3/20/2023 - Week Two - The 100 Year Week

Hello everyone! It has been a busy week! 

On Tuesday, I had to say goodbye to my brothers, sisters-in-law, and nieces, and then we headed on our way down to Provo. 😢 I'd be lying if I said I didn't weep like a baby (@mabel). The next day we stopped in Salt Lake City to see temple square and the construction on the temple, it's insane what they've done to it. 

Later that same day, I said goodbye to mom and dad, and I entered the MTC. That was probably the biggest leap of faith I've ever had to take. But luckily, when I got here Sister Goff (my companion) was waiting with open arms! Her, Sister Butler, and Sister Rogers (my roommates) are all huge blessings to me and I'm so grateful for them. We have the best times together! In fact, my whole district is a hoot and a half! And our teachers are so incredible, they always prepare the most powerful and personal lessons for us, I have learned so much already and I know that there is nowhere else that I should or could be right now.  

We have been so busy ever since the moment we got here, I seriously feel like this week has been 100 years. I always say "I was talking to Sister Goff the other day" when I'm talking about something that happened earlier that same day. But we are having so much fun that it doesn't even matter!

Highlights from the week!

- One Elder in my district in an attempt to speak Spanish said "Como se llamo Book of Mormon?" Someone responded with "El Libro de Mormon" and he said "interesante mucho" (Good thing we're English speaking!)

- Saint Patrick's Day! All of us sisters wore our green so we wouldn't get pinched! We also all wore our hair in low buns, it was pretty cute. (Pictures included)

- The Elders were testing out the waterproof capabilities of their white shirts by putting water in the pockets of their shirts. The water didn't soak through their shirts, so one Elder decided to test it with blue Powerade and he just had a pocket full of Powerade. He soaked it up with a napkin and it didn't even stain his shirt!

- The MTC chocolate milk lives up to the hype!

- Going to the Temple with our district was really special 

- Sister Rogers and I have the same phone and phone case!

- I said the opening prayer in a meeting with all the new missionaries on our first day 😬

Spiritual thought:

We all are given spiritual gifts and we are all different for a reason. Just because someone has a different gift than you doesn't diminish the worth of yours. Don't try to be something you aren't, embrace your gifts and use them.

I also want to add that Christ is truly the center of our religion, all things are possible through him, and if we build our foundation on Christ we cannot fail!

Love you all!

 Sister Hansen

District quotes

- "That's apostate" = anything worldly/ pop music/ tv shows

- "Don't be Jacob" = you are a betrayer, stop it (Jacob means betrayer) (-Elder Moncur)

- "The Fall gave us crunchy knees" = because of the fall we are here and have imperfect bodies (-Sister Teo)

- "Ouchie McGee, ouchie McOuchertons, ouchie to the max" "my Sister Blisters" = my feet hurt so bad and I'm sorry that I keep complaining. (-Me)

- "Ding dong! Done deal!" (-Sister Goff)

3/15/2023 - Taking Sister Hansen to the MTC

March 15, 2023

We took Kaylee to the MTC in Provo yesterday. I can't believe this day has finally come. It's so bittersweet! I'm so happy for her to finally begin this amazing adventure, but so sad to see her go. She's so sad to leave her brothers, and especially to miss being here with her sweet nieces for the next 18 months. It's a lot to leave behind. That's part of the reason it's such a sacrifice.

We took her to Temple Square on our way to the MTC. We had several tender mercies happen while we were there. We met and talked with several of the sister missionaries and they were all so excited for her to go to the MTC. They all shared how fun and awesome it was there and even mentioned how delicious the food is! Then we met a senior missionary who had served in Alabama! He told her how wonderful the people are there and how much he loved serving there! He even knows her mission president! Such blessings!

The rain stopped just long enough for us to get some pictures in front of the Provo temple and say our goodbyes. She's going to be so amazing! We're so excited to hear all about her adventures in Alabama! Her P- Day is on Monday and we get to hear more from her then! Can't wait!

3/13/2023 - Week One - Two New Sister Hansens

Hello to all my wonderful friends and family!

Last week I was set apart as a missionary and I became Sister Hansen! The very next day, I started learning how to be a missionary from the comfort of my childhood bedroom. Home MTC has been so so so good, but also so weird! It has been so nice to spend time with my family while transitioning to missionary life and also getting to know my district, but my eyes are so tired from looking at my computer screen all week. I am so lucky to have the best companion in the world, Sister Goff who is an Idaho girl like me! We seriously get along so well, and I cannot wait to meet her in person! 

One of my favorite things to happen this week was the birth of my second niece, Mabel Hansen! I love being an aunt and I love being able to say I have 2 nieces! I was so lucky that I had a break from home MTC in the afternoon and I got to go visit Mabel and her parents in the hospital the day she was born! She is such a sweet little baby girl and I love getting to snuggle her!

All week I've had classes and workshops and I have taken so many notes it's literally insane. (I've already filled half of one of my many notebooks.) It's been a lot of fun getting to know my district, and they are all honestly so funny, Sister Goff and I have been laughing all week! And they all have such strong testimonies and I know we are going to learn a lot from each other. 

Honestly, I've just been trying to learn as much as I can while I'm in my classes, and soak up as much time with these sweet babies as I can while I'm not! I guess I better spend some time with the rest of my family too... 

Anyway, I'm heading out tomorrow and the next time you'll hear from me will be from the MTC! 

Spiritual thought:

The scripture I chose for my missionary plaque is Isaiah 12:2 

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation."

Leaving home to go preach the gospel for 18 months is not going to be easy for me, but I know that God is my salvation and I will not be afraid. Something I have learned this week is that when we build our foundation on Christ we cannot fail. 

I will lift up my heart and rejoice, the hour of my mission has come. (D&C 31:3)

~Sister Hansen