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!

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.

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

January 5, 2015 Letters - New Year's Resolution

What can drop out of your life to make room for something better?

On Mon, Jan 5, 2015 at 10:47 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder J. Hackleman,

Well it snowed last night. We got snow on Saturday as well. It's not a lot, but it sure is pretty. So I have a favor to ask you. I have been on one of my remodel kicks painting and beautifying our house. I will send some pictures sometime this week, so by next Monday you should be able to see all the updates I have done. Anyway, I wanted to update some family photos for above the tv so I need a recent picture of you.

So, how are things in Peru? We are trying to get back into the swing of things. The Christmas break was sure nice, but school starts back up today, so my break is over. Everyone is back to our regular schedule now.

We sure had a good day yesterday at church. Relief Society was very spiritual. Sharon Packard taught the lesson based on a talk given by Sheri Dew. It was a lesson about Grace and what that means for us. I felt inspired to challenge the ladies to make a new year’s resolution. It is really a challenge the bishop gave each of us when we were in tithing settlements, but I felt it needed to be reiterated. The bishop asked each one of us to think of something in our lives that we can get rid of, to make room for something better. I took the bishops challenge and added to it. I feel like many of us, have a lot of items in our lives that certainly can drop out. We do not need to be so busy and stressed all the time. I decided to try and make a list of things that can drop out of my life this year, so rather than adding new daily tasks, I am making a list of what can drop out of my daily tasks. What a comforting feeling it is. Then I challenged the women to go to the temple in 2015. If they haven't been before, to prepare themselves and go this year. If they have been, go more often. Whatever their attendance was for the year 2014, double it for 2015.

I kept thinking of the counsel you gave us while we were skyping and I have not been able to get it out of my head. I feel like the Cottonwood ward could become a place of Zion if we all refocused our attention on the temple. So I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful spirit and teaching you have given to me and I am hoping to pass on to all those who will hear me.

Keep up the good work!

Love,

Mom

Hey mom! That is so great that you are challenging the relief society to go to the temple! Remember though that it’s a family commitment so if they are going to go, they need to take their husbands. If their husbands don’t have time or aren´t prepared, the answer is, ´´figure it out!” It is the most important thing we do as members of the church. Challenge them to go to the temple on their date nights as couples. That´s way better. =)

Love You

Photos from home

Nathan singing with the Omaha Symphony
Can you see him?

After putting up lights at Grandma's it's time for a break

Grandma's House

Thanksgiving Dinner

Yes, it's blurry, but we had to catch Nathan
In the act of helping with the cooking
For Thanksgiving

Grant and G-pa Roger at the football game

Surgery Day

Nathan and his friends

Storm Chasers Game

He Is The Gift

On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 9:28 AM, Amy wrote:Elder J. Hackleman,

Thank you for the pictures last week. Once I saw the pictures I realized I don't know anything about your companion and very little about where you live. Are you living in a members home? Do they have children?

Also, I would love some pictures of the streets and the town you live in.

What is the plan for Christmas? Where are you going to skype from and at what time?

So this past week has been a busy and crazy one. Daniel got made bishop yesterday, so that is pretty neat.

Grant is so funny. He wrote out a big long Christmas wish list. The items he -wants are hilarious.

I like the video the church puts out about the true meaning of Christmas.  Here is a copy of Grant's list:

Grant knows he is only getting a few items on the list.
He just wanted to make sure we knew we had options to pick from in all price ranges.

Grant forgot numbers 31-39 ha ha

Some of the items really crack us up.

He was shown the video about the true meaning of Christmas.
You are never too young to learn.

Uncle Daniel Got Called to Be Bishop

Your dad is back to work today. He is not 100% yet, but he felt he could get some things accomplished so he went. He went to church yesterday too. He's a tough cookie.

I sent a message to your buddy Elder Kitchens on Facebook and invited him to our house when you get home. We have chatted back and forth a bit. It's funny because he talks just like you. I think you are twins ha ha. He is excited to come for a visit.

Tim Law got offered a new job and if they can work it out they will be moving to Arkansas. It is still top secret, but it's making me crazy. It would be an awesome opportunity for them, but I will sure miss the family. I can't imagine life without Becky! Especially losing Kelsey and Becky all at once. Uggh!

So, what's happening in your neck of the woods?

I sure love you.

Love mom

Hey mom! Holy Hannah, That´s gotta be the best Christmas list Grant has made to date....That is hilarious. I love that kid. I hope he never grows up. Haha Didn´t I send you some pictures of my area? haha I will send some more and I will send some of where we live as well. We dont live with members. We live in a house of an old lady but are room is more like its own little house connected to hers because our door goes right outside and there is no connection from ours to hers, it just kinda runs together if that makes sense. Haha I will take picks. That one of my comps birthday was just at a members house that invited us over to eat a cake.

Jake (Kitchens, I am getting used to using his first name) told me you had gotten a hold of him. Good. Mom, pre earth life friends I am telling you. We´re sure you and dad have got to be long lost siblings of his parents because we are family somehow. Haha It would be so fun to have him there when I get home. Just saying, we could tell stories for hours. You guys have no idea =)

I´m glad dad is doing good. We are a pretty tough family. We´ve got something that runs in our blood. No pain no gain. How soon are tim and becky talking about moving if everything works out? That will sure be sad. I just got the best package from them. They are the best.

Everything here is going good. Just working like an animal. Its weird, you can work so hard, in pants, in heat that can´t be described, and still love life. Only the mission is capable of doing that to a person. =) I love you!

Elder Hackleman

Watching the Christmas Devotional

Papá

Hey Dad! My week was good. Satan is making his presence known but it’s nothing we can´t handle. My companion and I are pushing our zone hard in baptisms for this month. Haha We are going to have a lot of success. Familia xxxxx is doing good. They didn’t make it to church this week either so it looks like they are going to have to get baptized on the 27th. They are going through some pretty hard times, which really is good for us because it is a great opportunity to ask for miracles.

I´m glad your surgery went well. So what we have two recliners now??? haha We have some other families that we just started teaching this week so we will see how much they progress. The tree looks soo good! Shoot, I sure hope I am there next year with a special someone as well! haha If I have it my way, it’s a given. =) So here is the deal with skype. We are allowed only a 30 minute call. Let’s face it. I am coming home. Haha so I think Seth needs priority in the call. Coordinate with him and we can work it out with me. I would love to be able to skype at the same time as him but the calls are meant for mom so if we take time away from her by doing it together, we may have to figure something else out but my mission is calling 25th of December, Christmas day. So coordinate with Seth and just let me know. Love you dad!

Elder Hackleman

Koty is Home Nov. 25, 2014

On Tue, Nov 25, 2014 at 2:47 PM, Amy wrote:

Here is a picture of Koty taken a few minutes ago. He is holding Kimber's baby that was born yesterday.

From Elder Hackleman,
Holy Cow!!!!!!! That is awesome!

Koty, just minutes after getting off the plane got to hold his new niece that was born the day before.

Letters November 24th 2014

On Mon, Nov 24, 2014 at 3:17 PM, Amy wrote:

Kimber had her baby last night. Also, Koty gets off his mission on Tuesday.

Kimber's baby

Seattle Seahawks Sign FB Stanley Havili to Practice Squad

On Mon, Nov 24, 2014 at 10:57 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder J. Hackleman,

How in the world are you? We had a good week even though it is cold around here. We went to another hockey game Friday night. It sure was fun. It was just your dad, Nathan Grant and I. Once again we had a suit so we felt very pampered :)

So I guess Stanley got cut from his football team because of his shoulder injury. He did get picked up by another team however. He is now with the Seahawks. I guess we need to root for the hawks now ha ha.

We are gearing up for heading to Fort Collins on Wed. We are renting a van to make the drive. The weather looks like it is going to cooperate so that is good.

Roger got us volleyball tickets for Wed evening at CSU. I guess they are ranked 12th in the nation right now so it should be a great match. I am excited.

Your dad's online class he is teaching officially starts today. That is pretty fun. I will be doing my homework at night while he is grading other peoples homework. It's sort of ironic.

As I was studying my lesson last week, I was watching a video of a talk given by Henry B. Eyring and I realized it not only applied to me, but it also applied to you as a missionary. So on that note, I have a challenge for you. Here are some quotes from the talk:

Choose this day, Henry B Eyring

1. Choose to serve the Lord this day.

2. If you choose to serve you will feel his love and grow to love him more.

So the challenge I have for you is this:

Write down a few things that happen every day.

Never miss a day no matter how tired you are.

Ponder this question? Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us today?

Then, return and report:)

I sure love you! Hope all is well with you.

Love Mom


Hey mom! Sorry. Yesterday, we had a leadership training with president so we didn´t get our pday until today. That sounds like it will be a fun colorado trip! I hope the weather stays safe. I will take your challenge =) I don´t have a lot of time. Got tons of stuff to do. Haha I sure love you!

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

Jesus Our Exemplar

As we look to Jesus as our Exemplar, and as we follow in His footsteps, we can return safely to Our Heeavenly Father, President Thomas S. Monson

Conference Talks

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 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