August 25, 2014

James was baptized on sat 23 of August and confirmed a member of the church the next day. I know Sister Olson and I were meant to bring this family together. Now, they are on their way to be sealed together forever. So grateful I was able to be part of it. It made leaving that much sweeter.... Love you all so much!!!!

August 11, 2014

Family and Friends! 

  Wow it amazes me how fast the weeks go by. Seriously feels like I was just here typing an email to all of you. And in those precious weeks so much happens and is hard to get all the thoughts I have down for you to hopefully have a taste of the great mission life. 

Something that has been really exciting this week is taking the things we learned at ZTM into action. We were taught about ways we can find the elect and these are the few of the many other ways.
   This might shock some of you... ha but On Wednesday we used our singing skills and sang to a member and asking them whom they know we could sing to and got a referral. We sang to a woman whose house was on the top of the hill. It was so worth the walk as she sat on her front porch, with her eyes closed and a pleasing smile as we sang 'I Stand All Amazed'. She didn't accept a return appointment but we know she needed that. She has had breast cancer and her husband is very ill right now. She thanked us for our company. Love being those heavenly angels. 
  President Cropper shared an amazing story about a missionary from his ward and the miracle that happened in the area she is serving. One day this sister and her companion decided to ask God who they needed to find that day. So they had their pencil and paper to write down their impressions after they would pray. So the things they came up with were: white house with blue shutters, a man in the yard, and a couple not married with 2 kids. They went out looking for these clues and came to the last house that was white with blue shutters and found a man outside watering his lawn, a kid running outside and he told them that they have one more kid and they are not married!!! Amazing!! They are teaching this family now! Sister Olson and I decided on Saturday morning to put this to the test. As we went to kneel at our revelation spot in our living room... we may have lacked faith in that moment but as Sister Olson prayed we both felt the spirit hit us. During that prayer we also prayed specifically who we needed to find. We got a yellow bug car, white fence, red house, broken family, tin mailbox and a few other things. It was fun looking for these different clues. We know where the yellow bug is but haven't been able to find its home.. An interesting thing is that the broken family with a tin mailbox and a white fence is a potential we already found. Made contact with them but no return appointment yet but we will be seeing them hopefully soon. Another neat thing about this revelation is that there are so many of those clues around! And times it isn't the home with the white fence or tin mailbox, but it led us down a certain street to find someone else who was prepared, Chad. We will be seeing him this coming Sunday! O and we found a very nice lady in the first red house we knocked on. She didn't have time to talk but said we could come back Wednesday. The elect are out there. We will keep looking for these clues and praying for more. Heavenly Father knows and I love that He does and is so willing to guide if we ask Him. 

Last thought, I would like to share something I learned in my studies today. As i was preparing for a lesson for Randy, I was going over some scriptures on Temple and Family History that we could share with him. Came upon D&C 128:22-25. What a powerful testimony the Prophet Joseph Smith bore to his brethren and to all of us. He says...
"Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them our of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free... Let the mountains shout for joy... Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth?... Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.. I am, as ever, your humble servant and never deviating friend, Joseph Smith."

Those words reminded me of the talk given by President Uchtdorf, "Are You Sleeping Through The Restoration?" He says: "... It is our privilege, our sacred duty and our joy to heed the Savior's call to follow Him with a willing mind and full purpose of heart.... Let us awake and not be weary of well-doing, for we "are laying the foundation of a great work"....And when our time in mortality is complete, what experiences will we be able to share about our own contribution to this significant period of our lives and to the furthering of the Lord's work? Will we be able to say that we rolled up our sleeves and labored with all of our heart, might, mind and strength? Or will we have to admit that our role was mostly that of an observer?" 

I hope that I have on this mission shook off the chains that have held me bond. I know we are not perfect and know that sometimes we may fall asleep..and I know we fall short at times. But I know who has given me strength to break those chains, to arise to the call and overcome my short comings. He has been there every step of the way and I know He will continue as I strive to always be His humble servant and His never deviating friend. I love you all! Pray that we may all awake to this great work and do it because we love Him. 

August 4, 2014

Family and Friends! 

A few highlights for this week:

Last Sunday we taught 3 hour and watched certain videos from the Work of Salvation broadcast. The members loved It and it was so inspiring. It went great! One of the member families captured the vision so quickly. The next day we had dinner with them and they invited their sons friend to come. Christian is his name and has been part of this member family for years. He has came to church in the past and has fhe with them every week. They finally just realized what are we doing? We need to do more. This wasn't the first time meeting Christian or sharing a message with him. But this time we made a plan with the family and asked him to take the discussions. He accepted and will be seeing him again. 

We set two baptism dates this week!! Allan has been struggling with that. We probably have extended that commitment to him every lesson but he wasn't feeling it yet. We did it once again and he was completely willing. He had a change if heart and was able to see past his fear of getting baptized. And Karisa mad the final decision of when she is getting baptized after the wedding. They both will be baptized in September.

On Sunday was a special day. On the 3 of August of last year, was the first child of God I witnessed follow the example of Christ into the waters of baptism. How grateful I am for her. That I was able to be part of her special day. Can't believe it has been one year from now. I cherish that moment and the others I have had. I love my Savior. I love feeling His love for those we teach. Grateful for Him and for the people he has trusted me to find, teach and baptize. 

Love you all!! 

July 28, 2014

Some cool events and miracles that happened this week :)


1. The mission got special permission to do service for the Junior
 World Track Championships and Track Town USA (Eugene Oregon). This
 permission to do this went all the way up to Elder Ballard who said,
"That is exactly what we want our missionaries to be doing!" So we
 helped by first being a model for Adidas clothing, head to toe. It was 
our uniform that we had to wear. Second we helped with apparel that 
other volunteers needed, delivered water and snacks to the volunteers
 and all the missionaries in the area were part of the opening 
ceremony. We carried flags around the track. It was pretty neat to see
 all of these countries gathered together. Testimony to me that night
 that we are all brothers and sisters.


2. The wedding bells are ringing!!! Karisa and Doug set there date for
 their wedding! Last week they prayed about it and she felt good but 
the only thing she was worried about was what her mom would think. She 
didn't want her to think she was rushing into it just to be baptized 
because she wouldn't understand. Well Karisa experienced a miracle as 
she called her mom and got her blessing with everything. Her mom was 
so supportive! The wedding will be September 20!! Heavenly Father
 answers our prayers.

July 21, 2014

Family and Friends!

  Today I wish to express my gratitude with a list of things that I am grateful for. 

1. For my Brother Jesus Christ

2. Teaching Randy about forgiveness and seeing him apply it in his life.

3. Having a lesson with Adrianna and her desire to read the Book of Mormon

4. Sister Criddle befriending Crystal. A perfect pair.

5. Tracting Creswood Dr. and meeting John

6. Karisa and Doug

7. Helping a former investigator prepare her home for her baby on the way.

8. Being "flying missionaries" as Sister Olson and I tracked down a potential investigor ( we are pretty good at being stockers...) 

9. Sister Teauscher coming to our lessons

10. Attending the Portland Temple

11. Finally teaching James! ( a part member family)

12. Sacrament meeting

13. The spirit guiding

14. Seeing James and his family sitting together at church

15. The Plan of Salvation and teaching Jill about this plan.

16. Good laughs with my companion.

17. The sisters in the Eugene Zone.

18. Missions

19. This mission. The OEM

20. The little reminders Heavenly Father sends to me of His love that He has for all of His children and for me. 

 These are a few things that happened this week that I am grateful for. I love all of you and grateful for each of you! 

Love you all! 

Sister Hancock

July 14, 2014

Family and Friends!
    What I know is that the Savior is always there. D&C 84:88. Sister Hobbs reminded us that there also are other angels from the other side helping us along. Was also taught that lesson a couple of weeks ago. Our new mission president's wife told us that there are more with us than there are against us. Hope you all are doing well! And remember who is always by your side. 
    Something I learned today is that the Savior is the one who helps us become more than we are. Mormon tells his son Moroni, "I am but a man and I have but the strength of a man.." I know I feel that everyday. But I have also felt the strength that Christ offers to each of us. We are all more than just a man and can be perfected through Him. Sister Russell taught the sisters in a mlc meeting we had and she said this, "Remember not just who you are, but WHO you have always been." Right now we may just have the strength of a man but through the power of the Atonement we can be so much more. We can become who we have always been. That is what these people we are teaching desire to be. Some have forgotten but we are trying our best to remind them. We are teaching an amazing couple right now, Karisa and Doug. Doug is a member of the church and working on coming back and Karisa is a non member. They are working on getting married and have seen their faith grow each week. Doug has such a strong desire to do what is right. He has seen that his own strength isn't enough. that there is more. More that he can have. We had a lesson with them this past week and Doug was touched by the thought that was given that he could baptize Karisa. What a special spirit that brought into the room. To see tears in his eyes that he could do such a special thing. He knows lots of changes are ahead but he knows that through Christ he can do hard things. So excited for their future and what the gospel will bring to them and what it will do for them. I just imagine them in white and going to the temple together. I know that day will come and oh I can't wait. 

Love you all!!

Sister Hancock

July 7, 2014

It is amazing the things you learn in a week. I know that Heavenly Father has blessed us in ways that I am so grateful for. One example of that was the other day we were contacting people and not having great success but we decided to do the names on the relief society list. Earlier that day we put a mark by the sister we felt impressed to see. We started with the ones Sister Olson and I both felt to see. The first one we went to was a miracle! She let us in and had a great lesson with her about baptism and the sacrament! She hasn't been to church in 17 years and was baptized 20 years ago. She said we can come back this week! Heavenly Father brings us low, so he can lift us a little higher. 

Our 4 of July consisted of missionary work:) Creswell is the place to be on the 4 and so many people were here from other places. We watched part of the parade with a less active family and then headed over to see another less active and just talking to people along the way. Had lunch at our wml house and dinner at the bishops! After bishops house we headed home to do weekly plannning at 7. Tried to watch some of the fireworks through our bedroom window ha. The high school and elementary is right behind our house where the fireworks were.

Love you!

June 30, 2014

Family And Friends!

  Hope all is well in West Weber! Sister Olson and I love Creswel so much! The people are great here! There are people ready for the gospel and others not so much, but they will come around :) In the Creswel Ward there is a special part member family. The husband is the non-member and his name is James. His wife and kids are members and active. They all attend church together as a family. James has gotten so strong in the gospel that the past couple of times he has bore his testimony. He is golden and all he needs to do is to get wet. We are working with one of his fellow shippers and how we can help James make that step to be baptized. This fellow shipper family, and Sister Olson and I have been praying for James and for the right opportunity for this member to have a heart to heart with James. That day came last Sunday and it was a miracle! James didn't decide yet but he needed the words that this brother said to him. We are excited to see what is ahead with this family. We will keep you updated what happens next. But the point of this story is that the members are so important in the role of conversion of an investigator. James needed this member's testimony and love more than anything. In this area I have grown such a strong testimony of member missionary work! YOU members make a difference. YOU are the key and what these dear brothers and sisters need. At times the missionaries may be the missing piece but the members are that piece too. This is part of a talk from President Uchtdorf that I would like to share. This is how important each of YOU are in The Work of Salvation. 

"Now, take a moment right now and look at the people around you. Some may be your leaders, friends, or family members. Others you may have never met before. Nevertheless, everyone you see around you—in this meeting or at any other place, today or at any other time—was valiant in the premortal world. That unassuming and ordinary-looking person sitting next to you may have been one of the great figures you loved and admired in the sphere of spirits. You may have been such a role model yourself!

Of one thing you can be certain: every person you see—no matter the race, religion, political beliefs, body type, or appearance—is family. The young woman you look at has the same Heavenly Father as you, and she left His loving presence just as you did, eager to come to this earth and live so that she could one day return to Him.  However, she might feel alone, just as you sometimes do. She may even occasionally forget the purpose of her journey. Please remind her through your words and your actions that she is not alone. We are here to help each other.

Life can be difficult, and it can harden hearts to the point where certain people seem unreachable. Some may be filled with anger. Others may mock and ridicule those who believe in a loving God. But consider this: though they do not remember, they too at one time yearned to return to their Father in Heaven.

It is not your responsibility to convert anyone. That is the work of the Holy Ghost. Your task is to share your beliefs and to not be afraid. Be a friend to all, but never compromise your standards. Stand true to your convictions and faith. Stand tall, because you are a daughter of God, and He stands with you!"

We can all help Heavenly Father bring them home. Love you all!! 

Love,
Sister Hancock

June 23, 2014

So glad to hear that you got that picture! That seriously is like a missionaries dream to sing with the Nashville Tribute band. We had a lot of non members come and less active people were there as well. One of them who came is our progressing investigator Karisa and her less active boyfriend Doug and his twin girls. So glad that they came and came to church yesterday. Grateful that this past thursday the departing missionaries in july and august were able to attend the temple one last time with President and Sister Young. It was a special experience. So grateful for them. They will be living the mission this saturday, so I hope you and Dad and whoever else can support them at their homecoming. 

June 22, 2014

Hey Hancock Family-

Your daughter got to sing with these guys last night. It was an awesome experience;) we also just had them over for dinner. She is an sweet sister! 

Love The Pratt Family;)

June 16, 2014

Family and Friends!!

Hope everyone is going well! Things here in Creswell Oregon are awesome! My companion Sister Olson and I sure love this cute lil town. We are seeing miracles everyday! 

This past Wednesday we were able to attend a Relief Society activity and meet some of the wonderful sisters in the ward. They each came with 3 of their favorite things and just things that they enjoy doing. One of the sisters favorite things was her scriptures with her name badge clipped on them. She was a missionary some time ago and made me think of the talk by Elder Anderson, "It's a Miracle." He says, "Brothers and sisters, as surely as the Lord has inspired more missionaries to serve, He is also awakening the minds and opening the hearts of more good and honest people to receive His missionaries. You already know them or will know them. They are in your family and live in your neighborhood. They walk past you on the street, sit by you in school, and connect with you online. You too are an important part of this unfolding miracle.

If you’re not a full-time missionary with a missionary badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart—painted, as Paul said, “not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God” (2 Corinthians 3:3). And returned missionaries, find your old missionary tag. Don’t wear it, but put it where you can see it. The Lord needs you now more than ever to be an instrument in His hands. All of us have a contribution to make to this miracle." 

Some of you, like one of the Relief Society members here, have your name tag where you can see it everyday. That reminder of the experiences you had on your mission. To remind you of the people you helped bring to the gospel. Each of you, whether you are a returned missionary or not can have your own name tag written on your hearts. As you do, Elder Anderson gives us a promise as we pray. He says,"Pray to your Heavenly Father. This is His sacred work. He will guide you in what to do. He will open doors, remove roadblocks, and help you over come obstacles. The Lord declared, “The voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, … and none shall stay them.” I testify that “the voice of the Lord [shall be] unto the ends of the earth,that all that will hear may hear.”³³ It’s a miracle. It is a miracle. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." This week you can invite others to "come and see." Love you all so much!! 

Love, 

Sister Hancock

Prayer List: Jeff and Hannah, Lisa and Dusty, Larson's, Coles, Burgens, Cheyann

June 9, 2014

We are all settled in in Creswell. It sure is a cute lil town. Love everything about it. There are about 5000 people here and they are great! My companion's name is Sister Olson and I love her to death! She is from South Dakota and grew up on a farm and ranch. So we get along pretty well:) Oh and we are the same height! ha and there hasn't been sister missionaries in this area for over 20 years. Everyone is excited we are here and we are too.

 This past Saturday we were walking and met some great potential families that we are going to start teaching. It feels so good to find those that are ready and have an open heart. Love for you and dad to pray that we will be led to more families. It is a goal that we have for this month as a mission. It is all focused on finding, and uniting families. 

"You will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times, and you will realize that He was always there beside you." President Monson. 

Hope you have a wonderful week. :)