8/31/2015 This week was Fabulous!!!!

 Hi Everyone,

I’m alive =)  The hurricane really was no big deal. It didn’t hit very hard at least where I am and we saw no damage. We just had to stay in all day on Friday.

This week we continue to see lots of success. I’m especially excited about the 2 couples we are teaching. Ronald & Darla and Shaira & Manuel. Both couples plan on getting married in about 2 and half weeks and then Darla and Shaira want to be baptized. I am so happy =) The Lord is helping us so much!

We are also teaching a man named Jose. Jose has been searching for the gospel of Jesus Christ his whole life. Every time he learns a new principle he feels in his heart it is true. I am sooooooo excited for this month. I have never seen so many people with the desire to come unto Christ. I am so happy I can work here. I try to give all of myself to the work. 

I love you all!!!

Hermana Hansen

8/24/2015 Missionaries and the US Navy!!!

This week was really great. Tuesday was especially special. First, we had the privilege to translate for doctors from the US Navy who came as a part of a charitable organization. IT WAS AWESOME! I was assisting a nurse practitioner in a general medicine section. We were able to help people with all kinds of medical issues. It was an incredible, uplifting, humbling experience.

This was the second time that I was able to translate for doctors on my mission. This time it was a much larger scale. The US navy set up a clinic in a huge stadium. There were dentists, plastic surgeons, physical therapists, eye doctors, dietitians, mental health specialists, EVERYTHING. They did everything from helping people with back pain to surgeries! It was really awesome. Missionaries from the whole mission were assigned to go to help for all 10 days that the Navy was in the country. It was really cool to see the church work together with this.

In the evening, Hermana Lang and I were able to meet up with Ronald and Darla at the temple. We were able to teach them about the Plan of Salvation in the temple gardens. It was by far one of the coolest, most special, most spiritual lessons on my mission.  It was amazing to teach about the plan of salvation on the grounds of the very place where families can be made eternal. They were both very touched. They plan to be married in the next couple of weeks and Darla plans to be baptized soon after. I am so happy for them. 

We are continuing to receive lots of support from the ward. All of our lessons have been accompanied by members!!!!! That is incredible. Each week we have more and more investigators in church. The ward assistance has gone up significantly. We and all of the members are very excited. The Lord is blessing us so much! 

Transfers are tomorrow, but Hermana Lang and I get to stay here together!! Phew! We are very excited to continue to work as hard as we can with the ward. I know that the Lord will continue to bless us and we will be guided to the people and families He has prepared for us to teach and invite to come unto Christ.

I love this work! I know it is the work of the Savior. I feel so very blessed to be a part of it. 

I love you all and hope you have a fabulous week!

Hermana Hansen

The boat that brought the US Navy doctors

and medical supplies.

US Navy Doctors and Nurses

One of the LDS Volunteers

Very happy to be a translator and NOT a doctor

My companion, Hermana Lang

Teaching on the temple grounds with

Ronald, Darla, Hermana Lang & Me!

Darla & Ronald

The Santo Domingo Temple

Platano maduro y batida de zapote

(ripe plantains, fried and a

whipped dominican fruit smoothie).

I Love Dominican Food!!!!

Journal Entry

Carrie sent us one of her journal entries and asked that we share her experience with all of you.

Caroline Hansen

Journal Entry

7/26/2015

A couple days ago I was privileged to do one of the most inspired contacts on my mission.  I had spent all day in the capital with a large group of missionaries who had to get their green cards.  I had been on an exchange with Hermana Barfuss because our companions didn’t need to get their green cards that day.  Afterwards we found a bus that would take us back to Almirante.  We got on a bus and had to sit in the very back row.  A couple minutes later a middle aged man got on the bus.  He looked exhausted from a long day at work.  He sat down next to me.  He was sweating a lot and looked like he didn’t want to be bothered, but I felt I should talk to him.  So I started up a conversation.  At first it was kind of slow.  But then I started to ask about his family.  He said he had a wife and 5 children, but they were older and only his wife and daughter lived with him.  He said it was hard because his family was so spread out.  I told him the story of when I was talking on the phone with my dad when I was at BYU and dad told me home was with him, not at BYU and I related that with how the earth really is not our home, but rather Heaven is with our Heavenly Father.  He really related to that story.  He said he had visited the church before, but had stopped going due to his work schedule.  I then felt prompted to show him my family pictures.  I showed him our family.  I then explained that right now my parents and Celeste live in Chicago.  Adriane & Mckay were in Iowa, my brother was in Portugal and I am in the DR.  But how we are happy and even though I miss them sometimes, I don’t worry.  I then showed him my parent’s wedding picture.  I explained to him that there are places called temples (and there is one here in the DR), where is found the power of God, to seal together husbands and wives, and parents and children, so that they can be together forever.  I said that my family is all over the world right now, but we have been sealed in the temple so I have peace and I feel close to them.  I testified that he too could have an eternal family, but that it would only come as he followed Christ.  The words that left my mouth were not mine.  They were the Lord’s words.  The spirit was so strong.  I felt a deep love and charity for this man I had just met.  We continued to talk for the next hour.  We both shared gospel truths that we know to be true.  The spirit was so thick.  His countenance changed.  He had been touched by the spirit and felt grand joy.  I testified that the things that he felt were not because of me, but were from the Lord.  He said he knew that, that I had just been the instrument the Lord sent to give him the message.  He also said he knew it was not a coincidence that he chose to sit in the very back of the bus that day, but rather it had been organized by God.  I told him he was right.  I took his information so that the missionaries could find and teach him.  It was hard to get off the bus and say goodbye to Alonzo Sandobal.  I told him it had been a great pleasure and as I walked away from the bus, he took his hand out and waved.  I am so very grateful to my Heavenly Father who let me participate in this sacred experience and who gave me the words that He knew would touch the heart of Hermano Alonzo Sandobal.  This man is prepared to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know that as we are obedient and have faith in our Savior and the courage to follow the promptings of the Spirit we can be made an instrument in the hand of the Lord to touch the hearts of His children.  There really is no greater privilege.  I thank my Father every day that He has given me this opportunity to serve a mission and be a representative of His Son, Jesus Christ.  I know He loves me and all of His children.  Each and every one.  He allows us to bless the lives of each other.  I love Him.  I love His son, and I love being in His work.  Mosiah 8:18,  “Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.”

Love, Hermana Hansen

8/17/2015 This was another fabulous week in the mission!

Hello Everyone,

Hermana Lang and I are seeing a lot of success in this area. We are finding people the Lord has prepared for us to teach.

We have felt in our hearts that the Lord has great plans for this area. As we have prayed for direction from Him, we have felt strongly that we should be including help from the ward members. Since the Lord wants us to work with the members of the church in Almirante, that’s what we are doing. Our planners are full of appointments with members so that we can coordinate our efforts in missionary work. The members are responding with a lot of excitement. They are amazing. They are so loving and generous, and take such good care of us. I am grateful to be in this area. I know that as we work together the Lord will guide us to the families that are ready to hear of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Ronald and Darla are continuing to progress. They have consistently been coming to church for the past month. They plan to be married at the end of this month and Darla plans to be baptized the beginning of September. I am excited for them. I can see in their eyes the change of heart they are both having.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. Jesus Christ is our Savior and as we have faith in Him and follow His example, our hearts and selves are changed for the better. No exceptions. I have seen it time and time again. In my own life and in the lives of those I love and serve. I love my Savior and am grateful and humbled by His infinite grace and watchful care. 

Tomorrow we will be able to teach a lesson outside the temple with Darla and Ronald! I can’t wait. I am grateful we have a temple so close by. Also tomorrow, we get to go translate for a group of English speaking doctors! I’m so excited.

I love you all!!!! Thank you for your examples, faith, prayers, and support

Hermana Hansen

8/10/2015 No Time To Write =(

Hi Everyone,

There is no time to write an email today! But it was a great week! I got to do an exchange in the center of the capital and I was able to return to la Romana. It was fun to see a few members I served with and how La Romana is progressing. The area is progressing A LOT. 

Darla accepted a baptismal date for September 5th. She and Ronald plan to be married August 30th. They are praying and reading the Book of Mormon every day together. I am very happy and excited for them!! The area is progressing so much. The members are sharing the gospel with their friends and love to teach with us. I LOVE THIS WARD.

Also HERMANA LANG is AWESOME. 

Love you all tons, 

Hermana Hansen

My hair is getting so long!

Goodbye Hermana Flores =(

8/3/2015 Another Great Week in Almirante

Every transfer has its ups and downs. Some weeks you see more success than others. This week was one where we didn’t see as much success as we would have liked. There were a lot of missed appointments, it was very hot, and A LOT OF WALKING! But I’ve learned on the mission to just press forward with faith. I know the Lord will and is blessing us as we continue to do our best and dedicate ourselves to the work. I know there are families here prepared for us to teach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We just have to keep working to find them =) And even though the week was hard there were LOTS of blessings! Here are just a few.

1. We had a stellar ward council where all of the leaders in the ward committed to sharing the gospel with a friend and then introduce us to them.

2. Pedro Gonzalez, a man we just met in his doorway, but never taught came to church!!!!

3. Ronald and Alina, two less active members came to church! They are progressing a lot.

4. LOTS OF RAIN on Sunday. The country is going through a drought right now so that was an answer to many prayers.

5. We were going to have to walk about 45 minutes back to the church when a member family stopped to give us a ride. They were visiting from Qatar, where they live although they are Dominica. They also showed us where their aunt lives so that we can teach her.

6. The members here have been so gracious and helpful.

7. A member family offered to feed us on a day we really didn’t want to cook. YUMM!

8. We checked out an empanada restaurant that a member told us about. Good decision.

I love you all!!!!! You are all so important to me. Thanks for all you do, your prayers, and your support.

Con Amor,

Hermana Hansen

Into the Caves-2nd time around!

Hermana Lang

 Our day is not complete without ICE CREAM!!!

Mi querida compa =) Hermana Lang

(my dear companion)

7/27/2015 Awesome week in Almirante

Hello everyone!!!

This week was great! Kind of all over the place though. We had two exchanges and a meeting, so I was barely in the area. But the area is progressing a lot. We are finding awesome families that show so much interest and the members are helping us a ton.  The Bishopric here is very focused on missionary work.

Hermana Lang and I are working hard and are seeing little and big miracles daily. We have been helping a less active brother, Ronald and his girlfriend Darla. They are very open and I believe that we can help them a lot.

Recently I read Mosiah 8:18.

“Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.”

I love it. I know that when we have faith we are blessed to bless the lives of those around us. There really is nothing better and nothing more satisfactory than being in the work of the Lord. When we have faith and the desire to do His will, He will guide us to the souls He has prepared and to those He would have us serve. I know that to be true, I see His hand in my life daily. 

Love, 

Hermana Hansen

Me, walking down a typical street in the DR

Hermana Pichardo talking with an investigator

Hermana Aura and her daughter Carolin or Carola.

Her daughters are twins and I can't tell them apart

unless they are next to each other.

The twins are new converts.

Hermano and Hermana Cabrera, family of lorenza.

She brought me my package!

Manolo and Hada, awesome couple.

Hada is a new convert.  Manolo is elders quorum president.

They are preparing to be sealed in the temple!

Mayrenis, missing her husband Alexander

and their baby Alexander Jr

Nelio and Rosi, sweetest Dominican couple and members.

They are dedicated temple workers.  They also helped us

a lot while we were preparing Danilo for baptism.

Sister Liriano, bishops mom and amazing cook.

She made the best fried green plantains I've ever eaten.

Puppies!!!!!!

7/20/2015 Hey Everyone!!!!

I forgot my memory card so I’ll have to send pictures next week. Sorry!

This week was AWESOME!!!!! So many miracles. The Lord is blessing us very much. Hermana Lang and I got to Almirante about 11 at night Tuesday. We went straight to bed and then woke up and got to work! When we got to the area it was made very clear that there was A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE. Only two investigators were being taught--Ana and Laura, a mom and a daughter. Hermana Lang and I are committed to giving all of our heart, might, mind and strength to the work.

The huge blessing in this area are definitely the members. Everyone is so willing to help. This area has seen years of very little success, but the members are ready to work. The first night we met with the Bishopric. They were overjoyed to see us. I’ve never received such a warm welcome to an area. They told us they had been praying for sister missionaries for 2 years. I hope we can live up to their expectations. Everyday there have been several members who have taken hours of their time to show us the area which is a great blessing because the area is HUGE.

Hermana Lang and I are trying really hard to find prepared families and the Lord is blessing us so much. Our agenda is FULL with new families. We have done a lot of service projects which has helped us gain the trust of the people in the area.  I have seen so many miracles. Amaliak, a ward missionary and returned missionary is our best friend and ally here!

I feel in my heart that the Lord has grand plans for this area. Together with the members and with God’s help, we are going to see a great change in this area. I really feel like we are going to help many people and families come unto Christ through baptism and that many families will be sealed in the temple. 

I pray that each day I can give more of myself to the work.

I love you all!!!

Hermana Hansen

7/13/2015

I’m leaving Los Frailes and headed off to Almirante. I will be companions with Hermana Lang. I’m very excited.

I’m grateful for the members here and for their dedicated work and support. Also for the people who I have taught. 

I have learned so much here in Los Frailes. ESPECIALLY the importance of families. This week we taught The Compres family. We have been teaching them for about a month now. They have come to church every week and are really progressing. The dad is less active and the mom and the daughter are investigators.  We had a powerful lesson on the blessings that come as we make sacrifices to be sealed in the temple. The Spirit was so strong. As I testify of the Savior’s atonement and the eternal blessings we receive as we follow Him and make sacred covenants the Spirit testifies to my heart that the thing I am teaching are true. I know that families can be together forever through the power of Christ’s atonement.  I saw in the eyes of Familia Compres their desire to be an eternal family.

I hope to visit Los Frailes next month to see Miguel baptize his wife and daughter, Vilma and Tiffany. One year later they will be able to be sealed in the temple!  This family is very special to me.

I pray that I may be an instrument in the hands of the Lord so that they and many other families will be able to overcome obstacles that they may be sealed together forever. 

I love you all so much!!!

Hermana Hansen

Me with Familia Lagrange, Kalvin & Melani, & Hermana Fife

Me, Kalvin, Natali, Melani & Ghiani

Me and Alberto Marrero, a young adult in our area who is planning to be baptized this month

Jinera, my friend who read the

whole Book of Mormon in about a month

Betico, our ward mission leader

and Marianeli our relief society president

Danilo

Danilo with the Sister Missionaries

and youth in the ward

Me with new converts, Yeilin,

Scarlet & Gerika

Yeilin, Scarlet & Gerika

Yeilin, Scarlet & Gerika

Me with Yeilin & Scarlet

and ward members

Me & Gerika

Me and Yeilin

Neighbors, Familia Cineas

Los Frailes District

Zona Las Americas