happiness and things

Not too much time this week but I just wanted to share a few things with you.

- First of all, when we show our faith in the Lord by just going and doing His work--instead of complaining about it or thinking about how hard it is or questioning the reality of His hand in our lives because we aren't seeing the fulfillment of blessings right away--He really does lift our burdens.  This week was kind of a hard one in terms of missionary work and after like 5 consecutive days of getting bailed on, we didn't really want to go contact or do anything in general and it was easy to complain and be a bum.  On Friday, it had kind of all come to a peak and we were frustrated and it was super easy to just want to wallow in it and complain and stuff and not go and talk to people that probably don't care about the gospel anyway.  But instead, we went and contacted.  AND IT WAS THE BEST.  People were super kind and interested and friendly and we met some quality people and had funny moments and all those good things and it was a blessing.  But the biggest blessing is that I felt the Lord's influence and help--His lightening of our burdens--and was assured again that He has not left us alone to do His work.  He's laboring in His vineyard with us, and when we do the things we can and should do with faith and love and hope, EVEN when we don't want to or think that they're too small to make a difference or anything, He steps in and rewards us for our faith.  He never leaves us comfortless and no matter how things are frustrating, He is the One we should look to.  Also, laughter.  That helps. :)

that sign says "be careful!  the dog is mean"...heh heh heh.

- Second, if we really want to be happy and be satisfied, the best thing we can do regardless of the place or circumstance is to seek to love and serve those around us.  Forget ourselves and try to see how we can lift the burdens of others.  In this sense, we will deepen our own testimonies and know our God better, but we will ALSO work real, genuine, important good in this world.  And hey, our world could use more of that.

 that's one of the monuments at panfilov.  soo beautiful there.

(To learn more about this statue, click here.)

You want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause, and bend your efforts to helping people. Cultivate a spirit of forgiveness in your heart against any who might have offended you. Look to the Lord and live, and work and lift and serve His sons and daughters. You will come to know happiness as you’ve never known it before. I don’t care how old you are, how young you are. You can lift people and help them. Heaven knows there are so very, very many people in this world who need help.  - President Gordon B. Hinckley

- lastly, I just have a testimony that the world, more than anything, needs the light of the gospel.  It's a scary place and it's confusing and it's easy to think that everything is going wrong, but I know that as long as we will cling to the Lord, remember to do the little things we can do with our whole hearts and just love those around us, we will see His hand in our lives.  I was studying about the Anti-Nephi-Lehies

the other day and I really think it changed my life.  They were so sure that God lived and that His hand in their lives was something so merciful and grand that they could never do anything to deserve it.  However, they took it one step further and did everything they could in order to show Him their gratitude.  They had so much faith and so much love and had been changed so sincerely, they would rather die than do anything that would potentially wrong their God.  And I want to be that kind of person.  I think you do too.  And sometimes it seems daunting.  But we can start as we are.  As a missionary trying to help people keep commitments, I KNOW that.  If we will continue to read our scriptures every day, meaningfully worship on Sundays and pray personally and as families, we will see the Lord's hand in our lives and continue to become the kind of people that can do His work--a work of love and patience and hope and light...aka the work the world needs right now--on this earth.  Even today.  

He is with us.  He loves us and He is aware of everything that happens.  Trust in Him!  Cling to that and just continue being happy and being good.  D&C 123:17  

" 17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully doall 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."

All is well, loved ones.  All is well.

Love you all with my WHOLE DANG HEART,

Sister Hansen

comp photo from the longest day of the year!  right before we helped save a drunk man who was having seizures...day in the life.