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

Week 17: Missions are Amazing, Best Lunch, Animal Crackers

Hi Family & Friends, how is life? I was so happy to hear about Jett!!!  I am AN AUNT AGAIN!!!  I’m so happy that he came into the world happily and smoothly also.

I was also happy to hear that Sis. Carpenter read my letter in YWs. I honestly don’t remember what I wrote... but I’m glad that they liked it. Truly a mission is amazing. And it’s not just amazing because of baptisms and helping people change their lives, but because every moment of every day, I can relate something that is happening to me, to the love and life of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. When people shut the doors, I feel like Mary and Joseph not being accepted in an inn, or Jesus being rejected. I can know and feel how Jesus feels when people stop listening to Him. Literally every moment, I can look back and feel these things. During the moment, I’m frustrated, and want to make these people eat the word of God as fast as possible and change their hearts. Gladly, I can’t do that. Life would be too easy if I could. Thank goodness for agency. It truly is a blessing and a curse at the same time....

Today I am going to a less active member’s house, and learning how to make one of the best lunch plates here! I’m so excited! Also, one of the Hermana’s that ended her mission today gave me a cookie mix. So we are going to making those today as well! YUMM!!!

They have Animal Crackers here!!! I eat them with my peanut butter. It’s a really good snack! :)

Sadly nothing really amazing happened this week in my area. I’m staying here in Chimbote for one more transfer. In my whole zone only one person changed, but that’s because the Sister ended her mission... :) haha. It was really funny last night when we got the call. We had made a list of guesses of who was going and staying. We were completely wrong!

It’s REALLY hot now. I sweat all day long, and my companion always asks, "Why are you so hot and sweaty?" It’s because it’s hot outside, and I’m a natural furnace. The good thing about it being hot is that it will be even worse in March... so that’s something to look forward too... RIGHT? It’s terrible!

I don’t have any more to say for this week. Love you all. The church is true, and I am very blessed to be a missionary right now in PERU!!!

Oh and I finished the book of Alma in the BofM!! I’m very happy!

Love you all. I pray for you daily!

Con Amor,

Hermana Hansen

4 Months: PeanutButter, Peru Temple and New Testament Challenge (PHOTOS)

This week has flown By!!! Holly Cow! Combios are this Sunday! Please pray that I stay here with Hermana Jolley! I don't want to leave this area. 

I sent photos. I hope everyone can see them! This week has been a good week. I made myself sick when I heard about Aunt Carol, but with time I got better. 

I Got My Christmas Package!!!! :) I am really proud of myself because I haven't eaten it all...YET!!! :) Its nice to have American Candy in Peru! :) The Peanut Butter is terrible by itself... When I was at home, I would eat it off a spoon and have a nice chat with my mother once or twice a week! So the fact that I cant eat it off a spoon was disappointing, but it is delicious with chocolate! YUMM!!! :) So thank you mother and April for the package! :) I also got letters for the ward christmas party.... It was really nice to get those, the sad part is that I don't remember who the people are.... Hahah... its been 4 months! Sorry. 

This week we found two new people to teach, which is amazing! :) Im really glad that we found them. After our first lesson with one of the new people, Haha. Jolley turned to me and said, "You controlled that lesson like a boss!!!" HAHA. So I think my Spanish is getting better, and I really like teaching the first lessons. :) 

Today we are having our P-Day as a Zone. We are eating lunch in the church and then going to play games. We are for sure playing water balloon volley ball! It's going to be fun! 

Ive lost weight, because my Sunday skirt fit differently,so that is one blessing of the mission. We found out the date for the temple here. It's going to be dedicated in June, and we will be able to go to the open house during may! I am way excited!!!! AHAHA! Ive missed the temple!

In the January Ensign, there is a color picture of Jesus Christ and some sheep. On the back of that paper, is a reading challenge. Haha. Jolley and I have taken this challenge. When we finish, we will have read the whole New testament (can't spell)!!!Its way cool! And its super easy!

I heard about the super bowl, and all I can say is "Well thats cool"...hahah... it's not as fun. I need to watch the game to actually care. 

I am really grateful for this time in my life. To be a missionary is Amazing! I love talking to people and Feeling the love that Heavenly Father has for them. I love not remembering what I said to these people because I followed the Spirit and said it... I love seeing how this gospel changes people, and then realizing how much I have changed in my short time of people here in Peru! I Love Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for his example, and his life. I wish you could all experience this, and that I could explain my feeling better. Sorry. I was never good with words! I love you alll! Thank you for everything! Keep praying for me,and I Will ALWAYS PRAY FOR YOU! :) Thank you for your examples and the lives that you live! Love you all!

Le Amo Mucho!

Hermana Hansen