Dear Family and Friends!
Can you all believe that I only have about 2 weeks left? Man I can't. I feel like I still have so much to do, to learn and to accomplish here in Romania. I guess that is why we have this life to learn and to grow. Well how is everyone? I am feeling a bit anxious. I think it is really starting to hit me. We had Zone Confernece this last week and everyone kept asking me... How are you feeling? Can you believe that your going home? What are you going to do when you get home? All those types of questions and to be honest, I know I am going home, but I really don't feel like it has REALLY hit me. Sora Jone who "killed"( missionary term we use when missionaries go home like I killed Sora Harward and Puckett because I was their last companion ) Sora Mullen and Sora Atkins who killed Sora Wilson both asked me this last week if I was emotional. I'm not really at all...of course I am excited to see my family, but I don't think that I feel like it's real. Which I am okay with. I will let my mind think that this is just another transfer and that transfers are coming up in about 2 and half weeks...WEIRD!!! ha ha
As I said we had a zone conference this week and it was wonderful. It was great to have that spiritual up lift and to get some more fire under my butt to keep me working. I gave my "dying testimony" I bore my testimony for all the missionaries who were there. We have a lot of missionaries that will be going home in the next 2 transfers...we had 11 individuals just in our Conference bare their testimonies! I was the only sister. It was so great to see so many of these awesome young men share how their missions had changed their life. As I looked out over the crowed of elders I was so filled with a strong conviction about the power of the priesthood. I want to thank dad and all my brothers for their great example and for my wonderful friends who have always been a wonderful example to me. Thank you! I love you all. :)
Also, We had a great opportunity to go to Motivation Romania to help them with a B ball game for those in wheelchairs over at one of the parks here in Ploiesti. It was so awesome! There were at least 4 TV stations that came and about 3-4 Reporters from News papers. We didn't talk to the reporters, but they did mention the church and how the chairs were donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and they also mentioned us as missionaries and how we came to help and to serve. They were so good...we got to play for a bit with them and they whipped us! Ha ha We couldn't keep up with them. It was great though. I am grateful that we have had so much success with them. A lot of this came from the big Open House that we had. Our relationship with them has continued to grow. What a great blessing.
I love you all. I hope you all are well! Have a wonderful week. Happy B day Foote...in a couple weeks.
Hope you enjoy the pics
Sora Hickman
Monday, August 27, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Buna to all my friends and family!
Okay, well I don't have a lot of time today, so this will be a quick email.
Highlight from the week. We are helping a company called Motivational Romania with a wheel chair tournament! Motivational Romania is a partner to the church here. They help us when we distribute out wheel chairs. They work a lot with our Humanitarian Missionaries. They are a company that helps people who are disabled. They helped us at our open house and now we have had a few opportunities to do some good service work together. We practiced basketball with them Friday and then this coming Friday we will have actual games with others who are also in wheel chairs. It was so fun, one of the players came to church yesterday. His name is Florin and he is great! I attached pictures!
Also, today we had an awesome P-day. That is why I don't have a lot of time to write. We got back a bit late. We went to Busteni again which is the BIG CROSS on the hill. This time though we took a big jeep up, it was AWESOME!! It was like off roading, I remembered how much I love off roading! ha ha. We then got dropped off in Sainia, which is a small town not to far from Busteni and we had some time so we went to the Pelesi castle, which is beautiful. It was the castle of the first King of Romania! It was way fun.
Update on our work. It is going well. Really cool story...we have a sister, Sister Georgeta. She was reactivated about 2 months ago. She was actually placed on the list of deceased members and hadn't been to church for about 12 years! 12 YEARS! She comes to church almost every week. She also has baptized children and we are now working with her granddaughter Alexandra! She is 12. She loves coming to church with her grandma and wants to be baptize! Sister Georgeta has 3 children that are baptized and we are hoping to work more and more with them. Andrea and Marius...we still have not had any contact with them. SO SAD!!! I don't know what else to do, we are going to try to go by their house more often this week.
Also, do you all remember Cristina Paraschiv? She was the young 17 year old who was so cute and Sora Atkins and I found her contacting on the street, and she had a baptismal date? Well, she still doesn't agree with the Book of Mormon, but one of our other almost members Catalina, (does everything as a member just isn't baptized) has been helping her with math. So we have been having little lessons with her...and we fasted with her yesterday to help her not feel so confused. I hope that she will start reading the Book of Mormon more.
Well, I love you all! Mom and Dad I can't believe 3 more weeks!!!!! Then about 4 weeks and I will be home in America...WEIRD. Don't worry, I am working hard. Not getting truncky, just excited to see you. Make sure to email the Bensfields.
I LOVE you ALL!!!!
Va iubesc,
Sora Hickman
Okay, well I don't have a lot of time today, so this will be a quick email.
Highlight from the week. We are helping a company called Motivational Romania with a wheel chair tournament! Motivational Romania is a partner to the church here. They help us when we distribute out wheel chairs. They work a lot with our Humanitarian Missionaries. They are a company that helps people who are disabled. They helped us at our open house and now we have had a few opportunities to do some good service work together. We practiced basketball with them Friday and then this coming Friday we will have actual games with others who are also in wheel chairs. It was so fun, one of the players came to church yesterday. His name is Florin and he is great! I attached pictures!
Also, today we had an awesome P-day. That is why I don't have a lot of time to write. We got back a bit late. We went to Busteni again which is the BIG CROSS on the hill. This time though we took a big jeep up, it was AWESOME!! It was like off roading, I remembered how much I love off roading! ha ha. We then got dropped off in Sainia, which is a small town not to far from Busteni and we had some time so we went to the Pelesi castle, which is beautiful. It was the castle of the first King of Romania! It was way fun.
Update on our work. It is going well. Really cool story...we have a sister, Sister Georgeta. She was reactivated about 2 months ago. She was actually placed on the list of deceased members and hadn't been to church for about 12 years! 12 YEARS! She comes to church almost every week. She also has baptized children and we are now working with her granddaughter Alexandra! She is 12. She loves coming to church with her grandma and wants to be baptize! Sister Georgeta has 3 children that are baptized and we are hoping to work more and more with them. Andrea and Marius...we still have not had any contact with them. SO SAD!!! I don't know what else to do, we are going to try to go by their house more often this week.
Also, do you all remember Cristina Paraschiv? She was the young 17 year old who was so cute and Sora Atkins and I found her contacting on the street, and she had a baptismal date? Well, she still doesn't agree with the Book of Mormon, but one of our other almost members Catalina, (does everything as a member just isn't baptized) has been helping her with math. So we have been having little lessons with her...and we fasted with her yesterday to help her not feel so confused. I hope that she will start reading the Book of Mormon more.
Well, I love you all! Mom and Dad I can't believe 3 more weeks!!!!! Then about 4 weeks and I will be home in America...WEIRD. Don't worry, I am working hard. Not getting truncky, just excited to see you. Make sure to email the Bensfields.
I LOVE you ALL!!!!
Va iubesc,
Sora Hickman
Monday, August 13, 2012
Natalee's Letter - August 13, 201
Well hello again to all my family and friends!
Can you believe that my mission ends in less than a month? I can't! Sora Harward emailed me this week and if you don't remember her, she was my 2nd companion in Cluj and she had her last transfer with me. She is now married and I am so excited to see her. Also, Sora Henrie wrote me this week, she just went home. I feel like it was just a few months ago that I got into the MTC and she was there. A lot of time has passed and I have grown so much. I have seen the small steps; but now that I look back over the last 18 months, I am amazed at all the memories, good times, laughing times, crying times and hard times that have helped me to become the sister missionary that I am today. The greatest part is this doesn't just all go away when I get home. I have so many skills and talents now that will continue to be a blessing to me, my family, my future family and for my future callings. I LOVE my mission. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to serve.
Well, my week was great. We have such a baller district. So right now our Zone leaders are Elder Groberg (I served with him in Cluj when I was with Sora Mullen), Elder Cox (he was in the group below me in the MTC, so I served with him there), District Leader Elder Nemrow (he will go home at the some time as me...well actually a week earlier, so he can get back to school), Elder Hickenlooper (He's from Alaska), Elder Rasmussen (He's from California) Elder Doloscan, who I LOVE, really he is Moldovan. Cool connection, he was baptized in Chisinau by Edler Dobry who is Sora Harward's husband how...COOL HUH? Small world. He reminds me so much of all my brothers. We pick on each other SO much. He speaks Russian, Romanian and English, but his English isn't the best; so it is so funny when he says things because he sounds like a little kid when he talks. But then I have to remind myself, that I probably sound about the same in Romanian. ha ha. I love my district a lot!
We had a wonderful week! To give you a few updates, Andrea and Marius, we could not contact them this week! Oh, it makes me sad, but I know that God will make things happen. We even went by their house and we didn't find anyone home. Keep them in your prayers. I just have a feeling that Satan is working really hard on them. English, was okay. We didn't have TONS like I was hoping. We had one new student and about 7 returning students, so that was good. Tomorrow's class will be bigger because it is not on the weekend. I am excited to teach. I have gained such a LOVE for teaching, especially English on my mission.
We did some service with Motivational Romania. They are a company that helps handicapped children. The church works with them to distribute wheel chairs to those who are in need. Thursday we went over for about 6 hours and helped them get their office all organized and to put together wheel chairs. I attached some pics.
Sora Hall and I are doing well. We are excited to work hard together for this last transfer of mine. She is so quiet, but so wonderful. I enjoy teaching with her.
We had a wonderful missionary named Elder Carson Orm, who served here in Romania about 8 years ago, come back to Ploiesti with his wife this past weekend. It was so great to see him and her together. The members just loved him. We had a fun party for them on Saturday night. I am excited to come back in a few years, to see how the church has grown and to see the members and those that I've worked with.
We are currently in Bucharest for Sora Starks B-day! We all put on tiaras this morning and took pictures, so that is what the picture is of her, Sora Sam and I.
I am ready for my hard sprint! I have so little time, but also so much time. I'm continuing to work hard and to soak up all that I can. Mom and dad I want to thank you for your wonderful example to me. I love you all. I miss you all like CRAZY! I can't wait to embrace each and every one of the little nieces and nephews!
Va iubesc din toate inima,
Sora Hickman
Can you believe that my mission ends in less than a month? I can't! Sora Harward emailed me this week and if you don't remember her, she was my 2nd companion in Cluj and she had her last transfer with me. She is now married and I am so excited to see her. Also, Sora Henrie wrote me this week, she just went home. I feel like it was just a few months ago that I got into the MTC and she was there. A lot of time has passed and I have grown so much. I have seen the small steps; but now that I look back over the last 18 months, I am amazed at all the memories, good times, laughing times, crying times and hard times that have helped me to become the sister missionary that I am today. The greatest part is this doesn't just all go away when I get home. I have so many skills and talents now that will continue to be a blessing to me, my family, my future family and for my future callings. I LOVE my mission. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to serve.
Well, my week was great. We have such a baller district. So right now our Zone leaders are Elder Groberg (I served with him in Cluj when I was with Sora Mullen), Elder Cox (he was in the group below me in the MTC, so I served with him there), District Leader Elder Nemrow (he will go home at the some time as me...well actually a week earlier, so he can get back to school), Elder Hickenlooper (He's from Alaska), Elder Rasmussen (He's from California) Elder Doloscan, who I LOVE, really he is Moldovan. Cool connection, he was baptized in Chisinau by Edler Dobry who is Sora Harward's husband how...COOL HUH? Small world. He reminds me so much of all my brothers. We pick on each other SO much. He speaks Russian, Romanian and English, but his English isn't the best; so it is so funny when he says things because he sounds like a little kid when he talks. But then I have to remind myself, that I probably sound about the same in Romanian. ha ha. I love my district a lot!
We had a wonderful week! To give you a few updates, Andrea and Marius, we could not contact them this week! Oh, it makes me sad, but I know that God will make things happen. We even went by their house and we didn't find anyone home. Keep them in your prayers. I just have a feeling that Satan is working really hard on them. English, was okay. We didn't have TONS like I was hoping. We had one new student and about 7 returning students, so that was good. Tomorrow's class will be bigger because it is not on the weekend. I am excited to teach. I have gained such a LOVE for teaching, especially English on my mission.
We did some service with Motivational Romania. They are a company that helps handicapped children. The church works with them to distribute wheel chairs to those who are in need. Thursday we went over for about 6 hours and helped them get their office all organized and to put together wheel chairs. I attached some pics.
Sora Hall and I are doing well. We are excited to work hard together for this last transfer of mine. She is so quiet, but so wonderful. I enjoy teaching with her.
We had a wonderful missionary named Elder Carson Orm, who served here in Romania about 8 years ago, come back to Ploiesti with his wife this past weekend. It was so great to see him and her together. The members just loved him. We had a fun party for them on Saturday night. I am excited to come back in a few years, to see how the church has grown and to see the members and those that I've worked with.
We are currently in Bucharest for Sora Starks B-day! We all put on tiaras this morning and took pictures, so that is what the picture is of her, Sora Sam and I.
I am ready for my hard sprint! I have so little time, but also so much time. I'm continuing to work hard and to soak up all that I can. Mom and dad I want to thank you for your wonderful example to me. I love you all. I miss you all like CRAZY! I can't wait to embrace each and every one of the little nieces and nephews!
Va iubesc din toate inima,
Sora Hickman
Monday, August 6, 2012
Natalee's Letter August 6, 2012
BUNA BUNA BUNA to all my wonderful family and friends,
Holy Smokes, can you believe that this is my last transfer?!!!! Number 12 baby! I can't even believe it. Time really does fly, but when I think back on it, I really have been here in Romania for some time. I have done a lot and I still have a lot to do. I am very excited to work hard and to give it my all this last transfer.
Dad, to answer some of your questions this past week. It is actually a lot quieter, we had lessons and are working hard, but NOTHING like that week before the event. That was a CRAZY week. We are seeing good things come from the event. President Hill did have an interview with TV 2 in Bucharest this last Friday with President Doru (District President) and President Pasare. Which is awesome to get more and more publicity. I attached a link, I hope it works, I know it is in Romanian, but Sora Atkins and I were mentioned as being two full time missionaries as part of the interviews that took place. I am glad that we got some good feedback from it.
http://www.stiriprahova.ro/Articole/%E2%80%9EZiua%20usilor%20deschise%E2%80%9D%20la%20Biserica%20Mormona/13239.aspx
Well, transfers came and went. I am now with Sora Hall...again. We served together in Chisinau. We were very surprised to be serving together again, but I know it will be great. We have a lot of work to do this transfer. We are trying to get the young women organized here in the Ploiesti branch. They have a Young Women's program, but it just needs a few tune ups, so we are working with Sora Critchlow, (Amy Wilde's Sister in law) because she is the young women's district president. I am excited to have another project to accomplish here.
Okay, so MIRACLE story. Do you all remember Adrea and Marius back when Sora Atkins and I were first together? Like back at the beginning of May? She was the one with all the cats and we street contacted her, then she showed us all her cats. We had an amazing first lesson with her and her boyfriend Marius. They promised they would come to church, but on Sunday they didn't show up and then we tried to call them and they NEVER answered? We tried for about a month trying to contact them a couple times a week and then just every so often. Well, anyway, we met with them on Saturday and they came to church on SUNDAY!!
Here's the story, I was sitting down after lunch on Friday and I had been thinking a lot about them. I thought to myself, well it wouldn't hurt to just try. Plus she had like over 40 cats, a few dogs and other odd animals that she takes care of and Sora Hall is an ANIMAL LOVER. I called them up and they answered! Come to find out she got really sick after our lesson. She was in the hospital and they had to sell their car. It was just a really low time for them. They came to church, they loved it and we will be meeting with them more this week. Sora Atkins, I hope you are reading this!
We have been doing a lot of English contacting these last few days. I am excited to teach English I love it so much. I really have gained such a love for teaching while here. I can't wait to apply all the wonderful things that I have learned here on my mission to my life back home.
Mom, thanks for all the updates on everyone. I can't believe Summer Roy is married! Good for her.
I have attached a few pictures, one of them is with a sister in a blue shirt and that is Sister Medzeleweka from Poland. She is now serving in Chisinau with Sora Zimmerman. We talked for a bit and shared the connection that we have with Stacey Helfritch (Day). She is wonderful and beautiful! Also, the others are of me with our awesome elders and others from transfers. Well, I love you all! Hope you all have good week!
Va iubesc,
Sora Hickman
Holy Smokes, can you believe that this is my last transfer?!!!! Number 12 baby! I can't even believe it. Time really does fly, but when I think back on it, I really have been here in Romania for some time. I have done a lot and I still have a lot to do. I am very excited to work hard and to give it my all this last transfer.
Dad, to answer some of your questions this past week. It is actually a lot quieter, we had lessons and are working hard, but NOTHING like that week before the event. That was a CRAZY week. We are seeing good things come from the event. President Hill did have an interview with TV 2 in Bucharest this last Friday with President Doru (District President) and President Pasare. Which is awesome to get more and more publicity. I attached a link, I hope it works, I know it is in Romanian, but Sora Atkins and I were mentioned as being two full time missionaries as part of the interviews that took place. I am glad that we got some good feedback from it.
http://www.stiriprahova.ro/Articole/%E2%80%9EZiua%20usilor%20deschise%E2%80%9D%20la%20Biserica%20Mormona/13239.aspx
Well, transfers came and went. I am now with Sora Hall...again. We served together in Chisinau. We were very surprised to be serving together again, but I know it will be great. We have a lot of work to do this transfer. We are trying to get the young women organized here in the Ploiesti branch. They have a Young Women's program, but it just needs a few tune ups, so we are working with Sora Critchlow, (Amy Wilde's Sister in law) because she is the young women's district president. I am excited to have another project to accomplish here.
Okay, so MIRACLE story. Do you all remember Adrea and Marius back when Sora Atkins and I were first together? Like back at the beginning of May? She was the one with all the cats and we street contacted her, then she showed us all her cats. We had an amazing first lesson with her and her boyfriend Marius. They promised they would come to church, but on Sunday they didn't show up and then we tried to call them and they NEVER answered? We tried for about a month trying to contact them a couple times a week and then just every so often. Well, anyway, we met with them on Saturday and they came to church on SUNDAY!!
Here's the story, I was sitting down after lunch on Friday and I had been thinking a lot about them. I thought to myself, well it wouldn't hurt to just try. Plus she had like over 40 cats, a few dogs and other odd animals that she takes care of and Sora Hall is an ANIMAL LOVER. I called them up and they answered! Come to find out she got really sick after our lesson. She was in the hospital and they had to sell their car. It was just a really low time for them. They came to church, they loved it and we will be meeting with them more this week. Sora Atkins, I hope you are reading this!
We have been doing a lot of English contacting these last few days. I am excited to teach English I love it so much. I really have gained such a love for teaching while here. I can't wait to apply all the wonderful things that I have learned here on my mission to my life back home.
Mom, thanks for all the updates on everyone. I can't believe Summer Roy is married! Good for her.
I have attached a few pictures, one of them is with a sister in a blue shirt and that is Sister Medzeleweka from Poland. She is now serving in Chisinau with Sora Zimmerman. We talked for a bit and shared the connection that we have with Stacey Helfritch (Day). She is wonderful and beautiful! Also, the others are of me with our awesome elders and others from transfers. Well, I love you all! Hope you all have good week!
Va iubesc,
Sora Hickman
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)