Thursday, February 20, 2014

More Butchering, New Comps, and Horror Movie Settings!

What a week.
New companion, his name is Elder Vicznesky and he is awesome.
I was so relieved to be assigned to stay in Fort for another transfer, there is so much more to do here.
I am really enjoying serving with Elder V, he is a goofball and is always himself, but still spiritual and serious. He works super hard and we just get along really really well. It's so good to serve with someone who is fun to be around. Plus he is team Zooey Deschannel too. Most fun companion so far, we are going to get a lot done here.

This week has been full of laughter, hard work, and discouragement.
Lot's of rough things happening with people we care about, it is hard.
But lots of good stuff happening!
Like Lisa, who we met 3 weeks ago, is getting ready for her baptism in a week!
She is awesome! 17 years old, and loves church. Her mother speaks better in Navajo, so we have a translator during the lessons and she wants to be baptized too, eventually, when she understands it all. It is awesome to see people who are eager to follow Christ.

I am learning and growing more than ever. Trying to trust God more, and find my way closer to Him.
Learning a ton of Navajo, and having fun walking with the Lamanite people every day.
I love being surrounded by the Native Americans. When we go into town and are all around white people, it feels weird now!
I'm going to move into a hooghan and live off of sheep when I get off my mission.

Missed my friends and family very much this week, they are so important to me. 

Have an amazing week everyone. God bless. 

Good vibes your way.
-Elder Hilton


From 2/10/14:
The last few months of my life have been incredible. 
My companion has been so great, and I love the people I serve!
Over my time here in Arizona, we have reactivated over 10 less active members,
committed even more to working towards the temple,
and brought a few into the church through baptism.
We have 9 more people with a date set to get baptized.
I have seen numerous people change their lives and come closer to God and find Jesus Christ.

I have been happy!
I've been growing, surrounded by poverty and hardship.
I am serving the Navajo Nation!
I am learning a near-dead language!
I have a clan! "To ahani"
I have seen things that have changed me.
I love the Lord, and I love the life He gives me.
I love my family and miss them so much that it hurts.

This week I've seen some things that I never thought I would have to see. 
I have been so angry because of the injustice that exists here.
Two young children who were around something they should never have to deal with.
The drugs, sex, and poverty on the reservation are so prevalent here, but I never internalized it until I had to come face to face with it, and see how it was affecting a family that I really care about.
All you can do is pray when situations like this come up.

That's what I've found out this week.
Heavenly Father ALWAYS listens to us.
He might not always reply or grant your desires. Right away or at all.
But He listens to you.
He knows what is best for you. And He will DO what is best for you.
He knows what is best for me!
It's hard to be patient and wait for what He knows is best for us.
But I want to have faith that can't be shaken.

I love all of you so much, and miss you dearly.
Have an incredible week, and may God be with you.
Diyin nihil daholoo dooleel.
-Elder Davis Hilton
 I get to wake up to this every day
 Josephs family hangs out here most of the time at the abandonded trading post since they live in a tiny run down hooghan
 Mold infested abandoned basement
 Horror movie staircase!  Dont go down there...
 Joseph eating a burrito with his sister in the moldy basement
This is Rodney. He is so awesome.
He has a lot of struggles, his mom and dad passed away last year, and he struggles with mental/physical health so a lot of people dislike him because he can seem different. 
But he has such a strong faith in God, and he is so funny! We bring him out for lessons a lot :)

 Average scenery in Ft. Defiance.  There's our chidi! (car)
Sunset
 Awesome to wake up every day and drive past this
 Basketball games are INSANE on the reservation
Surprise! We butchered again! 
Brian and Arlinda wanted to do it in honor of Elder Gwilliam leaving!
They spent over $200 on the butchering and Arlinda has made him an $800 rug! 
Haha she says I'm next!!

only on the rez.
 yum! Navajos never waste a single bite!
 The stomach fat has to be held up to the sun to dry (so you can later wrap the intestines around it and cook it to eat). It was traditionally given to the children as a chore to teach them discipline, because it takes almost an hour. So naturally, Arlinda made me do it. She says I need more discipline.
 So fun.
 So tasty.
 Elder Gwilliam's rug, almost completed. 
This thing is worth over $800! 
 Yum! This is ach'ii! It is literally stomach fat, wrapped by intestine. 
I also got to try: heart, liver, and lung. 
The lung tasted like sponge. I don't recommend the lung.

 Random cultural quirk:  The rez is hilarious because all the Navajos love hot cheetos. 
EVERY chip brand has 4 different flavors of HOT here.  hahahaha

 this is what a rez chidi looks like.
 Driving home
All the ward missionaries and our bishop!
Love these people!

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