LET US ALL PRESS ON!

Hello everyone!

 

I don't have much time to write today because I'm going to DC this afternoon. WOO! Finally get to see our nation's capitol. Pictures will be sent next week, for sure!

This week was great! We picked up a new investigator. His name is Bob, and he is 92 years old. Sister Evans and I had actually tracted into his home months ago and met his granddaughter, who was taking care of him and his wife. She told us to come back, but we never got around to it until now! And instead of the granddaughter, we found Bob! Bob designed airplanes during World War II and worked under Sister Udall's relative, Morris Udall, in the Department of Interior. He received a Ph.D. from Stanford as a chemical engineer, and taught Sunday School at a Methodist church for over 50 years. Quite the man!

He has a very strong faith in God and Jesus Christ, but becomes too involved in factual evidence to support his beliefs. He is an EXTREMELY intelligent man, who often cuts us off in our teaching with stories about all sorts of things. One minute he'll be quoting scripture, the next minute he'll be talking about an archeological dig he went on. ALL OVER THE BOARD. But he's great - I love him so much! We taught him two lessons in the past week, and he kept our commitment of reading the pamphlet and even took notes! However, he can't seem to accept that there are prophets after Christ and keeps considering why the priesthood can't be held by women. At this point, I'm a little frustrated because I can't tell if our visits with him are helping him grasp the gospel as much as doing him a service by taking an hour of our day to talk with him (since his wife has Alzheimer's and he needs someone to chat with). He has even been helped/taught by Elders in the past. We see the love that he has for his wife, who we met at our second lesson. She goes by "Petey" (how cute!) and the only teeth she has left our her two front teeth. She's precious! So we're considering taking a different approach in our next lesson... that he can be with his wife FOREVER! We're hoping this works. We'll continue to pray about it. Let me know if you receive any insight on Bob!

The broadcast about member missionary work was AMAZING! Afterwards, we looked at our phone and saw that two members had already called us! One in particular was for us to teach a member's father-in-law, who grew up in the Church but never had a testimony and remained semi-active all his life. He is now in his 90's and lives with the member, who said that he would like to take the missionary lessons in order to truly gain a knowledge of the gospel! MIRACLE. He has been coming back to church since living with the member, but now he needs a better understanding of what is going on. We're so excited to teach him! His name is Brother Roberts (don't know his first name), but he's originally from Star Valley, Wyoming. He is so old, but so wonderful. Seeing a pattern here? First Byrd, then David, on to Bob, now Brother Roberts - OLD PEOPLE ARE THE BEST.

Speaking of David, we haven't been able to have another lesson with him yet :( We HAVE been keeping good contact with him though, over phone and by stopping by. He read the pamphlet, we know, and also started reading the Book of Mormon. I still feel that his heart in really in this, but I think his wife is leaving the country soon (to visit Burma perhaps?) so they're getting preparations done for that. I think we have a lesson with him and his wife tomorrow though! Keep him in your prayers.

Well, I must go, but I'll leave you with a scripture that Bob read to us as we gave him a Book of Mormon to flip through. He LITERALLY flipped through it, and found Alma 7:25 and read it out loud to us!

25 And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments are spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out.

After he reads it, Bob says: "Now that's just BEAUTIFUL!" Indeed it is. How grateful I am to know that as I keep my garments spotless through the Atonement of Christ, that I will be BLESSED. And that the day will come when I have "to go no more out" and just REST. I'll work my hardest while I'm here on Earth to achieve that goal.

Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support! HAVE A GREAT WEEK.

Loves,

Sister Hansen

TIME'S A FLYIN'

Hello All,

 

The weeks are just FLYIN'. Seriously! Sister Udall says they're going fast for her, and she's only been out a few weeks. I remember being in her shoes not too long ago! A few weeks definitely felt like a few months to me back then. But now... I can't even handle how quickly things move!

We got another new investigator - WEE! His name is David, and he is from Burma. He is probably in his 70's and talks A LOT. So we tracted into him on Sister Udall's FIRST DAY in the mission field, and he gave us his number to set up an appointment. Promising! So we did and we saw him just last Tuesday. His wife even made noodles for us! YUM. David started out Baptist then converted to Catholicism. But he is VERY impressed with those of the Mormon faith and wants to know what they have that he doesn't have. Turns out, he even knows Brother Cannon from our ward (yes, the one related to George Q.)! He had MANY questions about the validity of Joseph Smith and why we don't "worship" Mary but OVERALL... he wants to know that this is true. He has a desire to seek out that truth and feel it in his heart. So we'll work with that! We called him the next day and he had already read the pamphlet and started reading the Book of Mormon! Ummm... can you say "prepared soul"? So blessed to have found this wonderful man! We will be having our next lesson tomorrow :) Keep him in your prayers!

We also had exchanges this week, where I was paired up with Sister Goates for a day (see picture)! She is a "Sister Trainer Leader", where she helps train all the newer Sisters. She is AWESOME! Turns out, she's the youngest of 13 children (yes, all from the same mother) and is from Kammis, Utah. She is also a DANCER. Fun!!! Sister Goates taught me a lot - including how to be more bold and how to rely on the Spirit more. She had a lot of nice things to say to me at the end of our exchange, so that warmed my heart! As a missionary, you sometimes get down on yourself like you're not adequate enough or you don't know enough (SATAN), but for her (who has been out over a year) to tell me that I'm a powerful missionary - it meant a lot!

As for Glenn, we didn't see him this week, but we DID finally get to sit down with his wife, Jessica. We asked her how she thought the lessons were going and she told us that she honestly didn't see him becoming a member of the church for at least a year. She said that her Dad, who is a convert, joined the church in a "hurried" manner and wasn't able to fully grasp the processes of the meetings and callings, etc. She doesn't want that to happen to Glenn. So we told her that we are on board with that plan! It's better to not baptize someone at all than to baptize them when they aren't ready. I know that to be true. But she agreed to read with him from the Book of Mormon for just 3 minutes a day! She actually looked quite excited about it! So I'm looking forward to seeing how they BOTH progress in the near future!

I'm so grateful for this opportunity I have to be out here in Virginia on a mission for the Lord! I know that it is where I am supposed to be. I always sound so selfish in my e-mails by talking about what I AM learning from this experience, but I can't help it! The Lord knew I needed some stretching and learning, and I doubt don't one minute that He sent me out here to get some of that. Haha but I have come to understand MOST of all that EVERY effort in this work is appreciated by God. This scripture says it all: John 4:35-38

35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

So maybe you won't be a "reaper" in this life? Fine! Be the best "sower" you can be then! That's how I see it! And that's clearly how our Heavenly Father sees it! Let us reapers and sowers REJOICE TOGETHER in this work. Know that every conversation you have, every invitation you extend, every gift you give - it all means something in the end.

I LOVE YOU ALL - thank you so much for everything!

Loves,

Sister Hansen

MIRACLES!

Hello All,

 

Oh the miracles of having a new companion! We've had four lessons this week (which is really good) and a new investigator! I don't have much time to write today, but I'll get in what I can.

Our new investigator is our first one from our "DC South Mission Rebuild", where we go out looking for "AR"s (refer to previous e-mails). Therefore, we found her tracting awhile ago (when I was with Sister Evans), but she never let us in until just this past Monday! MIRACLE. Byrd is an OLD woman. Haha really though, she's old. We think she may have minor dimentia (sp?) because she kept asking the same questions over and over during our lesson. But I'll never forget that when we started talking about having a prophet on the earth today, I told her "Why would God only allow those people on the earth during Biblical times to have prophets? He doesn't love them more than us, right? We know God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and so He has given us another prophet today!" Byrd looked at me and said "Yes, I could definitely see that!" She looked so happy! I asked her what it would mean to her to know if there was a prophet on the earth today, and she said "That would be really comforting. Really, really comforting." So even though her memory was terrible, the Spirit was STRONG in the lesson. We left her the pamphlet to read and pray about it then scheduled another appointment for three days later. But she cancelled :( So we'll have to go by sometime soon to see how she's doing! Her husband is ill and both Sister Udall and I considered asking her if he would like a priesthood blessing. We still haven't been able to ask yet, but as SOON as we see her, we will :) Pray that she'll accept!

As for Glen, we had a lesson with him and President Riggs on Wednesday! It will really well. President Riggs taught a great deal haha I don't think he planned to... it just kind of happened. But the Spirit, again, was incredibly strong. We realize now that we have to work much slower with Glen. We're trying to get him to read everyday to discover his answer, but because the answer isn't immediate, he struggles with the commitment. So we're going to get him to try and read with his wife each night! That way, they can read together and discuss what they read, then pray about it! I just hope Sister Angert is on board. Because she has been less-active for so long, I worry about her true desire to help Glen come to know if the gospel is true for himself. Please keep praying for them BOTH. This is definitely a combined effort to convert the both of them now. Because if we can't get her to see the gospel is important, then he'll never see it. So we'll keep working hard on receiving revelation for them as a couple!

And Linda... we wanted to see her at church so bad, but she never showed :( We had a great lesson with her on Thursday. She hadn't been reading or praying daily, so we had to read from the Book of Mormon with her, starting in 1 Nephi 1. She seemed to understand what was going on, so that was great! And we brought a member, Sister Hartt, who has a teenage daughter the same age as Linda's. She bore wonderful testimony about how she talks to God through prayer, but that God talks to her back through scriptures. Linda felt that to be very powerful! So we're excited to see her progression too, but hope that we get her to see how important it is to put God first!

We had a lesson with Mulu too - our second one so far! Hahaha she's been to church every week for over a month, but we haven't been able to find a time to teach her. Because she lives in Alexandria, we're working on slowly passing her onto whatever ward is there. But again, it will be a slow process. I'm excited to see her transformation though! I see each Sunday how the Spirit affects her and her beliefs. She's changing right before our eyes! I can't wait for the day when she accepts this as the true gospel.

Well, I must go now! Time just flies here on the mission. I'm so grateful to be a missionary and to learn the things I'm learning. I found a WONDERFUL scripture in 1 John 4, about how fear and love can't exist together.

18 There is no ^afear in ^blove; but perfect ^clove casteth out fear: because fear hath ^dtorment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We ^alove him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and ^ahateth his ^bbrother, he is a ^cliar: for he that loveth not his ^dbrother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not ^eseen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who ^aloveth God love his brother also.

If we REALLY love our friends or our neighbors, sharing the gospel shouldn't be fearful! It's just natural that we would want to share SOMETHING we love (like the gospel) with SOMEONE we love (like our friends or neighbors). BOOM. I know... easier said then done. But when we take it to God in prayer, we'll know exactly what to share and how to share it. I know that to be true.

Thank you ALL for EVERYTHING! Especially the love and support and the PRAYERS. They mean the world to me.

LOVES,

Sister Hansen

TRAINING TIME!

HELLO ALL!

So as I may have said in my last e-mail, I'm officially TRAINING. Crazy to think I'm at that point only three months out, but it feels right. Transfer meeting was an emotional roller coaster, to say the least. I've been given permission to announce (in case you didn't know already) that Fredericksburg and Woodbridge stakes in the DC South Mission will be moved to the Richmond, VA Mission starting July 1st. Not only do we lose the stakes... but every missionary in them :( SO HARD. I've only been here for such a short time, but I know MANY people that will be leaving because of the split. And it hurts to know that I won't see them again, but I know President Riggs receives revelation on who should be where at what time. And I know they do too. So you're probably wondering if I'm still in the same mission - YES OF COURSE. Thanks heavens :) DC South Mission is where my heart is, and President Riggs clearly knew that :) I'm still in Great Falls Ward! Going on my third transfer here, which is widely unheard of. If I'm here next transfer as well, I'll be shocked. President Riggs doesn't like anyone getting too comfortable. But I'm here for another 6 weeks, and it feels good. This ward is my home away from home and I love knowing everybody! It's exciting to think that I can come back here in a couple years and still know that I'll be welcomed and embraced. So blessed.

Sister Evans left for Fredericksburg :( She's serving in the Aquiaah (sp?) Singles Ward and is finishing training a sister that came out last transfer. Cool thing though - she served in this ward about 6 months ago and only for four weeks! So she will already know some people and get to finish where she left off! So I was happy for her! Can't believe I won't see her again though (at least on the mission). But she'll do great things, I know it. We also lost one of our APs (Assistant to the President), Elder Litchfield. He was amazing. Can't believe he's two years younger than me haha BUT President Riggs KNEW the new Richmond president would need an incredibly capable missionary to help him establish his two new stakes into the mission. So they're sending Elder Litchfield off with only five months left in his mission. I can't imagine how hard that is for him. But the missionaries here are STRONG. I'm proud to be around such inspiring leaders in this mission. No place like it!

SOOOOO you're probably wondering who I'm training. WELL... her name is Sister Rachel Udall, and she is from the lovely Burbank, California! WOO - hope Great Falls enjoys having two Californians head up their ward :) She is 20 years old and was BYU for the past three years studying Communication Disorders. She turns 21 in three weeks, so we'll have to celebrate somehow. But she is a VERY nice girl. So nice. And is constantly apologizing for her actions. Haha even when she does nothing wrong! It's cute, but I told her to stop. Because she's not a sorry person! And technically, missionaries aren't really supposed to apologize all that often - only to each other, when it really matters :)

Anywho, we have been tracting a lot more! And are finding some very interesting people to check back on it the future. I know Sister Udall is definitely nervous about door approaches, but she's learning so fast. I'm like a proud mama! And she teaches me a lot about doing better too. So I love being a trainer! We each learn from each other and grow in different ways. Luckily, we got to teach a lesson on Sister Udall's first night here! It was with Linda (remember her?). We didn't think she'd be up for a lesson when we stopped by, but she let us right in - MIRACLE. I didn't prepare Sister Udall enough though, so she didn't know to be the one to extend the baptismal invitiation (tradition for newbies). Oh well... she'll get the opportunity next time.

We have many lessons scheduled for this week that I'm excited about. Specifically one with Glen and our mission president, President Riggs -YES. So PLEASE pray that that doesn't fall through and that it goes well. Glen came to church again this Sunday... so I know that something is working inside of Him (AKA the Spirit). We just need to get him progressing and than all is golden! Please keep him and our other investigators in your prayers. I feel like we're on the brink of something big, but we need lots of thoughts directed our way. Thanks.

So an investigator is progressing when they read from the Book of Mormon EVERYDAY. Alma 33:23 says how it should REALLY be done.

And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.

PLANT that word in your heart by reading EVERYDAY and know that as you do, you're causing that seed to swell because of your faith. And BOOM! It turns into a tree of everlasting life. But THEN (and ONLY then) will you find your burdens to be lighter and your joy more full. And it ALL starts if you have the "will" or desire to do it.

I know this all to be true. I'm so grateful for this opportunity I have to serve the Lord and my brothers and sisters. I haven't learned so much about myself and others since... EVER. And it's a great and wonderful blessing. I know that the Lord is in charge and that I'm His servant and friend. May we all be.

LOVE YOU ALL,

Sister Hansen

PICTURE:

 Sister Udall and I in the coordinating outfits we had the day we were put together (by coincidence). The minute we were called out as a new companionship, everyone saw our matching colors and said "It's meant to be." Haha She's 5'2" - what a peach.

MAY SHOWERS

 

It's been raining A LOT here. And it's putting a "damp"er on my mood. Not really, but I miss the SUN! Hopefully "the sun will come out tomorrow". Haha oh, how I miss musicals!

Nonetheless, the work is GREAT. We've had the most lessons this week than we've had the entire two transfers I've been here! So let me tell you about them:

 

1) Barbara and Randy Walls - They were former investigators who were a referral from a member (who has since moved out of the ward). They have two teenage sons and they both work for the FBI! She is actually in the Weapons of Mass Destruction Department. CRAZY. Anyways, we've had a few conversations with them in the past, but never an actual lesson - until last Wednesday! The husband LOVES to talk, and yet isn't quite ready to find out for himself if the gospel is true. Barbara, on the other hand, is definitely prepared. She believes that there HAS to be a reason for why all the Mormons she's met in her life are all happy and successful! Haha so we're excited to keep teaching them. Pray that the lessons will continue and that Randy will open up!

 

2) Linda - Linda is from China, but moved to America 20 years ago. She's also a former investigator that we picked up. She has two daughters, one is 8 years old and the other is 17. She's very curious about what makes the LDS church different from other Christian religions. We had a lesson on Saturday morning, but she is a BUSY woman. And didn't schedule another appointment until NEXT Saturday. Ugh. We invited her to pray and read to come to know if the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Pray for her too! Her husband may be the one holding her back, so we hope that he will open up as well.

 

3) Ravi Kiran - Oh man, what a cool guy! He is in his 20's and is from INDIA! Yes. He moved to America 7 years ago for schooling. He got his Master's in Computer Science two years ago and has lived in DC ever since, working for MicroStratgies. He had MANY questions about the Book of Mormon. But we answered all of them THROUGH the Book of Mormon. Love when that happens. He converted to Christianity when he came to America - he was formally Hindu (along with all of his family)! So it's amazing that he has found Christ and knows Him to be the Savior of the world. He is ALSO a busy man, but we hope to meet with him soon and that he continues to read the Book of Mormon!

What an amazing blessing that we got to teach this many lessons this week! Our mission is currently having a "re-build" of the mission - in that we are being more bold than EVER with our teaching and committing. I can see the blessings already! Another cool experience that we had was going to the Temple Visitor Center with Glen and Jessica! YES! I was SERIOUSLY stoked because I had never set foot on the temple grounds yet. BEAUTIFUL. The night we went (Friday) couldn't have been more clear or had better weather. Anyways, we watched "Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration" in this GIANT theatre that they have in the Center. They felt the Spirit. Jessica (a less-active) came out with tears in her eyes. She has such a testimony of prophets and Glen actually had a lot of great questions. SADLY, they didn't come to church yesterday. Jessica is just not a fan and we can't figure out why! It makes me sad to know that she's so freely giving of her testimony, but doesn't like coming to church. We hope to invite President Riggs, our mission president, to our next lesson and find out what the root of her issue is. Should be powerful! I'm excited for Glen though - slowly, but surely he is growing to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ!

A scripture I found today: 1 Corinthians 10:13

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

It's so amazing to know that God will NOT tempt us beyond what we can handle. Remember - He is a LOVING God. He's not looking to push your buttons, but to help you grow. I'm so grateful for my Heavenly Father and that he knows me better than I will EVER know myself. I've definitely come to gain a stronger testimony of that while out here on my mission.

LOVE YOU ALL! And thank you for all your prayers on my and my investigators behalf. It means the WORLD to me and I KNOW without a doubt that they work. So thank you :)

Loves,

Sister Hansen

OPEN THY MOUTH!

HELLO ALL!

This week has been full of ups and downs and changes and AHHH. So much. It's gone by far too quickly. Sadly, each of our investigators canceled our return appointments due to illness, business, or all of the above. Though we have faith in knowing that we WILL see them again in the very near future! All is well in Great Falls :)

We've been given a challenge as a mission called: 52 Days to Rebuild the DC South Mission! It comes as revelation from President Riggs and his wife from Nehemiah chapters 1-4 and 6 about how we need to be doing EVERYTHING we can to "rebuild our wall". This involves talking BOLDLY to EVERYONE we see! And thus, President Riggs created "AR"s. An "AR" is an "accept" or "reject", meaning we've taught a principle of the Restoration to someone and they have the choice to either "accept" or "reject". And we are responsible for getting 70 ARs each and EVERY week for the next 52 days. The catch? You can only count someone as an AR IF you actually TAUGHT a principle or doctrine. If you get the door slammed or if someone walks/runs away too fast and you can't get the message in? Doesn't count. So therefore... Sister Evans and I have talked to A LOT of people. And we've done most of this through tracting because our area is so huge. YAY! Tracting! Haha I'm getting used to it now, so it really isn't as bad. We've been able to meet a lot of really great people and plan to check back on a few of them very soon. I'm grateful to know that even taking this time to find these potentials is a MIRACLE because we truly are "planting the seeds". These people may not actually let missionaries in for YEARS, but at least they're being EXPOSED to and REMINDED of the message of the restored gospel! This goes a loooooooooong way, and I know that to be true.

But because we've done a lot of tracting, we've had some pretty funny experiences. The first happened on Wednesday. We knocked on the door of a woman named Olivia, who actually told us that she was a former member of the Church! We got so excited and she let us in ('cause it was HOT and HUMID outside, bleh). Of course, we thought we were about to reactivate this long, lost member but oooooohhhhhh boy... we were in for a treat. She proceeded to tell us that she was a member for 10 years but then left the church in pursuit for something better for her lifestyle (hmmm). And she found Sikhism, which is a form of Hinduism and Islam. Olivia then talked about being carried away into visions and talking to God in the wee hours of the morning - and then blatantly calling us "lemmings" for following a prophet of God. It was ridiculous. We spent WAY too much time in her house and by the end of it, I was just hoping we had served as a reminder of what the truth REALLY is - the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Then on Saturday, we met Mr. Rick Saunders while tracting. This guy I could have SWORN was a minister. He talked to us about how he was raised Jewish but then had a vision of Christ and became converted to Christianity. He then told us about he DEEP DEEP study of the Bible for 35 years, meanwhile quizzing us on our Biblical knowledge. However, this man was quite polite. And actually, he was REALLY funny. Like... I could TOTALLY picture him being a religion professor at BYU-Idaho. So while he was talking AT us (we never got a word in for over an hour), I just imagined him working there and how many kids would sign up for his class. Hahaha he was seriously entertaining!!! I couldn't help but be nice to him by the very end because at least he bashed our religion in a nice, roundabout way. Turns out he wasn't a minister, but in fact owned his own real estate business (Google Lord & Saunders Realty). He then proceeded to give me his card. Hahaha we plan to go back and just leave a pamphlet on his doorstep for the sake of time (because we know he wouldn't let us talk).

Anywho, life is great here in Virginia! And though I get to meet crazy people that reject Christ's church, I count my blessings every single day. The work is hard, but gratifying to every single, tiny degree. I can't believe how much I've been able to see the potential in people as I've gotten to know them and their stories. I'm truly seeing them as God's children, each and everyone loved by Him! It's amazing. I'm so thankful for this Gospel and that it all just makes so much sense to me! Through faith in the Lord and repentance, we can return to live with our Father in Heaven again. How beautifully simple is that?

LOVE YOU ALL! And thank you so much for your prayers and thoughts. They mean everything to me!

LOVES,

Sister Hansen