Hola de fin de mes....already?

Todo está bien aquí en San Silvestre!

This morning we set goals as a zone, and I feel really good about the progress here in Las Flores. We´re coming together to fortify one another and motivate ourselves together to be better missionaries. Unfortunately, we were not able to meet our goal this past month, but in our ward council yesterday, we suggested setting a common goal between us (the missionaries) and the ward. That way we can have the same ¨vista¨ just like us in the mission! In our transfer meeting this past transfer, President and Sister Borg and about 30 missionaries showed up with huge glasses. During the meeting, President explained that it was because we need to focus on having ´la misma vista´. 

We´ve set a goal of 5 baptisms for October. it´s high, considering our accomplishments these past months, but it´s what the ward wants, and it´s what they´re willing to help us acheive. 

We´ve done everything we can to put into effect home and visiting teaching, coordination misional, and ward activities, and we plan to focus on creating a ward mission plan in the following weeks. It´s been a long prosess here in San Silvestre. From a ´ward´without a bishop, without activities, with almost half the ward recent converts, and almost 80% of the members inactive, to what we´ve got now. I know Preach my Gospel says that more than anything we should make sure our sector is stronger than when we left it, but now that I am 100% sure that I have complied with that requirement, I am excited to work with our ´baby barrio´ to bring new sheep into the fold. 

Out of the 5 baptisms for October, only one has a date set, but we hope to put the rest on date this week! The ward wants to baptize 3 of the 5 people on the 9th. We´ll see what kinds of miracles we can put together in these few days! 

My district is fantastic. E´Burgos and E´Warren were one of the two companionships who acheived their goal for the month of October, and they baptized 4 new members. It was a little crazy helping them with interviews and baptisms, but I´m getting used to the hang of it, or so I belive. Each time I feel like I´m getting close to comfortable, the Lord makes a big change in one way or another. Honestly, I know he is working to change and prepare me, but I´d really like to work calmly in his obra for a little! But just like the prophet in Alma 29:3 ¨I do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.¨ I´m ready for whatever he has prepared.

The President came to a fireside in our stake last night! We had two investigators present, and the two progressed immensely yesterday. The first, Daniel, is visiting for this month from Españia. He referred to himself after the fireside as un ´futuro bautizado´. The other, Claudia, sent us a text later that night thanking us for inviting her, and looking to set up a time to answer questions. The members expressed the powerful spirit that the two of you posess and the inspiration they gained from attending. 

Hno. Henrry, our young men´s president, was asking the President last night about the promises to the Tribe of Judah when I came up to the President to say goodbye, when the President says ¨you know who knows a lot about the Tribes of Israel? Elder Hicken! Why don´t you see if you can set up a time to ask him your question?¨ Shoot! Thanks, President! I´m studying to be able to properly respond to his questions. Anybody out there have any references that might help me? So far I´ve read Genesis 49:8-12 and Deuteronomy 33:7. Thanks!

Today we´re going to play soccer against the Rimac stake! Should be fun! Pray that we win! 

Here in the Peru Lima Central Mission we listen to music a LOT. Unfortunately, I only have so many songs, and we listen to all of them at least once a day. Also unfortunately, I don´t have time to go look for spiritual songs on lds.org to download. SO.....if you´re feeling like sharing spiritual music, I would love it if you could send me mp3s of hymns or songs shared in conference, or songs that invite the spirit so we can study. Thank you so much!

I love you all, thank you for your prayers and your support. I feel them more than you know. 

Love, Elder Hicken

Hurrah for Israel!