WHAT A WEEK!

WHAT A WEEK!

So something I failed to mention at the start of last transfer is that Sister Mitchell and I (who are still together and in Oakton!) have been assigned to teach an English As a Second Language class (ESL). These types of classes are HUGE in the DC area because there are SO many different nationalities. Well, this week was our first class! We hold it on Fridays in the morning and afternoon, an hour each. We have it in the community center of a government housing project called Yorkville in Fairfax. This complex is comprised of nearly 90% political refugees and most of that 90% being from Somalia. So no English... no matter how long they've lived here. It's a challenge! But I LOVED IT! It was SO MUCH FUN. I taught students from Morocco, Korea, Pakistan, China, and Lao. It's so cute to see how HARD they work on they're English. Some take notes and everything. We even had two ladies come to BOTH classes, just so they could learn more. One lady from South Korea thanked me for speaking so clearly and being a good teacher... warmed my heart! I LOVE being surrounded by so much diversity. Probably, hands down, the best part of this mission.

For conference this weekend, we had a miracle! We watched Saturday morning session as a less active's house. Her name is Monika Charmok and she joined the church 18 years ago, but has been less active for a long time. She has some anxiety and depression issues, so I wish we had watched Elder Holland's talk with her! But we actually found out THAT DAY that this was her first conference she had EVER watched. AMAZING! She currently has a roommate (temporary) who is from Arizona! Her name is Carla Mannes, and she is a HOOT. She is a member of the Church and really helped get our Sister Charmok involved in this conference session! So grateful for her. So grateful for GREAT members!

Well, I really did LOVE conference. I don't even know where to start with my favorite parts. But I was looking over my notes today and something jumped out at me. It was from President Uchtdorf's talk, when he responded to "Why join this church?" The first point he mentioned - "Because it is a church that was restored by Christ HIMSELF." Have you ever thought of it that way? I don't think I have. We tell people all about Joseph Smith and his role in the Restoration, but none of that would have happened had Christ not appeared to him in the first place! But I LOVE THAT. This is HIS church and it was brought back in HIS time, with the partnership of our loving Heavenly Father. It's incredible!

I'm so grateful to be a missionary at this day and time. Thank you all SO much for your love and prayers. I know I say this all the time, but they mean the world to me!

LOVES,

Sister Hansen

PICTURE:

1) This is Hermana Ward! Who I went on the Spanish exchange with. She's da best!

TARGET FUN!

HELLO ALL!

This week went by EXTREMELY fast. We had lots of meetings and different things going on.One of the meetings was a Half Mission Conference, where we talked about the baptism goal as a mission for the rest of the year. The goal is for 166 baptisms - one per companionship per month. YIKES. Sister Mitchell and I are ready to WORK. We've lost most of our investigators this week due to different reasons, so we're ready to find the ELECT.

 

So we had exchanges (when you mix-up companionships) with the Spanish Hermanas from Spring Lake Ward! They went really well! Hermana Stanford came to Oakton to help Sister Mitchell out - that's when they found us a new investigator, Jerome! (Who we now have to drop because his wife won't let him learn :( ) And I went with Hermana Ward to Sprink Lake. It was great! I wish I could have been of more assistance in the language department, but I could actually understand MOST of what was being said. Hermana Ward asked one of her investigators who she would like to say the opening prayer during a lesson. She offered herself and a member that was present as "Espanol" prayers or me, an "Ingles" prayer. Her investigator chose me! Haha so I said a very simple prayer in English and though I know her sweet spirit couldn't understand too much of what I said, I hope she felt the Spirit!

We had a miracle in bringing a referral from the Hermanas to the New Member Fireside last night! We called him at 6:30, got a member to pick all us up, and went an hour later! I've never seen the work hasten so quickly! Sadly, we had to hand him over - but to the Oak Marr sisters... WHOM WE LOVE! (They live in our complex and we give them rides everywhere because they're on bike). So I couldn't be happier. Can't wait to work hard to achieve this baptism goal - we're gonna make it!

I so appreciate all of your love and prayers. I feel them everyday! Some days, I find myself so EXCITED to go out and find people, even though I know rejection is inevitable, and I really think it's because of the prayers you're sending my way. So THANK YOU!

Again, apologies for a short message. Next week will be of more substance :)

LOVES,

Sister Hansen

PICTURE:

Us messing around in Target :)

PRAY VOCALLY

HELLO ALL!

 

This week went by SO fast. Can you believe transfers are in a week and a half? So insane. Sister Mitchell and I have NO idea about what is going to happen. She wants to train again (not because she doesn't like me [maybe], she just loves being a trainer) and I... don't know what I want! Haha but what I FEEL like is going to happen is that I will be staying in this area at least another transfer. A missionary pointed out to me that there are "mover" missionaries, that get transferred every few transfers, and then there's "stayers" - like me. Great Falls for 6 months, Oakton for... who knows! I do love the ward and have a strong desire to increase their own efforts in missionary work. We'll see what happens!

 

So a woman I have yet to tell you about is Elena Novikova. We met Elena outside as she was doing some lawn renovation in her front yard. She is originally from Moscow, Russia and has been in the states for over 10 years. She has had a VERY VERY sad and hard life. And because she's quite the talker, Sister Mitchell and I have tried to listen and be supportive to her. But after visiting her about the fourth time, we FINALLY had a lesson with her! By the end, she wanted to read the Book of Mormon, and she offered the closing prayer! We were so elated.

 

...But then, we went back to see how she was doing and it was not good. She had been crying, saying that she recently had talked with her relatives in Russia who want to practically disown her because of decisions she's made. She even told us that she tried to open the Book of Mormon but the Holy Spirit told her not to (doubtful)... that it's not HER book. SO DEPRESSING. She feels a sense of loyalty to her family and the Russian Orthodox church. After all this, we said a prayer with her and then she dismissed us. We still keep in touch with her and pray for her daily. It's hard to see someone who could use the gospel SO MUCH and then to deny it. Please pray for Elena, that her heart will be softened!

 

A miracle we had this week was when we were in an Elena's neighborhood actually, and we saw someone parking a U-Haul outside her house. We were so confused! We waited for the person to come out and then went up and talked to him. Turns out, his name is Amit (ah-meet), and he lived around the corner but needed a place to park his U-Haul for the night. He is originally from Nepal and his wife just moved to the US one week ago! As we taught him a little about the Restoration, he says "You need to help my wife learn English!". We told him we'd love to! He then said "How about right now?" So he takes us to the apartment where they're living, which is with his wife's sister and roommate (and their children). We spend the rest of the night teaching about the nature of God, the Spirit, and prayer! Renu, Amit's wife, was so great. She enjoyed the lesson and took hold of the chance to practice her English. So much so that she offered a prayer in English at the end! It was simple and beautiful.

I hope you all took my challenge to pray vocally. It really is life-changing, and I notice it's power now more than ever with my investigators. But what's so important to go along with that prayer is the SPIRIT. We were asked to memorize more scriptures on our missions, so the one I chose this week is D&C 8:2-3:

2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.

How AMAZING is it to know that the Spirit we feel when we pray and when we receive revelation is the SAME spirit that Moses had when he performed this almighty miracle?! I love how God works. He's no respecter of persons. There aren't multiple kinds of Spirit, testifying of Him - JUST ONE. And we have it, or at least can feel it! Seek it throughout your day. It is there, I promise.

 

I love you all! Thanks for YOUR prayers on my behalf. They bring the Spirit into my life, even more so! Have a wonderful week :)

 

Loves,

Sister Hansen

PICTURES:

1) My new LONG nails! I'm a happy girl :)

BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!

 

Seriously though guys! It was an amazing week. THANK YOU for all of the birthday wishes! 22 feels old, though I know it's not. The mission is just so... young. Haha nonetheless, I had so many kind missionaries and ward members wish me a happy birthday! It felt nice :)

The BIG event of the week though was Friday - Zone Conference and NATIONALS GAME. To start with Zone Conference, we learned about the importance of having investigators offer a vocal prayer in the lesson. It can be difficult because the Bible technically talks about praying in "secret" and in your "closets". But how HUGE of a step it is when we DO get someone to pray out loud! D&C 19:28 talks about how praying vocally is a commandment! So this is something we're working on applying more in a our lessons. Had a great example occur this past week:

We found a new investigator! Her name is Geeta, and she's a busy mom of a 4 year old son, named Darin. She is Hindu and comes from Mumbai, India. We found her tracting and talked about prayer, the nature of God and baptism on her door step. She invited us to come back a couple days later, where we were able to bring a member with us! Well, the time came for us to have a closing prayer and we asked her to offer it. She seemed a little hesitant, but then asked, "What if you said a prayer first? Then I can model my prayer after yours!" We were excited! I said a short, slow prayer, asking for the Spirit to remain and testify. Then SHE said a prayer, expressing thanks for her family and for us. It was TENDER! Our member was so excited that she prayed, that she start light clapping as soon as the prayer was over hahaha. But the Spirit was there, and Geeta felt it. We look forward to seeing her again really soon!

Now to the NATS GAME. What a TREAT!!! Since it was only three days after my birthday, I considered it a birthday game. It was INCREDIBLE! Being there with the whole mission, talking to everyone, people seeing our tags and asking questions, riding the Metro at midnight and being so swamped... IT WAS THE BEST. It will be such a great memory for me! I have met so many wonderful missionaries here and love spending time with ALL of them. Heavenly Father knows I love baseball and friends... He truly blessed me this week :)

To repeat what I said earlier, I know the importance of praying out loud! Think about it... we can write our testimonies down wherever we went, but when we get up and say our testimony in sacrament meeting - how much more powerful is the Spirit? To vocalize our testimonies is to bring the Spirit one hundred-fold! The same goes with prayers. Always have a prayer in your heart - I'm working on that as a missionary. But I challenge all of you to say at least one vocal prayer a day. Keep that Spirit present in your life!

Love you all and thanks again!

LOVES,

Sister Hansen

PICTURE:

1) Happy Birthday to me! Hahaha this is at a member's house for dinner. Sister Mitchell made it known it was my birthday, so the lovely member put a candle in my vanilla pudding :)

TIME FLIES!

Holy cow, this week has gone by so insanely fast. Sister Mitchell talk about that so often - how fast the mission is going! I want to make sure that I'm learning all the lessons that I should be learning before time is up. Nonetheless, I love being tired at the end of each day and thinking about all the people we met and hopefully made an impact on. Helps me to know that I'm doing what God would have me do.

This past week we taught Huneok again! He hadn't read the chapter we assigned him because... he can't read in English. He told us he could! So I'm not holding it against myself :) Haha BUT our Korean ward member gave him a Korean Book of Mormon, so we read with him the chapter we assigned. It was Alma 22, about Aaron and King Lamoni's father (I think? Forgive me, I get characters confused sometimes). Anyway, Lamoni senior wants to know if there's a God and Huneok recognized how he is similiar to Lamoni senior in that he has that small desire as well! Unfortunately, the desire isn't as big as we would like him to have yet, but we keep promising him many blessings in regards to knowing there's a God.

How amazing is it though to know that we have a loving Father in Heaven? But how easy is it to forget that knowledge when you get too wrapped up in the day to day living and the sadness/stress of life? It takes WORK to know that your Father is there - praying, reading scriptures, going to church. These things bring that Spirit which allows us to feel that He really is watching over us and guiding our paths. We just have to put our acts of faith FIRST, and KNOW that blessings will come.

So anyway, Huneok... PRAYED AT THE END! It was in Korean, so I couldn't understand any of it. But the Spirit was strong! Our member later told us what he had said and he prayed to "please help me to see how this will help me". YAY! We were very excited. We look forward to teaching him again this week.

I'll have you know that I acted in TRUE missionary fashion and rode my first BIKE this week! YES. I was on bike from 3pm to 9pm last Thursday. It was amazing... and hard! But I actually did like it. Gives you a lot of time to think and ponder. But we met some amazing people that I'll tell you about next week (maybe) :)

As for updates, WE GO TO THE NATIONALS GAME THIS FRIDAY NIGHT! And guess what? DC North mission is going also. AND we are dressing in our proselyting clothes (typical - suits and skirts/dresses). So there will be a total of 500 Mormon missionaries at the stadium. How amazing is that? Look for me on the jumbotron! I'll be wearing a bright red skirt and blue and white rugby shirt (yes... I've already planned to wear the appropriate Nationals colors :) ) We also have zone conference on the same day (in the morning). So it will be a LONGGG but exciting day :)

Thank you all for your love and support. I love my mission so much and can't imagine being ANYWHERE else right now! Your prayers have helped me to be confident and strong and I deeply appreciate them.

LOVE YOU ALL!

-Sister Hansen

LIVE IN OAKTON

Hello all!

 

This past week has FLOWN. A lot of things are going on and the work is getting exciting! We're hitting the pavement quite often, but blessings are unfolding right before us! Sister Mitchell and I each have very different strongsuits, so we're working on utilizing them to the best of our abilities so that we can leave this area better than we found it!

So last week, we actually found two new investigators! One is actually a former investigator of the Vienna Ward. It's an Oakton recent convert's daughter. Her name is Bell - she is 21 years old and works at Victoria's Secret. (So retail hours make it a little difficult for her to put church as a priority). We didn't expect to teach her that day! We were visiting her mom, who had just gotten home ten minutes prior, and she mentioned that her non-member daughter would be over any minute! We got excited. She came in and was SUPER nice! She talked about what the Elders used to teach her and invite her to do. So we invited her to take out her Book of Mormon again (AND download it on her iPhone) and pray to know if it is true and HOW it can bless her life. She said she would! We asked if we could see her before she left on her vacation (with her boyfriend and his family :/ ) and she told us Friday (of this last week)! We were excited that she wanted to see us before leaving, especially so last minute. But sadly, it wasn't able to happen. We will definitely get into contact with her when she returns! And focus on helping her feel the peace and security she is looking for!

 

We also found another investigator through... TRACTING! Shock. Not really :) But his name is Huneok (Huh-nook) and he is from Korea. He was a very nice man and said quickly that he was Buddhist. We asked him how being Buddhist has blessed his life and he said that he gained PEACE. Well... we told him that there was MORE peace to be had in his life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He mentioned he was busy but said to come back the next day at 6pm - and come back we DID! And with a Korean member by our side! So incredibly helpful. During our lesson, he admitted to wanting to meet with us mainly to work on his English. We said "Sure! That works for us! Let us teach you English through these messages!" He agreed! Turns out he has a wife and child that are back in Korea and he will be moving back in April. So we have 7 months to change this man's LIFE! He doesn't believe in God, so we're helping him come to that understanding. I'm so excited for the day when he realizes that he DOES have a Father in Heaven that loves him and his family!

We're already seeing so many miracles here. I feel very blessed! I know that as we keep relying on the Lord, He WILL direct our paths. Exhaustion is so real, but so is the Spirit... and its what keeps us going everyday! Speaking of the Spirit, I am currently in the Isaiah chapters of 2nd Nephi in the Book of Mormon (yikes). But I've found some golden nuggets, for sure! One of them being 2 Nephi 21:2 -

2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

Talk about some SERIOUS blessings. As we rely on the Spirit, we receive wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge of the Lord... all of these things I truly want! So I will work on praying mightily for the Spirit each and every moment of my mission so that I can do God's will and not my own.

Thank you all for your love! ENJOY BACK TO SCHOOL TIME!

Loves,

Sister Hansen

PICTURE:

1) Sister Mitchell and I went to the temple yesterday! Wonderful experience (and yes, we saw the new video :) )

 

 

HELLO OAKTON

 

YES. I am in a new area! And YES... it's only five miles away from my old one :) Haha but I have to tell you what happened at transfers -

So Sister Udall is training this transfer and my MTC companion, Sister Mitchell, had a trainee who was ALSO training this transfer. But neither her or I were training. So we had to sit with a BUNCH of other missionaries who had to wait for transfer meeting to start, as we waited for these companions to have their "trainers" meeting. So Sister Mitchell and I spent nearly four hours together. Chatting about our areas and companions and what we think is going to happen at transfer meeting. It's great! I haven't got to spend that much time with her since the MTC, so it was pleasant.

Then transfer meeting starts. Her and I, naturally, are sitting next to each other. President Riggs starts calling out the stakes, in alphabetical order. Each stake goes by and my stomach is tossing and turning, not knowing what is going to happen. Who will be my companion?! WHERE AM I GOING?! Finally, he gets to the LAST stake - Oakton. So I figure, "Okay, I'm in Oakton!" Then I hear my name called so I stand up, so nervous. President Riggs then says "You will be paired with Sister Mitchell as co-senior companions" EEEEEE!!!!! I got so excited!!!!! She was sitting right next to me and stood up and we hugged! Hahaha we were so stoked that we didn't hear where we were going! Hahaha so we had to go ask the Assistants. Silly us!

So we are serving in... Oakton Ward! As the brand new set of missionaries. The Zone Leaders have been serving in this ward and still do, but the work is so on fire here that they got a set of sisters - US! What does this mean? It means we start from scratch! No area book, potentials, former investigators, NOTHING. Pretty daunting. But we're here for a reason, right? So lots of prayers to be had to find those who are ready and willing to hear the gospel!

Went to the ward for the first time on Sunday. SUCH nice people! And a VERY active ward! Senator Orrin Hatch is in our ward (haven't met him yet though), and our bishop is the top heart surgeon at Inova Fairfax Hospital. He even took a class from Russell M. Nelson in college! Lots of lawyers, just like my last ward, and foreign service guys. Feels very familiar to me! I look forward to getting to know them all!

Well, I don't have much to write this week because everything is so new. But I want you all to know that this gospel is TRUE. Sometimes I talk certain things out with my companions and we always say, "The gospel just makes SENSE!" And it does! In my mind AND heart! That's the important part. I'm so grateful that this Church was restored by Joseph Smith - I can't imagine my life without the blessings of the gospel! I hope you all cherish it as much as I do and PAY ATTENTION to how the Spirit works in you! That is how you'll be confident of your testimony!

Love you all!

-Sister Hansen

PICTURE:

1) Me in front of our new apartment! YAY!