Yup Still Here - MTC Feb. 9, 2012

Well, MTC life is going swell.  Teaching our 2 teachers as investigators, plus 1 other guy who is a "real" investigator, but who is an actor.  But he's good.  We just started teaching him this week.  My companion, Elder Nilsen, and I are the new zone leaders for our zone here.  It's not a big deal at the MTC - we meet the new missionaries coming in, tell them the rules, and go to meetings.  But it should be good.  I really like our district, and also the whole zone is pretty good.  Also, those going to Argentina had a meeting with visa agents today.  Maybe that was their official title.  Today all it was was fingerprinting us and signing something.  But next week, we'll be meeting with the actual consulate.  Those who were supposed to leave on Feb. 20th won't be able to leave then, but will have to wait for when we leave.  We, however, should be able to leave at our appointed time, March 12th or roundabouts.  They were saying it's so weird with the whole visa thing right now because one of the consulate people was reassigned, so they've been under-staffed there.  Whatevs.


Mom - Sorry I didn't reply, but my mind works in mysterious ways.  I did receive your package, along with the contacts.  I got the contacts days before the letter you sent saying I would be getting them.  So that's taken care of.  I appreciate the rice krispie treats.  And pistachios.  And gummy worms.  I haven't actually gotten into either the pistachios or the gummy worms yet, but that's for the better.  The paddle thing broke.  So then I played with just the ball.  But then the light broke, so now I just have a sphere that is slightly bouncy and acts somewhat like a gyroscope.  I'm thinking I might crack it open to see if I can just play with the light.  It might be too much entertainment for me to handle though.  On a separate note, Alex should be thanking you hourly for tricking out his dance.  It sounded wonderful.  The food sounded good too.  It's also nice that it all seemed to come together without much hassle.  And very much enjoy grandma's, up in Idaho.  It's a bit gloomy here right now, a bit cold.  But really not bad.  Things are starting to bloom, as well.  It should make the temple walk much prettier.

Alex - All in all, you seem to be having a relatively good time.  What in the world was up with the "Hey Bryce" beginning though.  I wrote Bryce but it might not have gotten there because I haven't heard back in a month.  I'll probably have to do that again.  I enjoyed your little testimony thing.  Good writing, too.  Mostly.  It reminded me of one of the parts of the MTC that I absolutely love.  Perhaps the most.  Every Tuesday night we have a devotional.  On Sundays we have a fireside, which is similar.  But the special thing about Tuesday is two things.  First, the speakers are generally higher up in the church.  If apostles are speaking, it'll be on a Tuesday.  Second, afterwards we meet with our district, occasionally a member of the branch presidency, and all go around sharing what we learned from the devotional.  I always liken it to instruments.  If we're good instruments, you can get a pretty sweet solo going on.  But as you add in different types, the music becomes more complex, more varied, and to me, generally more pleasing.  I always love symphonies.  As missionaries, we're all instruments.  If we're being the best we can be, we'll be playing a good tune.  If we are all being the best we can be, it can invite the Spirit to speak through us.  When we are able to bear our testimonies and speak about the devotionals, you can have love for those you serve with.  It's a good thing.  It makes me want to let other people know about it so they can do the same thing.  And hey, that's what I'll be doing.  Speak (not) of the devil!

Ty - Your letter was interesting.  I liked Tron when we watched it at our house on the projector.  It doesn't exactly have a complicated plot, but I don't really pay attention to the plot as I'm watching movies.  Not a first time analyzer.  But I feel your point.  Idle is bad.  I've been reviewing my study notebook I started before my mission which has part of preparing my sacrament talk.  One of the things about idleness I just read that I remember liking is that it is a seedbed for mischief, a hollow filling of being active.  I get what you're saying about being idle.  I understand what you're saying about decisions.  When you look at it, it's quite obvious that it's the truth.  We won't be going into the past.  And about cooking for them.  That is plain weird.  I don't know if I could quite take it.  An exercise in charity, to cook for those people in my mind.  But as long as you like em, it's alright.  And your letter, it wasn't boring.  Perhaps a bit random in some aspects, but that is often the opposite of boring.

By the way, whoever might read this, I write out names and respond to people who have written, but I know you'll read it all.  It's no fun if I take the time to write everything and you only read the one to you.  Beyond that, things are going well.  I missed out on the temple today because of the meeting, which was too bad.  Next week the meeting is a bit earlier, so I might still have time to do initiatories.  You still need to tell me what to do with the temple names I have, mother dearest.  Life is good.  Teaching investigators in Spanish is hard because you sound dumb alot, or just don't know what to say.  Half the time you have to remember what to say in English, then try to translate it.  Plus, you have to be listening to everything that is said, by your companion, yourself, the investigator.  The Spirit.  It'll get better.  Random fact, I'm sleeping on the top bunk now.  Exciting.  So far I haven't really needed anything.  And as of this writing, that still holds.  So you don't have to worry.  If I really wanted to get fat, it would be easy.  Somewhat slower than it could be, but I could gain 15 pounds in 5 weeks.  I won't though.  That wouldn't end up well.  Anyways, have a wonderful time doing whatever it is you do.  I really think Alex should spell his name like this "Aelx" sometimes.  Maybe that could be his Starcraft/game name.  Dig it.

Until next, with love,

Elder Hansen


Letter from the Family Feb 7, 2012

Hey Bryce & Nick!!!! 
I know it has been a while since I have written you but I blame kevin somewhat. 
How have you been doing? Everything coming along? 
Anywho here are a couple of my thoughts and experiences of late. 
Men strive to achieve greatness. They toil with challenges and wrestle with opposition to reach the point in time where their fellow man, peers, friends, and family will cheer for them. To reach that one moment. Not every second is worth the same amount. The secret of life then is to make that second happen in the next second of Life. 

I turned 18 yesterday. And it was the best day of my life. I had so many friends wish me luck for this next year. They are happy for me, that I am alive. Yesterday was planned out by myself invariably weeks in advance. Not the having the birthday part, but the church's formal dance happened on the same day. I am the kind of guy who wants to help my friends, and my brothers. 
I go out of my way to do that because I want to have someone to stand with when victory comes. Victory is best spent in good company. I had a large group. I made sure all of my friends had asked someone. We had 10 couples for dinner and 13 couples in the group overall. I was lucky enough to go with the wonderful Mary Jarman. The theme was 'I See The Light' from Tangled. It was a night I won't forget. My life has been blessed beyond comparison. I have the best everything. The best friends, family, leaders, teachers... Everyone around me encourages me to greatness, and I will achieve it someday. The Lord has saved my life, a debt that take a life in return to repay. I testify of the scriptures. 
I know that God is real. Look around and you will see beauty everywhere. Even in hard times you will see it. Chaos couldn't have created this. There is order and life all around us. If you will give your all to the Lord he will give you what you need, and he might just show you how much that is, and then give you more than you can fathom. In a year from now approximately I will be headed out on a 2 year mission to serve God. Why do I pay for this mission, give up two of the vital years of my life to meet strangers and testify of what I believe? Because I believe that leaving my friends and family for two years to help others spend it with their family for eternity is a just cause. I know that this church is true. There is a spirit that you may feel somewhere else. The spirit isn't limited to a building on the corner off Lindsey and Pueblo but it is a gift that you may receive as a constant companion when you live right and by the right authority. I believe everything happens 
 for a reason and even at my young age I look back on my short past and can see that my mistakes have led me to where I am now typing here in my bedroom on my old laptop. I do not regret anything I have done in life. I acknowledge that there has been trash that has polluted my past. But instead of carrying it with me I have thrown it away. I believe in the atonement with my entire being. And I know life is a gift that we are meant to enjoy. And I am doing so in the best ways possible. I have a solid testimony that will have its storms beat on it, but I am sure that it will hold because I have centered it and built it on a sure foundation. I believe in the best part of someone. Good luck to you as you go on with your journey. Enjoy life.    

Hi Nick, 

I made the mistake of not getting everyone writing on Sunday, and I went to work and they never wrote.  Never fear, we all still think of you and love you. 

Bill & Jeanne were here over the weekend.  Cade came down on Saturday too.  He bought himself a handgun. 

For mormon prom, Sam & I decorated.  We made hearts to hang down from the hooks around the family room.   Moved all the furniture to the dining room and moved the dining room table to the family room.  We also used the big round table.  There were 9 couples.  For table decorations, we went to Ikea and found these long skinny shallow plates.  We filled them with water and a few mini carnation heads (red) and floated candles in them.  We also put candles all around the shelf and fireplace hearth.  Yeah, it worked.  I bought the white square dishes from Sam's club and broke out the new silverware.  It looked amazing.  Lots of compliments.  The meal came together and my part was done. 

Otherwise we just played lots of games.  It was a good weekend.  Went by too fast. 

Dad and I are flying up to Idaho to see Grandma O on Thursday.  Dad will fly home on Sunday, but I will be there until the next Thursday.  Looking forward to seeing my mom and the rest of the fam, and having some down time.