September 20, 2016 - Well Shocker, I'm Transferring Again...

As everyone knows Elder Hansen only spends 1 transfer with each companion so he of course is transferring! Yay!!!! Not as excited about this one but it will be good. My little baby (Elder Ajayi) is going to be all alone. :( My New comp will be Elder Smith and he has Narcolepsy and we will be the Zone Leaders. It's pretty funny when he passes out, it keeps things entertaining. :) Needless to say, I'm the driver of our super dope minivan! 

Anyway, for this week we had some fun times, we had a "District Council" this week about how we could increase our diligence and sanctification after our bad week last week, and with the Zone Conference after that we stepped up our game and had a boss week!  We had a super dope Zone Conference and we are starting "The Hunt for 100" wherein we will baptize 100 in October! It's finna (Miami slang) be great!

This week after coming home one day I found a present on my desk (see picture below). Elders Peterson and Lewis bought me a Hebrew Kit-Kat and a yarmulke at a Jewish store they went into while out knocking. I went on an exchange with Elder Wheelock this week and we had fun in Little Havana talking to todos los Cubanos. This week we were all a little sick so we determined that we all have contracted Zika (not funny to the momma), which is okay because we aren't pregnant women. Anyway, this week we sent a bunch of referrals over to the English Elders and they got 11 new investigators this week so that is pretty nuts! WE had some boss meal appointments this week with transplants from the Mormon Belt so that food was pretty dang good! Mmm, roast and potatoes! On Sunday Elder Lewis and I were stuck in Nursery with the investigators kids but we had a pretty great time! We loved having snacks and singing time with them!

Anyway my last thought is a poem our Mission President told us at Zone Conference,

"I’d rather be a “Could Be”…

If I could not be an “Are”…

For a “Could Be” is a “Maybe”…

With a “Chance of Touching Par”…

I’d rather be a “Has Been”, 

than a “Might Have Been” by far…

for a “Might Have Been’, has “Never Been”… 

But a “HAS” was once an “ARE”…!"

May we always strive to be what the Lord can make us, "for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." 

By the Strengthening and Enabling power of the Atonement, God can make us as He is which is eternally greater than what we can make of ourselves, but He won't make up for what we are not willing to do.

Love you all!

-- Map kenbe'w (I keep you)

Elder Hansen

Florida, Fort Lauderdale Mission

Haitian-ing the Work

Adline and her cute family! They sent us this surprise picture and a note that said, 

"We gonna miss him a lot, he's really funny! Wishin' you luck."

Saying "goodbye" to his "baby" Elder Ajayi

A beautiful Miami sunrise!

So pretty, you can see how clear the water is.

His buddy Elder Peterson

Elders Peterson and Lewis on the "Hunt for 100"

His Hebrew gifts from Elders Peterson and Lewis ;)

Trying on the yarmulke

September 12, 2016 - We Will Never Forget 9/11

Hello Friends and Family, it's Elder Hansen again!

This week went by really fast and I don't really remember a whole lot but I will let you guys know about the things I do remember. So for P-day last week we went to a place called CitiTrends and basically if you want to look "hip for cheap" you shop at CitiTrends, so we went so we can blend in with the locals. :) Anyway, on Wednesday we had a pretty cool Zone Training a learned some good stuff there. Afterwards we had a "funeral" for the dying missionaries (going home) so that was funny. After that we knocked. We are pretty low on investigators right now so we knocked a lot this week but didn't really find anybody which was unfortunate. We talked to a blind guy named Joseph, that was a new experience. We found like 6 potentials but none of them became new investigators which was lame-sauce but we did have a very interesting conversation with this guy named Trey. He talked to us about how you can use any religion to get to heaven, but you don't even need any religion and you can go through Christ, Allah, Krishna, Buddah, Mahatma Gandi, etc. to get to heaven. Apparently Christ wasn't the only Messiah!  Anyway, that was interesting. On Thursday I went on exchange with Elder Petersen which is always a delight :) On Saturday there was a homecoming for a sister in the ward and she ALREADY HAS A BOYFRIEND!!! So that was pretty quick, haha! On Sunday we had an actual spiritually edifying sacrament meeting so that is good. Also we got fed by the Davis family and had some American MEAT and POTATOES!!! Super good! Anywho, that's about it for the week, it was pretty lame but should be better next week!

For my last thought, Jeremiah 7:23-24, "But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward."

If we follow the counsels of God we choose our Heavenly Father to be our God, for our "hearts are upon [our] treasures; wherefore, [our] treasure is [our] god." (2 Nephi 9:30) What we treasure is what we worship, and if our hearts are set too much upon the things of the world, sometimes they have to be broken. Unfortunately, it is the tendency of men to forget their god, "O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world! Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!" (Helaman 12:4-5) If we do not put off the natural man our tendency is to forget the God that has created us and we heed not His counsel. How foolish is it for us to tell the Creator of the universe that we know better than He by not heeding his counsels. When we do so we end up digressing and missing the mark of our Divine Potential and go "backward, and not forward."

So lets follow God's commands!

I love you all, Florida's great and I will talk to you next week on Tuesday because we have transfers! 

-- Love 

Elder Hansen

Florida, Fort Lauderdale Mission

Haitian-ing the Work

Their new digs from CitiTrends so they can "blend in" with the locals. :)

The new neighbor...

A surprise 'duckface' photo text from a member :)

Interesting choices, we like Elder Petersen's but Elder Hansen has a lot going on there, 

are they pants or shorts with socks?

September 6, 2016 - One Year Down, One Year to Go

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

This week was a super exciting week! I know that you were all super worried about me and the hurricane around these parts but it didn't hit us, we just had a lot of rain, which wasn't out of the ordinary for us. Because it was the end of the month we were out of miles and were therefore biking and we got SO WET my bones were soggy! After changing into dry clothes twice we finished the day off strong by taking showers and going to bed, haha. :) This week we had 3 meal appointments with new members in the ward! They are all super solid and awesome! We finally had some real Mormon food! It was super good! On Friday it was my "Hump Day" (one year mark) and I got a super awesome package from home! (Thanks Fam) To celebrate as a district we went to the North Miami Beach House and had pizza, Voltage Mountain Dew, brownies and I burned a shirt! It was pretty great! :) Yesterday for Labor Day we did a Zone-wide exchange and I went with Elder Harms from the Miami Lakes Ward and I did a baptismal interview for their investigator Bianca. She passed, well she's ten, but it was super fun! That is about it for the week, it is pretty weird to be at the halfway mark for my mission but I will make the most of the time I have left :)

For my last thought I would like to share a scripture from Jacob,"O be wise; what can I say more?"

The answer is... nothing.

I hope you all have a great week and enjoy the new football season!

-- Love

Elder Hansen

Florida, Fort Lauderdale Mission

Haitian-ing the Work

"Ohhhh, You're Halfway There... Oh-ohhh, Livin' on a Prayer!"

Happy Hump Day Elder Hansen!

We sent him a camel for his Hump Day :)

For some reason, it's tradition to burn a shirt at your halfway mark.

We love that there is smoke coming out of the end he's holding!

I cringe because I know how much that shirt cost. :-/

On splits and trying out some new fashion ideas... with Elders Lewis and Harms.

August 29, 2016 - Four Brand New Mormons!

Howdy Folks! How's it goin'?

This week was pretty eventful and we had some crazy storms here, but alas no hurricanes, or if you are from southern Utah, no Hurricans. ;) Anyway we had a good time at Zone Conference and it was good to see my friends there. We learned some cool new stuff. It was super hot and humid this week, that wasn't fun, but we still worked hard! 

So, the big news was this Saturday! We had 4 baptisms in the ward! We baptized 4 kids and we had a super great time! Adline's kids Jeffery and Lili and then Izacc Georges and also Megan Thompson! (Picture Below for reference)

In other news, we also had some bike difficulties and we were out of miles on the car so we had to bike, but I got it fixed up and we were off! We biked about 30 miles this week and I got 3 flat tires, so that was an adventure :)

My last thought: So this week I gave a companion study and I would like to share a snippet with you all. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 93, it states, "For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace... And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments. He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things. (D&C 93:24,27-28)

We are given the commandments in order to show us the way to Eternal Life! As we are obedient we receive more knowledge and learn more and more, but we "receive no witness until after the trial of [our] faith." Our loving Heavenly Father knows us perfectly and knows what we have to do in order to become like Him! All of His commands are given out of love, so keep the commandments!

I love you guys!

-- Love ya

Elder Hansen

Florida, Fort Lauderdale Mission

Haitian-ing the Work

"The White Crew, well except for me and Elder Petersen!" 

Elders Petersen, Ajayi and Hansen

Megan, Jeffery, Lili and Izacc

Elders Ajayi and Hansen, Jeffery, Alicia and Lance, Adline, Lili and Lili's Dad

The Bishop and the Georges Family with Izacc

We got this surprise text picture of Elder Hansen from Jeffery, Lili, and Lance!

August 22, 2016 - Back to School? Not this Guy...

Hello Fam!

How is it going? I am sure that all the kids are excited to go back to school. ;) I know all the kids in Miami are, haha!

This week was a pretty eventful one! We have a new family in the ward named the Moyer's and they fed us on Tuesday and we had so real Idahoan food! Ahhh, I was in heaven! Classic pulled pork with homemade potatoes and fries... mmm! 

Anyway, this week I went on exchange with my new Zone Leader Elder Toews and we had a pretty good time! We were able to find a couple of Haitian families and were able to teach them. They are pretty cool, but they didn't come to church. On Sunday we had Stake Conference which was good. The Stake President is super cool and he threw down over the pulpit about reading the Book of Mormon. It was super awesome! After church I was able to give my first baptismal interviews and I did them in Spanglish! It was pretty fun! :)

So, this week Adline still didn't get her divorce papers back but her kids Jeffrey and Bruline decided that they couldn't wait any longer and they will be baptized this Saturday! Also, Izacc the son of one of our recent convert families, the Georges', is turning 8 and asked me to baptize him. So I will be doing that this weekend as well. Later in the week we had a meal appointment and we got some Costco pizza. I ate half a pizza... and then almost died, haha! Tooooo much Pizza, I felt better in the morning though :)

Now for my last thought, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) ...Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do." (3 Nephi 18:24)

As disciple of Jesus Christ we are instructed to be an example to others and a light! We are in a world full of darkness and confusion, everyone is looking for the right path but they know not where to find it. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have been endowed with a responsibility and a privilege to be a beacon and a guide for those around us. As we emulate the example of the Savior we are able to touch those that are lost.

I hope you have a great week!

-- Hasta Luego Chicos

Elder Hansen

Florida, Fort Lauderdale Mission

Haitian-ing the Work

The Hialeah Zone

A fun P-Day activity with the Zone

Lunch time power naps!

A little mobile advertising for the Church!

August 15, 2016 - My Brand New Missionary! (The Fruit of My Loins)

Hello y'all!

So, this week we had transfers and I found out that my greenie (brand new missionary) is Elder Ajayi! He is from Las Vegas and he is super cool! We went out and worked hard this week! We found a couple of new investigators and Adline and her family came to church.

I forgot to mention that last week that we were eating food Brigette (a newly baptized member) made for us, she gave us rice (shocker) and a bowl of meat she called Zizi which I have never heard of before. Elder Augustin just told me it was "meat." Meanwhile we start eating and it is super chewy... like too chewy. :/  As it turns out, Zizi is kidney... so I ate kidney! To be honest it wasn't that bad, but still... *shudder* (He found out later that is wasn't actually kidney, but chicken intestines or gizzards :-P Ironically, he wouldn't eat beans before his mission because he said felt like little kidneys popping in his mouth!  He actually likes beans now because he at least knows what he is eating!)

Anywho, this week was pretty good, but the details are a little fuzzy. We knocked into this guy from the Democratic Republic of the Congo so that was cool. We also helped a new family move into the ward and they are from Boise! Their sister is Sadie Belnap who I graduated with, so that is pretty exciting... haha! Other than that it was a relatively normal week, if those exist in the mission field. :)

Okay my last thought is somewhat unorthodox, but here we go...

So, I had a bit of a revelation while we were teaching a lesson about eternal marriage. The person we were teaching was asking about "what if we get bored with our eternal spouse?" The prevailing issue of the day today is that everything is replaceable. But as Jeffery R Holland has said, "Someone said once that true love must include the idea of permanence. True love endures." True love is not something that changes or is variable. It is a constant progressive love that not only endures but is grown and magnified and persists even beyond the veil! True love comes when you put the needs and happiness of others before our own, Christ taught, " Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 5:13) This is a love that is meant to be forever. The common belief in the world is that marriage is temporary, which has contributed to the increasing opinion that it is unnecessary and "Old Fashioned", but I testify that marriage is ordained of God and is designed to be Eternal and everlasting! I close with Elder Uchtdorf's testimony, "Brethren, in our efforts to save our marriages and families, as in all things, let us follow the example of the One who saves us. The Savior won “our souls with love.” Jesus Christ is our Master. His work is our work. It is a saving work, and it begins in our homes. Love in the fabric of the plan of salvation is selfless and seeks the well-being of others. That is the love our Heavenly Father has for us. As we emulate the Savior’s love, He will surely bless and prosper our righteous efforts to save our marriages and strengthen our families."

I hope that you all have a great week!

-- 

Elder Hansen

Florida, Fort Lauderdale Mission

Haitian-ing the Work

The North Miami Crew

Elders Ajayi, Petersen, Lewis, and Hansen

Elder Hansen's new Greenie, Elder Ajayi from Las Vegas

His buddies from the MTC, Elders Petry and Rackham

One of his favorite companions, Elder Prince, on his way back home!

The new family in the ward is from Boise!