The first week of the MTC!

 Olá everyone!

First off, this is my first email, so I'm still trying to make sure everyone who wants my emails are getting them. If you don't want to be on this email list or you know someone else who does want to be added to the list, please let me know.

I also wanted to let you all know that until I get my Visa and can go to Brazil, I was temporarily resigned to serve in the Colorado Denver North Mission.

Today is the first p-day of my mission, and so far everything has been great! Things have definitely been a little crazy with moving to Utah and trying to move into a new house right as I was starting home MTC, but it's all worked out and I know that the Lord has been a part of the entire process. It's still crazy to think that I am a missionary and that I am only five weeks away from entering the mission field, but I'm so excited.

I've only been at the MTC for a week, but I've already learned so much. We have talked a ton about the missionary purpose to “invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.” I've had some amazing experiences with the Holy Spirit as I've studied the scriptures daily and tried to learn the gospel well enough to teach it. 

Probably the hardest part of the MTC so far has been the language. It's just been one week so I'm not too worried about it yet, but it has helped me to realize just how little I know. If there is a word I know in Portuguese, I am supposed to say it in Portuguese, which is kind of hard to remember sometimes. But it's been a super helpful way to learn and to keep the vocabulary in my head. Learning Portuguese has also made me think about how I can explain the gospel in simpler ways so that when I start teaching in Portuguese it will be easier for me to explain the concepts I am trying to teach. 

To end my email this week, I wanted to share something I wrote in my journal last night. "Today was another wonderful day. I'm sure I'm going to be saying that a lot, but that is what happens when your day is full of things that invite the Spirit." Starting the MTC hasn't been the easiest transition, and especially the language has already given me some frustrating moments, but I have truly loved the Spirit that I have felt. I have loved studying the gospel and learning about my Savior every day. I have loved really studying the scriptures and the words of the prophets more than ever before in my life. And I have loved filling my days with righteous habits that are helping me to fulfill my missionary purpose. 

I hope this email finds you all well, and I'm excited to continue to share my adventure with all of you!

Elder Hill

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