Wednesday, November 28, 2012

11/28/12 - Jordon Has Arrived!






Jordon has arrived in Tempe, Arizona!  He'll be here until September of 2014.  His new mailing address is:

Elder Jordon Hill
Arizona Tempe Mission
5332 E. Baseline Road #1009
Mesa, AZ  85206

Here's the group of Elders/Sister that arrived with Jordon at Tempe.



The couple in the middle are his Mission President and his wife, Bro. and Sister Howes.  Looks like a really large mission.  

Till next time!


Monday, November 26, 2012

DJ's NEW ADDRESS:

For those of you who haven't heard, Mexico has changed its procedure for applying for Visas, so DJ's entire district is on hold.  Here's his temporary address until he gets his Visa.  He will be here definitely through December, possibly into January or February.

Elder DJ Hill
Nevada Las Vegas Mission
9270 S. Maryland pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89123
Please send all letters and packages to this address.  He will get the mail at least once a week.  His personal day is on Monday, so expect updates then.
Thanks!!!
Oh, quote of the week:  "It feels weird being in the real world again."

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

11/21/12 - Here it is, folks!  DJ will be serving in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission until his visa comes in.  He leaves for Las Vegas on Monday, the 26th, at 5:30 am.  He'll fly to Mexico on the next transfer day after his visa arrives, so the earliest he'll leave or Mexico will be the week of January 7th.  Happy Thanksgiving!

A few other things:

This is DJ's last MTC district.  It's coming close.


 DJ has located the 9th missionary with the last name Hill at the MTC.  The Elder Hill on the left (DJ) is leaving for Vegas on Monday, and the Elder Hill on the right is heading for New Zealand.

When I eventually do get to Mexico, just FYI, Dear Elder counts as Pouch mail so you can still use Dear Elder to get me letters in Mexico. It'll take 2 weeks instead of same day, but you can do that.

Till next time!

Friday, November 16, 2012

11/16/12 -

Ok.  First, I have permission to write this not on P-day, so it's ok.
 
Apparently my MTC experience needed to be shook up again. Mexico changed the process for getting visas, so my whole District is going to receive temporary assignments elsewhere. I don't know where yet, I should find that out this coming Wednesday or Thursday.  In short, I don't know where I'm going, when I leave the MTC, or Where I'm going to be spending Christmas. OK, I know it'll be inside the US, but other than that I know nothing.
 
In short, hold off on sending anything to meet me in Mexico for now until I have more information.
 
Talk to you again soon,
 
-Elder David Hill Jr.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

11/15/12 - Jordon

Hola,

Yesterday, was a fun day. Do you remember how when we were dropped of here that there were missionaries helping us out? Well, yesterday I got to be one of the hosts. They told us to be friendly to the missionaries to make them feel more comfortable. I decided to have a bit of fun with my car approach. When the family would start getting out of the car, I would look at the Hosting info paper they gave us and say, "Welcome new Elder or Sister to the MTC. I am Elder...(pause to look at my name tag)...Hill, and I will be your host for today." Of course, I was joking, and they knew it. Each car I did it to would laugh, and then I'd actually greet them and help them with their bags. It was a lot of fun.

Do you remember how I had asked several weeks ago for the sheet music for "All Times, All Things, All Places"? Well, I auditioned today (for the 3rd time) for a musical number. Each time prior, they had told me to tweak something and then come back the following week. This time I was perfect! I now have a spot in the Thanksgiving devotional. If I can, I'll try to send home a video of me singing, but I don't know if they'll give me a copy. Also, could you please NOT tell Elder Hill about this, I want it to be a surprise.

Tyler: You might get a kick out of this. Something I've decided to do to practically all the elders I come in contact with, more than just in passing, is to ask them if the phrase "20% cooler" has any special significance to them. If they don't say no, I will follow it up with "Are you the type of pony every pony should know?" So far, I've found 2 and a half Bronies. Elder Lingard was the first, I met him in Gym. Instant friendship. The second is Elder Larraby, he got here last week. The half if you're wondering is Elder Web in Elder (DJ) Hill's zone, he's seen all the episodes and gets the references, but he doesn't consider himself a fan. oh well. Let's find out how many bronies are serving missions. Shall we? [Note:  a Brony is a guy who is a fan of the “My Little Pony” series.]

That's all for this week. I'll talk to you all again next week.

Adios.

-Elder (Jordon) Hill-

----------------------






Pictures 1 y 2: I found two more. Sister Hill I found coming out of the Tuesday devotional. It was interesting, from her perspective it was just a random elder coming up and asking for a picture, then she saw my nametag and was excited. She's English speaking. Not sure where she's going though. Elder Hill just got here yesterday. He's in my zone. So, since my arrival, my zone has had 3 Elders with the last name Hill in it, not at the same time unfortunately. I believe this makes 7 and 8.


Picture 3: I got bored during a spot of free time.


11/14/12 - DJ -


Hi Everybody!

So we got the new district last week like I said we would. It’s interesting seeing them and being reminded how I was during my first week.  It's hard to believe how much I've learned and grown in such a short amount of time.

In other news I'm still in the triple companionship with Elder Lehikainen and Elder Talmage. we think it's going to stay this way until we leave at this point. (Given that we are supposed to leave in just under 2 weeks that's a pretty good possibility).

We had snow this last week that stuck this time.  It’s nice at the MTC because most of the walkways are covered and they plow the rest, but I'm looking forward to not seeing snow for another 2 years.

So something I learned this week, even though we are given rules to follow and are taught ways we should do things, last night we had a speaker that was saying there are people waiting for us specifically because of our uniqueness.  It'll be interesting to see what will happen once I'm in Mexico.  Speaking of, one of our Zone Resource teachers (teachers that give extra help and travel around from class to class) is from Mexico City so we've been getting a little bit of insight into the culture or at least the accent and manner of which the people of Mexico City speak.

Ok, spiritual thought for this week:
Romans 8:18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." While I'm not suffering at this moment, this is another new favorite scripture for me, and I think will help me as I go through things in the future.

Adios until next week,

-Elder David Hill Jr.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

11/8/12 - Jordon

(Jordon's been playing with magnetic balls again.)

Things are going well here. The schedule hasn't really changed at all since I arrived, but I've gotten used to it.

Thank you for the goodie bag. and tell sister Blackhurst thank you for me for sending me a "dia de los muertos" [ Day of the Dead] (Nov. 1) package too. I really appreciate the thought put into them both.

How many Hills? Not sure. I've actually given thought to going to the front desk and asking them to page everyone in the MTC with the last name Hill to meet at a specific location, but I don't think they'd go for it. I current count for Hills is 6 (including myself y Elder (DJ) Hill). And, not all of them are here currently; I know at least one has left for the field already.

Mi habilidad a hablar Espanol es bueno. A vezes hay tiempos cuando no puedo decir que me gustaria decir, pero usualmente yo puedo decir que you quiero. (I'll let you figure that one out. ) [My ability to speak Spanish is good. Sometimes there are times when I can't say what I'd like to say, but usually I can tell what you want.]

Want to hear something cool? apparently since the age announcement at conference, they've received just as many sister applications as they have sisters in the field right now.

Also, here's a secret: It looks like they're [working on] opening up China for missionaries. One of my teachers told us the one of his relatives received their mission call, and it said that they would be going somewhere later to be transferred to China!  Isn't that great?

Time's flying here at the MTC, Just 3 more weeks until I hit the field. I'm excited. I hope you've all been well with out us.

I'll talk to you again next week.

Con amor,

-Elder J Hill-

11/7/12 - DJ

Ok,  So just a reminder I really would rather you send me a letter via DearElder.com than e-mail. I only get 30 minutes on e-mail.

Hi everyone!

So firstly, thanks to everyone that wished me a happy birthday. I appreciate it. actually it was a pretty awesome birthday. (you'll have to bug my mom for the pics) [ See some below]

So this week we are going to be getting a new district so my class is going back down to it's original 2 teachers (we had 4 because of the districts merging the other week) because of this we (the missionaries in the district) are beginning to teach each other so as to give us more experience teaching other investigators.  We are supposed to role-play being other people and it was recommended that we choose a good friend.  Who would have thought all those years of playing D&D would actually help prepare me for a mission? Anyway for those that know him, when I'm an investigator, I'm playing my friend Devin. which is making it really interesting for the missionaries teaching me.

Just a fun fact for you, there have been more sister missionary applications turned in since the October 6th announcement of the age change than there currently are sister missionaries serving in the world.

A quick quote to share before I run out of time from Sister Diane Hacking (the first councelor's wife in the MTC presidency) said "if someone slams a door in your face, just say 'Oh, what a lovely breeze!"

Anyway I'm about out of time. Until next week,

-Elder David Walter Hill Jr.

 Below are some of the pictures for DJ's Birthday.  Those who want to see them all should log into his or my facebook page. - Jan



 Showing off the mylar balloon from brother, Tyler.


                   This package was a little interesting to open.  It turned into......


this.  Sorry it's fuzzy, he was shaking it!  The bottle didn't hold any soda.  It holds money rolled up in it.  He has to figure out how to get it out, and his pocket tool is home!





                          Use The Force, Elder!  His Jedi Master award.



The sisters in his district must have really figured him out.  Playdoh to keep him busy!



The elders in his district got him a new tie.  All the guys signed the back of it.



Blowing out his birthday candles.  Strange, I don't see 26 candles on that cake!  Many thanks to Sr. Blackhurst for arranging it.





Thursday, November 1, 2012

11/1/12 - Jordon -

Hola, I'm doing well. I had a fun Halloween. As a missionary, It's difficult to actually be in a costume, other than as a missionary, and still be within the rules.
 
 
Picture 1: So, this was my costume. While here, I have learned how to make an origami shirt, so I made one of these, and taped it to a pointer I bought at the MTC Bookstore. (before you ask, I've always wanted a pointer for no reason other than it's awesome, and they have them for sale here, so I had to get one.) And, I held this shirt infront of me while I was walking around the MTC. I got some funny looks from people, but over all everyone loved it. At the end of the day, once we got back to the residence, I saw a couple elders Trick-or-Treating to some of the other doors in the residence, and I decided to join them for a short time. It was hilarious seeing some of the reactions we got. I love Halloween.
 
 
Picture 2: Guess who I found. Another Elder Hill. I have no idea where he's going or what language he's speaking, but I found him.
---
I trust you got my last letter, and I did get your package. Yay, Cheezits! and I love the picture of Elder P. Kin, haha.
(This one was sent to him from home.)
 
 I didn't really time myself, but I believe I was able to translate most of Dad's message with an exception of a few words in about 15-20 minutes by myself. It was a good excersize.
 
I haven't really been able to play soccer this week much. the field has been closed for the most part due to coldish weather. But, my goblins haven't really been at work. the field hasn't been as slick since.
 
Mi Español ha sido bien. I'm picking it up fairly easily. Now if only I could teach as easily. Here, the teachers pretend to be investigators and we take turns teaching them, in addition to regular classroom instruction. One of these investigators is named Tomás.  He's Atheist and we can't really seem to get through to him, but we're getting there.
 
I have been seeing Hermano Blackhurst each thursday, we normally ghave a short chat, but last week, we actually gave him a lesson. I feel it went well.
 
It's hard to imagine that I've been here for over a month already. It's gone by so fast. I only have 4 more weeks left here, and then it's off to the field. It will be an adventure.
 
No letter from me this week. I got everything said that I needed to.
 
I love you all. and I'll talk to you again next week,.
 
-Elder Hill-
10/31/12-  DJ  -

Hola everyone!

Lots to talk about and not much time to type it.  first, Elder Dow was sent out early. so I'm in a Trio again, with Elder Lehikainen and Elder Talmage.  they both have the same departure date as me so I don't think it's going to change again before we head out to the field.  Somehow I get the feeling the Lord is preparing me to be in a Trio in the field... I guess we'll find out in a month.

On a different note I've started being part of the MTC Choir. my whole zone was participating and so I started going too (kinda had to when both of my companions were going) anyway it's been fun. also Elder Jordon Hill has started attending as of this week as well so we get to see each other during choir time now if not anywhere else during the week.

From the responses I received about my discovery last week it would seem I need to clarify a bit:
during the first week I was trying to figure out how to do everything. Including follow one of the scriptures commonly quoted for missionary work. (Matt 16:25 "For Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my [Christ's] Sake shall find it.") I had always heard this applied as to lose yourself in the work.  my first week I was trying to figure out how do you lose yourself when all you do is study and learn? it seemed like everything was focused on you at the MTC so I didn't know how to do it.  when I made my discovery that I didn't know who I was, I was excited! it meant that I had, at least in part, started to lose myself in the work.  There's a video online (a "Mormon Message") called "the Will of God" by D. Todd Christopherson (pardon my spelling) he talks about gardening and how he found a Current Bush. this bush had grown tall and did not have any berries on it. so he pruned it and cut back many of it's branches. I'll let you look up the video for the whole story but in the end the current bush was happy and covered with berries. God is my Gardener. he is changing me into what he wants me to be.  I'm excited! If I've grown so much in the last month I can't wait to see what happens over the next 23!

Adios!
-Elder Hill

Hey Tyler!
Mom said you were a little worried for me based on my last letter. You'll be happy to know I still have the same talents and things I love to do as before. My will is just becoming more in line with God. I still love talking about D&D, fantasy, etc. Elder Webb from my District is almost as big a nerd as I am, although he was more into anime. He always gets my nerdy references. We are actually glad we aren't companions because we'd never get anything done. So it's not a bad change, it's more of growing. The bad parts of my life/personality are being removed and good things are growing in their place. That's the best way I have to describe it.

Anyway, times up so I'm going to go now.
Love you bro.
-Elder David Hill Jr.

(PS. I'm sending this to mom to so she Knows What I said here)
(PPS: If you have any doubts, Elder Jordon Hill, Elder Webb and I are rewording the Pokemon theme song for missionary work. I'll send it to you when we're done ;) )