"I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom."
-George S. Patton

4.25.2011

Harrisonburg week 10 or so

Dear Everyone, This week has been a really good one. I spent this week reading "Jesus The Christ."if you haven't read this book before, do it! haha anyway this week i was reading that book and i was following the life of the savior. The last week of His life. It was really an eye-opening experience to follow the life of the savior. I learned many things which i never would have even thought about. I realized a lot of little details that i would have missed simply just reading the accounts out of the new testament. When i read about certain parts, it really made me think a lot. I really felt bad for Judas, for instance.It got me thinking about who Judas was. Because his weakness was money. Well someone else's weakness has been money. Joseph Smith...both of them had a big weakness to money, and the only difference between the two of them was the action that they made. One is now revered as the "son of perdition" and the other "has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it."The thing i thought of was: what is my weakness, and how can i keep from becoming a slave to the devil like Judas.I think i received my answer though during the week and i thought that I'd share that with all of you this week.You see, Judas, I feel, was a seeker for attention. He probably followed Jesus Christ because he had a huge following. I feel like it was because of the popularity of Jesus, he followed. Surely when the popular guy invites you to hang out with them in High School, you go. The thing is that Judas, i felt, didn't gain a testimony until after he had betrayed his master. So the lesson i could gain from him, is i need to gain my testimony right now, and not linger and procrastinate the day of my repentance. This easter was one to remember the divinity of our Savior, who reaches out to all and beckons to "come, follow me." I have a testimony that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He IS RISEN! he did it only because he loves us so so very much. i know that my weaknesses are there, so that my heavenly father can test me and see just how ready i am to become like him. i am, though, going to do all that i can RIGHT NOW to become more like him and i encourage you all to do the same. SincerelyElder Curtis Ross Hickman

Harrisonburg week 10 or so

Dear Everyone, This week has been a really good one. I spent this week reading "Jesus The Christ."if you haven't read this book before, do it! haha anyway this week i was reading that book and i was following the life of the savior. The last week of His life. It was really an eye-opening experience to follow the life of the savior. I learned many things which i never would have even thought about. I realized a lot of little details that i would have missed simply just reading the accounts out of the new testament. When i read about certain parts, it really made me think a lot. I really felt bad for Judas, for instance.It got me thinking about who Judas was. Because his weakness was money. Well someone else's weakness has been money. Joseph Smith...both of them had a big weakness to money, and the only difference between the two of them was the action that they made. One is now revered as the "son of perdition" and the other "has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it."The thing i thought of was: what is my weakness, and how can i keep from becoming a slave to the devil like Judas.I think i received my answer though during the week and i thought that I'd share that with all of you this week.You see, Judas, I feel, was a seeker for attention. He probably followed Jesus Christ because he had a huge following. I feel like it was because of the popularity of Jesus, he followed. Surely when the popular guy invites you to hang out with them in High School, you go. The thing is that Judas, i felt, didn't gain a testimony until after he had betrayed his master. So the lesson i could gain from him, is i need to gain my testimony right now, and not linger and procrastinate the day of my repentance. This easter was one to remember the divinity of our Savior, who reaches out to all and beckons to "come, follow me." I have a testimony that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He IS RISEN! he did it only because he loves us so so very much. i know that my weaknesses are there, so that my heavenly father can test me and see just how ready i am to become like him. i am, though, going to do all that i can RIGHT NOW to become more like him and i encourage you all to do the same. SincerelyElder Curtis Ross Hickman

2.22.2011

Week 5

Dear Family And Friends,

Today is Tuesday...yes i know Monday is the normal day to get on the computer and type a letter to all...but yesterday was president's day...which means that all the local libraries would be closed. This last week has been quite eventful. Earlier in the week, we went into Charlottesville because my companion had a cold. That was a bummer for him. Because we didn't have an appointment it took us beyond hours to get in to see someone. This week was also transfer calls week. I just found out that I'm gonna be going to a new area called Harrisonburg. it's even farther west than my last area. really close to west Virginia. Anyways I have been going and trying to get some last minute work into Louisa and you'll be amazed to hear that Granny...The one who is refusing to be "Dunked" as she called it...COMMITTED TO BE BAPTIZED! What a trooper. 92 and still anxious to learn the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm so Happy For Her!!!!!!!
Elder Matthews Is sticking around in Louisa, So I'll have to keep in touch with him and make sure that Peggy and now Granny are Baptized so they can enjoy the Spirit Even More so now :)
Yesterday, On Preparation day, we had some of the Elders from the Rivannah area come down and spend the day with us. We played a game of Football and in one particular play, Elder LeSueur, One of the Rivannah elders, made a full body dive to 2 hand touch one Elder Thompson, The Other elder in that area. He ate the dirt, and the Horse Manueur and when he got up we were laughing pretty hard...that is until he said dude i think there's something wrong with my Shoulder.
The Rest of the P-Day was spent driving to Charlottesville and going to the emergency room, where we found out that he had separated his shoulder. All they could do for it though was give it a sling and give him some pain meds. It has been pretty good week though and the work has been more than amazing out here in little Louisa County. The Lord has plans for me in the area of Harrisonburg and i plan on doing all i can to prepare to carry out His plan. I am so grateful for all your support and your love and if there's possibly anything That i can do to be of assistance, Let me know. I Love each of you and would love to hear from you

Love,
Elder Curtis Ross Hickman

PS. Love is the Answer