Week 89 - April 16, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Hey y'all! Man! This week was interesting but awesome that's for sure! It's been just pouring rain these past two days haha. Richlands floods pretty easily haha! It was also like super hot this week so like  - what the heck weather? I feel like I'm back in Utah's bipolar weather haha. It's snowing right now too. What the heck? It's all good though! We've worked our tails off this week! 

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Brad. He got baptized!! Wahoo!! It was a really neat baptism. It was so very needed for this branch. The branch hasn't seen a baptism in 2 years! So hopefully that will increase their missionary mindset a little bit :) He's doing great though! He got confirmed yesterday and he was so happy! It was awesome to see.

We're currently trying to find more people to teach so that we can build up the branch! We're also trying to help the youth come back to church as well so that they can all start preparing for THEIR missions. So pray that it all goes well!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Who has influenced you most in your life? Write down a list of 5 people who have made a major impact on your life and write down why. And then tell those people how much they mean to you and how they've blessed you! That way, as they feel your love for them, they'll feel God's love as well! 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So the other day, we were trying a potential and he comes out and is like "You guys caught me at a bad time! I'm eating!" and we talked with him for bit but I noticed that his napkin had blood on it...not bbq sauce. Anyways, I go to shake his hand as we're leaving and I pull my hand back and my hand is COVERED in blood. He didn't say anything about it and he just went inside. Oh i was low key (actually high key) so salty.  Luckily we washed it off quickly. Haha! Everything's gucci now! Don't even worry!

I love all of you so much! I truly do appreciate all you guys do for me. Stay safe and have a great week!

"How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?" - Jeffrey R. Holland

- Elder Noah Hanson

Brad's baptism!

Richlands District

Filling the font

Week 88 - April 9, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Sup y'all! So first off, my new address is:

Raven, VA 

Anyways, I'm now living in Raven, Virginia and serving in the Richlands, Virginia branch. I'm serving in a branch now so that's interesting! There were literally only 13 people that showed up to church yesterday. It was a weird transition from Buena Vista to here but I already love this place! There's a lot of work to do (especially with building up the branch). My new companion is Elder Lodico! He's from Tampa, Florida. He's a stud and this is his last transfer. And he has a strong desire to work hard until the end so that's good! This will most likely be my last area as well. Holy cow. Time flies...

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Brad. So we already have a baptism for him this week haha. His interview is on Wednesday and so hope that goes well! He's been taught by the missionaries for a while and he's very ready for baptism. He's a cool guy and knows the gospel is true! I don't think I'll count this as my baptism since I literally walked into it haha but it's still cool! Pray it goes well for him this week!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

When was the last time you went to the temple? The challenge this week is to attend the temple and bring your own family names! And the rest of the week, keep the temple in the forefront of your mind as well. That will influence all the decisions you make throughout the week! 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So on Friday, when I got to Richlands we went to a food pantry to volunteer. When I got in the food pantry, all of these older ladies came up to me and asked me where I was from, who I was, etc. Then they were like "You look like someone that would have someone special back home...who's the lucky girl?" Hahahaha Elder Lodico just laughed at me haha. I didn't really have time to answer but it was super awkward but that was my first interaction with Richlands...so let's goooo. Haha!

I love all of you so much! You all mean the world to me and thank you for everything. Truly. Have a great week :) Keep on keepin' on!

"Each daily decision will either limit or broaden your opportunities" - Robert D. Hales

Love, Elder Noah Hanson

Tracting in the snow in Raven, Virginia

Awesome members in Buena Vista

Week 87 - April 2, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

Sup y'all! Wow this week was a crazy but exciting week! First off, let's talk about conference. Holy cow. I loved it so much. I know without a doubt that God has called President Russell M. Nelson to be our prophet, seer, and revelator in these last days. I honestly think my favorite part of conference was just all the changes that have been made and I'll tell you why. All these changes were just a change of mindset. There's not gonna be anymore "checklists". We now have the opportunity to serve Heavenly Father's children because we LOVE them. And because we WANT to serve them. We get to love them just as He loves us. All of us! I've said it once and I'll say it again, "GENERAL CONFERENCE IS THE BEST". Haha! The peeps here in Virginia were having seizures when they announced a new temple in Virginia. haha It was awesome!

Also, speaking of changes, I'm getting transferred this Friday. I'm going to miss Buena Vista, Virginia so much. I truly have come to love the people here and this place will FOREVER have a place in my heart. I will truly cherish the relationships I've gained here. It's time to see where else the Lord needs me! This will most likely be my last area that I'm going to..holy cow. Probably another Zone Leader assignment so lets goooooo! 4 months left.

So excited for Erik and Kenna too! Glad I'll get to be there for the wedding.

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Larry. So we taught him the law of chastity! He said he's gonna talk to his girlfriend that he's currently living with so we'll see how that goes! Also, the whole child support situation isn't a problem anymore! He's got it figured out and he's ready to move forward :) i'm excited to see where he goes! I'll have Elder Hadley update me about him!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So how did you like General Conference? What was your favorite talk or MOMENT? Share that on social media or someone you're close to :) 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So the 4 other elders that serve in Buena Vista (BV YSA, Rockbridge) have all gotten so close this transfer and so what did we do? We made a 2019 calendar with all of our faces on it. We had a "photoshoot" and it was pretty fun actually haha! I'll send the pictures to you guys that we put in there!  (See above)

I love all of you so so much! Thank you for being so supportive and loving to me! Have a safe week and also congrats to my brother Erik on his engagement! Super happy for ya bro :) and also happy birthday Erik on Sunday!! 

"When you are despairing, deserted, doubting, damaged, or defeated, behold the Man. He will comfort you." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

- Elder Noah Hanson

The Buena Vista Six

Week 86 - March 26, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

Hey y'all!! Holy cow this week FLEW by. That always seems to be the case haha. But this week was awesome! We stayed pretty busy throughout the week and now it's pday yet again. Holy cow. Anyways, K yesterday was probably one of the greatest Sundays since I've been in Buena Vista! We had 3 investigators and a less-active couple come to church!! Something like that hasn't happened in a long time here! It was incredible! Just goes to show that when you do your very best, God makes up the rest! 

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Brandon. He's doing good! He came with his whole family yesterday to church! He seems to be getting closer and closer to wanting to be baptized. We just need to resolve the rest of his concerns (this week hopefully) and he should be good. We'll see how it goes this week with him but he's progressing tremendously! Just keep praying for him and his family!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So as you guys know, I always do this challenge when it's general conference weekend. BUT the challenge this week is to take notes as you watch General Conference! However, don't just write what the speakers say, but write what the spirit is telling YOU! That way, you don't miss a thing! The spirit talks to us all differently. What is he saying to you?

FUNNY MOMENT:

So yesterday at church, I was wearing a floral tie (cuz Spring) but on the bottom part of the tie (on the backside), there's a cut out of Donkey Kong hidden. Anyways, a member told me she liked my tie and asked me if I made it. I told her a friend made it for me and she lifted up my tie and saw Donkey Kong on the back and she was like..."You're kidding." Haha. And then she told me I looked like him. Sooooo that was cool. Who would've thought that nickname would stick? Haha.

Anyways, I love you guys so much! Thank you for all your love and support. Keep on keepin' on and enjoy conference this weekend!! Also, shout out to my Mom and Dad and their anniversary that was on the 21st! Haha! Have a good one!

"Dare to be a Mormon. Dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose firm. Dare to make it known." - Thomas S. Monson

- Elder Noah Hanson

Week 85 - March 19, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

Hey y'all!! It's your boi. Alright first off, shout out to my number one fan--my mom! Happy Birthday mom!!! I sure am grateful for all the love and support you've given me. I wouldn't be here without you. Thank you for being the example of what a Christ-like person should be :) 

Everyone's having seizures here that Virginia lost in the first round of the NCAA tourney. haha. I have West Virginia going all the way! lolz.

The work is kinda slow with finding new people to teach. We have to heavily rely on the members. And they aren't doing a whole lot haha. It'll be ok though!


UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Brandon. So he's the dad of a part-member family that missionaries have been working with for a while! His main issue is Joseph Smith and his story of the restoration. He needs proof. But we told him on Thursday that even if we were all able to see the golden plates and read them in the language that they're in, we would still have to pray and ask God about it. That struck him. The spirit was pretty strong! We'll see what happens this week with him :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

The challenge this week is to specifically pray for the opportunity to be a missionary to someone else. And the first name that comes to your mind when you pray, write down that name and act on that prompting this week! You never know who is need of your testimony or service. Any small act of kindness can make a world of a difference!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So on Thursday after zone conference, I was putting away the tables and I could faintly hear the sound of a girl rapping. Like really fast rapping. I looked up to see who it was and it was a sister missionary in the zone named Sister Harris. She is the most innocent person I've ever met and she just randomly started rapping really fast and really good too! We're best buds now in case y'all are wondering. Anyways, I thought it was hilarious haha! 

I sure do love all of you! Y'all are amazing! "Keep on keepin' on!" - Abby Bird.

"And here we stand with hearts woven by your hand, using all we know to help bring the children of the Father home...we wanna thank you mom!" - M.O.M by Nashville Tribute Band

- Elder Noah Hanson

Elder Linford and Noah

The SVU Knight

Week 84 - March 12, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

Whattup y'all! It's your boi. Okay first of all, it snowed here. Like why? I thought we were totally done with the snow and that I had persevered my last winter...nope. I was wrong. Oh whale. This too shall pass. But overall, things are going great over here in Buena Vista! We've been working a lot with the members here and they love it! The members here really have a desire to share the gospel and it's great to see :)

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Maurice. So we saw him again this week and he's doing pretty good overall! He was super tired during our lesson with him but he promised to sincerely pray about the Book of Mormon. And he said he's prayed about baptism and that he's still looking for his answer so we'll see how it goes this week! We're excited for him! Please continue to pray for him!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Something that President Lindhardt mentioned last week at Mission Leadership Council.......he talked about how we each should, in prayer, ask Heavenly Father what He truly thinks of us. Because it's God's opinion that matters most right? So why not ask our loving Father in Heaven what he thinks of you and what your potential is. Also along with that, reading your patriarchal blessing is a great way to see what He thinks of you as well. It's good!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So one thing you gotta know about Elder Hadley is that he LOVES being healthy. And so he won't eat desserts at member's houses. Anyways, last night we were at a dinner appointment and they had these really hard cookies and chocolate ice cream for dessert. But Hadley won't eat it haha. So he kept giving the members different ideas of how I could eat the dessert. I ended up having 6 cookies and a ice cream sandwich and ice cream in like 10 minutes. I was dead. Ugh. Yay for sugar!

Well I love all of you! Keep being great and keep being examples. Have a good week!

"Think of the one thing you've always wanted. Find it in your mind's eye. And feel it in your heart." -Beauty and the Beast 
(a member mentioned this quote from the cartoon and I really like it so there you go haha)

- Elder Noah Hanson

Week 83 - March 5, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

Ayyy y'all! First off, how the actual freak do I only have 5 months left?? They're not lying when they say the mission FLIES BY! It just gives me more motivation to do everything I can for the Lord and to serve others so LET'S GOOOOO. We had Zone Leader Conference this week. I love President Lindhart! 

A thought I've had this past week...We all understand that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is for everyone right? No matter where we've been, or what we've done, we can feel the joy that comes through sincere repentance. And it's through our own PERSONAL repentance process that gives us that joy and satisfaction that we have PERSONALLY taken the time to achieve. Everyone is at a different place in their own repentance process. If you've ever seen anyone make a mistake in their life (which we all have), don't worry about it. You don't know where they are at personally with our Savior, Jesus Christ. He knows. He is aware. And all we have to be aware of is where WE are at with our Savior. 

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Maurice. So he's a new investigator we picked up this week! He's awesome! He's about 60 years old and has a freaking heart of gold! He loved the restoration lesson and we're going back on Wednesday! We also set him on date for baptism for April 21st! We're both pretty hyped for him. So please pray for him and his progression :) like I said, he's awesome!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

With Easter coming up soon, the challenge this week is to write down your own personal testimony of the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. How do you feel your relationship is with him? Are you aware of how much he loves you? How will you apply the Atonement more fully in your life?

FUNNY MOMENT:

Ok so this whole Donkey Kong thing has gotten out of control hahaha. So yesterday, we went to a YSA fireside (I don't serve in the YSA by the way) and I go to get refreshments (for obvious reasons) and this random YSA girl yells from across the room "HEY DONKEY KONG!". I just sat there dumbfounded. This girl, who I don't remember meeting, called me donkey kong. Might as well call me Elder Kong. 
Shout out to Elder Wilson.

I sure do love all of you! Thank you for everything and keep on keepin' on! Have a good one!

1 Nephi 10: 18-19

- Elder Noah Hanson

Zone Leaders conference

Elder Garrett at Transfers

Elder and Sister Taylor and Elder Garrett and Noah

Elder Garrett and Noah

Elder Howe and Noah

Elder Pitt and Noah

Elder Wilson and Noah