Elder Nathan Hicken's Mission Letters: Birthday Week

Monday, October 13, 2014

Birthday Week

Hola hola hola!

Changes are tomorrow but I'm staying in Santa Cruz del Quiché with Elder Gollege as my companion. Elder Hohman is staying in his area as well. I'm so grateful I get a little more time with the great members and humble people that are here.

We've been teaching Lucy for the past 3 weeks. She has read everytime we've come back and understands what we teach. Heremana Luz Adriana, a recently returned missionary from Peru, has been helping us out and coming to every lesson. In our last lesson, we taught her about the gospel of Jesus Christ, specifically baptism. We set a baptismal date for the 8th of november. Can't wait to continue helping her progress towards her baptismal date. Also to continue to hear her spiritual experiences as she reads the Book of Mormon.

Jesus and Abraham bore their testimonies yesterday in church. They are so ready for the temple. We have been teaching them about the temple and the blessings it brings to our families. To compliment what we have been teaching them, at chuch, Hma. Luz taught the gospel doctrine class about family history work. We are having family home evening with them tonight and will continue to talk about the temple. Their temple interviews are this Thursday. Their conversion to this gospel is inspiring. By at first just believing the restored gospel is true and then allowing that belief to be nurtured through prayer and reading the Book of Mormon. They are now preparing to enter the Lord's house.

My birthday was awesome! Elder Gollege and I opened the package you sent on Monday and hung up the giant HAPPY BIRTHDAY mural. We blew up all the balloons too and used the birthday plates.

On the day of my birthday, in the morning, we opened the presents and sang happy birthday. Then it was back to work. It wasn't till that night that Elder Gollege, Pinchi, Jerez and I went to celebrate at Pollo Campero. They got me a small piece of cake. They told me I had to take the first bite. I rememberd a warning from Aunt Kerri that she'd sent me saying it was a tradition that Guatemalans will push your face into the cake. I knew it was going to happen but I did it anyways. A la gran! Frosting everywhere!

That would happen one more time the next day at zone meeting. Elder Jerez baked me a cake and had me do the same thing. Super good though!

An hermana we would visit later that day also baked me a cake. A lot of cake! Overall, fantastic birthday!

Birthday Cake in the Face

Rubbing it in!

Thanks for all the birthday cards, e-mails, letters and packages. This is the Lord's work. I know it’s true.

Elder Hicken

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Mission Office - costs $1.15 international postage
Elder Nathan McKay Hicken
Guatemala - Quetzaltenango Mision
5a Calle 14-35 Zona 3, Edificio Las Tapias
Oficina 105, 09001 Apartado Postal: 206
Quetzaltenango - Guatemala

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Elder Nathan McKay Hicken

Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission

PO Box 30150

Salt Lake City, UT

84130-0150

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Inspiring Words from Elder Hicken

Feb 23, 2015

I just finished reading the war chapters in Alma. In Alma 62:41, it tells of the different ways the people responded to the wars. Some were hardened and others humbled themselves. Same trial, but different responses. The work of Salvation is not easy, and we have to decide how we will respond. I know that this is the Lord´s work. I know the fullness of the eternal gospel was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that the Lord continues to reveal His will to his living prophet. I love this gospel.

June 1, 2015

June 8, 2015

I know that fasting and donating fast offerings brings many blessings towards those who keep it fully. When I was younger, it was not an easy thing to fast, nor would I say it is now. However, I know the Lord keeps his promises, which promise is to give spiritual revelation and power to withstand the temptations of the adversary. I´m so grateful for living day prophets who guide this church and invite all the world to be partakers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our Savior, our advocate, our redeemer. I love Him.

Oct 19, 2015

We are accountable for everything we do. How do we report our dealings with God? Through prayer. At the end of each day, we can kneel down and tell our Heavenly Father about our day. What did we do? Did we push ourselves to work hard? Did we help someone in need? Did we stand for what´s right? What direction were we going that day, towards Christ? These are just a few questions we can ask ourselves at the end of the day. I´m so grateful for repentance. When I ask myself these questions and more, it´s through the Atonement that I can be forgiven and continue to progress.