Eu Try.

(This is my phrase. We say it all the time. Haha)

(Another thing - the brasilians I live with call me 'American' sometimes, which is just the funniest thing. We get a kick out of this (: haha)

This week was very very long, and tiring. But was great as well!

We were in Teresina  until Thursday morning, for a mission conference. Of course, a conferencia foi top, and we heard from a member of the seventy, and other speakers that were incredible missionaries. Definitely inspiring to hear from returned missionaries that understand your struggles, and understand that the work we do is hard - yet have so much hope and trust that we will succeed and see miracles.

But overall this week was good! My first week as senior and treinadora (woah) so it was a tad rocky and a bit of an adjustament for me as well. But I know I will learn so much this transfer, as I will need to rely on the Savior so much, and have a lot of pacience.

Fun fact of the week: I have magically gained an extra boost of the gift of tongues (hahaha) mas de verdade, this must be one of the blessings Heavenly Father is helping me with as a trainor. I have been able to understand a lot more this week than usual. Tender mercy, com certeza!

Eu amo vocês! Keep reading your scriptures and praying - because I don't think we can survive in this crazy world without this things!

Sister Hill

1.  Throwback to the CTM (Brasilian MTC) ...Elder Taylor and Elder Davis  #isitobviouswe'reamerican?

2.  This was when our bus arrived to head back to Parnaíba from Teresina... at 1 o´clock in the morning. hahaha

3.  Anyone for fried cockroach?

4.  Sister Sanches (she trained Sister Lucas - my trainer) Sister Hill, Sister Beraldo

5.   Had lunch at the house of the President of Ramo 2 last minute, because our lunch fell through. So kind of them to feed not only 4 sisters, but 8 of us. Of course, after almoço, we had to take a quick pic with this cool car (porque sim)

6.  My companion - Sister Beraldo!

Batismo, Finished with my Training...and Now I'm a Mom...WHAT!?!?

Wow. These past two weeks - especially this past week have been absolutely crazy.

First of all, 08/04/2017 - we had a baptism! Fabio! He was so ready to be baptized, and was so excited to receive the Holy Ghost. Witnessing his baptism was incredible, and I'm so so grateful.

This week so much happened I don't even know where to start.

First of all, Sister Fagundes in our house sprained her leg - bad - so the past week she hasn't been able to leave the house :/ so this week was full of divisões between Sister Finati, Sister Lucas, and I, trying to help all of our investigators and teach, and find, etc. etc. So yes, we were running all over our two areas.. haha #trabalharatéopó

Easter Sunday was good (: In church, I sang solo in Relief Society (woah) and then had to give an impromptu talk in Sacrament Meeting - whew! (more about this in my photo caption hehe)

But it was so nice to take a few moments and remember the pure significance of Easter, and the miracle of Easter as well. Jesus Cristo deu tudo para nos! Eu sei que Jesus Cristo e nosso Salvador, e que Ele nos ama mais do que nos podemos entender <3

Sunday night, the Elders called about transfers - Sister Lucas was transfered :( and yes, I cried. I totally cried, because I love her so much, and have learned incredible things from her strength, her testimony, and her diligence. Definitely will miss her.

So I was just waiting to hear about my new companion!

And this morning, I found out  - I will be training. I was honestly in shock. I have a daughter already!! I will be training the only new sister that arrived! This is so crazy to me, because I just finished my 'First 12 Weeks' training as a new missionary, and now I have the responsibility of another sister. I leave for Teresina on an Onibus in about an hour! #PRAYFORME Super, super nervous to be Senior in this transfer, and training, and teach her all that she needs to know. But I know the Lord will be with me, and as long as I give my best, all will be well.

So yes, this past week has been a rollercoaster to say the least.

But I hope all is well! Please pray for me this transfer, because I will need as much help as I can get. But never forget that Heavenly Father is always with you. We really are never alone, through ever difficult time, problem, worry, or fear. He is always there.

Amo vocês! Ready to start this crazy adventure of being a trainer! Ay ay ay.

Sister Hill

1.  Had the baptism of Fabio!

2.  Me and Sister lucas last day of the transfer <3 Easter Sunday! Fun fact: Church that day. Oh baby. Not only did I sing solo, I know that my Redeemer Lives, in relief society for everyone, but about an hour before Sacrament Meeting, Presidente Domingos pulled me out, and asked me to give a talk.... OH BABY. 10 minutes of pure joy, for sure. Mas, tudo bem, all went well (:

3.  Easter Eggs!  (These are EVERYWHERE, and everyone buys them for Easter haha)

4.  Just had to say goodbye to my trainer, and to say I'm sad/missing her is a huge understatement.  (Yes, I cried for the pas week every time I think about transfers)  Eu amo Sister Lucas <3

Did you LOVE Conference?

Because let's be honest, Conferência Geral foi incrível!

It was so good to have an opportunity just to sit and receive spiritual enlightenment for a few hours (: definitely favored over walking in the sun haha. In the main chapel, they had conference going in Português, and in a small classroom off to the side they set up English for Sister Vance and I (so grateful. Tried listening to some in Português on Sunday, and I could pick up general ideas. But they talk so fast to keep up with the speakers, so it can be difficult.) I loved the talks from Elder Holland (duh), Elder Anderson, Elder Uchtdorf, and so many more that I could go on forever. Still haven't gotten to listen to the Womens Conf yet, but anxiously waiting for it to be uploaded to the lds website!!

But honestly, conference was incredible. And yes, when they announced the Brasilia temple, it was like somebody had just announced there were free iPads outside. Everyone was stoked! Shoutout to McKenna! I'm sure you were so so excited (:

Few experiences from this past week:

Had conferência de zona, which is always so good. But this one was particularly spiritual. Our district leaders announced that we were going to do a practice (yay.) and paired us all up. We taught about repentance/batismo, and invited for baptism. We finished, all was well, and then we talked about it. How much do we focus on The Savior when we talk about these things? Probably not as much as we should. It can be so easy to just explain the 123's and how to do them, that we can lose the meaning at times. We watched a video of a talk from Elder Holland, that focused on the atonement, and the Spirit was so incredibly strong. So we practiced again, with the exact same thing, but this time we bore our testimonies of the atonement of Jesus Christ, and how Because of Him, we need to do these things.

And it made all the difference.

Hard thing from this week: we have been working with Fabio for the past few weeks, helping him to get ready for his baptism. And he has been so ready, baptismal interview and everything. His baptism was scheduled for Saturday in between the sessions - but he didn't show up. And let me tell you, that is like the worst feeling as a missionary. After he didn't show up for the first session, and didn't show up at 4, we went out to see if he was home, which he was. He said he just didn't feel ready, and that he was embarassed to face everyone. Sister Lucas showed such love and understanding, just like Christ. This is exactly what we're here to do, to represent Him as we try to help people to receive the gospel. We talked to him about coming with us to the second session of conference, which he eventually agreed. No baptism, but we will continue to work with him this week!

I hope everyone had a wonderful week and enjoyed Conference!!! (No worries if you didn't watch yet because guess what? It's on lds.org. You're welcome.)

Thank you for the thoughts and prayers <3 amo vocês!

Sister Hill

1.  Zone Conference

2.  Zone Conference Setup

3.  Pronto for Conference

4.  Parnaiba Empty on a Sunday (throughout the week, these streets are PACKED, and busy with tons of people and cars and bikes)

5.  Port of Boats

6.  Skirts at Rest

7.  Shoes with Many Miles:)