Letter's This Week 4-7-2014

On Mon, Apr 7, 2014 at 8:08 AM, Amy wrote:

Dear Elder,

How are you doing? Were you able to watch conference in English and if so, who did you watch with and where?

I still have never seen any pictures of the place you live, the inside and the outside. You know how I love pictures. I have been posting some of the pictures you sent me on a google site that has 300,000 followers. It is for travel photos from around the world. It's a lot more interesting that little old Nebraska ha ha.

We had a great weekend. Seth had to work on Saturday, but was off in time to go to the priesthood session of conference. The rest of us watched all of conference. We sure had a nice weekend.

The weather has been pretty nice the past couple of days. Yesterday we went out in the back yard and threw the Frisbee around between sessions of conference. The boys kept making fun of me thinking back on the time I threw the fancy Frisbee into the rain gutter in the street. Now we are just using a cheap plastic Frisbee, ha ha.

We got Seth's graduation announcements filled out last night so we will be mailing them out today. We ran out of them, so I need to order a few more. I forget what a pain they are to do, but at least we finally got them done. I will send you a copy in another email.

Joel and his family are planning on coming as well as Jeff and Joe and Karen and Roger. We are going to have a little open house in the back yard the Saturday before. His graduation is on May 11th, Mother's Day. So basically, we will have a lot of people here to skype you this time around. I will make sure to have speakers set up so everyone can hear you:)

So what is the plan for skyping? Where will you be skyping this time?

We need to coordinate it. It's coming up pretty fast, yeah!

I sure love you.

Love,

Mom

Hey mom!!!!! I luckily was able to watch all of conference in English. It is WAY better than Spanish. The translators don´t get everything right and it just isn´t the same as coming from the same voices who receive that revelation. =) This is the picture of the gringo crew. Everyone that watched in English. In between sessions on Saturday, my companion and I and another companionship in my district went back to my room to make hot dogs, but we decided they would taste better with guacamole, onions, tomato, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. You wouldn´t believe it but I at mine with all of it and LOVED IT! We cooked the hot dogs in a crock pot and figured out a way to grill them in it! Not bad for innovation huh! I will take pictures of my room for next week. I should get some cool pictures today too so don’t worry. I can´t wait to see Seth’s announcement! I am super excited to skype everyone. I don´t know where I will skype yet. I will probably find a member with a computer and good internet. Everyone is super willing to help us out with that stuff. I am not sure when or how we will skype yet, when president lets us know. I will let you know. I love you!

Elder Hackleman

In Between Conference Sessions Elder Hackleman and His Companion
and another companionship
went back to Elder Hackleman's apartment and made hotdogs.

We decided they would taste better with guacamole, onions, tomato, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.

The crazy thing is before his mission, Elder Hackleman wouldn't touch mayonnaise with a 10 foot pole.
Now he not only eats it, but he likes it!

This is the picture of the gringo crew. Everyone that watched General Conference in English.

9th Article of Faith

We Believe, 9th Article of Faith

This Week From Peru

Wikahuain Ruins, Huaraz, Peru
Wilkahuain National Monument –
Is a small Wari ruin located north of Huaraz.
It dates from AD 600 to 900.
It is an imitation of the temple Chavin done.
Wilkahuain means ‘grandson’s house.’
The rooms were originally filled with bundles of mummies.

This week photos

The tall gringo on the other end of this picture is my zone leader and he is BEST FRIENDS with Josh Woodbury! They are from the same little town in Texas and Josh´s mom was his seminary teacher! How nuts is that!

March 24, 2014 Missionary Letters

On Sun, Mar 23, 2014 at 10:16 PM Mom wrote: Elder Hackleman, So, I don't know if you heard, but Coach Fitz left Southern Virginia to coach in Maryland at Frostburg State. They are in the same division. The new coach used to be a quality assurance coach for Urban Meyer at Ohio State. Just a little FYI.

Coach Huss

Coach Fitz












Seth is getting closer to putting in his papers. It's coming up close now. We are looking forward to Grant being inducted into the NJHS Monday evening.

We got Lance Christian's wedding announcement in the mail this week. 

Mckenzi Christensen and Lance Christian Are Getting Married

April 12, 2014 In The Salt Lake Temple

Did the deaf couple get baptized? How are things going for you? I can't believe you passed the half way mark.

Hump Day

So basketball is in full swing. Weber State made it to the dance. They lost in the first round but so did BYU, Nebraska, Duke, and a lot of other hopefuls. Creighton actually did pretty well, but lost today, so really there is no one left to root for.

The boys watched the movie "Space Jam" today.

They laughed a lot and it made Seth homesick for you:) I sure love you!

Love, Mom

What a bummer!!! I had hopes for Creighton this year! Haha I LOVE SPACE JAM! I haven´t seen it in year! Nope our deaf family hasn´t gotten baptized but they are still progressing like crazy. It is awesome. We just have to teach them pretty slow to make sure they get it. They have already given up coffee and alcohol though! Wow I can´t believe Fitz left! Craziness! I know! Can you believe how fast time is flying! I sure love you mom!

Elder Hackleman

Missionary and brother letters

On Mon, Mar 17, 2014 at 8:55 AM, wrote:

Tim Law and I went to Seth Bass's MMA fight on Saturday. Seth won again in the second round. He is still undefeated and he just got offered a 3 year professional contract by multiple sponsors. Seth Bass is also expecting his first child. He was planning on this being his last fight until he started getting professional offers.

Collin Burton, Tim Law, Seth Bass, Seth Hackleman, and Mark Kosmicki

Seth Bass just won another MMA fight and is now going Pro

As you can tell by the picture, Seth and Seth are twin Brothers

I am still working on my mission stuff. I am going to the doctor today for another test.

I love you very much. You are the nicest kid I know.

Love

Seth

Hey Seth! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! I can´t believe you are already 18. That is so crazy. That is awesome for Seth Bass. Minus the kid part.....haha when you see him again, give him a shout out for me! Good luck on you mission business! I am praying you come to Perù, or at least spanish speaking =) Love you buddy! Que Tengas un Feliz Cumpleaños!!!!!!!

Elder Hackleman

On Sun, Mar 16, 2014 at 10:02 PM,  wrote:

Seth's birthday is tomorrow you probably no. I'm a little late on his present. So you know I told you about the birthday party I had. It was really awesome because I had a lot of friends over probably 11 people came and three of them were quads as in brothers that were born on the same day. You probably jealous of what I got, lets just say a bunch of money. $105 in cash and a German chocolate candy bar that Garret got me. I really liked it. A dairy queen gift card and a target gift card. Both were $15 each. So basically the money I spent on my air soft gun got replenished from gifts from my party. My air-soft gun worked really well but I accidentally put the wrong weight size of b b's but I had to empty it and put the right size in that I also got from the birthday party. We used pallets that we got for free as the bases and put card board on them so it would fill the cracks and have complete cover. Everyone was talking about how much my gun hurt when they got shot by it so everyone was scared of me so no one shot me because they didn't want to run the risk of me shooting them. Do you remember Jeremy Lawler from Sidney? He had the exact same gun so he inspired me to get it. For some reason the day we had the party it was rainy and a little bit windy so I had my doubts so it turned out really fun. It's funny because every day except my birthday party was sunny and really nice. We went to the Hadleys to have dinner with them and brother Hadley was home and it was on a Thursday so Brother Hadley me and Seth planned to go shooting yesterday. That was really fun. He had really cool guns, like a revolver that he let me shoot. It was really fun. An AR15 which looks almost exactly like an M16 and he had a 12 gauge shot gun. We used the shot gun to cut a log in half and then cut it in half again. We set a target out. It was on Tim Law's property so it was basically in the corn fields. I put a target on a piece of corn that was still standing up, and someone got the target from about 100 yards. I was pretty sure it was me because I was shooting Dad's 2 23 and I remember trying to hit it and looking through the scope and seeing a couple bullet holes through it, and we found some paint cans that we shot also. That was really fun. Tim Law wasn't there though because Austin and Aidie had swimming lessons but he still let us use his property to shoot.

Maybe if you have any thoughts about Seth's birthday presents I know it's going to be a little late but it would be nice to know what you think he would like.

Every Sunday I don't forget to look at your plaque. Every Sunday I look at it. Speaking of church, I got called to be Deacons quorum president and I used to be first councilor.

Love you Bro

Hoping you are having a good time in Peru. Tell me about what you think is funny that you have done there. I know you are pretty much in the mountains now. Can't wait to see you in another year pretty much. Love Grant

Hey Grantee!!!! That sounds like an awesome party! I am super jealous. I have been wanting to shoot a big gun at a target for a WHILE now haha. something really funny that happens here alot, actually its pretty gross, there is a race of women here that are indigenous to Huaraz where I am serving. they are called cholitas. They have no shame in using the bathroom in the middle of public and one night, I was walking home with my companion and I heard a loud grunt behind a bush. It startled me and I whipped around thinking a dog was going to attack me but it was actually a cholita using the bathroom right there in the park!!!! It was super gross. Haha.  You asked for a funny story so I gave you one:) I love you buddy! I hope you had a great birthday.

Your Bro,

Elder Hackleman

Jaren,

So our boy Lebron broke his nose while dunking on someone. But he made the dunk so it's all good. I'm sure he didn't feel a thing. Soon after that he figured why not and just went up and scored 61 points in one game. You know, no bigs. Anyway the Heat are doing good this year. I know where the Miami Heat jersey is so if you want me to send it to you just say the word. Otherwise I'm keeping it for myself.

Nathan, just chillin during spring break

Friday I had a bunch of friends over and we watched Catching Fire. It was pretty fun and we all had a good time, (mainly because we were already stuffed with pizza and popcorn). And yes there were girls that came. Don't want you to think that I am losing my touch or nothin. There is a dance coming up this Saturday so I better be preparing. Have fun in Peru. Later bro.
Nate

Haha You go bruthah!!!! That is awesome. Just make sure they are good girls. but cute of course =) THATS OUR BOY LEBRON!!! And yes, You should send it, I miss it alot.....haha when you can though. I bet Catching Fire was cool. I cant wait to see it...in a year! Haha Later buddy. Love you!

Your not so big bro

Elder Hackleman

March 17th Letters to and from Elder Hackleman and his mom

Hello, I sure hope you are having a great week. I thought I would send you some pictures of Grant's birthday this week. We had a great time building up an entire fortress in the back yard. We got bandannas so the teams could tell each other apart. It turned out to be a rather rainy day and windy but I was very glad about that. The day before was sunny and there were so many people out and about walking up and down the sidewalk next to our house I was beginning to worry the air soft war in our backyard might not work. I'm sure the neighbors wouldn't appreciate getting shot while going out for an evening stroll. Luckily no one was out but Grant and his crazy crew. It really was a perfect activity for 12 13 year old boys. They had a ball. Seth and his buddy Collin organized the teams and the games and kept the night under control. They even had whistles. I heard some of the kids talking in the other room right before they left and they said it was the most fun they had ever had at a birthday party.

Grant's Birthday Air Soft War

12 boys in all came to the party

I made 12 pizzas.  Some of them were desert pizzas

It was raining and cold, but that is perfect weather for Air Soft Games

Grant preparing the bases for the Air Soft Game

We got pallets for free from a building supply store.

We found old siding in a junk pile and added cardboard to the smaller sections.  

It ended up being an entire yard full of forts.

Grant got biodegradable air soft pellets 

 

So one of Grant's friends got in a fight at school last Friday. Grant came out of the school and saw him getting beat up and he jumped right in and pulled the kid off. Right after that a teacher came running out and took both of the boys who were fighting into the principals office. The kid that got beat up is one of the kids in the picture. Anyway, I was so proud of Grant. He certainly sent a message that he can be aggressive if he needs to be. He also set a good example of not just watching, but taking action.

Seth, Nathan and Grant have been out of school all week on spring break and they are even out tomorrow. We have had a great time, but it went by too fast. We were preparing for Grant's birthday party, throwing the birthday party, having Nathan's party and running errands for Seth to get him ready for his mission and the week just flew by. Seth had his doctors appointment on Thursday as well as camping out at the DMV to get his 18 year old drivers license. You know how long it takes to do that. He has to go back in on Monday for the Tuberculosis test that goes in the arm and gets checked 48 hours later. Sound familiar? He has his dentist appointment on Thursday and we will find out about his wisdom teeth. He also didn't pass the eye exam so we will get him into the eye doctor to get a new prescription this week as well. Depending on what we find out about the wisdom teeth will determine when he can turn in his mission papers this week. It all feels very familiar.

I had a great stake Relief Society training meeting yesterday. It really was nice to be inspired and instructed. We were taught by President Schoof from the stake presidency about the importance of the Proclamation to the Family. I really do love learning from such inspired instruction.

We had a wonderful baptism yesterday. A sister in the ward who's husband is a member but she has been taking the lessons off and on for 5 years. I was overwhelmed with the feeling I needed to share your dad's conversion story, so I did. It was very spiritual. Her husband did the baptism and also gave a talk. I was so impressed with his testimony. For sure it was one of those days filled with the spirit.

The kid named xxxx, that Seth and Nathan have been teaching with the missionaries got dropped because he just wasn't keeping commitments and wasn't progressing. The missionaries told us today that he actually texted them and said he would like to come to church again. This really is the first time he has asked to come to church. Usually we always ask him. Maybe he will come around again. We can only pray that it will. Unfortunately he ended up sleeping in today so he didn't come, but the fact that he had the desire to come was a good sign.

I sure love you. I can't wait until tomorrow. Monday is my favorite day of the week because I get to hear from you!

Love you!
mom

Dear Mom,

We had a baptism this week as well. Her name is Pilar. Her boyfriend is a member but less active she has been dragging him to church even though he has no huge interest in going and her entire family is against her being a member. She doesn´t care though because her testimony is so strong.

Baptism This Week.  I got a new companion named Elder Robles.

He is from Mexico but lived in Tucson, Arizona for a while so he actually speaks English.  He is awesome and a great soccer player so our game today is going to be sweet! 

The other picture is just a mountain that I see every day named Huazcaran. Its right outside my window. Pretty huh! I have a new companion too. His name is Elder Robles. He is from mexico. He reminds me alot of Roberto Guzman. Haha He is super awesome though. And hes big! He is my height. Haha I never thought I would have a companion my height! He lived in Tuscan Arizona though so he speaks perfect english. Its funny cuz we will have a conversation and I will speak english and he will respond in spanish or vice versa and we both understand but usually respond in the other language just to shake things up. It´s pretty fun. Haha I sure love you!!!!!

Elder Hackleman

A mountain that I see every day named Huazcaran. Its right outside my window. Pretty huh!

Elder Hackleman

On Mon, Mar 17, 2014 at 8:31 AM, Tim wrote:

Dear Elder,

Today is Seth's 18th birthday. I wish you guys would stop growing up so fast!!! I've been missing you a lot this past week. I've been having foot problems and wish I had your priesthood here to give me a blessing. Your mom swears it's gout. I swear it's not because it's on my heel. Same old argument :) Anyway, I was able to get some UNO hockey tickets for last Friday's game. So Seth and I took Tim and Austin for Austin's birthday. We had a great time!! I forgot my phone in the car, so I didn't get any pictures. :(

How did your week go?? Are you still teaching the deaf couple? That is so awesome!! I am so excited for them and what an opportunity for you. I see that it's been raining there a lot. Be careful and stay healthy!!! So when it's not raining, do you still get out to play some soccer (futbol)?

OH YEAH! How is your new companion??? Tell us all about him!

I'm sorry you don't have any extra cash right now. I will get you some next payday. Sorry. The Sidney house is still on track for June sometime. They will either have to close on it then or forfeit it back to us. The only problem with it coming back to us is that it will have to be put on the market again. I'm sure it will sell fast, but it still takes a couple of months to close and that would mean double house payments for us. OUCH!! So add the Sidney house to your prayers! :)

¡Ámele hijo!

Papá

Hey dad! I hope your foot is doing ok. It sure seems like you two will never change over this gout thing. Haha I bet those UNO Hockey games are fun. I wish we would have thought of that before! I am still teaching the deaf couple and their son. They are so wonderful. They had a baptismal date for this Saturday but it had to get pushed back until next Saturday because they couldn´t come to church yesterday. We play in rain. It don´t bother us nun´ =) We are playing futbol Americano today! WOOO! Haha I am stoked. My companion is awesome. His name is Elder Robles. Hes from mexico but lived in arizona for 8 years so he knows english! That's too bad about the sidney house. I will definitely keep it in my prayers. And don´t you worry about me. I am doing just fine. For clanks sake, I almost have a year in this country!!!! I know what I am doing and definitely get plenty of help. You guys just worry about the rest of you =) I sure love you dad. If there is one thing a mission does for us missionaries, It helps us realize how much we love and appreciate our parents.

I love you!

Love Elder Hackleman

This Weeks Pictures from Honcupampa, Peru

Elder Hackleman at Honcupampa, Peru

I found pride rock.....just sayin

From Dad

On Mon, Mar 10, 2014 at 8:35 AM,

Yesterday was Grant's birthday. He is officially a teenager!!! We missed having you at our little family party, but I would rather you give him the example of righteous service that you are giving!! I'm always so proud you work tiger!! You inspire your old man to do better!! We had fun with him. He is having an air soft war with some friends from school on Tuesday. He's so excited that he couldn't sleep last night.

My talk went really well. I think. You are not going to believe this either.... I didn't even sweat!!! Only the third time in my church life that I didn't sweat giving a talk!!!

How are things in Huaraz?? Have you been able to visit the village of indigenous people that speak a different language?

I forgot last week to tell you two sports things!

1. Brian Johnson left Utah and went to Mississippi State to become QB coach there.

2. LeBron scored 61 pts in one game last weekend!!!

Well, I just want you to know that everything is great at home. Seth told me yesterday that he hopes he goes Spanish speaking so that you and him can talk about things without us parents knowing what you're saying!!! He's such a knucklehead.

Please be safe and keep up the hard work!!!

¡Ámele hijo!

Papá

Haha Wish grant a late happy birthday for me! Sorry I am writing late. We went to this awesome place called Huacupampa. I was sick. I got tons of pictures. I can’t believe you didn´t sweat! I haven´t sweated in over a month since I have been in Huaraz. Crazy. So we have this awesome family of three that we are teaching. They are all going to be baptized in 2 weeks. The cool thing is that the parents are both def! My companion and I are learning sign language in spanish to be able to communicate. I will be technically trilingual when I get home if all goes well! Tomorrow is transfers and my companion is getting transferred already! We only have one transfer together! So we´ll see how that goes. He is pretty bummed though. I can´t believe Brian Johnson dropped like that! He dropped like lebron drops threes! Haha Love you dad!

Elder Hackleman

From Seth

On Mon, Mar 10, 2014 at 10:43

Hey Jaren,

I miss you. I'm starting to work on my mission papers. I had an interview with bishop so I am working on all the forms and everything. Maybe I will get called to Peru and I'll get to see you. I love you.

Seth

That would be so awesome. I am praying for that every day. If not, you at least need to get called spanish speaking. I love you big guy. Someone’s 18th birthday is comin quick!!!!! =)

Elder Hackleman