Lots of Surprises

Malo Soifua!!!

Today on the Elder Hill Show:

• Zone Conference was super good, and we actually got to break off into workshops, which hasn't happened since before covid
• We  had exchanges on both Friday and Saturday with the ZL's and the Chinatown Elders, respectively
• On Saturday, Elder Fawson and I (exchanges) were very surprised by a surprise B-Day party for Elder Fawson put on by the Chinese branch
• The fire alarm went off in church in the MSA ward, so that was exciting
• Also in that same meeting, a recent convert performed a hymn. The surprise was that he's a professional opera singer, and he sang in an operatic style, which I had never heard before during a sacrament meeting (it was really good though)
• Today, since it was Pday, we decided to have some fun, and we accidentally locked our keys in our apartment (we got another key though from our super, so it's all good) 

Zone Conference was absolutely amazing this week. We actually had it at the Lincoln Square chapel....which is also the Manhattan temple, so that was really nice to get to see the temple here for the first time. During the conference, we had a couple of talks by Pres and Sis Teuscher, but then we broke off by zone into smaller worships. We've never done that before, so that was really exciting. We've also never had an in person meeting with that many people before, which was also very exciting. (I'll share some spiritual thoughts at the end). 

On Friday we had exchanges with Elders Beach and Payne, the ZLs here in South Manhattan. They actually both just came into our area, and we split off to grind out the finding here, and it was an absolute party. We got a lot of work done, and saw a few awesome miracles, but we also had a great time together, and overall it was just a ton of fun. 

On Saturday we had exchanges again, this time with the Chinatown Elders. Elder Call came into our area, and I went with Elder Fawson to the Chinese pool. The first thing we did was head to a member's house and pick up some food. We were expecting a lunch or two for us or maybe the sisters, but she ended up giving us three instant pots full of food as well as a few other large dishes, about six in total. She loaded them into a Bronx cart (see pic below) and we took it to the church, in confused shock the whole way. When we got there, we set it up in the eating area, and a couple members walked in. We were confused why they came, but the answer became more clear when two more women came in, each carrying more food dishes and a cake. The surprise was out, and we gathered around to celebrate Elder Fawson's birthday (which was on Friday). We ate some really good Chinese food, including a chicken liver (which was actually really good), and a suuuper good cake (see attached pic). All in all, a good time. 

In sacrament meeting in the MSA ward, the bishop's wife was giving a talk. She shared her conversion story, and she was just beginning her testimony when the fire alarm went off. She jumped in surprise, and bishop quickly asked everyone to leave the building. We all filed downstairs and outside, only to find that the ASL sisters had accidentally set off the alarm when they were trying to cook something in the kitchen in the basement. We went back in to finish the meeting shortly after that. 

In the meeting, our friend Fabrizio, a recent convert and professional opera singer, performed a musical number. I'm not sure what it was called, but it was really good. It was also operatic, and I realized I've never heard operatic music during sacrament meeting, so that was pretty neat. 

Today Elder Wall and I were bored and unsure of what we wanted to do today, so we locked our keys in our apartment (ya know for...scientific research). Luckily, our super's office was only a few minutes walk away, so we just went over there, and they have us another key to get in. Good times (though I kind of miss the idea we had to have Elder Wall climb the fire escape and open the window and get in on the third story 😂).

Mafaufauga faaleagaga: There was something terribly profound that I was hoping to share, but it's slipped my mind, and I can't remember what it was, haha. I guess just think of Heavenly things, and that should suffice. 

I will add briefly part of Sis Teuscher's workshop. She focused entirely on how everything we do in the gospel is founded in the doctrine, and every question can be answered if you only look at the doctrine. In addition, she shared an interesting story about an inquiry a missionary made in Florida. He asked a local Institute teacher about where some Bible verses were that explained some of the more unique beliefs that our church has. In response, the teacher simply said, "Has it ever occurred to you that there was a reason that we needed a restoration?" Take from that what you will, but I love the simple testimony hidden there of the truth of this gospel and the church that carries it forward. 

Guys, not gonna lie, God is just too good. Every time I think I understand just how good He is, He always surprises me again. 

Life is good, God is good, and that's good enough for me. 

Alofa tele lava atu ia outou,

Elder Hill (Elda Mauga) 

Photos:

• Food for Elder Fawson's birthday party (ft. the Elder himself)
• (it was really good food) 
• A "thousand layer cake" that they brought. It's literally a huge stack of crepes with whipped cream and mangoes between the layers. Elder Fawson and I got instantly addicted haha
• They also had a strange bean soup/drink/thingy that was kind of sweet, and it was really disorienting to drink
• Also just.....Bronx cart
• A few pics of the Manhattan temple
• Me and Elder Payne (one of my ZLs) from our exchange 
• A hugely massive building we saw (it may not look big, but that's at least one whole city block, which is big)