Holidays -- 26 November 2012

First off: Thank you all for all of the birthday wishes!!! They have made my day!

I have been treated like a queen by Sister Tagg all day yesterday, and today! I keep thinking it's just a normal day, but she is being super EXTRA nice to me. (I say extra cause she is always nice to me!) Last night at dinner, the member who fed us remembered that it was my birthday, and they made a cake, and put 2 matches on it, and sang Happy Birthday! It was so sweet of them, and all I could think, was: "Mom, I am well taken care of. (Even if it is a singles ward)" :)

This morning while I was in the shower, Sister Tagg Made french toast for breakfast! I am a lucky Sister Missionary, I have the best companion in the mission! ... That is actually not true, I guess she is tied with all my other companions. I have just been a lucky Sister!

We don't have any super-awesome-amazing-rockin'-awesome plans for the day, but all of the birthday wishes I have received have absolutely made my day! Sister Tagg got me a button to pin on my shirt that says: "Birthday Girl" Its pink and huge, and obnoxious, but I love it!

Thanksgiving was good. I got a little homesick for the my "normal" Thanksgiving. But for the most part I was just grateful for all that I have, and that I even got to celebrate Thanksgiving.

There is a Sister in our ward who is flying to Utah right now because she is reporting to the MTC on Wednesday. She is going to the (I am going to butcher this [sorry Uncle Brant])  Nagoya, Japan Mission. We are all super excited for her, and she is going with nothing but confidence! Honestly, she reminds me of Mama Montgomery. Her "farewell" was super fun to be at.

Well folks. Christmas is just around the corner, and It is finally getting chilly here. We had a 5 second flurry of snow 3 weeks ago, but since then nothing. I am not complaining mind you. I will keep it warm as long as possible. People are predicting a bad winter this year because last year was so mild. Yuck! And I will be the designated driver (most likely, since after this transfer [when Sister Williams and Stanford go home] I will be the 4th oldest Sister Missionary in Indiana. How did that happen?!)

Anyway, They did a big celebration of turning on the Lights downtown the day after Thanksgiving. We were PCing down there and saw the dress rehearsal, and then later on our way home for the night we saw the FIREWORKS!!!! (Why doesn't Temple Square do that?!)  Anyway, I would like to come back and see that show one day. Parentals, I really think you would enjoy Indy. There is A TON to do and see, and I cute little river walk that goes through the middle of downtown that I keep seeing Daddy running on, and Mom looking at all the art!

Anyway, I love Indy, and am going to miss it when I am asked to leave, whenever that may be. I love you all, and thanks again for all of the birthday wishes!

Love always, Sister Hill

Week... -- 19 November 2012

Life is so good!!! Transfers went really well. Sister B went down to North Vernon, with Sister C, and Sister C's comp (the one who replaced me when I left) has come to Indy YSA with me! We are "kindred spirits"!!! We have not stopped talking since she got here! We laugh all of the time! Found out that she was in FCCLA too! She swam in HS. She is from Coolidge, Arizona. She graduated college in May, with her bachelor's in journalism. She has been out 3 months and 3 weeks, and is already putting me to shame! :) I am grateful for her example, and am so excited to spend the next 5 weeks with her! She is so great, she has already bought me a birthday present! (How many of you can say that?) She ratted me out in Relief Society yesterday. Those gifts are for the ward, and she told them and they wouldn't let me leave without a present!

Speaking of birthdays: On Saturday, we were driving along, and I asked what day it was, and guess what? It was the17th!!! Now every Hill should know that that date means something!

HaPpY bIrThDaY wHiTnEy AnN!!!!! (I am sorry its late!) Can you believe we are 22? Hope it was a happy day and all your dreams came true!

Well family, I hope that your Thanksgivings are wonderful! I am being taken care of here! I love you, and I will talk to you next week! Love, Love, LOVE!!!

-Sister Hill

Kids Against Hunger Million Meal Marathon

Last week's service. A member of the branch invited us to Lucas Oil Stadium to help Kids Against Hunger. It was pretty fun!

Time of New Beginnings -- 12 November 2012

I know it isn't New Year's yet, and you may get the same subject line when January 1st rolls around, but it is transfers this week, and for a missionary, it's kinda just like New Year's.

I am not leaving the YSA, but Sister Bonner is. I am sad and slightly nervous. I can feel God is preparing me for a lot of growth in this next transfer, and that refiners fire is HOT! However with the Lord all things are possible, and I know He won't give me more than I can handle. In my Bible reading (I am not sure if I told y'all, but I plan to have the entire Bible read before I come home) I started Job yesterday, and I am telling you, it isn't a happy book.

Basically: Satan bets God that if He takes everything away from Job, that Job will turn his back on God, and Satan will win Job's heart. Well of course God knows Job's heart, and knows he wouldn't do that, but to prove it to Satan, God says: "Do what you want, just don't kill him."

.........

Now, Sister Bonner and I were talking, and being the imperfect humans we are, we were shocked, and basically said: "If we were Job and we found out God did that to us we would....."

I have had that conversation in my head since yesterday morning. What would you do if you were Job? What are things in your life that you have been called to pass through, and didn't know why? Has there ever been something in your life that other people have said: "Man, I am glad I am not them right now!"? Have you ever said that about someone else?

A scripture I found early in my mission is D&C 122:7-8. I particularly love the question posed in 8. "Art thou greater than he?" (talking of Our Savior)

Trials come. Bad things happen to good people. Life isn't fair! We can scream, and curse, and rage, and be mad, and sad, and, and, and! But in the end, what matter is the growth that has occurred. Whether you like it or not, you have grown, you will be blessed for the trials you are asked to go through. And every trial is tailor made for you. And if you endure well, those blessings (and more) are still yours!

So, here we go. On another adventure with new trials, and exciting things happening.

I love you all, and hope you are doing well! You are in my prayers! I love you very much!

With all my love,

Sister Hill

Grandpa A. -- 5 November 2012

Mom: 

Grandpa A passed away peacefully (and finally) this morning at about 8:02 a.m.  It is a tremendous blessing in so many ways, and I will write you more about all of it in my letter.  I just wanted you to know.  No definite information on when the funeral will be yet, but we will be thinking of you and praying for you; and we hope you will be doing the same for us.

I love you, Sis!  Have a beautiful, blessed week.  Life is filled with joy and blessings!

Love,

Mom

Bri:

Thanks for letting me know! Are you ok?

Mom:

Yes, thank you, Love.  I’ve been over several times this week.  He’s been unconscious for days.  This morning is just a blessing.  (Don’t get me wrong, I had a good cry, but it truly is a blessing…)

Are you OK, sweetheart?

Bri:

I am sad. And relieved. And grateful. And wish I could be there to do something for you, or grandma, but I know that even if I was there, there wouldnt be much I could do anyway. I am where I need to be.

Mom:

Yes, you are.  And we are grateful for that as much as for anything else.  You’re a wonderful woman and a blessing to me.  I love you so much!

Bri:

I love you too!!! Well we are off to the Zoo. I love you! Know that you all are in my prayes and please give Gma A my love, and testimony. She has been in my prayers since this started, and I love her so much! Also Gma F. I love you!!! 

6th Transfer...6th Week -- 5 November 2012

I just want you all to realize how sad I am going to be next Thursday. First: The possibility of going to transfer meeting the day before. (I won't find that out until next Monday.) Second: That is my 9 month (to the day) mark. My mission is half full..... :_(   

Now. While I love you all, and I do miss you (!) I don't wanna! Things here have gone way too fast. This feels like this has always been my life, and I don't know what life will be when I am just Bri, again... Well enough about that!

This week we had Zone Conference again. May I just say, I have the greatest Mission President in the whole world!?! Dibbs! Infinity! No Battle! Shield! (And any other protective words that are used to be the best!) You could never ask for a better person in all your life! He is caring, he teaches to everyone's understanding, he cares about the individual missionary, and that missionary's area. He has got a wonderful wife (they just celebrated 40 years together this week [aw! toot pessis!]) Most importantly he has the Spirit of the Lord in great abundance with him. I am never left in any doubt when he makes a decision that it is what the Lord wants to happen. Be it who will be comps and which area or what he needs to train on the will help our mission skyrocket into being even better for the Lord. I have the BEST. MISSION. PRESIDENT. IN. THE. WHOLE. WORLD!!!!!!!

On that thought: I know this is short, (again.) I love you all! We are going on a zoo adventure today! That is right. The Indy Zoo. We have heard its better than San Diego. That is a pretty big claim to me, so we will see!

Speaking of adventures: I don't think I told you. We live a mile from the Indy Speedway. I have yet to be there, but we drive by every day. :) For those who are racecar fans. :) 

Anyway. I love you all, and love hearing from you! Have a good week, and God bless!

Love always,

Sister Hill