Another week here in Arkansas

Memphis Temple

Iakwe aolep

I just wanna start out and give a quick shout out to two of my great friends Grace and Abbey. It's their birthday so everyone go wish them a happy birthday. 

This week was pretty crazy. With the world opening up the Marshall Islands decided to start getting their citizens back home. This is a pretty big step because the Marshall Islands used to be completely shutdown to people coming in. Everyone please pray that the borders will be able to open soon and the rest of the missionaries and I will be able to return and help out the 6 we left behind.

On Wednesday we drove a total of 7 hours. My comps had a lot of ZL stuff going on. We also found out that I would be getting a new companion so that's cool. We got 15 new missionaries. We were supposed to get 50 but 35 didn't come. We drove to little Rock and then to Searcy. It was pretty boring. 

Thursday we drive about another 4 hours to pick up my comp. His name is Elder Smith from Lehi. He's a cool guy. I also got to see the Memphis temple so that's cool.

The rest of the week was just trying to find people. We are opening an area so it's pretty hard. We had a miracle tho. We were doing some online finding and Elder Smith looked out the window and saw some people trying to get their keys out of their car. We went and helped them. As we helped them we taught the restoration and set up another lesson so we picked up a new investigator. It was really cool. I am also working with mostly Marshallese people. I had the opportunity to reach out to a Marshallese family and set up a lesson. Im super excited for the lesson because I miss the Marshall Islands and the people so maybe this will help me out haha. 

It was a great week and time is flying. I love you all and hope you all have a great week. I would love to hear from all of you. Stay safe!

Elder Hanson

We like to go to the field to workout

" Kōjām jeļā kajin m̧ajōl?? "

This week was pretty good. Life is crazy but also pretty boring. We mostly just online find and call formers. This week we had splits with Jonesboro. It was so much fun. In Jonesboro they have this huge church so I decided to take a picture of it. We also had interviews with my mission president. It was great.

On Saturday I got to go on splits with Elder Nordstrom who is another reassigned missionary because my companions had to go to MLC. It was great to be with a missionary who knows what it's like to be reassigned haha. During the split I felt like I should message this Marshallese family. Well I did and we set up a zoom call with them. So on Wednesday we will zoom them and have a lesson. I'm super pumped. Hopefully my Marshallese isn't too bad. 

Today we went shopping and then went and got gas. I saw these girls and thought dang they might be Marshallese. Then the girl said "we go to lds too" and I knew they were Marshallese. I asked where they were from and theysaid they were from Pocahontas I continued to ask if they were Marshallese and then I saw their mom and I knew. I started speaking in Marshallese and they were so surprised haha it was hilarious. The mom replied in Marshallese and was like "why do you know Marshallese" haha. I explained to her that I served there and now I'm here. It was hilarious. It definitely was the best thing that has happened to me so far.

Everything is going great. I hope you all have a great week. 

I would love to hear from you all!

Elder Hanson

Here are some pics of the church and me and my comps shopping.

The life of the Zone Leader's companion

Well another week here in Arkansas. It was a pretty crazy week. My companions are constantly getting calls and I just chill and read a book or something. 

This week we went to Memphis so that was cool. I saw this big ole bass pro shops. My companion's said dude perfect did a video in there but I don't know much about that. 

We were trying so hard to find a new person this week but were having no success. Its definitely different than talking to people on the streets. I don't think Marshallese people are very tech savvy so its kinda hard to message them hahah. I can't wait till I can meet with them face to face and hopefully make some connections with them. I typically try to focus on reaching out to the Marshallese while my companions find other people. 

Yesterday we were going through he area book and felt impressed to call this lady. She answered and was so happy we called. She has a great knowledge of the gospel and has met with the missionaries before. We taught her a little about the Book of Mormon and then set up a return appointment. It was such a miracle because we haven't found anyone new in so long. Also my companions challenged everyone in the zone to find 1 more person in the last 30 minutes of online finding. In that time the zone found 13 people. It was crazy. It was a huge testimony builder. 

I honestly think that's it from this week. Just a lot of online finding and studying. I love you all and would love to hear from you! 

Have a great week!

Elder Hanson

Arkansas

Well currently I am out here in Paragould Arkansas. It's a lot different than the Marshall islands. But I will try and learn as much as I possibly can until I return to the islands. Speaking of the islands, everyone please pray that the missionaries will be able to return soon. 

I am in Paragould Arkansas. A lot of Marshallese live here so I will be able to use my language which will be nice. I am in a trio with the ZL's which is different. They are pretty busy. 

I got to Arkansas on Wednesday. We got in pretty late and went to the church and ate some fried chicken and potatoes. Good ole southern comfort. Then we went to a hotel and stayed a night. Then on Thursday we had a long day of training. It was rough. There are so many extra rules and stuff. It's pretty crazy. After that we went back to the hotel and stayed another night. 

On Friday more missionaries came and we had another day of training. It was tough haha. We had interviews with president and I figured out I was going to Paragould. Everyone went to their areas except for me because president was waiting to assign me a comp.

On Saturday there was another day of training. Instead of training I did some online finding. It was so weird. Its definitely going to take some time to get used to it so hopefully I will. Then that night I was driven to my area and met my comps. It was a good time. 

Yesterday was Mother's day and I got to talk to my family which was much needed. It was great to be able to talk to my mom and wish her a happy Mother's day. 

Well I'm locked up in an apartment struggling so I would love to hear from you all. Talks/spiritual thoughts are much appreciated. 

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

Elder Hanson

Coming home...

Well this week was pretty crazy. On Tuesday the zone leaders came over to our house and we were just talking about how crazy it is that everyone is going home and that how we would be the last ones to go home. Then my district leader walks down the stairs and starts reading a text he got from the AP's saying that we are getting sent home. It was heartbreaking. I definitely do not want to leave the Marshall Islands. After that we received some information about what was going on and what we needed to do. We still have no idea when we are leaving, but I should be home within the next month. 

That being said that work continues here in Delap and the Marshall islands. We are still proselyting and doing our best to stay busy and work hard. This week me and Elder Langrine were waiting for one of our lessons and we saw some eels in the water. Elder Langrine grabbed a stick and started going to town on them haha. We didn't get any...  But the next day we went back more prepared. We brought our machetes.. hahah. We got a couple and are gonna cook them up pretty soon. It was super fun and I definitely lightened up the mood.

We had a great lesson with one of our investigators about the plan of salvation this week. This guy asks so many questions so I prepared myself with some bible verses and all this stuff and went into the lesson. Man it was crazy. The spirit was guiding me throughout the whole lesson and telling me exactly what to say. The words were just flowing haha. I loved it. 

Things are going well. We are doing our best to continue to work hard and focus on the work. I hope all is well at home and everyone is staying safe. I love you all! Have a great week!

Elder Hanson

One year mark for Elder Garr!

P day fun

Elder Hanson & Elder Jolley

Another week in Majuro

 

Iakwe!!! 

Everything here in the Marshall Islands is great. I'm probably in one of the safest countries in the world. We are so isolated haha. We are basically quarantined because no planes can come in or out of the country haha. It's great.

This week was pretty good. We taught some great lessons and worked super hard. Yesterday we gave sacrament to 5 families. It was rough not gonna lie haha. It was a long day.

Earlier this week we were walking around and there is this guy who thinks he is so good at fighting. So elder langrine started to pretend to fight him and the guy was swinging so hard haha. Elder langrine was just dancing circles around this guy and he almsot fell down. It was so funny. I was dying laughing.

We invited one of our investigators to baptism this week and had such a spiritual lesson with him. It was crazy. His wife is a member and he wants to get baptized. We were teaching him about baptism and the spirit was so strong. 

Also this bubu told us she had a dream where Jesus visited her and showed her the celestial kingdom and she was so shocked about how beautiful it was and how much food and stuff there was. It was crazy but a pretty cool experience. 

On Saturday we were doing service and this guy told us to remove this huge stump. Haha we were hacking at that thing with a machete, ax, and shovel for a solid 3 hours. We had no success at getting it out. It was rough.

This week was good tho! I love Elder Langrine and all I'm learning from him. Its a great time. I hope you are all doing well and staying corona free. In both ways... I know the marshallese are because there is no beer on island haha. love you all. Have a great week!

Elder Hanson

Corona chaos

Iakwe aolep!

Sorry that I didn't send an email last week. Things have been pretty crazy ever since I flew into Majuro.

To start off I "killed" my companion Elder Tune. He is done with his mission and is in Kiribati right now. The couple of days I had with him were so crazy. Elder Tune doesn't really know English and my other companion Elder Langrine is from Ebeye in the marshall islands so we just talked in marshallese to each other for 4 days. It was dope. Also since Elder Langrine is a native speaker I have learned so many things. It's a huge jeramman.

Getting to know a new area is different but its been good! Delap is way cool. It is so much bigger than Ebeye so it's pretty weird. I'm pretty sure that my area now is bigger than all of Ebeye. Majuro also is not as hot as Ebeye. There are more trees and so much breadfruit. 

Elder Langrine is visa waiting here and is supposed to go to Ghana soon. He just received his  visa so he should be going to ghana anytime soon. I don't really know what will happen with me and if I will stay in Delap or not.

Earlier this week the ZL's came to our house and told us that we weren't allowed to go to church, shake hands, meet in groups bigger than our district, and that we needed to immediately go buy two bags of rice and a bag of flour per companionship. It's pretty crazy. Usually every p-day all the missionaries get together but now I don't really know what we are going to do.

The work here in Delap is good. It's great to have a native companion because whenever we are thirsty we just go grab a coconut cut it open and drink it. It is the best. We had 2 baptisms this past week which was great! 

Anyway I love you all! Stay safe from Corona. I hope you all have a great week. Oh btw my pday is now on Monday or America's Sunday. 

Elder Hanson

Majuro baby

Well this past week was crazy and sad. We went around Ebeye telling everyone that we were leaving. 

We were supposed to leave on Friday. But we missed our flight. We flew out to Majuro yesterday.

I'm in delap with Elder Langrine and Tune. 

I hope you have a great week! All is well here in Majol!

Elder Hanson

Transfers baby!

Iakwe Iakwe! 

What's up everyone? This week was crazy. I'm getting transferred! I have been on Ebeye for 6 months so I basically knew I was leaving. Then on Sunday night we figured out the Elder Wright is leaving too! We will be flying off of Ebeye on Friday. I don't know where I am going yet but I'm sure I will be able to let you all know! I figure out tomorrow!

This week was a pretty good week of work. I had the opportunity to extend a baptismal invitation and date to Irene. She is so ready and excited. We were planning for the middle of March but then she said, ''How about March 4''. So we planned the baptism for the 7. Sadly me and Elder Wright are both leaving our area so we won't be here to see it. Oh well. God's plan.

We had such a spiritual lesson with Kartin and Jennifer this week. I shared Alma 13:21 and talked about how we need to repent and we can't wait because we don't know when Christ will come again and we also don't know when we will die. It was a super good lesson.

Saturday was a crazy day. We had a birthday party and a kemmem. A kemmem is a first birthday party and it's a huge deal. We went to the birthday party first and then to the kemmem. When we showed up to the kemmem we were told to sit at a table where all the important people sit. They gave us these huge plates of food. Like a 9x13 aluminum pan just full of meat, rice, and potato salad. All sorts of things. Then they brought out this huge bowl full of soup. I started eating it and I was confused because I had never had this meat before. It was so good. I turned to my comp and asked him what I was eating. Turns out it was turtle. Oh man it was so good. I ate the intestine too and it was surprisingly sooo good.

Yesterday we started studying with our land lord and it was such a good lesson. She is such a sweet lady and told us that she sees us as her real sons. 

Also a boat hasn't come for a while and the island is out of fuel so we haven't really had power. It's been on and off. It's rough but oh well what can you do. Overall this week was  great. I hope you all have a great week! I love you all!

Elder Hanson

Valentine's Day with the boys

Iakwe Iakwe

This week was a great week.

On Wednesday we had a solid day. We had district council in the morning. After district council we went to a restaurant for Elder Halliday's birthday. It was so fun. Later that day we had 3 solid lessons. We had a really solid lesson about the Book of Mormon with Kartin and Jennifer. The spirit was so strong and they seem to be progressing really well.

Thursday we taught school in the morning which is always fun. Then most of our lessons fell through which was rough but we just continued to work hard and try and find new investigators. 

Friday was a good day It was Valentines day.  We had 2 good lessons. We taught about the Book of Mormon and about the Plan of Salvation. Then all of the Elders got together for a Valentine's Day dinner. We made steak, potatoes, and breadsticks. It was such a great time.

Saturday was another good day. Elder Fisk was sick, so me and Elder Jepsen went on a split. It was a good time to be with my intake brother again. We taught some good lessons. Elder Wright and I then went and taught Missy Royal and Jabot about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a good lesson.

Sunday was a good day we had a solid day at church. Lots of people showed up so that was good. We then had some solid lessons. 

Yesterday was a good day. Not much happened. We had some good lessons. Then we had dinner with one of the members. It was a good time.

This week was good! I miss and love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Hanson

Timmy time and Kwaj Independence day

Iakwe iakwe! 

This week was crazy!

Wednesday we had district council as usual and then had a great lesson with Irie. She seems super interested and doesn't know much about the gospel so it is so fun to teach her.

Thursday we had school which is always fun. Then we had a good lesson with Missy, Royal, Jabot, and Kanno. They are all super receptive and are so fun to talk to and teach. We taught about the Book of Mormon and it was a super good lesson. We then had a lesson with Kartin and Jennifer about the priesthood. Jennifer was sick so we gave her a blessing and the spirit was so strong. 

Friday we cleaned our house all day to prepare for Elder and Sister Menzie to come and stay in our house for the weekend. We then moved our stuff to the other elders house. We had another lesson with the same group of people and taught them about the plan of salvation. It was a good lesson they didn't have questions but then seemed to understand. Also our AC broke so we were trying to figure that out.

Saturday we had service in the morning. We went around and cleaned the island. Halfway through the service we had to leave and go install our new AC. It took so long and when we were almost done the AP's and Sister and Elder Menzie showed up. It was so good to see my boy Elder Peterson. I haven't seen him since I got to the Marshall Islands. We went on a split with Elder Peterson and picked up a new investigator. Just 2 Brighton boys walking around Ebeye and preaching the gospel. Nothing better.

Sunday was a good day. Just had church. Not much really happened. 

Yesterday was crazy. It was Kwajalein Independence day. We woke up and went and deep cleaned our house with the senior missionaries. We finished then got ready. We all went outside to the main part of Ebeye and stood for a couple of hours listening to the President and other important people talk. After that we went to South Beach park. There were races and tents selling food and all of the kids on Ebeye were there with their school competing against each other. It kinda reminded me of the 4th of July because everyone was just barbecuing and listening to country music. For some reason everyone on Ebeye loves country. It was so hot. I got so sunburnt. The sun was so intense even the kids put sunscreen on haha. Me and Elder Halliday were walking around and this Al in Majol came on that everyone loves. We just started dancing and everyone was dying laughing and videoing us haha. It was a good time. 

Anyway that's about it from this week! I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Hanson

6 months in the slum of the Pacific

Iakwe Iakwe!

I can't believe that I have been a missionary for 6 months. It's gone by so fast and I have loved every second of it.

This week was a great week! We had lots of success and Janobly was baptized!

On Wednesday we had a good lesson with Janobly. We reviewed the baptismal questions with him and he seemed ready! We had another lesson with some new investigators Royal and Jabot. Royal and Jabot live on the outer island of likiep. They are on Ebeye for school. A member asked us to study with them before they go back to Likiep. There are no missionaries on Likiep so we don't know exactly what will happen. Things are looking good though!

On Thursday we went and taught English. After That I had a split with Elder Day. It was a good time. Elder Day did his baptismal interview and he passed! Then we picked up a new investigator. Her name is Irynn and she is Ali's sister. We had a great lesson with her. We shared Ether 12:27 with Kartin and Jennifer. I love sharing this scripture because people seem to really understand and accept it. 

Friday was a pretty good day. Mama stephen's went to majuro and is going to america. She is going to be gone until March, so we went and said goodbye to her in the morning. It was rough and I am going to miss her lots. Then we started to prepare for the baptism and make a program.

Saturday we had Janobly's baptism. The person who was supposed to talk on the Holy Ghost didn't show up so I had to do it. It was pretty good. The baptism went well and I was super happy about it.

Sunday was crazy there were over 200 people at church. The church building was packed. There were 2 baby blessings. Also we gave Janobly the gift of the Holy Ghost. That night we picked up 3 new investigators. These girls had been coming to church with their friends for a while but were too scared to tell us that they wanted to study. So we worked with one of the RM's and set up a lesson. The lesson went super well. The RM helped a lot and said that she would help every lesson. Things are looking good and the work is picking up!

Yesterday was rough. There was a funeral and all of our lessons fell through.

Well I hope you all had a great week! I love you all and will talk to you soon!

Kojparok wot!

Elder Hanson

Janobly's baptism

Iakwe!

Elder Halliday and me on our split

Iakwe!

This week was a good one. Lots of success and a split with Elder Halliday.

On Wednesday we had district council. District council is always a good time. We had a lesson with one of our investigators, Janobly. Janobly will probably be baptized on Saturday so that's good! We will see! 

On Thursday we woke up and went to school. They were taking midterms so we weren't able to teach. It was rough. I always look forward to school. We picked up 3 new people to study with and they seem really promising. 

On Friday we had a really good lesson with one of our investigators. He doesn't know how to read so we taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ with the book of mormon videos. It was a super good and spiritual lesson.

Saturday we had another super good lesson with Janobly. We picked up another new investigator and we had such a good lesson with her. That night we had a dinner with one of the members. We ate Bwiro Kun. Bwiro kun is breadfruit that they mash up and preserve it in the ground. Then they take it out and cook it. It has such a strong smell and taste. It was pretty awful haha. Elder Wright waited till we got home to eat it because he thought he would've thrown up.

Sunday was a good day. I woke up feeling pretty sick so we went to church and then tried to get some lessons in but not much happened. Our recent convert Ali gave us a referral and we set up a lesson with her little sister.

Yesterday I had a split with Elder Halliday. Oh man it was the greatest. We had 3 solid lessons and picked up another investigator. We taught about the Book of Mormon and handed out 2 books. Later that day I saw one of them reading it. It made me so happy. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and it will bless your life. The split was kinda hard because me and Elder Halliday are both pretty new in the mission and are still learning the language, but it was good because we had to push ourselves. It was a good time.

That's about it from this week. I love you all and hope you have a great week! 

Elder Hanson

Bwiro Kung

Baptisms and Kwaj

Ali's Baptism

Iakwe Iakwe! 

This week was so much fun and so hot.

On Wednesday we had Zone Conference! It was so much fun. My brother Elder Halliday is coming out to Ebeye and I am so excited.

Thursday we taught school in the morning and then went to lunch with Elder Lal and Jepsen because Elder Lal is going to Jaluit. We went to one of the 3 restaurants on island and it wasn't bad. We had some asian food. Then we went to the dock to pick up Elder Halliday and Fisk. It was so good to see Halliday.

Friday we went to the dock to drop off Elder Lal and Motzkus. I am going to miss them. Then we went to Ali to get everything ready for the baptism.

Saturday we went finding and found a bunch of potentials. It was a solid day. Then at 6 we had Ali's baptism. It was such a great time and the spirit was so strong.

Sunday Ali was confirmed a member of the church and was given the gift of the Holy ghost. I was able to be in the circle when she was confirmed and it was such a spiritual experience. After that we tried to go to some lesson and go finding but we had no success.

Yesterday the members from Kwajalein sponsored us to come over for the day. It was so much fun. We went bowling and then took a tour of the army base. It was so cool. There are a bunch of blown up bunkers everywhere from when the U.S. took over kwaj from Japan.

Anyway that's about it from this week. I hope you all have a great week!  

I love you all!

Elder Hanson

Transfers

Iakwe!

This week was a good one! 

Wednesday we had an okay day. We had a great lesson with Ali and she is ready to be baptized! 

Thursday we honestly just went finding and had no success it was pretty rough.

Friday we had some lessons planned but we went finding for 5 hours. No one even wanted to talk to us. We went back to our house and said separate prayers. We went back out and found 3 potentials. It was so good because lately there has been no success with finding.

Saturday was Ali's baptismal interview. She passed so that is super exciting. This Saturday she will be baptized! 

Sunday was a good day we just went to church and then found out who would be leaving this next transfer. I will be staying another on Ebeye with Elder Wright. I am excited to stay! It should be good!

Yesterday was such a good day. We had some solid lessons and found a new investigator. 

Today we went to nene. We went fishing but didn't have any luck. Fly fishing is so much harder is the ocean haha. 

I hope you all have a great week. I love you all. Sorry about the short email but I don't have a lot of time haha. 

Jeramman!

Elder Hanson

Finding at the King's house

Iakwe!

First of all I want to say Happy New Year to everyone and a special shout out to my boy Elder Templeton! Happy birthday!

Wednesday was a pretty good day. We had district council and then me and Elder Wright did tons of finding. Not much happened just a day of hard work.

Thursday was another pretty good day. We had a great lesson with Ali. She told us that she really wanted to get baptized and that she was ready so things are looking good. 

Friday was a crazy day. We had 3 solid lessons. We also did a ton of finding. We were out finding and I had this impression to go talk to this guy. I went up to him and started to casually talk. Then out of nowhere I asked him if he knew Junior. He said he did but he was at work. He told us to come back later because Junior wanted to study. I was so pumped. Well then we went back at 6 and he said Junior hadn't come back yet. It was rough but we will just keep trying. Also on Friday Elder Thomson cut my hair haha. I'll send some pics.

Saturday was a crazy day. Elder Thomson and Vaaia were supposed to go to Kwaj at 5 in the morning because they are headed back to Majuro because the outer islands are opening back up. So we all wake up at 4:30 to go see them off. Well as soon as we woke up we got a text from the Ap's saying that their flight didn't leave until 2:30. So we all just went back to sleep haha. We dropped them off at the dock later that day and now they are back in Majuro. Man I'm going to miss them. Later that day Elder Lal and Jepsen said that they talked to a guy who said he wanted to talk to the Elder's. His name is John Kabua. Well Kabua is a pretty big name here in the Marshall islands. It is basically the royal family. So we went to the Irooj (King) house and asked for John. Well turns out he didn't live there but they told us where he did live. We still haven't talked to him but now I can say I have gone finding at the Kabua's house haha. We had another lesson with Ali and told her that she had to come to church if she wanted to be baptized. 

Sunday morning we got up and went to remind Ali about church but she was asleep. She didn't show up so that was super disappointing. We will just keep trying. 

Yesterday was a weird day. Not much happened we went finding and had no success. It was a members birthday so we went to a birthday party and ate some octopus, chicken, and beef. It was pretty good. 

Overall this week was a good one! I hope you all are doing great at home, or wherever you are. I love you all! Feel free to email me whenever!

-Elder Hanson