19 October 2009 WHERE IS SULPHUR WELL, KY?

Dear Family,

I spent the majority of the week in Kentucky, exactly 1/2 the zone is in Kentucky and 1/2 is in Tennessee. Kentucky has such a different feel than Tennessee. It's almost like walking into a different world.

Things have been going great. On Monday Elder Pearson and I went up to Sulphur Well (100miles one way) to the elders serving in that branch. We had a great exchange and really got to love the Zone. It was such a good experience and it really taught me that really good leadership comes out of love, I can't force anyone to react the way I want them to, but if they love and respect me they will want to do it. It is such a learning process.

We then went to Zone Confrence. Our trainings were on Overcoming Objections and how to judge a successful missionary. It was a good training, but Elder Pearson and I both wish we could have had more time to prepare. Then I went on another Exchange to Bowling Green, Ky. The people in Kentucky are just more open and willing to talk. Even if people don't want to accept the message, they will at least talk to you. It was really refreshing, and I was able to meet with their baptismal dates, and it was so good to see the success that is happening up there.
But being gone for a long time makes it hard to swing back into things. I felt like I didn't know any of my investigators. So Elder Pearson filled me in on all that was happening.

Then the best day of all. Sunday. Sunday for a missionary is like Game Day. It is what we prepare for all week. If people don't come to church, they can't get baptized. And if they don't get baptized with authority they cannot gain Eternal Life. And as I missionary I cannot bear that any creature should not receive Eternal Life. We had two people come to church. It was so amazing. And they both loved it. I love seeing them feel the Spirit and want to draw closer to Christ. Then last night (Sunday also) we went to visit with Robin, one of the ones who came to church. We watched the restoration with him and he loved it and then we asked him about the church... trying to prompt him to bear his testimony of what he was feeling. He bore his testimony of Joseph Smith and of the Book of Mormon.... This was something I was not at all expecting, so Elder Pearson and I committed him to be baptized on the 7th of November. It was so exciting.

I had a really good week and love all that I'm doing. Things are great. I love being a missionary, but more than anything... I know the Church of Jesus Christ is on the earth today and that Joseph Smith restored it to the Earth in these Latter-days. How great is my joy in sharing this good news with Aal I meet.

I hope all is well back home. I miss you all.

With Love,
Elder Jonathan David Hansen