09 November 2009 I'VE NEVER BEEN SO TIRED!

Dear Family,

I've never been so tired in my entire life. I guess I have to start at last week. So let me get started.

On Tuesday we went to transfers and had a choir practice afterwards. It was a really good day and we had a lot of set lessons that night. We went to one with Jack and Michealle. Michealle had gotten a copy of the movie Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration and watched it and had a spiritual confirmation that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. And she asked to be baptized. And then her Daughter and son-in-law asked to be baptized too. So the whole family wants to be baptized and join Christ's church!

Then Wednesday we had a meeting with President and the assistants in the morning and had a great training on getting answers for ourselves. It was a great spiritual boost for the day. Afterwards we met with an investigator that lives in our area but was being taught by the Hendersonville elders and she said she had prayed that night and has a spiritual witness that Joseph Smith was a Prophet and now wants to be baptized. So within two days we went from Two solid Baptismal Dates to 6 Solid Baptismal dates. It was so amazing.

And then that Evening we went to Jack and Michealle's again and taught the Plan of Salvation. At the end of the lesson Michealle jumped out of her seat and pleaded for it to be true, and then asked elder Pearson and I to do the work for her father, who is dead. It was so amazing to see the confirmation of the spirit come and testify it was true.

Elder Pearson and I have been running to keep all the things in order, and until all these baptisms pass, we won't be stopping anytime soon. This week my Zone will meet with Elder Arnold of the 70. Wish us luck.

I've never worked so hard but never been happier. I love the Lord, I love the work.

Love,
Elder Hansen

ADDRESS IN MADISON

Here is my address in Madison in case anyone wants to write me a real letter!

Elder Jonathan David Hansen
902 Rivergate Meadows Dr.
Goodlettsville, TN 37072

2 Nov 2009 ANOTHER SIX WEEKS IN MADISON

Dear Family,

On Halloween night we got transfer calls again, and I'm staying in Madison for another six weeks. I love this area and all the success we are having. I've had so many sacred and spiritual experiences.

First off this week. We have been having a hard time getting members to come and help us with exchanges, so I decided to take it into my own hands and we took out members from Hendersonville. We needed a ride and they wanted to help me, so Elder Pearson and I went on exchanges with Nick Crump of the Hendersonville Ward. It's so sweet to have those friends so close that want to help in the work.

Then on Wednesday we went to all the district meetings of our zone and trained on setting goals by the Spirit. I learned so much and I feel it was well received. The Zone is starting to trust us and we are having a great time leading them to victory. I love being able to serve them and see their success. It just brings me so much joy.

Now, for the most important I want to write about the success and progress of one of my favorite investigators here in Madison, Jack Simpson. We started teaching Jack after he ordered a "Mr. Krugers Christmas." It was funny because he started off by saying, "I'll never become a Mormon, but I like the way I feel when you're around. So, come back."

We came back and taught him about the Restoration and Plan of Salvation, which he loved and wanted to know more. The Spirit started to work with him and the only reason he started to progress is because he actually kept his commitments. Commitment keeping is the first step to covenant keeping.

A week ago we set a baptismal date with Jack and since then his wife, daughter, and son-in-law, all have started to take the lessons and wanted to know more about what we teach. It was so amazing.

Then this last week we went over and taught the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity around a Restoration lesson and God calling Prophets. They loved it and at the end of the lesson they all bore their testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel. The gospel has changed their lives they have a new light. It is so amazing.

And last night we gave them blessings, and with tears in their eyes they begged us to bless their grandchildren; it reminded me of Christ in 3 nephi 17 blessing the Nephite children. I love the way the Spirit works.

I can't believe it's November! I have no idea where October went. All the missionaries had to come in for Halloween night, and it was such a shock to me to see that it's aready November.
I was freakin' out a little. The time just keeps getting faster and faster.

Elder Pearson and I are preparing for a big month in November. We are shooting for 9 Baptisms as a Zone and 3 for us individually, and it actually looks like we are going to get it.
I've been recording a tape that I hope to send soon that has talked all about what has been going on this past week. We've been teaching the Simpson family and they are so on fire.

I love missionary work. I know the church it true,

Elder Hansen