The Couch Game and the Blessings of our lives.

Buenas a todo! 

This week we did some more painting with Silvia and Lisbeth, but this time with clothes to paint in. We've stopped by several other times as well. We shared a lesson about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, about the role it plays in the Plan of Salvation and about the cleansing power of repentance. Lisbeth, in tears, shared an experience of when she had repented. The spirit was so strong. We were half way through the question to ask them to be baptized when Rolando, Silvia's husband and Lisbeth's dad, broke us off and started talking about something else. We plan to ask them this week to be baptized and set up a baptismal date.

We met with an awesome new investigator named Esly. He works as a carpenter. We met him while we were passing by his shop. We stopped in to say hi. We stopped by almost everyday after that. Eventually he invited us to talk to him at his house. One time, he even made us crepes and some juice. Que sabroso! We had left him a pamphlet of the Restoration and he had read the first few pages. Right there we taught him the full lesson of the Restoration and gave him a Book of Mormon. We plan to stop by this week and continue teaching him, as well as try to get him to church.

Fernando and Mercedes are another positive family. We have recently passed by there a lot too. The most recent visit was to celebrate Mercedes birthday. Elder Hohman was with me because we were on divisions with the Chichi elders. 

Two members came with us as well. It worked out really well because the members and Fernando had previously known each other so they hit it off right away. cool. To celebrate, we decided to play the couch game. I explained the rules and after many practice rounds everyone got it. It was great because it involved Fernando, Mercedes and their 5 kids as well as some of their friends. Fernando couldn't stop laughing! So far we’ve taught half of the Restoration and we plan to continue to keep teaching them and inviting them to church.

I had my first interview with President Smith this past Thursday. He let me decide what we would talk about and then he asked me questions to dig deeper. He gave great guidance. He truly receives inspiration for the mission. Afterwards I talked to Sister Smith. She shared her stories of when she lived in Minnesota and we talked about who we both knew. She then asked me to share a scripture. I gave Mosiah 2:20-24. It's one that's been on my mind recently. I'd encourage you to read it.

Last p-day, Elder Gollege and I forgot our cell phone at a fenced in soccer field. We had played there earlier with the other missionaries and Latinos. When we went back,  it was all wet because of the rain that day. Sadly, it didn't work. Luckily an hermana close by let us use her phone to call the zone leaders. We ended up leaving our phone out overnight and in the morning it worked!  What a blessing!

I know it’s important to always remember the blessings in our lives. Thank you for all you do! Until next week!

Elder Hicken

Elder Nathan in Quiche

Hola del Quiché! (Hello from Quiche)

Elder Gollege and I met Silvia and Lisbeth the first week we arrived in Quiché. They are great. We have had one or two lessons every week for the past 6 weeks. Last week we went over to paint. Didn't have time to run back to our apartment so we just painted in our shirt, tie and slacks. Teníamos cuidarnos [We were very careful]!

 Tengo Miedo!
[I'm Scared!]

 We met with them Friday too. We had left a challenge to read Alma 32 in the Book of Mormon in our previous visit. Lisbeth had read and Silvia a little bit. So we read a few verses together which related faith to a seed, when the seed is good to nurture it. We asked her how she had felt when we had come over. She said she had definitely felt something, that every time we had come over she felt better. It was just this last Sunday that Silvia and Lisbeth came to church. They continue to read the Book of Mormon and meet with us.

Me and Elder Golledge with Lisbeth and Silvia

We have been getting to know Amilkar little by little over the past few weeks. El es bien calidad! [He is awesome!]  He is a firefighter. He is ALWAYS smiling. We've mostly visited him at work. It was a miracle we found his house. Elder Gollege and I were walking down la calle principal and saw a women washing the outside of her house so we stopped to help. After scrubbing, brushing, and talking, who would show up but Amilkar! Turns out he lives there with 3 sisters and other various family members. This last week, he drove us to this fresh water pool out in the countryside. We had told him before that it was prohibited for missionaries to swim. I guess he just wanted us to see it. It was awesome! We'll continue meeting with him and inviting him to church activities.

Elder Golledge, Amilkar, and I seeing the freshwater pool

Lucy, whom we had set a fecha meta for, was unable to attend church. She is really involved in the Catholic church and feels bad missing her church which starts at the same time. She's incredible though! Every time we have asked her to read or do something she has done it. She is reading the Book of Mormon and has read all the folletos [brochures] we have left her. She said she will continue to pray about attending church and if the Book of Mormon is true. I know that anyone can know the Book of Mormon is true for themselves. First, read it. Second, meditate over it's teachings. Third, ask God, with a sincere heart, with real intention, having faith in Christ. And for those who do this, I know the Holy Ghost will manifest the truth of it unto you (Moroni 10:3-5). I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Like the Bible, it is a Testament of Jesus Christ, His life, teachings and Atonement. Read it and know for yourself!

Jesus and Abraham have been preparing to go to the temple. We had a bit of a problem when they went in for their temple interviews. They weren't able to receive their recommends because their membership records aren't in the system yet. Yikes! It's a little frustrating because they want to do family history work but can't use familysearch.org without their records. I really hope the records will be here before this Saturday so Jesus and Abraham can join the branch in entering the temple. I testify missionary work reaches much farther then just this life but also in the life to come.

The common material used here for clothing is called ''corte''. It is used as skirts, blouses, belts, blankets, etc. And missionaries can use it to make ties. Missionaries buy the corte in Quiché then send it with the Elders that live in Chichi to have it made into ties. Usually you buy it in yards squared o barras. A barra can make around 2-3 ties. Two weeks ago, we bought some corte and the Elders from Chichi brought the finished product to us today. Kinda fun. Take a look! Pictures below!

Ties made of "Corte"

 Corte Skirt

Thanks again and again for all the birthday wishes! Still getting some but that's just how the mail is here. Sounds like all is well back home. Congratulations Cheri! Number six! Hasta la próxima semana!

Un poco de futbol [A little soccer]

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

Nathan gets his VISA

Hola otra vez!

This week has been full of great experiences.

General Conference was amazing! Elder Gollege and I hooked up the TV in a separate room so we could watch it in English. There were so many talks that stood out to me. One in particular was President Deiter F. Ucthdorf’s Priesthood Session talk, with the theme being, "Lord, is it I?" How can we worry about the mole in another's eye without first seeing the beam in our own. Between then and now I have found myself asking more and more the question, "Lord, is it I?" This has truly helped me as I've quickly judged or gotten frustrated. It's humbling. Let us first recognize our own weaknesses before another's.

Earlier this week, Elder Gollege and I were trying to contact a referral (Cesar) we received from our president. We met his mom and left her with a pamphlet. We decided to knock doors around his house before our next appointment. One door we knocked, a man answered and invited us in. We met his wife's sister who was a member! She had been baptized 23 years ago but had not attended church for the past 4 years because of problems with some member families. Although she hadn't been to church in a long time, she had a strong belief of the gospel and of the Book of Mormon. We taught Bryan (the man who opened the door) a lesson and he invited us back. Since then, we've taught him once more and we are going back for dinner tomorrow. As we interact with their family more and more, we will continue to teach Bryan and invite the family to church. Truly a miracle we found them!

Tuesday night, we received a call from the zone leaders that we needed to be in Xela the next day for me to get my VISA. The next morning, we stopped by our investigators houses to move appointments and encourage them on the commitments we'd left. Then it was off to Xela! We passed through Chichi where Elder Galbraith and Elder Hohman hopped on. When we reached Xela, we met up with a lot of elders from my district in the CCM. It was an awesome reunion seeing all of them and hearing the crazy stories they had to share. 

 CCM District Reunion

Elder Gollege stayed in Xela to go to the temple while I headed with Elder Hohman and the other elders from the CCM to the capital. We stayed in a hotel for the night. One missionary, who was ending his mission, stayed in the same room as us. He had served in the Coban mission in Guatemala. He knew Ketchi and Spanish. He'd lived his whole mission in the mountains with no electricity or running water. It was amazing to hear of his experiences. Long story short, we got up the next morning and got our visas. It was actually really fast. All we had to do was make sure our information was correct and then sign the paper. All of us took a bus back to Xela. Half way, Elder Hohman and I hopped off and took a microbus to Chichi. He showed me around his area until Elder Gollege and Elder Galbraith got back from their time in Xela. 

Cathedral in Chichi

 I just can't stop looking at his cheeks

 

From the Plaza

While in Xela and the capital, I truly missed my area. I missed the people, the buildings, the familiar chapel and members. I wanted to get back to Santa Cruz to teach. I hope we can all find the desire to share the gospel and the things we know to be true.

Quick update on Jesus and Abraham. Both attended every session of General Conference. It was great to see Jesus walk out in a suit coat. Neither have ties though. Elder Gollege and I will be sure to get them some. They are preparing to enter the temple as well. Their faith to follow this gospel is inspiring. Everything is so new but they are willing and hungry to learn. I know this church is true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Joseph Smith was a prophet and we have a living prophet and apostles in these Latter Days.

 

Thanks Mom!

Thanks for all the Birthday wishes, cards and letters. Miss you all! Stay strong, remember who you are and who you represent. Nos vemos!

Elder Hicken

Hola Hola Hola!

           Another great week! To get to the multi-zone conference this week in Wayway (about 2 hours away), we went to the terminal to catch a bus. 

The Terminal

          As we were waiting for the bus, drivers heading to different cities would come up to us and try to convince us to go with them to wherever they were going. I’m like, "Your right! Even though I'm supposed to go to Wayway, I think I'll just go to Xela instead." I thought that was funny.

        The multi-zone conference was awesome. Because it was in Wayway, all the missionaries in our district came to our area and stayed the night. Half stayed in the zone leaders apartment and the other half with Elder Golledge and I. Super fun! We woke up early to catch a bus to Wayway. We got to see a lot of missionaries from my district in the CCM. The conference started at 9:30 and lasted until 3 in the afternoon. During that time President Smith set a standard of excellence for the entire mission- 1 new investigator everyday, 10 progressing always, 6 attending church every week, 4 baptismal dates always which should lead to at least 2 baptisms a month. He also spoke of a few changes. It was announced that lesson 5 of PME would be taught both BEFORE and after baptism. Also, we need to help people know and fulfill the baptismal requirements described in DyC 20:37. The basic message was "Baptisms are great but means nothing if they don't stay in the church.'' The goal should not be baptism, but the temple. We’re going to do that better. The assistants focused on ''How to find investigators?" TALK TO EVERYONE! Often times we miss crucial opportunities to talk to people in our everyday activities. We don't need to be afraid to share the gospel of Jesus Christ!  It’s true.

Our Zone:  

 Nathan in the back right

Nathan in the front, 4th from the left

            Elder Golledge and I recently came across Juana, Mateo and their 3 kids. They're Catholic but love having us come over. They're always smiling! We see them practically everyday. We've shared the message of the Restoration and have given them a Book of Mormon. When we came back, they had read the chapter we gave them and gave a perfect summary. We are going back this Wednesday for an official visit. I’m excited. We also planned a time when Elder Golledge and I will cook an American dish for them. My cooking isn't the best. Neither is Elder Golledge's. Can't wait!

Juana (un investigador) y yo

            We  met with Jesus and Abraham this last week to prepare them to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. They were so ready! They understood what the priesthood is, why it's important and necessary and they were excited to learn more. During priesthood at church, they received the Aaronic Priesthood. We plan to continue meeting with them and teach them about the temple. They are so awesome!

Hope all is well! Muchas gracias for the e-mails and letters. Means a lot! Nos vemos!

Elder Hicken

 Volunteer Firefighters of Quiche!

Somos Bomeros!

We're Firefighters!

 Un insecto grande

Jesus and Abraham's Baptism!

Mi español está mejorando cada día! [My spanish is getting better every day!] ''japín'' is slang for Guatemalan, kind of like "gringo'' is for american.

For pday today, we played fútbol with all the other elders. Couldn’t believe I hit Elder Golledge in the face! I felt so bad. Elder Pinchi, one of the Latino Elders, couldn't stop laughing. Pdays are always great cuz we get to the see the other elders in our area.

Fútbol  [Soccer]

Both Jesus and Abraham were baptized last Saturday, 20th of September, 2014!

Jesus and Abraham, Elder Hicken and Elder Golledge

We prepared all day to get the church clean, buy food and ensure people would come. There ended up being a lot of people that came to the baptismal service. 30 minutes after the baptismal service was supposed to start, Jesus and Abraham still weren't at the church. That's Guatemala for you! We had to run to their house and get them. The baptismal pants were HUGE on them. They just laughed it off and rolled up the pant legs. At the end of the service, both Jesus and Abraham bore their testimonies that they know this gospel is true and how they feel really blessed that they found the true church. It was so powerful! There are people prepared and looking for the gospel. Its our job to listen to the Spirit and find them.

Sorry that’s all the time I have today! Sent a ton of pictures which took up a lot of the time. Love you all! Thanks for the letters, cards and care package. The gospel is true!

Adios!

Elder Hicken

Independence Day in Guatemala

Hola hola hola!

Earlier this week I said ''Que chevre!'' thinking it meant ''How cool!''. Turns out in this part of Latin America, chevre means ''hot dog''. Guess I said "How hot dog!'' Definitely knew I said something wrong by the look on their face. They were nice about it though. One day I'll get this language!

        It was an awesome week. So much happened! Today is Independence day here in Guatemala! Its been pretty crazy.

        People run in groups through the streets waving flags, blowing whistles, ringing bells, carrying torches and throwing water. Almost got nailed! Throughout the week, banners and flags have been put up around la parque central and la governencia. Today there was a huge parade with soldiers, marching bands and muchas personas waving flags. It seems every 1 minute there's a firecracker or some kind of firework going off. What a fiesta!

  Enfrente la gobernante [in front of the government building]

 Día de Independencia [Independence Day]

Elder Golledge, Hohman, Galbraith, Jerez, Pinchi and I got to visit the ruins here in Quiche. Que pilas! It was amazing to see the remains of the people that used to live here in the Americas, the ''history'' of the people we get to share with the people here in Guatemala. I know the Book of Mormon is true.

Sept 15, 2014:  A Trip to the Ruins of  Q'um'arkaj

Sept 15, 2014: Una planta grande!

[Nathan standing by a giant plant]

 Las ruinas

 Selfie

 Elder Hohman y yo a las ruinas

 Elder Hohman, Elder Gailbraith y yo sobre una colina [on a hill]

Todos los elderes enfrente de una caverna
[All the elders in front of a cave]

 Una fantasma

[I'm a ghost]

Remember Jesus and Abraham?? They're two investigators progressing super fast. Last P-day, we had a lesson with them where we talked about keeping the Sabbath Day holy, the importance of the sacrament and baptism/confirmation. We asked if they would be baptized and they said they would! Their baptism is this Saturday, September 20th and their confirmation the day after. Elder Golledge and I plan to visit them everyday this week to answer any questions, serve them, put away any doubts they have and be a friend. I know this gospel will bless their lives so much!

Remember Carlos as well?? We met him last week as he was bringing in groceries to his house. We offered to help and told him about the message we carried of the Restoration of the gospel. He didn't have time then but said he wanted us to come back later that week. Anyways, this week we stopped by his house and he wasn't home but his wife was. Her name is Carmen. She invited us in and told us she wanted to hear what her husband was so anxious to here from us. We only gave a short intro to the Plan of Salvation then a pamphlet, but we stopped by later and both Carlos and Carmen were there. They invited us in and we taught them the entire Plan of Salvation. They really liked what we had to say and together we set up an appointment for next week. I know it's the Spirit that testifies to those we teach that the message we carry is true (2 Nephi 33:1). Truly a miracle!

Anyways gotta go! Miss you all! This is the Lords work!

Nos vemos!

Elder Hicken