Highlights from Skype Session

We were able to Skype with Hermana Hermansen yesterday!  It was the highlight of our day. :)  Here are some of the things we talked about:

1. Her current area is a little nicer than her previous areas.  The houses are nicer and the streets are cleaner.  They pay a lady in their ward $20 per transfer to do all of their laundry. 

2. Her companion, Hermana Ramos, is so sweet!  She is very bubbly and friendly (just like Sarah), and they get along so well.  Hermana Ramos only has 3-4 more months left on her mission.  We invited her to come and stay with our family if she ever comes to the United States.

3.  Hermana Ramos told us that she is so grateful for Sarah and the fact that she was raised in a home that taught her the gospel.  She is grateful for the kindness that Sarah has shown to her and the kindness that my mom has shown to both of them by sending gifts through packages.

4. Hermana Ramos wants to see three things when/if she comes to the United States: 

1.  The Salt Lake City Temple  

2.  The Cheesecake Factory (apparently Sarah has told her all about this restaurant)

3.  The cowboys in Utah!!!

5.  Carolina was doing really well, except she was not reading the Book of Mormon.  She was praying to try to find an answer about the Book of Mormon (and she couldn't get one because she wasn't reading it) when she started to hang out with more of her Evangelical friends.  She  took this as her answer that it was not true.  She does not believe right now, but Sarah has faith that someday she will.

6.  They are teaching several new investigators.  An elderly man that takes care of his sick wife is very interested in becoming a family forever and a new investigator, Patricia, has a baptism date of January 6th.  We will be praying for her!!!

7.  Our favorite part was when Sarah bore her testimony to us in Spanish!!!!  She is such an amazing daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and missionary!!!  We love her!!!

Letter #50: December 24, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

Thanks for your Christmas wishes.  I still can’t believe that it is Christmas.  Doesn’t feel like it at all!!  But things are better that way. :) 

So, in Latin America, they celebrate Christmas more on Christmas Eve (today) than actual Christmas day.  They celebrate it like New Year’s Eve, so everyone stays up partying until midnight and then they all hug and open their presents.  

For missionaries, these are two normal days in the working field.... Today is p-day and tomorrow is Tuesday.  Ha! Ha!  Tonight we have permission to stay in the house of a member until 11:00 pm, though….Woot.  And tomorrow we can call home, but everything else is the same... Feliz Navidad to me! Ha! Ha! Ha!

I actually am enjoying this hot Christmas more than I thought I would!  Some members have given us gifts and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED my Christmas packages.  The best parts of my packages were:

1. Opening them and looking up the scriptures with my companion. 

2. There was a ton of stuff for me AND my companion.  

3. The things you sent were seriously perfect! I’ve never appreciated getting goldfish crackers and socks from anyone for any reason in my entire life. :)  

4. Letter from Dad. Very unexpected.  

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!

I don’t really know what else to tell you all, especially since I will be talking to you all tomorrow...

Have questions that you want to know tomorrow, so that you can ask me and get answers right away.... I’m going to be using the skype account of my companion. I will be ready to call as close to 6:30 pm that I can.  Have the computer ready between 6:15-6:45 pm.  Since you didn’t tell me the address of who to call, you need to call me.....  Call at 3:30 pm (your time) exactly.  If no one is there keep trying please.

I’m SUPER excited to talk to you all tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I can’t wait. :)

Hope everyone is happy and doing well and enjoying the Christmas Spirit!!!!! 

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE YOU!!!!

-Hermana Hermansen

Letter #49: December 17, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

Finally I get to write.  :)

Okey doke, before I address all issues at hand, I just have to tell you all that we found a golden investigator!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still can’t believe it.... All of our faith and diligence is finally starting to show.  So apart form not being able to work fully these past couple weeks due to my companions surgery, none of our investigators have been keeping their commitments and not really progressing.  Frustrating.  But last Friday, in His tender mercy, God blessed us with a miracle. We were walking home for the day and we were kind of running late (we have to be in our house by 9:30 pm or if we are in a lesson 10:00 pm at the latest.)

There’s a train station that we have to cross to get from our area to our house and we were about to cross when my companion said she was super tired and wanted to sit down on the ground to rest. I t was about 9:20 pm at this point.  I was a little antsy to get home, but was a little tired as well, so I didn’t oppose.  So the train arrived and people started walking out of the station.  We thought we might as well take advantage of a big group of people and we started handing out little invitations to our ward Christmas party on Saturday.  As we handed out these little papers to all the people who couldn’t give a flying fig, one girl passed and we missed her without notice.... BUT she returned and asked for whatever it was we were handing out.  So we started explaining about the activity and how it would help bring the spirit of Christ into her heart and then she starts asking us about our church and Christ.....

She was standing up and my companion and I were both on the ground and we look at each other and then look at her and it takes about 5 seconds for us to realize that she is interested and we both bolt up off the ground to talk to her.  We ended up having a 20 minute lesson there in the train station, in which she tears up several times and we make plans to pass by her house to go to the activity.  Saturday, she follows through when we show up to get her!!  She comes to the activity and feels the spirit.  Then we have a lesson after the activity!  She says the prayer and cries.  We invite her to church on Sunday.  She comes to church with us on Sunday.  Then a member invites her to an FHE Sunday night.  We go AND she invites her cousin!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH  :)  She said she would get baptized if she felt it was true, but wouldn’t agree to a date.  I’m sure she’ll get baptized this month. :)  I’m pumped.  Ha! Ha! Ha! :)  Her name is Carolina and she is 19.  Way cool, right??? 

Anyway, I have many things to tell you all now.  First, we are no longer allowed to e-mail friends.  FAMILY ONLY.  Sorry.... I can receive e-mails, but I can’t respond, so I will do my friend responding in these e-mails..... Speaking of which....

Hermana Brillante Self: Elder Pitcher is in Concepcion Sur.  His address is the one that is like oficina 904,,, Bio-Bio... something or other.  :)  I got your letter and I LOVED it!!!! Slightly made me wish that I had a gringa companion so we could laugh at all the funny things Latinas do that are completely normal to them... Ha! Ha!  But all is well! I’m working on a response letter. Thanks for writing me. :)  Also, I LOVED the talk that you sent me!! Fue super bacán! 

Court, Tiff, Rachel F: Thank you a million times for the package!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved all the pictures and litte notes and pictures from gymnastics students (they are hanging up on my wall. :)  And of course I LOVED the Sephora kit... almost made me trunky.  HaHaHa!  You girlies are great!!!! LOVE YOU and MISS YOU!!!!

I’m glad everyone liked my pictures!! I’m kind of scared to send pictures these days because of all the bad luck that I’ve had.... Rachel, you can put the pics I sent on the blog. :)  Also Rachel, I got a dearelder from you explaining how sick you were... Sounds like it was awful.... I’m glad that you are better now and could enjoy Thanksgiving!!

Ok, I cannot believe that Lyndsie got called to Trevor´s mission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Hahahahaha!  That is SOOOOO nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Wow! Wow!  Wow! Wow! Wow!..... Hahahaha.  Interesting..... The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Christmas. Ok, so we haven’t really gotten any directions on how Christmas is going down..... We have a zone conference this Wednesday and we get to call on the 24th or the 25th, but I have no idea how to coordinate with you guys what day or time is best.... We get to skype for 30-40 minutes and we will call from the house of a member.  I’m going to assume that Christmas day is best because I know how last minute things are in our house, so the 24th is probably a bad idea. Also the benefit of the 25th is that we get to e-mail on the 24th since it’s p-day and you can tell me what time would be best and who I should call.  Sound good?  I’m going to plan on the 25th. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TIME AND WHAT ADDRESS TO SKYPE CALL.

Mom, you asked what my favorite things were from my package, but I don’t really know how to answer... I loved everything....Ha! Ha!  The chocolate chips were kind of bad because I think they melted and then reformed so they were powdery-ish.... But I LOVED the nutella and the journals and the pictures everything... I appreciate the packages VERY, VERY much!! I know how costly they are and I am more than grateful for them!!!!!! 

Anyway, I’m happy that everyone is doing well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope that you are all enjoying the Christmas spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ!!!  I’m super grateful that it’s hot here and doesn’t feel like Christmas because then I don’t get distracted by all the Christmasy things and can really focus on Christ.  I’m grateful for this opportunity that I have to be away from home for this Christmas.  It’s going to be an interesting one, but I’m excited.  I’m grateful for this opportunity that I have to be a missionary and serve the Lord.  It really is a sacred time and I love learning about the gospel and helping others learn about the gospel too.  I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH AND I MISS YOU LOTS, TOO!!!  Keep your focus on what really matters this CHRISTmas.  :)

Love,

Hermana Hermansen

Letter #48: December 3, 2012

Dear Family, 

My week was good.  Actually it was so-so, but all is well now.  My companion was feeling really sick all last week, so we couldn’t do much.  We went to the mission nurse yesterday and found out that she has an ear infection.  Also her mattress is horrible so she got a new one yesterday, too.  We should be good to go now!!!  I’m super grateful for the health and strength that I’ve had in the mission!!!  What a blessing.  :)

So, we had transfers this week!  My companion and I both stay put!  WOOHOOO!!! We’re both super stoked!!!  So guess what?  Something AMAZING happened yesterday! I got a ton of mail!!!  Including the Thanksgiving package and the package from Tiffany, Courtney, and Rachel J.F.!!!!  It was AWESOME!!!  I felt sooooo much love. :)

Seriously, I cannot express my thanks and gratitude enough how wonderful and how much love I felt from home yesterday......... Especially since (I don’t know why) I was missing home, but I seriously got the packages and letters in perfect timing!!! I felt sooooo much love that it helped me realize that none of my worries matter and that I’m where I’m supposed to be…serving the Lord.  I love how precise the Lord is in His work. Everything is intertwined and always works out perfectly when we are doing His will.   No concern is too small to take it up with the Lord. He cares about every tiny detail.  I LOVE HIM.  :)

Well, since I don’t have much to report from the past week, I thought I’d send some pics.  First round of pics (a.k.a. the pics in this e-mail) were taken about two weeks ago. We sat down in some shade because my companion needed to take a break.  This is how the majority of the streets are in my area.  Stay tuned for other e-mails full of pics!

Love,

Hermana Hermansen

P.S. Mom, yes it is still super hot!!!  It’s getting hotter actually.... as I’m sitting here typing I can feel sweat dripping down my back…it’s great…

Hermana Hermansen and her companion

The Entire District

A typical street in Chile!

Assistant to the President and Hermana Hermansen

Hermana Hermansen and her companion teach cooking classes to the ward.

Cute Hermana Hermansen

Letter #47: November 26, 2012

Dear Fam Jam,

Ok I have to write in response again or else I’ll forget the questions....Sorry.  Sounds like Thanksgiving was fun for you guys!!!  Thanks for the pics!!  Everyone looks so happy!!  :)  Was Lyndsie with her dad for Thanksgiving?  Shoot! She will probably be on her mission next year....Thanksgiving was just a normal day here for me. Ha. Ha.  But that’s ok, a normal day means a day of fun and talking about the gospel with people and having people think that we are crazy and laughing way hard with my companion while walking the streets of Chile (which by the way are getting WAY hot)! Ha! Ha!  I’m a nerd.  

Yes, I did know that Brandon and Lindsy are living at home.  Way cool, fun, awesome, etc.!!  I’m jealous!!!  I have not received any packages yet.  The only package I’ve gotten since being here was the first one that I got a few months ago..... But thanks for thinking of me and sending stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My teeth are hanging in there! My one is getting crooked still. Ha! Ha! No worries though!!!! I’m perfectly fine waiting.  :)

The “elders” blogs:  The only one that I know was Elder Griffeths!!  He’s way cool!!! We are missionary friends.  :)  He’s from Lehi and we were in the same zone in Quillota for 3 transfers. He started his mission when I was in my 2nd transfer. Rachel, what every happened with my memory card? Did you get it figured out or save my pics?  Also, Rachel, sorry I’m taking forever on the letter for your young women.  Just wanted to let you know that I’m still working on it and I haven’t forgotten!!!

Ok, now onto the real letter part. :)  So the topic that has been on my head a lot lately is the topic of real life and marriage, etc.  Since my comp is still not 100% better from her operation, we have to head home early (I think the hot sun has been affecting her a little much since she still doesn’t have all her strength back), which leads us to talking about life.  I’ve learned some cool things that I would like to share with you.  

First, remember how I always said that I don’t think a missionary in the field is able to receive direct personal revelation for their personal lives?  Well, I re-tract this statement in term with certain conditions.  A missionary CAN receive personal revelation and direction for their lives, when they are not seeking it directly.  When a missionary is seeking only the will of God, God mysteriously in turn gives them the answers to things they will need in the future.  It’s weird and funny, but I have found it to be true.  The more I focus on being here in Chile, the missionary work, having the spirit with me, and seeking God’s will, the more answers and personal revelation I receive for my own life. The answers are conditional, of course, like all things, but I know that if I follow the promptings that I get, everything will work out as it should.  Interesting.

Now, on the topic of marriage... So a companionship is basically a marriage and the same principles apply to have a successful relationship in them both.  I want to share with you all a secret.... :) I have found out what the key is to having a great relationship with anyone... Spouse, brother, sister, friend, companion, etc..... That key is mutual sacrifice, forgiveness, and laughter. Sacrifice is the ultimate symbol of love and when two people are sacrificing for each other, the love that they have can grow.  Sacrifice permits feelings of gratitude to bloom and the pure love of Christ to be made manifest.  Along with sacrifice, forgiveness is always necessary.  We are ALL human and make mistakes.  Forgiveness is essential if happiness is the desired result.  On top of everything, don’t forget to laugh :)  I have yet to find a better medicine than laughter. Laughter heals wounds and helps us to enjoy the moments that we want to last forever. Laughing is good for the soul and brightens any cloudy day.  Also I believe that laughing together is one of God’s great tools that He uses to bond people.  Forgive, forget, keep moving forward, sacrifice, laugh, love, and grow. :)  I invite you all to apply these three simple principles to whatever relationship you have right now that may be struggling.  And if you don’t have a struggling relationship, apply it to your relationships anyway to achieve a deeper, richer, more meaningful and happier relationship than you have now.  I promise you that it works.  :)

Anyway, that’s all I have to say for today!!  I LOVE YOU ALL AND I HOPE ALL IS WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Hermana Hermansen

P.S.  I had to give a 15-minute talk yesterday in sacrament about Joseph Smith.....IN Spanish.... Ha! Ha! It turned out not half bad.  :)

P.P.S. I have more pics to send next week. :)

Letter #46: November 19, 2012

Dear Family,

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!  Today’s purpose = answer your questions :)

Firstly, is Rachel doing ok now???  I sure hope so!!!!!  I finally got her little package!!  It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you soooooo much, Rach!!!  I LOVED it!!  Especially the pics.

Ok, let’s get to it then.....

I am in city Villa Alemana.  It’s more “suburby” and a lot nicer than where I was before.  It’s a little bit closer to Viña, but only by 30 minutes or so.  Viña is about 35-40 min away now by train.  All mail will always have the same address.  It goes to the mission home and from there they distribute it.  Always.  That’s why sometimes it takes forever for me to get things because the mission office keeps our junk just to spite us!  HaHaHa  JK!  There are 200 missionaries in this mission and in a couple months, we’re going to have 250 missionaries! My zone is called Villa Alemana Oeste and my ward is Villa Norte.  

The weather is spring, but some days are sooooo hot!  And we still have some rainy days, too. But apparently there is a hole in the o-zone directly over Chile and nothing else so the sun rays penetrate and you burn more easily here.  Summer gets super hot, so I hear.  Summer starts in December.  This is going to be a way weird Christmas!

My companion is Hermana Ramos from Peru and she has one year in the mission.  She is the older companion, but we don’t act like that.  We’re equals. :)  I sure am learning a lot from her!!!!  She’s an incredible person and missionary!!!  We’ve become best friends. :)  She’s finally recovered from her surgery and we are working at pretty much normal pace again!  I love when we work.  :)  Thanksgiving doesn’t exist here, but almost everyone is familiar with American holidays and so some (very few) people celebrate it.  Christmas is normal-ish, I believe, but hot weather. 

And now is time for my official opinion about the age change for missionaries..... HeHeHeh...:)

Firstly, I know with all my heart that it was inspired of God.  I know that there wouldn’t have been such a drastic change like this unless the apostles and prophet had not been fasting and praying to receive this specific revelation.  I also believe that is was the answer to MANY of the young women’s prayers.  The need for missionaries is always increasing and this change will fulfill the demand.  God knows how to get things done.

Secondly, I also know that there is opposition in all things and so with this change, there are also downsides.  One of the greatest downsides is that there will be many missionaries completely unprepared for what they will face and the missions in which they serve will face periods of complete and utter misery.  The need for missionary preparation now literally needs to start in primary.  I think, just because the young people CAN go earlier they will, and a lot of them will go into the mission not knowing or perhaps not understanding what they are getting themselves into......I know I sure didn’t understand completely and I don’t know what I would have done without the MTC experience that I had....

With increased number in missionaries, this means less space and less time spent in the MTC. Missionaries are going to need to enter the MTC pre-trained.  I heard a quote yesterday in sacrament meeting from our ward mission leader and he said, “There are many people serving missions, but few missionaries.”  After being in the mission for 8 months, I can tell you that this is 100% true.  It takes a lot to be a good missionary and what it takes comes from one’s personal desires and preparation to serve the Lord.  In concluding this opinion, I know that the Lord trusts His beloved sons and daughters to step up to the plate and that’s why He made this change. Because the Lord has put his trust in confidence in the young people of today, we can too, because we can ALWAYS trust in God. This change is one of the greatest blessings and miracles that God could have given to His children in this time.  And that’s what I think.

Well, I´m just about out of time.  I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!  So far in my life, this has been THE BEST decision that I’ve ever made!!!  No worries, Brandon, I know how lucky I am and I am enjoying EVERY second that I have here!! :)  I actually already feel nostalgic for Chile when I think about the day when I will have to come home... Ha! Ha! Ha!

Thank you for all your support and love!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

-Hermana Hermansen

P.S.  CONGRATS LYNDSIE-LOO for choosing to serve a mission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’ll NEVER regret it!!!!

P.P.S.  Keep the letters and packages coming. :)

P.P.P.S. Pics: One is what my area is like now and the other is with my companion in the hospital before her operation.  Enjoy!

P.P.P.P.S. Happy Thanksgiving!!! (To be honest, I totally forgot about Thanksgiving..... Ha! Ha! Enjoy St. George!)

P.P.P.P.P.S.  I love you.

Letter #45: November 12, 2012

Dear Family,

We don’t have time to write today because we have a district activity in 20 minutes and we just got here to the internet place.... So really, I just wanted to say “Hey” and let you know that I’m doing great and I’m living by the Spirit.  We didn’t really leave the house this past week to work, but my companion is doing a lot better.

I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH!!!

I hope that you are all doing well! I pray for you all every night and sincerely hope that you are all happy.  Don’t forget me now that I’ve been gone 8 months... can’t believe I’m almost halfway done....

Anyway..... I shall bid you farewell for now!

Farewell. 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Hermana Hermansen

Letter #44: November 5, 2012

Dear Family,

First, let’s clear up a small error from my last letter.... The scripture “If ye love me keep my commandments” was written by John, NOT Matthew... Ha! Ha! Ha!  Sorry about that.  The direct scripture reference is John 14:15...or perhaps 15:14... I blame getting the name wrong on the fact that all the names in Spanish are different.... Hopefully Rachel caught on and fixed it before publishing that letter to my blog for the world to see and making me look like an idiot... but if not, oh well, we all make mistakes!

Anyway, let’s move on with things..... So my companion had to have surgery last week.... She had a gallstone of 14 mm and so they took out her gallbladder.  She’s been having problems for the past couple weeks and we spent some time in the emergency room last week and I was going to write you about it last week, but I ran out of time... But now you know.  She had surgery on Halloween, so this night as all of you were having fun, eating candy and thinking about me preaching the gospel, I was actually spending the night in the hospital with nothing but the clothes that I had on, being woken up every 15 minutes due to my frantic, drugged companion.... Ha! Ha!  It was one of the longest nights of my life....

Hermana Ramos has never had surgery before or ever been seriously ill and she was freaking out and crying all night long.... Oh man, I love that girl. :)  We’ve pretty much been in the house ever since.  She can’t walk very much, so I am actually writing you from the house of our mamita. (Mamita— the lady who does our laundry.  BUT, our mamita just happens to live directly behind us and therefore is a little more than just a mamita.) She is always at our house and she feeds us and helps us with everything that we need.  She’s great! Also, she is absolutely crazy! Hahaha!! I love her.  She has a personality that is super loud and kind of obnoxious and she’s always making inappropriate jokes and laughs super hard.  For example— (side note first: earthquakes are very common here.  I’ve probably felt at least 20-30 upon arriving. They are super small and everything just shakes for a bit and they usually happen in the night.)  So, there were like 3 earthquakes last week and they were all during the night.  The mamita was in our house one morning so I asked if she felt the earthquake and her response was along the lines of “I didn’t notice because it’s always earth-quaking in the night with my husband.... Hahaha…..gross.... :)

Anyway, all is well with me.  My health is doing well!  I’ve just been taking care of my companion and we’ve been watching a lot of church/mission approved videos during the past couple of days.  I don’t know for how much longer we will have to stay in, but I am looking forward for the day when things get back to normal.  Nothing is as satisfying as doing the Lord’s work and being out in the street talking to people, no matter how tiring it is.

Yesterday, we went to a different ward because it’s closer to our house and my companion wanted to bear her testimony... this meant that I had to bear my testimony, too.  Ha!  As I was sitting there, I had no idea what to say, but I went up anyway.  As I started talking, the words just started coming.  I bore testimony about repentance and living the basic principles of the gospel. It was short, but I know that it was inspired of God.  I can always tell when I’m speaking by the spirit because I don’t have to think about Spanish grammar; the words and sentences just flow. As I sat down the scripture that Bishop Reams told me at my farewell came to mind... “Oh that I were an angel and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth with the trump of God and cry repentance unto every people!” -Alma 29:1 (I’m not sure if I quoted that right because it was purely from memory, but you get my drift).  

Sometimes, I get feeling like my mission is completely changing the course of my life.  Not that I was headed in the wrong direction before, just that certain things, perspectives, and out-looks have been cleared up, strengthened, and bettered.  It’s weird but at the same time, it’s incredibly cool.  The workings of the Lord and the Spirit are extremely detailed.  Those are two of my favorite things to learn about, 1- The Savior and 2- How the Spirit works in and through me.

Well, upon finishing up this e-mail, I want to leave you with my testimony that God is involved in the details of our lives. That He loves us more than we can even understand and no matter is too small to talk to the Lord about.  He is waiting for us, ready to listen, ready to respond.  The Savior loves us.  That is why He died for us, so that we can bring our burdens to Him and He will make them light.  I love the Savior with all my heart and I want nothing more than to be His servant, be His disciple and do the things that He would have me do.  These things I share in His sacred name. Amen.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Hermana Hermansen

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………………......