with love, sister hileman

Well howdy do family!

This week has been one of the best of my mission. Scratch that. Every week has been one of the best on my mission. I can confidently say, though, that as of yet this is the best time I've had. I think that out of all the experiences I've had and all of the wonderful people I have met, I have felt most like a "missionary" here in Nashua, New  Hampshire. 

Here's what it is. The Lord opened a new Spanish Group! Why would he do that? It could be for the members, but to be honest they don't need it! They are obviously most comfortable in Spanish but they do great in English, too. I'm sure that there are more reasons than one for this new group because God blesses us in immeasurable ways, but I have the impression that there are people here specifically at this very moment who are searching for truth and light. In Boston we spent almost all of our time helping people return to the church. In Martha's Vineyard we introduced people to the church and showed them a thing or two about charity and love. In Revere I learned to be organized in more than just filing, but in mind, heart, body and spirit. There, we prioritized, organized, and strengthened the work that had already been done. Here in Nashua, we are teaching.

I LOVE teaching. I love object lessons, I love asking questions, I love listening, I love explaining, I love searching for answers, I love finding answers, and I love, love teaching. For the first time in my mission I feel like there are people here for us to teach who are really searching for us. Daily we are finding and meeting new people with incredible stories, but they want to do more than just talk. They want to learn. 

It is difficult to reach this achievement and then be stopped up on all sides by challenges. But Sister Lewis is a Bauss (Boss) and we're about 1 dozen tough cookies together and we've determined to do all we can to help the people here find the Restored Gospel! One of our friends was arrested :/ and we couldn't see her that night so we found our way to her cousin's house and met her and her 5 kids. Now, since she's out of jail, we are all going over to her cousin's house to watch The Restoration tomorrow. Another friend has been coming to church since December but is still "searching for her answer". We see that she's gotten about 1 million responses to her plea to God, but she is caught up on this and that and really wants to be SURE that joining this church is what God really has planned for her to do. On Saturday, by accident, we showed up at her house at the same time as the elders. They had brought the Sunday School teacher with them, and we had brought another member with us, and the member that lives with our friend was home, too. The eight of us sat and for an hour we bore testimony of the Restored Gospel. Yesterday we all fasted that our friend could recognize her answer. She so badly wants guidance in her life. She feels God's love every day and she wants to show him that she loves him, too. But it's hard to make decisions and it's even harder to act on those choices. 

Bottom line, the message of the Restoration of Christ's church can help you, whoever you are. I can promise this is true. It has to be true because I have seen it bless people in all aspects of their lives. We have another friend who is taking a driving test today. God can help with that. Someone else has a very difficult and rowdy autistic son. God can help with that. There is an adorable old couple who are in a tight pinch with money right now, and you'd be darned if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can't help with that. I haven't found a single situation that can't be resolved through the help of the Restored Gospel. It is knowledge that will permanently change your perspective. It's a way of living that will bless us with health, success, and happiness. Of course there are other choices and different ways to live. But if there was a way to have more... then wouldn't you want it? 

Well the Hermanicas are comin' to you live in Nashua, NH and you can be sure to find whatever you need if you come to us. Or rather, we'll help you come unto Christ. 

Just think about it. 

In the meantime...

It's been a rough transition of seasons here in New Hampshire.

Winter is ending....

But in other news; Spring has arrived!

Cool things that happened last week:

1) We were gifted a second Harmonica

2) I saw Sister Tantillo

3) Went to a cool pawn shop. Bought nothing.

4) Attended and facilitated the Pinewood Derby for the Scouts.

    We're considering a lifelong career in placing wooden cars on a metal track.

5) Drove through a lake.

6) Took an hour getting out of the lake.

7) Had a correlation with Michael Scott (beat that)

8) Met a 24 year old with 5 kids

9) Mega-lesson with Patricia and 8 people

10) GENERAL CONFERENCE

11) Made a paper-piano for an elderly sister in the nursing home

    I've seen her nail that air-piano. Figured she could use something a little more tangible.

12) Swapped angry-eyes faces with a baby

13) Taught an english/spanish/portuguese lesson

Speaking of 13, my mom's birthday is coming up on April 13th!

Have a great week everyone! If it's lookin' like a rough one, then make it great. 

LIFE IS GOOD

Hermana Hileman