Re: Welcome to Monday!!

I celebrated two months this week! I have been out for two months!! WHAT IS LIFE?>!?  

(Thank you Paige Sanford for the package with the candle!)

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 1:18 PM, Madeline Hannah <madeline.hannah@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Richmond Ward, RS Birthday Party 

Destany S, Sister Jones and Me

Sister J and Me :) 

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 1:17 PM, Madeline Hannah <madeline.hannah@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Sister Wu & Bhuda, Sister Ward (sister training leaders) Sister Jones, Me

Exchanges! 

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 1:16 PM, Madeline Hannah <madeline.hannah@myldsmail.net> wrote:

I am also sending you a ton of pictures as I BCC them to my blog... lol Thank you for putting up with it!

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 1:16 PM, Madeline Hannah <madeline.hannah@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Sister Jones and I before exchanges.  We matched styles :) I just love this girl!

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 1:15 PM, Madeline Hannah <madeline.hannah@myldsmail.net> wrote:

more pictures! 

my mini me; Natalie! She thought my tag would make her invisible in hide and seek

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 1:13 PM, Madeline Hannah <madeline.hannah@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Sister Jones and I with my fourth cousins! Luke, Jordan and Colby Bryner! 
​

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 1:10 PM, Madeline Hannah <madeline.hannah@myldsmail.net> wrote:

HEY! 

Man, I love Mondays! They are the "day off" but there is really so much to do... it is crazy sauce!

I haven't gotten your letter yet, but if you sent it last week, it should be coming in soon!! I have been on the lookout for it all week! 

WAIT WHAT NOW?! Dennis!! Why the heck are you so stressed?!! Shingles SUCKS.  My grandma Hannah had it and it was awful.   I also heard from Mom you will be there in April! :) I am so glad you are utilizing my family! We have extra rooms now that I am missing! LOL.  I think Jeff has even moved downstairs/...so I hgave absolutely NO IDEA what the current situation is.  PS, I can't not worry when you tell me you have shingles ya crazy.  THat is serious stuff!! 

I am doing amazing.  MIRACLES ON MIRACLES this week.  AGAIN.  IT IS AWESOME.  SO MANY tender mercies and just absolutely incredible experiences.  I wish I could just scan in my journal and send it out... that would be ideal.  The weather has been AWESOME and I celebrated my two months! I can't believe is has been a whole EIGHT weeks in the field.  It still doesn't feel real.  Just the other day I had a realization that "yes I am a missionary. My nametag is still real!" and there are currently two sister Hannah's because sisster Jones lost her nametag.  It is quite hilarious when people look at us.  We work SO well together.  Honestly, the last two weeks have been so incredible we are both just waiting for the crash and burn.  I know it won't happen as long as we are obedient and stay righteous! Look for my group email to read up on all the miracles and awesome stories! I had an awesome experience at a baptism that will be in it! 

STAY HEALTHY OK!! I haven't gotten poictures in a while either.... what is up with that? No more slefie king? 

much love,

Sister MAdeline Hannah

On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 1:12 AM, Dennis Minster <dennisminster@gmail.com> wrote:

HELLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

How was your week? DID YOU GET MY LETTER??? I hope you did :)

So, needless to say, these past few weeks have probably been some of the most stressful weeks of my life. Like no joke, I have developed a case of shingles because of it!!!! Don't worry I'm headed to the doctor on the 26th! It burns and I hate it... Such is life lol.

In any case, things are getting better and picking up :) so no need to worry!! Haha

How are things going on your end? Are you loving your companion? Remember most of your teaching is effective when you guys are united!!

I hope all is well dear :)

I love you!
-Dennis

Sent from my iPhone

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Exchanges!

Sister Ward, Sister Wu (and Buddha), Sister Jones & Me

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Lexington Zone Conference (February 2015)

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Meet the new companion: Sister Jones!!

Sister Katelyn Jones is from Rigby, Idaho and we are practically best friends.  We get along wonderfully and preach the gospel with POWER.  We are so unified and we click perfectly.  I have only been with her a week and have learned so much from her!  She and I are already seeing the miracles of exact obedience!! :)

Much love, 

Sister Hannah

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Pictures!!

I love letters and my big warm coat!! :) 

Send me lots of mail!! I will write back!!!!!!

1325 Eastern Parkway

Louisville, KY 40204

Sister Hannah

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Transfer One District

THe first transfer!! My district!! 

Elder White and Elder TRost (Zone LEaders)

Sisters Hannah and HEiner

Elders Bartok and Waite 

the elders are mixed, they aren't standing in their companionships.

much love, 

Sister HAnnah

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

I survived the first transfer!!!

This week was week 6.  The final week of my very first transfer!! I am pleased to tell you all that I survived my very first transfer as Sister Hannah!! It was a great transfer that consisted of a lot of chocolate, a couple baptisms and lots of growth.  Overall, it was a great transfer though!! Tomorrow I will be saying goodbye to Sister Heiner and getting a new companion. Crazy!! 

Highlights from this week: 

-I am sure you all saw the video of me on facebook... trying to shake the ping pong balls out of the tissue box.  That is how I started my week!! Sister Bryner had us test out minute to win it games and I enjoyed myself a little bit too much.  SIster HEiner ended up winning, but we all had a good laugh.  Worked off my dinner before I ate it. 

-We had a lot of incredible lessons this week!! One of them was in Sister Christensen's home by a fluke- we can't park on EKU cmpus- and it was an incredible lesson about the temple and the plan of salvation!! Katie, our investigator, is so solid and continues to let her testimony grow!!

-I had 'real' american chinese food!! More of what I am used to at least.  I don't know why I ever trusted Rexburg to have good chinese food.. .or the shady shack on main, but I finally got some decent chinese food.  Thank you so much Brother Minerich!! You made my day! :)

-We taught Kathy, Carmel and Angeline a lesson on the priesthood.  IT was INCREDIBLE.  We were able to bring Patriarch and Sister MArchant with us and it was SO POWERFUL to have Brother Marchant testify of the priesthood to them.  Many insights were gained and prayers were answered.  Angeline was given a blessing and in the blessing somethingwas said to the extent of 'your children are doing good.  They are well.'  Ruby, her daughter, had just recently passed away and the family was wondering if she was ok.  None of us (the missionaries or marchant's) knew of this conversation. Brother Marchant surely didn't know that they were struggling a lot.  The blessing was so sweet and tender.  The priesthood is real and the blessings are incredible!!!!!

-The next visit to Kathy's she taught us!! The lesson was absolutely INCREDIBLE!! HEr and Carmel did a wonderful job!! 

-CARMEL AND ANGELINE GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! Even though we didn't teach them officially, they are KAthy's family so we were involved in the baptism!! We are so excited for them and the step that they have taken on their eternal journey!! It begins here!! :) 

I LOVE RICHMOND.  I love being a missionary.  Some days I feel certain that I was born to be a missionary, other days I struggle.  The days where I struggle make the days that are good so much more glorious.  I love this work, it is real, it  is  incredible.

Always smile. 

stay rad, stay righteous!!

much love!!

Sister Hannah

pictures: Sister Heiner and I with our mustaches! 

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

The Laughing Stock of Richmond.

So it really feels like there is not much more to report on this week because I feel like I just emailed... because I did!!

Here are some highlights! 

Thursday: Sister Heiner and I turned into popsicles.  Our toes completely froze, it was -10 probably and it was miserable until we warmed up.  

Friday: We had a trainer/ trainee meeting at the Richmond building and when we showed up, there was NO electricity!!!!  So we froze for some time until our awesome ward building coordinator got it fixed! We were prepared with warm coats and layers, but all of the elders were not prepared!  When the electricity finally came back on it was such an incredible blessing!! :) 

Saturday: Freezing rain.  The weirdest thing this California girl has seen.  Not only did it completely SOAK me from head to toe, but it froze instantly!! So bizarre!! Then we were just wet an miserable walking around.  BUT the Christensen's saved the day, like they always do! They were able to give us a few rides here and there to save out boots- Which were completely soaked, through and through.  It was not my favorite.  

Sunday: I LOVE SUNDAYS.  The spirit is always so strong and marvelous. I love the spirit I feel at church and that I am able to partake of the Sacrament.  Helen was taught that night also and she felt the spirit!! Helen is the sweetest woman who has trouble remembering the things we teach her.  She was able to listen to the Book of Mormon and just started sobbing because she could feel that it was true in her heart.  It is these tender mercies that really make the work SO worth it!! 

If you want to pray specifically for my investigators here are some names!!

Helen- that she will be able to remember

Jill- that she will continue to progress and make the right decisions 

Katie- that she will be able to come to church and set a baptismal date! 

all of your prayers are appreciated and felt.  I feel them life me up all the time!!

I love you all! :) 

Much love, 

Sister Hannah

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Rookie Mistake and a BAPTISM!

Hello all!! This week was slow for the work, but we did indeed have a baptism!!!! 

Kathy is the newest member of the church!! And I love her to death!! :) Watching her testimony grow and develop is one of the sweetest blessings!! 

A couple of tender mercies and miracles from this week: 

-We received a referral and thought it was a bad address..  The street wasn't on our map and it was no where on the street we thought it was supposed to be on.  When we were walking home Sister Heiner just happened to notice the street we were looking for!! We were able to find the girl and set up a return appointment!!

-KATHY WAS BAPTIZED!!! We forgot to arrange a ride home from the church and so after calling almost everyone in our phone book with no luck, we started to hoof it... with a package and a bag of wet baptismal clothing.  OK, keep in mind, this is not short walk.  Probably 2-3 miles and not on side streets... on main road.  We had barely gone about a mile and some members pulled over and asked us if we needed a ride.  YES.  THANK YOU!!! They they proceeded to feed us TX BBQ and it was so delicious!! Thank you Brother and Sister Ramsay!! :) The other tender mercy from that day was we still had an extra 30 minutes from our lunch hour and we were able to take a nap... because Sister Heiner and I were both extremely exhausted.  It was awesome!! :)  OH and it was also 62 degrees!!! BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!!

Loving the work and the people here!! The ward is amazing and everyone is so nice!!!

Here is the rookie mistake of my week: 

Rookie Mistake #1: the bike.
This is a typical rookie mistake. Not to mention I looked pretty ditsy when this happened too. Sister Heiner and I had ridden our bikes a few times previous to this day and my bike was really hard to ride. I put it off as I was out of shape and in a new environment with a heavy bag on my back. I knew in the back of my head though, that all of my time spent at the gym on the bike didn't go to waste. I was frustrated with myself that I couldn't keep up with Sister Heiner because I knew I could do better. I told myself I would get better and build up more endurance as the days went on and as the weather got warmer. I figured that I was just needed more leg muscle. So Tuesday rolls around. Sister Heiner has the genius idea to check our tire pressure. I felt my tires prior to her checking the PSI and they felt perfectly fine to me. The front tire was a little squishy, but I honestly thought it was fine. I later learned I clearly did not press hard enough. So we check to see what the pressure should be and the tire tells us between 50 and 75 PSI. Ok, not a problem. We have the bike pump and it has a meter on it. So we check the actual tire pressure and the front tire was at 13 PSI. THIRTEEN. HAHAHA. OK so at this point I am just baffled that I was able to be riding this bike. This tire is SO FLAT. Sister Heiner is a doll and pumped my tire for me. So then (here is the best part) we check the back tire. It is also supposed to be between 50 and 75 PSI. It was at 10 PSI. At this point I am just dying of laughter and my rookie mistakes. I have pretty much zero bike experience, let alone thinking to check the tires. So we pump the back tire up, check her tires and then get on the road to our appointments. Not only was my bike INCREDIBLY easier to ride, I was able to KEEP UP. I knew that all of those nights at the gym were worth something!!! I knew I wasn't a complete loss!! My leg muscle is still there and I am actually doing better that I thought I would with the hills. Thankful for my previous 'training' at the gym to be a bike missionary!

MUCH LOVE!!!!!

Sister Hannah

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Miracles don't always have to be HUGE.

Hello again my lovely friends and family!!

This week was incredible!! BUT before I tell you all about that, I have a request:  

Send me back your personal definition of the ward HARD. (as in: this is a difficult taks or experience, not this is a hard candy...)  I just want to see what everyone else's perspectives on this is! :) 

Many miracles were seen here in Richmond this week.  They weren't HUGE and glorious like raising someone from the dead, but they were miracles nonetheless.  

It started off with Mattie and Jackie, a family we are teaching.  Jackie is 3 and very active.  It makes it really hard for Mattie to focus and understand what we are teaching.  Sister Heiner and I prayed before we left the house that Jackie would be calm and we would have a good teaching environment.  When we got there, Jackie sat quietly on the bed the entire time.  She was so well behaved and we were able to teach Mattie what she needed to hear!!

Second miracle: We were late to an appointment and it was across town... easily a 20 minute walk.  Sister Christensen just happened to be driving by and was able to zip us right over to the appointment.  Not a coincidence, but a miracle :)  God is SO aware of all of His children!!

Third: We were at a loss of what to do.  All of our appointments fell through, all of our back ups fell through and we were in a parking lot trying to figure something out.  We prayed to know where to go or what to do.  We felt like we should walk down Linden Street and we found Brian.  He was so receptive to our message and we get to teach him tonight!! I am so excited!! It was that little tender mercy of the day.  

Sunday is always a miracle because we actually made it through another week.  Yesterday was no different.   We also had TWO investigators at church!!!  And we have a baptism this Saturday for Kathy!! :) I walked into teaching her, but she is sop ready and excited to be baptized!

 This week flew by.  I am so excited to see how the rest of the transfer goes.  The work is amazing here.  There are so many people I know I need to talk to and I wish I could talk to them all!! Yes, I am going to get rejected, but it is important to share with everyone!!!  I love missionary work.  I know there is no place I would rather be than right here in Richmond, Kentucky spreading the good word to all those who will listen.  I love the Lord, I love tender mercies.  I love noticing the Lord's hand in my life.  I challenge each one of you to take a step back and watch for the Lord in the details of your life, because I PROMISE YOU, HE is there.  He will never turn His back on us, We are the ones who turn our back on Him.

Stay rad & Stay righteous.  This is a happy gospel! SMILE!! :)

Much love!!

Sister Hannah

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.