This week has been so wonderful! Thank you for all of your prayers and support in my behalf - I really can feel your love bouy me up.
Thanksgiving was so fantastic. It was undoubtedly the greatest Thanksgiving I've ever had. There was so much food! We still have leftovers in our fridge. We had 3 meals that day, it was glorious. First, we had a brunch- thingy with the Strait family. We invited them to start doing some missionary work. They brought up concerns about how they feel inadequate when it comes to sharing the gospel, and how they don't know how to share the gospel. Elder Davis and I replied by the Spirit. Next Sunday, Sis. Strait stood up to bear her testimony. She bascially told the congregation everything she told us on Thursday, and said that she knew everything was going to be alright. She said that we don't have to be perfect people to share the gospel, we just need the Spirit, and the pure love of Christ. It was really cool, because that's essentially what we told her family. It's such a blessing to witness the Spirit working through me and those we teach. What we told her family was exactly what she needed to hear.
We had dinner with Sammy and Adama. Sammy is one of our investigators, and Adama is his mother. I don't think I've ever met more Christlike people in my entire life! Adama works two jobs, and only sees her son 1-2 times a week. Sammy goes to high school and works. They hardly ever see each other, so this year's Thanksgiving was a very special occasion for them. Adama kept on saying how happy she was to see us there, and how happy she was to be home. I remember she would always ask Elder Davis and I if we needed more food, or if she needed to refill our cups. We told her that we were doing fine, and we thanked her. Every time we would thank her, she would say, "Oh, don't thank me, child, it is by the grace of God. I love to serve people!" I was stunned by her humility - I was also reminded of how prideful and unthankful I can be, too! Sammy's friends then came over to join in our feast later in the night. They're all from Sierra Leone, just like Sammy and Adama. They were having a blast together! They spoke English/Creol, and it was pretty confusing to understand what they were saying. But whatever it was, appartently it was hilarious. They were laughing so hard, I don't think they took time to breath! Either way, we had a fantastic time with them. We tried to teach all of them, but they were too preoccupied with their festivities. Eventually, Sammy's friends left, and we had an opportunity to talk with Adama and Sammy. We asked Adama if she would ever like to be taught, but she said she's too busy. She gets home at midnight and wakes up early in teh morning to do it all over again. Hopefully we can find opportunities to teach her. I still felt the Spirit strongly as we read from the Book of Mormon and invited her to read.
We also taught, Ann Marie, a new investigator, the Restoration on Sunday. At the end of the lesson, we helped her identify the Spirit, and invited her to baptism. She accepted!
The work is moving along so smoothly here. A lot of good things are happening. Elder Davis and I are excited to continue our work in Alexandria!
Thank you again for all of your love, prayers, suppport, and letters. I love you!
Elder Hansen.
Thanksgiving was so fantastic. It was undoubtedly the greatest Thanksgiving I've ever had. There was so much food! We still have leftovers in our fridge. We had 3 meals that day, it was glorious. First, we had a brunch- thingy with the Strait family. We invited them to start doing some missionary work. They brought up concerns about how they feel inadequate when it comes to sharing the gospel, and how they don't know how to share the gospel. Elder Davis and I replied by the Spirit. Next Sunday, Sis. Strait stood up to bear her testimony. She bascially told the congregation everything she told us on Thursday, and said that she knew everything was going to be alright. She said that we don't have to be perfect people to share the gospel, we just need the Spirit, and the pure love of Christ. It was really cool, because that's essentially what we told her family. It's such a blessing to witness the Spirit working through me and those we teach. What we told her family was exactly what she needed to hear.
We had dinner with Sammy and Adama. Sammy is one of our investigators, and Adama is his mother. I don't think I've ever met more Christlike people in my entire life! Adama works two jobs, and only sees her son 1-2 times a week. Sammy goes to high school and works. They hardly ever see each other, so this year's Thanksgiving was a very special occasion for them. Adama kept on saying how happy she was to see us there, and how happy she was to be home. I remember she would always ask Elder Davis and I if we needed more food, or if she needed to refill our cups. We told her that we were doing fine, and we thanked her. Every time we would thank her, she would say, "Oh, don't thank me, child, it is by the grace of God. I love to serve people!" I was stunned by her humility - I was also reminded of how prideful and unthankful I can be, too! Sammy's friends then came over to join in our feast later in the night. They're all from Sierra Leone, just like Sammy and Adama. They were having a blast together! They spoke English/Creol, and it was pretty confusing to understand what they were saying. But whatever it was, appartently it was hilarious. They were laughing so hard, I don't think they took time to breath! Either way, we had a fantastic time with them. We tried to teach all of them, but they were too preoccupied with their festivities. Eventually, Sammy's friends left, and we had an opportunity to talk with Adama and Sammy. We asked Adama if she would ever like to be taught, but she said she's too busy. She gets home at midnight and wakes up early in teh morning to do it all over again. Hopefully we can find opportunities to teach her. I still felt the Spirit strongly as we read from the Book of Mormon and invited her to read.
We also taught, Ann Marie, a new investigator, the Restoration on Sunday. At the end of the lesson, we helped her identify the Spirit, and invited her to baptism. She accepted!
The work is moving along so smoothly here. A lot of good things are happening. Elder Davis and I are excited to continue our work in Alexandria!
Thank you again for all of your love, prayers, suppport, and letters. I love you!
Elder Hansen.