Hello all you wonderful people!
Well, I've been here for a little less than a week and already it seems like so much has happened. I don't even know where to begin-expect to say that Arizona is the place I'm supposed to be. I know that I need to be here with the people I'm serving and I know that I need to be with my companion, Hermana Norton-she is incredible! And I know that the Lord is aware of the things that I am doing and cares about me and the people that I get to serve.
First of all, let me get the little things out of the way. I have the address to my apt here and if you send mail to that address, it get's here faster. For now, plan on sending mail to this address:
1522 E. Southern Ave. Apt. 1047
Tempe, AZ 85282
Anyway, where to start? Well, let me start with my companion. Hermana Norton is incredible, as I already said. She has an amazing life story and all the things that brought her to going on a mission and I am very inspired by that. She's had a hard life, but yet she is so happy. She's from Colorado and before her mission was going to UVU. She is such a wonderful example for me: she loves the people so much, she has the strongest testimony, she is so effective at helping people, and she loves to share stories that she's had on the mission. She's only been out about 8 months, so we're just growing in the Spanish and the work together, but, oh man!, am I blessed! For example, this morning for comp study we basically had a testimony meeting about missionary work and about how wonderful God is to allow us to be on missions and to learn to love people so much. The Spirit was so strong as she shared her experiences with me and scriptures she had found meaning in. Man, she is fantastic! And she has so much patience with me. She is so encouraging and makes me feel so good about myself even though I have a long way to go before I can be a real effective missionary. We also get along super well and end up spending so much time talking and telling stories that inspire us. And we love to laugh about the crazy experiences we have had and are having on the mission.
Speaking of those experiences, let me tell you a little bit about the people I am serving, since that is where most of these crazy experiences are coming from. They are amazing! Many of them are very poor-- a lot live in trailer parks and have very little, but they are all so sweet and most people we talk to, members and non-members, are normally very nice and very willing to talk to us. They have very little, but they are so willing to give so much. Our members and investigators love to feed us and so far the food has been great. (Actually the fruit down here is amazing-so many beautiful orange trees.) They also have such different mannerisms and are so fun to be around. I've found myself laughing so much at how wonderfully funny and sweet they are. They are a hugging and a kissing people, so I get a lot of affection from them, which is different, but I love it. :) They are hoarders and they love to display all the crazy things that they have, so the outside of their house is always full of all the stuff that they have. It's so fun! Because of their lack of money, many of them have kind of crazy schedules with their temporary jobs or their 3 jobs or whatever they are doing to try to make ends meet. That makes it hard to set up time to meet investigators, but when we do get to, it's wonderful. They love that I am trying to learn spanish. I am surprised at how much I do understand of Spanish. I'm still really rusty on my spanish, but I am able to understand a lot more than I thought. The Lord is blessing me so much! Hermana Norton always laughs a little at my Spanish accent, and I don't blame her. I sound pretty white, but I'm getting better the more I listen to and talk to the people.
This week was awesome. We talked to a lot of people on the street and visited a lot of investigators and recent converts and less actives. At Easter time the Mesa Temple does a pagent about Christ, kind of like the Manti Pageant, and we took an investigator there. The lady that came with us to the pageant was named Barbara. She is wonderful and has the gift of discernment. She can tell that the church brings peace and she feels the spirit very easily. We've been teaching her in english because she prefers that. She's super sweet and had a great time at the pageant. On the way home she talked about how she felt like God was trying to tell her that she needed to join this church. We invited her to come to church on sunday and she seemed very excited about that. Then we called her on Sunday and couldn't get a hold of her the whole day. Then we got a text from her saying that she didn't want to meet with us anymore. It was so hard for us because she knows this is true and she knows this could help her-- she's had a hard life-- and yet, for whatever reason, she's not ready for it. Please just keep Barbara in your prayers. Someday, I hope she can see how much God is leading her and loves her. Mission work is so good because you instantly feel love for these people, but so hard because they have the agency to decide whether or not to follow the promptings they recieve and then your heart is crushed when that happens.
Anyway, I've had a lot of other experiences too this week and I don't have time to share them all. The baptism was awesome and such a great way to see how people can change over time when they come unto Christ. I can see the hand of God working through this work and I can't even say how thankful I am to be on a mission! If anyone ever doubts that a mission could bring happiness, please believe me that it does! I wondered how happy I'd be on a mission, but now that I'm here I've never felt so much joy! And it's a different joy than I have ever felt. A joy filled with peace and with charity. This joy is not because I did something fun or that I accomplished something good, it's the joy of seeing people change because of Christ and having that desire to share that with everyone you meet. I read John 13 today where it talks about how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and then turned to them and said, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feel; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that yet should do as I have done to you." It all comes back to Christ and how much He's given us. When we notice that love and how much He's blessed us, it's our turn to help people. And boy, do people have trials. My heart aches with all the problems I see, but I know that God knows them and weeps with them and wants to help them through these trials. Anyway, I love God. He's all we need.
I love you all, thanks for the support and for the prayers. I can feel them and I love you all too! Oh, and family, thank you so much for the surprise easter candy and notes. I loved them and felt so welcome in Arizona. :) Good luck with all in your life. I'm excited to hear about what's going on with all of you.
Con Amor,
Hermana Hansen
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Serving in the Sunlight for Real
Hello everyone!
I just so turns out that today is P-day, so on my second day here I get to email you. But next week that will change and p-day will be on Monday. So you'll hear from me again then too!
It was very hard to say good-bye to my district in the MTC, but we had a wonderful last few days together and all promised to keep in touch! I know that it's time for me to leave and I'm super excited, but a little nervous. Through it all, I pray the Lord helps me to have faith and to be able to speak in Spanish.
So, I made it to Tempe yesterday and it was all wonderful! Being on a plane for the first time in fifteen years was amazing! I loved it and I love being here. Yesterday after we got back we met President and Sister Howes and we headed back to the mission home. There were 13 new missionaries in our group-4 sisters(3 spanish speaking and 1 english), 9 elders (4 spanish-3 waiting for visas for Peru-and 5 English. We then spent all day together. They had a wonderful lunch prepared for us and we took some time getting to know each other. I already love it! I heard it before, but now I really know, the members here are amazing and so willing to help the missionaries. I know they are going to help further the work a lot. After the lunch we did a lot of training with the mission president and meeting the rest of the staff. They are all so sweet! Then we had dinner at a member's home and then we were taken to other members' houses to stay the night. We didn't do any real missionary work the first day, which was surprising to me, but such a blessing because we were all so tired. And I definitely got a good night's sleep last night!
I love Tempe area a lot. It's a lot greener than I expected, which I am so happy about. It kind of reminds me about the area where Uncle Paul and Aunt Carol live in California, but a little bit newer. This morning we found out who our trainer/companion was and we were super nervous. But then we met them and all seemed just perfect. Mine is named Hermana Norton. She is a sweetie! She's super nice and super understanding. She's only been out here for 7 1/2 months, but I know this is right. I'm serving right here in Tempe, very close to the mission home. We split a Spanish family ward with some Spanish elders. It will be wonderful!
Ever since coming here yesterday this has felt right. I have felt the Spirit confirm to me many times that this is where I am supposed to be. I love the President and Sister Howes so, so much! They are so understanding and so sweet, but also so ready to go out and serve and love the people. They talked to us a lot about giving our all to God and then He will make the miracles happen. I want to give my all to God and to forget about how scared I may be or how little I know Spanish. I still haven't done any missionary work yet, but I can't wait to get started. Tonight we start on that. I'm not sure all we're doing, but we do have a lesson. Also, Hermana Norton told me that we have a baptism on Saturday! I can't wait and I'm very excited. I don't know why the Lord has blessed me already with so much, but boy am I grateful!
Now that I'm in the real world, it's a little bit harder for me to feel the Spirit like I did before, but I hope that I'll be able to find it and to be able to share the Spirit with others. Oh man, this will be great! I have a favor to ask-could you all pray for me that I will be able to get over my fears and be able to share the truth with the people I need to? And also that I will be confident in myself? Thank you, thank you, thank you!
One more thing that I would love to share. This last week we had an opportunity to find a scripture that really touched us in the Book of Mormon. In my searching I came across Ether 6. It is an incredible chapter and one that I think describes the cycle of trials or tender mercies in disguise. I don't have the scriptures here with me, but I'll do my best to share with you what I remember. In this the Jaredites are sailing towards the promised land and tells of how the Lord leads them. In one of the verses it says that the wind, though rough, never ceased to blow towards the promised land. I relate that to to Lord and how He never ceases to blow us towards the destinations He wants to take us, whether that is a real place or just a better spiritual place. Then in another verse it talks about how no creatures of the sea could stop them no matter what. God also protects us in our trials. They may be hard and they may be long, but as long as the Lord is leading us, Satan can not hurt us. Then once they get to the promised land in safety, the first thing they do is to fall on the ground and thank the Lord for the goodness He has given them. This is how we should approach our trials. We must see that through the rough times, there are so many, many blessings and that the Lord will lead us to the place that we need to go, so be grateful for the many blessings that you are given. Lastly, once they made it to the promised land, the next thing they did was to start working. This is what the Lord requires of us-to use the blessings He has given us for good. I love this passage and hope that you can also feel of the goodness that comes of it too.
Love you all! Family, it was just perfect to be able to talk to you yesterday! I don't know if you could tell, but I was just crying out of joy on the other end! I loved to hear your voices and I love you all so much! Thanks for your support and encouragement.
Con Amor,
Hermana Hansen
I just so turns out that today is P-day, so on my second day here I get to email you. But next week that will change and p-day will be on Monday. So you'll hear from me again then too!
It was very hard to say good-bye to my district in the MTC, but we had a wonderful last few days together and all promised to keep in touch! I know that it's time for me to leave and I'm super excited, but a little nervous. Through it all, I pray the Lord helps me to have faith and to be able to speak in Spanish.
So, I made it to Tempe yesterday and it was all wonderful! Being on a plane for the first time in fifteen years was amazing! I loved it and I love being here. Yesterday after we got back we met President and Sister Howes and we headed back to the mission home. There were 13 new missionaries in our group-4 sisters(3 spanish speaking and 1 english), 9 elders (4 spanish-3 waiting for visas for Peru-and 5 English. We then spent all day together. They had a wonderful lunch prepared for us and we took some time getting to know each other. I already love it! I heard it before, but now I really know, the members here are amazing and so willing to help the missionaries. I know they are going to help further the work a lot. After the lunch we did a lot of training with the mission president and meeting the rest of the staff. They are all so sweet! Then we had dinner at a member's home and then we were taken to other members' houses to stay the night. We didn't do any real missionary work the first day, which was surprising to me, but such a blessing because we were all so tired. And I definitely got a good night's sleep last night!
I love Tempe area a lot. It's a lot greener than I expected, which I am so happy about. It kind of reminds me about the area where Uncle Paul and Aunt Carol live in California, but a little bit newer. This morning we found out who our trainer/companion was and we were super nervous. But then we met them and all seemed just perfect. Mine is named Hermana Norton. She is a sweetie! She's super nice and super understanding. She's only been out here for 7 1/2 months, but I know this is right. I'm serving right here in Tempe, very close to the mission home. We split a Spanish family ward with some Spanish elders. It will be wonderful!
Ever since coming here yesterday this has felt right. I have felt the Spirit confirm to me many times that this is where I am supposed to be. I love the President and Sister Howes so, so much! They are so understanding and so sweet, but also so ready to go out and serve and love the people. They talked to us a lot about giving our all to God and then He will make the miracles happen. I want to give my all to God and to forget about how scared I may be or how little I know Spanish. I still haven't done any missionary work yet, but I can't wait to get started. Tonight we start on that. I'm not sure all we're doing, but we do have a lesson. Also, Hermana Norton told me that we have a baptism on Saturday! I can't wait and I'm very excited. I don't know why the Lord has blessed me already with so much, but boy am I grateful!
Now that I'm in the real world, it's a little bit harder for me to feel the Spirit like I did before, but I hope that I'll be able to find it and to be able to share the Spirit with others. Oh man, this will be great! I have a favor to ask-could you all pray for me that I will be able to get over my fears and be able to share the truth with the people I need to? And also that I will be confident in myself? Thank you, thank you, thank you!
One more thing that I would love to share. This last week we had an opportunity to find a scripture that really touched us in the Book of Mormon. In my searching I came across Ether 6. It is an incredible chapter and one that I think describes the cycle of trials or tender mercies in disguise. I don't have the scriptures here with me, but I'll do my best to share with you what I remember. In this the Jaredites are sailing towards the promised land and tells of how the Lord leads them. In one of the verses it says that the wind, though rough, never ceased to blow towards the promised land. I relate that to to Lord and how He never ceases to blow us towards the destinations He wants to take us, whether that is a real place or just a better spiritual place. Then in another verse it talks about how no creatures of the sea could stop them no matter what. God also protects us in our trials. They may be hard and they may be long, but as long as the Lord is leading us, Satan can not hurt us. Then once they get to the promised land in safety, the first thing they do is to fall on the ground and thank the Lord for the goodness He has given them. This is how we should approach our trials. We must see that through the rough times, there are so many, many blessings and that the Lord will lead us to the place that we need to go, so be grateful for the many blessings that you are given. Lastly, once they made it to the promised land, the next thing they did was to start working. This is what the Lord requires of us-to use the blessings He has given us for good. I love this passage and hope that you can also feel of the goodness that comes of it too.
Love you all! Family, it was just perfect to be able to talk to you yesterday! I don't know if you could tell, but I was just crying out of joy on the other end! I loved to hear your voices and I love you all so much! Thanks for your support and encouragement.
Con Amor,
Hermana Hansen
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Anneli's Phone Call
So as many of you have read in former blog posts Anneli flew out to Tempe yesterday. She was able to call from the airport. She went with a group of about 12 elders and sisters. Most of them were English speaking and some where Spanish speaking that are supposed to go to Peru but until their visas come they are going to Tempe. One of her companions from the MTC is going with her Sister Farley. She said that they were going to stay with members last night then tonight she will meet her companion and then I guess go to her new area. I think P day is on Monday so that is a long time for us to wait to hear the news. I guess it isn't a long time. It seems these days that we are used to instant information and we don't want to wait.
She said that she loved the MTC so much and is sad to leave especially all the friends she has met there. Anneli gets attached to people very easily. I asked her if she got people's addresses so she could get in touch with them when she got home and she said she got a few but most of the people she would just find on Facebook. Interesting how things have changed.
It was wonderful to hear her voice. It is a very strange experience not being able to see your child for a year and a half. I'm so grateful for the choices that she has made in her life and the wonderful experiences she is and will have. Tears came to my eyes as I hung up. I really do miss her but I wouldn't want her to be doing anything different.
Andrea(Anneli's mom)
She said that she loved the MTC so much and is sad to leave especially all the friends she has met there. Anneli gets attached to people very easily. I asked her if she got people's addresses so she could get in touch with them when she got home and she said she got a few but most of the people she would just find on Facebook. Interesting how things have changed.
It was wonderful to hear her voice. It is a very strange experience not being able to see your child for a year and a half. I'm so grateful for the choices that she has made in her life and the wonderful experiences she is and will have. Tears came to my eyes as I hung up. I really do miss her but I wouldn't want her to be doing anything different.
Andrea(Anneli's mom)
Sunday, April 17, 2011
La Ultima Vez (The Last Time)
Hola friends and family,
This week I have been so blessed. Many wonderful experiences happened and I've felt the Spirit so much. I also been blessed with tangible things too-I've recieved many letters and two packages. One from Grandma and Grandpa Hansen-thank you so much! I loved the candy and the goodies. And the other from Malissa Evans. It was incredible- thank you all for taking the time to think of me. I know you all have so much on your plate, so thanks again and again.
I got my travel plans last thursday night and it was awesome. Hermana Farley and I leave on tuesday morning to head off to Tempe. Oh my goodness! I'm so excited and just a little bit scared. I already love the people and I KNOW this is where I need to be! And I know I'll be horrible at Spanish at first, but I am going to continue to do my best at it and not to be uptight when I make mistakes. This life is to enjoy and I've been given this awesome opportunity for such a special adventure. And here I come...
4 more days of life here at the MTC. I'm really rather sad, but very excited at the same time. It's such a bittersweet time for me. I will miss this place so much! This week I've been reflecting a lot on my time here and the things I've done and learned. I've learned so much about obedience, about the Spirit, about loving people, and about giving myself fully to the Lord. I hope the Lord feels like I'm ready to teach real people. I know now some of the reasons that I am supposed to be on a mission. It's amazing how much the Lord really does know us better than we know ourselves. He can see weaknesses that we have and find a way to refine us to overcome that (or those many) weakness(es).
I love the experiences and memories that I have from here. I love the people. I have a new love for teaching that I never thought I would have. I feel the Spirit more in my life now than I ever have before. I have such a desire to learn more about the Savior and to know all I can in order to be able to teach the people in the way that will best help them come to Christ and know their Savior. I am so, so glad I listened to the promptings of the Spirit and decided to go on a mission! What a blessing.
I'm really going to miss my district, my teachers, and my zone. I have had a lot of memorable spiritual and funny experiences here, especially with my district. The five elders have been so wonderful. They are all so good and I have learned so much from them. They are all such sweethearts. And I'll really miss Hermana Reyes too! She is such a wise, patient, sweet, beautiful sister and I can't wait until I get to spend more time with her in Hawaii after the mission. We've all planned to have a party after the mission at Hermana farley's house in Frezno.
This week we had an amazing fireside. It was perfect for me. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the seventy came and spoke to us about three things we could do to have the spirit with us more. Basically he talked to us about being worthy in our thoughts and how much that would help us. Through this fireside I felt the Spirit speaking to me and helping me realize that at times I am very selfish and don't give my thoughts fully to the Lord. Sometimes I get distracted easily or I don't focus as well and I know that is just me being selfish. This week I've been trying to overcome that and I know the Lord sees my efforts. Even though I'm not perfect yet, I know I am improving. And that's all the Lord asks, is that we improve and have those righteous desires.
Before I finish my email today, I want to bear my testimony in Espanol one more time. Hopefully this will help you all to see that I have made some progress in the language, even though there's still so much to learn. Here goes...
Yo se que esta iglesia es una iglesia de el amor de Dios. Tambien esta iglesia es la unica verdadera iglesia con la atoridad de Dios. Yo se que Jesucrist es my mejor amigo y mi Salvador. El expio para me y para nosotros. Se qu Dios nos ama mucho y su mano es en todos vidas. Yo se que el Libro de Mormon es verdadero y es my favorita libro porque tiene mucho bueno historias y mucho escrituras que ha ayudado me mucho. Yo se que Dios tiene un plan para nosotros y familias son eterna. Yo se que Dios contesta oraciones y es muy poderoso y muy amoroso. Yo amo mi Padre Celestrial. En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.
This week I have been so blessed. Many wonderful experiences happened and I've felt the Spirit so much. I also been blessed with tangible things too-I've recieved many letters and two packages. One from Grandma and Grandpa Hansen-thank you so much! I loved the candy and the goodies. And the other from Malissa Evans. It was incredible- thank you all for taking the time to think of me. I know you all have so much on your plate, so thanks again and again.
I got my travel plans last thursday night and it was awesome. Hermana Farley and I leave on tuesday morning to head off to Tempe. Oh my goodness! I'm so excited and just a little bit scared. I already love the people and I KNOW this is where I need to be! And I know I'll be horrible at Spanish at first, but I am going to continue to do my best at it and not to be uptight when I make mistakes. This life is to enjoy and I've been given this awesome opportunity for such a special adventure. And here I come...
4 more days of life here at the MTC. I'm really rather sad, but very excited at the same time. It's such a bittersweet time for me. I will miss this place so much! This week I've been reflecting a lot on my time here and the things I've done and learned. I've learned so much about obedience, about the Spirit, about loving people, and about giving myself fully to the Lord. I hope the Lord feels like I'm ready to teach real people. I know now some of the reasons that I am supposed to be on a mission. It's amazing how much the Lord really does know us better than we know ourselves. He can see weaknesses that we have and find a way to refine us to overcome that (or those many) weakness(es).
I love the experiences and memories that I have from here. I love the people. I have a new love for teaching that I never thought I would have. I feel the Spirit more in my life now than I ever have before. I have such a desire to learn more about the Savior and to know all I can in order to be able to teach the people in the way that will best help them come to Christ and know their Savior. I am so, so glad I listened to the promptings of the Spirit and decided to go on a mission! What a blessing.
I'm really going to miss my district, my teachers, and my zone. I have had a lot of memorable spiritual and funny experiences here, especially with my district. The five elders have been so wonderful. They are all so good and I have learned so much from them. They are all such sweethearts. And I'll really miss Hermana Reyes too! She is such a wise, patient, sweet, beautiful sister and I can't wait until I get to spend more time with her in Hawaii after the mission. We've all planned to have a party after the mission at Hermana farley's house in Frezno.
This week we had an amazing fireside. It was perfect for me. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the seventy came and spoke to us about three things we could do to have the spirit with us more. Basically he talked to us about being worthy in our thoughts and how much that would help us. Through this fireside I felt the Spirit speaking to me and helping me realize that at times I am very selfish and don't give my thoughts fully to the Lord. Sometimes I get distracted easily or I don't focus as well and I know that is just me being selfish. This week I've been trying to overcome that and I know the Lord sees my efforts. Even though I'm not perfect yet, I know I am improving. And that's all the Lord asks, is that we improve and have those righteous desires.
Before I finish my email today, I want to bear my testimony in Espanol one more time. Hopefully this will help you all to see that I have made some progress in the language, even though there's still so much to learn. Here goes...
Yo se que esta iglesia es una iglesia de el amor de Dios. Tambien esta iglesia es la unica verdadera iglesia con la atoridad de Dios. Yo se que Jesucrist es my mejor amigo y mi Salvador. El expio para me y para nosotros. Se qu Dios nos ama mucho y su mano es en todos vidas. Yo se que el Libro de Mormon es verdadero y es my favorita libro porque tiene mucho bueno historias y mucho escrituras que ha ayudado me mucho. Yo se que Dios tiene un plan para nosotros y familias son eterna. Yo se que Dios contesta oraciones y es muy poderoso y muy amoroso. Yo amo mi Padre Celestrial. En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Life Is Wonderful
Oh my goodness! I have so much to say today! It´s been a wonderful week for me.
First of all, conference was incredible! I loved it so much and needed it so much. It was so great to watch it as a missionary. I found that I looked for things to help my investegators in the MTC and searched more for answers to the questions I have. I took so many notes! Though I loved it all, here are some of my favorites and the patterns that stuck out to me,
Jean A. Stevens´ talk about children was such a wonderful talk. It made me really think of my family and especially my siblings and the ways that they´ve blessed me throughout my life. I love little children and the humility and love they show and we need to appreciate them more and help them know how precious they are!
I loved all the talks about love and service, Elder Ballard, Elder H. David Burton, Sister Silvia H. Allred, and President Eyering. I particularly loved the things said in President Eyering´s talk, A person cannot give a crust of breat to the Lord without recieving a crust of bread in return and Have I done any good in the world today. This theme of love was the theme that stuck out to me the most. We need to love and we need to show our love through our service and pray for charity for others. Charity is truly the greatest thing of all!
I loved Elder Oaks´ talk about desire and that if we have a true desire for something, we can get over anything. Awesome!
Pres. Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar talked a lot about revelation and the spirit. That is huge when your a missionary! That was another big thing for me. I´ve been trying so hard to rely on the spirit and as I do, the Lord blesses me to truly know what to say in that moment.
Paul V. Johnson and Kent F. Richards both talked about challenges and trials. I think that topic will always be close to my heart because I´ve found that I can always use some comfort in my challenges.
Richard G Scott´s talk was incredible! It was so tender and personal! The things he said and the stories he shared made me excited to teach other about eternal families and to have one of my own some day.
Then finally, D. Todd Christofferson and Lynn G. Robbins talked a lot about chastening and becoming. So powerful!
Oh, conference. Mi favorita cosa!
This week I´ve been learning a lot about enjoying life and experiencing it and learning from the things that come. My companions and I decided that the last few weeks we aren´t going to get discouraged, we´re just going to do our best and love it because our time is slowly coming to a close. Having that attitude has helped a lot for the times when I am tempted to get discouraged.
My spanish is getting better everyday. As long as I speak as much spanish as I can during the day, I know that the Lord will help me greater understand and speak. The hardest thing for me is conjugation, so I´ve been practicing that a lot this week.
This week my companionship had a wonderful thing happen. We got a baptism! Well, we got a baptism date for one of our progressive investigators. I know this probably doesn´t make sense to a lot of you, but the investegators we have here are teachers roleplaying and pretending to be people that they know and have taught in their own mission. This week we talk Esteban, one of our investegators, and the spirit was very strong. We asked him to get baptized and he was so humbled and ready! Yeay! I can´t wait for the real thing!
I love my zone! I think I say that every week, but they make me so happy! We have so much fun together and they really help me to feel loved and appreciated. I love my companions. This week Hermana Farley and I sang Sisters from White Christmas to our roommates on the spot and it was crazy. We just had a goofy little time and I love how great it is that we can laugh and enjoy ourselves, but also grow so much in the gospel with them. They are all so awesome!
This week we had the opporunity of helping the new missionaries coming in as a host sister. It was so fun to see the enthusiasm of the sisters I helped. They were for sure much more excited than I was to become a missionary and I´m so glad for them. This week I have realized more than ever before how much the Lord has guided my life since and how much I´ve learned hear at the MTC that I never thought I would. The Lord is merciful and if you truly do your part, He blesses you one hundred fold!
I have some scriptures I want to share with you all. I´ve been trying to figure out some themes for my mission, and I´m still not quite sure, but these scriptures are super good
James 1 27 Pure religion is to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction...
1 Peter 3 15 Always be ready to give a reason for the hope in your life!
Well, I have less than 2 weeks left here in the MTC and time is just flying! We leave the 19th of April, so so crazy! I think tonight I´ll get my travel plans, so next week I´ll let you know when I´m flying to Arizona. I´m pretty sure we get to call family from the airport, so I´m super excited for that! I don´t know if I´m ready yet to go. My Spanish is decent, but there´s still so much I don´t know. And I know that once I get down in Arizona and hear the native speakers, I won´t be able to understand a thing they say! It will be crazy, but I am expecting it. I know that eventually I´ll be able to be fluent in the language and that if I just have the spirit with me now, I will be able to convert through the Spirit, rather than through my words.
Con Amor a todos,
Hermana Hansen
First of all, conference was incredible! I loved it so much and needed it so much. It was so great to watch it as a missionary. I found that I looked for things to help my investegators in the MTC and searched more for answers to the questions I have. I took so many notes! Though I loved it all, here are some of my favorites and the patterns that stuck out to me,
Jean A. Stevens´ talk about children was such a wonderful talk. It made me really think of my family and especially my siblings and the ways that they´ve blessed me throughout my life. I love little children and the humility and love they show and we need to appreciate them more and help them know how precious they are!
I loved all the talks about love and service, Elder Ballard, Elder H. David Burton, Sister Silvia H. Allred, and President Eyering. I particularly loved the things said in President Eyering´s talk, A person cannot give a crust of breat to the Lord without recieving a crust of bread in return and Have I done any good in the world today. This theme of love was the theme that stuck out to me the most. We need to love and we need to show our love through our service and pray for charity for others. Charity is truly the greatest thing of all!
I loved Elder Oaks´ talk about desire and that if we have a true desire for something, we can get over anything. Awesome!
Pres. Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar talked a lot about revelation and the spirit. That is huge when your a missionary! That was another big thing for me. I´ve been trying so hard to rely on the spirit and as I do, the Lord blesses me to truly know what to say in that moment.
Paul V. Johnson and Kent F. Richards both talked about challenges and trials. I think that topic will always be close to my heart because I´ve found that I can always use some comfort in my challenges.
Richard G Scott´s talk was incredible! It was so tender and personal! The things he said and the stories he shared made me excited to teach other about eternal families and to have one of my own some day.
Then finally, D. Todd Christofferson and Lynn G. Robbins talked a lot about chastening and becoming. So powerful!
Oh, conference. Mi favorita cosa!
This week I´ve been learning a lot about enjoying life and experiencing it and learning from the things that come. My companions and I decided that the last few weeks we aren´t going to get discouraged, we´re just going to do our best and love it because our time is slowly coming to a close. Having that attitude has helped a lot for the times when I am tempted to get discouraged.
My spanish is getting better everyday. As long as I speak as much spanish as I can during the day, I know that the Lord will help me greater understand and speak. The hardest thing for me is conjugation, so I´ve been practicing that a lot this week.
This week my companionship had a wonderful thing happen. We got a baptism! Well, we got a baptism date for one of our progressive investigators. I know this probably doesn´t make sense to a lot of you, but the investegators we have here are teachers roleplaying and pretending to be people that they know and have taught in their own mission. This week we talk Esteban, one of our investegators, and the spirit was very strong. We asked him to get baptized and he was so humbled and ready! Yeay! I can´t wait for the real thing!
I love my zone! I think I say that every week, but they make me so happy! We have so much fun together and they really help me to feel loved and appreciated. I love my companions. This week Hermana Farley and I sang Sisters from White Christmas to our roommates on the spot and it was crazy. We just had a goofy little time and I love how great it is that we can laugh and enjoy ourselves, but also grow so much in the gospel with them. They are all so awesome!
This week we had the opporunity of helping the new missionaries coming in as a host sister. It was so fun to see the enthusiasm of the sisters I helped. They were for sure much more excited than I was to become a missionary and I´m so glad for them. This week I have realized more than ever before how much the Lord has guided my life since and how much I´ve learned hear at the MTC that I never thought I would. The Lord is merciful and if you truly do your part, He blesses you one hundred fold!
I have some scriptures I want to share with you all. I´ve been trying to figure out some themes for my mission, and I´m still not quite sure, but these scriptures are super good
James 1 27 Pure religion is to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction...
1 Peter 3 15 Always be ready to give a reason for the hope in your life!
Well, I have less than 2 weeks left here in the MTC and time is just flying! We leave the 19th of April, so so crazy! I think tonight I´ll get my travel plans, so next week I´ll let you know when I´m flying to Arizona. I´m pretty sure we get to call family from the airport, so I´m super excited for that! I don´t know if I´m ready yet to go. My Spanish is decent, but there´s still so much I don´t know. And I know that once I get down in Arizona and hear the native speakers, I won´t be able to understand a thing they say! It will be crazy, but I am expecting it. I know that eventually I´ll be able to be fluent in the language and that if I just have the spirit with me now, I will be able to convert through the Spirit, rather than through my words.
Con Amor a todos,
Hermana Hansen
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Les amo
Hola personas! Como estan? Como fueron sus semanas? I hope it's been a wonderful week for everyone. At BYU it's almost finals. Hope all is going well with studying for those and with final projects. Happy Birthday to my Grandma Livingston. I hope you are having a wonderful day today! Keep looking in your mailbox because I'm sending you a letter soon! It has been my best week here yet! I love the MTC with all my heart. I'm sure those of you who read my weakly letters have noticed that the last few weeks were pretty tough for me, but I'm so glad for them. I was chatting with my companions about that today and how the MTC is a place of refinement, where you can let go of all the worldly, weak things in your life and focus soley on God, His gospel, and the people you get to teach. I've learned so much about humility, selflessness, charity, trusting in the Lord, and how wonderful missionary work is. This week teaching has been so, so, so much better! Something just clicked for all of us last Saturday and we had two amazing lessons with our investegators. The spirit was helping us so much and we actually felt like we were doing what the Lord wanted us to do. Ever since then, the teaching has been a lot easier and I've learned to trust in the Lord more. One thing I learned for sure this week is that I NEED to trust in the Lord. I can't do missionary work on my own, so I must trust in Him. And when I try to soley trust in myself, I let Satan discourage me so easily and then I can't do anything (thanks for the advice mom!). Once I realized to trust in the Lord and rely on Him, my week went 10X better. The Spirit has been such a constant companion for me this week. I've felt a lot of peace, a lot of hope, and a lot of guidance. One thing I realized is that when I rely on the Lord, He helps me to use my talents to help others come unto Christ. This week, I've been able to be myself more as I've taught and I've felt so much more love for the people. As the weeks have gone by, I've been increasing in charity and each week I feel more and more charity for other people. This week we watched a part of the District 2 (oh, and by the way, one of the sisters in the film teaches a district in my zone, so I see her all the time) and we saw how important one family was to these missionaries and we saw how much they cared about their lives and progression in the gospel. Right then and there, I realized how important it is that I am on a mission. I am a representative of Christ! I've been saying that for weeks and weeks, but I am finally beginning to grasp it. I have the power of God with me to help His precious hijos (children) to come to Him and recieve His blessings and love. I can't wait! In saying this all, I hope I don't sound like I'm boasting in myself, because I truly know I could not do this without him. If there's one thing I've learned here in the MTC is it that boy, do I have weaknesses! But as I rely on Christ, He makes up for those weaknesses because I have been set apart to do His Work. (Alma 26:11-12) Missionary work is an amazing thing and I am so grateful the Lord wanted me to have this opportunity to forget myself and help others! This week we learned about the Doctrine of Christ a lot. I remember Dad would always tell me about the doctrine of Christ, but I didn't realize how important it was until I got here and ready 2 Ne. 31 and 3 Ne. 11 in the light of missionary work. The purpose of missionary work is synonomous with the doctrine of Christ. I can't believe that I only have 3 weeks left here in the MTC. I leave on April 19 and I can't wait to get to Arizona, but at the same time, I really don't want to leave all the amazing people here! I love my companions and only Hermana Farley will be coming with me to Arizona. I love the Elders in my district. They are like my brothers and we've all grown in so many ways together that it will be an adjustment not to see them every day. I'll miss my branch presidency and their sweet wives. They always see the best in us and find wonderful ways to lift us up. I know I still have 3 weeks left, but I prematurely miss the MTC already! :) This last week I was able to sing in one of the firesides here at the MTC with two other sister missionaries. I'm so glad that I'm able to involve music in my sharing the gospel and I hope I can find more ways to share the gospel with it once I get out in the field. Madre-gracias, gracias, gracias for the package! It was so sweet! I loved the notes and the homemade bread, and you know that I could always use chocolate! Thank you for thinking of me. I didn't expect that at all! My companion, Hermana Reyes had some of the bread and told me that I was so lucky to have a mom like that. You're the best, Mom! Well, family and friends, I hope that all is well with you. I pray for you a lot, especially on P-days because that's when I think about you the most. Well, the church is true and the Lord loves YOU! Con Amor, Hermana Hansen P.S. My district won't be on the Conference Special on sunday, but please still watch it. You'll see a good idea of the kind of things I do everyday and look for me in the choir.
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