A Boot to our Back

Our Area Authority came for a Mission Tour this week! It was A-MAZE-ING. I still don't REALLY know why I am a Sister Training Leader but I saw a little bit of the fruit this last week when all the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders got to meet with Elder Whiting for a meeting. He shared a lot of information with us, and we basically got a spiritual chastisement.

Zone conference

Elder Whiting told us that he was wearing a suit coat because there was a big boot print on his back from the First Presidency to push missionary work in the areas. He told us by the time he was done with us that we would have one as well. He gave it to us straight that's for sure. The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve have said that "We need more convert Baptisms". He put it straight and said "Until everyone in the California Fresno Mission boundaries is baptized and keeping on the covenant path, there is still more work to do." No pressure, Right? At some points in the meeting I felt almost inadequate. But that is exactly what our enemy wants us to feel. I tried to push it out.

After he finished giving us instruction, President Mackay lead a discussion. We discussed our October baptism goal. (This is really cool for me to be a part of, even if I am just listening) Well we went back and forth about things and really covered a lot of ground. We decided to have our goal stay the same. Being a part of MLC (Mission Leadership Counsel)  has been a blessing for me and has been extremely uplifting. We all knelt to pray to ask God if this is what we needed to do and if our goal will matched with His. As he prayed I felt something that I have never felt before. Yes, I have felt the spirit time and time again. But as we stood I felt the "BURNING IN THE BOSOM" just as people talk about. President Mackay asked, "Well, how does everyone feel". At this point I felt like I could barf right into the circle of missionaries (that would have been a fun story for ALL THE MISSIONARIES TO TELL). Well I raised my hand and said "When Elder Ennis (The Elder that prayed) said we desire for our goal to stay the same, the words of Elder Whiting came into my head which was "WE NEED MORE", I think we need to change our goal." After I said that 4-5 other missionaries raised their hands and said they agree. Elder James (one of our Zone Leaders) proposed a goal and another Elder raised his hand and said that the spirit confirmed to him that, that was what we were supposed to do. I felt the same thing.... I share this experience because the spirit was so strong it felt like you could just grab it and put it in your pocket. So yes an amazing meeting occurred.

Our MLC was lucky enough because we had that meeting with Elder Whiting and we also had Zone conference that week with him as well. So we got EXTRA. It was so cool to see him form a whole training on the needs of the mission that we discussed in our meeting 2 days before. Watching him allow the spirit to unfold his thoughts was quite admirable.

Here are some other things that really touched my heart...
-I liked how often "Urgent" was said in the meetings and how quickly everything is happening. If you think about time, it really does go so fast. I can't believe that I am on the hind end of my mission. Elder Whiting helped me remember my purpose of being a missionary and how important it is to use time to it's fullest.

Sister Minaker, a member and ME!

- I loved the emphasis on the Book of Mormon. I really have been diving into the Book of Mormon lately. I am one of those missionaries that struggled with studying and even reading scriptures before the mission and since being here I LOVE my study time and it is very important to me.

- Last thing. When he invited us to "become men and woman of Revelation". That is another thing that I have been working on a lot since General Conference, and found that I am not very good at it. I want to be, but it comes in different levels and comes in different ways. He talked about how people feel the spirit as "burning", "chills", "warm", "comfort", etc. Well the spirit comes in different sizes and shapes just for me alone. I have had a couple experiences on my mission that I know for sure that the spirit directed it step by step and word for word. It is an amazing tool.

I hope everyone has an amazing week! SURE DO LOVE YA!
Love,
Sister Hansen

Rough in between the Miracles

I don't know how to fully describe how amazing this week was. Completely full of miracles. And it actually started off really rough and was rough in between the miracles, but God blesses you when you work through your trials. I have felt the power of forgiveness this week, not only for the person but the opportunity God gave me to forgive and have that relief. He granted me strength to talk about my challenges and blessed us with agreement to be better as a companionship.

This is the real deal

I have been realizing more and more how much I really do love these people. I will leave a home and almost feel like an emptiness that can only be filled when I am with the members or people we are teaching. I am coming down to about 4 months, and it hurts my brain because obviously I know I want to go home and there are things needed at home, but it hurts thinking that I will be leaving these people. I don't know. Before my mission when people said they had to drag their son or daughter off the plane... probably won't be me but pretty close.

On Sunday I surprised myself with all of the emotions that I was feeling. A certain topic got brought up in ward council and I had to step out because I couldn't hold it together. A story was shared in Sacrament that was totally relate-able to exactly what I was going through and was so grateful it was shared because I couldn't explain in words the gratitude I have had on my mission. But that is where the story came in. My mission in a few words "Has given me flight". I realize that I have become someone that I have strived to be, although there is a lot of fine tuning and lifetime correction to go, I am a couple steps closer than I was.

My picture wall is expanding!

Yes it is so hard and there are days that I have absolutely no desire to continue, but God time and time again grants me strength to push through and I am able to look back standing a little taller.
God is aware of us all. I am grateful for our hard weeks, I am grateful for our shortcomings and weaknesses. I am grateful for the sacrament that builds us up for the next week. I am beyond grateful for the mission all together.

Exchanges

I love this church and it is TRUE.

Alright so here are some specifics and details...

"P": This is someone that Sister Minaker and Hermana Shelton found while we were on Exchanges. We have had two lessons with him and have another in the making. He can talk. A LOT. But everything we tell him he agrees and believes. He knows the Book of Mormon is true and he was blown away when we told him we have a Latter- Day Prophet, WHO SKIES. I don't know exactly what it is going to take to get him to church though because he has some health worries. WE know that the Lord will bless him for his efforts though.

After reading a provided inspirational article for missionary work, going into this one investigator was really hard for me. I have known/gone to visit her since I have been in Modesto (which is about 6 months now). I felt that if this appointment doesn't go anywhere or if she doesn't keep commitments or whatever else then we were going to have to drop her. This was already breaking my heart because you just grow to love these people so much. As we were sitting there listening to her, a line in the article came into my mind... "We are Harvesters". In the article it explains using your time wisely and I was almost feeling like she was not the best use of our time. As soon as I started contemplating how I should tell her that if she wasn't going to keep commitments then we were not going to keep coming over. Just as I was about to open my mouth, she says "What time is your church? I think I will come this week." I LITERALLY started to cry, right there in her house. I was blown away. Although something came up with family and she wasn't able to make it, we will try again this week, and that is what will be the final straw.

"N": I don't remember if I have already said this but his baptismal date got moved back to September 29th. (Just a reminder, Transfers are September 4th). I was devastated but I know that God has this one under his collar. He is so awesome and he will make it.

Everything else is going well. Some people struggle if they stay in an area too long, they say they have tried everything and done all they can do, but I really feel like there is plenty of work to be done. I don't know what is going to happen this transfer... NO IDEA.

Sure do Love you all!

Sister Hansen

This is how we recorded our Facebook video

WE GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE!!!

This week was crazy and I don't have much time but... WE GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE!

At the Fresno Temple!

This has been a roller coaster of a week. But I was so excited and overwhelmed that we were able to go to the temple. This was my first time back and it felt so right. Going again after all the things that I have learned and experienced on my mission was truly amazing. I had to force myself to stand up in the celestial room to get going. I love the peace that comes even from the grounds.

Sister Minaker, Sister Hansen, a Modesto member

We also had exchanges this week! Still have no idea why I am an STL but I realized that my whole attitude changed after my last exchange. It was a hard week but after being on the exchange and taking a little break from our area, I felt so energized and ready for another week.

A little Chick Fil A

Sister Hansen with Sister Powell

The "A" family is one of my favorites for sure. Glad you have someone to keep in contact with here.

Don't stop the music!

Love,
Sister Hansen

Road Trip!

I was thrown into the flame this week. We had interviews with President Mackay here in Modesto! I was actually really excited about this because I don't know him. After I came out of my interview, Sister Minaker and Sister Mackay were talking and I walk over and they are talking about lunch and when we should do that. Well she offered her home to us for that night so we didn't have to drive to Fresno in the morning! So that was an answer to a prayer almost instantly. So that night we talked to some other Sisters that also needed to go to Fresno so we (Sisters Malmstrom (DHS), Agler (one of my favorites), Sister Minaker, and Sister Walker) all headed down to Fresno to have a giant sleepover at  the Mackays. I was so excited to go on a road trip with some of my Modesto Sisters and then hangout a little with the Mackays! It was a long drive down, and it was FUN! Sister Agler was driving and I was in the front and it has been a long time since I have laughed that hard. I was crying and my abs hurt (best kind of laugh attacks). When we arrive at the house, all of the Modesto Missionaries had their jaws practically on the floor. The house was SO nice! Like insane! Then WE WALKED INSIDE... It was breathtaking. So amazing.

Road trip!

The reason we went down to Fresno was because we had  MLC (Missionary Leadership Council). So all of the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders in the whole mission came down and met up so we could council together of how to further the mission. We talked a lot about the Daily Schedule and other things that people are having a hard time adjusting too. I was surprised to hear that there was actually a lot of back and forth between people and more people than not I think are struggling with the transition. I make it a point to try my hardest to talk to the Fresno missionaries in our zone. Help them feel welcomed into Modesto.

Still trying to figure out this whole Sister Training Leader thing... I can honestly say I don't know why I am in this position but I know God does so I am just going to keep pressing forward.

I love this work, I love Jesus Christ, He is my friend. I love the Book of Mormon and I know it brings peace into my life and so many others lives. This Gospel is REAL there is not a shadow of a doubt in my mind. Please find your burning passion if you have not already. God is aware of you and all his children.

LOVE YOU ALL!
Sister Hansen