Light Drives Out Darkness

God's Light is Real
It is Available to All
As We Draw Near to God
He Will Draw Near to Us
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Stop It!

When it come to hating, gossiping ignoring, ridiculing,
holding grudges, wanting to cause harm,
Please apply the following:  

STOP IT!  

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Keep A Missionary Posted

Proverbs 25:25 Old Testament

As cold waters to a Thirsty Soul, 

so is Good News from a Far Country.

Elder Hackleman's 1st Week in Peru

Hola Familia!!!!

I´m in Peru!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is so awesome! My companion rocks! His name is Elder Kitchens. He´s a gringo like me! He´s from California but recently moved to Ogden. We are best buds. We are both going to the U when we get home. It´s decided. Haha We had our first baptism yesterday! Her name is Stephanie. She´s 18. She is the steriotypical Perfect investigator. She understood and believed everything we taught her. I am so excited to see how much she progresses because she already has so much!!

Let me tell you a little about the city of Lima. They don´t believe in the use of trashcans. The streets, the sidewalks, and the few places where there is grass, are literally lined with trash. haha That isn´t the craziest part. They have stray dogs like you would not believe. There is literally a stray dog to every one or two people here. They just run around and eat whatever they can find in the trash. Some of them are really mean too. My companion has already been bit since he´s been here. I haven´t yet (Knock on wood). Everytime we see some big ones though. He like slows down and backs up and I just walk right at it. I like to think that its because I´m big and tough and he´s a wimp, but its really because I am naive and he knows better I think. Haha but don´t worry. Everytime I do that, the dogs scammer off. I think its because they dont see people my size very often here. Well that´s all for this week so I have enough time to upload you a couple pictures real fast. I love you all! Thanks for your letters!!

Elder Hackleman

Fishing License

I will Send for many Fishers

And they shall Fish Them

Out of the Holes of the Rocks

Message to the World

This Life is your own Message to the World
Make sure it is Inpiring!!!
President Thomas S. Monson

1st Letter From Peru

Ponder and Feel More Love of God

If you Ponder the Scriptures and begin to Do what you Covenanted with God
to do, I can promise you that you will feel more Love for God
and more of His love for You.  Elder Henry  B. Eyring

Mother's Perspective

It's official, Monday May 20th, Elder Hackleman flew from Salt Lake City to Lima, Peru.  While he was in the airport in Salt Lake, he was able to call home and give us an update.  He is doing very well, although he had a bit of a cold.  His MTC companion was flying to Peru with him along with 35 other missionaries.

He said his time in the MTC was very busy, but he learned a lot and knew that his attitude was a very important element in the work.  There were positive missionaries and negative ones, and it really makes a difference to be positive.

He also told me he wasn't sure what, if any, contact he would be able to make as far as letting me know he arrived safely.  He said, "Mom, if you get a call, then you know something is wrong.  If you don't get any calls, then you know that I arrived safe and sound and all is well."

I have to say, coming from a mom who can't sleep a wink when my children are out of the house, even for prom or something, until they are safely home, I was very comforted by this.  I truely didn't worry one single bit.  Monday night, I went right to sleep without a moments thought about whether or not Jaren made it safely to Peru.  I knew he was in the Lords hands and all would be well.

Imagine my shock, when Tuesday evening I received a call from Peru.  Oh, no, this can't be good.  My blood started rushing.  On Tuesday evening, May 21st, Elder Hackleman's mission president's wife called.  Jaren's words were rushing through my head.  Luckily he was wrong.  They do call when all is well.  Thank goodness.  She proceeded to tell me that he did not have access to a computer right now because there were 35 new missionaries who came in at the same time and the mission office simply did not have enough computers to accommodate that many missionaries to send of emails.  She had all the missionaries write a quick letter to their families and then give them to her so she could mail them off as soon as possible.  They are coming snail mail through the Peruvian post office, or maybe pouch mail, but either way it will be a while before it makes it here.

Elder Hackleman was assigned a companion, but I can't remember who she said it was.  When she called I was driving down the road so I couldn't take notes:)  I can't even remember if she said whether or not the companion was from Peru.  I think he is from the states.  Jaren didn't think he would ever have an American companion, but I'm guessing with all the extra missionaries in the field right now, that is not the case.  Either way if fine with him.

She did say that she was very impressed with his spiritual preparation and knew he was going to be a great missionary.  She said, they treat all the missionaries as part of the family, so they will do all they can to make sure they are safe and protected.  Yeah!

I am now starting to get into the rhythm of being a missionary mom.  I know there have been hundreds and thousands of missionary moms go before me, but somehow, I really wasn't prepared for how much it would affect me.  I just need to get used to the new normal for us.

Amy Hackleman, Mother and keeper of this blog.

Never Alone

We are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven.  President Thomas S. Monson