WEEK 15 – “Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer”
Hello Dearest Family & Friends!
Wow what a week!! So much has happened and I hope I can
adequately describe the events. Some tears have been shed and hugs exchanged as
the announcement was made that our dear Mission President Armstrong will be
leaving the mission due to the health of his wife. We found out after I wrote
to you last week and now the news has really set in.
At first I was in denial and shock. I didn´t know how to
take this, nor how it would affect my mission. My companion began to fuss and talk
about how she couldn´t “do” her mission without President Armstrong. He really
has worked with her a lot and I know that there are few concerning issues that
have come to the surface since I have been her companion, but her actions helped
me choose quickly which side I was going to be on with all of this --complaining
or understanding. It was still painful to come to terms with the words,
"The Lord’s will be done" and I have cried about it, but I know the
Lord does things as they need to be done—in His time and in His way.
The Mission President and his wife mean so much to me. I
remember the first time I met them. They greeted us as we got off the plane and
their looks of reassurance and welcome hearts to our wonderful mission were
exactly what I needed. I knew I would be loved by them and that I could grow in
this atmosphere of security and peace. During my first night in Uruguay I was
getting ready for bed and had a feeling to go into the living room and there
was Hermana Armstrong. I felt like I wanted to be near her.
I listened to what she was saying and the direction she was
giving to the other elders for the following day. It was wonderful to just be
in her presence. A scripture comes to mind as I look back on that experience,
"Did not our hearts burn within us as [she] did sit and talk with us and
share scriptures with us?" (Luke 24). I feel so honored to know them and to
have experiences with them that I will hold and treasure. Our new Mission
President is President Newsome. His trainer in the mission field was President
Armstrong!! Cool, eh? They both served in Uruguay , Montevideo Mission.
Things have really progressed here in La Paz , Uruguay
We have yet a new companion here with us in our little family
of La Paz --lol.
Hermana Phillips has yet a new oro to train!! Hermana Spradlin left for the
other mission this last week and we have a wonderful new addition to our home, Hermana
Hatch. NOW GET THIS—Ha! Ha! I honestly am amazed by this. While I went to
school at BYU-Idaho she was my neighbor in Lamprecht Hall during spring semester!!
Can you believe what a small world it is?! It is so cool! The more we have
talked, the more I have realized how she really is a great person and someone I
can see myself being friends with for a long time.
Today (P-day) we have spent time getting to know one another
in casual-awesome way! Karina, you know how we have laughed and got into the
horoscope things, well :P haha she is born in January, so “naturally” we are
getting along, both being Aquarius’s and all. :) Karina, I don´t know if you
were praying for me to find a bosom friend, but I think this girl might be that
“gold” I have been hoping for and waiting patiently for. How fun!! I love
Hermana Janessa Hatch. We both admitted that the semester we met was not a good
time in our lives and that we are grateful to get to know the more experienced
and mission selves that we are today!! The Lord is so good to us!! :D I feel so
blessed!
I have had a lot of time to ponder this week. We have a lot
of investigators that are biblically astute! I have been trying to read the
bible every day and to get more familiar with it. Any way, I felt prompted in a
charla (lesson) the other day to share about the history of the Bible from the
background I have studied. It was wonderful to find words come to my
head--words I didn´t think I knew-- and explain how the whole history of the
world was involved in preparing the people to receive the Book of Mormon as a
companion and another testament of the Bible and Jesus Christ. I went on to
explain how the religious world was ready for the Restoration.
This experience more deeply solidified my testimony and I
have a greater love and understanding for the saints who lived during the times
of the New Testament and for the sacrifice made by my ancestors—and all the
pioneers and Joseph Smith. How incredible this gospel is. How great is our
purpose. How wonderful the Glory of God is!
Samuel Merrill shared a scripture with me that I would like
to share with you. Alma
26:16 "Therefore, let us glory, yea we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will
rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who
can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power,
and of his mercy, and of his longsuffering towards the children of men? Behold,
I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." What a
beautiful scripture this is.
Kaleb, you said something that I like a lot with your
comments about kicking against the pricks—in Acts 9:5 where it mentions this, Saul
was learning that his actions were harming himself more than anyone else. When
we fight against what is right, we hurt ourselves the most. I too have learned
that it is important to heed the promptings of your conscience and as it says
in the quote at Mt.
Vernon
I love this work. Hopefully the lessons will go well this
week! And may God be with you. He is here beside me, my Precious Savior, Dear
Redeemer (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:88). Love it!
Sincerely,
Hermana Hansen
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