The missionary journey begins...

Hello everybody! It's official, the man that was once Jake is now Elder Hillstead! I've been on the Home MTC grind for the last week, and I gotta say I've enjoyed it more than I thought I was going to. Last week I got to meet my district, teachers and my companion, and every single one of them are top-notch people. Every class I've had has taught me so much, and has had such a great spirit about the things that are being said. Although some of the classes are hours long, the time flies by with how much you're learning and being taught. If you're ever worried you're gonna have too much free time at Home MTC, I can tell everyone here in full confidence that the motivation to grind and work hard is like none other. All the time I'd normally use for vegging in a day is now time I use for more studying, both for the Gospel and Language. It's a good thing nobody shares a room with me here at home because for the last week I've just been muttering Portuguese under my breath while I'm falling asleep to try and commit phrases to memory. Hopefully that habit doesn't continue or else folks in the MTC are gonna think I'm psycho. Speaking of which, everyone in my district seems like such nice people! I'm super excited to meet them in person and get up to some Gospel-oriented shenanigans. I know there will be some seriously great times to come from the MTC experience. 

This last weekend I had the unique opportunity to meet up with meu companheiro, Elder Schudde, before getting to the MTC. My family was going down to St. George for the weekend and that just happened to be where he lived, so I figured why not have some pre-MTC companionship practice? We got to spend a whole 24 hours at his casa, partying it up, having some good laughs, feeling the spirit and making some big strides as missionaries. I already have such a love for this guy and am so excited to get to know him more and become a better duo once we get to Provo. He's got a super dynamite testimony and I can already tell that I'm going to learn lots from him. 
Anyways you guys, I am so so so excited for this missionary experience. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to go forth and serve and that I have the support group that I do, which is each and every one of you. I'm looking forward to my testimony increasing through each and every little experience I get to have through the course of the next two years. I want to testify that a lifestyle surrounding Jesus Christ is a lifestyle that is joyful. I've experienced it already for myself, and my mission will be to go and show others the love that he has for each and every one of his children as well. When life is confusing out on the field, and I have nothing familiar to resort back to for comfort, I know that no matter where I'll go I'll always be able to rely back on Jesus Christ, and that's the biggest comforter a guy could ask for. I love you all so much, please don't be afraid to reach out to me or email me back if you ever want to tell me about your own life updates, and I'll see all of you in person again in no time. Em nome de Jesus Cristo amém. 

Scripture of the week: Alma 34: 31-33

1. The Missionary Squad at Henry's Farewell
2. Home MTC setup (minus the computer)
3. Me and the ol' companion
4. We got called on to answer a question in a Zone Conference 
5. Baptisms at the Red Cliffs Temple
6. Home MTC Companion












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