7/14/14 - Jordon

¡Hola todos! ¿Cómo están?

This week was very much more eventful than last. In the work, we've turned our focus primarily to less active members that the Ward Council members have given us to go by. One reason being that we have been given so many names that we don't really have time for anything else. However, we're still managing to find time to visit non-members, as well. We recently had a little miracle with regards to that. (or, I consider it to be one, anyway.)

In our area book, we had a teaching record for a guy named Doc. However, this teaching record had neither an address, nor a phone number, nor a fellowship written on it. In essence, we had no way to contact it. (If there's one thing that irks me, it's when forms in the area book aren't filled out with all the information known. It makes things harder for future missionaries.) However, for some reason I didn't want to through it away. Now five weeks after first viewing the record, we were looking though the contacts in our phone, and found one labeled "Doc DH Gator". (DH = Desert Hills Ward) We thought it might be him, so we gave it a call. He picked up, we talked for a brief moment, and set up a time to meet him at his house! He gave us his address! After the phone call the first thing I did was put the info on the teaching record. It's not much, but it's pretty spectacular to me.

It's interesting, to note how much the Spirit influences our lives. Often times, we find ourselves in a setting where we didn't really have a lesson planned out ahead of time, but in many of these instances, when we shared the message, they told us how much it applied to something in their lives right now. I really love those moments. I'm grateful for the influence of the Holy Ghost in my life, for there would be no way for us to do this work without his help.

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Transfers are coming up next week. So, if you're planning on sending me anything (I don't know what you would be sending me), make sure to send it to the mission office. I suspect I'm being transfered, but don't hold me to that. Sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways.
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Guess what....It's monsoon season! The humidity is up, the wind is blowing, and we're getting a lot more rain than in months previous. There's just one problem.......It's mostly only raining at night! So, even though it's raining, it's not when I can enjoy it. However, one thing I do get to experience comes with the increasing wind. Do you know what happens when you mix strong wind with a lot of loose dust? Dust Storms! We've had a few of them, normally just before a rainstorm, but the rain only comes once we get home. I took some pictures. (see below )

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So, how is everyone doing on the Book of Mormon Challenge? So far, the only one I know about is Dad (of all people, seeing as "Read" is a four letter word). And he's managing to keep up. Who else took the challenge?

I'll share something interesting: We just finished Jacob 2. However, I had a moment of confusion throughout 1st and 2nd Nephi. I think I counted three or four times when Nephi states that the Lord commanded him to make another set of plates, and that the more part of the history are contained on his other plates. I must admit: there was a moment when I seriously thought that he had made yet another set of plates (in addition to the second set) because the Lord commanded him to do so. Hehe. I asked Elder Cairns, "Wait, does Nephi then have three sets of plates? 'Cause here he says, again, that the Lord commanded him to make another set." We had a decent laugh about it.
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I think that's about it. Tell everyone I say hi. I look forward to writing again next week. Until then,

Con amor,

-Elder Jordon Hill

TRAVEL PLANS

For those interested, here are the flight info for Jordon's and DJ's return:

Jordon:

Arrives at Chicago Airport, Sept 2nd, 1:07 pm, US Airways, Flt 465, Terminal 3.


DJ:

Arrives at Chicago Airport, Oct 14th, 5:20 pm, American Airlines, Flt 2321, Terminal 3.

Anyone interested in joining us to greet them (in the baggage area), just let us know to look for you.  We'll be the ones who can't sit still.

Jan

7/21/14 - DJ

Hola Everyone!

So, we'll start with the news on Transfers. transfers were today and guess what? I'm still in the Progresso Nacional! and guess what else, Elder Rodriguez is still my companion! The Assistants told me that when President was figuring out changes, he looked at us and said that we were working well together and that he was going to leave us as is. So start Transfer 3 with Elder Rodriguez in the Progresso. 

 

Ok, other news. We Had A Baptism! Rebeca is the oldest daughter in her family. We are teaching the whole family, but for one reason or another, only Rebeca has been able to come to church. That day was a little crazy. In the morning(abt 9am) we received a message from her that she wasn't going to be able to be baptized.  So we started letting everyone know not to come. Later on (abt 1:30pm) we get another message that yes she can, but at 4.  So we went crazy to pull together the baptism again and let everyone we could know.  It worked out well even though we only had a few people show. One of which is Rebeca's sister Karina. (see below) 

That's all for now. Nos vemos!

7/21/14 - Jordon

Well this week was, perhaps, a little dull. Just a lot of the same stuff. Trying to visit less actives, looking for new investigators, following up with old ones...you know the drill. We didn't really have any awesome experiences this week, but last night at dinner, we had a discussion about talents, including one of their sons playing a song on the piano (semi-against his will, but he sounded great). I demonstrated how to use juggling to teach the importance of prayer, scripture study, and church attendance. We discussed the various talents everyone had, and we invited them to look for ways to use their talents to share the gospel with someone this week. We're following up with them next week.

We have this one less active member who is having difficulty coming to church. He told us this week that he had off work and wanted to come, but he didn't have any church pants to wear. We found him a pair from one of the members, and gave them to him. The next morning (Sunday) we got a text from him saying he wasn't feeling up to church. When we inquired as to the cause of the decision, he told us he was embarrassed that he had to borrow someones pants. (Really?! That's the reason you won't come today? ) We told him he need not be embarrassed, but that was, in part, what the church was for: to help our brothers and sisters when they're in need. He still didn't come. We're gonna talk to him tonight.

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The repairs continue. This time it was my watch band that broke...or more specifically, the loop that holds down the extra part of the watch band. I fixed it with thread I weaved together like I would to make rope. I think it turned out well. (see below)

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Alright, I'm sure you're wondering what's happening with transfers...but first something related.

On July 17th, our dinner appointment had Chinese food, complete with fortune cookies.
*A quick note about Fortune Cookies: I've grown to love fortune cookies. Throughout my mission, on various occasions we've eaten at Panda Express or some other restaurant with fortune cookies. Somehow, the fortunes I received always seemed to have application to what was going on. Interesting, no?*

Anyway, so when I was about to open My fortune cookie, I knew it was gonna be good. I opened it, read it, laughed, then turned to my companion and said, "It's official, I'm being transferred." This was the fortune which I received: "A new romance is in the future." (You may commence laughing now. ) Taking this in the same light as my calendar, I interpret it as I'm getting a new companion.

Oh, Book of Mormon Check in -- Today we finished Mosiah 16.

Due to the fact that Elder Cairns reads fairly slowly, and I figured it would be more fun, he and I decided that we would read aloud together...or, rather, I read and he follows along. We have found much enjoyment in this. Especially due to the fact that instead of just reading the book, I'm giving each person a different voice and personality. Before I start a new voice, I contemplate what the character might actually sound like, and try to be true to the nature of the character. Nephi was a rather fun loving, up beat person, and Jacob seemed a bit more solemn and reserved. Isaiah turned out rather doom and gloom. On a few characters, however, the voice that came out of my mouth wasn't quite what I had planned, but it fit the character, in our minds. Apparently, King Noah has a southern accent. Who knew?  (I wonder if the reason for the odd appearances of voices is because that might be how they actually would have sounded coming through my vocal chords. But, I can only imagine, however, that when I rejoin with these historic figures when I leave this mortal life, a vast majority of them are going to chastise me for giving them a voice/personality far from them. Oh, well.)

Which brings me to Transfer business...I'm leaving. Every one of the Spanish missionaries I have contact with asked me if I'm going back to Spanish. I don't know. However, we currently have eight Spanish Elders in the mission. (Trio in Gilbert, two in Queen Creek, two in Florence, and me.) One Elder is going home tomorrow (one in the trio), I'm leaving, and two other Spanish Elders are being transferred, as well. So, there is plenty of opportunity for me to go back to Spanish for my last transfer. (That, by the way makes seven Spanish Elders left over. I don't know if there are any coming in this transfer.)  However, if the Lord decides I'm still needed in English, I'm not certain what I should do with language study. I'll ask President about it should question be applicable.
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By the way, for those keeping track: with the conclusion of this transfer, the score currently stands Spanish: 47 weeks, English: 48 weeks. This transfer will determine the winner. Stay tuned, folks.
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That's it for this week. Until next time.

Con amor,

-Elder Jordon Hill, the Proud Spaniard-

7/14/14 - DJ

Hola Everyone!

So, This week was evidence that we are doing something right. By that I mean that most of our investigators are being hit with trials and challenges that are making it harder for them. In all my mission, I've never seen the Adversary work as hard as he is against us right now.  I assume that means we are doing something right. Slowly all our investigators are pulling through and, hopefully, strengthening their faith and Testimony in the process. 

 

Adversity is an interesting topic. We always look at the trials in our lives and say "Why does this have to happen to me?" but really it's because the Lord knows we can handle them. An interesting lesson I was taught by one of the members here is "worry when you don't have trials in your life, because that means the Lord doesn't trust you to overcome them!", and really it is so. When we overcome trials, our confidence grows, our faith and testimony grow, and we become one step closer to God. It's and interesting theme to be sure. 

That's all for now. 

 

Nos Vemos!

-Elder D Hill

7/7/14 - DJ

Hola Everyone!

Well this week was pretty normal with one major exception. We took a trip out to the Temple Visitors Center!

 

 

  We took 8 of our investigators out to the Temple Visitors Center to show them 1)what a temple is and 2) the awesome, recently renovated visitors center. It went really well. The visitors center is currently very interactive and everyone had a great time. I could see several of our investigators feeling the spirit during the tour and after when left to explore. 

 

 

 

My personal favorite part was the Books of Mormon (above). You could select any of the books (in the various languages of the world) and the screen above would tell you what language it was, what countries used it, and when it was first published.  Overall a success and we are planning to do this with other investigators in the future.

 

The Christus

 

And just so you don't think it's all fun and games, the last picture (below) is of my magnetic name tag. It Broke! and I don't know where. I still have the magnet and the pinser, but the plate is missing in action. I'm going to order a new one to replace it.

 

 

That's the fun for now. Nos Vemos!

-Elder D Hill

7/7/14 - Jordon

Well, this week was a little more desirable than last week.

We've been working with the ward council members; working to visit those whom they would like us to visit. It's been going alright so far. We went to visit this one less active family and found out they have two children who haven't been baptized, yet. (Megan, 18, and Logan, 9) However, neither of them is really interested in learning about the Gospel. However, when we mentioned cub scouts, Logan perked right up. He's excited to go. This might be an in. We're still trying to figure out Megan, though.

Also, we've been finding rather interesting ways to intro/teach certain principles to kids in a way that keeps their attention. For example, I recently taught the importance of Scripture Study, Prayer, and regular Church Attendance by juggling. Each ball represents one of them. by juggling 1 or 2 balls in a 3 ball pattern it looks incomplete. So, too, are our lives incomplete when we don't do those things. Another example would be that we once used the Three Little Pigs (non-Shakespearean version) to show the need for a sure foundation. We're getting creative.
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Oh! Guess what...We got RAIN!!!! The first rain I've seen since March 1st with the Cultural Celebration. There was just one problem...Shortly before the rain actually started, there was a bit of a dust storm. (See attached picture) It wasn't huge, but it sure made the car dirty. I was happy nonetheless.

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Mom: Back off? Why would I do that? Practically every time anyone asks me how much time I've been out, I tell them I've been "out here" for about 19 months, now. (No, it's not lying.) They comment on how I'm coming down to the end, and I respond by telling them that I still have some time left and I intend to make use of it. I have no intention of going back on my word.

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Other than that. Not much to tell. We're still working hard, and we're starting to see results. Hope you all are doing well. Until next time.

Con amor,

-Elder Jordon Hill-