Week 82 - February 26, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

Whattup y'all! It's your boi. So wow. This week was pretty crazy with transfers and all. But thankfully transfers went smoothly! So that's good! My new companion is Elder Hadley! He's from Mount Pleasant, Utah. He came out with me so he's been out for a long while now haha! I'm really excited to see what happens to Buena Vista this transfer. Elder Hadley and I have some great ideas on how to find more effectively and working with the members a lot more!! Stay tuned. Haha! Yeah so my release date should be August 11th. I haven't gotten anything for sure yet but that's what everyone is saying. You should get an email soon about it.

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Larry. So interesting moment. On Saturday we went by his house because he hasn't texted us at all this week and he came out the door and told us he might not be able to take the missionary discussions anymore. Here's why. So he can't afford to pay his child support and apparently that's been holding him back from getting baptized. We're gonna do more research on it and see if it's a legit reason why he can't get baptized. Just continue to pray for him that he'll come around and progress still!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Is there anyone right now that you're not a big fan of? Anyone that you feel has treated you wrong? Well write down that person's name on a piece of paper and write down all the GOOD qualities of that person. Your love for the person will grow and your desire to forgive them will increase as well! And you will be a lot happier! I promise!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So we were at a dinner appointment last week and it was with a young married couple. The husband was talking about qualities that he liked in his wife and he turns to us and says "Alright, when you marry somebody, marry someone that CLEANS." And then his wife freaked out at him and I said, "I mean you don't HAVE to marry someone that cleans." And then the husband said, "Yeah you can also shoot yourself in the foot but you don't HAVE to." HAHAHA! I died!!

I sure do miss all of you! Stay safe and have a killer week and just keep on keepin' on!!

"Remember the spiritual foundations you have built." - Elder Ronald A. Rasband

- Elder Noah Hanson

Noah and the Bear

Natural Bridge with the peeps

Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge

Founders of Natural Bridge

King Kong!

Emailing with Elder Hadley

Natural Bridge

Week 81 - February 19, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

Hey hey hey y'all!! Whale, it's that time again for transfers. We found out on Saturday that Elder Garrett is leaving. I'm gonna miss that kid. I've written down so many funny quotes from him. He probs hates me for that but I couldn't pass up the many opportunities he gave me. Also, with transfers, my whole zone got SLAUGHTERED. Every companionship except for one is changing. We have 13 companionship's. Holy cow. There's gonna be a lot of new missionaries at transfers!

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Sandra & Jake. So we weren't able to see them this week sadly. They were both sick and didn't want to get us sick haha! But we should be seeing them this week! Just pray that we get to see them this week so that they can continue to progress :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

The challenge this week for all of y'all is to write down the moment that made it clear to YOU that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. What event sparked that confirmation? Or was it a gradual pace? Write it down and share it with someone!

FUNNY MOMENT:

OK scary moment too. So we were driving to Walmart last Pday and Elder Garrett was driving. He was talking to everyone in the car and so I don't know how much he was paying attention haha. Anyways, we get to an intersection and the light is RED. We all yelled "Red! Red!" and he just kept going, not knowing what was going on and why we were all screaming "Red!". He blew the light. Hahaha it was pretty funny. Don't worry there was no cops around so it was legal ;). (The Lord watching over his missionaries)

I love all of you so much! Thank you for all the support and love you show me each week. I miss each and every one of you! Keep on keepin' on!

"One does not aspire to be a great missionary; rather, he aspires to be a servant." - Lawrence E. Corbridge

- Elder Noah Hanson

Our Mission statement

Exchanges in Lynchburg - Elders Degroff and Fullmer

Lynchburg Elders - Degroff and Fullmer

Week 80 - February 12, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

Happy Valentine's Day y'all! Valentine's day as a missionary is weird but this one should be a good one. We have members feeding us that day because they feel bad for us probably hahaha. But it's all good! We could go around yelling at people that Jesus loves them...that's a good way to find potentials right? Right. It's been raining quite a bit haha so much that they said there's a "flood warning". So that's exciting. Haha! Lots of service opportunities coming up soon probably haha! It should be a good week :)

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Sandra (member) & Jake (investigator). They're both doing great! We've taught them the Plan of Salvation and Restoration this week and they are really coming along! We're really excited for them. We're planning on inviting Jake to be baptized this week so prayers for the both of them would be great! :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

In the spirit of Valentine's Day this week, the challenge to all of you is to express your love and appreciation to someone who has had a great influence on you. Someone who has blessed your life tremendously. Also, express your love to your Heavenly Father and tell him specifically what you're grateful for. 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So we were walking to a member's house for dinner and we walked by this house that had the number "2020" on it. I said to Elder Garrett, "Hey look! Kanye West for president!". He then says, "Agh man...if he becomes president, that will be the year I move to Europe." Hahahha! Sorry if you don't get that joke but for those of you that do, way to keep up with the times!

I sure do love all of you so much. Thank you for everything and keep on keepin' on! 

"Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

- Elder Noah Hanson

fun with the district

Noah and Elder Olkjer

??

Week 79 - February 5, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

Ayyy y'all!! Wow this week flew by! It sure was a great week. We had zone conference this week and it was incredible! President Lindhardt is a very inspired man! It's always good to see missionaries and get re-energized by the spirit. In preparation for zone conference, I had some missionaries help me make matching ties for the whole zone! It was great! Even President Lindhardt asked for one haha! The sisters matched us by wearing blue with their outfit. I freaking love my zone haha!


UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Sandra & Jake. So Sandra is an inactive member that we ran into and her husband, Jake, is a not a member. He'd been taught by missionaries in the past but he didn't like them because they were "too pushy". He told us that he liked us though because we're not pushy haha! They both have a HUGE desire to change their habits and come closer to God. So please pray for them and their progression!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So this week, I've been able to witness people here give great acts of service to us missionaries. Like paying for our groceries, food, etc. It's been really heart warming to see such selfless acts of service. The challenge this week for all of y'all is to serve someone WILLINGLY. You have no idea how much it means to people when you serve them like Jesus Christ did to every single one of Heavenly Father's children. 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So a couple weeks ago, we realized we had extra Christmas cards to hand out to people. So what did we do? We sent them to random addresses in Hollywood and Ogden, Utah. Haha. But guess what?? The one in Ogden, Utah responded!! We are now good friends with them. They're an older couple and are active members of the church!! Heck yeah!!

Life is good guys. God is good. I love all of you and hope y'all have a great week!

"Whoever you are and whatever your past may be, remember this: It is not too late to make that same choice again and follow Him." - Robert D. Hales

- Elder Noah Hanson

Elder of Buena Vista Zone

Sisters of Buena Vista - Noah in the back haha

Buena Vista Zone

Buena Vista Zone

Fun!

Elder Willie and Noah

Emailing home!

Week 78 - January 29, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

Ayyyy y'all!! Okay time is so weird. I literally feel like I was JUST writing you guys a new email like yesterday. And because this week went by so fast I don't know what to put as my subject title so i'm currently having my good friend help me out with that. So shout out to her. 

Also, this week I was thinking about it...and I honestly cannot wrap my brain around the fact that I hit 18 months this week. I was thinking of all the memories and relationships I've gained on the mish and I could not be more grateful for this experience. These next 6 months are gonna fly by so I'm gonna make the most of it!! Let's goooooo.

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Larry. He's doing better! He is just currently finding a job that pays pretty good so that he can start paying child support. That's his biggest hold up. We're playing basketball with him today for Pday so we'll get to talk to him more about it. Just keep praying for him please. He needs it.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So I'm gonna attach a video to this email. The video is about Christ-like attributes. The challenge this week is picking a different christ-like attribute to work on from the list the video gives! That's our purpose on Earth right? Become more and more Christ-like and eventually become perfected in Him.

YOUTUBE: Christlike Attributes

FUNNY MOMENT:

So I was at a member's house for dinner on TUESDAY and man was I tired. They asked me to give the prayer and so as I was saying the prayer I said, "We are grateful for this beautiful sabbath day.." and then to top it off I said at the end, "Please bless this home that it may nourish us and strengthen us and do us the good that we need."....yeah I was tired. Also, don't let your prayers become routine. Moral of the story hahaha.

I sure do love all of you. Thank you for everything and I hope y'all have a good week :) stay safe and keep on keepin' on!!

"You can either become bitter or you can become better through God."

- Elder Noah Hanson

Distorted Faces

Trump/Pence goin' strong

Exchanges with Elder Sorenson

Week 77 - January 22, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

New Mission Home Address:

West Virginia Charleston Mission
839 Chestnut Street
South Charleston, West Virginia  25309

Noah's Mailing address:

Elder Noah Hanson
2754 Maple Ave, Apt E20
Buena Vista, Virginia  84416

Hey y'all!! What a week it has been holy cow. We drove to Charleston for MLC (mission leadership council) on Wednesday and that's like 500 miles there and back to Buena Vista. It was a good meeting though! Also, the weather here is super bipolar. Like Utah. It was 15 degrees on Friday and then it shot up to 60 degrees yesterday. It's been an adventure let me tell ya haha.
Heck Yeah the PATRIOTS are in the Super Bowl! People are gonna hate me but whatever right? haha. I am sure I'll hear all about it!

Something very important that I learned from a member and a couple of missionaries this week: Don't relive sins. What I mean by that is don't constantly think of the mistakes you've made in the past. Because if you do that, then you won't be able to truly move on. Yes, use them as a reminder of what you learned from that experience but move on. You don't live there anymore. The Atonement can have a much bigger impact on you if you let things go and forgive yourself. 

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Buck & Sue. They're new investigators and they're an older couple. They've been taught by missionaries in the past and they were VERY grateful that we came by and taught them again. They said they're very set in their ways but they are willing to do anything we ask them to do...so we'll see how that goes! :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So I've done this one before but the challenge this week is to list ALL the strengths that you think you have. And then ask someone else what your strengths are too. Because we always focus so much on what we need to improve on but take a moment to think about what your strengths currently are! That way you can bless someone else's life with those strengths. 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So basically, the funny moment this week is just an Elder Garrett quote because this kid is freaking hilarious with everything he says. So every night, after we say our prayers, Elder Garrett and I do something called "pillow talk" for those that don't know what that is, we just lay in our beds and talk about anything and everything for a good while before we say "goodnight and love you" and go to bed. Haha weird I know. But we always regret it in the morning cuz we're so tired haha! So a couple nights ago we get in our beds and I prepare for the pillow talk session and I hear him go "Well we should probably say goodnight and love you before we keep talking." And that was the end of the conversation hahaha!

I sure do love all of y'all! Keep on keepin' on! Stay safe and stay true!

D&C 121: 7-9

- Elder Noah Hanson

At the MLC conference

MLC conference with Noah photo bombing

Fun district meeting

The road to Charleston is LONG!

Mates at the conference

Hey we woke up!

Love Lincoln!

On splits with Elder Basteen

Week 76 - January 15, 2018 - Buena Vista, Virginia

Whattup whattup whattup y'all! It's your boi Elder Hanson just chillin over here in Buena Vista! It was a pretty good week here! We finally got our car back this transfer. I've gone a whole 6 weeks without a car basically and I just wanna say bless those who don't have cars on their missions. More power to ya. So now we can actually see more people throughout the day instead of having to walk everywhere haha! I'm loving it here!
I'm hyped for the Patriots! There's a member here that loves the Patriots and he updates me about them too. Wahoo!

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Larry. So he's doing awesome still! He got really excited this week about his baptismal date for February 9th! It's the first time he's actually been excited for his baptism. He just didn't fully understand the reason why he needed to be baptized until we talked a little more about it this week. So keep praying for him! He's doing great!

We're currently working with the members here (there's a lot) to help us find more people to teach. Please pray that we'll be able to find more people to teach and bring them closer to Jesus Christ!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Yesterday, I got to watch the YSA conference yesterday with Elder Uchtdorf speaking. It was so good! I highly recommend looking it up when you can. He talked about how you can't connect the dots (events that happen in your life) looking forward. You can only connect the dots looking backwards. He was talking about how even if we don't feel like God's guiding and directing our lives, when we look back, we can definitely see that he WAS directing us all along. It was such a good talk! That's the challenge this week! Look up that talk! I promise you won't regret it!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So there we were. Just trying to bring people closer to Jesus Christ by tracting a street in Buena Vista, and out of nowhere, we looked to our left at this house we had knocked on before. What did we see? A life-size, decapitated Santa Claus. I guess when they say that Christmas is over, it's OVER. I'll send pics.


ELDER GARRETT QUOTE OF THE WEEK: 
"I don't normally do this but part of me just really wants to wing it." (we didn't don't worry).

I sure do love you guys so much! Thank you for everything you've done for me! Keep on keepin' on and stay strong! Have a good one!

2 Nephi 32: 8-9

- Elder Noah Hanson

Whole Armor of God

Dew Pong

On Splits

We found a decapitated Santa

I Guess Christmas is REALLY over!