May 22, 2017 - Alma, Ga

Hey Yall!

I'm doing great and the work here is doing great as well. Its nice feeling well enough to go and work again I sure had a lot of bottled up energy and it was nice to get a lot of it out. The storms here haven't really hit Alma we have ha a few showers but nothing too dramatic. My wrist is healing well and the swelling has gone down completely, my next appointment is Wednesday in the afternoon and they may take out the staples depending on how the scar is healing. My right arm is doing a lot better, I've been very careful with it and trying to ice it as much as possible. As time went on I've gone from being able to shoot or extend my arm to today being able to shoot without hardly any pain which was an answer to my prayer. I'm glad that y'all enjoyed the Skype call cause I did as well!! Thanks for looking into seeing the orthopedic surgeons I appreciate it. I did send a package today and it should get there on Thursday so be looking for one. But life is going good, I'm not gonna lie its really hard for me not to be able to play basketball at this point in my mission but I know that I'm going through this for a reason and that God doesn't give us a trial we cant overcome so as time goes on I will figure out the reason behind it.

This past week has been rejuvenating to be honest because we have put in a full weeks work full of work. It was hard not sharing the gospel when I was recovering and its crazy how your thoughts wander when you're going through something like surgery. Lots of fears come through you head, but just as fast as they came into your mind they can leave just as fast with a ray of hope. I've tried really hard to choose happiness and be happy and as I've done that the Lord always helps me feel strengthened and guided as I go through my day. I've learned that just as soon as you get frustrated is to stop take a breath, and focus on the now and things work out for you. We have had some really solid lessons this week with Sue Evans. We worked really hard to get a member to come with us to her lesson and Brother Lassiter was able to come. Sue really felt the Spirit and watching the Restoration really helped her feel the Spirit and she  now understands why the First Vision was important. We also talked about pioneer stories and how the Salt Lake City temple was built in 40 years! She is all the way up to Helaman 14 in the Book of Mormon and is loving it! We just have to help her find clothes she likes to come to church in. But we are working on that. We also had a great lesson with Cynthia. As soon as we pulled up she was in tears because the doctors said they cant do anything else for her dad and he might pass away soon. We planned on reading from the Book of Mormon but the Spirit told us we need to teach the Plan of Salvation. We testified of restored truths and our purpose in this life. She said she learned quite a bit and felt comforted to know where her dad would be when he departed from this life. Well the next day we decide to call her and invite her to church and she said her dad passed away... It was crazy that we talked about where he would be when he passed away and then that night he was there. We said a prayer for her and she was glad she was supported by us in that time in her life.

Then on the flip side from going to a very spiritual experience like that to seeing the Joyners and the circus that was in that home. We walked in and talked to Ms. Joyner and after talking with her for a bit we were surrounded by kids without clothes on holding dogs, cats, and pigs while you're trying to teach Ms. Joyners about God. All the while its 100 degrees, humid and swatting the gnats away from your face. At the climax of all the commotion I leaned to Elder Showers and said "Where is this in the Peach My Gospel DVD's?" Pigs, dogs, and cats in your face trying to focus on the lesson but too many distractions were there. 

Because of this broken wrist I'm always going to be grateful for my health. I was listening to some hymns and Count your blessings came on and I thought of the truthfulness of the words. We are blessed with so many things sometimes we need to remember how merciful Gods been to us. We were invited to a Methodist church on Sunday and we went and I talked with the pastors wife about what we do and after a 20 minute conversation she told her husband we might go to the Mormon church next week. She was shocked when she heard I haven't seen my family in 2 years. But going to that church was great and I love experiencing how different churches worship. We all have so much alike but the restored church offers more and we are able to progress.

A scripture that really helped me through this week was Romans 5:2-5   By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

I know that we all have experiences and trials that are in our lives, but God wants us to learn and the only way we learn is through mistakes and choosing faith in that trial. Hope is essential to our happiness in this life and people will look at your example going through that trial and may be inspired to overcome the challenges they face because of how you've handled it. Keep life simple. 

I love you sooo much and I know that the church is true!

-Elder Hill

#watchoutformailboxes  #NothinlikeAlma   #gnatsarebad

 

Dirt Roads!  Elder Hill and Elder Showers!  Alma, GA - May 2017

Graduation after 2 years!  Alma, GA - May 2017

Elder Hill - Alma, GA - May 2017

 

May 15, 2017 - Alma, GA

Hey Y'all!

My appointment today in Waycross went very well! They cleaned my wrist and put clean bandages on my wrist. He looked at my right arm and said its probably just a muscle sprain and it should get better in 2-3 weeks and that was good to hear. He also said that I might need to continue seeing an orthopedic surgeon when I get to Logan but we are working on moving the records over to an office in Logan. So look around in Logan for a good orthopedic office so we can move my records over there when the time comes, but it is looking good and he is impressed at how Im healing so far.

(Again I have only one arm so sorry for the shorter letter)

But Ill hit on the major events of the week, but it has been a little tricky getting ready for the day and its been hard not being able to work out and play basketball but it will come. We have supported very well by the branch and they have helped immensely and Im grateful for them. I'm not gonna lie and say its all been painless cause it is pretty painful but it is getting better and the pain always goes away through prayer and faith. Medicine helps too sometimes haha. Leading up to surgery on May 4th we continued the missionary work here in Alma and retelling the story of how I hit the mailbox to everyone we meet. We met this lady named Cynthia who has very sincere questions and feels that the church has the answer. We bore testimony to her and she said she'd love to start attending church, so we are excited to work with her.

The major event from the week was my surgery and Im so grateful for all the prayers and thoughts as I went under into surgery and it provided great strength for me. President Grayson and many branch members came and supported me at the hospital. The procedure went very well and my 1st surgery was a great success. I was put under for 2 and a half hours and woke up with a very boggled mind and a very heavy left arm. It was  great knowing that it all went well and that my arm is on its way to recovery. I've had to really be creative in how I get the daily duties done with one arm and ask for help when needed but it has taught me patience and lots of understanding enjoying your trial. God doesnt put us through trials cause He wants to see us suffer but He loves us so we go through trials. Ive learned alot from this experience and it has taught me a lot. Never lose hope or faith and trust in Gods love and the power in prayer. Even though I don't understand why I'm going through this but we obey now and understand later. 

Another fun event was getting our transfer call and finding out Elder Showers will be my last companion on my mission!!! I was his first companion and now Ill be his last! It doesnt really feel real but it is and its hard to think we are companions again!!

My scripture that really helped me through this week was Alma 37:6..."Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."

I know that small and simple ways is how we grow and this trial will be of great strength for me later in life. God does answer prayers and nothing happens all at once and great things occur after fervent, diligent hard work, for we will be rewarded for our faithfulness and obedience. He always provides a way no matter who you are as long as you come unto Him and learn His ways.

I love yall!!! Thank you for all your prayers and support! Good miracles are fixin' to happen here in Alma in these next six weeks so just hold on for the ride!!!

-Elder Hill'

#surgerysuccessful  #makeitcount

 

Beginning and Ending of Mission!  May 2017, Alma, GA

Best District!  Alma, GA, May 2017

Elder Crip Hill!  May 2017, Alma GA

On a dry boat!  Alma, GA, May 2017

Prepped for surgery!  Alma, GA - May 2017

Reflecting in Field!  May 2017, Alma GA

 

May 8, 2017 - Alma, GA

Hey Y'all!

Well some of you know that I had a very interesting week this past week and it has been a very difficult week to say the least.My letter will be a bit shorter because I broke my wrist on Thursday in a bike accident and I only have one arm to type with. God has definitely been with me through this process and I know I will be strengthened as I be obedient and the surgery will go well.  Just so you know I will be having surgery on Thursday instead of Tuesday and I just finished Preop a few minutes ago. It all went well and the doctors really did a good job and made it as painless as they could. Thank you for all your love and support and I know it will all work out.

Before I tell how I broke my wrist I just think its so ironic that I started my mission with a broken wrist and now Im ending my mission with a broken wrist. So on Thursday Elder McGee and I were biking in the rain and it was raining pretty hard. We were on the way back to the apartment for lunch. We were riding in the road when I felt we should move to the sidewalk to avoid traffic up ahead. I moved onto the sidewalk and looked up at the sky and when I did that there was a mailbox sticking out halfway into the sidewalk that my handlebar hit and I flipped going about 20 miles an hour. I felt a huge impact on my wrist and slid on my front side to a stop. I knew instantly that my wrist was broken but I had a major dejavu and felt like Ive been there before. Elder Mcgee kept going and a nice man told him to turn around and he brought him back. A few nice men called the ambulance and took me to the ER. I was in a good amount of pain, but the hardest part was dealing with how the future would change with my broken wrist. After being seen by the doctors they told me Id need surgery and Ill be having surgery this week on Thursday. I know that everything happens for a reason and I have lots of support and care here in Alma. 

This whole week has been one to remember and the Spirit at church helped me know of Gods love. I knew a mission was going to be hard and trials are hard but God doesn't give us one we cant overcome and with God anything is possible. The Alma branch is watching out for me. I appreciate all the prayers and thoughts. I'll quote a verse from the hymn book that brought me happiness and comfort. "How firm a foundation" “Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”

I know God has helped me through this and I know that in the future this trial will be of great strength for me. Thank you fo all of the support and prayers. I know that there is power in prayer!

Thank you and dont worry Ill be good! I LOVE Y'ALL!

-Elder Hill

#round2  #itiswhatyoumakeit

 

Ballers!

 

I hate mailboxes unless there are goodies and treats in them!

Where there is a Hill there is a mailbox!

Trip to the Hospital!

I think I need bubble wrap or something!  

Zone Conference May 2017