Week 91 - April 30, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Hey y'all! It's your boi. Okay first off, this week was absolutely incredible! We had some discouraging moments but we also had awesome moments that made up for those discouraging ones! We had to give Kenyan to the Welch elders to teach because she BARELY lives outside of our area. Like not even a mile out of our area. She will be baptized soon. It low key blew, but to make up for that, we found 8 new investigators and put 3 of them on date for baptism! It's been a pretty good week. The work is finally progressing in this area. I also heard the name "Donkey Kong" a lot this week for some reason. That name is haunting me haha.

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Robert & Kaitlyn. So they're a couple that we found a couple weeks ago but not much was happening with them until this week! We talked to them for a while and they have been struggling. We taught a portion of the restoration again and it finally clicked with them. They've been doing a lot of research on us (on mormon.org thank goodness haha) and they said that we make sense. So pray that they'll progress soon! We're going on a hike with them today so we're pretty hyped to chill with them haha!

Roger, Sandra, & Jay. They're a family we picked up this week. They have a lot of family problems but they loved the message we shared about the restoration and they were the ones we set on date for baptism on June 16th! They said they want to find everlasting happiness. So pray that they progress too :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Who haven't you reached out to in a while? Call (not text) that person and set up a time to see them this week if at all possible. And just catch up with them! 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So yesterday we were at a member's house for dinner and she was talking about her mission. She told us a story of how there was an elder in her mission that only cared about numbers. He was her zone leader. He apparently called an emergency zone meeting and called them all out for not getting "enough numbers". The member telling us this story (who is the nicest lady ever) FREAKED OUT at him after the meeting. She then proceeded to tell us, "Elders, if you ever become like that elder, I'm gonna kill you." Hahahaha it was so funny! 

Love you all! Thank you for everything and hope y'all have a great week :) keep on keepin' on!

"Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause." - Gordon B. Hinckley

- Elder Noah Hanson

Taking youth to teach with us is the best!

One of only 3 two story Walmarts!

Week 90 - April 23, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Sup y'all! Wow, again this week flew by! It keeps getting faster and faster! But this week we were able to attend zone conference and I loved it! President Lindhardt truly is an inspired man! I also got to go on exchanges with Elder Hamilton in Welch, West Virginia! Haha! That was an adventure! We are also working a lot with the youth here. We also got to experience a lot of miracles this week holy cow. But there's one in particular that I want to share. (see UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS) HAHA.

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Kenyan. So the other day, we were at a restaurant and these random members from Bluefield came up to us and said "Hey Elders. We paid for your meal and when you're done, come over to "Mercy Me" (a place in Richlands) and teach our daughter-in-law because she wants to become a member of the church." Elder Lodico and I were like...holy cow. hahaha. It was awesome! We taught her and she told us she lives in Bishop, VA. That's right on the border of our area (about 40 miles from Raven, Virginia). So we're trying to figure that out right now but she is SO prepared! Holy cow! Pray that we get to teach her and all goes well :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So this one's a little more intense. The challenge this week is to pray about someone that you can have the missionaries go visit. Once you have a name in mind, give that name to the missionaries! But only do it if you feel REALLY GOOD about it! You never know who needs a visit from the missionaries :)

FUNNY MOMENT:

So as y'all know, Elder Lodico goes home this transfer. And while we were weekly planning this week, out of nowhere, he turns to me and says "yo...I'm scared to get trunky." Hahaha! And then we went back to weekly planning like nothing happened haha. He's not trunky don't worry. I just thought it was a funny, random moment! 

Thank you all for everything. You guys mean so much to me. Always remember that I'm over here praying for each of you back home! I love you guys! Keep on keepin' on!

"No member of this church - and that means each of you - will ever make a serious mistake without first being warned by the promptings of the Holy Ghost." - Boyd K. Packer

- Elder Noah Hanson

Richlands sunset

Richlands Boys

Elder Hanson

On Splits with Elder Hamilton

Basketball!

Pembroke Elders

Pembroke Elders

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