Miracles and transfers!

March 20 2017

Well hello there everyone. Hope you all had as good of a week as I did. This week was just awesome trying to get elder Ferrell all sorted and seeing investigators and all the stuff that we missionaries do,  so let's start shall we! 

So first miracle! We met with our investigator A........ who we haven't seen for a month. So we saw her for a bit and just talked to see how she was doing,  we really felt that we should teach her the atonement. So on Saturday night we took A.......... to a members house and had THEE MOST POWERFUL LESSON EVER! So as we taught about the atonement it was so powerful the spirit was so strong and A......... got teary eyed and it was great. So A......... will be baptised in April. April is looking like a great month. So that was awesome.

On Friday we had a cool experience. We have a recent Convert L........ who is a boss! She introduced us to her friend Y.........who came to church last week and so we met up. And we taught the whole lesson in Chinese!
I haven't done that in like 5 months! It was amazing. So Y....... is great we didn't get her on date for baptism but we will soon. It was awesome! She is going to come to church again next week so that's awesome!

And so that was the majority of our week a really short email but,  hey- it was great next week will be much more exciting because we have Zone Conference and it's going to be a great week.

Hope you guys have a wonderful week.

Love ya

one more of E. Norton......

Elder Hanks 韓長老
sent from my iPad.

March 13 2017
Well family this week was such a fun week with so many miracles. Wow this week was just amazing so let's get stuck right in shall we.

Monday was historical for the YSA here in York because we were in charge of the FHE activity and the standard is now set high for activities. See pic and video for more details about the activity.

YSA  FHE activity...it was hilarious!

Tuesday was amazing. We had a lesson with our Chinese friend L......! And we taught her the Plan of Salvation and she had loads of questions and she really likes it. But at the end of the lesson we asked her
about her thoughts and she says these words.... "Well I think I had a a funny experience, but I'm not sure. hmmmmmm... I'll tell you next time."  Hahahahaha what no....... you can't just say that to missionaries!!! Experiences are what we live for. So she talked about how she doesn't sleep well and one night she decided to
read her Book of Mormon, and she had the best night sleep she has ever had in England and said how peaceful she felt. SHE FELT THE SPIRIT!!!!! Sooo cool now the next thing is church.

On Thursday this week we were on exchanges, and I was with elder Price from Sunny Cali! (See pics for more details!)  

Taking the train with Elder Price

And we had a lesson with our investigator S........., and he brought his friend (S.......) and we taught them the first lesson and it was chaotic. For two reasons. 1. S........(the friend) asks loads of questions. 2. Because we teach at their house of NINE uni students so lots of noise. But when we got to the first Vision., as soon as elder Price started to talk about it, THE ENTIRE HOUSE went dead quiet. The whole time and when it finished, everything went right back to normal. NOT EVEN JOKING it was just the coolest thing ever! So yeah sweet, spirit filled lesson and they should be coming to church next week.

Also bonus, a recent Convert Chinese girl named L.........brought a friend to church out of nowhere named Y........ And so we talked to her after church and I asked her what she thought of it. And she says, "I felt
good. But can't describe it. It was very peaceful." WHHHHHAAAATAAATATATATATTTTTTTTT!???!???!?!?!??!???
Working through L........ to meet with her this week! Sooo crazy!

Alright so transfer info I know that's what all my friends care about. So here's what's happening. 1/2 the Zone changed and that means in our flat-  big changes. So elder Winegar and Sicardi are both leaving the York area and no one is coming in so we are picking up their area. Elder Norton is also leaving me! Only one transfer together. But he is going to be the Zone leader over in Huddersfield. So my new companion is Elder Ferrell. I'm soooooo pumped!!!! This is going to be he best transfer ever and also it's going to be a bit lonely in our house
because now it's just two of us!

So yes it was a great week for us and you could say I am really looking forward to next weeks! Love you all, enjoy the pictures. 

ummmmm......strange english sightings......

3 week blog catch up! Ahhhh!

Jan 30 2017

Hey there everyone! January is already over it seems that time just goes by faster and faster every month. I hope you lads and lasses had a wonderful week ours was pretty entertaining.

* if not bothered to read this email, proceed to the bottom of the letter for pictures and transfer info.

On Tuesday we were out street contacting around the university trying to find the Asian students when two came around the corner we got really excited, but then we got even more excited when we got closer and realized that it was L.......!!!! (Our recent Convert we baptized like 1.5 months ago, then went back to china for holiday) he was so excited to see us and so we set up a time to meet later on in the week. But that was an easy highlight.

We also got to meet with R...... on Tuesday. So it is possible to have a good lesson at KFC, it just may be awkward every now and again but she didn't mind. We had a really good lesson with her about the fruits of the spirit and what its role is. She is doing well with reading and praying and church, she is good with everything really except for the decision to be baptized, she has loads of fellowshippers in YSA and well she is doing really good, just pray she will make this decision sooner than later.

On Wednesday we had a cool thing happen. On Wednesday we had the worldwide missionary broadcast, And I know that every missionary in the world is mentioning the crazy changes to the missionary schedule so I will just tell ya it's great, gives us more agency definitely inspired I think. However they are pretty unique and I am excited to see how it helps when we start it next week. And then right after that we had institute, and wowza are those students a unique and fun bunch of people!

Friday was a great and stressful day. But now all I can say is WATCH-OUT ENGLAND ELDER HANKS IS LEGAL TO DRIVE! that's right passed my test finally and I only has one minor mistake! This is a major feat, since only 47% of people pass this test!

Saturday was one of the funniest days here in Huddersfield, we got a little bit of everything on that day. We were able to meet with L..... and talk with him about his time in China and he is just doing so good, we're excited to start preparing him for the priesthood now that he is back. But on Saturday we found a lot of fun people, did a blitz with the other elders in the morning and knocked on some doors! Me and elder Stumpp totally killed the competition with the other elders, it was great. Helped a dude fix his bike chain on the side of the road. We also found a castle and a scooter in a sweet place, then to top it off we went to this ice cream place called ICE STONE and got some of the best food ever! 

But yeah we had a really awesome week, and I'm looking forward to next week. But for the real stuff, what's going on with the flat here in Huddersfield with Transfers:

Transfers

Elder Liss: stay here in Huddersfield. And be a district Leader!!

Elder Twitchell: staying and training a new missionary

Elder Stumpp: moving on in life to the hardest accent in England Barnsley.

Elder Hanks: going back to my birthplace. YORK 2!!!! And to be a zone leader.

Breakfast of champions! Here's to Elder Liss! 

Here is our castle we found!;)

Jan 23 2017 

Hey O! This week was a keeper! Had some fun experiences over this week and guess what we even got to see the sun this week. Miracles do happen people they really do.

So Monday was a pretty weird day after an interesting P-day we were out street contacting around the university when we walked through a small but of town and this guy walking towards us just starts to yell, "ITS THE MORMONS! YUP, DEFINITELY THE MORMONS, HELLO MORMONS!" Not an everyday occurrence I assure you, but turns out this guy is a less active. And he is a weeeee bit dunk. But we start talking to him and he is mentioning a whole lot of issues he has and we are talking to him and then he switches and says, "You there elder Hanks have the most soothing voice I have ever heard. I could listen to you talk all day. You just make my heart melt!" Few minutes later we found out his law of chastity issue. It was quite the night for us. 

Tuesday tho was a goodie. We had spent most of the day street contacting and have had some fun conversations with the students that are now back, but the best part of the day came later on that night. We had a lesson with R...... but we took her to our Stake Presidents house and had a lesson there. We had a lesson on trusting in the lord and we used Heleman 13-16 anyone know that story? President Mcewen was awesome and oooh man the spirit was strong in that room. R......... felt it, we all felt it and we know that R......... is going to get baptised! We just need to help her with one thing and she is ready! Please pray for her she is sooo close to having the greatest thing ever in her life!

Wednesday we had our interviews with President Turvey. And he is such an awesome guy, he shows so much care for us as missionaries and for this mission. For our interviews we did something differently, we had a companionship interview and then our own interview with President and I felt mine was very good. I really enjoy talking to President Turvey. And then later that night we took R...... to institute and there a sweet member named I..... totally helped us out there and sat and talked to Rosie like the whole time is was amazing! Then afterwards I..... comes up and says, "hey next time you teach R....... I want to come out with you! Super sweet guy! 

And then to end the week off we had R...... come to church with us and she likes it but we are trying to get her to LOVE IT! But that's okay and then we visited a great pal of ours L..........., one of our Chinese students and had a nice lesson with him. 

YSA fireside about marriage...... yah......

walking home after meetings with skill... 

one day when there was blue skies and a big yellow thing in the sky....

should we be worried....? 

why can't we name our streets like the English..? Love finding the weird roads here! 

We are still trying to figure out the university issue, so we still aren't teaching much here, but we are ok. We are exercising our patience and we will see what President Turvey can figure out for us! 

Fun fact for you. In Matthew 5 we learn about the "Be-attitudes". One being meekness. Now here's something cool that I learned. Meekness deals with our anger and kindness towards others. But this is how meekness works. 

Without anger—————————— meekness ———————————fierce anger. 

So anger is not actually a wrong thing, look at Christ when he had to cleanse the temple. He was angry but was that a sin or something wrong? No it was for a righteous cause it was to show the need of the temple. Anger itself is not a sin or a bad thing, it can actually be a good thing if we use it to change ourselves or to correct people's choices to keep them away from harm/mistakes. So I'm not saying that anger is a good thing that we should be angry all the time! NO PLEASE DONT THINK THAT! But it's important to know that when your parents are angry or you are angry at something remember meekness and try to think what Jesus Christ would do! Sorry random thought there! 

Love you all hope you all have a great week!

Elder Hanks 韓長老

Jan 16 2017 

Hey there everyone I hope you all had a wonderful week full of fun and exciting things. If your in utah I hope your enjoying the snow, of you are elsewhere then I hope you are having nice weather, we definitely didn't this week.

It was a fun day on Wednesday because of the good English weather. On Wednesday the weather was sooo bad that when we were walking around trying to talk to people, every now and again while walking a gust of wind would come with such intense speed that it LITERALLY prevented us from moving forward it was absolutely crazy! That was a fun day for us!

Also some good news! Our friend R...... finally came back from her trip to Dubai. And we got to meet with her on Friday. And we had a really good lesson with her about baptism and the Holy Ghost. The verdict from home is: Her parents are allowing her to choose for herself....... HOWEVER, R....... has to keep school as her number one priority so we are working hard to show her it's possible to include God and still focus on school at the same time. So she can be baptized in the upcoming weeks. 

So this week we got kicked off the uni once again, by the same guy for the 3rd time and this time we got escorted off by security. So we are back into a terrible scenario. 

On my mission I have learned a lot of amazing lessons! But one of the biggest things I have learned comes from the scriptures, 2 Nephi 2:11

"11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things." 

This week we have been tested a lot. Lots of fall through lessons, people not answering the phone, district issues, and being kicked off the university once again. It has made this week a rough week but also a week of contemplation, which leads anyone to think of the "why" questions to life but amongst that it has also been a week of testimony building. Of course as any missionary should one would turn to Heavenly Father for answers. I believe that scriptures are THE way for Heavenly Father to communicate his love and his Gospel to his children, and he always will forever and ever. As I have thought about the "why's" of missionary work, there seems to be a flood scriptures flowing in my head. 

"8 Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.

Be patient in affliction. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success. 30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some." 

The work is never easy. To use elder hollands words, "and why should it be, it was never easy for Him so why should it be easy for us" I know that through the trials and opposition we face in life, each and every single one, gives us great opportunities to turn to the Lord and his Gospel and see the lessons needed to be learned. I know the gospel is true, I know that opposition is meant for my benefit. It's His work, it's His plan, and I am so grateful to be able to say I'm apart of it. 

Love you all have a fantastic week and remember,

"Stop thinking about how stressed you are and start thinking about how blessed you are."

Pics

1. Whenever I am on a phone call elder Liss takes selfies

2. What happens to elder Liss when he tries to wrestle me. (Don't worry he is okay)

3. Best news ever when your recent Convert from Newcastle sends you a picture of his university project!

Ahhhh it's transfer week!

Alrighty people this is going to be a really quick email this week, because we are having a party as missionaries and so this is going to be really quick! 

But this week we were able to give some service to his guy named G............ and now he is an investigator so that will be fun.

I am so exited to get a new missionary and to help him out I promise that next week I will be able to write more and say some more but this week was a bank holiday today and that all the libraries were closed down today so we had to email from our ipads and so that makes for short emails for everyone but next week will be a better email! 

Not much progression with our investigators, but I am still here in Sheffield to help them out a little bit. Also one really good thing that happened this week was C...... our recent convert gave a wonderful talk in sacrament and what made it even better was that this Sunday was her original baptism goal !  but instead she was giving a talk in sacrament meeting. so that was super awesome! 

Sorry this is going to be all over the place, but then we visited a less active named K...... and this guy is so awesome he was teaching us all this sweet stuff about mormon history and mormon doctrine, it was super cool, its just sad to see him not enjoying the blessings of the gospel. 

Also on sunday we were able to do some member splits and I  went with this guy named A........ he is the elders quorom president and we had a wonderful time visiting members and less actives throughout the ward area. I wish I had more to report for this week!  

Also transfers this week.!!!!  So a lot of things went on this past week. Lots of moves and lots of things going on. Two people in our flat are leaving. Elder Poggeman is being moved to a new area, and I am going to miss that lad, and then my Companion is also leaving me this week!  He is going to be the zone leader in Huddersfield. I am really going to miss serving with that guy and having fun together. So because of that I am getting a new companion tomorrow and to be honest I  don't know anything about him, like where he comes from or what he is like, I don't even know his name, and that's because I AM TRAINING!!!!!! I have never been so excited and more nervous in my life but I know that this is going to be a really good experience so we will see how that goes. I am looking forward to seeing my new boy! if anyone has any advice on training please let me know! Hahaha - alright sorry this was short and all over the place next week will be better with my little trainee!!!!!

Love Elder Hanks