10 More Days

Date: 01-28-2017
Companion: Sister Packard & Sister Thiel
Area: MTC
Hello everyone! 

You just gotta do this pose when you're in a trio!

Week 2 of the MTC was crazy! I'm not gonna lie, everything just kind of blends together and all I really remember is sitting in class all day. We started TRC, (lol I can't remember what that stands for) but it's basically to practice teaching investigators and you don't really know if they're members or not. They went really well and I learned I need to work on a lot. It's hard with 3 people because you don't want the investigator to get weirded out that there's one person who didn't say anything the whole time, but it's hard to get all 3 people teaching something when there's only a 25 minute lesson. It's been good though and we've worked on all of us participating in a lesson. 

All the sisters in my district are sick and I'm trying my hardest to not get sick. I'm constantly washing my hands and using hand sanitizer! Hah! 

The MTC is very interesting and while I'm learning a lot, I'm learning a lot of what I need to learn. I love it here even though it's so hard. My district is awesome. I love all the sisters. Sister Carter is awesome and I love her so much. Sister Sperry is her companion and she's so sweet and kind. They're both going to Fort Collins, Colorado, and so is Sister Packard. Sister Packard, Thiel (teal) and I are in a companionship. Boy am I learning patience. But I'm also learning how crazy it is how much love you can feel for people you've just met. I can't imagine leaving them in 10 days. I love them all so much and I know that I wouldn't be able to be as strong without them. The Lord has definitely blessed me while I'm here. I love this gospel so much and I'm grateful for the opportunity to go out and share it. 

Mollie left to Tallahassee on Tuesday morning at like 3 am, and I woke up at that time to say goodbye to her again. She's gonna do great. It's weird because time is super slow and super fast while you're here. It feels like I got here 4 years ago, but that Mollie just left yesterday. I'm grateful for the examples I had in my life! The gospel is True! Believe it! Live it! Love it! 

Sister Hansen

1. Mollie and I, the day before she left
2. Sister Thiel, me, and Packard
3. District 39 C. (Thiel, me, Packard, Robinson, Lewis, Sperry, Emry, Carter, and Hatch is the one being held up)
4. Our Zone before 39 A got here. (Elders: Robinson, Emry, Hatch, Lewis, Ricks, Payne, Curtis, Cerezo. Sisters: Me, Packard, Coder, Carter, Samples, Proctor, O'very, Black, Larsen, Thiel, and Sperry.)

P.s. Elder Lewis and Emry are serving in Ogden, so if anyone happens to see them tell them ya know me and give them lots of support!

Sister Hansen & Sister Petersen

Sister Thiel, Sister Hansen & Sister Packard

District 39 C
Thiel, me, Packard, Robinson, Lewis, Sperry, Emry, Carter,
and Hatch is the one being held up

Zone 39
Elders: Robinson, Emry, Hatch, Lewis, Ricks, Payne,
Curtis, Cerezo. Sisters: Me, Packard, Coder, Carter, Samples,
Proctor, O'Very, Black, Larsen, Thiel, and Sperry

Want to make Sister Hansen's day?

Missionaries love to get mail, and email. If you want to help brighten Sister Hansen's day here's where to write:

E-mail: hansen.emma@myldsmail.net

Old-fashioned US Postal Service until 
February 6th:

Sister Emma Hansen
FEB07 WA-VAN
2005 North 900 East, Unit 85
Provo, UT 84602

Missionaries have a preparation day (p-day) where they can read and respond to email. Sister Hansen's p-day while in the MTC is Saturday.  

Taken from Sister Petersen's letter

This is Sister Petersen's post about meeting Emma at the MTC, I love hearing her perspective (plus, she has the story-telling ability of her father):

Sista Emma

So, ok, story time with Sista P, duh duh dun duh duh dun dun...! So last Wednesday the 11th, me and sister E were like "hey let's host next week because it's our last week" and I wanted to be Emma's host when she came in. So we went and asked if we could host and they gave us all these reasons why we couldn't, some of the reasons were legit so we dutifully accepted the defeat of our hosting quest. Not five minutes later after moping my sadness to Sis E, we were walking down the sidewalk to pick up a package and there was a host name tag laying on the ground!!!!! Fate?? Destiny?? A Horse?? Who can say? So I quickly picked up that tag and the scheming began. We decided we would make a copy of the name tag so me and Sis E could both host and we wouldn't have to break any companion rules, next thing we know we turned the corner and A SECOND host tag was laying on the ground!!!!! I could not believe the manna that had been delivered from the sky!!!!!

This was the creation of our perfect hosting plan. (But really Heavenly Father knew all along this was going to happen)

Wednesday the 18th, 6:13 am, *beep *beep *beep (imagine the 24 theme song playing) I spring out of bed and me and Sista E get our morning crunches done, then I quickly get dressed and I am ready for the day. Also Sister E put sticky notes all over my mirror because she really is the sweetest comp in the world gosh I love her. We tuck away our stolen host tags and set off for the adventure of the MTC lifetime. When we get to lunch, all the assigned hosts were leaving to go help the new recruits, so after forcing Sista E to eat faster, we ran outside, stopping at the bathroom to stick on our fake credentials. Disguised as hosts, we got out there at 12:25, twenty minutes before Emma's reporting time. Of course there was no way to know which direction they would point the Hansen vehicle and we didn't want to get assigned as hosts to the wrong missionary... so we waited in the middle of the two lines where the cars split. Both of us cheerfully greeted incoming missionaries that we knew and it was very exciting to see their beaming faces. I loved standing there watching God's soldiers file in. It was chilling. SO COOL.

After a while of standing there, this older gentleman came over and got after us. He told us that as hosts we were not allowed to wait for a specific car. Reluctantly we chose to go to the right, where other hosts were waiting. My friend Elder Hansen from USU was also standing there hosting and he is over six feet tall. We told him what we were up to and he was our watch out for Emma's Ford Focus. We spotted the Hansen's car and as I was getting ready to sprint to the other side to make sure I could greet her, we saw the usher point them in our direction. I was able to jump the line and open Emma's car door greeting her into the Missionary Training Center.

Sometimes things don't work out how we want them to, sometimes we are given trials that we do not understand, but the Lord knows the little things that matter to us. He knows that I would give anything in the world to be Emma's Host as she entered this sacred ground. He is so very mindful of the things we are going through. He knows the righteous desires of our hearts and He knows what will be the greatest blessing for us. I promise this.

First week!! Wait, first 3 days???

Date:  01-21-2017

Companion:  Sister Bennett, Sister Packard, Sister Thiel

Area:  MTC

Hello everybody!!! First I just want to say thank you to everyone who gave me their email! And that if you would rather just email me when you want instead of me sending these annoying emails every week, let me know and I'll definitely take ya off the list. Honestly I know how annoying these emails can be, I won't be mad. You can also just look at sisteremmajadehansen.blogspot. com instead.

The first day at the MTC was definitely a crazy one. All I remember is getting my name tag and then a whole bunch of info thrown at me and then I was getting ready for bed. It was crazy. But now we sit in classes all day and while the spirit is super strong, I'M SO TIRED. haha! But really the MTC has been such and amazing experience and I can already feel God helping me with things I was worried about. It's really Hard! But it's been Great! 

My companions name is Sister Bennett and she's super nice and sweet. She ended up going home yesterday though and I was put into a tri-companionship with sister Packard and sister Thiel (pronounced teal). They're in my district and we basically spend all of our time together so I already knew them as well as Sister Bennett. It's crazy how much love you can feel for people you've just met. Whether their companions or investigators, or people role playing as investigators. Sister Carter and Sister Sperry are the other two sisters in our district and I love them so much! I've seen a lot of people at the MTC Already! It's been really fun seeing all of them!

It's been a pretty good couple of days. When I think about how I've only been here three days it freaks me out because I feel like I've been here for 3 WEEKS already, haha! But like I said it's all been pretty good. I'm excited to be learning so much and being able to serve the Lord! I can't wait to get out in the field but boy, I am nowhere near ready for that yet!

-Sister Hansen

Sister Bennett, me, Sister Carter(front), 
Sister Packard(back), Sister Sperry and Sister Thiel.

Me, Sis. Thiel, Sperry, Packard, Carter

PS:   Also, sorry I promise I'm not going to send this many emails next time, but the coolest thing ever was having Mollie pick me up at the curb. It was like the story that Bishop told of Mollie and I reuniting when we were like 4 but now we're 19 and I cried super hard. Hah! It was really cool and so helpful having her there. I felt so comforted with her there and it was so great. The Lord was definitely looking out for me and I am eternally grateful for that. It's crazy when you realize how much the Lord actually knows your heart and what you might need. I love my sister and even though she's leaving to Florida on Tuesday, it was such a blessing having her help. It was awesome! The church is 100% true!

Sister Mollie Petersen sent the following pictures entitled:  LAUNDRY DAY!

Report to the Missionary Training Center

Today was the big day, Sister Hansen reported to the MTC. As her Mam, it was bitter-sweet to send her on her way. Her Dad and Brother may have even shed a few tears, but I doubt it as they are very manly and such (they bawled just like me).

In a previous post I shared with you a bit about Emma's bestie Mollie Petersen, who is also in the MTC (she entered on January 4th) getting ready to head to the Tallahassee Florida Mission. It was our hope that Mollie would be able to serve as a "host" today and greet Emma at the curb as we dropped her off.

As we pulled up to our assigned area, I saw her . . . Mollie's beaming smile. I immediately began the crying, the really ugly cry thing, ewah, not pretty. I squeezed Mollie and she squeezed Emma and properly shook Bill and Bryce's hands. We unloaded the luggage and I squeezed Mollie again for her mama and Mollie took Emma by the hand and off they went to serve the Lord. It was absolutely wonderful, until they both refused to get in my car and come home with me. I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father for that small blessing, it calmed my mama heart to leave Emma with Mollie. I only cried all the way home (after the boys pried my fingers off the curb- not really, but I considered it).

What is the MTC? Mormon missionaries generally arrive at an MTC with a foundation of religious knowledge gained from years of instruction at home and church. Many Mormon families study the Bible and other books of scripture together daily. Many youth also attend weekly high school and college religion courses the Church offers. And on top of this are weekly Mormon worship services, held on Sundays for three consecutive hours. MTCs provide a decidedly more rigorous curriculum rooted in gospel fundamentals. Life at the MTC consists of daily practice teaching situations, gospel classroom instruction from teachers who are former missionaries, weekly devotional addresses from Church leaders, and weekly service opportunities.

Following the pattern Jesus Christ established in the New Testament, full-time Mormon missionaries are sent out two by two (see Mark 6:7). They spend all day, every day, with an assigned companion (once they depart the MTC, companion changes occur every couple of months).

Set Apart as a Missionary

Pres Saunders, Sis Hansen, Pres Skeen, Bishop Petersen

Tonight Sister Hansen was set apart as a missionary by her Stake President Clark Skeen, 1st Counselor Richard Saunders and Bishop Robert Petersen.

It was a great experience where she was given counsel and promised blessings. Her dad, mam, brother were there, as well as her Young Women's Leader and friend Jaymie Hansen, and good family friend Mitch Mosher.

You may be wondering - what does being "set apart mean?" We are set apart to focus our time and talents on a specific labor for the Lord (such as missionary service). Being set apart is a special event which may be accompanied by an outpouring of the spirit. The inspiration attending this ordinance may deepen our understanding, elevate our spirits and remind us of our possibilities, and motivate us to a higher, richer quality of life. When we are set apart, we also receive the right to obtain knowledge and inspiration to accomplish our assigned tasks. We prepare our minds to receive that counsel by following the commandments, praying, studying, and pondering the duties of our callings. We also have the right to receive special strength of body and spirit. By being set apart, we promise to consecrate a portion of our time and talents to magnify our callings. A calling to serve in the church, with the privileges and responsibilities conferred on us when we are set apart, is an opportunity for God to create in us a more Christlike mind, a purer heart, and a nobler spirit. All the He requires is our willingness to serve faithfully.

Siblings

They try to act like they don't like each other. They want their mam to think that they would never speak to each other unless she made them. Basically they are brats, big time.

MAN, I LOVE THEM

We haven't had family pictures taken since Emma was 4, I figured I'd better have some kind of documentation of their existence in case someone was questioning.  
Thank you Baylee Howe for taking these pictures, you are a brave soul indeed.




It's a strange thing to look a pictures of your kids sometimes.  They are so individual that when people say things like "your kids look just alike," I'm surprised and don't know how to respond.

Looking at their pictures they have the same beautiful Hansen eyes (their Grandma Hansen's eyes).  They have the same noses,  I don't know where they got them, I think they are a combo of their mam and dad.

They are both tall, well to to me they are tall 5'11" and 5'8".  On my side of the family, that is super tall.  On the Hansen side of the family that's average height.

Both have dark hair and both of them have short index fingers like their dad.

Of course they look alike, but to me I very rarely see that.  They are Bryce and Emma.  They have different temperaments and different outlooks on life.  And even though they act like they don't really know each other - I know they will miss each other. 

In true brother-sister style they support each other in everything.  

That makes them pretty cool in my book.

Emma to Speak

Taken from Emma's Facebook page:

Hello friends and family!  

My farewell is next Sunday, 

January 15th at 11:00 am

I would love to see you there before I'm off.

626 East 2600 North, North Ogden.  

There will be a light lunch at my house after 

and all are welcome.

Friendship & Missions

We moved to our current house when Emma was 4 years old.  It's pretty much the only place she remembers.  Here she re-met her bestie Mollie Mae Petersen, I say re-met because I'm sure these girls were the best of friends before coming to this earth.  If you know Emma or Mollie you know they are like peas and carrots.  Sister Petersen enters the MTC in the morning.  I think Emma said it best:

"I think the weirdest thing about Mollie and I both going on missions is the fact that practically yesterday I still remember looking at a new house and the little neighbor girl who happened to be my age asking if I wanted to swing on the swing set in the backyard with her.  And the fact that she hasn't left my side for longer than 2 weeks since and now we won't see each other for 18 months.  

I'm beyond grateful that the Lord blessed me with a sister like you.  I love you so much and know you will do amazing things in Tallahassee.  See you in 18-ish months Sister Petersen."

I'm also grateful these girls have each other.  Their friendship could teach us adults a thing or two about unconditional love, support, and lifting one another.

I wanted a little something to keep Sister Petersen close to us while she's gone, after all both of them leaving a couple weeks apart is killing me.  My niece Hollie McKeeth made this to celebrate their friendship and their service to the Lord.  The photo doesn't do it justice, Thank you Hollie.  

. . . they separated themselves and departed one from another trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken.  Alma 17:13