Exhausted, but happy March 30 2015

Dear loved ones,

 I had a crazy week of activties and not sufficient time to share it all.

We went to the temple on Tuesday, we have a new branch president, we had interviews with Presdient, we had a noche de hogar (a family home evenin) with the Ramirez Sanchez family, we taught an english class and we completed a huge goal....

our goal this last week was to contact (talk and invited 1000 people to church)... well, we did it. 1026 contacts. I was so exhausted. We literally would walk like almost all day and my mouth and tongue were literally tired from talking... it was crazy. however, it was really cool because i was doubtful but my comp knew we could do it. it took a lot of planning and writing cards but we did it!!!   now i never want to contact again ha... but really its cool of how many people we met and the people Heavenly Father places in our paths.

 
The family home evening was really awesome. I really love this family. Rosa, Lorenzo, Lorenni and Loreal. We taught the Word of wisdom this last week and Lorenzo said the only thing he couldnt give up is his orange juice... we told him he can drink his orange juice ha.

 this family is so cute. Lorenzo is so excited for his baptism and Loreal was asking questions about missions. ahh its crazy. I love the work.

 I recently found out that Carmen from my first area... is getting baptized on the 11th! i just burst into tears when i read that. I dont think i can go though ebcause Lorenzo and Loreal are getting baptized the same day which is so bittersweet... but i wil lbe there in spirit. 

 I love these people.

The work is Gods work and I know its true.

 

I hope you all have a great week!

love you!

and happy easter!

remember to think of the Savior a little more this week... 

 
con amor,

hermana Hildman



Before heading out for the Day



After a long day out! But a great day!

Mountains to climb-March 23 2015

Alright I just want to start off with this video. I want you all to look it up. 

 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-01-003-mountains-to-climb?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2013&lang=eng&cid=HP_Homepage-2015_3-17-15_dPTH_L1-A_759

 

So I honestly bawled when i watched that video.

This week for some reason has been very emotional and hard for me. But just how the video illustrates as we strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ it will help us endure and overcome even the hardest struggles...

The simple things such as prayer and scripture study really are so so so important. This week honestly went by so fast. I do have a small experience I want to share with you guys.

 

The other night my companion and I were just about to enter our house and go up the stairs when we saw an older lady walking with a sack. we hesitated and then asked her if she needed any help. She said no but we asked her if we could walk her home since it was late. She agreed and we walked with her. She was a sweet old lady. In the sack she had some leaves for some rabbits she has. We just visited and walked with her to her house. It was something really small but really was neat to be there and help her even though it was small. We havent seen her since, but we now know where she lives and always look for her as we pass.

 

I love missionary work even its small things like that. God works through small and simple means... and uses the weak and humble to bring to pass His work. 

 I love all of you and testify God is aware of you. Even when you feel so so low and dark He cares. I testify of the power of the priesthood. I testify that this is God´s church. I know we are never alone. God loves us and wants the very best for us. He stretches us and pushes us but He never abandons us during this ´training´.... 

 

Have a great week! Youre the best!

 

con muchísimo amor,

hermana hildman

Its true... it really is. doubt not, fear not... pray and ask God. March 16th 2015

This last Thursday we had the opportunity to see Elder Jeffery R Holland of the Quroum of the 12 Apostles. We were told we would not be able to shake his hand but when he came in they announced that he had requested it.

 It was really cool and super spiritual experience.I cried a lot.. He truly is a representive of Jesus Christ. 

I love Elder Hollands way in . He is bold but he loves so much that its never overbearing. He talked a lot about the second coming and the book of mormon. He mentioned things that just connected the dots to a lot of things. it was really cool. 

The book of mormon truly is a sign of the second coming. (Revelations 14:16). It has the plentitude of the gospel. 

Oh my goodness... I wish I could share with all of you all the wonder insights I learned. 

However, I can share my testimony that I know that the church of Christ was restored on the earth through Joseph Smith and that the church of jesus christ of the latter day saints is true. The book of mormon is evidence of that. I know the Book of Mormon is true and that it is the word of God, just as the bible is. 

I know God loves us and that He still talks to man today. He wants the best for us. He has provided His Gospel. He sent His son for us. He loves us. We are Gods children.

I love all of you and hope you all have a great week.

 

con amor,

hermana hildman

The Spirt speaks softly - March 9th 2015

Today I am writing on Tuesday because we didnt have the chance yesterday... because of a random DR San Juan holiday so many internet cafes were closed...

 

So transfers came and our house is the same. I wasnt expecting a change since my companion and I are still in training. However we thought hermana Kantoa might leave but shes here again in San Juan for her 5th transfer. woof... long time. However, shes such a great sunshine were excited to have her again.

 

My week was really good. I really love serving with my companion. Shes such a great missionary and hard worker. She helps me when i feel disanimated.. its great. 

 

Missionary work is tough but so worth it. My companion and I are working with this awesome family! I dont know if I have mentioned them yet. But theyre the familia Ramirez Sanchez. The mom Rosa is a member but less active because she lost contact with the church after moving away. And her husband and kids are not members. They have now been to church 2-3 times. the wife 3 times but the others only twice. They are so awesome. They accepted a baptism date for the 4th of April. The dad said that they have been waiting for something like this. He had talked to the sister missionaries before but they never stopped by. And I had passed by their house several times and everytime i saw rosa i always felt i should talk to her... but never did.

 

However, The Lord works in mysterious ways and he kept having us run into this family because they are ready. We really need to listen to the Spirit. 

 

Even the small promptings are so important. I am learning that lesson a lot with my companion. We get little promptings all the time... that appear as just good ideas. Its only like 3 seconds and you recognize it and many times i feel i had shaken them off.. but my comp has taught me to really follow those good ideas and feelings. because really the spirit speaks softly... 

 

I know that this is God´s work. I know He loves us... truly He does. The Spirit is real. It is so so so real. There would be no way I could be here teaching the gospel without it... The Spirit is what teaches. I am only a mouthpiece.

 

I love the Gospel, I love our Savior Jesus Christ, I love our Heavenly Father, and I love all of you...

 

I hope you have a great week!

 

Love Hermana Hildman

His image in our countance- Mar 2 2015

Alright so... i am demasiado short on time today. 

 

However, I just want to write and tell you all that I am well and happy. 

This week just like all the other weeks has gone really fast. We are working hard and seeing miracles.

 

I just wanted to share a special experience with you guys very quickly.

 

So yesterday we went to visit an older lady whos very religious. We met her a couple of weeks ago. Her name is Carmen and we still dont know her super well. But, she is a great woman of faith. She is so sweet and just loves us her so much. We were running late to her appointment when she called us asking if we were close. We told her we were and when we got there we found her reading the Plan of Salvation pamphlet.

 

We talked about it and it was really neat. She in the middle of the lesson got up to give us something. She came back with two glasses of orange juice. Just from a carton she had bought. Such a small act but it was out of the deepness of her heart. 

 

She said something to me that really hit me... She said she could see the Lords countence in us, that when she sees us she sees the Lord. This really hit me because I am not a perfect missionary. I cannot speak spanish super well nor teach super effective either. I tend to focus on my faults but when i heard this.. It really touched me to know that really I am a representive of Jesus Christ and people can see and feel it.

 

I know that this church is true. I know God lives and that Christ is His son. We are part of a plan much much bigger than us. He loves us. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

Have a great week!

I love you all!

 

Hermana Hildman

The Sun always shines--Feb 23rd 2015

So I dont know whats happening but the weeks go by so so so fast. 

 This last week we went to Azua for a zones conference and learned a lot. One thing about being a missionary is youre never a perfect one... and always always can improve.

 
thats how it is in life though too. We´re here to improve and continually learn. Sometimes I dont feel the brightest but I strive to improve day by day and thats all we can ever really do.

 Anyway,

I just wanted to share a cool experience. So we have found this family. The mother was baptized in 1987 but moved away shortly after that and then moved back to San Juan and the church was really far away so she never went back. Well i had seen her several times before when i was with hermana Dibble and i always felt like we should talk to her but I never did other than a short hola with passing.

 

However a couple days ago we were sharing a message in the street when she passed by and mentioned shed like us to visit her. we said of coarse and set a day to go visit her. We showed up that day and found out she was a member and shared with her husband and son. Ironically we had also met the husband a day or so before and he had told us that down the street was a woman named Rosa that liked the Mormon church... However, he didnt mention it was his WIFE.... Anyway, Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways and we now know this family. 

 

We shared with them and invited them to church. They said sure and we offered to walk with them. So we told them 830 but we showed up early and they were all ready to go. (except the husband because he had to work)... However Rosa and her two kids were ready and excited to go. We showed up early to church and were able to show them around and explain a little bit about baptism and the sacrament. They all seemed very interested and entrigued. 

 

Anyway, church got started and we helped them to thier classes and what not. We left for a short while to pick up another investigator and to stop by a less active. The investigator Cheilin came with us and the young women just welcomed her in and became instant best friends which was so awesome. The less active (Teresa) came later and ended up setting next to Rosa and they seemed to be hitting it off too. Teresa wants to visit Rosa with us. 

 

Its so cool how missionary works. Usually Sundays are super stressfull but yesterday was a miracle day.

 

I love the Gospel truly and know its true. I know that it blesses lives. We are not perfect and can continually improve and the Gospel helps us grow and improve in the right direction. 
 

I know Heavenly Father lives and loves us. I know that Jesus Christ is His son and that His gospel has been restored to earth. 

I know it.

 

I love you all and hope you have a great week and try to look for the many blessings and tender mercies Heavenly Father will give you this week.

 

Despite the rain the sun is always there. Be happy. Be grateful. Be true.

 

Love you!

 

con mi amor,

Hermana Hildman

 

 (the pic is our zone here in San Juan with President and Sister Nuckols)

Hope you all had a happy valentines day--Feb 16th 2015

Hope you all had a happy day of love and friendship!

(o feliz dia del amor y la amistad)

yWe had a good week here. It went by super fast. I cant believe its P'day. However, thats good means we worked hard. 

On valentines day the other hermanas had a baptism and it was super awesome. Jorge and Alejandra got baptized. we ran into Jorge several times through out the day and he was just beaming and was just so so excited for his baptism. It was cute. It made me super excited for him.

 Baptism really is a great thing and great first step. Its the doorway to our path back home... but not the end. Baptism is where we are ´born again´... not where we accept him and are saved.. We are saved after all we have done... enduring to the end.

 Baptism is really a thing we pursue to invite our investigators to reach but ultimately those blessings of the temple are what we really want for them. The gospel brings so many blessings and baptism is just a step towards them.

 I love this gospel and know its true. I know its not easy to live it but its worth it. 

 
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 On another note, 

I just have an awkward-amusing story to share with you.

 Being a white woman in the DR:

 So yesterday my companion and I were helping shell beans or ´habichuelas´is what they call them in a poorer neighborhood. While we were there sharing and helping this older couple several people came up to us and tried offering their babies to us. i felt really awkward. they were like.. do you want it? i was like hes cute, but no. And then one guy was talking to my comp telling her she was going to be her visa... i told that man to leave and she was not going to be his visa...

 my life as a Sister missionary in the Dominican Repubolic

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Anyway hope you got a kick out of my life and that you have a fantastic week!

 

oh and happy Presidents day!

 

con amor, 

hermana hildman