May 28, 2013

Hello all!

I have been called back to the Visitors' Center. President Vellinga called and told me Wednesday night. He called and asked to talk to me alone...that never means good things. I'll miss it here, but it was a great experience and I learned a lot. He wouldn't tell me where I was going, just back. The other 3 sisters that I live with were all called to train. So while they were at a meeting all day, I got to be with Sister Larson again! It was awesome. It felt good to be back in Cleveland.

We met some really awesome people this week. We went on exchanges this week and it was a really good experience. I learned a lot from Sister Chapman. We found Jeff, who has decided that while the Baptist church has lot of truth, it's not all true. So we asked the simple question of "What if we told you that truth in it's fullness had been restored on the earth once more." He was open to it, so we laid out the restoration for him on his porch. He has a family and believe it or not...a car! That's unusual. We also met Caden and Linda Fisher. Caden is 14 and Linda is his grandma. We found them while stopping by a referral. Linda ordered a Book of Mormon last year while Mitt Romney was running for president, and likes what she has read. She asked about the 3 kingdoms of Glory, and we told her about another book of scripture that contained revelations that would explain in greater detail, what we knew about life after this. She wants it, she's hungry for knowledge. Caden has gone to a christian school his whole life and wants to know about how the indians relate to a "White god." Apparently they covered the Book of Mormon in 5 minutes in class once and it peaked his interest, but left a lot of missing holes. He has also decided that he wants to serve a mission. Come join the ranks. He is awesome. I'm sad I won't gt to see any of them progress but that's okay. The work is still true.

Now there's Tom. Tom has tried twice to give us back the Book of Mormon, he says it's just too much, and he can't afford it if there is even a small chance that this is wrong. We have been praying for his heart to be softened, and when we met with him on Thursday, we could feel/see the spirit working with him. The Lord answered our prayers. He told us he would keep reading, and really try to get his answer.

Life in Ohio is great! I hope you all had a fabulous memorial day! Ours was a little different. We had District Meeting and then did a LOT of paper work. It sounds like you are all keeping busy. It's almost June! The Plan of Salvation is legit! I love that lesson. Especially when you get to the part about the Atonement! The gospel is true.

I love you all!

More next week after transfers!

Love,

Sister Hillman

May 20, 2013

Dearest Family,

Transfers are coming. My last one. :( I don't if I am leaving Massillon for sure, president can't decide. I hate not knowing. It's been a super stressful week, but a really fun one as well. I keep giving the two new sisters a hard time a bout training, they are both scared to death to train. It's pretty humorous. Training isn't half bad. A lot of our appointments fell through this week. But we had a lesson with Tom. He is solid. He read 1 Nephi and stopped because he is having issues with a modern day prophet, he doesn't want to be led astray. He told us to come back in a few years when he was ready, so we said get real, we're not getting off your door step(of course in a very loving way) and we talked a little longer about how we can come to know a living prophet has been called and WHY God would call one on the earth today! We invited him to the missionary musical fireside. The spirit was really strong. The theme was prophets who testify of Jesus Christ. Fitting for him we thought. He knows it's true, he said he would finish reading the Book of Mormon and asked us to pray for him that he could come to know! He asked what else he would have to do to be baptized, I think he thinks we have a secret agenda, so we laid down the law and hit him with the Law of Chastity, Word of Wisdom, and Tithing lessons. He says it only makes sense. He is my new bald best friend. He is just playing hard to get...grrrrr. Thank goodness for the spirit.

 

The Padillas are doing great, we taught them The gospel of Jesus Christ, in the Spanish Pamphlet. I'm getting better :) I can now say Fei en JesuCristo es importante :) I said I could say it not spell it! They have great questions and are getting it, we just are having a struggle getting them to come to church. Sometimes, I'm not patient.

 We too had a Relief society activity that was a Garden Party. We learned all sorts of Gardening tips, and of course the reason I go to these things, we had delicious food. It was at the Kremers. They live in the Country part of our area in Canal Fulton. It's where I want to live. It's delightful!

 

I love you. Got to run!

Love,

Sister Hillman

May 13, 2013

Dear Family,

It was great to see everyone yesterday...well most of you! The kids are so grown up. I hope they remember me when I come home. Our family is getting bigger!

Life is sooo good! I can't believe next time I talk to you it will be in person. Weird, weird, and weird!

I have decided to make these last two months the best of my mission and pretend that it's really the beginning. I'm going to try to give my all. I don't want it to end, but I know that it has to. I'll give my all so I don't have regrets.

The Gospel is true. It changes lives. That is one of the greatest blessings of my missions, seeing people come unto Christ and use the atonement to become his. To see people's lights grow bright. His church is on the Earth once more, it was restored through Joseph Smith, a prophet who translated the Book of Mormon so that we could have the fullness of joy, and have a road map back to Heavenly Father. It testifies of Jesus Christ. It makes so much more sense to me, and I realize now that everything else seems menial. We have a prophet on the Earth today who leads and guides us and will help us to avoid pitfalls that plagues the world today. He testifies of Jesus Christ. I know that Christ lives, he can give us peace, hope and comfort. Our Heavenly Father has a plan for us, and we get a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow and improve daily because of that plan. He is there and he listens. He knows and loves us. The only way to find happiness here and in the life to come is to follow Him. The Gospel IS true!

I love you all. Thanks for all you do! Life is great!

Love,

Sister Hillman

May 6, 2013

Hola! From the Great State of Ohio!
I am working on my Spanish that we may more fully help Leticia and Lazaro make the commitment and covenant of baptism. It's been an interesting journey. We talked to them on Friday about the importance of coming to church. They accepted to come. When we asked her if there was anything that we could do for them, she responded with "pray for me that I may stay active in the church and make it to my baptism date." We can do that! They are solid. President Vellinga told us he was impressed with the progress they are making despite the language barrier. Thank goodness for the spirit and it's many gifts. This week in Ohio has been a hot one and we are keeping busy. We have set really high goals this week, and we are exercising faith that we can meet them. We want to give everything to the Lord, his time is precious, and I feel as if I have been wasting it. I can't believe we are half way through the transfer. Time is messed up.

 I am excited to talk to some of you on Sunday. Yes 4:00 MDT is still the plan. We are eating dinner at our Bishops house and we will be done around 6:00 our time so be ready. I don't know an exact time. But sometime around there. I'm excited to see all of my little babies, who don't seem to be babies any more.

  We have zone conference this week so we are prepping for that. A lot of lessons to practice. President has this thing that he likes to make a companionship go up and practice it in front of everyone. It's awful. I mean I don't mind talking in front of people, or talking to a group of people on the street. But doing a lesson presentation in front of other missionaries makes me want to pee my pants. I get so nervous and then I can't remember what I'm teaching and then we slaughter it. But it will be fine. I'll just pray for the spirit!

 This week was a good one. It had it's ups and downs but it ended on a high note with Stake conference. It was sooo good! Especially the adult session on Saturday night! Whelp! Have to run! Love you all!

Love,Sister Hillman

April 29, 2013

Dearest Family and Friends,

A week goes by really fast. We saw a lot of miracles so that was lovely. We have kept fairly busy. I'm still just trying to figure out why I am in Massillon. Sister O'Driscoll has only been out one transfer, so I'm training her. No sister has ever gone out full-proselyting twice so there has to be a reason right? It's been kind of a struggle living with another set of sisters, and sharing the ward. Especially when you are trying to lose yourself in the work. I would say that there was a minor digression in my love for the work this week. I seemed to be a little less focused than normal. I just need to get over this feeling and remember it's not about me. Don't get me wrong I still LOVE it here, and I'm not thinking of home, but Satan works in many ways to tear us down. Thank goodness for that enabling power of the Atonement. It's been a blessing out here. 

Sorry this is going to be short. We've been working hard and are starting to get to know the ward and area a little better. That makes it a little less overwhelming to open a new area. Sometimes I just expect Heavenly Father to give us people to teach, everyone should want to hear this message right? Ha. Just kidding. It takes work, and a lot of prayer. It's pretty easy to find people. It's just a matter of helping them to progress to the waters of baptism. We are teaching the Padilla family. They are from Cuba and speak very little English. Woe is me. Our teaching involves a lot of hand motions to help them understand what we are saying. We will say something, and it is a completely blank stare. Dang language barrier. They do speak a little so we just have to piece together what they are saying. It's a challenge. Maybe I was suppose to come and learn Spanish in Massillon? Sometimes I pretend I know Spanish and will randomly throw out a Spanish gospel term, and then continue in English. "El Libro de Mormon, es Verdad." :) It makes missionary work exciting. They feel the gospel changing them and Leticia (the mom) loves the Book of Mormon. They have a baptismal date of June 1! So pumped.

Love,

Sister Hillman

April 22

Dearest Family and Friends,

Where do I begin? This week has been crazy but at least it's been warm. I'm doing well. Massillon is amazing. It's completely different than all of the wards I have served in. The people are awesome and they love having sisters in the ward. There is one other set of sisters besides us. It is a pretty big ward. Geographically at least anyway. There are a lot of Less Actives. A common theme in Ohio. It's an interesting area. I love the people and the people we have found are all really awesome. They all have dogs, and have no teeth (the people not the dogs), which seems strange. Maybe it's the water. My companion is Sister O'Driscoll. From Utah. She's awesome. She likes to work. So we are opening a new area and that has been kind of rough, neither of us know anyone in the ward so it's starting fresh. We have found a couple of people this week, that hopefully will be solid. I'm excited to really get to work and leave it better than I found it. I only have six weeks so that's a little scary. 5 now. It's kind of hard to get to used to the schedule of proselyting all of the time and not having the break of the Visitors' Center. But I LOVE it. You meet a lot of interesting people. We were craving a Hot Dog the other day, we stopped at speedway and there is where we met Anthony. Turns out he just got out of jail and is trying to find God, so we committed him to baptism. I knew that one day my appetite would pay off. I love spiritual food promptings. Also we ate at the Kremers home the other day. He is from Firth. Does that name ring a bell, he knows uncle Dennis? Side note: Matt and Jason guess what? The Football hall of fame is in Canton, OH, that's in the area that I am serving in. We are going next week for Pday. Do they have multiple hall's of fame or is there only one?  

Well it sounds like everyone is getting married. Lame. I'm not going to have any friends when I get home. That's okay I'll just go hang out with grandma and grandpa. Go finish my education and then do something else. As for mother's day. How about we plan on skyping around 4 your time? Will that work? I'll give you a call before I skype you just to make sure you are online and all goes well. It sounds busy at home. It's busy here too! It's going by a little too fast. 

My new address is 2040 Tennyson Ave NE # 7 Massillon, OH 44646. After the 29th of may it will go back to the VC address. Life is good. The gospel is true. 

I love you all.

Love,Sister Hillman

April 15

Dearest Family and Friends,
How are you all doing? Life in the Ohio is crazy madness, all the time and it's 100% fun. Things have started to heat up. After two weeks of rain we have 70 degree weather and blue skies. Not to rub it in for those of you who have snow!
We are getting a lot of tours, some from Idaho and it's been really fun to talk to them. I hope you are all doing great, and that you are keeping busy. We should figure out how to make more time in the day. I can't believe a new semester is starting at school. Ugh I don't even want to think about going back to school. I think I may just travel the world. Just kidding, I love learning, and studying the gospel has given me a thirst to study as much as I can, both spiritual and secular, but still the thought of going back to school is a little daunting. They should have missionary college. Tell me all about the stories from home!

As for the Northern part of Ohio. First Kenia and Ernest are baptized and confirmed. Kenia kept kicking as they were baptizing her so she was washed really clean by the fourth round. Ernest was baptized by one of the youth in the ward, Kody, he was nervous, but his went flawlessly. The baptism flowed really well. Huge blessing, we didn't have a lot of time to plan it this week. Thank goodness for tender mercies. On Saturday after they were confirmed Ernest sat down and said" That felt good." Yes it does my friend, yes it does! It is the coolest thing to see someone make the progress to baptism. I love it. I love missions. Miracles are the norm out here. There was a lot of support from the ward, and the Young men, love having a 3rd priest! Also Sandy committed to baptism for the 31st of May. Woot.

We got transfer info this week, as tomorrow are transfers. They have been really messed up for the last few transfers. I know isn't it weird that I am getting released on a Saturday, they have had to change it a couple of times! But I was released as a training sister, broke my heart. I love the sisters, and I am being sent back to full-proselyting in Masillon, OH. It is down near Akron. I will only be there one transfer, but I was called to train one of the Full Proselyting sisters. I can't believe it. No Kirtland sister has ever been called full-pros twice, Salt Lake has given P. Vellinga directions about site sisters going full pros. I will still spend my last transfer at the VC. I am sooo pumped. But it's going to make the time go by even faster! Mother's day is coming up. We will want to start planning our skype session! Weird! They are splitting zones this transfer and they are also getting Sister Training Leaders, the new leadership position from SLC to accommodate the amount of sisters in the field. This is essentially what we were doing as training sisters, but now there is 6 of us instead of just two of us, so the work load goes down. WOOT! So many wonderful things are happening in missionary work and most of it is a little chaotic, but we are still surviving. Sister Crabtree leaves tomorrow. So sad. i love her. But we have made a lot of plans post mission. Good thing we are all from Idaho or Utah.

Well I have to run. We don't get a pday today because we are covering for the all of the sisters at sites today, and there are a lot of tours! I love you all. I hope you are doing well!

Love,
Sister Hillman

April 7

Dearest Family and Friends!

 

What a glorious week it was here in the Ohio. My week consisted of exchanges like crazy. Training, Meetings, The VC, and prepping Kenia and Ernest for baptism. They are doing excellent. We taught both the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity this week, double whammy! They both agreed to live it! We are so excited for their baptism this weekend. We still have a lot of calls to make to get the ward involved but they have a really great support system so I think it should go smoothly! We took them to Book of Mormon club on Friday and the elders got a little taste of what it was like to teach with Jordan being as crazy as he is! They loved conference. Kenia loves that we have a world wide church. She got her confirmation that Joseph Smith restored the gospel this week! We just need to get her to read the Book of Mormon consistently! Mostly I don't know where this week went. I can't believe it has already been a week since I was writing you!

The weather has decided to warm up here! Which is just lovely! I haven't had to have a jacket for the last 3 days! Woot woot. It amazes me that 40 degree weather feels warm to me. This week it is suppose to get up in the 50's! Boo ya! I got your package! Thank you so much.

So sorry not much time today! I'm glad to hear everyone is doing well and keeping busy! You are always in my prayers! I love you!

Also. No I should be good with my journal. I haven't been as diligent as I should have! Whoops!

Love,

Sister Hillman

April 1

Dear Family and friends,

It's Spring. The weather is looking up. It all started as we prayed with all of our hearts that we wouldn't have to tour the Morley Farm in pouring rain, or in a snow storm and it has been beautiful ever since. I love the sunshine. The leaves are starting to come out, and the birds are chirping, and the best part is Conference is this weekend!!!! So pumped. We have been talking and inviting like crazy, people are listening too :) We saw a lot of miracles this week! I love my companions. Oh my. Best week of my mission. It's been a work party all week. We have been going on exchanges like crazy just so we can fit all of the sisters in this transfer cycle. So we are never together, but when we are it's the best thing ever. I have never laughed so hard. We found three new investigators on Saturday. MIRACLE!!! We only tracted for about 15 minutes before we found them. Antoinette, Carissa, and Duane. Turns out they want to align themselves with a religion with high morals, and so we said "Hey we have those!" and they let us right into their home! Kenia and Ernest are still good for their baptismal date for April 13. We had a monster weekly planning session this week so that we could make sure that they are prepared for the date. We still have a lot to teach them. We are teaching Kenny, the 10 year old, the first 3 lessons tonight in the form of a treasure hunt. We'll see how this goes. Information overload. Sandy showed up at church dressed in a nice bright purple leather suit, she always keeps it classy. Love her. She decided she wanted to stay for gospel doctrine instead of coming to gospel principles with us on Sunday. We even taught the lesson. We used the 12 eggs of easter that you sent me last year. It went well. Pretty much we just laugh all the time. Our district thinks we are crazy because we have so many inside jokes that get us laughing really hard. Love it! Also we had President Interviews this week, and I actually made it through without crying...woot Gold star for me!

It sounds like you had a fun Easter! Ours went really well. We started out with a Sunrise Service in the Kirtland Temple. It was put on by the Community of Christ, and then we went to our meetings. Then after church we had to work at sites, not many people came in so we put on a Egg hunt for the sisters and hid all of the eggs out in the sawmill and ashery. Our site director thinks we are crazy. But that's fine. He just makes fun of us all the time, and asks for new assistants! Rude. He loves us, and wouldn't know what to do without us! Things are starting to pick up at the VC, it's spring break and so we have had quite a few tours. It's been really nice. Sometimes it feels like summer again. It gets crazy here. I wish I could sum up my week for you we had a lot of funny stories, but it would take me at least 3 hours to write it all out. I had to make bullet points in my journal just to fit it all in, and I still missed some.

This week I was really able to see the hand of the Lord. We had so many miracles of being in the right place to find those that are being prepared to receive this gospel. When we are about our Father's business, he blesses us to do His work. It's been really cool to reflect on our Savior this week, don't think I'm a bad missionary I do this a lot, but especially this week as we think about his sacrifice for us and how it wasn't only for our sins that he died, but that we could live again. The atonement is amazing, he knows what it's like to be sick, or to be hurt, and he's felt what it's like to repent. I've been reading Atonement talks this week. None were with him, has to be one of my favorites. I don't comprehend it but I feel it's power working daily.

Well I love you all!

I hope you have all had a wonderful Easter weekend!

Love,
Sister Hillman

Some More Pictures-March 25

March 25

Hello Family,
Is it really spring? We have been dumped on by the snow fairy this last week. :( it doesn't do great things for our morale. But that's fine more opportunities to make snow angels. This is going to have to be brief. We have a lot going on today. We have to get some of the sisters moved around. I will be in a triple up with Sister Crabtree and Mahrt because Sister Haupt got her visa and is leaving for Taiwan so wooot woooot, triple up in Shaker Heights! It will be so fun!

This week was really good. Both Kenia and Sandy came to church. Sandy in her classy bright blue leather suit! Love her. She refuses to wear dresses to church and I asked her if I could have one of her leather suits but says I'm not fat enough so it wouldn't look good on me...apparently you have to have curves for those kinds of things. She cracks me up. Kenia is rock solid. I have never loved a family so much. She came to the RS birthday celebration and loved it. The ladies in the ward are so good to invite her to things and fellowship her. When Ernest gets baptized and given the priesthood we will have 3 priest. A first time ever for the Shaker Heights ward. Crazy huh. We don't have a lot of youth, and most of what we do have is young women. They are great!

It sounds like life back home is busy as always. Keep being happy. The gospel is true. Will you let me know when you get the packet from the mission about my homecoming date? It should be coming any week. Yuck. It will be a crazy next couple of weeks. Also. Someone should send me pictures from the wedding. It's killing me.

Thanks for everything!
Love you all!
Love,
Sister Hillman

Pictures- March 25

March 18

Dearest Family and Friends,

Ohio doesn't seem to be able to make a decision on whether or not it wants to warm up. Last Sunday it was sunny and 65, this week it was back to the sleeping bag coats. Life is so good. We had a meeting everyday this week which was a little overwhelming, we got a lot of new information thrown at us. But it was good. I feel spiritually enlightened.

Sandy is doing well. She finally got over her nasty cold and was able to come to church yesterday. Kenia is doing awesome we committed them to baptism on April 13. We are doing a 40 day fast in our ward and we have a couple of baptisms planned to celebrate the end of the fast which is on April 11. So cool to see how the ward is coming together to help the Lord build up his kingdom. After our adventure with Kenia and Jordan last week in church we prayed really hard that he would be calm. Heavenly Father answered that prayer and went even further. He slept through the whole meeting yesterday. Woooohooo. In gospel principles the elders taught about tithing (donation of 1/10 of your increase to the Lord) and Kenia said that she wanted to pay hers. WHAT!?! That's one of the hardest commandments to get people to live. I love her. She is what we call a prepared soul. She told the other sisters that we were an answer to a prayer. The Lord works amazing wonders when you are involved in his work. So cool.

The Visitors' Center is starting to pick up. We have a lot of people coming because of spring break, then it will calm down for a while and then the madness starts. I love summer here and I can't wait until I can take you all on tour of this wonderful place. We went down to the John Johnson Farm for training meeting on Friday. It was lovely. We decided that our theme for this transfer at the VC should be stand in Holy Places. Doctrine and Covenants 101:22,64. It's been really good. We get to visit the four places that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared. I love my mission.

I'm doing great. Everyday I feel more exhausted but it's the best feeling in the world. Sister Mahrt and I are doing a lot of finding, and our area is doing very well. We love it. The Lord is keeping us busy. The new missionaries are young, but they are great. Sometimes you can tell they are younger but for the most part they are super solid and hard working. I think it's a shock to actually talk to people sometimes for them. It's cool to see how much they grow.

Mom. Cute elders who are 3 years younger than me. Not so tempting. Member missionary work is the best way to do missionary work. It sounds like you are all keeping busy. Tell grandma and grandpa they have to take care of themselves. I need them when I get home. I love you all and I think of you all daily. I hope all is well!

Love,
Sister Hillman

March 11

Hello all!

 

I miss this. Blue skies, warm sun rays, and 65 degree weather. It was the perfect weekend after a crazy week. Transfers are over. Sister Larson got shipped out, her new companion is a cutie and is a solid missionary. They'll do great! Sister Mahrt is doing well. I will learn a lot from her.

We got so many new missionaries. They had to open 13 areas. And our compliment at sites went up to 32 instead of 26. It's getting busier a the VC so that's nice.

Kenia is doing great. They came to church yesterday. Oh man that was crazy. We took her on a church tour Saturday and just showed around. Well we didn't know that they were laying new carpet this week in the church so there was a whole lot of concrete and random tools every where. She brought her kids with her for the tour, let's just say kids and tools don't go together. They were running around like crazy as we were trying to explain what the Sacrament was. Then when they actually came to church it was even crazier. Jordan is the strongest 2 year old ever. I think him and Nate would get a long well. In Nursery he decided to push the pseudo wall that separates the gym and the nursery over, and then proceeded to use it as a trampoline. It's really hard to control a child when you can't hold them. The leaders all thought it was hilarious, and Kenia was taking care of the other kids. She has 4 kids. Ernest is 16, Kenny is 10, Shantinese is 6, and Jordan 2. Sacrament meeting was another story. Jordan just wanted to run around. When the Sacrament hymn came on Shantinese asked if there was a funeral, or if someone was being baptized, so close :) Then after the musical all of them clapped:) We gave them restoration coloring books which kept them busy for a while, but let's be honest 1 hour is a long time for kids to be still. Overall I would say it was a good experience for them. Through all of it Kenia said that she enjoyed it. Let's hope they come again. Oh and also President Vellinga saw all of this take place, I'm sure he now thinks I'm one of the most competent missionary he has. He just laughed at me.

Sandy was sick this week. We talked to her about the Atonement. She said the most sincere prayer I have ever heard. We are just waiting for her to choose a date.

Life is good. It sounds like life at home is the same. Busy. I love you all.

Love,

Sister Hillman

March 4

Hello Family,

 

So sometimes we run out of time to do all the things we need to do so this will be short. This week was so good. We saw many miracles that helped to us to know this work is real and true. First Kenya and her family are awesome. We met with them on Saturday and there is not a doubt in my mind that they will be baptized. They are growing together as a family as they strengthen their faith in Christ. So cool to see. The kids love us and we absolutely adore them. We found a kid named Nick who is a MAD genius. Seriously he kept going off with these theories that he has, turns out they kind of sorta go along with what we believe, just in a different sense. He is soo smart, and wants to read the Book of Mormon, probably not for the right reasons but we'll change that. It's hard to explain. Let's just say there are some classy people in Ohio, especially Cleveland.

 

It's transfers this week and our week goes as follows.

Monday: Pday

Tuesday: Sites and finishing up the transfer Schedule.

Wednesday: Specialized training with the new missionaries with President and the Assistants.

Thursday: Transfers, Transfer Lunch, Take new sisters on tour.

Friday: Get transfer theme down and this transfers training meetings figured out.

Saturday: We finally get to our area, and we are taking Kenya and her family on a Church tour and meeting with Nick at the library.

Sunday: Back to sites to weekly plan.

These next 4 months are going to FLY!!!!!! You should be getting my trunky papers soon with all of my flight itinerary (sp?)

Yes. I am still a training sister, and yes I am in Shaker Heights still. I will be released next transfer. That makes me sad. I love this calling. There is a Joclyn Jones that is coming. She looks like a cute girl. Transfers is going to get crazy. Every companionship of sisters is being affect by transfers. It will be madness. My new companions name is Sister Mahrt. She goes home in 2 transfers, hence why I know I will be transferred in 6 weeks.

The Marx have not set a date for the temple yet. They are thinking the last week in August or the first couple in September. Ah that makes me so excited!

It sounds like everyone is doing great! Thank you all for you support. I look forward to seeing the pictures. I love you all.

Love,

Sister Hillman

Feb 25

Dearest Family and friends,

It sounds like things are busy at home. That's the way it should be.

Just some things to talk about this week.

1. Congrats to Jason and Jeni! Happy Wedding week. I still haven't received the announcement yet so hopefully they forward it on:) I'm so pumped for you. About 21% of me wishes I was there, but the other 79% is super grateful I'm here in the Ohio. SOOOO Exciting!

2. WHAT!?! 58 new missions announced. That is madness. I am so pumped. The Lord is truly hastening his work. 2 in Idaho. That blows my mind...I never would have guess Nampa and Twin! I'm super pumped about Cincinnati opening. It won't affect us at all. But that means more work can go on in this great state. We get 29 new missionaries this transfer. Things are getting crazy at sites/through out the mission. Areas are opening like crazy, Sister Larson got called to shot gun train full proselyting, so I'll be gettting a new comp. I'm stocked for her. Full Pros is the best, but I'm super bummed she's leaving me. I'm pretty sure I'll b e companions with Sister Stoddard again. My MTC companion. But we find out on Thursday.

3. The gospel is true. We have seen many miracles this week. We found a family. Found someone who was looking for a church with a prophet. (Hey we have one of those). We are super stoked about her. We went on exchanges with the Painesville sisters so I got to check that out. Every other house is spanish speaking, the only thing I know how to say is that The Book of Mormon is true and that I would like 2 chicken tacos. It was crazy. I need to freshen up on that language.

4. I am so lucky to serve in this wonderful place. Everyday, I walk where a prophet lived. I get to live where the restoration of the greatest message took place.

5. I experienced the power of the Atonement ten-fold this week. It's real. It works. As a commitment I would like all of you to read "Mountains to Climb" By Elder Eyring from Conference April 2012. Then watch the Mormon Messages that goes along with it on www.mormonchannel.org . This is what is so great about our message. He is the "balm of gilead" I see it working everyday with our investigators. Through the Atonement Sandy was able to overcome alcohol. Through the Atonement Kenya is able to have peace in her home, and love her family more fully. Through the Atonement I can overcome my weaknesses and become the missionary that Heavenly Father needs me to be. Through the Atonement I get to live with my favorite people even after this life is over. I love this work.

6. I love you all. Sorry this letter is short and doesn't have much info, except my thoughts. We have a lot to do today. We have a mission wide deep cleaning day. So I'm going to go prep for that! I can't wait to hear about the wedding!

Pray always.

Love,

Sister Hillman

Feb 18, 2013

Dearest Family and Friends,

 

It's been a glorious week here in the Ohio. There is a lot of work to be done here. I hope you all had a splendid Valentines Day! Saturday February 16 marked the 182nd Anniversary of Doctrine and Covenants 76. The Plan of Salvation. So cool. That was received down at the Johnson Farm in Hiram, OH! I love the plan of salvation. It's one of my favorite things to teach about. A loving Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us to have happiness. So cool. I was amazed at how many people don't believe that God loves them.

This week was a great one. Our mission has been studying the Law of Chastity this week. It's been really neat. It's definitely something that a lot of our investigators struggle with so President Vellinga spent all zone conference talking about it. Satan is working so hard to destroy the Plan that Heavenly Father has for us, and he knows that the way to do that is through breaking the family apart. But the answer to less heartache and more happiness and love is simple abiding by this simple law. It was a really good conference.

We had another fireside last night. Our theme was "we'll bring the world his truth." It was kind of a rough week regarding the fireside. On Wednesday within and hour both our Keynote speaker cancelled and our Recent Convert Testimony cancelled. We sat in the car for like 5 minutes trying to decide what to do, so we decided to go out and tract and not worry about it. We had 4 days notice to find someone else to speak. Luckily we have spiritual giants all over Kirtland, one of our Facilities Management missionaries is also the Cleveland Stake Patriarch. We asked him, and he was more than willing. Then all we had to do was send out a text to missionaries asking about their converts and we were able to pick one from the choices. So while it was a little stressful, it all worked out in the end. The spirit last night was sooo strong. Both converts did so good. They have solid testimonies. Then Patriarch Rice related DandC 18:44 to a quilt in the fact that all of us are bringing about HIS great work. We were able to get next months fireside planned as well. It will be an Easter themed one. Matthew 28:12. We are excited about this one. It will be a great way to start Easter.

It should be a nice relaxing week this week. No meetings so that will just be lovely. Transfers is in 2 weeks. Woah. I hate 5 week transfers they go by soo fast.

Whelp I love you all! Sorry this one isn't as action packed as some of them. We are going to a Jewish Synagogue with the Marx today for P-day!

Love,

Sister Hillman

Feb 11, 2013

Dearest Family and Friends,

Sounds like everyone is keeping busy. Ah the wedding is getting so close. Our family is going to be bigger when I get home. Anyone else want to announce a marriage or a baby? Love you all!

I think we have had just about every type of weather possible in the Ohio this week. It's been crazy. Sometimes we are good to go out in just a cardigan other times it requires the big sleeping bag coat, sometimes in the same day. Hmmmm what happened this week? We met with Sandy twice which is what we have been trying to do since we started meeting with her. Once we just read with her from the Book of Mormon. 1 Nephi 21. The first Isaiah chapter, good thing there's a little break before the next chunk :) This is where we lose a lot of our investigators in the Book of Mormon. Everyone gets lost. I don't blame them. We were definitely unprepared for that lesson, so we muddled through what we thought Isaiah was talking about, she seemed to understand it a little more, but we may have taught false doctrine. It's times like these that it amazes me that they allow young people to go out and teach the gospel. Then the second time we were able to take her on a tour of Kirtland, which was awesome. She was a little distracted by all of the antiques so it was a little hard to keep her focused, but it's kind of an overwhelming place when you first get there. She loved it though, I love that we get to use it as a teaching resource we are soooo lucky. She is still alcohol free.....WHOOOT! We are hoping for a baptismal date of February 24. But we don't know if she will be ready yet. It's been so fun to see her progress as much as she has. We took a picture in Kirtland, I'll send it home ASAP.

We had Mission Council this week. We don't really know what our purpose in going to this meeting is. It's a meeting with all of the Zone Leaders and The Assistants and then us. But we don't really do anything since we are not in charge of a zone, but we are super grateful we get to go. We pretend like we have authority and responsibility when really we don't. It makes us feel better. But it was such a good meeting. WE talked a lot about obedience and how if we want to reach our goal of 557 baptisms we have to be more obedient. We read through the Mission President's handbook and it turns out I am not a very obedient missionary. Just little things that you would never think of not to do. But we have repented and are becoming more obedient. We have already seen the blessing from this. Miracles galore here in the Ohio. I feel very blessed for the opportunity we have to change.

We did a lot of finding this week. We started in Beachwood, aka Jew town. More than once we were told to leave and that we were in the wrong neighborhood. Where do they expect us to tract? Mormon houses? Whatever. The Book of Mormon is for them too! We just have to figure out what makes them tick, and how to help them find Christ. He brings happiness. We did run into a cute little lady named Ruth who lost her husband a few months ago. Cutest little thing ever. She invited us in just so she could show us her house and all of the pictures. You can tell that she is lonely. We talked to her a little about how families can be together forever and how family relationship didn't have to stop after this life, you could see a little like flick on and then it went out, so close to reaching happiness. Broke my heart. There is so much hope that the gospel brings if people would just take a second and feel it work in their lives. It's fun to be a missionary all day everyday, we get to see a lot of miracles, but sometimes it's really hard, when you can see what they could have and then they slam the door in your face. Missionary work is not for the faint hearted. We did see some miracles this week though. We met a self proclaimed rap artist who calls himself Zeus and who desires to teach people that getting out of the hood is good, through his music. He says his is a different kind of rap. He was a cool kid who thought learning about the Book of Mormon was a good idea. We have a lesson with him this week! So funny. Our area is full of diversity. You never know what will be on the other side of the door. Thank goodness for the spirit and revelation.

So for Zone Conference this week we have to plan a 10 minute lesson on the Law of Chastity. We have Zone conference on Valentines Day. I think President  just wants us to all lock our hearts. So that will be really fun to teach with all of the other missionaries. He has some weird ideas sometimes. But it's good. It's definitely a problem here so it will be helpful to know how to teach it simply and clearly.  We just think it's funny.

Sister Larson and I will most likely be together another transfer, we are hoping for it, but don't know if it will happen. There are a lot of changes coming. We found out Thursday that we have 5 visa waiters coming and one of the Sisters will be coming to sites, so we go and pick her up tonight and then she will be trained by some sisters until she leaves for Taiwan, talk about a completely different mission experience. I don't think Kirtland is anything like Taiwan, but it's still the same work.

I work at sites Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. We are keeping busy, but we hope that sites picks up a little bit, that we'll be able to see more tours.

Yesterday at church Sandy came and a Less Active. Sister Pennington. Oh man our Gospel Principles classes are the best. We have a lot of Baptist Converts who are  very loud and love to Praise Jesus. Let's just say some lessons get a little out of control. The poor elders were teaching yesterday and just were having a hard time keeping people focuses on the true meaning. So funny. Sister Larson and I were sitting in the back of the class just laughing. So much for reverence.

Sorry this was a rambler. I have a lot on my mind, I just wish I had time to tell you all the crazy things I get to see everyday! I don't think I need anything else. I loved the package. Thanks for the contacts. Everyone loves the Jacket :) and I LOVE the scarf it adds color to my wardrobe :) Do you by chance know where the cord to my camera is. If you find it in my camera box could you send that to me in my next package. It will be easier to send pictures with it! Thanks love love love you.

Love,
Sister Hillman

P.s. Five months!

Feb 4, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

I have now been set apart as a missionary for 365 days!!!! And then some. And I still have no clue what I am doing:) But I love it more and more everyday! Spring keeps getting turned on and off this week in the Ohio. On Wednesday for transfers it was 67 degrees outside, we were walking around in t-shirts! It was lovely. Then the next day it seemed like heaven dumped all the snow it had up there on us. We were covered in about 8 inches of snow!

We are still keeping busy. We have a shortened transfer this round because of the new missionaries trying to get on the new schedule. I may have mentioned that last week. So we are trying to get everything put together, we have another fireside coming up and zone conference next week! Oh man so many things to look forward to. We have mission council tomorrow. I always love those meetings. President Vellinga is such an amazing teacher. There were some big changes this transfer, not too many for the VC but definitely for the mission. I am now serving in the same ward as one of the elders that I came out with. Elder Berryessa! Love him. He may be in some of the pictures I sent home. He is hilarious. Next transfer we have 29 new missionaries coming out with only 4 leaving so it's about to get crazy in the Ohio. But that's how we like it!

Our area is doing well. We are still on the hunt for more people to teach, but we know that as we are diligent and have charity that the Lord will put them in our path. Sandy is doing very well. We found a new investigator this week. His name is Maurice. In a bad relationship who is searching for Christ. It's heartbreaking sometimes hearing about all of these trials that people have to face. It makes me really grateful for my trials. I was able to see Sister Feldt this week. I miss her! That was nice, also some of the Elders that I served with out in Lorain got transferred so I saw them too. We are trying to work with the members. We went to a baptism for one of the little girls in the ward, to present a restoration lesson, because they invited a non-member to come. She was loving it. Their names are Tim and Kate. Kate was loving it. She started crying when Gabby (the little girl) was given the Holy Ghost. It was tender. I love baptisms. It's definitely a wonderful opportunity to feel the spirit and see the powers of godliness manifest themselves!

We are busy as always and it sounds like you are staying busy too. Jason and Jeni are getting married in less than a month. Crazy stuff. I better get an anouncement even if I can't come :) You'll go from being busy in Ohio to busy in Idaho! Then everything will settle down again. Just in time for Mother's day and then July! What else do you have planned for the coming months? Anything. I will hopefully be getting a letter out to GandG this week. I wrote them one. Now it's just a matter of addressing them :( Sometimes I just want to sleep! We went and got departure Jammies today. The 7 sisters that I came out with decided we all wanted to have matching Jammies for the night that we stay at the mission home before departure so we went and got matching footie jammies! Now we just have to get the 10 elders on board and we can ALL match:)

The gospel is true! Kirtland is amazing! I love it here! I love you all! I pray for you everyday!

Love,

Sister Hillman

Pictures

 

 

January 28, 2013

Hello Family and Friends,

It sounds like things are going great at home. You all sound very busy. Especially the Curtis's with the new baby. He is SOOOOO cute! Wow mom it sounds like you had quite the experience on Saturday, you gotta love travel. Did you ever find your luggage? I'm glad you arrived safely. Have you enjoyed this wonderful weather we are having? It's been pretty cold up north but it's warming up. It's suppose to be in the 50's later this week with a lot of rain.

As for things in the Ohio. It's transfer week. Sister Larson and I will be staying together so that's fun. We have a lot to do for our area. We have big plans. There is only one sister going home Sister Tokunaga from Hawaii. She is amazing and will be missed in Kirtland. We are not getting any new sisters at the VC but there are 5 full proselyting sisters coming out, all 19 year olds. The Sorenson's are awesome. He is very knowledgeable about the gospel and she is the sweetest thing ever. We miss the Edman's but change is good. We took them down to the Johnson Farm to meet the senior couples that live and serve there. Oh I sure love it down there. There is such a wonderful spirit there. I feel really scatter brained this week. We don't know how to be in two places at once, so we've been a little stressed out, but nothing a good dose of sleep can't fix :) Can you believe it's one year this week. CRAZY!!! Where does time go? We found out the other day that all of us will be getting released a week earlier, so my release date is now July 11. They will be having a 5 week transfer this round to get into the flow of the MTC being shortened, so everyone's dates got changed.

 

We have been teaching a lady named Sandy. The Elders found her tracting, and started teaching her, and then our boundaries got changed around so she ended up in our area. We taught her the Word of Wisdom. She referred to herself as an alcoholic. We had been planning on teaching her the Gospel of Jesus Christ and committing her to baptism, but as we were praying for her we felt that she needed the Word of Wisdom. It''s a little scary calling an alcoholic to repentance. Luckily the spirit was there and was able to teach her. We started teaching about it and she was told us that she has actually been praying for Heavenly Father to help her stop drinking for a while. NICE!!!! We taught her the why of the Word of Wisdom and committed her to live it. We called her yesterday because she wasn't at church, turns out she almost had a heart attack, not really, but it freaked her out so she stayed in bed. We asked if she was living it and she said she only had 1 beer. She said she usually drinks Vodka but decided it wasn't worth it. definite progress. She is amazing. She wants to be baptized and we are working on a date for her but it may be a while.

Life is good. The gospel is still true. I love it here! See you all in 5 months!

Love,

Sister Hillman

January 21, 2013

Hi Mom, Friends and Family,
Another week in the Ohio. It has turned bitter cold this week and we woke up to about 6 inches of snow. Thank goodness for warm coats. We had a really busy week this week, and we don't really have a lot of time to email so this is going to be short. This week consisted of Sites, District Meeting, Leadership Training Meeting, Sites Training Meeting, Teaching Relief Society, and Investigator Fireside. How we managed to pull it off this week we don't know. There is a lot of prep going on before the new director arrives on Thursday. Oh Sister Larson and I are freaking out, we don't know what a director does, we don't even know what we do most of the time. Whoever thought it was a good idea to put me in a leadership position was not thinking very clearly that day. Jk. No this week really was amazing just busy. We learned a lot at our meetings Especially LTM. President Vellinga is an amazing teacher and is able to break down scripture so we understand them. I feel that I get so much more out of reading them then I did before! It was so good. More on that next week though! I love you!

I'm so excited for Wesley. I'm anticipating pictures next week! Have fun in OHIO!!!! I can't wait to hear how things are going! Love you all!

Love,
Sister Hillman

January 14, 2013

Dearest Family and Friends,

Spring has hit North East Ohio, and I love it! Last week we were covered in a couple feet of snow and this weekend we had blue skies, 60 degrees and green grass! It has felt like April all weekend! So lovely! It is turning cold again, but we enjoyed it while it lasted.

So life continues to go on at home, that's good to hear. Grandma is a trooper it seems. Do they have to operate on the other one as well or just this one. I can imagine knee surgery would be really annoying, you need those for everything! Jenny Good luck at school. Math is easy, everything can be done on a calculator anyway. No big deal. You will do great! It's getting down to crunch time. The baby the wedding. They are all going to come really fast. And then all too soon it will be July. How did your talk go Mom? What did you end up talking on? I can't believe that Caden is leaving on Wednesday so crazy. They cut the time at the MTC by 1/3 for all missionaries. We found out a couple of weeks ago that our compliment of missionaries will go up by 60, and will continue to grow from there. We get our first group of younger missionaries on Jan 30. I can't believe transfers is only 2 weeks away. Where does time go?

Last week was an interesting week. I'm so grateful for planners that keep my schedule for me. That way I don't have to worry about where I need to be and when. There was a lot going on. It started out like any other week. We had sites on Tuesday and Wednesday, we planned training meeting and finished preparing for the fireside. Training meeting went great. We made a movie of what NOT to do for a daily planning session, and it is hilarious. Then we talked about the importance of setting goals. I hope the sisters learned something. The fireside is on the 20th, it's going to be a big one. It's the Edman's departure talk so there will be a lot of people there.

 

Then on Thursday we had President's interviews. Oh gosh, I wonder if he thinks I'm even competent as a missionary. I love our mission president. He has a definite goofy side. So it's safe to say that it was an interesting interview. I don't know why but he always ends up making me cry. Lame. Even if nothings wrong he can ask me a question about the spirit or Christ and I get all emotional. Such a girl! Then Friday through Sunday just cruised by. We were all invited to watch he CES fireside with President Uchtdorf. It was sooo good. He is inspired. We had an investigator at church yesterday. Her name is Sandy Stevens. She wants to be baptized but says she hasn't felt that convincing power yet. Even though we know she has, I guess we just need to help her understand how the spirit work. We did a lot of finding. Not a lot of success.

To answer your questions. They change directors every 2 years. I got here at the Edman's year mark. It is going to be so sad to see them go. The Sorenson's seem nice though. As far as people who I have taught that were baptized. The Marx are doing great. Excited as ever to go to the temple! They are the cutest. Their address by the way is 3419 Maryland Ave apt 105 B, Woodmere, OH 44124. It's fun being back in the same ward. John Dahlen. He is awesome and rock solid. He moved out of our ward and into the AP's/ Presidents ward. So he will be taken care of. He was always out teaching with the Elders, still learning everyday! Moses went back to Africa to stay :( so sad and Margaret Douglas wasn't in our area, we passed her off to some other missionaries, which reminds me that I need to follow up with them. I learned yesterday that one of the Part member families we were working with in the Mayfield ward are getting baptized on the 9th. There is a lot of potential in the Ohio! Kirtland has to be built up again and we can see that prophecy being fulfilled everyday.

I only need two boxes of contacts. As you mentioned I only have 6 months left, AHHHHHH! So I only need one pair per month! Thanks for getting those for me! If it's easier I still have the prescription of what I wear so I can take that to an eye doctor and get some, if needed.

You are all in my prayers. I hope all goes well this week, especially with the new baby! I love you! The gospel is true!

Love,

Sister Hillman

January 7, 2013

Dearest Family and Friends,

 

We are keeping fairly busy. We have a new director coming into sites and so we are all preparing for that. Sister Larson and I are freaking out because we will have to help the new director get settled and into a groove of how the VC works but we don't even know what the director does. Soooooo this will be interesting. Thank goodness for revelation! We have been busy planning training meetings an the investigator firesides. Our area isn't all that large. Our ward is huge but split into three areas so that's nice. We have a lot of Jewish people in our area, so Friday night contacting get a little rough. We found a couple new investigators this week. Howard, Irene, and Alex! They are all awesome. One of our investigators came to church and had an awesome experience. It was weird going to church so early, and having a whole day to work in our area.

A message to the ward? hmmm that is a good question. I think that a lot of the experiences that I am having come back to my faith in the atonement. We have been focusing a lot on finding the prepared people in our areas and in our mission so that we can build the kingdom and President Vellinga has promised us that if we show faith in Christ and His atonement and have confidence in the promises he gives we will build up the church. The whole plan that Heavenly Father has provided with us centers on the Atonement and our purpose as missionaries, whether full time or member missionaries, is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them use that atonement. Heavenly Father blesses us to find those who are prepared, I believe what it says in Alma 13:24 that angels are declaring it unto many. There are not only people prepared for us as missionaries but for us as members of the church. So I guess what I am saying my message to the ward is that Missionary work is amazing and the love that we get from sharing it comes from the same love that the savior had when he performed the atonement. A desire to share the gospel comes from a conversion to the gospel.

Winter has hit here in the Ohio. It has been super chilly, but thanks to my sleeping bag coat I am staying nice and toasty. It makes for happier tracting. It has been a wonderful week. I serve in the most beautiful place ever. I love, love, love walking around snow covered Kirtland thinking of all the wonderful things that happened here. We saw a lot of miracles this week. We had two really neat experiences. The first one was on Friday, we were out doing our weekly cocoa contacting and we met Ben Sr. We offered him some hot chocolate which he accepted, we started talking about what brought him out and he said he owned a calligraphy studio just up the street with his son. He told us we should go visit his son Ben Jr. and give him a cup of cocoa. So we did. We sometimes do awkward things as missionaries, including walking into random businesses with cups of hot cocoa to talk to random strangers. It's awesome! But anyway Ben was awesome. We talked to him for a good 20 minutes about what we were doing, who we were, and why we where here on a mission. At the end of it HE asked how he could learn more. Both of us were just like WHAT!?! these things really happen? So we got his information and passed it onto the Chardon sisters. Then there is Alex. We met Alex after we got flamed by one of our appointments. Alex is a Jewish man who believes in Jesus Christ. Confused? Yeah so were we. We talked to him a little about his faith and his relationship to Christ. Invited him to learn more. He was busy so we set up a return appointment for a half hour later at Wendy's. We taught the full first lesson. Which ended with him and tears, and almost committing him to baptism. We'll definitely get him next time. This man needs the gospel in his life, he is what we like to refer to as a prepared soul! This work is sooo good. Oh gosh I could go on all day about the miracles we have seen this week.

Welp I love you all! Thanks for everything! I pray for you. The gospel is true. Love it. Live it!

Love,

Sister Hillman

December 31

Dearest Family and Friends,

 

Can you believe it the last day of 2012? Holy smokes where did the time go. What a great year it has been. The best part is we all made it past the end of the world. The Lord has truly blessed us this year, and I know that 2013 is going to be the best year yet. Heck yes I have set some resolutions, they are the not so original goals that every other missionary has. Become a disciple of Christ, finish the standard works, preach His gospel....ETC! Missions really are the best. I have loved being able to serve out here especially around the holidays. It's a great way to spend Christmas, testifying of His love for us and His life. We had a great Christmas, the talent show was hilarious. Sister Larson and I emceed the whole thing. We are a funny pair, if I do say so myself. We had a lot of fun, with a lot of food. Then on Wednesday a huge storm hit and we were confined to our apartments. Oh those are probably the worst days of missionary work. We went a little crazy. We did get a lot of the things we need to do planned though. We have found the key to missionary work is giving out free hot chocolate. The other day it was frigid outside so we had the bright idea to go and pass out hot chocolate and mormon.org cards by a bus station. It was pretty successful. We talked to a lot of people and got some return appointments. It was so fun. We have pictures to show for it. We are definitely doing a lot of finding. We are definitely keeping busy.

The nativities are over so that is really sad. Sites is about to get a whole lot slower. I tried to get some of the nativities of camera but it's just not the same as seeing them in person. We will be doing a lot of training on referral cards and how to make phone calls productive and purpose driven. WE are about to hit our slow season. But it's good. I like being back at the VC but I miss the elders that I served with.

Oh no that stinks that Britt's kids are sick/ her household. Hopefully everyone gets feeling a little better. It's a rough season for that kind of stuff.

Well hmmm. I don't feel like there is too much to share I think I got it all out on Christmas. It was lovely to talk to you. Sorry Matt, I guess you'll just have to wait for Mother's day or July. So now you know I really am alive and well and loving every second of my mission. Thanks for all you do!

Love,

Sister Hillman

December 24

Hello family!
I will be calling around 12 o'clock tomorrow! I can't wait to talk to you! Sorry can't type much but I'll see you tomorrow! I love my new area and new companion. P.s mom will you, if you can, find my call and scan it to me by tomorrow or type out what it says and send it to me. I need it before Wednesday morning so if you could email that to me it would be awesome. I need it for a training meeting!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Love,
Sister Hillman

December 18

Hello Family and Friends,

 

Another year older and not so much wiser! I feel old. It was a great birthday yesterday. So I forgot to tell you that the week of transfers my Pday is Tuesday. So I had a regular missionary birthday. We were suppose to have District Meeting but our District leader has food poisoning. Poor kid, and wasn't feeling so well. So we tracted and visited with some less active members and then went over to FHE with one of the members to teach faith. It was a good day. We also found out yesterday if we are being transferred on Wednesday. I got a call from president Vellinga right after studies. He asked me if I loved my area, Yes I do, and said good we are transferring you. I'm going back to Kirtland. I miss it there but I LOVE full proselyting. So it will be good. Another change. So as far as plans for chatting go I don't have any answers for you. You'll have to check your email next week for info. We will still have pday on Monday. I don't know what time or where yet and won't until after Wednesday.

I got your packages on Friday Mom. Thank you thank you! I love everything I got for my birthday. You're the best. Thanks for Sister Feldts gifts as well. It really made her happy, she doesn't get a lot of mail and she really struggles with that. So thanks. Did you get my package. Sorry it's lame but it's all I had to send. We don't get much time to go shopping :) The magnets are for you and the cookie cutter is for dadio! What he'll use it for I don't know but I liked it.

The work is going great. We got a phone call from one of the AP's on Saturday to go over boundary lines. Apparently they are splitting our area again. We will now have 3 sets of missionaries in our ward. A lot of new areas are being opened with the influx of missionaries coming in. We are so excited for this change. It will probably be a little rocky at first but the growth that will happen in the work will be amazing. There are so many people prepared to receive this wonderful message. We see evidences of it everyday.

Life is good. I'll have more next week. Love you!

Love,

Sister Hillman

December 10

Dear Family,

Please don't throw that camera card away. Please Please Please. I don't have any copies from that card :( that seriously broke my heart, I have a lot of good memories on that card so please don't throw it away. There has to be some way to fix it. I don't have the connector thingy to my camera for the computer so you will just have to wait till I get home with my card or i'll send copies that maybe you can scan.

Well it sounds like you have had a very busy week this week. Doesn't it just feel like time is going by a little fast. I don't like it. 2013 is creeping up on us. We are expecting a large increase of missionaries starting in January, and our transfer schedule just got mixed up again so it's not every six weeks, we are waiting to hear more about it. They need more trainers and there is a good chance some of us will be extending to train the new missionaries. We are excited for this growth. We had a lot of good meetings this week. I feel like I finally sort of get what's going on in the mission and then they change everything. We had some visitors from Salt Lake and they really laid into us about what we needed to change. A lot of it was us and they way we are teaching. It was chastisement with love! It was sooo good.

We have not been able to meet with George he is still in rehab but we are going to try and get over to see him before Christmas. Right now the church is doing mormon.org/christmas so we have been promoting that. We have had some success and have found a lot of great potentials. This week in church I talked about the parable of the lost sheep. I totally messed up but that's okay everyone lied and said I did fine anyway. It was really fun to learn about. There were 3 less actives that were at church yesterday. It was so great to see them there. Our ward has a lot of them.

Where is Jeni from? That is exciting! Oh wedding plans. I'm sad I'll miss it. Tell Jason he needs to write a letter to me so he can explain this himself. I wrote him on his mission. It's only fair. Who will all be home for Christmas chat time?

Anyway have to run! Love you lots. I'll let you know if I get the package.

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Hillman

p.s. They get the nativities from people who donated

December 3

Dearest Family and Friends,

Happy December everyone. You would never know it is december the way the weather is acting here in the Ohio. It was 67 degrees on Saturday. We did yard work for a member in short sleeves and I was walking aroung last night without a coat it has been SOOOOO nice here. It makes sharing the gospel much more fun.

Zone/Mission Conference was amazing. I could feel the spirit of Kirtland growing stronger and stronger as I got closer. I really miss it there. We spent the first 2 hours in the Temple and talked about the Reason for the Season and having faith in Christ with confidences in the promises that he gives to us, with faith that there are people in our area to teach. There were 3 zones there and so I was able to see some of my favorite sisters. I miss them. At the end of the temple portion we broke off in zones and sat up in the choir boxes and had the opportunity to bear our testimony of Jesus Christ. It was amazing. Then we had a meeting at the Stake center and then headed over to the Historic Sites and were able to walk through the nativity scenes. So beautiful. Oh my. What a wonderful opportunity I have to share the message of the Birth of our Savior. We should come back at Christmas time too! No I didn't meet the Peterson's they went to a different session of the Conference on Monday. We rode over with a Senior couple. Elder and Sister Howell.

The Christmas devotional was amazing. A chance to hear from a living prophet of God. We are truly blessed with the knowledge we have. We didn't have any investigators come but we were able to go to the ward dinner regardless, mmm it was good they made mac and cheese in the crockpot...Mormons are super classy! I love it.

This week was a good one. It went by way too fast. I can't believe it is already Monday. Crazy how fast time flies. We just got word that in January we will have 30 missionaries 22 of them will be the younger ones. They are replacing 3 missionaries that are leaving. They are opening a lot of new areas. So exciting. The Roberts ward sure is having a lot of missionaries go out. That's good. I can't believe some of them are old enough to go though and Elijah is home? Crazy. Brenan does come home soon! Weird. Is Alli still waiting for him?

Life is good and the gospel is still true. I don't know if I will be transferred or not. My guess is yes, and that's probably just because I want to go back to Kirtland, but he doesn't tell us until two days before so we'll have to work something out with Christmas the day before. Good thing it's on a Tuesday this year!

Anyway. I love you. I have to run. Talk to you soon.

Mom for the packages they just put them outside our door at the apartment complex. They do have a box but they don't use it, so it's sketchy. But I did get the package :)

Love,

Sister Hillman