6 Months: Lost Phone, Moving & Rolled Ankle

Oh yeah! I am so ready to listen to the Prophet speak this weekend!! And I will hopefully be able to watch it in english... :) Which is even better!!!

Oh my New companion. She is AWESOME!! She sometimes uses word that I don't understand, but for the most part, I understand her really well. 

One of the first things she asked was if I was the comp with more time in the mission... :) Only because I am tall...  Side note: People always say that I am 25-27 years old because of how tall I am... Anyway. This week has been good. We started working for day one, and our lessons were amazing this week... 

Bad news: Friday we lost our cell phone in a motor taxi, and we wont get a new one for 3-4 weeks... Its great! Saturday: My zone leaders called and told our landlord that we were moving on the 1st of April. The bad part about that is that I have to pack all my things up again, after only one month of living there. The other bad part; they didn't know that we were moving at all. And when we sat down to talk with them, the grandma that owns the place made me cry... but her daughter came and helped the situation. Ah! If I could tell you the whole story about who said what and all the jazz, you would cry too.... But in a year ask me and I will tell you all about it. AH! It was terrible. Monday: This morning My LDS Mail wasn't working, and my leaders said that we could email our families this week.. But here I am, a little later in the day, emailing you! So this is a grand blessing.

This week is going to be awesome. I'm moving into a little bit smaller room, on wed. And then we have general conference this weekend. :) Eat easter candy for me... yeah! :) 

I cant believe how fast these weeks are getting. Next Monday I will complete 6 months in the mission. Only one YEAR more! Its crazy to think about. At christmas time I will really only have 3 months left because I come home after general conference. AHHH!!! Christmas is really life 8 months away, but it's really close!!! :) Ah! I just cant wrap my head around it. 

Fun Health facts: I have a throat infection and now taking pills for a week to clear it out of my system. And I rolled my ankle at church yesterday--BUT cool story. Yeah. So I rolled my ankle and yeah it hurt. It popped really well. And because we didn't have a cell phone I couldn't call the Zone Leaders to tell them that I was staying in for the day. So I couldn't call, so we went out to the lessons we had. Literally hours later, the swelling and the pain were a minimum... And this morning, its a little swollen, and its doesn't even hurt. MIRACLE because I went out and did the Lords work. Its was amazing!!! What a blessing and a cool experience that I had. 

The Women's conference was this Saturday, for those of you that forgot you can see it on the internet.:) But I was really surprised on the focus. The FAMILY. It honestly makes me really nervous for the future!!! Ah! But this Sat. I was able to think about my family. And the blessing all my siblings and in laws are and the blessing that that I have received! I am truly blessed to have my family. I thank Heavenly Father for you guys everyday! And I also ask that he watch over you! :) 

This next week is going to be awesome!!!! Take notes and follow the counsel of the Prophet and the apostles(Spelling). 

My new companion is amazing and is a power house. Already I can see a difference in our ward here. :) Everyday, she says that theres a lot of work to do. One time she expressed that if we don't get it down, she could see the area being closed and Elders coming in.... We both don't want that to happen. Now, all we have to do is work hard and follow what the Lord wants us to do! :) 

I love my life right now. The heat, the Spanish, the food isn't important because I am a Missionary. I am a representative of Jesus Christ. His name is on my plaque. When I do what He wants, I am blessed. I have written in my planner, ¿Mano de Dios? Which means hand of God? Because I want to be looking for the hand of God in my life Every day! He is there every day, I know He is. I just have to look for it!!! :) 

The world is amazing, but I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be with my family for eternity. That One day I will be PERFECT! And that one day, I will live in the presence of God, if I do my part in this life, and the time that I have in this world. :)

The church is True. Thomas S. Monson is our latter-day Prophet. The Book Of Mormon is true, and that Jesus Christ lives! He loves me, and PERSONALLY knows me. 

Love you all. Hope all is well. I pray for you all the time! 

Hermana Hansen

Ps. Happy Easter and eat chocolate for me... .)

Week 23: Hermana Lopez, Mission Nurse, Pooped Pants (What else can happen now?)

Okay something happened last week, but it's to funny of a story that I will save it for the end of my email... :)

We found out transfers yesterday night. :) In my zone, only 2 companions started the same... So their were a lot. Hermana Jolley, is leaving, but is still in my zone... haha. Its funny. Ill still see her on Sundays and when we have district meetings every week. My new companion is Hermana Lopez, from Santiago Chile.... BRANDON!!!!! I will meet her tomorrow and we will start tearing up our area. :) Im way excited. She is really funny, and know no english, so my Spanish is only going to get better, because I have to talk ALL DAY IN SPANISH!!! It's a blessing.... I LOVE hermana Jolley, but we NEVER spoke Spanish.. .:) Ha. With transfers, Sunday nights we go into our rooms at 7, instead of 9 and wait for the call... The assistant to the president call personally those people that will be training. And guess what Elder Brown called me at 8 30 while is was in the shower... It was very awkward, but anyway he called. And I'm not training.... Which is okay because I still have a lot to learn. But I have been called as a mission nurse. She is AMAZING!!! I work a lot with Hermana Marler, and all the missionaries in my zone, and another zone call me when they have health problems. This week I will have a training with Hermana Marler and then I will be an official nurse!!! :) hahah.,... Im way excited.

Last week I wanted to start a count down chain for General Conference, but Haha. Jolley asked me not to avoid emotional problems, because after GC she only has a month in the mission. BUT that doesn't mean that I lost my enthusiasm...!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!! :) I cant wait. And this week is the General Women's conference, and it's going to be awesome Everyone.... This is a time to hear the voice of the Lord through our living prophet!!! WATCH IT!!!! It will change your life... :) haha. 

Okay story time... Its worst then my MTC story.... Okay ready?

Yeah, okay so I have been sick, and here they just give you fulgrip for everything health problem, so instead of calling the nurse I just took one pill. 2 hours later we left to email our families because it was P-day. Yeah. 40mins into internet, I pooped my pants. While writing my email to you guys.  I think I destroyed my underwear, they will never be white ever again... :) I tried so hard to hold it in as well... My companion did nothing when I told her... she just continued typing... it was awesome... The only good thing that came from this experience is that I can say that I have actually pooped my pants. And I mean pooped my pants.... So later that day we called the doctor and the meds she gave me haven't done anything. So sometime this week I have to go get a shot to help me breath and stop coughing. But don't worry, its almost a normal thing now... The members thing that I am dying.... Haha. Its funny! 

I didn't take any photos this week.. Nothing else really happened.... But my new comp and I will have a blast taking photos and partying while walking the streets of Bella Mar.

Weather update.... I sweat in my sleep, I cant stop sweating, and I feel bad for the members when they hug me hello... BECAUSE I AM DISGUSTING!!! It's not really that hot, but it is humid.. Really humid. My room is like a sonna. I wish I could just stay in the shower all day long. 

Life is good. Im looking forward to these next 6 weeks with Hermana Lopez. I am happy and as healthy as can be! The church is true, and we have a living prophet on the earth that leads and guides us. The BOOK OF MORMON is true, and contains amazing things we need to know and apply into our lives daily!!!! 

I love you all! I hope everything is well and you are enjoying the warmer weather. :) Eat a s'more for me this week, and enjoy the week! :) LOVE YOU ALL!!!! 

Hermana Hansen

 

Week 22: Fulgrip, Cearra de la Paz & Rocks In Our Shoes:: PHOTOS

Fulgrip is medicine that we take in the mission for ANY KIND OF SICKNESS, and it does nothing. Yes I have been sick this week. I have stayed away from my candy, dad don’t worry. My "illness" is a terrible cough. My voice is gone. Members blame it on the sun... which makes no sense what so ever... but they blame almost everything on the sun and the heat... :) 

Monday: P-day was awesome!!!! We hiked Cearra de la Paz, which is a mountain that has a HUGE cross on the top. We took a van up to the church which is up there (the car ride was 40 mins long). We got to go into the church and take pictures. It was pretty cool, the history. But I don’t want to join their religion. After we took photos and explored the church, we hiked the mountain. It took me an hour. I stayed with one Hermana, and we took alot of breaks to breathe. Mainly because it was switchbacks that most of the time were straight up. So we would hike for about 2 mins and rest, talk... it was great! But after the hike, the cross was defiantly worth it. We could see all of Chimbote. We were in the clouds. On the other side we could just see the ocean. I took a picture with my name tag. It was very beautiful! It was awesome!!! We took pictures and messed around for about 1.5 hours. Then it was time to hike back down the mountain. My knees were shaking. The hike up was hard. My knees took a beating. I felt like I needed to run down the mountain because it was so steep. So with a lot of resistance and strength, it took me 30 mins to get down the mountain. 

Then we had zone conference and multi zone conference this week with President Marler. It was exactly what I needed. I love my president. It’s amazing. He talked about rocks in our shoes. And the first thing that we did when we entered the church was put rocks in our shoes. For me, I saw that the assistance’s were handing people rocks, and they were putting it in their shoes. So I just handed them my shoe, and then they said "your hand Hermana Hansen", because I have to put them in my shoes. We put Rocks in our shoes in the mission when we don’t obey the rules, etc. With the temple dedication 3 months away, we need to be able to RUN! Run in this obra... But we can’t run very well with these rocks. We have to be obedient and do our best.

I love you all. Thank you for everything. I hope you can feel my love for you this week! The church is true! I LOVE YOU!!!!

sorry,  couldn't rotate the photo. Turn your head :)

Week 21: Gave A Book of Mormon, Long Time Friend, Historical Sites

A lot of the time I find myself asking, "Are you kidding me?" because Peruvians think in the opposite direction. It is very interesting to live in a different country. But at the same time it’s been good. I’ve gotten out of my Utah thinking, and started thinking like Hermana Hansen.

How is daylight saving treating everyone? Ha-ha... :) that is one blessing of Peru, they never change time. I was so happy yesterday because I didn’t have to wake up at "5"(what feels like 5 to your body) and only had to wake up at 6. Like any other day... :)

I was at a member’s house, and her husband was watching March Madness.... It took me a minute to figure out what he was doing, but once I got it, I FREAKED OUT!!! My companion and I both miss playing basketball and watching march madness with our family and friends... It was a sad day. But then we shared a spiritual scripture and moved on with our missionary lives. :) Just tell me how BYU does and who wins with a quick summery of the game... KADIN? Please brother!

This week was pretty normal. Nothing really big happened, but the miracle this week was that we were able to find my investigator again. I found and taught this 16 year old girl when we had intercombios (which is when the one of the Hermana Leaders come to our area and someone in my companionship goes to their area. We learn from each other, and teach for one day together,) but then I went to Lima and we missed the next appointment. BUT we finally found her and GAVE HER A BOOK OF MORMON! And I directed the lesson, and it was one of the best lessons that I have ever had. She is so amazing. I really do feel like she is ready, like she could be my convert... you know? Like we just had this long friendship before. It was a really good lesson, and she has a lot of questions about religion and we are helping her to answer them! This was the highlight of my week! :)

Today we are going to some historical site today as a zone. It’s going to be hot, and I’m going to get sunburned!) But it’s going to be fun! I’ll take lots of photos for next week. I didn’t take one photo this week, so I don’t have any to send... SORRY! But don’t worry, I am alive and well! :)

I only have 2 more weeks until the transfers, and I don’t know if I am going to be staying here in Bellamar. So I am doing my best to make memories and take lots of photos! :) 

Love you all. This week read the Ensign. It has amazing stories that you can learn from and share! Love you all. Thank you for everything!!!  The church is true!  

Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen

5 Months: Legal Peruvian, Peanutbutter & A Rat:: PHOTOS

I'm officially Legal Peruvian! I went to Lima this week for a day and finished my papers and got my picture taken (which is terrible BTW) and yeah! tatdah! :) While in Lima, I bought Dunkin Donuts, and they were soooo good!!!! We also ate lunch at Burger King. I didn't get a whopper... but my burger was good! :)

Tuesday I received my package, with real peanut butter! OH HOW I HAVE MISSE THAT! You people are very blessed!

When I came back from Lima, my zone was moving all my things into our new apartment that got approved!  I now live on the 3rd floor. It's really nice. And I like it. Things still don't have their place yet, but slowly it will become a home again. :)

I had intercombios this week. This is when we switch companions for 24 hrs. with the hermana leaders. I learned a lot. I stayed here in Bellamar, and it was fun! It was really good.

This week was testimony Sunday, and I realized that I love this ward. I felt the spirit so strong. These people are so amazing!!! )Ah I wish you knew them.

Spanish.... I have learned to take it day by day. I have noticed that it really depends on obedience and the work that I put in. It's difficult, but totally worth learning. Because these people are so funny! :)

We were in a FHE yesterday with a family, and then all of a sudden.... This women screams something and then takes her baby and RUNNSS into her room... It took me 5 sec to realize that she said RAT!!! Up went my feet. But what was even more funny was watching this family look for it. Everyone on their hands and knees moving everything. It was so funny! And then we gathered again around the table and continued to teach. Oh the life in Peru! :)

This is all that happened this week.

Love you all! Thank you for all the letters I got this week from my siblings and friends! Haha. It's so weird to hear about the things in the world! I love you all. This church is true! I know it with all my heart! :) Thank you for everything!

Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen

Week 19: Missionary Life, Bishops blessing, Meant To Be

One of my friends always asks me how life of a missionary is... The truth is that it’s AMAZING and never the same. Sometimes I have no clue what I am doing or where I am going and then we see a miracle, or every appointment we had fell through this week and I’m angry because these people aren’t progressing. But in the end, I know that I’m doing this on faith. With faith, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Every day is completely different, and usually everything is done on the fly. Which means that when we plan, we usually don’t use what we plan and just start asking questions until we receive revelation on what we should teach these people.

Yesterday I got a blessing from the bishop. Don’t worry my health is perfect now, and I’m doing great! I just wanted guidance. Wanted comfort that what we were doing was right. I would love to testify that the POWER of the Priesthood is real! That Joseph Smith restored this power on the earth. We have the opportunity to talk to Heavenly Father, and receive direct guidance from him. I surprisingly understand everything that the bishop said and it was the perfect blessing that I needed. I know that I am in the right place. I’m meant to be here. I have sisters here that are waiting to listen to me speak in Spanish to them and share the gospel! I know there are people here that only I can teach! I now just have to go find them! :)

Life as a missionary is a wonderful time. I’m not looking forward to the time I don’t get to put on my plaque every morning. I am glad that I am representing The Hansen’s. It is a great blessing to be here in Peru, in the Heat, talking to these Amazing people! I have learned so much from Bellamar (my area).

Sorry I didn’t write this much this week. Just know that I know God lives and Loves us. That we are his children, and he is always here to help and listen to us! I love this Gospel, and I am so glad that I know it is true! I love you all. I thank you for your examples, love and prayers. I feel them in my life every day. #ILOVEYOU!!!! Have a nice grand week, say your prayers every day and have a conversation with Heavenly Father.

Hermana Hansen

Ps. I think I am Peruvian because I littered and I didn’t even feel bad about it. These people are weird when it comes to things. And trash is everywhere. It’s going to be an adjustment when I get back to the states! :) haha. Don’t worry it was just an apple core. :) (This is meant to be funny... I hope you laughed!)

Week 18: Bellamar Area, Ward Meeting & Faith:: PHOTOS

Hello EVERYONE!!!!

How are you?! Life is as good as it can get with a cold. But really, I've been sick, and life has been really good!!! 

This weeks miracle is the ward itself. I found out this week that president was thinking about taking Hermana's out of Bellamar(my area) and putting in Elders. He was thinking of this because, A) there are more Hermana Areas then there are Hermana's in the field. B) Because our ward hasn't been progressing for about 3 months now. When I found that out, it was sad. I think I will only have this transfer here in Bellamar, but right now, my main focus is to get the ward going for the Elders that are going to come in after us. I have no clue, really, how much time I have left in this area, but I am defiantly taking lots of pictures and making memories.

The miracle is that the bishop is starting to help us. We had a meeting yesterday with him and the ward counsel, and it was AMAZING! We put in a lot of plans for the coming weeks that should help the members and the mission work as well. So I am way excited!!! 

It's about 90-100 degrees here. Remember that there is no AC here, and I am out in the hottest part of the day. Don't worry I put on my sunscreen dad!! But just like you, I sweat it off in 30 mins. It's so hot. I only have about 3 weeks left of crazy heat like this and then it turns in to fall here. Oh how I can't wait!

All I have to really say about this week is that with Faith all things are possible! When life gets tough, serve others, pray your heart out, pray to know that He is there. If you do this, I know you will FEEL Him. I KNOW THAT! I also know that through Christ anything is possible. I KNOW THE CHURCH IS TRUE! If I didn't, I don't know why I'm in Peru trying to speak Spanish!! :)

Be good this week, say your prayers everyday and things will get better!

Love you all!!!

Love you all! 

Hermana Hansen