Final Email From Hermana Hilburn

Well folks! Signing into my ldsmail account for the last time has really brought a lot of emotion to this lil Chilenga (Chilean Gringa). My heart is so divided and all I want to do is cry!! for good and bad!!! But it has helped me reflect back to the first time I signed in as well. I can say with confidence that this girl on the other side of the screen is a completely different human. I'm still the same crazy Kristen but with a whole different outlook on life, myself and my father in heaven. I literally can't even begin to express how grateful I am to say that and to have had this chance to be in Chile

This week was truly a great one and what a great reminder of why I am here and why I am serving to the very end!! This week we saw a huge miracle with our investigator Cristina. We were getting a little nervous that we were loosing her because we couldn't get in contact with her for most of the week. We planned a super awesome lesson to win her back and when we went she told us how she wanted to make more time for God and wanted her boyfriend to also listen to what we were teaching. So we were able to teach them both together about the restoration. They had questions about the word of wisdom and the spirit was so strong as we testified of the loving God we have that helps us to grow and protects us from the harmful things of the world. As we were teaching, Cristina looks at us and says I'M GONNA START TOMORROW. She told us that she was going to throw out all her tea, alcohol and all that  bad stuff. When she said this to us the sweet spirit just touched our hearts once again with gratitude as we realized who really was the best missionary, and who was the ultimate teacher which was the holy ghost.

That is the thing I am most grateful from my mission is learning how to follow, learning to be comforted and warned by the holy spirit of God, it's the greatest thing and makes every moment of my service here worth it.

I can truly say that I know that this church is true, that God lives and that he sent his son Jesus Christ to live and die for our sins and all these things I know from the power of the holy ghost.

I can truly say that I have felt comfort and peace in the hardest and loneliest times of my life through the power of the holy ghost.

I also can truly say that I have been changed through the edifying and changing power of the holy ghost. 

I am so grateful for the time I have had here in Chile and for the person my father in heaven has shaped me to be.  I am so eternally grateful for the incredible people I have meet here in Chile who have lifted me up, taught me through their example and loved me. I am grateful the Lord has taught me to do the same. I know that I was called to Chile for the people I have meet. For the lives I've seen the Lord change through obedience to His gospel. It has been absolute bliss to be a witness of the power of the Lord in the lives of these Chileans I love so much.

I am mostly grateful for the person I have come to know more through missionmary service. My Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. He has truly encircled me in His loving arms, loved me, kindly corrected me, forgiven me, and showed me my weaknesses and He is the one who made them stronger. 

I know that He lives and I have loved being His witness for this past year and a half. Even though I won't be able to wear His name as His servant for the rest of my life, His name is engraved on my heart forever and I will forever be a witness of His love and His sacrifice.

Well friends and fam. I seriously am just so humbly grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve as a missionary for Gods only true church on the earth. I'm grateful for your letters and support and mostly your prayers. 

Eternamente enamorado con chile y muy agradcido que vine.

Con muchisimo amor

Hermana Hilburn

Yes! It really snowed in Chile!

Mary "Hermana Hilburn" Poppins

Its Cold In Chile but Filled with Miracles

WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START OFF THE LAST CHANGE OF THE MISSION.  The week really wasn't all smiles and roses because I was sick the whole week, but STRANGELY ALL I CAN REMEMBER WERE ALL THE MIRACLES AND AMAZING THINGS THAT HAPPENED!!!!

So it is SO COLD HERE! Literally everyone is getting sick becuase this year in Chile is SUPER COLD. Like below 5 in Celsius. I don't know the translation but its COLD. haha So you know. colds for everyone. But THANKS TO THE COLD we were able to enter in a lot of new houses and teach a lot more due to others PITTY! WAHHOOO THANK YOU NICE CHILEANS!! We have seen a lot of great blessings. and one of them is my companion!!

Her name is Hermana Guerrero and she is a straight up BLESSING. She is from Argentina and is super fun. We have had a blast this week. She is a little bit older so she has SO MANY stories and experiences and its just been the best being with her.

The best news I have to share is that we had 2 new investigators come to church and we were also able to put a baptismal date with another investigator. We are so happy and excited to see their progress. We need a lot of prayers to help Rosa quit smoking!

We showed her a sweet video https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-08-33-youre-never-alone?lang=eng

that helped her understand she is not alone in this journey and that her father in heaven is there waiting at the end and cheering us all along the way.

As we watched the video with her I couldn't hold in the tears because I realized how perfect this video was for me and how I can testify that we are never alone!! This mission has really taught me that. That the Lord sends angels, picks us up when we fall and blesses us with all we need. All we need to do is trust in Him and His loving plan for us.

I know that He knows me and knows everyone of you. He loves you and knows your aches and pains. But He invites us to trust in Him and enjoy our journey becuase it will all be worth it in the end. I know that as we are faitful and trust in the Lord our lives will be filled with joy and peace. We will be able to conquer all of the challenges in our lives and come out victorious and more like our Savior and redeemer-

I know He lives family and I know He knows all of us by name. Just keep on keeping on becuase all will be well in the end.

Have a great week and always remember you're all in this Chileans prayers every night.

Hermana Hilburn

New Companion of last change

Love this beautiful place

Enjoying a little sweet treat

A sweet family from Talca sent this to Hermana Hilburn

I Love Granerros!

WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START OFF THE LAST CHANGE OF THE MISSION.  The week really wasn't all smiles and roses because I was sick the whole week but STRANGELY ALL I CAN REMEMBER WERE ALL THE MIRACLES AND AMAZING THINGS THAT HAPPENED!!!!

So it is SO COLD HERE! Literally everyone is getting sick becuase this year in Chile is SUPER COLD. It is like below 5 in Celsius, I don't know the translation but COLD none the less. haha So you know.... colds for everyone. But THANKS TO THE COLD we were able to enter in a lot of new houses and teach a lot more due to others PITTY. WAHHOOO! THANK YOU NICE CHILEANS!! We have seen a lot of great blessings and one of them is my companion!!

Her name is Hermana Guerrero and she is a straight up BLESSING. She is from Argentina and is super fun. We have had a blast this week. She is a little bit older so she has SO MANY stories and experiences and it's just been the best being with her.

And the best news I have to share is that we had 2 new investigators come to church and we were also able to put a baptismal date with another investigator. We are so happy and excited to see their progress. But we need a lot of prayers to help Rosa quit smoking!

We showed her a sweet video https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-08-33-youre-never-alone?lang=eng

That helped her understand that she is not alone in this journey and that her Father in Heaven is there waiting at the end and cheering us all along the way.

As we watched the video with her I couldn't hold back the tears because I realized how perfect this video was for me and how I can testify that we are never alone!! This mission has really taught me that. That the Lord sends angels to help us, picks us up when we fall and blesses us with all we need. All we need to do is trust in Him and His  loving plan for us.

I know that He knows me and knows everyone of you. He loves you and knows your aches and pains. But he invites us to trust in Him and enjoy our journey because it will all be worth it in the end. I know that as we are faithful and trust in the Lord our lives will be filled with joy and peace. We will be able to conquer all of the challenges in our lives and come out victorious and more like our savour and redeemer-

I know He lives family and friends and I know He knows all of us by name. Just keep on keeping on becuase all will be well in the end.  

Have a great week and always remember you're all in this Chileans prayers every night.

Hermana Hilburn

Last Transfer!

Well it's the truth I speak out of my mouth humans!! Entering into my very last transfer of my mission WITH A BANG!

SO transfers came in and sad news my companion is out and another Argentinian is in!! Her name is Hermana Gerrero and I can't even pronounce her name but SHE IS SUPER AWESOME and I'm super excited to serve IN GRANEROS O ZIONNN!

This week has literally flown by so fast!! We have seen so many MIRACLES with our miracle in ROSA!!! This week we were able to pass by every single day and teach her and help her. And let me tell you she is a completely different person. She smiles and is happy and tells us all the time how grateful she is for bringing us the gospel and it's incredible to see her change. Now we are just helping her to quit smoking and it is a TASK because this woman has smoked 20 sigs a day for 30 years but SHE IS DOWN TO 5 WITH THE HELP OF THE LORD!! Literally she has put in so much effort to quit and we are so haoppy with her and it is a true joy to see her use the atonement in her life.

Speaking of the atonement. I am so grateful for it. With only 6 more weeks as a full time servant of the Lord I just got to tell you all how grateful I am for my Savior who gave his life for me and who suffered all my pains and sins. I love him so much and I know that He lives. I will continue preaching that till the day I die!! He lives and has helped me in the lonliest darkest and brightest times here in Chile. He has been my constant companion and has blessed me with grace and mercy. He has shaped every part of me and I can't even begin to tell the world how grateful I am for HIM!!  I just cant wait till the day He opens the door and says, "enter in ye faithful servant". I just want to serve Him with every ounce I have till the day I die! He lives. His power is real. His love is endless and His grace is sufficient.

Also amazing news!!! This weekend one of the people I taught in Talca and another in Santa Cruz got baptized!!!! Sebastian and Patty!!!! Literally was so happy when I got the note because I really do love these people. I'm also grateful to learn that this work is so much bigger than just mine and my companions. But it is the Lords. He has his timing and even though I wasn't there to see it happen, I  know that their lives are blessed from this gospel I love so much!!!

Sorry I can't remember ANYTHING from this week. Just that I am one happy camper here in Chile. 6 WEEKS LEFT AND IM SO EXCITED TO ENJOY EVERY SECOND AND SERVE WITH MY HEART MIGHT MIND AND STRENGTH. Love you all and thanks for the support. 

Hermana Hilburn

Love these cute Chilean children

Finding up a STORMMMMM!

I know I probably sound like a broken record but the Lord HAS ONCE AGAIN BLESSED US WITH SO MANY MIRACLES THIS WEEK, where to even begin!!

So I told you about the special fast last week, and this week I will tell you about the FRUITS OF THAT SPECIAL FAST WHO ARE CALLED ROSA CRISTINA AND ELENA!!

Bueno Rosa is STRAIGHT UP PREPARED and already has 2 best friends in church that 1 is now living with her and has a baptismal date and is enrolled in the self sufficiency class and wants to go to the temple with the ward this Saturday...... WHAT THE MIRACLE? THANKS HF. But she has been such a light becuase the first day we found her she wouldn't stop crying and now she is just filled with joy. It's incredible what the gospel can do for someone in one week. BLESSINGS....

So with Cristina and Elena we have been working a lot with the members and they are super receptive and we have just been finding up a STORMMMMMM!!!!!!

Also this week we had a MIND BLOWING training with president where he taught us how to study more effectively and to really study, apply, and love scripture study. And WOW DID HE DO A GOOD JOB BECUASE THIS MISSIONARY FAN GIRLED IT UP AND CHANGED EVERYTHING AND IS JUST LEARNING SO MUCH!! The scriptures rock!. They are so cool and as we study them every single day we grow and learn and become the people He wants us to be and we help others do the same.

But I just wanted to share a li'l with you guys from a scripture I studied this week in 1 peter 5:7

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

I know that is true. As we cast our cares upon the lord he really does take the time to listen and care to help us. I have felt that so much this week as we have really thought and done everything to help these people progress. I know He cares and sometimes all we need to do is tell Him what's up! 

I love this gospel and the scriptures with all my heart. I repent all the time for taking them for granted and I invite you all to do the same. Our loving father in heaven has things to say to us. but we can only know through his sacred scriptures.

I know this work is true and important and I love it with all my heart!

Have a great week!!!

Reunions are awesome!

Huh?

Just Work!

What a CRAZY WEEK OF GOODNESS. I am just so grateful for the miracles God allows me to see and for the people he's had me meet. For the things he's helped me learn and for His wonderful plan OF HAPPINNNEESS!!!

So to start off the week my comp and I decided to do a special fast becuase we hadn't had an investigator in the church the whole month and we hadn't been finding new people to teach so we fasted Sunday for 2 specific blessings. 1 to have at least one investigator in church and 2. to find 7 new investigators in the week. We also fasted to know how to better help our investigator progress and to be better focused in the work. As we ended we put on the ugly missionary shoes and went and HIT THE FLOOR RUNNING!!!!!! AND WHAT A WEEK!!

We found a new investigator every single day this week and they are all SO AWESOME!! At the end of the week the lady that we found came to church with us and all the members made friends with her and even one invited her to lunch!! It was seriously the craziest thing ever!! My companion and I were literally so filled with gratitude and JOY to have literally received the blessings we asked for and more!! Because in the event of excersizing so much faith to find, we too were blessed with our own faith increased and our testimonys grew as well.

I really am just so grateful to have the gospel in my life and to be here spreading it with others. Our mission prez always says, if you are ever upset, work. If you are ever discouraged, work. If you are ever lonely, work. If you ever don't want to work, WORK.  I have really seen the power of WORK in my mission. Getting up and going to work has been the answer to every challenge I have faced!!! and by doing so I have grown so much and have developed a great love for my Father in heaven. 

I am just so grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve my Lord and Redeemer. I really do know He lives and I will share it till the day I die!! He lives and He loves us. His atonement will shape us if we have faith that it will. 

Well friends and fam I leave you with this scriputure we all know and love:

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

It's true so just DO IT!

Hermana Hilburn

WINTER IN CHILE

READ THE BOOK!!

I just feel so extremely grateful and full of SO MUCH LOVE in my heart right now for the opportunity to be here in Chile sharing this great gospel with people I have come to love with all my heart!!!

This week has been INCREDIBLE!! Like really I feel like the luckiest human alive and I just love my Savior and I'm just burning with the testimony that HE LIVES!! and His gospel is restored on the earth!!

So this week flew by with so many wonderful experiences. Finding new investigators, interviews with president, training's, relationships with ward members growing. Let me tell you there are some HAPPY MISSIONARIES UP IN HERE!! It is just a huge JOY to be in Chile with my comp and with the strong desires we have to talk to EVERYONE and share this good news. 

One of the coolest things that happened this week was an experience we had contacting yesterday in a new publacion. All of our citas had fallen and we were trying to figure out where we should go when I saw a lady outside of her house so we went over to talk to her. The second we started talking to her we just started feeling attacked as she and her husband both just fired questions and doubts and attacks on us and our beliefs. Whenever this happens in the mission I know I'm not supposed to fight back or to bible bash with them but IT'S SO HARD FOR ME TO CONTROL MY NATURAL MAN!  But as I took a deep breath and thought of the way we could bring the spirit, a small voice of the spirit through a thought in my head, asked the couple to talk of their testimonies of Christ. As we all started talking about our gratefulness for Him and His atoning sacrifice the spirit filled each one of us as we all realized we loved and adored the same person. In this moment the couple softened and they opened up and told us they were so worried about their son who was starting to fall away from their beliefs and how they weren't sure in what to do. I remembered my parents who tried so diligently to read the book of Mormon as a family and testified that this book could be the thing that helped her son. Both my companion and I testified of the truthfulness and the power of the book of Mormon and the ability it has to change lives. I have seen so many changes in myself and in my life by reading the book of Mormon and the gratefulness I had for my lovely family that tried to do the same thing. 

Even though this sweet couple didn't accept the book of Mormon we left the contact burning with the spirit and a sence of peace that when the Lord was done preparing them they would accept the joy of the gospel and find the peace they needed in their family.

I am just so grateful for the wonderful news the gospel has to bring and for the person my Father in heaven has helped me to be. I'm grateful for the second chances and for the loving support He brings us when we are weak and trodden down by the world.

I know that this is the true church of Christ on the earth and the only way to return to our Father in heaven. I konw that He loves us so much and He wants every single one of us to return to Him. I know that the book of Mormon allows us to understand more of this divine love and opportunity He has given us by sending His son and His gospel to the earth once more.

I, like President Monson BEG that you all can read the book of Mormon and find out for yourself the power and peace it brings to our lives. I know that it is true and that we can become the people our Father in heaven needs us to be and knows we can be.

Have a great week and READ THE BOOK!!

Hermana Hilburn

Read, Pray and Do the Little Things...

OH HAPPY DAY TO BE A MISSIONARY IN CHILE SERVING THE LORD AND HIS BELOVED CHILDREN UP IN CHILE!

Well this week was a super AWESOME ONE. We have been just finding machines and contacting up a stormy to get the good word out!! It's incredible seeing the change in my companion and how when we first got here she was so afraid to talk to others and now I'm not even the one telling her to do it she just does!! We both have grown and done everything we could, studying in our free time, practicing while walking to appointments and sharing our testimonies so we could grow and be the missionaries our Savior needs us to be and he has been with us every step putting the words in our mouths leading us to His prepared people and having the best time doing it!!!

Then I had the MOST LIFE CHANGING INTERCOMBIO THIS WEEK WITH HERMANA GARCIA IN RECREO!! Okay so back story. My companion a couple of transfers ago told me a story about a lady named Patricia who has been having EVERY SINGLE HARD TRIAL THAT ANYONE COULD EVER HAVE. When she told me her story I cried and was a so grateful I didn't serve there because I would have no idea what to say to this lady. Then 4 months later I'm in that same sector and we just happen to have a cita with this lady. OH I GOT SO NERVOUS and we said a prayer and I just begged for the words of how to help her with her pain. We went to home and she told us that she had gone 5 days with out smoking and was going to church this Sunday and we were able share with her a scripture that is in Mosiah 2:41 

41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.  

As we read this beautiful scripture I have never felt that promise burn so strong. This sweet lady, because she was starting to live the commandments of God, again would be blessed with all the things she needed. That her Father in Heaven knew what she has been going through and that He loves her and becuase she is keeping the commandments she will recieve the blessings and help she needs. 

I just love the promises that are found in the scriptures, because I know they are true with all my heart. The Lord gave me the confidence I needed to help her understand the love He has for her despite the trials she has faced.

also this week we had a SUPER AWESOME stake conference that just BLEW MY MIND like out of the water!  So good. The stake leaders challenged EVERYONE to read the Book of Mormon in 6 months and see how much closer we become to our Savior Jesus Christ.. and I wanted to stand up and say AMEN TO THAT because I have truly felt that promise in my life.

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and truly helps others come unto Christ and leads them throughout their lives. I know with out a doubt that our Father in Heaven has restored His gospel once again on the earth because He loves us and wants us to return to Him. 

It truly is His work and His glory and I'm happy to be working in it.

Read, pray and do the little things.... LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

Hermana Hilburn

Hermana Hilburn and her new Companion

Chilean Treats

New Area, New Companion and More Happiness

Well it's true, I think I am truly THE happiest missionary in the whole wide world. I LOVE Garneros with my whole heart and Hermana Cabana my trainee EVEN MORE!!

So a little about Graneros. IT IS ZION. We have been finding people so prepared. The members DO THEIR CALLINGS and GIVE US REFERENCES. I felt like I was in a dream when I got here the first week because there's a BISHOP that is a REAL BISHOP and has a huge desire to help. Like what??? That exists? After being in a struggling branch I FEEL FREE HERE IN GARNEROS HOLY COW!  It's so incredible and the sector is super awesome. The best part is that literally every single day we leave our house and it smells like CHOCOLATE, becuase there is a huge nestle chocolate factory. It's legit. I'm so pumped. We are going there one day to see if there's a chocolate river inside! HAHA

AND MY COMPANION!!!

is so dang cute. We are learning so much together. She is so humble and teachable. I feel like we where meant ot be together!! She's so awesome and fun! She is from Argentina and doesn't have the annoying shaa accent so EVEN BETTER!! haha

Our sector is OH SO GREAT. We are just seeing miracles left and right!!! One experience I want to tell you about is the sweetest family we just found this week and HOW INCREDIBLE Gods plan is!! So my comp and I were looking for some Antigua investigators and went to the house of whom we thought would be the people we were looking for but instead came out a young dad with his sweet daughter who has down syndrome. Me FALLING IN LOVE SO FAST WITH THE DAUGHTER started talking to them and she invited us in like 5 times. But her dad said the mom wasn't there and that we could come back the next day. We did come back the next day and they are SO PREPARED! They told us that when she was born they felt a little abandoned by God and strayed away from Him for a time but as their other daughter grew up she would always ask about God. So this year they started looking for a way to  become closer to Him and then BOOM WE SHOWED UP. Can you say MIRACLE!!!!?  It was such a sweet moment along with many other ones this week.

Well I'm so happy to be here and I just feel such a strong desire to shout at the top of my lungs the peace that comes from the gospel!! That there is a living Christ and that He loves us and that His sacrifice is real and really can change us. I am a living, walking, breathing example of that change!! He has changed my heart to want nothing more than to serve Him. He has brought me peace, forgiveness, understanding and JOY AND I LOVE HIM WITH ALL MY HEART. I know that things get better and that He has a perfect plan for us to follow, if we really submit to Him and walk in His ways, we will find peace.

Well friends and family I know my Savior lives. I know He loves us and His work is HASTENING, faster than anyone can imagine. His peace is real and His joy is true.

Have a great week and remember He lives!! Search for yourself how this statement can change you! because it's changed me.

Hermana Hilburn