blessings and baptismos

Another long busy week in the life of Sister Hill.
​​This week was suuper long, but so good. We saw so many miracles this week.
First of all, we marked a date with Analice (10 years old), the daughter of the less-active woman we found. She was so excited to be baptized. When we first arrived, we asked how was church, and how they felt. And Alice told us, "Oh, within the first 10 minutes of sacrament meeting, Analice leaned over to me saying 'i want to be baptized! when can I be baptized!' hahaha (: She was so excited, that when we invited her to be baptized, she started to cry :') SO CUTE. So excited for her this Saturday.

Also, Sister Bagatoli and I are officially wedding planners *check*. Yes, we successfully planned, and pulled off the wedding of Nicolas and Natalia. We were super rushed the morning of, just us three - me, Sister Bagatoli, and Natalia (who is pregnant) - moving chairs, and trying to clean the chapel. Yes, it is nearly impossible to clean an entire chapel with two 20 yr olds and a pregnant lady in 4 hours. But somehow we pulled it off... #miracleshappenfolks

So crazy that this transfer is already half-way over. WHAT. Time seriously flies when you don't think about yourself and you just work. I have such a strong testimony of this now, that if we stop focusing on ourselves, and look outward, really truthfully worry about others and what they need, our problems seem to diminish. Our burdens are made light. I have seen this already in these last 7 months, and will continue to stand by this forever, because seriously, serve has the ability to change the hearts of everybody involved.
Love this thought from President Uchtdorf's talk 'Perfect Love Casteth out Fear':
"let us serve God and love our fellowmen. [And] let us do this with a natural confidence, with humility, never looking down on others."
Remember, perfect love casteth out fear.

Wonderful week for all,
Sister Hill

1. Sister Bagatoli!
2. the streets of São Luís
3. happy p-pday
​​4. são luís
5. wedding of natalia and nicolas on Friday...
6. ..BATISMO of Natalia on Saturday!

SEVEN MONTHS

Hello from São Luis! This week was a looong one, with lots of adjusting to being a sister training leader, but it's all good (: We did splits this past week with the other sisters, and it was a tad intimidating, as I was giving advice and helping other sisters who have much more time in the mission than I do... ha. My life makes perfect sense.

Also, hit my 7 MONTH MARK this past Friday. Time passes so so quickly.

But this week Sister Bagatoli and I saw some serious miracles in our area.

A few days ago, we were knocking doors in an apartment building close by our chapel, and a woman, Alíce, answered the door and let us in, explaining that she was actually a member. Turns out that she had been less active for quite sometime, due to something that happened in the past with her husband, but now she lives with her two daughters. But she told us that just a few weeks before, she had read her patriarchal blessing, and felt the feeling that maybe, just maybe, it was time to return to church. And then we showed up. We bore our testimonies of the reality of the priesthood, and how Heavenly Father is so so mindful of us and our lives, and the fact that we need to attend church everySunday and partake of the sacrament, to fully receive the blessings that he has for each one of us. The spirit was so strong, and she and her daughter agreed to go to church yesterday - and they went! (: Her daughter, Analice (10 years old), wants to receive the lessons, and we will be continuing with her this week. Grateful and excited to continue with her.

But I really am loving this area. São Luis is a big tourist city, and has so much happening. I am a sucker for cool buildlings, murals, roads, etc. so this is definitely the place for me. This past P-Day, we visited Centro Histórico, some museums, took photos, etc. and there is so much culture and history here. Yes I was just gasping and dying over every street we entered, haha. Our area is just a tad more ghetto, to be completely honest, but is still so beautiful. There are some parts where we climb up stairs for a while, and you can just look out and see green. Thick forests and these red clay roofs. Last week finally saw the ocean from a distance, and wow. I have definitely fallen in love with Brasil.

Newest update on my love life: Guarana Amazônia. Glory glory, just one of the heavenly blessings of São Luis. The other missionaries told me that it is only in Maranhão that we have Guarana Amazônia, so yes, I am hoping that I stick around for a few more transfers (: But the members here feed us super well, and we leave almoço every day just stuffed.

But all is well here in São Luis! We have lots of baptism dates and a few weddings planned already. Super excited to see these people progress.

This week in my personal study, I really focused on the Priesthood Session from General Conference, and wow. If you haven't looked over it yet, you need to, it is seriously so good. I especially loved the talks 'Prepare the Way' by Bishop Gérald Caussé, and 'The Greatest Among You' by President Uchtdorf.

I love these points from Presidente Uchtdorf, that "God's greatest reward goes to those who serve without expectation of reward. It goes to thos who serve without fanfare; those who quietly go about seeking ways to help others; those who minister to others simply because they love God and God's children." 

"Our service - whether great or small - refines our spirits".

So true. It's incredible to see how much we change when we are focused on serving and building others, how it cures us. Seriously, look over these talks if you haven't read them yet.

Grateful for the worthy priesthood examples that I have in my life, and the opportunity that I have had to share this with the people I meet every day.

Boa semana,

Sister Hill

Tchau Parnaiba! (Goodbye Parnaiba) - Fun Pictures

Yes, I have been transferred.

After 6 months here in Parnaíba, I am heading to SÃO LUIS as a sister training leader!

Super nervous, because GIRL. Being a LTS is no easy job. BUT all is possibling with the Lord, so yes. I know without a doubt that tudo vai dar certo  (: Trust in God, and everything works out!

But it was a HUGE surprise to receive the call and hear that our area was closed for Sisters and Elders will continue here. Wow, seriously. HUGE SURPRISE. I think it is due to the fact that our area/where we live is just a tad dangerous... and ever since I arrived here, we have had a few assaults. Ha... Good luck Elders. Take care of Parnaíba for me!

I really have grown to love Parnaíba. So grateful for the things that I learned here.

And I can honestly say that I am leaving my area better than when I left it, as I have learned to love and serve these people, the members, people in the street. I have given my all for the people of Parnaíba. We met a lot of really great people this past week, with a lot of potential. I seriously hope that they will continue to learn, and that those with baptism dates will follow through!

Thought for this week: Seriously encourage everybody to read over the conference talks again <3 they are so inspired for our lives right now. This very moment. God is speaking to us through our leaders, so we need to be listening.

Especially loved 'Stand Up Inside and Be ALL IN' from Elder Gary B. Sabin . There are so many incredible phrases that I just love - like:

"it is far better to follow the Creator than the crowd."

LOVE IT.

So yes, I encourage everyone to read a few conference talks this week.

Much love,

Sister Hill

1. last sunday in Parnaíba :')

2. Sister Beraldo 3 MESES. Yes, I am one crafty trainer if I do say so myself. Everybody always has cake and sings and whatever. SO for her I decided to change it up - we had a picnic. On the floor. With candles. Foi ótimo :)

3. Meu coração é em Parnaíba

4. FESTA JUNINA right outside of our house! Was cool to see them all dancing in the road, with bedazzled costumes, everybody celebrating. Wish I could send some of the videos I took, but... #internethouseprobs 

5. Something's fishy... oh wait. It's just transfers.