Week 33 Letter from Elder Hills

HI, Family-

I am being transferred to the Seven Hills ward. Hills in the Hills, should be good! I can't wait to kill the joke. I miss mowing lawns, those were good days :) Mowing around the fire pit will be a lot easier if you wall it off, but maybe you should start with new chairs! Those ones up there are so trashed, I can't believe it. 

Jan and Jenna will be baptized, I know it. They have kind of been on my mind ever since her husband passed away. They will make great members! I can't wait. So I'll figure out how Mothers day will work, I'll probably ask a member to shoot you guys a text when I get there. Thanks for being patient with me!

Questions-

How was the trip to the Temple?

Did you take out the 100 dollars ? 

Did you get the camera to work?

Do you need any clothes/shoes?

How is your shoulder bag working?

Answers!

1: IT ROCKED!

2: Yea, I took it out last week

3: It's a really good camera, I just don't know how to get pics off it

4: I could probably use some new shirts in a month or two, but they're fine for now

5: It's actually great! It's too big to ride my bike with, but I've learned how anyways.

Thanks for the email! Love you guys!

Ellie: Keep it up with the Gerald pics, they're dank. I got my Mormon long board, and it rips. It's so fast! I went about 30 mph today, and I almost fell off. I was a little scared! Thanks for the email Ellie, love ya!

Isabel: That's so funny that Sam had to try three times! It's harder than it looks, Imagine doing it for a paralyzed woman... That was pretty lit. I'll add a picture for ya. She was so awesome though, I think she is my greatest success so far. Keep up the good work Isabel, ​​you're a great example to all of us! Love you!

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Week 32 Letter from Elder Hills

Oh man, what a week. I'm emailing today because we went to the temple this morning, so I haven't had a Pday since last Monday! I got to admit, I need this. It's been quite a week, we had interviews, car fast, a broken fridge, and a longboard delivery. The worst part about this is that I only have like ten minutes in the library today, so this is going to be a short one! I just want to say that I really love you guys, and that I miss all of the family everyday. Keep up the good work, and stay strong in the gospel. Love yall!

-Elder Hills (Recorder, and Bike Master)

Here's what I've been up to...

Week 31 Letter from Elder Hills

Hi, family-

What the heck-how is Jessie already done? Time flies by so fast! I can't believe that I've already used up more than a quarter of my very short two years out here.  It's mind boggling. Whatever, no need to get stressed out about that! This week was better than last and we are back on good terms with our landlady. We did our laundry this morning, on Monday, to avoid all problems. It's all good :)

How did Tim do in the marathon? He's crazy, I'll never do that to my body. I stopped running on the dreadmill in the mornings.  It's just no fun and I'm not getting any better. No worries though, good ol' Timmy Tsiastios is sending me something pretty cool to exercise in the mornings on. I'll add a picture. It's a custom made long board, and it's so rad!

Did Jessie bring any really cool stuff home? Italy must be the best place for souvenirs. I would really like her camera, if she isn't using it. I need something to take pics on! 

You never let me ride your motorcycle, so whenever I say I like bikes, and people ask what I rode, all I can say is a crappy 250 Enduro. My heart hurts to know that I'll be off motorcycles for another year and a half. Enjoy though, it's beautiful weather out here and I see people ride all the time.

Questions:

1. Any change in your housing?

2. Can we help in any way with the housing situation?

3. Have you had a chance to ride your bike lately?

4. Are transfers next week?   

Ok answers:

1) There won't be a change until Wednesday the 10th, we still got a while to go!

2) Nah, just keep praying for her. She'll be ok and so will we.

3) Yea! I hit a small jump yesterday and ate it! I'm going to need some practice before I go back to Highland. Remember the pinkbike drop? Those were good times!!

4) Nah, they're also on Wednesday the 10th.

Thanks a ton for the email, I love you guys a ton! Enjoy your time with Jessie!

Ellie: Double singing would be hard, maybe you should make it triple singing! What are some things that you're coloring? Don't get down about tests, I failed a lot of them! Just work your hardest, and it'll all be ok. I wish I could be there to ride with you, I'm so bad right now! I keep falling off! I can't wait to get good again, have fun at the club!

Isabel: I really enjoyed your talk! Nice and simple! Remember that time when we did an etiquette dinner? I hated that, the food was all cold and it wasn't even good when it was warm. Just nasty! Did you guys buy Rouge One yet? Make sure you own that by the time I get home, I need to see that one. I Don't know any Spanish, but I am running into a lot of Spanish people! It's so crazy how many immigrants are in CO, but they are pretty prepared for the gospel. Can't hurt! Thanks for the email!

Jessie: This is weird, I don't know how to write to a third person in the same email. The most exciting person we are teaching is a hair stylist that lives about half an hour from where we live. She also has a first edition Book of Mormon somewhere in her family. WE WANT IT! I don't have any short sleeve shirts, I don't really like them. My shirts have seen better days though, but they still got some time left in them. Thanks for the offer! The best part of the week was tracting with the zone leaders. I love our ZLs, I wish I was in a trio with those guys! So funny! We went on splits and covered one of our neighborhoods. We got 4 new investigators, and they all have promise. Not bad! Thanks for the email, enjoy being home! Love you tons!

-Elder Hills (Recorder, and Bike Master)

Week 29 Letter from Elder Hills

Hola lay-family-o

This has been an interesting week. First off, I just want you to know that the Missionaries you guys have are amazing! I saw some pics of that "Walk With Christ" event, and they rock! Those guys put a lot of effort into that, and I'm really impressed! Events are hard! We got to have a little booth at a fair that was in town last Saturday, and it was a lot of fun. I got to meet a lot of people, and we got a pretty solid new investigator. It was a good day :)

Ok, now to the interesting stuff. There is a neighborhood in our area that is built around a small airstrip. For real! We were driving past, and my companion told me to stop the car. We got out, and saw this plane! It's a beautiful Pitts S-2C. The guy was cool with us taking pics, and he told us that he was just going to work in it! He works out at the airport in Denver, and this is how he gets there. Pretty sick. 

Now, the other part. Working is something my new companion doesn't like to do. I got to kind of force him, but it could be worse. I'm still learning how to work around it, but we will have success this transfer. I got an Email from Jessie, and she is back with her MTC companion! How funny is that? That would be a lot of fun!

Questions of the week:

1.  How has your driving been?  Are you still skilled? 

2.  Has being on a mission made you think more seriously about your future?  Or are you so busy you are focused only on the work?

3.  If we put $100 in your account at the beginning of each month, once that's gone it's gone until the 1st of the next month-are you good with that?  

4.  What are you doing to prepare for Easter?  What are your Easter plans?

5.  How has working with your companion been?  

Ok, answers:

1) I haven't got in a accident yet, but who knows ;)

2) I've been pretty focused, but I think I kind of know what the real world is a little more now.

3) Yea, that would work excellent!

4) I've been watching the Easter Video a bunch of times. Other than that, I have no Idea whats going to happen. I hope some members buy us candy ;)

5) Really hard, it stresses me out! President gave me a blessing the other day to help me out, and I think I can do it.

Thanks for the email guys, I love you all!

Ellie: Hi Ellie! I got to admit, you have gotten really funny since I left! Alannah told me that you said you really felt the spirit in the Cookie room at the walk with Christ thing. You're so weird! She also told me that she is your spirit animal? Is that true? I miss you Ellie, you're one of a kind :) I love you, and I'll try to write another letter soon (today I'm buying paper and envelopes). Keep up the good work!

Isabel: I hate being sick, It's the worst when your a missionary! All you can do is sit there and read the Book of Mormon. No TV, no other books, just the standard works. I am so jealous of that book, I'm reading it when I get home. Do they have other books like that? The Half Blood Prince must be wicked long, and creepy! I want one now so bad, The boat picture made me smile! What are you going to do with your teeth? How long till you got to get them out? I hates Wisdom teeth, mine hurt so bad. Jessie was lucky! Thanks for the email, I love you tons!

-Elder Hills (Recorder, and Bike Master)

Here's a pic of the fair! Do you recognize the sister in the front right? That's the girl that Sam invited over to our house all those years ago, small world right?

-Elder Hills (Recorder, and Bike Master)

Week 28 Letter from Elder Hills

Hello family! It's good to hear that that you have been having fun with the tractor dad, imagine how much fun you could have had with an audi though... Almost as much fun as I'm having with our 2014 Chevy Cruz! It used to be my dream car when I was younger, but now I know better! The mission cars have something called a TIWI Machine, which keeps us from driving faster than 7 mph over the speed limit, and it keeps us from taking turns too hard. I already got an "Aggressive Driving" infraction from taking a U turn... They're really sensitive. 

I really loved General Conference, especially the priesthood session. Henry B. Eyring gave a really good talk, I really enjoyed it. I thought it was interesting how the Prophet spoke on the Book of Mormon, I guess we need to have our testimonies strengthened on it in these last days. Everyone can improve the strength of their testimonies, even if only a little. I find the best way is to just read it. Read it and re-read it and apply it. In the intro, Joseph Smith says that a man can get closer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book. I believe this 100%! 

Good luck talking with Alannah's parents, I honestly think they would make excellent Mormons,

great people! Pray for spiritual guidance before, it really helps. I got faith in you guys :)

Questions:

How is your new companion?

What is your companions name, and where is he from?

How is having a car?

What was your favorite talk?

Do you need us to send you ties, or do you want to get them yourself?

Answers: 

1) My new companion is named Elder Hendrick. He left from NY, but is going home to HI. His dad is in the military

2) Driving the a car is the therapy I need

3) Henry B. Eyring's talk in the priesthood session.

4) Either or, mom is better at finding deals than I am. I've really started to like the slim/skinny ties btw ;)

Thanks guys, I really love reading your emails, I miss you!

Isabel: Dang those books are cool! I'm glad you have been enjoying the good times back home, try to enjoy them as much as you can, because later you will miss those "Good ol days". GC was really cool, check that out asap! So this week was pretty hard, I have to really force him to work. that's ok though, I think I'll be a really good missionary at the end of this transfer. All my past companions (Except for the seltzer water one) have been really good workers. Now I have to really want to work to make it happen, so I think this will help my drive. Having a car ROCKS!!! Remember that show Next Great Baker? I have one of those cars they gave away in the first season! It's so lame!!! BUT AWESOME!!! Thanks for the email, love you too!

Ellie: Oh my goodness Ellie! How mad was mom? Is the couch fixable? That's crazy! Have you gotten my letter yet? I sent one a while ago, write me back as soon as you can! I love getting mail from you! I love you Ellie, have a good week!

-Elder Hills (Recorder, and Bike Master)

Week 27 Letter from Elder Hills

Hi guys! It is spring, but it's been spring for so long out here! I hope you guys get some of the weather we are having in CO. I love it here! Congrats on being married for almost a quarter of a century! It's not too long on an eternal scale though ;) I'm glad that you guys are glad!

You guys need to pray for me, my companion is being transferred and my new companion is known to be very disobedient. This is probably going to be a really hard 6 weeks, but at least I"M DRIVING!!! I haven't driven a car for 6 MONTHS!!! I'll be back in the saddle this Wednesday! I can't wait, but I also can wait. I had a lot of fun with Elder Richards, but I'll live!

I wish I was an elder in NH, you guys feed them way better than anyone out here! I miss your cooking! That's good stuff! Are you guys doing prime rib for Easter? If you are, you should find a way to send some...

I think you guys did a really good job on the painting! I'm a little scared to ask, but how does my/Ellie's room look? Is it really girly? I know she got some girly stuff, but where am I going to live after my mission? At least you guys have a year and a half to think about it! 

Questions of the Week:

1.  Do your transfers happen this week?

2.  What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?  We are so proud of your for your awesome attitude.  

3.  Are you taking good care of your teeth and flossing regularly?  Sorry, 'mom' question.

4.  Would it be OK with you if we gave you a $50 'allowance' for the month?  Once it's gone, it's gone?  We want you to still enjoy Taco Bell, etc., but $50 a week is really killing the budget!  Let us know what you think.

5.  How are your clothes holding up?  Shoes?  Bike?  

6.  What do you think the biggest blessing serving a mission has been in your life so far?

7.  Have you read your patriarchal blessing lately?    I wonder if you see any of those promised blessings in your life?

OK, answers:

1) Yes, but I'm staying here in Brighton

2) I just think about bikes and kind of suck it up. It's hard sometimes, but it's the Lords work. It needs to get done.

3) Haha, yes

4) Could you do $100 for the month? I'll try to cut back and if I use less for the month, you can give less for the month. I'm sorry I'm such a spender, I'll try as hard as I can to cut back./

5) My clothes have seen better days, especially my ties! Those aren't the best but they work. My bike might need a new fork... Just kidding it's in tip top shape. My shoes are good, too.

6) I would say the biggest blessing is being able to focus 100% of the time on the gospel. It's really cool how much I've learned so far!

7) I have seen that I am serving a full time mission! That's it so far, I'm still working on getting the other blessings.

Thanks so much for all you guys do for me, I can't even explain how much it means to me. I love you guys so much!

Ellie: Hi Ellie! I got a cool story for you! The other day I found a dog that is so small, I could put him in my pocket! His name is Bob, and he is a Yorkie! He's even smaller than the one in PA, and he loves to be held! I wanted to steal him and bring him home with me, but that would have been wrong. Plus it costs too much to have a dog. That's the story, pretty lame right? So how is life outside of school? Do you hang out with your friends at all? Love ya!

Isabel: I heard that movie was weird, he kills the monster like a bunch of times right? It would probably go right over my head. That is so cool that you got all those harry potter books! You need to send a picture or else I won't believe you though ;) Have you read them lately? I miss reading about stuff that isn't about the gospel. It's still cool though. How's Captain Underpants look? I can't WAIT to see that one. Oh well, thanks for the email! Love you!

-Elder Hills (Recorder, and Bike Master)

Week 26 Letter from Elder Hills

Hi guys! 

Happy St. Patrick's day to you, too! I celebrated with a Shamrock Shake from McDonald's! They're not as good as I thought they would be. But, oh well, it was a good week.

I got the bike all fixed up and ready to go, and I will have to go easier on it from now on. We burned ties to celebrate our 6 month mark (that was the picture you got last night) and we had some really good lessons. One was with a guy named Rick, and all he wanted to do was argue about the Book or Mormon.  He dropped us, so it's fine.

Who is Jake Summers? I haven't met him yet, where is he from? That's cool that you guys are liking the theme this year, I think it's my favorite one so far! Have you seen the new first vision video yet? I think I sent it to you, but I don't remember. I miss my home ward, so many great people! 

How was the snow? Did you get it shoveled alright without the snow blower? I wish I was there to help, there is no snow out here! 

Questions:

1.  I saw you took out $140+...is your bike fixed?  PLEASE be careful-we can't afford to keep fixing it 

2.  When are transfers?  

4.  Have you noticed your mission bringing you closer to Christ?  We had a sacrament meeting today where all 5 of our missionaries talked about that topic.  It was pretty interesting to hear their perspectives.  

5.  Any new people you are teaching?

6.  Why aren't you writing longer letters?  We miss you and love hearing more detail and especially how you're growing!

Answers:

1: Yea it's fixed, sorry about that. This bike is a problem child!

2: Next week! This was a seven week transfer, so it's one week longer than usual

3: Yea! It's hard not to come closer to Christ while serving him! I'm learning so much!

4: There are new people every day, nothing too serious right now though.

5: Lately I've been really short on time in the library, there's a time limit on how much we can use these computers here. I'll try to be quicker though so I can get more to you guys.

Thanks so much for the Email, I love you guys so much and I miss you all!

Ellie: Hi Ellie! Sounds like you had a real fun week! What songs did you play at the concert? Anything I'd recognize? I miss going to your concerts, they're always so good. How was the dance? I wish I could have seen Phoenix's first dance, he's so funny! How are they doing? Thanks for the email Ellie, I'll try to get your letter sent!

Isabel: I'm not Jessie! That's ok though, it sounds like you had a long week! Movies are all just re-boots of old movies these days! I feel like 90% of recent movies have already come out before, it's crazy. I actually sleep pretty well as a missionary! Have a better week this week, and maybe get a little more sleep;) Thanks for the email!

-Elder Hills (Recorder, and Bike Master)