Talk about MIRACLES!!

Let me tell ya about this week. Talk about Miracles.
First of all Monday we were able to play volleyball (I think I may have mentioned this last week). It was amazing to hit and play and just have fun.

Lovin' me some volleyball!

Tuesday: EXCHANGES!
I was with Sister Hicks in her area. It was so awesome. Honestly this exchange was completely drenched and lead by the spirit. We started with trying to find this less active member. Turns out the house doesn't even exist. As we were walking around like lost kittens we saw this man in a garage. Not just any garage, but the kind of garage that doesn't have a home attached to it. Like an RV garage or something. We decided to talk to this man. His name was "P". He was so nice. We were able to share scriptures, our testimonies, and it was just an awesome spiritual experience. We were guided to a home that didn't exist, and were lead to "P". We got his number and address. Hopefully the missionaries in the area will follow up.

Sister Houghton, Sister Hicks, Sister Pearson and me

Later that afternoon, we were working in an area. It was quite dead, to say the least. As we were leaving (In the car) Sister Hicks said quickly "You know what, I don't think our work here is done". I pulled over and we got out of the car. There was a man that we saw, but as we were walking up, he went inside (don't worry, he didn't see us). We decided to knock on the door. This was a blessed experience. This man that came out told us that he was a convert from when he was about 16 years old and that he just "fell away". He seemed extremely interested in coming back. We offered to come back and bring his family a "Living Christ" document. He was so interested. He has potential. Truly a miracle.

SAME DAY: After Dinner we didn't have anything planned. We decided to put it into the Lord's hands. We said a prayer to help guide us to where we were needed. I felt uncomfortable speaking up because I didn't know anything about the area or the people in it. But I was being pressured by the spirit to speak. The Lord blessed me and placed a LETTER in my brain. I told Sister Hicks that I was thinking of someone with the name that started with a "C" or a "K". Sister Hicks replied with "Oh, I was thinking of someone with a "K"". We went to Sister "K's" home. As we entered into her home we soon realized that that was exactly where we needed to be. She broke down in tears and shared some information with us. She had a really hard day and we were able to bring her comfort. Sister Hick's really connected with her. We left her with Doctrine and Covenants 122:7 and promised her things will get better . It was such an amazing exchange.

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!

Since I don't have a lot of time (WE HAVE A ZONE ACTIVITY), I will write about our Miracles from Sunday. The Cedarwood ward has been doing a 40 day fast. Everyday someone signs up to fast for the missionary work. This last Sunday the youth fasted for us. All the missionaries (Elder Longman, Elder Washington, and Sister Houghton and I) all spoke in church about different aspects of missionary work. It was a very powerful meeting. The musical number was all of the returned missionaries singing "Called to Serve". The second verse was sang in their mission language. IT WAS SO COOL. After church the youth had a "Break the Fast" that we were able to go to. I kid you not, as we were walking out of the dinner a man walked by and we talked to him (all 4 of us). Here is my journal Entree from this week...

Wow. Talk about a miracle... today the youth participated in the 40 day fast for missionary work. Our dinner appointment was with them to break the fast. Us and the Elders were able to share our testimonies on missionary work, and I kid you not, as we all walked outside a man was walking by and we were able to talk to him. His name was "B". He mentioned that "faith wouldn't really work for him". Elder Longman told him that if he had the desire then the faith would grow. We read the last two paragraphs of the Introduction and he said he will have to read it. We also invited him to the Primary Program for this next Sunday. He said he would probably come! It was amazing that the Lord blessed the fast almost immediately.

LOVE YOU ALL!
Have an amazing week!
Sister Hansen

What is the Lord's will for me?

Today we had a multi zone sports day, so I totally took advantage of that and now there is not a ton of time left! SORRY! But here is a quick rundown of this week...

MONDAY: After Preparation day we were able to go to "The Lord's Vineyard" and roll the grapes. I will say that after that night my knee's had bruises the size of a fist, for about 3 days. SO FUN THOUGH. It was an amazing experience to work until dusk and watch the sunset in the horizon. AHH. Good ole Fresno California.

Bruises from "rolling the grapes"

TUESDAY: We had some straight miracles, being able to get in contact and have spiritual thoughts with some LAMP's (Less Active Melchizedek Priesthood). It is sometimes nice being new because you don't know people so you can treat them like they are active. That is exactly what I did. Not even on purpose. Sure Sister Houghton told me who they were, but by the time we got into their house and got to know them and started sharing a message, I forgot that they were not active. Anyway, built some foundation with some of the members in the ward. IT WAS AWESOME. Just an FYI: If you make friends with their dog, then you make friends with them. Just a little Sister Hansen tip of the day.

My new companion Sister Houghton, and me!

WEDNESDAY: We had a dinner appointment that seriously was one of my favorite days of this transfer. The couple went into the kitchen to prepare dessert and Sister Houghton and I straight had a complete laugh attack. It. felt. so. good. Just like my good ole sister. And get this her name is Jennifer. So it is seriously Jennifer and  Allison right now. LOVE.

THURSDAY: Zone Training. We were challenged to find our "New Missionary Fire" again and it hit me like a ton of bricks. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! Whatever it takes. "Aim High, Time Flies". At our dinner appointment I was able to be a witness of true love. The wife was talking about true friends and while talking about her husband she said "He makes me want to be a better person, and I hope it is the same for him". While she was talking, her husband was just looking at her with pure love, pretty much with tears in his eyes. It was so cute. Also we are teaching this man named MJ and he 100% looks like he could be a Bee Gee.

SATURDAY: Guess what everyone? I ran. Sister Houghton is a beast and she runs every morning and does stadiums. I walk the track. (We live across the street from a school). But the other morning I RAN, AND DID STADIUMS. I was super excited for myself. Maybe I will keep it up, maybe not. We will see. Along with the school being across the street, they have football games. Saturday morning there was football games going all day and LOW KEY LOVED IT. Music, cheering, loved it. Call me the worst missionary ever. I call it a tender mercy.

Picture from last weeks service project.

Random Things that happened this week!
Sister Houghton constantly talks in accents and it is hilarious. She can pretty much quote the whole movie of Phantom of the Opera. IT'S AMAZING.
So many people in these wards think that I have an accent. So that's weird.

Quotes:
Someone spoke in church and mentioned that while they were at a restaurant there was a religious group discussing what a covenant was. They were struggling trying to discuss that. The speaker said "Good heavens! I could bring a 10 year old from primary to come and explain this in a couple minutes!" It was so funny.
"You may not be able to go through the temple, but let the temple go through you."

In closing,
Comes from Institute Manual: Mark 5:25-34
"All of us are among the crowds of this world. Almost all of us are like the woman who, despite the crowd, comes to the Savior. We all have faith that just a touch will bring healing to our aching souls and relief to our innermost needs.
“ … In all of life’s circumstances let us quietly and resolutely press forward to the Savior, having faith that He cares about us and has the power to heal and save us"

Reflecting on the story of the Woman healed from her issue of blood, the thought of urgency came into mind. Are we in the "crowd of the world" with Christ? Or are we coming to the Savior to be healed? We encourage you all to reflect on the things you can do to strengthen your faith. The Lord needs us all to step in, stand a little taller, and reach a little further to save, or bring back, our brothers and sisters.

Love,
Sister Hansen

New Missionaries!

What. A. Week.
Went from the nicest apartments to one of the sketchiest apartments. Honestly it is pretty sketch. The inside is pretty nasty. Today I decided to clean out one of the closets and found so much stuff. Clothes, socks, blankets, pillows, materials, and SO MANY Ensigns. It made my conscience feel so much better. A clean apartment is a happy apartment.

My new companion, Sister Houghton, is from Shelley, Idaho. She was originally in the Modesto Mission as well. We are having so much fun. We laugh a lot, but the work continues to push forward.

There are a lot of things I could say but I really don't know what to say. I was surprised to figure out that we are sharing a ward with Elders. I had my first meal at members with the Elders. It was super weird and I felt so wrong about it, but it is alright. HAHAHA my life is a joke.

OHHHH MY GOODNESS, I FORGOT ABOUT A SUPER IMPORTANT PART OF THE WEEK!!! Sister Houghton and I were ABSOLUTELY privileged to be asked to pick up the new missionaries coming into the mission. We were told to spend time with them and be there with the Assistants and President and Sister Mackay. 9 Elders and 4 Sisters came in and it was amazing. It was so cool to be able to see their fire and it was honestly like a slap in the face. I loved being able to be a part of this. That night we slept at Presidents house and two of the sister came in and just talked to us for a while and it was just so cool to be some of the first faces that missionaries saw. The church is true.

Just know that I am so happy and I feel so much better. I am glad I am actually a part of the Fresno mission now. Ahh

Thank you for the prayers.

Love,
Sister Hansen


PARENTS NOTE:  Sister Hansen and this cute gal from Modesto hit it off from the start and became fast friends. She is leaving on her mission to the Brazil, Manaus (in the Amazon!) mission in October. We were lucky enough to meet her when she came by to visit (and to drop off some boxes for Allison) while she was in Utah. What a darling girl! We wish her the best and look forward to seeing her again when she returns home.

"When you Learn to Love Modesto, It Loves you Right Back"

Well everybody the time has come... I am being transferred out of Modesto. There is a lot of mixed emotions happening. Saturday night when we received the news, all I did was lean back and say, "Dang it". The rest of the night was me just sobbing. As cliche as it sounds I literally cried myself to sleep. Now let me explain the subject of the email.

This past week we had to head down to Hilmar for an appointment and we didn't have enough miles on our car to get there, so we asked a member. As we were driving out of Modesto I had a huge thought train. It was on the corner of Scenic and El Vista when it hit me. Well, we all know that I survived FIVE transfer calls telling me I would continue serving in the Modesto 8th and 10th wards. As I was thinking, sitting in the passenger seat of this members car, enjoying Modesto, (instead of driving) it hit me that I really do love this place. I really have LOVED serving here, getting to know the people, the neighborhoods, and the wards that have become family. Why did I love Modesto so much? That night after we received the news I knelt to pray, as I climbed into bed this "thought" came to mind... "When you learn to love Modesto, It loves you right back." I lost it. I was so emotional I had to walk into the bathroom because I didn't want to disturb my companion. I didn't even know really how much I loved it here until I figured out I was leaving and I am very sad to go.

This past week we had a member text us and say that a girl named H.R., that we met at the ward activity. (I played a couple games of Spike Ball with her. I didn't even know that she wasn't a member!) Anyway so the text said that Holly wanted to take the discussions! We were ecstatic! We met with her on Tuesday night and she is on date for baptism on September 29th. Let me remind you that, that is also the day N.S. is on date. So when I come back on September 29th I will be able to go to both! I am so excited.

Sunday, I was a mess. Brother Anderson was conducting that day and he stood up there announcing. Then said "I have some very sad news. News that I wish I didn't have to give. Sister Hansen will be leaving us." With tears in his eyes he continues to say the nicest things about me and tells me that I have been a wonderful missionary. It was so sweet. The whole ward sighed when he announced that. I was told a number of times that I am practically a "fixture" and I have to stay. In ward council, Brother Anderson said "Who do I have to call?"

Brother Adams in 8th ward said that he was going to petition. To say I felt the love would be a major understatement.

G.heard the news for the first time in sacrament meeting and she gasped. The whole congregation heard it. I felt that I should go back and sit by her. As I grabbed my things and sat next to her, we both just sat there and cried for a while. I don't know if I stepped out of line saying this but I said "If you get baptized, I will be here." She snickered. I knew it would be hard for her to say goodbye, not only because she has told me time and time again, but because we have a strong bond. God guided our lives together, now it is time for her to fly.

I will be heading to the Clovis and Cedarwood wards and my companion will be Sister Houghton (originally a Modesto missionary). I will continue serving as a Sister Training Leader. I am excited to see what lies ahead. Every time I leave an area I say to myself,  "I will never love an area as I have loved this one", and every time I am proved wrong.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,
Sister Hansen