April 4, 2016 - Columbus, GA

Hey Y'all!

I hope you enjoyed conference as much as I did, haha I thought it was interesting that before the mission I somewhat dreaded conference because of how long it was and whatnot but now conference is something I look forward to all year and I cant wait for the next one!  Thats pretty crazy! Its been really hard being away from basketball and especially around this time of the year, but Im glad to see an update on it:) I'm glad that you are looking into the next challenge of getting a house in Utah. I've met a lot of missionaries here that would be more than willing to help us out too with knowing how to build and how to save costs. But I hope that, thats going well and keep me updated with it please:)

This past week has been another busy one here in Columbus and I love it:) Being the senior companion definitely has its challenges and you definitely learn how to use your time effectively and plan well. This week I definitely realized the power of planning and making sure you and your companion are on the same page.

On Tuesday, Elder Haines and I crossed the Chattahoochee river again and went on exchanges in Phenix City. Elder Cobler and I went on exchanges after the district meeting and Elder Cobler and I talked about our plans after the mission and he told me that he plans on going to Utah State and be on the cross country and track team. We also did service for the Johnsons here, and we were asked to help them move mouse poop covered wood, crawling with cockroaches the size of your pinky and the wood pile was about 8 feet tall and being somewhat inexperienced with stacking wood, we didnt think it mattered of what size of the wood went on the bottom, so being inexperienced we pout the small pieces on the bottom and the big pieces on top... and welll you can already see what is happening here and we got a call from her later in the day saying that the wood pile fell and so we went back and now I know how to stack wood:) We also met with the Maldonados and talked to them about faith and why its important.

On Wednesday we switched back and had district meeting with our district, then Elder Haines and I went over to a members haircut salon and got our hairs cut:) She did a pretty good job but I'll let you guys decide that from the pictures. Later that night we had a Just Serve webinar with some members of the high council in the stake and we talked about how Just Serve will help strengthen the communities and bind members together.

On Thursday, we were running low on miles and so we biked pretty much all day, but our first stop was at the church and we planned and waited for our lesson with Jazmin Henderson, but she ended up not being able to come because of some conflicts. So we started to bike back home and it was around this time where I knew it was gonna rain and in Georgia when it rains....it rains!! And we were on the way to go home for lunch and we saw Sister Johnson putting rocks on her new RV parking spot and we stopped by and gave her a hand. It was pretty funny because Sister Johnson's house is the first house by a busier road and people were constantly giving us strange looks because we were two white boys, in white shirts and ties, shoveling rock into a driveway in the rain. But right as the rain started to get bad we finished it for her and realized that we had to go home in it. We waited at the Johnsons til it cleared up a bit and headed back home. But you know every time you ride in the rain your wife is going to that much more attractive:) haha. But later in the day we stopped by recent converts house and visited with her because she fell and hurt her ankle and needed someone to talk to.

Friday was a pretty interesting day... We had MLC in Macon and it was raining throughout the whole night and it was in the morning. But we decided to take the back roads because the drivers in Georgia are bad when the sun is shining and I didn't want the headache of driving in the rain on highways so we took the side roads and boy was it a good decision. All the creeks that we passed through were overflowing and it was quite the sight to see. We got to Macon safely and received training from President Cottle and the leadership here. Throughout the entire MLC meeting the thunder shook the room and the meeting saved us from being soaking wet that day. But I learned a lot about integrity and doing the right thing even if no one is watching. As well as the difference between joy and happiness. And that joy is a full feeling while happiness is fleeting. I also had the crazy experience of me and Elder Duran, my 2nd half trainer and I were zone leaders together! It was a pretty crazy experience!! After MLC we drove back and met with Chris Stevens and read the book of Enos with him.

Saturday/Sunday was General Conference and we watched the first session at a members house. It was really a good way to start off conference! There was a lot of good insight I received from conference but because of the lack of time I'll share my highlight for Saturday and Sunday. I learned that Jesus Christ was the best leader because he was the best follower and that applies directly to us that if we are in a leading position that we should be humble enough to also be a follower of Jesus Christ. I also enjoyed Elder Hollands talk at the end where he talked about how we need to keep trying and even though we may come off those spiritual mountain tops we need to remember those spiritual moments and use them to keep moving forward. I actually had to miss the first session on Sunday because I was at Ft Benning with the soldiers, but I was able to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to them and it went very well. We also got a call from president Cottle and he told us of a solider who needed a blessing so we went over to the Ft Martin Army hospital and gave him a blessing. This whole week seemed very filled with injuries and accidents from everyone and as we went in for the day, we got a call at 10:00 last night where someone was playing and fell onto a pointy object and it pierced her lung and so we got dressed and rushed over there and missed her by five minutes but we gave a blessing to her mom and I really felt the love she had for her. But we are going to go over today and give the daughter a blessing too.

But I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

-Elder Mitchell Hill

 

My Second Half Trainer and now ZL's!

I Promise it is Raining!

I Spotted this Gator!

 

March 28, 2016 - Columbus GA

Hey Y'all!

Happy Easter!! Thank you so much for the package that you sent:) Gotta love the "sweet" things in life sometimes. I loved the note you sent and it made my day! We had transfers this past week and I got a new companion and his name is Elder Joshua Haines. He's from Sandy, Utah and he is quite the guy. He has a lot of bright ideas and makes the work fun too which is always a plus! He likes playing the guitar and saying "yeah dude" a lot haha.I'm glad to hear that Uncle Richard is doing well, and that spring break was fun! I'm doing pretty well and there isn't anything that I really NEED right now but there are always things that you may want, but no I'm doing great. This week had some events in it that really was not expected and I'm sure you will be shocked at and possibly laugh at one of them.

On Tuesday we had transfers and we figured out a ride to get to Macon for the transfer meeting and we got there and I saw alot of old friends that I haven't seen in a while and it was fun to see them again. I said hi to Elder Godwin, Elder Showers, Elder Taggart, and many others that was fun. I also met Elder Haines for the first time and I just knew he was gonna be a great guy! But we got back to Columbus and Elder Haines and I really got the spring cleaning fire going on and we cleaned out the compilation of missionary "junk" over the course of 5-10 years. We found food in the fridge that expired in 2009 that I didn't even know was there last transfer. We cleaned up the dust bunnies in our house, and made in look spic and span:) It's like I'm living in a whole new apartment. I introduced Elder Haines to alot of the people we are teaching and had dinner with the missionaries that serve here. It was pretty great.

On Wednesday, we helped Elder and Sister Stevens pack up their Uhaul to make their voyage out to Utah. It was really hard to see them go but I know since they are in our same stake that I'll see them again. It's good cause she can make some good food that I'm going to partake of when we have stake get togethers in Logan. We taught alot of lessons and found some really solid new investigators that day. We were passing out the easter initiative cards and people were really receptive to our message after they saw that video and it made for a great finding opportunity. We also met with a family who is  going through a pretty rough time and we gave them council and helped them out the best we could. It was one of those meeting where you had a lesson plan, but once you heard the things going on in their life, the plan changed and you just listened and comforted them. They came to church on Sunday and we are excited to help them in any way we can.

On Thursday, we taught alot of lessons and by using the Hallelujah pass along cards it created a good way to talk to people and we taught 5 other lessons on that day as well as 3 new investigators. I'm not a big numbers guy but I care about working hard and teaching people but its nice to look and see how much you've done that day and numbers help you do that. 

On friday, we had the opportunity to go to a funeral for an elderly lady. Nonmembers and members came to the church and remembered the life of Genia. You could definitely feel the spirit as we sang songs such as God be with you til we meet again. It was pretty sad, but its been a while since I've been to a funeral. But it was definitely an experience. After the funeral we went and had apartment inspections and you know the spring cleaning bug got into us and we made sure there wasnt anything Elder and Sister Paey could say besides Good Job. Mom you'd be very proud. I mean how could you live knowing that there was food in the fridge that existed back in 2009 haha. But after that we went over to Eric's place and helped him with his trees, and use machetes to cut the vines. THere hasnt been one time that I havent walked away from Erics place and not had scrapes and scratches from the thorny vines hahha. We had dinner with the Mackies on Fort Benning and they told us about their mission and their stories. 

Saturday was quite the day and boy you'll never guess what we did... So we got invited to go and help out some members on their farm. And we are on the way out there and they told us we would be helping with feed the cows bread... so we were all expecting to like poor grain or something into feeders for the cows, but oh boy were we wrong. So when we get there they showed us what they meant by that and they brought us to a trailer filled with 8 tons of expired bread in packages that we had to take out of packaging and put into another truck so that the bread can be taken to the mill and be processed for cow grain. It was so shocking to see how much bread was being thrown away from the stores cause it goes bad. And you'll see in the picture of how much bread it was but it was pretty crazy! Like we are standing on mounds of bread and it was a very interesting service project. Not only that but on his farm he sells fresh pork and fresh milk and we had to try them both:) Boy fresh cow milk is something else... soooo good!!! He loved us helping out on his farm and next week he wants us to help skin some pigs and learn how to milk cows and such so I'll keep you posted on my adventures with that.

Sunday was a very spiritual day because it was Easter and I've been reading Jesus the Christ and it just so happened that on Easter Sunday I read the events in the last week of Christs mortal ministry and we had a very spiritual sacrament meeting. We had investiagtors at church that really felt the spirit and you could tell they were starting to build their testimony of the church. I felt the spirit so strongly when a member bore her testimony about Jesus Christ and an experience she had in her life. Its amazing to experience Easter on your mission and I loved it. Elder Haines and I went out to Fort Benning and taught some soldiers about the Plan of Salvation. I love every time I go to that place because of their humbleness and their willingness to know more.

I hope ya'll had a great week and your always in my prayers:)

I LOVE Y"ALL

-Elder Hill

#Mountainofbread   #Aintnomountainhighenough   #Easterisawesome

 

Tons of Bread Food Storage!

Limited Sight Distance!

 

March 21, 2016 - Columbus, GA

Hey Y'all! 

The weather has really been nice recently and everyone that we've been talking to has been saying that spring is here lasts for about 1 month and a half before it starts to get really hot again, so we are enjoying the weather while we can:) Yeah we have daylight saving time but we changed our clocks last week. Actually we had a funny story with that haha so last week before we left for home, some members reminded us that we needed to move our clocks forward and we got busy and forgot to so we woke up thinking it was just another Sunday until Anna Harrell, a member here, asked if we are coming to practice for our musical number at church... it was about 8;50 on our clocks and 9;50 to everyone else. So we rushed to church just in time to make it but don't worry we made it on time and the clocks are where they should be now. But I'm glad that your asking more questions about the home so just keep me updated:) The Beauty and the Beast concert sounds fun and so does Glenn Beck. I listened to his conversion story this past week actually and it is really good so if you haven't heard it, I highly recommend it. But that's really cool Kevin got to be a security guard that's soo cool so maybe now he might get into the weight room hahaha. 

This past week had lots of changes in it and it was also a really memorable week for me! Elder Child and I peaked in terms of numbers and we went above and beyond our goals which is always a good thing especially in the last week of the transfer.

On Tuesday I went on exchanges to Phoenix City with Elder Godderidge. I'm not sure if you remember me talking about him much but I served with him when I was in Waynesboro and we got to be companions for a day which was really fun! They are solely biking elders so we rode bikes all day in the hills of Phoenix City. We met lots of nice people and less active members that they were teaching. He took me on this one hill in which everyone calls it suicide hill because once you go down it the brakes on your bike cant slow it down. At the bottom of the hill is a very busy road and lets just say it was a very exhilarating experience. I'll show you a picture but the picture doesn't do it justice haha. Later that night we went to a members house for dinner and we talked alot about careers and healthy eating habits so you know I was intrigued with that. They have some pretty cute kids in their family.

Wednesday we switched back in the morning and then we had district meeting. After we had the last district meeting of the transfer Elder Timothy and I went on exchanges while Elder Child and Elder Bailey went to Cusseta. Elder Timothy and I visited lots of potential investigators and we talked to a recent convert Eric about Easter and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. WE shared with him Mosiah 3:7-8 and talked about how much Jesus Christ loves us and that he knows what we are going through everyday. Without Jesus Christ we wouldn't have the opportunity to live back with our Father in Heaven but because he took upon the sins of the world, died on the cross, and rose the third day we can live again too after we pass away. We also met a potential investigator Oz White who has been Methodist all his life but is very intrigued with the fact that Jesus Christ visited the people in America after he was resurrected, so we taught him about the Restoration of the gospel and we will see what happens with him.

Thursday we helped move a member that lives right below us in our apartment complex and it was really hard to see them go but we are happy that they are still in our ward, but sad to see them leave the apartment complex. After we helped move their house we went to another members place, the Johnsons to help her with some lawn work because she broke her foot and need some limbs trimmed. After a day of service we met a lot of people in the psan of about 3 hours. WE went to this neighborhood to tract and every door was receptive to the message and we taught many lessons in a very short amount of time. 

Friday we drove to Alabama to check up on some missionaries serving over there and on the drive there you cross the Chattahoochee river and it made me think that country song. I dont know if you know the one I'm talking about but the Chattahoochee river is pretty massive! But after that we planned for the day and met with some more investigators we were teaching.

Saturday was another busy day where we helped the Red Cross put fire alarms in peoples houses again. It was the last one of the year and we had a good time! We first went to this apartment complex and every room we went into smelt really gross, and the space for their room was really small and it just wasnt that pleasant but we helped give them protection from fire and moved on. WE then later that day taught a guy named Clinton. He is a solider and his buddy came with him. Clinton is very interested in the church and wants to know more sso we both are excited for that. Later that night we had transfer calls and even though I knew I was going to stay your always nervous and anxious for the call. But sadly Elder Childs name was called and I'll be getting a new companion in the coming days. I was think about how many comapnions I've had in my mission and in 6 transfers I've had 5 companions and the next one will be my sixth. So my conclusion is that I must be a rough one:) I'm just kidding but I can adapt to change pretty well I'd say and I'm blessed with the ability to do that.

Sunday was another amazing day and a day I probably wont forgot! We got to church and we had 5 investigators at church and every single one of them wanted to come again and know more which is very exciting!! After Sacrament meeting I went to fort Benning for the baptism of Matthew Newell. I interviewed him and he was so ready to be apart of Christs church back on the earth. Then after the interview I was able to baptize a Matthew Newell! I was so happy for him and its the feeling. He told me after that he just feels more clean and at peace and I was really happy for him. I also was able to confirm him a member of the church and the spirit was really strong and its cool how words just come to your head when you're giving a blessing! Its pretty cool! I was really excited to stand in the water with a solider and baptize him it was a pretty amazing experience. After the service we went back to Columbus and exchanged back and said bye to members for Elder Child. Its going to be hard seeing him go because of all the fun times we've had but I know my next companion will be cool too!!

I LOVE YOU GUYS and stay AWESOME!

-Elder Mitchell Hill

#Transfers   # Baptismsareawesome   #missbasketball

 

Baptism of Matthew Newell!

Couldn't have said it better!

Going Down Suicide Hill!

 

 

March 14, 2016 - Columbus, GA

Hey Y'all!

Spring is definitely in the air here in Georgia and you can see it everywhere you go! The pollen here is so thick that it actually is a yellow covering on the cars when you come outside in the morning which is pretty crazy! I asked someone about it this week and they said its from all the pine trees here and I believed them cause there sure are a ton! But surprisingly my allergies(my eyes) have flared up yet so maybe it was just an allergy I grew out of but yeah spring is in the air and on the cars for sure:) So to answer your question on drivers out here lets just say that they are pretty crazy and you definitely have to be on your toes! For one thing the blinker might as well not even be there, the speed limit is just a suggestion, and cars cut in front of you all the time hahah ( That would be a fun time for Dad). I'm not sure when people cut y'all off it makes you made but its becoming increasingly a temperamental issue haha. It like people just feel your space is there's and they shoot the gap without a blinker or a wave.... haha I've been the driver in the companionship for about 7 months now and Im getting to be a pretty good driver. I can see how NASCAR became a sport in the south though because there are very long country roads with trees lining the roads and no cops in sight, dont worry guys I wont get a ticket haha:) I loved those pictures you sent with the family! Y'all are looking great! The dirt bike looks like a blast, and way to go Michelle on that award!! Don't spend it all in one place:) Tell me how the Provo dedication will go cause I've seen the walk through of the temple on lds.org and it is so pretty, and we've gotta go when we get back!

This week has been another busy week here in the mission but being busy with work is a really good thing!!

On Tuesday Elder Child and I went on exchanges with the AP's for a day, Elder Holt and Elder Bingham. They are super cool guys!! We met at a halfway point between Macon and Columbus to exchange. We met at a Subway for lunch and when we got there this guy offered to pay for our sandwiches and I didn't know what to say because it was so generous of him. It turns out he was the bishop in Warner Robbins and we just happened to meet at the same Subway, at exactly the same time. Crazy stuff! But I went on exchanges with Elder Holt and I was an AP for a day! Elder Holt played basketball in high school and you could say we had a lot to talk about! I spent the day in Macon meeting their investigators. There was the Face2Face with Elder Holland for the YSA that we watched at the mission office! It was really good and it was cool to me how centered the gospel should be in the relationship because every time Elder Holland answered a question it was centered on an aspect of the gospel.

On Elder Holt and I started the day off right with P-90x and an omelet, couldn't go wrong with that:) We exchanged back and had a quick lunch before heading out to go see Mary. We got to her house and she was crying about issues with custody with  her two daughters. We both felt bad for her and wanted the best for her. It really kind of taught me a lesson that the relationship/ marriage should be centered on Christ that way both spouses have the same goal. And it wasn't that way in Mary's case. We had dinner with a member in our ward, the Witbecks! They just got called to go to the Nauvoo, Illinois mission to be a guide at the visitors center! We were so happy for them!! We had some taco soup that tasted just like a Hill recipe:) Later that night we practiced the Sister in Zion and Army of Helaman medley for Ward conference on Sunday and it was pretty powerful!

On Thursday we had ZTM and preparing for ZTM this week was so hard because we really had no time together to plan our training's or the order of it. Plus we had like 20 boxes of supplies for the zone and it just took a toll on both of us! The meeting went pretty well and I'm getting better at giving training's and talking in front of people. I talked about how we are faced with trials and how we can get through them. I used an analogy with a roller coaster and how the good ones we go on are the ones with crazy loops and spins, and relating that with missionary work if our mission was just a straight line with no loops or turns, when we got off the ride we wouldn't have experienced much. So those trials we go through make us remember our mission and in a way we should be grateful for them because they allow us to get stronger. I then went on exchanges with Elder Sorenson after ZTM and met a really nice lady in a wheelchair that I was prompted to talk to. She was really interested and she loved that" there are still nice people in the world today."We had a great time on exchanges and helped a family that lives right below our apartment move to the Witbecks home while they are on their missions.

Friday we exchanged back in Buena Vista and on the way there we drove on some really REALLY back country roads with house and mounds of wood (what used to be houses). It was so cool to see all those old buildings that were probably built in the 1800's. Later that day we saw Mary again and helped her move a bed in her house and talked. We ate dinner with the Stevens and we talked all about Logan and if you are able to, you should go to their homecoming talk. They go home either this week or next week. They are in the Green Canyon Stake 3rd ward  and they cook really well! They are such great people!!

Saturday we drove to Alabama for a spot check with one of our companionship and the drive their is so cool because of how country it is! We got back and tracted a bit in a neighborhood and met some really great people and in the span of 2 hours we taught 7 lessons!!! Every persons door we knocked on opened and listened to our message. Tender mercies from the Lord! We then went to go to Ft Benning to get Elder Bailey and Elder Timothy who were meeting us at a military surplus store and in that store we saw trons of military supplies. We had a movie night with our investigators where we watched Meet the Mormons and it was really good!!

Sunday was really fun!!! We sang at the ward conference and the spirit was so strong!! After sacrament we left for Ft Benning and President and Sister Cottle were there to say bye to the Stevens and they experienced how awesome Ft Benning is! President Cottle talked about how we are all representing something and we all have people we look up and we need to be an example to everyone around us! It was a lot of fun spending time with the Cottles!! We also met with another military family and had a great dinner with them!

I LOVE YALL 

-Elder Mitchell Hill

#Putyourshouldertothewheel   #jealousofthedirtbike    #BetterdriverthanKevin

 

Exchanges with the AP's!

Sweet Home Alabama!

 

March 7, 2016 - Columbus GA

Hey Y'all!

I'm doing great and I'm glad that you are too! Good luck Michelle at the dance competition, you're going to do great! Woooooo Kristy that is so cool that you did so well at your competition! I'm impressed! Haha Kevin nice helmet but I hope you realize that I might have to steal that bike from you when I get back haha:) I'm glad y'all are doin so well! The weather is definitely warming up and in Georgia when the weather warms up that means that the bugs are going to come out and it's going to get more humid but it definitely has been a good change of pace.

Tuesday was a very fun day and I got to experience another college town on the mission and this week I got to go to Auburn University and serve with some missionaries over there for exchanges. We went to their district meeting and we Elder Child and I both gave a training at their district meeting. I gave a training on Christlike love and talked about how the pioneers had that Christlike love and were willing to give everything to the Lord. Elder Child gave a training on patience and it was so funny because he walked up to the front and without any expression or without saying anything he walked up and as slow as he could write PMG 120 on the board and it was so funny because his training was on being patient and it was really funny!! After district meeting I went with Elder Clark and Elder Burgess for exchanges and we got a call for Elder Clark to go to Phenix City for an emergency exchange and so we had to get everything packed for him and dropped him off and then Elder Burgess and I had a great time seeing college investigators in Auburn and he also taught me some magic tricks with cards that I'm looking forward to blowing y'alls minds when I show them to you.

On Wednesday we had to go on another exchange that day too with the Elders in Lanette so after we exchanged back Elder Child and I drove to Alabama and exchanged with Elder Adams and Elder St Thomas. Elder Adams and I really hit it off and it turns out that he lived in Logan when I was born and left to Idaho around the same time we did. Small world... Also he was the A Idaho player of the year for basketball and you know me I want to play against the best so we had to play! We stoppped by a recent converts place and her name is Mary and she is amazing but she had a questioned that concerned her. She didnt believe that Jesus Christ helped create the earth under Heavenly Father direction. So it started off really shaky because there was alot of contention because she didnt accept the explanation we gave her. We went to Genesis 1:26-27 where it says" let US make man in our own image" and she didnt accept that Heavenly Father was talking to Jesus Christ. So I explained to her that well, Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega correct? She said yes and so I said well if he's the beginning and the end then wouldnt the beginning be creating the earth under Heavely Fathers direction and she had this lightbulb go off and she was like wow!!! I never looked at it like that! And it was crazy because I would never have thought of that but the Spirit kind of said it for and I was like Wooo!

Thursday was a very fun day! I got to play Elder Adams in basketball and I was excited because we kind of decided to possibly walk on at Utah State together and we were talking about it the whole exchange. But we went to the church and played ball in the morning and boy was it fun!! I havent had that good of competition since the basketball days in Colorado at the rec, but you know me I dont like to lose and I Won!! haha It was so much fun! Late that day we went to a birthday party for one of the other wards in Columbus investigators and it was really fun!

Friday we had MLC and it was so spiritual President Cottle and the other leaders in the Presidency bore powerful testimonies on the power of talking with everyone and making the most of your time on the mission. It was so cool! I love that meeting because of how strong the spirit is! We also at dibnner with a family, the Lee's and the Lee's have a daughter that literally looks like Michelle and I think I creeped her out by how much I was staring at her haha. I'm not kidding I think Michelle has a twin in Columbus cause she acted exactly the same but it was just super crazy haha!!

Saturday we did a service project for a member in the ward and for the service project we painted her house in about 5 hours and it looked so good by the end of it, but there is a picture of it so I'll let you judge that for yourself!! I havent told yall much about Jazmin which is sad I feel bad because over my time here she has progressed so much as a person  and she will be of great value to the church but she got baptized on Saturday and it was so powerful seeing someone you have come to grow really close to get baptized! What and experience!

Sunday was a very special day as well because I was able to confirm her a member of the churh and help her recieve the Holy Ghost and it was so powerful doing that for someone you have grown to love. I'm sure thats not just me that feels like that when they confirm someone but it sure was powerful!

I LOVE YOU GUYS SOOO MUCH and I miss you everyday!

Elder Mitchell Hill

#  #Ilovebaptisms   #LETSGOO

Jazmin's Baptism!

The Paint Crew!

Auburn University!

February 29, 2016 - Columbus, GA

Hey Y'all!

I have been a very busy guy indeed haha:)  So its been another busy week here in Columbus but now that I've been a Zone leader for a month now I've found that being busy is just something you can count on now especially in Columbus! It's a total flip from being in my past areas. I'll talk about the tornado shenanigans when I go through the week but it all worked out:) Not as much as me I'm not sure if thats possible haha but surprisingly hes actually pretty good so whenever we see a missionary finding opportunity to play we definitely take advantage of it.

On Tuesday we had a crazy day!! We were going to go on exchanges to Lanette Alabama and go there so I would leave the state of Georgia for the 1st time in 8 months! I was so pumped! We went to lunch and we got a call from President Mccoy saying that he wanted us to organize a project that would take cover the day. We were getting severe weather warning for tornados and President Mccoy asked us as Zone leaders to organize every companionship on top floor apartments to move to lower floor apartments. So Elder Child wasnt going to be able to help me out cause hed be on exchanges so the responsiblility fell on me as the Senior Zone Leader so we had to call everyone and move them to lower level apartments with other missionaries. It was stressful but we got it done! We went to Phenix City, Alabama and stayed there for the night. No extremely bad weather happened but a strange thing that the storm did was move and split north and south and the storm avoided us which was a miracle! 

On Wednesday We had to exchange back and get ready for District meeting so we exchanged back and headed to the church for District meeting. At District meeting we did this thing called the chair where everyone has the opportunity to sit in a chair and everyone in the room says compliments about you. And it was my turn:) It was definitely something I needed because after the storm arrangements I needed some love haha:) They said some really nice things that I wish I would've recorded somehow haha:)We ate dinner with the Lowery family and they are super cool cool! Brother l=Lowery is in the Army and is super funny and bold. ASister Lowery is really outgoing and she loves to talk so it makes for a really fun dinner! They also have a kid and his name is Mathew and I often say to myself whenever I see him that he should be the baby on the gerber and pampers commercials because his facial expressions are priceless! We healped the Lowerys clean the church later in the week and I went ot go grab some more paper towels and Mathew wraps his hand around my pinky and says "lets go play soccer" with a huge smile on his face... How coyuld you say no so I went and kicked the ball a few times and went back to cleaning and being "an adult" haha. That night we had the Pine wood Derby and finished up the car! The car is so cool! It all white and has a tie on it with "FEED US" on the back. It got some laughs I'll show you a picture but it turned out great and we got 2nd in the races! Not bad for only have 10 minutes free in the day!

On Thursday we did service for Eric and helped clean his yard of thorny vines and we used machetes again and they are super fun!! He was so appreciative of the service and we loved it cause machetes are super fun to use! Eric has a brother and his name is J.R and he has PTSD. J.R and I started to talk about the Army and his experiences there and he said that I'd be a good solider for them. Haha for a second I was considering it but I want to play college basketball and live my dreams. 

Sunday was another amazing day where we went to Fort Benning and help baptize Eric Duncan! He is such a good guy and you can definitely tell that he wants to follow the example Jesus Christ has set before us! We were able to baptize and confirm him a member. The work on Fort Benning is going extremely well and a big reason for that is all the soliders their are super humble. And thats what Jesus Christ asks us that we are meek and lowly in heart and thats why the soliders are receptive to our message because of their humility. I think they are really humble because of their drill sergeants that make them humble. Another aspect I think Fort Benning is booming is because they need a battle buddy from their barracks to go to church with them and often times their battle buddies arent members so their friends tell them about the church and they come and learn about it. So the more we can utilize members the more people will come unto Christ! By the way there is a Senior couple on fort Benning and their names are Elder and Sister Stevens, and they are in the same stake as us!! They are in the Grren Canyon stake in the 3rd ward! They come home at the end of March and I told them to keep an eye out for ya in stake conference:)

I cant believe that Im a 1/3 done with my mission and there has been many many hard times but also I've experienced some of the most joyous times in my life. I've realized that centering my life on Jesus Christ is the way to true happiness and he is the one who strengthens me and all of us. Its been amazing witnessing peoples lives change for the better through the gospel of Jesus Christ and helping them change their lives. Being a missionary has truly humbled me and that was definitely something I needed improvement on. It's been such a great experience and I know I have alot of time left but I feel like I'm truly finding myself and what I want to be my foundation for the rest of my life. But if I had advice for yall it would be just to love yourself and be the light in peoples lives. It's easier said then done but there is so much darkness around us and if we can be the lighthouse to the people in the stormy seas of life then we will find that our lives will be changed through Jesus Christ and through his Atonement we can make it back to live with Heavenly Father again:)

All is well and I LOVE Y'ALL SOO MUCHHH

Elder Hill

#Stormyweather     #Springiscoming     #NORESTTEAM   #JustthewayIlikeit

MissionMobile With Elder Childs - 2nd Place!

Chillin' with the Army!

Flatrock District!

 

February 22, 2016 - Columbus GA

Hey Y'all!

It seems like every week in the mission field is different in it's own way but in every week I learn something new or have a stronger testimony in some aspect of the gospel. But yes I'm doing great and being a Zone Leader has its stressful moments but I'm loving the upbeat change of pace.  Yeah funny story about the locksmith haha but yeah we parked and we were going to go tract and find some new people to teach when these kids were playing basketball and we decided to go play but we were in our sweaters so we went to the car to put away our sweaters and bags and I didnt want anything in my pocket and so I was thinking or something and right before I was going to put my keys in the car I locked it and threw the keys in the car... While the keys were in the air I realized it and as soon as the door closed I was like DANGIT!! But our phone was locked in there too so we had to ask the people we played basketball with for their phone to call pop-a lock but he came and we got it figured out but it all worked out. I thought I looked like Captain America too with the flag:) I'm glad everyone is doing well! I pray for you everyday! But yeah I feel pretty safe in Columbus. I haven't rode my bike here once cause we have so much to do and not enough time to do it but besides some underclass neighborhoods and trailer parks it's pretty safe here at least from what I've experienced so far.It's so much different than Milledgeville! Columbus is a fairly large town and considerably larger than Milledgeville and the work is doing better than Milledgeville. In Milledgeville the work was slower and everyone in Milledgeville has either seen missionaries or has had missionaries knock at their door because its a small college town but in Columbus the ward is engaged in missionary work and everyone has the same goal of helping people make covenants with the Lord. Thats probably the biggest difference is when the members of the ward care for missionary work the mindset the work changes for the better and we have solid referrals to go see. But all is well and I'm loving Columbus!

This week was amazing and I've had so many powerful experiences that I wish you would've seen and experienced with me. On Tuesday Elder Child and I went to give a recent convert a blessing because she had four kidney stones and she had bronchitis. She was losing her hearing and her sight. So we went over and gave her a blessing and she felt way better  after we gave her a blessing and it was pretty awesome!

On Wednesday I was on exchanges with Elder Bailey and he is super cool! He is hilarious and after his mission he wants to be an actor and I hope he does because then I could say I served with someone who is famous:) But we went and we went to a members house, Brother Witbeck, and he helped us make a pinewood derby car! We were invited by the ward to make a car so we went to his house and I got to use his band  sawe and his belt sander it was pretty cool and after this week I'll send you a picture of it!We had Book of Mormon class later in the day and it went pretty well. The ward had a missionary activity where we were the investigators and it was a new change of pace for sure:)

On Thursday we had a pretty cool service project at a recent converts place. He lives in a small shack in the woods and its been an ongoing service project where the missionaries cut down all the vines and thorns and trees to clear his house from clutter and clean it up a bit. So we used machetes, axes, and clippers and just let all our anger out on trees and thorny vines!! We got scraped up but it is so much cleaner now! It's also super fun to swing a machete  and take all your frustration out.It was really fun! Then  later in the day we went to a part member family's house for dinner and their name is the Horne family. The Horne family have 6 foster kids and Sister Horne does a great job trying to keep everything in order with tons of kids running around. I dont know how she does it.

On Friday our district helped Kenya and Kotana move furniture from a Uhaul trailer to a storage unit. So it made me feel your pain because it wasn't even our stuff and I was worried about it and it was hard arranging all the stuff in a way that would fit and everything be safe. So I got a sense of what you went through haha. We then weekly planned and planned for the week. Later in the day we drove to fort Benning for dinner with a member but she couldnt feed us cause her husband wouldnt be home til 8:00 so she gave us food to take home which was really nice. WE then went to Chris Stevens house and that lesson was an experience. Chris is super enthusiastic about the gospel and he knows the church is true but he is in a hard place cause his girlfriend doesn't want to be baptized into the church but he does. They also live together so they would have to live in different places or get married. He also has a problem with smoking if we can help him with those issues then he would get baptized this month.

Saturday was an amazing day we helped the Red Cross with the fire alarms again. Our zone went to to the Red Cross in Columbus to install free fire alarms. So Elder Ballard, Elder Marshall and I were determined to get more installed than ever before. We had some amazing experiences where we would install fire alarms and while Elder Marshall and I would install them Elder Ballard would tell them about fire safety and  the Restoration so we got lessons and service!! BOOOM! We found a memeber who didnt know where the church was and many new investigators!! It was pretty cool! Our group installed 54 fire alarms which is more than any other group. WE were on tv and the church was named on tv! We were savin lives and breakin records!!

Sunday was an amazing day! We went to Sacrament meeting and after sacrament meeting we had to drive to Fort Benning because a solider was going to be baptized at 12:00 so President Coleman, Elder Bailey, Brother Witbeck, and I went to Fort Benning for a baptism. He didnt show up so we were confused. So we assumed it wasn't going to happen so we went to the soldiers chapel and got ready for sacrament. Then Private Potter the solider getting baptized showed up and his Drill Sergeant didnt tell him about it so we had to do it in the the span of 2 hours. So there were four missionaries there teaching separate lessons to various soldiers and I taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. Right after the lesson Elder Child called me over and Private Potter got baptized by his friend outside the chapel and it was super cool! Then in Sacrament I had the opportunity to confirm him a member. It was such a powerful experience and I could feel the spirit. It's amazing how the words just come out and they are clear and I felt it was a good blessing. I was in a room with over 100 soldiers and it was so powerful!! I loved it:) We have 2 next week so it should be SWEET!!

I love you guys and pray for you everyday:) I LOVE YOU

-Mitchell Hill

#Baptizm  #Armysoliders   #ProudtobeanAmerican

 

Soldier's Chapel

Red Cross Baby!