in he mission for 10 months, and is from Spanish Fork, Utah! He just
came here from the Reston ward, which was my first area. We're having
a great time talking about the people and the experiences we've had
there. It's refreshing to find out about how much the ward has changed
in a year.
Elder Black is a stellar missionary! We are so stoked to start off
this transfer with a bang! I haven't felt such exuberant, elevated
levels of excitement to pound doors and baptize nations in a while.
It's a good feeling :). I have the "greenie fire" back!! Thank you so
much for all of your prayers in my behalf.
During one of our many meetings, President Riggs encouraged us to
focus on having ideal study sessions. He gave us lots of suggestions
on how we can do that: we can do push-ups to stay awake, stand up and
read, eat oatmeal before studies to get some complex carbohydrates in
our system, etc. I struggle with staying awake for the entire hour
some days, I just get so darned tired! It's frustrating when that
happens. So I tried applying some of these steps, and it worked! I
haven't even gotten droopy-eyed once since Transfers!
One thing that really helps me during studies is having a study
journal. I'm a visual person, and it helps me see my train of thought.
I write down inspiration I get so I can lay claim on this promised
blessing from Elder Richard G. Scott: “Knowledge carefully recorded is
knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information
should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you
treasure it. This practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving
further light."
I love that! And I've seen it work for me. When I'm out preaching,
sometimes phrases from scripture, or the scripture reference itself
will pop into my mind; it will almost always be from something I had
studied that same morning. When I teach about that principle, I
usually learn something new. That's another fulfillment of one of
God's promises! D&C 50:24-25 ensures us, that when we receive light,
and continue in God's word, we will receive further light.
I've found solace, peace, and solutions from my study of the doctrine
of Christ. I vow never to take scripture study lightly ever again!
There's so much "spiritual meat" in the scriptures, it's almost
impossible to absorb it all at once! I could easily spend and hour
scanning the words of just 2-3 verses in the scriptures.
"Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How
unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is
impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth
of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise
not the revelations of God."
Jacob 4:8
I have received so much revelation this week concerning the work in
this area already. I cannot wait to act on the answers God has given
me! There are so many exciting things in store for us here, I can just
feel it!
On Sunday, we asked our District leader and his companion if they
would blitz our area with us (a blitz is when one companionship works
with a different companionship in the same area for 1 hour). They
happily agreed, thank goodness! We hadn't found any new investigators
yet. I split with Elder Black to go with our DL's companion, and we
set off into the wild, blue yonder. We talked to everyone we could see
(12 people), and knocked on 6 or 7 doors. No real luck, but it felt so
awesome to talk to everyone in sight! Being bold and opening my mouth
has been something I've chiseled at for a long, long time and I'm
finally sinking into a consistent rhythm.
We knocked on a door and talked to a really old lady at her doorstep.
Like, reeeeaaally old! She couldn't hear us very well, and I was
afraid she was going to fall over when she stepped onto her porch with
us. We yell-taught the Restoration, and she accepted a copy of the
Book of Mormon! She said she likes learning about different religions,
but that she doesn't want us to come back. Which is okay, because I
don't think she would've remembered us if we did :P. She was a really
sweet lady, though!
Most everyone else wasn't too keen on what we had to share, but that's
okay! Because the elect are out there, and we're gonna keep digging
until we find them!
The rest of our week was full of running errands, attending meetings,
coordinating with the ward mission, and planning for Zone Training
this Tuesday. I can't wait to tell you all about the amazing miracles
we're going to get this next week!!
Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers for me. They
really truly to lift me up!
Love you all!
Elder Hansen.
Sent from my iPad