First Zone Conference

Holy cow TIME FLIES WHEN YOU ARE ON A MISSION! I cannot believe it's preparation day again.

Two UNIFIED sisters

Well Tuesday night we taught the Plan of Salvation to our investigators and it went really well. They really do ask so many questions which is super nice. But overall it was a good lesson. I am still like super nervous to teach the lessons. But I have to remember that I know this stuff and I can't just be all panicked! So that night for dinner we went up to Fowler Hill. Which is that place at the top of this super long dirt road. (that little puppy was one of their 7 dogs) and the next day we had Zone Conference so we knew that the car would be inspected. So after we got home at about 9:45 (already late) we had to wash the car, I was so bitter about it, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

Our lime green kitchen. MOM: Does it give you a head ache? ME: nah, you get used to it!

MY FIRST ZONE CONFERENCE! I was actually super excited about this because I knew I was going to be seeing some of my MTC pals and some people that went to Davis that Sister Val knew was in our zone. Conference was in Stockton which I've heard it's a pretty scrappy place but I didn't mind it! We walked into the chapel and first thing I see is Elder Palepale's afro hair... I was SO excited to see my little MTC brother there. He told me that a little boy came up to him the other day and just said "Elder Palepale, I want you to baptize me" and so he did! Super Exciting! Then Elder Kessler walked in and we both got excited. He hasn't changed a bit, still Elder Kessler. Then I saw Elder Mutchie (an old friend from school). He came up to me and shook my hand and was like "NOOO WAAAYYYY". It was pretty funny because he obviously didn't know that I got my call to Modesto and probably didn't even know I was going on a mission. So that was exciting!

District goofing off

My friend, Elder Mutchie. We know each other from High School!

After Zone Conference we actually had exchanges with the Sister Training leaders. That was a good experience except I was SUPER overwhelmed because it was a new companion, new area, and we were just expected to go teach new people. It was different but it went well. My companion for the next 24 hours was Sister Bell. She is from Bountiful! Super cute girl. She was an awesome teacher, and a great example. The next morning when we had personal study, I said one of the most sincere prayers I have ever said just blessing my family and I got SOOO emotional. I literally went to the bathroom and had a "I miss everyone" meltdown and then pulled myself together again and went and studied. It was crazy. You could say that I was a little homesick, just a little. But then I was fine. For exchanges we went to Delta. It is a community college in... Stockton... I think. I haven't street contacted since my first day in the field in Modesto so I was NEEEERRRVOOOUUSS. But again Sister Bell was such a good example and it wasn't TOO bad. We actually got a potential investigator while we were talking to him and we invited him to church and he said he would be there (when I say we I mostly mean she). Super cool experience. Overall exchanges weren't too bad. (Except for the beds we had to sleep on :(...)

With Sister Training Leaders 

Soooo lately for a message with people Sister Val and I have been singing hymns to them! It is so nice to be able to share that with people. One lady said to us after we finished "it was hard for me to listen to the lyrics or feel the spirit because I was just so over joyed to be listening to that!" It was so funny. OH AND THEN WE HAD DINNER AT THE HARMONS THE NEXT NIGHT. We had a disney/broadway sing along and me and this beehive in the ward sang For Good from wicked and she KILLED it. It was so much fun!

In honor of Aunt Laura

We got to visit Sister Wittmer again, we were so excited to go see her! We walked in the home and she ran to us crying and told her husband to leave as she was hugging us. Her breathing was very irregular, but the longer we hugged her the more she calmed down. She exclaimed to us that she REALLY needed some girl time, so we just talked with her and ate strawberries, bananas, and nutella. She is seriously the funniest most wonderful lady that is SOO full of the spirit. All of her hair fell out this last week so she was wearing a bandana and then she showed us all of her bandanas and scarfs that she wears around her head and taught us how to tie them. She then gave each of us a scarf to have. Such a sweet lady, so we put them on and had a photo shoot! It was a lot of fun! I honestly just eat up everything she says.

Me, Sister Wittmer, Sister Valgardson

Sunday night we had dinner at the Cramers, (Mom you got a fun message right?) They were so much fun! They reminded me a lot of my family, always teasing each other and finding ways to have fun.Then she pulled out her SNAKE. I don't like snakes... at all. But I held it cause #Yolo and it wasn't even a very big one. It totally wasn't even bad, I am totally brave. But then I walked in front of its face and got the shivers down my back. BUT HEY I HELD IT. I'M BRAVE OK!

This is Rex and I am SOOOOO brave!

Overall It was a very fun week and we took lot's of pictures, SO ENJOY!


Have an amazing week!
Love,
Sister Hansen

Are you an Iron Rodder or a Liahoner?

This week has gone by so incredibly fast. But to start off, P day last week was so much fun. My district is just a ton of lunatics. We set up the volleyball net and it was just complete nonsense, but it felt good to laugh. I seriously laughed so hard I ended up on the floor holding my abs. They are such fun Elders.

So we have been helping this lady Sister Gentry move out and every time we go over there her three little puppies just run out to greet us. Sister Gentry puts little dresses on them, and changes them every day or every other day. They are adorable. But the other day as we were moving her stuff out, she asked if she could feed us dinner, we already had a dinner that night but she asked if we could come an hour earlier because her dinner was worth eating. We decided to have two dinners that night... BUT IT WAS WORTH IT. Sorta. She made us ALLIGATOR. WE ATE ALLIGATOR. And let me just say, it was really yummy but it didn't agree with either of us. We were sick to our stomach for the next week. And I still am paying for it. But it is still exciting. There were so many bones in it. Like BIG bones. I kept one and am going to bring it home. She is awesome and we are REALLY going to miss her and her little pups.

We had an amazing visit with a lady in our ward that has just figured out she has terminal cancer. WE LOVE HER. Everyone loves her. She told us that there are two kinds of people, and Iron Rodder and a Liahoner. She said Iron Rodder's are people who are book smart and doctrine smart and just really good at scriptures and stuff, and Liahoner's are good at connecting with people and sharing personal experiences and being loose. The perfect companionship is one of each I think. Her husband told us some funny family history stories (Some people down here are SUPER into genealogy, and I have actually kinda gotten into it. I studied and read over everyone on the chart dad sent me and read the stories as well. Looking through that chart, I can pick out where my personality has come from... little bit of her, little bit of him, it's kinda fun.

Last Sunday a couple in our ward brought a nonmember couple into church with them and they gave them a Book of Mormon and they accepted the discussions with us. We went over there last Monday and it went really well. We had some members there with us and THANK HEAVENS we did. This couple was a part of another religion and was VERY faithful. They were asking REALLY deep questions, that made us VERY grateful that one of the members was able to answer. But overall the lesson went really well and they seem pretty interested, we are teaching them again Tuesday night so hopefully it goes well and they want to keep hearing more!

Tracting is not SUPER effective. We will ride around the whole area and knock on LOTS of door but no one will answer or they say they are not interested, or they don't have time. It is a little frustrating at times, but we just have to shrug it off. We laugh about rejections because they aren't even willing to listen to us say ANYTHING. The ward is  really great and every week I have been learning more names and meeting new people. In ward council we have discussed that the Ward needs to do their job with inviting and finding so we have more people to teach. I hope they follow through because the finding and tracting we are doing is not really working.

YES there is a prison! A lot of the people around here work there and the only reason the population is a decent number is because of the Prison. We aren't allowed to teach there, but people in our ward have callings to go minister there every Sunday. We ride past the area and here them having target practice and it's pretty cool. We actually had dinner with one of the Psychologist at the prison and she had so many CRAZY stories. She said one time this guy wouldn't come out of his cell and they were gonna tranquilize him but they called her down and she was like "Guys Please" and held out Noodles and he came... She said that she works with a ton of Over grown Kindergartners. I can't imagine some of the mental people in there. I don't think I could do what she does. But she is Hilarious and that's probably why a lot of the inmates like her and will talk to her. An answer to My mothers question: Do I feel Safe? Yes. I feel safe. I have the best Body Guard in the world on my side 24/7.
I hope you have an amazing week, full of fun and happiness.

Love you all! Keep on keepin on!
Sister Hansen

Parent's note: Sorry, no pictures this week, but we love her letter!

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

1ST DAY: THE SPIRIT WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS

Well I am in the field as of today! I am soooo tired, this morning we woke up at 3:00 in the morning... NOT FUN. It's hard to stay focused on all the orientations when my eyes are pulling themselves closed. But I can honestly say there is no where else I would rather be. Flying in and looking over the valley, I had so much peace come over me and it felt so nice to have a feeling of confirmation.

At the airport. Photo compliments of Sister Rose's dad who happened to be at the airport and ran into them!
Sister Rose, Elder Kessler, Elder Palepal, Sister Hansen, Elder Heramsen

On the flight here I sat next to this super nice lady, her name was "E". On the other side of her was an Elder going to my mission but Spanish speaking. He started the conversation with her right away, like even before we took off. He started out with a question, then right to "Do you believe in God" I was shocked. She explained that she was Christened as a child then baptized in the Southern Baptist church when she was older. She just kept asking questions and this other Elder doesn't speak very good English and just kept saying random stuff. We started lifting off and he got really excited and just gazed out the window like an insect going into light. She resolved to me and we had a really nice discussion about her life and what she believed in, and she asked a TON of question (Which was really nice).

Sister Hansen and Sister Hansen get to meet for an hour at the MTC!! Tender Mercies!

She asked me a question that was NEVER asked to us in the MTC, and that was, "What role does your religion play in this world?" CAN I JUST SAY THAT THE SPIRIT WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS? Earlier my Protein shake spilled in my bag and so I was holding my PMG, B.O.M, pamphlets, and my journal... on my lap... like a little bible girl (that's kinda what I am for the next year and a half). I pulled out my Scriptures and read to her, 2 Nephi 31:21 and explained to her the Book of Mormon. It went really well and it wasn't stressing me out at all! She asked me some questions that I thought people just joked about, like I thought everyone knew that. Like she asked if we have arranged marriage. I was a little surprised. We ended exchanging emails and the Elder gave her a pass along card. What a way to jump right in, I'd say!

Jennifer, Elder Wittwer, Allison

So far so good, tomorrow they are having us go to the city Modesto and just approach people and talk to them... PRETTY NERVOUS FOR THAT but whatever. I'll send pictures next week!

Love,
Sister Hansen

Living in a Time Warp

Let me just start out by saying hard days were put into our lives for a reason and they can make us grow to be stronger missionaries. Sister Rose and I were so grateful for a new day. Our TRC's went really well (they didn't start out well buuuttt). We had a women named Raquel that we met with three times and then Hilma who we met with four times. We grew to LOVE both of them but had a really strong relationship with Hilma and we were always so excited to meet with her. At the end of our last lesson with her we committed her to baptism and it filled the room with the spirit and we are so grateful for the opportunity we had to meet with her.

Sister Hardy from my home ward! She is in my ZONE! And her room is right next door to mine.

Our new TRC's for this week are super fun. The first one we had an automatic connection because she is from OAKDALE. Which is like a few miles away from MODESTO! So she told us a little bit about home and we loved hearing about it and she enjoyed talking about it.

My good friend, Elder Wittwer. It's so nice to have a teeny tiny piece of home. 

HAVE I MENTIONED THAT I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR SISTER ROSE??? CAUSE I TOTALLY AM. We get along so well and balance each other out so much. She is so patient with me and my loud, obnoxious self. I testify that companionship's are inspired by God, I truly believe that. On Wednesday we were asked to prepare a lesson for Relief Society on The Creation, The Fall, and Agency. The lesson went better than we expected, especially because we prepared it an hour before the lesson. We appreciate the Spirit stepping in on that one...

Sister Rose being adorable

Sister Rose still being adorable

Exercise time is very important to me and I cherish it. We can't play volleyball anymore because of the tours. They didn't want anyone getting drilled in the face walking through the gym... I don't know I think it's a little dumb but whatever. So I have settled with four square which is SUPER fun. Sister Rose and I are like the only sister that play so it can get a little competitive. But we were playing for a while then some new Elders came and played and were going a little easy and so I smashed it in their square and got them out. All the Elders in the line were like "OOHHHHHHHH" and then someone said "You can't go easy on these Sisters they are too good". We take it pretty seriously.

Mongolian Flag flying right outside my classroom reminds me of my sister every day.

It's amazing how in just a short couple weeks someone can learn and grow so much. I feel the Saviors love at all times in my life. TODAY THE TEMPLE OPENED BACK UP! So as a district we got to go to the temple and the peace and reverence in their was just what I needed. LOVE IT!

Sister Hansen Loves to see the temple

Keep on Keepin on!
Sister Hansen

Elder Ly, THE BEST PIANIST I KNOW

Question from Dad: 

I was surprised to hear that most of your district is NOT going to Modesto. Do you get much interaction with the others going to Modesto that are not in your district? How do you feel about being separated?

Answer:

Sister Rose and I talk about being separated from the district [ current group that are not all going to Modesto] like every day, WE ARE NOT EXCITED. We have all grown so much and our friendships are so strong. But hopefully we will all be able to keep in touch while we are separated around the world.

Also, look what they have at the MTC!

Email Allison: anhansen@myldsmail.net

This missionary stuff is HARD

Can't believe that I have already been here for a week tomorrow! My companion's name is Sister Rose! And yes this is the same Sister Rose that I knew at Snow College! We have been working so well together with the lessons that we have been teaching. The first day our teacher (Sister Willey) said "Ok guys so this lesson is going to help you with your investigators that you will be teaching tomorrow." EXCUSE ME TOMORROW. Let me remind you that this was our first day. We were all a little shocked but in a good way. I guess that's one way to do it. JUMP HEAD FIRST.

We have 16 people in our district which is apparently really big, and the day we enter the mission field was the biggest day of the year! We were 400 over the limit in the biggest room at the MTC. 

Top Row Left to Right: Elder Larson, Moake, Hermansen, Kessler, Bird, Steadman, Brunson
Second Row: Elder Palepale, Sister Rose, Hansen, Mccann, Hoffman, Elder Blackmore, Gunn, Bringhurst, Johnson

The District Consists of:

Elder Bringhurst & Blackmore (Zone Leaders) Hawaii Honolulu

Elder Brunson & Moake - Indiana Indianapolis

Elder Steadman & Larson - Indiana Indianapolis

Elder Kessler & Palepale - Modesto California

Elder Gunn & Hermansen - Indiana Indianapolis & Modesto California

Elder Johnson & Bird (Elder Johnson is our District Leader)  Hawaii Honolulu

Sister Mccann & Hoffman (STL's) Hawaii Honolulu

Sister Hansen & Rose Modesto California

So our first Investigator's name was Taylor (she was just our teacher acting as Taylor but it felt soooo real). Our lessons started out pretty good with her and it was good to see how Sister Rose and I worked together. But our second lesson was so full of the spirit and Taylor felt it as well. We shared a ton of stuff with her but by the end we were just going off of the spirit and the lesson was bomb. We taught her to pray and asked her to pray for us at the end of the lesson and it was such a beautiful prayer. The spirit was so strong. On the third lesson the next day we committed her to baptism. And again even though it wasn't real, IT FELT SO REAL. Sister Rose and I felt so good after we left that room. 

YESTERDAY WAS SO HARD. I was told that some days you would say to yourself "What have I got myself into" that was yesterday. With all three investigators we just couldn't get the message across that we wanted to and we left feeling discouraged. But we prayed and kept working. This missionary stuff is HARD. But I know that it will be worth it in the end. 

Let me just rant about the MTC choir for a second and a half. WOWOWOWOWOWOW. One practice and it already sounded like that!?? Dang I am so excited to sing for the devotional tomorrow and even for next week So excited about that.

So far the MTC is so wonderful, I have already been called the Volleyball sister so that is an accomplishment. The tours for the MTC has started and there has been so many people already. We aren't aloud to talk to the tourist because we need to stay focused. I love when I get things from Dear Elder so keep it up! I'd love it if you would send pictures... and soap. But mostly soap cause I need that.

More next week!

Keep on Keepin on!

Sister Hansen

p.s. Hopefully I get better at this whole Email thing...

Hey, so I'm alive!!

1st day at the MTC was a success. AND GUESS WHO MY COMPANION IS?! Sister Rose the girl from school! When I saw her name on my envelope I literally asked my host if that was real, I couldn't believe it. So there are 16 people in my district, four girls and twelve boys. So it is really big. Also they said today was the day when the most missionaries came to the MTC. We are the top of the wave. Around 700 missionaries came today.


Ok well I will let you know more on my P day! All is well!


P.S. I AM A MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MTC Drop Off

[From Allison's parents]

We are now experts at the MTC drop ritual after dropping off Allison's sister, Jennifer, 18 months ago.

Allison set her alarm for the official missionary wake-up time, 6:30 am. She showered, got dressed, read her scriptures and finished packing. We ate breakfast, then she began tapping her feet and glancing at the clock. We didn't need to leave until 11, but Allison was wound up tighter than a spring. She brought her luggage up the stairs at 8:30. She was ready to go. She demanded it, so we left for Provo a few minutes after nine.

We had time to kill, so we stopped and looked at boats, then stopped at Walmart to get some final items. At the last second, she broke tradition (we usually lunch at Zupas), and we went to Cafe Rio. Not surprisingly, Cafe Rio was also full of departing missionaries and their families. We met missionaries departing for Georgia, Arkansas and two different missions in No. Carolina (one was headed to Raleigh which is where Gary's cousin is the mission president), and we didn't even ask everyone.

Allison and her mother were too excited to finish their lunch. When Dad finally finished his, we departed for the Provo temple. We joined at least a million other families taking last pictures with their missionaries. We met two different missionaries on the way to Farmington, NM. One family had inside information that 34 new missionaries were expected today for that mission alone. Allison also met some missionaries playing volleyball on their P-day that are headed for Poland in a couple weeks.

When the clock struck 12:50 pm, we loaded back in the car for the drop-off. At the curb, Allison like her sister before her, was impatient to go. No tears from her, but her mother made up for it. After a quick hug from her mother and father, she walked away. The next time we see her, she will be 18 months older and wiser.

Good luck Sister Hansen. We love you!

Email the new missionary at: anhansen@myldsmail.net

FAREWELL DAY!! Just like Billy Joel says "I'm Movin Out!"

Super Stoked to be the second Sister Hansen out in the field for 2 weeks!

A dear friend of mine, leaving just a week after me (July 19th)
heading out to Cincinnati Ohio!

My tumble buddy!
Ivy just returned from the Italy Milan Mission
and wishes she was back out there

Don't know what I am going to do without these girls!
Nicole: Weber State Sara: Macon, Georgia Maddie: Weber State
GOOD LUCK GIRLS!

Good News: My best friend fits in my luggage
Bad News: Cant take her with me because she has a bigger step in her life to make, eternity with her man on August 17th!

Typical best friends. LOVE THIS GIRL

My roommate Megan! Still a tall red head!
Love her to death!

Family, family, family!

Cousins! I love this family so much!

Grandma Hansen

Grandma and Grandpa Fisher

Peace out K-town

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out! I appreciate all of you! Everything came together beautifully and I am so happy about the turnout. Finished with the talk and now to the real stuff, I am so excited to get to the MTC on WEDNESDAY!! Freaking out but a good freaking out. And you know what it means if I am headed to the MTC? That means just a short time until my family gets to welcome home my sister from Mongolia! Then I get to see her the 29th. Big things are happening. Thank you again for the love and support!

Opening the Call

Receiving this picture over text while I was working made it a little hard to focus... for the rest of the day I kept forgetting to breathe and all I could think about is ripping into the envelope when I got home.

After work, I called up a good friend (Megumi) to come babysit me when I picked up the call. The ride from her house to my mailbox was very... noisy, you could say. I was screaming until I opened the mailbox then was immediately freaking out even more. We walked inside and Megumi decided to take my call home with her until I was going to open it (what a good friend... I think). After what happened with my sister, no one trusted me.

Click HERE to watch

My pre-opening guesses were Louisiana and Greece (For no particular reason). But, when I first saw CALIFORNIA, I thought "NO WAY" I was pumped right off the bat. If you watch the video my eyes just widen when I read it. Ultimately, I kind of wanted but was nervous to learn a language. After seeing some of the stuff my sister encountered in Mongolia, especially food and weather, I had to put my whole heart and trust in the Lord and know that where ever he sent me would be the perfect place. Researching the mission I really do believe that he chose the PERFECT place for me.

By the way, the audible OOOHH when I announced my MTC date was due to missing my sister by 16 days...

Lucky for me I was not the only one going through this process. In fact Five people from my ward turned in our mission papers THE SAME DAY. These pretty ladies are great friends of mine and I am excited for what the next couple of years bring.

Alli (Brazil), Mary (Canada), Me (Modesto)