful

“If we approach the sacrament each week in the attitude of actively bringing a personal, specific offering—a humble promise to conquer a weakness that is separating us from the Savior—the sacrament will take on an infinitely richer meaning in our lives. Our relationship to Christ will grow and deepen as we make and keep such promises, and thereby progress in honoring our sacramental covenants” (W. Cole Durham, Jr., “The Sacrament and Covenant-Making,” Ensign, Jan. 1978, p. 46).  (LINK ABOVE)

“To make a covenant with the Lord to always keep His commandments is a serious obligation, and to renew that covenant by partaking of the sacrament is equally serious. The solemn moments of thought while the sacrament is being served have great significance. They are moments of self-examination, introspection, self-discernment—a time to reflect and to resolve” (Howard W. Hunter, in Conference Report, Apr. 1977, p. 34; or Ensign, May 1977, p. 25).
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1977/05/thoughts-on-the-sacrament?lang=eng

Before attending the Sacrament meeting:

Review your life with the Lord, in prayer, to determine what areas you need to improve or repent.  

Go through the steps of repentance (Faith in Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, Sorrow for Sin, Confession, Abandonment of Sin, Restitution, & Righteous Living).  

Recommit yourself to the Lord that you will work toward eliminating the sins from your life.

Pray that you will feel the Spirit while at the Sacrament meeting.

While at the Sacrament meeting:

Pay attention to the words of the Sacrament hymn as you sing them.

Listen carefully to the Sacrament prayers.

While the Sacrament is being passed to the congregation, think about the Savior and His sacrifices for you.  

Focus on spiritually uplifting things.  This can be through meditation, prayer, reading the scriptures, or reviewing the Sacrament songs.

Following the Sacrament meeting:

Thank Heavenly Father, through prayer, for the Atonement and the opportunity to partake of the sacrament. “

What does it mean to partake of the sacrament worthily? Or how do we know if we are unworthy? If we desire to improve (which is to repent) and are not under priesthood restriction, then, in my opinion, we are worthy. If, however, we have no desire to improve, if we have no intention of following the guidance of the Spirit, we must ask: Are we worthy to partake, or are we making a mockery of the very purpose of the sacrament, which is to act as a catalyst for personal repentance and improvement? If we remember the Savior and all he has done and will do for us, we will improve our actions and thus come closer to him, which keeps us on the road to eternal life.” (John H. Groberg, “The Beauty and Importance of the Sacrament,” Ensign, May 1989, 38)
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1989/05/the-beauty-and-importance-of-the-sacrament?lang=eng

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “Windows must be washed regularly to clean away dust and dirt. … Just as earthly windows need consistent, thorough cleaning, so do the windows of our spirituality. … By partaking of the sacrament worthily to renew our baptismal covenants, we clarify our view of life’s eternal purpose and divine priorities. The sacrament prayers invite personal introspection, repentance, and rededication as we pledge our willingness to remember our Savior, Jesus the Christ” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 103; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 77).
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/11/windows-of-light-and-truth?lang=eng

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “After His mortal ministry, … Jesus told his Nephite Apostles that He would no longer accept burnt offerings but that His disciples should offer ‘a broken heart and a contrite spirit’ (3 Ne. 9:19–20; see also D&C 59:8, 12). Instead of the Lord requiring our animals or grain, now He wants us to give up all that is ungodly. This higher practice of the law of sacrifice reaches into the inner soul of a person. … When we overcome our own selfish desires and put God first in our lives and covenant to serve Him regardless of the cost, we are then living the law of sacrifice” (“The Law of Sacrifice,” Ensign, Oct. 1998, 10–11).
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1998/10/the-law-of-sacrifice?lang=eng

HAPPY Happy Birthday Mom ~ Feliz cumpleaños Mamá!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOM!! 

Something else that Elder Orozco and I have in common is that his mom`s birthday is also today! Not the same age but the day counts enough! 

This week we still had a hard time finding new people to teach, but we`ve visited a few of our former investigators. We went and visited a family this week and while we were there we told them that as representatives of Jesus Christ we are here to prepare them to be baptized in the one and only true church of Jesus Christ and that we have the absolute confidence that what we say is true. The mom looked at us with eyes wide open and the eyebrows raised as well as her 16 year old daughter. Elder Orozco and I felt the Spirit and we testified that it was true. I know that it is true. I am here to baptized people into the ONLY true church. I`m not here to make friends nor to take pictures of nice monuments. I`m participating in the great and marvelous work that is taking place. 

Deborah is a 10 year old whose family are all members but she hasn`t been baptized because she was waiting for her uncle to be able to baptize her and once that was available, little things kept getting in the way. Every time she saw us in church she would ask when we could do her baptism. She finally got baptized and confirmed and was SO HAPPY! It was one of the baptismal services that will highlight my mission because I know that there was a party in Heaven for that baptism and the Spirit made it manifest. 

I hope that everything is well at home. Keep close to the Lord and he will guide you. The small and simple things lead to great blessings IF we do them. And the opposite if not. The Church is true. No doubt. 

Loves, 

Elder Hill 

New Missions ~ Nuevas misiones!

Miracles require sacrifice

Hola mi hijo de oro, Elder Hill,

Comó estás? Dijo puede ser dividido, es Pachucha, Obregón, Chalco cerca de usted, dentro de 3 horas? Creo que se puede dividir en tres o cuatro?

New missions: Salt Lake City East,  5 Africa, 2 Asia, 3 Central America, 8 México, 15/South America-7 of which are in Brazil, 4 Philippines, 3 in Pacific, 1 in Europe, 17 USA/Canada…total of 407 over 60K missionaries now. Mission apps are up 475%, oh ya, P.S. I keep forgetting to tell you, you were right…there were, (at that time, 185 in your mission, 5 of the 8 new missions are near you.. 

México Ciudad Obregón
México México City Chalco
México Pachuca
México Queretaro

México Reynosa.....Te amo, Mamá

"The Mexico City North mission just became three: Querétaro, Pachuca and México City North. We will lose 5 stakes and approximately 65 missionaries. Those who are in the new missions on July 1st will be part of those missions. We hate to lose missionaries, but it is all part of " the Lord hastening his work. "Hermana Patricia Call, wife of Matt's mission president.

Hey, 

The updates were a little different this week. I hope that Laura and Marc are okay. Good to see that Des is still in Ballet and sticking to it. I had no idea that Yenny had cried after I left. I think she cried because I had been one of the few missionaries that stayed teaching her husband and told her about how she can keep advancing in the gospel through her patriarchal blessing and the endowment. Tell her hello. Ali Lloyd is a good girl and a good friend to Coffman. I´ll send him an email next week. Anyway, still no word on any leadership things or anything like that, and I´m just fine with it. It´s more fun being a missionary and just working. We have two more transfers and then wherever we are transferred in the third transfer will depend on what mission we will stay in. President Call makes all of the transfers based on revelation and that´s how the change will be made. 

This week was a little bit strange. I was super sick this week but now I´m feeling better. Still don´t know what I had, but the doctor just says to keep out of the sun for now and we´ll see what happens. They told us this week on Wednesday of the mission changes but that we were to no tell anyone until the announcement was made on Friday. It´s an exciting time for everyone and especially for me here in Querétaro because it will be it´s own mission. I still don´t know where I will be. Everything at this point is possible. If I stay in Querétaro then I get a new mission president in July as well as if I go to Hidalgo. If I go to Mexico then I stay with the Calls. It´s all a matter of the work progressing and until the transfer in June will I know where I stand.

Flor didn´t get baptized this week because she still had a few doubts about a few things, but she´s doing well and we are helping here resolve her doubts. Elder Orozco and I are a lot a like. His mom´s birthday is also on the 4th of March, he´s going to study medicine, and we like a lot of the same things. it´s going to be a good transfer. 

Well, that´s about all that happened this week. We spent a lot of time in the house resting because I was sick, but next week´s letter will be more interesting... I hope. :) 

Be good. Love, 

Elder Hill 

pic-- miracles require sacrifice

Mom, “Do you need anything else before I send pkg.?” E.H. No, I have pretty much everything. Just the Disney and musical music that you sent me. I erased the folders once when I was transferring it to another memory. I´ll also send you a memory soon. I accidentally erased all of the Disney music and all that that you sent me the first time. Can you send me memory with all that on it? That´s all I was thinking of. 

Mom, “Did you hear rumors, Mr. Assistant in waiting?” E. H. No rumors here. It´s so hard because there are going to be two new mission presidents and areas and everything. It´s all up in the air right now. Because the new mission presidents will choose the new leaders in their mission and it´s just a different ball game. I´ll let you know when I know. What´s my password again?

Mom, “I gave you everything to handle it use the cream. Spots where? U can use it in your mouth too”

E.H. No, I had a fever for two days and sore throat but now the spots aren´t going away. The doc says that they are ulcers, back of throat. Don´t send more stuff- I have lots of meds here! :) I have it under control. I´ll use what you sent me. Love you, gotta go. Elder Hill

Transfers, Christ Is A Gentleman & Spirit Was So Strong

Can't take the EMT/Dr. out of him!

Hey Mamà, 

I stay here in Hidalgo. I just sent my letter. I`m sorry I don`t have much time to write today because of transfers and we don`t have much time. Good job on FHE and I`ll talk to you later…..Yeah, it`s a good ward and it has a lot of potential. We have to change the bad rep that this zone has. It`s all a matter of attitude. 

…FHE topic…missionary work? Also, Elder Nelson said that "in my lifetime there will people who flock to the church" and Elder Alonso told us this week that there are a lot of changes that he can`t tell us about yet.

Love you. Have a good week. 

Holá familia y amigos, 

Elder Ivan Orozco & Elder Matthew Hill, new compadres!

We had transfers today. Elder Martin left to Huehuetoca, Mexico and my new companion is Ivan Orozco, from Colonia Juarez. He`s actually from the same stake as President and Sister Call so that`s cool. We`ve only been together 3 hours, so I`ll let you know more about him next week. 

This week was pretty great. On Thursday we had a meeting with two of our area Seventy- Elder Alonso and Elder Hernandez. They talked about our calling as missionaries and how we need to magnify it because nobody else has the same calling as us. Even them as Seventy don`t have the authority to preach the gospel all day every day with a name tag and all that jazz. It was pretty inspiring to have two General Authorities and special witnesses of Jesus Christ with us. The Spirit was so strong. They reminded us about the fact that we have a special message for the whole world-- that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored with all the power and authority that He has given from Adam to Tommy Monson. The world will self destruct and the only thing that will save it is the Gospel. We don`t know how long we will live and our families need to be sealed eternally in this life. THIS LIFE is the time to prepare to meet our God; not the spirit world. If we are not ready now, we cannot be ready then. It was interesting because there was one point when I felt like I was at football camp again because Elder Hernandez asked, "What is our message to the world?" and somebody responded, "The restored Gospel of Jesus Christ." Elder Hernandez shouted "THEN TELL THEM THAT!" It was a shout from the Spirit because it penetrated to the soul. Oh, and that was my Valentine`s day as well. Much better than any other Valentine`s day I`ve ever had. 

Christ is a gentleman.... he only comes into our life if we let him in. Revelations 3:20-22 Christ stands at the door and knocks, and we must let him in. That`s why the painting of Christ knocking on the door doesn`t have a doorknob outside- because it has to be opened from within. Let us all invite Christ into our lives every day, and not just on Christmas day. 

Flor and her daughters will be getting baptized on Saturday and we hope that everything goes well to make it happen. She went to church ready to receive an answer from the Spirit and she received it. The meetings we have on Sundays aren`t just meetings- they are environments that we can create to receive answers to prayers and the remission of our sins. 

The Church is true. I will say it so many more times in the next 11 months because NOBODY can take my testimony from me. I am willing to give everything that I have to say that, even my life if needs be. It`s a devotion that has grown in the mission and will continue to grow. 

Love you all. Have a great week! 

Elder Hill

Families CAN BE Forever, But Only by Partaking of the Everlasting Covenant of Temple Sealing.

He must've got this for me! I am ALWAYS raving about "Dillan Dove" He and Matthew were supposed to enter the MTC together on Dec. 7th. I love his letters....

Hola-- 

What a strange week. This week we have been visiting our members more to be able to find new investigators because lately it’s been a little hard on teaching people. We have people, but they just aren’t progressing. So, we received a referral this week from a member and we went to visit this friend. We walked to his house and knock on the door. This guy answers and I thought, "Cool. For once we’re not teaching a single mom with 7 kids!" So we started talking and I was trying to not to smile because this guy is... gay? Well, at that moment we didn’t know that he was gay but it’s something noticeable. So we taught him like one more time about the BOM and invited him to church. He went to church but during one of the classes we pulled him aside to talk to him about baptism. It was super awkward but he told us that he doesn’t like churches because they don’t accept gays and what they do. 

Leviticus 18:22

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

And there are a lot more that frown on that. This was my first experience with teaching a gay guy, and I think that I prefer the single mom with 7 kids because it’s easier. Everyone is a child of God. He is my brother, this man, but he’s just a little off the straight and narrow path. 

Elder Hill with Claire Chilton's nephew, Elder Holmes

We also talked to a member last week who told us that on Sunday he had a disciplinary council. We know that he has made some mistakes in his life, but he moved from another state just to get away from that old life and repent. He was really sad about it when we talked about the possibility of having to be baptized again. The Spirit was so strong and we talked about the temples and how he can make the goal to take his family to the temple. He showed up on Sunday with a white shirt, tie, and a suit and told us that he was no longer a member of the church. He had been excommunicated just an hour before, but he came to church and had a smile on his face. He has made some mistakes, but through the process of repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, this brother’s soul can still be saved. He is looking forward with faith for the one-year mark where he can be baptized again, and the two-year mark where he can take his family to the temple to be sealed. He told us last week that he hadn’t felt the urgency to go to the temple with his family, but he has realized that this life is all too short and that sometimes tomorrow was too far away to make the right decision. 

Families CAN BE forever, but only by partaking of the everlasting covenant of temple sealing. 

The Church is true. Never leave it. 

Much love, 

Elder Hill 

Hey Buddies & yet ANOTHER sign that God is accelerating the work because we are in the last days.

Elder Hill & Dominican bananas

So, crazy news for the new Mexican MTC! Many members have been commenting to us about how they all grew up in that school-back when it was elementary-high school- and that they will miss it. This is yet ANOTHER sign that God is accelerating the work because we are in the last days. How many prophets have told us that this is a chosen generation and that we need to be ready to meet our God? In the last days there will be famines-- food storage. In the last days the hearts of men will fail them-- feast upon the words of Christ. We are the LATTER DAY SAINTS preparing the way for the second coming of the Lord. It was the 11th hour in Joseph Smith´s time.... what would that make today? It has been interesting to be able to study the gospel every day because I have been able to learn so much. The second coming, temples, baptism, etc. I hope that I will be prepared. 

This week we found a 22 year old named Manolo. He´s funny because when he sees us he always says, "Hey buddies! How´s it going?" (he was a foreign exchange student in Iowa) He went to church on Sunday and really like it. Hopefully he comes back this week. Flor and her family had something happen right before church and they didn´t end up going. We promised that she would have found her answer if she had gone to church. Satan knew that too. Keep praying for those who do not know the gospel so that you can be an instrument in the Lord´s hands to helping them become converted. 

Love you all. Gotta go. Duty calls. 

Elder Hill 

Elder Hill and a Guanabana (whatever THAT is!)

pix-Guanabana and Dominican bananas.  

¡Muchas Hermanas Llamados A Servir! (Many Sisters Called to Serve!)

Jessica Dixon,  Merrisa Woodbury,  Kaitlyn Clifford, Megan Fowers and Emily Farnsworth

(Hope I get this right) Marianne Asmus, Jasilyn Brinkerhoff, Elizabeth Billings,  Rachael Gehmlich & Kaylee White

Ali Lloyd with her mission call to Sydney, Australia. (Connor, Ali, Anne, Trevor & Lynn Lloyd)

 ¡Felicidades a todas mis mejores amigas y los llamamientos que cambiarán sus vidas para siempre jamás! Espero que les vaya bien en todo lo que hagan y sé que el Señor les ayudará en todo aspecto de traer salvación a Sus hijos. ¡Qué lástima para ellas que no hablarán español, pero todo está bien!  Loosely translated: Congratulations to all my best friends and the calls that will change their lives forever! I hope to do well in everything you do and I know the Lord will help you in every aspect of bringing salvation to His children. Too bad for them that do not speak Spanish, but all is well! 

As I had said during the last General conference I felt the Spirit so strong when President Monson announced the new age requirements and I new that it was an answer to thousands of prayers throughout the world. It is great to hear of all of the prayers being answered and being carried out. I know that the mission will forever change your lives and everything in your lives- from your career, how to raise your family, how to serve the community, and so much more. 

Elder Martin y Elders en distrito y Elder Hill

This week we had zone conference and we talked about how important having a testimony is. King Lamoni and his father were converted because they obtained a true conviction that what was being taught was true. Salvation is to know the one and only true God; to know His Son; to know that all that we are doing in this Church is true and that it could not be invented. A lie will eventually end and contradict itself, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, swept every clime, and sounded in every ear. It is true and nobody- no matter how hard he tried- could convince me otherwise. This week an inactive sister stood at her porch and told us that everything we did was false, but I have the knowledge from God that she is wrong. 

If someone says in their talk in Sacrament meeting that "We all know the story of..." and you don´t know that story- study it. Find out. Pray about it. If you don´t know WHY Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world- STUDY and PRAY to know why because no man can be saved in ignorance. I am finding that out for myself as each day goes by. 

Yo sé que estoy en lo correcto, ¿y tú? ¿Tú lo sabes? o nada más sigues como borrego al redíl? 

Se lo dejo en el nombre de Jesucristo, amén. (I know I'm right, are you? Did you know? or just follow like sheep to the fold?

I leave it in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.)

Ananías went to church yesterday and he brought his daughter. She didn´t want to go in at first, but we gave her  piece of candy and she was more than happy to go and do whatever she was asked. They both enjoyed it and we hope that they come back. 

Flor and her family are a special family. They have so many spiritual experiences that would be unbelievable had I not the knowledge of God that I do. It´s simply amazing. I am honored to be able to teach them and help them to understand WHY everything that has happened to them in the manner that it has. 

Daniel's papa, Elder Martin, Daniel's hijo, Daniel y Elder Matt Hill

 We also baptized Daniel. His dad is a member but has been less active for a while and his mom isn´t a member so he hasn´t been baptized until now. That was cool to see. 

Elder Hill's casa en Querétaro

Be good. Love, 

Elder Hill 

There is Sunshine in Our Souls AND ¡Un Año en la Mísion! (1 Year on the Mission)

The weather this last week has been "cold" and a little different. It was between 55-60 F during the day and everyone was walking around in fur coats and beanies meanwhile my companion and I were enjoying the spring like weather! It´s also been a little more cloudy than normal, but there has been sunshine in our souls. Out of nowhere, the blessings began to come this last week. We have about 15 referrals from members and lots of other people that we are trying to contact as well. 

Flor is a single mom who used to go to the Christian church and was really involved there until some things happened and she starting to separated herself from there. She has a friend who is a member and she shared the gospel with Flor and we went to see her. We taught her about the Restoration and she has lots of questions and doubts, but she likes it. She went to church yesterday and loved it and has a baptismal date for 9 February. 

Enrique is a self-referral from Mormon.org and is interested. He´s 43 and has had several bad experiences with other churches that have led him to investigate our church. He sent his information back in July but the missionaries never checked the referrals page that we use. He is reading the Book of Mormon and is willing to be baptized when he receives his answer from God that the Book is blue and the Church is True. 

Pascual and his wife Paola, daughters Paulina and Daniela are a family that contacted us when we went to look for someone who ended up not being home. Pascual was sick with early stages of kidney failure and wanted something in English to read so his wife talked to me on the street. We made an appointment and brought English pamphlets and the Liahona. They all went to church yesterday and dressed like members! Everyone thought that it was a family visiting. They´re pretty cool and are progressing well. 

Kelloggs Factory in Matthew's area of Querétaro, México

 Read the Liahona

I found a quote this week that I like-- 

"Live each day as if you were going to live eternally, for you surely shall." President Gordon B. Hinckley

 Click here to read: Pillars of Truth ~ Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley Jan 94 Ensign First Pres. Message

Querétaro Area

All too often we think that we should live like we are going to die tomorrow, but what would the difference be if we thought about how all of the choices that we make here will all be of eternal consequence. Repent not at your deathbed, but as President Uchtdorf said in conference- that we need to make the daily decisions so that when we are dying we don´t have regrets. Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through His Church, and all will be well. Click here to read: Of Regrets and Resolutions ~ Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf Conference Oct. 2012

Have a FANTASTIC week! 

Elder Hill 

A Snow Day!!?? and Magnify Our Calling(s)

Elder Hill under a Banana Tree!

Hola,

Enchiladas? Looks SO yummy!

I´ve been reading the letters that you sent me and the pictures. It´s funny because we went to costco today because it was in the plaza where we were going to look around. We tried to buy food but they said that you have to have a membership so we didn´t get to eat. It´s not like at home. (Sent him a photo of his Costco card and the #, saying maybe you can show this to them and have them print you a card while you wait for this one.)

So the weather here has been the strangest winter in my whole life. I´m used to tons of snow and coldness.... here it´s dry and hot! It will surely be a winter to remember. We were hoping that it would be more of a "white" winter with more baptisms but it´s been hard lately. We are still transforming from not being able to knock doors or talk with EVERYONE in the street (only if the Spirit indicates us too we can). Few members have the desire to share the gospel with the friends and neighbors because they fear that they aren´t a good enough example, don´t know enough information, or don´t talk to people. That has been our work lately is trying to strengthen the members so that they have the desire to share the gospel. It´s going to take a while because our ward list is 17 pages long with families.....

Querétaro Historical District

Possibly Elder Norman Martin~Historical District

Ananías has been doing well. He hasn´t fallen into temptation to drink or smoke or anything else lately, but he hasn´t been able to go to church which is super important. Brenda just hides from us now so that´s sad. We think that she talked to her pastor because she told us that she was going to mention it to him. We started teaching Guadalupe because her husband is a member but less active because of work. She likes the church but says that she doesn´t know if she can get baptized because of her super catholic family. She said that she would read and pray so we have confidence in Moroni´s promise- that she will receive an answer.

I read in Jacob 1:19 yesterday about magnifying our office. I thought about an experience that we had when we went to visit Hermana Jimenez because we were assigned to eat with her. She told us that in 20+ years, the missionaries had only been to her house twice, including us, because she lives so far away from the center. She started to cry because it meant so much to her. John Taylor once said that we will be held accountable for the souls that could have been saved had we magnified our calling. It makes me that more anxious to be able to find more people to save and help those who are already here stay here.

Destiny showing Matthew how much snow on day 1 of  snow dump

Destiny shoveling behind Josh snow-blowing neighborhood

I can´t believe that there was a snow day. That never happened in 12 years of my school history. Oh well. Enjoy the snow because it´s hot here.

Well, loves to you all! Have a happy snow-filled week.

Elder Hill

Pix--

-One sister has a banana tree in her front yard so that´s cool!

-Pineapples here are 2 for 20 pesos... like $1.80 US

-- Elder Matt Hill

Mexico City North Mission

2013... The World Still Lives & Cockroach Nightmare’s!

Elder Hill at Atlantes..ancient Jaredite ruins

Lot´s of people have mentioned to us that according to the Mayan Calendar the world was supposed to "end" but here we are still. I think that the mayan calendar wasn´t "wrong" just those who interpreted it. The second coming is near... so let us draw near! I still remember enough English to make a rhyme. 

This week´s events were as follows: 

1) Ran into a guy on the street who asked us for a Book of Mormon and of course we were willing to give it to him. When I asked where he heard about the BOM he said that he went to NYC and saw the Broadway play about it and it caught his attention. He said that because it was written by the authors of South Park he knew that some things were simply being made fun of in a crude manner and he wanted to know the truth. We found him the other day and he said that he started reading it, that he would like another one to give to his cousin, and that he wants one in English. Satan must be one frustrated guy! Trying to destroy the kingdom and it just keeps building! 

2) I met Claire Chilton´s nephew. Also, all of the members here ask me if I know their missionary because 99.9% come from Utah. Turns out that I did know a few. I love being from Utah. Just sayin´. 

3) My nightly dreams have turned from knocking doors and talking in spanish to killing cockroaches. The landlord told us to just cover all the holes with something and then they won´t get in the house, but we decided that we wanted to kill them at the source-- the drain access outside the house. We opened it up and sprayed Raid all over and they kept climbing out and running toward the open house door. Bad idea. 

4) A referral that we got from the other elders in the stake is "golden". Ananías is a man who has addictions and is separated from his wife and daughter for the same reason. He hasn´t believed much in God for the last 40 years but he has realized that God loves him in is there for him. He´s changing his life and wants to be better. We´ve only met him once, but we have another appointment today. 

5) Enrique is the son of a family that my companion had been teaching before I got here. He was sick with a strange form of Hepatitis from birth and it was rapidly progressing in the last three months. Last week we taught them about the plan of salvation and how it plays a role in their lives right now. They had him scheduled for a transplant the 8th of January. The other day they called us and had us go to the hospital to see him. He was in a coma and on life support. Shortly after we left he passed away because his heart stopped beating. He was my age. 

Life is precious gift. Make the most of it. D&C 60:13-- let us not waste our time in the mission of life. 

Rosca de Reyes is a tradition to celebrate the three kings day (instead of santa). Two members gave us a piece of their rosca de reyes. My companion got the little doll in one and I got the little doll in the other. The tradition is that we have to make tamales the 2nd of February. The member who gave me my piece already moved out of our ward so I guess my companion gets to make tamales! 

I hope that everyone has a great week and a happy new year. 

Loves, 

Elder Hill