tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72489227486365693212024-03-12T20:34:05.526-07:00Elder Nathan Hicken's Mission LettersUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-69327464065248557162016-07-14T19:27:00.001-07:002016-07-15T15:40:40.824-07:00Welcome Home!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">He has Returned With Honor!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Welcome Home, Nathan! </span><br />
We have MISSED you, and are SO proud of your focus, testimony, and work you've done!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-10988772894632257352016-07-14T05:45:00.000-07:002016-07-14T05:45:04.585-07:00God Be With You til We Meet Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Time to leave.</div>
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One final picture of the group of missionaries leaving today.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-50892320489069846052016-07-12T15:07:00.002-07:002016-07-12T15:07:57.772-07:00(PS...Favorite Foods I'm looking forward to...)<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nathan, are there any foods you are especially craving when you get home?</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">YES!</span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">homemade cinnamon rolls, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Brueggers bagels (blueberry and cinnamon), </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">chocolate chip cookies, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">turkey casserole, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">lasagna, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">taco salad, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">enchiladas, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Jamba juice, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">homemade ice cream, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Marriott buffet, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">jacks pizza, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">root beer floats, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">popcorn, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">mashed potatoes, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">potato soup, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Chipotle, </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Buffalo wild wings, etc. </span></li>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">This is so overkill. I can't even list how many things I’m craving jaja but whateves is fine. Sure love you mom! Can't wait to see you!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Elder Hicken</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-57304472764673315962016-07-11T19:29:00.001-07:002016-07-11T19:35:30.453-07:00This is it.<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
We`ll I guess this is it. Huge shout out to all those who have supported me these last 2 years. Thank you. Definitely been a great experience, something I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’ve come to really love Guatemala. My love for the people, food and culture will always be with me throughout my life.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I’m grateful for how my testimony has grown. I know God loves His children. I know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and the Redeemer of the world. All of God`s children can be cleansed from sin and one day enter into His presence.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Being imperfect, I sometimes think why would God let me be a part of His grand work of salvation. As I’ve served others, I’ve come to feel a small part of the love that God feels for His children. Through the hard times I’ve been able to overcome and become better. What a privilege to help Him and to bless the lives of those around me. Surely He has blessed me more than I’ve helped Him.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Again thank you to all! See you <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_885229039" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Thursday</span></span>!<u></u><u></u></div>
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Elder Hicken</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-58836403656495863962016-07-04T20:23:00.000-07:002016-07-11T20:23:25.369-07:004th of July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;">Happy 4th of July everyone! Attached are some photos of what my comp and I </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;">did to celebrate.</span><br style="color: #222222; text-align: start;" /><br style="color: #222222; text-align: start;" /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;">I've been reading in the New Testament lately. Paul is such an example to me </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;">of faith, diligence, love, service and dedication. He truly was an apostle </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;">of God. A few scriptures that caught my attention are found in Filipenses </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: start;">3:13-14</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small;"> ¨Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one</span></div>
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thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth</div>
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unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of</div>
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the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.¨</div>
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I know that it really doesn't matter where we are, but rather where we´re headed. We want to be heading towards Christ. By the power of the Atonement, we can be cleansed and healed. The enabling power of the Atonement allows us to find strength and persevere. How grateful I am to know that I can move on and be better when I make mistakes and when things get rough.</div>
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My companion and I saw many miracles this week. Just to mention a few, we were able to contact a family that we haven't been able to find for a while. The dad and mom are both interested to learn more!</div>
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Also, Adam is a recent convert as of 5 weeks ago. We were able to talk to his brother. He accepted our invitation to come to church and then he actually came! He is really looking at Adams example and wants to do the right things.</div>
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Anyways, hope everyone has a great week! This is the Lords work. I know it's true.</div>
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Elder Hicken</div>
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-14538698367659224632016-07-04T19:47:00.000-07:002016-07-11T19:51:01.766-07:00General Conference<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
So glad the family trip to CO and UT was a blast! Cool that you were able to take family names to the new temple in Provo. That's awesome. Temple work is great.<u></u><u></u></div>
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It was so good to hear from the living day prophet and apostles whom we could sustain as prophets, seers and revelators. It was spiritually uplifting as well to hear from the other leaders and general authorities of the church. I'm so grateful for their counsel. I know it comes from the Lord.<u></u><u></u></div>
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One talk that particularly caught my attention was that of Elder Gary E. Stevenson. He's the one who talked about lost car keys. He taught of the absolute necessity of car keys to properly operate a car, and then compared this analogy to the necessity of priesthood keys. For centuries, spiritually speaking the car doors were locked and the keys nowhere to be find. We no longer have to wonder where they are. This is Christ`s church. The priesthood keys were restored on this earth through the prophet Joseph Smith by heavenly prophets and apostles of old. It made me think about all the blessings that I have received through the restored priesthood keys in my life. It also got me thinking about, what does it mean to me that God has entrusted His children with these sacred keys?<u></u><u></u></div>
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Of course it was just one talk of many that caught my attention. I'm excited to be able to continue reading and listening to the conference talks. I know the Lord will pour out His spirit to those who do, who continually search and study modern day revelation for His church. I invite all to continue reading the talks given at this General Conference session in April of 2016 and even those given before. The Lord will bless you with understanding and spiritual guidance.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Neat miracle this week. My companion and I went to the small aldea in our area, where a few days earlier, my companion had spotted one of his converts from last year drunk on the side of the road. We talked to him and later that night prayed for him. But as we were walking through the streets of San Lorenzo that day, we felt to visit a member family. After sharing a short message we asked if there was anyone who was in need. They told us of a family close by. We went in that very moment. As we talked with them we came to realize it was the family of my companions convert that we had found drunk just days before. It was a miracle. They were so receptive to our messages of love and hope and very interested to learn more.<u></u><u></u></div>
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In my personal study, I was reading in the Book of Mormon of Ammon and his brethren and their mission among the Lamanites. It was interesting to me to see the terror of Lamoni's father and his willingness to give up so much to gain eternal life.<u></u><u></u></div>
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¨What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be castoff at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake MY KINGDOM, that I may receive this great joy¨ (Alma 22:15).<u></u><u></u></div>
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What are we willing to give up to really know Christ? to receive eternal life? to have priesthood power?<u></u><u></u></div>
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I love the scriptures. I know that the Lord loves all of his children and his arms are extended towards all who repent sincerely.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Hope everyone has a great week! Nos vemos<u></u><u></u></div>
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Paz y amor<u></u><u></u></div>
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Elder Hicken<u></u><u></u></div>
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Fotos:<u></u><u></u></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-74803851852128728842016-06-27T08:35:00.000-07:002016-06-30T08:41:45.738-07:00Finishers Wanted<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Thanks for your letter mom. Sometimes it seems summers can be even more chaotic than school. Jaja but it's good.<u></u><u></u></div>
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It's been another great week! I love the mission! Trying to finish strong. Had a neat miracle. So, I was on divisions a week ago with a member who introduced me to a guy whod gotten baptized 5 years ago. Only a few months after getting baptized, he had gone to the States but had just recently returned. We invited him back to church and he said he would go. To our surprise not only did he show up, but he brought his nonmember girlfriend with him as well. She was really nice and said she wanted to learn more! Cool. Definitely a miracle.<u></u><u></u></div>
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My companion and I got stranded in a small town about an hour and a half from where we live. It was already late and although a member was with us we were a little worried about how late we were going to get home. We said a prayer and started walking when a man drove by and gave us a ride. He happened to be a general in the army. Really nice guy. An answer to our prayers. Sure saved us from a long walk and we got home on time. I know it wasn't by chance that he just happened to come by when we he did.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Realizing it's so important not to waste any opportunities. I printed out a talk by Pte. Thomas S. Monson entitled, ¨<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1972/04/finishers-wanted?lang=eng">Finishers Wanted</a>¨.</div>
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There was a poem he read that says, </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">‘It might have been!´¨ </span></blockquote>
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I hope to never have to say those words. I just keep trying my best.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Hope everyone has a great week! I know this gospel is true.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Elder Hicken<u></u><u></u></div>
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ps. As a zone, we went to an awesome waterfall today! Super fun</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-87634370374685072272016-06-20T07:48:00.000-07:002016-07-11T20:31:24.592-07:00Still working<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Unfortunately my comps foots been hurting him this week. He fell in the mud a few times and it swelled up pretty bad poor guy. We still got to work a good chunk of the week though. We found two positive families to begin teaching. It's so awesome to keep working.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Finished the Book of Mormon again. I can't even imagine all the sacrifice that went into writing, translating, and publishing such a book. Truly it is the word of God. I love it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Elder Hicken</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-82660342710474875572016-06-06T20:25:00.000-07:002016-07-11T20:30:32.490-07:00Change of place - and change of language...<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Thanks for the update on grandma. I love her so much! I'll be thinking about her.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Glad to hear school is out for Jonathan! And what is he doing this summer? Sometimes summer life can be even more busy. Sounds like a lot of changes in the ward. Congrats to all those heading out on missions soon.<br /><br /> So, I had changes last week! I'm now in an area called Chirijox. The people here don't really speak Spanish. They speak what is called K´iche. Sacrament meeting and all of church is in K´iche. I've been pretty lost trying to understand it, but little by little I'm learning the language. Don't think I'll have a lot learned anytime soon but I'm trying. It's pretty much all with the throat. I'm so grateful a member comes with us for a few hours almost every day. They are so nice to spend their time in that way. It's a huge help! Having members with us helps so much in teaching and contacting. If you can go out with the missionaries, do it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> The culture is very prevalent here. Lots of Corte, tipico and huipil. My companion is again from the Dominican Republic. His name is Elder Mendoza. He's a convert of about 5 years ago and he's awesome! super funny. I'm excited to work hard this last change.<br /><br /> I came across a couple scriptures in my personal study this week. In Helaman 13:19-21, it explains how the people had their hearts focused on riches and not for the purposes of God. This lead many times to their downfall. Later, when Christ came to the Americas, he explains in chapter 13:19-21 ¨Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.¨ Got me thinking, what is my treasure? Where is my heart? I know we should be focused on God's purposes and not our own. As we do so, we will prepare ourselves for an eternal home.<br /><br />Anyways, hope all is well back home! Have a great week. Jesus is our Savior.<br /><br />Elder Hicken</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-58394443980922152892016-05-30T20:39:00.000-07:002016-07-11T20:53:16.689-07:00Remembering Grandma<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">My heart is heavy for the decline in grandmas health. I love her so much. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">She has been an example to me all these years of love, selflessness, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">faith. One of my favorite memories was while visiting Virginia just before </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">leaving on the mission, seeing and talking to both grandma and grandpa,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">being able to go to the Washington D.C. temple together. It's not so much </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">that I can remember all that we talked about but it felt good to be with </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">In my personal study, I came across these verses while reading in the book </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">of Helaman. ¨Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">it is said, and also written, that they were good. Therefore, my sons, I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">also written, even as it has been said and written of them¨ (Helaman 5:6-7).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I will always remember grandma and the name we share. We´re family and she </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">has a legacy of being good. I want to live up to her name. I want to be </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">good. As I remember grandma, I'm inspired to be like her.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The mission goes on. I have changes! I'll see tomorrow where I'm going. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Elder Romero´s been an awesome comp. A lot of good times and miracles seen. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Lesly got baptized last week! The baptism was great. (At the end we all </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">sang happy birthday to my comp. being his birthday was the same day.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hope everyone has a great week! I know the gospel is true.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Elder Hicken</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Pics--zone conference photos</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-7835740817936231492016-05-09T20:12:00.000-07:002016-07-11T20:12:58.094-07:00Skyping with family (From Susan)<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">What a special day, to get to Skype with Nathan, in Guatemala! Sweet Nath had sent an e-mail several weeks ago sharing that he really wanted to push himself these last few months of his mission</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">. (awesome)</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"> As such, he didn’t want any distractions, like talking about college stuff, etc. So, he asked if we could talk about General Conference talks, and gospel topics for our Mother’s Day phone call. </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt;">(Loved that! great idea!)</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">With the various General Conference talk suggestions that came in, here’s where we landed as a family. (see list below) It was great to have these talks ahead of time, giving each of us some time to ponder and study the messages beforehand. Of course we didn’t get to everything, but that was o.k.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Turned out Nathan wanted to start with Elder Lawrence’s talk, “What Lack I Yet?” It was so awesome sharing insights and ideas as a family, the parts that stood out to each of us, and the specific ways we might apply what had been said. Here were a few parts from this talk that we liked:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If we are humble and teachable, (the Holy Ghost) will take us by the hand and lead us home. However, we need to ask the Lord for directions along the way. We have to ask some difficult questions, like <i>“What do I need to change?” “How can I improve?” “What weakness needs strengthening?”</i></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u>b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><u></u>(Elder Lawrence speaking) “Like you, I have received many messages from the Spirit over the years showing me how I could improve. Let me share a few personal examples of messages that I took to heart. These promptings have included:<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u>Don’t raise your voice.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u>Organize yourself; create a daily list of things to do.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u>Take better care of your body by eating more fruits and vegetables.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u>Increase your temple attendance.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u>Take time to ponder before you pray.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u>Ask your wife for her counsel.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u>And be patient when driving; don’t exceed the speed limit. (I’m still working on that last one.)<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">A perfect time to ask, “<i>What lack I yet</i>?” is when we take the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.lds.org/topics/sacrament?lang%3Deng&source=gmail&ust=1468377453098000&usg=AFQjCNGwWHnULWHXT1_0rdRZWoKcqexE4Q" href="https://www.lds.org/topics/sacrament?lang=eng" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333;">sacrament</span></a><span style="color: #333333;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">d.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes we need to ask what we are doing <i><u>right</u></i> so that the Lord can lift and encourage us.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Nathan shared a neat idea about this—so, I guess someone Nathan knows made an actual list of the things they were doing right.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u>I don’t struggle with pornography<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u>I keep the Word of Wisdom<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u>I’m chaste<u></u><u></u></div>
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<u></u><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><u></u>I pay my tithing<u></u><u></u></div>
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Etc.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Then as they humbly prayed “What lack I yet?” they were encouraged to try to be better in just one more area-line upon line…<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Anyway, hard to sum it all up, but it was a wonderful conversation! I LOVED hearing and feeling the strong testimonies of my children! It inspired me! THANK YOU NATHAN--this idea was such a strength to our whole family! <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Sending much love your way,<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Shaun, Susan, Joseph, Nathan, and Jonathan</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-88755175592140162072016-05-01T20:06:00.000-07:002016-07-11T20:09:07.912-07:00An ELDER HICKEN sighting<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" type="cite">
---------- Forwarded message ----------<br />From: <b>Ray Oborn</b><br />Date: Sunday, May 1, 2016<br />Subject: Fwd: Look who we found in church, Nathan Hicken<br />To: President Hicken<br /></blockquote>
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<i>Dear President Hicken,</i><div>
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<i>I hope this email finds you and your family well. Please give my regards to your wonderful wife. You won't believe who found us in Church today. I have attached a picture of Nathan with my two sons (Jacob and Jordan) and one of the converts that Jordan worked with when he served in the same area three years ago.</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xHZl9MBAFA/V4RfD7RLXwI/AAAAAAAAQQQ/q_YS4OtMoQoo5fWDfFFnFF5ZO1FRSzokACLcB/s1600/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xHZl9MBAFA/V4RfD7RLXwI/AAAAAAAAQQQ/q_YS4OtMoQoo5fWDfFFnFF5ZO1FRSzokACLcB/s1600/image001.jpg" /></i></a></div>
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<i>We are here in Guatemala doing a tour of the areas Jordan served in during his mission and some sightseeing. It has been a great experience so far and we were excited to see Nathan. We attended two sacrament meetings today and one of them happened to be the ward Nathan is serving in - what are the chances! There are 3 stakes in Huehue and at least 18 wards and branches and we pick the one with your son! We had a chance to visit with him briefly after sacrament meeting - he is doing great! Hard to believe that he will be finished in a few months. It seems like just yesterday that Jordan got home and Nathan got his call and we were able to connect the two of them. Who knows, maybe they will run into each other at BYU in a few months.......</i></div>
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<i>Please give our regards and well wishes to the wonderful members of the Minneapolis MN stake!</i></div>
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<i>Take Care and God Bless,</i></div>
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<i>Ray Oborn</i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-46640231833228664402016-04-25T17:09:00.000-07:002016-05-10T17:19:15.448-07:00And let us not be weary in well doing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Sounds like it was a great stake conference! Thanks for sharing. Shout out </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">to Iggy for being the best exchange student ever to stay at our home. Glad </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">to hear he stopped by.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I don't have a lot of time this week. My companion is Elder Romero. He's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">awesome! He has 2 older sisters. Both married. He has about a year in the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">mission. He's been in Xela the whole time so he was pretty excited to hear </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">he was coming to Huehue. He's a hard worker and has a lot of enthusiasm for</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the work so I'm excited. And guess where he's from? The Dominican Republic!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Rainy Season has begun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This week we went on divisions. Elder Romero and Elder Chavez talked to an </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">old investigator. His name is Carlos. He works close to our house selling </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">hot dogs. He said he had read more of the pamphlet we'd left a while back </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">and was interested to learn more. They set up an appointment so Elder Romero </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">and I stopped by this week. We taught about the Restoration and invited him </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">to be baptized. The spirit was strong. He said he would and then he even </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">came to church. We`re pumped to see the change in his life.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I've been feeling lately what an honor it is to be part of the Lords work. I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">know He guides and leads this church. I'm always awe-inspired as I listen to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the servants he calls to speak in his name. I learn so much not just from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">their words but from the promptings of the Holy Ghost.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Also, I love the scriptures. I can't even imagine what the prophets of old </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">must have gone through to write down all they did so that we have them so </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">accessible to us today. I know that really studying the scriptures is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">totally different that just reading them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">¨And let us not be weary in well doing¨ (Galatians 6:9).</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hope everyone has a great week! Adiós</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Elder Hicken</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Breakfast with the assistants</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-1345320058755001802016-04-18T19:56:00.000-07:002016-07-11T20:03:37.429-07:00All are reading the Book of Mormon!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;">Thanks for the update on grandma midgley. I continually pray for her, and </span><span style="color: #222222;">hope that she is at least comfortable.</span><br style="color: #222222;" /><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;">I'm staying! My comp already has all his stuff packed and ready to go. We`ll </span><span style="color: #222222;">head out tomorrow at </span><span class="" data-term="goog_885229040" style="color: #222222;" tabindex="0">4:30am</span><span style="color: #222222;"> to make it in time for changes. It's definitely </span><span style="color: #222222;">been a blast having Elder Rojas as a companion. I've learned so much from him </span><span style="color: #222222;">and we`ve seen so many miracles. I know he`ll continue blessing the lives of </span><span style="color: #222222;">those that surround him wherever he goes.</span><br style="color: #222222;" /><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;">This week was great! We have been visiting a family. The dad is really </span><span style="color: #222222;">interested and has been reading the Book of Mormon! He had a few questions </span><span style="color: #222222;">the last time we passed by but we had invited a member and she was awesome </span><span style="color: #222222;">at helping answer his questions. He continues to read and pray. He has </span><span style="color: #222222;">trouble understanding the need to be baptized again but we explained about </span><span style="color: #222222;">the Priesthood. I know that by reading the Book of Mormon with real intent </span><span style="color: #222222;">and praying with a sincere heart, he will come to know that our message is </span><span style="color: #222222;">true by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Book of Mormon is so great because </span><span style="color: #222222;">it invites the spirit and testifies of our message of the restoration of the </span><span style="color: #222222;">gospel.</span><br style="color: #222222;" /><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;">Leslie Morales continues to progress! She attended church this last Sunday </span><span style="color: #222222;">and she really liked it. She is also reading the Book of Mormon and praying. </span><span style="color: #222222;">The last time we met with her, she told us that she had felt really good </span><span style="color: #222222;">reading the book and that she knew it was true. Every time she prays, its </span><span style="color: #222222;">humbling. She prays to know that our message is true. I'm so thankful for </span><span style="color: #222222;">prayer, and that we can pray anytime about anything. She's excited to keep </span><span style="color: #222222;">preparing for her baptism.</span><br style="color: #222222;" /><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;">Mackbryan wasn't able to get baptized after all. He still attended church </span><span style="color: #222222;">though and is excited to continue reading and praying about the Book of M</span><span style="color: #222222;">ormon. He made it clear that he wasn't drinking coffee anymore and was </span><span style="color: #222222;">drinking instead juice so that's good. We plan to continue passing by and to </span><span style="color: #222222;">help him work towards another baptismal date.</span><br style="color: #222222;" /><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;">In my personal study, I've been reading in Alma. Speaking to his son </span><span style="color: #222222;">Helaman, Alma said, ¨For he will fulfil all his promises which he shall make </span><span style="color: #222222;">unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our </span><span style="color: #222222;">fathers¨ (Alma 37:17). I know that God fulfills all of his promises!</span><br style="color: #222222;" /><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;">Have a great week!</span><br style="color: #222222;" /><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;">Elder Hicken</span><br style="color: #222222;" /><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;">P.S. Some random experiences of the week(see pics attached)...Elder Hall had </span><span style="color: #222222;">his birthday! Guess he didn't know the Guatemalan tradition as he complained </span><span style="color: #222222;">after having his face shoved into his birthday cake jaja...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, my companion and I found a rickety old bridge. Of course my companion rocks and shakes the bridge accidently releasing and then throwing off a water pipe that had been attached. It took us a while to get it tightly fastened back on the bridge jaja....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My companion and I were walking down the street when we saw some member locked outside of their house. Elder Rojas tried to help by wedging himself down to the other side but got stuck doing so jaja</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-6597126648524150802016-04-11T19:51:00.000-07:002016-07-11T19:52:40.490-07:00The Book of Mormon is True...READ IT!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Sounds like Jonathans is basically a pro! So awesome he's playin on this new team. Go get em buddy! And that's great that Joe Klenotich is home from his mission! Love that kid! That's so funny that he didn't recognize Jonathan! I guess Jonathan has changed a lot. I hope I don't make the same mistake jaja</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">So, this week was sure a crazy one. My comps been goin through a hard time with some stuff in his life. We've been goin back and forth from Huehue to Xela to talk to President. My comp is so awesome though! We keep workin hard.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">We saw a lot of miracles this week. We went on divisions twice with both disctrict leaders. I definitely learned a lot. Mackbryan is getting baptized this weekend! So excited. The Book of Mormon is true. Every time I read it I feel the Spirit and some sweet impressions come to my heart and mind. READ IT!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I'm really trying to push myself these last few months of the mish. I love insights about gospel topics, scriptures, and/or general conference talks.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hope all have a good week! Adios</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Love you so much!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Elder Hicken</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-34092645246968606342016-03-28T16:33:00.000-07:002016-05-10T17:07:21.613-07:00Holy Week<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hello family! Knowing everyone is currently out of town, im sure things are going well. You`ll have to tell me how it goes in Colorado and Utah. Btw everyone thinks im from Utah down here. Its like, ¨Where you from? Utah?¨</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Anyways, this week was Holy Week. That means there was lots of traditional Holy Week food and decorations. The typical drink is a type of squash called chile cayote liquified. Its not too bad but one must be careful about drinking too much or else its stomach aches for a week. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The typical food is fish and a special kind of bread. All of the Catholics put up purple banners. However, nobody seems to know the meaning or purpose behind putting up the banners jaja, at least nobody we asked. Starting this week, we saw people dressed up reenacting the last week of Jesus life. We've actually been teaching a guy named Jesus, and his wife for a few weeks. Anyway, when Friday came around, there was a huge procession. We didn't actually see it. But we did see the beautiful ¨carpets¨ they create to pave the path for the procession. They use chalk and dyed sawdust to make the ¨carpets¨. I'll attach a few pictures. It's amazing!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ExMbdAG2wI/VzJwZgOz2lI/AAAAAAAAP84/WFLIbee-OFgCuLOFZd1cE6BLwnAZnqbVwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ExMbdAG2wI/VzJwZgOz2lI/AAAAAAAAP84/WFLIbee-OFgCuLOFZd1cE6BLwnAZnqbVwCLcB/s320/IMG_1932.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">A lot of investigators that we have went out of town for the holidays.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">We continue working with the ones that are in town and we were able to find a few others. One in particular is named Leslie Morales. She is the cousin of a member. She has one little girl and is interested to learn more about the church. The first time we visited her, we showed her the Hallelujah video. She really liked it and accepted an invitation to go to church this Sunday.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I went in for another check up about my head injury. After taking another look, the doctor said that everything was fine. I'm fine mom. I'm gonna live!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Like I said last week, Im excited to hear from the general authorities of the church. I would encourage everyone to look for someone, perhaps less active or non member, to go to at least one of the general conference sessions this Saturday or Sunday. Their and your faith will grow in our Saviour Jesus Christ and in the truthfulness of the Restoration of the gospel.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hope everyone has a great week!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Peace</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Elder Hicken</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-16015782247571912692016-03-14T11:55:00.000-07:002016-05-10T15:59:26.636-07:00Hospital stay, but ok<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Great basketball season Jonathan! Lamb of God sounded amazing. Miss playing in the orchestra.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Thanks everyone for your prayers. I'm alive! Honestly the head collision wasn't as bad as it may seem. I received a priesthood blessing and I know that I was blessed. I just fell in my apartment and hit my head. A member took us to the hospital. That sure was a blast. They pumped me all night with some pain medication. After leaving the hospital here in Huehue, my companion and I went to Xela to get checked by a neurosurgeon there. He reviewed the results and said I was clear to go. The skull fracture is minor. I have 5 stitches above my right eyebrow. They thought I might have needed more but I didn't. I have follow up appointments where they will take another scan and check to see that everything is o.k. Right now I'm home and doing regular work. It's all good.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">So, we had a great week. Coming back from the hospital, my companion and I headed out to go visit a family. We felt to contact a few houses before going to visit this family. We came across a man named Rudi. He said he would attend us for 10 mins. It was very clear he was Catholic. As we began to speak, we were direct in explaining our purpose as missionaries. We explained briefly the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He thought otherwise. At one point he even called us liars. But we stood strong and bore our testimonies as powerfully as we could. We testified of the truthfulness of our message. He was speechless. He said he would read, pray and accept another visit for Tuesday.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Exciting! It was an experience unlike any other in my whole life. I'm so grateful for the Spirit, the true teacher.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">We've been praying to find a family to teach and we were fortunate to find a family that very night. It's the family Palacios Samayoa. The dad is already a member, baptized years ago. However, the wife and 2 daughters are not. We shared a quick video about what the world would be like without a Saviour </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">and we bore testimony about Christ and His atonement. They committed to read and pray about our message. We can't wait to teach them more.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Pretty soon we`ll be starting to use the Easter initiative pass along cards and video. Everyone can look it up at </span><a href="http://followhim.mormon.org/" rel="noreferrer" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">followhim.mormon.org</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> And share the video with all your friends and family. It's awesome!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> I love Jesus Christ. I know the gospel is true.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hope everyone has a great week!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Elder Hicken</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-85827229460568968222016-03-07T19:44:00.000-08:002016-07-11T19:45:07.389-07:00Progress<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Wisconsin Dells looks so fun! And I printed off the talk by Elder </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Callister that you mentioned in the weekly letter mom. Thanks.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This week has been great! We`ve continued to work with José and Joonathan. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">We`re hoping they both can go to the temple soon. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Quick side note. We called Joonathan on Sunday to invite him to a special </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">priesthood meeting but he said he was in an interview. Later he called us </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">back to tell us that he`d been called to work in the stake young men`s </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">presidency. awesome! He's so excited. </span></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Anyways, changes are tomorrow but </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I'm sticking with Elder Rojas. We`re excited! The assistants remade the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">districts so that everything's a lot closer. Both district leaders have </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">changes as well so it'll be interesting to start working with two new </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">district leaders.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hooray! We have a stove that works! We`re sure taking advantage of it. Our </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">stove hadn't been working for about 3 weeks so we took it to Xela to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">switch it out with one that worked. Turns out we ended up taking one that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">was worse off. Anyway we have a new stove now. Elder Rojas made some great </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">spaghetti the other day since we didn`t have a lunch appointment with the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">members. Yum! It was so good.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Last week, a member family took a friend to church. His name is McBryan. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">He really liked it. It's so great when members invite their friends to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">church. We visited McBryan later in the week, ended up meeting his mom and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">3 brothers. They`re a great family and they are really open to listening </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">to our message. We have a family home evening with them tonight. We're </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">excited. Love teaching families!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hope y`all have a great week!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Elder Hicken</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">P.S. Fotitos--everyone who's been Rojas`s companion, I was with Hohman, </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-82767351615133933302016-02-29T20:39:00.000-08:002016-07-11T21:03:07.737-07:00Baptisms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Happy leap year! Someone in the ward was actually born on leap year. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">We´ll be stopping by later to wish him a happy birthday. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Congrats on the basketball success buddy. Keep up the good work! The temple really is a special place.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Jose Folgar continues to be strong in the church. We saw him Sunday morning riding on his mo-ped going to pick up his girlfriend. He stopped and told us he had invited his brother to go to church! Cool. but that his brother didn´t want to come cuz he's Catholic. The important thing is that he tried and will keep on trying. Jose is awesome! Sharing the gospel with everybody. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">He and his girlfriend are planning on getting married in March!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">Joonathan Rodas got baptized! I know I know...Jose? Jonathan? Its like I were baptizing my family! I'm looking for Shauns and Susans now just that those names aren't too common down here. Jonathan wasn´t nervous, but rather calm and at peace. Last week he had gone to Xela to spend time with his family for his birthday. When he got there, his family and other church leaders were waiting for him. They asked him why he hadn't gone to the evangelical church. Then they began to grill him about his decision to be baptized. Joonathan told us later that he stood his ground, bore testimony of the gospel and things calmed down. On his birthday, he came back to Huehue and we wished him a happy birthday.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">He was ready Saturday for the baptism. His girlfriend's brother was going to baptize him but then didn't because he wasn't sure he would have been able to support him. Anyway, during the program, I was able to play How Great Thou Art on the violin. Crazy, huh? After the actual ordinance Joonathan told me that the song played was his dads favorite, and that it had brought peace to his mind listening to it. Tender mercy. Joonathan is honestly one of the most prepared people I've ever met. He has plans to get married and be sealed as soon as possible. That's awesome. Everybody's getting married! I know he´ll be a great leader and blessing to those he serves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Have a great week!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Peace and love</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Elder Hicken</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-60230510256655835462016-02-22T20:54:00.000-08:002016-07-11T20:58:13.947-07:00Jose's Baptism<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Already sent off my business idea to Joseph. Of course I didn`t tell him the best one just in case I might use it later jaja jk Miss grandma and grandpa so much! They`re in my prayers. Hope they got the email I sent them. Keep doing your thing Jonathan.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, José Folgar! His girlfriend had been bringing him to church, in his shirt, suitcoat and tie. He looked so much like a member that we didn`t figure out he wasn’t until he had already attended 3 times! We challenged him to be baptized last week and he accepted. He was baptized on Saturday the 20th. I ended up borrowing a violin from our neighbor, and got to play a song in front of everybody. Didn`t turn out quite like I wanted. Boy, do I need to practice! jaja Towards the end of the baptismal service, José bore his testimony. The Spirit was very strong. He said that he had read everything we`d given him and more and had prayed to know that these things were true.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jonathan Rodas will be baptized this Saturday! His girlfriend is attending in another ward close by but he just happens to live in our area. He lives with his grandparents in San Lorenzo. He comes from a family of pastors, not joking, that goes back 4 generations. That means his parents, his grandparents and his great-grandparents are all pastors. But he knows that what we`ve taught is true. To be honest, he`s done most of the teaching. We`ve given him something to read, and the next time we talk he brings a hand written, sometimes typed, report of what he read. We had a family home evening in the house of a member last night, and Jonathan bore his testimony that he knew what he had read and what we`d taught was true.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We went to the temple as a zone this last week! It was so peaceful, calm and reenergizing to be in the house of the Lord. Why do we go to the temple? A scripture that really caught my attention is in DyC 109:22-23, which says,<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">22 And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be roundabout them, and thine angels have charge over them;</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">23 And from this place they may bear exceedingly great and glorious tidings, in truth, unto the ends of the earth, that they may know that this is thy work, and that thou hast put forth thy hand, to </span><span style="color: #222222;">fulfill</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> that which thou hast spoken by the mouths of the prophets, concerning the last days.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the Lord`s work! He has restored his gospel on the earth today in it`s fullness. He has commanded his people to build temples and has promised blessings to those who are worthy and enter. I know that the priesthood has been restored and that it`s by that power that the ordinances are performed in the house of the Lord.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a great week! Adiós<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Elder Hicken</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-80913782521247361952016-02-15T22:38:00.000-08:002016-02-19T22:39:23.623-08:00Zone Conference Pic<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Sorry I’ll have to write ya next week. Not a lot of time today. But there were a lot of miracles! For starters, we have a baptism </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_397054519" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this Saturday</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">! His name is Jose Folgar. Tell ya more about it next week!</span><div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-49320401122676562272016-02-15T20:58:00.000-08:002016-07-11T21:01:35.529-07:00Zone Activity<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
sorry I’ll have to write ya next week. Not a lot of time today. We got back from the district activity pretty late. </div>
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But there were a lot of miracles! For starters, someone’s getting baptized this Saturday! His name is Jose Folgar. Tell ya more about it!<u></u><u></u></div>
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Peace<u></u><u></u></div>
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Elder Hicken</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-81456480286490320692016-02-08T22:44:00.000-08:002016-02-19T22:44:42.693-08:00Miracles<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Glad to hear things are going well back home!<u></u><u></u></div>
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My companion and I had a great week! First of all, we went to the leaders meeting with Pte. Smith and the assistants. It was great to hear the inspired words of president and I sure learned a lot to help the zone, our area and I [<i>myself</i>].<u></u><u></u></div>
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Second, that same night, two of our investigators who we hadn’t been able to get in touch with magically appeared. It was a miracle! We taught them about the plan of salvation and both accepted a baptismal date. Nelson, the husband said he was ready to be baptized and that he knew what we had taught was true. It really built my testimony that God has a plan for all of us. We just need to listen and follow His voice.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Later in the week, my companion and I had divisions with Elder Harward and Sanchez. Both came to our area to work. I went with Elder Sanchez. There was one lady in particular who we had visited before. Her name is Diana. She’s been reading the Book of Mormon and praying but still had her doubts. She wants to know whether or not what we are telling her is true. We told her it was all true. And we explained our purpose as missionaries as we talked about the Restoration of the gospel. After bearing our testimonies, we challenged her to be baptized. She said yes!<u></u><u></u></div>
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On Friday, we went to visit a couple that at first wasn’t very interested in our message. The first time we had met with the husband, he told us straight up that he had already been baptized and that he didn’t see why he needed to be baptized again. After coming back a few days later, the husband and wife were there. We taught about the Book of Mormon and in the end they both accepted a baptismal date.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I know this is the Lord´s work. He´s so happy with those who try their best and put forth there 110% effort for His cause. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ confide in us. May we all confide in them and the promises we’ve made.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Have a great week! Paz y amor<u></u><u></u></div>
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Elder Hicken<u></u><u></u></div>
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p.s. we went to the Zaculeu ruins today! Don't have any way to send the pics but they'll be coming soon!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-46980489418776184572016-02-01T04:37:00.000-08:002016-02-09T04:38:55.592-08:00Progress<table cellpadding="0" class="Bs nH iY" role="presentation"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy the organ<span style="color: black;"> is</span> working! Really glad to hear an update about grandma..</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s been</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> a good week. Seen a lot of miracles<span style="color: black;">!</span> My companion and I have really tried to work with the members more<span style="color: black;">, a</span>nd <span style="color: black;">it’s super helpful! W</span>e`ve seen great progress. <span style="color: black;">It was awesome that a</span> lot of members were able to go with us teaching and they <span style="color: black;">were </span>really excited about the work. In the ward <span style="color: black;">we have </span>a
lot of returned missionaries so we tried to focus in on them. We feel
as though the ward has so much potential with so many return
missionaries. We tried to be humble as well, asking for <span style="color: black;">their </span>tips and council after a lesson<span style="color: black;">. We applied</span> it later in our teaching<span style="color: black;"> and it </span>really helped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Neat
experience. A few weeks ago, I had received a reference from one of my
old companions that had served here in Huehue Centro. He said <span style="color: black;">this nice</span>
lady had given them lunch often, however, she had never wanted to
listen to their message. We had planned to look for her but she found us
first<span style="color: black;">! </span> <span style="color: black;">We were </span>buying some things in a store<span style="color: black;"> when she came up to us and </span>explained that she had given lunches to the missionaries before<span style="color: black;">. S</span>he <span style="color: black;">said she </span>would be happy to have us over<span style="color: black;"> and feed us, s</span>o we went! After lunch we offered to share a scripture from the Book of Mormon. She <span style="color: black;">liked it, </span>and at the end <span style="color: black;">she </span>committed to read and pray<span style="color: black;"> about the Book of Mormon!</span> When we returned, she had read and prayed<span style="color: black;">!</span>
She felt as though she hadn`t received an answer but was interested to
keep studying and praying. She accepted a baptismal date. The Lord
prepares his children in their own time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Castillo family is doing well. Unfortunately I was only able to visit them once this wee<span style="color: black;">k because m</span>y companion went to visit them <span style="color: black;">while we were </span>on divisions. He was excited and said he met even more <span style="color: black;">of the </span>family, the mom and another sibling. They`re struggling to attend church though because the majority <span style="color: black;">of them </span>work
on Sunday. We know that if they keep reading and praying, that the Lord
can bless them. He can help them find a way to keep His commandment<span style="color: black;"> to keep the Sabbath Day holy,</span> and <span style="color: black;">to </span>go to church. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
companion was sick on Thursday. He stayed in bed all day, except for a
meeting we had with the stake president and Pte. Smith. Poor guy. But
he`s all better now and we`re working hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Being a missionary is great! I feel so blessed to be apart of this work and to see so many miracles<span style="color: black;">! I know the hand of the Lord is in His work.</span> <span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248922748636569321.post-60948393089894836222016-01-25T11:26:00.000-08:002016-01-26T11:28:10.830-08:00Foto Fresca de Hoy<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Crazy weather on the East Coast! Glad you made it home mom. Way to go Jonathan for working hard and playing your best. Hope dad, grandma, and grandpa enjoy the Angle meeting in Florida.<u></u><u></u></div>
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My new companion is Elder Rojas. He is from Panama, my first companion from there. He has 3 siblings: younger twins and a little brother. He loves to eat. He talks really, really fast, which I like because it helps me with my Spanish to speak faster and clearer. He has lots of desires to work and we`ve already seen many of the Lord`s blessings as we`ve worked diligently and lived worthily.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Speaking of blessings, we found a great family who was willing to listen to us! Answer to our prayers. We had received a reference from a guy in the Brasilia ward, Estuardo. He came with us to contact the reference. It`s the Claudio Castillo family. We were able to talk to a lot of them, and the 3 adults that were listening all accepted to be baptized! It was incredible! Estuardo is an awesome teacher. It was incredible to see him bearing testimony of the restoration of the gospel knowing that soon he too will be a missionary.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Then Yamilet is a young girl who has attended church for the past 3 years. The missionaries have been teaching her and her mom during all that time. Yesterday at church, she told sister Alma, the president of the young women, that she wanted to be baptized! She even picked her own baptismal date. It was incredible to see that after so long, the spirit was finally able to touch her in a way that she wanted to make the commitment to be baptized. Really cool.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Elder Rojas was here in Huehue in the same zone a little less than a year ago. The first day together, he was showing me a lot of investigators that he remembered teaching. A few of them were positive. For example, he had taught a family in his old area, but turns out that the daughter of that family started working in a mechanic shop here in Centro. She said she would start reading the Book of Mormon again and that we could pass by again later <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1560679000" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tonight</span></span>. Awesome.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Then there was a Worldwide Broadcast for all the missionaries in the whole world. It was amazing. Part of that broadcast was a pre-recorded face to face discussion with Elder Bednar and about 20 missionaries. The topic was about the Spirit. Elder Bednar described how we can`t force the Spirit into the hearts of those we teach. If that were so, every person who talked to Pte. Monson would fall to their knees and beg to be baptized. But as we know, that doesn`t happen. If we live worthy, obedient lives, we will have the Spirit with us, and that allows the Spirit to reach closer to the hearts of the investigators we are teaching. Everything we do should be focused so that the Spirit`s influence can flow into the hearts of our investigators. Faith is a principle of action, and as we act there comes a power. We should do all that we can to help us and our investigators act to be able to invite the Spirit in all our lives.<u></u><u></u></div>
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I know that this is the Lord`s work. I know that as we live worthily, the Lord`s promise is fulfilled and we are guided by the Spirit. May we all live worthy to allow the Spirit to guide us and to help those around us feel the truthfulness of the gospel.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Hope y`all have a great week! Nos wachamos<u></u><u></u></div>
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Elder Hicken </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0