“The time of Hastening the Lord’s work is now.” – Elder Russell M. Nelson

Monday, October 3, 2016

October 3, 2016 - "Here I am!... (dun-dun...dun-dun)... Rocking like a Hurricane!"

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen it is the famous, Category 4, Hurricane [Elder] Matthew [Hansen] and I am finna (fixin' to) baptize the entire East Coast of Florida and Haiti and Cuba as well, but for safety reasons and to comply with OSHA regulations I will be staying on the West coast.

Well, Friends and Family, it is good to hear from you again. This week was super awesome! We started out with a super cool Zone Activity wherein we played Smash Face and basketball. Then after the activity we taught Nellie and Elder 'Narc' (Elder Smith has Narcolepsy) passed out right after the opening prayer so I soldiered ahead and taught Nellie and Neïfa about the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity. The good news is that they were already following those commandments. I woke him up later in the lesson though so that was good. :)

On Tuesday after the Lehigh District Training, I went on Exchange to Immokalee (My Home in Seminole) with Elder Augustin! We had a good time catching up and stuff. On Friday we woke up early to drive 2 1/2 hours through the Everglades to Ft. Laud where we had MLC (Mission Leadership Council) and it was Super Bien! It was good to see my friends from around the mission again! Afterwards I stayed with Elder Johns (AP) on exchange in his area. The next day we drove back to Ft. Myers to get home before Conference! General Conference this week was soooooooo good! I loved it! We had 5 investigators come to watch the different sessions of General Conference and they all seemed to enjoy it!

The highlight of the week by far was in between the Saturday morning and afternoon sessions, Nellie and Neïfa got BAPTIZED!!!!!! WOOOOO-HOOOOO! It was sooo Bèl (beautiful)! I conducted which was interesting because first I spoke in Creole and then in English so I spoke everything twice, I got tongue tied a few times, but it's nothing I'm not used to.

That was about it for the highlights of the week, but now for the highlights of Conference!

Pres. Uchtdorf: "What shall we give in return for so much?"
Sister McConkie: "Why do I have to suffer so much? God needs brave sons."
Elder Holland: "What matters is that you love your people."
Elder Meurs: " 'That they were willing' the Sacrament provides us so much potential power."
Bishop Davies: "They were worshipping, they were experiencing Heaven."
Elder Robbins: "Kindness is what is used to unlock hard hearts."
Pres. Eyring: "Simple service, to the Lord, matters."
Elder Carl B. Cook: "All who serve will receive God's grace."
Elder Schmutz: "Our suffering will bring about greater Celestial glory."
Elder Nattress: "Patience with Brett [or Matthew]" :)

I also believe that one of the major themes of Conference can be summed up in this hymn,

"Take time to be Holy, speak oft with thy Lord.
Abide with Him always and feed on His word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be Holy, the world rushes on.
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be Holy, let Him be thy guide
And run not before Him whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow still follow they Lord,
And looking to Jesus trust in,
Trust in the Lord.

Take time to be Holy, be calm in thy soul.
Each thought and each motive beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shall be fitted for service above.
Thou soon shall be fitted for service above."

(Take Time to be Holy,  Text:  William D. Longstaff; Arranged By:  Annette W. Dickman, 2007)

I hope that you will take the time to be Holy and review the messages that we have heard this past weekend! I promise that you will receive innumerable blessings by heeding the counsel of our inspired leaders. I know that their messages are truly the will of God for us in this day!

I love you all and my prayers go out to you in faith.

-- Love
Elder Hansen
Florida, Fort Lauderdale Mission
Haitian-ing the Work

Nellie and Neifa's Baptism!

The Bosses, the Zone Leaders.

Elder Hansen and Elder Smith emailing home today!

A fun Zone Activity playing Smash Face and Basketball

Cruisin' in the sweet Minivan!

Enjoying Grandma Smith's bread and jam!


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