One Month...February 15, 2016

I don't have much time, but there are a few simple things I'd like to share with you. This past week has been a really good growing week for me and I have really seen the Lord at work in my life. I can hardly believe it's already been one month!! 

The Holy Ghost- Sister westover shared quote with me from Parley P Pratt that has really impacted me the past week. You can find the original version on Pinterest, but I'm just going to type it out. 

The Holy Ghost

"Quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases,enlarges, expands

and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them,

by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. 

It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine toned

sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature.

It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness

and charity. It develops beauty of a person, form and features. 

It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. 

It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the

physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates and

gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, 

marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes,

music to the ears, and life to the whole Being."

Parley P. Pratt

I love this quote because before I read it I never fully realized all of the way the Holy Ghost affects our lives. The Holy Ghost is in every aspect of our being, but only if we allow it to be. We must do our part to invite the spirit into  our lives. We must be worthy of it's companionship. 

Referrals- Sister Westover and I have really witnessed the power of referrals this week. We tried our very hardest to ask everyone we came in contact with if they knew someone who could benefit from this message. We received 5 referrals this week, which may not seem like a lot to anyone else, but it is a huge deal! I have realized how much I could have done as a member missionary in inviting friends to take the missionary discussions or even by giving referrals to missionaries. I wish I could go back and be better!

Challenge- This week I want to challenge all of you to better recognize the Holy Ghost's presence in your life. Find moments and write them down so that, someday, if you're doubting, you can go back and look upon that moment when you knew the Holy Ghost was present. 

I also want to challenge all of you to do your best as member missionaries. Don't be afraid to share your beliefs. Don't be afraid to give out referrals. YOU have a message to share!! YOU have been given a gift. YOU have the responsibility to help those you come in contact with receive eternal salvation. Don't let one moment pass by. I promise you will regret it, because I know I do. 

You are all sooooo amazing. I have loved receiving your letters, emails, and packages.I am so glad to hear that you are doing well. I feel your prayers and kindness everyday. Thank you all for helping me to be the best missionary I can be.

I LOVE YOU!!

Sister Madalyn Hillam  

Sister Madalyn Hillam & Sister Westover...St. Michaels Arizona
Picture sent to me via text from ward member on Valentines Day with a message saying
"Happy Valentine's Day from your Daughter, she gave an awesome talk in sacrament meeting today"
Best gift ever...might have shown my ugly cry face...
Next picture followed, I don't know who the other 2 sisters are??

Power of the "PLUS ONE" February 8, 2016

This week has had it's ups and downs just like any other. I am still loving the reservation and I know that I am here for a reason. I am so thankful for all of you back at home who have been praying for me, my companion, and those we are teaching. I recognize the Lord's hand in my life every day. Thank you so much for your love and support. 

I don't have a whole lot of time, but I will briefly explain some of this week's happening. 

3 New Investigators- So, Sister Westover is amazing! She has this saying that I have grown to love and believe in. She calls it the " Till you die plus ONE." This idea has proven successful in several instances this week. During weekly planning we had set a goal for 2 new investigators and we prayed everyday that we would run into people searching and willing to hear our message. One of the days this week while we were out knocking in the freezing cold we instituted the "Plus one" method and knocked one more house before returning to the truck. This is when we met Ella. Ella is an amazing woman who was kind enough to let us into her home and share the message of the restoration. Ella invited us to come back and through that we gained not only an investigator, but also more believe in the "plus one" system. We used this idea once again the next day and were again invited into a home to teach the restoration. Kat and Rose are mother and daughter who are very religious and so kind. After sharing out message they also invited us back. It is safe to say that I am now a believer in the "Plus One."

Prayer and Fasting- As you know, this last sunday was fast sunday. Sister Westiver and I decided it would be appropriate to fast for a couple of individuals and also to choose some fasting topics on our own. My testimony of fasting has increased an incredible amount just in the past couple of day. Before I had even ended my fast I had received answer to my prayers. Heavenly Father is watching over me and is aware of me. He has blessed me so much with guidance and comfort in times when I needed it most. I promise that God does answer prayers. They may not always be answered in the way we want, but He is perfect. God has perfect timing.  

God's Perfect Timing- "God has perfect timing, never early, never late. It takes a lot of patience and it takes a lot of faith, but it is worth the wait." 

This week we were able to teach a lesson about turning our will to God's will. While preparing the lesson I came to realize that even though I was preparing it for someone else, I was the one who really needed it. I have learned in the short few weeks of being here that I am not the teacher...the Holy Ghost is. My mission scripture has brought more meaning to me in the past few days than it ever has. 

 12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea,behold, many mighty

 miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

I must learn to turn my will over to God's will. I am the tool, the spirit is the teacher. 

Weekly Challenge- I invite all of you to watch the Mormon Message, "The Will of God," and think about ways in which you can turn your will to His will. 

Again, I express my deep love and appreciation for you. I would not be here, serving a mission, without the help of all of you. Each one of you has impacted my life in one way or another and for that I am so grateful. I love you and I love this gospel. The Church of Jesus Christ is the ONLY true and living church here on the earth. Of that I am positive. I have seen the gospel of Jesus Christ change lives in the short amount of time I've been here. I know the atonement works, but only if we use it. Don't let a single drop of blood go to waste. 

Love you so so much 

Sister Madalyn Hillam

P.S. We have had a recent convert request to have his name put in the temple. His name is Brandon Silas and he is amazing, but he needs all the help he can get. If you are going to the temple anytime soon please take a moment and write his name down. Thank you all of you who helped with Monica and her family, I have seen the effect of your prayers in their life already. 

Rez Life... February 1, 2016

There are so many things to talk about! I can't even find the words! So much has happened in the past week:

Receiving a new comp/trainer- Sister Hailey Westover from Portland, Oregon. She actually went to school in Hawaii with Mason! She totally knows him! Small world right?

Living on the Reservation- Sis. Westover and I live in a super nice (as far as missionary housing goes) Trailer house. Even though there are two bedrooms we both sleep out in the living room with our mattresses on the floor :) It's really muddy here and the weather is weird! It snowed last night and rained before that. All of the people live in hogans or trailer homes. They are a very humble people. It's almost like a little third world over here. I went foreign without going out of the country. I love it!

Teaching actual lessons- I really enjoy teaching! I'm not super good at it yet, but I'm getting there. I feel comfortable sharing my testimony and feeling the spirit, I'm just not quite as confident when it comes to ALL of the teaching. The other weird/ hard thing here is that the Navajo people are really quiet until they get to know you. They don't even give eye contact unless they are really comfortable around you...and they give really weak handshakes. Weird.

Putting people on date!- Even though I haven't been here long and I'm as still learning...I successfully put someone on date for baptism!!!!! Her name is Joy. Sis. Westover and I  taught her the restoration. At the end of the lessons I challenged her to "Follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of god." She agreed! I am so excited!

Monica- Monica is an amazing woman. One of the most faithful people I have ever met. She is an investigator who attends church every sunday, always follows through with her challenges, and is waiting to be baptized. Monica Has a few things she has to figure out before she can be baptized. She has 2 children, David and Timothy, who are absolutely amazing. The only issue is that Monica is not married to their father, but she still lives with him. She wants to work things out with him, but he (Emory) isn't following through on his end. He is an alcoholic and is a danger to his family. Monica either has to marry him or move out. She doesn't know what to do because she doesn't want to split up her family, but she also wants to be baptized and be safe. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. If any of you go to the temple, please put their names on the prayer role..they need it. (Monica Zieu, David & Timothy Zieu-Bordy, Emory Bordy)

Monica could also use a set of nice scriptures. She has the paperback Book of Mormon and a paperback Bible, but she has read and used every single page. She LOVES her scriptures! She has never had the opportunity to read the Doctrine and Covenants or Pearl of Great Price, but she wants to! Sadly, she cannot afford to buy her own scriptures and I don't think she will be able to for a long time. If anyone has an extra, less used, set I know she would greatly appreciate it. 

Navajo People- I honestly have so much love for these people. From the time I put my papers in I have been praying for them and praying that I will be able to love them and help them. I loved these people even before I arrived, but the love I have for them has grown so much and continues to grow everyday. Listening to Monica share her story was the very first time I felt even a miniscule amount of the love that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for everybody. I can't express this feeling. I feel heartbreak and excitement and joy all at the same time for these people. My heart is so full of love for the Navajo People and I don't know how it could grow any bigger. These are MY people.

Challenge- I would like to leave you all with a challenge. Please whenever you get the chance, take a second to read Mosiah 3 and Mosiah 4:9-12. I will leave with you a list of questions that I asked myself while reading. 

*What has Jesus Christ done for me? Why did he do this?

*In what ways am I hardening my heart toward Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

*How could these things keep me from progressing toward eternal happiness?

*What am I going to change in order to keep progressing?

Once you have answered these questions I invite you to pray about your answers and about what steps should be taken. Even the littlest changes can make the biggest differences. I promise that as you seek guidance you will receive answers. Your Heavenly Father and Savior are willing to walk an immeasurable amount of steps to be at your side. All they ask is that you take ONE. Take the step. 

I love all of you so much! I can feel your prayers and love everyday. I appreciate everything you do so much. I know that this is worth it and that I will most likely leave my mission more blessed than the people I teach. Being here is such a blessing. Hard but good. "If it isn't hard, it isn't worth it."

LOVE YOU!!!

Sister Madalyn Hillam

Monica and her family

Sunset

Sister Westover in our truck...haha

RESERVATION HERE I COME! January 27, 2016

I made it! I have just barely made it back to our mobile home and I wanted you all to know that I am safe! My new companion is Sister Westover and she is amazing! We are the only sisters in the whole mission serving on a reservation. I love it here! We were able to go and teach a few lessons tonight and even though I didn't say much, I really enjoyed it. I can't be on long, but I just wanted you to know that I am in good hands! Don't worry about me! I am loving St. Michaels!

My new mailing address is, PO Box 203 St. Michaels, Arizona 86511! Please send letters and/or packages to this address and not the mission home!

I love you all soooo much!!!

Sister Madalyn Hillam

Sister Madly Hillam Provo MTC

Week 1: MTC January 21, 2016

7:27 am:
I'm only on for a minute this morning, but I will be on later today at 3:30! I hope I can talk to you later mom! I love you!
Sister Madalyn Hillam

3:33 pm
MOM! MOM! MOM!

....Remember that ugly cry face I spoke of previously? Yup, its back! All I could say was,"I'm here"... we chatted back and fourth for and hour before we had to say goodbye. It was so great to hear from her and such a blessing to enjoy the blessing of modern technology.



Hello wonderful family! 

I would just like to start by saying that I love you all! I truly appreciate all of the support and shower of emails! It was so nice to hear from everyone :)

This past week has been amazing! I have learned so much and I am really enjoying myself. This past Sunday we were able to attend Sunday Devotional with speaker Janice Kapp Perry. It was amazing! She and her husband are real life relationship goals! Anyway, Sister Perry was all about family and the skill of listening. She shared some great instruction on both. She said this of listening:

"Just listen. Learn to appreciate what others have to say. Missions are all about service and when you get home it will continue to be about service."

This simple concept has been a large blessing to me throughout the week. I have learned that when an investigator, or even my companion(s), are speaking, I shouldn't be thinking of what to say next or even looking up scriptures or anything. My responsibility is to simply listen. That way the spirit is able to speak through me if I am willing to LISTEN. 

The Holy Ghost is the teacher, and I am the tool. So many times I get that backwards. Yesterday (Wednesday) we attended a worldwide missionary conference -the first in a decade- and it was spectacular! I just want to share a small quote that touched me from each speaker, then I hope that everyone reading this can decide understand each for themselves.

Elder Neal L. Andersen: "We teach repentance and baptize converts."

Elder David A. Bednar: "Be good, be worthy, open your mouth, and do not wait for a sign. If it is good, it is of God."

W. Christopher Wadell: Commitment means nothing if we do not follow up."

Bonnie L. Oscarson: "We cannot expect to just know. we must 'Obtain the word' "

L Whitney Clayton: "We need member missionaries!"

Brent H. Neilsen: "Teach when we find, find when we teach."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks: (3 of my favorites because I couldn't pick one) "The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for the interest of the entire world, not just the individual." "With repentance we gain strength." "We are redeemed FROM sins, not OF sins."

The past week has flown by. Here at the MTC they keep us so busy during the day and it seems so long, but the week has felt short. I like everything here. I have two wonderful teachers and 2 amazing companions. Sister Lusk and Sister Christopherson are sooo different. Haha Sister Christopherson is kind of the mom of the group - super focused and serious all the time. Sister Lusk and I are really good at getting all of our things done and staying on task, but we joke around a lot and I'm not sure that Sister Christoherson appreciaes it. We are trying to be better. 

All in all, life is good! 

I love you all and I hope you enjoy my P-day selfie and random doodle. ;)

P.S. Those crazy people are part of my district minus 2!

Sister Madalyn Hillam

Answer to Moms Prayer...First Email! January 14, 2016

I held my phone for the past 48 hours checking it every few minutes for new emails to see if I had received anything from Sister Hillam. My mom heart was aching and I was beginning to doubt this MTC process, wondering why she couldn't send her mama a little something to let me know that she was okay...then it happened. Todd in his excited voice at 10 pm says "look, an email from Sister Hillam"... just as I was ready to give up hope and cry myself to sleep my prayers were answered.

Hi Family!

I am doing well. I am really enjoying the MTC. I was thrown into a class the second I got here and have been super busy. I love the classes and all of my teachers. 

My district is made up of 9 missionaries, Myself and two companions are leaving for the Farmington mission on the 25th. I am in a tripanionship with Sister Christopherson from Gillette, Wyoming, and Sister Lusk from Rexburg.They are both amazing. 

All of the elders in my district except 1 are leaving for North Carolina. The one elder who will be going to Trinidad Port of Spain was actually someone I needed really needed to see. Elder Josh Vance. it was so nice to know that Heavenly Father knew that I needed to be around people I knew and I know that is why Elder Vance is in my district. 

So, a little bit about my companions. Sister Christopherson and I are a lot alike- very outspoken. Sister Lusk is really quiet, but every time she speaks she brings the spirit.

Yesterday we were able to sit in on an investigator lesson and also participate. I learned a lot about how I can be a successful teacher and how I can learn to love the people. The number one thing that has really stuck me in the past couple of days is that I am here to Teach People, Not Lessons. People really feel the need for love and attention, not only from others, but from God. 

Sadly I cant be on for long tonight, but I have letters arriving for you in the mail. 

Here's my thought of the week. One of the elders in my district shared this quote about work and missionaries, he said, "Want has nothing to do it." We are here because we need to be. We may not always WANT to be, but that isn't what matters. 

I'm so thankful for all of you and the wonderful blessings you are to me. Please remember that I love you and am always praying for you. I will talk to you soon!

I LOVE YOU THE MOSTEST!

Sister Hillam

Departure Day: MTC Here She Comes...Wednesday January 13, 2016

I have dreaded this day since she opened her call! I envisioned how it would play out in my mind over and over and ended the same every time...ugly cry face with uncontrollable sobs. I was not disappointed, thats exactly what happened. We woke up early, Noah offered family prayer, Todd gave Madalyn, Sister Hillam, a fathers blessing, grandma McBride called (the tears began) and we were off to the Idaho Falls Airport. We got her luggage checked in and stood around and looked at each other for what felt like eternity. It was time to say goodbye...anyone who has ever had to do this can feel their heart start to ache like it has never ached before. I can not find the words to express the feelings I felt as I watched her hug us one by one then turn and walk away knowing that she would not be home today, tomorrow, next week, next month. No " Hi Mom" at lunch, no drop in's at work, no late night giggle sessions. But also knowing that she was serving her Heavenly Father, that she was doing something far greater. That she was ready to fly! No looking back! Oh how I love Her!

Sloan Schmitt, Noah, Madalyn, Olivia

Noah, Madalyn,Olivia,Keegan

                                                        

Dad & Madalyn

Mom & Madalyn

Keegan & Madalyn

Noah & Madalyn

Olivia & Madalyn

She is off...