Week 32: The Lord Answers Prayers

Monday: Zone P-day. So pretty much a whole bunch of missionaries from the area got together and we played "Quiditch!" Like the game in Harry Potter! It was so much fun! It was pretty much a mix of basketball, ultimate Frisbee and dodge-ball. It was super fun. After P-day was over we had a training from our area leaders (zone leaders). We talked about personal revelation and how important that is. Personal revelation is the only way that any of us can know what is true and what isn't. It is the only way that someone can gain a testimony. That is why it is so important for us as missionaries to help others understand this, so that they can gain their own testimony through personal revelation.

Tuesday: Well today I decided to put into action the training that we had on Monday. Holy cow...... one of the most spiritual lessons ever!!!!!! I couldn't believe it! We taught Rosi and Juan. (background info: Their 9 year old daughter just got baptized so we are working with them) The spirit led the lesson so well and we were able to break down huge wall that we had kept running into time after time. Later that night we found some Jehovah Witness' and talked to them. We taught about the Book of Mormon and a little bit about how we have our church. It was a really cool experience.

Wednesday: We had our first Spanish Group Correlation. It was awesome! We got so much done and it was so focused. This is a huge step for the Spanish Group and I am so excited to see where it goes! Miracles are going to happen!!!

Thursday: AHH! so do y'alls remember Jossie. The 12-year-old that told us that she wanted to be baptized? yeah her. so we went to her house to teach her. OOOOHHHHH MMMYYYYY GGOOOOODDDDNNNNNEEEESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! It was fantabulous! her parents were there and sat in the whole lesson. We taught them how we have a God who loves us and that he wants us to be happy. So he has restored his church so that we can be baptized and live with God and our families. It was so so so so so powerful. Man I wish every single one of you could have been in that lesson. At the end of the lesson they all said that they would like to be baptized and we set a goal date for the 24th of October. Man. I wish I could explain how that room felt. I felt so happy! Oh! And to make the story even cooler, Hna Bryant and I had been fasting and praying that we could find someone who wants to be baptized and set a baptismal date with them. The day after our fast we had this lesson. Miracles are real and God answers prayers.

Friday: A pretty normal day. Taught a couple of lessons. Met more people from the Spanish Group. Had district meeting. overall a great day

Saturday: Women's Conference!!! Oh man, I hope all the women and girls who are reading this were able to watch it. It was so good and all the speakers were so inspired. If you didn't get a chance to watch it, go look it up and watch it!!!! It is so good. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk. I learned so much from that wonderful story. I think the thing that stood out to me the most is that we need to have faith. Faith is so important and with faith comes hope. When we have faith we are happy and we are able to do all the things that the Lords has in store for us. I hope you all can keep exercising your faith. I will be working on it too!

Sunday: Sundays are always crazy, but this Sunday was especially crazy. I had the pleasure of giving a talk in Spanish Sacrament meeting. I was scared out of my mind!! I was praying so hard, and I don' t even know if it went well, but cool story. When I was walking up there I was super nervous, but once I started talking all of my nerves went away. I felt the most calm that I ever have giving a talk in my whole life. And I was giving it in Spanish! It was a really cool experience. So I don't know if you guys all saw the moon last night! But holy cow! It was amazing!!!! The world is so cool.

As you can see this week has been amazing. I have never loved being a missionary more. Time goes by so fast and I hope that we can all take the time to enjoy the moment. Because once it is over, it will never be the same. I love my Savior. I know his second coming is getting close. I pray that we can all prepare ourselves for that day.

Keep loving the Lord!!

Hermana Hilton

Just another beautiful day on the bikes!!! I love biking!!!!!!!

Trying to be healthy while going on a Sonic run!

Week 31:Aloha from Stillwater Oklahoma

Oh man! Can I just start off by saying that Stillwater is one of the prettiest places I have ever been! It is so so green! I really really like it. The city is super ugly compared to here. My new companion is Hna Bryant and she is a stud! She is from Ceder Hills, UT and she is a bomb missionary. It has been a ton of fun to get to know her. I know that we have only been together for about 4 days, but we work together really well. The church situation is an interesting one. We work with a Spanish Group. a Group is smaller that a branch, and  since we aren't big enough to support ourselves, we are part of an English ward. It is quite interesting. I went to my first Sacrament meeting in English since I left home and it was weird!! There were actually people and it was really weird to hear it all in English. I didn't realize until then that I have gotten to the point where I prefer to hear the Gospel in Spanish than in English. Its really funny how that works. There is a ton of potential in this area. I love it. I am still adjusting to the new area and everything, but it is amazing. It is nothing like my last area, but I know that there is so much that I can do here.

Here is a quick breakdown of this past week:

Monday: PDay!! Last P-day in the North. Hna Ryan went and got her hair cut and colored and I finish packing. We also had an FHE with Alba and the Morales family and Roberto. It was a lot of fun

Tuesday: I had to say goodbye to Roberto. Man. One of the hardest things ever. You come to love these people so much and to leave them is the hardest thing ever. I don't think I can express how difficult it is. But at the same time I felt my heart get wrenched out I had this feeling of peace, knowing that the Lord will watch over Roberto and that all will be okay. The Lord is such a cool person and he really is looking out for us.

Wednesday: Transfers!! Oh man transfers are so crazy! All the missionaries meet in Moore, OK and we switch around stuff and talk. I got to see so many friends! I love missionary friendships they are the best! Then we headed to Stillwater. It was about a two hour drive there, so that was fun! I got super duper car sick haha. But I am glad we have a car!

Thursday: I don't know if I have told yall this or not, but I am living with Hna Snowden again!!! It is so crazy! I get to see her and talk to her every day! I love it so much and it is so awesome to have your best mission friend right there with you! I love it. We are living in a house with 4 sister missionaries. It is a blast. This day we just went around and I tried to meet everyone that I could.

Friday: Fiesta!!! woop woop! The Ward/Group had a fiesta to celebrate Mexican Independence day. It was so much fun! There were more non members/investigators there, than members!! It was such an awesome success! Ready for an awesome story! While we were there this 12 year old girl Jossie comes up to us and says super shyly "Hi guys, what do I need to do to be baptized?" After I slapped myself a couple times to make sure I wasn't dreaming, I got so so so excited! What a miracle! We have an appointment with her next Friday and  I am so excited. What a tender tender mercy of the Lord.

Saturday: We were in a parade!!!! A smaller town nearby us was having a parade, so all the missionaries decided to get together, make a float, and  join the parade! It was a ton of fun! All the missionaries here in this area are a blast! The elders are locisimo!!!!

Sunday: First Sunday here in Stillwater. It was fun. I met a lot of people and like I said it was really weird to go to an English ward. The Stake President talked to all of us in the English ward and in our mini Spanish Class and I learned so much! The biggest thing that I learned was probably that we are here to change lives. He read us the story of when Jesus turns water into wine and how the best wine was given last. He talked to us about how we are here as members and missionaries to change lives. IT was super super cool. Everything he said was in Spanish and I'm not very good at translating, so you will have to forgive me.

It really has been an awesome week. I have already learned so much here. I think a huge one is to trust the Lord. Trust that he will take care of things that are out of our control. Trust that he knows what trials we are going through right now. Trust that these trials are for our benefit. Trust that the blessings that he has for us in the future will be worth it no matter what. I hope that we can all try to remember the Lord in everything, because he has given us everything.  I love you all so much!

Hna Hilton

My new comp Hna Bryant!

Parade time!!!!! woop woop!!!

Week 30: Adios al Norte! Hola A Stillwater!

Adios al Norte! Hola A Stillwater!

Transfers!!!!! I am leaving the North Spanish Branch and I am headed to Stillwater!!! I am so excited! Oh Man! It is going to be so much fun!
Hna Ryan and I have been having such an amazing time this week.  Man, I am so sad to have to say goodbye to her. She is such an amazing companion. We have been through so much together and She has shown me how to truely love. She has also taught me so so so much Spanish!!! Oh man. She is an amazing person and I am going to miss her so much! This week was amazing. My email today is mainly going to be pictures of members and investigators with stories attached. I hope you enjoy! I love you so much!

Hna Hilton!

PS. My new companions name is Hna Bryant. That's about all I know about her. And here is my new address ! :)

905 N. Dryden Circle
Stillwater OK, 74075


La familia Alondso! This family is the funnest family ever! She made sure that we came over to eat before she left. I was the fist missionary to ever come over to their house to eat! I can't wait to go hang with this family after the mission. They are the bomb!!!

This is Hna Franco. When I first got to this area, she was solid. Her two kids had just gotten baptized and she was on fire. My second transfer here something happened and she stopped coming to church. We went and visited her and she told us that she didn't have a testimony. She said "Hermanas, I don't even know if the book of Mormon is true anymore, or if Joseph Smith was is prophet. I don't care who you are, that is heartbreaking to hear. We went over there all the time and tried to help her. Now Hna Franco goes to church every week. She found her testimony again! Let me tell you it is really cool to see people go through a complete 360 turnaround and rediscover the gospel. when I went to say goodbye, she told me, "Hna I know that this is the true church and I will never deny it again! I will never miss another Sunday and when you come back, you can be possitive that I will still be going to this branch, no matter what happens." Man it brought tears to my eyes. I love Hna Franco so so so much!!!!!


Adios al Norte Parte 2

This is all of the relief society!!! I love all of these valiant daughters of god! From left to right. top to bottom. Diana (old investigator), Hna Ryan (my companion), Hna Ramirez (Relief Society counciler), Hna Morales (Relief Society Counceler) Hna Aquino, Me, Hna Friare (Gospel Principles teacher), Hna Cedeno, Hna Mendoza, Hna Franco, Visitor, Hna Deleon (Less Active), Hna Delgado (Relief Society President!) This is a wonderful group of women. I love and respect them all so much. 

This family is the bomb.com!!! From left to right it is, Hna Amado, Ema, me, Marisa, Ale, Presidente Amado, and Marcelo. This is the Branch President and his family. They do so much for the Branch and it has grown so much. Presidente has been presidente for about a year now and he is rocking it. Marisa, the oldest daughter, when on a mini mission with Hna Snowden and I! And it was a blast!! They are so much fun and I am going to miss them too!

Adios al Norte Parte 3

This is some of the youth in the branch. left to right, julian, melissa, ruddy, me, marilyn, and jose. Melissa, Marilyn and Jose are all preparing to go on missions right now! Melissa's papers are in the mail right now!!!! Crazy!!! I realized the other day, that when General Conference gets here it will be one year since I opened my call..... time goes so fast. 

Esteban!!!! This is Esteban! oh man. He is so funny. He is this super shy, super quite less active. We meet with him almost every week. He works night shifts and has a crazy crazy schedule, so the fact that he gets up every week at 8:30 to go to church is a miracle! About a month ago he told us that he wants to get his life back into order so that he can go to the temple! I am so excited for him! 

Adios al Norte part 4

MAYNOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy cow, this guy is the best! He is another less active. He is from Honduras and is crazy!!!! He is always singing to us in English. He trys to talk to us in english, but his english is so bad, well he has a super duper heavy accent, so we are the only ones who can understand him. He loves missionaries! He is a hoot! 

Before I left we got to talk Roberto to go see the temple for the first time. We were only able  to walk around the outside, but the spirit was so strong. He told us that he really wants to do everything that he can to get inside. He loved it! I can't wait to come back in a year and watch Roberto go through the temple! Hasta Luego Roberto! 

Adios al Norte Part 5

This is the Barona Family! Man. Hno Barona is Elders Quorum President. We eat at their house every Friday and it is always an adventure (let me just say, I have had better cooking) haha But they are super nice and their kids are so much fun! The wife and the kids got here from Colombia about 2 months ago. It has been a ride helping them adjust to the States life. The older son Juan David reminds me a lot of Mckay when he was that age (14) and the younger son Juan Jose is the cutest little kid ever!!!!! 

This is Hna Mendoza! She is a blast. We went to lunch with her today to say good bye. goodbyes are never fun.  She is also convinced that I am going to come back and serve in the North again haha

Adios al Norte Part.... I lost track:

This is the wonderful investigator family that I talked about last week. Corina is the mom and these are her five kids. It was really sad to have to say goodbye. Even though I have only taught them twice, we all cried when I told them I was leaving. I have no doubts that I will be coming back to see their baptism! I can't wait!!! 

Adios one last time!

This is one of the two white families that goes to the branch. Brother and Sister Barrus. They are fun. And a picture of the elders and their bibs! haha project don't get spaghetti on the white shirt! 

Being here in the north has been the best six months of my life. I love it so much and I also can't wait to see what more adventures lie ahead!!! Adios!!! 

Week 29: What a week

Monday: Normal P-day. We played scatterball and Book of Mormon battles (a card game) Then we tried a bunch of potenciales. Fun times!

Tuesday: We went to the Chiropracter! oh man! what an experience! It was my first time to a chiroprator and it was quite the experience! We walked in and there was someone in the background grunting and yelping.... So that got me pretty freaked out. The doctor took us back and sat us in this super midevil looking chair and started popping all kinds of stuff! He readjusted my back and my neck and my legs. I told him that I had been having trouble with my right knee and ankle. He looked at it and then told me, "ok, now, no screaming, crying, or cussing!" ....ummm.... ok.... then he did something to my left hip and man!!!! It hurt sooooo bad!!! I definitally screamed! And then the tears started coming and he said to me again, "No crying!!" Ahh! so I was holding back tears. But on the bright side, I haven't had troubles with my knee or ankle since! Fun times.

Wednesday: We had dinner with the Lopez family. Man. they are so much fun. Their little girls are so stinking cute! The oldest (I think she is 7) was attached to my hip the whole night! and at the end of the night she went to go find her mom's old missionary tag and put it on so that she could come with me and be a missionary with me. It was super sweet :) I love the people here so much!

Thursday: Holy cow.... One of the coolest lessons I have been in!!! We taught this super cute little family. The mom's name is Corina. She has 4 little girls. So we were teaching the little girls about the Restoration of the Church and about Jose Smith and every thing. This was the coolest part. They felt and recognized the Spirit. These are some of the things they said: "I feel like someone is giving me a big hug right now!" "I feel like my heart is going to explode because I feel so happy!" "I feel like someone else is here in the room with us" "I don't know how to explain it, I just feel so so so happy" And a whole bunch of other stuff. I wish I could explain to you how awesome that experience was. Little kids are so in tune with the spirit and have such a gift to recognize it. I wish I could be more like these little girls and recognize the spirit more in my life.

Friday: We had a lesson with Roberto today. We talked about the Book of Mormon again and he said he would read it everyday! We also challenged him to bare his testimony in testimony meeting on Sunday. After the meeting I had this crazy feeling to go knock some doors. So I voiced it and we invited Roberto to come with us! So Roberto came knocking on doors with us! It was super fun. After Roberto left we knocked on one more door before going home and these guys all opened the door. I think there were about six of them. But the were a band from a baptist church. They said a prayer for us and it was super awesome! Fun times!

Saturday: we got to visit Maynor! woohoo! that guy is crazy! Roberto took us out to an buffet pizza place for dinner. Yum yum. And the we got THE CALL...... A call from our leaders and we found out.... that.......... Hna Ryan is training next transfer! she is going to be getting a brand new missionary straight from the MTC! I am so excited for her! As good of news as that is,..... it also means that I am leaving this area..... I am really sad. I love the people here so much and it is going to be so so so hard to say goodbye to everyone here. They have become like my family. It is crazy how much the mission can change. As of right now I don't know where I am going. I will find out this sunday and I will move on the 16th.

Sunday: Roberto bore his testimony!!! man it was so cool! It is such a scary thing and he did it! It was awesome! I told the branch the news that I am leaving and everyone was sad. Hna Olea cried and so did Bella. Man. Roberto teared up when I told him too. It is not gonna be easy. But I can do it! The Lord has people prepared for me! Everyone in the branch came up to me after church and asked when they could feed us before I leave the branch! Man... I am going to be eating a lot of really good food this week! haha We have a member feeding us almost every lunch and dinner this week! Crazy!

Monday: Labor day! Since all the libraries were closed, we didn't get to email, but! We did get to go to a Dodger's baseball game!!!!! It was so so s so much fun! Man. A member in one of the other wards bought 50 tickets for all the missionaries in the city and their investigators. It was a blast! Then later that night we had a FHE with Roberto and the Aquinos. It was a really fun day!

Well everyone. I know that this gospel is true and I love being a missionary. There is nothing better. I love my family and I am so grateful for their support and love. Thank you for all the prayers! They are felt!

Hna Hilton

The Lopez's little girl who wanted to leave with me :) 

Dodgers game!!!!! 

 This is Alba Lopez! She is like a mom to me. I love her so much. She gave me this skirt :) She is such an amazing lady!

This is Juan Jose Barona! The cutest little kid ever! He asks me for a Zot every sunday haha super fun! 

This is Jonathan. He is awesome! He is a recent convert and his story is amazing! 

This is (from left to right) Alex, Marilyn, Me, and Ruddy. They are some of the strongest youth I know. Their example inspires me!!!!