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

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

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.