Week 102 - July 16, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Whattup y'all! It's your boi! So for those of you who are wondering: I'm doing fine! I'm doing a lot better and so is Elder Craner. We're both back to our normal selves now haha so that's exciting! We're both also super excited because we got smart phones this week and we're able to use Facebook now as a finding and teaching tool! To message people and answer questions etc. The Lord is truly hastening His work! So if you were curious as to why I wasn't home but I was on Facebook, that's why. Hahaha. 

I also bore my testimony at my very last zone conference ever on Tuesday. I will admit, I bawled haha. It's just getting so surreal and literally a FLOOD of mission memories came back to me as I was bearing my testimony. This is work really is true and it is REAL. I'm excited to give it my all these last few weeks!

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Tracy. So we picked her up as a new this week! She's part of a part-member family who's trying to come back to church. She has had missionaries over for YEARS but they never once taught the restoration to her...it was mind-blowing to me. She loved the restoration and she committed to read and come to church! We're gonna see her tonight so pray that it all goes well!!

Also, please pray that we can find new people to teach. Almost all of our investigators basically dropped us this week. Out of nowhere. So it would be greatly appreciated if y'all could pray for Elder Craner and I to find new people to teach this week!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

How have you seen God's hand in your life this week? What MIRACLE has He seen fit to bless you with? Write that miracle down! It's so easy to go about the day without recognizing what He's done for us. But write down that miracle and thank Him for it. He wants to bless us and He is blessing us. We just have to recognize it!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So we were tracting in a neighborhood on Saturday and we saw ahead of us these teenage girls walking towards us. Elder Craner and I had the plan to say something to them and maybe add them on facebook so we could stay in contact better if they were interested in learning haha WELL...one of them looks up and sees us and says "Is that DAVID??" I was like, "What?" Haha. She ran up to us and was like (talking to me) "Oh...I thought you were David Archuleta. I fangirled sorry!" I just stood there not knowing what to say hahaha. I just laughed and was about to ask them if they'd seen missionaries like us before but they ran off somewhere else. It was so weird haha. Like why would David Archuleta be in Richlands, VA? I mean seriously haha.

Anyways! I love y'all so much! Thank you for everything and for all you guys do for us. I appreciate all the support and love you've shown especially since what happened last week. I am very blessed! Keep on keepin' on!

"It may not always be easy, convenient or politically correct to stand for truth and right, but it is the right thing to do. Always. " M. Russell Ballard

- Elder Noah Hanson

Chillin' with Elder Craner

Week 101 - July 9, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Parents Note: Please pray each day for the safety of all missionaries. Noah and his companion had an incident happen this past week. His story below is only part of what happened. Know they are OK and the Mission President, the ward members and the Sheriff are checking on them each day. Thanks to all who support our awesome missionaries. They are blessing lives all over the world! 


Mike and Hayley 




Hey y'all! Alright so this email is going to be a little different than most but to start it off, I'm doing good. Elder Craner is too. We had an amazing 4th of July and I'm so grateful for this beautiful country that I live in and the freedoms that we have. 

So we had a unforgettable moment this week for many reasons. Elder Craner and I went through a traumatic event that has shaped our lives forever. First off, know that I am ok. I am safe in Richlands. Elder Craner is good too. Our mission president is fully aware of what happened and he's constantly checking in on us.....So on Thursday night, an investigator family that we've been teaching called us and started yelling at us because they thought we told some members something personal that they told us (also a misunderstanding over them giving the elders their lighters to help them stop smoking). 
They threatened to call the cops if we didn't go over there right away...anyways, so to stay out of trouble with the cops, we went over to explain ourselves that we didn't say anything to anyone but they didn't give us the time of day.  They kept us there against our will for an hour and a half by blocking the exits. Wouldn't let us move or anything. They wouldn't let us talk either because they didn't believe us. We were very scared, obviously, but surprisingly calm. 
A miracle occurred though. Elder Craner and I were praying so hard to get out of there alive and as soon as both of us were done praying, Elder Craner started to get an asthma attack. He hasn't had one since he was EIGHT YEARS OLD. The people holding us there started to panic and told us to go to the hospital for him. So they, miraculously, let us go so I could get him there. However, the hospital was closed for some unknown reason and so I just rushed him home and gave him a blessing. He was totally fine after that. 
I have a firm testimony that Heavenly Father watches over each and every one of us--especially His missionaries. We are on the Lord's errand. And He is aware. He needs us to carry on His work and bless more lives with this amazing message. It would've been easy for us to sulk and feel sorry for ourselves but we continued to work hard the next day and found a new investigator because of it. One door closes and another one opens. This is work is true! I know it without a doubt! I am so grateful for that experience because my testimony has been strengthened tremendously about my Savior. He knows what we're going through. I've prayed more than I have in my whole life and it's been very meaningful to me. I am doing good. Elder Craner is too. We are both beyond grateful for that experience. :)

Elder Craner and I are staying in Richlands and we're excited to see what else this transfer brings :) 

I love all of you! Have a great week and don't forget that you are loved and God is aware of you. He really is! Keep on keepin' on!

"Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?" Mormon 5: 23

- Elder Noah Hanson

Week 100 - July 2, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Whattup y'all! Wow what a week! It has been HAWT. Holy cow. I didn't know I could sweat that much in such a short amount of time. It's been a good week though! We have been seeing miracles happen in the branch so that's exciting! Members are getting more excited about the work and it's so cool to see! Also, we're getting smart phones next week and I'm hyped haha. So stay tuned for that.

We've also been planning for a fireside on July 14th! We're excited for it. We are showing the movie 17 Miracles in the spirit of Pioneer day and the members and nonmembers are excited for it. We should have a big turn out!

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Roger, Jay, and Sandra. Jay is progressing the most out of all of them right now. We had a cool story with him this week though. Get this.  So we gave him a priesthood blessing so that he could withstand the need to smoke. And he told us a couple days later that when he went to smoke a cigarette, and his throat started hurting REALLY bad. So that just goes to show you the power of the priesthood and how REAL it is. God works in mysterious ways :) but Jay and Roger came to church yesterday so we were excited about that!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

This week, the challenge is to figure out how the spirit actually talks to YOU. Is it a feeling? Thought? Literal voice? As you read the Book of Mormon, pray, sit in church, I want you to ponder how the spirit is talking to you and answering your questions. That's the best way to know if you have received an answer to any question you have!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So on Thursday, we went out to lessons with a member who's getting up there in age. Haha. Anyways, we as we get in the car he lovingly tells us, "I'm losing depth perception in my right eye so if I start drifting to the right, tell me." I was like "Perfect. This is how it ends." Long story short, we were almost in like 8 car accidents cuz of that haha. We're good don't worry but he said his depth perception is getting better...so pray for me lolz. I have 6 weeks left and I didn't come this far to die haha. 

Well, I sure do miss all of y'all so much. Thank you for your love and support! Have a killer week and keep on keepin' on!!

"Be the same person you are in the dark, as you are in the light!" - Thomas S. Monson

 

Elder Noah Hanson

Dinner in Richlands

More service for awesome members in the Branch

Week 99 - June 25, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Hey hey hey y'all! It's your boi. So this week was pretty good overall!! We got transfer calls on Saturday and both Elder Craner and I are staying for another 6 weeks in Richlands! So we're pretty stoked about that! My guess is he's gonna train after these 6 weeks are up haha. It's really weird to think that I only have one transfer left...it's gonna fly by so I'm ready to make the most of it that I can!

Also, I feel impressed to share with you some thoughts that I've had this week. Mainly about how some trials in this life are just our mercies in disguise. I want to make a promise that no matter how hard times may seem or how overwhelming trails might be, always remember that God is orchestrating very important details of your life RIGHT NOW. And those trials are part of that orchestration. Remember that one song I had talked about before? "Blessings"? I've shared this before but my favorite line from that song is "What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?". He knows best. He loves us each individually and knows us by name. Trust in Him because he trusts us enough to get through the mercies that he gives us.

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Roger, Jay, and Sandra. So they're doing good! Jay came to church yesterday and he was all dressed up and everything haha! He was wearing a white shirt and a tie we gave him for the first time! It was so cool to see :) 

Right now, we are trying to find more solid people to teach. We're working a lot with the members and so please pray that we'll be able to find someone new to teach who is more than ready to receive the gospel :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

I've done this one quite a bit but I feel that it fits. In what ways has the Lord blessed you THIS week? Write down your thoughts and impressions that you have on how the Lord has blessed you. Pray to your lovingly Heavenly Father and thank Him for those specific blessings. You will be surprised on what He has done for you and only YOU.

FUNNY MOMENT:

So I've had something like this happen before but the other day we were tracting. Shocker right? Haha! Anyways, we knocked on this guy's door and he let us RIGHT IN. It was pretty cool until I saw that he had the last Harry Potter movie playing in his living room. I asked if we could turn the TV off before we start the lesson but he refused because he "loves Harry Potter too much". I feel you bro. But I literally had to ask him so many times to turn it off because it would've definitely distracted me hahaha. Gosh I have a problem. Oh well.

I love all of y'all so much! Thank you for your examples that you've been to me and those around you! Keep being those examples! Keep on keepin' on!

"I testify that Angels are still sent to help us." - Jeffrey R. Holland

- Elder Noah Hanson

Tracting in beautiful Virginia

Great branch family who did a baptism in the river!

Week 98 - June 20, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Whattup y'all! It's your boi. Wow this past week and a half has been crazy! It's been busy (crazy busy), spiritually uplifting, reminder-filling, and a bit surreal. We were running like non-stop this week and it was awesome! We had the opportunity also to attend a mission conference with Elder Bennett of the Seventy. I was very spiritually fed that day. He talked a lot about how we, as missionaries, need to give our ALL to the Lord while we are full-time missionaries. It was a great reminder to me that this time is the only time that we will have to be fully dedicated full-time missionaries while we're young. The mission is basically like the MTC of life. There is no better time than now to give it our ALL and be fully committed to serving our Heavenly Father and His children. It was a great conference!

It was also awesome to see a lot of the missionaries I've come to know on my mission at the mission conference! It felt surreal because it was probably the last time I was gonna be able to see some of them on my mission. It's getting closer and closer...I really don't know how I feel about it haha.

And.....Happy Father's Day Dad! Thank you for your example and love to me and those around you. I look up to you more than you even know. You deserved to have the best day! 

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Robbie and Kaitlyn. Ok so now things are looking a lot better with them haha! We had an awesome lesson on the restoration again with them and Robbie told us that he had a dream the other night that he attended our church. He was all dressed up and everything in the dream. It sounds like a small thing to get hyped about but we were STOKED to hear that! He hasn't come to church and neither has Kaitlyn so we hope that they'll take that as a sign to come to church haha and experience blessings to them and their families! They're also having another baby boy! So that's exciting!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

My challenge to all of y'all this week is to attend the temple with a question in mind. Has there been something bothering you lately that you need an answer to? Or do you simply just need to feel SOME sort of peace in your life? Attend the temple. There you can hear the Lord so clearly. I cannot think of a better place to be to receive direct personal revelation. Man I miss the temple.

FUNNY MOMENT:

So on Sunday, we had Stake Conference and we had this member family drive us there. We walked into the member's home before we left and they were still getting ready. The mom didn't like the shoes the daughter was wearing and so she told her to take them off. The daughter refused because they took forever to get on in the first place. So the mom took the daughter by the foot and tried taking them off for her. She was struggling to get them off and she said to the daughter "Man. You ain't Cinderella I can tell you that!" Hahahaha Elder Craner and I were dying!

Anyways, I love all of you so much! Thank you all for your amazing examples. Continue being an example to others. You never know whose life you'll touch! Church is true :)

"Faith is a real power. Not just an expression of belief." - Boyd K. Packer

- Elder Noah Hanson

Elder Rudd and Noah

Service!

Noah can paint!

Kris from Bluefield

Week 97 - June 11, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Sup y'all! It's your boi. So this week was HOT. Holy cow. We'd knock like 3 doors and already have sweat dripping down our backs...sorry kinda graphic but legit though. We've been finding more and more people who are ready to hear the gospel and I know it's God's blessing to us for being diligent and obedient and I'm so hyped haha! Richlands is going places and the branch senses it too! Let's gooooo!

Also thank you all once again for all the birthday wishes. I had more and more come throughout the week and I'm very blessed. Holy cow. Thank you all! :)

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Roger, Jay, Sandra. So cool story with Jay. He said that as he was reading the Book of Mormon he got an overwhelming feeling that he NEEDED to turn his will over to the Lord's. And that he was willing to do ANYTHING. It was so cool!! He came to church yesterday but Roger and Sandra didn't. Just keep praying for them! Don't give up on them! Haha!

Brian. He's STELLAR. Haha. We love Brian! We're teaching him the Plan of Salvation this week and it lined up perfectly cuz someone he knew just recently passed away and we were able to be there for him. He's an amazing guy. Please pray for him too!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

What do you want someone to do for YOU? Do that to someone else. Best way to gain relationships is to treat others the same way YOU want to be treated. 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So on Tuesday, a member family threw me a huge surprise party and it was awesome. Haha. See more pics on Noah's blog) They had a Harry Potter cake with all the Harry Potter characters on it. It was sik (well sik for me haha). Anyways, I named every single one of the characters on the cake and the member's daughter turned to me and said "Wow. You have NO life Elder Hanson." I have a problem guys. Ugh. Oh well. It's chill.

Hope all of y'all have a great week! I won't be able to write until Wednesday next week because we have Elder Bennett of the Seventy coming to speak with us next monday! Let's goooo! Love all of you so much! :) stay safe and keep on keepin' on!

"Even if everyone is doing it, wrong is never right." -Russell M. Nelson

- Elder Noah Hanson

Happy 20th!

Happy 20th!

Two Cakes!

With Jasmine and Elder Craner

Candles!

What a great group of Members in Richlands, Virginia

The District

Happy Birthday

Who's your doctor?

Week 96 - June 4, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Whattup y'all!! It's your boi Elder Hanson. First off, thank you for all the birthday wishes! I got a package from home with mom's cookies! I've missed mom's cookies. I'm truly blessed with amazing friends and family! I'll party as hard as I possibly can as a missionary ;) haha! But I'm turning 20? That means adult life is here and is here to stay haha. Let's gooooooo!

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Roger, Jay, and Sandra. They're doing good! We're gonna teach them more lessons this week so pray that things go well there! They're in the process of moving so it's been hard to schedule appointments with them. But all is well haha!

Brian. So we picked him up as a new investigator on Saturday!! He is awesome! We tracted into him and he said that he had felt the spirit big time when we taught the restoration. He even accepted the invitation to be baptized! So we're pretty hyped for him! He said he's gonna bring his kids to church next week. So let's gooooo! Pray for him and his progression haha :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So yesterday, President Nelson mentioned in a youth devotional to take a "seven-day social media fast". Because there's a lot of fake things on social media that can easily depress and discourage those who take it seriously. So that's my challenge to y'all. Take a "seven-day social media fast". No snapchat, instagram, twitter, facebook, etc. I know that's a big challenge but I sustain President Nelson as a prophet and I know he speaks truth. 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So on Friday, we went to Welch, WV for exchanges. And when we got to the Elders' apartment, they had locked the door and weren't there. So Elder Craner came up with the great idea to open the window and climb through. So he went first and tried to crawl through the window....but then his leg flipped up and BROKE the window hahahaha. I laughed so hard! We fixed it. It's all good though now!

Anyways, I hope y'all have a killer week! Keep on keepin' on! Love you guys to death! 

"If today, you are a little better than you were yesterday, then that is enough." - David A. Bednar

- Elder Noah Hanson