Monday, September 15th, 2008 - Jon Arrives in Nashville

We received our first letter from Jon since he has been in Nashville. He has been in Tennessee for one week. He loves being out in the mission field and is already working hard. After leaving the MTC, he boarded the plane with one stop in Atlanta and then arrived in Tennessee in the afternoon. Jon had high hopes to try to talk to and convert every person on his flight to Nashville but he soon realized that everyone he was sitting next to was already LDS. During a layover in Atlanta, he tried to talk to others about the gospel but found that most were Methodist or Baptist and were not interested. Welcome to the South!

When he arrived in Tennessee, he was greeted by his mission president and the president's assistants. They seemed very excited to be receiving a new batch of "greenies". Jon was assigned to Hendersonville, TN (pronounced Hendersonvul) and his trainer is Elder Geohagan ( pronounced Go-Hagan). When he arrived in his new area he and his companion went strait to do street contacts. Jon first contact went something like this:

Elder Hansen: Hi there!
Man at Krogers: Hi.
Elder Hansen: I want to talk to you.
Man: Oh really?
Elder Hansen: Yes really. I have a message for you here from Jesus Christ.
"Next thing I knew he was in the car and gone."

Things weren't all bad that first day. Jon said that they received a baptismal committment.

It sounds like Jon will be biking a lot in this area but they will also have some use of a car. We already warned people in Tennessee to stay off of the sidewalk!

Jon says, "I LOVE the area and am working really hard."

Here are some picture Jon sent this week:

Jon's MTC District

Jon's MTC companion, Elder Doggins

Jon's new companion, Elder Geohagan

Monday, September 9, 2008 - Jon Leaves for Nashville

Jon went to the airport today. Mom and Dad received a phone call at 5:15 am from Jon telling them he had arrived at the airport and was waiting for his flight. They talked for about an hour. Jon sounded very upbeat and excited to get into the mission field. He says that he hasn't been homesick at all because he has been so busy. He enjoyed his time in the MTC but he is ready to be out in Tennessee. He was excited to meet his mission president and his new companion. It sounds like he made it onto the plane just fine. We are anxiously awaiting word from Tennessee!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008 - The Second Letter

We received Jon's second letter. It sounds like he is having a great time in the MTC. This week Jon had the oppotunity to teach the first and second lessons from "Preach My Gospel" at the Training Resource Center. This is a place where you get to practice teaching from "Preach My Gospel" to volunteers. Jon said, "it is so great, even if it is just practice, to be able to tell these people just how happy this gospel has made you, and promise them the same blessings. I love this work!"

Life in the MTC is great but it can get a little monotonous. One of the ways to break things up is to go to the Referal Center to take orders and confirm deliveries of Books of Mormon and other church media. Jon has seen some great miracles performed there while talking on the phone with people about the church. He was able to set up 2 missionary visits, commit 5 people to go to church and send a few Book of Mormons out. His district really enjoys there time at the Referal Center.

Jon has really enjoyed being the district leader. It gives him an opportunity to serve and he has seen some spiritual growth in those he is serving.

Jon says, "I'm loving the work and I love the gospel. It is True."

Jon leaves for Nashville in less than a week. The next letter will be from Tennessee. YEEEEEEHAAAAAAAA!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - The First Week

Jon had his first preparation day (P-Day). He is loving his time in the MTC. He says they spend a lot of time praying and reading the scriptures which he has grown to love. The Elders in his district are all going to the Nashville, Tennessee mission. They are Elder Nelson, Elder Capener, Elder Doggins, Elder Lindstrom, Elder Wadsworth, Elder Austin, Elder Parlogean, Elder Wagner, Elder Mick, Elder Clark and Elder Prettyman. He is still getting along with his companion, Elder Doggins, and he seems to be the perfect compliment to Jon: "tall, dark, and quiet."

Jon says life in the MTC is going well. He was glad that he had the opportunity to read, study, and memorize scriptures from the "Preach My Gospel" manuel before he entered the MTC. He says you can really tell a difference in those missionaries who had prepared in advance. They can spend more time working on their testimonies.

Jon had a great faith promoting experience this week. In his own words Jon says, "two days ago at gym we went outside to play kick ball (we hope he means soccer). One of the Elder's in my district lost his room key. We stopped the game and frantically looked for the elusive key. But we could not find it anywhere. I knelt down in the field and said a quick silent prayer that the Lord would help us find his key. And when I said AMEN I looked down right at the bottom of my knees and I had knelt right over the key. I know that may sound stupid, but it was a big faith promoter."

Jon asks that we remember the missionaries in our prayers. He says the work is true and he loves being a missionary. Keep up the good work Jon!

Thursday, August 21, 2008 - First Day in the MTC

We received our first letter! Jon sounds very upbeat. After saying goodbye to Mom, Dad, and Laura, on the first day, he went and picked up his books, and found his room. He met his companion, Elder Doggins. Jon says he is tall and very quiet. Everyone in Jon's room is going to the Nashville, Tennessee mission. That night the elders in his district met their branch president, President Marriot, and they bore their testimonies to each other. Afterward, President Marriot interviewed each Elder in the district and then made Jon the district leader. Jon was surprised but very excited. He will do a great job. It sounds like he is having a great time. He asks us to pray for the missionaries. He is very upbeat and excited to begin this new phase of his life. We're praying for you, Jon!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - The MTC

The morning finally arrived. Since Dad was Jon's companion, they arose and had companionship scripture study, prayer and then went out tracting in the neighborhood. Just kidding. The morning was spent making final preparations. The suitcase was zipped up for the final time. Jon requested that his last breakfast be at Mimi's Cafe. Jon ate an omelet, a hot blueberry muffin, and a glass of orange juice. After breakfast, Mom, Dad, Jon, and Laura were off to the MTC. Jon checked in and was given his name badge, but it wouldn't fit in his pocket because his front pocket still had the stitching in the seam and it was sewn shut. Apparently, they were in good company - all the new missionaries had forgotten to pick out the seam. The MTC staff passed out seam rippers and moms fixed the pockets so that the name badges would fit. The missionaries were then herded into the large auditorium to watch the famous "Mormon-ads". They were given council by the MTC presidency to make their goodbyes quick like ripping off a band aid quickly so it won't hurt so bad. Jon quickly said his goodbyes and gave one final hug. Laura only got a handshake - mission rules - just kidding! Jon then went quickly through the door. Mom, Dad, and Laura sat in the auditorium and cried. It was a long car ride back to South Jordan! Good Luck, Jon!

Breakfast at Mimi's Cafe

Jon's last meal

At the MTC

Gifted and Talented Missionaries know to pull the door open, not push!

Getting instructions from a very experienced missionary.

Mom realizing his pocket is sewn shut.

Best Friends!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - Elder Jonathan D. Hansen

Tuesday night Jonathan was set apart as an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a great night. It was done at Mom and Dad's home with friends and family present. Paul and Julie even got to participate over the Internet. The stake president was there presiding. He asked select family members to share thoughts and give some advice to Jon. Jon was then set apart. At the stake president's request, only a select few were allowed to participate in the circle. Afterward, Jon was able to bear his testimony as a new missionary and new Elder for the church. It was really powerful and neat to see and hear. The stake president told Jon that from that time forth, he was to live the mission rules and have Dad as a companion until he arrived at the MTC. Jon was all smiles. One more sleep until the big day!

Gage and Carter saying goodbye to their favorite uncle.

Madi, Ivy, and Tanner saying goodbye to Uncle Jon in AZ.

Jon with Kimball and Liza.

Sunday, August 17, 2008 - The Farewell

Sunday was the farewell. It was a great day. Mom and Dad worked hard to make sure the house was in order and to make sure that everything was perfect. Mom had been baking for weeks to make sure enough food was ready. Jon sang a musical number and then gave a great talk. It was a spiritual meeting. Afterward, family and friends gathered together at Mom and Dad's to visit with Jon and eat some tasty food. Everyone stuffed themselves with sandwiches, mint brownies, eclaires, salads, and other wonderful treats. It was fun to see so many family members, friends, and ward members there supporting Jon. It was a great day!

Here are a few pictures of the open house.

Jon's Farewell Musical Number

Jon's Testimony