Good Morn', all!
I completely forgot that I'm nearing my fifth month in Virginia - my Dad's Email just reminded me about it. Time is zipping by! I've loved my mission so far, and I can't believe the many ways I've grown and changed already. I haven't regretted ever following a prompting yet, and I don't think I ever will. Although I have regretted not following promptings - my goal for this transfer is to do everything God asks of me through the Holy Ghost.
This week went really well! We taught Sammy, a former investigator. Sammy is from Africa - he moved to the United States when he was 16 with his mother, Adama. They were investigating the church for about 3 months, but were dropped because they're busy all the time. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and why it's important. We committed him to read the introduction, and then to pray about it. We invited him to be baptized, and he accepted! He offered the closing prayer. In that prayer, he asked if God would 'open his eyes to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and to baptism.' When he said that, Elder Davis and I felt the Spirit so strongly. We're hopefully going to see him again tonight.
We also taught David! As soon as we sat down, Elder Davis cut the annoying small talk and asked him about his Book of Mormon reading - it was good, because that lead right into our lesson perfectly. David read the first chapter of the Book of Mormon. First in English, then in Spanish. He said he's felt really good about it, he's just struggling to understand. He says that when he reads the Bible, he feels like he shouldn't read the Book of Mormon. But when he reads the Book of Mormon, he wants to read both. He attributes that to being raised as a disciplined Catholic all his life. We taught him about the Apostasy and about the priesthood being restored, and how he can pray to know it's true. We brought a member with us (his name is Phetta), and he told David about his conversion story. Phetta said that he should surround himself with spiritual people and spiritual experiences to get his answer that the Book of Mormon is true, and whenever he feels confused, that he should just fall to his knees in prayer. We then bore testimony, and the Spirit filled the room. David committed to reading and praying about the Book of Mormon every day. He is so close to baptism, I can feel it! He just needs to take a leap of faith! David came to church the next day. Caesar, a recent convert, spoke with David right after sacrament meeting, and shepherded him to all his classes (except for the 3rd hour, David had to leave). It was so great! I'm thankful to serve in such a supportive and loving ward.
Elder Davis and I are getting along really well. We're both setting high goals, and we have high hopes for the area we're serving in.
Thank you for all of your love and support! love you!
Elder Hansen.
I completely forgot that I'm nearing my fifth month in Virginia - my Dad's Email just reminded me about it. Time is zipping by! I've loved my mission so far, and I can't believe the many ways I've grown and changed already. I haven't regretted ever following a prompting yet, and I don't think I ever will. Although I have regretted not following promptings - my goal for this transfer is to do everything God asks of me through the Holy Ghost.
This week went really well! We taught Sammy, a former investigator. Sammy is from Africa - he moved to the United States when he was 16 with his mother, Adama. They were investigating the church for about 3 months, but were dropped because they're busy all the time. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and why it's important. We committed him to read the introduction, and then to pray about it. We invited him to be baptized, and he accepted! He offered the closing prayer. In that prayer, he asked if God would 'open his eyes to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and to baptism.' When he said that, Elder Davis and I felt the Spirit so strongly. We're hopefully going to see him again tonight.
We also taught David! As soon as we sat down, Elder Davis cut the annoying small talk and asked him about his Book of Mormon reading - it was good, because that lead right into our lesson perfectly. David read the first chapter of the Book of Mormon. First in English, then in Spanish. He said he's felt really good about it, he's just struggling to understand. He says that when he reads the Bible, he feels like he shouldn't read the Book of Mormon. But when he reads the Book of Mormon, he wants to read both. He attributes that to being raised as a disciplined Catholic all his life. We taught him about the Apostasy and about the priesthood being restored, and how he can pray to know it's true. We brought a member with us (his name is Phetta), and he told David about his conversion story. Phetta said that he should surround himself with spiritual people and spiritual experiences to get his answer that the Book of Mormon is true, and whenever he feels confused, that he should just fall to his knees in prayer. We then bore testimony, and the Spirit filled the room. David committed to reading and praying about the Book of Mormon every day. He is so close to baptism, I can feel it! He just needs to take a leap of faith! David came to church the next day. Caesar, a recent convert, spoke with David right after sacrament meeting, and shepherded him to all his classes (except for the 3rd hour, David had to leave). It was so great! I'm thankful to serve in such a supportive and loving ward.
Elder Davis and I are getting along really well. We're both setting high goals, and we have high hopes for the area we're serving in.
Thank you for all of your love and support! love you!
Elder Hansen.