Times and Seasons

Well, I feel like rubish for not updating all semester. Adjusting to home life is hard, and frankly, I didn't want to just sit here and complain about it. So I got through it, and I'm happy to ay I made it to the end of my first semester back alive! With great strides in my grades and my degree progress! So I feel very accomplished.

Since coming home from my mission, BYUI dropped my major, so I'm by default a Child Development major. I'm at a crossroads with deciding what I want to do from here. My plans are to maybe transfer out, and if I can't then to just stay. My original major was PE and Health Education, and not many schools have that. So I'm keeping my options open.

Next semester I'll be back at Disney World lifeguarding like usual! I'm excited for a fresh start, and a change of scenery for a little while. I'm excited to be able to keep warm for my 5th straight winter! Yay me!

So, I am back to normal, and back to blogging! So get ready to hear about my awesome adventures! This Monday the 17th, I am heading back to San Diego to visit all of my love and family! I am very excited to see their progress, and to show my family around the mission!! I love San Diego!!

So, here is to a fresh start, and a happy new journey!!

xx
Mia

Provo Weekend!

Well, I went to provo this last weekend! It was seriously the most refreshing/fun weekend I've had since I've been home! I saw a alot of mission friends and family, and it was just so good!

Thursday:
Drove down after my class. So I left Rexburg at 1:15 and got to Salt Lake about 5. I decided to hop out and just walk around temple square for a little while, which was so refreshing! The spirit was totally there and it felt good to go explore and just enjoy some time for myself.
I saw my favorite Visitors Center movie, called "God's plan for our families". It's all about the blessings of eternal families, and it just makes me so excited to be a wife and mom! I saw on the mission alot at the Mormon Battalion, and every time it made me cry. This time I still cried.

 
 
 

Friday: 

I got lunch with my friend Kali Browne, who was in my MTC district and she served in Buenos Aires Argentina South Mission. It was so great to catch up and talk about our missions. She is such a sweetheart and I really love her!! We ate a Mexican Restaurant called Milagros (Miracles)!!

Kali and I

Then that afternoon I met up with my good friend and favorite zone leader Bryce Harper, and we hiked the Y in Provo! It was a HARD hike! Poor Bryce was so patient and stopped like every 10 step for me to catch my breath because the air sure is thin up there! (Also... I'm not all the way in shape yet.) But it was so good for the both of us! We needed the fresh air, and plus we talked about everything under the sun! I am so grateful for him, cause he is such a great friend!!

Getting ready!

Here we go!

Almost to the top!!

Cool face!

Me and Bryce

Bryce

Top of the Y

Saturday:

I had a sleep over friday night with my sister training companion Sister Maureen Davis! We went to the Mt. Timpanogos because my cousin is getting married next weekend, and so she went through the temple, and Maureen tagged a log with me so we could hang out together. I love her so much and it's so great to always hang out with her!

Maureen and I

Then that night was the wedding reception for my favorite District Leader, Ben Wimmer. I drove up with an elder from my mission, Zach Sundwall. We ran into other missionaries from the mission and it was a good time! On the drive home Zach and I got Ice Cream, and he a great time!!

DeBaltzo, Gerts, Tipton, Clipp, Me, Sundwall

Me, Mrs. Wimmer, Ben Wimmer, Gerts, Clipp, Sundwall, Tipton, DeBaltzo.

This weekend was so needed. It was refreshing, and I learned how much Heavenly Father really hears my prayers. I saw Hand in many tender mercies from my trip, and it's a comfort to know that he loves me, and wants me to be happy!

Next weekend I'll be back in Provo again for my first mission reunion!! I am so excited! I hope it goes well, and also conference is this weekend!! I am soooo excited!! 

"I will go, I will do"

There are times in our lives when there are challenges or tasks to fulfill, that make us feel like Nephi, "And I shrunk that I might not [do this thing]..." (1 Nephi 4:10)  It's hard to see how this will fulfill it's self or how this will benefit us in the long run, when all it's doing right now is causing pain, loneliness, sadness and even anger. Where do these challenges come from? Is there a purpose to them? Why is life hard?

The Savior of all man kind had the hardest task to fulfill, to suffer for OUR sins, OUR pains, and OUR afflictions. "Which suffering caused [Him], even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore..." (D&C19:18) He shouldered the burden to provide a means for our salvation and freedom from sins and sorrow. HE is "the way, the truth and the life". (John 14:6)

Let us look forward with and eye of faith and "...know thou, my [child] that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." "The Son of Man hath descended below them all, art thou greater than He?" (D&C 122:7-8) Every challenge we have, that isn't the result of transgression, is evidence that our Supreme and Loving Heavenly Father trusts us, and feels we are ready to grow more. He knows that all of these things will be for our best, ETERNAL good.

Faith during times of trial is hard. It's hard to see that light at the end of the tunnel when there is nothing but fog blocking our way. Know that YOUR Father is aware. Know, that He is watching and guiding you. Listen to the voice of the Spirit, he will be the one to whisper words of encouragement when you need it. Read the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon to see the written words there for you when you need Him!

I know that right now, that even though no one can FULLY comprehend how I feel, or understand my worry, I am never alone, because there are two who know with a perfect understanding my anguish. My Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They understand, and as I use the enabling powers of the Atonement, I can make it! I can do the tasks the I'm asked to fulfill even when I only see about 2 feet in front of me. I can be like Nephi too. I can go, and I can do! I WILL go, and I WILL do the things the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way, he has asked me to do these things! "...let US be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth..." (1 Nephi 4:1) "...even unto the power of deliverance." (1 Nephi 1:20)

Let us look forward with an eye of faith and look to the heavens when we are in despair and feel alone. Let us keep the commandments, and keep our covenants! Let us show our faith! And then, "Therefore dearly beloved [brothers and sisters], let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance to see the salvation of God, and for His arm to be revealed." (D&C 123:17)

I know that I can do this...and so can you!

A little extra...Just in case.

Packing up, and moving out!

Well, it's been real being at home, but it's time to get back to school and just jump right into normal life! I'm excited to get back into School and all of it's adventures! I've got great roommates to live with and a new look on things! I'm ready to apply all that I've learned on my mission, and just have fun at school!

For now, I'm just rocking out in my room to latin music, and singing at the top of my lungs in spanish!! =) I've got loads to update on, so I'll get on that as soon as I've got time!

I'm out of here!

It's official, I'm a missionary! Just one last post for my addresses! I'll be back in August 2012, and I hope to have Wendy post updates from time to time. We will see how that goes! Here are my address for those who asked!


MTC:
Sister Mia Marie Hansen
MTC Mailbox # 253
CA-SD 0412
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793



Mission Home (after April 13th 2011):
Letters/Packages

Sister Mia Marie Hansen
California San Diego Mission
7404 Armstrong Pl.
San Diego, California
92111-4912


Email: mia.hansen@myldsmail.net


I love you all and I will see you all again soon! 


D&C 59:5

Gratitude

I've been reflecting a lot on the blessings in my life a lot lately as I prepare to leave. I have been so very blessed in my life and I have so many things to be thankful for. I've come up with a list of the things that I feel that I am so lucky to have and know. 

1. I'm so very grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me personally. Nothing helps me through my trials more then knowing I'm not alone. 

2. My Savior Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for the gift of a Savior and the peace that comes from knowing Him. I'm very grateful for His atoning sacrifice for me. So that for someone as imperfect as me, I am able to be forgiven for my mistakes and sins, as well as having someone who is always able to understand how I am feeling in any situation. Also that I am able to return to heaven again and live with Him and my Heavenly Father.

3. I'm grateful for my family. I could go on and on about how much they mean to me. I truly am very grateful to have 4 amazing family members that are my very best friends. I'm grateful for a brother who is an example to me by the way he honors his priesthood. He is such a great example of someone who gives selfless service. I'm grateful for my sister who blesses my life more than she realizes. She has always been the one to walk me through each phase of my life knowing how it's done. She is my support, when life brings me down. I'm thankful for my mom who is the most amazing woman to me. She is an example of the kind of person I want to be. She is a strong woman and works hard for our family. She is such a support to me emotionally and spiritually. I'm so very grateful for my dad. He is such an amazing support to my family. He is the perfect example of someone who gives Christ-like service. He serves our family in so many ways, and in more ways than I even know. I'm grateful for his financial, emotional, and spiritual support. I'm grateful for my parents example in the church and how they have taught me to live righteously. 

4. I'm grateful for the temple. I have loved temples for as long as I can remember. I am grateful for the Spirit that is there. I don't feel that it's appropriate to expound on what goes on there, but I know that the work done there is ordained of God. I know it to be the Lord's house and I look forward to every chance I get to serve Him there. 

   

5. I'm grateful for the restored gospel. I'm grateful for the curiosity of a 14 year old farm boy, who simply wanted to know which church to join. I'm grateful for the faith of Joseph Smith to bring about the Book of Mormon, and do what was asked of him by the Lord to bring about the church to the earth again. 

5. I'm grateful for Prophets and Apostles. I'm grateful that these men are on the earth today to share with us the things that our Father in Heaven wants us to know. I'm grateful for their example and the righteous lives they lead.

  

6. I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon. I love reading it and gaining so many spiritual insights into what the Lord shared with His prophets for us to hear. I love the stories and learning about the lives of ancient prophets.

7. I'm grateful for Preach My Gospel. It's been the best learning tool. I feel that I am better able to learn how to effectively teach the gospel to those who need to hear it. It helps me to feel more confident that I will be able to become an effective representative of Christ. 

8. Lastly, I'm grateful for the chance to serve my Father in Heaven and my Savior. I have been so blessed in my life in so many ways, that I look forward to giving up 18 months to share the message of the Gospel and of my Savior to the world. I feel this is the way I can show my Father my gratitude for all of my blessings. 

I have been so blessed in my life, and my heart is so full. I have so much to be grateful for. I love my life and everything in it. It's not perfect, and I've gone through my fair share of trials and mistakes. But with each curve ball thrown my way, I've glad to have come out on the other side stronger, and with a deeper love for my Savior than before. I know i'm young and have so much more life to experience, but I look forward to each day, and the chances I have for my testimony to grow and to learn from all of the things that Heavenly Father has in store for me. 

My friend Braden, who is on a mission in Nicaragua, gave the idea in an email to keep a gratitude journal. I've been trying that, and while doing that I have seen the Lord's hand in my life each day and all of the blessings I receive. I challenge anyone who is interested and has the time to try a gratitude journal. It's amazing to see that just the small things in your day that are great, can simply be tender mercies from the Lord. :)

January Blizzard

We have 2 feet of snow here in Massachusetts! Out of control! It's expected because it's New England, but these are only the storms you hear about on TV. I got up to help my dad with the plowing and shoveling. The storm started at 2 am this morning and when we started to shovel at 8 am, we already had a foot. Pretty stinkin' crazy! I've got some pictures of the damage!

The snow count for the area. Of course we are in the purple range!

The front walkway, that you can't even see. I shoveled it out and by the time I was done, another inch had fallen on it again.

My dad working with the snow plow.

Our poor cars!

Our beautiful house!

I'm thigh deep in the snow at 10 am, and the storm isn't going to finish until 5. 

This storm is at least adding to some excitement to my time at home! I've been busy de-junk-difying my room and that's been quite a "lovely" experience. But that is all done now I have an organized room and all my stuff is put away! Love it!