Long live all the mountains we moved, I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you.

Date: 06-19-2018
Companion: Sister Bevan
Area: Gresham Stake, Kelly Creek Ward

When I look back 2 years ago my life was completely different.

I didn't know I was going on a mission. I didn't know I was going to be leaving my family for a year and a half. I didn't know I would be pushed to my limits. I didn't know what hard was. I didn't know how many amazing and wonderful people are here in the PNW. I didn't know how many people would become my family. I didn't know how many friendships I would make. I didn't know I could love so deeply. I didn't know what the gospel Jesus Christ offers me. I didn't know my Savior.

There have been plenty of times in the past 2 years I have evaluated my life and have thought "What the heck is going on right now" "What am I doing?" "What's the point?" Like that one time when I was in the outskirts of woodland in a town called cougar and sister phillips and I knocked on a door and a bearded shirtless man answered the door and stared at us and screamed and we were so surprised we just screamed back so it was just the three of us staring at each other and screaming. Or the time I was in Portland and an man with a purple cape walked up to sister James and I and told us about light waves and somehow made it all the way down to how the Clackamas county Sheriffs department was apparently in "cahoots with the devil". Or another time when I was biking with Hermana Judkins while I had a concussion and had to stop every 10 minutes so I wouldn't pass out.

But there have been plenty of more times that I have been able to see the hand of God in my life, and the life of others. When Michael, after all he had gone through, finally was baptized. When Tim, after being taught for so long, finally came to church and realized how much it blessed the rest of his week because he'd gotten some spiritual rest. When Bonnie and Noe prayed for someone, ANYONE, to reach out and invite them to church and the same day a member walked over to their house and invited them to the primary program. When I was broken and didn't feel like I could go on any more, and while Sister Staker was in the shower, I dropped to my knees and said a prayer out loud and felt the strongest sense of someone hugging me.

I think the greatest reward that I have received though, wasn't something that just happened in a moment of time. As I've been studying the book of Mormon, and applying the principles of the gospel that Jesus Christ taught while He was here on the earth, there's been a gradual change that has come over me and I have felt Gods power in my life.

"Those who find a way to truly behold the Man find the doorway to life’s greatest joys and the balm to life’s most demanding despairs. So, when you are encompassed by sorrows and grief, behold the Man. When you feel lost or forgotten, behold the Man. When you are despairing, deserted, doubting, damaged, or defeated, behold the Man. He will comfort you. He will heal you and give meaning to your journey. He will pour out His Spirit and fill your heart with exceeding joy. He gives “power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” When we truly behold the Man, we learn of Him and seek to align our lives with Him. We repent and strive to refine our natures and daily grow a little closer to Him. We trust Him. We show our love for Him by keeping His commandments and by living up to our sacred covenants. In other words, we become His disciples."

I've learned what it means to "Behold the Man" or come unto Christ. I have felt the enabling power He gives to us because of His Atonement, and I have seen so many blessings. I have been able to find joy.☀️

-Sister Emma Hansen

P.S. if any of you are missionaries, please put my new email on your list! Jemmaade@yahoo.com

The Holy Trinity

Date: 06-12-2018
Companion: Sister Bevan
Area: Gresham Stake, Kelly Creek Ward

Wow. This week was a great week. I finally rained here again and I just cannot explain how much I love the rain. I don't know what I'm going to do when I don't have it all the time anymore!

I definitely ruined my shoes when I ran through a gigantic puddle. Okay. 2 gigantic puddles. In two different days. What can I say, I'm living my best life. I'm also mentally insane so it's basically a win win situation.

This week, our bishop texted us and told us about Trinity. Apparently bishop had ran into her while he was looking for a less active member. He talked with her and her mom for a little bit, and they said they would love to have the Missionaries over. Well, we went skipping our merry way over there and turns out my girl, Trinity got a little too lit that night and she had no memory of talking to bishop, but her mom had told her that she said we could come and then she was interested in hearing what "the guy" said that made her interested in meeting with us.

A couple of days later we sat and talked with her about the plan of Salvation and how the atonement of Jesus Christ allows us to fix mistakes we've made in our lives. That God doesn't leave us to fend for ourselves, but That He is constantly there. As tears poured down her face she told us she wanted to get out of her situation she was in right now and that she wanted a better relationship with God. She said she knew she was going to be pushed, but she knew it was what she needed.

This interaction with Trinity sums up how I feel about my mission. God has stretched me so much and changed me. There is absolutely no way I could have done anything that I have without the help of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice that he made for us. I am so grateful that I have been able to call upon His name whenever I was going through hard times. When I was broken, Christ was the one who could heal me. He will forever be there lifting me as I continue my way through life.

☀️FIND JOY☀️

- Sister Emma Hansen

500 Days of Rain

Date: 05-29-2018
Companion: Sister Bevan
Area: Gresham Stake, Kelly Creek Ward

Can I just say how much I love the Pacific northwest? I don't know if I've said it enough times so I'll say it again

I LOVE THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST!🌲

This week has been the week of weeks! Not because anything big physically happened. We didn't have some crazy story about someone walking up to us telling us they wanted to get baptized NOW.

But I did get to talk to a lot of people. I did get to see the sun this week. I got to clean a woman's house who had lots of living things in her sink that weren't supposed to be living there. I did get to go to church and partake of the sacrament and renew promises that we made with our Father in Heaven. I did get to take a nap during dinner. I did get to study the word of God and received so many answers to so many questions I had! Concerns, fears, doubts, anxiety. It was all taken away from me and I took the time to pray to my all knowing Father, and ask Him for guidance. I sincerely opened my Book of Mormon and other study material, and through them God spoke to me and calmed the stormy sea. Made the sun appear. GAVE ME JOY!

Mosiah chapter 1 talks all about the scriptures and how we would be lost without them. Verse 7 says:

"7 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers."

I have a sure knowledge, that as we turn to God, by reading the scriptures, for help when we are lost that He will speak answers to our mind. And He'll help us to

☀️FIND JOY☀️

- Sister Emma Hansen

 

The Bevan Comp. Part 2

Date: 05-21-2018
Companion: Sister Bevan
Area: Gresham Stake, Kelly Creek Ward

Holy cow. I just love Oregon so much! Specifically, I just love Portland and Gresham so much. 

Something that has hit me super hard this week is that God is always aware of us, and He knows what we need when we need it, as well as what we can handle. But the best part is that when we can't handle something, He has promised He will always be there.

As I was leaving my last area and reflecting on what I wa supposed to learn while I was there, i realized that God was always with me. Even in the moments when it didn't seem like He was there, as I looked back, He was pulling me every step of the way. And He still is!

It's amazing to see how many people have such a strong faith in christ and when they are pointed in the right direction, you truly see their full potential and know that God has so much in store for them. This week I got to meet a man named John. John has had a crazy life, but His faith in Jesus Christ is incredible. John doesn't realize His potential and He tells us He takes God for granted all the time. Please pray for John that when we received an answer from God that He will act on that answer!

I love you all so much! Thank you for all of your prayers and your kind words!

-Sister Emma Hansen

☀️FIND JOY☀️


P.s. new address

1417 NE Hogan PL.
Gresham, OR. 97030


1. Tool shed
2. Hermana O'Barr
3. I GOT TO SEE RIRI FRENCH FRY.
4. the beevan comp. Pt. 2

Get out of my swamp

Date: 05-14-2018
Companion: Hermana O'Barr
Area: Vancouver East Stake, Prune Hill Ward

Has anyone ever seen those disgusting fountains that just looks like the swamp in shrek? Sister Schott has one of those in her back yard and sometimes I pretend like I'm going to drink it but then I think "mmmm, better not."

Moroni 7:11 "For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water" please don't drink out of the radioactive water. It will not bring you super powers like it says in all the movies, but it wiLL KILL YOU. IT'S NOT GOOD.

A good friend sent me an email that said "love leaves you with a good taste in your mouth at the end of the day. Guilt leaves you feeling like you are always one step behind, never doing enough, and bitter."

The fountain of good water is love. Remember to do everything out of love. I love you all so much!

-Sister Emma Hansen

☀️FIND JOY☀️

P.s. I'm getting transferred to Gresham.

Some Blessings

Date: 05-07-2018
Companion: Hermana O'Barr
Area: Vancouver East Stake, Prune Hill Ward

"Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come"
"An high priest of good things to come" elder holland. Oct 1999

I don't have much for ya except for that quote. Keep going. Look forward to Jesus Christ. He is the goodness in your life. I promise!

-Sister Emma Hansen

☀️FIND JOY☀️

Land of ports

Date: 04-30-2018
Companion: Hermana O'Barr
Area: Vancouver East Stake, Prune Hill Ward

The greatest blessing happened this week and I just have to talk about it because it made me so happy.

POTLAND POTLAND POTLAND!!!!! I GOT TO GO BACK!!!

Anyone remember the Barahona family? If not, no worries becAUSE I REMEMBER THEM AND THEY'RE THE BEST AND HOLY COW NO ONE UNDERSTANDS HOW MUCH I LOVE THEM AND THATS OKAY, I'LL JUST KEEP SHOUTING IT UNTIL EVERYONE KNOWS.

Okay, *flashback to January*
Bonnie, Noe, Tony, and Brian all go baptized and it was such a good and happy filled moment and I didn't think it could ever get better.

UNTIL THIS WEEK WHEN

Noe, now having the priesthood, was able to baptize his now 8 year old daughter and it was so good! The spirit was so strong and I was so happy that God let me be apart of this miracle! I love this family with all of my heart and I'm so so so happy because of them!

Something I've thought about a lot this week are things that hold us back. We all have something. Whether it's work, a video game, coffee, nicotine, energy drinks, SOMETHING. We all have it!

Matthew 4:18-22
Peter, Andrew, James, and John are all fishing. They're doing their job. They're doing something they want and something they think is very important. Until Christ asks them to follow Him. Their responses are immediate and powerful as they leave their nets and their father to go follow the Savior of the world.

So we all have our own nets. Something holding us back. And Jesus Christ is asking all of us to come follow Him. The question is, are you going to be like the apostles? Are you going to leave your nets to follow Him? Are you going to do it immediately? Or will you wait until you're done? Christ only asks us to follow Him because he knows it will make us happier than our nets now will make us. And sometimes it's really hard to give up our nets. It makes me think of the Lamanites in the book of Mormon who take an oath to not shed the blood of men anymore. So they buried their weapons(or nets) deep in the earth. And when they thought they needed them again they did not grab them again, because they'd made a promise with God that they would leave them. But God provided a way for them to survive, by their sons helpign and serving them. (Alma 24)

As we make a promise with God, that we will leave our nets, bury our weapons of war, God promises us in return that He will grant unto us our righteous desires. I'd you leave your coffee because you want to feel closer to God, then He'll help you. If you promise to slowly get off nicotine because you want your family to be whole again, He'll help you. If you want to stop playing video games because you actually want brain cells, God. Will. Help. You.

I know that God loves us and only wants what's best for us. I know that as we make that effort and show Him we're trying, we will have added strength given to us because of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

-Sister Emma Hansen

☀️FIND JOY☀️

These bruises make for better conversations . . .

Date: 04-23-2018
Companion: Hermana O'Barr
Area: Vancouver East Stake, Prune Hill Ward


*flashback to 2 weeks ago*

Well let me tell you about a man named Dave. Dave claims to be a sailor. In fact, he was one of the best sailors of his time. As we sat in this man's house he told us he didn't believe in God and he didnt believe the nephites could sail their way across the Americas because no one taught them about sails or anything of the sailing sort. As we kept talking with Dave about who God is and what He wants for all of us, we asked him if he would be willing to pray and ask God if He was there, and wanted him to be doing the things the book of Mormon tells us to do. Dave replied and said he felt like God wanted him to be an artist.

I've thought about this encounter with Dave for a while now. Thinking about how sad I was for my fellow brother who wouldn't even take the time to ask God if He was real because, and I quote, "I'm a 73 year old man, I'm not going to change" and the fact that he would say anything to keep living his comfortable life with no progression.

How many times have we let something get in the way of our happiness because we're too afraid of change, or we don't want to put in the effort or motivation to change? In short, we don't have the faith to change.

Mormon 8:38 asks us
"Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies - because of the praise of the world?"

Or in other words, "why do you think the praise of the world, which leads to never ending misery, is better than endless happiness?"

Often times, I find myself worried about the things in the world. About my image, what others think of me, ALL THE STUPID THINGS YOU CAN THINK OF.

Verse 14 in chapter 9 says
"he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still."

If you're not happy right now, it's because you need to change. God has asked us to do a couple of things on this earth because He knows what will make us happy. Sometimes we see the things He asks us to do as "rules" or "restrictions" but I see these commandments as blessings. As I have strived to live the commandments in my life, I have felt more happiness than the world could ever offer to me. I have felt more joy and comfort as I have turned to my Savior and anything that is found on the earth. And that doesn't mean it was easy. Often times it's HARD to live the commandments. But it all starts with a desire. Once that desire and that faith are there, and we turn to God, that's when we start to see the miracles happen.

I promise you that God is still a God of miracles and He hears your prayers. Here are some of the miracles I've seen just this week:
-I've survived 15 months in the mission field
-Jorjan Werry showed me how to sew yesterday
-Prune Hill got two new investigators because we had 5 sets of missionaries work every inch of our area
-I took a picture with an ewok
-I didn't break my hand when I accidentally punched a shelf this week (I think)(chill mom)
-I received revelation from The All Powerful Creator of the universe.
-God loves me

Please take the time to evaluate where you are at right now, look at the miracles in your life, and ask God where you can improve and change. I promise that you will find more happiness and joy in your life than you have ever had before.

Also please remember how much I love you! whether you're struggling with the word of wisdom, you're living your best life in the Tallahassee Florida mission, you're flying to Minnesota this week, or whatever your situation might be, you have someone who's praying for you!

I love youuuuu!

☀️FIND JOY☀️

1. Tell me this dog doesn't look like an ewok
2&3. It was sunny and nice outside and I really enjoyed it
4. I fit in the trunk of our car (we're finding out the important details here.)
5. Last very cool friends pic on the mission. )':
6. Mount Hood!
7. I don't even know at this point I'm sorry.

You have your coke, I have my salt. Leave me alone.

Date: 04-16-2018
Companion: Hermana O'Barr
Area: Vancouver East Stake, Prune Hill Ward

Moses 6:55

Well, if anyone was wondering if Mollie and I were the same person still, I would have to say yes (except I'm like the Disney sequel that everyone is all "NOT as good as the first" but it's like tolerable? Ya know the feel?) In case you don't know who Mollie is or get her weekly emails, long story short, she ended up with a flat tire a couple of weeks ago.

I, just had to go and copy her because I miss my sister oh so much, and this week Hermana O'Barr and I had to change a tire. Luckily I remembered how from the one time my mom made me, and everything was alright. I even did it in a dress so take that Satan.

Has anyone found any JOY? I've been telling everyone for the past 15 months to find joy and I just want to hear some happy miracle stories from everyone.

I've been studying joy and happiness recently. And something that annoys the CRAP out of me is when people say "happiness is a choice" there are so many people that I've talked to on my mission who've definitely not been happy and they had the right not to be. And who the heck is anyone to tell them they should just get over it and either act happy, or literally just not care and be happy.

In the talk "until seventy times seven" Elder Robbins quotes the scripture I mentioned at the beginning. If you haven't read it yet, I'll wait while you open to it. If you don't have the pearl of great price near you, you can go to lds.org. Or you can download the gospel library app.

But this scripture talks about how we taste the bitter so we will know to cherish the good. LET ME TELL YOU. That is 100% true. And how can you expect to cherish happiness if you are just expected to be happy all the time. Now I'm not saying just go around and be a Debbie downer all the time. HECK NO. That's why I always say Find JOY! You gotta go look for it and most times you have to look for it.

But it's okay to not be happy all the time. That's why Jesus Christ came to this earth. He came so we could rely on Him and turn to Him when we're not happy. He came because we need Him. So in those moments, when you're not happy, turn to Him. Pray, read scripture, talk to a friend who knows about the book of Mormon. Go to church. JUST TURN TO HIM DANG IT.

he gives you tender mercies. Like getting to see your best friend who you haven't seen since the beginning of your mission. Or the best dessert at someone's house after a lesson. Or maybe like feeling the spirit. And he gives you JOY!!!!

☀️SO GO FIND THE JOYS☀️

- Sister Emma Hansen


1. Bff.
2. Flat tire. Ft. Pamphlets and book of Mormons (don't even fight me on how to say the plural of book of Mormon.) 

3. Comps

4. Tags
5. It's exactly what it looks like. Lolz

Texts from Members

Life Saving texts & pictures from Members 

Sister Adams and Sister Hansen, August 29, 2017

"Your sweet daughter is helping us move.  She is a hard worker and wonderful." Jane Johnson

Sister Sitala & Sister Hansen, August 31, 2017

"Your daughter is a delight, and doing well."

Sydney Staker, Sister Hansen and Sister Townsend

September 22, 2017

Sister Townsend and Sister Hansen, September 23, 2017

"Your girls are doing great!  They have been doing a lot of service this week, physical labor, and I think they are a bit tired.  I love having them live in my house while they are serving in the Fairway Village Ward.  You have raised wonderful young women.  These two have great unity, I bet they will be close long after their missions are over."  Besty Schott

Sister Townsend and Sister Hansen, September 9, 2017
"Cookie Monster Day, had so much fun.  I love my/your daughters." Sister Hobbs

Honestly, sorry I keep missing weeks and I'm just forwarding from my last email I'm lazy as heck

Date: 04-02-2018
Companion: Sister O'Very
Area: Vancouver East Stake, Prune Hill Ward

YO FAM. WHAT IT IS. 

Literally I'm sorry that I'm the WORST and just keep not emailing, I promise I'll try to do better but I can't make promises that I probably won't keep so like, sorry fam.

This week was so good!!!! WE HAVE A PROPHET ON THE EARTH TODAY. HE GUIDES AND DIRECTS US AND GIVES US THE GOOD STUFF! I'M SO GRATEFUL!

This conference we watched two sessions at the stake center and we definitely had to bring our snacks and stuff because gotta be comfy when listening to the prophet.

Also some stuff that I thought was cool from my personal studies this week:

"Humility also includes being grateful for our numerous blessings and divine assistance. Humility isn’t some grand identifiable achievement or even overcoming some major challenge. It is a sign of spiritual strength. It is having the quiet confidence that day by day and hour by hour we can rely on the Lord, serve Him, and achieve His purposes." Quinton L. Cook. October 2017. The Eternal Everyday.

"And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up;" 3 Nephi 24:15

"Do not suppose, because it had been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness." Alma 41:10

"The essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through the Savior’s Atonement. True conversion brings a change in one’s beliefs, heart, and life to accept and conform to the will of God (see Acts 3:19; 3 Nephi 9:20) and includes a conscious commitment to become a disciple of Christ.

Conversion is an enlarging, a deepening, and a broadening of the undergirding base of testimony. It is the result of revelation from God, accompanied by individual repentance, obedience, and diligence. Any honest seeker of truth can become converted by experiencing the mighty change of heart and being spiritually born of God" David A. Bednar. October 2012. Converted unto the Lord.

People, we are walking through a dark maze right now. And let me be the first so say that I am stubborn and would love to walk through the maze all by myself but I know 100% that that will never happen because I keep tripping or falling into deep pits or plug in an old alarm system so the alarm beeps all night and ya get no sleep and you're tired in the morning. GOD DOESN'T WANT US TO BE TIRED. He has promised to give us guidance that we wont plug in old alarms and we will be able to sleep! All we have to do is listen to him. We have to drop our pride, accept the help He has already offered us, and JUST HAVE FUN. STOP BEING SO ANGRY AND SAD AND MAD ALL THE TIME AND JUST LOVE EVERYONE. we'll children of God!

I'll probably email y'all in like 3 or 4 weeks or something idk, ya never know with me. Sorrz.

- Sister Emma Hansen

☀️FIND JOY☀️

P.s. in case you couldn't tell I think tripped like 6 times this week and I plugged in an old alarm system at our house so it beeped all night and I think I got like 13 hours of sleep this week total. LOL.