37. Impossible Things Are Happening Every Day

June 3, 2014

Hello EVERYONE!

.

I am loving my new area. And my new companion. Sister Pearson and I are already getting along splendidly and working hard. We have had so many great experiences already together. There are miracles every single day!   And this week has been chock full of them.

.

It reminds me of a song – from one of my favorite movie-musicals: Rogers and Hammersteins’ Cinderella. The fairy godmother is explaining to Cinderella that anything is possible and she sings this fabulous song, saying, “Impossible things are happening every day!”

.

Well, what is impossible really? Have you seen the new video from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Because of Him? If not, here’s a link. If so, here’s the link. (Click on the picture.)

.

What is impossible?  Nothing, Because of Him.  Or should I say… #BecauseofHim. Nothing is impossible with Christ. And that’s the most beautiful thing about this world, this life, this work that I am a part of. I can do nothing without Him, and I wouldn’t want to try. My scripture motto that I have kept close to my heart since I first left on my mission is from Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

.

Every day I see more and more how this is undeniably true. Everything and anything is possible… Because of Him.

.

This week has been full of so many wonderful things. Sister Pearson and I had the most amazing experience at the Visitors’ Center. At the VC, the sisters have the chance to do a whole different kind of missionary work, online!  We are some of the missionaries that take the mormon.org chats.

.

You go to mormon.org………………………………………………………then click on chat:

.

Then you fill in your first name, and click on START CHAT:

.

Have you ever been on mormon.org to chat with missionaries? Well… that’s us! Sometimes the chats that come through aren’t that great: insincere, disrespectful, argumentative…  But often, they are great. They’re real. So real and so beautiful.

.

We had just that kind of chat this last week with a young man that came in full sincerity and beautiful curiosity. The first thing he said to us was:

.

“I want to know how to join the church of Jesus Christ.“

.

Well, we took that and ran with it, didn’t we? The rest of the conversation unfolded as he became more and more sincere and we became more and more grateful that we were blessed to be the ones to speak with him. Along the course of the chat, he expressed to us that he had felt for quite some time that a restoration of the church that Christ had established was much needed, and that he was relieved that Joseph Smith had been the one to do it so he didn’t have to do it himself!

.

The more we spoke with him, the more excited we were for his honest interest and all the blessings that lie ahead of him. The longer we talked, the more joyful we felt, until near the end of our conversation, we had invited him to meet with local missionaries, connected him with his local leadership, and best of all… invited him to baptized and join the church… which he accepted.

.

We have spoken with him on the phone twice now, and he is still amazing as ever. We are so excited for him, for the choices he is making, for the faith he has and inspires us to have. It all began with two missionaries 5 years ago that spoke with him. He blew them off. But here he is, 5 years later, and telling us he wishes he had spoken with them.

.

My friends, don’t ever waste a moment to share a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15), and share your testimony of the gospel and of the Savior Jesus Christ. You NEVER KNOW what seeds you are planting. And at the very least, plant it in your own heart and let it grow.

.

When you look for them, tender mercies from the Lord are all around us; big ones like this man’s story, and little ones–like hugging your dog after she’s been warmed by the sun, and hearing your parents’ voices over FaceTime while you’re in two different states (ok that last one is a BIG ONE :D).

.

As a missionary, I seem more keenly aware of those tender mercies. But you know, I think it’s because I’m looking.  I would invite you to look for the Lord’s hand in your life today. Look for it, I implore you. It is there. Write down what you notice. Take it into your heart and thank you Heavenly Father for it. Watch as joy becomes an integral and natural part of your out-look on life. He loves you. I love you.

.

Another uplifting tender mercy/miracle that my mom just shared with me:

“A few minutes ago I was outside at recess, sitting under the gazebo.  A little first grade boy came out to read during recess, and he had a black zippered little notebook.  I thought it was going to be a Kindle, or something.  He opened it up, and there was a mini copy of Preach My Gospel!  I said, “Oh, Hayden, you are going to be an amazing missionary!”  “You’re LDS, too?” he replied, so I showed him my CTR ring.  First grade!  He sat and read it for about five minutes!”

.

He’s a miracle! I’m so grateful for his inspiring example. 🙂 Studying Preach My Gospel in the first grade… so cool. I want to be like him when I grow up.

.

Well, I love you. I love you so much. Thank you for all you do and all you are.

.

Much love and rice and beans,

.

Sister Hansen