13 September 2026
VOLUME 14 – NUMBER 653
Mom working on school after work
Mom / Jenny
It’s been about three weeks since I started working on my masters degree at TCU. This first semester, I have an advanced developmental psychology class and trauma and relationships class. I was a little worried about how I would fare after so long being out of school, but so far things are going well.
It took me a little while to get into the groove of reading scientific articles—something I haven’t done for over 30 years. On one of my first grades on a “QRC” assignment, I got a 6 out of 10. That worried me a little. However, from then on, I have been getting 10 out of 10s, and my teacher used one of my QRCs in her lesson.
To fit my schoolwork into an already busy schedule, I have been going in early to work or staying late, either or work on school before work starts, or to work on my assignments after work is over. It’s nice to finally be earning the degree I have wanted for so long. This degree will give me more credibility in my job as I continue to teach and educate people about the effects of trauma.
Owen watching TV
Cougar
I started my new job at Strong Hope in Salt Lake City. I am helping people with extreme mental and behavioral health challenges stabilize, stay safe, and get connected to resources to support them after their stay.
I also spent more time filling out paperwork than I ever imagined. It’s a simple job, and since I work overnight, many of the patients are asleep. Finding consistent times to sleep is difficult, so that will be an ongoing challenge to address.
I celebrated my 27th birthday, and Endia and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary. I am grateful every day to be married to Endia and to be part of the Hill clan. There are so many things that have happened since I met Endia, and I look forward to the many adventures we will continue to have.
Family test driving new Tesla Model YL
Veidi
Gloria, Troy, Quinn, Joanna, Dad, and I went to test-drive a new Tesla Model Y. We also saw other Teslas that they had on display. I did not think I would like the Model 3 as much because I thought it was too small, but when I got inside, I really liked it. The Cybertruck is also pretty cool up close.
We also went to a Bees game this past week. I'm not much of a baseball fan, but I think I am becoming one—a little bit! The Bees won. I did not stay for the whole game because Isaac and Gloria wanted to go home, and we had a very late dinner.
On Saturday morning, I went to the temple with the young women. Afterwards, we went to Kneaders for breakfast, and it was delicious. Later in the day, we went to the rodeo, and it was super fun to watch. One of the guys got hit by the bull, and it was intense!
Ashton’s new truck
Troy
Veidi, Quinn, Joanna, Gloria, Dad, and I went to see the new Tesla Model YL, and it was pretty cool. Instead of the tiny back seats we have in Tessie, the YL has three rows of regular seating—six seats total, and compared to the third row we have now, all of the seats were very spacious!
We also got to see other cars, including a Cybertruck. It was so cool that we were able to go inside it, and it was huge! We also got to see the new Model Y and the Model 3, which is my favorite other than the Cybertruck.
New PFL scoring and stats app
This past week, Ashton also made new players for PFL with a new field, and they look so good! We hadn't realized how faded the colors were on our other jerseys (game pieces), especially compared to the new players. Ashton also made a new app, and it is pretty nice. It keeps track of all the stats, and its layout is pretty well organized.
We also went to a Bees game, and the Bees won! It was pretty cool to watch the game and actually know how it works, and we went to a rodeo the next night, which was awesome. It was cool to watch all the different things they do at rodeos, but my favorite thing to watch was the actual bull riding.
Children playing PFL
Kai
So, these past few weeks, I haven’t been working much due to some scheduling difficulties with my boss. There is an upside to this, though. It just means I can focus on school and get all caught up.
Through Isaac and Gloria’s work, they were able to get tickets, and the whole family went to a Bees baseball game. I don’t know much about baseball, so it was a learning experience trying to figure out how the scoreboard worked, what the different stat lines meant, and all that stuff. I love sports in general, so it was cool to learn more about a sport I didn’t know too much about.
Joanna, Quinn, and Dad at Bee’s game
There was also a little neighborhood party for the people who lived in the two cul-de-sacs where we live. It was a good opportunity to get to know our neighbors, an opportunity that, to be honest, I didn’t really want to have. I’m an introvert, but things got better as the night went on.
Isaac brought out a volleyball, and we had a good time and got to know a few people. I think at one point, there were about fifteen of us gathered in a big circle, trying to keep the volleyball up.
Making new PFL field
London
I am the Primary music leader in my ward, and I am always trying to come up with fun activities to do during singing time.
I have had the idea of doing campfire songs for a while. I thought it would be fun to lay out blankets instead of chairs and have all the kids sit and sing songs around a fake fire. I was so happy that it ended up being a lot of fun and that the kids really loved it!
I wanted to have a snack, and Keaton suggested pretzel sticks with mini marshmallows for the kids to “roast” over the fire. I had a couple of kids share brief testimonies between our songs, and it was so special. I think it's fun to try to think outside the box. I really do love listening to all the kids sing songs about Jesus, and I feel so lucky to have this calling!
London’s Primary campfire singing
Quinn
Hello, guys! I loved the rodeo. It was amazing! My favorite part was the bull riding. It was scary because someone almost got trampled, and the horses were close to getting hit.
I was tired when we got home, so I had a pastry for dinner. I fell asleep immediately. It was a fun day, and I am thankful Mom took me to it.
Quinn at the rodeo
Monte
So, this week was really cool. On Tuesday, we had transfers, and I had to drop off Elder Delaney at the ADO (bus station). I also got to talk to my former companion, Elder Larson (the Cowboy) for a bit before he headed on home. Then I waited at the ADO until my temporary companion arrived, which ended up being the one and only…Elder Allred from our old area in José María Morelos!
Elder Allred and I got to work together for a day, and it was so fun. We were able to reminisce about good times. I really miss being his companion, and I'm so excited that we're both training this transfer.
On Wednesday, I met my new companion, Elder Wardell, from Morgan, Utah. He's so cool and really funny. We're gonna have such a good time together teaching people about Jesus Christ. I forgot what it's like having a companion who doesn't speak any Spanish. It'll be fun seeing him progress and learn. It reminds me what it was like for me learning Spanish in the field.
Monte saying goodbye to Elder Delaney
We've been progressing really well with some of our friends. However, this week Pedro sent us a message saying that he wasn't going to be baptized because of tithing. Tailing also told us that she isn't going to meet with us anymore, probably because of her boyfriend. I know that God has a plan for them and that maybe right now isn't their time, but perhaps it will be in the future.
Now for the good news and miracles that happened this week! Number one, we received this amazing referral from some other missionaries, and these people are awesome! We were able to set baptismal dates with all five of them, so we're going to work our butts off to get them ready for those dates.
Elder Wardell has also been doing so well at learning Spanish. It's so awesome to be able to see the happiness on his face when I point out his progress, and it's even better when the members point it out!
Monte back with Elder Allred for one day
The last miracle that I want to share involves the church movie called The Testaments, which follows the events leading up to Christ's visit to the ancient Americas. We went to visit Agustín, Yair, and Yair’s very kind but very Catholic wife. While we were there, I got the strongest prompting to show her the movie. I didn't know why, but it popped into my head very vividly.
After the scene where Jesus appears to the people following the great destruction, we asked Yair’s wife how great it would be if that were real, and she said, "Yeah, it would." Then we added, "Well, it is." We read 3 Nephi 11 to her and asked her if she believed that this happened. She answered yes! She then asked for her own copy of the Book of Mormon!
The end of the movie also touched me, specially the final word that is spoken. To add some background, the father of the fictitious family—Helam—is a true believer in Jesus Christ and witnessed the star in the heavens at Christ's birth. It had been his dream to see Jesus visit them, as the prophets had foretold.
Monte with new companion, Elder Wardell
When he also witnesses the signs of Christ's death, but he is blinded during the destruction. When Christ comes to visit the Nephites. It's bittersweet because Helam cannot see the face of the Savior, but then Christ comes to him and says one word: "Helam." Jesus then heals him, and Helam opens his eyes and sees the face of the Lord.
When I hear that final word, I don't hear "Helam." I hear my name. Jesus knows me. He suffered for me, He died for me, and He rose from the dead for me. He loves me, and He loves you too. I know that my Redeemer lives, and because He lives, so will I. I know the Book of Mormon to be true. There is no doubt in my mind. Through His prophet, Joseph Smith, God restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth.
Jesus is amazing, and I have come to know Him as I've served this mission. I love Jesus so much, and I want to share that love with every person I can. I love you all, and remember to count the blessings in your life. It'll change your outlook on things.
Gloria and Quinn in a Tesla Cybertruck
Gloria
Holy cow, these past couple of weeks have been filled with lots of fun activities. First of all, Dad took some of us to test out the new Tesla Model YL, and it was super fun because we looked at other cars as well. I used to love Cybertrucks, but then I stopped liking them. However, looking at one and going inside it made me start to like it again.
I’ve also been going to the temple a lot lately. It has brought me so much peace because even though I’m not on my mission, I still wanna do the Lord’s work, and I’m doing His work in the temple. My love for the temple has grown so much because I’m worthy enough to enter it and do His work for people on the other side.
Veidi, Joanna, and Gloria doing their nails
We also went to the rodeo at the Utah State Fair, thanks to tickets from Mom’s work. It was very fun and exciting to watch the people run away from bulls and ride their horses. So much talent goes into that! Joanna really wanted to get her nails done, so we were able to do them in a cow-print design and get them ready for the rodeo.
Also, my work had an event where our company bought Bees baseball game tickets for each employee, so we were able to go to the game as a family. I was able to understand a little bit of baseball, but I’m still learning.
One of my coworkers, whose name is Trish, is going on her mission, and Isaac and I went to listen to her talk. It was a beautiful talk about repentance and how she was able to get back into the Church with the help of the Lord and her family and friends.
Joanna at the rodeo
Dad / Arkin
After nearly four months of moving in, it finally feels like most of the moving projects are ending. We are still waiting on some renovation projects to be completed at the new house (kitchen cabinets, garage wall completion, light fixtures, etc.), but for the most part, the big projects on my to-do list are over.
To prepare our old house for renters, and to cut down on future IT and maintenance problems, I have been replacing DIY smart light switches with regular ones, but that involves untangling all of the adjustments I made to them years ago when we converted to Google Home switches.
Dad working on light switches
We are also still slogging through the exhausting process of deciding on whether to buy this new house or rent it for a couple years first. For months we have been trying to get qualified for a home loan for this new house, which is a lot harder if we hold on to our old house.
Through all of this, Keith and Amy have been amazing, as they have not only been very flexible with our situation, but Amy has gone to battle for us over and over with the mortgage loan company.
On another note, a couple weeks ago I got a long-awaited piece of good news. After three years of teaching at BYU they have finally given me a third class to teach, which increases my pay by about $1700 per month!
Misha resting on the bed
The way it happened was a little miracle. After asking regularly for over two years, I had stopped asking for a third section, assuming that they kept most teachers at two classes, but a few weeks ago, I got a sudden prompting to ask again. Almost immediately, I got a response to my email. Another adjunct professor had cancelled last minute, and they were desperate to fill that class.
My schedule this semester will be a little challenging. I teach two of those classes from 8–11am on Mondays and Wednesdays, and then I wait around until 5pm to teach my third section. However, Teslas make for comfortable offices—I have a little portable Tesla desk I can use. It will hopefully give me more focused time to grade assignments before getting home and loosing my desire to do “homework!”
Dad at a Christian Larsen lunch