Plymouth the Promised Land

We received our first letter from Allyson after arriving in Indiana on Monday. We also received some pictures. Enjoy!

Allyson with the other missionaries going to Indiana

Hi all,

Well the first thing we had to do was drive two hours to Plymouth with Sister Kelly(she is the Branch president's wife). I was way tired and wanted to sleep but I didn't. We got to Plymouth and it was flooding everywhere and we went shopping and then went to Mutual. The branch has about 100 people who attend and they all come from the towns around Plymouth. The city has a nice small town feel and the chapel is in the middle of nowhere and it is smaller than the size of the seminary building at copper hills. It is a level one chapel. Ours is a level three chapel.

Plymouth Branch Church Building

Day one was very different I had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I met the district and they are a wild bunch there are three companionship's in our district we are trying to get some Spanish elders so we can start a Spanish branch. I always have fun when I am around them. So here comes the ups and downs; we started tracting in North Liberty. We started talking to this man on the street and I could tell he was angry with God. He wouldn't let us talk and he started swearing at us. We left and I had a cry because he took the spirit away fast. After that just wanted to go but Sister Chidester said we needed to keep going so we did! We started in a new neighborhood and we found Josh, he is definitely prepared to receive the Gospel. He and his family are looking for a new church because theirs is money hungry, their boy does cub scouts (perfect). The only thing is they are busy on Sundays :(.

Random fun thing we went to a lady's house where she spoke Spanish but she couldn't understand English (I could tell she was lying, she could totally understand what we were saying). So I gave her a pass along card and I though I gave her and English one but it was Spanish! Made my day.

Plymouth is great! I wish all of you could be here with me!

Sister Hanson with her first companion Sister Chidester

Leaving for Indiana...

Today, Laura and I received a call at about 7:20AM from Allyson from the airport. She's excited to get to the mission field and sounded great. We talked for about 10 minutes and said our last goodbyes until we can talk to her again at Christmas.

I tracked her flight on the internet at work, making sure that the plane stayed in the air and landed where it was supposed to. Her plane left a little late from SLC because of a huge thunderstorm that hit the airport, but she made it to Minnesota in time to catch the connecting flight to Indianapolis. I guess I'm a bit protective of my Ally.

Later in the day we received an email with a photo attached of Allyson with President Cleveland and his wife saying that she landed safely and is excited to serve.

Laura and I both received a text message with a picture at about 5:00PM from a man named Steve. He had been on their flight and took the picture of their group along with all of the phone numbers of the families of the missionaries so he could send it to their families.

That was great to get!

Laura was also contacted on Facebook by a person who lives in Indiana letting us know that she was baking a cookie for her with her name on it. She'll give it to her as she goes to meet her trainer. 

What a blessing to see all of these kind people taking care of the missionaries.  That's what the gospel is about...taking care of your fellow man.

John

God Knows! - Allyson's Final Letter from the MTC

So today me and one of the other sisters in my district were doing some role plays. I was the missionary and I was trying to explain to the investigator (the other sister) that having the gospel in your life is a blessing and the role play was just going horrible. One of our teachers taught us that if we just listen the spirit will guide the lesson. I decided to do that and when I was doing that I heard a scripture come to me. It was John 3:16! The spirit had come and it was strong. Listen!

God knows what you are thinking. Even if you are just doing a role play he knows.

So there was an Elder having a hard time in my district and he is just really home sick. We became friends and he told me so much about his life. And because I was his friend he has more of a desire to stay on his mission and he wants to fulfill his calling!

Listen to the spirit!

Love Sister Hanson!

I Am A Missionary!

Ally's first letter from the MTC

Wow the MTC is so great! The first day I was at the MTC was the most overwhelming day of my life I felt like 3 days in one! The spirit is so great here! I just wanted to say I am doing well and so far there is nothing really scary here! Everyone is so friendly and they are always smiling!

My companion is Sister Anderson and she has a wonderful testimony! I have to say it is hard getting used to having someone around you all the time! But you just have to learn to love them!

I have learned to teach with the spirit and that is the coolest thing in the world! I would love to get emails and pictures from! I figured I can't send pictures until I am out in the field so you will just have to anticipate them for a while!

Thanks for all the love and support!

Love Sister Hanson!