Elder Jacob Hill: I Love My Savior. I Love This Church.

Malo Soifua!!!

Today on the Elder Hill Show:

** Started our mission tour with Elder Douglas, and he's awesome

** The Devil wasn't pulling any punches this week, and we really had to slog it out to the end

** I encountered the most antagonism I've ever seen as a missionary, so that was fun (interesting encounters four-ish days in a row)

** I forgot how much fun it is to just walk around in the rain haha (It's even better when you're street contacting)

** tRanSfEr NEwS

Sorry, this is gonna be a long one.

So this was tough, probably in top three hardest weeks of my mission. And considering that most other "hard weeks" usually have one or two bad days that taint the good ones, this one is probably the toughest because it was a battle each and every day. It seemed like so many possible negatives happened (imagine Murphy's Law but but like it actually happens every single time).

Good stuff did happen though, like it always does. Even small lights shine in the dark. You have to just make sure your eyes are open to see them. The work was tough, but that just means that next week will be even better.

This week we had the first meeting (over zoom) of a mission tour with Elder Sean A. Douglas, a General Authority Seventy. He's a super cool guy, and he's actually really funny as well haha. After talking for a bit and sharing really cool stuff, he paused and asked Pres Holmes, "Your missionaries were smiling earlier; are they still smiling? They still happy? No one's fallen asleep or gone apostate yet?" Everyone just laughed and the meeting continued. He taught a lot of cool stuff about being empowered by the things we're bound to. For example, I as a missionary am bound to follow the rules and standards of a missionary. When I follow those binding rules, I become empowered to truly represent Christ and speak with His authority. Really cool stuff.

It rained a lot on Friday, and we ended up going street contacting in the rain. It stopped and started a bit, so we thought it'd be chill, and there were lots of people out and about. Of course right as we got outside the rain picked up and we got soaked. We found a little success, which was nice considering we're literally talking to people in the rain. By the end of our time outside, the rain had mostly ended, but I was properly drenched. It was honestly just kinda fun to walk around in the rain and enjoy the decent weather, sharing the gospel to anyone that was interested. Good times.

So we had our transfer call on Saturday, and Elder Earl and I are staying together next transfer as well, so that'll be fun. He's the first comp I'll have had for a second transfer since I served with Elder Lee in Connecticut for two, and that was like 8 or 9 months ago. I'm actually pretty excited to stay here. My work here is not finished by any means.

Also yeah this week was pretty tough. I was told that I'm part of a cult on Tuesday (that was kinda funny), told that Joseph Smith was a false prophet on Wednesday, told that I had no business being here and should go back to Arizona on Thursday, and told that I should evolve and stop believing in "fairy tales" on Friday. Kinda rough, but also kinda funny because by the end of it I was just done responding, so I'd just wait until they took a breath and just go "Oh okay. If you ever want to come to church, you're always welcome. Have a great day!" and walk away. Probably drove 'em crazy, haha. Saturday didn't have any angry people, just some funny and strange rejections (people gave the excuses "you don't want me at your church", "I worship Satan", and "no, we're sinners". Kinda wish I could have actually talked with each of them, but they all just walked away).

I also got shot with an airsoft gun on Tuesday, so that was fun. We were street contacting, and I hear the electric whine and slap of an automatic airsoft gun when four or five pellets hit me in the back, arm, and head. I turned, more surprised than actually hurt (it stung for all of five seconds haha), but I had no idea where it came from. I couldn't tell if it was from a car nearby or from the parking garage across the street. This was independent of the previously mentioned encounter with anti-cult lady, so I wasn't expecting it at all. After a few moments of confusion and a little fear, I took a breath and did the only thing I knew to do with confidence in that moment: I said a silent prayer, and I kept right on street contacting. I just started walking again and kept inviting people to church. Nothing else came out of it, but it was truly a unique experience for me.

Also our two most progressing people, Danielle and Pat, are no longer preparing for baptism. Danielle has not responded to a text or call since last Monday. We have no idea what happened, but I'm worried something's wrong. I don't think she's scared or stressed about us or anything, so I don't know what happened. As for Pat, she surprised us on Wednesday with news that she's out of town for "summer vacations". When we asked her when she's coming back, she just said "I'll let you know". Tbh I don't think she knows. So yeah, that also happened this week.

Mafaufauga faaleagaga:

I thought of two scriptures that really struck home with me this week. Both of them bring a lot of hope for better days, and both bring a lot of perspective and clarity during the rough ones.

»» The first is Acts 5:40-42:

"40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

»» The Second is D&C 121:7-8 and 122:7

"7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

7 If thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good"

After all that is said and done, if the things that I have experienced this week were all done in the name of Christ, then happy am I, happy am I. If this is my lot to live, then I can think of no greater gift, and no honor more grand. I love my Savior. I love this church. I frankly don't care if anyone knows it or disagrees.

Alofa tele lava atu ia outou uma,

Elder Hill

Ata: