Elder Hackleman Got Home and In August He Got Married.

Payson, Utah Temple

2 Traits of a Great Missionary

Last Week In Peru! It's a Sprint to the Finish

All of us missionaries who will be going home next week after we went through the temple in Lima with President and his wife.

We went to a place called Parque de las Aguas. It is like a giant park with different water fountains and water shooting out of the ground and light shows with water. It was really cool. It's in San Isidro which is where President lives.

This is all of the missionaries that will end with me.  We are at President's house.

Dear Mom,

Mom, I am coming home in a week! AHHH!!!

Elder Hackleman

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 8:46 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder,

I can't wait to hear all about your day with your mission president. How has your week been

This past week was a crazy one for me. Monday Nathan did something to his ankle and by Tuesday it was really swollen and giving him trouble so I took him in to have an x ray done. It came back most likely broken, but the doctor wanted radiology to take a look at it. He had a floating bone. Basically a little tiny piece of the bone was broken off from the rest of the foot. To make a long story short, they do not cast for it because it is such a small piece so we were told to just treat it like a sprain. 

He used crutches from Monday through Friday, but then on Friday we had the Siler's in town staying at our house. The Sidney boys basketball team made it to state so they came to watch the games. Thursday evening Sidney won so they were playing again on Friday. We couldn't go to the game on Thursday because Tim and I both have school, but I decided to pull the kids out of school and go support the old team on Friday. Nathan didn't want to have to try and maneuver around on crutches and his hands had blisters already, so he asked if we could just wrap it real tight and let him try to walk on it. By Friday evening, after he had been walking on it, the swelling went down immensely. So much so, that he was even able to perform on it Saturday during his show choir competition.

Sidney ended up winning on Friday so they played again on Saturday for the championship game. They lost by 9 in the final game, but overall had a wonderful season. It was crazy because they lost in the first round of the playoffs and only made it to state in a wild card spot, but then ended up taking 2nd place over all. It was sure fun to watch.

Saturday, Nathan went to a competition in Iowa. A little town about 2 hours away. There were 31 teams from 4 states competing at this competition. His team made it into the finals. Only six teams went on to compete in the finals and his was one of them. They took 6th place, so basically last place in the finals, but 6th out of 31 teams. Not bad

Ryan Shields got engaged over the weekend. He is going to school at BYU. The girl he is going to marry is from Cheyenne. She looks real cute and nice.

I sure love you!

Love Mom

Dad....It is so surreal. I am so excited to get home and see you guys. But I will miss my mission something fierce. Ya we had a baptism last week and we have 2 more this Saturday. 

I am going to work this week like I have never worked before. 

I sure love you dad. I will save what I have to say and teach you all for next week.

Your son,

Elder Hackleman

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 8:29 AM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder,

How was your week?? Were you really teaching a super-big family? Didn't you have a baptism lined up for a couple days ago too? How did all that go? Also, did you get to go the Temple and hang out with Pres. Archibald?

I ordained Grant to be a Teacher yesterday and he's scheduled to get his Patriarchal blessing the 2nd week in April. He's so dang excited to be in the teachers Quorum.

Well, my son, you made it! I hope while you are working this week you take a moment to breathe in the smells on the wind, taste the flavors of the food and commit to memory the faces of those you serve. Words cannot describe the joy and love I have for you. I'm not going to write you next Monday because you probably won't have a chance to check email anyway!

Well done, thou faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Te amo,

Papá

Baptism This Week!

We had a baptism this week!

This is my zone.There are quite a few of us huh!

Dear Mom,

I am glad you guys are having fun with Grandma Polly. Send her my love. I am stocking up on some cool stuff to bring home to you guys. I know every single thing that is on that list. I will see what I can do to get him hooked up. We had a baptism this week! We also found a family of like 15. That is the hard part about ending my mission. I am contacting and setting baptismal dates for people that I won't be able to baptize =( 

Tomorrow I have my going home party with president Archibald. We are going to the center of Lima, to a really fancy restaurant, the temple and his house. I am excited for that.  I sure love you!


Elder Hackleman


On Mon, Mar 9, 2015 at 4:17 PM, To Grant

First off, FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS GRANT!!!


On Sun, Mar 8, 2015 at 10:43 PM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder,

The last email was the shopping list, this one is the weeks events. Grandma Polly arrived here safe and sound. She forgot her suitcase on the plane, but we were able to find it so all is well.

We have been having a good time together.

Nathan's show choir took first place at the competition yesterday. He did awesome! He is quite the performer. Grandma Polly loved it. She could hardly stay in her seat she wanted to get up and dance:)

Nathan is on the right.

Friday we went to the temple. Grandma Polly did a great job even though it does scare her since she struggles so much with her memory.

The Sidney boys basketball team made it to state. They will be coming to Lincoln this week. I think the Siler's might be coming and staying with us. It will be so nice to see them. I haven't seen them since right before you went on your mission.

I'm still sticking it out with my math class although each week is more painful than the last. My class has a facebook group page and this is what I posted on it:

"If I had the choice of ice picks being shoved under my fingernails or doing Algebra, I would pick the ice picks. Ha Ha. 

Did I tell you I broke my pinkey finger. Seriously, what is my deal? I think it might have happened while I was having a nightmare. Tim said he heard me mumbling in my sleep, something about x's and y's were chasing me. Those darn Algebra terms are coming after me in my dreams. What's next, the parenthesis and fractions joining the gang of thugs? It's scary stuff ha ha.

Thank goodness I have four boys who do not have my brilliant math skills. I can't get my homework done at night until my own personal tutor helps me along the way, thank you very much Nathan.

The worst thing is I was working on a sewing project and I realized I could use an Algebraic term to figure out the dimensions of the cut I needed to make, but since I like to cut off my nose to spite my face, I did it the old fashioned way instead. Maybe someday, when my math class is over and I stop having nightmares about it, I will actually use some of what I am learning:)

I thought you would enjoy a meme I created. The picture in the background is one Seth took in Mexico. Just a little milk humor.

I sure love you. Tell me all about your week. Even though you are getting home in two weeks, I still love to hear the stories.

Love,
Mom

Letter from the mission office

Dear Hackleman Family

We write to inform you of the return of your missionary. We are so grateful for his dedicated service during these past two years. If you have any questions, please let us know or ask your missionary on Monday. Their itinerary is attached.

Thanks,





Elder Lara

Secretario Personal

Misión Perú Lima Oeste

Obedience to the Ten Commandments

Lima West Mission - My District

My District

They're The Best!

Guess which one is me?

My companion and I work hard

But we also remember to have fun along the way.

The Day in the Life of a Missionary in Peru

Hey mom! 

We have baptisms planned. That's what we do out here. =) hehe I am doing great. 

I can't believe it's March.....It is so surreal. 

I hope there is still snow when I get there!!! PRAY FOR SNOW! 

Jake told me he's gonna get his ticket. You´re gonna love him. Haha is he gonna get there before or after me? 

I didn´t know Tayson was gonna have a baby. Good for him. Kira as well. haha 

I can´t believe Grant is gonna be 14! That kid is growin up too fast. 

I wanna go to the zoo. =) 

I love you momma!

Elder Hackleman


On Mon, Mar 2, 2015 at 11:16 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder Hackleman,

How is it going? What is new in your neck of the woods? I can't believe March is here! What do you have planned for your last month in the mission field?

It is still very cold here, but I guess it is supposed to warm up a little during the day at least later on in the week. We still have a little snow outside in patches. We might get some snow today and tomorrow, but just flurries.

Mom get's here on Wednesday. I am hoping all goes well with her flight. It's always a bit scary having her fly by herself.

I forgot if I told you that Tayson and his wife are expecting a baby and so is Kira and her husband. Both due this summer I believe.

I have still been chatting with Jake. He is booking his ticket this week for coming out.

Just a reminder, it is Grant's birthday next Monday. He will be the big 14.

Nathan had his one Saturday off yesterday. The rest of the month of March he will have performances every weekend. 

We ended up going to the zoo. It was very cold so we stuck with the inside exhibits and the movie. I love going to the zoo. I could go every day ha ha.

I sure love you!

Love mom

Elder Hackleman's Coming Home!

Wrong is Never Right

On Mon, Feb 23, 2015 at 8:48 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder,

What was your week like? I would love it if you could get some more pictures of the scenery of Peru.

Nathan has an appointment today to get his wisdom teeth holes checked. He is having a rough go at it. I think he has infection. His cheek is bruised on the outside. He looks like he's been in a boxing match. Hopefully he will turn the corner this week. He ended up only going to school on Friday last week. He did go to the show choir competition this weekend. His choir took second place. They really did a great job. It was so fun to watch.

Grant had his last church basketball game on Saturday. He really stepped up. Nathan and Adam weren't there so Grant had big shoes to fill. As I was watching the game I kept thinking, who is that getting all the rebounds, boxing out, and controlling the pace and then I would realize it was Grant. I can't believe two months ago he told us he wasn't going to play church ball because he wasn't good enough. I made him and Nathan go to the church and practice dribbling, shooting, bounce passes, and drills. I did a drill that he would run toward the basket and I would throw the ball from the 3 point line with him on the run. He would then need to grab the ball, take one bounce and make a layup. I made him and Nathan practice this over and over from all different angles. He would get so mad at me and couldn't figure out what good it was doing. Many days we left the gym with Grant not even talking to me he was so mad. Well, it really paid off because during the games he would recognize fast break opportunities all the time and feed in some great passes. His game play and coordination really have come so far in a short amount of time. Before Nathan had show choir on Saturdays the two of them were unstoppable. They both could pass and receive fast break moves to the board with ease.

I was the lead teacher this week at my Pathway gathering. It turned out fine. It wasn't as comfortable as teaching seminary, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be either. I of course started with an object lesson because that is how I roll ha ha.

Your dad is in the thick of things with his classes. He is doing such a great job.

The bishop has asked that you speak the first Sunday after you get home:)

I sure love you! I hope we get your flight information soon.

Love Mom

Hey mom! It is so funny to read your letter when you talk about basketball. I have come to realize that I failed you and dad cuz I never even gave basketball a shot and you guys both played. Oh well. Haha I will get some pictures of everything I can this week. I will tell you what. I am pushing myself so hard to end. I am leaving Perú Monday night at like 11 at night so you will expect me Tuesday in the afternoon. I sure love you mom! I can’t wait for you to meet Jake. You are gonna love him.

Love

Elder Hackleman

On Mon, Feb 23, 2015 at 8:37 AM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder!

How was your week? Have you been able to teach any families? How has church been going? I've been meaning to ask you if you're still playing the piano?

We had a great Sunday yesterday. We had some wonderful talks in Sacrament meeting about the difference between home teaching and ministering. How ministering is way more in depth than just visiting. Also, about how you have to be in tune with the Spirit in order to know when and how to minister. Then we had a lesson in Gospel Doctrine about Christ's miracles. It was a great Sunday all the way around.

I hope you have the best P-Day ever today!!

I know this is short, but I know you are super busy. Just tell us what's happening and maybe send some pictures!!! ;)

Te amo hijo.

Papá

Hey dad! I have had more spiritual experience these last few weeks than in all of my mission. I can´t even begin to explain them, but I got them down in the journal so don’t worry, you guys will hear all about them in....a few short weeks! Can you believe it?? I do play piano once in a while.

Love Elder Hackleman

The Pride Cycle

Teachings from the Book of Mormon Study Guide

3 Nephi 6:12. Prosperity and Peace Can Lead to Pride

During the years immediately prior to the Savior’s personal ministry among the Nephites, the people enjoyed a period of brief prosperity. Unfortunately, this temporal success led to “pride and boastings because of their exceedingly great riches” (3 Nephi 6:10).

President Henry B. Eyring warned about such challenges in our day: “A little prosperity and peace, or even a turn slightly for the better, can bring us feelings of self-sufficiency. We can feel quickly that we are in control of our lives, that the change for the better is our own doing, not that of a God who communicates to us through the still, small voice of the Spirit. Pride creates a noise within us which makes the quiet voice of the Spirit hard to hear. And soon, in our vanity, we no longer even listen for it. We can come quickly to think we don’t need it” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2001, 16; or Ensign, Nov. 2001, 16).

Several times in Book of Mormon history the people passed through a cycle of righteousness, prosperity, riches, pride, wickedness, destruction, humility, and righteousness again. For more information and a diagram depicting the pride cycle, refer to “The Cycle of Righteousness and Wickedness” in the appendix (page 414).

My Companion and I Right Now

My companion Elder Rivera and I....right now. Haha

On Mon, Feb 16, 2015 at 9:58 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder,

Ok, so now you can tell me, what is your new companion like? Where is he from etc?

We had a good week. Nathan had his first show choir competition on Saturday. He did a great job. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of him. I was videoing the entire production but didn't take a picture. Don't worry, I will get one next week. He performs again on Saturday. He wore a blue tux with a green tie and the girls wore green dresses.

They sounded and looked awesome.

Church yesterday was great. We were sitting on the front row during sacrament meeting and I had my head bowed. I saw out of the corner of my eyes the deacons walking past and I noticed one of them was wearing pants that were way too short. I thought, boy who is that, so I looked up and to my utter amazement it was Grant. It appeared he had grown a couple of inches in a week, either that or he has been wearing high waters for a while and I just haven't noticed. I guess we are going shopping this week for some new church pants for the poor guy.

Grant played great during the church basketball game. He actually played center for a while. He has never played that position before so he didn't really know where to stand but he is one of the tallest players on the team when Nathan isn't there. It worked out perfectly, because Nathan performed first thing in the morning so I was able to hurry over to the church after Nathan's performance and still catch most of Grant's basketball game. Anyway I was looking at Grant out on the court and thought to myself, he seems taller than last week, but then I shrugged it off almost as fast as I thought it. Obviously I should have considered it further. I hate to say it, but he might be taller than Seth already.

Well, we are getting ready to head out for Nathan to get his wisdom teeth removed. His appointment is at 11:00. It's nice because the boys don't have school today because it is President's Day so Grant gets to go with me.

The big thing happening this week is I am the lead teacher at Pathways. I never usually get nervous teaching, but I have been having anxiety about being the lead student since it is math and it's not my favorite subject. Luckily we are discussing spreadsheets and I am not too bad at that. We'll see how it goes. One good thing is I have learned a formula for calculating Celsius into Fahrenheit so I can figure out the temperature for you if you ever need me to. I am supposed to be able to transform pesos into dollars as well, but I'm not as good at that. Sorry. If you ever wanted to know the formula for temperature conversion is: C=5/9(F-32). 

Temperature Conversion Formula

I sure love you. Have a wonderful week!

Love, Mom

Mom, I love you so much. I hate to be a jerk, but I have known that formula since I was but a wee one.....=) I am so proud of you though. Next time I need the temperature converted I will definitely consult you before taking the time to do it myself. I can’t believe grant is so tall. He hasn't past me has he?

My companion is awesome! He is one of my favorite companions. His name is Elder Rivera. He is from Guayaquil Ecuador. We were best friends from the get go. We teach and contact so well together. I would love to have 2 or more transfers with him instead of just one. =( Mom. My mission is going by so fast! They are buying my plane ticket already. AHHH!!! I can’t wait to see you guys though. I love you!

Elder Hackleman

I got a few pictures of Nathan before and after his wisdom teeth surgery. Crazy kid wanted to show me he wasn't in pain so he ran around the car the second after the nurse put him in the car after his surgery. I was so mad at him. The bleeding had clotted and stopped before we left the Dr. office but due to his run around the town, it started bleeding profusely. Dang it all. He thought he was so funny. Ya, he won't be laughing when he gets dry sockets. I thought of letting the pain meds wear completely off to teach him a lesson, but then after thinking about it for a while I realized he was still under the influence of the meds so I need to give him a break. He claims he counted down to 94 before he fell asleep. I forgot to ask the nurse so I can't confirm that number. I will double check on our follow-up appointment.

Love Mom

He was goofy before they even gave him any Meds.

Ice Packs!

On Mon, Feb 16, 2015 at 8:55 AM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder,

How were transfers?!?!?!? Tell us all about your new companion! You have the opportunity to show him what going out in style really means!! I know you have a lot of Zone work to do, but were you able to teach anyone this week? Something that came to me at church yesterday. I was sitting in PEC and we were talking about home teaching and the struggles that we have doing it and reporting it. Then we started talking about the people who request no contact with the Church. How do we deal with them? The church strongly discourages and dissuades names being removed from the records. My thoughts turned to the parable of the lost sheep of course. But then it occurred to me that, much of what we need to learn is the "process of seeking." So much of the time we go to an address and find that they've moved. So we diligently try ways that seek them out to have their records follow them? Anyway, I just thought it was interesting that sometimes it's not just the act of doing, but learning from the act of doing.

On the home front, Nathan is getting his wisdom teeth out for real today. We'll let you know how that went next week. I attached a couple pictures of your silly brother. One is while he was at the kitchen table over the weekend. He was working on one of his many "experiments". The other is of him at the UNO hockey game with me on Friday. And by the way... I gave him a haircut on Saturday after I saw these.

I can't wait to hear all about your week!!

¡Te amo tanto!

Papá

Grant at the UNO Hockey Game

Hey dad! I got my new companion this week. His name is Elder Rivera. He is from Ecuador and is one of my favorite companions of my entire mission. From the second we were put together we just clicked. He is so awesome. We love to work hard but have fun doing it. We have been in meetings almost all week but we are going hard this week because the people we find this week will potentially be my last baptisms. =( I will send a pic of him in a sec....p.s. I am living in a peruvian oven right now but I still love life. How can that be......Haha Love you dad!

On Mon, Feb 16, 2015 at 4:04 PM, Tim wrote:

It's only 80 degrees there!! :) Plus, there's no way it's worse than two-a-days in Buenavista, VA!!

Dad

That thermometer is lying. It’s gotta be 110. Haha and air conditioning doesn't exist here. I have two of my buddies writing me from SVU right now saying they walked on at Weber state. One of them is in Jake Kitchen`s Spanish class! Haha

Happy President's Day

Peru might not be celebrating the US national holiday of President's Day, but President Monson is the Church President for the entire world, so happy President's Day!

See that ye serve with all your HEART

Note from mom: The letters home are getting shorter and shorter each week as Elder Hackleman's time in the mission field is drawing to a close. He told me not to worry, he is just working harder than ever and he promises he will tell us all about it when he gets home.

Dear Mom,

I hope the snow stays!!! We just got transfer notices today. I am staying here! It will officially be my last area. I don´t get my companion until tomorrow though. Elder Quezada is currently on the plane home right now. Crazy. I am six weeks away! I can’t believe it.

Gotta go momma. I am really pushing myself to the limits these last few months. Love you! You worry about the planning stuff for when I get home and I will worry about baptizing a ton of people and getting home as soon as I can!

Love Elder Hackleman

On Mon, Feb 9, 2015 at 9:57 AM wrote:

Dear Elder J Hackleman,

Tell me all about your new companion. Where is he from etc. How has this week been going for you?

Nathan didn't end up getting his wisdom teeth taken out on Friday. He went to seminary and while there he forgot and ate a cookie. Because of this they had to postpone the surgery. No food after midnight, not even a little cookie. He was so bummed. He ended up having to go to school. Everyone was wondering why he was there. He finally told a teacher he was there because a cookie just jumped in his mouth and before he knew what was happening it was going down his throat. They all had a good laugh. He is scheduled for wisdom teeth surgery a week from today. Now he is probably going to have to miss two days of school since he won't have the weekend to recover but we couldn't do it on a Friday because he has show choir performances every weekend from here on out for the next couple of months.

Saturday night he had a little party with some friends over. They watched "The Maze Runner."

Grant is sure getting taller. Everyone keeps telling me he is looking like you now. That sure makes Grant happy.

We ended up having two snow days last week because we got so much snow, but Saturday and Sunday it warmed up to the 40's so it is melting. It is about half way gone and most likely won't make it to the end of the week, melting a little here and there each day. It's not exactly a heat wave, but it warms up just enough to melt a little here and there.

What is happening in your neck of the woods?

I sure love you!

Love Mom

Two Missionaries that Served With Both Elder Hackleman's

What are the changes that two missionaries would have the chance to serve with Elder J. Hackleman who is serving in Peru and Elder S. Hackleman who is serving in Mexico? Well the odds are against it, but it happened. Pictured above: Elder S. Hackleman, Elder Charlton and Elder Jones.

These two missionaries served with Elder J Hackleman at the Provo Missionary Training Center. 

They love Elder J Hackleman.

They both wanted to say hello to Elder J. Hackleman!!! 

Younger Brother's Lament

Grant Has Regrets

Things I should have done with my brothers before they left on their missions.

Now that Grant is getting ready to turn 14 years old he has been able to recognize regrets that he has. Yesterday he was talking about two major regrets he should have done with his brothers before they left on their missions.

1. Teach them how to do laundry.

Grant has been doing laundry since he was 5 years old and his mother had neck surgery. His older brothers had a certain leadership quality that enabled them to pull a Tom Sawyer on everyone in their circle which makes for an un-canning ability to talk other people into doing their laundry for them. Even when Elder Hackleman was at college for a year he didn't do his laundry. He had a very nice lady who cleaned the laundry room and bathrooms at the dorms, who would do his laundry for him, and the football teams equipment was all laundered for the football team.

Grant decided he is going to once and for all teach his brothers when they get home from their missions.

 

2. Teach them how to Sew.

Grant happens to be very good at sewing. He now wishes he would have taught a little bit more to his brothers so they wouldn't have to go through life with bad sewing skills.  Take for example exhibit A.

Exhibit A

This is Elder S. Hackleman's laundry bag. 

It ripped so he decided to teach himself how to sew. He thinks it looks pretty amazing.  Maybe a little more practice and he can have the skill level of his little brother.

Not that the Hackleman brothers are competitive or anything, but which sewing do you think is better?

Yes, Grant has skills.

How to Gain God's Approval

Letters from Peru This Week

Hey dad, I forgot to tell you last week, but I sure hope you recorded the Super Bowl.
I want to watch it when I get home.
(Oops, we recorded it all right, but deleted it this morning before we got this message.)

Hey dad! 

That is awesome that you got your classes all underway. I don´t know anything more about when I get home other than the day. That it will be sometime the 23rd of March. Whatever that Tuesday is. My companion goes home this week so next Tuesday I will get my next, and last companion. 

We had a baptism Saturday! 

Elder Hackleman

On Sun, Feb 1, 2015 at 10:57 PM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder,

How was your week? We got snowed out of Church yesterday. A huge blizzard rolled in and laid 8 inches of snow all over. Then there was the wind and more snow. It was a good day to stay in, but we went and helped four families in the ward shovel their driveways. 

Have you received any details about your travel? Everyone is sure getting excited!! I am so proud of you for putting your shoulder to the wheel and pushing along. Every one here is doing well. Nathan has to have his Wisdom teeth pulled on Friday. He can't get his braces off until he does. Well, at least he will already have them done before he leaves for his mission.

Patriots won the Super Bowl. It was probably one of the best Super Bowls that I have seen. Football season is officially over. 

I taught my first Advertising class at Midland University. It was really fun. It will be a fun class to teach. Now that I got the first one under my belt, the rest should be a lot less stressful.

Well tell us what has been happening. What are you guys going to do for p-day today? When do you get a new companion? I know you are busy, so make the most of the little time you have left in that wonderful country.

I love you son!

Dad

On Mon, Feb 2, 2015 at 10:55 AM, Grant wrote:

Yo Yo what's up dog how's life in the big city dog didly I can't wait till March cause it's my birthday oh and your coming home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah i'm pretty excited can you tell? most of the stuff that happened in my life can wait for when you come home. But what about yours bro? Have you been keeping a recipe book? I bet you have.  Oh did I tell you your coming home in like two months yeah it's pretty dang spantaculisous just sound it out if you don't know my vocabulary it upped like two words when you were gone... I'm pretty proud of myself for that. Nathan and I are going to go shopping with you so you can get a new wardrobe when you get home. But we're only going to get you like I don't know like maybe $100 stuff not that much these days but you know that. But anyways I'm going to have to shovel the snow out side so I'll talk to you in a little.

Lov ya bro hawk
From Grant Hucklbarrie

Dear Grant,

Hey buddy!!!! I am pretty stoked to get home too. It will be a little bit after your birthday but still pretty close! I haven´t kept a recipe book but I remember all the names of the peruvian foods I like so we can google them and make them when I get home. I cant wait to get new clothes. I love being a missionary but its time to add a little color to my life. Haha Love you big guy!

Elder Hackleman

On Mon, Feb 2, 2015 at 8:54 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder,

How in the world are you? What is new? Did you have a baptism this week? I thought you said you might be having one.

The Laws came this weekend to clean their house. Now they are officially gone for good:(

We had a major storm hit yesterday so they cancelled church and school today. It is beautiful though.

To answer your question about whether or not the couches stick to your back, the answer is no. They feel just like they did before, they just look nicer. I just re-dyed the color, which is how they were tan to begin with, it's not like that is a natural color of leather. I'm sure they didn't use wood stain to dye the original leather, but the result is the same.

I went to the temple with Albany on Friday. We sure had a good time. Her kids are counting down the days until you get back.

We ended up watching the super bowl with just our family. We didn't do quite as big of a spread as we have in years passed since Tim, Nathan and Grant spent the better part of the day shoveling people's driveways ha ha, but it was still good.

I sure love you.

Love mom


Hello Mother Dear!!!!

I had a great week. And yea! I had my baptism! I am going out of this mission baptizing if its the last thing I do. =) Wow, It looks so pretty outside. I sure hope their is snow like that when I get home. I am trying not to drown in my own sweat here right now. But whatever, I just think about how they are unwanted pounds so Its all good. =) I sure miss everybody! I love you! I can´t wait to get home!

Elder Hackleman

Burger and Fries Peruvian Style

This is a hamburger filled with French fries and soda in a bag. It is very common here. It was my dinner while we were making phone calls with the zone the other night.

Peruvians do not have their drinks cold.  They believe you will get sick if you eat or drink cold things.  I have told them I drink ice cold drinks in the middle of the winter and I've never gotten sick from it.  They tell me it's because Americans are immune.

Hey mom!!!! I´m sorry but I hope it is blisteringly cold at home when I get there. I hope I have to step off the plane in 3 feet of snow. I have not passed five minutes without sweating in like 3 months. Haha Sounds like you are having fun at school. What a turn of events, I leave home and quit school and while I’m gone, my mom starts school again and my dad starts teaching it!!!!!! Crazy... haha

Elder Hackleman

We were having warm weather for Omaha until Elder Hackleman requested cold in his email.   Look what we woke up to this morning.  This is looking out the back window of the Hackleman home in Nebraska.  Thanks a lot Elder Hackleman:)  We have so much snow today that church was cancelled.  2-1-2015

On Mon, Jan 26, 2015 at 10:11 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder,

How has this week been? I hope it is better than last week. Did you get a new companion and if so, what is he like?

The weather is nice today. It is supposed to get up to 60 degrees. Crazy for January, but I'll take it!

Nathan has a couple more weeks of practice and then his show choir is going to start their rounds. They perform almost every week for the next couple of months. I can't wait to see him. He won't show me anything right now. He wants the first time for us to see him to be the real deal. We have seen him sing, but never sing and dance yet. I can't wait.

Grant rode his bike all day on Saturday with his friend. This warm weather is giving us spring fever ha ha. They like to ride to Shadow Lake shopping center and walk around. They usually stop in at Freddy's and get a French fry or milkshake. I love to see him get out. November and December were so cold we tend to stay in a lot.

Nathan had a birthday party he went to on Friday evening and it was warm enough to have a bon fire outside. I know this weather won't last, but it is nice for a change.

The next couple of weeks are going to be crazy for your dad. It is the only time that the two classes he is teaching actually over-lap. He keeps joking around about holding down 3 jobs, but that is exactly what he is doing right now. He's a trooper. He is so funny because he gets so sad when he has to give someone a bad grade. He wants to call them up and mentor them, but there is only so much he can do.

I am chugging along with my math class. It's not so bad. Each week at the beginning of the week I am always over-whelmed because I don't remember the rules, but then after a little refresher, it all comes back to me and by the end of the week I am sailing along. I can certainly see how this is good for me even though I complain a little bit. I keep thinking I just need to get through this quarter. It's funny because we are supposed to read a finance book by the end of the quarter to go along with one of our requirements. They give us a list of approved books to choose from. I have already blown through two different books and I think I might read another one. I love the reading part of it so I guess I am an over achiever when it comes to that part but give me a page with fractions and decimals that I need to do and I will put it off until the last minute because I find no pleasure in that part of the homework.

I sure love you!

Love Mom

Hey Dad. That is so sad to hear about that poor girl. What an awful experience. Well, this week was good. We have a baptism this Saturday!

I can´t believe how good Utah is in basketball right now. They are hangin in there with Arizona. Impressive.....

You are gonna do awesome in your class. Just remember that they are college kids. They´re more mature than people think. Let them know that you are there to help them and that what you have to teach them is something really awesome and can be enjoyable to do. Students will naturally put more interest and effort into something that appears enjoyable. The interesting thing is even the most boring class about nothing can be cool if the teacher makes it that way. You are gonna do awesome. I am not even frettin. Haha I sure love you dad! You´re the best.

Elder Hackleman

On Mon, Jan 26, 2015 at 11:43 Tim Hackleman wrote:

Dear Elder,

How was your week? We are doing great up here, everyone is healthy. It was a busy weekend! There was an accident a little over a week ago out in Plattesmouth. Just south of Offutt. A 17 year old member of the Church turned in front of on-coming traffic on Hwy 75 and was struck broadside (I think). Apparently it's a dangerous turn to make every time. She had her 7 year old sister as a passenger. The 7 year old was killed, but the 17 year old survived. It was all over the news here. Anyway, they ended up having the funeral at our Stake Center on Saturday. There were over 700 people at it.

The Utes are #12 in Men's Basketball. They should move up a little this week. It's going to come down to Utah and Arizona for the Pac-12 Championship. The Super Bowl is coming up this weekend.

I'm getting a little nervous. Thursday is my first day teaching at Midland University. Introduction to Advertising Design. I have 21 students enrolled so far...gulp. I am just past halfway with my Fundamentals of Print Design class at Bellevue University. It's actually been pretty fun, even though it's an online class. The Ad class will be fun too, I just have to get past the first class jitters. The only thing that kinda stresses me out is the time commitment.

I know you are super busy, but send some pics or stories about what's going on. :)

¡Te amo hijo!

Papá

Deflated Football - Funny Story

Deflated Football Went to Peru and Back

The funniest thing happened on Saturday, but to understand the significance of it you need to know the back story. Elder Hackleman played college football for Southern Virginia University before he went on his 2 year LDS mission to Peru. After he got to Peru he realized a lot of Peruvian people wanted to know more about "American Football." He would try to explain it and play a little with them but he found it impossible to describe without a football.  He couldn't find one anywhere so he requested we send him one in the mail. His grandmother sent a package with some treats, clothing and a deflated football in the box. This package was mailed over a year and a a half ago. Elder Hackleman received the package after about 2 months, but it had been opened and the football had been taken out.  The rest of the package was delivered to Elder Hackleman. Here is where the amazing part happens, last week, grandma got a package all the way from Peru. It was the deflated football mailed back to her with a message saying the package could not be delivered. Who knows where all this football had been or why it couldn't be delivered, but the most ironic thing is that it came back to the United States after all this time. Now Elder Hackleman has less than two years left on his mission and the football will be a sort of a souvenir for him when he gets home.

We Reject Persecution of Any Kind

We reject persecution and retaliation of any kind, including persecution based on race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, economic circumstances, or differences in gender or sexual orientation."  Elder Dallin H. Oakes

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held a press conference.  For more information about the press conference go to http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620483/LDS-leaders-reemphasize-protection-of-religious-freedoms-support-for-LGBT-nondiscrimination-laws.html

Hardest Week of My Mission So Far Jan. 19, 2015

Jesus Teaches Apostles

On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 9:32 AM, Tim wrote:

Good morning Elder J. Hackleman!

How was your week? Did familia Palomino get confirmed? We are all doing great here. Everyone is healthy. The boys have today off for Martin Luther King Jr. day. They were pretty excited about that! We had a General Priesthood meeting with our new Stake Presidency last night. It was awesome. You will really like them. Pres. Derrick (Stake President) was the Stake Young Men's president. He's like the Dir. of Innovation and Technology at UNO, so he's not afraid to use technology in his training and he relates really well to the young folks. He answered a question that I have always wanted to understand. He said that much of the battle between good and evil happens in our heads. It shouldn't be whether or not there is the absence of the battle, but whether we are battling each day to make progress. If there is a battle, then we know we are on the right side. Anyway, I thought it was pretty interesting because most of the biggest fights you’re going to face are the ones that happen in your thoughts. Not between people!

So you've probably already heard. Seahawks and Patriots in the Super Bowl. We have to start planning our menu! So excited that it's the last one you'll be missing. Maybe you'll be able to watch the next one at home!

What's happening down there? You'll have to let us know when they give you the travel plans. Are there any pictures or stories to share? I put some money in your account. Maybe take your comp out to lunch before he goes home?

Anyway, keep working hard and focused! (I know you will).

¡Te amo hijo!

Papá


Dad,

You would not believe how much that applies to what my week was like. Haha I had literally the craziest week of my mission by far. I just wrote it all down in this email and felt like I shouldn´t send it. I will just tell you about it when I get home because an email just doesn´t cut it. Two more months and I will share it with you.

I cannot believe that the Sea-hawks are going to be super bowl champs for my entire mission! Crazy. I haven´t been informed on travel plans yet. I just know the day. Thanks for sending me some cash! And don´t worry, I always share with my comp. Love you dad!

Dear Elder,

If you don't email us about your week, then you gotta write it down in your journal. Otherwise, you’ll forget the details of why this week was such a challenge!

I love you son. Stay strong and keep wielding the sword!

Papa

Dad,

Yeah it’s in my journal. I will tell you guys about it when I get home. I told mom a little. You know how she can never be left with a cliff hanger like that. Haha

Dear Jaren,

BROOO!!! How's it going??? It's your better looking younger brother again! Sorry I haven't emailed you in a while. How's life in Peru treating you? It's pretty great here. We learned all the choreography for show choir last Saturday and Sunday so now it’s just all about perfecting it haha. It’s pretty great and I’m pretty sure we'll have a performance after you come home so you get to come see me make a fool of myself! But anyways we had our second church ball game Saturday (our first one was two Saturdays ago but I couldn't make it because of the previously mentioned show choir practice). It was fun! We lost by like 20 points but I was the top scorer. I had a shot where I was a foot in front of the free throw line with my back turned to the basket because someone was guarding me, and I turned around and shot a fade away that was pretty sick and it DRAINED!!!! I'll have to show you when you come home haha. But anyways I'm going to play some more basketball so I’ll talk to you later! See ya bro!

Nathan,

Hey buddy! I am glad to hear your shootin hoops. You are a natural you know it? I sure hope you have a swing choir concert when I get home. I can’t wait to see it. Can you believe I am home in only two months???? Good guts, I cant. Haha I sure love you buddy!

Elder Hackleman

On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 8:45 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder J Hackleman,

Hello wonderful son of mine. Nathan and Grant do not have school today because it is Martin Luther King day. I was trying to talk them into going to the zoo, but they don't want to. They do have open gym at the church this morning to practice some basketball.

The Laws are officially in Arkansas now. As they drove away on Saturday I realized how much of a hole they are going to leave in my heart. I cried the ugly cry. It made me miss the Hadley's more as well.

I have been working hard on school. I think starting this semester has been one of the hardest things ever. My least favorite class is math, add to the fact that it is January, cold, and depressing, it makes me start to question my motives. I can't help but think bad thoughts, like why am I doing this? I would be very easy to quit, but I'm pressing forward realizing it is only one semester and then I will get to move onto English. I love English. This week my assignment at the beginning of the week was so foreign to me. It has been so long since I thought about estimating I couldn't even remember a thing about it. Luckily Nathan was able to tutor me and teach me a few tricks he had up his sleeve. By the time I went to the Pathway gathering on Thursday, I knew what I was doing and I was even able to help a fellow student who didn't understand it. I keep thinking, one week at a time. I am going to be teaching the class on the 7th week. They asked if anyone in the class knew anything about excel documents. Finally something I feel comfortable with, so I raised my hand. I have been worried about being the lead teacher during the math class but luckily I found my nitch.

During the Christmas holiday we played a serious game of Risk. Maybe we will play that again today. I attached a copy of the picture I took while we were playing.

So, what is happening with you? Are you staying busy? Are you writing in your journal every day telling what the Lord has done for you that day?

How is the weather there?

I sure love you!

Love Mom

Hey momma! Wow, my week was crazy. I can´t even explain it, but anyway, I am doing good. Just pressing along after the hardest week on my mission so far.

That makes me sad that the Laws are gone too. Don´t worry about school. You have a study ethic that can get you anywhere, and some pretty smart sons at home. =) It’s about time we start helping you with your homework once in awhile since that´s what you have done for us our entire lives. On the bright side, in two measly months, I will be home, and I like math a lot! Haha I don´t remember a lot but it will come back to me quick enough I think. I am doing my best to write in my journal. Satan is definitely fighting me really hard in that aspect. I don´t know why, but it just tells me how important it is. That looks like a fun game of risk. Who won? I thought dad didn´t like that game or is it clue? I don´t remember. Haha I love you mom!

Elder J. Hackleman

Elder Hackleman Returns Home In March

Mormon Tour in Peru

I want to go on this bus!

Do you recognize any of these tourists?

Note from mom: We got an email from a member in Peru that does tours. Originally we were hoping to go pick Jaren up when he got done with his mission and tour around Peru with him. Unfortunately we are not going to be able to do it, but I sure do appreciate these pictures he sent us. In my dreams I would go visit these sights!

Baptism- End of December 2014

 

We baptized Familia Palomino! They got baptized after church yesterday and will get confirmed next Sunday. We had a miracle happen so that this family could get baptized.

They had gone to callao Saturday night to visit family and were going to come back that same night but they couldn’t. They ended up getting back at like 7 in the morning. We called them to make sure they were all going to come to church and the dad answered and said that the kids had fallen asleep but that he and his wife were going to come. We weren’t going to accept that so we went to their house and woke the kids up haha. They all made it to church and they all got baptized. It was a really spiritual baptism.

What a Wonderful Day!

I took a picture of my computer while I was skyping you and Seth at Christmas.

Pictures From Peru - Jan 12, 2015

My companion and I exploring a cave on P-Day.

We were on a bus and thought it would be funny to take a picture with a dog that was riding along.  Just before my companion could snap the picture the dog jumped off the bus.  I guess he didn't want his picture taken with me today.  I think he must be shy.

Oh, well, maybe next time.

Note from mom: (The funny thing about this, is in America this week it was all over the news that there was a dog who rode the bus by himself.  It was such a huge story.  I guess in Peru dogs riding the bus isn't a big deal).

On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 9:47 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder J. Hackleman,

Good morning. I watched the Law kids Friday and Saturday so Becky and Tim could go to Arkansas to find a house. They found a real nice place and will be moving on Saturday :(

School is going good I guess. Math is a hard class for me. This past week our assignment was to learn our times tables by heart up to 15. That is harder than it sounds. I made flash cards and Nathan and Grant helped me. I don't know what has happened to me, but even the basic times tables have slipped my mind over the years. 8's especially went to Mars for a vacation from my brain. I have been playing a game online that helps bring them back into my memory. I still don't have them all 100% but I have come a long way in one short week.

My Book of Mormon class is still my favorite class. I love studying that book. At times I will start studying and then time goes by and I look at the clock and realize 6 hours has passed. Time flies when you are having fun.

I shared some of your ward council ideas with our ward council yesterday. Everyone was very receptive. Unfortunately it does put a lot of extra work on the Elders Quorum and High Priests. I was talking about how I had been encouraging the women to increase their temple attendance this year, but then was taught by you that this goal was not enough. The goal should be for the couple not just the women. After we discussed all the benefits of the men leading the temple attendance, it was decided that one of our ward mission goals for the year was to encourage the men to lead out in home teaching and leading their families to the temple. It really changed the course of our goals for the year as a ward. Thank you for sharing the wonderful things you are learning on your mission. I just wanted you to know that the trickle down effects are circulating throughout our ward now as well.

The bishop told a story about a similar thing that happened on his mission. The result was the same but the reason was different. He served in Australia. Most of his contacts were by walking up to people on the street. The wards he served in were struggling immensely for priesthood leadership. They had plenty of women and children, so they focused in on men only. They would walk right past women and children on the street and only talk to the men. The result was amazing. They found that when they taught the men, they would teach the entire family and when the men came into the church, entire families came into the church.

I was thinking about the counsel the mission president gave over a year ago for the Omaha area. He said that every less active family in the ward has a baptism. When you combine all these things, you end up with the outcome of what is now our ward mission plan. That is, if every home teacher in the ward took on the families they visited and helped encourage them to temple attendance with the father leading out, huge progress could be made. As a Relief Society, it will be very easy to make goals to align with the ward mission goals. We can help encourage our husbands to lead out in the gospel in our homes.

I am excited for the coming year.

Ok, let's talk about you. Last week the boys had a day out of school because the weather was so cold. While they were home, I was working on a project, but decided I would enlist Nathan and his computer skills to help me do some college applications for you. We did one for the University of Utah. We will do a few other schools as well, just so you will have options when you get home.

I attached a couple of pictures to show you some of my DIY projects I have been working on. Our kitchen table has been needing a make-over for quite some time. Also, the paper blinds I had on the upper windows in the living room had to go. I changed them out with vinyl stained glass on the side windows and reflective vinyl on the large middle window. I also made knew curtains. I love how it all is turning out. (Note to family and friends. There is a link on the right side of the page to my blog if you would like to see pictures). I have also been re-staining all the woodwork to a darker color. This house is going to be in top shape by the time you get home!

I sure love you!

Keep up the good work.

Love Mom

Hey Momma!!!!! That is so awesome to hear about ward council! It’s true, it’s not that women aren’t important in the church, but it is true that it is a package deal when you strike the men first. =) If every priesthood holder only focused in their family, and then the families that they are assigned to as home teachers, the ward would be unstoppable. Home teaching is so key. If I am a father, my family is active. Simple as that, and my home teaching families are active as well. No question.....when every priesthood holder thinks that way, the ward suddenly doesn’t have any less active members. =)

Wow!!! That table looks brand new! Haha I like it!!! I gotta tell ya. I can’t wait to get home and see you guys. I want you to know that I am working harder than ever. I am going out baptizing if it’s the last thing I do. I sure am excited for the next part of my life though. =)

Pic explanation... the first one is of my companion and I in a cave. The other one is of a dog that got on a bus that we were on and was freaking out because it wanted to get off but didn’t know how. I tried to get my companion to get a picture of me with it but right when he went to take it, the bus stopped and the door opened so the dog jumped out, but he got the tail and my foot. Haha I love you mom!

Elder Hackleman

On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 9:40 AM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder,

You hit the 20 month mark! Or is it 21? That's getting crazy. Your mom and I think about you all the time. We are so happy for you! Anyway, you need to send us pictures! I don't think you told us about your new companion! We need info!! I know you are super busy, and it's getting close to the end, but you gotta keep us up to date :)

So, we sprung a leak in the Cottonwood ward. The Hadley's left a couple weeks ago for Enid, Oklahoma. I can't remember if you knew the McKee's? They were with us in the Bellevue 2nd Ward. They leave today for Germany. The Law's are leaving on Saturday!!! It will seem like a completely different ward when you get home.

Elder Kitchens posted that he is starting school today. I'm assuming he's going to the U, but he didn't say. Tonight is the National Championship game between Oregon and Ohio State. I have to admit, I'm kinda rooting for Urban Meyer!

So I had a cool revelation yesterday in Ward Council. We were discussing faith and someone mentioned the Brother of Jared. Well it came to me that Ether Chapter 2 and 3 can be applied to missionary work. In Chpt. 2 we have to exercise faith that there is a way to bring our neighbors/friends to the gospel. In Chpt. 3, the Savior is the only one that can put the "light" into them through the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Anyway, I sure do love you. Continue to be careful, obedient and listen to the Holy Ghost.

¡Te amo tanto, hijo!

Papá

Hey dad! I hit 21! Can you believe it? I sure can’t. I sent a few pics to mom. Sorry. Dang, the very few number of families that I did know before going on my mission are leaving. I am going to give a homecoming talk to a bunch of strangers....oh well. What do ya do. Haha Oh ya, I am a true ohio state fan right now! Elder Kitchens is going to Weber state....just for this semester til I get home. Haha