I climbed a mountain....‏
   
Well hello!!! :) Last Monday I literally walked up a mountain. Literally. I’ll send you a picture of it. After we finished emailing we went up to the zone leader's area and they surprised us by saying that we would be hiking. We started hiking at 12:30 and got to the top at 2:30. There was a lot of falling and slipping because there is no path. We made our own... here's the shocking thing... There are people that live up there. When we got to the top we could see ALL of Lima and ALL of San Juan de Lurigancho (the other side of the mountain and mission). We then ate sandwiches and went back down. It wasn't very surprising that it only took 30 minutes to sprint down the mountain... :) anyway, it was pretty great! I was super dirty after!   The rest of the week was normal.

We had a special conference from president, and on Thursday Elder Lynn G. Robbins came. He’s in the presidency of the seventy. He spoke to us about how our missions are like a university. We learn a ton of things here, and we have classes like: "how to keep your room clean 101" and "diligence 505" and... wait for it... "pre-marriage 505" He talked a lot about marriage.... He also talked about faith which made up for it! :)

This week we had a lot of tender mercies. I met a lot of good, new people that we hope will progress. We're working on finding the miracles every day. I love you all and hope you have a great week.

--- Hermana Hicken

Another week in another world‏

Well hello all of you in the states! I'm sweating like there is no tomorrow and I know you all did not need to know that... 

This week was a great and simple week! :) Tahua is still the best zone in the mission... we had 17 baptisms the month of February and our goal for March is 27 baptisms. I'm excited to see how it goes. :) 

This week we worked super hard, especially with the members. I've learned that the members are so important. We missionaries may be full time teachers but you guys are full time finders. It's so important to find the people. I never realized that until I got out here. 

On Monday we had a family night with Kimmy and one of her friends. We made bundt cake brownies with brown sugar and if I may say so myself it somehow worked... We then did another family night and ate arroz chaufa (fried rice) which is always a good idea! 

The rest of the week was super normal.... We testified to a lot of people about the importance of the church and the spirit has been super strong here in Chincha all week. I love being here. I love you all and yeah! :) tengan una buena semana! les amo mucho!!! :) (Have a good week!  I love you much!)

--- Hermana Hicken

(This letter was sent 2/29)
Probably the most stressful but most rewarding week of my mission!

Hello everyone! This week was insane but I loved it!!! I'm just going to go right into it... 

So our investigator, Cesar. We've been working with him for a while. His wife is a member and his daughter but he's not. He and his wife aren't married. WE started teaching him in January. He didn't believe in God, didn't believe in Christ, and we never thought he would even come close to baptism... guess what... HE DID!!! On Wednesday we were the witnesses for his wedding. Hna Morillo and I had to leave the mission to sign some papers and get our finger prints done. That was insane because it took like three hours... On Thursday, Cesar and his wife had a fight, and they did not want to get married... I testified to Cesar that the calm loving feeling that he gets when he talks to us, prays and reads the scriptures, is the Holy Ghost. And I also said, that when he fights with his wife that isn't of God and he needs to change. Baptism was back on schedule. Friday we had the wedding. That took a good 4 hours!! But it was a wonderful success and they're happy! 

Saturday... THE BAPTISM!!!!! The spirit was so strong in that baptism! I'm not joking. I could literally hear angels singing when he came out of the water. I know that he made the right decision to be baptized. It was so amazing. 

On Sunday he was confirmed. He is going to be an amazing missionary and I’m so happy that I could help him find his way! 

Hna Morillo and I are the first missionaries in Chinchaysuyo to baptize families and men in over 4 years. It’s always been kids and women. So that’s cool! 

This week I learned how to call people to repentance. A convert that we have wasn't going to church. So Yesterday I told her that as missionaries we have the authority to promise blessings but we also have the authority to promise consequences. It’s true! The spirit testified to me and her that she needs to go to church if she wants the blessings. 

Anyway, this week was crazy! But awesome! Thank you guys! I love you all!!!