Bula bula bula,

So this week has been pretty interesting we have done a lot of good work lately and we are seeing some of the blessings come from that, I’m pumped.

A couple months ago we received a referral from some other missionaries about a young man and we tried like 20 times to contact him but to no avail then this week they asked us again if we had met him and since we hadn't they were all like what the crap, go baptize him and all we could say was we would if he would talk to us. Haha, well long story short we ended up catching him at home and because something was wrong with our phone we hadn't been receiving his texts but he had received ours, hah, so he was always thinkin that we were just too busy to meet so that’s why we hadn't replied.  So we were just both mixed up and way off but now we’re on the right track and we have a lesson on Wednesday which should be good. And then hopefully get him baptized and saved here sometime soon.

Other than that we have been trying to do a lot of less active work and we have come in contact with some people recently that have been lost for quite some time now and I know as soon as they feel the spirit again in their lives that we will be able to help them see again and realize the blessings that come from living the gospel.

Which brings me to my last topic, haha. Last week on Monday we visited with one of our less active members, he’s the type who has all of these problems with the church and how it’s run and has all these ideas of how it could be better.  I would like to relay to you some of what I learned just from sitting down with him. A couple things that he brought up were the new missionary age and the Word of Wisdom.  About the age he said "I think it’s a horrible idea" (about the age for men), and "it’s about time the brethren realize the women can do stuff too" (about the age for sisters). And then about the Word of Wisdom which he doesn't follow by drinking coffee he said "I don't feel the Spirit but do you really think it is that simple, just giving up coffee?". May I try and offer some advice that has sort of struck home to me: The Book of Mormon. This book was translated by divine powers, and within its pages we can learn a couple things, 1-that Jesus is the Christ and that we must follow his gospel, and 2-God works the same yesterday, today and forever. He calls prophets to show us, His children, the way to eternal life. If this is understood, and we begin to walk by faith in a world governed by sight we will feel His heaven-sent influence in our lives and we can have the sure understanding that doesn't come from any other source but God Himself, a sure understanding that he loves and cares for us, and that His son died for all of us and that if we follow His plan for us we CAN LIVE WITH HIM AGAIN. So if we will humble ourselves and let go of the pride that we carry in our hearts and have a true desire to know, then read and pray about the Book of Mormon, we will know. Then all doubts will fly and all desires to do what man wants us to do will disappear. Another comment this man had was this, "science has proven, that we need two things in life in order to be happy, one, some close relationships with other humans and two, something good to look forward to." God has provided those things long before science was ever established. He gives us our family relationships as well as an opportunity to have a relationship with Him, and He has also given us something to look forward to, life after this one, a perfect life free from sorrow and pain and sickness. He sends prophets to deliver this message, and what is the prophet’s declaration today? Love at Home.

I love this gospel, I love the feeling I get when sharing it, I love the feeling I get when I live it.

Peace and blessings,

Elder Hanke 

Thoughts and prayers with Diana… and Jeff… and those 5 K’s. J

What’s up, Bula Bula Bula

Some crazy awesome news, as well as not so awesome, so thanks for it, haah.

Anywhobiwhatey, our week was pretty crazy, no updates on those people other than, we didn’t get to see them.

We did quite a bit of work with less actives and then just enjoyed Conference. And what a time it was, I love conference on the mish.  So it’s like taking an adrenaline shot of inspiration, I learned so much and felt the spirit so strong.

I only have time to share one experience this week. so we listened to the talk from Pres. Monson yesterday about following promptings from the Spirit and he always has the best stories about him doing that, well yesterday we had our own like that. This is a testimony to me about how much God really does care about all of us. So yesterday we went to Hayward across the Bay to visit some of our investigators we went and neither of them were home, so we went to visit a less active family that stays in Hayward. We usually don't go because the father works 24/7 and we can’t go in without another man home, but we figured we could just stop by and say hi. Well let me tell you, we showed up and the Dad answered the door which threw me for a loop first then as we came in and started  talking to him and learned that he had just lost his job the day before and that their rent was due in two weeks and about how stressed he was over the whole situation until he watched Conference.  While watching it he had a good feeling come over him just letting him know that everything would be alright, and then when we showed up he said it was like a seal of approval for him, knowing that God was watching out for him and letting him know that he knows exactly what each person is going through and will send help. We were able to testify to him that God prompted us to go there because He knew what he needed.  I’m very grateful for moments like these on my mission, they are a great strength and I hope all others can follow the same promptings and then feel the same feelings of gratitude and love as I have come to feel.

Peace and blessings,

Elder Hanke

I have to presume the "not so awesome news" was BYU's win over Utah State - that was a bummer! 

Enjoyed Conference this weekend, below is a quote from one of my favorite talks.  :)

Bula Bula,

So for the week, haha finally.

We had a pretty good time that’s for sure haha, let me tell you about Tuesday.

I went on exchanges with another Elder from my district in downtown Frisco on a bike. Haha i have sooo much respect for those guys it’s some pretty tough cookin up and down those hills, especially when i was on a bike made for someone 10 inches shorter than me and about 80 pounds lighter, haha! We had to tighten the brakes a couple times because that sucker just wasn't gunna stop me goin down those hills, haha. But anywho, that’s the least of the worries they have there.  The people are so full of Prop. 8 that really nobody wants to talk to us. There are very few occasions when someone will talk to us and it’s usually to yell at us and tell us all the things they think is wrong with what we are doing and why they don't believe mixed in with some cuss words and some waving of hands. It'll be a good story for the grandkids though for sure, haha.  And at least I’m not getting punched in the face like Isaac, haha.

That was definitely the highlight of the week for sure and other than that it went pretty slow besides the weekend. We didn’t get to see Bill or Michelle this week so that was a bummer, hopefully we can set something up this week though, that would be good. We did a bunch of finding as they call it, or just spending time each day to find new people to teach which wasn’t very successful at all haha. Another day in the life.

 And as for the weekend it was boss!  So we went to the eating at around 5 knowing that if it was supposed to start by 4 then the food wouldn't show up until 5 but we were wrong it came at 5:30 and (Elder) Chapman and I got sucked into spending a couple hours preparing it to be served.  And you know how it is in the Polynesian Community, everyone doesn't just get a slice of pineapple, they each get a whole one to themselves, so prepping food for that many people can take a little bit of time. But oh boy was it worth it!  We ate sooo good, I think I gained five pounds right there. So much good stuff, haha, can’t wait until the next one.

Other than that everything here is the same. Thanks a bunch for the package, the cups are sweet. All I gotta say is they  (USU) better beat BYU or else I’m doomed.

Peace and blessings,

Elder Hanke

Here are a few explanations…

 “At least I’m not getting punched in the face like Isaac” = Garrett has a friend serving a mission in Russia, who happened to get in the middle of an escalated conversation and – you got it – he got punched in the face.

The “eating” (Poly talk) was a huge meal held after a missionary farewell in the Fijian Branch last Sunday.  The girl leaving on the mission is the daughter of the very sweet lady that will email me once in a while with updates on and pictures of Garrett.  She sent a couple of emails yesterday – very sweet, as always – and included pictures, which I’ve added below.

We sent Gar some USU cups that we got at a football game… so I’m sure the pressure is on, because I think that all of the Poly’s in the Bay Area are serious BYU fan.  USU and BYU play this weekend… go Aggies! 

Hope everyone is doing well, we love you all!  Continued thoughts and prayers are with Di, Jeff, and the kids.

Elder Hanke, Sister Sherry Tagilala, and Elder Chapman

 Elder Hanke and Elder Chapman supervising?

(Not sure if Gar has a sucker in his mouth, but I'm pretty sure he's drooling over the food.)

And now... time for the "eating". (And eating, and more eating!)