Merry Christmas!!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and was able to enjoy time in family and friends. I definitely enjoyed skyping with you guys a lot, it is always a special moment for a missionary to be able to share his feelings and testimony with his family. Thanks so much for listening and being so supportive! Can't thank you guys enough. It sure was a great Christmas and I feel so blessed to be a missionary, we saw so many miracles this week I can't even explain them all! I hope you all were able to feel the love of our Savior and really understand that miracles exist these days!

Well I don't even know where to start this week. But I think Ill just start by saying sorry but I don't know if I'll be able to send you many pictures while Im here, so far all the computers I've tried aren't able to send pictures haha.. but what can you do right. This cyber we are in right now is in the roof of a little shop and right now it is probably 40 degrees in here! It's gross.. but I am absolutely sweating so bad right now haha.. gotta love it! Catan is super amazing I have already come to love it a ton. It is just such a unique place and has such a special feel to it.

Church yesterday was super amazing, we had a couple great families and investigators show up! Gaston and Monica and their 2 little daughters (Lucmila is 10 and Agustina is 6) went for the second Sunday in a row! They are so awesome. They have plans on getting married so we are working a full with that right now, we are hoping that they will bet married and then be able to be baptised in February! love them so much. We also had a couple other investigators go that are progressing towards baptism in January. Itati and Juana both went yesterday so we are helping them a lot and hope that they will be able to keep all their commitments.

This week was definitely up and down. So we went to visit Angel and Francisca the other day and they had been in a fight and she ripped up their marriage papers :( so that was definitely a super hard moment for us, we were broken. We had a really good talk with them though so we will see how it goes from here on out, just have to be patience and trust in the Lord and in His time. They are super special people and have a special place in my heart, so we are going to do all we can to help them.

But the craziest thing happened right after they told us they ripped up their papers. So we left their house and we were a little bit down on ourselves. So we were walking along the street when a lady yelled out "Elders" so we quickly stopped and looked to see who it was. It was a lady and her family who we had never met before, so we quickly went over to introduce ourselves. As we got talking with them she told us that she is a less active member, and for just under a year they have been living here in Argentina. She told us that for some time she had been wanting to go to the church but just couldn't find the strength to do it. She also told us that she wanted to get married to her husband and that for some time they had been planning on it, but that it was also super hard for them to take the time to do it. So last night we went to their house and had our very first lesson with them, and we talked about the Proclamation to the Family, and it was such a special lesson! She was in tears, and her husband who isn't a member said that he would love to get married and has always thought about being baptised!! Such a miracle! So we are hoping we can go with them next week to help them set a marriage date! They also have 4 kids who are all super cool! So that's just an awesome miracle I wanted to share with you all :)

Hey but I hope you guys have a great week! Tomorrow we are going to the temple as a mission and I am more then excited. I hope you guys are taking advantage of having the temple so close and going lots :) It really is such a blessing and I know that we are blessed so much when we are inside, and that we can receive so much help and revelation from God. I love you all, thanks for everything you do and happy new years! Hope this year can be even greater then 2014. All the best!!

Love, Elder Hansen.

Hey everyone!

Well what a week it has been here in the mission! Things finished out in the office on a pretty high note, the mission christmas party was definitely a success! We started off with the regular transfer meeting, then we sang some Christmas carols, played a game, ate lunch, had a musical devotional, and watched a movie! It was awesome. The music that Hermana Robertson put together with some of the missionaries was definitely very inspirational, I sure wish I could sing haha. We watched a movie called "Ephraim`s Rescue" and oh boy was it ever a tear jerker, it definitely had me a little teary eyed. I would recommend it to all who read this. It made me realise and really understand how much the pioneers sacrificed, and how much I have in my life and how good I have things. I has definitely changed my attitude on walking 15 kilometres a day, I can't imagine what they did. You should definitely all watch it, it's incredible!

Well now the fun part. So in the office we always know the changes about 4 days ahead of time to be able to prepare everything. So the assistants had put me in one place, and to tell you the truth I didn't really believe them because its normal to hide the change to the office elders that are leaving. So for 4 days I was just dying to know where I was going to go. So Wednesday the transfer meeting came along, and it was announced that I would be serving in Gonzalez Catan with Elder Emry! I was so stoked. Catan is one of the most "prestigous" I guess you could say, areas of the whole mission. It has a rep for a couple things. Great members, lots of success, and for being very dangerous (but don't worry mom) haha :) . I was also super stoked because Elder Emry and I served in the same Zone when I was in Marcos Paz, so we already know each other super great. It has been an awesome couple days here, I absolutely love it! There have been a ton of great missionaries come through here and the ward is super strong. I'm in Catan 3A, and Elder Valdes actually served in Catan 3B. So same ward but different area of the ward. I also feel pretty humbled to be able to serve the other missionaries as well and it's going to be a great experience. 

We have a couple great families we are working with. One is going to get married on the 9th of January if all goes well! And the other family is working on their papers to get married. The family that's working on their papers actually came to church yesterday for the first time! It's Gaston, Monica and then their 2 little girls! they are super awesome, just such a happy family. This area is definitely one of the most humble places I have been in my whole mission, if not my whole life. But it is truly a blessing to see how much these people love their family, and how much they love their Savior. It is a blessing to see how they can look past the material possessions and really understand what happiness is. I can't even explain it. But I am super happy.

I was actually pretty nervous Wednesday morning. Partly to see where I was going to go, and partly to have to leave to the mission field and walk all day long! haha. After being in the office for 5 months I thought my legs were going to die. but the Lord definitely has blessed me so much. I feel so excited every morning, but walking outside all day definitely gave me a pretty nasty sun burn haha.

I don't think I have ever felt such a strong desire to share the Gospel in my whole life, I really feel like this is such a special time in my mission.. and a special time for everyone. I can't describe how much I love my Savior, for His love, His patience, and His willingness to help us. I know that He lived and died for us. And I know that He lives today and continues to be the perfect example that we can follow. I truly do believe in miracles, and I consider being a member of His restored church one of the greatest miracles in my life. I hope that we can all truly remember Him this Christmas. Not just think about Him, but remember and study His life, come closer to Him and understand better His Atonement. I know that if we do that we will feel an indescribable happiness. This is my testimony.

I am going to keep this short because we will be talking on the 25th! So excited. Hope you guys have a great week and I will see you all  in a couple days, give everyone my love and the best Christmas Wishes!

Love you all, Elder Hansen.

Elder Digovanni (of the seventy) and his wife in their classic Bethlehem costumes!

This is a picture of what the gym was like!

Us with Modesto, he didn't quite get the Bethlehem theme but he sure was rockin that outfit!

With my good pal Mateo

Mateo, Facundo, and Agustin and I in front of their Christmas tree! Such capos.

Hey everyone, 

Thanks so much for the great letters! Sounds like things have been good back home between sports and mom kicking back on the beach. I think I may have explained things wrong but I am still in the offices.. it's next Wednesday the 17th that we have changes. So that's when we will see what happens! I'm pretty nervous but also super excited, it's gonna be awesome! Time to get to work :)

Things are crazy as ever here in the office haha, finishing up the plans for the changes. We have 26 missionaries leaving and about 22 coming so that's a ton of work and a lot of trips to the airport. We also are having that Christmas party next Wednesday. I feel like mom. I have been doing some serious shopping these past couple days trying to by stuff for 240 missionaries! Oh the things that one learns on the mission, priceless! I am def gonna miss it here but It's going to be great to be out in the field, I started packing my bags today so it started to feel real haha.

Well this week has flown by again and I just want to share two miracles that we saw this week :)  We started our fast last Sunday after church, and we fasted simply to help someone progress towards baptism, and just as we left the room where we were praying a guy walked in the church. He was wearing normal clothes and had his motorbike turned on outside, but he came right up to us and asked if we were the Elders here in Caseros. As we continued to talk he told us that he used to listen to the missionaries about 2 – 3 months ago when he lived in a different area, but about 2 months ago he had separated from his girlfriend and came to Caseros. He then told us he had felt the need to talk to the missionaries and went looking for the church. When he found us! He actually lives in another area so we passed his address on to other missionaries but we are hoping he will progress with them! 

Also last Sunday we were walking down the street when we walked by a fence with the gate open. As we walked by, their dog started running behind us, so the owner came running after the dog. As he got closer to us he said to Elder Moore in English “Hey, how are you? Where are you from, Utah? Or Smith city?” When he said that Elder Moore kinda laughed, but then quickly asked him how he knew about Joseph Smith, which led to a conversation, and then we went back and met his family! They are super cool. Married, have 2 little kids and are so nice. He came with us to the church on Thursday to play soccer which was unreal! And we are going to pass by their house tonight to try to have a lesson with them. They are great, we are hoping they will come to church tomorrow! Crazy how the dog just happened to come running behind us. Some may call it coincidence.. but I have learned just how perfect the Lord´s plan is and how he uses every situation to give us chances to share the Gospel.

Last night we had our Ward Christmas Party which was the highlight of the week! There was a lot of less active families and non members that attended which was super awesome, we met a lot of great people. I think there were over 100 people that showed up, pretty awesome! We are definitely going to use this to work with the members to find new people to teach. The activity was based around Bethlehem. It was all decorated with antique looking stands which each of the different organizations did. So everyone came to the activity dressed up like they did back in the day, it was pretty cool! I will be sure to attach some pictures below. I love this ward, the people definitely have a special place in my heart and I am going to miss them a ton. We also got to stay out till 10:15 so that was pretty crazy. haha.

Well fam I hope you guys are doing great! Lots to do today but the next time I will be writing you will probably be Monday the 22nd. 3 days before Christmas! So crazy. Love you guys so much, thanks for being such amazing examples to me. You have really helped me so much through my life and I am grateful from all my heart for all you have done.

Have a good week, bring on the snow in Argentina! I wish...

Love, Elder Hansen.

Best christmas wishes to all lets givumm the greatest gift of all whoot!

Here's one of the best parts of being in the office. After 2 hours of planning a Christmas party for 240 missionaries President and Hermana Robertson treated us to a nice American Thanksgiving Dinner... unreal!!

My ping pong skills are terribleee now! haha

The pool at the mission home that we can't use. For the president's family only.

Hey fam and friends!

Thanks so much for the great letters this week. I am still sitting here in the chair with my jaw dropped to the floor after seeing those massive dunks by Carter haha.. good for you buddy! So proud of you. Hope you don't mind that I am showing everyone here in the office haha. Sounds like things haven't stopped for one minute. Mom going to Hawaii, Dad and Carter a full week with sports and Jo working as always! You guys are the best :) Thanks for always keeping me updated and for the support. Crazy that this will be my last full week here in the office. There is so much to do it's gonna be crazy! We have to finish planning the Christmas party for 240 missionaries.. joy! haha. It's gonna be fun though we have some great stuff planned out.

Speaking of that.. Can't believe that Christmas is coming so soon, I love Christmas in the mission it is such a sacred and special time of year to share the Gospel with everyone. It really is a time where the Lord blesses us as missionaries with so many miracles, and I feel that He touches the hearts of the people just a little bit more. I hope we can all remember that and desire to share with a loved one this Christmas season. Today I was reading President Uchtdorfs message called "Fill the World with Christ's Love" and this part really stuck out to me...

"Jesus the Christ, who knew perfectly how to give, set for us the pattern for giving. To those whose hearts are heavy with loneliness and sorrow, He brings compassion and comfort. To those whose bodies and minds are afflicted with illness and suffering, He brings love and healing. To those whose souls are burdened with sin, He offers hope, forgiveness, and redemption.

If the Savior were among us today, we would find Him where He always was—ministering to the meek, the downcast, the humble, the distressed, and the poor in spirit. During this Christmas season and always, may we give to Him by loving as He loves. May we remember the humble dignity of His birth, gifts, and life. And may we, through simple acts of kindness, charity, and compassion, fill the world with the light of His love and healing power."

I love the simplicity but importance that comes with Christmas. How the Lord came in humble circumstances to serve the humble, lonely, and the poor, and how all He asks us is to share this love with others. With this program of "He is the Gift" the church is really inviting us to share this simple but life changing gift of our Savior with everyone. So we have special Christmas cards that we have, and we are trying to give out at least 10 everyday.. and with this we are trying to think of creative ways to catch peoples attention. One of my favorites we have been doing is simply asking the people what is the one thing that they want most for Christmas not caring about how much money it costs. As they think and express their ideas we then share that we have something even better and more valuable for them, a message from our Savior Jesus Christ. It has been working pretty well. We found a couple new people to teach this week through this! We are also going to buy wrapping paper today and then we are going to wrap up Book of Mormon's and hand them out in the street! haha. It's going to be cool. The options are endless.

We also saw another special miracle this week. So Teodora was working for a sewing company but she just quit last week because she wants to work in her house. So she asked us if we knew anyone who would like to work with her because there is a ton to do. This is when we remembered about our investigators Nikolas y Emilce. Emilce has been without work for along time now and hasn't been able to find any.. and we promised her we would look. So it just happened Teodora needed someone, and Emilce was looking.. what a miracle! So we talked to Emilce and gave her Teodora´s number and they are planning to meet up and talk about working together! We also talked with Teodora about the great opportunity this would be to talk about the Gospel with Emilce.. and she was super excited to do it! It's amazing how the things just work out perfectly, and how much the Lord really watches out for His children. It was such a special thing for me.

Besides that things are going good, lots of work to do but my hijo Elder Moore is super bueno and he is learning really fast. He pretty much has it all down. It's definitely going to be different when I get out of here but it's going to be a blessing. I have learned a ton in the office and I'm excited to put it to work and truly be able to dedicate all the time I have in the Lord's harvest. I hope that this Christmas season we can all do just a little bit more, and think of just a little something extra we can do to make the world a better place.

Hope you guys have a great week. You're always in my prayers :)

With Love, Elder Hansen.

Hey fam!!!

Looks like it was quite the week, wow!! Congrats to Carter and the whole team, as well as the girls team. Looks like it was a pretty successful year in volleyball in Magrath, what a nice feeling! Definitely felt proud of the little bro after seeing the pictures.. I guess I'm the outcast who never won the prov. championship haha. But that picture is so cool.. so awesome that dad and carter won the same trophy. A full a full! Cool to see as well the support of the town, awesome that they got behind you and showed so much support! We are definitely blessed to live in such a great place!

Well another week has come and gone in a blink of an eye. It has been pretty successful as always. First off is that I received an hijo here in the office! His name is Elder Moore, he is awesome.. such a nice guy and a great missionary. So I will be training him over the next few weeks and then heading back out to the field! It is bittersweet, I really have enjoyed the office and learned a ton but I am super excited to get back out there and work. I am definitely trying to prepare myself as much as possible. The thing I will miss the most though is the blessing to be in contact with all the missionaries. It has brought a true light and joy to my life getting to know so many missionaries, it is awesome to see so many young kids working together for the same cause. I will also really miss President and Hermana Robertson. I really do feel like they are apart of my family, and Hermana Robertson reminds me a ton of you mom haha. I have been so blessed to work beside them for the last 4 months.. they have taught me a ton. But off to work we go :) It will probably next transfer when they send me off.

Speaking of the Robertson's yesterday they invited us over to their house because it was american thanksgiving! I had no idea obviously haha.. but we went over there and celebrated as a staff. Unfortunately turkey is pretty much impossible to find here.. but we ate chicken, stuffing, potatoes, corn, cranberries, pumpkin pie... a classic thanksgiving dinner! It was awesome. They are great people and so loving. After we played a couple matches of ping pong between us all.. I have definitely lost my skills haha. We took a bunch of pictures on the mission camera but the Hermana Robertson has it, I will try to send you them next week!

In our area things are doing good. Mom mentioned the new video "He is the Gift" and this is actually the focus in all the mission's in the whole world! We have 10 cards to give out everyday to people to invite to visit the web page and watch this video. It really is such a special time of year and its awesome to see how the church is coming together to try to remind the world the true meaning of Christmas. On December 8th all of youtube is going to be covered with videos from the church and also all of the tv's and propaganda in times square! It's amazing how the Lord is hastening His work. So we are working really hard with this right now. Talking to the members and in reality everyone about this program and how we must remember Christ this Christmas season.

Speaking of Christmas we talked about the family Skype. It is going to be the normal 40 minutes, and we can do it the 24th or 25th. I will be sure to give you more details later.. but just let me know how these days are for you and when you will be free. I will probably be in a different area so it will be kinda hard to plan but oh well right! haha.

We have a couple good investigators we are working with right now. Just struggling to commit them to go to church. We have been praying lots for them though. Nikolas and Emilce have been hard to contact as they have been out of town almost all this week. She really wants to get to know the church though, he is a little more hesitant but with time I know he'll come around :) haha. All the good things take time right? We have been working hard on finding families and we feel like the Lord has been blessing us a ton. Families are always harder to commit and help progress but it really is what the Lord needs to help build His kingdom.

I also bought myself some pretty slick new shoes today.. they came out to about 70 dollars.. pretty cheap eh. They are some brown dress shoes. Early Christmas present..  thanks family haha.

Well I hope you guys have a great week and enjoy this great time of year. It truly is the best. I love Christmas and I love my Savior so much. I hope that you guys can do something special with this program and this video.. even if it's just sharing it on facebook. I know that as it says in the scriptures "by small and simple things great things are brought to pass". I really do testify that this is true, and invite you all to do something small and simple this Christmas season and watch the Lord do something great.

Love you all, have a great week!

Elder Hansen.

Saturday, Nov. 22nd letter

With Elder Flores

With "Nacho"

In Sister Llarena's backyard

At the Llarena house

With the Sister Missionaries

Hola Fam!

It was so great to hear from you guys this week, sounds like its been a pretty incredible couple days! So awesome that the boys and girls won Zones! Congrats bro that is super exciting, so glad to hear that it went well. Wish you guys all the best in provincials. I'm excited to hear how it goes! Sounds like it was quite the trip up there. Reminds me of the good old hockey days haha. That's one thing I don't miss too much. But enjoy it and hope things go well today!

Don't worry my toenail it is fine. I really don't know how it started I think it was just a mixture of things. I will just be more careful from now on... but the toe is a long ways from the heart so I think I'll be good to go :) haha.

This week has actually been a lot calmer here in the office which has been really nice. We haven't been running around so much so it's made for more time to work in our area. Although we did receive 2 new secretaries this week. Elder Vera is gone so we have a new Apartment Secretary, and Elder Christensen is training Elder Rojas to be in charge of all the materials. It's crazy that we have already been in here for 4 MONTHS. I don't know where the time has gone. Normally secretaries are in the office from 4-6 months so it looks like President is starting to take us out 1 by 1. I don't know when my time will be, I guess we shall see! I do love it here a lot but at the same time it'll be super nice to get back out there in the field and work. Will definitely make the best of the time I have here though, it's been such a blessing to be around President Robertson and his wife and learn from them.

So we went this week to see the referral from our Stake President's son. It's a young couple.. their names are Nikolas and Emilce.. and they have a little son named Tomas. They are awesome! So we went there this last Monday and had a little lesson with them. It was more then anything getting to know them, seeing what they like to do and what interests them about the church. They definitely have some doubts, but at the same time they have some pretty amazing questions that show they have been thinking about these things. Nikolas knows a ton about the church but has always been pretty hesitant to go, so we will have to see if we can help him. They aren't married but they do have plans, we talked about the proclamation to the family and shared it's importance. It was really good. They definitely desire more then anything the well-being of their family and are willing to do what it takes to be happy. We are trying to plan a Family Home Evening with President Catron and his family to show them what the Gospel can do for us. We also got talking about Canadian food and they want us to go over there one day and cook pancakes for them haha. They are a pretty special family!

Teodora is doing amazing. She has been coming to church every week since her baptism and she has really come to love it. She mentioned to the another member the other day that she get anxious waiting for Sunday cause she's so excited to go to church. What a miracle no! It's amazing how people can change so much. We had a really spiritual lesson on the sacrament the other day, which really helped her understand the importance of persevering in the Gospel. We also talked about the temple and she really wants to go, she should be having an interview with the Bishop soon!

So like I mentioned Elder Christofferson came last week and wow it was so amazing.They speak with such compassion and power that you really can feel their love. He talked very simply the other day. He focused on how we can have success as missionaries. Many times we wait to get specific answers in exactly how we should work.. but I was really surprised, yet amazed by his answer. He just simply talked about the Atonement of Christ in Alma 7. And how this is the only true way we can come to love others and have success in our mission. Rather then invent or look for other ways to do the work, we should look towards Christ and try to come closer to Him. He said "none of you are unknown to Him, and as you pray none of you are strangers". He talked about how when we really come to understand the love and sacrifice of our Savior we come to understand what it is that the Lord wants us to do. I have gained such a strong testimony of this. I feel like the greatest thing the mission does is offer one the opportunity to become like our Savior, something we all need to do.

He also left a pretty mind-blowing thought with us. He was talking about the second coming of Christ and how we normally say that he won't come until the world is extremely wicked. He then said in his opinion the earth has plenty of wickedness, but what lacks for the second coming to come to pass isn't wickedness.. but prepared people ready to receive it. I was really struck by that. This is when he really try to excited us to work, and do our part to help prepare the people for the second coming. I love our leaders so much, how blessed we are to have them!

Today I was watching the new mormon message "The Refiner´s Fire" oh it's so good you have to watch it. There is one quote that I loved.. "The greater our sorrow is the greater our capacity is to feel joy". I believe this to be true. Sometimes the trials and sorrow in the mission are indescribable, but that's what makes it so incredible. I hope we can all make the best of the hard moments and look forward to the limitless joy our Heavenly Father has promised us. That really is my prayer.

Hope you guys have a great week. Love you guys so much.
Take care and go Zeniths!

Love, Elder Hansen.

Hey fam!

We have had another great week here in the mission! I was super happy to hear about the awards, congrats Carter that is so awesome! An award definitely deserved for all the hard work. I hope that the Zone tourney finishes well today. I'm excited to hear all about it! Sounds like the weather is quite interesting up there as always, the other day it was like 31 here and -30 there. Quite the difference. Hope you´re all enjoying it! Some days I miss the cold!

This week has been another quick week filled with lots of miracles! Last Sunday I was actually given the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting, a sister missionary and our ward mission leader spoke as well. Missionary work a full! It was the first time I have spoken in awhile so I was pretty torn between what I should speak about. But I was definitely excited! I had been praying and thinking hard about what I should speak about when I came across a talk by Elder Eyring "A Voice of Warning". I had been thinking a lot about missionary work and the best way to express this importance to others.. and when I really thought about it all I could think about was love for others. How the true love of Christ helps one have the desire to share without being forced or obligated, but how really understanding that others need the Gospel to be eternally happy helps us become people who desire to share with our friends. This is the part of Elder Eyring's talk that really hit me, and that I shared on Sunday.

"Why should I speak to anyone about the gospel who seems content? What danger is there to them or to me if I do or say nothing?Well, the danger may be hard to see, but it is real, both for them and for us. For instance, at some moment in the world to come, everyone you will ever meet will know what you know now. They will know that the only way to live forever in association with our families and in the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, was to choose to enter into the gate by baptism at the hands of those with authority from God. They will know that the only way families can be together forever is to accept and keep sacred covenants offered in the temples of God on this earth. And they will know that you knew. And they will remember whether you offered them what someone had offered you.
It’s easy to say, “The time isn’t right.” But there is danger in procrastination. Years ago I worked for a man in California. He hired me, he was kind to me, he seemed to regard me highly. I may have been the only Latter-day Saint he ever knew well. I don’t know all the reasons I found to wait for a better moment to talk with him about the gospel. I just remember my feeling of sorrow when I learned, after he had retired and I lived far away, that he and his wife had been killed in a late night drive to their home in Carmel, California. He loved his wife. He loved his children. He had loved his parents. He loved his grandchildren, and he will love their children and will want to be with them forever.
Now, I don’t know how the crowds will be handled in the world to come. But I suppose that I will meet him, that he will look into my eyes, and that I will see in them the question: “Hal, you knew. Why didn’t you tell me?”

That question really hit me. As I shared that story I was inspired to share a few personal stories about times that I was failed to share what I know is true. And how the Lord is willing to forgive us, but also expects that we learn from our mistakes and share with those who need to hear this message.

Apart from my talk Sunday's are our only day to work out in our area all day. So after church we definitely take advantage of the time we have. Last Sunday we found and taught a pretty great family, he's a captain in the army and she's a artist.. and they have a 9 year old son. They are definitely super firm in their Catholic beliefs but they were interested and had some great questions as we shared the Restoration with them. We are hoping they will progress because they have a ton of potential.

This week we also saw another miracle. Our Stake President (President Catron) has a son serving a mission in Chile. His son has a friend who isn't a member that lives in our proselyting area so the other day he sent a message to his dad saying he wanted us to visit him. For the last 3 weeks we have gone like 5 or 6 times to his house but their was never anybody there.. one of the frustrating parts of the mission haha. On Thursday we went to his house and ended up talking with his neighbor but this kid still wasn't home. So yesterday we were waiting to pick up some missionaries that were out in the mission field here in Ramos when this kid who we have been trying to contact just showed up out of nowhere and asked "hey excuse me but can I ask you guys a question? yesterday 2 missionaries like you guys showed up to my house and talked to my neighbor, and 10 minutes after they left I showed up, so when my neighbor told me and got in my car to look for them. do you know who they are??" As we asked him his name and he responded we were seriously amazed, like it says in Preach My Gospel "The Lord will guide you to meet prepared people, or he will led them to you." It truly was a sign of a miracle for us as this kid (Nikolas) accepted a Book of Mormon and invited us to go to his house. He also invited us to go to his house to eat!

Well I'm about out of time. Today like you guys heard we went to hear Elder Christofferson speak! Yesterday he spoke here in our Chapel to all the married couples so we had to clean the office like never before! haha it was spotless. And then today we had to take 240 missionaries at 6:30 in the morning to the North Mission Office. it was quite the process and I am exhausted! But it was an amazingly spiritual experience and I will be sure to share some of my thoughts next week after I have a little time to study what I learned! But after hearing his words I have no doubt that our leaders are called by God and that they speak in His name. I hope that we can always be humble and willing to listen and follow their counsels.

Have a great week. Love you all!!

Elder Hansen.

Hey Fam! 

Thanks so much for the letters it was so great to hear from you all. First off congrats Carter! That is so exciting that you guys won it all, pretty impressive! It sounds like it was a pretty intense rivalry with Chinook, that's awesome you pulled it off! Looks like it is going to be another classic winter up there in Canada. The rain has finally gone away here and it's starting to get hot. I'm not sure if I'm ready.

Well this week has definitely been different. I think I saw all of Buenos Aires haha. We spent about 90% of the week preparing for meetings and helping out the other missionaries. We had changes this week so Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we were super busy doing this and to answer your question yes I'm still in the office. It's crazy it's already been about 4 months, the time goes by insanely fast. I also made about 4 trips to the airport to drop off missionaries that finished their missions. It is definitely a different experience haha, but I'm always happy to help, although it did make for some pretty early mornings.

Then we had a meeting with President and Hermana Robertson, the Assistants, and all the Zone Leaders here in the mission. It was pretty great. I learned a lot. We talked lots about the importance of being a Christlike leader and teaching more by example then by word. I love when Elder Packer taught "Speaking is not teaching". I feel like this is something I have learned a lot on my mission. I always thought that a great missionary or leader was one who spoke with big words and marveled the people by what they said. I have come to admire leaders like Moses who said: "Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." 

And I love the example of Ammon who sparked interest in King Lamoni because he was quick to do all the King asked and more. Although this week wasn't full of teaching the Gospel in words I feel like serving others is something equally important.

Their was one little surprise miracle that happened this week. So the day before all the missionaries head home they have a "Noche de Conversos" or "Converts Night" where they invited their converts to come and say goodbye to them. We are always in charge of setting all the stuff up and making sure their are drinks and food for everyone. So I was their just helping out when I saw a couple of familiar faces come in, the Familia Alvarez! I guess Elder Toledo had invited them to come because he was going home. Oh boy it was so good to see them, and it seriously made me so happy. I didn't want to take away from Elder Toledo, plus I was just there to help out, but we talked for a little bit and they are doing so great. Rodrigo and Tamara went to seminary this whole year and love it. The Hermana Zuni is still doing great as always and helping and cooking for the missionaries. Martin and Luana are so cute and funny. And Federico is doing good as well, he had a tough period but has been working hard to stay active in the church. Sometimes just feels a little alone because their isn't a lot of youth. But it really touched my heart seeing them and knowing just how much love the Gospel can bring to the lives of the people. It has brought a love to my life I can never explain. I have no doubt that this is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, how blessed we are to be a part of it.

Well it has been another quick week but things are great. Time to get back to work. Thanks for everything you do for me.. I am so blessed to have such great family and friends.

Love you all, Elder Hansen.

 The Office Staff

Me and Elder Soto

Hey family and friends!

Glad to hear from you all and to know that things are going great back at home! Tough to hear about the volleyball tourney but I hope Carter gets better and will be able to play at 100% again. I have to write a quick thanks to Sister Schipper and all the primary kids. The other day I received all their letters and questions. They were pretty awesome and made me laugh pretty hard. I think the most common question was how is the weather down here haha.. you can tell them that it hasn't stopped raining for about a week! Please tell them thanks for it, it was greatly appreciated.

Gotta love stake conference as well eh. Sounds like it was a spiritual experience for everyone.. especially dad up front their singing in Magrath's very own MOTAB. Sure it sounded great! We truly do have such amazing leaders in the church, in all parts of the world. It has been such a blessing to learn from them throughout my life and on the mission.

Speaking of leaders our Stake President (Presidente Catron) here in Caseros is awesome. He actually lives in our ward so we see him lots and have become really close to him. This past weekend we had 2 dinners with him and his family! In the one it was assistants, the zone leaders in Caseros, and then us. He has such an awesome family and are so strong in gospel and their son is actually serving his mission in Chile right now! Just the other day he wrote home telling his dad about one of his friends that isn't a member that he wants us to go visit.. so we are going to pass by as soon as possible and see if we can talk to his friend!

This week was super quick. The truth is we been a FULL week in the offices that we didn't have a ton of time to work this week. We have transfers next week which always makes for a very busy time. I have learned a lot being here in the offices. It has helped me be a bit more organized haha. But more importantly has helped me learn how to have an equal balance in life. I think before the mission I was just all one thing.. whatever it could have been. But here  I have learned to work hard in the office during the day, and then when we leave to be 100% committed to the Lord's work. It isn't always easy and isn't something I haven't perfected but I feel like it's an important lesson the Lord wants me to learn. And something that we can all learn. To have a balance between work, school, family.. but always remember which is the most important.

After Teodora's baptism we have been trying really hard to expand our teaching pool. We do have some other good investigators but nobody who really wants to fully commit themselves to baptism and living in accordance with God's commandments. We are still working with the Family Quiroa. We had a pretty awesome lesson with the husband who isn't a member the other day. For the first time he told us that he has the desire to be baptized.. but that he is scared of committing himself and not being able to complete with all that is asked. He thinks that if he is a member he has to give ALL of his time to the church and serve others. It is a great thought.. but we are trying to help him understand the Lord just asks us to give all that we can, and that through His grace and mercy we can complete with all that He asks of us.

We also have been working hard with the recent converts here in our ward. We have a couple that are having a tough time.. for the reason that you expressed mom.. because they are taking on a whole different life. We have had some success helping a few of them strengthen their testimonies. They are also a great way to find new people to teach, those recent converts are those who are always excited to share the Gospel with others. Speaking of this we are planning to have a Family Home Evening with Teodora, her sister and and some of their friends next week, should be awesome!

This morning I was watching a video on the LDS website.. http://www.mormonchannel.org/our-heavenly-fathers-plan?v=1412192349001&lang=eng#video=we-lived-with-god&cid=HPMO102714514 .. which talks a lot about the hope and faith that can come through a life centered in Christ. I pray that we can all continue to develop attributes like our Savior Jesus Christ and always find the hope that he can bring us.

Hope you have a great week, love you all!

Elder Hansen.

Dear Family and Friends!

Hey It was so great to hear from you guys! Sounds like it was a great week, glad to hear that it was a good week of volleyball as well! Sorry I didn't write the other day, we didn't have internet in the office for the past couple days.. plus we only had like 2 hours for our Pday because of the baptism!

That's the great news! Teodora got baptized on Saturday and was confirmed a member of the church yesterday! It was amazing. It has seriously been such a blessing to be a part of her life and to be able to share the restored gospel with her. She had some really hard challenges in her life a little over 6 months ago which really had a hard impact on her. She rarely left the house for a few months, and really didn't feel a lot of purpose in her life. It's amazing how the gospel can bring one so much hope, and how our Savior can heal us both physically and spiritually.

During the time we have known her she has been so receptive and willing to change, depending on what she personally feels. That's one of the greatest things about her, and about the conversion she has had. We have been trying to teach in a new way which allows the people to be more self reliant and depend more on their own agency. and not just simply "listening and do exactly what the missionaries say". We have been there every step of the way guiding her and helping her, but all the choices she has made she has made them on her own! She has gained such a strong testimony, and has such a strong desire to one day enter the temple.

The service was great as well, just a nice simple service.. she was super emotional! Her sister Juana (who is a less active member) came to the baptism and is going to start coming to church again. It has been amazing to see how their relationship has changed.

Besides that the week was good. Just working as usual, loving every second and trying to become more like my Savior. It really is a blessing.

I was thinking a lot about trials, and the hardships we pass through in life when I read a talk by Elder Neal A. Maxwell the other day, and this quote really got to me.

"Obedience on our part can bring us face to face with new challenges which we need but do not want, challenges from which we may even be running away. Obedience helps us to pioneer beyond the past... Our transitory disappointments are real, but the missing letter from home is not really comparable to the delivered message from heaven, the good news of the gospel. Today's unmet hunger for a few more friends must not be allowed to obscure the marvelous reality of the forever friendship of Jesus for each of us. Do not let uncertainty about how others seem to feel about you this week get in the way of how God has always felt about you."

It is such a blessing to have grown up in such a great community, and to be surrounded by such great people in the mission. More then just thinking about friends, I think this quote really speaks out about leaving behind the things of the world and trusting more in the Lord.. who has always been, and will always be there for us. I have never felt more certain about my Heavenly Fathers love for everyone of us. Hope you guys know how much I love you too. 

Have a great week, love you all!

Elder Hansen.

Posted on Facebook: Having lunch with the missionaries in our house on Argentina Mothers Day. (19 Oct 2014)

Querida Familia,

What a week it has been! Glad that things are good up there, sounds like Carter is still putting on a show on the volleyball court, haha. I am glad that his team is doing well and enjoying their time together. Something super important.

That's awesome that the Heninger's cousin got called to the mission in Cordoba. He's gonna love Argentina. It's the greatest! As far as food, it's pretty simple. Lots of rice, meat, and pasta. I love it. Asado is one of the most prestigious dishes here, it's like roast beef but they cook it on the BBQ and it's unreal. They also love their milanesa, which is a breaded meat or chicken. I use my sleeping bag in winter yes, get's a bit cold.. so I think its something good to bring. As far as things I could need I will think and let you know.

I have been reading and watching the Conference talks over this week and I have really been touched by the talks. This week I have really been trying to think about Charity, and developing a true love for others. I think this is one of the most important things in life, and it is a attribute that will makes us become more like our Savior. I truly have been impacted by the talk "Are We Not All Beggars" by Elder Holland. I especially love this part..

"For one thing, we can, as King Benjamin taught, cease withholding our means because we see the poor as having brought their misery upon themselves. Perhaps some have created their own difficulties, but don’t the rest of us do exactly the same thing? Isn’t that why this compassionate ruler asks, “Are we not all beggars?” Don’t we all cry out for help and hope and answers to prayers? Don’t we all beg for forgiveness for mistakes we have made and troubles we have caused? Don’t we all implore that grace will compensate for our weaknesses, that mercy will triumph over justice at least in our case? Little wonder that King Benjamin says we obtain a remission of our sins by pleading to God, who compassionately responds, but we retain a remission of our sins by compassionately responding to the poor who plead to us"

After reading this talk I have really had the desire to make a difference, and to give to those who need. Living in Argentina has opened my eyes tremendously and I would literally do anything for the people here. I sometimes joke about how during the mission has been the first time I'm sad that I'm tall.. because I can't give my clothes away haha. But more then just this, when we truly have a caring heart we can make the difference in the lives of so many.

In the mission things are still going great. It has been a bit hard for us lately to find new people to teach, but we are still working hard and seeing lots of miracles. Teodora is doing awesome! She is set for her baptism for the 25th of this month. She has been receiving her answer little by little as she has learned to press attention to the small whisperings of the spirit. The other day we had a Family Home Evening with her and 2 other families in our ward. We had a lesson, played some games and then after we ate tacos! It was great! During the lesson she announced in front of everyone "I'm working towards my baptism next Saturday." It was so awesome to hear as she shared her testimony and her desires with everyone! Her desire and conversion really has come through the Book of Mormon, she has pretty much read every single day since we have started visiting her. I am super excited for her and for the fact that she will be making this amazing promise with God, and that she will become a member of the church. I have gained such a strong testimony about baptism, and the importance it is that everyone takes this step in their life.

Well things are great hear.. we are a full right now with everyone. The Hermana Robertson is helping us do a serious spring cleaning of the office haha, their are a ton of old stuff here that we need to get rid of so we will be spending a lot of our P-day working but it's great! It is fun when we are all together and working, something I enjoy rather then something that is a chore.

Hope you guys have a great week and know how much I love you. I have gotten to the part where my emails can't explain how I feel about the mission and my Savior. but I have no doubt in my mind that this is the only way we can be truly happy. There is no other way to return to live with our Heavenly Father, and how grateful I am to be apart of His true church today. I loved President Monson's talk "Guided Safely Home". I know that Jesus Christ is OUR good shepherd and that he loves us, and is the only way we can make our way back home.. this really is my prayer and my testimony, that we can develop our relationship with Him and come to understand better His eternal love.

Love you guys so much, off to work :)

E' Hansen

Hey family!

I loved your letters and the pictures so much this week! Thanks so much for sharing your conference experience with me, it looks like it truly was a great spiritual experience for everyone. That is so awesome that you got to meet the Carter's, they are great! Hope you gave them my love, I have such a special place in my heart for them. Glad that the trip went well and that you could enjoy listening to the our modern day leaders. I was truly amazed by their words this past week.. especially Elder Uchtdorf's talk "Lord, is it I?". This talk really had a serious impact on me and has had me thinking this past week about my mistakes and my weaknesses, and how important it is that we all purify ourselves.

I loved this part a lot: "But those who want to improve and progress, those who learn of the Savior and desire to be like Him, those who humble themselves as a little child and seek to bring their thoughts and actions in harmony with out Father in Heaven - they will experience the miracle of the Savior's Atonement. They will surely feel God's resplendent Spirit. They will taste the indescribable joy that is the fruit of a meek and humble heart. They will be blessed with the desire and discipline to become true disciples of Jesus Christ."

I can't explain how much this has been part of my mission. I feel like the Lord has humbled me a lot and has truly shown me my weaknesses. It isn't always easy, but as Elder Uchtdorf explained if we ask ourselves sincerely "Lord, is it I?" with the mindset of wanting to change and recognize our mistakes we can desire this taste of indescribable joy. It's not easy, to admit our mistakes, but it is the way that the Lord has instructed us that we need to humble ourselves and learn. I feel that my greatest desire in the world is to be a disciple of Christ and try to follow in his footsteps. I hope that you guys can listen to this talk and the other ones as well. I wish I had time to talk more about conference but time is short!

We had some investigators go and watch the conference as well which was fantastic! It is a great tool to teach about the Restoration and about a living day Prophet. We are so blessed to be guided by Thomas S. Monson, and wow are his words powerful. I was so happy that our investigators got to listen to him.

We have had some serious help from our members lately, they have been so awesome in supporting our investigators. We watched the Saturday afternoon session in the Quiroa Families house which was awesome. But at the same time Teodora wanted to go to the session in the church. So we called Hermana Llerena to ask if she could join her. So she went to the house of Teodora and picked her up and they went to the conference together.. and our Teodora loved it! She really has made such great progress, and has been so prepared by the Lord. She has now been 5 days with smoking cigarettes and has been reading and praying every single day! On Tuesday when we had a lesson with her she was still having doubts about baptism. She wants to get baptized, but just isn't sure that she is ready. So we talked a little about the requirements of being humble and being clean, and we left her with 2 Nephi 31 to read. 

On Thursday when we went over there we started talking and she mentioned how she had been feeling very alone (because her sister works all day) and that she would like to feel more company. About a week before this lesson we mentioned how receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost would help her with this, and it is what we receive after baptism. So on Thursday we asked her how being baptized could help her feel closer to God. She paused for literally 30 seconds, and we just sat there in silence waiting, and letting the Spirit testify to her. During this time she was staring at her Book of Mormon, and then she started to read "repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism - yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost." (2 Nephi 31:13)

The Spirit was so strong in this moment as she realized for herself that baptism will bring the Spirit and the needed company into her life. So we simply asked her... "Teodora, what can you do to receive the Holy Ghost?" and she paused for 5 seconds more, and then said "I have to be baptized". It was so powerful. The words of the prophets in the Book of Mormon can testify and do miracles that we can't, and I have gained such a strong testimony of this. She has a date for the 25th of this month and we are doing all we can to help her fully prepare!

This was just one little miracle that I wanted to share with you guys. Sorry my letters are so short but the work of the Lord must go on :) Just know I´m loving life so much and this is the greatest work I have ever been apart of. I know my Savior guides this work, I feel his presence everyday of my life and it is a blessing to feel and to know that He lives and loves everyone of his children.

Hope you have a great week! You are all in my prayers.

Love, Elder Hansen.

October 4th, 2014 (Sorry I'm a little late on this post)

This is the Quiroa family who we watched conference with today and made brownies for them! They baked us cake, milanesa sandwiches (milanesa is like breaded chicken) they are awesome. She's an inactive member we have helped to start going to church and her husband isn't a member but he's progressing pretty well.

Hey everyone!

Sounds like everything is going great back at home, glad to hear from you guys again! Thanks for all the words of support. That is awesome that you guys are going to be able to go to conference, will be such an amazing experience for sure! I have seriously been so excited all this week to be able to watch all the sessions, what a blessing! You will for sure have to say hi to the Carter's for me. The Ashton family will also be there (the one's that trained Elder Flores and I in the offices) you will have to say hi to them as well. Hope you guys enjoy the experience and the huge blessing of listening to a modern day prophet, I seriously can't think of anything more important or more sacred.

Another week has flown by in the mission. Today we have a short P-day because we have to leave soon to go watch conference. I honestly can't even remember what happened this week haha, it all goes by so incredibly fast!

First off Teodora went to church last week and she loved it! She has changed sooo much in just 2 weeks! She is reading the Book of Mormon everyday and has really learned to love it a ton, it is amazing how much it helps with ones conversion. She also has gone from smoking 2 packs of cigarettes everyday to just 2 or 3 cigarettes, it's been a miracle. She set the goal to stop by this weekend so we are praying for her lots! She is super excited about the conference as well, she wants to go today and tomorrow! So awesome. She has definitely been able to feel the difference in her life as she has started developing her relationship with her Savior and trying to obey His commandments. The other day we saw a pretty big miracle with her. We went on splits (I went with our Bishop and Elder Flores went with our Bishop´s kids) and Elder Flores went to Teodora's house and taught her. So she lives with her sister named Juana who is a member of the church. But this day Juana was out working and ss they were teaching Teodora alone she was talking about how she was still struggling because she was home alone all day (because she doesn't have a job) and this was making it hard for her to stop smoking. During the lesson Juana showed up at the house and started listening in on the lesson. So Elder Flores and Bishop´s kids were talking about how if she puts her trust in the Lord and obey his commandments she would find a job. As they said that Teodora said "you're right, tomorrow I am going to go out and look for a job" but as she finished her sister Juana said "oh no you're not... today somebody I worked with said they needed some help, you start working next monday." Oh it was such a miracle. As they told us about it after I was so extremely grateful for the mercy our Heavenly Father has for His children. The worth of every soul really is great in His eyes.

Like I said at this time I was with our Bishop and we went to visit a less active lady who we have helped reactive, and we are also teaching her husband. He is a great guy, but is very deeply converted in his beliefs of the Bible and nothing else. So that day we talked about the importance of the Restoration and how we are guided by Prophets today. We ended up inviting him to watch conference this weekend.. so today we are going to his house and we are going to watch it on the internet! I also promised him we would make brownies since he loves them.. so this morning we cooked them and I can tell you they didn't quite turn out like yours mom.. but they will do the trick haha.

As I said the time is short, but I just wanted to share these 2 quick stories with you. Things are great here in the mission. I am learning more and more everyday. I love the Book of Mormon, day by day it has helped me change and strengthen my testimony in our Savior Jesus Christ. I just started reading it again and I have already learned so many new things, it is incredible. I have also come to understand the importance of the Atonement in my life, and in the lives of others. As we work so hard with people to help them repent and change their lives I have come to see how loving the Savior is towards everyone. I can't even express my gratitude for him. I know I have made many mistakes in my live, but I know that through him I have and can be forgiven.. as can we all. I hope you guys enjoy conference a ton and listen and apply the words and advice of our living day leaders. I know they are guided by Christ himself.

Have a great week. Send all my love to everyone.

Love Elder Hansen.