Week 95 - May 29, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

I will hit 22 months this week...holy cow. What even is time?

Ayyy y'all! Sorry for not emailing yesterday. All of our libraries were closed so we had to postpone emailing time to today. It's all good doe! Wow this week was all over the place. I don't know where to start. First, lots of rain! Whoa. Second, we almost had to sleep in a member's camper because of so much rain, it made it almost impossible to get back to our apartment. We live in the worst part of Richlands because it floods there so much haha! But we good! (Even though we are under flash flood watch). Third, we had 2 of the same investigators show up to church on Sunday, Jay and Roger. So that was awesome to have them there! Fourth, our Gospel Principles lesson on Sunday was on Exaltation and oh my goodness church is so stressful as a missionary let me tell ya. Especially, if you have investigators there haha. And last but not least, we had an awesome Memorial Day yesterday. We hungout with member's all day and had a barbecue. It was so fun! So blessed to live in a country with the freedoms that we have. Forever grateful for those who give their lives so that we can experience this freedom. Long live America!

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Roger, Jay, Sandra. They're doing great! Like I said, Roger and Jay came to church on Sunday! They really enjoyed it. We may have to move their baptismal date but they know they need to get baptized. So please pray for them and their progression! 

Robert & Kaitlyn. They say they love what we teach about families. So we're gonna try and see what we can do to help them with the gospel. Please just pray for them. Please!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

How have you felt God's love in your life TODAY? The challenge this week is to answer this question and write down the answer in a journal, phone, or post it on social media. For me, I felt His love at the Food Pantry we volunteer at weekly. I felt His love for His children that I am serving there. It was a pretty cool experience. Now it's your turn!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So yesterday we were at a member's house for Memorial Day and she had SO MUCH FOOD. She took my plate and PILED food on it until it was basically a pyramid of food on my plate. Then she tried putting a deviled-egg on my plate but realized she didn't have room to put it anywhere, so she SHOVED IT IN MY MOUTH. I was like "Fetch!". It was super awkward but really funny haha!

Anyways, love all of y'all! Keep on keepin' on! Stay safe!

"A great indicator of one's personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others." - Howard W. Hunter

- Elder Noah Hanson

Tracting in the rain (Like Always)

Virginia Double Rainbow!

Memorial Day with the Earps!!!

Week 94 - May 21, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Whattup y'all! It's your boi. What a week it has been. So transfers were on Friday and I said goodbye to Elder Lodico. That was crazy. He's home now and seems to be happy! I also got called to be a TRAINER again!! Wahoo! I'm actually super hyped. My new companion is Elder Craner. He's from Meridian, Idaho. He's such a good guy! We already get along great and have fun working so I'm excited for these next 2 transfers :) 

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Roger, Sandra, and Jay. So I think I've talked about them before. But Roger and Jay came to church yesterday! It was the first time they'd come to church and it was so exciting to see them there! We're meeting with them later this week and finishing the Plan of Salvation. And Sandra should be coming next week :) I'm hyped for them! We may have to change their baptismal date but it's all good. Just keep praying for them and their progression. :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Do you know someone who is struggling? Reach out to them. Let them know that you are there for them, but most importantly, let them know that Heavenly Father is there for them too. He is always there for us through the good and bad times. 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So on Saturday (Elder Craner's first real day), we did service for a member and we were moving a washer and dryer. But the washer and dryer didn't fit through the door so we had to take down the door to get them out. However, the screws in the door were super rusted and would NOT come out. So we tried everything to get them out. And Elder Craner and I got really frustrated haha but then the member we were helping was like "Guys, just say a prayer and they'll come out". I was like "Is that actually how that works? haha" anyways, we both said a silent prayer and then the screws came out like 2 minutes later! Pretty freaking cool but it was really funny too haha!

Love all you so much! Have a great week and keep on keepin' on! God lives!

"We are not and never need be alone." - David A. Bednar

- Elder Noah Hanson

Elder Hanson and Elder Craner

Robbie

PDAY emails!

Week 93 - May 14, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Hey y'all! So this week was awesome!! Obviously, I got to skype my amazing family for Mother's Day. I loved every minute of it. So crazy to think that that's my last skype call...but I'm truly grateful for the chance I had to get updates from them and talk with them! Also it's transfers on Friday and I can't believe another transfer has gone by. Whoa. Elder Lodico is going home and I'm staying in Richlands! So let's goooooo!

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Rosetta & Kristy. We picked them up this week as new investigators and they're both just friends! Rosetta had a lot of questions about our church and Kristy became really interested when we walked in too! So they should be coming to church this sunday and I'm so hyped! Pray for them and their progression :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So I know it's like past Mother's Day and all but the challenge this week is to call your mom this week and tell her how much you love her and appreciate her. Or a motherly figure in your life. It will mean the world to them, even though Mother's Day is past haha!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So yesterday, I gave a talk about mother's and missionary work. I shared with the congregation (all 22 of them) about my mom and the blessing she's been in my life and...I cried for about 15/20 minutes I was up there. Gosh dang it. I don't even know if the congregation understood half my talk haha oh well though.

I love you all so so much! Thank you for all the support and love you've shown me. Keep on keepin' on!! 

"When life is hard, remember - we are not the first to ask 'Is there no other way?'" - Jeffrey R. Holland

- Elder Noah Hanson

Hiking neat Richlands, Virginia

Facetime with Noah

Noah and Facetime

The Family with Noah

Happy Mother's Day!

Week 92 - May 7, 2018 - Raven, Virginia

Sup y'all! First of all, shout out to my awesome Dad! It's his birthday this Wednesday (May 9)! Happy Birthday Dad! I'm truly grateful for all that you've done for me. You've been my support and my rock. Love ya a lot Dad :)

Also, shout out to all mothers everywhere this week! Happy Mother's day! Especially to my number 1 fan. Love you mom! I'll see all y'all on Mother's day :)

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Robert & Kaitlyn. Soooo they're doing good. They been studying much of our doctrine and they ask us quite a few questions and we're able to answer them. But they keep telling us that they'll have to REALLY pray about what we teach. So please please pray for them. Pray that the spirit can truly touch their heart.

We're also trying to get people to church. It's sooooo hard in this mission. I honestly think getting people to church is the toughest part of this mission. People don't have a ton of transportation...so it's been tough. We're trying to get the member's involved but there's only so many members haha. And I think the best thing to teach is probably the restoration/temple. People love the idea of eternal families!!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

How well do you know your neighbors? Like legit. How WELL do you know them? If there's room for improvement, get to know them! Bring a treat or something to them and get to know them a little better. It builds trust and love between the both of you!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So on Tuesday, we were literally walking ALL DAY. I hadn't had to do that since Buena Vista. Haha. Anyways, we were walking and time was going by kind of slow. And so Elder Lodico and I started quoting Spongebob like none other haha. And before we knew it, 2 hours went by hahaha! So if time is going by slow, just quote Spongebob and I promise time will FLY. Haha!

I love all of you so so much. I know this church is true. No doubt in my mind. Jesus Christ lives. He is there for us no matter what. Have a great week :)

"Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints." - David A. Bednar

- Elder Noah Hanson