April 11, 1991
Zone Conference today was awesome. I loved it. One of the Sisters who is going home this month said, “I can’t believe it’s my turn.” I think it is sad that her mission is over and she still doesn't get it. When she said that, the Spirit said to me, “Her turn is over.” Right now is my turn to be a missionary. I hope I never allow myself to think that after my mission will be my turn. Right now is my turn.
I found out at zone conference today that my transfer day to go home will be May 7, 1992. That means that my turn is almost 1/2 over. Every time I think about leaving the Hmong people, it literally brings tears to my eyes.
We also watched the new video, “Called to Serve, “ at Zone Conference. That brought back sooooo many memories. Everything from me and Kristin opening my call to my first day at the MTC, to saying good-bye to my family, to seeing Kristin at the airport, to meeting President Bott at the airport, to the joy of teaching the gospel, to the joy of getting letters from those I love, to trying to five away a Book of Mormon on the plane ride out, came flooding into my mind. I wonder if anyone ever really understands that video besides missionaries.. Zone Conference, didn’t leave much time for teaching today, but it did provide an opportunity for some very choice spiritual experiences, as well as some valuable reflection on my mission. I am so glad that I chose to be a missionary. I love this work. I’ll never stop asking, but that doesn’t mean I can’t love this work at the same time.
April 12, 1991
What an awesome day! We had the opportunity to teach a lot of discussions, find a few new families, and talk to some investigators about baptism. I think that Xeng Pao Thao and his family will be baptized on the 27th of this month. There the one other family that might be ready by then too. I can’t wait to see someone all dressed in white again. Than’s the closest I can come to feeling like i’m in the temple during my mission. I really do love being a missionary. I think that it is so awesome. There is nothing more important that I could do with my life right now. I have been called by a prophet of the Living God to do the work which I am about. We have taught 18 discussions all ready this week. That matches my most ever for my whole mission. I got a letter from Grandpa and Grandma Hansen today. Grandpa even sent me some money that was very much need this month. I don’t know where all of my money has gone, this month , but it is sure as heck gone. Oh well, the Lord always provides a way.
I’m kind of realizing how little time I have left as a missionary. I can’t believe that it is nearly one half over. There is so much work to be done. Sometimes, I wonder if I am really getting it all done. I guess that all I can do is give it 110%. Make that 200%.
April 13, 1991
A long time ago, I recorded in my journal a story told to me about a boy who was killed by a thai Soldier in the refuge camps. Well, tonight we went and saw that boy’s family again. That was the best discussion that I have had the opportunity to teach in my whole life. The father of that house and I were instant friends the very minute I walked in the door. At the end of the discussion, we asked the father to pray. He said no problem and prayed. that was the most beautiful prayer that I have ever heard in my whole life.
We have been blessed with the opportunity to teach 19 discussions this week. that is one short of our goal, but it is still by far the very most proactive week of my whole mission. Not only did we teach more than I ever have before, but we have 5 families that are progressing towards baptism very well. Being a missionary is sooooo fun! I fell like while I was in Visalia, I was taught a lot of very important things about being an effective missionary. Although I still have a long way to do, I feel that I have also come a long way. I can see now why the Lord sent me to Visalia.
I love to be a missionary! There is nothing on the face of the earth that I would rather do tight now. the Lord has truly blessed our efforts here. I hope and pray that he will continue to do so. I love to be a missionary here.
April 14, 1991
well, today went pretty well, I can’t say it was filled with hard work all day, but it was filled with important work. This morning we went to stake conference in Hanford to translate. It was such a good conference! president Bott spoke. Even though his talk was only about 3 minutes long, I think it was probably the very most inspirational talk I have ever heard. It is pretty hard to translate when you have tears in your eyes.
It was so good to go back to the Hmong branch in Fresno this after-noon. President Darden had me talk to the Hmong people in Sacrament meeting for a while. It was so much fun to be back. there is only one way to describe the way that I felt in church today. “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now if your joy will be great with one should that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me. That joy is the most fulfilling thing that I have ever felt in my whole entire life!
We had the opportunity to give a man a blessing tonight. How wonderful the Lord is that he would bless me, his most unprofitable servant, with the power from on hight to heal the infirmities of his children! I hope and pray that the Lord will continue to allow me to act as an instrument in His hand in this way throughout my life. I am so very grateful for the Priesthood which I hold.
April 15, 1991
Well, today has been kind of a strange P-day. It was more like a work day than a P-day. We went up to the hospital to give a boy a blessing at about 10:00 am. I had my tie on all day after that. We just never seemed to get a chance to sit down. Rather than record the events of this day, for which the glory is unto my Father in Heaven, I feel it would be best to simply record my testimony of the power of the priesthood.
There is no power on the face of the earth today that will ever come anywhere close to the matchless power of God. I have the opportunity to see and be a part of the miracles which have taken place this day.
I know that the power of the priesthood is real. I am so grateful for the priesthood which I hold. There is no better feeling on this earth than that felt through observance of and participation in both the essential and nonessential ordinances of the gospel! I bear this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Wednesday, April 17, 1991
I am tired! Last night had better be the longest night of my mission. We went to the hospital at 9:00 PM. We translated for the little Hmong boy that had been hit by the car for a couple of hours. At 1: 00 a.m, the hospital called us again and said that he had taken a turn for the worse. They needed us to translate for the nurses while they suggested to the family that their boy's organ be donated to others. The family said no. Afterwards, they ask us if we would please stay with them until sunrise. We stayed and participated with them in their all night vigil. We talked a lot, prayed a lot, and cried through it all. That boy was only one year older than Brett. At 6:00 a.m., we went back home and slept until about 10:00 a.m. That is when we learned that the boy had died. We went back to the hospital for two more hours. We made all of the funeral arrangements and basically took care of everything for the parents. It is amazing how close you can come to people during an experience like that. Last night was by far the most difficult night of my whole entire life. It was far worse than any nightmare I have ever had.
MOM: There is an experience here where Kristen really hurts dad's heart. I'm omitting it, but if you need to read it I can look it up for you.
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