Tell Me a Story of Jesus -- 3 January 2014

Okay, I'm going to be trying to revamp my emails and journal writing because I saw this picture on LDS.org.

In the grand scheme of things, this is all about sharing blessings with you, and not necessarily my thoughts or the things I've learned. So, I'm going to tell you about the blessings. :D and That actually takes away a lot of the stress of writing an email (which I've never been very good at--or journal writing for that matter...)

This past week was transfers which often means a lot of long hours (longer than regular missionary schedule), a lot of stress (as if it isn't stressful enough) and a huge work load. Well, the blessing that I would like to highlight in all of this is the blessing of having a companion, especially my companion. 

Our transfer day is very busy, we wake up early (before six thirty is what is known as early on a  mission) and head over to the mission home, where we do a brief training and eat with the new missionaries, we then head over to the Willow Park Chapel (about 2 blocks down the road from the mission home) and begin organizing. We park the van and trailer on the south side and the missionaries who will be traveling to Lethbridge show up and load their luggage and themselves into the van or trailer. Then, as soon as they have everyone loaded they begin the drive south. This round, President Nicholas and I managed what was going on inside the building as my companion managed what was going on outside.

So, we ran the transfer in the building, announcing new companions and areas, then we headed south together. When we got to the next transfer station, Elder Crapo already had everyone in the chapel quietly listening to prelude music (let me tell you, it's a feat!!!). He had gotten there, and assigned people to unload the trailer then got to work gettting everyone inside. When we got there, we went inside and began the transfer as he finished loading what was going North and then went to Calgary. President and I ran the transfer and then ran North again, and when we got there, he was already unloading the trailer and almost everyone was in the chapel waiting for us. We immediately began the transfer and finished up for the day. It was very smooth and very very well done, and all because Elder Crapo was running ahead and doing his part. It's incredible to see how such a simple thing makes everything go smoothly. 

Last night I had the opportunity to go on exchanges in my very first area. The Elders that I went with were asking me what to do to help less-actives progress in the Gospel. They asked very specific questions and I asked who they were working with, they said, "His name is John." (name has been changed for privacy purposes) and I was like, "I love John!!!!!!" So we flipped the van around (yep, I drive a minivan :) don't hate, just appreciate) and drove to John's house. He and His wife were there. They recognized me and let us in. I immediately began to talk with John his life and how he was doing, what his interests were and what he wanted to do and be. Fortunately, it all related well with a message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I ended up asking him for help in my personal life, and how he would go about dealing with struggles and problems that I am personally having. He bore his testimony to me, and identified things that he needed to be doing in his life to overcome what he is struggling with. We then extended an invitation to him and closed the lesson. It was excellent. It was a testimony to me that the Lord puts us in the paths of people who need our help, they need someone to love them and to appreciate them. I've found that God very seldom will make anything we do for Him convenient or easy for us, but He will always bless us for reaching out to His children. 

I know that my Savior has been sent to the earth to Redeem mankind from tehir sins and mistakes. I testify that our shame and guilt can be swept away by the power of the Atonement which He performed. I testify that God needs us to be anxiously engaged in a good cause, He needs us for the sake of those we love. All around us are people to bless, encouage, lift, and inspire. He is ready to give us the tools to do it. What He needs is your strengths and your weaknesses, this is a "take you as you are" kind of Gospel. I know that when we do as he asks, we are blessed with the ability to do more, and to be more. 

I love you all so much. Sorry this was a rocky email, they'll get better, I'm sure.

Peace, love, and temple marriage. In that order.

Elder Hill

Recovery Mode -- 24 December 2013

To be honest with you, I would love to just put that subject line on every email I send home. 

It's been really really good for me to hear from my friends and family serving in other missions around the world, whether that mission has been the Home mission or the Chicago, Philippines, Peruvian, Seattle, Mesa, New York or otherwise. There's a light and fire especially found in new missionaries. They, of all the missionaries in the world seem to understand the mission the best. Just like a child in our lives, new missionaries see their purpose clearly, they understand their love for others and the love that their Father has for them, and that's all that they need. It's all any of us really need. 

Sometimes God puts leaders in leadership positions because he knows he needs to watch them the closest. :D 

Have yourself a merry little Christmas.

This week was good. We've been on approximately 1,000,000,000 exchanges and feel incredibly sleep deprived. Other that that we learned a lot from the missionaries that we were supposed to be "Training."

Have a good week.

Merry Christmas!

Peace. Love. Temple Marriage. In that order.

Elder Taylor J. Hill

16 December 2013

Let's start out with where I am. I am good. There you have it. You know how I came to that conclusion?

I chose it. 

Did you know Elder Bednar came to the mission? It's a true story, he really did. He was here on Saturday, may I tell you a little about my experience? Well, I was asked to conduct the meeting, Elder Bednar came in and sat down next to my companion, Elder Crapo and I and said, "Alright, Elders, are we ready?" I responded, "Yes we are." He said, "Alright, let's go to church."

:D I stood up and began the meeting, I messed it up completely, but we got a good laugh out of my nervousness, so it was okay. :) 

Elder Bednar is a genius. He knows. And I know, not in the same way that he does. He has a perfect knowledge, mine is just limited to my experience, but you know what, His knowledge doesn't cheapen mine. You know what? It doesn't cheapen yours either. 

Your testimony is the most powerful building block of your life. It is the light within you that teaches you what is most important in your life. It is that light that connects you with your Father, and pulls you away from the Darkness when it seems there is no light. Sometimes we struggle with our testimonies, sometimes we are more interested in pleasing ourselves or others than in pleasing our God, but... my friends, the reality is those choices won't bring anything in the eternities. The Light within you, the one that never dies, is the beacon we must follow. 

Trust the knowledge that you do have. It is enough, and it will grow. Believe in what you feel inside. Trust your God. 

I love you all so much. I don't really know what to say this week, as you can probably tell, but don't worry, there will be stories and more when you ask me after my mission.

Rock on. Peace, love and temple marriage. In that order.

Elder Hill

When Christmas Comes to Town -- 9 December 2013

Do you remember the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

I hope so, do you remember the part where the Grinch's heart grows 3 sizes that day?

Well, that's what Christmas really does for us... in fact, it's what Christ does for us. 

Yesterday I had the opportunity to give a talk in church and they didn't give me a topic to speak on. Well, I studied and I studied and I couldn't figure out what it was I was supposed to say, I had a million things written down, and nothing that seemed quite right... well, I was sitting at the podium and the member next to me said, "What's your topic?" and I said, "I don't know... they didn't give me one." She responded, "They didn't give me one either! I'm going to give a talk on Enduring to the End, what are you going to talk about?" And I said, "I honestly don't know. I've done everything that I can, and I'm just going to have to trust that God is going to say it." She looked at me and said, "You didn't prepare anything?" I said, "No, I've been preparing since they called me, I just don't know what I'm going to say."

Well, I gave the talk, and ended up speaking about believing in Christ, and what that belief does for us. I told a lot of stories, shared a lot of scriptures, and taught the doctrine. I remember a little bit about what I said... but mostly I remember the feeling. You guys, when I testify of Christ, I feel like it's Christmas. I feel like it's summer. I feel like I'm in warm rain... I feel like I'm being held and whispered to by my savior, just like a mother would do for her small child bearing their testimony. Jesus Christ helps us, he heals us, we can trust Him. It's almost too wonderful to believe, but he really does put into our minds and hearts what to say. I love Him. I'm so grateful that He cares enough to put the words in that He promises. 

I love you all so much.

Peace, love, and temple marriage. In that order.

Elder Taylor J. Hill

Feeling the Truth -- 2 December 2013

Acts of courage are how we come to know Christ. Faith is understanding that the darkness will not be everlasting and that is why we step into it. We will only find the light when we see the darkness. That is why we are grateful for the challenges that test our faith and our testimonies. It is by conquering through those experiences that truly help us to feel our Father in Heaven. To know Him.

Faith is the understanding that the darkness will not be everlasting. The confidence in Christ. The hope that he is really there. 

Every one of us has darkness in our lives. Maybe it's depression or anxiety. Maybe it's past sins. It could be an inability to forgive yourself, or maybe it's that fear that you can't do everything that you feel you need to. Maybe you feel you're forever falling short. You might feel that you are alone, or lost.

Here's what I say to that: as we were all taught it Batman, "The night is darkest just before the dawn." When Nephi saw the vision of the tree of life, he saw people press forward through darkness by the way of the iron rod. 

I testify to you that no matter how dark your night, or how scary your circumstance. There is no darkness so thick that Jesus Christ cannot shine through it. The dawn will break. Happiness will be yours. Peace, hope and light are just around the corner for those who will put their trust in God and do His will. Have faith in Him. press forward. You can do it. I love you. And so does our Father in Heaven. Just hold to the rod, do as you've been taught.

Peace. Love. And Temple Marriage. In that order.

Elder Taylor J. Hill 

Just emailing... 2 December 2013

Brother P is a good man. He's really really smart. (Note from Mom:  We met Bro. P in our ward yesterday.)

Today there's quite a storm brewing outside. We've already had a car accident today, so cars are parked. Meaning, we walked to the office this morning. It took almost an hour, and it was cold, but it was also good. After my slightly depressing couple of weeks, I've decided that I need to get back into Cardio, make healthy meals a priority, and take lots of vitamin D. :D So I woke up early this morning and did 15 minutes of Spartacus (a superset workout that kills your legs and chest) which got me breathing hard, then did Biceps and Triceps on the weights at the missionaries home next door. It was a mess, but I feel really good right now. I know that fitness doesn't solve every problem,  but it helps a ton. It was really really nice. 

Tomorrow we will begin our second round of Zone Conferences. Last week was a huge success. We've really felt like the things that we're teaching are actually helping the missionaries improve in their skill as missionaries. We've been teaching about Doctrines and Principles. Then we've been showing them how Doctrines and Principles apply to their work, and then we let them practice. It just makes a lot of sense when it's explained this way. 

I wish I had understood the importance of these things before my mission. It would have helped me to answer the temptations that came my way. I feel that sometimes we believe we are asked to do things "just because." It's nice to know that there is doctrine and reasoning behind the Laws, commandments, covenants, and promises we make. 

The commandments were all things that I could tell you about, what they were, and even why they were there. But they were never internalized until I actually taught them and lived them passionately, seeking to really understand why they were there and how they applied to me. That's the real secret of this Gospel, is when it comes to God, you never know until you try Him. It's ironic to say, because you don't want people to use it as an excuse to do bad things. We should always test the good long before the bad, and we should give it a fair chance.

That is the magic of invitations. We invite people to do good. To read the Book of Mormon daily, until you're all the way through. To pray until you receive an answer, daily. You don't ever give up half way just because it doesn't seem to suit your fancy. Naaman, from the Old Testament, was told to wash 7 times in the river Jordan. Can you imagine what would have happened if he had gotten sick of washing himself at 6? Just because it was inconvenient, or just didn't seem to be working? Notice that God didn't heal him from his leprosy until he had already done everything he was asked to do. 

Sometimes we stand wondering, "Why has God answered them, but not me?" Or someone may say, "Yes, I read from the Book of Mormon and I prayed about it, but I didn't get an answer." Why? One reason, they didn't try hard enough. We have to want things, we have to actually want them enough to give them our all. Naaman almost didn't do what he was told. He would have died! But he was reminded of his desire, his servant came to him and whispered, "My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldst thou not have done it?" 

What are we willing to give to know God? Some say, "I would die for my God." Well, that isn't the real test, as Naaman demonstrates. President Monson has taught, "Courage becomes a worthwhile virtue when it is regarded not so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to live decently." The true test of mortality is the test of our willingness to live as Christ would have us live, to do the small and simple things that change our lives every day. 

So, seek Him out like you mean it. You will understand the doctrine as you live it. Understanding comes by the Spirit. Ask, seek, knock. Let Him open the doors to you.

I just went off there, but it's true. 

So what are the Doctrines of the Gospel?

https://www.lds.org/youth/learn/guidebook/doctrinal?lang=eng

15 November 2013

Today, I've learned a little bit about love.

Sometimes it's really hard to see God's love for us. Maybe we're burdened by sin, or maybe we're burdened through repentance. We often may feel, for several reasons that we're not good enough... or just simply that we're not enough. Or maybe that we'll never be enough. 

I wonder if we truly know the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ? Did you know that no matter how dark your past, your future can be clear as noon day? Did you know that your sins, if followed by repentance, will never impede you from having a great relationship with your Savior? Did you know that you will never be left alone? Did you know that if you are struggling physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, you can be healed? I think often of someone that I met while on an exchange in High River. His eyes were kind of glazed over, and he wasn't very happy... He was hurting, and his demeanor suggested that for some reason, he was broken. I found out later in the lesson that he had some kind of mental struggle. 

As we taught him, an incredible thing happened. The greater the Spirit became in the room, the better he was able to communicate with us. Then we shared a song with him, and it's like his heart unlocked, his eyes cleared and he began to express how much he loved his Father in Heaven. He could speak with us, and express Himself, still not entirely perfectly, but the spirit we could feel in that room was incredible.. and the love that we could feel... was nearly unbelievable, and I wouldn't have been able to comprehend it if I hadn't felt it. 

Well, I know that this is what God does for each of us when we seek after the Spirit, His love eminates into us and enables us to truly live our potential. It is love that changes us. Love that shapes us. Love that gives us reasons to live. It is love that gives us the courage to conquer sin, opposition, temptation, fear, distress, and darkness. I know that if you will express love to everyone you meet you will see a change in your life.

I know God loves you. Just as He loves me. I know it. 

Peace. Love. And Temple Marriage. In that order.

Elder Hill