Week 36 - April 10, 2017 - Princeton, West Virginia

Whattup y'all! I hope you've all had a great week! This week has probably been one of the most eventful weeks since I've been here in Princeton. And that's not a joke haha! Heavenly Father has blessed me and my companion so much this week I don't even know where to begin. I've also developed a very important Christ-like attribute this week that I will mention later on in this email lolz. But yeah this week has been, overall, pretty awesome.

I feel impressed right now to talk to all those who want to serve a mission but either cannot go for certain reasons or just feel that a mission is not for them. I saw a quote by Brigham Young this week and he said, "There is neither man or woman in this church who is not on a mission. That mission will last as long as they live, and it is to do good, to promote righteousness, to teach the principles of truth, and to prevail upon themselves and everybody around them to live those principles that they may obtain eternal life." We are ALL on a mission. Being on a mission doesn't mean you go somewhere in the world and wear a name-tag and preach the gospel. Your mission could be within the walls of your own homes and to lift those around you. Whatever the case may be, just know that Heavenly Father has a specific mission and plan for YOU.

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Crystal. OH MY GOSH SHE'S SO FIRE!! We were able to teach her the Plan of Salvation this week and she said something after that lesson that has just made this week so amazing. She said, "As you guys were teaching me this, I felt as if I already knew it. But thing is, I haven't ever heard of this before. I feel that it's true. Thank you." We set her on date for baptism for May 13th!! Wahoo! We're really excited for her :) just please pray that she'll be able to have the desire to continue to read the Book of Mormon and make that date :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So as I mentioned in the beginning of the email I've really started to develop a Christ-like attribute. That attribute is forgiveness. I've had a really hard time these past few weeks with certain people on my mission and I've realized that I was holding on to so much needless pain and sorrow. I chose to forgive those people and I've never felt so light. It was as if a huge burden was lifted off my shoulders. I challenge all of you this week to please forgive others. Forgive those who have wronged you even if it's hard. Seek for forgiveness. Forgive yourself. You will be so much happier and you will begin to see others the way that God sees them. I promise.

FUNNY MOMENT:

So after district meeting last week, we played a game where we all had to bring a baby picture of ourselves and everyone had to guess who the baby was. Haha. So when my baby picture was shown to my district, one of the sister missionaries gasps and says, "WHOA! That is a CHUNKY baby!" I literally was like, "Are you kidding me?" But it's true. I was chunky. I'll send a pic of the baby picture in this email so y'all can see how big of a tub-o-lard I was. 

Thank you all soooo much for your love and support. I truly love all of you and I hope y'all have an incredible week! 

D&C 98: 1-4

- Elder Hanson

A younger Elder Hanson