Amazing Letter from Hermana Hermansen's First Companion

Hi Hermana Hermansen's mom,

I just wanted to write you and let you know how incredibly amazing I think your daughter is.  I don’t know what she told you about her last two transfers, but I know that they were quite the struggle for her and she’s been through a lot.  I can tell you how absolutely glowing she was with the spirit this last weekend now that she has a different and better companion.  I hurt for her hard time that she had because I too have struggled out here, but I can so clearly see how Heavenly Father has shaped her into an amazing missionary and prepared her to do a great work in the ward she is now in.  Thank you for raising such a wonderful young woman.  I can’t express how grateful and honored I feel to have been her companion and serve in the same mission as her. She has been a great strength to me and I look forward to someday meeting you after our mission.  Your daughter is amazing and a great missionary and speaks very, very highly of you. Thank you for your diligence, I may not know you personally, but I’ve had the privilege to get to know your daughter and there is no doubt that you have helped shaped the wonderful girl she is today.  Thank you for that, she has helped me a lot and through her you have helped me a lot, too. 

Sincerely,

Hermana Ortega

Letter #43: October 29, 2012

Hey ya’ll!!

Ok so this week was super great!!  I love being a missionary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I love my companion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She is soooo awesome.  :)  There were some downsides to this week, but all is well.  Let’s start with the good news!  Missionary work is incredible.  I have never felt such power from God present in my life so frequently and strongly.  By frequently and strongly, I mean pretty every thought I have is a prompting from the spirit.  It is so cool!  My entire mission and perspective has changed completely in the past week.  It changes a little bit everyday actually.... We are working as hard as we can and loving every minute of it!!  The most important thing that I’ve learned so far is the importance of submitting to and following God’s will in everything.  Every thought, every action, every spoken word.

Along with this lesson are two other things that play a major role in being able to seek God’s will, those things being humility and repentance.  Repentance is key to everything.  Using the power of the atonement is not just a luxury, it is a daily necessity.  When I truly started to repent daily (since about 4 or 5 weeks ago), is when I have been able to see the biggest changes in my life.  I no longer miss home or things (the funny thing about not missing home is that the less I miss home, the more my love for my family and friends grows.   Ha! Ha!  That doesn’t really make sense but that is simply how it is).   I feel grateful for everyday that I have to be here doing this work.  I am able to focus my abilities and talents on helping the people here. Repentance isn’t a one-time event; it is the divine process of becoming who God knows we can be. (I made that sentence up myself... pretty profound, eh?... :)  Ha! Ha!  Man, I’m still such a nerd...anyway...)

Now onto humility.  I’m pretty sure that the definition of humility is submitting to God’s will. Easier said than done.  But! It is essential.  There is a disease that all of us have to a degree and that is pride.  (Ha! Ha!.... That makes me remember the Mormon “Pride and Prejudice” movie and laugh….but it’s true).  Pride is what keeps us from repenting.  Pride is what makes us act out of accordance with God’s will.  Pride is what makes us think we are better or more deserving than others.  The only antidote to pride is humility. When we have these 3 things in mind (God’s will, repentance, and humility) we are blessed with the Holy Ghost to a stronger and more profound degree.

Right below these 3 things are diligence and obedience.  I say that diligence and obedience are below because if we are truly searching God’s will, we will seek to be obedient with diligence. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (Nicely put Matthew)  Also, there is a scripture from the Book of Mormon that says, “If we are not humble, our faith and obedience are in vain”... ouch...but sooo true.  There is this line from the song “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” that I love, love, love!!  It says, “Here’s my heart, take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above”. In everything that I say and do, I am searching to say and do the things that the Lord would have me do.  NEVER have I felt such gratification in my entire life than when I am seeking God’s will!!!!

Story time:

We found the coolest lady!!  Her name is Patricia.  She passed us in the street when we were trying to find some lady from some random list.  In this moment, my companion and I were talking about the importance of saying “Hola” in a friendly and sincere way to the people in the street and so as she passed, we said “Hola”, super animated with huge smiles! She stopped and did kind of a double take and then started talking to us and telling us how cute we are and blah blah blah.  So, then we helped her carry her heavy grocery bags to her house and parted as happy friends.  The next day we went to invite her to the ward activity.  Long story short, we had a super spiritual lesson with her and her mom and shared the first vision and they both accepted baptismal dates for the 18th of November.

Then she came to the ward activity with us right after and met some members.  Last night we had one of the most powerful lessons I’ve ever taught in my entire mission. The spirit was overwhelming.  It was incredible.  The funny thing was that we had planned to teach them something else this night, but according to the promptings of the spirit, we changed what we had planned and taught what they needed.  The spirit guided us both in what to say and what to share. By the end they both told us that they know the Book of Mormon is true and are excited for their baptisms. :)  I can´t even begin to explain how incredible the work of the spirit is. 

Next:

My companion is soooo amazing. Because of her, I  have been able to discover so much about how the Holy Ghost works, what it truly means to be a disciple of Christ, and the joy that comes from living the gospel.  Plus she is HILARIOUS!!!  I have A LOT that I to tell you all about her, but I’m out of time... Sorry....

All is well my beloved family!!!  I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until next week :)
-Hermana Hermansen

Letter #42: October 22, 2012

Dear Family, 

I AM SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY THAT THEY JUST DON’T EVEN MAKE A FONT BIG ENOUGH TO EXPRESS HOW TRULY HAPPY I TRULY AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I have so much to tell you all.  First off, I have a new companion and I’m in a new area. Second off, we are re-opening this area (a.k.a. we are both new to the area and know nothing and no one).  On top of this, the past hermanas were NOT obedient.  My companion and I are here to save this area from closing.  We are starting from zero to re-gain the trust of the members and all the people here and counteract all of Satan’s efforts during the past (I don’t know how long it has been that way).  Third, my companion is one of the most wonderful persons I’ve EVER met!!!!!!!!!!!! Her name is Hermana Ramos and she’s from Peru.  We live with two other hermanas, as well, one is named Hermana Martinez and one is named Hermana Carcamo. One is from Mexico and the other from El Salvador.  (Not sure if you’ve noticed or not, but I have not even lived with a gringa since arriving here).

Anyway, my companion is the best!!!! She has sooooo many spiritual gifts.  We have such a strong companionship and we’ve only been together for three days.  We seriously have this spirit of unity that I have never experienced in my life.  THE SPIRIT IS SO STRONG WITH US!!!!!! I have never had such a powerful influence from the Holy Ghost EVER.  It is the best feeling ever. Now I truly am a missionary. We are doing the work of Jesus Christ.  The Spirit guides our every word and action.  I have never felt this kind of true and sincere joy that comes from having the Holy Ghost with me.

Fourth, I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.  Fifth, the past two transfers were what prepared me to be where I am right now.  Had I not had my previous experiences, I never would have learned to apply the Atonement to my life so profoundly.  I want nothing more than to do God’s will. This sincere desire and search is what allows the Spirit to work through me.  I have seen miracles in the past three days.  :)  

Sixth, I’ve decided that I’m only going to be writing this e-mail every week.  I’ve been starting to get a ridiculous amount of e-mails every week from tons of different people and it’s getting overwhelming.... And right now, more than ever, I can’t afford a single distraction.  I need the spirit with me for the sake of the people here; I just can’t lose it.  There is so much work that I need to do and I can’t do that work without the help of Heaven.  Tell people that they can still e-mail me if they want, but I probably won’t respond.  Tell them to read the blog.  :)

Seventh, I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love this gospel with all my heart.  I know that through the power of the Atonement, we have the grand opportunity to repent daily and become better people.  I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and in no way can I ever re-pay Him for what He did for me and all mankind.  He is the infinite and everlasting Messiah.  I testify of His divinity and His love.  I know that He lives.  I invite you all to repent and come to know the Savior a little bit better and experience the true and lasting joy that comes from repentance.  God gave us weaknesses so that we could find them and conquer them through the Atonement.  There is a magnitude that the Atonement has, that is beyond human comprehension, but I testify of its power and truth.  Use it. 

I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for your examples and for providing the means to get me where I am today!!!!! I LOVE BEING ON A MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Hermana Hermansen 

P.S.  I TOTALLY SHOOK HANDS WITH ANAPOSTAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......................Wait how do you spell apostal………..….apostle................?  I don’t remember………………......

Letter #41: October 15, 2012

Dear Family,

This week we had interviews with our Mission President.   He told me the Lord knew that I was strong enough to handle any situation I was put in and he gave me lots of comfort.  It was real nice.  :)  Also, we have transfers this week instead of next!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m not sure why and we’re actually not even supposed to know (our zone leaders accidentally told us), so we find out who leaves and stays tomorrow and we are moved Thursday.

We also have Elder Dallin H. Oaks coming to speak to us this Saturday!!!  I’m pretty excited! And if you remember, I’m singing in the choir for him.  The choir practices in Viña have been great.  So here is something that was super crazy this week... I had to go to emergency last Friday... Ha! Ha!  Let me explain.

Ever since I started wearing mascara I’ve used a needle or a safety pin to separate my eyelashes (for the past 5 years I’ve been doing this).  Well, I must be out of practice because I hardly wear make up here and I accidently poked myself in the eyeball Friday morning.  It hurt really bad, but I didn´t think anything of it...  So then on way to Viña, I mentioned it to my companion who just shrugged it off.  Then at choir practice in Viña, I told Hermana Ortega and she told me I should call the nurse (we have a mission nurse).  I didn’t want to so I told the Secretary of Health Elder.  Practice ended and we headed back to Quillota.  On the train back, I got a phone call from the Health Elder frantically telling me that he needed to take me to emergency and we had to come back to Viña.  So, we turned around.  We went to emergency and it turns out that I cut my cornea.  I had to have an eye patch for a day and then use dark sunglasses the next day.  It was great. Ha! Ha!  Everything is fine now.  I just have to put this goo in my eye twice a day for a week.  Crazy story huh?  Don’t worry, the mission insurance paid for my stupidity and we won’t be charged anything.  

On a good note we managed to find a man in the past week a half who is ready for the gospel!!! He has a baptismal date for the 27th of this month!!  WOOOHOOO!!  He has attended church the past 2 weeks and is doing great!  He is soooooo ready for the gospel.  He has terminal cancer and 6 months ago, the doctors gave him 2 months to live.  His name is Miguel Angel Castro Rosas and he is the cousin of one of the members in the ward.  I’m so excited for his baptism, even though I might not get to be there!!!!  He is a champ.  :)

Well, that’s all I really have to say for right now.... Thanks for all of your prayers!!! I have felt a lot of comfort at times and have learned SO many valuable life lessons, but more importantly, I have come to know my Savior on a very personal level. I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH!!!!!!!

-Hermana Hermansen

Letter #40: October 8, 2012

Mama,

Thanks for Laurel’s address!!! Finally.  :)   So, didn’t you just LOVE conference!!!!! It was soooooooooooooooooo nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The gringo missionaries got to watch conference in a separate room in English.  It was Heavenly..... With the package ordeal, I’ll leave that up to you.... I remember that I needed things, but I’m pretty much the most patient person that I know right now and I can’t even remember exactly the things that I needed. (I do still need them, it’s just that I have so many things in my brain that when I write it down, it’s like I give permission for my brain to forget.)  I’m ok waiting.  In my Christmas package could you include a copy of the Ensign with all the conference talks? That would be great!

Anyway back to conference.... I LOVED it soooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I now have the faith and strength that I need.  Remember how I told you before my mission that I needed to be humbled?.....Well.... mission accomplished.  I never want to be forced to be humble again.... I choose it from now on.  Luckily, conference gave me the faith, hope, strength, and motivation to try yet again at make the best of all things.

Also tell everyone Happy Birthday for me!!!!!!!  (Brett, Brandon, Dad, and Preston)

Anyway, I wanted to tell you something mother.... and that is, thank you for raising me in righteousness!!!! I am so eternally grateful that I was born in the covenant with a wonderful, righteous mother.  You are incredible, mama and I love you soooooo much!!!!

And now that I’m done writing about my feelings (which I’m sure you loved because you love feelings), I have something very urgent to tell you.....

That thing being, my permanent retainer fell off... crap.  So I have the number of a dentist here who is a member.  The mission nurse told me to call him and set up an appointment, but I’m scared to do anything until I have yours and dad’s approval.... What I’m thinking is that I could get a removable retainer made to use for the next year while I’m here and then get it all fixed when I get home. What should I do?  I have one tooth that is getting real crooked.... I think a removable retainer would be best.  And should I just go to the dentist and see what they say or do you want to search insurance stuff first?  From what I hear, orthodontics and dentistry is a lot cheaper here than the states and it’s pretty good quality too.  But again, this is personal money that the mission does not pay for. Let me know please. I won’t act until I hear back from you. Thanks!

Ok so that is all I have to say for today.  I completed 7 months in the mission yesterday.   I LOVE YOU LOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Thanks for telling me all about the fam!!!! Glad everyone’s doing well.  Anyway, I must be off!!! Until next week.

-Hermana Hermansen         

             

Letter #39: October 1, 2012

Dear Family, 

First off…  

Happy Birthday, Brandon!!!!  On the 27th, right??  Are you 30 now??  Wow! Crazy.....

Anyway, I don’t really have much to say….

Rachel, I sent my memory card last Friday.  Hope it gets there.  

I get to see Hermana Ortega once or twice a week right now.  I love her and I miss her.  I hope that we get to be companions one day!!

On our way to choir practice the other day there was oldies music (from the states) playing on the bus... It made me happy and it made me MISS those long drives with Dad listening to oldies music.....

Anyway, thanks for all your love and support!!  I love you all soooooooooooooooooooo much!! Hope you’re all doing well.  Until next week.

-Hermana Hermansen

P.S.  HAPPY OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And HAPPY GENERAL CONFERENCE this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go listen to the prophet’s voice; it’s a commandment.  :)  And one more.... HAPPY 7 MONTHS on the MISH to me this next Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!

-Hermana Hermansen