"Feria" & Just Think That You´re Blessed to Have Temples So Close. I Have Realized Here in the Mission That I Have A Lot in Life.

We live in a pink building on 5 de mayo in Tezontepec

Hello family & friends, 

Honestly, I don´t know what I am going to write about this week. I know that we did an incredible amount of work, but it all goes by so fast and all blends together. I guess I can start with the "feria" or the fair that they have here. It´s just a whole bunch of those little kid rides and candy, and everyone goes to mass. They all say that they pretty much go to mass once or twice a year- Christmas and during the fair. I don´t know why it is that way, but it is. And with the fair comes fireworks, but they aren´t like OUR fireworks. They´re just big bombs that go off in the air, but the joke is that they start at 5:00 in the MORNING!!! Ah! It´s awful! But it´s fun because in 2 years, I 

won´t be able to say that anymore. 

Mexico City Temple

Oh, and they youth this week are going to the temple in Distrito Federal so that they can do baptisms. When I was at home, I struggled a little when we went to the Temple at 5:30am, however, think about this..... ARRIVE at the temple at 5:30am, BUT, you have to leave your ward building at 3:00 to get there on time. Just think that you´re blessed to have temples so close. I have realized here in the mission that I have a lot in life. 

This week we didn´t find very many people to teach, but we had 6 referrals come to church yesterday, so we have six new people to teach who already have a support system. That´s awesome. Also, I would exhort you all to give missionaries referrals when they ask for them. I know that it is sometimes a little annoying ( at least I was annoyed when they wanted to check my contacts list for referrals) but it is so worth it. Just like the scripture that says "How great will be your joy if you bring but one soul unto me", you can all be a part of that joy. I promise. 

Well, I know that Christ lives. He is our Savior forever. Heavenly Father knows each one of you and He is looking out for you. Just look for His help and it is there. There is a talk titled "It is better to look up." It´s a good one, but I know that each of us have so many blessings in life to look for, if we will just look. That is one thing that I am focusing more on this week, is look for the blessings. 

Count your many blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings and see what God hath done. (something like that, because the Spanish is getting to me)

"May the Lord bless you, and I know that He will." -Rex L. Christensen

 

Hasta ver, 

Elder Hill 

P.S. photo is from Dylan Taylor. I think he said it is his cousin, but it shows that there is a disadvantage to losing weight! 

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS 

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Farmland Journey and Citrus Essential Oil

No matter were i go or what I do, there will
always be a lot of "cop" in me!

HOLA!!!

Life in Tezontepec is super cool because it is city with farmland. Just walking down the street, we hear cows, turkeys, chickens, dogs, pigs, etc. It’s nice to be out in the open air instead of in the city.

Just a few things that are kind of cool that I found out this week.

Elder Hill on a wire bridge

1- I went into the MTC on the wedding anniversary of Joseph and Emma Smith.

2- Elder Dillon Taylor from American Fork is in my district now, and he knows Melissa Angus. Strange to have connections when we’re like 6,000 miles from home.

Elder Trevino with a chicken

Elder Hill and a hen...did he ever
tell you the Little Red Hen Story
was cited to him MANY times!

I really enjoy my new companion and all that we are doing in our area.  I am working harder with him than I have in my whole mission and I really enjoy that. We have found a lot of people this week, but they’re not really secure for progressing. There is one couple, Jose and Flor, that we are working with. They have two kids, but aren’t married. Flor is a member just Jose no. We met with them yesterday after church to talk to them about the word of wisdom. Turns out that Jose has difficulties with smoking and drinking on occasion. He said that he is willing to give it all up to be closer to his family and friends. Then, the marriage thing came up. Jose said that he wants to get married, but Flor was a little hesitant. She said that she doesn’t want to marry him (keep in mind that they already have two kids together) because of how Jose drinks and smokes. We asked her that if Jose quit smoking and drinking in 3 weeks, if she would marry him. Her answer was YES! It’s just super cool to see how many blessings we can receive from living the commandments.

There is another hermana, Inez, who isn’t married either because her boyfriend is still married to his previous wife, and hasn’t divorced. He is a member but super inactive and she feels like he is holding her back a little bit from progressing (being baptized with her kids) and to keep going. We are working on that situation as well. We might be missionaries with the power of God, but we don’t have powers to marry or divorce people on the spot. That would be kind of cool though!

So here is the citrus oil part. (Mother’s letter last week: There are at least 20-24 months that you will have opportunities to have the oils serve you and during that time you will know when your mission is up who you are prompted to leave the oils with.)

Yesterday we were at a homecoming for a missionary that came home and there is this 4 year old kid in the ward who is super hyperactive and just mischievous as can be. He is innocent, but he is still difficult to control. Well, my mom so lovingly sent me some essential oils that I didn’t think I would use and yesterday I had brought some with me to show an hermano in the ward who uses them. I handed him a blend of citrus oils. He went over to this super active kid and rubbed this oil behind his ears and was like "Oscar! Smell this!"...... and within 5 minutes this kid was calm as can be! The 5 of us who knew what happened were laughing soooo hard! I think we found a solution for Sunday so that everyone can take the sacrament without yelling and screaming. :)

My Captain Moroni stance, overlooking the river.

Pictures--

-Elder Trevino with a chicken (like Simba)

-Me with the hen

-A super huge pig

-Oh, and "I didn’t know it was there.... It isn’t mine!" (Marijuana leaf)
-Me on a wire bridge over a river

Well my friends, this is what I am doing in Tezontepec!

I hope that you are all enjoying your summer!

The difference between who you ARE and who you want to BECOME, is what you do. ~ Hermana Call

Estimados amigos mios, 

Elders Hill & Galvan outside wardhouse

Today we had transfers, and I got transferred from La Quebrada to a place called Tezontepec Hidalgo. Honestly, I thought that I was for sure going to stay with Elder Galvan because President Call asked me two weeks ago if I could stand going another week with Galvan. I told him that I would do what he felt I should do, but looks like the Lord had different plans for me. So, I am with Elder Trevino who is also my new district leader. Tezontepec is a pueblo or village in the state of Hidalgo. It´s kind of like Cache Valley in that it is still populated and urban, but there are cows and fields and all that. Pretty cool, but I have only seen a very small part of it in the 5 hours I have been here. 

Here is a quote or poem that I found in the house that I like:

"All the water in the world

No matter how it tried

Could never sink the smallest ship

Unless it got inside. 

All the evil of the world

And every kind of sin 

Could never hurt a human soul

Unless we let it in."

-anon

"The difference between who you ARE and who you want to BECOME, is what you do." 

-Hermana Call  

So true. WE have more power than Satan and all of his minions because we have bodies and they don´t. WE have God on OUR side and they do not. 

Elder Galvan, Juan's familia & Elder Hill

Oh, how could I almost forget that we had a baptism Saturday! Juan was baptized Saturday after almost two months of teaching him. We taught him very sporadically and that´s why it took so long, but he finally got baptized and a lot of his family was there, even though they aren´t members of our Church. That was cool to leave an area with a baptism and confirmation. 

Well my friends, this is another part of my journey here in Mexico. Life is always changing and I´m looking forward to working in a ranch town versus a city with tons of people. I´ll let you know how it goes! Oh, and if Jasilyn hasn´t left for Spain yet-- Good luck Jassy! 

Con carino, 

Elder Hill 

Salvador, Elder Hill, Ana & Nino

PS- Salvador, (Elder Hill's 1st Baptism) cut his hair. Not because he wanted to, but because he found a job and they asked him to do it. Either way, it looks gooooooood! 

(1st Baptism) Elders Hill & Nunez w/ Ana,
Salvador & Nino March 2012

SCHOOLS OUT AT HOME AND THE TALE OF THE BLACKBERRY (& OTHER PHONES!)

Hey, 

I got your packages. Thank you for everything in there.

I know where the circus is!!!

Also, this is a combi that ran into a tree... who knows how, but it did. This is who we get around our area. 

This is another one that says "Looking for a girlfriend: nice, simple, and if possible- cute. Sincerely Miguel Angel (ring the bell)"

Solicito Novia, carinosa, sencilla, y si se pude hermosa

School´s out at home, but the kids here still have a week left. It´s so strange to think that it was a year ago last year that I graduated and here I am in Mexico preaching the gospel!

Just thought I´d share a few things from this week, spiritual and just a little bit of randomness. First the randomness. Here, they teach that there are only 5 continents- America is one and Europe is one. Also, they count their weeks as 8 days. For example, on Sunday they say that "Every 8 days we have the opportunity to take the Sacrament and come to church." They say 8 days because they count the day that we are in (e.g. Sunday) twice. They value their time and their family, because pretty much everyone works here and it is all for the family and school. They seem to understand a little better than we (or I) do about time, family, and helping everyone out. Of course, there are exceptions, but for the most part, that is how the people are. It´s awesome. More of this letter HERE (Click me)

It All Takes Time, Prayer, and Fasting

Me as a Vaquero with a poncho and hat!

Hey, how did the wedding go? Happy Birthday to Destiny! Tell Ryan and Allie congratulations for me. 
I feel like this week went by way too fast! Every night when I wrote in my journal I felt like I was just there, and the dates just kept going and going!

This week we found two new guys to teach. Carlos is a doctor that lives in our area and has a "Papeleria" or paper store, just for a hobby on the side. He works in two hospitals in the ER. I like to go and talk to him just for that, not to mention the Gospel. He is married and has one daughter, but we haven´t really talked to his wife because she isn´t usually at his paper store where we have taught him. He is super cool and says that he will read and go to church, because he doesn´t usually work on Sunday in the hospitals and the paper store is always closed on Sunday. 
Read more of this letter...CLICK HERE!!

Villa del Carbon & Page 19 of Preach My Gospel, (in the Blue Box)

May 21^st, 2012

Hey,

We just got back from an activity, so I don´t have much time to write this week. We are normally supposed to end p-day at 5:00p, but we just left the house after changing clothes and all that jazz.

Tell Ryan that I wish I was at his wedding, but I´m not worried, because at some point in time I´ll be at her baptism and marriage in the temple,  therefore, all is well. 

I will get my packages next Tuesday when we have interviews with the president. I will also send my memory card home next week as well. 

--It is always your best and above & beyond. Most of the time that is great, but sometimes it is too much. :)

--I always had what I needed and I know that you love me.

Love you,

Gotta write the other letter and go work a little before going back to the house for the night. I will have to send pictures next week because we are in a different internet place this week that doesn´t have a built in card reader and I left my cable in the house. Quote is on page 19 of Preach my Gospel in a box

Actually to save time, here is my letter for this week--- 

This week I don´t have a lot of time to write.... SORRY! We left to a place called Villa del Carbon today, and we were gone ALL DAY! We left the house at 7:30a and got home at 6:20p. President Call called our zone leader while we were on the bus home, and I don´t think that he was very happy that we were all out of our areas when we were supposed to be working, but hey, we had a good time.

It is a little old village that seems a little touristy but for mexicans. We did meet one hermano from Texas, who had apparently served in our mission many years ago because he knew the names of our areas. We went to a little lake that they have on the outskirts of this place (no we didn´t swim or boat) and had a nice bbq with all of the missionaries.  I will send pics next week, but it was pretty sweet.

I just realized that I have been in the mission for a little over 4 months! Time has gone by so fast, yet so slow. I know that my time here is short, so I am trying to make the best of it. 20 months will go by super fast, then the real life starts!

Lorena and Raul gave talks in Church yesterday. That was super awesome because the spirit was so strong. Lorena cried a little because she feels so much love from the members in the ward, not only at church but at all of the activities. They are great people.

That is my report for the week. Sorry it is short, but hey, it is something, right?

Love you all! Have a great week in paradise! (Which is wherever you are, eh?)

Elder Hill

READ MORE OF THIS LETTER HERE!

Yeeehaaa! & "Hmmmmmmm..... My Daddy Doesn´t Understand the Word of God..."

Elder Hill's first cake on mission...for Mother's Day

Don´t know why I called this week Yeeehaaa, but it rings good in the ear after speaking Spanish 24/7.... or at least very close to that. 

I don´t have a whole lot that happened this week because my companion and I were a little sick in the stomach for most of the week, and we missed out on a lot of lessons... however, we did have a few neat or funny things that happened.

-- We went to a chapel today and played futbol, the real football, with all of the missionaries in the zone. Let´s just say that I ´m not Mexican yet.... but it was still fun. We got to play with all of the elders and a companionship of sister missionaries. My companion hit both of them in the head with the ball.... the zone wasn´t happy about that. We also kicked the ball over the fence 3 or 4 times and the neighbors weren´t happy with us either, but all is well, we were happy. I also sat down with an elder and we started talking. His name is elder Barerra from Chicago. When I told him that I was from Utah, he told me that there was an Elder Hill in his District in the MTC, but he never showed up.

 I asked him when he was in the MTC and he said December 7, 2011. Turns out that he was in my class that I was going to be in if I hadn´t been in the hospital. He served in SLC for two months waiting for his visa, so we pretty much have the same amount of time here in Mexico, but he is fluent in spanish from his family. More about Matt's Illness HERE

-- We are teaching the husband of one of the sisters here in the ward. They are like 28 years old, and have one little girl, and another on the way. However, he is SUPER catholic, but only because his entire family is. He was in the catholic seminary, where they learn theology and such, but he doesn´t know the bible very well. He told us that he doesn´t accept ANYTHING from our Church-- Book of Mormon, DyC, Pearl of Great Price, Prophets... etc. So, he said if you want to teach me about your church, do it with the bible. MORE of this letter..CLICK HERE!

The Prophets Have Counseled That We Will Be Blessed

Matthew's Missionary Plaque with his old tags below from plaque that was being made...
dates changed and he liked the laser plaque better

Hola!

This week’s letter is a little short. We had to change our schedule for P-day because we had to change a few things around. I still have to head to the mission offices and pick up materials and all that jazz. 

I forgot to inform you that I gave my first talk in Sacrament meeting last week about missionary work and how the members can help us. I wrote my notes for my talk and what I would use, and I was surprised that when I was up there talking, I used most of what I had prepared, but I talked for much longer than what I had planned but that was all the Spirit. The Bishop said that when I was done, it was a great talk and that " it was strange, but we can’t deny the Spirit". I think that I was called to the ward to accomplish their duty as members of this Church. Rather, the Spirit called them to their duty and asked them to be better. It wasn’t my intention, but hey- the Spirit knows all. 

Read more of Elder Hill's letter HERE! (Click this)

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