Hola de Cambios

Todo está bien aquí en San Silvestre!

I´ve been thinking a lot these past few days about logros, and I took out all my agendas from my sector here, and I´ve decided that I need to make a potent change, and that potent change is a forward-progressing viewpoint. I´m not sure exactly how I´m going to change as of right now, but it´s a work in progress. I spent some time on my knees late last night, and I feel good about narrowing down the number of ´conocidos´ by putting them in the ´futuros investigadores´ category. It´s going to be a long process, as I estimate I know and have taught more than 150 investigators in this sector over the past 6 months. It seems like a large number, but really we should be contacting 10 nuevos each week, and baptizing 10%.

More than anything, this week I´ve come to realize that I´ve got no hope except obedience with exactness. I believe that shadow of decreasing logros is cast by an increasing tolerance for disobedience. But I remember how good it feels, not only to be obedient, but to lead others to obedience, and I am determined to make a potent change, now.

Elder Walstrohm is doing great! He is learning fast, and took a huge leap for better this week. I´m not sure why, but he´s started talking! I´ve always struggled with letting him talk, but he´s begun to talk before I can! It´s such a great feeling that it´s going to help me let him speak even more. Sometimes miracles are so small, but so crucial.

We´ve had lots of miracles in these past weeks, and we´re looking forward to working with what the Lord gives us, and letting the people excercise their free agency to follow, or to be left behind. Those who come to church, will be prepared. Those who don´t, are part of the 9 investigators we should be dropping each week.

Ok, I want you to think about three things, and if you would like, I would love to hear your repsonses. How do you feel about your personal efforts in:

1. Using your prayers as tools to change your will into that of the Father?

2. Reading the scriptures in order to invite the Holy Spirit to change your thoughts, words, and accions?

3. Attending church meetings, and focusing more on fortifying the testimonies of investigators, less actives, and recent converts, than on passively recieving blessings of the Spirit found in the church.

Conference was wonderful! I hope you feel how important it is to be involved actively in the work of the Lord. 

Moroni 9:6

 6 And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor ^adiligently; for if we should cease to ^blabor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.

The work is not yet finished. Carry on, my beloved bretheren, the prize is yet to be won.

Love, Elder Hicken

Hurrah for Israel!