Hola Familia y Amigos!!!
WHAT A WEEK!!!! Let's just say you have SO many ups and downs on a mission it's crazy. At the beginning of this week, I hit a low point. After Leanor and her family dropped us, and Dora fell off date, I was having a really rough time. I was feeling inadequate and like I wasn't a good enough missionary or teacher. On Monday night I literally broke down and started crying in the car with Hermana Esplin because I was just having such a rough time. But on Tuesday, we had interviews with our mission President. I was able to tell him how I was feeling, and he helped me change my outlook and see how I can improve. He reminded me of the realness of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That only through Him we can get back on our feet and start over again. I was reminded that through the grace of Christ, He will consecrate my efforts and I am not alone in this work. I am here to be an instrument, and through His Holy Spirit He can work through me and help His children come to the covenant path!
A huge miracle happened this week with a member named Alexis. She is 25 and her mom is our branch mission leader. We are with them quite a bit. Alexis came out with us this week to go find a less active member and to do a little bit of contacting. The next time we saw her, she told us that she is going on a mission!!!!! We were shocked. She had never wanted to go on a mission before, and was set on moving to Utah next May. We asked her what changed her mind, and she said she said she realized she wanted to when she came out with us!!!! She told us that we were the reason she decided to go. We were so happy. Her mom told us, "You may have not had the baptism that you thought would happen (Dora), but you helped someone go on a mission!" This experience made me so happy and really lifted my spirits, it was exactly what I needed this week.
Saturday, December 1st was the "World Wide Day of Service" but we hadn't had anything planned. All of the members in the area were at the temple, and there aren't any food banks or anything in the area where other missionaries normally do service. So we were determined to set out and find some service! When all of a sudden a BLIZZARD hit. We were hesitant to drive, and we had an appointment that wasn't too far away. We decided to walk to her house and do some spontaneous service if we saw anyone outside on the way. We started walking and the snow was just pelting us right in the face. Our mascara was dramatically smeared all over the place! But we were determined to find someone to serve. We kept trudging along in the snow storm, when a car pulls up and the driver asked if we wanted a ride somewhere. We awkwardly looked at each other not knowing what to say, because we aren't allowed to ride with non-members. We kind of shrugged and said, "Oh, no, that's okay!" And before we were able to say more they drove off. We felt so embarrassed, because we were desperately trying to find people to serve, and people felt so bad for us that they were trying to serve us! It was so funny and sad. The worst part was, when we got to our appointment, she wasn't home! It took us a half hour to get there when normally it would take like 8 minutes. By the time we got home, we had found no one to serve.
There was a member who's 8-year-old son was going to baptized that night. Because everyone in the area was at a temple trip together and they live far away, they asked us if we would mind filling up the baptismal font. When we got there, we didn't have a key to open the baptismal font from the bathrooms. We opened it from the front side and I jumped over the glass and Hermana Esplin lowered me into the font so I could unlock the door. To our surprise, it was full of BUGS! We swept out the whole font, and filled it (it takes a few hours and you have to stay in the building while it fills up). However, our efforts were again all for nothing, because the baptism got canceled due to the weather.
When we got home on Saturday we felt a bit like failures. We prayed to Heavenly Father to help us find some service the next day. On Sunday morning we were driving to church, and we saw the car in front of us skid on the snow and did a 360 turn into a huge mound of snow. Luckily, we were prepared and had snow shovels in the back of our car! We helped dig out his car and he was on his way. After church, there was another guy whose car was literally boxed in with snow from when the snow plow came through. Yet again, we were able to help him get his car out! Our hearts were full of gratitude because Heavenly Father gave us opportunities to help others in need and share a bit of His gospel and light with them. I know with my whole heart that Heavenly Father placed us in the right place at the right time so that we could have helped these people. He knew we truly wanted to find service, and He guided us to it. He listens to our prayers and truly guides us with His hand! He loves us so dearly!
Although this week started out hard, it completely turned over. We worked so hard and saw so many miracles. It was such a refresher to be able to take the Sacrament on Sunday and listen to the testimonies of the 20 person congregation (we lacked members due to snow). But although we were small in numbers, the Holy Ghost radiated throughout the room. I was able to feel this again during the Christmas Devotional when we got to hear our beloved prophet and I was able to see my mom in the choir!!!
I know that Heavenly Father loves us SO MUCH! He hears our prayers and answers them. He wants to bless us and will if we are obedient. I love you all so much! Find a way to LIGHT THE WORLD this week!
Con Amor,
Hermana Hansen
Pictures:
1-2: The snowstorm! Me trying to see in the snow haha
3: Hermana Esplin and I
4: My mom in the choir!!!!
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