DECEMBER 4 2016 WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE....

DECEMBER 4 2016  

Alma 26:16

"...Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."

I wish I could. I wish I could explain to you all just how incredible these last 18 months of my life have been.  I am not sure if I will ever be able to put into words everything I have experienced, seen, heard, and learned.  This week I have been pondering my favorite chapter of the Book of Mormon, Alma 26.  In this chapter, Ammon starts to reflect upon his mission.  He tells us about the many trials and tribulations he had to go through. But inspite of all that as he remembers his mission, all he feels is gratitude and joy. 

I feel the same way.  Sitting here, reflecting back on these last 18 months, I know it was hard at times, but to be completely honest, not one comes to mind.  Rather my heart fills with an inmense gratitude for the many miracles I saw and experienced.

I remember sitting around a small candle in Natalys house, while the rain came pouding down.  That night, Nataly found out for herself she had a testimony of the restored church.  I remember when Marina came to church for the first time in 20 years.  We sat in the sacrament meeting room, holding hands, and cried as she partook of the sacrament for the first time in a long time.  I remember the little angel who came and showed us how to get to Margelys house. Margely taught me what it truly means to "smile through the pain." I remember spending all day boiling water to fill up the baptismal font, so that our sweet abuelita Rosa could make covenants with her Father in Heaven.  I remember the selflesness of Hermano Avelino, who never let us leave their house without something to eat, even if that meant they wouldnt have much to eat that night.  I remember sitting on the dirt floor of small mud houses, reading and teaching about the beloved Book of Mormon stories that we all know and love.  I remember praying to my Father in Heaven, and for the first time in my life, knowing someone was really there, listening to me. 

Its hard to believe that my time as a missionary in the Mision Peru Cusco is coming to an end.  But I am eternally grateful for the time my Father in Heaven has given me to serve my beloved brothers and sisters in Abancay, Cusco, and Puno, Peru. They will always have a very special place in my heart. I wasnt a perfect missionary, nor did I serve a perfect mission, but these last 18 months have been perfect for me.  

I hope you all know how grateful I am for all the letters, words of encouragment, prayers, and love you all so willingly gave me during this time.  I also hope you know, that I know that our Savior lives.  This is His Church, and this is His work.  I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to restore the gospel once again on the earth.  I know that His priestood power has been restored, and because of that,  we can live with our families forever.  I know the Book of Mormon is true. I have come to know, and love my Savior through this book.  I know that the work of salvation is the most important work upon the face of the earth. I know that the atonement is real, and something so very personal.  I know there was a very specific moment when the Savior suffered for me, my sins, my pains, and my weaknesses.  I know that the plan of our Father in Heaven is perfect, and that He is apart of every detail in our lives.  And that our Father takes time every day to show and remind us that He loves us.  

I love this work.  I love my mission.  And I love my Savior.

Alma 26:37 

"Now my brethren,  we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; (from the Snake River Plains of Idaho, to the great Sierra Mountains of Cusco, Peru) yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is
my JOY, and my great thanksgiving;yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever."

But here is to one more week. One more week to wear  a badge pinned above my heart, with the Saviors name.  

I love you all very much :)  See you soon!

Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen

NOVEMBER 28 2016 A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS...

             LA FAMILIA GONZALEZ ....THESE CHILDREN HAVE SUFFERED MORE THAN      ANYONE CAN IMAGINE....BUT THE LIGHT IN THEIR EYES IS UNDENIABLE..

                            HERMANN CARLOTA SHOWING US A PICTURE OF HER
                                            MISSIONARY  DAUGHTER SERVING IN BRAZIL

EARLY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SURPRISE..

NOVEMBER 21 2016 GRATEFUL:)

NOVEMBER 21   2016

Family and Friends!

Sorry I am not going to be able to write an email this week.  Long story short...my companion broke her hand, and we have a doctors appointment here in a little bit.  

This week, I spent almost all my time living in the hospital, and the bus terminal!  Its been a rather long and somewhat eventful week. Just the way I like it.  :)

I hope you all have a very special Thanksgiving day!  This year, I am grateful for many many things.  Simply just grateful. Grateful to be a missionary.  Grateful to be here in Abancaycito.  Grateful that mangos are in season.  Grateful for my Savior.  And grateful that I get to serve Him for a few weeks longer. 

Thank you all.  Thank you for everything. I love you all very much. :)

Have a lovely week, and a lovely Thanksgiving. 

Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen

NOVEMBER 14 2016 THE RAINS CAME DOWN.....THE THE FLOODS CAME UP!!!!

NOVEMBER 14 2016


Like I have said before...Abancay weather beats "Idaho bi polar weather" by a long shot.  One day its 90 degrees and the next Im walking in rain up to my knees.  Below I have attatched a picture so that you all know that when I say, "There was rain up to my knees,"  you know that I really mean......"Yes....I was really walking in rain up to my knees."  But anyways rain or shine, it was a wonderful week full of crazy adventures.  Nothing new :)

Last Monday, the Poulsons, (family history missionaries), came to Abancay.  Monday night, we had a huge Noche de Hogar in the church, and had a super great turn out.  At the end, I taught all the little kids, Duck Duck Goose, and oh man...it was a hit.  Never in my life have a seen a group of children get such a kick out of that game. But then out of no where all their parents wanted to play as well. So we played a giant round of Duck Duck Goose. And it was awesome.  Its just something really beautiful seeing the light in their faces.  I love the people here so much. Their innocence, their light, and their love.  Tuesday we had our big Family History activity, and we were able to help many find names and send them to the temple!  Also, while we were waiting for people to come, I was able to do some searching myself. This was actually the first time I was able to look for names. With the help of Hermana Poulson, I was able to find 17 names to take to the temple!  When I get home, I will have some temple work waiting for me. :)  What a wonderful feeling, being apart of the work of salvation, here in Peru, and on the other side.  Either way, the work is true!

This Sunday, we went to the Tamburco sacrament meeting.  Its one of the coolest things being able to visit my first sector, and my first branch.  There were many happy reunions. :)  I was able to sit and talk to Carlota for a little while.  She was a less active we were working with when I first came to Abancay.  We were also working with her daughter Roxanna. I remember when we first met them, they were cold and very set on not coming back. Now...a year later, I was able to sit and talk with Carlota in the sacrament meeting room. She is now very active, as well as her daughter, who now is serving a mission in Brasil.  

And nothing feels better then that. That knowing that we hiked up the mountains of Abancay every day, to teach Carlota and her family....and it made a difference.  Ive said it before, and I will say it again...God is a God of miracles.  

This week, I was able to study a little bit more about the Plan of Salvation, and the role of the atonement in every part.  I love the atonement. I love what it means to me, and in every aspect of my life.  

Alma 36:18-20

"Now as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart, O Jesus thou Son of God, have mercy on me who am in the gall of bitternerss and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.  And now behold, when I thought this I could remember my pain no more, yea I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.  And oh, what joy and what marvelous light I did behold, yea my soul was filled with joy..."

I believe in the healing power of the atonement.  And I know that the atonement covers everything.  Every single part of my life, and your life.  And everyone of us, as children of our Father in Heaven, has the ´priviledge to feel and take part of the healing, and strengthing power of Christs atonement. 

I love you all very much. :) Thank you for everything. 

Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen

p.s. On a side note, today a monkey shared his sucker with me.  Tender Moments. 

 

                                                          RAIN RAIN AND MORE RAIN!!!!

 THIS SERIOUSLY  WAS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST MOMENTS EVER!!!!!  WE WALKED BY THIS MONKEY AND HE COMES UP AND WANTS TO PLAY WITH ME.    I PLAYED WITH HIM FOR A MINUTE AND HE SHARED HIS SUCKER WITH ME.  IN ONE OF THESE PICTURES WE ARE BOTH LAUGHING .  WE BECAME FRIENDS IN 2 MINUTES!

     



SAYING GOODBYE TO HERMANA RUIZ AND ELDER SALAZAR..

   

  

WE TAUGHT THEM TO PLAY DUCK DUCK GOOSE.  IT WAS A HIT!!!

                                     JUST HANGIN OUT WITH MY FAVORITE PEOPLE!!

  

NOVEMBER 7 2016 I'M BUYING MY PLOT OF LAND!

NOVEMBER 7 2016

Sorry sorry sorry but this email is going to have to be a little one!

This week was a super duper one :)  We had divisiones with the hermanas from Talavera, and from Vista Alegre!  They are the best.  We were able to find some new and incredible hijos de Dios. Also the district was able to travelt to the temple this week!  Ahhh my heart.  This fast sunday was a little more special.  The members that were able to go to the temple all bore their testimonies.  There were several families that were able to be sealed together....and there simple isnt anything better then that.  Some of these faithful members sacrifice everything to go to do the temple. Even if its just one or two times in their lives.  I hope we all understand how blessed we are to have temples so close to us. Because so so so many....have to give so much more to be able to go.  

I hope we all remember whats most important. And I have that our Heavenly Father can use each one of you to be an answer to someones prayer.  

I love you all SO much!  Gracias por todo :)

Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen

p.s. ALSO! This week was Abancays aniversario!  Feliz Dia!  

I love Abancay with all of my heart! :)  The picture below is proof that I am ofically Abanquina.

I'M GOING TO BUY MY PLOT OF LAND!

                                           

THIS IS MY MAMITA :)  FROM ONE MOM TO ANOTHER

PDAY!!!!!!! YEAH!

                                     

                                      SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A CREEPER HA HA  ..I CAN'T HELP IT!

ROAD TRIP!!

PDAY

YA NOTHING NEW...I PLUCK EVERYONE'S EYEBROWS HERE TOO..

MY BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS..

BECAUSE I AM HAPPY!!!