Week 2!

i was thinking back when i was at home before my mission this past week. One thing i havent missed is mowing all my lawns. but if there is anything good that came from reflecting on my lawns it was this analogy: Having a good habit of prayer is like mowing a lawn. When we dont pray the grass gets long and we cant see the serpent crawling towards us. when we have a good habit of praying  it invites the spirit with us and the Lord is there ``to help us mow our lawn``. it sounds pretty silly, but thats how it works. Prayer can clear and freshen your view and help you make righteous choices. it keeeps the grass neatly cut and trimmed so we can avoid the serpent crawling towards us. we can avoid sin and temptation when we pray.
     While ive been here ive been ablt to strengthen my testimony of joseph smith and Christ. i know that christ lives and joseph smith restored his gosple. how could it not be true? No man would die for a book that he just made up. The book of mormon is an inspired  book and joseph smiht gave all that he had, including his life, to trranslate it and make it available for us in this dispensation. I know the stories and testimonies written in it are true. christ truly love us. do you think he wanted to weep and suffer in the garden of gethsemane, then be betrayed, then brutally beaten, whipped, and spat on? He went through all of that for each and every one of us individually. Finally he was painfully nailed to a cross to suffer even more and left alone with a thorn plaited crown pressed into his head. With all the power that christ had he didnt have to go through any of that. He couldv e stopped it all with the snap of his fingers but he didnt. he didnt because he loves us too much and wants us to be able to live with him and heavenly father again. Alma 7:11 is a good scripture to read with that.
     if any of you  is doubting the truthfullness of the book of mormon or just want to know if it is true i extend the same invitation that moroni has extended to all those who read the book of mormon. ``and when ye shall recieve these things, i would exhort you that ye would ask god , the eternal father, in the name of christ, if these things are not true. and if ye shall ask  with a sincere heart , with real intent having faith in christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the holy ghost. and by the power of the holy ghost,  ye may know the truth of all things. I know that the BOM  is the word of god and that joseph smith is a true prophet. I  cant wait to go out and teach this message to brazilians in their native tongue.  I have a testimony of the Father and Son's love for us, each and every one of us individually.  They know you as a "one".  They know your heartaches, concerns,  your joy etc.  In 3rd Nephi when Christ visits the America he invites all to feel the wound marks in his hands and feet and side.  3Nephi 17:25, "and the multitude did see and hear and bear record; and they know that this record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number aboutr two thousand and five hundred soulds:  and they did consist of men, women, and children.:..."and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth...."  "and he took their little children, one by one and blesseed them and prayed unto the Father for them."
     The prase "one by one" is repeated throughout these chapters and this shows how much Christ cares for us.  He was willing to minister to all these people.  Just imagine 2,500 people.  He let them feel his wounds, he blessed all the children and those who wanted a blessing.  It must have takena least a couple of minutes per person.  If it were 2 minutes per person, that's 5,000 minutes.  That's so many hours of serving and caringfr others.  This just shows that Christ wants to help each and every one of us.  He is there with open arms waiting for us to come to him.
    I hope you all have a great week!  Happy Birthday Dallin!

Love,
Elder Hilton

view from the temple grounds

Elder Mafi and I

A view from my bedroom

the city

Elder Lloyd and I driving from the airport to the CTM (MTC)

Week 1: 1st Pday!!!!!

here~s the genenal email... proofread as needed. the keybouard are veryt difficurt.

Im here! Brazil is super awesome even though im stuck in the CTM for 4 1/2 more weeks and we dont get to get to go our very often, but it is great. Elder Lloyd and I are companions and our room is on the 6th flo0rr. Its always the best time descending and climbing 6 flights of stairs when we forget our card for meals or something. My district is the best too. Im so grateful for the im in and everyone in it. their personalities and work ethic is amazing. There are 10 of us total. Four of the 6 elders are from Utah and 1 of the 3 sisters is from utah. Elder Mafi and I are the only Elders in our district not from Utah. Elder Mafi is from Australia and is the funniest, most spiritually strong person ive ever met here. Him and I get along really well and make each other laugh so hard we often find one another in tears. hahahaha. Everyone loves his accent and his personality and spirituality.
  Anyway the CTM is a great place, as are the people. Coming here was hard, and very difficult to adjust at first, because there are so many brazilians and us americans feel like outliers. We also couldnt understamd anyone, but after the first 2 or 3 days I got the hang of things. The Brazilians call the sisters and elders from our district ``factory`` when they hear they are from Utah. haha.
   I am learning so much here!! How to live on my own (be a little more responsible :) , how to speak portuguese, how to learn to like the Brazilian food and lots of rice and bean, and how to work really really hard and diligently. I know through working hard is how I  can recieve the Gift of Tongues. I have also come to realize how special  Sundays are while being here. They truly are a sacred day to rememeber the Saviour as well as reflect on our own lives and what is important to us.  I also have a testimony of temples. We went to the temple today and it was the best experience ever. If any of you happen to be coming the Brazil anytime soon, I strongly encourage you to visit the Sao Paulo Temple ;)
   Although I have only been on the mish for 10 days I have come to a better understanding that the Book of Mormon is an inspired book and is the keystone of our religioin. the Book of mormon was saved for our time and can really change lives. It testifies that god loves each and every one of his cchildren and wants to help us regain eternal life with him and our families. I know that as we read and ask god,we will recieve  a testimony of its truthfulness. I know that we arent alone on thte path to exaltation either. Jesus Christ is with us every step of the way to comfort and guide us. He is never behind you or never in front of you...he is always right there BESIDE you.
   I want to thank all of you who have helped me come this fair and helped me have the desire to serve. I really appreciate all the support from my ward family, and those back at home. I love all the good times Ive had with my friends and especially my family. I hope you all have a great week.  Bom dia. Eu amo vocês!!!

A very nice man at the airport sent these two pictures to my mom so she knew I made it safely to my gate!

Pres. Paulo R. Grahl and Sister Zuleika M. Grahl with all the new missinories