Dear Family,
This week has been the biggest Roller Coaster not only has the weather been up and down, but everything else too. I love it!
This week was up in the 70's and down in the teen's in a matter of a few days. It's been crazy.
But I guess the real story should start on Wednesday. We went to district meeting that day and were planning on going over to Ed and Vicki's for final baptismal preperations. We went over and Vicki was not feeling well and was not sure if Saturday was going to be the best. Well we tried to save that and pulled out baptismal whites to try on to try to get her excited. Which worked and after she picked out her jump-suit she was all sorts of excited for saturday.
Then on Thursday I spent all day rehearsing in Franklin TN for the musical firesides that will be put on in the mission. The first one will be March 6th. Pray that I'll be able to memorize everything.
Friday rolls around and vicki has her baptismal interview and is just on fire and so excited to be baptized. And we were estatic too! Well Friday was interviews also, and President told me that I most likely would be transfered but he didn't know where yet... well transfers were supposed to be done by Wedenesday, and we are usually told on Saturday. So I was just preparing myself to be transfered.
Then Saturday.... Well, this whole time we've been working with our ward mission leader to try and arrange the baptismal program and reserve the building and all. But just like always everything didn't go as planned. The other ward in our building had taken all the rooms, the room with the font included, and wouldn't let us move their things. Well we moved everything into the relief society room, and got yelled at because that is connected to the kitchen. Then we got moved to the Primary room. Well we hold the program in there, and stand around the font (not touching the other wards things) for the baptism. But all the fiasco didn't matter, because the spirit was so strong in the program and the meeting. I am so happy for the strides Vicki made to be baptized.
After the baptism, Vicki bore her testimony and boy I'll tell ya it made my soul smile!!! I was so happy for her. You know a missionaries true joy comes from seeing his converts active and happy in the church.
Well Sunday rolls around with still no call for transfers, so I just figure I'm staying for another 6 weeks. Then five min. before sacrament we get a call. President Hutchings called to let me know I will be transfered to the Smith Springs area (antioch TN) and will be a new District Leader. From one leadership possition to another. But I am excited for this new adventure.
I look back at my 6 months in Hendersonville with Peace and Love. I worked my very hardest and I've been blessed for it. I did the very best that I knew how. I really have been changed for the better, and I hope Hendersonville has been too. I'm excited for the adventure to come.
Well I need to go, so I can pack for tomorrow.
With Love,
Elder Jonathan David Hansen
Bringing the World His Truth...
One Soul at a Time
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY AND VALENTINES DAY - February 16, 2009
Dear Family.
This week has been really good, hard, but good. On Wednesday, We were able to go to the Temple. I love the time I get to spend in the temple. It is such a good experience.
Then on Thursday I spent the day in Goodletsville. I've been going on exchanges a lot. You'd think that if they wanted me to train they would let me stay with my companion. Just kidding. Elder Carpenter is just so good that he doesn't need me to keep the work going.
Well Vicki didn't get baptized last week. She felt that everything was moving to fast, which is fine, but she is going to be baptized this Saturday. Her in-laws and her husband's family are so excited for her, and we are too. So instead of a Valentines baptism we are just going to have it on the 21st. I guess my holiday trend just wasn't going to work.
Elder Carpenter and I have been teaching like crazy. I love to teach with him because he teaches so well. It is kinda scary to think that he is only two months out. But I'm so excited for this next week.
It's the last week of the Transfer and I'm not sure if I'm staying or going. I could go, which would be fine. But I could also stay, which would be...well fine. I love Hendersonville, and whenever I leave I just want to leave it better than I found it.
I love the work and I love all of you! I hope you all had a good Valentines day. Happy Presidents Day. Elder Carpenter and I put on our best suits and ties to celebrate.
Love, Elder Hansen
PS. Write more I miss hearing from y'all!
This week has been really good, hard, but good. On Wednesday, We were able to go to the Temple. I love the time I get to spend in the temple. It is such a good experience.
Then on Thursday I spent the day in Goodletsville. I've been going on exchanges a lot. You'd think that if they wanted me to train they would let me stay with my companion. Just kidding. Elder Carpenter is just so good that he doesn't need me to keep the work going.
Well Vicki didn't get baptized last week. She felt that everything was moving to fast, which is fine, but she is going to be baptized this Saturday. Her in-laws and her husband's family are so excited for her, and we are too. So instead of a Valentines baptism we are just going to have it on the 21st. I guess my holiday trend just wasn't going to work.
Elder Carpenter and I have been teaching like crazy. I love to teach with him because he teaches so well. It is kinda scary to think that he is only two months out. But I'm so excited for this next week.
It's the last week of the Transfer and I'm not sure if I'm staying or going. I could go, which would be fine. But I could also stay, which would be...well fine. I love Hendersonville, and whenever I leave I just want to leave it better than I found it.
I love the work and I love all of you! I hope you all had a good Valentines day. Happy Presidents Day. Elder Carpenter and I put on our best suits and ties to celebrate.
Love, Elder Hansen
PS. Write more I miss hearing from y'all!
CRAZY TENNESSEE WEATHER - February 9, 2009
Dear family,
So the weather in Tennessee is crazy. The beginning of this week was snowing freezing cold, down in the teens, but by the end of the week we have been hitting 70. So it's been hard to judge what the next day will be like. But it made for nice biking weather by the end of the week.
Yesterday we had zone conference and had some great trainings by the assistants to the president. I love Zone Confrence because it is just nice to see how others in the Zone are doing. I love that the work is moving forward and that there is so much good being done in this world that sometimes looks bleak and dim. But when we put our trust in God and are built upon the Rock, we shall not fall. I love that promise... mostly because it's true.
Elder Carpenter and I should have a baptism this Saturday. Vicki is married to a former member and really wants to be a member of the Church. It has been so fun to go over and teach them and see the changes that are taking place as they take that leap of faith and turn their lives over to the Lord, and the blessings that come from that. I love that they are realizing that the commandments are there to keep us happy. They may not look like much fun, but they will keep us happy.
We had the first rehearsal for the musical firesides. President Hutchings picked 6 missionaries (3 Elders and 3 sisters) to go and put on these Musical Firesides. The first one is about the Savior and the Plan of salvation. Through narration, picture slide shows, and MUSIC the story of the Savior is so powerfully presented that any elect soul will want to join the Church that Christ himself set up. It will be truly amazing and rewarding to be apart of this. Our first performance is on March 6th.
Things are still going well here in Hendersonville. I hope all is well back home.
MOM- Happy Birthday again!
I love you all,
Elder Hansen
So the weather in Tennessee is crazy. The beginning of this week was snowing freezing cold, down in the teens, but by the end of the week we have been hitting 70. So it's been hard to judge what the next day will be like. But it made for nice biking weather by the end of the week.
Yesterday we had zone conference and had some great trainings by the assistants to the president. I love Zone Confrence because it is just nice to see how others in the Zone are doing. I love that the work is moving forward and that there is so much good being done in this world that sometimes looks bleak and dim. But when we put our trust in God and are built upon the Rock, we shall not fall. I love that promise... mostly because it's true.
Elder Carpenter and I should have a baptism this Saturday. Vicki is married to a former member and really wants to be a member of the Church. It has been so fun to go over and teach them and see the changes that are taking place as they take that leap of faith and turn their lives over to the Lord, and the blessings that come from that. I love that they are realizing that the commandments are there to keep us happy. They may not look like much fun, but they will keep us happy.
We had the first rehearsal for the musical firesides. President Hutchings picked 6 missionaries (3 Elders and 3 sisters) to go and put on these Musical Firesides. The first one is about the Savior and the Plan of salvation. Through narration, picture slide shows, and MUSIC the story of the Savior is so powerfully presented that any elect soul will want to join the Church that Christ himself set up. It will be truly amazing and rewarding to be apart of this. Our first performance is on March 6th.
Things are still going well here in Hendersonville. I hope all is well back home.
MOM- Happy Birthday again!
I love you all,
Elder Hansen
HAPPY GROUND HOG DAY - February 2, 2009
Dear family,
I'm pretty sure that Hendersonville's Groundhog saw his shadow because it is going to snow today and tomorrow. But the snow here is always less than an inch and everything shuts down.
I had a really good week this week. Elder Carpenter and I were able to teach a preacher, who is interested in learning more. We set a baptismal date for Valentines day, and I went on exchanges.
Now this week we weren't able to teach much because the weather was so bad. It snowed Tuesday and Wednesday, and was just super cold until Saturday, but the lessons we did have were really good.
On Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Corrnado to speak Spanish in Springfield. It was fun to be able to testify in Spanish, and to understand most of what was said. But the highlight of the exchange was when I sang for a family in Spanish. I love how the Gospel reaches everyone.
But while I was gone Elder Carpenter and Elder Calkins (my district leader) set a date with Vicky, a non-member married to an ex-member trying to come back. It is so exciting to see people come closer to Jesus.
We had interviews this week and I was asked to sing in the next musical firesides coming up in March. So I'm practicing for those and am very excited to use my talents to reach people and to testify of Christ and his restored Gospel.
And lastly, I hate the Super Bowl. In all our work yesterday we weren't able to teach one lesson or get in one door because of that dang game ;) it was just funny to me to see people, even ward members, pick the super bowl over Jesus.
But things are still going good here in Hendersonville!
--I love you,
Elder Hansen
I'm pretty sure that Hendersonville's Groundhog saw his shadow because it is going to snow today and tomorrow. But the snow here is always less than an inch and everything shuts down.
I had a really good week this week. Elder Carpenter and I were able to teach a preacher, who is interested in learning more. We set a baptismal date for Valentines day, and I went on exchanges.
Now this week we weren't able to teach much because the weather was so bad. It snowed Tuesday and Wednesday, and was just super cold until Saturday, but the lessons we did have were really good.
On Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Corrnado to speak Spanish in Springfield. It was fun to be able to testify in Spanish, and to understand most of what was said. But the highlight of the exchange was when I sang for a family in Spanish. I love how the Gospel reaches everyone.
But while I was gone Elder Carpenter and Elder Calkins (my district leader) set a date with Vicky, a non-member married to an ex-member trying to come back. It is so exciting to see people come closer to Jesus.
We had interviews this week and I was asked to sing in the next musical firesides coming up in March. So I'm practicing for those and am very excited to use my talents to reach people and to testify of Christ and his restored Gospel.
And lastly, I hate the Super Bowl. In all our work yesterday we weren't able to teach one lesson or get in one door because of that dang game ;) it was just funny to me to see people, even ward members, pick the super bowl over Jesus.
But things are still going good here in Hendersonville!
--I love you,
Elder Hansen
HOW'S THAT FOR A MIRACLE - January 26, 2009
Dear Family,
Hendersonville is a good place to train. It is just small enough to find your way around easy. But has so many people that you never run out of people to meet. Elder Carpenter has been so easy to train. He is such a hard worker. Isn't afraid to teach, testify, or even knock a door. He just needs his skills refined which is really coming along nicely.
It was his first week on bikes and it reminded me of my first week on bikes. Sore butt, sore legs, but this time of year you get cold eyes too. ;) But we have had a really good week.
We are still doing a lot of finding, but mainly because we're not getting a lot of support from the ward leaders. As the economy becomes rocky out here, the time spent being missionary minded comes to a end. So we have been knocking a lot of doors. But that's ok because we've been finding those who are interested. We just need to start teaching them.
This last week we were asked to look for the miracles. So here it goes.
We started Teaching Ed and Vicky. Ed is a former member and Vicky is his wife. They are sweet and hope to be baptized by the end of next month. I'm so excited for them. What a miracle.
Now last night, Sunday night, Elder Carpenter and I had all our plans changed on us and we ended up with three hours of time we needed to fill. So we knelt and prayed and both felt that we should go and tract an area that I've only tracted once and only knocked two or three doors.
So we started on a street and knocked a lot of doors with no success. We got to the end of the street with one to go. And I knew we were on the street for a reason. Elder Carpenter knocked the door. And a man came to the door with his girls. He was very nice to us and then told us that a member was renting his room, I had no idea that this member was living there, and he wanted us to come back and share more with him about our church and about eternal families. I love when we are able to be directed by the Spirit to touch someone's life. And just to be placed where we're supposed to be. Not bad for a little miracle!
And I got the calendar Tim sent me. I love it and our family. We are the greatest miracle of all! Thank you for it!
I love the work here and it is going well. We have a few good investigators and hope to have a baptism in the middle of next month.
Pray for the missionaries, and for your own missionary experiences. And then act on them. Act in faith. Faith is a principle of Action and of Power. I know the blessings it will bring to you!
I love you all. And pray for you everyday.
Love,
Elder Jonathan David Hansen
Still in Hendersonville
Hendersonville is a good place to train. It is just small enough to find your way around easy. But has so many people that you never run out of people to meet. Elder Carpenter has been so easy to train. He is such a hard worker. Isn't afraid to teach, testify, or even knock a door. He just needs his skills refined which is really coming along nicely.
It was his first week on bikes and it reminded me of my first week on bikes. Sore butt, sore legs, but this time of year you get cold eyes too. ;) But we have had a really good week.
We are still doing a lot of finding, but mainly because we're not getting a lot of support from the ward leaders. As the economy becomes rocky out here, the time spent being missionary minded comes to a end. So we have been knocking a lot of doors. But that's ok because we've been finding those who are interested. We just need to start teaching them.
This last week we were asked to look for the miracles. So here it goes.
We started Teaching Ed and Vicky. Ed is a former member and Vicky is his wife. They are sweet and hope to be baptized by the end of next month. I'm so excited for them. What a miracle.
Now last night, Sunday night, Elder Carpenter and I had all our plans changed on us and we ended up with three hours of time we needed to fill. So we knelt and prayed and both felt that we should go and tract an area that I've only tracted once and only knocked two or three doors.
So we started on a street and knocked a lot of doors with no success. We got to the end of the street with one to go. And I knew we were on the street for a reason. Elder Carpenter knocked the door. And a man came to the door with his girls. He was very nice to us and then told us that a member was renting his room, I had no idea that this member was living there, and he wanted us to come back and share more with him about our church and about eternal families. I love when we are able to be directed by the Spirit to touch someone's life. And just to be placed where we're supposed to be. Not bad for a little miracle!
And I got the calendar Tim sent me. I love it and our family. We are the greatest miracle of all! Thank you for it!
I love the work here and it is going well. We have a few good investigators and hope to have a baptism in the middle of next month.
Pray for the missionaries, and for your own missionary experiences. And then act on them. Act in faith. Faith is a principle of Action and of Power. I know the blessings it will bring to you!
I love you all. And pray for you everyday.
Love,
Elder Jonathan David Hansen
Still in Hendersonville
IT'S SNOWING! January 19, 2009
Dear Family,
Right now as I sit E-mailing the snow is coming down. Tennessee doesn't get a lot of snow, and so when it does everything shuts down. I think how funny it is to have less than an inch of snow on the ground and have everyone run to the store for bread and milk.
I also want to say Congrats to Mark and Aimee. I was so happy to hear you got your Number 1 pick. (Mark was accepted to Duke University OphthalmologyResidency) I am super excited for you!!!
Also, I hear the Draper Temple is having their open house. What a great missionary opportunity to share the gosple with those who don't know what the temple is or why they are important. I am happy to see that their is missionary work going on back home too!
Now for the Big news. Training a new missionary is so much FUN!!!! Elder Carpenter and I get along really well. He is from Sandy and went to Alta High School. He graduated in '08 so we know a lot of the same people. In fact he lived in Kylie Chapman's old ward.
I don't know what he thinks of me but I have had a blast serving with him. It is fun to help him get better as a missionary and to see him progress and grow. Now training is difficult because it is hard to balance teaching and finding. But I'm learning. This experience has helped me to grow so much I feel like I actually know how this work is supposed to run now. But now we need to find people to teach.
With Elder Pearson leaving, We exausted our teaching pool. So now Elder Carpenter and I have the great task of knocking doors and contacting in Wal-mart and running away from the Mounted Police (on horse back) as we try to share a little light with people. I have had such a good time learning that I do know how this work is to go and I do know how the Spirit works through me.
I am witness to Ether 12 "if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. " My weaknesses are becoming strengths as I drop my pride.
The work is going well. Just slow. We are rebuilding from the great transfer that Elder Pearson and I spent together.
I love the work! I really do. I know now more that I ever have before that this is truly the Church of Jesus Christ, that Thomas S. Monson is God's Prophet and mouth-piece, and that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I hope you all know that and if things are hard... Borrow my testimoy for a while.
Love,Elder Jonathan David Hansen
Right now as I sit E-mailing the snow is coming down. Tennessee doesn't get a lot of snow, and so when it does everything shuts down. I think how funny it is to have less than an inch of snow on the ground and have everyone run to the store for bread and milk.
I also want to say Congrats to Mark and Aimee. I was so happy to hear you got your Number 1 pick. (Mark was accepted to Duke University OphthalmologyResidency) I am super excited for you!!!
Also, I hear the Draper Temple is having their open house. What a great missionary opportunity to share the gosple with those who don't know what the temple is or why they are important. I am happy to see that their is missionary work going on back home too!
Now for the Big news. Training a new missionary is so much FUN!!!! Elder Carpenter and I get along really well. He is from Sandy and went to Alta High School. He graduated in '08 so we know a lot of the same people. In fact he lived in Kylie Chapman's old ward.
I don't know what he thinks of me but I have had a blast serving with him. It is fun to help him get better as a missionary and to see him progress and grow. Now training is difficult because it is hard to balance teaching and finding. But I'm learning. This experience has helped me to grow so much I feel like I actually know how this work is supposed to run now. But now we need to find people to teach.
With Elder Pearson leaving, We exausted our teaching pool. So now Elder Carpenter and I have the great task of knocking doors and contacting in Wal-mart and running away from the Mounted Police (on horse back) as we try to share a little light with people. I have had such a good time learning that I do know how this work is to go and I do know how the Spirit works through me.
I am witness to Ether 12 "if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. " My weaknesses are becoming strengths as I drop my pride.
The work is going well. Just slow. We are rebuilding from the great transfer that Elder Pearson and I spent together.
I love the work! I really do. I know now more that I ever have before that this is truly the Church of Jesus Christ, that Thomas S. Monson is God's Prophet and mouth-piece, and that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I hope you all know that and if things are hard... Borrow my testimoy for a while.
Love,Elder Jonathan David Hansen
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