26 October 2009 H-A-L-L-O-O-W-E-E-N

Dear Family,

As Halloween is fast approaching it has given me time to reflect on last year at this time. I'm not too far, distance wise, from where I was last year. But in my understanding of the work and ministry of a missionary the Growth is astounding. It's so strange to look back on the past year, and the last few months have flown by. I'm a little nervous about how fast the rest of my time in the mission is going to go.

This week was amazing. Elder Pearson and I have learned a lot of good lessons. We set a baptismal date this week and it was such a good experience. Elder Pearson has been working with a man named Jack Simpson. He is so smart and loves the bible. But as we started to work with him, the Spirit bore witness of the truthfulness of our work. We prayed to know what to teach Jack because we wanted to help him progress and find happiness in his hectic life. The Spirit bore witness to us that we needed to teach him about authority. We taught him about the authority being restored and before we could even commit him to be baptized by that authority he called out, I know what you're going to ask and the answer is yes. So we set a date for him on the 14th of November. He came to church yesterday, and wants to bring his whole family next time. I love the Lord. I love the promptings of the Spirit. I love the work I'm engaged in. It is so amazing!!!
Also, this week we have had some problems with a district leader leading out of compusion and dominion instead of out of love. It was getting to be a real problem and he lost the trust of the entire district. This morning I prayed and studied to know what to say to him to help him through this problem, when the words of D&C 121 came into my mind. I prayed and recieved direct revelation on how to help him in his stewardship and I could bearly contain the excitement as I called him. The Holy Ghost prompted me not to bring it up, but if it was a concern of his... he would bring it up. And within 2 min. he brought up the concern and I shared with him the doctrine I had learned that morning about D&C 121 and we made goals and plans to get him on the right track. Again, I love the Spirit. These promptings are so real. The Gospel is so amazing. I love to be a missionary. The only problem is, I wish I would have known all this when I started a year ago. But I guess thats part of the progress.
I hope y'all have a happy Halloween. I know we're fixin' to. And know I love you. I miss you and pray for you always.

Love,
Elder Hansen