Hola de una semana dura

Todo está bien aquí en San Silvestre, but this week has been especially hard. We strived to do everything we could to honor our fast, focus in our investigators that could be baptized in the coming weeks and months, and applying all of the principles of Preach my Gospel, but we just got packed with problems. At the end of the week, we didn´t have even one key indicator of excellence. I know that as a leader, I need to have a sector that can be used as an example for the members of my district, but their sector is doing better than mine is! I feel like I am helping them in their trials, but I can´t seem to overcome my own. This week I reminded myself that I need to focus more in praying always. I´ll strive to be even more prayerful in this coming week.

Right now we are working tooth and nail to meet our zone goal for October, and E´Walstrohm and I plan to teach an especially prepared reference tonight in a FHE, and set him on date for this Saturday, if the spirit is right. 

One question: My parents and friends have been sending me their talks that they give in sacrament meeting. In the Mission Rules, it says that we can only read and write letters on Monday. Is it ok to read their talks during the week, since they are with the intention to instruct in the gospel, and not specifically to communicate back and forth?

I´m super excited for this week, as we have our multi-zone meeting tomorrow, and we are going to the Temple on Wednesday. But at the same time, I´m a little nervous because we had a lot of appointments in the mornings those two days that now we won´t be able to get to until this coming week. But maybe it will help us focus on the people that really need our focus to be baptized this month.

I´ve been thinking a lot about the process of faith, thanks to E´Claros, and I can tell that it´s going to be a major changing point in my mission. I´m determined to keep track of where we are in the process of faith with each investigator from now on. What I really need is a dashboard for each investigator. My mind is basically programmed to think about how technology can help us in our needs, and can I just say that I am so excited for technological privilegios to aid us in the work.

Well since you should be sufficiently submerged in the spanish language, here´s a little bit more to go along.

Yo sé que la oración es la comunicación con nuestro Padre Celestial, y que siempre nos escucha, y siempre nos contesta. Sé que cuando vivimos de acuerdo con las leyes y principios eternos, tales leemos en las escrituras y aprendemos de los profetas, recibiremos bendiciones in-nombradas. Sé realmente que no hay ningún obra más importante que la obra de salvación, y que un enfoque en ésto nos ayudará edificarnos sobre la roca de Cristo. Yo amo ser misionero, aún que es sumamente difícil. Nunca he tenido desafíos tan grandes, y tan numerosos. Por la primera vez en mi vida, no sé cómo hacer lo que tengo que hacer, pero sé que mi Salvador sabe, y que me ayudará, me guiará, y me fortalecerá. Él me conoce, y he sentido sus ángeles a mi lado, y sosteniendo mis ánimos, mi espíritu, y mi esperanza. Testifico que las escrituras son nuestro guía en todo, y que por escudriñarlas, ganaremos una esperanza, y tal esperanza se volverá en una fe tal grande que verdaderamente podemos mandar en el nombre de Cristo. Estoy en la obra, y les invito que me puedan juntar, con el fin de predicar el evangelio, perfeccionar a los santos, y redimir a nuestros muertos. Testifico que Cristo vive, y está dando prisa a su obra. En el nombre de nuestro Jefe y Salvador, Jesucristo. Amen.

[I know that prayer is communication with our Heavenly Father, and that he always listens to us, and he always answers us.  I know that when we live according to the eternal laws and principles, such as reading the scriptures and learning from the prophets, we will receive unnamed blessings.  I know really that there is no other work that is more important than the work of salvation, and that a focus in it will help us build upon the rock of Christ.  I love being a missionary, even though it is extremely difficult.  Never have I had challenges so large and so numerous.  For the first time in my life, I don’t know how to do what I have to do, but I know that my Savior knows, and that he will help me, will guide me, and will strengthen me.  He knows me, and I have felt his angels at my side sustaining my excitement, my spirit, and my hope.  I testify that the scriptures are our guide in everything, and that by searching them, we will gain a hope, that that hope will turn into a faith so large that truly we can command in the name of Christ.  I am in the work, and I invite you to join me with the purpose to preach the gospel, perfect the saints and redeem the dead.  I testify that Christ lives and He is hastening his work.  In the name of our Leader and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.]

Love, Elder Hicken

Hurrah for Israel!