Changes, Adjustments and IT'S SO HOT!

Well everyone, it is the email that you have all been waiting for! TRULY WELCOME TO THE FRESNO MISSION. For real this time. Sister Minaker is a full blown Fresno Missionary, she has been out since February (which is how long I have been in Modesto... just BTW). She knows the rules and procedures and the Fresno way, so now I don't have to question it or live in the dark. Here are some changes...
• No worldly references, including: movie quotes and song lyrics. (THERE GOES 78% OF MY VOCABULARY)
• Dinner @ 5:00
• Sisters are "taken care of". Meaning Sister Minaker does not own a bike, and we are driving. Sort of don't mind because it was 104-108 this week. But most of the time do mind because I am not biking!
• Sleepovers with other sisters is allowed...
• Thanksgiving is our "day off" vs. Modesto it was a day of tracting.
• We get to watch a Disney movie on Christmas! (Also a day of tracting in Modesto)
• Schedule adjustments
• Music adjustments
• Other adjustments...

It's just a little HOT HERE!

Some people ask... "how is it going?" The only answer I can give, which is 100% the truth, is that it is just going to take time to adjust. Sure I have had other transfers, companions, areas, District Leaders, Zone Leaders, Sister Training Leaders, etc. But I have not had a new Mission President that does things very differently. Not that it is wrong, just NEW! I can't just change right off the bat. It will take time to adjust. The whole zone has changed, everyone has a new companion. Which is fun to get to know people. I think all the "Modesto missionaries" are all on the same page with the change.

My feet after working in the garden in 108 degrees

Ok enough about change and adjustment, let's talk about the week! So Tuesday we drove down to Fresno for Transfers, to drop off Sister Petersen and to pick up Sister Minaker (pronounced mine-ik-er). On the way down I seriously had butterflies in my stomach and a couple of tears in my eyes because I was so excited to see the temple. We pulled around the corner and all I saw was angel Moroni. I got so excited I just wanted to get out of the car and run to the temple. Although we did not go inside I still felt the peace that the grounds brought to the area.

Let me tell you a little bit about Sister Minaker! She is from Alberta Canada and she says wash room (bathroom) and beyg (bag). She is an extremely hard worker and is freakishly good with names. Twill be a good transfer full of learning.

Although it has been a tougher week WITH all of these changes, the Lord has not stopped hastening the work around us and providing miracles to help our faith continue to grow. One night in particular we chose an area and watched the map to track all the members. During this 2 hour block of doing so we saw... 2 active member families, 2 Less active individuals and accidentally knocked on a "DO NOT CONTACT" (not a good experience). One of the less active members was very sweet and told us she hadn't been to church in four years and that she "doesn't really do that anymore". Well we continued to talk with her and she told us we were welcomed back. You better believe we are going to go back.

Matching dresses with this cutie!

On the walk back to the car there were two men standing outside their garage. (P.S. a lot of garages in Modesto are turned into man caves and that was one of those cases). We ended up talking to these men for about an hour and covered a couple principles in each lesson. We talked about who Jesus was and what his purpose is, how to live a better life, faith and action, and we even snuck in some Word of Wisdom! They were so cool, and as we were leaving they said we have two sisters in Assyria and now we have four sisters all together. It was so cool to see completely different cultures come together. GOD IS REAL, and he is aware of us.

I may have some VERY big new next week so I am just going to let y'all dwell on that. I continue to pray for you, and hope all is well in Zion. I KNOW IT IS LATE BUT  HAPPY PIONEER DAY!

Love,
Sister Hansen

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!

Transfers happened, so this isn't going to be the longest email ever. I honestly can't remember much that happened this week. But let me tell you about Transfers. So Saturday night we got a voice message from the assistants at about 10:29 telling us if we have been effected. Sad to say that Sister Petersen has been effected. Sunday night we got the second half of transfer calls in which they told us where we were going and who our new companions will be. Sister Petersen will follow the pattern of all of my companions and be leaving to Fresno to be a Sister Training Leader!

I will be staying in the Modesto 8th and 10th ward and the BIG THING....... DRUM ROLL PLEASE!! I will be a Solo Sister Training Leader! Don't ask me what that consists of, or what my responsibilities are because I don't know. I'm just gonna do it.

AANNNNDDD here is another crazy thing, last transfer when we went to Yosemite and came back down the trail, remember when we ran into some Fresno Missionaries? Well one of them was my new companion... Sister Minaker. This is truly a teeny tiny world.

I am excited to start new again. TEMPLE DAY ON THE 8th OF AUGUST!
Sorry this isn't so long but Have a good week!

Sister Hansen

Truly a week of miracles

The title is very much true. This week has been completely in the hands of Heavenly Father. Every single morning we planned and then 6 out of the 7 days we did not do what we planned for. We were able to contact and see so many people that we haven't seen in a long time...

GM, an investigator - (but we can't call them that anymore... it is people we are teaching) She had surgery and we hopped right on it. We wrote scriptures on the back of hearts and heart attacked her garage door. We visited her and caught up. Our Relief Society President and councilor took a meal over to her and it was just amazing. Sunday night we got a voicemail from her saying that she found the hearts and read some of the scriptures. She got really emotional and said that no one has ever done something so thoughtful and she just wanted to call to tell us she loves us. It was so tender and I will never delete that voicemail off my phone.

Heart attack for "GM"

Another investigator completely cut us off after Sister Eliason left. We texted, called, stopped by, facebook messaged. NOTHING. The other night coming from dinner, we biked passed her house and she was outside. I YELLED "K" and we were able to talk to her for a bit. She also broke down in tears, apologized, and asked what she has to do to be baptized. We have an appointment with her this next week. Truly a miracle.

We had dinner at the house of our recent convert and we were talking about temples when her husband just went off and asked question after question about Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Faith, the Book of Mormon, and more. We were so excited.

"One Year Anniversary" package from Mom!

We received this referral from the LA online missionaries about a week ago. It was a Bible request. We called "P" and set up an appointment. We brought two large print bibles and met with her and her significant other "R". They both desire so much to come closer to God. We introduced the Book of Mormon to them and "R" said "Next time you come back here I want to learn more about this". IT WAS AMAZING! We have another meeting with them this next week. We talked to the Sister Missionaries who referred them and they also talked to "P" and "R". They read the Introduction to the Book of Mormon with them and told us that "R" had a job interview lined up. They have already seen the blessings come their way.

"N" IS ON DATE FOR BAPTISM! August 25th! We had a lesson with him this last Sunday (Yesterday) and he told us that his mom gave him permission to be baptized! We were so excited. So we are preparing him for that!

New friends in the Fresno Mission

BINGO!: So the other night we were between appointments and I reached in my bag and pulled out a luggage scale that I have been meaning to return for a very long time. I suggested to Sister Petersen that we could go and drop that by, in which we headed on our way to a family in the ward, (one of my favorite families, even though I have lots of those). We knock on the door and Brother "L"says "HEY SISTERS! Are you here for Bingo?" Obviously we were not but they invited us in. Apparently for quite some time they've hosted a ladies neighborhood bingo night once a week. Well we stayed. All the older ladies came in (total about 12 ladies...?) and they asked, "Oh do you know how to play Bingo?" OF COURSE WE KNOW HOW TO PLAY BINGO. Well the games started and boy I have never played bingo like that. They were so fast and you had to be quick, they did different patterns, and they all had little strategies and stuff. It was so much fun. In between games they started asking us questions about our missions and so forth. Why this is a miracle is because we didn't preach at all. We just friended them. Now they know who we are and that we aren't CRAZY MORMON GIRLS. It was very healthy.

More new friends

We were able to go and see the "R's"(a less active family) and most of the time we just talked about how we can better ourselves and be missionaries. We sort of talked about a family mission plan and things they could do to bring people together whether it be neighbors, other less active members, or even active members. They had amazing ideas and it was so cool to see them thinking about things they could do.

Another less active member, "T" is someone I actually haven't ever heard of until about 2 weeks ago. He moved into our apartment complex a couple buildings down. We met him at someones house for dinner then have seen him a couple of times. Our car broke down and Brother "S" came to jump it. At that moment "T" walks by and I yell at him! He comes over and starts talking to us and I was so grateful we did. He told us that he was going through a rough divorce and he started getting emotional. He told us he is having a hard time. We were able to be there for him to just listen. Nothing we could have said would have changed anything, but being there to listen was the important part. Yes it was a bummer our car broke down but a miracle that he was walking by at that moment.

ZONE CONFERENCE!! We got to meet the Merced Zone! It was wild. This mission knows how to have fun! At the beginning of the meeting an Elder got up and lead us in A missionaries Purpose then he yelled and I mean YELLED "AND IN THE CALIFORNIA FRESNO MISSION WE...?" Then everyone YELLED "FIND CONSTANTLY, TEACH REPENTANCE, BAPTIZE CONVERTS, AND STRENGTHEN THE KINGDOM!" It was so funny cause all the Modesto missionaries were so awkward and uncomfortable. After the lunch the departing missionaries bore their testimonies. Which was weird because President Palmer tried to avoid missionaries telling people how long they had been out on missions (yet another adjustment). Then all the other missionaries made a tunnel and all the departing missionaries ran through it while everyone screamed and gave them high fives. WHAATTT. Crazy. 

Merced Zone

Such an amazing week. Sorry this is so dang long. I don't know if I already told y'all this but President Mackay has a focus on "Working with Members". We had so many opportunities to do so this week. Perfect examples. This mission transition is absolutely going to take adjustments, but what change doesn't? What is EASY and WORTH IT? We have seen so many miracles, we have seen God's hand in our work. I am so grateful to be a missionary. I am privileged to have been born in a wonderful family who raised me to be who I am today. This Gospel is true, the Atonement is real, and we truly do have the fullness of the Gospel. LOVE Y'ALL!

Love,
Sister Hansen

Not quite the right size,
but she IS a happy camper/missionary!

A girl after her daddy's heart. Yeah, that's a snake.

Goodbye Modesto Mission. Hello Fresno Mission.

Alright so It freaks me out how fast this week went by. Like one day it was Tuesday then now I am writing another email. The days are going by way too fast, the weeks are going by faster, and I wish I could just pause and enjoy the view for a moment. I still have those days I get on my bike or walk around and think to myself "WOW... I am a missionary." I really am so privileged.

Now let's talk the talk shall we? Ok, so on Tuesday I got aquainted with a man in the 8th Ward whose job makes it so he can't attend very often. His name is Brother "B." HE IS THE COOLEST GUY. EVER. He has been in the army for years and I'm talking like THE ARMY. Like he was a fighter. We talked about it a lot and he taught us some basic self defense, we talked about my fantasy dream of going into the military and actually made me consider it! But then shortly after I talked myself out of it because I can't do that to my family. Long story short, this guy is AWESOME! We told him that I was speaking in church on Sunday and he told us he would be there! He said "guess what that's me committing to be there." We were PUMPED. But then he didn't show up so that's sad, we will beat him up the next time we see him, (jk he could totally kill me, "I killed a man with DIS THUMB" but he wouldn't lol).

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!! If you know me, ypu know that this is my favorite holiday, and to say the least I sort of missed wearing jeans and decking myself out, parades, music, etc. BUT we did have A LOT of fun! We actually had a short exchange with our Sister Training Leaders in Turlock! Our Sister Training Leaders this transfer are Hermanas Malmstrom (one of my Davis Darts!) and Agler. It was so much fun, and it was my first Spanish exchange! I was with Hermana Agler and it was so cool to be at a door and them to say they don't speak English (which I would guess 75% of them do) then Hermana Agler basically giving the whole first lesson in Spanish. SO COOL. I WANT TO LEARN SPANISH. We stayed with them until about 3:00 then headed back to good ole Modesto. That night we headed to one of my favorite families in the 10th ward, the "R"s! We had a bbq, we played a little bit of catch phrase, then watched a few fireworks, then headed home! Luckily we are on the 3rd floor of our apartment building so we put chairs out on the deck and watched fireworks for a while, super relaxing. Needless to say, the Fourth is still my favorite holiday.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!! Thursday we met our new mission President and his wife: President and Sister Mackay (mack-ee). Wowowowowow, this is definitely going to be an adjustment. Not because one or the other is bad or negative, just because they are different. Kinda like President Monson and Nelson... both wonderful! But different. President Mackay is SO fun and he has a lot of trust in his missionaries. He has a great outlook on missionary work and I am seriously so excited to get to know him. It'll be Great! The mission home is about 2 hours from Modesto now haha... but we won't really ever have to go there so that's good. Transfers are on the 24 of this month. And GUESS WHAT!? My whole mission I have been dying and trying everything to be able to go to the temple, well now we are in the Fresno mission, the Fresno temple is in our mission boundaries and we get to go at the end of this month!! I am so excited it is not even funny... We get to go to the temple every 3 transfers with our Zone. Literally makes me so happy. President Mackay closed the meeting by saying "let's get out and work, and have fun with it!" ❤

Goodbye Modesto Mission, Hello Fresno Mission

Saturday we had an unplanned lesson with an investigator we haven't seen in quite some time. We just went by to see if he was home and he was mowing the lawn in the front! So we stopped him and he ran in and got lemonade and we sat under the tree and taught a lesson. He asks really great questions and is sincere about wanting to know more. Well the church is literally across the street from his house so we texted some people and ended up having a church tour with him! After the tour he said... "I'm gonna come tomorrow. There isn't anything holding me back". Sadly he didn't come either... ERG!

These are the Modesto missionaries transferring into the Fresno Mission (the others went to Sacramento)

Sunday we had a BUSY day! We sang in the choir in 10th ward, I spoke on Family History in 8th ward, we met and helped a lady move, we had dinner with another one of my favorites, (Alright I have a lot of favorites) the "Ws" and the "Ss", then had a lesson directly after with "N". May I just say that me and teaching haven't really been working well together lately. It's actually quite frustrating! I have things I want to say but when I open my mouth it sounds like garbage. This lesson I have been thinking about all week and I think it helped. For the first time in a while I really felt the Spirit speak through me and the conversation was completely guided by the spirit. It went very well. Sister Petersen and I were unified and taught the lesson very balanced and everyone participated. It was so refreshing and I am so grateful for the spirit.

It was actually a lesson for me as well. Yes the spirit cannot dwell in unholy places, I wouldn't consider myself in an unholy place, but I would consider myself not fully focused and pure in heart. It still amazes me that something so perfect would dwell in such imperfect bodies. I'm grateful for God's Plan and his mercy, that I was able to have the spirit with me that day, and in that lesson. I love this Gospel, I love my Savior, and I am grateful for this time to serve him.

Love,
Sister Hansen

Ps. Zone Conference tomorrow in Merced! We get to meet one zone in the Fresno mission!

Baptism!

This week has been just so good. Since the mission split, once we updated our devices, our calendar went away so I will most likely forget things... but here we go.

Monday was the last preparation day before everyone went home. It was lots of fun. Then on Tuesday we had to go to the mission office to turn in our car so it could get repaired. While we were there, THERE WAS A LEADERSHIP MEETING! When they got out let me tell ya, Sister Bustos, Rose, Valgardson, Elder Mutchie, Payne, Manley, and I feel like I am forgetting someone but I can't remember. It was so good to see them again ONE last time.

The trio!
Sister Hansen, Sister Eliason and Sister Peterson

Alright, because of other things I was writing this email isn't going to be super long but I do want to talk about M's baptism. It seriously was so good. So many people came to support her, there was probably over 60 people there. I was already emotional and stressed because of the week and what had been happening. I had so much worry and I just couldn't chill. We got to the church and the Elders were already in the font cleaning it. They knew that I was so stressed (FIRST BAPTISM!) so they took action.

Not all Hero's wear capes

Another thing that helped a lot was that once everything was set up, this lady came in and immediately we knew that we had to talk to her. A part of me was like ehhh we should probably focus on the baptism and welcoming everyone, but then we started talking to her. We walked her over to the font and she told us she had never been to a Mormon baptism. She told us a little bit about herself and told us how she found God. She then told us about her grandson who was not on the right road at the time and she didn't know how to introduce these things to him. She asked what we would do. I felt very prompted to share the first point in every discussion and what we should bring up with anyone we come in contact with. I told her that God is aware of all of us and every step we take in our lives. No matter where we are in life, God is waiting with out stretched arms. She began to tear up and commented on the energy that she felt coming from the font. The conversation came to an end because certain people started coming in. But before she left I gave her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and told her that this is a good place to start.

Beautiful "M"!

When "M" walked into the room in her white dress she bought, I was just so excited and she just had the biggest smile on her face. She was/is so prepared. The service was beautiful and the spirit was present. When we talked to her after the baptism she said that she felt so light and just on a spiritual high. Got that right! The closing hymn was "Families can be Together Forever" and I happened to be conducting. Looking out into the crowd in front of me, seeing President and Sister Palmer, Sister Eliason, "M" and her sweet family, and many more people that I have grown to love, the emotions were very strong. I cherish these lyrics. I am grateful for the knowledge of the Gospel, the Plan of Salvation, and knowing that I will be with my family forever.

"M" and family

On Sunday when "M" was confirmed, the spirit was so strong, the blessing was beautiful, and so many men went up to bless her. When they dispersed after the blessing, and the circle opened. I noticed her ora. Light. It was incredible. She was very overwhelmed and this is a moment that she will never forget. It was such a wonderful week. This is why I am here.

To answer a lot of your questions. We meet our new mission president on July 5th. No one really knows what is going on besides that. But yes, I am now officially a FRESNO MISSIONARY. Crazy stuff.


Love you all!
Sister Hansen