preach my gospel is cool

Hola. We had such an incredible week. But before I go any further I am just going to put this in bold:

SARAH GUNNERSON! WRITE ME A LETTER! Love you.

Now that we're done with that :]

So. Monday night we had dinner with this less active family that, for some odd reason, the mom really doesn't like me. Which is lame, but it's helping me to learn that "my salvation doesn't depend on whether or not she loves me, but it does depend on whether or not I love her."

Tuesday we had dinner with the Gallachers - the ones that just graduated BYU and are so cool. And I think they're really starting to trust us. They gave us some LA referrals to work with, which is just a step away from investigators, referrals, right? We also met with Lauro and Maria. Lauro was baptized a year ago and his wife Maria is a Catholic. But they are awesome and we love them. Lauro is teaching me spanish haha. It's cool. He seems to have the mentality that he just changed churches so we are going to try teaching him the lessons again and see how that goes. I know it will be powerful. We had some cool experiences with the lessons this week, but I'll get to that.

Wednesday we had new missionary training. I can't BELIEVE that I'm not a "new missionary" anymore. I remember my new missionary training so well. It was the first time I met Bouwhuis and I REALLY didn't like her cause she corrected me in front of President and I felt so dumb haha. It was really good. We focused a lot on role plays and on teaching to the investigators needs. Teach People, Not Lessons. So inspired. Then after that, Sister Crawford came with us to teach Berenis. It was INCREDIBLE. Members make the work go so much better. It's a little more work to get them to attend your meetings, but the effects are so important. They are a second witness to what we are saying. Sister Crawford, who I love so much, came all the way from Kingwood to teach with us. And it was great. We were able to ask her why they thought the missionaries that pushed her into baptism wanted her to be baptized. She said she didn't know, so we were able to explain to her why we want people to be baptized. So they can have the gift of the Holy Ghost, and a remission of their sins. And she really liked that. We are excited about teaching her. We had dinner right after that with a Part Member family that is so cool - the Prigmores. Another situation where the investigator felt pushed by missionaries in the past and stopped meeting with them. But they liked us and we shared a message about Jesus Christ, about how He is the center of everything we do as missionaries and how all we are called to do is bring people clsoe to him. It was cool and they invited us back for dinner this week. Now what I have to focus on is how to be bold without being overbearing. I think charity has a lot to do with it, If you really desire to help the people because you love them, it will trickle out of what you say. And people will be able to tell. Boldness is so important. Confidence is our message.

Thursday we had weekly planning and it was a bear. I kind of don't like weekly planning. It takes FOR.EV.VER. But it's so necessary. I just wish it wasn't so laborious. But We had dinner with this member, the Edwards, and I LOVE THEM. They had this pasta salad and guess what dressing they used? Cafe Rio creamy tomatilla. OH MY GOSH. I miss cafe rio with all my heart. Yall should go this week, since I can't. Eat a pork Barbacoa salad for me. :]

Friday was our cool district meeting and then our interviews with President. Can I tell you how happy I am that I'm not a "problem child" anymore. I don't think I ever really was, but I always wanted to be a strength to the mission and sometimes I didn't feel like I was. I'm at a point where I feel like I'm actually doing the mission good. So it was cool to tell President how I got to that point. We then met with our investigator Robert who reminds me of the guy from the Lovely Bones (yuck right?) so we brought a member with us. I am feeling a lot better about him, I prayed about it and told Sister Crawford about it and she said that she thinks he's fine, and safe, just kind of odd. We will ALWAYS bring a member with us. But he wants to get baptized a lot. Which is cool. We also had dinner with the Ruiz family, who had me over on my birthday. We talked to them about how the book of mormon is the keystone of our religion and asked them about sharing it. Sister Ruiz said she already had someone in mind and planned to share it with them. I have discovered something - did I already tell you? Living in "the mission field" is becoming more and more and more attractive to me. I always thought I really just wanted to end up in Utah, and I still do, partly. But there is something so cool about being where you can actually help build the kingdom and share the gospel with people who've never heard of it before.I know you can do that in Utah, too, but lets be honest. There's a lot more people outside of Utah. So anyway. Now it's cool because whereever I go, I know I'll be happy. Except I'll miss my mountains. And my mommy :]

Saturday was the Ward Luau and Elder Brown did a fire dance. Robert came so we were able to do a church tour with him. It was fun and well attended. The Prigmore's came. I think a lot of people came to see the firedance. I got a video - I wish I could send it on to you.

Sunday was a cool day. It was ward conference and President and Sister Crawford came for all 3 hours of church. It was wonderful. I love them so much. And then last night we taught Jonathan. This is where teh power of the missionary lessons is evident. So. Jonathan is cool and he knows LDS doctrine probably better than I do. He's been investigating for 3 years. So we've never really tuaght him the lessons cause I was like "well, duh he's already heard them." But we told him, "okay. all we can do is teach you these 4 lessons. we've been called to do that. and if those don't get you anywhere..." so we started last night. And the power of the spirit was incredible! I felt it!! It was awesome and Jonathan, who said he was planning to tell us he was done meeting with us, was way softened. That's the word he used "softening" when we asked if he sees changes in himself. I see them too. I pray he will allow God to speak to him. It was incredible though the power of the lessons. Then we taught Sister Paris (whose house we always teach at) and she is not a member. We just taught her about faith and the promised land (I love the idea of the promised land in the first 6 chapters of Ether. It's mi favorito).

On our way home last night we got a call from a sister in our ward. She said "I don't know if you're aware of this but my daughter has never been baptized and she's made the decision to be baptized and will you come and teach her?" AH!! that is so cool. We are so grateful so we are teaching her tonight. It's gonna be so awesome. The lord is really blessing us as we work with the members.

It's safe to say I still love being a missionary. It's still the best thing I've ever done. I'm still just thrilled that I even have the opportunity. And I'm thrilled that I feel this way. We were talking to sister Paris, I think, about faith. And about how we know that we've asked for something and if we ask for it, we better believe our Heavenly Father is working on it. We just have to press forward and meet our challenges with an attitude of trust in God. And that is faith. Knowing that though we don't see the promised land, God will take us there. Even though we are being "dashed upon" by "mountain waves" the winds have gone forth fromthe Lords mouth and He is pushing us toward the promised land. That the wind is never ceasing to blow us toward our promised land. And we will eventually be there, just trust Him to take you. Stop getting out our oars and rowing against it. Trust Him who knows all things, and lvoes us perfectly.

Aint the gospel cool? I love it.

Mom, thanks for your letter. I'm glad that you and Julie got to spend some time together, I know you love doing that. I'm glad Grandma is doing fine, I'm sorry she's not happier :[ Old age must be tough. Thanks for your letter about your week, I love those. How was this last week? I hope it was good. Did you get my email about my retainer? Any luck? Let me know.

Dad, thanks for your e-mail. I would LOVE to write a little thing about my mission. Maybe just 5 sentences or something. I will get to work on that today and send it off next week. I love being a missionary. It's the most difficult and best thing I can imagine me doing. It has changed me to be a little more like the Savior. It has helped me to be things I have always wanted to be. THE. BEST. Hows this last week been for you? I'm gla dyou got to talk to the Weavers. CAn we go visit them when I get home? Like for a day or two? PLEASE? :]

James, how are YOU? finals are upon you I'm assuming? Are you taking summer school? Hows your major? How's church? Hows everything? You can write me a letter. I love em. You need to let me know if I can set you up with bouwhuis friends??

Jonny, what up? I really think you should write me. It will take you like 10 minutes. You can even type it. Nike. Just Do it. Hows the end of high school? Fun? When is prom? are you going? I hope you go! Did you go last year? Was I home for prom last year?

Family. I just love you. I finished the Book of Mormon this morning. It is such a wonderful Book. I know it can change your life. I know it can bring you closer to Jesus Christ and God. I know that it is divine. I have a testimony of it. I asked God, like it says in Moroni 10: 4 if the book was true. And I got an answer. I have faith that God answered my prayer. Will yall do the same? I know that God will answer you. You may still have questions and doubts, but you can have an answer. And a knowledge that someday you will understand perfectly and know perfectly.

LOVE YOU. Have a good week. It's gettin ghot here :[ I HIT 11 MONTHS TOMORROW! And we talk on the phone two weeks from yesterday! YIKES. Or skype. I kind of want to skype. We'll figure it out this week. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Have a grand week. Bug sar to write me. :] hah.

love

LOVE. Let me talk to yall about LOVE. It has been my theme this week.

FIRST of all, I love Sister Erickson. We are really having a good time together and we are really working hard. It is the best time I've had so far on my mission, because I am striving to be better and reach goals, but I am not beating myself to death when we don't. But we are meeting a lot of goals that we haven't met in weeks! Sister Erickson is funny. She's a little bit OCD, in that everything has to be just so. She is quiet at first but when she opens up she is pretty witty. She is a Geology major at BYU. So far, from her, I have learned the importance of following up on commitments. She has these lists that she just adds to, and every night, she goes over the list while planning. And it drives me a little nuts because I am always SO tired at the end of the day, but I am learning a lot and we are getting a lot accomplished. She definitely does not forget anything, which makes us better missionaries.

SECONDLY, I love the people we're teaching. Let's go through the week. Monday night we had dinner with a slightly less active woman. She is really cool, though. Because of this dinner she let us come over and do service on Saturday morning (Mom, did you know that Kirby makes an attachment that is a carpet cleaner? It's pretty cool and I am now PRO at it, so if you want to get one feel free. I can teach you how to use it in 8 months.). Because of that, she came out with the Elders to a teaching appointment with their investigator, Angie, who is getting baptized on Saturday. And she is willing to go out with us teaching. That is a focus we are going to have is bringing members with us to teach. I've said it before, but this DOES NOT WORK without the members.

Tuesday we met with Mike and Christina (found out they love weed. awesome.) and then we went and taught Catherine. OH MY WORD. She is the Sister Kretschmer of La Porte. She is the coolest old lady and has had the greatest life. She is a staunch Catholic- not because she believes it, but because her husband does and goes to mass 3x a week and she always felt religious unity in marriage was important. However, we asked her to read the book of mormon and she said she was "fascinated" and excited to read it. Our error there is we didn't invite her to be baptized, so I don't know if she's 100% clear that baptism is always our endgame when we teach. Oh well. She is the coolest woman. And she helped me fix my skirt (my favorite green skirt split right up the back because I tried to jump on my bike a few weeks ago. I didn't know who could fix it, and looky there, Catherine can!)

Wednesday we met with our investigator Berenis. Oh my word, I love Berenis. She is so cool, she's 26 and her oldest daughter is 6 or 7 and, then another daugther is 5 and her son is 3. There is such an atmosphere ofLOVE in their home. Her husband is a convert and not really active, but we are teaching her and she is slowly learning (story of my life, right? all these slowly progressing investigators. We are going to speed things up, tho, don't worry).

Thursday we did hour of power (have I explained that to yall? if not let me know) and found someone named Lisa to potentially teach. We also NEARLY bashed with this old man. He had a Jesus-Fish ring on. He had a gorgeous house though and was very nice. He just thinks we're derranged a little bit. Misled is a better word, he thinks we are misled.

Friday we had a GREAT district meeting and it rained afterward. We went and taught Robert. Robert... creeps us out a little bit. So we are taking members with us. But he is excited to read the book of mormon so we're excited to teach him. With members present always.

Saturday we had service like I said, then we taught Mike and Christina and their son Jesse (or Alex. I can't tell them apart they look like twins) a Lesson 1. They really liked it. I hope they will keep commitments and that we will teach them well because if I've met anyone who could benefit from the gospel, it's them. We also taught Jonathan. We are teaching him the lessons and then dropping him. Or baptising him. One or the other. this "chess match" he likes to play is a mental work out, but it's not our purpose. I hope he keeps commitments too because I really want him to have the gospel and the healing power of the Atonement. SO much.

Sunday we had church. And it was great. I feel kinda bad because we all e-mailed president about our ward and he said he is "sad and disappointed" and is coming to our ward this sunday. Eek! I just wanted advice. But one of the elders is like up in arms about the ward not feeding us so I think he layed it on thick in his e-mail to president. However, this sunday was wonderful. We tried so hard to love the ward, we tried to talk to everyone and I felt the love increase. I really believe that one person (or in this case, 4 people) can make the difference in a community. We all have such incredible power to make change happen. I love that about the gospel. With the gospel, people can CHANGE THEIR LIVEs. That is what I am out here for. I want people to have access to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and it's healing, ennabling powers. This all brings me to

THIRD, I love love love love being a missionary. I really do. I was thinking about (since sister erickson is new) how it was to leave home. And how that hurt. And I thought about how getting ready to leave home was the WORST part of it all. Much worse than actually leaving was the building up to leaving. But I thought about how hard getting ready to leave was for me, and I just am blown away by how grateful I am that I did. This is the best thing I've ever done. I am happier than I've ever been. I am smarter than I've ever been because I'm learning more than I ever have. I just adore being a missionary. I can't believe how fast time is going. Can you believe in a week and a day I've been gone for 11 months. ELEVEN MONTHS?! How did that happen? So much good has happened. I don't know how to say how much I love being here, how grateful I am to be here. The opportunity of a lifetime, that is what this is. I get to be smack dab in the middle of it and loving it. Every time transfers happen, things are a tiny bit rough for me. But I think about what Julie told me in the card she gave me after I got my call. She quoted from the talk "Remember Lot's Wife" by Elder Holland. "She doubted in the Lord's ability to give her something better than what she already had. Apparently she thought that nothing could possibly be as good as what she was leaving behind." I believe that now with all my heart. I believe that the Lord loves us so much. He wants to bless us. We need to have faith that whatever He's leading us toward will make us better and happier than EVER BEFORE. In any time of change this is true. Dad, when you changed jobs. Mom, when you went back to work. James, when you went on a mission, and then again when you came home from your mission. Jonny, as you graduate high school and leave on a mission.( Double whammy to have those at once, huh? but I promise you'll be okay. I promise you, Jonny, that if I can do this and be happier than ever before, you can do it too. And you'll do it way better than I did becuase of who you are. You are a great person and will be a great missionary. Don't worry, don't stress. I know you'll be fine.) We all just have to learn to have patience with ourselves and trust the Lord. We don't have to be perfect or happy or balanced all today, at this moment, right away. We just have to trust Him, becuase he tells us "You will be there. You will be there, I will take you there." Like in the hymn "I Believe In Christ", it says "And while I strive through grief and pain His voice is heard YE SHALL OBTAIN"!!! Oh how I love that part. Becuase that's what FAITH is. While we are striving through the grief that comes from change and the pain that comes from growth, His voice, our Savior's voice that has been the same and will be the same - is heard (if we listen): "Ye shall obtain. I know what I can promise. And I promise you that you'll make it." When Elder Holland came to talk to us, he said, the first thing he said was "I love you, and the Lord loves you. And He'll take you from where you are to where you need to be." That promise from Elder Holland has played in my head hundreds of times. I believe Him.

Oh, do you see how much I love being a missionary? I love this!! I am learning things that I, me Jillian Hicken, could not have learned at home. Or I couldn't have learned them as quickly, or loudly, or whatever you want to call it.

Family, will you pray to our Heavenly Father? Find out what His will is, see where that matches with your own, and ASK HIM FOR IT. Ask him for your desires to be realized. And then have faith. Move forward not worrying about it. Because I can promise you, "ye shall obtain". He doesn't love me more than He loves you. And He has blessed me so much. I know He wants to bless you, individually and specifically.

Holy soap box. Haha. but I hope that you can feel the Spirit through what I've said. So what if I'm just a through and through missionary now? With all the chessy-ness and the cliches? I am aware of it and I love it! That means, at least partly, that I am losing myself. I am losing myself and Christ is going to make a better me in His image. This gospel is true my family! I know that. This church is Christs. I believe that enough to preach it every day. We are so blessed and the Lord loves us. He will take us each from where we are (a good place) to where we need to be (a better place). All these things are my testimony. I share them in the name of Jesus Christ.

So. Haha.

Dad, how has your week been? thanks for your e-mail! I hope things continue to go good and that getting ready for stake conference is exciting! I think it sounds awesome. Your talk sounds spectacular. How's work?

Mom, thanks for your letter. Thanks for going to Bouwhuis' homecoming!! She is so great. That family she talked about, the second miracle? that's mike and christina and alex and jesse. How is everything for you? I love you!

James, how's life? How's everything? I'm so happy to hear your life is going so great right now. Any chicas? You have to fill me in cause I want to set you up with bouwhuis' friends, mmkay? Hows finals?

Jonny, how is the winding down of high school coming? it's kind of sad, huh? But it's also fun because you have the WORLD in front of you! You can do and be anything that you want!! I'm way proud of you. You have been a great example to me and James always. Thanks for that. WRITE ME!!!!!!!! Muchas gracias.

say hi to wilsy for me.

I love you all. I pray for you. I am so grateful that I get to be a missionary and for all the help each of you have given me. And all the help everyone else has given me. We have an incredible extended family, huh? and We have awesome friends. Do yall know how the Weavers are doing? LOVE YOU! Have a good week. Read that talk from Elder Holland. It was a BYU Devotional January of 2009. I think. It's called "Remember Lot's Wife". I think. I fyou find a tlak called "The bEst is yet to be" that's not it. it's close, but it's abridged. You need the WHOLE thing. Will you read it please please please??????

yall the beyst!

The Elders got yelled at by this big black lady the other day and she was sayin "Yall are full uh mess!" and it was so funny. That's what I thought of when I wrote "Yall are the beyst!"

But seriously, you are the best family in the entire world. I am convinced of it. Thank each of you for the birthday card and for singing to me :] It was so funny, I could hear each of you distinctly. And Wilsy sent me a card, he is such a sweetie. I had a good birthday so thank you so much! Thank you Mom, for the package and the presents! They are all perfect and awesome. I am wearing the new red and black skirt right now :]

Well. I have a greenie! Can you believe it? Her name is Sister Allison Erickson from Provo Utah. She is great. Honestly doing SO much better than I was doing when I was first new. We are going to do good work together, I know it. Thank you for all of your advice, Dad and James. I definitely will use it. Training thus far has been really cool because I'm realizing and recognizing the ways I've grown since I came on a mission. And I am realizing where I need to improve the most. I'm really grateful for her because she is understanding that this area is bizzar-o and that we have to do some tedious work here in order to get to the good stuff. Also, since I've started training I'm like addicted to studies! I study every second that I can. Like right before bed I'm always squeezing in the Bible for 10 minutes.

I had a testimony builder this week of the Book of Mormon. To explain this, I'll explain the week.

Monday we hurried and finished Bouwhuis' packing and got everything squared away for her leaving the next day. We had a family home evening with a family in our ward that adores sister Bouwhuis and we ended it with a silly string battle. It was funny. Then Tuesday we had to be in Kingwood at 8:45 so the trainers could meet with President for an hour, then the trainers and the greenies together for an hour, then the actual transfer meeting at 11. It was a really good meeting. President talked to the trainers about how we are shaping the future of the mission (no pressure right?) and then to all of us about the church's new 12 Week Program for training. (It's way cool! We study for an extra hour at 10 am until 11 am). Then we finally got back to the area and I took her to meet the Elders at lunch, then I took her tracting :] It was pretty good. NO ONE wanted to talk to us but it was breezy. Then we went and met with a Recent Convert and then we had dinner with the Gallaghers. They are a couple in our ward that just moved here after finishing BYU. They are cool, but sometimes I feel SUPER judged by them. And I've been trying to not assume things, so I actually think they are judging us to be bad missionaries. Which is fine, it's unfair but it's fine.

Wednesday morning we had choir practice early in the morning at the Broadway chapel. The next fireside, I think I told yall, is going to be in espanol in Spanish land! That will be cool. But because of this we didn't have time to do companion study in the morning. After choir we went to do service at the ward - helping the relief society set up for their function (I know, NOT our purpose, tell me about it. But we are trying to create a love in the ward that is so absent). Then we visited a less active woman and then WENT to the Relief Society function. It was good for sister Erickson to meet the ladies in the ward. That was one thing I wish I had done at first was meet a lot of ward members. I would have felt way more secure.

Thursday we almost had appointments that we had to walk to (becuase sister Erickson doesn't have a bike yet, so we are on foot. It takes FOR.EV.VER. Everything in Texas is way spread out). And a lot of our appointments fell through. But we stopped by our potential investigatros and set up an appointment for Saturday with them.

Friday we had district meeting and it was my birthday! The elders made me a cake and bought me cupcakes and sang to me. Later in the afternoon the Baxters (from Porter, remember?) were in La Porte and took us to sonic. Then we had dinner with the Ruiz family and they had a celebration for me, it was so nice. All in all, it was a good birthday, but I wish we could've worked more. Our miles situation is bogus, we need to reevaluate it. Anyway. (James did yall struggle with miles in Roseville? It's ridiculous here).

Saturday was a good day, we had our appointment with our investigators. We did a purpose lesson with Mike and Christina and we are coming back next Saturday to teach them about the Restoration. It was pretty cool becuase when we asked them why there are so many churches, they said "Every religion has part of the truth- but no one has the whole truth." !! we were walking away like "Okay President, you can come out now! You set this up obviously!" but we are really excited to meet them.

Yesterday was a good day at church (sorta) and then we met with Jonathan at the Paris' last night. It went well. Not gonna lie, I was slightly terrified to go without Bouwhuis, but it went okay. And we are still teaching him. So all is well. I say church was okay (sorta) because we are faced with trying to inject charity into the ward. I know we can help build this ward and make a difference but we don't know where to start. Any advice for that aspect? We've had some negative experiences recently and we just need to show them more love, I know it. We need them to feel more love. How do we influence the ward to feel more love?

So. That was the week in a nutshell. My Book of Mormon experience is this. In the crazy Monday Tuesday and Wednesday we had, I didn't read the Book of Mormon. And I felt it. Mom, it's like you said there is a spirit that accompanies the book of mormon. And it seems like I'm addicted to it now :] good addiction, right? On Thursday when I finally read it, I felt WORLDS better. It was really cool. This book is infused with the spirit of God. Reading it will make your life better. I know it cause I experienced it.

Can you believe I'm not more stressed?? I seriously cannot. I know the Lord is blessing me and has blessed me to be at this point. I truly see my growth as a missionary because I see how I am able to turn the stress over to the Lord and to do my best. That is incredible to me. I can't believe how much my testimony has grown of the Lord's intricate involvement in our lives. The details people!! He's in the details. I am so grateful to be a missionary right now. There are still things that I don't love to do, and still things that worry me, and things that stress me, but I truly can see how the Lord gives us these things to help us grow. HE LOVES US. When we teach Jonathan, that's what we always come back to (haha crazy that I've now taught a James and a Jonathan! James is back going to church by the way!!!! SOOO happy!) Jonathan believes that God is cruel and a punisher. We disagree doctrinally on that point. But he is coming along. We will pray for the Lord's guidance on how to progress. He will tell us what to do. I feel like we're going to have to drop him for a bit. Oooh, baby how do we do that? Yikes bikes.

Mom, thank you for all that you did for my birthday! You truly were born to be a missionary's mother :] I love you so much. Thank you for your letter. And thank you for sending the one from the Relief Society! That is the 3rd or 4th time I've heard from ward members on my mission and it makes me SOOOO happy every time. I love our ward. Thank you for being a great mommy! How is everything? Work is good? How's my grandmother? I hope she's good. Tell her that I love her so much, will you?

Dad, thank you for your Easter Card, your birthday card and your e-mail! I treasure em all! Thank you for your advice and counsel on how to be a good trainer. Did you get to be a trainer on your mission? Do you remember your trainers name? Did I tell you that a kid from our ward is going to the Arcadia mission in about a month? Your topic for Stake conference sounds awesome!! Arise and Shine forth! Lengthen your Stride kind of a thing right?? LOVE.

James, thanks for your letters.You are awesome. I bet you were just the best missionary in the Roseville mission. I'm glad you are doing good. Thank you for your counsel on how to train. Ididn't know you did it thrice?? Who were they? Elder Olafson, I know but the others? Hows everything with you? I'm assuming work is good since you never talk about it. When are finals? Did you know that if you write your sister during finals week, you automatically get better grades? Doctrine. And P.S. I laughed really hard at your birthday card. Is the office still going strong??

Jonny, thanks for the card. You are such a great artist. I cannot believe you are getting ready to get a mission call!!!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Freak. I am so excited for you. You cannot even begin to understand how much. You are goign to be the best missionary. Are you excited? I hope so. You graduate soon, how do you feel about that. What are these empty promises about sending me an e-mail? Lies. You can't lie anymore when you become a missionary.

Family, i'm serious you're the best.I love you. I can't believe we get to talk (FOR THE LAST TIME) in less than a month! Ooooooh! It's gonna be good. Please continue to send me advice if you have it, or just tell me what your lives are like. I love to hear about it. Jesus Christ loves us! He loves us and our Heavenly Father loves us! They created a perfect plan for each of us. If we follow them, if we pray to them and follow them, we will find our path and be happy. I know this is true. My life will be different forever because of these things I am learning.

LOVE YOU

Sister Hicken

ps. no pictures today. Mucho lo siento :[

guess whaaaat??

Monday, April 9, 2012 10:18 AM

I'm training!! My greenie gets here today! and I meet her tomorrow. AH!!! I am excited and nervous and overwhelmed a tiny bit. But it really will all be fine. Bouwhuis is going home Wednesday! Sister Lundgren goes home at the end of this transfer! What is going on?? Time is speeding by all the sudden. Sister L's homecoming will probably be on May 27 and YOU HAVE TO GO! Bouwhuis' homecoming is this sunday april 15. She's in the Holiday 24th ward I think. I am right! Holiday north stake. At 10:50. If you wanna go :] It's going to be awesome. Bouwhuis is going to come see yall. I will give her your number and our address and you can work something out. You will like Bouwhuis she is way way rad. We've had the best transfer I think of my mission in terms of companions. She has told me repeatedly that time is not goign to slow down now, and I'm trying to believe her, but I'm just nervous. Cause we just have a sort of dead area. But I guess that means we have a LOT of work to do. I'm excited to train. I think it's gonna kick my butt! Which will be good because I will be more obedient and more focused and WAY more humble. But I truly do welcome ANY advice yall have for me. Anyone. I would LOOOVE it cause I'm nervous too. Sylvester and Brown are staying together for another and I AM SO GRATEFUL!! I love them both, we all have a good time. But we're all going to miss Bouwhuis a lot.

This week was good. We met with our two progressing investigators. They are awesome, just progressing really slowly. I am learning the value of "Teach People, Not Lessons" really well right now. Jonathan doesn't like to say he's progressing, whenever we ask him if he's felt a difference he says no. But we see it! We see a difference. And that is worth the slowness. Because he really is being healed by Christ, maybe even without his acknowledging it. he reads the book of mormon and that's what counts. I am learning a lot about humility with bouwhuis going home becuase, seriously, she is a GREAT missionary and a great teacher. So I periodically get nervous like "Oh shoot. When she goes home all of our investigators are going to drop because I can't do it the same way she does!" But then I think "Hold on, they're not really MY investigators at all. They are the Lords. So if I listen to Him, He'll tell me what to do." And that makes me feel a lot better. President said, when he called me, "this is the most important calling in the mission to be a trainer. You are creating the next generation of missionaries by how you train them." And so I was thinking, what do I want for this mission that I love? How do I want it to be in the future? However that is, is how I should train. It's nice.

Easter Yesterday was really awesome. Mom, I LOVED the Resurrection eggs. I totally knew what the last one would be, but I cried when I opened it anyway :] That started out my day very nicely. Then church was pretty good. I wish that we would do themes for all the meetings, but we studied the priesthood. Still cool. But I wish it had been easter. Then after church we stopped by a family that dropped us this week and the member said "I'm just going to go to another churchfrom now on." and oh my gosh. talk about stressy. This is all involved in the ward that I love, but that definitely needs some TLC and some work. Which is really good though. We are going to do it. She was really offended (and with good reason) by a member of the ward. So she is going to go to a baptist church, or see if she can go to the ward she was baptized in. But we can still go over. It's just an emotional time, but we are grateful she let us in. Because we love them and we really do just want to help them. It's not about numbers or what building you go to, it's about helping them feel the love of our Savior and have access to His atonement. And we are the only ones who can do that. And they should be in their home ward, which is here. This ward oh my word. It needs a leap of faith by a lot of people and a LOT of charity from everyone. I have been praying so hard for charity. I really really need it if I'm going to train and lead this area. I want to do well, I want to do what the Lord would have me do. After that we had dinner with the Relief Society President and then a single sister (rm!!) in our ward. It was so fun and great. And then we finished the night with our pm investigator family. We watched "The Lamb of God"and Berenis just cried. She said she was mad at the people who did that to Christ. We tried to help her understand that she was upset because she loves Christ. Even though she doesn't know him as well or the Bible as well I guess, she still loves Him because her spirit knows him.

We are getting ready for what is going to be our final fireside. (they say we're taking a break, but we're not. it's dead.) and it's going to be in spanish land!! which means we are learning all the music in spanish! Which means I LOVE it.

Mom, again, thanks for the easter package. This has been a wonderful easter. I love my Savior and am so pleased to be able to be witness for him right now. This time is a really great time, isn't it? How are you doing? what is going on in your life? ho w's the nutrition thing? do you feel a difference?

Dad, how is everything going? How was your easter! Stake Conference is coming up!! Awesome! If I'm remembering right the ensign had a talk about getting revelation from stake conference didn't it?that's gotta make you happy! how is everything in the stake?

James thank you for your letter! I love your letters !! Thanks for the advice. I am so happy you are doing well!! I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know tha my brothers are both doing good! The Civil war sound way fun! Your ward sounds like it's great. You know, I think the collapsing of the university wards thing was inspired. Do you? How's life? What is the name of your one friend that you're so happy for? Would I know her if she's my age?

Jonny, dude. I hear all these rumors about you. How you're putting in mission papers and yada yada yada but I never have heard it from you. I would loove to hear how you are doing? WRITE ME please. It's my BIRTHDAY!! for crying out loud :]

Well, I'm sorry for some reason I ran out of time really fast this week. :[ I love you all so much. PLEASE send me letters of advice about the training situation!! I need em.

This is Jesus Christ's church! I had that confirmed to me this week and I was so happy. Even if I don't feel that burning testimony all the time, it's okay because I trust God. I trust him that he will help me get to the point when I feel it like that all the time. LOVE YOU. Be good! Say family prayer and always read the book of mormon!

He is risen!!!!

Love, Sister Hicken

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Monday, April 9, 2012 10:18 AM

I'm training!! My greenie gets here today! and I meet her tomorrow. AH!!! I am excited and nervous and overwhelmed a tiny bit. But it really will all be fine. Bouwhuis is going home Wednesday! Sister Lundgren goes home at the end of this transfer! What is going on?? Time is speeding by all the sudden. Sister L's homecoming will probably be on May 27 and YOU HAVE TO GO! Bouwhuis' homecoming is this sunday april 15. She's in the Holiday 24th ward I think. I am right! Holiday north stake. At 10:50. If you wanna go :] It's going to be awesome. Bouwhuis is going to come see yall. I will give her your number and our address and you can work something out. You will like Bouwhuis she is way way rad. We've had the best transfer I think of my mission in terms of companions. She has told me repeatedly that time is not goign to slow down now, and I'm trying to believe her, but I'm just nervous. Cause we just have a sort of dead area. But I guess that means we have a LOT of work to do. I'm excited to train. I think it's gonna kick my butt! Which will be good because I will be more obedient and more focused and WAY more humble. But I truly do welcome ANY advice yall have for me. Anyone. I would LOOOVE it cause I'm nervous too. Sylvester and Brown are staying together for another and I AM SO GRATEFUL!! I love them both, we all have a good time. But we're all going to miss Bouwhuis a lot.

This week was good. We met with our two progressing investigators. They are awesome, just progressing really slowly. I am learning the value of "Teach People, Not Lessons" really well right now. Jonathan doesn't like to say he's progressing, whenever we ask him if he's felt a difference he says no. But we see it! We see a difference. And that is worth the slowness. Because he really is being healed by Christ, maybe even without his acknowledging it. he reads the book of mormon and that's what counts. I am learning a lot about humility with bouwhuis going home becuase, seriously, she is a GREAT missionary and a great teacher. So I periodically get nervous like "Oh shoot. When she goes home all of our investigators are going to drop because I can't do it the same way she does!" But then I think "Hold on, they're not really MY investigators at all. They are the Lords. So if I listen to Him, He'll tell me what to do." And that makes me feel a lot better. President said, when he called me, "this is the most important calling in the mission to be a trainer. You are creating the next generation of missionaries by how you train them." And so I was thinking, what do I want for this mission that I love? How do I want it to be in the future? However that is, is how I should train. It's nice.

Easter Yesterday was really awesome. Mom, I LOVED the Resurrection eggs. I totally knew what the last one would be, but I cried when I opened it anyway :] That started out my day very nicely. Then church was pretty good. I wish that we would do themes for all the meetings, but we studied the priesthood. Still cool. But I wish it had been easter. Then after church we stopped by a family that dropped us this week and the member said "I'm just going to go to another churchfrom now on." and oh my gosh. talk about stressy. This is all involved in the ward that I love, but that definitely needs some TLC and some work. Which is really good though. We are going to do it. She was really offended (and with good reason) by a member of the ward. So she is going to go to a baptist church, or see if she can go to the ward she was baptized in. But we can still go over. It's just an emotional time, but we are grateful she let us in. Because we love them and we really do just want to help them. It's not about numbers or what building you go to, it's about helping them feel the love of our Savior and have access to His atonement. And we are the only ones who can do that. And they should be in their home ward, which is here. This ward oh my word. It needs a leap of faith by a lot of people and a LOT of charity from everyone. I have been praying so hard for charity. I really really need it if I'm going to train and lead this area. I want to do well, I want to do what the Lord would have me do. After that we had dinner with the Relief Society President and then a single sister (rm!!) in our ward. It was so fun and great. And then we finished the night with our pm investigator family. We watched "The Lamb of God"and Berenis just cried. She said she was mad at the people who did that to Christ. We tried to help her understand that she was upset because she loves Christ. Even though she doesn't know him as well or the Bible as well I guess, she still loves Him because her spirit knows him.

We are getting ready for what is going to be our final fireside. (they say we're taking a break, but we're not. it's dead.) and it's going to be in spanish land!! which means we are learning all the music in spanish! Which means I LOVE it.

Mom, again, thanks for the easter package. This has been a wonderful easter. I love my Savior and am so pleased to be able to be witness for him right now. This time is a really great time, isn't it? How are you doing? what is going on in your life? ho w's the nutrition thing? do you feel a difference?

Dad, how is everything going? How was your easter! Stake Conference is coming up!! Awesome! If I'm remembering right the ensign had a talk about getting revelation from stake conference didn't it?that's gotta make you happy! how is everything in the stake?

James thank you for your letter! I love your letters !! Thanks for the advice. I am so happy you are doing well!! I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know tha my brothers are both doing good! The Civil war sound way fun! Your ward sounds like it's great. You know, I think the collapsing of the university wards thing was inspired. Do you? How's life? What is the name of your one friend that you're so happy for? Would I know her if she's my age?

Jonny, dude. I hear all these rumors about you. How you're putting in mission papers and yada yada yada but I never have heard it from you. I would loove to hear how you are doing? WRITE ME please. It's my BIRTHDAY!! for crying out loud :]

Well, I'm sorry for some reason I ran out of time really fast this week. :[ I love you all so much. PLEASE send me letters of advice about the training situation!! I need em.

This is Jesus Christ's church! I had that confirmed to me this week and I was so happy. Even if I don't feel that burning testimony all the time, it's okay because I trust God. I trust him that he will help me get to the point when I feel it like that all the time. LOVE YOU. Be good! Say family prayer and always read the book of mormon!

He is risen!!!!

Love, Sister Hicken

conference was wonderful

wonderful wonderful general conference, am I right? It was so good.

This last week was really weird. We had exchanges on Tuesday and I realized that, hey, I am unready to lead this area! That was good to know. Not that I can be that much more prepared in a week and a half. But it was good to realize that so I won't be blind sided. And there are some things I can do to prepare.

We had this new family we were teaching, and we called them to see if we could come over and the mom just hung up when we said "Hey, it's the missionaries!" and so we were like "that's odd, lets call back." we did, she sends our call to voicemail and then texts us and says "Please stop callin and please don't come back". ... yep. That was weird. It was totally out of the blue and just mildly upsetting. We tried to talk to her a little bit, but she's just not ready. I just don't understand why people react so immaturely, but whatever. No one is perfect (RIGHT Uchtdorf?? Ohh, conference was so so wonderful)

So we just had a few days of everything was awful. But we ended the week with conference and it was sooo great. I went back and made a list of things I wanted to tell you that I LOVED: .... but I just checked and realized that I forgot my planner. So I'll just tell you what I remember.

Elder Holland (Obviously!) and his wonderful expounding of a parable. It seemed to me that there were a few themes at conference. The biggest one was family! FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY! Another one was Envy or I guess imperfections. And Also President Kimball was quoted a LOT. I loved Uchtdorf's talk. Jonathan, our pretty much only solid investigator, got up and turned off his broadcast he told us when Uchtdorf was talking. This really proves to me that he is not ready. He's really not ready to progress (James, he is not low hanging fruit at all :]). But his talk was wonderful STOP IT! I loved the questions he told us to ask ourselves. There was something in there - oh yes!! RASBAND's wonderful talk. It reminded me of Grandma. Cause I can sort of see the sacrifices yall are making and Julie's family too, to take care of Grandma. But, just like the talk that you sent me mom, "You are being exalted." I loved also the Elder Anderson's question "What thinks Christ of ME?" I loved that.

Best funniest moment of conference was D.Todd Christoffersons "Translate that." It was so funny. We were at a members house for the second session yesterday and Brother Paris was like "Wasn't that funny how President Monson made a fart joke?" and we were all like "... whennnnn did he do that?" And when he stood up and said "This speaker stood up. he looked left. he looked right. he looked to the front. and then departed." well Brother Parris thought he said "...he looked to the front, and then he farted". hahahahahahahaha oh man. He definitely did not say that. Members are so great.

Yesterday was also april fools day! And we got the elders sooo good!! In the morning on our way to pick them up for conference we said "hey sorry we're gonna be late we got in a car accident." and then we got there and silly stringed them when they came out! Some guy was filming it on his iphone. ha. but then we went to conference and we happen to have a key to their apartment so on our way back from our dinner appointment we went over and got their flour out of their cupboard and put it on the spokes of their ceiling fan. HA! Then we shaving-creamed their toilet.

yes. victory. they called us at 9 last night and they were like "Hi sisters. what the freak??? call us back. Sister hicken was this your idea? what is wrong with you?" and it was sooo funny! they were a little ticked, but they took it all in stride. All of sylvesters suits were on his bed because he was deciding which ones to dry clean. And vuala! all of them! there's your answer. they had cockroaches all over. oh my word it was so funny. hahahahahahahahahahaha

We are starting from square one here. Bouwhuis is going home next week. As in she sees her family in one week. I'm going to have her come see yall. I'll give her your phone number. At the end of NEXT transfer, my trainer goes home !!! And i'm going to send HER to see you. Yesterday I hit 10 months. How crazy weird is that??? I only have 8 months left. Mikelle has 4, cause she's coming home for school at the beginning of August. WAY WAY weird. I've heard when you hit 6 months it just starts to fly. Like it's really history then, you're just sliding to home. Weird. I don't think about it cause I don't know what to think about it. And it's far away.

I still really do love being a missionary. I got so much out of conference. I loved it. I had questions written down (did you ahve questions written down?? I hope so!) and one of my questions was about charity.I know I need to have more charity, and I watned to know how I could get it asap. And the answers came. They were there. The same for my other main question. I can't WAIT for the ensign to come out so I can really study the talks and really find my answers. God wants to answer us because He loves us. So much. I just know that.

Mom, thanks for your letter and that talk! WOW. It was so good. I cried in it. It made me realize how grateful I am to go to BYU. It is a blessing. It's weird stuff, but everywhere is. And it is the coolest environment to go to school in. Jonny are you applying there?? Do it! I'm glad to hear that you had 2 parties in a row. haha look at you! How is everything? what was your favorite conference talk?

Dad, thanks for your e-mail! It's good to hear all about what's going on at home. I'm sorry to hear about those things that are frustrating you. My humble advice is what would jesus do? that's always a good indicator. That challenge is a good idea too, huh? The two challenges were spread over a year and I think that was a good idea because people are more likely to do things when they are in smaller packets, ya know? oh! I just thought of who's coming home from their missions soon and mitch orton is huh?? Like this month right? Wha!

James, thanks for your letter! It was so great. Thanks for telling me about the low hanging fruit. It really seems like you're happy and doing well! I hope so. Didnt you love conference? I'm so jealous I couldn't go to priesthood :[ We almost swung it cause the elders were gonna bes tranded at the church with no ride. but to no avail. we had to go work. and we wanted to work. but we are jealous of yall and your extra session. What is going on in your ward? Do you know any people that I would know for high school or anything?

Jonny, I wrote you a letter this morning! Get ready for it. I am just so happy for you!! I remember really well how I felt when I was doing what you're doing right now. It's a weird feeling. You better tell me when you put your papers in! I am holding my breathe for texas houston east!! Just kidding. I think you should probably go somewhere that will be even better tailored to you! But I still really hope it's english state-side. really really really. how did you like conference. how are you feeling? write me!!

Family, I love you. I really do. One of my favorite talks was the one that the guy was like "The church is different from the gospel." and that's what I've said before too! the church is a vehicle that helps us live the gospel. It is christ's church. and this is his gospel. those are two separate things, but like the man said they should be intertwined. I LOVE THIS! I really truly love being a missionary. I cannot WAIT for jonny to come out here with me!!!!!!!!! and I am so happy for James that he had this experience. and Mom and Dad will shortly have this experience. Dad! A priest from my ward just got called to the California Arcadia mission spanish speaking! i thought you might be excited for him. East LA baby! :]

LOVE YOU!!!!! See you next week. Sister Hicken

pictures : zone pday easter egg hunt!

the zone dying easter eggs LOVE LOvE LOVE

weekly planning at the water.

after a GREAT day on the bikes

the "snow storm" bahaha