December 1, 2014

“UNWEARYINGNESS”

It’s a real word. It’s what I do every single day, and the invitation would be for all of you to do it.

I ran into a church the other day that promised blessings. I was like, dang at least they have that right...I surely was mistaken. A mother of an inactive family that I have grown to love is a member of this ¨church¨ they pay for college, give you food, money, clothes, work, etc.... it sucked because it was hard to promise her the blessing of knowing the true church when their church just acts like a God giving and taking away blessings. We just promise them (blessings) and know they come to pass in His timing. So we’ll see if he can get them back in church...

Back to “unwearyingness.” it’s a thing that I feel like we all must really work on. There is a huge difference between what your body can do and what your spirit can accomplish. I’ve noticed this week that “yeah it might suck to go out there in the sin filled, negative world, but it is worth it.” We do it because we have the faith and hope that there are better things to come. 

This week La Ceiba, Honduras was bombarded with water from above. I honestly thought I would never see blue skies again in my life....we woke up, it was raining, we went to bed it was raining.... it’s been one full week of me being wet....the problem is when you are in a third world country and you live next to the ocean...rain isn’t needed.  When there is an excessive amount of rain, flooding occurs. Rivers in the street...literally raging rivers!!! Houses flooded, I mean like over the roof flooded!!! My comp and I were teaching when we realized...”shoot that water is rising really fast, wait like really fast! Uh-oh get everything up off the ground quick, so we did it and in a blink of an eye the water was in the house and up to our knees!!!!  When my comp and I had to leave, we were walking in water up to our chests!!! It was crazy!!! We then helped four more families and then my comp turns to me and says, “Shoot! Our house!” We arrived to water in our apartment luckily I only had my dirty clothes in a bag on the ground!!! So that was a blessing and the Books of Mormon weren't damaged, also another blessing! A missionary without Books of Mormon is like a car without a motor. I love to give those things out. It’s like a get out of sin free card, but it has like 531 pages of get out of sin free cards. Every page is embedded with eternal health solving problems and a lot of great eternal promises. Anyways read it and love it like I do.

Back to this week… It was great but, I had the worst attitude, we spent all week trying to find somewhere to shower because there was no water for four days! We also spent almost all of our time helping out people that couldn’t sleep in their houses because they were full of flood water. Flood water stinks like poop and has a bunch of garbage in it.... I hate the smell of flood water!

I was super discouraged that we didn’t get to teach this true gospel to people. But, yesterday I read the scripture in Helaman 10 and I was lifted up...

 4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

 5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

 It sucked that we didn't teach a lot but we were really Christ-like, acting as He would have acted and serving those that needed our help. I felt good after i read that scripture and I knew it was God himself saying well done this week, well done.

Anyways I’m in La Ceiba and its sickkk!!! Its right next to the beach and it’s a super strong ward that I am serving in!!!! I’m with a gringo, and he is a really awesome guy with an amazing spirit to him! He really has his head on straight and I love that about him. His Spanish is a little “iffy” but the gift of tongues always comes in its due time. I love to watch him get frustrated with himself but I can just remember me as I embarked on these great two years. It’s coming up quick the end... I’m sitting next to my great friend Elder Larson who is serving as Zone leader here in La Ceiba and he just opened up his flight plans, hahaha I did nothing but turn back to look at my screen because I have a huge fear of going home... It’s going to suck to see every one of you because that means I will be home and not here preaching with my Lamanites!!! 

#lamanitefuturewife

#hoponthemormonmovement

The church is beyond true

Believe me it changes lives

Joseph Smith, he saw God, he saw Jesus Christ and he restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

#true church of God

#the kingdom of God or nothing

xoxoxo

Love Elder Hansgen

October 1, 2014

Still Smiling!

September 22, 2014

Mother dearest!!!! And Family! How the heck goes it in freaking in Murray, Utah, United states, Earth?

As for me I’m super duper great!! This area is a struggle but we have known that from the start!!! Its cool because our recent converts got the chance to go to the temple and it’s like a 90% chance they will stay active a recent convert goes to the temple. So I’m grateful for temples!

I just want to let my future wife know that I am looking for someone who wants to be married in the temple as much as I do. I desire it with every inch of me. I hope that I can find someone that loves Godlike I do. Is that too much to ask? I never thought I would hear myself say that. The old Ely was fine with brown hair and a nice body and straight teeth. But, what can I say? I have changed a whole lot out here. It’s a lot deeper than that, it’s a lot deeper than I can think and it’s a lot deeper than words on a computer screen. It’s hard for me to believe and at times I find the "old self" fighting it. I get reminded by Satan daily how big of an idiot I was. Well, I guess I don’t know who it is from, I guess it could be from both sides of the war we are in. I can wear the same apology out if you will let me, “so I’m sorry for all the things I've done and all the people I may have affected in the wrong way. I hope I have the time to make it up to everyone. Just remember if we don’t change we might end up where we are going..... It can be a good thing and a bad thing. If its bad change it, if it’s good well then… endure.

So I will give you a little run down on how my Sundays go. My Mother wanted me to explain it to her and I thought maybe everyone might like to know. We wake up at 5:30 am to get ready earlier so we have enough time to walk by all of our investigators houses. Sometimes this includes walking five to six miles. Needless to say I show up to the house/church drenching in sweat. We try to go to the families that said they were going to come with us...a lot of them usually hide behind their doors and you can see them hide, or they just make up an excuse like they have to make tortillas or have to be in the house because they can’t leave it with nobody in it for three hours..... Yeah, if you have a calling to Honduras and you haven’t learned patience, be prepared to learn real quickly. I will be the most laid back person ever after the mission because patience is developing in my blood. Anyways, so after getting lied to fifty times, you gotta remember to try and keep the Spirit with you. Satan can work so easily if we only think negative, so don’t think negative.  We show up to church a few minutes late almost every Sunday, because my comp. and I usually help the families get completely ready. Anyways, so we show up late whatever, but the funny thing is I always show up with a kid sitting on my shoulders and another hanging on my arms. But then a member comes up to me and says, hey Elder Hansgen we have bad news you need to direct the sacrament meeting because the bishop didn't show up. I think to myself....oh sweeett!!! Ha-ha it’s not even a surprise now, our bishop is inactive, hasn't been to church in a month and a half.... so whatever I can’t judge. So I direct and everything I usually end up giving the talks because the last Sunday when I assigned others to give talks they just decided not to show up. I am getting really good at talking in circles and using the word “ummm.”  I am sure these are just the things medical schools are looking for right? To end it I give the lesson in priesthood class. We go home at 12:00 and I sleep instead of eat lunch and I wake up at 1:00 and we leave to go preach.

The yucky thing about the work right now is we are starting completely over with our investigators. No one was progressing so this week we literally contacted for four or five hours every day. It’s helped me realize a lot and I’m grateful for the blessing I’m getting. The prayers everyone sends my way help a lot. Only God and I know how much I need them every day. So thank you for that. Hopefully you guys feel a little bit of my prayers as well!!!

We didn't get to watch the temple dedication Sunday so that was a bummer but today we did have a p-day with President Klein, it was a blast we played Frisbee, kickball, soccer, and then he taught us a little about the gospel while we tried to dry ourselves from all the sweat!!!

So I have been upping the ranks in knowledge of doctrine and things of that nature. Lately every time I study I have is like super in-depth and I end up just zoning everything else out! Here is one for you:

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3:1-8

 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

  So it’s basically self explanatory, but my thoughts on things have sure changed. I guess everyone in this life is so worried about time they do have, time they don't have, time they wish they had and time they wish they didn't. This life is full of missed chances, second chances, or no chances.  One can be confused with what to do with all the time and such little time there really is. We can look at Jesus Christ for the example because in Act 10:38 its reads, “ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” It’s simple, when we are involved good works; the time we have becomes a gift and not a burden! If you are far from us, there is still time to come back. The night has not come, the daylight still shines. I’m not saying procrastinate because there is never time for that but I am promising there is still time and God and Jesus Christ stand beckoning. 

I have such a great little testimony that keeps me keeping on. God is God and he sent his Son here for you and me. Repentance is hard but it’s worth it. I’m happy and it’s a direct relation with my obedience. Some days stink, but its part of life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I found a cool video that I would love to share, two of my favs hit a home-run together. Speaking of home-runs I would kind of enjoy playing baseball again...what are the opinions on that! Tell Grandma thank you for the packages, they are great and I can feel her spirit. Thanks for all the prayer and support! Please watch the video…

Love,

Elder Hansgen

September 8, 2014

Yeah there isn't that much time but hey I'm good and I'm healthy!  This area is hard on P-day because there is not much to do but I am not here to be a tourist I guess!!!!  

Yes, to answer your question I feel all your love and prayers.  I cannot count how many times just thinking about us as an eternal family helps me out a bunch! Thanks for everything I´ll write a longer letter next time!!! okay! adios mom!!!

September 1, 2014

Elder Ely with new companion Elder Rosales

August 25, 2014

Elder Hansgen's health update---"the doctor said I have an enlarged heart (that my heart is a little bigger than most)  and that it's a little slow on the second part of a heart beat but he said its nothing to worry about!

P-day

  Elder E and Elder Tingey

Downtown San Pedro Sula

August 20, 2014

Well, things definitely get flipped around a bit on the mission!!! I
am now companions with Elder Rosales! He is from El Salvador and he is
one of the coolest Latin’s in the mission. I feel honored to be his comp.

He has less time than me and he isn’t that popular but he has that kind
of low key coolness. I knew him when I was in my old zone and there we became really close. We were always screwing around together. It’s just great, I love laughing and smiling. I do it a lot.

So I said I wasn’t going to lie (we told him to be truthful about his health)

a few letters back so here it goes. This Monday I went to the Hospital. I am still having heart problems. My heart is just randomly having sharp pains and it keeps knocking me down to my knees. The last time it happened was today but the worst
one was when I was sitting in the street clenching my heart for twenty minutes. It’s got to the point where now it is just a constant dull pain after it happens.  The Doc says everything looks fine, I am healthy, strong and she threw in a little about my physique...She said everything was super duper from the outside looking in but she said it could be a problem because a kid my age shouldn’t be having heart problems. She said that we are going to do more tests to try and find
the problem inside because what I’m experiencing isn’t exactly normal.
Let me just tell you a conversation we had:

Doctor: “I think it is because of stress that would be my guess.”
Me: (laughing) “Have you ever had to worry about the salvation of souls
a day in your life?”
Doctor: “No, I haven´t.”
Me: “Hermano, we have something called the restored gospel here on the
earth and I would love this chance I have to give you a pamphlet. My
number, and an invitation to be baptized.”
Doctor: “Thank you.” (Takes pamphlet)

Who the heck knows? Maybe I just saved this man’s life, maybe he threw
it away, maybe he´ll be baptized, maybe not.  Who knows maybe I’ll die maybe I won’t. I know one thing I’m not coming home. I’m not coming back to garbage friends, garbage habits and time wasters. I have the hope that’s necessary to enter the kingdom. I have my dreams to fulfill. I guess I’m realizing how short that life really is. I don’t want anyone to worry. But you should also know what trials I have passed through to know how far I have come.

I go back this Friday to see what the heck is up so stay tuned…

It was funny I was talking to my new comp on the bus ride home. By
the way we were soaking wet from running in the rain down the streets trying to catch a bus back to the area. He told me “Hey, we have to go into San
Pedro Friday....I too am sick. I said, “What happened man you don’t look sick?”
He says, “I wake up with panic attacks because of stress.”

This is a stressful work. I do it because I love it. I do it because I
can’t stand the thought (it actually torments me to think) that others
won’t be able to partake of the fruit, the eternal life, the happiness, 
joy, peace and blessings of the gospel. I wasted a lot of time before I came here and I have a lot more to give back. Time sucks because it keeps going and never stops I have like 10 months left which literally makes my heart hurt worse. I can’t imagine leaving some of these stubborn people. I love them so so much.

 

To some of my stubborn friends get it together! I’m here for you but I want you to 
know I am changed and improved, I am a true, following, disciple of Christ coming back. I was called to serve in the Honduras for a reason, to bring these people to Christ. This takes time and it’s hard but everyone can do it.
I wish I could have figured it out sooner. But, you live and you learn
a crap ton. Take the TIME to figure it out so it doesn’t go by wasted.

Onto another topic…

It was cool to talk to one of the richest guys here in Morazan. He
said at 15 years old he started dreaming of things, he said he didn’t let one day
go by without thinking about his dream, his future and his success. He said
his dreams were unfortunately accompanied with work. He still works about
10 hours a day and he has too much money to deal with. I’m not telling
you anyone that money makes you happy! Listen to where I met him. He was
out late with us from 6 to 9 o’clock at night helping a family move
houses from one end of the city to another. It was pouring rain. I
have a cold now but, it was awesome to see how it all works out if
we give back!

Anyways it’s random letter. You should be used to it.
Adios.

Ha-ha, Mom you think by now you would have just sent me a picture of the deck, you keep talking about it and I’m having a hard time figuring out where the pool is going to be… Ha-ha
Elder Hansgen