Just So You Know... -- 30 September 2013

I've been called to AP... so my emails may be shorter and may not come until the middle of the week sometimes.... there you have it.... I love you.

Elder Hill

Food Bank Photo -- 30 September 2013

Do Pictures Count as a Thousand Words? -- 23 September 2013

Note from Mom:  When a picture looks this happy, it counts.  Letter was snail-mailed this week.

A Note From Mom -- 16 September 2013

This morning Ashtyn said, "Mom, D FB'd me.  She said to tell you to check your FB because you're gonna laugh."  This is what I read when I got to FB:

So another small world moment at church today.

There was this C U T E toddler walking up and down the aisle in sacrament meeting. I just had to comment on how cute she is and her darling fluffy pink princess dress that she was wearing. Well the mother asked me if I was Sis B. I said yes I was, and then she went on to tell me that her MIL is a Hill from Medicine Hat and that when she was visiting her husband’s grandparents, she was watching this lovely young woman playing the harp and then she was interpreting for sacrament meeting.  The woman was thinking what an accomplished beautiful girl and then she thought to herself I recognize her. She was one of my EFY girls.

I guess this was shortly after we moved to MH.

She then went on to say that she has a YSA age girl boarding with them and she asked if she could invite the elders over for dinner last week and she said that would be fine. So they came for dinner and as they were talking she mentioned that she had been on a mission and the elder asked where and she said Temple Square. He said oh I have a friend serving there right now and she asked if it was any one she knew and our Elder Hill said L.

She went on to say how he is making quite a name for himself, that grandma and grandpa Hill LOVE him, and her parents knew him in the Okatokes ward and said that he is amazing and that she should have him over for dinner. Then he got transferred to the YSA branch before she could, and then through the woman they have living with them she finally got to meet him.

Such a small world hun. 

I just had to laugh.

Commitment to Serve -- 16 September 2013

"Your success as a missionary is measured primarily by your commitment to find, teach, baptize, and confirm people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost."

Success is measured by commitment. That's not what you do, it's who you are.

This week was good. In a weird way. It was empty, we had more appointments cancel than I can count, but that isn't what's important.  Not at all. :D

God and I both think it could have been better, but I am committed to improve. To stand taller. To walk and live strong. Are you?

Rock.

Yesterday was just loaded with miracles. It began with Ward Council.

Our mission president wants to see another set of missionaries in the Ward in which we are currently serving. We told him we would do our best. How would we do it? By following the cousel of the 12 and get our ward council moving.

So, we presented this idea to the ward council as humbly as we possibly could.... you won't believe how wonderfully they responded to us. They were like, "Okay, what do we need to do?" So, up and coming, a new ward mission plan, built by the entire ward council, with goals for every facet of the work, that is easily presented to the ward.

This may seem so small.... but this is the best thing that has ever happened in the Ward. Ever. Becasue this means the foundation will be strengthened, which means higher levels of conversion and a greater willingness to spread the Gospel message. And a ward that is self sufficient in sustaining the work of Salvation, regardless of the calibur of the missionaries in it.

That's all I really have for this week.... but I am so grateful for the light that has come... and that will continue to come. I know this Gospel is true. I know that this work is His work, and it will roll forth boldly, nobly, and independant. :D

Rock on. Peace. Love. And Temple Marriage.

In that order.

Elder Taylor J. Hill

Shout Out to Wonderful Canadian Saints!

I received an email over the weekend that said:  

The Sisters and the Zonies

Tonight we had Sister D and Sister A along with Elder Hill and Elder K for dinner at our home.  We are so blessed to have them in our home.

Seriously, the Canadian Saints are WONDERFUL to share with the parents.  I am grateful.

Broken Record -- 9 September 2013

I'm just a broken record,

Singing the same old song.

Just a broken record,

Begging that we'll all get along.

I'm just an oldies record,

Asking you to read,

And a quiet scratched up record,

Testifying it's what you need.

I'm just a boring record,

I told you, "You could pray."

Just a smiling record,

trying to make your day.

I'm just a heartfelt record,

Scratched up, tattered, and torn

Just a solemn record,

I'm feeling pretty worn.

I am a distanced record,

Trying to do what's right.

I am a frightened record,

Who prays for strength every night.

I am a hopeful record

And every time I pray

I feel a peaceful record,

That you will be okay.

I'm just a happy record

Because He loves you, don't you see?

Just an excited record,

Because He loves you and even me.

I'm just a determined record,

Spinning round and round

Just a spirited record,

Projecting forth His sound.

I am a powerful record,

Here to do His will.

I am His chosen record,

Even if I'm ill.

I'm just a broken record,

Just a servant of the Lord,

Just a broken record,

Here to preach His Holy Word.

Well, that was a rugged first attempt at poetry in a whole year.

How are you!? Man, I'm so stinking great. :D I've been up and out of my shell and teaching and testifying.... so good.

I read through my email from last week, and man... it was awesome. Exactly what I was trying to say. :D

Have you ever thought about the name of Christ? Jehovah? It means, "I Am." When Christ talked with Moses, He told him to tell the Israelites that He, or, "I Am" is the God who sent him.

Well, that bears simple significance, I think. After all, how often do we catch ourselves saying things like, "I am an idiot" or sometimes even, "I am worthless." "I am alone." Why would Jesus Christ allow His name to be a part of such statements? Why would we even make them? Well, we make them because we are human and imperfect. And I think He allows His name to be in there, because even in those times, He wants us to know we are still His. We are His sheep. His Children. He allows His name to be in such degrading statements because He loves us enough to decend below the worst and weakest of all human frailties to be able to lift us. His Atonement is infinite and wonderful. :D

Well, this week was good. Elder K. and I are getting along well. Our zone is struggling a bit, but we'll do our best to help them out. We are going to be doing a training at ZTM tomorrow about our purpose and our wonderful callings a missionaries. There is nothing in the world---so far as I have experienced---as great and wonderful as knowing that you have been called of God to do a marvelous work and a wonder. His marvelous work and wonder. Man. :D Sooo good.

Well, I really do love you all so much. Sorry this one is short.

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

Elder Taylor J. Hill