April 18, 2015

Spoiled by President and Sister Robertson for Easter

Hi Fam!

Sorry about the lack of contact lately! These past 2 weeks have been absolutely crazy! We haven't had much time on our P-days to write but they still have been enjoyable! Last week we had to take care of a couple changes in the mission (like help missionaries change areas) and then also prepare for Ruben's baptism! Which was incredible! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me they build up my faith and testimony every week! Also thanks for the Europe pics, brought back lots of good memories! Looks like a blast, glad that you all had a good time over there! Did you say hi to the pope for me? He's a fellow portaño! Glad life is well and that you are enjoy it, we are so blessed eh!

Like I said the baptism of Ruben was absolutely incredible and it turned out to be such a spiritual experience! His whole family (4 people) and then another investigator showed up! We were listening to a talk by Elder Holland and he said that 80% of people that go to a baptism get baptized, so we were focusing on that a ton to invite investigators! So ya it was by far the most spiritual baptismal service that I have had in my mission. Ruben was joyous beyond words! As he left the water their was such a special glow on his face, and as he left the font he came and gave us both a big hug and just said "thank you so much" with a huge smile on his face. It was such a powerful experience and I literally could feel and see the change that had taken place in his life. His family loved it too, and now we are teaching them.  When we have been teaching his family it has been incredible to have him there with us sharing his testimony about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, and his personal conversion. It is so amazing to see how much he has changed, and although he is new and has lots to learn he has such a great desire to progress! The other day we talked about the temple and he is really excited to enter. The Bishop is also going to interview him tomorrow to be able to get the Priesthood! It is so awesome.  His family has plans to go to church on Sunday which is awesome. 

We also had such a cool experience with Ruben the other day. We decided to talk a bit about the temple and about genealogy work and how he can help out his ancestors. But even before we had said the prayer or even mentioned what we wanted to talk about he asked us if he could share an experience with us. He went on to tell us that just 2 nights before his baptism he had a dream and in this dream he saw his dad.. and he asked us what it could mean. We asked him a bit about his dad and their relationship. He told us that his dad was never a religious person, but just before his dad died he was in the hospital really sick and unable to move, and as he was about to die he wanted Ruben to take him to the church so he could repent and accept God in his life.. but it was literally to late and he passed away. As Ruben shared this story we asked him what he thought his dream could have meant... and he just talked about how maybe God have a plan for his dad. I was seriously left without words. We had just planned to talk to him about this topic, and as we taught him about temple work he was amazed and left so excited. He mentioned that he had never heard of this before, but it was something he would love to do in order to help his father. As we testified that his dad could still accept Christ in his life and that Ruben could help him do it the spirit was SO strong! Ahh i love miracles and the mission! it was super amazing.

We are also working with Oswaldo, he was such a miracle! He was just a contact on the bus a week and a half ago!! But last week he went to the baptism and then to church the next day all on his on! He is such a sincere man and has an incredible desire to know the truth, he has been searching in many different church's but has never settled in one. He felt incredible in the baptism, and after he asked us "what does somebody have to do to get baptized?" I don't know if I've ever heard a better question then that! So when we passed by yesterday we talked a bit about the Plan of Salvation and how we are here to follow Christ and be happy. He mentioned the word baptism and then he asked "I was baptized before a long time ago, but I feel like I was very prepared. I am definitely more prepared now is it alright if I get baptized again?" Another incredible question! We explained the difference of the baptism in our church and the others and then invited him to get baptized and he accepted a baptismal date for the 9th of May! It was super incredible. Just to see the importance that we talk to everyone!

We are also working with Walter, he has a baptismal date for next weekend! He has come such a long way! We started teaching him about 2 months ago and has made slow progress but lately he has been very excited about it all. He finally felt for himself the need to follow Christ and to complete the commandments. He has had a tough past but you would never know, he is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. We are really trying to help him focus and understand the importance of repentance and how we can finally leave behind his passed and move on. The other day we asked him how he felt and his baptism and he said "I've already made up my mind that I'm getting baptized, and when I make up my mind I don't change it" it was amazing to see him confirm his decision!

 Like I said we are teaching his family so it has been incredible to have him there with us sharing his testimony about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, and his personal conversion. It is so amazing to see how much he has changed, and although he is new and has lots to learn he has such a great desire to progress! The other day we talked about the temple and he is really excited to enter. The Bishop is also going to interview him tomorrow to be able to get the Priesthood! It is so awesome. 

Well i gotta run! Things are going fantastic here and we have a ton of great people we are working with.. also has been so fun to continue serving all the missionaries! Has been such a blessing to me! Love you all a ton, hope you have a good week and enjoy the blessings that we receive daily from the Lord! What a blessing to be apart of His true church!

Love, Elder Hansen.