Is there Football In Heaven?

Is There Football In Heaven?

On Sun, Aug 24, 2014 at 5:49 PM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder J Hackleman,

Now that I got my daddy-has-crybabyitis email out of my system, I'm feeling much better! Seth got an email off to mom and he's doing great. I knew he would be. He's just like his big brother. He also got called to be District Leader too!

So how was your week??? We had a great one, despite being down another body in the house! What happened in Barranca? How was the teaching this week?

It's been really hot up here! You would not like it! 90's and humid!!! I hate it! So, Nathan has been doing great in school! He has two B's and three A+'s. He is doing much better in school this year. Grant may be playing Center on his team this year. There was no one that wanted to play it. We told him that you had played Center when you were in 9th Grade. He was so excited to hear that.

College football starts next weekend. I'll keep you posted on our Utes!!! You need to go check your blog. Mom posted a special "Happy Birthday" from someone you know that plays in the NFL!! :)

Better let you go and respond to all your other emails. I'm so proud of you!!!

¡Ámele hijo!

Papá

Hey Dad. I am sorry you had a rough time. I know it isn´t easy, I hear that it gets easier for the parents with every kid that goes on a mission but I am sure that is the opposite for how it felt with you guys. I hope the worst is past because it is exactly like you said, It is everything but a bad thing!

Seth is killing it at the MTC I know it. President Archibald came back this week again to teach our zone. We are doing some ground breaking things here in Barranca in terms of missionary work and he is taking notice. He taught us all about the Kingdoms’ of Glory and specifically the Celestial kingdom. What I learned is that to get to the Celestial Kingdom, we have to be sealed. Well that part we know, but what I learned is the sealing power is strongest between the husband and his wife, even if they are sealed to their children. It doesn´t mean the father-son sealing breaks when he gets married but when we make it to the Celestial Kingdom. When we say that our family can be together forever, it is completely true. What I am trying to say is, you and mom are sealed. You and mom will make it to the celestial kingdom where you will also be able to create worlds without number. I will as well with my wife. It will be like this life in the sense that we all are doing our own thing, but with the ability to visit and be with all of our loved ones whenever we want.

We will still celebrate Christmas together I am sure =) and having a mission president from Alabama. He is wonderful because I can ask him serious questions for instance, ¨President, Is there steak in heaven?¨ or even more importantly, ¨President, is their football in heaven?¨ He answered me but I am not going to write the answer. You will have to ask me when I get home. If we study the scriptures, there were many times when Nephi, Alma, Moroni, and others witnessed things so marvelous that they could not be penned to paper, his answers to those questions are one of those things =) I am going to leave you hanging on it for a few more months til I get home =) All I can say is, make sure you do everything you can to get you and mom to the Celestial Kingdom =)

Love you dad!

Elder J Hackleman

Letters This Week

There is one more Elder Hackleman in the mission field now

On Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 7:22 AM, Amy wrote:

Elder J Hackleman,

I have to put the J in so I don't get confused at which son I am writing to:) It's a great problem to have. I couldn't be prouder to be the mother of two missionaries.

I forgot to tell you last week, that we got a renewal notice in the mail for your driver’s license. It had a code for an online renewal, so that is what we did. You are all set and legal for 4 more years. One less thing to worry about when you get home:)

Saturday I was on the computer updating Seth's mission blog. I was so emotional because I was feeling so blessed to have two boys on a mission at the same time, but missing you both dearly. During this emotional time I checked my email and low and behold, I had an email from Seth! I guess Saturday is his p-day and he had just enough time to send off a one paragraph letter to me. Yeah! I posted it on his blog, which you can get to from your blog. It has a link on the right side of the page. He has seen Lauren a couple of times, but hasn't had enough time to talk to her.

On another note, I don't know if you have heard about all the rage going on right now concerning the ALS Ice bucket challenge. Basically, people video themselves dumping ice-water on their head to bring awareness to Lou Gehrig's disease. Anyway, Grant just now dumped ice-water on your dad while he was in the shower as a prank and called it the ALS splash. Silly boy.

Ok, back to my letter to you, sorry, Grant side tracked me ha ha.

So Seth got off ok. He was one happy boy who couldn't wait to start his mission

We took pictures in the exact spot we did when you left. It felt very much like deja-vu.

I have all the pictures of his last week posted on his blog.

You need to go take a look at your blog today for one other reason. You had a late birthday wish from someone special that didn't make it on the blog last week. You are going to be amazed!

How are things going for you? What is new in your neck of the woods?

I sure love you!

Love,

Mom


Hey mom!!!! I gotta say, your letter was a little scatter-brained. Haha but thats ok. I followed. =) I can´t believe Seth is in the MTC!!!!!!! I am bummed his P day isn't monday because now we can´t chat for awhile, at least until he makes it to Mexico. Haha I hope you and dad are doing ok. I know it’s tough but hopefully the painful part is passing. I know I have said it before but I´ll say it again, he is more protected then ya´ll are....haha I am glad you got my drivers license. I had to use it the other day to take some documents out and remembered it was expired. I handed it to the chick and she accepted it anyway. Then I remembered that I am in Perú. They really don´t care, nor can they even understand what it says cuz it´s in english. haha but I am pretty sure I will need it before I get home, otherwise I will be stuck in immigrations in Texas or something and won´t be able to make it home! Haha I am not sure how but we need to figure out a way for you to send it to me. =) It sure looks like dejavu in the good ol´ omaha airport! Your eyes look pretty waterlogged momma!!!! haha What the heck is up with nathan and grant´s shoes and socks? Is that what´s cool with the kids these days or did they accidently put them in the washer with a rainbow on a hot cycle? They are more colorful than Grant´s favorite pack of skittles!!!!! What happened to classic black or grey? I am going to be lost when I get home.... haha

We are teaching the missionary lessons to this wonderful couple.

I have to admit, when you are a missionary the thought of marriage scares you to death.  

I have such a one track mind right now.

Ok, to explain the pictures. We got a couple married the other day. The girl is a less active member that we are reactivating and the guy is going to get baptized. Sound familiar? It is almost the exact same thing I was doing this time last year with my buddy the Uraguayan! We are happy for them. The other pictures, well, they speak for themselves. I got real riding a motorcycle.

Now that's my kind of bike!

On your mark, get set...

Go!!!!!
Ok, I didn't really ride it.  

If you look closely you can see the kickstand is still down:)

Love you mom!!!!

Elder J. Hackleman

Happy 21st Birthday from Stanley

Happy Birthday Elder Hackleman
From Stanley Havili
#39 FB, Indianapolis Colts

Thank You For The Birthday Wishes!

What a great surprise to see all the wonderful birthday wishes.  I feel very overwhelmed and loved.  It made my day!

Love

Elder J Hackleman

More Letters This Week

My younger brother Seth Hackleman has less than a week before he reports for his mission to Mexico

On Mon, Aug 18, 2014 at 7:50 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder,

I can't believe you are 21! We have been missing you so much this week. The last week before Seth leaves has been particularly rough. Everything is so reminiscent of when you left. He even fly's out on the same flight.

Your dad had a little heart episode last night. He is taking the day off work today. It wasn't anything major, and luckily we know what it is and how to handle it when he has a heart block. He just has to take it easier for a while and quit getting so emotional. I will tell you what, he sure loves his sons! Seth gave him a blessing last night and after that he was able to sleep.

I sure hope you are able to see your blog today. You sure have a lot of birthday wishes on it. A lot of people really love you and miss you.

Seth spoke in church again yesterday. He spoke in the Papillion ward with a high councilman. Once again he did a stellar job. He is so mature for his age and he looked so sharp in his new missionary suit.

Today we are going to put his name on all his stuff and pack up the suit cases so he is ready to go. We had a pig roast on Saturday and it was sure fun. The Hadley's had a going away party for Seth. I will post pictures from it on Seth's mission blog if you want to see it. I won't get to it until next week however.

Seth and Mike and of course, dinner

The boys are in full swing back in school. Nathan started seminary again today. Grant has started football practice. He was pretty sore on Sunday. He asked me if he could stay home from church because he could barely walk he was so sore. I rubbed deep blue on him, gave him a Tylenol and said, get ready, ha ha. By the time we got to church the meds had kicked in and he was feeling a lot better:)

So how has your week been? What did you do for your birthday yesterday?

I love you!

Love Mom

Dang. Seth looks like a missionary. I can´t believe it is this week!!!!!!! I am freaking OUT! I am so proud of him. Dad is going to have a heart block if all his kids keep leaving for missions and some don´t start coming home soon. =) Seth will have a long letter waiting for him next Monday from his bro. I hope he understands spanish!!!!!!!!!!!!:......=) Tell him how much I love him and pray for him. I am excited for him to join me in the work.

My birthday was good. I was just a normal Sunday. =) A sister in our ward did have a cake waiting for me at her house when we went to a lesson with her though. That was sure nice. Thanks for the cash though!!!! I haven´t spent it yet but I will send pictures as soon as I do. =)

A sister in our ward had a cake waiting for me at her house when we went to a lesson with her.
That was sure nice!

Candles and Snacks As Well:)

You can't have birthday cake in Peru without the traditional face smearing:)

Is Nathan playing football? Mom if he isn´t, I will be super upset. Please tell me he is. It is good that he is working hard in seminary though of course =)

Tell Grant I know how he feels with soreness. It feels like yesterday when my body felt like a butchered cow must have felt in that freezer when rocky when to warm up his fists. Tell him to stick it out.

Tell Grant that the first week of football practice makes you feel like you are 

fresh meat that has been punched by Rocky.

Speaking of deep blue. My zone leader has a pack of the Doterra stuff and has saved the entire zone more than once from various illnesses thanks to that. I rest my case, It works. We do however call it our witchcraft oils because it heals and we don´t even have to bless it. Haha

I sure love you mom!

Elder J. Hackleman

Letters This week 8-18-2014

On Mon, Aug 18, 2014 at 7:43 AM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! How was your day? Did anyone crack eggs on your head?? I sure miss you, but if I have to miss your birthday, I am glad it's because you're on your mission. Seth leaves on Wednesday. It's going to be so strange!! Is it wrong for your old man to hope for double the blessings?? :) He doesn't seem to be nervous yet. Maybe it's because he had a strong example in his older brother. We'll see Wednesday morning.

So tell us all about your day! What did you do? Did anyone give you a happy birthday meal? Did you celebrate with Elder Sandoval? Did you find your money in your account? Someone put some more in. I think it may have been Gma and Uncle Jeff so you still have about 100 as of this morning. Don't forget to take a picture of what we got you!!

How did things go with Pres. Archibald? I hope someday we get to meet him.

I'm keeping this short because I want to leave you enough time to type in all the details!!! :)

¡Ámele hijo!

Papá

Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:47:42 -0500
Subject: Re: Week of 8/17/14 Elder Hackleman’s Birthday and Seth's Departure
From: jeffrey.hackleman@myldsmail.net
To: tim

Haha Hey dad! No really I didn´t do anything special this time for my birthday. It was just a day of work like any other. Haha We did go to an appointment and a sister made me a cake and put my name on it and everything. That was sure nice of her! And I did escape all eggs this time but not the cake squished in the face tradition that they have here. It is inescapable. Haha I haven’t bought anything with the money yet but as soon as I do, I will be sure to send you pictures. Thank you so much. I do fine and always have what I need, but it is nice to have some spending cash once in awhile though. Now that Seth is in the mission though, if you feel like sending some money but don’t have enough to send to us both, please send it to him. I know he´ll be fine but he will sure appreciate it. I will never have any problems with that. I sure love him. I am incredibly excited for him to be a missionary.

President Archibald´s training was as awesome as ever. I am not kidding. The man is something special. He spoke all about the Godhead. I can´t even begin to explain a fraction of all that I learned. One thing I can say is that even though our main focus in our lives should be Jesus Christ in order to reach the presence of our Father, we often forget the importance of the Holy Ghost, not just for His influence but that he is a member of that Godhead and how important that is to remember.

One of the main things I was taught about by my mission president this week is...

Our main focus in our lives should be Jesus Christ in order to reach the presence of our Father

But we should not forget the importance of the Holy Ghost

Anyway, I hope when I get home I can explain and teach a little bit more to you all about all the things I have learned on my mission. It is incredible. Mom told me about your heart problem, I know it has got to be incredibly difficult for you, but don´t forget that he will be a lot more protected on his mission than you all are at home. haha no offense. I love you dad! Thank you for all the love and direction you and mom have always given us so that we could reach the mission field.

Elder J. Hackleman

Happy Birthday From the Laws

Happy Birthday From the Laws and Family

Addyson

Austin

Reagan

Happy birthday Bro

Do you want a frog?

Hadley's

Happy birthday from some friends

Facebook happy birthday messages.

Happy birthday! Sadie Rosenbaum

Happy Birthday! Andrew Neilan

Bro, Happy BirthdayJ See you soon…, Diego A Rotta

Birthday wishes from Lisa Woodbury

Happy birthday, Jaren! I’m proud of the great job you’re doing as a missionary. Bertha Mueller

Happy birthday Jaren! Pamela Uhl

Happy birthday from Laurie and LD Mason. We are so proud of your service.

Happy birthday Jaren! From the Westbrook's. We hope you are having the time of your life and wish you all the best on your fabulous birthday!

Happy happy birthday Jaren!! I always remember your birthday--I hope it's wonderful! Zoe Yohn.

Happy birthday Jaren! We love you Elder Jaren Hackleman! Grandma Polly says she is so proud of you and she loves you very much! Keep up the awesome work! Love Uncle Troy, Aunt Christie Call, and grandma Polly. Christie Call

Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day! Jeff Dickinson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAREN!!!!!!! Patrick Goodell

Happiest of birthdays Jare-bear! We love you!!!- uncles-Jeff and Joe Fitzherald

feliz...cumpleaños jaren...k la pases bonito con tu family...y tus seres keridos...de parte de la FAMILIA MEDRANO MOROCHO muchos saludos...bye, Antuanet Denisse Medrano Morocho

Betsey Pearson Durfee I can't pull it up, but please tell him happy, happy birthday from us!! And, tell him we're hoping he follows Josh and comes to SUU after he gets home:)
Kim Beck Gapp please send him birthday wishes from me!

Happy Birthday From The Gang

If you are wondering, we were having a farewell party for Seth.  The Laws provided a monster jump house, shave ice, and the Hadley's roasted an entire pig.  We were all thinking of you!

Happy birthday from Jace

Jace did this completely by himself.  Not bad for a 4 year old.

Happy birthday from Avery

Happy Birthday from Kael

Happy 21st Birthday Elder Hackleman from the Walkers

More Letters This Week

Elder Hackleman showing a pet turtle owned by a family he is teaching.

Just because Elder Hackleman is a missionary, is no reason to forget his love of American football.  

You've got to love the Heisman Pose with a Turtle.

On Mon, Aug 11, 2014 at 8:51 AM, Amy wrote:

Elder Hackleman,

I can't believe in less than one week you will be 21! Happy happy birthday. We will put some money in your account on Friday so you can buy yourself a birthday present from us. Make sure you take a picture so we know what we got you:)

Cousin Macy got home from her Spanish speaking mission this week.

So Macy got home from her mission on Thursday. For some reason it made me so jealous and homesick for you. As I was looking at the picture they posted on facebook of the homecoming at the airport I started to get a pit in my stomach and started to rethink whether or not we want to come and pick you up. In a way, I would love the excitement of seeing you get off the plane and having all our family and friends around to welcome you home. Plus, I'm a little scared of trying to get to a country when I don't speak Spanish. I'm afraid my nursery rhymes won't get me too far in Peru. What do you think? Maybe instead of coming to Peru to pick you up, you could go with your dad and I to Mexico to pick Seth up. Let me know your thoughts.

What do you have planned for your birthday? Are they having another big party for you?

How did it go with President Archibald?

Seth had his mission farewell talk yesterday. It was so good. I will send you a copy of it. Grant also spoke. I will send them in the next email. I have to run Nathan to work so you will actually get one more email from me in a half an hour.

The boys start school this week. Grant starts on Tuesday and Nathan on Wed. Nathan is still working at the baseball fields today and tomorrow. It has been a great job for him.

I love you.

I will write more in a few.

Love mom

Hey mom! I know it is pretty nuts that I will be 21. I don´t feel 21 yet....haha

Mom don´t worry about coming up, I am more than happy and excited to come walking down the hallway in the airport to see you guys in wonderful Omaha! I´d love to go to Mexico! I have a bunch of friends from there now that can show us the sights.

President is going to come this week I guess. I am stoked though, the man is a man of spiritual power. It is so awesome to learn from him.

I love you mom!

P.S. am I heismaning a giant turtle?.....you tell me......

Letters this week

Nathan and Grant and Amy's Arm
Storm Chaser's Game

On Mon, Aug 11, 2014 at 8:49 AM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder,

Well, yesterday was Seth's farewell! It's happening way too fast for your old man! He did a great job. Guess who got to speak with him? Grant! He did awesome as well. He wore his suit and was looking very stylish. You'd be so proud of him. Albany Walker and the kids came to see Seth. That was sure nice of them. Becky was pretty emotional after Sacrament. I think it's almost as hard for her to see Hackleman's leave as it is for his their own family. Everything is going well here. Seth leaves a week from Wednesday. I gotta take that day off like I did when you left. I know I'll be a mess like I was with you. Parenting is like climbing a mountain to see the most beautiful view in the world. When your sons go on missions, it's like you're almost to the top. When you see them married in the Temple, you know you've reached the summit!!! Then you can sit down for a time and just enjoy the view!!! (Then your mom will push me off and we'll be over the hill) :)

So, we have a new thing in our house. I bought national flags for Peru and Mexico. I ironed them out for your mom and we have them hanging side-by-side on the wall going up the stairs to the bedrooms. We'll just keep adding flags as boys leave! But you and Seth will be here for the last two!! That makes me so happy. :)

2 Elder Hackleman's Serving Missions at the Same Time
One in Peru and the other in Mexico

How are things there? How's my buddy Elder Sandoval?? I'm so proud of you and all your hard work! I know that when you get home, I'll have so much to learn from you. Since I didn't go on a mission, I want to know as much about what it's like as you're willing to teach me!

Grant starts 8th Grade tomorrow and Nathan starts on Wednesday. The summer has flown by!!

I hope you're not upset, but I don't think we'll be able to make it out there to fly home with you. Financially, we just can't swing it. Believe me, it was the hardest decision your mom and I have had to make in a long time. Are you okay with that?

Anyway, keep working hard! Let's us know how the teaching is going!

¡Ámele hijo!

Papá

Hey dad!!!!

Man, I can´t believe how close Seth is. He will have a big email from his older brother waiting for him when he hits the MTC. I already have contacts in his mission waiting for his arrival. There is a sister missionary serving here that is finishing her mission that I know. Her name is Hermana Morales. She is from Veracruz. She will keep her eye out for him. She will be a returned missionary so she know the ´´look but never ever touch rule.´´ Haha I´ve got missionaries there looking out for him too so he´ll be in good hands. The other hands obviously are the Lord´s which help us worry a lot less. take a picture of the flags! I wanna see how they look. Elder Sandoval and I are best friends. He is one of my favorite companions. We get along great together and are going to have a lot of success in these last couple weeks of the transfer.

Don´t worry about the trip dad. I am not mad. I knew it was a long shot and the more and more I think about it, the more I just want to get home when I finish. I´m excited for the day when I cross security in that little Omaha airport to see my family =) the only reason I can allow one of my brothers to miss it is if they are in another country serving the Lord so, I guess I will give Seth a free pass....just this once. Haha

I know I don´t talk a whole lot about the work and my experiences and things. It’s not because I don´t have them. Quite the contrary, The mission is so powerful and things that we get to be a part of are, well, simply things that are hard to explain in writing. I promise though that when I get home, we will be spending countless hours talking about it though. It is the best. I am so excited for Seth to get out here in the mission field and share the experience with me. I sure love you dad!

Elder Hackleman

Missionary Letters from Peru This Week

Thoughts from Dad

Dear Elder,

I'm sorry I haven't been able to put money in your account. If you need some right away, then let me know this morning and I'll work on it. The air conditioner went out on us a couple weeks ago and it cost us about $1,000 to get it fixed. They say that we really should replace both the AC and the furnace, but that will cost about $6,000 to $8,000. That would take all the money we have saved up to come pick you up from your mission.  It's running fine right now, so we'll use it until it dies for good! 

School is going to start in a couple weeks. The summer has gone by so fast! Is it still considered Winter down there?

You guys should be coming up on Transfers soon, aren't you? Elder Sandoval seems like such a great guy. You can see his spirit in his smile. Is the Lima West mission still getting a lot of new missionaries? Maybe you don't hear too much about it out where you are.

I keep forgetting to ask you if you are still playing a lot of soccer. 

Well, we are doing fine. Just the normal struggles in life, but at least we know to turn to the Lord. Even in all our weaknesses. I found my new favorite quote from the LDS Missionaries Facebook page.

"The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind." - Caroline Myss (whoever that is)

Please be careful. You and Elder Sandoval are doing great things. Thank you for being such a great son and example and disciple of Christ.

¡Ámele hijo!

Papá

Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2014 14:28:37 -0500
Subject: Re: Week of 8/4/14
From: jeffrey.hackleman@myldsmail.net
To: tim

Elder Hackleman visits The Sacred City of Caral-Supe which reflects the rise of civilisation in the Americas

Hey dad!!! Don´t worry I am doing fine. Just whenever you can. It is still considered winter. It has been pretty chilly but there is a lot of sun today. I just got a letter from one of the missionaries in the Veracruz mission where Seth is going. He is the secretary in the offices and he was in my zone in the mtc! He said he got Seth´s info and looked at him and recognized me right away!!!!! Cool huh!

Yeah my companion is awesome. We don´t have transfers until the 26 of august. Seth will already be on his mission! Haha yeah we still play a lot of soccer. I am getting to be pretty fantastic, not gonna lie. Haha. We supposedly will be getting more than 20 new missionaries in the mission this transfer and then every transfer after that until I go home will be even bigger. We are going to be getting a ton of missionaries! Haha

I sure love you dad!

Elder Hackleman

Dear Elder Hackleman,

How are you doing? Nicole Uhl got married on Friday. I pulled this picture of off facebook. She looks very happy. Marissa is getting married this week too and Caroline, Madison Grunig's sister is already married. Everyone is getting married ha ha

Nicole Got Married

Marisa Aguirre Got Married

Seth is at Grandma Karen's right now. He gets home on Tuesday. It sure seems quiet around here with him gone. This is going to be an adjustment when he leaves on his mission.

Seth has his farewell talk on Sunday and they have asked Grant to speak that day as well.

The boys start school next week. I can't believe the summer has flown by.

We are still hoping to be able to come to Peru to pick you up. I’m not sure if Joel is going to be able to go with us. He told me he is not sure if he can get away because he is so busy, but Ann told him he is going and I have a feeling she is going put the pressure on him. Your dad and I still plan on coming if no more major expenses come up around here.

Do you have any new photos for me? I love pictures:)

I read your email to your dad, and I have to say that is so cool about the missionary in Mexico who could tell Seth was your brother. How awesome is that!

Love Mom

Dear Mom,

Wow.....Everyone is married! Haha that´s ok

Elder Hackleman and Elder Brown visited Caral, Peru.  

The entire mission zone went together.

We went back to Caral again this week but as a zone. That is a picture of me and Elder Brown. Am I wearing skinny jeans?......yes. Nuff said! Haha

President Archibald is coming this week! I think he is going to buy us all pizza because we were the only zone to meet our baptism goal this month!

President Archibald

Elder Brown came out on his mission the same time as me. He was in the mission office the other day and checked to see what the schedule was for our group to be sent home. It will be the transfer at the end of March.

I understand that it is a big financial deal to come out and pick me up from my mission. Don’t worry if it doesn´t work out. We can always plan a trip later and come back.

It is super awesome my friend from the MTC will serving with Seth on his mission! He is a great missionary! He said he will look out for Seth. I was his zone leader in the mtc.

I just got a letter from one of the missionaries in the Veracruz mission where Seth is going. 

He is the secretary in the offices and he was in my zone in the mtc! 

He said he got Seth´s info and looked at him and recognized me right away!!!!! 

Do you have any news on my driver’s license? It will be expiring soon. Can it be renewed by mail?

My time on my mission is flying by. I can’t believe I only have 7 months left. I still have a lot to do.

I love you,

Elder Hackleman