CRAZY STORY!

A couple days ago we started noticing that Chuck and Barbara were acting a little different. They were more stand-offish and wouldn't join in our conversations as much, and we didn't know why. They called us a couple days ago and said that they forgot to tell their Social Security that they got married... so they were going to lose their house and pretty much everything in 90 days (which is funny because they were planning on moving somewhere else in October though).

Anyways, they told us that they weren't going to come to church anymore or to the dinners at the Behunin's house. We were surprised and didn't know why losing their house had anything to di with not being around us anymore. So Scott came with us to their house to talk tothenm about everything. When we pulled up in the driveway Barbara was outside, and she ran inside "pretending" like she didn't see us. We knocked on the door because we KNEW they were there... so we KEPT knowcking ha ha.

Eventually Chuck SWINGS open the door and starts YELLING at us. He was saying that it was ALL our fault because we were the ones that helped them get married. We just stayed calm and said quietly, "We just want to help both of you through this." He got even more furious, slammed the door, and called the cops on us haha. We left as soon as he slammed the door. He told the police we were "stalking" him (which is hilarious because that's pretty much what missionaries do all the time to their investigators). We knew that the cops were "looking" for us, so we went to the police department to turn ourselves in haha.

We were kind of scared and nervous, but we knew we had done nothing wrong. We went there and explained everything that had happened. They completely undersetood and told us that Chuck calls ALL the time about the dumbest reasons. So arresting us wasn't even a thought that ran through their heads, which was awesome. How funny would that have been to be arrested while serving a mission?? Missionaries are like the last people who should be arrested hahaha. We felt bad that Chuck and Barb got WAY mad at us, but it's not our fault that THEY didn't notify their Social Security.

We are going to give Barb and Chuck a while to cool off and think about everything. Hopefully they come back to church and realize all that the church has done for them. It's just crazy how things can change SO fast. Just two days before, we were over there having a lesson about going to the temple and having a great time. We've been praying a lot that their hearts will be softened and they'll talk to us again.

It was really hard emotionally to hear/see him yell at us like that. We know we've done the right thing and have helped them get on the path, but staying on the path is their choice. Satan is working hard to keep them from going to the temple.... which is sad. After all of this happened, Sister Stephens reminded me of the scripture D&C 127:4. Even though they're mad us/the church, we don't need to take it out on ourselves. Even if we're persecuted as missionaries sometimes, there WILL be a reward in heaven for what we do. We hope they come back!!!!!!!


Love, Sister Hansen

Working Hard

Last week was a good week, but because of the trials our investigators are going through we felt emotionally/spiritually drained. So this week we wanted to keep going strong even though we felt drained. We ended up having the best week EVER! I think this week was the hardest I've worked since I've been out, and it felt awesome :) I know Heavenly Father and His angels helped uplift me, because there was NO way I would've survived this week with my own strength. I'm grateful for your prayers, because I've DEFINITELY been feeling them :) 

There are a few random things that have happened that I want to quickly share! Chuck is now passing the Sacrament and it's so awesome to watch! It's cool that he is now exercising his priesthood and helping those around him! Chuck and Barbara are just awesome :) I also cut my bangs straight across! I like them and it was good to have a change! I've learned quickly that they take a lot of time and attention haha... so I'll probably be growing them back out again so I don't have to rush WAY fast to get ready in the mornings. 

What can I say, I just wanted to be the same as Kallin and try having straight across bangs ;) Maybe one day in the future I'll have them again though! 

We've been doing a lot of service too, which I love. We helped a member in the branch pull weeds, and then we helped do some gardening in a community garden that helps support a Kitchen Cupboard in town. It's been fun doing something different, but still serving the Lord :) While Sister Stephens and I were pulling weeds for our member, her little boy who's probably only 1 or 2 came up and handed me an orange lily (flower). Lilies are my favorite and so I almost started crying hahaha. It was the cutest thing ever. It helped remind me that there are people who care :) 

On Sunday almost all of the talks were about families. A returned missionary spoke on families, and it was great! I see returned missionaries so differently than I did before... it's awesome! I was thinking a lot about my family and how grateful I am for hem. Then we went to sing the closing hymn and I randomly opened up to the hymn, "Families Can Be Together Forever." I got a little teary eyed... I love my family and I'm grateful that I can be out here teaching people about eternal families!  

Also, yesterday we were teaching one of our investigators and she asked a question that I wasn't sure of. I had NO idea how to answer the question, but as soon as I opened my mouth, the answer came to my mind. I remembered my dad teaching it to me a little while before I left, but I had forgotten it until that very moment. So that was a cool experience! Seeing that when we open our mouths they will be filled with the right words if we're following the spirit... so thank you Daddy and thank you Heavenly Father! ;)

Transfers are coming soon, so it'd be great if everyone started sending my mail to my P.O. box address instead of my Bennington address. That way I don't miss any of your letters if I end up getting transferred :) I hope I get to actually live in New York soon, but I guess we'll see where the Lord needs me :) I have other funny stories, but I don't have much time to write them... so maybe I'll tell them next week. Thanks for everything that you're all doing for me, I really appreciate it! The gospel is true and God loves you :)

Love, Sister Hansen

Busy Week

We've had a pretty busy week. Sister Stephens had a doctor's appointment, we had exchanges with the Saratoga sisters, and we had an All Sister's Conference in Utica. Those were all great experiences! The Sister's Conference really helped rejuvenate me and helped me see the great missionaries we have in our mission. There's such a strength that comes from being with all sisters :) We had one of those testimony meetings where you choose a hymn/bear your testimony and then we all sing it. It was really spiritual and I couldn't even sing because the Spirit was so strong! We sang, "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go," and it really touched my heart.

About a week before I moved to college I remember singing that song in Sacrament Meeting. For a number of reasons I was nervous about going to college and I didn't know what was ahead of me. A couple years later I look back and I LOVED my time at college. I wonder why I was ever scared. Well now we sang that song at the conference and it made me think that yes, missions aren't easy and I've been a little scared at times, but I know one day I'm going to look back and be so happy that I served the Lord. I already have great memories and I'm excited for the memories that I'll make and the lessons I'll learn. Singing that song just brought back a lot of memories, and I'll forever love that song!

September is going to be a big month. We might start using ipads, Facebook, and now we can only have side bags (no backpacks). So we'll see what miracles September brings :) We're excited! I love doing this work. I feel like I'm a therapist/counselor for God haha. It's draining at times, but it's great. I love knowing that this will help me be a better mother and wife one day. I can feel your prayers and I'm thankful for your support! Love you all!!!!!!!


Love, Sister Hansen

Good Times!

This week has been full of funny/neat moments! Actually, what week ISN'T full of funny or neat moments?! Anyway, here are some of the things that happened!

Sister Stephens is the one that sees/finds bugs, and I'm always the one that ends up having to kill them. So she found this HUGE spider. I stepped on it with my shoe and I thought I killed it, but all of a sudden a dozen or more TINY baby spiders started running in every direction from off of the mom's back!!!! We both started SCREAMING and I eventually killed all of them, but I was terrified for a few hours and constantly felt like bugs were everywhere haha. It was a funny, but heart wrenching experience! There are just so many bugs here because of all the trees haha.

Also, Chuck received the priesthood on Sunday, and Barbara received a calling! When President Murphy called their names to stand Chuck stood up fast, turned around and just started WAVING to everyone. It was great haha :) Barbara's new calling is that she is in charge of the calendar where everyone signs up to feed us (the missionaries). She makes sure that we're fed during the week. Perfect calling for her!

Having Chuck receive the priesthood was a great experience! I felt so happy for him and he looked so proud and happy after :) They're doing great and still loving the gospel! It's amazing to see how far they've come!! Oh, and it's the cutest thing because Chuck calls Heavenly Father, "Lovely Father." Haha how awesome is that?! :)

Then I heard this joke that was pretty funny. It says, "When I say a dirty word like exercise, I wash my mouth out with chocolate!" Hahahaha. I just think that is HILARIOUS! Maybe that's just because I'm a missionary and small things seem hilarious, but yeah... we had a good laugh after hearing that one!

The other day we got done with a lesson and were a little down because our investigator isn't progressing very well. I felt down because I started taking it out on myself and feeling like I wasn't being a good missionary, but then when we came home for lunch, I had 4 letters in the mail for me, including a package! They were from Kallin, Trace/Michelle, Elder Geddes, and Sister LeBaron! I felt so happy and I was rejuvenated again! I was reminded that this is the Lord's work, and I'm out here doing good things. I love how Heavenly Father just sends tender mercies exactly when we need them :)

I love this gospel and know it's true with ALL my heart :) I love being able to study and learn new things each day from the scriptures. Hope everyone is doing well and that you're enjoying the gift of the gospel :)

Love, Sister Hansen <3