It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We were able to teach both Maria and Marlene a few times this week. They are both just so solid in their testimonies. Maria is planning on being baptized this month and we just need to find a way to get Marlene married and then she'll get baptized. I am amazed by how willing they are to change their lives for the gospel and for Heavenly Father. We taught the word of wisdom this week and Maria was willing to give up her coffee. She said that if God said she shouldn't have it, that was good enough for her. She is doing so well! We love them so much too! They are becoming some of our very dear friends!

Thanksgiving day was wonderful. As missionaries we had only a few hours to do missionary work and the rest of the day we spent together. We hiked A Mountain on ASU campus again and that afternoon a sweet couple in our stake fed all of us Thanksgiving dinner and it was so good! We really enjoyed ourselves too and I felt so grateful just to be with such good people all day and to be learning from their examples.

This week we were able to talk to Patricio. He's not doing well. He told us that he knows that the chruch is true and he has no doubts about it, but right now, he needs time to figure out what he wants with life. It's so sad, but surprisingly, I feel very calm about it. I feel at peace that the Lord is helping him and eventually he will make the right decision to follow God.

We also have had some funny experiences this week. We taught some lessons to new people, Lucy and her mom. They are such a cute bunch of people but hardly have any knowledge about God. As we taught them about prophets they came to the conclusion in the lesson, that we were prophets. It was so silly! We had to try to re-explain to them what a prophet was and to help them understand that we definitely are not prophets! Also, one of our investigators, Willy, loves this one song on the radio right now, Rolling in the Deep by Adele and he's always yelling that at the top of his lungs though he barely knows what the words are in english. But he has an amazing memory and that is helping him a lot as he learns about the gospel. We're excited to have his baptism in the next few weeks!

This week we also had Spanish training for the Spanish missionaries. We have some very inspiring missionaries in our mission and I am so inspired by their examples. I honestly feel like we were "taught from on high" as we discussed what we could do to love the culture more, to be better teachers, and to find more people to teach. We have felt very strongly that in our ward and area we need to start teaching english lessons because there seems to be a great need for it and we feel it would help us find people that are also ready for the gospel. We're excited to work with our ward to get that going.

Well, it's been a wonderful week. I feel like the Lord has helped me to see that even though everything doesn't go as I plan, that He has an even better plan. We have a lot of investigators that are progressing towards baptism, but keep having a few setbacks, but we know that the Lord is in charge and in His time, they will be baptized and progress in His gospel. I love being a missionary and am so blessed to help people, especially the wonderful latin-american culture! Don't ever think that they are anything less than wonderful!

love you all,
Hermana Anneli Hansen

"I can't believe her husband wants to marry her!"

What a beautiful week! Crazy and very full, but very good!

Last night we got transfer calls and.... FINALLY I am....still here next transfer. :) That will make it 9 months at least in Tempe. So fun! I feel so blessed to still be here. I am so happy to continue to work among these people, to be with Hermana Taylor, and to gain as much learning as I can.

This week we were able to teach Patricio's sister and her kids. It was such a beautiful lesson! The kids were crazy, just telling us everything they knew about Jesus already and asking us so many other questions about Him. They are such little angels! Patricio's sister, Charito, was so proud of her kids and their eagerness to learn about Jesus and started crying. She really is such a sweet woman and we are really excited to see them progress in the gospel. They all really wanted to come to church for our ward's primary program this last week, but they didn't make it. Hopefully next week.

Friday night we had a lesson with Marlene and Maria. It was one powerful, Spirit-filled lesson! We were able to talk to them about the gospel of Jesus Christ and as we talked about faith, the Spirit came over them and they shared some beautiful experiences that they have had as they have had faith in God throughout their lives. It was so beautiful! Neither of them have ever found a church that they felt comfortable in, but have always had a firm belief in Jesus Christ and have tried to follow Him and they have seen miracles. Hermana Taylor and I were in shock by the things they told us. We felt like we were the ones being taught and it the things that they said, flowed so perfectly into our lesson. The whole experience was so incredible and helped me to realize the importance of being in tune with the Spirit. During the lesson I realized how much the Lord had guided our lesson plans and we felt His guiding influence throughout the lesson to know exactly what to say and what they needed to hear. We also talked to Marlene about the law of chastity a little bit. Her 'husband' and her are not married yet and we talked to her about the importance of that. She seemed a little worried about it, but at chruch on Sunday she told us that she had talked to her 'husband' and he wants to marry her. We are so excited! The Mexican culture is so against marriage sometimes, but the Lord is truly helping her and leading her so that she can be a member of His church. The quote from the subject line is something that we said when we found out how easily her 'husband' agreed to marry Marlene and we just think it's such a silly sounding quote. So this week we're going to plan the wedding and hopefully they'll be married in the next few weeks!

Yesterday was the Primary Program for our ward. As I listened and watched these precious little brown ninos I was reminded of what Jesus said to "suffer the little children to come unto me". Their testimonies were so pure and so strong! And the primary music was so much more beautiful in Spanish. I loved it!

Everyone else is doing well. Patricio's on his way to baptism and recieved a beautiful priesthood blessing this last week. Luis is so wonderful! He actually has been coming to lessons with us and helping us teach and he loves it! Last night we were teaching a lesson and the Spirit was so strong and Hermana Taylor, my cute little daughter, started to cry. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, especially for those of you that know how much I cry, but Hermana Taylor NEVER cries, but she was just feeling it so much yesterday and I'm so proud of her. :) Sorry about the silly little side note. But overall things are just going wonderful here and I'm so excited to be able to spend Christmas time and Thanksgiving with all these people that I love. One good thing about being in the United States still and working with the Hispanics is that you get to celebrate both the Mexican and the American holidays, so this next week we have our Thanksgiving activity and we're really excited.

love you all,
Hermana Anneli Hansen

A Chill in the Air...

Well, this week it finally started to get a little colder. It's been between 50 and 70 degrees the last few days and it's been wonderful. Sadly, though, I think I'm getting used to the heat because the first day that it happened I felt so cold! But I know it's nothing compared to Utah snow and winters. I'm grateful to experience something different this year. Good luck with all of you in the snow right now. :)

This was a very blessed week! We had so many new miracles and I have so much to tell. Patricio has been doing really well, but is still having so much opposition. But he is overcoming everything in his own time. He has such a desire to follow Heavenly Father and to be a faithful member of His church. He's been reading the scriptures a ton to find strength and he has been realizing just how much the commandments make sense. He's so wonderful!

This week we had a zone conference and we talked all about planning. We talked about the importance of planning things out well so that we can be in the right place at the right time. With that we also talked about the fact that even if the things we plan don't go through, God will put us in the path to help the people we need. We saw the truthfulnes of that that very night. We had all these plans that ended up all falling through, but it was amazing, because the very last thing on our list was what we needed to do. We went to visit a person we've been trying to teach for a long time, Vicente. He hasn't been returning our phone calls and we've been a little worried. When we stopped by, we found out that he had some doubts about our church because the senator here that passed the immigration law is mormon. We had a really good experience and we able to help him through his doubt and testify that we knew that each person is special to God and that he could recieve an answer for himself from God that this is true. Now he has a great desire to find out for himself and told us to give him a few weeks and then call him again. He wants to be able to study the Book of Mormon out on his own. We know the Lord led us to him so that we could help him overcome those doubts.
Last week we recieved a referral of a lady in our area named Estela. We immediately recognized that she is a lady that we'd talked to before that had no interest in learning the gospel, but had been out of work for a while. We stopped by and saw an amazing change in her. The Lord really has softened her heart to be ready to hear about our message. She's so lost with her life, being a young single mom without work, and knows she needs more. We taught her about the Plan of Salvation and asked her after about what she felt like God's purpose is for her life right now. She said that she knew that Heavenly Father was trying to bring her closer to Him and that He had something better for her life. And then she told us that she had actually been baptized about 13 years ago, but became inactive immediately, but wants to come back to church now. Wow! We were so blessed that we could find her and help her find her way back. Something that I've realized about teaching less-actives is that it is just as important, if not more important, to teach them and help them come closer to Christ because they have already made a covenant with Him. We're grateful to have found Estela and that she is ready.

Last week I wrote about a miracle that we had in finding a lady named Marlen that is truly ready to find the gospel. Well, she came to chruch this week and loved it so much! She told the Relief Society sisters that she'd be coming from here on out and that night she decided to be baptized at the end of this month. She and her mother, Maria, are so willing to accept everything that we have to tell them and are so in tune with the spirit. As we taught her last night, she prayed that one day her family would all be a part of "la iglesia verdadera" or "the true church". Wow!
Yesterday Luis recieved the Aaronic Priesthood! He was so, so nervous, but it went really well and he's so excited. He is so strong in his testimony and I can already see the church blessing his life. When we come over for lessons with him, he likes to share scriptures with us that he's found on his own in the Book of Mormon. He's such a sweet man and always talking about how grateful it is for the gospel. Yesterday in principios del evangelio (gospel principles) he read outloud a scripture and prayed in front of everyone! His reading has improved so much as he has read the scriptures every day. I can see the Lord's hand in his life so much. What a blessing he has been to me. I feel so blessed to be able to be a little part of his journey.

Yesterday, we were eating dinner with a couple in our ward and they asked me what my favorite thing about the mission was and I told them that my favorite thing was the love that I feel for the people. I couldn't help it, but choke up and cry as I told that. I just love being a missionary and I can't believe that I have this amazing opportunity to see how much Heavenly Father loves His precious children, no matter how many times they may mess up, He always sees their hearts and loves them still. And He's just waiting with open arms to recieve them into His love! I know that He feels that way for every single one of us. I hope you all can feel of His love and of the love I have for all of you!

love,
Hermana Anneli Hansen

Overwhelmed With Blessings...and Happy Halloween

I know that last week I told you that Patricio had given up smoking for good. Well, he didn't...But this last week we fasted with him and he has been very blessed and has now gone 3.5 days without a cigarette. We're so proud! He's working towards baptism for next weekend.

This week Luis was confirmed. We had a really good experience with that and the Spirit was so strong. Lately, there have been some really precious moments when I've just felt full of God's love and that was one of them. After the confimation, he was able to talk to the bishop a lot and get a lot of support from him. The ward is also so supportive of him and he already has this awesome group of friends. Every time we go by to visit him, he thanks us for all we've done in his life, though it's not us, and he always has some kind of food to give us. He's such a charitable man!

I don't know if I've talked about Wilfrido before, but he's a young guy we've been teaching lately who's had the lessons before and just really wants to overcome some weaknesses he has. This week we set a baptismal date with him for later this month and he's really excited. He already knows that so much of what we are teaching is true and we're just kind of reminding him about all of that. We're really excited for him.

This week we met Marlen. Marlen was probably the biggest blessing of the week. Early on in the week we talked to her while she was on her way to work. She was in a hurry, but asked if our church was a family church and when we said yes, she said to stop by friday. When we went by friday, we only had a little time, but we gave her a Book of Mormon, told her a little about it and taught her how to pray. She was so eager to learn and was really excited to read and pray. She gave the closing prayer at the end of the lesson and it was very beautiful. Yesterday we also had a lesson set up with her. When we stopped by, there was an older couple walking outside the house. When they saw us, they turned around and started talking with us. We found out that they were Marlen's mom and step-father. The father has had a lot of health problems lately and is really weak. We told them a little about what we did and our message and told them they were welcome to join us for the lesson. They thanked us and walked inside, but during our lesson with Marlen, her mom came in and asked us if we would come give them a little message after we had finished with Marlen. (I'll finish their part of the story in a bit.) Our lesson with Marlen was a miracle. She told us that she had read the part in the Book of Mormon we'd given her (3 Nephi 11) and wants to be baptized. She has seen so many miracles and signs from Heavenly Father the past few days since we met her and is ready to take the steps to follow God. She had so many incredible questions for us and she already knows that this is true. She wants to bring her whole family into this process with her too, so this next week, we're excited to teach them all! Afterwards we talked to her mom and step father for a bit. They are also hungry to learn about the gospel. What an incredible blessing this is that just plopped into our lives! A FAMILY! We ended the night with a huge prayer of gratitude to our Heavenly Father that led us to them.

Julieta is also another blessing that has fallen into our lives. A few weeks ago, we stopped by the apartment of an old investigator and found out that that person had moved, but met Julieta. She's a mom of 6 kids and is trying to be a good example for them and teach them what's right. We had a really good lesson with her as well and she was really touched when we talked about how the gospel could bless her family. We'll see what happens when we go back this next week...

This week we had a mission tour, where Elder Wilson, a member from the seventy, and his wife came and talked to us and gave us direction about being better missionaries. All of the Sisters and Hermanas were there and it was a really powerful meeting. I learned a ton about being a better missionary and Hermana Taylor and I felt like the whole thing was catered to our area and our investigators and situations. And it was so good to have all the sisters in one place at one time. They are so wonderful and I am learning a lot from them about being a better missionary.

This weekend we had a Halloween party for our ward. We had a really good turn out and a lot of people came. We had a lot of non-members there too and some crazy costumes. Hermana Taylor was the color blue and I was the color green. Patricio's sister came with her kids and had a wonderful time at the trunk-or-treat and playing all the games. We are really excited about that because every day she seems more and more interested in our message. Every time we have a lesson, she's in the background on the couch listening. She wasn't interested at first, but we think she's gaining more and more interest the more we come by. And she's also going through some trials right now, so this might be a perfect time for her. This was a big step for her to come to the church and meet some ward members. This week we plan to talk to her and see if she's a little more open to out message. Even Patricio's in on it. He wants her to learn as well and is helping us with a plan.

Well, what a week! I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for all He's blessing our area with and the things he's doing in other people's lives so that they can find the gospel. I love you all at home, but right now I just want to be a missionary forever! There's nothing that beats this joy!

The picture are of bowling on P-day.
We were colors for Halloween.

Full of Joy...

This has been such a joy-filled week. So many good things happened and the Lord is aware of me and the area here in Tempe. We have felt very blessed this week.

I never thought I would say this, but I actually love being a trainer. It is helping me to be a more bold, more organized, more myself missionary. I really love it a lot! And Hermana Taylor is just such a joy! That really sounds like a mom-thing to say, but it's so true. She's just so easy to work with and so easy to love and we have a really good time working together. One funny thing about Hermana Taylor is that she's afraid of all animals, so even though she's more than 6 inches taller than me, I always have to protect her from them, especially dogs and cats because they are everywhere here in Tempe. Oh silly!

Probably the best part of the week was Luis' baptism. He has been doing so well this week and we've been visiting him everyday to check on him. His testimony has grown so much and he is 100 committed to the gospel. He is so happy and is always listening to fun music when we stop by at nights, which is such a turn around to his depressed mood that he had before. When he arrived at the stake center, he was really nervous, but very excited. He just had a glow about him and was ready. He actually had a bouquet of a dozen roses for each Hermana Taylor and me for thanks for what he says we did for him. But we didn't do it. It's God and the Spirit that helped him to get here. We're just so grateful to be so blessed to see the blessings of true conversion come into his life. The program was so good and when he went under the water, I had a confirmation that all of his sins were behind him now. It was so beautiful! Everyone is so encouraging of him and we are just so excited for this change in his life. He has a hunger to learn as much as he can. Even though he only has a 3rd grade education, he reads as much as he can from the Book of Mormon and Liahona every day. He's so wonderful and we're so excited for him. But he actually told us after the baptism that he had to work the next day, Sunday, and since converts get confirmed on Sundays, he has to wait to be confirmed until next Sunday, but he's willing to wait.

Patricio is doing awesome. We had another lesson about giving up smoking this week and we had him make his own plan for giving it up. He told us that the only time that he doesn't feel tempted to smoke at all is when he's at church or reading the scriptures, so that's a huge part of his plan. The scriptures really have so much power and have been a huge part in his conversion process. He's been very humbled and so far has not smoked at all in the past two days. That's huge for him because he used to smoke up to 30 cigarettes a day. Also, going to Luis' baptism was a huge motivator for him too. He really wants to be baptised and we really think he's going to give up smoking completely this time. We're so excited for him.

A lot of other really good things happened this week, but sadly, I don't have a ton of time to write them today. But we had some good lessons with some other people, we saw a lot of little miracles, we went to the temple again, and we were asked to speak in sacrament meeting. Hermana Taylor loved the temple and it was so good to see Hermana Norton again. She's doing so well and she was also able to come to Luis' baptism, so I've been able to see her a lot this week. Speaking in sacrament was actually really good because I was able to see how far I've come in my ability to speak in Spanish. I felt so much more comfortable speaking from the heart and being myself in Spanish this time than I did in May when we spoke. And everyone is so impressed with Hermana Taylor's Spanish abilities. She's so awesome!

We are just being really blessed and excited for the week to come. I feel so blessed to be here on a mission and there is no other place that I would rather be!

love,
Hermana Anneli Hansen

"It's Always Good to Have Another Boat in the Church!"

This week has been truly crazy, but really wonderful. Last week I wrote that I found out that I was training. Later in the week I found out that I would be staying here in Tempe. On wednesday we had transfers and I got my new companion, Hermana Taylor. To be honest, this week has been full of really mixed emotions. Tuesday Hermana Norton said goodbye to a lot of people in the ward. It was so hard for her to leave because she had expected to stay and there were a lot of people here that she had needed to help. A lot of people were really sad to see her go too. Our little friend, Juan in the ward, cried when he found out. It was so sad. It was also just hard saying goodbye to her myself. She has become one of my best friends and has helped me in so many ways. It's so hard to say goodbye to someone you've been with nonstop for 6 months, but I did it. And Hermana Taylor has helped to fill the space.

Hermana Taylor is really amazing. She is from Minnesota and she was at BYU before her mission and she's convinced that we know each other somehow, but other than figuring out that we have friends in common, we haven't figured it out. The title of this letter is a quote from her. She's a water baby! She has such a love for the people already and is just so fearless and loves to teach with the Spanish that she does know. And her spanish actually is so much better than I expected. This week we have bonded a lot, and you'll see that in the pictures. This morning we went on a hike up A Mountian with our zone and read a chapter from the Book of Mormon and some of the pictures are from that. Also you'll see from the pictures that because of our heigths, we are a funny pair. :) But we love it! Basically, this week went a lot better than I had expected. I feel the Lord strengthening me and really making me capable of this new calling and I am so excited to have Hermana Taylor as my new companion.

This last week's zone meeting was probably the best of my mission. Each of our zone leaders and the two district leaders chose topics that really touched all of our hearts. They talked about sacrificing and giving up our weaknesses and our greatest fears for the Lord. They talked about how we can show love to the Lord through the time that we are giving to Him now. And then they talked about the power of prayer. This last transfer I have gained a huge testimony of the power of prayer and I have been able to see a weakness that I have that is keeping me from focusing on the work and to learn to overcome it through the power of prayer. I have realized that prayer is the way that we can tap into the Atonement of Christ and overcome any weakness that we have. I love the Lord and the ability that we have to be able to talk to him personally everyday. To finish off the zone meeting, we had a testimony meeting. It was amazing to hear the other missionaries and see what things they personally were learning from their missions. It's amazing to see how we are all so different and we all need to learn different things, but then how much we can all learn from each other. The Spirit was so strong in that zone meeting and I think it will be something that I always remember.

This week our area has been doing good. We are still struggling to find, but our two little investigators that are preparing for baptism and just striving so hard to be ready! Patricio has almost given up smoking and he is so strong. Luis is just so depressed a lot of the time and we are trying to help him through that. But we feel such a deep love for them and love working with them. This week Hermana Taylor bonded with Patricio and his family. We were eating some tomales that they gave us (which are one of my favorite) and Hermana Taylor got one with really hot chiles. She's still trying to get used to hot foods, so when she ate it, she kind of screamed because it was so hot. Her face was all red and she was trying to tell then how much she loved it, but that it was just hot, but she was just having a hard time saying anything. We all started laughing so hard and Patricio actually had to leave the room he was laughing so much. We had a good time and everyone loves her.

Well, life here in good ol' Tempe is just going well. I can't believe how fast time flies by. I'll turn 8 months on the mission this week and it's kind of crazy. Who knew how fast it would fly by. I'm just trying to love it as much as I can. Have a great week everyone.

love,
Hermana Hansen

I'm Going To Be A Mom!

This week has flown by! We have had so many adventures and good times. I love this ward and everything about it! I love Hermana Norton and I'm sad to have to say goodbye to her this week. We had some really great lessons and some awesome opportunities to share the gospel and our testimonies.

This wednesday our zone had the opportunity of running a youth activity for one of the stakes in our area. We reinacted the MTC and tried to teach the youth what it was like to be a missionary. It was so much fun and I was really edified myself. Hermana Norton and I were given the topic of learning a language, so we got to teach the kids about learning a new language. We loved telling the kids about how awesome a mission was and getting them pumped up to be missionaries. I loved it! There were a lot of investigators there and I hope they were able to feel the Spirit and I hope the members were able to be more excited about going on missions, especially the girls. :)

This week as we were street contacting, we met a guy named Benny. He told us his friend just got baptized and he had a lot of questions for us and asked if we would find a place to sit with him. He was so ready to hear the gospel! He asked us really simple questions about our beliefs and once he figured out that they made sense to him, he started getting really interested. We told him about a prophet and about how we had general conference this weekend where a prophet was going to speak. That was really awesome for him. We were able to bare our testimonies to him a bunch of times about how much the gospel truly has blessed us and how much we know that it is true. He told us he's very interested in learning more and wants to meet with missionaries soon. It's amazing to see how God has prepared him with his friend and how much he is ready to make a change in his life. We're so excited for him!

Hassan is just one of my favorite people! We got to teach him last night. We read Alma 36 with him about repentance and forgiveness. The Spirit touched him a lot and he he got uncomfortable for a second, but he knows that there are a few things in his life he needs to change. He's been praying and reads the little scripture messages that we send him everyday. I wish you could all meet him and understand. He is incredible-so easily touched by the Spirit and such a good kid. I wish he could also see it himself and believe more in himself. I know the Lord has incredible, incredible things planned for him.

So this weekend was so, so, so incredible! We have been waiting for conference for weeks and weeks and it finally came! And it was exactly what we needed in so many ways! I still haven't had time to collect my thoughts too much about all that was said, but I was able to recieve a lot of personal revelation for me and how I can be a better missionary. I loved Elder Scott's, Elder Alonso's, Pres. Uchtdorf's, Elder Cook's, Elder Curtis's, Elder Hales's (I'm worried about him), Elder Oaks, Elder Richardson, etc. I could keep going on and on about all of them, so let's just say that they were all my favorite talks. I was so incredibly surpised to hear that the Provo Tabernacle will be made into a temple. I can't wait to see it when I get home! I love conference as a missionary! We also were able to have both Luis and Patricio make it to 2 of the 5 sessions. They really enjoyed it and gained a lot from it. It really helped Patricio to have more of a desire and strength to quit smoking. We were truly blessed as a church this last weekend in what was said in conference. I would love to hear how conference touched all of you.

One other treat that we had was we were able ot see the Priesthood session of conference. Luis was there during that session, so we were able to accompany him. We got a lot of weird looks and comments, but we were so happy to be there. Amazingly, a lot of things that were said were so perfect for me. I felt like I really needed to hear Elder Waddell's and Elder Eyering's talks. Something that really touched me was to see so many worthy priesthood holders in their white shirts and ties all there. Our stake's huge chapel and cultural hall couldn't even fit all of them. I don't think you men of the priesthood understand just how amazing you are. You literally hold the priesthood of God, the power and permission to do God's work here on earth. And you are such good men. Not just any man can hold God's power. Being a missionary has made me so much more grateful for the priesthood and for worthy men that hold it and honor it. Thank you all.

Well, those of you who have gone on missions before and understand mission lingo probably understood the title to this post, but for those of you who are really confused right now, let me explain. In the mission we a "family" when it comes to training. The person that trains you is you "father"/"mother" (depending on if your a sister or an elder) and you are their "son"/"daughter". So, in that case, I'm Hermana Norton's "daughter" and she's my "mom". Last night we got a call from our mission president, President Howes, asking if Hermana Norton and I would both train seperately. So according to our little lingo, I'm going to be a MOM! It was a little shocking to say the least! We had a totally different guess as to what was going to happen and I never thought I would train now because there are at 3 other sisters that are older than me in the mission. So for the next few minutes after the call, Hermana Norton and I were in complete shock! But after the shock wore off, I felt complete peace. Something that really hit me from Conference was the talk from Elder Carl B. Cook. He talked about forgetting our worries and trusting in God and in our abilities. It was completely everything I needed to hear! Especially because he talked about how we are capable of our responsibilities. Throughout all of conference I felt a renewed desire to serve the Lord to the end and a new strength to love every minute of it. So, I have faith that who ever I train and where ever I go (we still don't know those things or if I'm the one going) it will all be exactly what needs to happen. God's hand is in all things, as President Monson told us yesterday. Later today I'll find out if I'm leaving this area and on wednesday we'll find out who our companion is and where we are going.

I'm going to need a lot of support in the next little bit. Please pray for me if you can and write me and tell me about your lives. I love you all and I appreciate so much your support!

A change is gonna come...

The first person is Hermana Criss and us cooking with her and the second is of some of the sisters at zone conference.

Wow! It's been a wonderful and busy week. Full of adventures and goodness! This last monday a sweet hermana in our ward, Hermana Criss, taught us how to cook some yummy little hispanic goodies. She taught us how to make home-made tortillas, wonderful quesadillas, gorditas, and picaditas. Yum! We had such a wonderful time with her and she is such a little hispanic woman- so proud of her cooking and so good at it. I'm excited to make them for all of you when I get home!

Elizabeth, one of the people we are teaching was a tender mercy for us this week. She's 14 and so sincere about wanting to know about God. This week when we went to teach her, she was with two friends and we invited them to join us for the lesson. We talked about being daughters of God and what that means and how it can help us. They really listened up and had a lot to say about that. They are such sweet girls that just want to do what's right in such a crazy world. During the lesson we were also talking about praying and Elizabeth told us she had something she wanted to say. She got very serious and with a trembling voice, she thanked us for teaching her how to pray and that she could really talk to God about anything. She said that she's been praying every single night since we first taught her and she knows that God is answering her prayers. Also every night she prays to know if what we are teaching her is true and she said that she's felt so strongly that it is true. She loves reading the Book of Mormon and really feels so much peace. Oh my goodness! Hearing that is honestly the best thing ever! It's so incredible to see God's hand in someone's life and to feel of His love that He has for them. She finished the lesson by baring her testimony to her friends that this will also help them. It was so beautiful to see the light in her eyes.

This week I finished my mormon.org account. Starting in October, the chruch will have ads, commercials, and billboards all over Pheonix valley about mormon.org and we are so blessed to be here now to see the effects of this. It's so cool to see what purposes the Lord has for modern-day technology. And we're excited to reach more people about the gospel. All of you that get to read this really should check out this website. This website was created under the direction of the prophet and it truly is inspiring, especially the videos and profiles. All members are encouraged to make their own profile so that people can see how the gospel has blessed their lives.

Patricio, our little friend that is trying to give up smoking is doing well. He still has a lot of opposition, but he difinitely has "ganas" or a deep desire to follow God. Yesterday he told us that his boss might transfer him to another city about 2 hours away, so he might be moving. We are praying that he won't, but we know that whatever happens is God's will. He has a bapism date for October 8th and we hope that he can continue to progress towards that.

Luis is also working towards his baptismal date. Yesterday his friend was using his car, so he walked for probably 20 minutes to get to the church. He knows he needs to be baptized and we can feel of God's love for him. We know that baptism will help him overcome his past and start a new life in Christ by fulling using the Atonement. We're excited for him.

Another adventure from this week is that we were able to go on exchanges with the engish sisters in our area. I was able to go the the english area with Sister Makela, one of the incredible english sisters in our mission. It was amazing to see the work in the english area. It is blooming and they are having huge success and I am so happy for them! We taught this awesome lesson about the restoration to this wonderful lady, Arie. She has been searching for a church that will help her to have a personal relationship with Christ. As we were teaching, the scriptures that we shared really spoke to her and she felt like this is what she was looking for. She told us that she felt that this was it and her search was over. Sister Makela and I felt the Spirit so strong and knew that this was exactly what we needed. We were able to testify from the conviction in our hearts that this was what she was looking for. There are so many people out there that are prepared and ready for this truth and we just need to find them. The rest of our exchange was amazing. I learned so much from Sister Makela and how to improve in our area.

As many of you know, this weekend was the general broadcast for the Relief Society. Wasn't it incredible?! I felt the Spirit so strong and saw so many ways in which I could improve and also felt much comfort. I especially loved the talk on charity by Sister Allred and the talk by Elder Uchtdorf of the 5 forget-me-nots. And isn't the new Daughters in my Kingdom book amazing?! It just gets me even more excited for conference this next week!

Last night we visited with Hassan. He is such a wonderful kid and he's slowly, but surely working towards a greater relationship with Christ. He's been praying and reading a little bit. We hope to get him to conference this week. He has such a strong testimony and it's only a matter of reminding him about that.

So transfers are coming up in about a week or so. Hermana Norton told me that every time she is leaving an area she can just feel it. I've been praying that I would be prepared for whatever happens this transfer and this week I think I might have gotten my answer. I don't know how to discribe it, but I feel like I'm on the last little bit of my time here and that I'll be leaving this area. It's sad because I love this area and I love Hermana Norton. I love the people, but I also think that I need to experience more in the mission. Now, I could be wrong, but just in case, all of you that send me letter this week, send it to the mission address until I tell you otherwise:
1871 E. Del Rio Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85282

Well, I love you all. By next week I should know if I'm leaving or not. Have a wonderful week and God Bless!

love,
Hermana Anneli
Hansen

God is Good

It's been a pretty crazy, but very wonderful week. We've planned for a lot of lessons, but a lot of them have fallen through for one reason or another, but we've been blessed with many other things to be involved in. It has been a week full of laughter and joy and even though we aren't seeing the success we would want, I know the Lord is blessing us to be able to learn and enjoy the time we have here together. We see miracles every single day and for that, I am humbly grateful. I love Tempe and I love serving here. These last 5 months have been wonderful. There are only about 2 and a half more weeks in the transfer and I have no idea what's going to happen, but I'm going to enjoy the time that I know I have here while I can.

Patricio is doing awesome! This week he's been having a lot of opposition and he's been fighting it like a champion. He realizes that something is trying to keep him from this amazing step he's about to make to baptism and he knows that he's stronger than any opposition, so he's pushing through. He just has this light about him every time we see him and he calls us his "angels". He also came to church this week and everything he heard really hit him and gave him that extra strength he needs to make it through. We are so grateful for his example of courage and determination to do what is right.

This week we stopped by a former investigator named Socorro. She was talking to missionaries for a long time, but her husband (boyfriend) is having a hard time accepting the gospel, and they aren't married and he doesn't want to get married right now. While we were visiting with her we told her we didn't know a lot of people around her house and so she said "Let's go meet some people". So she basically took us out around her neighborhood to OYM and talk to people about the gospel. Crazy! But it was even more incredible! While on our walk she told us that she has been reading the Book of Mormon and that she believes it to be true. Then we met a girl that she knows and she introduced us to her and started baring her testimony about how much the missionaries have changed her life. She kept saying, "if you just listen to them, they will change the way you see life and you will be a lot happier." It was amazing! We had no idea she had such a strong testimony! What an unexpected miracle!

On wednesday we had the chance to go to the Mesa Temple. Again, about 5 zones came and we had so many missionaries there at once. It's so special to be in the temple with so many missionaries. The spirit is so wonderfully strong and you know that all of them are spending all of their time and efforts bringing others closer to Christ. And after the session, it was wonderful to have them all in the celestial room together, like a big family reunion. Right now, because I'm away from all of you, these missionaries are my family. And we don't get to see each other very often, so when I see them I realize what it will be like in Heaven when we get to be reunited with those that we love so much forever. It truly is like Heaven. I can't wait!

The 15th of September is a big holiday in mexico. It's Mexico's Independance Day and Mexican's go all out for it. Our ward had a wonderful activity this week for it and they all dressed up in traditional mexican attire, including us as missionaries. The elders had bandanas and sombreros and the hermanas (us) had a blouse and long skirt with a red flower in our hair (see the picture). We really enjoyed ourselves and felt very mexican. One member of our bishopric saw our outfits and said, "Now this is the way our Heavenly Father wants His daughters to look." :) The food that they served was amazing mexican food, frijoles (beans), sopa (they call it soup, but it's actually a salad), of course tortillas, and carne asada (the meat of Mexico). And then we had a little program of songs and dances from Mexico. As full time and ward missionaries we all sang Cielito Lindo, a really famous Mexican song, and it was really silly, but really fun. This ward is such a blessing and it was so fun to share more in their culture this week.

Before the activity we also had another incredible opportunity. There is a man in our ward that had fallen away and had been excommunicated, but wanted so much to repent and stay strong in the gospel. He has worked hard for over a year to fully repent of his sins and this weekend he was able to be rebaptized. He asked me to sing at his baptism, and while I sang for him, I felt such a love for him and knew that Heavenly Father was so proud of him and that all of his sins had been forgiven through the Atonement of Christ. I know the Atonement is real and that was a really special, sacred experience for me to be a part of.

I know this is kind of a long email, but there's even more to tell. Last night we were OYMing (talking to people on the street about the gospel), and we had two very interesting conversations. One man that we talked to was very against the church. He told us that there were a lot of things that he did not agree with that he had learned about us from his church. He began to talk about a lot of things that he had heard that we did or believed in that were not true. We tried so hard to tell him that they were not true and to help him realize the truth, but he was very closed minded. Seeing that man, just made me sad that there are people out there that really do want to decive others about what we as a church believe in. And it made me so grateful for the chance to be a missionary and to try to help people see the truth. We also had the opportunity to talk to a man that just got out of jail. Because of his circumstances, he is jobless and homeless right now and he's trying to figure out his life. He actually came up to us and talked to us. He previously had many prejudices about our chruch, but he feels like he could use a little bit more help in his life. We had a really good conversation with him and bore our testimonies to him. It's amazing to see that God has helped to humble him to be able to turn to Him a little bit more.

Basically, it's been a wonderful week and we've had a lot of fun. I thank God everyday that I have the chance to be on a mission. Sometimes I can't believe that I actually am here on a mission and serving God fulltime. What an incredible chance that I have to do this and even though time is going fast, I'm so glad that I still do have time to continue to grow and learn and help more of His precious children. God is so good!

I September in Arizona

I've found that in the longest weeks of my mission, that is where I grow the most. So far, this transfer has been filled with long weeks, so I know I have a lot of learning to do. We saw the hand of the Lord in the work so many times this week. It was incredible! And we also had some harder experiences, but it's all good.
This week we taught Chris and Jesse, these two less actives that we are working with. We had an amazing lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ. They both are growing in their testimonies and the spirit was so strong. These two are not afraid to share their testimonies or their beliefs. They know this is true, they just need to find their way back. Jesse shared a Christian rap that he wrote with us this week. It was awesome! :) After the lesson, we gave them each a note card with their names on it and told them to write down one thing that they want to do this week to be closer to God. They took it really seriously and made some really good goals. Also, we got a text from them this week telling us that they talked to their neighbor about the gospel and gave him a Book of Mormon. Yay!
One of the greatest things that happened this week was in a lesson we had with Patricio. He is an investigator that we have that has been trying to give up smoking. To support him, we've been giving up chocolate, which is a lot harder than it seems, but we love him and want to help him. We had kind of a last minute lesson with him and went there not knowing what to teach or what to say, but the Lord guided us. During the lesson he told us that he had prayed specifically about many things, one of them being the Book of Mormon, and he had received very clear answers to all of his prayers. He knows that the Book of Mormon is true and has a great desire to follow God. We talked with him about how we knew the Lord had a great plan for him and that this was his time to follow Him. The Spirit just glowed from his eyes and we could all feel the confirmation that this was all true. He gave us his last pack of cigarettes and signed it promising God that he would not smoke anymore. Wow! He is going to be baptized on October the 8th. Sometimes I am just so blown away at these incredible experiences that I can have and how precious these people are to God. Since our lesson, Satan has been working on Patricio and he had some things come up that kept him from coming to church, but I have faith that the Lord has a plan for him and He will help him through this time.
Luis is also getting baptized on the 8th. This week he told us that he has no doubts about the church. NO DOUBTS! He wants to make this change in his life and he's really excited. And he's been living the commandments so well. We are just so proud of him! He also just needs to learn the importance of coming to church. :)
It has been amazing weather here in the last few days. Cloudy and cool and it even rained a little. There was one night that we came outside and I felt like I needed a little sweater. It's been about 80-100 degress lately and I love it. People say it won't last, but so far, I love Septembers in Arizona!
We did a lot of biking this week, which was good, but for some reason, Satan is working on us and we had a lot of hard experiences while doing it. We talked to some people that were very against the church and had some kind of humiliating experiences. But that's okay. We're here to serve the Lord. Last night I was listening to the song "I feel my Savior's Love". I thought about how much I've felt His love in my life and because of that I know that I will "follow Him, give all my life to Him".
This week I've remembered the importance of gratitude. I know that life never is going to be perfect, especially while I'm a missionary, but it's important to be grateful for the things we have. Yesterday in church, a lot of situations we have with the ward, with less actives, and with investigators were weighing down on us, but I knew that I should focus on the good. In my journal I wrote down all the blessings we'd recieved and my blessings out weighed the trials 3 to 1. Gratitude is such a help, such a divine virtue.
Looking back on all that has happened so far this transfer, I feel like this is a transfer of stretching and of healing. I can see the Lord molding me and shaping me into something better and I feel so blessed that He cares enough about me to want to make me better. I truly feel His love in my life even amidst the stretching. I see so much support here from the sweet members of our little ward and can't help but just love them to death! How great is God that He knows better what we need and works such amazing things in our lives that we couldn't ever have dreamed of!

Con Amor,
Hermana Anneli Hansen

Missionary Work=Pure Joy

I love this week! It was so good! There were a lot of blessings and even though not everything was perfect, I felt so much joy!
I don't think I told you last week, but we had a really interesting experience with a homeless guy on the street. We went up to him to talk about the church and he was really nice at first, but then began to tell us how lost we were. He told us that we were brainwashed and that we didn't know what we were doing. He began to tell us some crazy things about Jesus that weren't true and it was just a little crazy. We tried to just bare our testimonies and leave, but he got angier and angrier. Hermana Norton was telling him that we respected his beliefs and he started yelling at us and telling us that we didn't respect him because we didn't have an open heart to what he was telling us. Then he told us that he was an "apostle" and as we were just leaving he told us that we were "servants of Satan". Wow! It was really crazy to look back on, but it was a good experience for me because even through all of that, I wasn't shaken at all. I know that I'm not brainwashed, that I have a personal testimony of and relationship with Jesus Christ that is strong. I know that I am a servant of Jesus Christ and that He is happy with the things I'm doing. I feel really sad for that man...
We had an awesome lesson with Patricio this week. We've been teaching him now for about a month and last week we found out that he's read to Mosiah 12 (awesome!). This week when we began our lesson with him, he said he wanted to talk about baptism, which was awesome because that's what we had planned to talk about. It was one of the best lessons I've had on my mission. The spirit was there so strong and he shared a very sincere testimony with us about Jesus Christ and how much He means to him. Every scripture we read with him, he loved and made sure to mark it. The best part was the end when we committed him to baptism. You could just see the light of Christ shine through his eyes and he was all for it. It was amazing.
Also this week we had the opportunity to teach some lesson active guys. We met them one day when they saw us on the street and started singing us primary songs from their apartment balcony. :) They have testimonies of the church, but they just have decided to go astray for a bit, but they have always known that they want to come back to church one day. They are really cool guys. We had a lesson with them and talked about the Restoration. The Spirit was so strong and we were all just loving it. They were very open with their testimonies and their desires to be good fathers and priesthood holders. At the end of the lesson we were talking about being missionaries and I was baring my testimony to them about how much I loved being a missionary and the Spirit just filled my heart and I felt so much joy. I couldn't help but just cry at how happy I felt. I knew then and have remembered since that being a missionary and leading people to the truth is pure joy! That was really precious for me to be reminded of just how important this calling is. Then yesterday we got a call from them and they told us that they'd gone to their singles ward this week and really enjoyed it and that they had read the scriptures everyday since we came over. They were so proud to have done it and so excited to tell us about it and we were just as proud of them. It was wonderful!
This week we've seen a lot of progress with Luis. We had two lessons with him and they were both very powerful. He is very humble and really wants to serve the Lord and be baptized still. He sees the goodness this is bringing into his life and every time we visit him, we can see his testimony grow even more. This week we plan to pick another baptismal date for him to work toward. We also had a cool lesson with Marvin about the Word of Wisdom. After we told him about it and why we have it, he told us "I love this commandment. I'm going to follow this for the rest of my life and tell my brothers about it!" I've never seen someone so excited about a commandment. :)
This morning our zone went up and climbed "A" Mountain (a big hill on ASU campus) and then we gave each other spiritual animals. It was silly. Hermana Norton is a white tailed deer and I'm a hummingbird. There were some crazy animals given out. One person was a spanish bull, another was a peacock, one is a mink, etc. Sometimes I wonder if I'm losing my maturity spending time with these silly 19 year old boys. But it's fun and it's really an amazing experience to see them grow up as they become missionaries and to see how much they respect their priesthood and their calling.
Basically, it's been just a beautiful, wonderful week. It was super hot, but it was probably the hottest it will be for the rest of the year because it should start cooling down now. It will probably still be above 90 until November, but 90 sounds really good to me right now. :) Well, I hope all at home is going well. Good luck for all of you that are starting school this week. Love you, love you, love you!

Con amor,
Hermana Anneli Hansen

No es facil ser una misionea inferma...(It's not easy being a sick missionary)

Well, it's been a long and good week. A lot of crazy things have happened that I'm excited to tell you about...
First of all, last night we got transfer calls to see where we were going. Hermana Norton and I have been together in Tempe for 3 transfers now, which is a little unusual. But last week when we had interviews with our mission president, President Howes, he told both of us that he didn't think that it's time for either of us to leave yet. So we've been expecting not to move, and last night we found out for sure that we will both still be here at least for one more transfer. It's actually a huge blessing for us. I love this area to pieces and also I love the ward. I love, love, love Hermana Norton and I know I still have things to learn from her. Also, we have a lot of complicated things going on with this area and we need to help the people we are teaching with their situations. So, it's all very inspired that I am staying here. I love being in Tempe, close to the mission office and mission president and to be able to be here in more of a city atmosphere.
This week we both were feeling a little under the weather. On tuesday night I started to have a headache and we both were starting to have tummy-aches. The next morning we both woke up not feeling good enough to go out, so we stayed in our apartment all day. I slept a lot of it because I was more sick and Hermana Norton was able to have like a 5 hour personal study, which if you've ever been a missionary, it's like a dream come true! She got to study whatever she wanted in the scriptures all day! I know it sounds super silly, but I am not ashamed to say that I have gained a great love for the scriptures and a huge hunger to study them more. There's just never enough time. Anyway, we were sick that day and a little the next few days, but we're all better now. What was interesting was that it was super hard not to be able to go out and work. I missed it so much and I felt like I just wasted the day away. I'm so grateful to be healthy again. :)
This week we encountered setbacks with almost every single one of our investigators. One is working in Flagstaff most of the time, so we can't teach him much; one is on probation and needs to work through that before he can be baptized, and we are teaching his son, who is progressing, but it will be hard for him to watch his son progressing faster while he still has to wait; a recent convert was hurt by some youth in the ward; another person might also be moving because of work, etc. It's so hard because they all want to be able to learn more, but they have things holding them back, but we know that the Lord truly loves each one of them and has a plan for their lives that is better than what we could hope for.
On saturday night, one of our investigators that we love to death, Luis, told us that he has a girlfriend here in the United States and he wants to marry her, but he's still married to his wife in Mexico. He's just in this horrible situation with his wife that lives in Mexico and because of this situation he's having a lot of setbacks. It makes it so hard when the world is teaching that these things are okay... He was getting ready for baptism and he still wants to be baptized, but now we've realized that he has a few holdbacks. But he is one of the most sincere men I have ever met and I have a lot of faith in Him. I know that I was supposed to meet him and help him on this journey to figuring out who He is and what God's plan is for him. It's crazy that so much crazy things can happen in one week, but I know that the Lord will help us through them. The cool thing about being a missionary is that the work is God's and if He has a plan, there's nothing that will keep these people from that plan. Sometimes I think I've been sent on a mission not necessarily because I have a lot to offer these people, but so the Lord can bless me to be able to see miracles in these peoples' lives. As a missionary, I don't make the difference, God does. And I'm just here to help them recognize that.
Oh, life is good. Things are going well and we know that even though there are setbacks with some people, as we trust in the Lord and continue to follow Him, He will work miracles. I love seeing people progress. We taught one guy this week that before we met with him didn't believe in God. This week, he teared up and told us that He believes that Jesus is the Christ. Awesome! Being a missionary is worth it. I hope all at home is going well. Love you all terribly and can't wait to hear what's going on in your lives.

Con Amor,
Hermana Anneli Hansen

The Lord Heals...

This has been a good week. Many, many good things came of this week. This last week for P-day the sisters in our area went to a sweet members house (Sister Clark) and learned how to make pies. It was so fun! I felt the whole time like I was in Grandma and Grandpa Livingston's house because it is decorated very similarly. So, I felt very at home. We had a great time laughing and enjoying the yummy-ness that we made.

This week was had an awesome lesson with a neighbor of one of our investigators. Her name is Elizabeth. She is about 14 years old, so about Kimberly's age, and she is a very sincere girl. During the lesson the Spirit was so strong and whispered so many times to us the love that the Lord has for this girl. There were a few times when I couldn't hold back the tears. She very sincerely wants to learn about God and loves praying to Him. What a special experience that was! I can't wait to teach her again.

This week we had a training with President Howes. In the end he talked with us about things that might be holding us back from doing our best. We wrote down a lot of things that might do that and then he drew a little trialer around it. He told us in order to let go of these burdens, we need to "unhitch our trailers'. Hermana Norton and I decided that we have a lot of little worries that are holding us back, so we decided to 'unhitch our trailers' by burning little things that remind us of them. We burned just little things, like an X-small tag that reminds me that I'm little, and we did it in our apartment complex one night before bed. It was so freeing and fun! I know that part of the reason that I'm on a mission is to get over a lot of my worries, so this is one step in the right direction. :)

We also had a really good lesson with one of our favorite people, Luis. We've been super worried about Luis because he has been having a hard time coming to church. He's planning on getting baptized in about 2 weeks, but he hasn't been feeling up to come to church for the past little bit. He has had a super hard life and sometimes wakes up feeling really depressed and because of that He doesn't want to go anywhere. We wanted Luis to see that the church is where you can go to be healed from all your hurt because that is where you come to know Jesus Christ and his power to heal us. We felt prompted to ask a sweet older lady in the ward to come to the lesson, Hermana Cordoza. She came to the lesson and bore a sweet, powerful testimony of the Lord's ability to save us. She compared the church to a "hospital of souls" where we all come with our own spiritual sicknesses to get the help of the Lord. The Spirit was just beaming off of her face and Luis surely felt it. His countanence changed so much during the lesson and yesterday he showed up to church and stayed the whole time. I don't think I've ever seen him so happy!

On Saturday we had a baptism of Juanito, the 9 year old we've been teaching. It was such a special occasion for that family, because his little brother also was baptized. The whole family and extended family lives in our ward and they all came to the baptism and it was a huge turnout! The spirit was there strongly. I love being a missionary and feeling the spirit like that so often. Their mother is not a member, but she actually has met with the missionaries before and helped us teach Juan a bunch. She knows a lot about the church and we are excited to see if she might be interested in talking to us agian.

Even though so much good has happened, I'll admit that it's been hard this week to not think of home and to be so excited for Kara's wedding and also miss everyone a ton. But the Lord has helped me a lot. Hermana Norton has showered me with hugs and with little notes to remind me that she cares that I'm here. Also, randomly on saturday (the day of the wedding) we recieved a text from our zone leaders that said this: "Good morning sisters. Last night I felt prompted to thank both of you for deciding to serve a mission. So thank you." I know that the Lord knew this week how hard it might be, but He truly blessed me with so many things to help me remember how wonderful it is that I'm on a mission. During the week it was hard, but then on Saturday, I felt completely fine. I felt very happy and a lot of peace. I know the Lord strengthened me this week a lot. I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven that knows of our little worries and cares about them too. I'm so happy for Kara and Justin and I loved the pictures that I was able to see of the wedding. I hope all is going well at home.

love you all,
Hermana Hansen

reaching forth unto those things which are before...

This week I realized that one thing about being here on a mission is to have the attitude of come what may and love it. Of course we need to do our best to be the servants of the Lord that He needs us to be, but at the end of the day, if everything doesn't turn out just like you planned, just accept it and love it. There's a scripture in Phil. 4:14 that talks about being content where we are placed. I am happy and I am content and I am determined to put my all into this work and love it. I know this is a sacred privelege and I don't want to let any moment pass by without loving it.

Well, this week has been probably the longest week of my mission so far. As I say that, I don't mean to say that it's been horrible. There were many good things, but I've just been completely exhausted. We biked all week this week. I love biking and really am coming to see it as something that is fun, but it's just really exhausting in 110 degree weather everyday. This week we were outside a lot because a lot of our appointments fell through. But we are getting more and more people to teach. It's a slow process, but it's really great. Also, I'm am realizing that the Lord has things for me to work on through this. One of the things that I learned is that I need to just enjoy the time that I have here. I found a scripture this morning about that. It comes from Phil. 3:13 and says "This one thing I do, forgetting those things wich are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." Paul really is one of my heros and knowing how to enjoy life. This week I've been longing for things I had before and dwelling on those things that I don't have, but I know that this life is to be enjoyed and it's especially important that I enjoy these precious moments that I get here on my mission. I also need to embrace this culture and language more. I know that I as we put our whole "heart, might, mind, and strength" into serving the Lord, in whatever capacity that is, we will find the blessings and the work the Lord meant for us (D&C 4). I love being a missionary and I know that this time is short, so I am here to enjoy it (thanks for the advice, Aunt Linda).

This week I got a big ol' stack of letters from my family from the recent Livingston Family reunion. I just wanted to thank you all for that. It truly meant a lot to me to see of your support and direction. It sounds like it was a great time and if I could have been in two places at once, that's where I would have been. Grandpa, thank you for the prayer that you offered in my behalf. I heard about it and I appreciate so much your concern and love. I love you all so much, each and every one! I know that family is part of what Lehi meant when he said "men are that they might have joy". We are given this life and our families to have joy!

Well, let's see, what else happened this week? We were able to teach a lot of new people, so that was a huge blessing. We had some really good lessons, but we will have to see this week how much people are interested in our message. It's always hard to tell until the second or third lesson. But I have faith that the Lord is leading us to the people that are ready for this message. One family that we taught this week met with missionaries before and then moved and lost contact with them. They seem very sincerely looking for something in their lives and we're excited to teach them. We've also been able to teach a young boy who has a very Buddist background and has a sincere desire to really understand what the truth really is and if there really is a God.

I've been really blessed to learn from the members here in our ward. There are a lot of young Hispanic couples and they are such a good support to Hermana Norton and I. They are our instant friends and they are so willing to help us out with missionary work. Also, there are a lot of amazing members that are just wonderful examples. They are so willing to do anything and to try so hard to follow God and not worry about what others think of them. They serve so selflessly and often sacrifice so much for others. I love this ward with all my heart and am so grateful to have the opportunity to know them.

Before my mission I wish I would have known how easy and fun missionary work is. I love it so much! And the most important part of missionary work, besides the spirit, it the members. If the members get involved with a person that is interested in learning more, just by being a friend to them and being willing to testify and be there for them, these people have the support they need when they begin to feel the spirit and don't know what to do. As missionaries, we can only do so much and we won't be there forever, so the people really need friends in the ward that they can rely on. I would encourage you all to consider how easy it is and to know from me that it's so gratifying, so fun, so uplifting, so worth your time to help Heavenly Father's precious children to find the truth.

Well, I know the summer is going by fast. I hope all of you enjoy the last little bit that you have. Love you lots!

Con Amor,
Hermana Anneli Hansen

Life is a Dream

Well, what a crazy and unexpected week. There were so many good things about this last week. So many miracles, trials, blessings, and surprises. First of all, let me wish McKay Hansen and Rachel Burr, two of my very best friends happy birthdays this week. I am so blessed to have you two in my life and to be able to love you. Happy Birthday!

This week was the beginning of what they call the "Monsoon" season down here. The funny thing is that because it's so dry here, it's really should be called the "dust storm" season because there hardly ever is rain. Ever day there are beautiful clouds and the skies give you every sign that it's going to rain, but yet there is still intense heat and no rain. Instead there are crazy winds that blow dirt around like crazy. This week on tuesday we had a crazy dust storm/monsoon/whatever-you-want-to-call-it. It was a big cloud of wind and dirt the size of the whole valley (about 60 miles long). It was super fast and did quite a bit of damage to a lot of trees around here. That night, luckily, Hermana Norton and I were in a lesson, so we didn't get caught by it. But we talked to some elders that were trying to ride their bikes it it and they told us that their bikes were falling over as they tried to ride them. As far as I've heard, it's the biggest storm that they've had here in over 20 years. Every night since then there has been beautiful clouds and the sunsets that Arizona is famous for. I promise to send pictures soon! It is beautiful and kind of a tender mercy to me, because of the beauty that I get to see and also because the clouds cover the heat of the sun just a bit.

This week was kind of a slow week for our area. Just trying to find people that are ready for the gospel. Luckily, because we're spanish, we have a huge area that we share with many english elders. And they have given us a lot of referrals, especially this week, that have turned out to be such tender mercies. We've met and taught many people that have been prepared to hear about God's great love for them and we're excited for that. The week still had it's fair share of disappointments too and some days it was hard to be excited, but I am so grateful for those days this week. Because of them I was able to more fully turn to the Lord and learn to rely on Him. And I felt His love this week maybe more than I have the whole time I've been here in Arizona. God truly brings blessings out of our sorrows.

This week we also had two HUGE blessings in our ward. On thursday the Elders in our ward had a wedding/baptism and on saturday, we had the baptism of Marcos and Stephanie. They were both amazing experiences and the Spirit was so strong. I can't believe how much the Lord has blessed us in this ward lately! These people were truly, truly prepared and ready for this blessing in their lives. The Spirit was there so strong and the ward was so supportive of these people. What a special step it was for them and what love they were able to feel from not only the ward, but from their Father in Heaven. What a beautiful blessing and end of the transfer.

Today is the last day of my second transfer here in Arizona and specifically in Tempe. I have learned so much this transfer about being loving and about being bold. I know the Lord is helping me to grow in my missionary abilities and in my Spanish. I count my blessings every day that I am here in this mission with these people. I also am happy to know that this next transfer I will still be here in Tempe and still be with Hermana Norton. Yeah for that! I love this area and am not ready to leave. The elders that have been in our ward have also been travelling APs. Because of that, they know the plans for transfers and they gave us some hints that Hermana Norton and I would be together again. We are so, so happy! I love Hermana Norton and she is fast becoming one of my dearest friends. After our missions we plan to go to Mexico together and we already have plenty of people from our ward that have offered to let us stay with them.

Basically, the life a missionary is a dream. I love it and am so blessed to be here on a mission.

love,
Hermana Anneli Hansen

Time Brings Change and Change Takes Time...

This has been a week of change. There have been so many crazy things happen with our investigators and our area and it all just feels so different. I am realizing that I'm not as good with change as I thought I was. This week Hermana Norton and I had a realization that a lot of our investigators that we have are not progressing like they should and we aren't sure they are as interested as we thought. So, through out our whole week we've been pondering and praying about each one of our investigators and what we should do for them. We love them all and would love to keep teaching them, but we want to do what's right- to teach the people the Lord really has prepared for us. This week we had to stop teaching one lady and it just about broke my heart. She loves the church, but can't come to church or get married to her boyfriend right now and because of those things, she isn't super motivated right now. But she knows that she has seen many changes and miracles in her life since she learned about the gospel. One day she'll be ready to make this step, but for now, we have felt that it is best to give her some time. That will probably be one of the hardest things for me on the mission-to let go of people that you care about. But God has a plan, I know it! And I know He has a plan for our investigators and He knows best what they need. It reminds me of the scripture D&C 100:16 "Let your hearts be comforted... for all flesh is in my hands. Be still and know that I am God." God knows what He's doing and I trust in Him.


This week I have also learned through many experiences that I need to be a more bold missionary. Boldness has never been something I liked, but slowly I am seeing that it can be a good thing and I'm trying to put it into practice. Because of the Hispanic culture, these people aren't going to read and pray unless we really spell it out for them. And they can't know for themselves that these things are true if they don't study and pray. So, we know that it's important to be BOLD with them about doing their part, so that we can truly help them, as representatives of Jesus Christ, come to Christ. Being bold does not mean that we have to be mean or that we have to force them to do it. There is a huge difference between being "bold" and being "overbearing". My new goal is to learn to be lovingly bold. I think as we show these people that we truly care for them-that we are here to help them and serve them, (like Ammon or-- better yet-- Jesus)- then we can be a little bit more direct with them because they know that we care about them and just have their best interest in mind. Anyway, I'm still trying to figure out how to do all of this and how to work up the courage to be more bold, but I know that I'll get there. Pray for me!


This week has been a very good week. We had the last of our trainings from President Howes and it was so inspiring. There is just something amazing about having a group of powerful missionaries together in the same room sharing stories and insights with each other. I love the spirit that comes with being a missionary. I love learning about how I can be more like Jesus Christ. This morning Hermana Norton and I were talking about service and we realized that all that we do everyday is service. We're truly here to serve others and to give our time to other people. I need to be more selfless and to be more focused on the work so that I can help these people more. This week we had a training specifically focused on Spanish work and we realized how important it is to speak spanish as much as possible. Hermana Norton and I need to work on that. Right now, Spanish just seems like the language I teach in. It's not my language yet, so I need to make it mine more, by speaking it more. I know the Lord will bless me with that too. I'm so grateful to be a missionary and so grateful to be able to serve among these people. This week in church I just felt so at home. The sisters in the ward have really opened up to us and they trust us a lot now. That feels so good! Now if I can just get them to forget that I can sing! At every little meeting I go to, they seem to ask me to sing. I don't like it at all because I just get so nervous, but it's probably good for me...


This week we also had a "sister's training". But it wasn't really a training. It was more like a girls night where we just ate dinner, got to know each other, and talked about being sister missionaries. I loved getting to know the other sisters more and just being with them. I love Sister Howes so much! She is such a sweetheart and such an inspiration to us as sisters.


Anyway, what crazy email this has all been. I hope you all at home are doing well and loving the summer. It's super hot here and it's getting to be monsoon season, so it's getting pretty humid too. I'm trying to love it and enjoy it while I have it, because I know that before I know it, I'll be in the snow again...


Well, have a great 4th of July everyone!


Love,
Hermana Anneli Hansen

Count your Blessings

Well, it's been a week full of incredible blessings! I feel like the Lord is really aware of the people that we are teaching and I'm amazed to see the changes that have come into people's lives this past week. We really are being blessed in our area.

This last week we had an amazing experience with Marco and Stephanie, some new investigators I think I told you about last week. we had a lesson with them on monday night, with an awesome young couple in our ward. They planned an FHE for them and we talked about families and how to strengthen our families. Marco and Stephanie loved it. After the lesson, Marco turned to us and said, "I've been thinking and I want to be baptized." He told us of how much he's seen a difference in his life and he said that this was the path he wanted to take. Stephanie wasn't quite sure yet, but she said that she really loved what she saw so far about the church. we were amazed by how fast they have been able to realize the hand of the Lord in their lives! Two days later we had a lesson with Stephanie. We talked about babtism and the reasons behind it because we knew she had a lot of questions. At first the lessons was a little crazy. Her little boy was crying and we it was a little harder to teach, but the cute couple that came with us, really helped us to calm the baby down and focus on Stephanie. She opened up to us and told us about her feelings about everything. She told us that she had seen a huge difference in her life since she has been introduced to the church. She began to tell us of all these incredible miracles that have happened just in the past 2 weeks. She told us she's had problems with depression, but since she met us, she has been so happy. Before she has been so depressed she doesn't want to eat, but she doesn't feel that anymore. She feels like she is loved and that someone cares about her. She also told us that her family has been so much closer. There are other miracles that she's seen, but I know how sacred they are to her, so I don't know if I should share them. But there is no doubt in my mind that she has seen the hand of the Lord reaching out to her in her life. As she told of her experiences, the Spirit filled me and I felt such a deep love for her in her heart. I was reminded of the reality of God's infinite love for us and His willingness to reach out to help us all. I couldn't help but just cry for the last 20 minutes of the lesson. I was a mess, but I couldn't help it. It was the most spiritual experience of my mission so far! Her and her husband plan to get baptized on the 9th of July. I know that they were led to us and that we were sent to help them. I love this family with all my heart and am so greatful for the chance to bring them to Christ.

One interesting thing that I have realized is that when things go wrong, you always know that something incredible is just around the corner. The day before the lesson with Stephanie, we had a really hard day where nothing went the way we'd planned. Our lessons fell through and felt like it was a very unproductive day. We were super discouraged, but the next day we had that amazing lesson. Sometimes Satan tries to discourage us just when our greatest opportunities are there, so that for some reason we miss those chances, but we must always be positive because God always has something wonderful in store for us!

This week we also had Beto's baptism. It was amazing! I tried to add pictures to this email, but the computer I'm on wouldn't let me, so I'll have to try again next week. He was so ready and so excited to be baptized. He just had a glow about him. The whole program for the babtism went super well and there were so many people there! And, for all of you that know how hard it is for me to sing in front of people, I'll have you know that I sang a solo. I didn't do perfectly, but I did it. Beto really wanted me to, and I'd do anything for him, even be humiliated in front of 50 people. After his baptism, they had him come up to the front. He thanked everyone for being there and then he turned to Hermana Norton and I with tears in his eyes and thanked us for being patient with him. He is such a sweetheart! I am so happy for him and for his family! Already he is an amazing member of the ward. Just yesterday he was commenting and answering questions in gospel principles and sharing his testimony. I can't believe the change that has come over him and the light I see about him. The Lord truly is powerful and changes hearts everyday!

We also had many other miracles happen this week. We see the Lord's hand truly in all of our investigators and we see their desires to come closer to Him and to really do what He would have them do. I love people and I love feeling this love for them. I love being a missionary! I know that my Redeemer lives and that He cares about each and every one of us. He is leading us all on the path that we need to be on, whether we can see that or not. But we are so quick to forget that. It's so easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of life and to forget to look for God in our lives, but He is there and He cares. I promise and I know that that is true.

love,
Hermana Anneli Hansen

I'm growing

Wow! It's been an incredible week. This week I have seen a lot of opportunities for me to grow spiritually and to learn. The Lord truly knows that I have things to learn and BOY is He teaching me. But I'm grateful for it. I feel like this whole transfer so far has been a transfer of refining and that through it all, the Lord is stretching me and blessing me too. I'm learning a lot about what it means to be a true representative of Christ and to give my ALL to God. I have a long way to go, but I know that as I work a little on this every day the Lord will strengthen me and my weaknesses will become my strengths.

First of all, let me tell you about Gabby's baptism. It was actually on the 11th, but because of all the amazing miracles from last week, I totally forgot to put it in the last email. It was awesome to see Gabby baptized. She was so ready and had planned out her baptism program to perfection, but of course, a few things didn't go as planned, but the whole time she was smiling and so happy. The Spirit was there so stong and it was awesome to see her parents support, even though they don't really agree with her decision. They were so cute and it was so fun to meet them. She just beamed as she was baptized and the next day when she was confirmed. I am so grateful for her willingness and desire to be baptized. I am so grateful to have been a small part of that process. Yeah for Gabby!

This week we were worried about a lot of the people we are teaching and what their desires really are-if they really are serious about this all or not. So we went into our lessons with a desire to figure out where they were at. It was interesting to see how the Lord has prepared each of them. It turns out that each one of them have had a lot of special experiences lately that have actually led them to have more of a desire to change their lives for God. I have one story in particular to share. One lady that we are teaching has a boyfriend that does not want to get married to her. She has tried asking him about it and we've even tried to talk with him about it, but he's super scared of commitment. The funny thing is that this couple has been together already for 15 years and they have two beautiful little girls together. Basically, they are already committed. So we've been praying that he will have a desire to marry her so that she can be baptized. This week when we visited her, she told us that their youngest daughter needs some surgery and in order to get help with that, they need to be married. Also, if they are married, this couple will be able to get papers to be legal in the United States. So now there is a lot more pressure on this guy to get married. We see this as a huge miracle and we know that the Lord is answering our prayers so that this wonderful woman can be baptized and be blessed by the gospel.

Also this week we had stake conference for the Tempe Stake. It was really so good for me. I was so spiritually chastened and rejuvinated. In the adult session of stake conference on Saturday night, the stake president, Pres. Clegg showed the stake a clip from a talk to Elder Holland gave in the MTC. In the talk, he spoke of the experience that happened to the disciples, namely Peter, in John 21. In this chapter, it is after Christ's death and resurrection and He has already appeared to them a few times. The disciples are now going back to their former work of fisherman. They fish all day, but do not catch anything. By the end of the night, Christ appears to them and says to cast their nets on the other side. They do and their nets are filled to the brims. When he realizes that it is Christ, Peter runs to Him. After this experience, Christ is talking to him and he says, Peter, lovest thou me more than these (meaning the fish)? And Peter says, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus answers by saying , Feed My Lambs. This happens 2 more times and by the third time, Peter, more sincere than ever, again answers, Lord, thou knowest all things. Thou knowest that I love thee. And the Lord says again, Feed My Sheep. Elder Holland goes on to talk about that experience. After Christ's life and this great journey He had with the apostles, the last thing He wants them to do is to go back to their former lives of fisherman. So He appears again to them and teaches them, that if they truly love Him, they will continue on in this jouney of discipleship and apostleship. Elder Holland pointed out that our callings that we have now are not just a 2 year or a 1 and a half year call. They are forever calls. This call is a call to change, to become like the Savior, and to never look back. That hit me so hard. I need to look at this position and the things that I am learning right now as a call to love the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strengh (D&C 4:2) and to never look back. That is my new goal. To put aside the old and to look to God who is the "high priest of good things to come." Then will my mission truly become a sacred experience. I love the Lord so much that I am willing to do that and to change my life forever. I am going to let this mission change me for good. I have much, much to learn and here is the time to learn it.

Well, I hope that you all are having a wonderful day. I hope that you all had a great time with your families for Fathers Day. Families are so important and I am so grateful for good priesthood holders and the difference they make in our lives. Thank you!

Con Amor,
Hermana Anneli Hansen