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)

Week 25 Letter from Elder Hills

Hi, Family-

I don't have a lot of time, but I'll try my best on this Email!

Do you have a snowblower that will be able to handle the foot of snow your getting? Don't hurt yourself if you don't! We still have zero snow and spring weather. I hope it all turns out ok for you guys.

I have some bad news.  Last week, I did some damage to my bike. I need a new front wheel, and the cheapest route is $140. So, don't be alarmed if that much comes out of my account.  It's for a worthy purpose. I need it soon, too!  So, I hope this bike shop is fast! Transfers are coming...

I really love you guys, so sorry I didn't have time to write a better email. I'll try to write letters this week, one to all of you! The church is true!

-Elder Hills (Recorder, and Bike Master)

Week 24 Letter from Elder Hills

Hi, family! 

This week was pretty crazy.  I went on exchanges with an Elder that has some serious obedience issues the other day and it was a long day. I survived, though! It's so warm here-it's 47 outside right now, but it's pretty windy, so it feels colder than it is. I am hoping that it slows down a little, because I found some SICK dirt jumps out here, way bigger than anything I've seen back home! I can't wait to ride!

The downside of today is that I am sick, and I can't even skip church or missionary work because it's a pday. I'm only missing out on things I want to do. It sucks. Last pday we got sweet flamingo shirts at Ross, so we wore them to Zone Pday. It was a lot of fun, I'll add a picture.

Another cool thing I'll add a picture of is a mini Charlie I found at a members house, except she's a girl. AND SUPER CUTE! Ellie will like that one. So why is Alannah arguing with her parents? I hope not because she's getting baptized. She's so ready! Look up "Conversion of a Catholic" and listen to that, I really enjoyed it.

Questions of the week:  

1.  How was your testimony about the Book Of Mormon Challenged? 

2.  Hows the bike?

3.  Any funny story's this week?

4.  Did you have a better week?

5.  Are you singing in the choir?

6.  Testimony building experience.  

OK- answers:

1: I think it's an excellent idea to read it in 63 days, it helped me out a lot! 

2: My bike is good, for now! There's a pretty cool little bike shop in town, and I'm friends with the guy now. He gives out free tubes to missionaries!

3: My companion bought a fixed gear bike, and we took the breaks off! It's so crazy, I kind of want one now!

4: I had a pretty good week, yeah.

5: Nope, that was a one time thing!

6: I got to talk to President about how to develop a testimony better, I learned to doubt my doubts before I doubt my testimony. It's great advice!

Thanks for the email!

Ellie: Oh charlie! Why are you such a turd! Look at this mini Charlie I found, her name is Tinkerbell. SO LITTLE!!!! Take some videos of your biking! I'll try to get one for you today! I am going to ride off some jumps. We found some people who are interested, they are pretty nice too! Love you Ellie!

Isabel: I Isabel! It's good to know that doing nothing is still in style, I miss it! How does it feel to know that you're almost done HS for good? It's coming sooner than you think, and to be honest I almost miss it... I've heard about that Percy Jackson series, it kind of looked like another try at making more money. I haven't read any of them though. Nice job on your timed write, those were always so hard for me! You definitely got the brains kid! Good luck with Doc this week!

-Elder Hills (Recorder, and Bike Master)