Week 35 - April 3, 2017 - Princeton, West Virginia

Hey y'all! Haha okay first of all, can I just say how much I love saying "y'all"?? I've gotten into the habit of saying y'all at the end of every lesson now! I can't help it! But I really love it at the same time. Literally, I don't think I'll be able to stop saying "y'all" for a long while now haha! Second of all, happy birthday Erik on the 8th!! Lol.

So as y'all know, General Conference was this weekend and OH MY GOSH! It was incredible! I hope y'all took that challenge I extended last week to heart about taking notes during conference! Because man! If that wasn't note-worthy I don't know WHAT is! One of my favorite talks was when our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, talked about how "If ye have not charity, ye are nothing." As a missionary, you find that it's much easier to love the person that you're teaching if you look at them the way that God would see them. No matter the outward appearance or the mistakes they've made, as long as you look at the way God sees them, you'll love them. Without fail.

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Michael W! Okay so y'all remember last week when I talked about how Michael left a note on our door? Well we were able to see him twice this week and even put him on date for baptism! We set him on date for April 29th! He is SO ready to get baptized! We still have to teach him quite a bit before that date obviously but he's incredible! Just pray that he makes that date and prepares himself to make that sacred covenant with God :)

Crystal. So she's another new investigator that we found this week :) She, like Michael, is AMAZING! We met her at the food bank that we volunteer at and she told us all about her trials that she was going through. Long story short, she invited us to come over and so we did! She loved the Restoration lesson and didn't want us to leave! She said "This is what I've been waiting for. This is what's going to help me! Thank you!" Ah! She's awesome! She also said that she wants to get baptized :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So I don't know if y'all are aware or not, but the church has come out with a new EASTER INITIATIVE! The initiative is #PrinceOfPeace. And there's a video, like the #LightTheWorld video, on mormon.org. The video talks about how everything that Christ did while he was on the earth, was to bring us peace. And my challenge to y'all this week is to watch that video and SHARE it with someone! Not just share it on social media (but you can do that too). But to tell share it with a specific person and then share your testimony on Jesus Christ and how he's brought peace into your life! It's an incredible video!


FUNNY MOMENT:

So on Tuesday, we had zone conference. And there was a part in zone conference when we all had to make a paper airplane and throw it as far as it would fly. I was pretty proud of the airplane that I made cuz I couldn't remember how to make one in the first place haha! But it looked pretty dang sweet and I was SURE mine would go the farthest. When it was time to throw it, I threw mine with full confidence and it, no joke, went straight up in the air and landed 5 inches in front of me. Needless to say, I was pretty salty for about two seconds. Then I died laughing! Haha!

Thank you ALL for your amazing support and love! I love all you so much and I KNOW that Heavenly Father does too! Have a great week :)

"Why should we love God?...God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God! For what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are--and who we will become." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

- Elder Hanson

Noah and Elder Crook at Zone Conference

The Sister Missionaries in our Ward

Love getting letters!

Hey someone finally spelled my name right

Greg Jensen and Noah at Zone Conference in Pembroke, Virginia

Elder Carlton and Noah

Week 34 - March 27, 2017 - Princeton, West Virginia

Whattup y'all! This week was a little crazy! Haha! Mainly just because of transfers and everything. I got a brand new sister missionary in my district and she's awesome. She's from Utah! Haha shocker. It's been another rough week though for finding new investigators. We just can't seem to find new people to teach! But I'm optimistic and I know that Heavenly Father has someone prepared for us out there somewhere! We just gotta keep working hard and find that person :)

So I learned something that really stuck out to me this week during my studies. It was about how we often look at Christ's life just full of misery and suffering for us, but how often do we realize the JOY that he must've felt while we endured so much for us? We always get a good feeling whenever we do something good for someone, so can you imagine the joy he must've felt after doing that? He had the ULTIMATE JOY. That's why I always say to look for different opportunities to serve other people so that you can feel just a little bit of that joy that Christ felt for us when he atoned for us. Something to think about.

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Michael W. So he's a former investigator but there's an awesome story with him! So on Thursday, we pull up to our apartment and see a note on our door. And the note was from Michael. The note said that he wants to meet with us again and that he wants to be BAPTIZED in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!! We're teaching him today for the first time in a LONG time and he is fully committed to it! Miracles are real y'all! 

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So General Conference is this weekend. My challenge to y'all (if you don't already) is to take diligent notes! That is something I regret not doing back home whenever I would watch it. But I took notes last general conference and I got SO MUCH MORE out of it than I did when I didn't take notes. The people that are speaking are called of God and are inspired by God. So it's extremely important that we take heed to the words that they say. And what good do their words mean to us if we don't take notes? 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So yesterday, we had dinner with that same elderly couple that wanted to tell the "clean version" story of how they met and we were talking about different TV shows. Then the wife randomly yells, "HAVE YOU EVER WATCHED THE WALKING DEAD!?" I was literally like, "Whoa, take it easy." She then said, "I love that show so much! It's on tonight and I literally cannot wait!" I was just sitting there in shock. I would've NEVER thought someone as old and innocent as her would watch the Walking Dead haha. I thought it was hilarious!

I love all of you so much! Thank you for your love and support towards me during this time on my mission. I cannot thank you enough! Have a great week!

John 16: 33

ELDER HANSON

Elder Wilson and Noah

My awesome Princeton District with pictures of our parents.

So Happy in West Virginia

My awesome Binky candy

Deathly Hallows!

Week 33 - March 22, 2017 - Princeton, West Virginia

Hey everyone! So transfers came this week and I am staying in Princeton along with Elder Roberts.
Princeton is kind of like Gallipolis. It's a pretty decent sized city haha. The ward is (overall) pretty helpful in missionary work. 
I haven't eaten anything crazy really. Although I did have some gross as fetch ribs yesterday that made me have the worst stomach ache this morning. Literally I hate ribs now.

This week was a lot slower than the past couple have been but we were able to see so many miracles with our investigators that I'll talk about in a sec! But first things first. Mom, I hope you had an incredible birthday on Sunday! Thank you for all that you've done for me and for always being there. I love you so much Also, happy anniversary yesterday to my parents! Seriously love you guys! 

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Vanessa Cox (investigator). So she's been taught by missionaries for a LONG time! And she has never come to church. But on Sunday, she finally came!!! Wahooo!! She's on date for April 15th and I have a really good feeling that she's gonna make it! Just keep praying for her that she'll be fully ready for that sacred and beautiful day! 

Janet and Griff Williams (investigators). So they didn't come to church on Sunday but they DID come to the fireside that we had on Sunday! And Griff told us, at first, that they weren't gonna come but then he got a feeling that he should ask God if they should go. So he prayed and asked and he received the answer, "These missionaries were placed in your path for a reason. Find that reason." So they ended up coming!! It was so awesome! 

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So I've done this one before but I seriously love this one! The challenge for you guys this week is to do something COMPLETELY ANONYMOUSLY for someone! For example, leave a plate of cookies on someone's doorstep, clean your sibling's room, etc. I've done that quite a bit this week with my companion and you honestly get such a good feeling when you do it. Because we shouldn't be doing "good things" for people to receive recognition. That makes us prideful if that becomes the reason we choose to do good. So do something anonymous for someone!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So my companion and I were ordering food (again) and my companion ordered first. And the person that was taking our order was, yet again, teenage girl. She called my companion "Sweetie" after he ordered and he turned around and smirked at me. And I just rolled my eyes haha. But then after I ordered, she called me "babe" and I instantly started laughing. I looked over at my companion and he throws his bag of food on the ground and screams, "I'M TIRED OF HAVING ATTRACTIVE COMPANIONS!!" Hahaha! I fetching died! Cuz he literally screamed it so loud in the restaurant! Haha!

Anyways, I hope you all have a great week! Always stand up for what is right! Love you all :) thank you for your prayers and support! Means a lot!

3 Nephi 9: 14

- Elder Hanson

Princeton countryside

Butchered a Hog

Elder Roberts and the Hog

????

My great Princeton District

President Salisbury

Week 32 - March 13, 2017 - Princeton, West Virginia

email:  noah.hanson@myldsmail.net

Packages/letters:
Elder Noah Hanson
240 12th Street Ext. #17
Princeton, West Virginia 24740

blog: http://eldernoahhanson.blogspot.com/


What up y'all! Can't believe it's already Pday again haha. Literally this week went by so fast for me! And I also didn't even realize last week when I was emailing you guys but I've been out for over 7 months!! What the heck? Kinda seems like it was yesterday when I saying goodbye to everyone and meeting my MTC companion Elder Carlton. Hahaha! Time flies when you work hard every single day!

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Griff and Janet. So last Pday, we were just chillin in this music store and this guy named Griff comes up to me and asks me if we were the Mormon missionaries. I was like, "Yeah that's us!" Then he started asking a lot of questions and I was able to answer most of them (thanks to the little spirit guy) and I asked if we could come over to his home and share what we do as missionaries and he said yes. We went over the next day and him and his wife, Janet, were super into the Restoration. They're both very religious and asked a lot of questions. But it was such a good lesson and they're super friendly! So just pray that they find the answers to their many questions that they have about the Book of Mormon and all that! That would be great!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So my challenge for all of you this week is to watch the "Lift" Mormon message. Then afterwards, think of someone who you know that's struggling physically, emotionally, or spiritually and reach out to them. Whether that's just shooting them a text, calling them, visiting them, just something that will help LIFT their spirits and feel the love that Heavenly Father has for them. 

FUNNY MOMENT:

So yesterday we had a dinner appointment with a couple who are members. They are super friendly and super innocent as well haha. But just out of curiosity I asked them, "Sooo just curious, but how did you two meet?" They both start laughing really hard and I just sat there really confused haha and then the husband was like, "Well honey, should we share with them the clean version of the story?" She said, "Yes the clean version, they are missionaries!" I literally just sat there like, 'What the heck?' Hahahaha hopefully you guys thought that was funny because I DIED laughing as I was typing this.

Anyways, love you all so much! Thanks for your amazing examples in my life and I hope you guys are sharing that example with those around you! Hope you guys have a great week!

Alma 7: 23

- Elder Hanson

Happy Birthday Mom on the 19th! Love you so much!

Me with a monkey mascot!

Week 31 - March 6, 2017 - Princeton, West Virginia

So this week was soooo much better than these past couple of weeks have been. There is not a single doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father is getting me through this trial. I have a firm testimony that Heavenly Father loves every SINGLE one of His children and that's why I'm out here on a mission is to share that love. Yes, I needed a reminder of why I came out here but I know that this trial was Heavenly Father's way of reminding me. I love this gospel and I'm so grateful for the impact it has had on my life. 

So we were at this part member family's home on Friday and they have like 5 kids and 3 of them were sick. Instantly I was like, "I'm gonna get sick". The mom was like, "Don't worry, what they have isn't contagious. You'll be fine I promise." So we taught them our lesson and everything and then as we were leaving, one of the girls that was sick sneezes on me while she was hugging me. And I was like, "You're kidding". Next day, I was sicker than a dog. Hahahaha. My immune system literally is the worst. But I'm better now!

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

So we weren't able to visit Vicki and her family this week cuz they were all sick. BUT we were able to pick up the dad! (lolz last week I said she was a single mom but I guess I lied whoops). But yeah the Dad invited us back and he even told us that he "hates preachers that go around and knock on strangers doors" haha. So I guess we got on his good side :)

David Oaks. He's a new investigator and he's our neighbor! He is actually super cool! He was really accepting of the message and even understood that you need to have the authority to baptize or else "it's pointless" in his own words haha. But he's so awesome! 

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

So something that I did on Saturday while I was sick was I wrote down in my journal the different ways I saw God's hand in my life that day. And wow. You literally don't realize how much God blesses you throughout your day until you actually sit down and think about what he's done for you that day. Even the little things. So my challenge to you guys is that you do the same. Tonight, write down the ways that you saw God's hand in your life that day and I PROMISE you that you will be humbled greatly and your love for our Heavenly Father will increase.

FUNNY MOMENT:

So I was at this place called "Bojangles" for dinner on Friday and this teenage girl takes my order. She then asks, "Can I get a name for this order?" I say, "Hanson". She looks at my name-tag and writes something down that makes the other teenage girls behind her giggle. I was like, "Da fetch did she write?" And then she hands me the receipt and it says "Handsome" instead of Hanson. Then she was like, "Oh crap! I forgot that the names print out on the receipts! I promise I'm not weird!" Hahahahaha I was laughing so hard. I was just like, "Thanks...I guess haha". 

Thank you all for your love and support and your prayers! I truly love all of you so much and I hope you all have an awesome week!

Moroni 7: 48

- Elder Hanson

Sheep!

Happiness and the Ukulele

Burning my tie

The best district ever!

The Princeton District!

Week 30 - February 27, 2017 - Princeton, West Virginia

Heyyyy y'all! This week was a little bit better than last week! So it's gradually getting better here in Princeton haha! We've been teaching quite a bit though and finding potential investigators! We're just still really struggling trying to find new people to teach. Also, it got really cold like out of nowhere. It was literally 70 degrees the other day and then yesterday it was 40! Like what the actual? Haha!

So on Friday, my comp was really really down. And we were at the library and I was trying to find an article, song, just something that would make my comp feel better. And I came across this really awesome song called "Overcomer" by Mandisa. It talks about when you feel discouraged or you're just going through a tough trial, God reminds you that you're an overcomer. But in order to overcome our trials we need to turn to Him and remember the One who lifts us. It's now our favorite song to listen to haha! 


UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Vanessa. So unfortunately, we're gonna have to move her baptismal date. She didn't come to church yesterday because apparently someone broke into her house and she was scared to come out of her trailer. Which seems legit. She really is a great lady, but she just keeps having these series of unfortunate events happen to her. So we're not giving up on her! Just pray for her. She really is struggling right now and needs all the prayers she can get!

Oh my gosh ok it was sooooo cool yesterday. So we were getting pretty down on ourselves because we literally could not find people to teach. Then I was like, "Okay let's just try this one last house" and my comp wasn't up for it AT ALL. But I forced him to do it haha. So we knock on the door and this Hispanic lady named Vicki answers and steps outside to talk to us. So we talk to her for a bit and then her WHOLE FAMILY came out and talked to us. She's a single mom with SEVEN kids! Ahhhh! They invited us back later this week and said they were really really interested. Literally the witness comes after the trial of your faith! It was so awesome!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

This one may be a bit tricky for some but it doesn't hurt to try! So we all know someone who isn't a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and something that wouldn't hurt to try is to ask them if they'd be interested in talking to the local missionaries in their area! I know that sounds really scary to do but I promise it doesn't hurt to try. If they reject the offer, then you can at least say you tried. But this gospel needs to be heard throughout the world and it all starts with an invitation to learn!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So we were tracting yesterday and there was a house that we came across with a huge gate around it. There was also a big dog inside the gate and I was like "Yeahhhhh no" at first but then I realized that the dog was blind. Like literally blind. And I thought I'd have fun with that. So I whistled at the dog and it jumped up and ran right towards me. Then BOOM! He runs straight into the gate like really hard. And then it started to cry. Like literally it started crying and I felt like the devil. But I was also laughing really hard which made me feel even worse about the whole situation hahaha. I know I'm the worst.

Thank you all for your love and support towards the work! You guys are awesome and I hope you all have a great week! Love you guys :)

D&C 18: 15

- Elder Hanson

My Princeton apartment

Enjoying PDay!

Transfer from Gallipolis

My Grandpa Hanson is 86 today! Miss you Grandpa!

Week 29 - February 21, 2017 - Princeton, West Virginia

Hey y'all! So I'll admit, this has definitely been the hardest week of my mission so far. I've been faced with a lot of challenges that have done their absolute best to shake my faith. I can already tell that I'm growing a lot from this area and I've only been here for 2 weeks. However, although things are getting harder and harder, I look at it as a blessing. If y'all remember that song I told you about a couple months ago called "Blessings" by Laura Story, that song has yet again been a huge help to me this week. "What if trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the hardest nights, are your mercies in disguise?"

Princeton is awesome! It's right on the border of West Virginia and Virginia. I have Bluefield Sister missionaries, Peterstown sister missionaries, and Pembroke Elders in my district. I also have the zone leaders in my district! I love my district so much! They are all really hard workers. 

UPDATE ON INVESTIGATORS:

Vanessa. I can't remember if I told you guys about her already but she's an awesome lady who is on date for baptism on March 18th! She really wants to turn her life around because she's been through A LOT! She loves the church but she hasn't showed up to church yet...so that's something we gotta work on with her if she wants to be baptized on that date. But I'm optimistic and I think she'll make it :) just pray for her that she'll be able to make it :)

We're really struggling trying to find NEW people to teach. This is a tough area so definitely pray for me and my companion that we'll be able to find those who are truly ready to hear and accept the gospel :) that would be awesome! Hopefully we'll find some this week :)

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

What is your favorite Mormon message? If you have one, SHARE it on social media! I'm always saying that the best way to strengthen your testimony is to SHARE it, so SHARE your favorite Mormon message on social media. Because a testimony isn't just what you say, it's who you are!

FUNNY MOMENT:

So we literally have the best bishop. He was telling us a story on Sunday about his first kiss. He said that he was pretty sick when he went on the date with this girl named Jenna but he didn't wanna miss the date so he went anyways. He said that at the end of the date he was walking up to the door with her and he coughed. Then a huge loogie fell out of his mouth and into her hair. She realized something was in her hair a couple minutes later and said, "Ew why is there gum in my hair?" And then, to distract her, he kissed her. Hahaha she's now his wife. They're awesome!

Thank you all for your prayers and support towards me during this difficult time. I truly love all of you so much!

Alma 26: 11-12

- Elder Hanson