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Monday, October 26, 2015

patience&persistance

Hey everyone!!
It was a great week :) Tuesday night after Pday, when we went out to
work, we were trying names on our list of part-member families. We
have been working through the list all transfer. There was a name
listed on there of a mom and her son. We had tried before and there
was no answer, but we decided to try again. A woman answered and we
asked for the name on our list. The woman said that person no longer
lived there. We started talking to her about what we teach as
missionaries and the teenage girl appeared out of nowhere and says,
"Yes yes yes we are interested!" We asked if we could come in and talk
about God's plan for us as His children. They let us in (seriously,
that never happens off the cuff), and we started teaching them. The
Spirit was so strong. It is a single mom with 3 girls. A senior
daughter, a sophomore daughter (we didn't meet, she was sleeping), and
a little girl that turns 8 in a couple weeks. The senior daughter
said, "I have been looking for God and a church. Every time I go to
church around here, it doesn't seem real or deep. I have been wanting
something different." We talked about the Plan of Salvation (where we
were before this, why we are here on earth, and where we are going).
It was awesome because I haven't felt so passionate sharing the gospel
like that in a while because everything they were saying they needed I
knew with my whole heart THIS GOSPEL ANSWERS! They were not able to
come to church yesterday, but we are hoping they keep moving forward.
We are teaching them again on Tuesday night. It was a neat experience.
God led us to a family :)
There is a family we have been working with ever since maybe the 2nd
week we got to the area. I do not know if I have talked about them. A
lot of people live in the house, and it is kind of confusing.
Basically, we are working with two sisters, who are less-active (ages
18 and 21), and the 21 year old sister's finance, who lives there. We
are teaching him, he is not a member. They have a 2 year old little
girl. We kept teaching them and they never were coming to church or
reading the Book of Mormon, and it was getting frustrating because
they kept wanting help but they wouldnt do what would help them! They
have a very hard lifestyle. A couple weeks ago, they started reading,
praying AND THEY CAME TO CHURCH YESTERDAY! It truly was a miracle.
They have SUCH a new light about them. It is indescribable. Wow. The
gospel is truly changing them, and you can see it in their
countenance. They LOVED church. Delbert wants to get baptized, but
they live together and dont feel ready to get married yet. Hah, so who
knows what will happen there. But they are interactive in the lessons
and church classes and are really feeling the Spirit. It has been cool
to see.
I just had this moment yesterday before church, where I was sitting ay
my desk, almost in tears because of the incredible experience of a
mission that my Heavenly Father is letting me be apart of. I am so
grateful to see firsthand the gospel change peoples' lives. It is so
real. I love it, I really love it. And rejection, it doesn't even
bother me anymore because I know what I know is true and that others
need it. If it means I get rejected most days in order to find the few
that are ready, than it is worth it. Of course, it is scary to put
ourselves out there, but nothing is better than knowing that I am
representing my Savior, doing exactly what He would have me doing. It
actually makes me so sad when people reject us because they don't
fully know what they are missing.
I am grateful to know that ALL of us are children of God (some crazy
lady told us this week that someone is only a child of God if they
have accepted Christ...what?!?!?!). I am grateful to know that God has
prepared a place for all of His children after this life. We go
through this life to learn how to be like Him. Life isn't easy, but it
is worth it.
I love you all more than you know and miss you an indescribable
amount! Have the best week and keep pushing on.....it's worth it :)
Love,
Sister Hickman
after church yesterday...they LOVED it :)

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

where did the last 6 weeks go?!

HELLOOO!!!
I am so sorry, I forgot to say it was transfer week and that Pday was
Tuesday! I forget about transfer week when I am training because we
stay together for two transfers :) Sister Lillie and I are still in
the Rossmoor ward. Sister Wright and Sister Campbell are staying
together for a THIRD transfer here....CRAZY! we thought sis wright was
leaving, but I am so happy to have her another transfer in my zone :)
and it is fun because Sister Campbell and me will probably end our
missions together in this zone!
The new missionary meeting was this last week, and it was GREAT!
Remember me going to the new missionary meeting with Sister Bills? I
was just a wreck and had to get a blessing and all that jazz. well,
this was awesome because all the trainers were freaking out about all
their problems, and I was just so relaxed because I dont even feel
like I am training. Sister Lillie is so easy! I was able to speak up
and help them from things I learned last time training. Most of them
are training for the first time. It is so weird now because I am so
old in the mission and the only one in there that has trained before
and all that so I feel like I have to be the mom or something! I felt
so pumped after the new missionary meeting and the training they gave
us.
When we went out to work after, I kept having this prompting to go see
this potential investigator, who had already told us she wasn't
interested. We drove passed the street, but I turned around because I
just couldnt pass it and now try. We talked to her and once again, she
wasnt interested, but I had this impression that she knows someone who
is. I asked her if she knew anyone that could benefit from our message
about Jesus Christ. She said the people in the apartment across are
nice. We stopped by after talking to her and a young guy answered...he
looked about our age. We talked to him and he was open. We gave him a
Book of Mormon and set up an appointment. We taught him Friday night
and HE IS SO SOLID! NO JOKE! it was a perfect lesson (because the Lord
prepared him), and he is totally getting baptized. We are passing him
off to the zone leaders this week for YSA. Im not even upset about not
getting to teach him further because I just needed that testimony
builder that people are prepared out there by the Lord and we CAN be
led to them by the Spirit. and....he said his mom might be interested,
so we are hoping to teach her :) It was a neat experience. and it was
sister Lillie's first lesson with a legit prepared person, so I am
glad she can see how EASY it is to teach when they are prepared. We
cannot even mess it up! When investigators have all these concerns and
problems, they honestly dont usually end up getting baptized. teaching
this guy reminded me a lot of Alec...who Sister Bills and I taught and
got baptized like 3 weeks later.
We worked hard this week. We are still praying for miracles. We really
dont have a lot going on. Im working on the Christlike attribute of
patience, and let me tell you, I am experiencing that now! I know it
will all work out as we stay consistent.
Sister Wright and I went back to Folsom for a baptism on Saturday. It
was a part-member family. The parents are returning less-actives (they
come from very active families in Utah) and the two older girls were
baptized and the 8 year old boy. The ward has been incredible with
them! They have been helping them for like 3 years to get ready for
this baptism, so that the dad could do it. AS missionaries, we were
not super involved throughout the process, but we went back to support
the ward and the cute family because we saw them along the journey.
all the grandparents flew in and it was so sweet. They should be
getting sealed as a family in the next several months :) Oh happy day
for the Folsom 4th ward! It was fun seeing everyone!
The weather is cooling off, and it is so nice! I want it to get cold.
Sister Lillie's arm is getting much better. We should be back on bike
in like 2 weeks. YAY! Nothing else is new really. This transfer FLEW
BY! I cannot even believe it. This is Sister Kandare's LAST TRANSFER
WHAT!?!?!?!?! I am freaking out. not that i see her since she is up in
the forest surrounded by NOTHING! Sister Briggs is training for these
last two transfers, which is what she was hoping for, so I am so happy
for her!!!
I love you all! have a great week!!!!
Love,
Sister Hickman
P.S. Congrats to my little Bubs for getting into film school at
USC...you are a stud!!! I brag about you all the time. so just a
couple more years and then a mission, right? :)
missionary work in action....aka tracting


a sister missionary found this on pinterest before she came out of how
to turn purses into backpacks! the best thing ever!

Susan came on Friday and took Sister Lillie & me to lunch. It was so
fun seeing her!!!! I have missed her. I cannot wait for you all to
meet! The first thing she said was "how is baby genny!!?" I always
showed her pictures of my niece :)

back in Folsom with the best ward mission leader and his Folsom 4th
Sisters! the two next to him served in the ward like 2 years ago. they
flew in for the baptism!

the adorable Timm kids before the baptism. The oldest 3 got baptized :)

oh happy happy day! the timms are temple bound! 
my lil baby finishing her first transfer! Time FLIES!

I made Sister Lillie wear our matching $7 skirts to the new missionary
meeting :) she was so embarrassed haha. She said "people are going to
think we match all the time!"

Cordova Zone!

Monday, October 12, 2015

trying that hope&consistency

Hi friends & family!
Nothing too exciting here this week except that we worked so hard to find a family. and it didn't happen...yet. Every single prayer we said this week, we prayed to find a family with kids, with at least one of the kids old enough to get baptized. We worked hard! we are still going for it and not giving up. But, it was cool because we randomly knocked on this door and this cute mom let us in (that NEVER happens), and I was freaking out because I was like "this is our family we have been praying for!" turns out, they are members. Haven't come in a long time, so we are going to help them come back! they moved here 2 months ago. no one even knew. So, I guess Heavenly Father did technically lead us to a family :)
I went on exchanges with sister wright this week. We were able to bike in the nicer part of my area. I thought the work would feel like Folsom because it is an affluent part but in Folsom, they are younger families and in this part of my area they are old and retired. So basically, they don't hang outside...We did find a new investigator, and we were so excited but we come to find out he gave us a bad phone number and didn't show for his appointment. life of a missionary! The other people we are working with really made great progress this week but did not come to church.
Last night, we went to the mission prep class, with a set of elders, and we did a Q&A session with the youth. It was super fun. One of the questions "what is the toughest part of being a missionary?" Exactly what I am describing! being so invested in others to help them com unto Christ and always being let down. Throughout my mission, it has given me insight to how Heavenly Father must feel with me when I fall short. I just want to say to the people we teach, "just do the things we ask! we promise it WILL help you and make you happier. But you have to DO something!" God is definitely more patient and loving, but He probably just wants me to follow the things that He asks. I think my deeper love for my Heavenly Father has developed as a result of working with investigators and seeing the parallels in my life. The Q&A was super fun. They asked great questions. I could tell youth all day to serve missions because it is the best thing they could do! 
Things are going well with Sister Lillie! She is really blossoming as a missionary, so I am stepping back more and letting her take more of the lead. She will have a great mission. 
This week my verse is Alma 26:27
Not gonna lie, I am getting tired of hearing the word "ponderize," but I am still doing it without calling it that. I feel like it is some fad now, and I don't like that! It is a great concept, though. 
It is still hot here. Don't know what the deal is! I keep waiting for it to cool off. Hopefully by the end of the month! 
Have a great week! 
Love,
Sister Hickman 
exchanges with sister wright! so fun being back with her :) takin us
back to those HOT folsom summer days on our bikes. no one loves biking
more than us :)

Monday, October 5, 2015

Christmas for Missionaries

General Conference is like Christmas for missionaries and like the super bowl (but twice a year) for Mormons (thanks for that, sister wright!). For those of you who do not know, General Conference is a world-wide conference from Salt Lake City, and it takes place the first weekend of April and October. The leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints address us as people of the world to have us know what Jesus Christ would have us know. More importantly, this is where we are addressed by the beloved prophet of the world, President Thomas S. Monson. Yes, we believe in continuing revelation. That only makes sense, right? Why would God talk to His children through a prophet during biblical times and then stop now. I love Doctrine & Covenants Section 1 verse 38: "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."
Or in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi chapter 10 verse 18: "For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever." I know that Heavenly Father gives us personal revelation as we pray to Him about our own lives. I also know that we are led by a prophet today, as a world, to ensure we are living our lives in a way to return to our Heavenly Father. How do you know that one is a prophet? Through prayer and confirmation by the Holy Ghost. Yesterday, as I sat watching the opening session of General Conference and saw everyone arise as President Monson walked in, I was filled with the Spirit. I cannot even begin to describe adequately in words how full of joy I was. I thought my body was going to burst with the Spirit! It was one of the most happiest moments of my whole life when I just thought to myself, "What is more true than this Gospel?" Through listening to the talks, I have an increased desire to become as the Savior is, to love those around me, to continue to dedicate my life to serving my Heavenly Father, and to remember the simplicity of this Gospel. What a historic moment seeing three new of the Lord's Apostles sustained. I know the Lord called them and that He leads and guides His church in these latter-days.
I remember growing up watching conference and dreading listening to the "old guys." The Gospel has just come alive on my mission. I do not even know how to describe it. It is so real and evident in the change that comes in our lives, for the better, when we live it to the fullest.


P.S. Shoutout to Val (my Fiji friend) and her father-in-law's commitment to "ponderize." I am excited to pick a scripture every week to ponder daily. Hey family, we should do it together. I will start picking a verse and send it in my weekly emails, and you can send me emails about impressions that have come while you've pondered it :)
This week will be D&C 1:38 ... dont forget to email your thoughts throughout the week! And as for my favorite talks...I loved President Uchtdorf's. and you all know I love Elder Holland. I am like a little giddy kid on Christmas morning when he speaks! I am not naming my daughter, Holland, for nothing! Hey, I dont even know if I told you guys that. I really am :)
I am not going to lie, the end of missions are so hard! I thought I would be the LAST one to ever say that. I love being a missionary, it is incredible. But I would be lying if I said I was not excited to see my family and friends. I am just praying hard to continue to focus everyday and remember that I will never have the opportunity to be a
full-time missionary again. I think listening to General Conference and receiving inspiration to apply to my life will help keep things exciting.
I know that we are Heavenly Father's children and that He has a plan for us. He wants us to come home to Him. I know that as we come unto Jesus Christ and become perfected in Him, He will mold us and change us.
I love you all! Have the best week!

love and miss you more than you know,
Sister Hickman
on Tuesday, the Zone Leaders let us go contact at Sac State because
they said it "builds the confidence of new missionaries" haha because
younger people are so much nicer and more open. I havent been on a
college campus in 15 months! Not gonna lie....I LOVED IT!!! It was so
fun! we had awesome conversations. I wish I had gotten to be in young
single adult work on my mission.

Bishop Grimsman (Folsom 2nd ward Bishop) is the Institute Director at
Sac State. So fun getting to see him when we went to campus! He is one
of my all-time favorite people! A day maker for sure seeing him!

15 months.....that is scary.....

Sister Campbell and I are lovin the Cordova Zone!

canada vs. america :) love my foreign companion (she is my first!)  We
got to go downtown to the Capitol and help set up for a Alzheimer's
foundation walk. It was so fun!