9/26/2012 - Bitonto, Puglia

Ciao Tutti, 

          Well this was a big week because Piero was BAPTIZED! this Saturday. It was amazing and Piero was so excited too. It's a big step in his life but he seems ready for anything. With Piero not as an investigator though anymore, that brings our investigator base down to...well... zero. But that doesn't get us down! We'll find somebody new. We actually found an old lady to start teaching yesterday. We will see how that goes. Other than that a bunch of finding work =P FINDING FINDING FINDING FINDING!! WOO!!! So exciting. Still nothing on transfers yet. Everyone seems to think I'll be going to Rome though. We get calls this Saturday so we'll see what happens. Other than that though I don't really have much news for you guys. It’s been a relativity uneventful week =P We played soccer today for P-day. We do that A lot here because the church in Bari actually has a field. I've gotten pretty good too I'd like to think. Ohhh a funny thing is happening this Friday. The sisters here in Bari are going to have a baptism of an 87 year old handicap woman. She is the mother of a couple of the members there and her kids convinced her to get baptized. It will be really interesting because there will be about 4-5 people in the font to assist her. She probably would be saved anyways without baptism the bishop says but she really wants to do it so we won't hold her back. I'll probably have fotos next week.

       I got some letters this week, however nothing from Scott =( his letters are the best sometimes haha. Kick that kid into gear okay. I'm glad to hear the Primary enjoyed my post card. I don't remember exactly what I  wrote on it but I hope it was okay. I love and miss you all. Have a great week and stay outta trouble. Vi voglio bene!

    Con amore,  Anziano Kyle Hill

9/19/2012 - Bitonto, Puglia

Ciao Tutti!

         I would first off like to tell you all that it’s incredibly possible that I could get transferred in 2 weeks. So as for letters and packages, send them to the mission office in roma (if I’m lucky that’s where I might get transferred to anyways *fingers crossed*) So once again, NOTHING TO MY ADDRESS IN BITONTO! Or I will never see your stuff. Transfers are Wednesday the 3rd of October so I will be spending general conference and my birthday with a new companion and in a new city probably =P Who knows president Kelly is actually ridiculously unpredictable with transfers so no one really has any idea for sure unless he tells you straight up. As for things I would desire in a birthday package....... =) PEANUT BUTTER!!! Even if the whole box was just that I would be in heaven. Italians don't know what they are missing out on. I'm fine with clothing and stuff. I found out how to get stuff here in Italy at pretty nice prices too =) AND I MEAN REALLY NICE PRICES (us missionaries "know people" if you catch my drift) So don't be surprised if you pick me up at the airport and I'm wearing a perfectly fit Armani Suit that I got for 60 euros....... =P Here in Italy, if you know the right places to go, with the right people, knowing the right things to say, you can get a good deal on almost anything. Just don't ask questions like "how" or "where" haha I know its super sketch but for some reason sketch people love the missionaries. I'll leave it at that =)

            Piero is getting closer to baptism but just like with anybody who decides to make a big step towards Jesus Christ, the whole world can collapse on them. This week has been VERY HARD on Piero so keep him in your prayers because he needs it. Our English course is going well too. We have some older students now so it’s not just 16-18 year old girls trying to flirt with us the whole time. We actually find ourselves talking about the church to a couple of our new students so we'll see how it goes. There is a bit of promise. 

           I also have an interesting story for you guys this week. And I could be even more interesting after tonight. We have been working a lot with a 22 year old kid named Pietro (to give you an image of what he looks like think of a young slightly darker skinned Steven Tyler, he honestly looks like a character you can pick on guitar hero haha). So Pietro is a hard core rocker too and we help him every time to time learn songs in English so he can sing them with his rock band. We have done this for a couple months and tonight they have a concert. However............ they have internal issues in the band and one of the guitarists backed out at the last minute, and Sunday night they asked me (having shown them a thing or two on guitar while helping them) if I could play for them at their concert tonight =P Live in front of hundreds of people. I asked my "ranking officials" if I could do this and because today is P-day and the songs we are playing aren't anything inappropriate so I got the good to go. So if next week you get some pictures of me rocking out on stage with an Italian Steven Tyler now you know why. We will play "Another Brick in the Wall" and "Knocking on Heavens Door" songs I knew how to play before anyways =) This could be quite the experience. Maybe I could publicize the church or English course a little too =) The kids in the band and all their friends remind me so much of Italian versions of all my friends back home its kinda weird actually. So we'll see how it goes. (So as Kyle’s parents we are kinda hoping that this didn’t actually happen, but I guess we’ll see when we get next weeks letter).

          I leave it at this for my email. I'm glad to hear everyone got my letters. Know I'm just waiting on yours. If you send letters to my Bitonto address before Friday this week I probably will get them before I leave so don't worry if you still want to send something. I love and miss you all. Vi voglio bene

          Con amore,  Anziano Kyle Hill

9/12/2012 - Bitonto, Puglia

Ciao Tutti!

        To start I want to let you all know that last week I wrote letters to pretty much everyone. Or postcards at least. I found a bunch of old postcards from Catania so I wrote everyone something. To both Grandmas, Aunt Kristin, Fenns, Guglers, Sheffields, Lindseys, Quiros, and Watsons. Not to mention I sent some long written letters to mom and dad (yours is together) and Kristin and Scott. So keep your eye on the mail box because I actually pulled through this week. I may have written others too but I don't remember. If anyone else wants something let me know. I wrote Mike a big email last week to that same email address but he never responded so  I’m unsure whether he got it or not. I told him to call you every time he could so let’s hope he takes my advice =) I have resent the video from a couple weeks ago so let me know if it works this time (it's always weird sending around big files like this). About those pictures I sent you a while ago. Okay if it’s in a cave it’s a place called "Le Grotte di Castellano".  Google it, they are so AWESOME! Then if it’s a place full of white little huts and buildings and a giant gothic cathedral that's Albero Bello (not as awesome as the caves but still pretty cool). I hope this answers all your questions =) In my letters to you I wrote about college and stuff so i didn't have to send it to you in an email.

        Looks like you and Dad had a great trip at Zions. Getting real into the hiking thing? My companions really into hunting. Bow hunting. To be honest I've never been a fan of these kinda things but he's kinda got me a little into it. Maybe I'll go one day. Me and Anziano Andersen are still bent on the fact that sometime after the mission we are gonna do a several day rafting trip somewhere, and another missionary Anziano Sloan (never served with him but have served around him almost my whole mission) is pushing for me to spend a week up in Canada with him after the mission. So many friends =) One of the things I love about the mission is all the friends I make out here and the lasting friendships I will probably have for the rest of my life. I can't wait for you guys to meet of these guys after the mission. 

           Our work with Piero is going forward really well. Yesterday at zone conference I was able to talk to President Kelly for a little bit for some advice for Piero's interview and stuff. President Kelly is pretty excited too about this. He is really smart and wise too. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a general authority after the mission. So Piero is still up to be baptized on the 22nd early that Saturday morning in the Adriatic Sea. He meets with us almost every day. Other than Piero though the work is going like it always has. A bunch of finding work. I think I should mention that the ward missionary newsletter is a little frustrating sometimes when I get to read stories of how Adam Martin just has to order pizza and then he finds a young new investigator who also wants to serve a mission. I have ordered pizza probably over 100 times here in my mission and you know how many new investigators I've gotten from it? Haha just teasing =P Brasil is obviously a little different than Italy when it comes to missionary work. I'm happy to see all my friends are doing well. And that the church is growing in all parts of the world. Oh speaking of this stuff. I forgot to mention last week that I got about 20 or so little messages from our Primary =)  That honestly was the greatest thing ever. Along with all my post cards I sent one to Sister Payne thanking the primary for the little thoughts it was really, really helpful and nice. 

        Well I hope everything is well back home. I love and miss you all and hope you have a great week =)  I hope school is going well for Kristin and Scott and that Mike is adjusting well to college. Vi voglio un saco di bene!!!!!! and keep your eye on the mail box. I DID SEND LETTERS!!!

            Con amore,  Anziano Kyle Hill

9/5/2012 - Bitonto, Puglia

Cari Tutti,

        I have noticed that you have not updated my blog for a long time, almost a month! If it means I should send more pictures to you guys let me know so I can take more. This week has some super big news.... Piero will get baptized!!! On the 22^nd, so in 2 weeks. We are gonna go down to the sea and do it early in the morning right on the beach here, if everything goes to plan =) exciting huh? We meet with him almost every day now too. He has progressed a ton. He has seen a ton of miracles in his life too in the last couple weeks. Things are just starting to work out for him =) and he is happier than ever. His roommate Rocco though is an interesting guy. Last night we were talking to Piero about Tithes and Offerings and him and Rocco argued for a solid 40 minutes yelling at each other whether or not catholic priests get paid and what they do with the money haha =P it was all ridiculous though and they were both right. You see, Italians love arguing, but they hate listening or being patient, so you end up with huge arguments that solve nothing because they are just yelling at each other about the stupidest things and usually they are arguing the same point so they both agree in the end. Italians drive me nutz sometimes, I’m not kidding. But I love them. So that’s about it for Piero. 

        Our English course is about to start but I think the only students are going to be girls between the ages of 14-22 because those are the only ones that seem real interested in learning English and spending time with two 20 year old American guys =P haha. We have to be very careful as missionaries because the girls here are a little crazy and once the words " VENGO DA LOS ANGELES" come out of your mouth they are asking you to marry them and take them with you. I have been proposed to more than once this week.  If it only was this easy when I wasn't a missionary haha. So we avoid talking to, sitting next to, or being around, in general, large groups of teenage girls because they are all maniacs. 

        The big family we are teaching is very difficult to commit to things so we have to work very patiently with them but with time we hope things will get better. We have done a lot of finding and traveling too. =) That’s about it though for our work here.

         You are all in my prayers okay? And I pray you travel safely. Tell Mike college won’t be too crazy. I'll send him a little email this morning giving some advice and stuff. I wrote letters to all you guys too except Mike because I won't know his address. So tell Kristin to not give up on looking in the mail box because something should " FO SHO" be coming. It will be weird having one less place at our table but it won't be that way for long and Mike isn't really gone. He's still around and can still call you guys or talk whenever he wants not like me who can only send this little email once a week. And next summer we will all be together again as a family at home for a good 5-6 months before Mike leaves on his great adventure to evangelize the world. And it means I get my stinky orange room back when i get home =) mwahaha. Well I miss and love you all. I am gonna write Mike something to his email now so make sure he checks it in the morning and let him feel free to respond even if I might not be able to read it until next week. =) Have a great trip and a great week. 

       Con amore! più che sapete! 

                                  Anziano Kyle Hill     

8/22/2012 - Bitonto, Puglia

Ciao Tutti!

             Allora, it has been quite a week. As I mentioned last week it has been a major holiday here in Italy so there hasn't been much action going on, actually no action really at all.  The streets have been dead and not many people out at all. I hope you all got the pictures from last week. We saw some cool stuff. I got all your pictures and stuff. I still can't believe Carlton(served in Argentina) and Elliot(served in Oklahoma) are already home. I don't know who's next to get home. Is it Javan(Serving in New Zealand) in Feb? I don't remember. Still crazy how fast these 2 years blow by. It may have felt like forever for you guys but to me it feels like I just arrived in the mission yesterday.

            In more mission based news we have transfers this week. Bradshaw is gone =( but not far. Actually he is staying in the same district! WOO!! Going to Bari. So we still get to have fun every week on P-days and District meetings!! My new companion is named Anziano Badger. I knew him a bit from the MTC. He was in the group below me, but still not quite sure what’s gonna happen. I don't think there will be any problems though, I'm usually pretty good at getting along with people, no matter what they're like. 

          The sisters in Bari had 2 baptisms last week and we were able to travel together with Piero to the Baptism with him. It was perfect for him. Even with his "situation" I believe he will be baptized soon. The Holy Ghost has really worked a miracle in his heart and he is changing a lot. He actually told us yesterday that he wants to go outside and give the Book of Mormon to EVERYONE and that people are just all lost and confused and need this BOOK!!! He was yelling about it haha. Now if that isn't conversion I don't know what is. He will be baptized before we know it! 

          To finish this Email. I hope  will get another time to email tonight because I may or may not have a video of me and Anziano Bradshaw singing and playing piano in a Stake talent show tonight. Yes you heard that right. Singing and playing piano. I do both now =O You will see. I'll try and get you guys a video as soon as I get it. Love you all and miss you. I hope you all have a great week and make sure you say hi to Carlton and Elliot for me when you see them. Also you mentioned how the missionaries there are always asking about me and sending “shout outs”. Send them a shout out back from me and that whether someone shoves a door in your face and yells in English or Italian I’m sure it’s the same so I feel them. Tell them to work hard and stop spending so much time at our house! Getting all fat from your delicious cooking mom. They need to baptize people so when I get home I have a bunch of new converts to take care of =) right? Haha just messing. Have a great week e vi voglio bene!

            Con Amore,

                  Anziano Kyle Hill

8/16/2012 - Bitonto, Puglia

No letter.  Instead this week was all about the new pictures.  Enjoy!

8/8/2012 - Bitonto, Puglia

Ciao tutti,

        Sorry mom. I was at the internet point to email and then had to book it to catch a train. We went to this awesome place called Albero Bello. It was super neat. There are all these stone/hut looking houses and a huge amazing gothic cathedral. A miracle happened on the train there too. We met the head director of "Monster" (those energy drink things) on the train. He was a super cool guy but even more so, a man in search of truth and God. He had studied with all religions trying to find the truth but says he still can't find it. He has much faith and believes strongly in Jesus. Even more so he thought the Book of Mormon was the coolest thing ever and said he'd try to read the whole thing as he got off the train. He is gonna come to Bari in his car this week to come to church and see everything. To our misfortune he lives in the Bari Anziani zone so he is their investigator now. It was a real miracle though. 

          This week has been fun. We had Zone Conference so I got to see a bunch of old friends and the Assistants (being old companions and best buds) came to our apartment to crash for the night. It was really good. I had an interview with President where he pretty much told me that I wouldn't be serving another transfer with Anziano Bradshaw =P bummer. He also hinted that I may or may not be training........... Yeah that would be nutz. A great way to ruin some young new missionaries’ entrance into the field, haha just kidding. After the conference the rest of the week went well. We have seen Piero and the Papapico family. Both are progressing quite well. We were able to hand out book of Mormons to the Papapicos and talk about the restoration quite a bit. It was a very spiritually fulfilling lesson and they all recognized the spirit.

           Still translating this Sunday. Getting much better at it. It's neat to see how far I've come with the language. I'm fluent in Italian haha, who would have ever thought? I can't wait to speak it all the time around you guys back home, it will drive you all nutz haha =) 

           Well I love and miss you all. I'm writing letters to all of you guys so you should have some stuff in the mail in a couple weeks. Stay awesome! I loved the pic of you with the potato gun mom. Me and my comp had a good laugh. You are way too cool haha. Have a great week and tante belle cose. 

        Con amore,

                  Anziano Kyle Hill