January 25, 2014

My week has been fine. It has been kinda tough because we have been trying to find a house and we had all kinds of things going on lately. However, today we finished moving to a different house. It isn't quite as nice, as the old one, but it will be better because there won't be 4 of us there. We also had a meeting with all the zone leaders on Wednesday and we had to give some talks. I felt really unprepared and just super overwhelmed. However, I talked to president a little bit about it and I think that things are going to start going a little bit better with the new house. Something that I'm going to be doing is making a list of priorities as an assistant. I just felt so overwhelmed on Wednesday because I would love everything to turn out perfect, but I felt like there was just so much to do that I had to do a mediocre job. And I don't really want that. After talking with president a little I felt like everything was goin to be manageable. Anyways, that's enough about me.

Things have been going great here. We have a lot of really positive people. This week we learned a lot more about Claudia. She is a Psychologist and is really deep into it. It is kinda interesting to see what her take is on a lot of stuff. She is also trying to get a divorce with her husband because he isn't really supporting her too much. Her daughter, Clara Luz, is 12 years old and is really, really smart. She speaks english, and is just incredibly intelligent. Claudia is super busy right now. She is a college professor, and is also a youth school director. So, she's got a ton on her plate, but she is really awesome and knows how to handle all of it. I'm a little short on time, but I'll try to get a little more of next week. I love you a lot!

Love,

Elder Hilton

January 18, 2014

Dear family and friends,

I love being in the mission. It has been such a blessing for me. Today, we had the first mission conference of my mission. Elder Quentin L. Cook from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came today to speak to us. It was amazing. Words cannot describe it. I loved it so much. He talked about just building the Church wherever we are. It was awesome. His words were great.

Today we are going to have a couple baptisms in Cantel. These boys have been wanting to get baptized for a while, but their dad wouldn't give them permission. However, it seems like there is a member of the branch presidency that is good buddies with their dad and get their dad to give them permission. Their names are Miguel, Jose Feliciano, and Domingo. They are pretty cool kids. They speak Quiche and spanish is a little bit hard for them, but they're doing a great job. Freddy and Amalia are going to go to the baptism as well. They are so golden. Freddy changed his schedule so that he didn't have to work on Sundays, even though it was very hard for him. It has been great to work with them.

This Saturday, Kevin and Kenia are supposed to get baptized. They are great and it will be nice to see them get baptized. I has been a great blessing to serve this mission and I love it. We need to go look for some baptismal clothes. Until next week. Love you all!

Love,

Elder Hilton

January 11, 2014

Things are good. I, once again, don't have a ton of time because we have some really important appointments and they couldn't do anything any other time. I guess that by sacrifices blessings are given right!? The weather is pretty good. During the day it's chill. Not too hot, not too cold, I can walk around without a sweater on. However, in the mornings it get's pretty cold. I don't even want to think about 30 below right now. We're working hard. I don't have a lot of time, but I love you a lot and am very thankful for everything that you have done for me. I love you.

Love,

Elder Hilton

On the way to Miguel & Domingo's house.

Vicente and Consuelo Family

January 4, 2014

Things are going very great. I had a great Christmas, and a nice New Years. Here in Guatemala they light off fireworks at midnight for both of these days. On New years we tried to sleep, but the fireworks woke us up. It's kinda interesting how things are here. To buy fireworks, you don't have to be a certain age, and you can buy all the fireworks you want. Even the big rockets. It was wild. They love their fireworks here! I did get Beth's package. That was fun! For Christmas we went to President's house and played some games and Sister Bautista made a feast of food. It was so delicious.

The package cost about 350 quetzales, so that's about equal to like $45. It wasn't too cheap to send, but I don't think that it was too expensive. I feel like I sent more home this Christmas than last Christmas. I always thought that prices have been about the same here and in the states, but it sounds like its cheaper here. I think I would like to keep the shirts because I can't remember exactly what was in there, but I think that when I get home we can get things sorted out. About the flute, it costed like Q30, which would be like 4 bucks. It would be a sweet souvenir, but if they like it, they can have it. I think it would be a fun gift for them. About the place mats, I can't really remember what I was going to do for those. I have been thinking about getting something for the future Mrs. Hilton, and I have a typical shirt for her. I don't know if there is anything that you think that I should get for her? It is just because President Nicolaysen in the CCM told us to. The pens were Q10 each/$1.25 they are pretty sweet and I think that if I buy like 40 I could get a better deal. When I bought them, they had a pretty good variety so I bought like one of each one. I haven't ever seen anybody making them, but I just thought they were sweet so I bought them. Let me know what you think.

Thanks for the update. Things here have been pretty great. We are working hard and finding a few new people. It has been kinda stressful this week because we had meeting with all the zone leaders and we had to do a lot for that meeting. The morning of was so crazy. We were still finishing up a few touches, but everything turned out good. Things are great in the area. We are working with a 20 year old kid named Kevin and he is getting ready to get baptized this month. He is making a lot of changes and it has been tough for him. He is really great, I love the kid. Claudia has disappeared for like a week and a half. It has been so hard to find her. We finally found her this week and we have an appointment with her on Monday. I am excited to see what she says. There is a family of four that we are starting to work with, but it has been kinda weird. The dad seems really excited when we talk with him and only him. However, he is afraid of what his wife says. We've met her and she is a really nice lady. They have a 17 year old son whose name is Manuel and he has already been to church in other places. It is just kinda weird, but we're hoping to get em in soon. Thanks for everything! Love you all!

Love,

Elder Hilton

Christmas Meal at the Mission home

Cantel

Elder Banks (Washington)

Elder Snow (Las Vegas)

Mission Leaders

Our nasty microwave. Rusted and gross.

December 29, 2013

Dearest family and friends,

Things are going wonderful just as always. We have a lot of people that are progressing very well. I am enjoying the work a lot and feel very good about the things that we are doing. As you all know, this past week was Christmas. It was a pretty great Christmas, honestly. After talking on Skype, we got to go over to presidents house and play "Bautista Ball." It is president's way of playing volleyball. It's almost the same, just with a huge rubber ball and it can touch the ground one time between each time that somebody touches it. It was pretty fun. Afterwards, president's wife made a wonderful Christmas lunch. She made mashed potatoes, green beans, jello, meatloaf, and the list goes on and on. It was a FEAST. This Christmas we have just been stuffing our faces like crazy! Here they make something called paches. They are a like little tamales but they are made of rice or potatoes depending on what they like better. They are pretty good. I love them, but after the 10th and 15th, it gets hard to keep throwing those puppies down. Life has been treating us very well. Due to a conference that we had today, I am a little short on time. Thanks so much for everything that you have done for me! I love you all,

Love,

Elder Hilton

Decmber 21, 2013

We are also working with a few people. Claudia committed herself to get baptized! She is really awesome and loves the church and everything that we teach. She is a GOLDEN investigator. She is really great. She is going to take her daughter with her to church on tomorrow. I am really excited to see everything that she does in the church. We are also working with Kenia and Suzethe. They are sisters and both want to get baptized. Kenia is the one that is 19 years old and has two kids already. We have been working with their older brother, Kevin, as well and he wants to get baptized. It is really great to see everything that is happening here. We are also working with Aura and Ana. They are a mom and a daughter. They love the church and have come twice to church and are thinking about getting baptized. It is really sweet to see how everything is working out here in this area. We are finding a lot of really positive people as well. There is a family here that really helps us out. It is the Gomez Family. The dad, Sergio, plays piano and is pretty dang good. He really understands that without mission work the Church would not exist. We started working with a man named Manuel this week and he is really positive too. I love the work. 

As assistant, things have been going pretty well. It has been tough, but I really like it because I get to know the missionaries a lot better. I just hope to be able to help a lot of them to better missionaries than what they are. I really am grateful to be a missionary. Time is running out too fast! I love the Lord and I know that he loves me. I love this work. Thanks for everything. Love you!

Love,

Elder Hilton

PS Skype at 11-11:30 am if you can! I really hope you can! Love you all!

December 14, 2013

I am in Xela. It is the same thing as Quetzaltenango. It is just easier to write Xela than Quetzaltenango. We are pretty close to Central Park, so that's cool. I really like the area. It is very lively. I really like it a lot. It is a pretty big city, there are like 3 million people that live here I think... I can't remember very well, but it is something like that. I am driving a little bit now. It is kinda crazy, but don't you worry mom, I am driving defensively! Yep, it's been like a year and a half since I've driven, but it's a good experience. I have been kinda stressed out lately because of everything that I have to do, but it's a great opportunity!

I still haven't gotten the package, but that's alright. Today I got my package sent off to you guys, so I'm crossing my fingers that it get to you in time! Everybody here too is getting ready for Christmas! It is kind of interesting. I feel like in Nahuala people didn't really buy a lot of gifts for Christmas, but here I feel like they buy more gifts. It could be because here, they live a lot closer to a place where they can go to buy the gifts whereas in Nahuala, they couldn't. However, I feel like here they have a little bit more resources to be able to do it. Christmas in Nahuala was wonderful because everybody just put up a little tree and did what they could with what they had. Another tradition that they have here is that they light off a TON of fireworks for Christmas and for New years. I have heard that here in Xela things just get crazy! It'll be exciting to see how things turn out. But the thing is is that they started to light them off at midnight, so that's gonna be a major sleep killer.

The Christmas season is a little bit harder to find people and get them in their houses, but it isn't too hard. This is the only vacation time that they have all year long. Students have their "summer vacation" during December and January. That would be kinda tough for me.

I love working here. The members love working as well, so that makes things even more fun! We have a ton of positive people that we are working with. We keep working with Claudia and her parents. Claudia is going to go to church tomorrow for the first time and it is going to be great! Also, Kenia went to church last Sunday for the first time and she is planning on going tomorrow as well. I love this ward so much. People are just down to help us out and investigadors are willing to DO things! A lot of times that is the hard part... Just getting them to do something. Things are going great.

I love this work and the Lord! Love you mom and thanks for all of your support!

Love,

Elder Hilton

Mom, lately I have been thinking a little bit about extending my mission a month or so. I talked to president about it and he said that it is very unlikely, but if it were possible would you be okay with that? I would just like a little more time in the mission, if it's possible. I love you a lot. Thanks for everything that you do for me. Love you!

Love,

Elder Hilton

Dinner with Maco and his wife in Calvario, Xela. He was our ward mission leader. (Elder Hilton, Tejero, and Little.)

December 7, 2013

Dear Mother,

I love you so much. I am so grateful for everything that you do for me. For all your worries and love. Things are very much different now. I talk with President almost everyday. We live in Quetzaltenango. In the city! This is the first time that I 'll be here in Xela. I'm living with Elder Tejero, Elder Little(ex-assistant), and the secretaries, Elder Lundquist and Elder Peña. Our house is super nice. I like it a lot. It is kinda dirty, but we're getting it cleaned up little by little. Elder Little is awesome. He is from Springville and is going home next Tuesday. Also, Elder Jacolby Griffin is going home on Tuesday. Elder Vaughn is also going home.... A lot of my buddies are taking off! :( Elder Lundquist is from Logan and is an Aggie fan (LOVING IT!!!) and Elder Peña is from El Salvador. It is pretty fun. I like it a lot.

Normally, we keep proselyting. We are in the office almost everyday in the morning, but after lunch, we go out to proselyte. It's pretty cool. I like it, however, it has been kinda scary. On Thursday, I conducted a multi-zone conference here in Xela, and I messed up a good number of times. President talked about the situation that we are in and has so much faith in us. I am so grateful for him. There is a rule that if you crash the car, you can't drive anymore. Now, the old assistant crashed the car and Elder Tejero doesn't have a driver's license and so president had to call a new one with Elder Little going home. He always talks about how it was just meant to be and how it is what God wants. We could be the last assistants that president has and he has a lot of plans and expectations for us. It is comforting that he is always so positive and so faithful. I love it.

Elder Tejero and I are trying to get used to the area and not get too lost because in a few days we'll be on our own!!! We have a bunch of positive investigators and I am really excited to see them keep progressing. One girl named Kenia, has stopped drinking and smoking and going to clubs since she has met the missionaries. She is really awesome, but she just needs to go to church. We are also working with another lady whose name is Claudia. She is 40 years old, and has a 12 year old daughter. She has a bunch of masters degrees and is really smart. We have a lesson with her tonight and I am really excited to see how it goes. She is going to go to church tomorrow. I am really excited to keep working here. Sorry, I can't write too much more, but I love you a lot. I love this work. Thank you for everything!

Love,

Elder Hilton

Elder Tejero (Mexico)

A dead dog, which someone had tried to burn.

At Enrique's for Thanksgiving meal.

Enrique got permission to have all the missionaries from Huehuetenango over for Thanksgiving dinner.  Enrique had lived in the United States before, and would often make the missionaries, Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Burritos.  For Thanksgiving, the all decided to have an ugly sweater contest.  Sister Anderson won - front middle

Elder Cook (Brigham), Elder  McDonald (Las Vegas), Berrios(Guatemala), Vaughn (Kanab) & Elder, Hilton

Elder Cook, Elder Amaya (Honduras), Elder McDonald,  Elder De Leon (Honduras), Elder Berrios, Elder Vaughn, Elder Hilton

Elder Hilton & Elder Browning (Mesa, AZ) - will be rooming with Elder  Preston Browning at USU

Elder Leguizamo (Equador) and Elder Hilton - We were companions for 4 days, before I was transferred to the office.

Elder Hilton and Elder Dalton (Bountiful), a fellow ambassador at USU

Elder Berrios, Elder Baadsgaard, Elder Hilton, Elder Glass, Elder Peralta (Mexico)

TRUE BLUE AGGIES - Elder Hilton, Elder Dixon (Logan), Elder Corbett (Logan), Elder Dalton (Bountiful)

Enrique - Owner's of Zumba's Restaurant

Huehuetenango

Marvin and Stephanie and family in Huehuetenango

Morning view of the volcano from the highway

River somewhere in Momostenango

How they do things in Guatemala

Yes, that's a little Toyota Pickup truck.

Hellooooooo!!! Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday!‏ November 30, 2013

Dear family and friends,

Things are going great in the mission. Yesterday, President called me to be assistant, so now I will have Pday on Saturdays. This week I had Elder Leguizamo as my companion. He is from Ecuador and is really excited about working and baptizing. So we went out and put a few baptismal dates. We taught Luis Angel, Carolina's brother and he is getting ready to get baptized! We also were able to talk with Claudia and she is closer than ever to getting baptized. I love her example and everything that she has done in her life. I have really enjoyed this week.

On Thursday, we went to Enrique's house. He is from Huehuetenango, but his wife is from the States, so he knows everything about Thanksgiving and so the three zones in Huehue got together for a little ugly sweater contest and a Thanksgiving lunch. It was so much fun.

On Friday, we had a multi-zone conference. It was wonderful. I really loved it. the Office elders put together a little image book that is really sweet and it looks so professional. It is really going to help us to be better teachers in the mission. Friday morning President called me and asked if I would be willing to serve as assistant. I am scared and worried and I just don't want to mess up. However, I am excited for this opportunity. Elder Tejero is once again my comp. I am really excited about everything.

I was really sad to leave my last area. I said goodbye to Claudia and other investigators, but it was hardest to say goodbye to Marvin and his family. I really love them so much and I was really sad that I wasn't able to help them to do more. Lately I have been realizing that there isn't even time in life to do enough good. Honestly, time is flying and every day, I realize more and more that this time in the mission will not be enough to do the good that I want to do and that I feel like is necessary. I feel like it will be the same for our time in life. I don't think that we should worry too much about regrets and worry more about what good we can do in life. I love this gospel and the church and the mission. I love you all. Thank you for everything.

Love,

Elder Hilton

November 25, 2013

Thanks for the update, NYC sounds pretty wild. Things are going pretty well here. My new companion, Elder Tejero, is going to leave me to be assistant tomorrow. The past two weeks have been wonderful. I have enjoyed my time with him and I feel like he just gave me boost that I needed. I have loved it a lot.

The mission has been kinda tough lately. However, we have a lot of positive things going for us. Do you remember Carolina? We are working with her little brother Luis Angel and he went to church for the first time yesterday. It was really neat. After trying so many times to get him to go, and to get him up he just went with us yesterday. We had a Stake conference for all of Guatemala. It was really cool. Elder Falabela from the seventy spoke, Elder Scott, and Pres. Eyring. It was a really great conference.

We keep working with Claudia and she is awesome. She has made a ton of changes in her life and now her cousin, Liliana, is now listening to us. It is really sweet. Liliana's daughter has also started going to church in another ward, as well. Liliana has seen so many changes in Claudia and in her own daughter that she is ready to listen. Claudia has made so many changes and is ready to get baptized. She just needs to go to church. 

It has been a great 2 weeks with Elder Tejero and I have loved it a lot. I don't have a ton of time today, but I love you so much and can't wait to talk with you on Christmas! Thanks for everything that you do for me.

Love,

Elder Hilton

The Zaculeu Zone- (front to back, right to left) Sister Stephens (Texas), Sister Huarachi (Bolivia), Sister Castillo (El Salvador), Sister Zavala (Honduras), Sister Montalvo (Ecuador), Sister Robertson (Washington), Sister Arrendondo (Peru), Sister Soler (El Salvador), Elder Hilton, Elder Mejia (Honduras), Elder Escobar (Mexico), Elder Babbitt (Arizona), Elder Berrios (Guatemala), Elder Vaughn (Kanab), Elder Amaya (Honduras), Elder Baadsgaard (Spanish Fork), Elder Cook (Brigham City), Elder Peralta (Mexico), Elder Garcia (Mexico), Elder Glass (Virginia), Elder Stine, Elder Saldana (El Salvador).

Same as last with Elder Ortez (Honduras) middle row, far right.

A spider with all of her babies in our house--Huehuetenango.

View of the area in Huehuetenango with Elder Garcia (Mexico.)

Spider killing a caterpillar in Huehuetenango.

The Guatemalan National Flower--La Monja Blanca (The white nun.)

HUGE killer spider in Huehuetenango

With Elder Tejero at Internet.