Week Twenty-four!

Hello, hello!

Busy but exciting week--- FLORENCIA GOT BAPTIZED!!!  Pictures attached.  Not a lot of time today but the excitement of the moment speaks for itself, methinks.  Love and prayers your way,

Elder Hansen

Week Twenty-three.

¿Qué tal?  ¿Cómo andan?

We had another pretty good week!  We were finally able to meet Florencia's parents and they are on board for her baptism this Sunday!  Her mother may even want to be baptized herself, which is exciting.  Some other investigators have also begun to progress, among them an investigator named Mario who's been investigating the Church for five years (You'd think he would have made a decision one way or the other by now!).  During companionship study one morning, we felt impressed to share a specific scripture about baptism and the Spirit with him later that night.  When we showed up to his house, he had felt prompted to read that same passage, Acts chapter 2, and told us all about it and what he'd read!  It was a very touching experience, and helped us to see how often our lives are guided by the Holy Ghost as righteous members of the Lord's kingdom here on the earth-- oftentimes without even realizing that it's happening.  I know the Gift of the Holy Ghost that I received when I was baptized is real, and as we each strive to live worthily, we entitle ourselves to blessings of guidance, revelation, comfort, and protection.  I love the knowledge that a divine being can be at our side as we teach and testify; He can even be our constant companion if we keep the commandments at all times as we covenanted with our Heavenly Father to do.  I'm eager to allow others the opportunity to live with the assurance of that same eternal power-- as we strive as a companionship to do so, we will be able to fulfill part of our missionary purpose in "Inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel through... receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end."

Six months ago, I was set apart as a missionary and spent a long, sleepless night, anxious before a long, sleepless flight.  My time here and the effort and other sacrifices put toward my missionary service are well worth the while-- I learn and grow every day, and I'm trying my hardest to help others do the same.

With love,

Elder Hansen

Week Twenty-two.

¡Buenos días!

This week flew by!  I feel like I was just sitting down at the computer a couple days ago.  We saw some exciting progress though--one of our investigators, a twelve-year-old girl named Florencia whose grandparents are members of the Church, is getting very close to being baptized.  She even spoke up in the adults' Gospel Doctrine class yesterday, then bore her testimony in Sacrament Meeting!  We're just trying to win the support of her parents (her mom would also like to be baptized but has a very busy work schedule that makes progress slow) when we finally meet them for the first time this week.  Within a couple of months, we could have a whole new family in church!

Elder Alder is what we call in the mission a ''capo.''  It's like a stud--someone who's really impressive, powerful, and prepared.  He went on an exchange in our area with the district leader this week, and showed him around the (rather large) area just fine, even finding a new investigator in the process!  I'm moved by the progress I've seen in my little Orito (greenie :).

As we see our list of investigators growing by the day and our help from branch members going through the roof, I feel humbled and grateful to my loving Heavenly Father for rewarding us for our little display of diligence the last few weeks.  We are ever in His debt--the blessings showered upon us in His service are far greater than the sacrifices we make to attain them.  I feel my love for the people here, my knowledge of Scripture, my ability to communicate in the Spanish language, and my worthiness and ability as a servant of Jesus Christ growing, expanding, and improving.  Life is better every day; after many tribulations come the blessings (D and C 54:10; 121:7-8; 1 Peter 5:10).  I know that the happiness I feel is also a result of the prayers offered on my behalf--thank you all!  

May the Lord bless each of  you in return for your efforts is my prayer for you,

Elder Hansen

P.S.  Just because the prayers worked doesn't mean you get to stop just yet!  Keep up the good work ;) Let's make this just one time among many, eh?  Love you!