This week was a wake up call that we need to start contacting with the members a whole lot more. All the people that got baptized were able to do so due to the support and love of the members. We´ve been doing something called ´centros de fortaleza´ where we contact with the member and if one of their neighbors accepts, we take them to the house of the member and teach them there. They receive the support, testimony and friendship of the member and progress so well. But before we would just do it all by ourselves and it didn't work as well. I know that if we learn to love just as the Savior did, people will feel His love through our words and actions and that's what people need in order to progress in the gospel. This week we´re going to do a huge effort to find new people to teach. I really hope to find another family that can progress and accept the gospel.
Another thing that we need to do with urgently is make sure that the new members are getting the support they need. I hate to see the new members with doubts and difficulties. We havent seen a lot of that yet but I want to do all I can to support them when the hard times come, because they always do, and they are for our good, but its going to be easier if they have the love and support of the members and the ward missionaires.
These wards in Bolivia arent like the wards we have in Idaho. Theres not the same system of callings and order. It exists but they dont put it in practice as much as Ive seen it done over there. Im starting to see more and more that this system of order and callings and stuff exists for a reason and if they were put in practice, I would feel so much better knowing that the members would be recieving the help they need to be retained in the gospel. We cant be saved on our own. We need our Savior Jesus Christ, and we need the other saviors that offer support, help, testimonies, service, etc. We have the potencial to act as intruments in his hands, to act as saviors.
I love this gospel, I cant wait to put it in practice in my own family, read the Book of Mormon with my own children. This gospel is so important for each and every person, and this is the time to learn it and live it.
Love you guys
Elder Hilton
Monday, July 18, 2016
Monday, July 11, 2016
THE BEST and most tiring week
This week was AWESOME because we did some really cool things to help the converts. We did a dinner with the leaders and the converts and played a game that some girls taught me when I was in college. You put a bunch of funny questions on slips of paper, and you take turns pulling them out and answering them. Questions like If you were an animal, which one would you be? and silly stuff like that. It was a lot of fun and they all loved it. It helped them to get involved in the social life of a member and realize that you can have fun and be a good person.
I loved seeing the baptism of this family and this young woman. The best part of it all was hearing their testimonies. Maria: the young woman, shared a POWERFUL testimony. She had been studying a TON because her testimony included a lot of segments from the pamphlets we use and she shared a scripture in her testimony as well. The best part of it was when she talked about the Franco family.
(I don't know if you remember me mentioning the Centros de fortaleza which are the houses of the families that go contacting with us. The Franco family is one of them and we contacted Maria with them and every appointment we had with her was in the Franco family's house, so they helped her a TON)
She expressed her love and gratitude towards this family and cried. That is the best part of this work for me, The feelings of love that are formed between the converts and the members. My dream is to be in the Celestial Kingdom with these converts and the members that helped us teach them. I understand that in order for that to happen, they need to be faithful until the end, and that's why I'm super anxious for the ward missionaries to start working HARD to keep these converts on the path. Repentance is more than just a change of bad habits, its also a change of social life and starting to do all the things that the prophets teach us to do, the mormon traditions.
Anyway, I love taking part of this work and seeing so many people change their hearts and feel the joy that comes from living a righteous life.
I love you guys!
Elder Hilton
I loved seeing the baptism of this family and this young woman. The best part of it all was hearing their testimonies. Maria: the young woman, shared a POWERFUL testimony. She had been studying a TON because her testimony included a lot of segments from the pamphlets we use and she shared a scripture in her testimony as well. The best part of it was when she talked about the Franco family.
(I don't know if you remember me mentioning the Centros de fortaleza which are the houses of the families that go contacting with us. The Franco family is one of them and we contacted Maria with them and every appointment we had with her was in the Franco family's house, so they helped her a TON)
She expressed her love and gratitude towards this family and cried. That is the best part of this work for me, The feelings of love that are formed between the converts and the members. My dream is to be in the Celestial Kingdom with these converts and the members that helped us teach them. I understand that in order for that to happen, they need to be faithful until the end, and that's why I'm super anxious for the ward missionaries to start working HARD to keep these converts on the path. Repentance is more than just a change of bad habits, its also a change of social life and starting to do all the things that the prophets teach us to do, the mormon traditions.
Anyway, I love taking part of this work and seeing so many people change their hearts and feel the joy that comes from living a righteous life.
I love you guys!
Elder Hilton
Monday, July 4, 2016
4th of July
Happy Fourth of July to all!
This week was a stressful one because me and my companion realized that if we continue to baptized families, even though they're prepared and converted, they aren't going to be retained unless we can help the ward to start working in unity. Because sometime trials come and we have to go and help them and keep them excited to participate in the activities and going to church on Sundays. But if they had more support from the ward, it would be so much better and I would feel a lot calmer when I leave from this area. I wont be thinking I wonder if they're still going to church, I wonder if the members are visiting them etc. So we starting working with the ward missionaries and were going to make a plan of action to have them visit the converts so that we can continue finding families and teaching them.
The story of the guy in the picture that got baptized by the Bishop is really sad but also really good. His name is Ronald Lopez. He lived with his wife and kids when we found him. We used to teach the entire family. But a little more than a month ago, this marriage was put in jeopardy. She kicked him out and he found a room and rented it. He got permission to live with two of his kids, but the other three live with the mom. We visited both of them but separately. We did all we could to get them back together. But this is more than just a one time thing. Its 15 years of dysfunctional marriage. We were unable to heal the marriage. I'm not saying that they got divorced or that they're going to be divorced. But him and his two kids have progressed and gotten baptized, His wife has had a lot of problems progressing. Its been really sad to see how he has felt and really sad to see this family separate. But at the same time, its been such a miracle to see Ronald change his heart, his habits and his life to accept the gospel and start living the life that God has for him. He´s doing it well and he´s going to be a very powerful influence for the whole ward.
I love the gospel and I'm really grateful to have had parents who have raised me in the gospel. Its the only place with all the correct principles to live a life that pleases God and ensures a future with a fullness of joy in the presence of God. I was also thinking a lot about the resurrection of Christ a lot this week and I know that Christ was resurrected. I appreciate this testimony I've gained because knowing that we will all live again ensures that all the hard work we do as members (we plant the seeds that will be harvested in the next life) will be rewarded. But if I didn't know that we will live again, all the work we do would be in vain. We would be doing so much sacrifice and it would all be wasted. But I know that we will live again. My faith is in Christ and his resurrection. My hope is to have happiness in the eternities with my family in the presence of God.
I love you guys!
Elder Hilton
This week was a stressful one because me and my companion realized that if we continue to baptized families, even though they're prepared and converted, they aren't going to be retained unless we can help the ward to start working in unity. Because sometime trials come and we have to go and help them and keep them excited to participate in the activities and going to church on Sundays. But if they had more support from the ward, it would be so much better and I would feel a lot calmer when I leave from this area. I wont be thinking I wonder if they're still going to church, I wonder if the members are visiting them etc. So we starting working with the ward missionaries and were going to make a plan of action to have them visit the converts so that we can continue finding families and teaching them.
The story of the guy in the picture that got baptized by the Bishop is really sad but also really good. His name is Ronald Lopez. He lived with his wife and kids when we found him. We used to teach the entire family. But a little more than a month ago, this marriage was put in jeopardy. She kicked him out and he found a room and rented it. He got permission to live with two of his kids, but the other three live with the mom. We visited both of them but separately. We did all we could to get them back together. But this is more than just a one time thing. Its 15 years of dysfunctional marriage. We were unable to heal the marriage. I'm not saying that they got divorced or that they're going to be divorced. But him and his two kids have progressed and gotten baptized, His wife has had a lot of problems progressing. Its been really sad to see how he has felt and really sad to see this family separate. But at the same time, its been such a miracle to see Ronald change his heart, his habits and his life to accept the gospel and start living the life that God has for him. He´s doing it well and he´s going to be a very powerful influence for the whole ward.
I love the gospel and I'm really grateful to have had parents who have raised me in the gospel. Its the only place with all the correct principles to live a life that pleases God and ensures a future with a fullness of joy in the presence of God. I was also thinking a lot about the resurrection of Christ a lot this week and I know that Christ was resurrected. I appreciate this testimony I've gained because knowing that we will all live again ensures that all the hard work we do as members (we plant the seeds that will be harvested in the next life) will be rewarded. But if I didn't know that we will live again, all the work we do would be in vain. We would be doing so much sacrifice and it would all be wasted. But I know that we will live again. My faith is in Christ and his resurrection. My hope is to have happiness in the eternities with my family in the presence of God.
I love you guys!
Elder Hilton
Monday, June 27, 2016
Una Semana Exelente
Due to all the birthday wishes, my email will be short this week. But thank you all for your love and support towards me. I feel like 20 is such an old age, but I do feel like I've grown a lot. Unlike a lot of other birthdays, I actually feel 20 years old.
I really loved this week. It was full of surprises. The biggest surprise was when the ward was talking about a ward temple trip, then an investigator rose her hand and said that she wanted to go. She said that she wanted to be baptized in order to enter into the temple and go. In order for that to happen, she would need to be baptized and confirmed on a Wednesday and that never happens. So my bishop called the president and asked him. We got the permission so she will be baptized and confirmed on the fifth, and on the sixth shell be heading out to the temple! :D Super exciting stuff.. :)
A few other surprises happened as well that I'll be explaining the next week along with the pictures.
Love you guys!
Elder Hilton
I really loved this week. It was full of surprises. The biggest surprise was when the ward was talking about a ward temple trip, then an investigator rose her hand and said that she wanted to go. She said that she wanted to be baptized in order to enter into the temple and go. In order for that to happen, she would need to be baptized and confirmed on a Wednesday and that never happens. So my bishop called the president and asked him. We got the permission so she will be baptized and confirmed on the fifth, and on the sixth shell be heading out to the temple! :D Super exciting stuff.. :)
Love you guys!
Elder Hilton
Monday, June 20, 2016
Happy Father´s Day!
This week was full of trials and miracles for our investigators. One was in a really awesome family we had called the Manjon Aguilera family. They're really awesome and sincere. They progressed really fast and they loved the gospel and were excited for their baptism. But they passed through some really hard trials. They didn't want to receive us or go to church. They stopped reading the Book of Mormon in family. They didn't come to church.
One day they called us and said some good stuff in a really excited tone of voice. We didn't understand like anything but we were walking and we passed by them in the street! They were really happy to see us and I gave Erith a giant hug and Paola also wanted a hug but I just shook her hand hahha. They told us that everything had passed and that they were going to have their sons birthday with all the members that we had introduced to them and they were going around inviting everyone. Erith confessed that he had given into all the people telling him that he was catholic and a lot of other stuff. They want to be baptized as soon as possible.
We gave them to date of the 2nd of July. I know that God allows people to go through hard trials in order to strengthen their faith and edify them on his rock.
I love going out with the families to contact their neighbors. We've been doing it a lot lately and its such a good way to find families and help them to progress well. The members become their friends and their source of support and answers for their trials and questions. I love working with them because we develop such a strong relationship with them and feel such an immense joy together in these families.
I love this gospel and I hope that in my life, I don't forget the sacrifices put into this restored gospel. These pioneers passed through so many trials to make it possible for us to live this gospel.
Love you guys
Elder Hilton
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| Manjon Aguilera Family (the couple on the right with their kids sitting down) |
One day they called us and said some good stuff in a really excited tone of voice. We didn't understand like anything but we were walking and we passed by them in the street! They were really happy to see us and I gave Erith a giant hug and Paola also wanted a hug but I just shook her hand hahha. They told us that everything had passed and that they were going to have their sons birthday with all the members that we had introduced to them and they were going around inviting everyone. Erith confessed that he had given into all the people telling him that he was catholic and a lot of other stuff. They want to be baptized as soon as possible.
 |
| Lopez Family |
We gave them to date of the 2nd of July. I know that God allows people to go through hard trials in order to strengthen their faith and edify them on his rock.
I love going out with the families to contact their neighbors. We've been doing it a lot lately and its such a good way to find families and help them to progress well. The members become their friends and their source of support and answers for their trials and questions. I love working with them because we develop such a strong relationship with them and feel such an immense joy together in these families.
 |
| Araus Vargas Family |
Love you guys
Elder Hilton
Monday, June 13, 2016
The Best Two Days of The Best Two Years
We saw the miracle of Julia signing the permission for her daughter to be baptized and that in itself was a great miracle.
I know that the gospel allows us to participate in such a great and sweet joy. This doesn't come from any other source. The best moment this week was hugging Nestor after saying a prayer together thanking God for allowing us to work together for this incredible family.
A long time ago, like 2 months, Nestor Rojas starting his vacation from his work. We came to his house to propose the idea of contacting his neighbors to teach them in his home. We found the Araus Vargas family. Janeth was so prepared but her husband Maximo was tough. He didn't want to take us seriously. But with the help of the local members we were able to arrive to his heart, and he too changed.
We then found Janeth´s sister Noemí. She was 17 so she needed the permission of her mom to be baptized. She LOVED hearing the gospel. She has read the Book of Mormon every day since the day we met. Sadly, the week of her baptism, we asked her mom for permission and she wouldn't sign, she started yelling bad words and getting really upset that we wanted to change her religion. But a miracle happened the day of the baptism. Noemí´s boyfriend came in from Santa Cruz and talked to her mom. Somehow he got her to sign. Not just that but her heart changed and now she too wants to listen to us and go to church.
Its been such an incredible journey, and the best part was the night of the baptism in Nestor´s house. We were talking about the first day we met them. It was when he had started his vacation. Now it was the last day of his vacation and they were getting baptized. Nestor is a recent convert so its been something so exciting for all of us. We said a prayer together on our knees thanking God for such a joyful experience, and begging him to prepare more families so they can also participate in the gospel. We then hugged each other and... that moment.. was the most joyful moment of the mission until now.
The relationship we formed the the Rojas family working together in this work. That's the most joy I've felt on the mission. I know that this is the work of the Lord here on earth. I love the gospel. I hope to be an instrument to help many other families to come to know the gospel.
I know that the gospel allows us to participate in such a great and sweet joy. This doesn't come from any other source. The best moment this week was hugging Nestor after saying a prayer together thanking God for allowing us to work together for this incredible family.
A long time ago, like 2 months, Nestor Rojas starting his vacation from his work. We came to his house to propose the idea of contacting his neighbors to teach them in his home. We found the Araus Vargas family. Janeth was so prepared but her husband Maximo was tough. He didn't want to take us seriously. But with the help of the local members we were able to arrive to his heart, and he too changed.
We then found Janeth´s sister Noemí. She was 17 so she needed the permission of her mom to be baptized. She LOVED hearing the gospel. She has read the Book of Mormon every day since the day we met. Sadly, the week of her baptism, we asked her mom for permission and she wouldn't sign, she started yelling bad words and getting really upset that we wanted to change her religion. But a miracle happened the day of the baptism. Noemí´s boyfriend came in from Santa Cruz and talked to her mom. Somehow he got her to sign. Not just that but her heart changed and now she too wants to listen to us and go to church.
Its been such an incredible journey, and the best part was the night of the baptism in Nestor´s house. We were talking about the first day we met them. It was when he had started his vacation. Now it was the last day of his vacation and they were getting baptized. Nestor is a recent convert so its been something so exciting for all of us. We said a prayer together on our knees thanking God for such a joyful experience, and begging him to prepare more families so they can also participate in the gospel. We then hugged each other and... that moment.. was the most joyful moment of the mission until now.
The relationship we formed the the Rojas family working together in this work. That's the most joy I've felt on the mission. I know that this is the work of the Lord here on earth. I love the gospel. I hope to be an instrument to help many other families to come to know the gospel.
 |
| After their wedding |
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| Maximo and Janeth |
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| On the left is the wife of Nestor, next to her squatting down is Nestor. In the middle is the crazy mom of Noemí that didn't want to sign but her heart changed. On the right the really tall guy is Noemí´s boyfriend who convinced Julia (Noemí´s mom) to sign. |
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| Elder Moreno on the left, Elvis is the little guy who got baptized (son of Maximo) and on the very right is Noemí. |
Monday, June 6, 2016
The climax of the mission!
Next week youll be seeing pictures of the Araus Vargas family´s baptism! Im really really excited. This week I saw such a huge change in them individually and as a family. They used to have a little bit of tension and theyd argue. But we passed by them this sunday and they were all snuggled up wathing a movie and you could tell that there wasnt any tension. Just harmony and peace in their home. Thats the change the gospel offers to every family willing to live it.
Another incredible family is the Manjón Aguilera family and their story is so incredible. Theyll be getting baptized the 18th of June. So youll be getting pics not this next week but the next. Theyve changed SO much and Ill tell a whole lot more the next week for lack of time.
Id like you guys to consider the following inpression I recieved this week:
If Christ came up to you and invited you to come to his house so he can heal you, would you go?
A lot of people say yes, but when we invite them to church they say no.
I know that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ and the only way to be healed is to live it.
I invite you to make time for him in your life by reading the Book of Mormon and going to church.
I know this is the restored gospel and that it changes peoples hearts, allowing the family to be healed and united in love and harmony. I feel such great joy by seeing these changes in their lives. im really excited to continue searching familes.
Love you guys
Elder Hilton
Another incredible family is the Manjón Aguilera family and their story is so incredible. Theyll be getting baptized the 18th of June. So youll be getting pics not this next week but the next. Theyve changed SO much and Ill tell a whole lot more the next week for lack of time.
Id like you guys to consider the following inpression I recieved this week:
If Christ came up to you and invited you to come to his house so he can heal you, would you go?
A lot of people say yes, but when we invite them to church they say no.
I know that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ and the only way to be healed is to live it.
I invite you to make time for him in your life by reading the Book of Mormon and going to church.
I know this is the restored gospel and that it changes peoples hearts, allowing the family to be healed and united in love and harmony. I feel such great joy by seeing these changes in their lives. im really excited to continue searching familes.
Love you guys
Elder Hilton
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