Natalee's Weekley Letter December 26, 2011

Craciun Fericit! This means Merry Christmas!

Well, First I did get the pictures...Thank you they were so cute.  Dwyn and Jasper are getting SO big!!!  Also, Mom I opened the rest of my gifts.  Thank you, so much for all of the great gift.  I received more that I could believe.  Sora Cottam and I shared a little piece of the Reese's this morning.  SO good...it made me feel like Miss AMERICA! haha

Also, I want to thank Preston and Shanda for your wonderful Christmas gift...I loved loved LOVED the stories, so did Sora Cottam.  We would usually read them during lunch.  One night we didn't get home till late and I had forgotten about the letter.  As I got into bed after saying companionship and personal prayers I remembered I hadn't read my letter for that day...but lights out at 10:30 pm...I glanced at the clock it was 10:43.  So I read it with the light of the phone haha...perfect ending to my night.  I cried, but I loved it!  So thank you. The stories helped me to remember the true meaning of Christmas and to be so very grateful for my many blessings. Preston and Shanda, Thank you, SO much.

Kari and Ed I am wearing one of the new shirts you sent me...SUPER adorable and mom I'm sporting it with my new skirt...I just feel like a new women...haha.  Thank you all for the gifts, love and support.

Well, I feel like I just talked with you all...oh wait, I DID!  I was so excited to talk to you  yesterday.  I love you all so much.  I am so sad that we didn't get to connect with Dan, but no worries.  I sent him a little note today (LOVE YOU DAN).

What a week, so this week we prepared a special lesson on the birth of Christ from scriptures, The Book of Mormon and the Bible and we sang a lot for our investigators, recent converts and members.  It was really fun to talk about Christ with everyone.  Monday, we had a couple FHE's with some of our members.  Tuesday, we had a great English class.  I love our English class this transfers.  Our students are SO smart, so we are suppose to teach beginners, but we  actually teach medium or advanced.  We talk to them mostly in English.  We gave them all a gift for CHRISTMAS...We gave them all a Book of Mormon.  I love giving out the Book of Mormon. They were all excited about it and I cant wait for class tomorrow, to talk with them about it. Then we prepared for the Christmas party.  We made a manger and a stable...with the great artistic abilities of Sora McFadden...She is an amazing artist, so I just did what she said. It looked AMAZING!   It was Adam's birthday, so we went to have a lesson with him.  It was okay.  His sister just died, but on the trip over he smoked a ton and Sora and I just felt like he has lost the desire.  He can't even go away for a few days.  He hadn't been reading.  We told him to read and to pray...don't you worry though because the story gets better just wait till Sunday. :)

Wednesday, we had a great lesson with Angi, Melinda and Petre.  It was nice to have them all together. Peter hasn't sat in on a lesson in about a month, so we were excited.  They told us that they would like to talk about baptism after the New Year.  Angi is off of work for a while, so keep her in your prayers because I am hoping that during this break we can get them married and then have their baptism in the middle of January.

Thursday, was a miracle.  We have been asked to work with some less actives and one of them is Fratele (Brother) Krista.  His wife is a very strong member and so was he about 6 years ago, but now he has been going to the Jehovah Witness Church for a long time.  He was some what offend by some members, but we have been stopping by every couple days to see them.  His wife has been REALLY sick, so when we come he thinks that we are coming to see just her.  On Thursday we showed up and didn't have too much time because we had to be at the church at 5:00 to practice for the Christmas program.  Well, we were late for the Christmas program.  We showed up minutes before Sora Cottam and I had to sing our duet (tender mercy).  Anyways, I got him to sit in a lesson and we talked about the Book of Mormon and the Bible.  He is so Knowledgeable about the Bible.  It was so wonderful, I wish I could express to you the spirit that was there.  Oh and something I almost forgot.  We went to visit Adam and Marioara.  They were just chopping up and HUGE PIG in their front yard and Marioana was cleaning out the intestines.  They had pig parts all over the place, so we went in and she said, "will you sing for me while I work?"  Of course we said yes because we love to sing.  Just imagine this...we are sitting on a couch in their house...Marioara is cleaning out pig intestines in front of us and their neighbor and Adam are chopping away at this body of a pig and their son Lonel is just grinding up pig meat for sausage...it was real potrivit (fitting) for singing, "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Away in a Manger."  Something I will never forget.

Claymation Christmas which is one of their traditions and then Elder Mcfadden read the Christmas story, as dad always would.

Sunday was special because I got to talk to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!!!! We went to see Adam and Marioara.  We got fed again, I was so full.  Anyway, Adam told us that night that he is ready to change.  He knows that he hasn't been doing very good up to this time. Thursday he would like to have a lesson.  Fratele Piper is a wonderful member and Adam said  to him that, "I am ready to change my life forever".  Brother Piper gets along really well with him.  He said that he would like to fast with us again.  I'm leaving out a TON of detail due to lack of time, but I will update you next Monday.  Also, we sang a duet, "The First Noel" in Church, Sora Cottam and I with the great assistance of Elder Schroedter.  Then we spent the afternoon with the McFaddens.  It was a different, but a great Christmas.  I want you all to know how much I love my Savior and I am so grateful for this time of year when we celebrate his birth.

I love being here, its hard, but I think I am realizing it will never ever get easier.  That is why its called a mission.  I love each of you and I hope you all have a safe New Years!  Also, if Katy Broughton reads this, girl will you please send me your address?  Also, Sora Mullen I love you so much and miss you like crazy.  It will be SO weird to NOT see you at transfers next week. Thank you for taking care of Carson for me.  Cars I hope you like your gift.

Va iubim pe voi!

Sora Hickman

Natalee's Weekley Letter December 19, 2011 Buna Family and Friends, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! Well for a couple items of ward...i mean So

Buna Family and Friends,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Well, for a couple items...I mean, Sora Hickman Business, Mom here is Sora Mullen's email. Meghan Mullenmeghanmullen@msn.com. She is home now so you can just send her my regular email. I had one of the members in Cluj tell me that she loved reading my emails. PS Sora Mullen I love you and miss you so stinking MUCH! Girl. Thanks SO much for the clothes they are all REAL POTRIVIT (fitting)!! I love them and I love you!!!! PS have you or did you meet Cars?

Also Mom I got your Christmas package on Friday. Thank you! Shanda and Preston THANK you SO SO SO SO much for all the wonderful gifts. I am having a blast. My favorite is the stories. I look forward to reading them. I cry in just about every one of them. I love them, so thank you. Kari and Ed, thank you for the presents. Kari I have already opened up all your gifts. I love them and the clothes were so great! So, thank you all for taking care of me over this Christmas season.

Well, what a week! I'll start backwards. Sunday...actually was really interesting. Its been a while since I've had a drama filled Sunday. I thought I was beginning to miss it and then after yesterday I am very grateful that I only have them every so often. So, Elder McFadden made an announcement that the district center would be changed to Oradea. Right now it is Arad and has been for a long time. SO, he went to sustain the idea and then we had a few who disagreed...well that took Elder McFadden by surprise. Oh, did I mention that one of them was the Branch President and also the previous Branch President. OH MAN I LOVE ROMANIA!!!!!! haha Well, Elder McFadden, who was actually just acting as the messenger because the District President was at a wedding in Bucharest, proceeded to explain that when there is a disagreement that they will discuss things after sacrament meeting. Well, as Sacrament ended not only did the 3 that disagreed with the proposal meet with Elder McFadden, but about 15 more people decided to change their sustaining vote. Poor Elder McFadden got eaten alive...well not really, but he doesn't speak Romanian so they were going back and forth and it was quite the PARTY. You could feel the contention. I jumped up and said lets sing some songs. It helped, but it kept coming up in every lesson. No, worries though it keeps things fresh. It was a VERY LARGE tender mercy that we had 0 investigators. Usually, I would never say that, but I was really grateful yesterday. Later that night we went to a beautiful Christmas program for a less active Andra. She is in High School so it was like a high school choir program, but they really had some great talent. Oh, and I had my first and last drink of alcohol...I thought it was grape juice and I was real thirsty, so I took a huge couple of gulps...SO NASTY the worst stuff I have ever tasted. I think I sent a picture home with me frowning and pointing to a glass...that's the wine. ha ha

Saturday, we had English and then we went to run in a little race down town. We got a lot of pictures taken and we (all the missionaries) were wearing our name tags. So, hopefully people get to see it. It was a 3K, but it really ended up being about a 2.4K. haha Thanks to my nifty Nike+ipod (thank you Camille and Foote). It was fun and some of the members ran too.

Friday, we had our big missionary Christmas party. They combined the Arad and Sibiu Zones. Super Fun, we had a ties and scarf exchange. We played games. The McFadden's cooked up a FABULOUS meal. We had a great slide show that was put together by Sora Hill and the office Elders. It was marvelous and then we ended with a nice testimony meeting.

Thursday, was a crazy busy day full of lessons. The Brasov sisters Sora Henrie and Sora Bulloch (she is new, she was in Sister Cottam's group) came to stay with us. We had a great lesson with Angi, Meli and Petre. They said that we will have to talk more after the first of the year about their baptism. They said that it would just work better for them. Adam said the same thing, so we are just trying to have patience and work with them.

Monday, through Wednesday are a blur now. Obviously nothing OUTRAGES happened because I can't remember.

I LOVE Christmas. We are so excited for this week. We have been preparing a beautiful lesson about Christ and His birth that we want to share with the members, our investigators and for all those that we visit. Including songs and scriptures. We are very excited. I have been studying a lot about Him. I am very Thankful for Him. We agreed with the McFadden's that we are going to make pizza on Christmas Eve, just like we do!!!!! Then go caroling to a large number of the members. Then Sunday I get to call you! Well actually Skype. I wanted to ask if you had conference Skype? If you don't know what that means ask Foote. I ask because the McFadden's do and so we could have more of the siblings on the conversation if we want. Oh man I CAN'T wait. Dad could you please email the McFaddens your Skype info. I have it but just in case. Then we will have them email you about what time you will get a call from me.

I want you all to know how much I love you. Cars, thank you so much for the email and for the song...I love it and I've been listening to it over and over again today while I've been emailing. You all are so wonderful. I hope you all have a Wonderful Christmas! Also, I encourage all of you to look for those in need and think about how you can help them.

Va iubesc fuarte mult,

Sora Hickman

Natalee's Weekley letter December 12, 2011

Buna! to all my friends and Family,

I can't believe that Elder Scott came to Stake conference. I am SUPER jealous. I love Elder Scott. He came to the MTC to speak to us; it wasn't too long after conference when he gave that wonderful talk about his wife, he spoke so gently about her. It really touched my life. So, a bit of an update...I haven't talked to Daniel in over a week now. He won't answer my calls. We will try to stop by this week. I keep praying that they will soften their hearts and understand that we meant well. Adam was again at church yesterday, he loved it. He is doing SO much better with his smoking. We fasted with him on Wednesday and the Fratele(Brother) Piper and Elder McFadden came and gave him a blessing. Angi and Petre unfortunately do not have any hope of getting married soon. I don't know what else to do. We will continue to pray for them; Meli, on the other hand, she can still get baptised so we are planning for this Saturday.

Our clementine give away went well this week and we are going to do even better. We gave them to taxi drivers and then when we talk to people on the street. Also, if we saw someone that is poor and on the street we gave them one too. I love it and it is a great conversation starter too. I am very excited to start my 12 days of Christmas count down this next week. I have slowly been opening up Kari and Ed's gifts too. (Thanks Ed, Kari, Preston, Shanda and your Families) I will be able to use skype on Christmas....what a great Christmas present for you. Early Sunday morning you get to wake up and talk to your cute baby daughter! ha ha I am not sure exactly yet the time. We need to coordinate with the elders. What time do you have church? We will use the McFadden's computer. I think that last time (mother's day) we talked at about 7 so probably about the same time. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!! Really I am so excited.

Well, where do I start...we really had a rough week; good things too, but just draining. SO, lets start Tuesday we had English. We had 22 students!! Super baller the elders had 0 in medium. So, Elder Schroedter helped us a bit. It was a great turn out and we had a great time.

Wednesday we went to visit with some less actives...that was probably the roughest or hardest lessons I have ever had on my mission. Unfortunately they were so mean to Sora and I. I left the lesson very shook up and worried. Not to fret though, we then did some contacting in the college dorms here and it was SUPER. We found some really great young people...one in particular Andrea, she is 19, super cute, speaks English really well and we had a great first lesson. Then her boyfriend from Timisoara showed up at the end. Oh, and did I tell you, he is studying to be an Orthodox priest? We had the Book of Mormon laying on her bed, he picked it up and starting reading it. He actually asked if he could keep it. We are heading back tonight to check up on her.

Thursday was a very busy, but a rewarding day. We had fasted with Adam to help him stop smoking. Then he was given a blessing. He is doing a lot better. When we called him on Friday he still hadn't smoked. Friday we also got to attend Edi's wedding. It was marvelous his wife's name is Timi. She is not a member, but she is super cute. We are hoping to be able to work more with her and get her interested. We also had a great lesson with Meli and Evei. Evei is Meli's cousin and she has been baptized for a year now. We watched part of the YW's session from the October Conference. Meli is doing ok. Evei is such a great influence for her. They are really strong girls and it is so amazing to see these two young girls at 13 years old have so much potential in the church.

Saturday we had English. Our students speak English really well. Unfortunately we only had 6 this time. Granted 3 went to the Medium class, but we were missing a lot. SO, we'll see what happens tomorrow. We also had a fireside, we watch Elder Perry's talk from this last Conference. It went well, we didn't have tons of people, but that's okay.

Sunday was a long day...a great day, but long. We were fasting again and church was great. Adam really liked Church...but during priesthood they were talking about some temple work and they got into baptisms for the dead! SO, we had an interesting time explaining how it works. I don't think that he understands yet. Then after church he saw one of our recently baptized members smoking...he was really hurt or discouraged because of this. I was to, I was shocked and mad. We were fasting again and it had been just about 24 hours. We had spent the day visiting less actives and meeting with members or recent converts. I came home last night a bit discouraged, frustrated, and felt so negative. I didn't want to, but I was so stressed to say the least. I don't think that I have felt this way ever before. I know that Christ said it wouldn't be easy but it would be worth it.

I know that Heavenly Father's hands are in this work. Even when we struggle, he is putting us through the refining fire. I love this gospel. I wish others would all except it...but they all have their agency too. I want to thank you all for your support, love, emails, letters and everything. I really have such a wonderful family and friends. Carson thank you for writing me every week. Your support and encouragement goes and long way for me, so thank you!

I love you all! Va iubesc

Sora Hickman

Natalee"s weekly letter Dec. 5. 2011

Buna Family and friends,

Couple items of business. Mom, I got your other package and I also got my Christmas package form Preston and Shanda. Thank you all so much. Mom your birthday package was great. Perfect timing too, my eye drops had just ran out that morning. Kari, I loved the cereal you sent me. I ate it in just a couple of days. I am very excited to start on my 12 days of Christmas from Preston and Shanda. You all are wonderful and I am so grateful to have such a great family.

Well, what a week! Angi and Meli are really moving along, but Petre has decided as of right now he does not want anything to do with the church. SO, we now just have to get him married to Angi because she can't get baptised if she is not married. Also, Adam and his wife are doing well. Adam came to church yesterday. (Sora Moulton he LOVED it) As I said he LOVED it. He liked the order of things. It was a great fast and testimony Sunday. We also gave him a baptismal date for the 17th of December...he has to stop smoking and it has been really really hard for him to stop. He is starting to notice more and more the importance of baptism in him life. We will meet with him and his wife tomorrow.

We also, met with this young man named Daniel and his wife Amelia this last week. Sora Moulton and I had met him on the tramvai and he said he wanted to come to church and he came. Then we finally got to meet with him, but he didn't tell us that he was leaving for work so we started the lesson and minutes into it he left, so we taught Amelia. It was a great lesson and she had great thoughts and comments and Sora Cottam and I felt like it all went really well. Daniel said that he would come to church, but yesterday he didn't. So, I called him and he said that he was mad at me!!!!!!!! I was so confused. I thought he was joking...but then he asked why did you have my wife pray to Joseph Smith? I was so confused. I said we didn't, we had her pray about Joseph Smith. He was SUPER frustrated with me and I listened and tried bear my testimony. I felt really bad. I didn't know if it was the language barrier or what. What I do know is she told us as we were

talking, that she could feel a difference as she read in the Book of Mormon. That it really made sense to her and that it made sense that Joseph Smith was called as a prophet. It will work out great, I know that it will all work out the way God wants it too.

At the beginning of this week Sora Cottam and I were struggling, feeling like we are not doing our best and that we are not giving our all to the Lord. So, we made a December sacrifice's list of certain things that we want to do on a daily and weekly basis to show the Lord that we want to give this work our all. Such things as fasting together every week. Fasting with an investigator about baptism. Praying for all of the missionaries in our Zone. Also, we are planning 12 days of Christmas for someone. Studying about the Atonement every day. Things like that, that will help us to make a small sacrifice and to be able to grow in the process. Something we are WAY excited about is our clementine give away. We plan on buying a huge amount of clementine's every week and giving them out to random people. Like homeless people or taxi drivers or whenever we contact someone on the street or go block knocking. We want to write www.moroni.org on all of them and add some information about our church. It should be fun, I'll let you know how it is going more next week.

I loved the Hunting pictures that I got in my package. It was so cool to see Cars with all the family! He fits in real well doesn't he? He is a lot taller that everyone else ha ha, but it was great to see all the Bros and Bro in law there. I love getting pictures! Again thanks for the packages, love and support. I also got many emails from a lot of good friends and from some members of the ward so that was really sweet too!

I'm loving it here. The weather is getting colder, but it was also a bit nicer this weekend. I love this time of year. We get to remember the birth of our Savior and Redeemer. I hope that we can all take a bit more time to study about His life. I want all of you to know that I love you. I really am so blessed to have such supportive family and friends. You all are wonderful!

va iubim,

Sora Hickman

Man WHAT a week! I have so much to tell, so let get started!!

First TRANSFERS! So great, kinda crazy, but so wonderful. We got Soa Multon packed and ready to go ( Sora Moulton I miss you!!). We had a busy day on Tuesday, trying to get in some last day appointments before leaving for Buc. We got home about 6:20 PM and we had to get on the train and 6:45 PM. I thought we would be okay, but we called a taxi and he didn't come! So then we had to RUN up and around to get to the taxi station that is right across the street. We got in the Taxi at 6:37 PM...The Zone leaders kept calling us saying where the HECK are you...I would respond, "I think we are close," or "we are some where"...Not really something to joke about, but I had faith that we would make it. Really I was PRAYING my little heart out. We jumped out of the Taxi grabbed all of her luggage threw some cash at the driver and said, "La revedere" (goodbye!) Not even kidding I stepped onto the train; Sora Moulton had to jump on and the train took off...wow, that was a close one. We had some close ones either getting off or getting on the train this past transfer. ha ha (SORTA SIS) Well, we made it to Buc early about 5:30 AM.

Then we had some time till I had to be at the President's house to pick up my new missionary, so we went and cleaned up at the sisters apartment. Then we headed off to the mission home, after a nice morning of being with all the wonderful sisters. Well is a GIRL!! Name: SORA COTTAM weighs about 110 height: 5' 6'' from Wales, Utah (close to Manti) Super cute, super sweet and SO FUN!!! Oh, and even better she was in Michael Perucca's ward! So, we already have common friends. She also knew Fratele Middleton and Fatele Jeppeson from the MTC. They were also my teachers at the MTC and they were all in the same ward.

Well, unfortunately the sisters coming in had some problems with their Visas and Health exams. So, we had to stay an extra night in Buc. It actually was SUPER fun. We had a huge Sisters Conference. SO, all the sisters came over and we got to share advice and hear from all of them. We have 4 that will be going home in about 2 weeks (Sora Mullen I'm going to miss you!!!!!) So, it was great to say goodbye to them. Sora Hill also gave us some great advice on protecting ourselves and making sure that we are being safe as Beautiful Daughters of God! Since we are so beautiful plus most of us are Americans, sometimes the guys try to sweet talk us and act real sneaky with us, so we were just given some advise to help with that. :) Wednesday night we stayed at the Hill's home. We ate Pizza, sang Christmas hymns, and just spent time together. I was actually thinking about the family and about you all gathering for Thanksgiving. I hope it all went well. I hope to hear more and more from you and all about it. Last year, I remember when Tiffany and I had a crazy trip home with the weather. (LOVE YOU TIFF!!) Then I took my endowments out. I can't believe Christmas is around the corner!

Then, Thursday we left the Gara (train Station) at about 1:30 PM and got into Arad about 1:30 AM in the morning! Long trip, but so great. I love getting together and seeing all the missionaries. Sora Cottam and I have had a rough couple days. The fact that we are so DEAD tired by the end of the day, I think it is more that we are trying to make up time. ha ha

We also had a baptism on Saturday. Ghita who is Dona's husband. Dona was baptised in May. I am SO happy for them. They both have made the choice to be together and to raise their son Kristi in the gospel. We will be going tonight to have FHE with them.

We also got a new elder...Elder Olsen. He served in the MTC with my trainer Sora Humphries. I am excited to have another transfer. I can't believe that after this transfer I will be half way done with the mission...WIERD!!

Also, I want to thank all of you that emailed me for my Birthday. We celebrated a bit this morning with cake that the McFaddens made for us. We'll do something fun tomorrow I think. I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! Also, I want to say thank you all for your love and support.

Okay, I love you all!

Va Iubiesc Sora Hickman

Natalee's Letter November 21, 2011Hello family and friends! Well transfers are her again! So I found out I will training again! Sora Moulton will be

Hello family and friends!

Well, transfers are here again! So, I found out I will training again! Sora Moulton will be going to Ploiesti. So we leave for Buc tomorrow night and get in at about 5:30 in the morning. Nothing like another long train ride! I love them. It will be interesting with the change up and the new Sora. I'm excited...nervous, of course, but excited. I learned a lot from Sora Moulton and I am excited to learn more from my new trainee.

Okay, so what a week. SO to start, we are still working on Peter, Angi and Melinda. We went over to see them last night. Peter left for Germany for a day...super random, but he is back tonight. We had their baptism planned for this Saturday, but they will not be ready. I really want to make sure they know what they are doing and that they are prepared. Also, we had a great turn out for church yesterday. I think there was about 40 who came. We had a few investigators and Lucretia showed up out of the blue. I looked out the window and there she was. It was kind of crazy because I had to give a talk and so I knew it was just seconds before I would have to go up...then all of a sudden I see Lucretia out the window. I was thinking what to do...so finally I grabbed Sora Moulton we ran out and let her in, well we had to lift her up the stairs. Then by the time that we got back in my turn had already passed...SO thank goodness Elder Schroedter was ready to give his talk. He jumped up and gave his, then I went after him. We also had met this young guy named Daniel on the tramvi on Saturday night. We invited him to come to church and he said, "okay I'll be there!" (in Romanian of course) and HE CAME!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is really searching...so I am excited to meet with him this next week to see how everything is going.

I'm so grateful for all the great investigators we have. We are also working with a man named Adam and his wife Marioara. We are trying to get him to church and to quite smoking. He got sick the past two weekends and has not been able to come to church. Something interesting is...they are gypsy. Camille, I can see you getting excited about this part. They, meaning the Gypsy's, are a very interesting culture. They do have their own language. I've had their son teach me a few words. It is hard I'm definitely NOT pro yet...but just think I will come home knowing Romanian, a little Hungarian, Tigan (Spelling) (gypsy language) and now I just need to go to Chisinau and I can learn Russian. Anyway there are different types of Gypsies. There are ones that dress in a costume...meaning they have these large skirts ( I think I sent some pictures home of Sora Harward and I dressed up in skirts) and big blouses and the others are just like normal people. You can usually tell the difference between them and Romanians by their skin color, they are darker.

I am excited to hear about how Thanksgiving went...please send me pictures. I asked for pictures from the Hunting trip and I got NOTHING. :) Pretty please send me some good pics. Do you put up the pictures on my blog meaning the ones that I send home? I sure hope so because I don't just send them home for the fun of it. haha. We are celebrating Thanksgiving today with the McFadden's and the elders. They are making a huge meal and we are bringing some of the side dishes. I'll have pictures for you next week. Elders Schank will be finishing his mission in 3 weeks so he will be leaving Arad and Elder Olsen will be our new zone leader. He served in the MTC with Sora Humphries and Sora Harward ( LOVE YOU GILLIES)!!

I'm excited for another transfer #6. I feel like it was just last week that I was arriving in Buc and heading to Cluj! Crazy how time flies. Well, I love you all!! Also, a few of you have asked when I come home. My release date is September 12th, I believe. I also found out that some more people are getting engaged and married CONGRATS. I won't name names because she told me to keep it a secret, but I'm very happy for you.

Also, before I go I want to tell you all how GRATEFUL I am for you all. I am especially grateful for faithful and loving parents who taught me the gospel and who are magnificent examples for me. Also, I'm thankful for the Book of Mormon, scriptures in general, that we have a living prophet today Thomas S Monson. I'm grateful for a wonderful free country (God bless America) It is interesting the things that I took for granted and that I am more grateful for now. I am very grateful for my knowledge of the gospel. I am grateful for my wonderful friends. I'm grateful I can read. I'm grateful that I have 15 nieces and nephews and one on the way. (CONGRATS Camille and Andrew!!!) I am grateful that I have food to eat, clothes warm clothes in fact to wear and that I am healthy! I'm also very very grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for His sacrifice for me. I love you all.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

LOVE you or Va iubesc,

Sora Hickman!

Dear Family and Friends!
Wow what a week! I feel like I always say that but really I feel like the weeks just fly by and that I was just here in our little internet place yesterday writing you all!
Well, We didn't have a baptism on Saturday but that's okay because Angi and Petre need to get married first and then we will have the baptism. SO, we are now planning on the 26th for their baptism. Angi, their daughter will also be baptized, keep them in your prayers. We met a few new people this last week that we are excited to keep working with. One in particular, her name is Carmen. Sora Puckett and I met her on the street one day. She saw that we had a Book of Mormon and asked about it. We gave her the book and she started to read. She is very Baptist, but I can see that she feels something. She has lots of questions, we will be meeting with her again Wednesday. Lucretia, we saw last Sunday, she is doing okay. She was happy to see us. She is still so sweet but not really interested in the gospel.

Sora and I have been trying to focus on working better with the branch and finding new people to teach. The new changes in the branch are great. We have seen some great miracles. Yesterday Sora Mogos's husband came to church. He hasn't been to church in years. She is an absolutely fabulous member. She is so strong, she has such a great attitude; her whole family was baptized about 11 years ago, but now she is the only one that comes. She also has 3 daughters. It was such a miracle to see him again, we hope that this is a time that we can get him back. Dona, one of the recent converts husband will be getting baptized on the 26th as well! He just had to get over smoking first. The elders are working with him and he seemed to be doing really well. They moved this last week into a very nice place. Their last home was a smaller room than our living room. They had no bathroom, no light, no electricity! It was so sad when we would go over at night. We would have our lessons in candle light...sounds romantic right....wrong! So we are super excited that they found a new place to live. They have a cute son named Kristi he is about to turn 7. He reminds me a lot of Taylor when she was younger; how excited she would get when Uncle Dan would play with her.

I tell you what, when I am at lessons with younger kids all I want to do is play with them. I miss all the nieces and nephews. They will all be so big and grown...and who knows we might have a couple more!!! That reminds me is anyone PREGNANT!?? I haven't asked in a while being that most of you actually all of you had babies in 2010. I will be excited to see all of them too. I can honestly tell you that my mission has really made me excited to be a mom! Seeing the members and investigators with their young kids teaching them to follow the notes in sacrament makes me excited to teach my kids. I remember when mom would point to the words in the hymn book for me when I was young.

The weather here has just gotten really cold. We had a few days of it being really cold in October but then for about 2 weeks it really warmed up. Then this last Tuesday it took a turn to the cold side. So today I need to find some warm nylons and get some earmuffs or something.

I have been reading in Alma a lot lately... taking it slow and really studying it out. I have learned so much from their examples and I just have to say that I love being a missionary. It is hard and it is stressful that's for sure, but I know that I have an opportunity and a great calling to share with the people here in Romania; the great message that His church has been restored.

I want to thank those who wrote me this last week. I love hearing from each of you!!!! Kate wrote me this week and so did Brina and of course Carson! I love each of you!!

Oh, something SUPER cool that I found out, a member, his name is Weber Bela and he is from Oradea, Romania which is in our district. He trained Ben Nealy on his mission!!! Brother Weber was just called into out District Presidency a month ago. He served his mission in Hungary and I asked him about Ben. So, if you talk to the Nealy's you will have to tell them that I met Ben's trainer.

Love you all,
Sora Hickman

Natalee's Letter November 7, 3011

Just to start, So you all know there is 21 Days till my BDAY on the 29th of this month!

Hello family and friends!

Thank you all for the great emails I got this week! I want you all to know how much I love you and appreciate your love and support.

We had a great p-day today. We left early and took a train to Lipova. Which is a small town about an hour outside of Arad. There is a really old Castle out there. So, we went to see the ruins and meet together as a whole Zone. It was super fun. The McFadden's even came.

Mom, I am SUPER excited to get my packages...hopefully I'll get one of them by the end of transfers, which is the 23rd of this month, right before Thanksgiving. Thanks for taking care of me! Also, Mom I wanted to ask you if have received an email with pictures from Sora Mcfadden.

Well, yesterday we had a wonderful sacrament meeting, with about 47 people there!!!! SUPER awesome, we had to put in extra chairs. We had 4 to 5 investigators at church. We had Maria who I am in LOVE with. She has a very similar face to Aunt Georgia. I think it mostly is her smile...but I LOVE it, because she reminds me so much of Aunt Georgia every time I see her. She is 63. We also had Daniela who we met last week out side of a grave...she is SUPER funny and talks a million miles an hour. I really have a hard time getting a couple words in. I put 4 to 5 because Daniela came late...but we were just excited she came. Then we had Melinda (Meli), Angi, and Petre at church. SO, we have a baptismal date for...them set for next Saturday, but Petre just got back from Italy. We want them all to get baptized at the same time. The only thing is we have to get Peter and Angi married first. So once that is done, we can have the 3 of them BAPTIZED!!!!

We had a special fast this last week as a district. We really want to stretch ourselves as missionaries and sacrifice more so that we can receive more blessings. We are already seeing miracles. We have met and contacted a lot of new people this last week, which was fabulous. My week went a lot better. I wasn't as stressed. I have so much to learn and I think that is something that is hard for me because I am realizing how much I have to work on. Our President shared a great scripture last week from Ether 12:24-27 saying how we can make weak things become strong. It is not easy, it takes a lot of work, but it can be done. I only hope that I can do more to be a better servant of the Lord. I know that I can if I want to. I just have to have the desire.

I have been studying in Alma. I'm taking it real slow so that I can really understand and get the whole picture. I love it and I love the teaching of Alma and Amulek. I hope that I can be a strong powerful teacher like them someday. I have really grown to love the scriptures, more than anything the Book of Mormon. I had an interesting experience yesterday. We were waiting outside Maria's apartment and this man who was working outside asked if we were "Mormon" we responded "Da!" Then he went on and ON and ON about how the Book of Mormon was not true. He had received it many years ago. He read it, he studies about it, he did research about it and the history of that area of the world. I understood most of it, but you could tell that he was a very smart man using large words and talking very fast. I started to panic a little. He talked more about the History and saying if it was placed in the Hill Cumorah why is there no ruins from the Lamanites and the Nephites in those areas and went on and on. I had the best feeling come over me. This voice said to me "Sora Hickman...you don't have to prove him wrong because you know what is right, JUST bare your testimony." I did just that. He may not agree and I may not EVER see that man again, (I hope I do) but the fact is I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God and that I am called of God to administer to the people here in Romania! Also, I would encourage you to look up: "A Book Of Mormon Story" it is a new Mormon Message...its fantastic!

I love you all. I love you all SO much. I heard from Emily Fajardo (I worked with her at the spa in Springville) this week. She told me at my farewell in Utah that she was pregnant and she has since had the baby girl. Congrats Em I am Super happy for you! Again thank you all for your love and support.


Va iubesc,
Sora Hickman

My Birthday is in 21 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Family,

Well, Happy Halloween to everyone out there. They don't really celebrate Halloween here. Some of the younger kids will dress up for school and they will have a little party. So, in celebration we are going to a cemetery! This weekend is the Day of the Dead. SO, its kinda like memorial Day in the USA. They go to the Cemeteries and decorate the graves with flowers, lights and palm leaf type things over the graves. Then we are going to make dinner with the McFadden's and the Elders; Taco Soup and Corn Bread.

We had a quite a week. We are getting a our rhythm down more and more. I have really come to realize how much I still have to learn and that I still have so much to learn as a missionary. I have not been as patient as I need to be...I get so stressed some times and unfortunately Sora Moulton gets the bad end of it. I am going to be better. I just have to remember that all of this is SO new to her and I am so used to being the one that is being taught. I never understood how stressful missionary work really is. I don't know if I have ever been as stressed out in my entire life. Of course I had times of high stress like finals, but that is a week and then it is over...I still have just under a year of this! Not that I am complaining just trying to get some of these feelings out.

Yesterday we had a really great experience...Elder McFadden taught all of the Priesthood Brethren about the Priesthood and the importance of using the Priesthood. We were combined because it was the 5th Sunday. He and the Elders taught how to consecrate or bless the oil and then the different blessings they can give. Then they gave many of the Sisters blessings and then some of the brethren. It was so wonderful to see these wonderful priesthood holders share the great power of the Priesthood with others. The spirit was so strong. I love seeing men practice their authority and taking the calling with such importance. I encourage each of you this week to look for a way that you can use your priesthood authority more fully.

On Friday we had an interviews with the mission president and the Assistants. They came over to Arad. It is always SO great to see him and his wife. We also started English classes this week! Our first class was a WRECK!!! Not really, but all of the students were SO quite that it was super awkward, but don't worry Saturday was better and the kids lightened up a bit. We are teaching beginners again, SO it should be fun!

I have been studying ALMA. I'm going through it really slow...I LOVE the BOOK OF MORMON. Its so interesting how much of it I have missed in the past. Alma was such a great missionary and he taught with such boldness and confidence. I LOVE it. I'm excited to get more and more into it.

So, I would love to hear from the brothers about hunting!! Also, some pictures might be nice too! What did you think of Carson? Also can you believe that my B-day is in 29 Days!

Sorry this week is so short. I want you to know that I love you all so much. I know that this church is the only and true church here upon the Earth. That Heavenly Father has a great plan for each and every one of us. He loves his Children and he wants all of us to return to him . Thanks for all of your letters, love and support. I LOVE YOU all so much. I miss you too!

Va iubesc
Sora Hickman

Hello Family!

Okay, so I have such a week to tell you about! SO, lets get started. Oh, first off mom will you put in along with this email my regular address for Bucharest on my Blog? Aunt Georgia wanted it. Also, Mom I got your letter this last week. I measured my finger and I am a size 8 for my ring size.

Okay, so this week we had a great opportunity to go down to Buc and listen to Elder Jose A. Teixeira and his wife. They are from Portugal and it was AMAZING!!!! I just felt SO pumped and ready to apply the things he encouraged us to do. He gave a great analogy of Gold and when you find GOLD there is usually more where it came from in the same area. He related this to our investigators and members. Meaning they have already accepted and so we need to work in their areas. SO, he encouraged us to pray with our investigators and members...meaning to pray for specific family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers and all those that they know. Now it is not necessarily for those people to hear our message, but that they will be blessed with their needs. He gave an example like if Sora Dona's sister needs a husband, to pray that she will find a husband or if Christina needs a job, pray for her to get a job. SO, we started that and we had some really spiritual and uplifting experiences. The members really liked it that we prayed with. Many of the members are part member families and so to pray for their husbands and kids each by name... it was so powerful and we hope to be able to teach these people soon. He also encouraged us...that when we go in homes to teach, invite everyone in and let every one hear about our message. So, we will continue to build from this.

Sora Moulton and I left for Buc Tuesday night and got in early Wednesday morning. We did some visa stuff for her and then had a long day of contacting and meeting people. The sisters from Cluj and Brasov including Soras Mullen, Jones, Savage and Henrie all had to come early to the conference as well; so, we spent most of the time with them. We did some more chalk contacting in Izvor Park in Buc. It was Awesome...we had about 12 missionaries with us there and it was SO wonderful and POWERFUL! SO, when I talk about chalk contacting we draw out the plan of salvation and then we ask people as they walk by questions like, "Do you know where you are going after this life"? or "Hey have you ever seen something like this before?" Then we start to talk to them. It is great, it helps them to get to know our purpose, why we are here and we get the name of the church out too!

After the conference on Thursday we had some time to contact and then we went back to the Gara (train Station) and headed back to Arad. We were truly blessed to have Elder Teixeira and his wife come and visit us. They both were so inspired...I loved it!

Yesterday at church we had a marvelous District conference with the branches from Deva, Timisoara and Oradea that came down. Our District Presidency changed and so did our Branch Presidency. We had about 90 members in our Villa here in Arad. The Spirit was SO strong. The theme of the conference was D&C 1:30. They discussed the goals and where they want the Church to be in the next few years with a stake and church buildings in all of these small branches. Oh, it was SO powerful and wonderful.

Oh, we also have a couple baptismal dates sent for Nov. 12th for Melinda and Angie. Will you keep them in your prayers? SO excited for them! I wish I had more time to write about all of our investigators...but I don't so more to come next week...

I am so grateful I am a daughter of God and that I have the opportunity to be here serving a mission in Romania. There are great thing that are going to be happening in the next few years and I am proud to say that I am going to be a part of it. I love you all. I love hearing from you all too.

Brady thanks for FINALLY writing me! ha ha JK love you, but I need your home address or school address. Cars don't you fret I have letters that should be coming your way...I got a few sent back to me and I am not sure why, but I will get those sent off soon. I'm sorry if you've been with out a letter for a couple weeks or a month. :) Mom tell Sarah Griggs I'm working on a letter and I will get in to her soon.

I can't tell you how much I love you all and I am so grateful for all that you do for me. Don't forget that my Birthday is in 36 DAYS!!!! ha ha

Love you,

Sora Hickman

Natalee's letter October 17, 2011

Okay, well a TON has happened this last week so I'll just start telling you all about it!!!

Okay, Tuesday I got to spend the day in Buc with Sora Holman. SO fun we went to visit some less actives and got ready for the new missionaries who were coming in that day. We also, went out to lunch to say goodbye to Sora Hansen and Sora Puckett before they left. I love you both and I hope you are enjoying America :) We had 3 of the new sisters stay with us at the apartment in Buc. So fun to be there for their beginning hours of Romania!

Wednesday was TRANSFERS!!!! We had a trainers meeting for all of the sisters who would be training. Sora Moulton is my new companion. They have introduced a new training program that is a bit different. They gave us a book and it tells you what to study and watch for companionship study. We also now have 2 hours for companionship study instead of just 1. We received new portable DVD players; they will have us watch different training videos from Preach My Gospel. SO it is A TON different than when I was trained. I like it so far, but it has been a big adjustment. After the training meeting we went back to the Gata(Train Station), we got tickets and headed back to Arad. For our nice LONG 12 hour train ride! It was great though because we met some AWESOME painting and sculpting artists from Germany, they knew English so we got to talk to them.

Thursday we arrived in Arad, had a meet and greet at the McFadden's, afterward we visited some great members and less actives. It is different training because you have to teach and explain everything. I'm so glad that Sora Moulton catches on so fast and that she can really carry her own.

We had a great fireside on Saturday that a total of 5 members showed up. :) But it went okay; they shared their conversion stories and Lucretia came with us. She liked it and the members were all so good to her. She is doing well, but she has this problem with a lady, who is not very nice to her, who works not to far from her and when Lucretia sees her she changes and gets really nervous, upset and mad. So we hope that she can get things taken care of. I hope that Lucretia will take part in the gospel right now. She loves us and the Branch but she has to do things for herself also.

Sunday was WONDERFUL as always, I really look forward to Sundays some times they can be a bit stressful but for the most part I really enjoy that Spiritual reboost.

I am grateful that I have this opportunity to serve here in Romania and that right now I get to be a trainer. We met with a couple of our other investigators Melinda and her mom Angie. We are trying to get them baptized. The problem right now is that Melinda's dad, who is Angie's boyfriend, is in Italy right now working. So we are waiting for him to get back.

Well, a little about Sora Moulton she grew up in California, lived in New Hampshire for a while but her family is in South Jordan right now. She graduated from BYU about a year ago and then she worked at a company that edited books for radiology. She is great, she has 4 younger siblings. Something very interesting about her is that she actually studied here in Romania about 3 years ago in the orphanages and hospitals over in Lasi (another city in Romania). Then she studied Romanian when she moved back to the states, so she knows the language really well! Such a blessing. We get a long great....she loves to RUN :) She is 23 and is a doll of all dolls...really she has a HUGE heart and I am so grateful that I get to serve with her because hopefully I can learn a thing or two from her.

I want to give a BIG shout out to my big sister Jenice! Today is her B-DAY! Love you and hope you had a wonderful day.

Also, I can't wait to hear about the hunting trip. Cars emailed before he left but I'll be excited for next week to see how it all went. I also received letters from the Stetson Hills Ward -mom make sure to tell them thank you and I got one from Aunt Jenny as well! Thank you all for your love and support! I love you all!

Also, if anyone reads this I have a couple people that I want to write but I do not have emails....Katy Broughton and Lauren Shields...So if anyone reads this and if you can give me some info just email me.

LOTS and LOTS of love from me to you!
Va iubesc
Sora Hickman

Hello Family!

Okay, I have so much to tell you! First off I am training!! I feel very honored and very humbled. I'm the youngest sister to train in this round. Sora Henrie who was also in the MTC at the same time, well the group ahead of me, is also training. SO I will be staying in Arad. Our Zone leaders will be the same Elder Schank and Elder Schroedter. So super excited but keep me in your prayers as always!

Well, we had a wonderful week. I am in Buc right now. Sora Puckett and I took a train last night at 6:45 and got into Buc about 6 this morning...then our taxi driver got super lost and we drove around Buc for about 45 mins. Don't fret though bc we then got fed a DELICIOUS Monday morning breakfast by the Wolsey's. They are a great couple that are from Canada and are here on a Humanitarian mission....SUPER DUPER good pancake breakfast.

Well, church yesterday was marvelous. We had a great fast a testimony meeting. I love it that I can understand so well now. It is getting easier to listen to the spirit, than having to worry about what they are saying.

Saturday, we had our last English class for this transfer. In the end we had 2 star students that came to every class and really are starting to progress. I hope that they will come next transfer so we can get to know each other better. Both of them would be excellent members of the Church. We also celebrated Elder Schanks birthday!! We made a killer cake and I made a fun candy bar poster for him, then we went to lunch.

I am so excited, I get to stay in Arad and I get to be there with my BABY!! ha ha That's some mission lingo for you.

Also, next week we have a GREAT opportunity to have a big conference here in Buc with Elder Jose A. Teixeira! So, we will be back here in Buc next Tuesday and Wednesday. I am super excited. SO for the next couple days I will be staying with Sora Holman here in Buc. We will be together till Wednesday when I meet my new companion!!! WOW I think i am still in shock a bit... I'm going to be a trainer.

I am so excited to hear about the Elk Hunt. Carson wrote me and said that he is excited, I just barely skimmed his email, but I am super excited for all of the family to meet him.

Lucretia is doing ok. She is so sick right now and has been taking a lot of pain medication. We went over on Wednesday and cleaned her house for her. I LOVE serving these people. I just wish there was more that I could do.

We took some time on Saturday night to watch more of conference. I LOVED LOVED LOVED Elder Holland's talk about getting ready for a mission. He said something that I really liked. He was talking about those that have served missions, then having children and then they go on missions, you can truly say, "In this family we serve missions!" I can not wait to have children and rear them in the gospel. So that I can say "in my family we serve mission"...Mom and Dad you can already say that and so can Grandpa and Grandma Hickman.

I want you all to know that this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is the ONLY true church here upon the Earth. I know that if we follow the teachings our lives will have more meaning. We will be happier. We will find joy in EVERY moment. Your family will be unified and you will have a better relationship with your family.
Mom and Dad, thank you for being active members and for teaching me, your little baby the great principles of the gospel.

I am sorry this is SO long, but I love you all and I hope that you all have a wonderful week. To all the brothers have a great time hunting! Don't forget to send me pictures. I know all of you are going to have your Iphones up there so do use that technology.

Va Iubesc,
Your Baby Sora Hickman

P.S. I want to tell Cars I got your email...Thanks for staying up SO late to make sure I got it. I was online when you were struggling. I kept seeing 1 new message in my inbox and them again and again I received a new message. Also, Sora Mullen, I am so SAD I won't see you at transfers, but I am super happy that you get to stay in CLUJ!! (With such a BALLER district) Don't you worry we will see each other at the conference next week (when you receive this it will be tomorrow.) Sora Harward, I love hearing from you just so you know. Your emails are the best. Also, Keag things sound SO great in Brazil!

Hello family and friends!

ANN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! This is A BIG shout out to my favorite sister ANN who just turned 26 multi iniete!!! I love you and sad that I missed your birthday, but don't worry I'll be there when you turn 27!
Happy Birthday to YOU, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear ANN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!! (now don't forget, my birthday is just a couple months away :))

Wow what a week! I know I always say that, but I really did have a GREAT week. SO lets get right down to business.

Tuesday night we met with Lucretia and right now she is not very open to the gospel, but we are loving the opportunities we get to see her. She is making progress...for example its been months since she has prayed, but she prayed with us! We sang a whole bunch of hymns with her, she loves them and she is a pretty good singer. So we are in the process of cleaning up her house. Then the Cluj missionaries came for ZONE CONFERENCE and we went to pick them up at the Gara (train Station). Wednesday Sora Puckett and I got up really early to do a long Run, about 7 miles. The Brosov sisters got in a 5:30 a.m., so we just got up and gave them our beds and went on a run. Conference was MARVELOUS. We talked about getting excited for contacting and making sure we talk to every one. We also discussed the importance of staying up on our area book and the importance of being organized, in order to help future missionaries. Then Sora Puckett, Sora Mullen and Elder Schank (Skank) gave their "dying testimonies" meaning their last testimony at Zone Conference. CRAZY!!

Elder Schank is our Zone/District leader right now and he goes home with Sora Mullen. Which will be in the middle of December. Anyway he said something that was like a light bulb turning on for me. We all have the potential to be perfect, but we will never be perfect in this life, so that is why we have to strive everyday to repent and do better. I feel like sometimes as a missionary I am never good enough. At nights when I get home, I think some times...man what did I do today. Or, Man I could have done so much better! When really I should be grateful for everything I did do and thank my Heavenly Father for all the miracles He provided for me that day. I was listening to a conference talk this morning from April. It said that tearing down of ones self comes from the Devil and can be just as bad as being too easy on yourself. I really liked what Elder Schank said because it is SO true. We all have the capability to be PERFECT and we will, but just not in this life.

Then right after that we started splits. Sora Mullen got to stay here with me and then we went to CLUJ on Friday. It was marvelous. I got to see Bia, who is the daughter of Tibi, who was baptized in July. She taught me the Plan of Salvation and then she prayed!!!! Oh, it was marvelous to see her. She was super excited and I just know that she will get baptized soon.

Then Saturday and Sunday night we had the wonderful opportunity to listen to conference. I got to see the morning sessions. For us it was 7 p.m...so we watched it and then went home. I hope to be able to watch more and more of it this week. Thank goodness we have the McFaddens, who have a computer. I was SHOCKED that they announced a temple in Wyoming and another in Provo!! WOW!!

Well, I am excited for all my brothers who are going Elk Hunting and I heard that Carson got work off...WOO HOO! Make sure you take pictures...I know it is a couple of weeks away, but I'm just giving you a heads up!

Love you all a ton and a ton,

Sora Hickman