Sorry for the short email but this week was really awesome! We had both wards Trunk - or - treats and lots of non members and less actives came to enjoy the fun. Miracles have been seen and I continue to love my mission!

Have a wonderful week!
Sister Hansen

Parents note: That's it for this week folks. Miracles are good! And the pictures are fun...]

The ward Trunk or Treat

 

Sister Hansen dressed up as a "Senior Missionary"

Mom sent me a box of these candies to hand out at Halloween.
I give them to the children and say, "Feast on the words of Christ"!

Open Your Mouth

I really don't know where to begin or where to end... so I am going to start in the middle.
The assistants asked us to lead the training for Open your Mouth, which is the event for the new missionaries to talk to people for the first time. It was interesting because they had two Modesto Missionaries who didn't get to participate in Open your Mouth, lead Open your Mouth. But after we did the training, President Mackay came up to us and sincerely told us that it was the best presentation of the training that he had ever seen. I say sincerely because sometimes people say stuff like that because they should, but he totally meant it, and then he told us it again before we left. I love working with the new missionaries.

New missionary training by Sister Hansen and Sister Houghton

                                       

Leaders at the leadership training

It does feel weird because I am seriously on the opposite end as they are. But it is really awesome being able to reflect on my own mission and when I came in and how much I have learned and how much I have grown. The training (every transfer) is on Doctrine and Covenants 33:8-11. I encourage all of you to read it and apply it to your own life. Obviously the Lord will and has prepared people around us. How are we going to know if we camouflage our religion? Please be the light on a hill that cannot be hid.

Service On Saturday!
This last Saturday the youth of the Fresno East and Fresno North stakes did a service project and they dispersed all around Fresno. Both Zones missionaries also participated. Most of our zone was at this one Elementary school. We painted address numbers on curbs around the neighborhoods (super sketchy neighborhoods but don't worry mom, we had priesthood). We did some beautification around the school, THEN this amazing man brought about 11 of us to a near by pizza parlor and bought us all pizza. Honestly such a saint. We were there from 8:00 a.m - 12:00. It was so fun.

Neighborhood service project

PIZZA after!!

MIRACLE!
So a while ago I mentioned the miracle of finding "B" in front of a members home after the 40 day fast. WELL last night (Sunday) we all had dinner with this family again. Sadly, we were about 15 minutes late out of dinner but get this... right as we walked outside, "B" was walking by again! EXACTLY LIKE LAST TIME. We seriously were all blown away. God has it in his hand. Brother "S" came out and started talking to him and also invited him to the Ward Trunk or Treat which is this Saturday AT the "S" home. He was so excited that this event happened again. God is so good.

I hope everyone had an amazing week!

Love,
Sister Hansen

We went to the ZOO!! AND...I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!!

Well everybody, I am staying in the Clovis and Cedarwood wards! Which is totally awesome because we've got something good going. Another cool thing is that the Elders that we are sharing the ward with are not leaving either! Lately we have been teaming up and all ambushing people. We knock on their door together and when they welcome us in we just all talk and get to know them, then work together on giving a message. We all get to back each other up and give our own insights on the Gospel. SO they aren't breaking up the team. I'm telling you the four of us have been seeing miracles. The Elders don't teach the Investigators in the ward, that is just our responsibility, they are primarily responsible for the Less Active Melchezidek Priesthood rescue but we are technically over everything so we can team up like we have been doing.

This week we were able to experience a miracle. But first here is a little background information. The Cedarwood ward participated in a 40 day fast for missionary work. (I believed I shared this in a past email) anyway, it has been paying off.

This last week we received a referral from a man in Utah. The description was that she needed a blessing and the basics. We called her up and she was so excited to meet with us. We made some calls for people to give blessings and figured out that the time we made the appointment was the time the Elders Quorum would be having a meeting. So we just walked back there (they knew in advance) and brought them to the front of the church to give her a blessing.

Everyone needs to read the Book of Mormon!

Her name is "K". She is so prepared. Honestly she came with questions, she has been reading the Book of Mormon, and she realizes that all the bad in her life is because God needed her to find "Something". Well obviously the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that "something" that she is looking for. We were able to make another appointment and we taught the Restoration. Again, she is so prepared and she has already seen blessings that come from the blessing she received and the Gospel. At the end of the lesson we extended the baptismal invitation, "K", if you were to find that these things are true, which they are, would you be baptized?" "Yes, absolutely". There is something about even extending that invitation. There is power in baptism, we all know this. It is a gift from God and I am grateful again that I was "Established in righteousness". 

Love my Sisters!

On Sunday night I was able to get a message on Facebook from a wonderful member I love from Tracy. (Mom and Dad you talked to her about Italian Family History). She told me that her husband "G" is getting baptized this week! I almost fell off my chair!! Although we didn't get to teach him the lessons, we did get to friendship him into liking the missionaries again. First time we met, he barely even spoke to us. Then I figured out they were huge Beatles fans. SCORE! I was able to soften them up a little bit because "All you need is love". Am I right?? He started participating in our messages that we shared with his wife and he even came to a baptism. AND my good friends Elder Payne and Elder Mutchie were able to pick up where we left off and boldly invited him to be baptized after teaching him about the importance of the Gospel, when Sister Bustos and I got transfered. Now he will be entering into the waters of baptism, THIS SATURDAY! Sadly I can't go because it is out of mission boundaries but its ok.

I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!

Love,
Sister Hansen

ps. We got to go to the Zoo today with a lot of Sisters from the Modesto part that I have served with!! It was so much fun!

Thankful for the Prophet

How do I even begin this letter. Let's start with this morning. I woke up totally and completely exhausted. I came to the conclusion that I was spiritually exhausted and I could barely get myself out of bed. I realized that this week and weekend has been a lot of spiritual things, and my brain and body just had to rest. Instead of resting we got going.

At Wal-mart we ran into a member who was exhausted too and we talked about the "Post General Conference Depression". I really do think it is a real thing, we look forward to it for so long, and then it just comes and goes so quick.

Our General Conference group at the "Mansion"

Both Saturday and Sunday we were able to find miracles between sessions. For example: Saturday we decided to try stopping by a next door neighbor of a less active that we have been working with who suggested that we stopped by. We knocked on the door and she began to aggressively tell us what we believe, (such as not celebrating Christmas, and not allowing babies to have blood transfusions...) then realizing she had it all wrong, my sweet companion Sister Houghton proclaimed "I love Christmas!" Then me acting very naive said "Wait what is a blood transfusion." At this point she was very confused. Her body language changed as we described what we do believe and she opened the door as we told her that we celebrate holidays. To make a long story short (honestly long, this lady can TALK) she invited us back so we can help each other study the bible. We told her about the Old and New Testament stories and she was so excited.

General Conference was obviously amazing, and the music was so touching. So to say the least I am very overwhelmed with happiness today. Thankful for the Prophet and his wonderful words and guidance. There is so much to take in. I know that you probably want more but maybe I will get sneak peaks for you as we go through this transfer.


GIVE EM HEAVEN!
Love,
Sister Hansen


ps. This Saturday we find out if we are transferring.
pps. This will probably be my last transfer call. Because I am awkwardly leaving in the middle of a transfer.

BAPTISM!!

This week's Highlights!

Zone Activity: Monday we had a Zone Activity at what the missionaries call the Wilcox Mansion. This place is HUGE. It has 2 outdoor kitchens and BBQs, extended Gorgeous porch and connecting balcony, Tv's out on the porch(s) and behind the outdoor kitchen in the middle of the yard. A pool complete with a slide that goes through a rock formation. Sand volleyball court, mini golf, and twinkle lights around the yard. This is just outside. Sunday our Zone is going there for Conference and we have heard they have an amazing Home Theater. And we have been encouraged to invite our friends (we aren't allowed to call them investigators now). So I am pumped to say the least.

Horses at the Smiths: We pull up to the house and the daughter comes out and says, alright let me go take you to see the horses (she is our age). I was thinking to myself... hmm I am gonna like it here. We just go hangout in the corral with her 5 horses, brush them down a bit, and just have a peaceful conversation. We went inside to have a discussion with her non-member mother about service and Charity. It was just all together a nice visit.

Zone Conference: Dang. Fresno does their Zone Conferences different. In the Modesto mission we sat with out District and Zone organized and quiet (Well, we were supposed to be) in the chapel until it was time to start. Fresno we have like three sessions. The first session we start in the gym. It's set up like a classroom/lecture hall. We all have tables and we take notes. I actually really like that, it feels a little more casual. We have training's and are encouraged to participate. We split into Spanish and English groups for the second session. Then we have lunch.

After lunch we sing to the people who prepared the good food for us, then head into the chapel. In the chapel Sister Mackay addresses us and is followed by a training by President Mackay. THEN this is the crazy part... the departing missionaries give their testimonies. (WHHHHAAAAATTTT?) That is crazy because in the Modesto mission we were encouraged not to tell anyone how long we have been out, and now it is broadcasted. After they address us we all line up outside the doors of the chapel in tunnel formation and the departing missionaries run through and we all scream and give them High fives. Very different.

At the end of it all we were grabbing our stuff and President Mackay came up and asked "are we as strange as they said we were?" Sweet little Sister Houghton said "Nooo!" Then he looks at me and I say "Absolutely." He laughs and then says "I can always count on you to be honest". Which is true. Whenever he asks me a question I will give him a straight answer. I've been like that with all of my leaders lately. I don't sugar coat anything. It's better to give it to them straight so they know exactly where you stand!

Shots: Sad part about Zone Conference was that we got flu shots. Not excited, but hey, when she gave me the shot I didn't even flinch. So I am very proud.

High Fitness: Alright, I don't know if you have heard of this before, but it is like Zumba but on FIRE. I obviously haven't worked out like that in a WHILE. I can honestly say that I think that might have been the most sore I have ever been. I am still effected. I can feel just the slightest decrease in sidewalks and panic to try to not make my legs fall off.

Modesto!: Yes everyone, I was able to go back up to Modesto for N.S.'s baptism! It was such an amazing experience! I wasn't super familiar with a lot of people in the ward here in Fresno, so I wasn't super comfortable asking someone to drive me 2 hours up to Modesto and back. So I reached out to Tiffany Schwebach, who recently moved to Fresno from my ward in Kaysville. Luckily she wasn't doing anything that Saturday so she and I and three of her children road tripped up to Modesto! THANK YOU TIFFANY!

Wonderful Sister Tiffany Schwebach and her kids who were so nice to spend their Saturday with me!

Walking into that building felt so good. The baptism itself was awesome and I am so privileged to have been able to take part in his teaching. He is a smart boy. I loved being able to see everyone. The Rowe's, Wheeler's, May's, Sister Petersen, Emily Adams, Wilsons, etc. It was so good for me, to say the least.

With "N" at his baptism!

Love this kid!

This week has been so amazing. I can't believe I had to flip my calendar. Time really does fly... WOW.

Love,
Sister Hansen