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
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
"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
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)