Map of Lithuania

Map of Lithuania
So you can follow where Conor's mission takes him!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Week of the Seventh Variety

Sveiki,

Some suckers would be nice, but only a few, since we can only have them in the dorms.
We don't do service on P-day, besides going to the temple, but we have an assigned service deal on Mondays, we move stuff for the kitchen, kinda like Bishop's Storehouse, pretty fun.

Haha...I wish I could've been paid $100 for learning 10 hymns.

I got the Ensign, so no need to send it.

Alistair, we went out that window in Martin's class when I had her, so it's something that just happens. Sweet story though, quite humourous.

Have you found out what mission Ryan's going to?

Pictures, all of us, me with long hair...

Will you just send me winter stuff when I'm in Lithuania, that would probably be best.

We should be leaving on the June 7th, or that Monday, whatever it is. I think we leave at like 4 AM, but we don't have flight plans, so I don't know for sure. Were you going to send a calling card, or what should I do about that?


Alright, on Friday we had our first full day in Lithuanian. It was rough, but incredible how much we could actually say. We understood each other and actually it was way fun. By the end of the day though, we were all kinda out of it, just way exhausted. Dinner in lithuanian is 'vakariene' and Elder Hengst said it, but I heard macerena, so now we all sing 'Hey, vakariene' when it's time for dinner.

Thought of some interesting analogies/applications this week. One for truth, inspired by the verse in John 32:8, I think, ...The Truth shall set you free. Lies or anything false are chains that hold us bound unable to fully live our lives, but the Truth is the key to those chains of lies, unlocking them and giving us more freedom.

Also for Star Wars- the Force is like the Holy Ghost. It's all around us and able to be felt by everyone, as long as they are in tune. But only those who have studied and trained can use it to it's fullest potential, the Jedi. The Jedi are also given the role of Jedi, which can be related to the giving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Talked about how the truth will sound familiar to our investigators, it will seem like something they have heard before. An experience I have had myself when learning new things. Looks like Socrates had the right idea, ask questions because the truth is inside each of us.

It snowed like crazy the first half of Monday. A huge tree fell over in front of our building and the mailroom. Branches fell all over and they even announced that we should avoid walking under any tree branches since they might fall on our heads. Crazy.

In class one day we talked about the Atonement, approaching it from the perspective of what our world would be like without it. Was very interesting and thought provoking I had actually been thinking about something similar after reading in Alma 34, if I remember right. About how we need to be ressurrected to be judged and we need the atonement to be ressurrected, so without the Atonement nobody could recieve judgement or a Kingdom of Glory, loads of other things would be different as well, but that was just one that stuck out to me.

I am realizing how bizarre the English language is while learning Lithuanian. Especially when I want to translate a word or phrase. We have so many words with double and even completely contradictory meanings. English would be incredibly hard to learn as a second language.

Our district had the opportunity to host new missionaries this week. We help them with their bags and get them set up in their rooms, get some stuff from the bookstore and take them to their class. I actually got to be Elder Cody Jardine's host, which was pretty sweet. It was great to see him again and I think it really helped his mom deal with him leaving. Also hosted three other missionaries, went to some buildings I had never been in before, kinda exciting.

We spoke lithuanian most of yesterday as well and are doing another full day on Saturday. It really helps a lot, and being immersed in it will be incredible. I cannot believe I've been gone for seven weeks and head out to Lithuania in about 10 days, insane. But it will be awesome.

Love,

Vyresnysis Conor Hilton

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Ummm, I can't remember, but I think it is # 6

Labas,

Thanks for the cookies, popcorn, etc. Can you send some glasses cleaner? My glasses are filthy.

Yeah, the AP English essay questions were weird when I took it too. One of mine was about whether we should keep the penny or not, loads to right about with that...haha.

Jonny Vance is indeed the Student Body VP from IF at the same time I was. I'm glad you got his CD, I'm sure it is superb.

I think I mentioned this before, but Alistair if you can make a list of movies/books/music I should enjoy when I get back that would be sweet, just keep it on the computer or something.

We do generally label groups by the language they are speaking/country they are going to. We started the first day and it just kinda stuck, although it can be a bit confusing when there is someone who is actually from a different country, but usually it's much easier that way.

The Greeks have been permanently reassigned to Chicago South and New York New York South. Chicago South is going to be combined with Chicago North soon. Apparently Greece has decided that since there are only 3 churches in Greece, they only need like 9 ministers, 3 per church or something like that. So they will not give visas to Americans. The mission appears to be indefinately closed for Americans, but EU members don't need visas so they might still send some Europeans to Greece. The 4 Elders going to Chicago left on Tuesday and the 3 Elders and Sister going to New York leave on Monday, their mission includes Bermuda, which is kinda cool. They will have been in the MTC a total of 3 months when they leave. Oh, they are assigned to speak English, but those two cities have very large Greek populations, so who knows.

I saw Bro. Somebody that served with Mom in Louisiana and is in Gramma's ward at the temple today, talked to him for a few seconds.

Next week I get to be a Host missionary, which should be exciting, maybe I'll host someone I know, since a couple of people I know come in next week.

I've memorized most of 'I Need thee Every Hour' in Lithuanian, so we sing that often when we are walking around places.

Our fireside was largely musical, by Bro and Sis Beeson. It was great. There was one song I really liked, it's actually like a Baptist hymn, I think, "Faithful Men". It was great, we all sang it with her, super cool.

In class we talked about the importance of people we teach respecting us, so that they will keep our commitments. I mean if you don't have respect for someone, you are much less likely to do what they want you to do. To get that respect we have to show respect to the person first, and love them. Interesting how teaching effectively pretty much always comes down to love.

The Devotional was Elder Craig C Christensen and his wife. They talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon and how if we are being faithful and following Christ, we should have no worries for the future because we know that Christ will conquer in the end. Also talked about how Christ can strengthen us, I thought of the part from Hercules when he is mortal and struggling, but then his 'godness' comes rushing back and he can do whatever he needs to. Christ is our 'godness' that makes us able to do anything. With His strength we can save the world and withstand all. Also applied the story of Nephi and Laban to learning the Lithuanian to preach the Gospel. Lithuanian sometimes seems like Laban, but with the help of the Lord I know that I will be able to overcome that barrier and speak and understand it.

Elder Deeley, on of the British Elders serving in Greece, had a baptism this past week, crazy, but very awesome. Or as he would say "o, Scene!"

Saw Elder Bean from BYU. He has gym the same time as me, and we've been playing volleyball together this week, sweet to be with people from school again.

I've thought this week a lot of the importance of Enduring to the End. Everytime I hear that phrase I think of Alfred telling Batman to "Endure." It has a sweet application as well. Batman is doing the best he can and is not giving up, even though the results at the time appear to be less than desirable- people dying. If he had just given up then many people would have been killed, it wouldn't have stopped. Sometimes we can't see how what we are doing will eventually have the desired results and often we have to do things that others can't or misunderstand. Also, there was a huge amount of pressure on Batman, and us, to stop and change to do something that seems easy, but would be wrong.

Enjoy to hear from all of you, I pray for you everyday and appreciate your prayers.

Love,

Vyresnysis Conor Hilton

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Cinco de Mayo, but Mostly Just Cinco

Labas or Sveiki,

What mission in Chile is Ryan going to? and Do you know where Cole Stuart is going, I remember you said he had his call, but I don't remember where he was going.

Also look up the painting 'The Dove' by Liz Lemmon and tell me who you think Christ looks like.

We go to the temple every THursday, our preparation day. Mckay was there for a session, last week.
About being opinionated, I just never really thought of myself as being as opinionated as Mom or Dad or Grampa, but guess I am...haha. Not a bad thing. And yeah it does bother some/ a lot of people, but I think it's mostly because they aren't used to questioning anything or really thinking of things in a different way. Or people just always agreeing with them, which if I disagree, I tend to let people know.

Yeah, I think that switching memory cards when one is full, would work out great.

On P-day we start by going to the temple, 7 o'clock session. THen have some free time, study, write letters, talk, eat, do laundry, and then we have class, which we go to the TRC during again, most missionaries only go once a week, but we go twice.

Haven't gained any weight, still the same, about 130.

The solo sister is now companions with another solo sister who is going to Greece. There are just the two new Greek speakers, a solo sister and solo elder. The solo elder is comps with Elder Sanford. We usually eat together as a zone, so they do eat with us, as do the old Greeks, still waiting to hear where their temporary/permanent reassignment is to.

Usually Elders can host during the last two weeks, but it's not really up to us. The administration asks certain groups if they would host, but sounds like generally the Lithuanians do get to.

Last week at the TRC we talked at the door, it's set up like a bunch of rooms in an apartment or something, for about ten minutes before we could come in. Then I had to explain the Apostasy, but didn't know any of the words really, so just said Christ, is not, Prophets are not, Apostles are not, True Church is not. Got the point across, but really broken...haha.

I really like 2 Nephi 2:27, that says we can choose Liberty and Eternal Life, or Misery and Death (Christ or the Devil). I thought of Pokemon, I choose you, but instead of Pikachu, we choose Christ, which will help us win every battle, even though it's hard.

Also applied the quote from Batman Begins "It's not who I am, but what I do that defines me." To agency and following the prophet. All of us are children of God regardless of what we do, but the difference between those who will go to the Celestial Kingdom and those that wont, is the choices that they make.

In class we started talking about the Plan of Salvation and went through trying to see how Christ is at the center of every individual doctrine. It was kinda tough sometimes, but really helped bring a focus onto what should be taught, and helped me see how Christ really is at the center of the entire gospel.

Elder Holland came for our devotional on Tuesday. It was incredible, epic, amazing, mind blowing, as one elder said 'a spiritual punch to the face'. He is extremely passionate about his mission and missions in general. Everything he said was great. One thing that really stuck out to me was that we are like spiritual heart surgeons. We need to study or we can't use the tools (scriptures) to save souls. The people will die, unless we are there and prepared to save them.

I cannot believe that I've been here five weeks, that's insane. We only have about 25 days until we head to Lithuania. Crazy. Last night we taught the Plan of Salvation in the TRC, in Lithuanian, for the first time. It actually went really well, we didn't cover everything, but I wasn't expecting to, so that was alright. We touched on all the important bits.

Brother Snow, probably related somehow he's related to Erastus Snow, said that he would be disappointed if I don't own a monkey when I'm older because I include monkeys often when I write sentences in Lithuanian to practice the new grammar principles that we have learned. Also include pirates. Pirate in Lithuania is piratas and monkey is bezdziones (z's have the arrows above them and the e has a dot).

Oh, the elder did talk to me about my snoring, he just mentioned it in an interview because they asked how he had been sleeping. It was really funny when they gave me the spray actually, but it doesn't work. Supposed to work for 85% of snorers, so I guess I'm just part of the 15%.

Love hearing from you and Love you,

Vyresnysis Conor Hilton

Thursday, May 6, 2010

#4

Labas Everyone,

First to answer some questions:
Yes we still write a letter to the branch prseident every week.
No, we don't do any scripture mastery worksheets.
Ok, so for Lithuania you don't need a visa, after 90 days you need a 'permission to live'. If we don't get that then they send us to Ireland because you need some proof that you left the country and Ireland stamps passports or something like that, whereas if you cross the border into Latvia or Estonia, you have no proof that you ever left Lithuania. Hopefully that makes sense.
Elder Lippert, my roommate, is new, he arrived last week.
The Greek elders are visaless, minus two that got theirs. The First Presidency and the Twelve are supposed to meet and decide what to do this week, I think. They will either appeal the decision and try to get the elders visas, which the Church has never done with Greece, permanently reassign them to somewhere where they can get a visa, or don't need one. They will be reassigned at least temporarily and will leave within the next two weeks.
I remember the Iron Ring, but did not get rid of it. It was usually on the shelf in the costume room.
Alistair, I warned you that Mrs. Martin would probably spring your Jr. Thesis on you without much warning. Hopefully it turned out well.
Oh, I've heard from Dylan, Kim, Cassidy, Ellen, cousin James, and saw Mckay Johnston, my roommate from BYU, at the Temple this morning. Talked to him a bit, it was nice. Also have seen Ian Decoria, Braxton Facer, Jordan Steffler, and Nyal Sewell, here at the MTC. Crazy.

Have you thought about the memory card switcheroo idea? I think that that would work well.

On Sunday we had mission conference. It was really good. Pres. Smith talked a little about agency and it made me think of the last two lines of the poem "Invictus", I am the master of my fate/ I am the captain of my soul." And how while God does have a plan for us, it is like a map. We need to follow the map making the choices, captaining the ship that is our soul. Thought that that application was kinda neat.

I had never really thought of myself as an extremely oppionionated person, like most Hilton's are, but since being here, I have been told that I am a debator, or extremely opinionated or some other variation on that. I guess I am living up to that nature of the Hilton's...haha.

For gym I've been playing sand volleyball, when it's not raining or snowing. And if it is unfortunate weather than I've been playing four square inside. It gets pretty intense, but I have gotten fairly good at it, it's way fun.

This week we started Speaking Lithuanian for a two hour block of class and at one meal, every day. It's awesome. Hard, but definitely worth it. I can see the improvement in my ability to use the correct conjugations and cases on the fly now, which is essential to really speak it.

The devotional was Elder Larry W. Gibbons of the second quorum of the Seventy. He talked about how the Church is true by using Logic and Reason. Stressing that even though this is the case, the Spirit converts, not Logic. One thing he said that I really like was " Put away your doubts." I envisioned a bottle labeled 'doubts' that we would hand over to Heavenly Father and that he then put in the far back corner of some cupboard. Really struck me.

In the TRC we taught Helvis, a native Latvian who went to Lithuania for his mission, he spoke way faster than anyone else we have taught, and had a different accent, probably a lot closer to what it really is, but it was crazy. He was very helpful and awesome. Interesting though.

Elder Lippert, when he met with one of the Branch Presidency, mentioned that he hadn't slept super well because of my snoring, so at our Tuesday District Meeting, they brought some "Snore Relief" mouth spray stuff. I've used it the past two nights and I guess it works. Funny huh?

A couple culture things: don't show the bottom of your foot in Lithuania while you're sitting- It's like calling them less than the dirt you walk on
They won't shake hands under a doorway, will either come outside or pull you in.
If you stand against a wall with one foot on the ground and one on the wall, you are saying you're a prostitute.

That's all for this week. Ask questions because I don't really know what to write.

Love,

Vyresnysis Conor Hilton