WATER BUFFALO, ZEBRAS, and A GIRAFFE

Wow, what a week. So I'll just start from the beginning...

Day 2: The day we have been waiting for... we woke up and ate breakfast. Sister Rose and I were like inseparable because we new that we were going to get new companions. But we were also suppppper excited about it. They sat us down and brought in all the trainers. But we were in the bathroom when that happened so I didn't get to scope them out. President Palmer starts talking and then says "Ok now the moment you have been waiting for." He starts reading off a list and I am just listening SOOO intently. He starts reading about this area called Ione (sounds like I own) that is so important to him and that the bishop is super missionary minded and then he says and they will be blessed with two great missionaries... Sister Hansen and Sister Valgardson. I look around and see her stand up, I stand up and give her a hug and then we sit down. First day jidders and first day meeting her. SUPER CUTE girl.

Me and my bike

Then we go straight to Down Town Modesto to proselyte. We get out of the car and they say, "Ok go talk to people". It was insane. I was like ummm ok? But it went alright. There were a lot of homeless people that were sorta interested but we couldn't really set anything up because, I mean... they were homeless.

Sister Valgardson

After Lunch we headed off to Ione, which is like one of the farthest cities in the area. It took about an hour and half to get there from the mission office. We had a really nice drive there, getting to know each other, laughing, goofing off, we get along really well. We pulled up to a house.... yeah a house. This is our house that we are living in. Three bedrooms, bathroom, full kitchen (its like lime green tho), living room with two lazy boys and a love seat, and A PIANO. Yeah we have a piano in our living room. We just dropped off my stuff then left to meet the Bishop, who you will hear about more, maybe next week (I just don't have a ton of time). We met with a couple more members including the secretary and the mission leader, then we headed back to unpack and retire for the day. WOOOOOO and there it is Day 1.

Tired puppy

The rest of the week has just flown by. It is painfully hot here. I feel claustrophobic because I can't escape the heat. My hair and my clothes get so hot and sweaty. My favorite seat after we get back from tracting is a bench by the swamp cooler, until my body temperature stops screaming at me.
But I love it here so much! Ione is beautiful, in a way it sorta looks like Africa. (You'll understand when you see the pictures).

Africa

On the drive up to the Bishops house this house (they call it the mini zoo) has a TON of property and they have, cows, WATER BUFFALO, ZEBRAS, and A GIRAFFE. WHAT? It's pretty cool. I haven't seen the Giraffe yet, but still.

The creek we pass

The families are amazing down here and I seriously love the ward. There is so much love. The Bishop is awesome and super funny. There is this lady that said that she was at a store and over heard someone say yeah my priest charges $100 for a blessing, she said she told the bishop that she heard that and he said "Man I would have done it for $75!" It was super funny, obviously he was kidding.

In conclusion, I love this area and I love the people and I love, I love, I love. This mission experience has already been amazing. I don't want to take one day for granted.

Love you all, Keep on Keeping on!

Love,
Sister Hansen

Twinning is winning (Sister Rose)

Q & A:
Dad:
Q: How hot is it?
A: Really Hot.. President Palmer is aware of the heat so we are supposed to be back in the house around 12 for lunch and Companion study, so we don't die...
Q: How is your new bike?
A: I was really worried about it because the seat had no cushion, SERIOUSLY NO CUSHION. The first day was ok, second day was not ok, my bum hurt so bad. I probably looked so awkward riding because I was trying not to put pressure on my bum, but I had to sit down. By the third day I was able to sit down without wanting to cry and now i'm doing alright.
Q: Companion, and City?
LOVE<3 and LOVE<3. Sister Valgardson is from Provo and she was a commercial dancer for Odyssey. So I'm pretty much dying to see her dance...

Mom:
Q: Seeing Jennifer?
A: I DID NOT CRY THE WHOLE TIME! I cried when I saw her and then I was fine the rest of the time. I loved seeing her and catching up and being dorks, and goofing off.
-SIDE NOTE: Those pictures of her coming home and everyone for sure made me cry, Sister Valgardson was just staring at me like I was crazy.
Q: Elder Holland?
A: Amazing and so special

My bike