Week Seventeen.

Hey folks!

This week has been busy and exciting!  There has been a really big emphasis in the mission placed on "talking with everyone"-- that means people we pass in the streets, on the bus, even while getting haircuts today!  It has been really powerful to see the effect that initiative has had on our productivity as missionaries-- we were able to find eleven new investigators this week!

We had a great branch council meeting this week and are eagerly looking forward to more member participation in the weeks to come.  We have been fed SO much--I'm afraid I'm getting just a little chubby from eating too much guiso (it's stew, the most common food here). :)

Unfortunately, President Armstrong held his last mission conference this week.  We'll really miss him-- he is such an example of divine guidance and exact obedience to his missionaries.  But his words were really touching, and he promised us that the general authorities work by inspiration in the reassignment of mission presidents.

And I believe him.  We eagerly anticipate President Newsome at the end of this month.

I have learned lately that the Lord gives us more and more each time we express gratitude to him.  I have felt my thanks yielding additional blessings each day as I strive to notice the Lord's hand in all things.  We have truly been given so much, and in comparison, very little is asked of us.  When we have been promised even more to come, shall we not receive happily every word of scripture, commandment, counsel, and correction?  I'm far from perfect, but realizing that is the first chance I have to begin to improve.

You are in my prayers.  Thank you all for yours.  They are powerful and sustaining.

With love,

Elder Hansen

Week Sixteen.

Hey everyone! I hope it's been a great week.

This week, I realized, marked the four month out here on my mission--or, as my math-happy mother would quickly point out, one sixth of this incredible journey.  It made me really reflective--I wondered if I had seen one sixth of the growth I could expect spiritually, my ability with the language, et cetera.  Not having baptized up to this point in my mission, it made me really hope that I get to help more than six times that many people become members of the Church!

I was really thankful, though, that I've been able to see so much good among inactive members turning their lives around.  I doubt I'll be able to forget Luis Dias, a man in little Varela who had been less active for years, anxiously await our visit to his home with his Book of Mormon open on his desk.  Or the Olivera family, who I saw in a temple preparation class this Sunday after several months of inactivity (We're actually going over to their house tonight for an FHE activity--My Mexican companion is going to cook tacos, an idea completely foreign to this country!).  It confirmed my testimony that God will always remember the righteous work we do among His children, especially the members of the true Church of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 6:10-12).  There was a place and a role for me to fulfill in the lives of the people of Uruguay, and I'm confident that we will see even more success in the weeks to come.

Unfortunately, Elder Trejo has been sick this last week and we didn't get out as much as I would have liked.  But we're changing that-- starting today!

I love you all,

Elder Hansen

Week Fifteen.

Buen día!

So guess what happened this week?  We had investigators come to Church meetings on Sunday for the first time in my whole mission!!  Woot!!  Their names are Adriana and Miguel, a couple about 40 years old, and they're both really sweet.  Adriana has a really strong Evangelical background, and always adds a little bit of "Alleluyah" or "Amen, amen, and amen!" to our meetings with her--it's really very fun.  She said she had been praying to find the truth when Elder Trejo (my companion) shared the Gospel with her in the street one day about a month back.  What a testimony that was to us that the Lord listens to All of His children as they sincerely speak with Him--not just members of the Church.

The trouble with Adriana is, she's separated from her former husband.  So she needs to get divorced and then marry Miguel.  In Uruguay, the processes of divorce and marriage are incredibly time consuming and complex.  So her baptism is more of a long-term goal.  But we're excited for her anyway :)  They both really liked Church (although one of the speakers took half an hour which they admitted was a little boring) and told us they'll visit again.  It's an exciting turn of events for me and for the area.

I was writing one of my friends and remembered a kind of embarrassing/really funny story from a couple months ago.  It was a Spanish blunder--in Spanish, the words for "diapers" is pañales, and "tissues"--like a Kleenex--is pañuelos.  Really similar.  So when I had a bout of allergies and was sneezing a lot, guess what I stopped by a supermarket to ask for? Yup. Diapers.

Another proof that I'm not anywhere near perfect.  God gives them to me every day.  :) It's great and hopefully it'll make me humble one of these days.

I love the Savior and His work!  I feel of your love and prayers.  Thank you.

Elder Hansen