Showing posts with label Letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Letters. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Letters to and from our Missionary 11/11/1914

On Mon, Nov 10, 2014 at 10:26 AM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder,

How was your week? Just as crazy as ever? Do you get a chance to go out teach much? One thing that I have been curious about, but have always forgotten to ask you is, how is your knee? Have you had any problems with it since you've been out

How is your companion doing? What adventures are you having?

We are all doing well up here! I have an appointment with a surgeon this week. I don't know if you remember when I had my belly-button hernia repaired back in Sidney? I think I am going to need it repaired again. Also, I will be teaching a "Fundamentals of Print Design" class for Bellevue University. It's an online course that starts November 24th! Because it's online that means I can set my own hours and do the work at night a couple times a week. I'm excited and a wee bit nervous too! Also, Midland University called and said that they have a class for me as well. That one probably won't start until after the first of the year. I'm really excited about that one because it's one that I will actually have to go into a classroom and teach.

We're all excited for Stake Conference next week. We're getting a new Stake President. I think I told you that. Your mom and Nathan are singing in the choir. They are having fun doing that. Speaking of music!!! Are you still playing the piano??? I always loved to hear you play the piano. Reason #738 why I can't wait for you to get home. :) Don't worry about what's going to happen as far as school goes. We'll research everything we can so that you have a lot of options to consider. Focus on saving just one more soul each month while you're there.

Anyway, I love you so much tiger! Please be safe and always heed the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

¡Ámele hijo!

Papá

Hey Dad! Yeah this week was pretty crazy. haha Wednesday, we had our monthly leadership meeting with all the zone leaders, the assistants, and President Archibald. I love those meetings. It is so awesome but they are physically draining. Haha Then this Saturday and Sunday, we had stake conference here in Ventanilla. It was awesome. President and Sister Archibald came, the temple president of Lima, and a member of the 70, Elder Costa. Wow. It was great.

Yeah my companion and I still teach, not as much but we still do. Yesterday we found a family of 4 that we are sure we are going to baptize so we are super excited about that. Familia _________. Keep them in your prayers please! =) My knees are just like they´ve been my whole life. I don’t pay attention to them. That stinks that you have to have surgery. I hope everything goes ok. That is awesome that you will be teaching those classes! Do you have any idea what exactly you are going to teach or not yet? Hey you can finish the basement with all that extra cash you will be making so that when I get home, we can have march madness parties in the man cave!!!:...haha just a thought =p Do you know if an apostle will go to stake conference to call the new stake president? That would be sweet.

I play piano every once in awhile. haha 738 reasons huh? I am excited too. It is helping me to work harder though because I know it’s my only chance to make a difference. I hit 19 months today!!!! Yikes. Haha Love you dad!

Elder Hackleman

On Sun, Nov 9, 2014 at 11:51 PM, Amy wrote:

Elder J. Hackleman,

How is my oldest doing today? We are doing good. I have been working doing Insurance audits all week and will be doing them again for a few more days so this past week was a little crazy, but things will get back to normal by Wed. or so.

The weather is supposed to really cool down this week. I guess I am not quite ready for winter yet, but it's coming whether I like it or not. There is a phrase from the movie, "Frozen" that goes, "The cold never bothered me anyway." I made a poster with those words, then at the end, I said, "Just kidding, I hate the cold" ha ha.

The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway
Just Kidding
I Hate Winter

Tim Law just got back from China. We are going out to dinner with them on Friday so he can tell us all the crazy stories that happened to him while he was gone. I guess he has quite a few.

So we had ________ over for dinner today. They taught a lesson last week but Grant was gone to a meeting so he wasn't here. They asked Nathan if he would teach the same lesson this week only teach it to Grant so he could see if he learned from what they taught last week. This all sounds well and good, but while it was all going down, there was one thing I kept thinking about that I knew I wanted to write to you about when it comes to missionary work. This is something that has bothered me over the years about a lot of the people and sometimes even among the missionaries. I hope you can learn from it, as far as what not to do. Maybe even help other missionaries you are around to help them learn as well.

A lot of the time people will be joking around and having fun with the boys, and it gets a little bit out of hand. They can be rather rude and eventually take it too far. The theme tonight seemed to be, make fun of Grant night and make him feel dumb for not saying the right things, or in the right way. I finally put my foot down and stepped in. I think it is never appropriate to say comments about someone that are derogatory, even if you think you are doing it in fun. It was not fun for me to hear it and it certainly was not fun for Grant. He tried to laugh along and go along like it didn't bother him, but believe me, it did.

I think it is going to be a while before we have them over again. They are fun people, who just say enough rude things to rub me the wrong way.

I know you are never one to say rude things, but sometimes I think other missionaries need to be called out on it, or at least have the discussion brought up to them. Just a thought.

I sure love you! I would love some more pictures of your area. I know I am a broken record. I just don't have a visual of what your area is like. Besides you are so darn handsome, I love to see you as much as I can:)

Love mom

Hey mom!!!!

That is a bummer about your visitors. I think sometimes some people let their egos go to their heads, even if we don’t want it to or don’t even realize it. I have always tried to be conscious of how I treat people but I definitely see problems with it here as well with some of the missionaries. Grant is a tough kid though so that’s good. =)

I hit 19 months today! I can’t even believe it. My comp and I are teaching a fantastic family of four. We found them just yesterday but it was easily one of the most powerful first lessons I have been in. Keep them in your prayers please. Familia _______________.

I will take some pictures today.

Love,

Elder Hackleman

Monday, November 3, 2014

Letter's this week

Dear J Hackleman,

So things around here are good. I am working this week doing chart reviews. I did go to your doctors office and have my toe x-rayed. I was not surprised to find out it is broken. I also was not surprised to find out it broke all the way through. I have been saying that all along as well. Anyway, it is starting to heal itself back and it's healing straight so now I just have to let it have time to keep taking care of itself. The doctor said it is taking so long because it was completely broken off, but the good news is, it is on it's going in the right direction. She said it might still take 2 to 3 months before it is completely healed.

We are getting a new stake president at stake conference in 2 weeks. They announced it at church today. Nathan and I are singing in the stake choir.

I went with Becky trick or treating. The kids were so cute. I will send pictures when I can.

Nathan and Grant went to a Halloween party. They watched some scary movie.

Tim went to the Titan Football game.

Yesterday Nathan worked out at the fields. They had a softball tournament. He worked from 9 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. It was a long day and it was so cold outside. He went in shorts and a light jacket. I tried to talk him into wearing warmer clothes and taking a lunch but he wouldn't do either. About an hour after I dropped him off he texted and asked me to bring him a bunch of warm clothes because he was freezing. It was only 40 degrees. I went ahead and through in a lunch as well and headed back out to the field. After he got home he even admitted the lunch saved his bacon. Love that kid. Sometimes moms really do know best.

I'm still plugging along in school. It has really been a fun quarter.

I sure love you.

Love,
Mom

Hey mom! I just remembered that someones birthday is coming up????....Happy Early Birthday momma! What are you going to do? That is so funny. Nathan hasn´t changed a bit. Haha When you say Tim when to a Titan football game do you mean Tim law, or dad, or both? I know how you feel with the toe. those buggers are just a pain.....get it? PAIN? haha I haven't lost my sense of humor just so you know. Haha Love you mom!

Elder Hackleman

Monday, October 27, 2014

Ventanilla, Peru

Ventanilla, Peru

Elder Roco is one of my best friends in the whole mission.He was my district leader when I was in Huaraz.
He is ending his mission this transfer.

On Mon, Oct 27, 2014 at 8:54 AM, Amy wrote:

Elder J Hackleman,

Another week has flown by. Last week I was traveling back from Idaho on Monday. It was a long drive, but the weather cooperated so there were no problems along the way.

We are gearing up for Halloween. Nathan is having a Halloween party at our house. He is considering having a Twilight Marathon with all his friends. It should be interesting.

What is your new area like and your new companion? I would love some pictures:) What is your address? We were thinking of google mapping again. It's fun to see the area you are serving via google earth.

So your uncle's are wondering if you would consider ISU for college. I never really knew what your opinion about ISU was or is?

Do you know what day you come home? I know you said it was in March but do you know the day? Not urgent, just curious.

I love you so much. I can't wait to hear from you:) Monday's are my favorite day!

Love Mom

Hey momma!!!! our address is xxxxxx. I hope you can find it. The city is called Ventanilla. We are right around the corner from the church building! I would love to play football again.

I do know what day I go home. It is March 23 If I’m not mistaken. My companions name is Elder Quezada. He is from El Salvador. He is awesome. I don’t have picturess of him yet. Haha it was kind of a crazy week this week. We had tons of different trainings with president. The missionary I am with in the second picture is Elder Roco. He is one of my best friends in the whole mission. He was my district leader when I was in Huaraz. He is ending his mission this transfer. Him, Elder Kitchens, (My best friend on earth), Elder Crozier, (The missionary that knows Josh Woodbury) Elder Acero, (My second companion in the mission after Elder Kitchens) and others. I will be losing a lot of brothers this transfer. Anyway, the pictures are a few of my area so you can get a feel for it. Haha love you!

Elder Hackleman

On Mon, Oct 27, 2014 at 9:24 AM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder,

How was your week last week? I'm getting the feeling that you're a little stressed out. What can your Dad do for you? I know you are working hard and busier than ever with the work of the Lord. That's good! Probably a little stressed out because you feel time is slipping through your fingers. That's okay too. That means your heart is where it needs to be. You're probably even starting to allow thoughts about what's next creep into your mind. That's where mommy and daddy come in. As time goes by and you ponder the things that you want to do when you get home, like school, etc., let us know! We can get a jump start on things while you are finishing up your labors in the field. We can send in college applications, scholarship applications or whatever you need! That's my little pep talk to my eldest son!

Okay, so Utah pulled out a squeaker against USC at home. Blackout game!

University of Utah
Blackout Uniform 2014

I attached a photo of Utah's sick black uniforms! Anyway, they ended up winning 24-21. It should have been much worse. We reached the 2-yard line twice and turned it over both times!!! We got there a third time and had to settle for a field goal!! They moved up to #18 in the polls. Here's one for you! Colorado State could win the Mountain West conference!

We're going to Grandma's for Thanksgiving. Gpa is getting us tickets to the CSU vs. Air Force game in Colorado Springs. That should be a fun game. Your mom is doing great in school. She's my woman. Have you been hearing from Seth? I hope so! Apparently, he has to have his hair longer!!! He says that there has to be a line, or part, in it so he has to keep the top longer. He's so funny. Well enough of me rambling on! What's happening in Ventanilla? How's the food there compared to the other places you've been? Also, what are your living arrangements there? Apartment, house? Do you have a pensionist?

Do you ever hear from Seth? I guess Mexico is infested with tarantulas. He's loving it!! Not the tarantulas!

I am so proud of you son!!

¡Te amo hijo!!

Papá

Dear Dad,

haha yea he writes me. I love that kid. He said hasn’t been rejected once! Everyone wants to hear him!!!! I am proud of him......that is not the case where I am afraid....haha

Hey dad!!!! You read my mind. It has been a stressful week. I don´t have time to breath. The last six months of a mission are craziness. I do think a lot about where I am going to college. Just thinking about it, I am thinking between ISU and the U. Dad, I really want to go to the U. I would go to ISU if I could play football there though. Could you and mom start going crazy on college applications and scholarships for those two schools? GOOO UTES!!!! That is so sick. Their helmets are awesome!!!!! I can’t believe CSU though! Where did that come from? Are they ranked?

Ventanilla is great. We are finding a lot of new people to teach. I have a pensionist who is a fantastic cook so the food is great.

I am in a room that is part of a house but it has its own entry and everything apart so it feels like it’s own separate house. I gave mom the address for it so you can google earth it. It’s right around the corner from the church so that is nice. I sure love you dad! How are your college classes coming along?

Elder Hackleman

Letters Oct 19



On Sun, Oct 19, 2014 at 10:44 PM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder J Hackleman,

How is my oldest son who is now a zone leader doing? We got an email from your mission president with an awesome letter telling how impressed they are with you and your capabilities. I know that you got transferred, but I don't know anything else. One of your buddies's mom tagged you in a picture on facebook. I added it to your mission blog even though I don't know the details of the picture.

This week has been an exciting one since I have spent it in Idaho running all over from one sibling to the next. I saw Chelsey on Friday. It was so good to see her. I didn't get to talk to her very long. We met at Golden Corral, but ironically she pulled up at the exact same time Macey and her fiancé, so I was trying to talk to everyone at once. We ate dinner together at Golden Corral. Chelsey had to get on the road because she was driving all the way back to Saint George that same day.

Christie, mom and I went and saw the movie put out by the church called "Meet the Mormons." It was great.

I went to school in Idaho Falls, for my BYU-Idaho class. I also went to an Idaho State football game. They were playing SUU. That is where your buddy Josh is going to school I think. I checked the roster in case he was playing football. He wasn't.

It was so much fun.

Today we went to Aberdeen because Kristen lives there now and she had her baby blessed. It was fun to see people from the ward I grew up in.

Today is Sunday evening. I am going to be driving back to Omaha tomorrow so I am emailing you today. I may or may not have reception along the way.

I can't wait to hear about the details of your transfer etc.

I sure love you!

Love Mom

Hey Mom! Yeah I was called as zone leader. haha How is the beck family! I hope you sent my love to everyone. Did Chelsey eat dinner with the whole family then? How did that go? How is Macey doing?  Tell me about it!

I did hear about that movie. I bet it was awesome. did you go to a class while you were in Idaho falls or what? I thought it was just online? What are Joel Jared Daniel and the rest of the family up to? I sure love you!

Elder Hackleman


Dear Elder!

You crazy man! You neglected to tell your parents that you were called to be Zone Leader! We heard it through a very nice letter from Pres. Archibald and his wife. I know this means a lot more administrative work and a little less teaching, but the Lord's system of managing His work is superior to the world's. The skills that you have learned and will now learn will help you to become a great manager in whatever career you choose. No matter what it is. Managing people, time, resources or materials you'll draw on this experience the rest of your life and it will put you far ahead of others. And the best part right now is that you can help to save souls at the same time!!!

The Utes went up to Oregon State and won in overtime. They better get their offensive heads on straight because USC is coming to Rice Eccles next weekend!

Everything here is going great! I have been hired at Bellevue University to teach Graphic Design classes. Two things about it. First, classes (for me) won't start until January. Second, they may not start at all. I'm only teaching a class if the class needs dividing. So if there are too many students in one class, they'll split it and I'll take one. It's all taught online so I can work whenever is best for my schedule. The other one that I'm waiting to hear about is Midland University in Fremont about 45 minutes away. They will probably have classes that I will actually need to be present in. That will be a lot fun as well! So, in the grand scheme of things, it's not that much money. It would be around $1,000 to $1,200 a class. Plenty to pay for my two awesome missionaries... and spoil your mom a little more!!! I should hear something about Midland in a week or so.

I think Seth is doing great. He said he got sick one day. I have to find out more about that. He also said that they did a service project and cleaned out a house that was full of dead Tarantula's!!!! Can you imagine your brother surrounded by spiders!!! Apparently there is a lizard living in his room that he named Rico. I say take care of it! It will keep the spiders down!!! Your mom is on her way home. I can't wait to see her! We had High Priest's Quorum meeting last night. I got to chat a little bit with Bishop Walker. He's doing great and was wondering how you were doing. Tim Law is in China right now. I wonder what crazy thing he's going to come home with!!

I am so proud of you! Keep working hard and tell us all about your new Comp and exciting news from your work!

I love you son!!

Dad

Hey dad! Yeah I didn´t tell you about zone leader. It isn´t anything major. Just another opportunity to serve in different ways. My zone is the biggest zone in the mission. Its called Ventanilla. We have 29 missionaries and next transfer we will get 2 more because we are going to open another area. We also have the highest number of baptisms as a zone almost every month. The church is really strong here. It is nice to work with people who are so strong. It helps us out so much. I am so proud of Seth! He already had a baptism! I bet he is loving the food too. Haha

Well that should be fun teaching! You will be alot busier haha. What is your calling in the church right now? I forgot. I love you dad.

Elder Hackleman

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Letters This Week

Yesterday's email from Elder Hackleman was two sentences long. This morning I got an email from his mission president, so now I know why Elder Hackleman's email was so short. He got transferred and called to be Zone Leader. He will be even more busy now.

Dear Elder J Hackleman,

How are you doing? What's new this week? What did you think about conference?

I am in Idaho right now. I had a friend from the ward who was coming to Idaho on a week long trip so I jumped in for the ride. I got here late Saturday evening.

Yesterday I went to church with Troy and Christie in Blackfoot then we went to Grandma Polly's house. Her sister Luanne and Loa were both there so we had a good visit with them, then we went to Joel's and visited with them and then on to Daniel's and back to Christie's. Today I hope to catch up with Jared and Jeremy. It's a fun time, but I still have to get my homework done somehow, so I am up at 5:00 a.m. working on it.

I might not be getting a lot of sleep, but it sure is fun.

I sure love you!

Love

Mom


Elder Jeffrey Hackleman


Hey mom! I can’t believe you! Haha Chelsey wrote me and said she was going to be in Pocatello! She has to get her knee checked out I guess. I got transferred!

Love Elder Hackleman

Thursday, October 2, 2014

No General Conference This Week In Peru

In Peru this week there are Political Elections. Because of this no one can go to church this weekend.
They will have to participate in Conference a week behind the rest of us.
This is the Law in Peru:
Political gatherings are forbidden, while public gatherings of any sort are prohibited during voting hours, including religious liturgies and entertainment shows. Clergy of any religion can not participate in their distinctive garments or habits.

On Mon, Sep 29, 2014 at 9:56 AM, Amy wrote:

Elder J Hackleman,

I can't believe today is actually here. Seth flies out to Mexico. I am patiently waiting for his phone call from the airport. Ok, maybe that isn't true. Patient might not be the correct word for it, but I am excited!

Grandma Karen and Grandpa Roger on on their way to the house right now. They are hoping to get here before he calls. They left yesterday driving this way and got as far as Kearney and then spent the night.

Grant played Westside in football on Thursday. It was on the same field your dad used to play on when he was in Jr. High. Unfortunately they lost. It's his first loss of the year. Grant had a good game though and he wasn't too sad. 

Grant is in blue playing center.
This is the same field Tim played football on when he went to Westside

Tuesday Grant had his last game. It was raining hard, but luckily they got to play at the high school on the turf.

The weather here is still a little warm, but actually pretty nice. It rains every couple of days so the grass is still green. I love this time of year.

Grandma just called me and she just left Kearney. Seth is supposed to be calling in the next half hour. I'm not sure she is going to make it in time. If he has time I will see if he can call her real quick.

So where will you be watching general conference? I’ll bet you are getting excited for that.

I sure love you!

Love Mom

Hey mom! I wish I could see Seth´s long hair. That is killing me. I can’t believe he is flying out already! That is awesome that grant played on the same field as dad even though he lost, no one else will be able to say that in our family. We are going to have transfers next week so this time next week I should know if I am staying or going. SHeesh, Time is flying by so fast. I can´t believe it. It is starting to scare me a little bit to be honest.

We will not be able to watch conference until next week because they are going to have their political elections this weekend and it is a law here that no public building is allowed to be opened, They are forced by law to vote. Haha so we have to wait to watch it at the church next week because we aren’t allowed to have any form of church service Saturday or Sunday.

I love you!

Elder J Hackleman

Letters from Peru Mon, Sept 22, 2014

We went to this place called La Caleta.
It is a huge dirt field by the beach that is covered in human bones.
Skulls, legs, arms, spines, everything you can imagine.

They say it is an old ancient Incan burial ground that has been raided.
 It is very odd to have a burial ground with human bones all over the place as a tourist attraction.

On Mon, Sep 22, 2014 at 8:01 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder J Hackleman,

How goes it? What's new in your neck of the woods?

We have had a good week. I started school last week and so far so good. I am just getting ready to start studying for the day, but decided I would write you first:)

Grant's football team has not lost a game. In fact they have had blowouts every single time. Last Tuesday's game they played some shotgun and he didn't miss a snap. He is turning into quite the offensive lineman. He did have a couple of botched snaps under center where he didn't complete the snap to the quarterback before he started getting into position for the nose-guard. Luckily we were able to hold on to the ball so all is well. He is still learning.

Nathan is talking about possibly going out for football next year as a kicker. We will see, but he has been missing it a little especially when he is at the games. The varsity team won again on Friday night.

Grandma Karen and Grandpa Roger are coming for a visit next week so they can see Grant's last game. That should be fun.

I sure love you!

Love

Mom

Dear Mom,

We went to this place called La Caleta. It is a huge dirt field by the beach that is covered in human bones. Skulls, legs, arms, spines, everything you can imagine. Some of the skulls still have hair on them.

I don´t get it mom. Nathan misses football so he is thinking about trying out but as a kicker?!?!?!?!?! That is if Tom Cruise in Top Gun said, ´´I like planes, I think I would like to wash jets for the air force.´´ No, Tom Cruise didn´t wash them, he flew them, he was born to fly. Nathan was born to catch. I am coming back with a fierceness for that kid. He better be ready =)

In other news, WAY TO GO GRANT! It´s not very often we play for an undefeated team. My senior year couldn´t have been more opposite. Haha Love you mom!

Elder Hackleman

Monday, September 22, 2014

Letters This Week

For My Birthday, I took My District to Lunch on our P-Day

On Mon, Sep 22, 2014 at 8:49 AM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder J. Hackleman,

How was your week?? Did you have your baptism? How's your companion doing? Did you know that you never told us what you bought yourself for your birthday?? ! So let me tell you about the awesome week I had! I have been walking two miles every morning while Nathan is in Seminary. That's when I do my prayers. I usually pray for about 3/4 of a mile. Thanks to Elder Bednar, last week I tried something new. I prayed only to thank Heavenly Father for my blessings. Not asking for anything. Holy cow!!! It gave me such guidance, inspiration and strength all week! I'm going to keep doing that for a while. I have a lot to be thankful for!! We are really looking forward to Conference. I bet you are too! That should give you a chance to get with the other missionaries that you don't get to spend a lot of time with!

Seth flies out on the 29th. One week from today! I'm not sure if he told you. He flies out of Salt Lake City around 7:00 am to Los Angeles. Los Angeles to Mexico City and Mexico City to Veracruz. He'll be flying for almost as long as you did, but he gets to stop :)

The Utes went to Michigan and played in the Big House. It was a great game we ended up winning 26-14. But now we start conference play, and it's about to get tough!! PAC 12 has 5 teams in the Top 15. USC, Arizona State, UCLA, Stanford and Oregon. I think we play all of them but Stanford. Yikes!!

I hope you are healthy and safe. Your dad is making a prediction... The next place you transfer to will be your last!!! It's crazy to think that your time is getting so short. Step on the accelerator and keep working hard!! I am so proud of you!!!!

¡Ámele hijo!

Papá

Hey dad! Well, It seems a little unorthodox-ed but I used my money to take my district out to eat one p-day. Sooo.....here´s the picture of that. Haha That is awesome that you are walking! and following Elder Bednar's council. President Uchtdorf has talked about that before as well. Sounds like its a common theme coming from the Elder Brethren for a reason. =) Seth didn´t tell me when he´d be flying out. That is so awesome! GO UTES!!! I was a little nervous about that Michigan game. That is awesome. I know I can´t believe how much time is flying. I think my next area will be my last as well. YIKES!!!!!! We did have our baptism. It was awesome. His name is xxxxxxx. He is the husband of the couple we married a few weeks ago. Woo! Love you dad!

Elder J Hackleman


Baptism This Week


Monday, September 15, 2014

Missionary Life In Peru

My companion and I helped a lady in our branch milk her cow. 

Yes, I can milk a cow =)

This is my new companion. He is from Chili. He is the only member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in his family. One of the sister missionaries who taught him the lessons married someone from Omaha and now lives in Nebraska. Pretty Cool.

Peruvians tie the legs and the tail so they can milk on both sides without getting kicked or swatted by the tail. Not the way Granpa Howard milked a cow, but it seems to be effective.


Dear Elder J Hackleman,

How has your week been? Things have been good around here. Thursday Nathan tried out for the swing choir and he made it, so that will be a new adventure for him. Grant had a football game against a Bellevue School and they won by a long shot. I can't remember the score, but it was a lot to not a lot, ha ha. Grant played center and was in on every single snap and never had a bad snap so life is good. They practiced shotgun the night before the game and he wasn't getting the snap to the right place, so he needs more practice on that. Luckily the coach was smart enough to recognize he wasn't ready for that yet so they played under center except for when they needed him to long snap for punt returns.

So I officially start my online classes today. As soon as I get done emailing, I am going to get to work studying. Should be fun:)

We had a great Sunday. The meetings were so spiritually uplifting. I always feel replenished after a great Sunday. Now I just need to carry that spirit into the rest of the week.

What's going on in your neck of the woods?

I sure love you!

Love Mom

Hey momma!!! Good for Nathan! I hope he likes it. He better be the next hot thing after ¨one direction¨ if he is gonna give up football for it. haha No that is awesome though. You know that I always wanted to do swing choir. It looked fun and Mr. Mead wanted me in it really bad but it was during seminary and my teacher was kind of a nazi about those types of things.......=) (side note, Elder Hackleman's seminary teacher was his mother). Speaking of seminary, did seth tell you he saw Lance in the Provo Temple the other day? How cool is that? He says he is a twig now. Haha.

I hope you are icing your toe and putting on all of your witchcraft oils so that it heals quick. =) What are your classes like? You can tell me next week if you are studying right now. I know how school can be stressful =) Everything is going great around here! We have a baptism this week!

Elder J. Hackleman

I taught my branch presidency how to make pizza!
My ward mission leader had never eaten pizza in his life.......what!!!!!!!

Gringo teaching Peruvian's how to make American Pizza

City Street in Pueblo Supe, Peru

3 Wheel Vehicles


Houses on the Hill


Elder Hackleman Heading to a Teaching Appointment

Dear Elder,

How was your week? How did your teachings go? I think you getting someone ready for baptism, but I can't remember. How is your greenie companion doing? Things up here at home are great. Everyone is healthy and doing well. It's starting to cool off. I'm ready for that! But that means it's going to start heating up in Peru! You know, our lives are kinda boring when half our children are out serving the Lord! Your old man wouldn't have it any other way :)

Papio South won their game Friday night. They are 2-1. Sidney won theirs too. I think they are 2-0 so far. Utah had a bye week this week. They Michigan at the Big House on Saturday! Grant won his game. They are 2-0 so far too. Mom's toe is finally starting to heal. That's been a struggle for her to not move as quickly as she wants! So what cool spiritual things did you learn last week? I'm reading about the Savior's visit to the America's in my scripture study. I love those few chapters of 3 Nephi.

Seth is doing great. It sounds like he won't have any problems with his Visa. I think he flies out on September 29! I hope he's able to call from the airport like you did. That would be nice!!

Anyway, take care of yourself and your comp!!

¡Ámele hijo!

Papá

Hey dad! Teachings are going good! We do have a baptism coming up this saturday. My companion and I are doing good. My companion and I were studying a lot this week. Why it makes so much sense that God only has one true church and its the one we represent. I feel so strengthened by my scripture studies that I feel like I could take on the Pope himself on which church is true. I made sure to study a lot about humility afterwords to make sure I know where I stand and don´t cross any boundaries and that its not my place to prove people wrong, just to show them what is right. That is kinda what I have been focusing on this week.

So far it looks like all is well in the football relm!!! Who has sidney played so far? I am so stoked for seth. Thanks too for the money dad! Love you!

Elder J Hackleman

Monday, September 8, 2014

Ancient Incan Pottery - Huacos

These things are ancient pottery you can buy here in Peru called Huacos. The people here swear that it comes from the Incans. There was a time where the government just started selling them off to people for a 100 soles a piece or more. I am not convinced that they are really that old.....but they are cool!

On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 8:32 AM, Amy wrote:

Elder Hackleman,

Grant had his first football game on Thursday. He did great. He is playing center. He takes after his older brothers. We beat a team who killed us last year so that was fun.

So what is new in Peru? What is the weather like now? Is it hot or cold? What is your ward like?

Did you know that Elder Anderson, from the quorum of the 12 apostles came to Peru recently? That is pretty neat.

Love you tons!

Mom

Hey mom! I did know Elder Anderson came, but I didn´t get the chance to go see him. I think it was a meeting just for bishops and branch presidents. The weather is nice right now. Every once in awhile we will have a day that is a little hot for my taste, but other than that, it stays pretty cool for right now. I am in a branch and it is pretty little so we are trying to grow it up some.

Elder J Hackleman

Letters this week 8/9/2014

On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 8:36 AM, Tim wrote:

Good morning Elder!

First, yesterday was Grandpa Rog's birthday. Say Happy Birthday to him. :)

How was your week?? I heard Peru had a visit from an Apostle! I think it was Neil L. Anderson. Did he come visit your area? That would have been cool. How is Elder Cisternas adjusting to mission life? Gotta send a picture of him! We had a missionary return from her mission a couple weeks ago. It was a Sister in our ward who went to Toronto, Canada. Your mom and I started thinking, "Holy Cow!!!! Punkin's next!!!" It seems like the time is speeding up! That means that you are working hard and theres a lot to do! So Barranca is now officially the 2nd longest area that you've been in on your mission. Doesn't that seem crazy??

So everyone is doing great at home. Except for your mom. She broke her toe on the water slide when we went with Laws last weekend. It's in a weird spot so she's been using crutches. She talked to Kelsey Hadley about it and she said that they can't really do anything but tape it and stay off of it for as long as you can.

Have you heard from Seth? As you know first hand, he's loving it at the MTC. I think his departure date is set for September 29th, unless there's Visa problems. We haven't heard that there are so we're going on that. Well, tell us how the teaching is going! We love hearing about your week!!!

¡Ámele hijo!

Papá

Hey dad! Yeah Elder Anderson came but I didn´t get to hear him speak. President is going to come again and give us a training and I am sure he will talk about it then. Elder Cisternas is doing good. He is such a greenie.....=p I love him though. Crazy story, He is the only member in his family. One of the sister missionaries that taught him when he got baptized married a guy from Omaha and she lives there now!!!!!! How crazy is that. I looked at her adress because he sent her a letter. I didn't recognize the street but it was addressed to Omaha itself as opposed to Bellevue or Papillion or something.


It's crazy how fast my time has gone by in Barranca. Well, my whole mission really, it seems like weeks are flying by faster and faster. We have some baptismal dates set so I am excited for those. Other than that, just normal mission live! Lovin every minute of it!

Seth is so funny, I really have missed him. He didn´t write me much until now so its kinda like we´re finally back in touch. It sounds like he is loving the MTC though so that is great!

Elder Hackleman

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Letters This Week

On Mon, Sep 1, 2014 at 9:10 AM, Amy wrote:  

(side note: I added the photos after the fact)


Dear Elder J Hackleman,

How are you doing? We are sure having fun with Nathan, Grant and the Laws. We are looking forward to going to a pro baseball game today:)

Yesterday we went to church as usual.  Then we went to Seth's friend, "Dustin's" mission farewell.  After the farewell, we drove to Kansas City.  It took about 2 1/2 hours to get there.  We arrived around 7:00 p.m.  Our hotel is right next to the stadium.

I took this picture looking out our hotel window.  

This is the game on Sunday.  

We did not go to this game, but we could see it happening.  

It was crazy watching it on tv and seeing outside the window at the same time.

We had an adjoining room with the Laws.  They put their kids to bed and then Tim and Becky came into our room and we stayed up talking until midnight.

Here are some pictures of our fun Labor Day.

I was helping Reagan play a few arcade games.  We were basically the only families in the arcade on a Monday morning.  The guy running the arcade hit a button on one of the games and it started spitting out tickets.  Nathan collected them for us.  It was a jackpot!

We had enough tickets to get an entire princess package, complete with butterfly wings, tiaras and wands.  Now that is what I am talking about!



Then it was off to the water park!  All of this was in the hotel:)


There were tube slides and all kinds of fun things.  We loved the lazy river!


We spent hours riding along in the river.  Nathan played hide and seek.  He was the fastest swimmer so he would get way ahead and we would try to find him.  It was hilarious because other kids that we didn't even know started looking for him too.

Becky took the picture.




Then it was off to the ball game!


This was next to the ball park.


Nathan and Grant's 1st Professional Baseball Game


It was so fun watching Adam play!


The Texas Rangers ended up losing, but Adam had a great game!  

He played 1st base.


Adam hooked us up with tickets in the family section.


Just so you know, the hat Tim Law is wearing is all the rage right now!


After the game, we got special permission to go down to the area just outside the locker room so we could talk to Adam.  It's kind of cool, since Tim Law's brother's name is also Adam and he plays baseball too.  He is working his way up to the big leagues.  Not to mention, Tim Law's dad coaches for the White Socks.


Adam was so nice to us.  He asked all about Seth, since he and 

Seth really hit it off when he was here in Omaha.

Seth and Tim, as well as Tim Law met Adam at church.  At the time he was playing for the Ranger's farm team.  They were in town playing the Storm Chaser's and he came to our ward while he was here for the week.  They have kept in contact with him ever since.  Not long after he was here, he got called up to the big leagues.

The craziest part of the entire trip, is it was a school night, so we drove home after the game.  We got home around 2:00 a.m.  Luckily the boys slept on the drive home.


I ended up either spraining, or breaking my toe at the water park.  Believe me, that wasn't going to keep me from going to the game though.  I limped along:)

Now I am getting ready for my next adventure which is online schooling.

I have my first appointment this Thursday to talk with the couple in charge of the BYUI Pathway program. https://pathway.lds.org/   I am getting excited about finding out more information.

We got to see Abbie Porter play volleyball this weekend. She had a tournament Friday and Saturday playing 2 games each day. It was at the Lied Event center located just down the street from the Bellevue ward building. It was so fun talking with Dave and Carol. They sure miss you. Carol got tears in her eyes a couple of times while talking about you. She told me the best compliment she has ever received was when people would think you were their son when you worked at Radio Shack.

Abbi Porter plays Volleyball for Bellevue University

Nathan is considering trying out for the show choir. I hope he does, but he is so funny and might change his mind before the tryouts start next week, silly kid.

Well, I sure love you! How are you doing? What's happening with the good people of Peru?


Love always,

Mom

Hey mom! That is so funny because the other day, out of nowhere I started thinking about Dave and Carol. Just what they are up to and how the stores are going and their kids and everything. Abbi is playing in college or something or what? What are you guys going to do in KC all day until the game? Is it like a phone interview thing for BYUI or what? I still feel really stressed out for Nathan not playing football. I don`t know what to do with that kid! He might have fun in show choir though. Haha The mission is going great! I have a new companion. He`s name is Elder Cisternas from Chile. He has about 5 months in the mission. It makes me feel sooooo old haha Say hello to all the laws for me!!

Elder J Hackleman

Monday, August 25, 2014

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