Remembering Grandma

My heart is heavy for the decline in grandmas health. I love her so much.  She has been an example to me all these years of love, selflessness, and faith. One of my favorite memories was while visiting Virginia just before leaving on the mission, seeing and talking to both grandma and grandpa,
being able to go to the Washington D.C. temple together.  It's not so much that I can remember all that we talked about but it felt good to be with them.

In my personal study, I came across these verses while reading in the book of Helaman. ¨Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them¨ (Helaman 5:6-7).

I will always remember grandma and the name we share.  We´re family and she has a legacy of being good. I want to live up to her name. I want to be good. As I remember grandma, I'm inspired to be like her.

The mission goes on. I have changes! I'll see tomorrow where I'm going. Elder Romero´s been an awesome comp. A lot of good times and miracles seen. Lesly got baptized last week!  The baptism was great. (At the end we all sang happy birthday to my comp. being his birthday was the same day.)

Hope everyone has a great week! I know the gospel is true.

Elder Hicken

Pics--zone conference photos

Skyping with family (From Susan)

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.  (awesome)  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.  (Loved that! great idea!)

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.

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:

a.    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 “What do I need to change?” “How can I improve?” “What weakness needs strengthening?”

b.      (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:

·         Don’t raise your voice.

·         Organize yourself; create a daily list of things to do.

·         Take better care of your body by eating more fruits and vegetables.

·         Increase your temple attendance.

·         Take time to ponder before you pray.

·         Ask your wife for her counsel.

·         And be patient when driving; don’t exceed the speed limit. (I’m still working on that last one.)

c.    A perfect time to ask, “What lack I yet?” is when we take the sacrament. 

d.    Sometimes we need to ask what we are doing right so that the Lord can lift and encourage us.

Nathan shared a neat idea about this—so, I guess someone Nathan knows made an actual list of the things they were doing right.

·         I don’t struggle with pornography

·         I keep the Word of Wisdom

·         I’m chaste

·         I pay my tithing

Etc.

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…

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!  

Sending much love your way,

Shaun, Susan, Joseph, Nathan, and Jonathan

An ELDER HICKEN sighting

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ray Oborn
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2016
Subject: Fwd: Look who we found in church, Nathan Hicken
To: President Hicken

Dear President Hicken,

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.

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.......

Please give our regards and well wishes to the wonderful members of the Minneapolis MN stake!

Take Care and God Bless,

Ray Oborn