The herniated - 10/22/12

Another wonderful week has come and gone! I'm hoping that tomorrow I get some good news. I have gotten a grand total of one message from the outside world in the past two weeks. That's to be expected, because the mission office holds our mail during the last week of the transfer and the first week of the transfer until they are sure they know where to send everything. When my companion and I stopped by the office on Wednesday, they told us to expect our letters in the mail on Monday. Well, we didn't get anything today. I will be patient and enjoy the bounteous blessings of the mailbox tomorrow. Or soon. At least they got me my packages today. My mom and friends back home sent me a bunch of food and useful little goodies, for which I am very grateful.  

I'm also hoping to hear from the surgeon tomorrow. I am still not sure why I ended up seeing Dr. Hou when I made an appointment to see Dr. Lara, but I was told on the phone by Sister Van Vleet, the mission nurse, that Missionary Medical has fixed the situation and that I'm cleared for the surgery. Their office told me to expect a phone call "early next week, probably Monday". It's past 5:00 now and still no phone call. So I'm still waiting to know exactly when my surgery will be.

I'm not sure how I got this hernia, but it seems to me like the swelling has been present since before my mission. How I managed to slip that by my doctor that gave me my pre-mission physical, I don't know. I'm not in a ton of pain. It does hurt every now and then, but the intense pain that keeps me up at night has only happened a couple of times. The ward here and my mission president are both working to get me the best possible care, including having other priesthood holders help out my companion so that the missionary work here doesn't stop completely while I'm recovering. I know I would go crazy if I had to sit around and watch the paint peeling in our apartment for two weeks.

The work is progressing and it's so cool to watch it! I'm sure the Lord has kept me here for so long because he needs me here for a fifth transfer. But seriously, we have some really great investigators in addition to the frustrating ones. "K" is doing so well when we visit with her, and I think she's willing to get married in order to get baptized. "D" made it to church this week and impressed all of the Relief Society with her enthusiasm! She told them all that she has lots of questions for us now. That's always good for us to hear! I can't wait to meet with her again, hopefully tomorrow evening.

We also got to baptize the anesthesiologist.  Her boyfriend drove up from Orange County to perform the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. He and his parents and some family from the Westminster ward all came and supported her in typical Mormon-family fashion, complete with little kids running around everywhere. It was so cool. They were sure to point out to me and my companion that we were the first missionaries that really clicked with her. She told them that she sincerely thought that we knew the answers to all her questions and cared about her as more than a baptismal statistic. They said that if nothing else, the Lord needed us in this area in order to finish her conversion. I never really felt like we did an awful lot with her, because she knew so much of the doctrine already, but it's good to hear that we made such an impact in her life. I definitely feel like I've made another forever friend.

I want to talk about the Sword of Laban. Laban was a pretty bad guy, with command over at least fifty soldiers, and he threatened to stop the work of the Lord with that power. So God had Nephi chop off his head with his own sword. From then on, it became a legend that was wielded in defense of liberty and truth by the prophets of the Lord, and was revealed to Joseph Smith in the latter days. (Jacob 1:10, WoM 1:13)

In the epic stories that we love so much, the heroes are the ones we adore, but a truly extraordinary weapon is not forgotten. Remember Narsil and how it fit into the LotR story arc, or the Elder wand. They didn't do anything of their own free will, but when wielded by a hero, they became legendary as well. I want to be an instrument in the Lord's hands that does mighty things for Him. I want to swing as an extension of his will and bring glory and honor to his name.

Love you tons, guys. Keep the mail coming, I should have plenty of time to respond.

Stranger than Fiction - 10/15/12

Okay, so apparently my message last week didn't get to everyone, but hopefully that's sorted out now. Long story short: I loved conference. I loved the temple. And I found out that I need surgery to correct my inguinal hernia.

 

Speaking of which, I will be seeing Dr. Gustavo Lara on Thursday of this week to see what needs to be done. I told the ward mission leader and the bishop about my surgery, and now everybody at church knows about it. They are going to try and get meals brought to the apartment, and as many team-ups as possible so that we can go on splits. I feel bad for whomever has to sit around and babysit me while Elder Alvarez goes out and does missionary work, but that option is far more productive than both of us missionaries sitting around doing nothing while I heal. I'll try not to go crazy while I'm cooped up inside.

This week was a ridiculously productive week compared to most weeks. Our anesthesiologist is getting baptized this Saturday, and we taught her a lot with her newfound friends the McCooks, who moved into the ward about a month ago and have been excellent team-ups. Both of them served missions, and they are great at helping us out when we need it. Seeing her progress has been so satisfying! Although it kind of feels like we are reaping the work of the past elders and her LDS boyfriend, because she knows an awful lot already without us having to explain it. Her questions are about things like the lost tribes, or how to tithe your time as well as your money, or what the missionary work in spirit prison will be like.

Oh yeah, Elder "A" and I worked our little butts off this week and God poured out blessings like you wouldn't believe! The standards of excellence for our mission are a baptism a month, 20 lessons a week, 7 lessons to investigators with a member present, 4 investigators at sacrament meeting, and 20 contacts every day, even p-day and Sunday. Well, Elder "A" and I set our sights on those numbers, and we actually got there this week, just barely. We were scrambling at 8:30 pm last night to find our last lesson, and ended up teaching a recent convert lesson about Nephi 3:7. God definitely provided a way for us to do what we haven't been able to accomplish ourselves.

Investigators attending sacrament meeting is a classic problem for us, because we can't force anyone to come to church and they frequently find excuses not to. We were feeling pretty good, though, because we committed 9 people to attend church. Only 3 of them actually showed up! But then, we saw Sister "D" come in with her husband, who has been a message for a couple years now. We had taught them earlier in the week, but didn't invite her to church for some reason. She surprised us and showed up on her own, and we were able to hit the standard of excellence because of it.

Your prayers about my surgery are definitely appreciated. I will do my best to have faith and be strong! I know you guys all love me and are thinking about me, and it makes me smile. A lot. God is great! And I love all of you.

Five-day suit week - Written 10/08/12

Elder Hansen's big e-mail did not come through the week of 10/08/12.  We received this e-mail on 10/15/12.

It (the e-mail) didn't go through, probably because I tried to attach too many pictures to it. Here's what I wrote last week, minus the temple pics.

 

"I got to wear my suit five times this week: temple trip, interviews with the mission president, zone meeting, and two sessions of conference. I've got some pictures to send you guys if you like.

Conference was amazing! We all gasped at the announcement about missionary age being reduced, and I laughed at the prospect of possibly training someone 8 years younger than me, at the end of my mission. I really enjoyed spending time with my zone. There are some great elders here who have offered me some very good advice and support.

So the reason I need that support, in part anyways, is the news I got from the doctor this week. I have an inguinal hernia. It's non-retractable and nonconstricted. I will need surgery to correct it. I'm not in a whole lot of pain but I still have to live with the knowledge that there is something terribly wrong with me that needs to be fixed. I see the surgeon in a week or so and we will see how things go from there.

Conference has inspired me to try and be more like the exhortation of Omni: And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

I think my favorite talks were Holland, Bednar, Shayne M. Bowen, Nelson, and Anderson. So much good stuff! Can't wait to get the Ensign and go over it all again.

I don't know how well you know me, but I'm deathly afraid of hospitals and needles, so any prayers you can offer in my behalf would be appreciated. I have faith that no matter what God's plan is, it will be for my good. I will pray for strength and peace during this trial, for I know that God doesn't give us trials to break us, but to strengthen us. God forsakes no one, and there is nothing we can't do together.

Another one of my favorite quotes from this conference: One sees clearly only with the heart. All things essential are invisible to the eyes.

I'm sure you all have your favorite parts of conference. Feel free to send them to me in your letters and emails. I love you all and miss you... but not a whole lot. My investigators are doing awesome, and I may end up leaving this area better than I found it! We have a lady on date for October 20 and another for November 3 (a lady from our apartment complex). I can see the faith and repentance changing their lives already!

God bless you all, and may you continue to grow in faith until I see you again."

Hanging on still - 10/09/12

Short and sweet this week:

Know that I love you. How grateful I am that our loving Heavenly Father allows us to love so deeply and eternally! He has blessed me with parents that love me, and I am so grateful to have your love and support as I do missionary work, and throughout the rest of my life.

Temple Time - 10/01/12

Tomorrow I get to go to the Redlands temple again, and I'm super excited about that! It's also conference week, so I get to listen to a prophet's voice. I'm sure it will be a bit weird, because last time I attended a conference session, I was home in South Carolina. Have I really been gone that long?

Our anesthesiologist investigator continues to impress us with her dedication. She's planning on getting baptized in October. We pieced together that she is dating a member of the church that lives in Orange County, and that he's the guy that gave her the Preach My Gospel. We saw pictures of her at the LA temple with him and his family from last Christmas. So yeah, that makes a little bit more sense.

We saw "K" and "C" at church this week! And we put "D" from our apartment complex on date to be baptized. Wonderful things are happening here, for sure! It's pretty cool. I'm especially impressed with how much work got done while we were on exchanges. I drew a lot of inspiration and strength from being with my DL for a day, and I'm pretty sure Elder "A" was excited at how much work got done in our area with the splits.

I made Oatmeal Butterscotch cookies this week, which just so happen to be the favorite cookie of Brother "Y". This week was totally the week of gifts. I received a pullup bar, a Smith and Wesson pocketknife, and a 30 oz bag of Ghiradelli chocolate chips from the ward members since the last time I emailed. How blessed am I? Pretty darn.

I learned a little bit about the second coming this week in my studies. I'm not particularly scared, but I do want to go home and buy my food storage when I'm off my mission. Men's hearts shall fail them. But the righteous will have nothing to fear, if we put our trust in the Lord.

Keep on thinking happy thoughts for me. I can feel the strength of your prayers.

Insert subject here - 09/24/12

This week was high in many regards and low in others. I guess life will continue to be a rollercoaster.

I try not to pay much attention to the numbers game but it's discouraging when we don't teach many lessons and then we have to go report those numbers to someone else. President Monson said that when performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates. Well, all it's gotten me so far is a sinking feeling that I'm not living up to my potential. We are going to keep on working hard this week to make up for last week and continue to seek the blessings and inspiration of the Lord.

What few lessons we taught were pretty good. Our anesthesiologist friend continues to impress us with the depth of her curiosity and understanding. She told us over Five Guys that she didn't like it when the other Elders kept trying to get her to commit to a baptismal date, but that she would probably want to get baptized in October. Considering she's on constant rotations at the hospital, I think that's good enough for us to work with. We will let her pick a date and rejoice in the fact that she is our most impressive investigator both in terms of knowledge and commitment. She attended church for the third week in a row yesterday, even though she only got three hours of sleep! But she knows she's working a twelve-hour shift next Sunday, and she really doesn't want to miss two weeks in a row. This woman is dedicated. I love it.

The family of four that was our miracle find last week didn't show up to church for the second week running. Neither did Kim and Charlie, and I'm pretty sure they fixed their car because they told us they would make it this Sunday. The 20-year-old that has a baptismal date, "JB", continues to flake out on us and not answer his phone and not show up to appointments. I don't know if he's holding himself back or his Mom is, but either way, I'm starting to wonder if we'll need to move his date back a bit. We only have three more Sundays between now and October 20, and he has yet to show up for church.

 

Speaking of three more Sundays, I'm going on week 4 of my fourth transfer in Jurupa 1st ward. Chances are pretty good that I'll be transferred on October 15th. I'm not quite sure what to think about that, honestly, because I love it here so much, but I'm sure it'll be good for me to dig in and start working elsewhere. I just know that I'll miss all my ward friends and investigators here that I've grown to know and love so very much.

Like I said, what few lessons we taught this week were really high quality lessons, and I enjoyed them thoroughly. I guess you appreciate them more when you don't have as many as you'd like. Elder "A" and I had an investigator tell us that we work really well together. And I wholeheartedly agree. He is very knowledgeable and explains all kinds of truths very well, and I am very personable and relate to people and testify with sincerity. So we have the teaching skills, but no investigators that show up to appointments to be taught. Now I guess we need to cultivate the faith that we will be diligent enough to find people to teach. And then I'll get transferred before anything really takes off. I'm kind of hoping I stick around for another transfer just so I can feel like Elder "A" and I lived up to our potential. I feel like we spent the entirety of our time together learning to get along and getting over our various sicknesses and finding the willpower to work hard. But I guess whoever is next in this area can reap whatever benefits they can from our efforts.

Also on a high note: I got a lot of quality letters this week. I about peed myself in my excitement over a few of them. Thank you so much to those friends who make my life a little more exciting when we open the mailbox at lunchtime. And to any who may have just started writing me five months into my mission, thanks for remembering me.

Has anyone read the new For Strength of Youth and compared it to the old one? Elder "A" and I have come to the conclusion that it's mostly the same, but written on a slightly higher comprehension level. Like the last one was simple enough for a barely-literate 12-year-old, while this new one was supposed to connect to 16-year-olds while still fulfilling the purpose of the For Strength of Youth.  I like a lot of the new wordings and new sentences that they've added in the new one. There's even a brand new section titled Work and Self-Reliance - a principle I wish I'd learned sooner! "Remember that God has a great work for you to do. He will bless you in your efforts to accomplish that work." D&C 58:26-27

 

Another fun scripture for today: 1 Corinthians 11:14 says men shouldn't have long hair. Verse 6 talks about how women should shave their legs. True story!

 

Love you tons. Have a wonderful week!