There is a Blind Pilot song called Four Rounds and a Sound, or something... like that... It's probably not like that at all. It's crazy how much I've forgotten.
FOUR ROUNDS
I've heard other missionaries joke about having as many trainees in the field as they'll have children after. I sure hope that's true because tonight I'm heading down to Massachusetts to pick up my fourth baby girl. (In order to achieve my goal for children after the mission I'll have to train every transfer till I come home.) But a minimum of four will also make me happy. I love kids. Did you know that? And I love trainees. I love them so much!
This last transfer I was with Hermana Brown, who I served with previously in Revere. She told me that after we split the first time she had prayed and told God that if she ever got a second chance to serve with me she would be better. Our first time around we were in a trio, co-training, and getting older both in the mission and in actual age. We're both stubborn. We're both determined. We have the same vision but a completely different way of getting there. So the first time around was rough, to say the least. When I heard that I would be paired with her again I was thrilled! She is one of the most impressive people that I have ever met and I have tried to absorb as much knowledge as possible from her this last six weeks. We are sad to be splitting again but realized this morning that we'll never feel "finished" or content with things because we are constantly growing. I told her that I am super happy that we get to be with our husbands for eternity, because six weeks is definitely not long enough to prove your love to someone and I doubt if eternity will even cut it. Once I change my name I'm never turning back.
This fourth, my new daughter in the mission, she'll be companion number 10 (if you don't count Sister Brown twice). You marrieds folks: be grateful for what you have. Bottom line is that you got to chose your companion! I don't doubt your ability to reason and I know that you picked well. So don't doubt yourself, either!
This last week I had the opportunity to go back to Revere for about a day and a half. First thing we did was head over to my friends Evenlyn and Juan's house for dinner. Something that I shared with them that night is what I have learned about prayer. Being a mission companion has put me in the position of praying daily and whole-heartedly for someone's well being. I want them to have the smoothest, easiest time but also I want them to learn from their own experiences and feel confident in themselves. I determined long ago in my life that I would go to bed with a smile on my face every single night. I don't believe that life could ever get so bad that there isn't a single thing to be happy about after 24 hours of living, breathing, talking and walking. My confidence in this has been challenged, but I have retained my belief and have continued to close my eyes at night with a deep breath that turns my face into a smile. What I told Evenlyn and Juan was that the only way this is possible is if you are happy to be with the person you're laying next to. And the only way to consistently do that, is to pray with them.
There is something profoundly powerful in the love you feel when someone prays for you out loud. When you hear your loved one talking to God you find out the truest, sincerest thoughts of their heart. There is nothing sweeter than knowing how much they do care, even if their actions don't consistently match up to that level of admiration. I have promised myself that once I am married we will kneel by the bed and pray together before we turn and pray on our own. I told my friends that if they could do this, that they would fall asleep every night and be happy. They would be able to smile, and snuggle in, and fall asleep with a reassurance that LIFE IS GOOD. ( I didn't use that phrase, exactly, but that is the message I was relating).
If you are single, then take every chance you can to pray with those who you love. If you are far away from them, pray on your own and pray out loud! Say their names. Talk to God and tell him your hopes and dreams for these people. They need it. And you know the coolest part? As you are kneeling and praying for someone else, there's a good chance that somewhere, someone is doing the same for you.
I have daily felt the blessings of many prayers that I know are being offered for me. I hope that you know how much it means to me to have such and incredible support team! You are all fantastic! You are the absolute best! I have no ounce of hesitation in saying that you are better than the rest. So don't doubt yourself. Never give up. Avoid negative thinking and turn every bad thing around.
Pray out loud! Just make a sound.
I love you all and will give you a very detailed email next week. I'm sure there will be a lot of awesome "firsts" this week with my new girl. I'll do my best to take pictures if anything particularly hilarious happens.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
Listen to some good music. The song, "Horchata" by Vampire Weekend. is especially special.
Adoringly,
Hermana Hileman
FOUR ROUNDS
I've heard other missionaries joke about having as many trainees in the field as they'll have children after. I sure hope that's true because tonight I'm heading down to Massachusetts to pick up my fourth baby girl. (In order to achieve my goal for children after the mission I'll have to train every transfer till I come home.) But a minimum of four will also make me happy. I love kids. Did you know that? And I love trainees. I love them so much!
This last transfer I was with Hermana Brown, who I served with previously in Revere. She told me that after we split the first time she had prayed and told God that if she ever got a second chance to serve with me she would be better. Our first time around we were in a trio, co-training, and getting older both in the mission and in actual age. We're both stubborn. We're both determined. We have the same vision but a completely different way of getting there. So the first time around was rough, to say the least. When I heard that I would be paired with her again I was thrilled! She is one of the most impressive people that I have ever met and I have tried to absorb as much knowledge as possible from her this last six weeks. We are sad to be splitting again but realized this morning that we'll never feel "finished" or content with things because we are constantly growing. I told her that I am super happy that we get to be with our husbands for eternity, because six weeks is definitely not long enough to prove your love to someone and I doubt if eternity will even cut it. Once I change my name I'm never turning back.
This fourth, my new daughter in the mission, she'll be companion number 10 (if you don't count Sister Brown twice). You marrieds folks: be grateful for what you have. Bottom line is that you got to chose your companion! I don't doubt your ability to reason and I know that you picked well. So don't doubt yourself, either!
This last week I had the opportunity to go back to Revere for about a day and a half. First thing we did was head over to my friends Evenlyn and Juan's house for dinner. Something that I shared with them that night is what I have learned about prayer. Being a mission companion has put me in the position of praying daily and whole-heartedly for someone's well being. I want them to have the smoothest, easiest time but also I want them to learn from their own experiences and feel confident in themselves. I determined long ago in my life that I would go to bed with a smile on my face every single night. I don't believe that life could ever get so bad that there isn't a single thing to be happy about after 24 hours of living, breathing, talking and walking. My confidence in this has been challenged, but I have retained my belief and have continued to close my eyes at night with a deep breath that turns my face into a smile. What I told Evenlyn and Juan was that the only way this is possible is if you are happy to be with the person you're laying next to. And the only way to consistently do that, is to pray with them.
There is something profoundly powerful in the love you feel when someone prays for you out loud. When you hear your loved one talking to God you find out the truest, sincerest thoughts of their heart. There is nothing sweeter than knowing how much they do care, even if their actions don't consistently match up to that level of admiration. I have promised myself that once I am married we will kneel by the bed and pray together before we turn and pray on our own. I told my friends that if they could do this, that they would fall asleep every night and be happy. They would be able to smile, and snuggle in, and fall asleep with a reassurance that LIFE IS GOOD. ( I didn't use that phrase, exactly, but that is the message I was relating).
If you are single, then take every chance you can to pray with those who you love. If you are far away from them, pray on your own and pray out loud! Say their names. Talk to God and tell him your hopes and dreams for these people. They need it. And you know the coolest part? As you are kneeling and praying for someone else, there's a good chance that somewhere, someone is doing the same for you.
I have daily felt the blessings of many prayers that I know are being offered for me. I hope that you know how much it means to me to have such and incredible support team! You are all fantastic! You are the absolute best! I have no ounce of hesitation in saying that you are better than the rest. So don't doubt yourself. Never give up. Avoid negative thinking and turn every bad thing around.
Pray out loud! Just make a sound.
I love you all and will give you a very detailed email next week. I'm sure there will be a lot of awesome "firsts" this week with my new girl. I'll do my best to take pictures if anything particularly hilarious happens.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
Listen to some good music. The song, "Horchata" by Vampire Weekend. is especially special.
Adoringly,
Hermana Hileman
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