Christmas Week in Baldwin Village

I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT TODAY IS CHRISTMAS EVE AND THAT TOMORROW IS CHRISTMAS!!!

This is crazy. It's my second Christmas in the mission and I feel like I just got here yesterday. But it's so special to be on a mission at this time of the year, even if everyone you teach is out of town until the middle of January because of school :) 

So, because of the holidays and everyone being out of town, I don't have too many updates actually to report on as far as investigators go. It's been a slow week. We have been been out trying to contact and find new people to teach and it just seems like nobody is ever home. Oh well. We are just going to keep being diligent and working hard and enjoying the holiday season!

I was reading in an old December issue of the Ensign  that we had in our apartment and I found this story/article that was published by Elder Neil L. Anderson and I really loved it. And since there's not too much to report about the work, I thought I'd share it with all of you this Christmas season. Enjoy!!

I love you all and Merry Christmas!!

Sister Hensley

Room in the Inn 

by Neil L. Anderson

On a bright, crisp winter afternoon we pointed our van toward the mission home in Bordeaux, France. It was December 24, 1990, and we were on our way home for Christmas.

My wife, Kathy, and I, along with our four children—Camey, age 14, Brandt, 13, Kristen, 10, and Derek, 8—had just experienced a week to remember. Because of the distances involved in our mission, we had not brought the missionaries together for a Christmas celebration. Rather, we had traveled as a family to every city in the mission, bringing a feeling of family togetherness, involving the children in sharing a special Christmas program. Our family had rejoiced with each of the missionaries in the great privilege of sharing the restored gospel of Christ at this glorious time of year.

On our final day we had been joined by four wonderful missionaries. The large blue van, now full, was filled as well with the Christmas spirit, and Christmas carols and favorite stories made the travel time pass quickly. Kristen and Derek were becoming more excited with each hour as they anticipated the surprises Christmas morning would bring. We could almost smell the turkey dinner being prepared at the mission home by a wonderful missionary couple awaiting our return. The feeling of Christmas was in the air.

It was not until late in the afternoon that we realized there might be a problem. For much of the morning we had experienced some difficulty in shifting our van from one gear to another. We had stopped to check the level of the transmission fluid, but all seemed to be in order. Now, with darkness setting in and our van still two hours from Bordeaux, third, fourth, and fifth gears stopped functioning altogether.

We limped along the tree-lined country road in second gear. It would be impossible to drive to Bordeaux in this condition, and we looked for possible help. Our first hope was a convenience store just preparing to close. I asked about possible rental-car locations or train stations nearby. We were far from any city of any size, however, and my questions brought little response.

I returned to the van. The concern and disappointment showed on the faces of our younger children. Would they not be home for Christmas Eve? Would they spend this most special night of the year in a crowded mission van? After they had brought happiness and cheer to missionaries far from home, would their Christmas come alongside a forgotten French country road far from their own home?

Kristen knew to whom we could appeal, and she immediately suggested a prayer. Many times as a family we had prayed for those in need—for the missionaries, the investigators, the Church members, our leaders, the French people, our own family. We bowed in prayer and humbly asked for help.

By now it was dark. The van crept forward, moving at a jogger’s pace through the pine forest. We were hoping to reach a little town just three miles (5 km) ahead. Soon our lights caught a small sign with an arrow directing us to Villeneuve-de-Marsan.

We had driven the two-lane road from Pau to Bordeaux many times, but never had we journeyed off the highway to the little town of Villeneuve-de-Marsan. As we hobbled into the town, the scene was like many small French villages. Homes and small shops were attached one to another, crowding the narrow road leading into town. People had closed their window shutters early, and the streets were dark and deserted. The lights in the ancient Catholic church in the center of town showed the one sign of life as they glowed in preparation for the traditional midnight mass. We rolled past the church, and the van hesitated and then stopped. Fortunately, we found ourselves in front of a lovely country inn. The lights were on, and we determined that this was our last chance for help.

To avoid overwhelming those in the inn, Kathy, Camey, and the missionaries stayed in the van while I took the three younger children inside. I explained our situation to the young woman at the front desk. She could see the beleaguered faces of my children, and she kindly asked us to wait while she called the innkeeper, Mr. Francis Darroze.

Camey came in to see how we were doing. As we waited for Mr. Darroze to arrive, I silently said a prayer of thanksgiving. We might not make it back to Bordeaux for the night, but how good of our Father in Heaven to lead us to a nice hotel! I shuddered as I realized how easily we could have spent the night in the van in a remote area of France. I could see a restaurant in the next room, and I was amazed to see it open on Christmas Eve. We would have a good meal, a hot shower, and a comfortable sleep.

Mr. Darroze arrived in the clothing of a traditional French chef, with his double-breasted chef’s coat buttoned all the way up to his chin. He was the owner of the hotel, a man of importance in the community. His warm eyes and quick smile communicated that he was a gentleman as well.

I told him of our dilemma, of the 10 of us in the van, and of our destination in Bordeaux. As he noticed my accent, I added that we were Americans and in one sentence told him why we were in France.

He instantly sought to help us. About 10 miles (16 km) away was a medium-sized city with an active train schedule. He called to ask about the next train to Bordeaux but found that it would not leave until 10:15 Christmas morning. All rental-car companies in that larger city were closed.

The disappointment was evident in the faces of my young children. I asked Mr. Darroze if he would have room in the inn for our family and the four missionaries to spend the night. Although we wouldn’t make it home, at least it was a great blessing to have found such suitable accommodations.

Mr. Darroze looked at the children. He had known us only a few minutes, but his heart was touched with the brotherhood that crosses all oceans and makes us one family. The spirit of Christmas giving filled his soul. “Mr. Andersen,” he said, “of course I have rooms here that you can rent. But you do not want to spend Christmas Eve here in the inn. Children should be home as they await the excitement of Christmas morning. I will lend you my car, and you can go to Bordeaux tonight.”

I was amazed at his thoughtfulness. Most people would view strangers, especially foreigners like us, with caution. I thanked him but explained that there were 10 of us and a small French car would never be sufficient.

He hesitated momentarily, but his hesitation was not to diminish the gift but to expand it.

“At my farm about 10 miles from here I have an old van. It is used for farming and has only the two seats in front. It will travel at only about 45 miles per hour (70 kph), and I am not certain the heater works well. But if you want it, I will drive you the 10 miles to my farm to get it.”

The children jumped for joy. I reached into my pocket for my cash or credit cards. He quickly shook his head and his finger in disapproval.

“No,” he said, “I will take nothing. You can bring my van back to me when you get time after Christmas. It is Christmas Eve. Take your family home.”

Sometime shortly after midnight the lights of Bordeaux came into view. The children and the missionaries had fallen asleep in the back of the innkeeper’s van. As we drove the familiar streets leading to our home, Kathy and I thanked our kind Heavenly Father for our own Christmas miracle. At a time when only He could bring us home, He had heard our prayers.

We were home on Christmas Eve, even though in Villeneuve-de-Marsan there was room in the inn.

Baldwin Village Week 17

WOW.

What a crazy week it has been!! But I think the best part of it all was that Cxxxxxxx was able to be baptized yesterday!!! Oh my - the Spirit is always strong at baptisms, but I don't think there was a dry eye in the entire room during that service. I barely made it through my musical number with Sister Morgan. 

I don't know how much I told all of you about Cxxxxxxx. She has been wanting to be baptized for 2 1/2 years, but her mother is super strongly against it. However, she turned 18 last week and was able to, as an adult, make her own decision. Her Dad and her brother were both there to support her, and have supported her throughout these 2 years or so. She's been coming to our Ward every other week when she's in town for most of that time as well, and they love her. They really are her 2nd family. In fact, that was one of the themes of the speakers at the baptism yesterday: how much our wards/the church are like our family away from family. I know that she is going to go so far in life. After the service was over she just came up to me and gave me a big hug and just sobbed into my shoulder. They were sobs of pure happiness at finally being able to be baptized and make those covenants with our Heavenly Father. It was a touching moment for sure and it just reaffirmed my testimony of why I'm out here serving, and why I love the Gospel so much. 

Since I just emailed on Wednesday that's really it for the email. I know that I said it was a super crazy week, but then I remembered that I wrote about a lot of it on Wednesday haha

I still love you all

Sister Hensley

PS This is Dad.  In my years since my own conversion I have had many conversations about the process of gaining new members.  There is a misconception that Mormons baptize teenage youth and take them away from their families.  This could not be further from the truth.  This is evident in this and other recent posts.  Shannon has and is still working with young adults who converted years ago while in their teens but could not get permission from their parents.  Even as adults we are encouraged to continue to build and strengthen family relationships.  In this case this young adult has the support of her father and brother in another case the young lady is still working with her parents in an attempt to gain their support. 

The bottom line is that we will not allow minor's i.e. under 18 to join the church without parental or guardian approval.

Baldwin Village Week 16

Wow.

A lot of things can happen in 10 days. It seems like when my p-day is pushed to Wednesday I have a billion more things to write about, and yet I can't remember any of them! haha

 

Ok, so I remember one. I am extremely sad to report that Lxxxx, our prepared and golden investigator, has disappeared. As you can probably remember we were looking forward to our lesson with him last Monday night. So, we went to pick up our member to come with us and were scrambling to beat traffic (traffic here in our area is THE WORST and we aren't even on the freeway. It's the bane of my existence) and so the first sign that something was wrong was that we called him a few times to let us know we were running about 5 minutes behind and he didn't answer. Lxxxx ALWAYS answered. And we even texted him and didn't get a response. When we pulled up to his complex we called him so that he could come and open the gate - and he didn't answer. there's a little bell on the gate so we rang it to see if we could get anyone else to come and open it for us. Lo and behold, a little old Chinese man came to the gate. When we asked if Lxxxx was around he told us that he hadn't seen Lxxxx all day, that he had skipped out on paying his rent, and that the manage was out looking for him. Also, that he hadn't shown up to his job that day and so he (the Chinese man) had to cover and do it for him. And we haven't heard from him/been able to get ahold of him since then. We are, understandably, a little worried about him and hope that he's doing ok. Hopefully eventually he will recontact us. It breaks our hearts to see someone with so much love for the gospel leave it for whatever reason, but we pray that the Spirit keeps touching his heart and that we hear from him soon.

All of our recent converts are doing really well. Sxxxxx is working with her employer to get time on Sundays to come to church. It looks like starting next week she will scheduled off at 12 every Sunday and so she can make it to at least Sacrament meeting. Bxxxx LOVES boy scouts and is just happy as a clam all the time, Txxxx spoke in Sacrament meeting last week and gave his testimony/conversion story (which, yes, made me cry). 

Kxxxx is still trying to work with her parents. We are trying to help her make the decision that will be best for her. She's always on our minds and in our prayers.

 

Also, this week we have a baptism! Cxxxxxxx's story is similar to Kxxxx's in that she has been attending church since she was 16 and wanted to get baptized. However her parents are divorced and her mom doens't like the church at all so she hasn't been able to be baptized. However, her 18th birthday was last week and she's getting baptized this week! She is so excited! I mean, it's been 2 whole years in the making! She just is amazing and we love her. We've been teaching her the whole time I've been here and she's rock solid. It's going to be a happy weekend :) :)

Well, I think that's all for this week. The temple is amazing and I love every chance I get to go there. I definitely have a goal to go every 2 weeks when I get home, or at least once a month. I love it there.

And I love you all!!!

Sister Hensley

Baldwin Village Week...I don't even know what week (15)

Greetings,

Wow. This week has definitely been one of trials for our companionship. Let's see where to start....

I got sick again! It's defintely been a difficult transfer, I"ve been sick more often and worse than I have my whole mission. And so, because of my sicky-ness things just seems extra stressful. Then we got a call that over the weekend we were going to have another mini-missionary! which is always exciting but a little daunting when you have a nasty cold. However, it all worked out and we had a wonderful experience. However, on the way back from Torrance, we were rear-ended while we were stopped on the freeway. Yeah! So that was a little unnerving for sure. The poor guy behind us isn't even the one who hit us, we were just the last care in like a 3 car chain. Unfortunately the other cars didn't bother to stop, so that poor guy will end up taking the blame for hitting us. However, he only hit the giant monsterous bike rack that is on the back of our car, and so everything else was unharmed. And Sister Morgan and I are both fine, we were a little shaken yesterday but all is well.

We also had a little snag with one of our investigators this weekend. Lxxxx was doing so well, progressing wonderfully and then he had a really bad weekend, hard times, and relapsed with his smoking. Then he took his anger and frustration out on us and the church. It was a really difficult phone call to sit through, but thankfully the Spirit was with us and we were able to say the right things to help him realize his testimony and what he really wants. It was a harrowing, but cool experience all at the same time.

In exciting news, Txxxx was ordained to the office of Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood this Sunday! And he also was interviewed to receive his temple recommend and will be going with some of the students in 2 weeks to do baptisms for the dead. How cool! Also, I just got a wedding invitation from Gxxx, remember her? She's the one that Sister Johansen/Fonokalafi/Malani and I all worked with in North Torrance and helped her return to full activity. Well, she's getting married in the temple in December!!! Yeah!!! It just makes my heart so happy. If I never had another baptism my entire mission it would be worth it because of her.  That's an eternal family right there! Yay!

It's been constantly raining here in our area, so pray for us and our soggy, wet feet! Haha No, in all reality we have been staying dry, it's just so gloomy that's all...eventually the sun comes out, right? 

Well, that's all the time I've got at the moment. Love you all and hope you stay safe!

Sister Hensley

Baldwin Village Week 14

Hello Everyone!

 

This past week was good and flew by, especially because of Thanksgiving! It was quite a day for us....we had 3 dinners which we spaced out during the day, and by the end of the night neither Sister Morgan or I could move haha! But the funny thing is that I didn't have too much traditional Thanksgiving food! Our first stop was at the USC institute. A bunch of the families and students were staying for Thanksgiving so they had a potluck dinner at the institute. They invited us to come and we were glad to! all of the food there was really good and traditional, but we didn't eat very much of it because we were trying to pace ourselves and I knew that if I got seconds I wouldn't be able to make it. Then from there we went over to one of our recents convert's house. He is from EL Salvador and so we had an El Salvadorian twist to our Thanksgiving. We had turkey tortas! They were so delicious! I don't even like turkey, but those were juicy and covered in delicious I don't know what. And, traditionally they are served with hot chocolate - abuelita style :) it was pretty much really filling and really yummy. I even took pictures to show everyone, but I left my camera at the apartment so I'll have to send them next week. From there we went to our last dinner of the night. It was traditional too, but there wasn't a ton of food and so it was nice to not be obligated to eat a ton. However, that was where we finally got to eat dessert. The family we ate with had a guest staying with them from Italy, and she made tiramisou (without the coffee). It was BOMB. The only thing missin was pecan pie :( nobody had it. Maybe if I keepy my fingers crossed I'll be able to see some at Christmastime...

 

In other missionary news, this week we had a MIRACLE! His name is Lxxxx. we received him as a referral from headquarters which said that he wanted to be baptized. Now, it's sad to say but when we get referrals saying that people want to be baptized we get a little skeptical. But, we both felt strongly that we should contact this person right away. So, we gave him a call that afternoon and he was SO excited to hear from us! He said he was on the bus and that he would hurry home so that we could meet him just for a few minutes. So we did! And it turns out that he had taken all of the missionary lessons in Arcadia about 2 years ago and wanted to be baptised, but he had to take care of some personal business before that could happen.  So, he's moved here to LA and has a job and was wanting to come back to church but didn't know how to get back in contact with the church and the missionaries. And then we called him! He's super sweet and so ready to join the church! We also found out that he didn't have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving and so we asked Rxxxx, our El Salvadorian recent convert, if Lxxxx could come eat with us and he said yes. And it was just an awesome fellowshipping experience. We set a baptismal date with him after dinner for the 23rd of December - right before Christmas. He really is our holiday miracle! He came to church yesterday and has been reading the Book of Mormon everyday. The only stumbling block for him is that he still smokes. Not a lot, but every now and then and he's really trying to quit. He's doing so god though - since we met him last week he's only had 1 cigarette! We know that the Lord is definitely behind him and will help him to quit, he definitely has the desire. It's pretty amazing to see.

 

This Sunday was also great because both Sxxxxx and Txxxx were confirmed! The Spirit is so strong during confirmations and I love being present for them. Sxxxxx's gave her strength to be a light and example to her family, and Txxxx's aluded to him serving a mission. It's experienes like these and the one with Lxxxx that make me so happy and proud to be a missionary. It makes all the hard times worth it. I love the Gospel!!

 

Well, I think that's all for this week! Love you all!

 

Sister Hensley

Baldwin Village Week 13

Yes - I'm still here!

Both Sister Morgan and I survived this transfer and so I won't be going anywhere for the next 6 weeks :) Which is great because we have a lot of things going on in our area!

However, first and foremost, I have come down with a nasty flu this week and it has pretty much kicked my behind. I've had to stay in one day and my body is just sick as can be. I've been sleeping a lot and trying not to get any worse. Yesterday I came down with a wicked fever during ward council and so the member who was on splits with me while Sister Morgan was at the USC ward took me home, gave me some meds and made me sleep. And so I've been fighting the battle. I got a priesthood blessing on like the 3rd day which told me to not worry about things that are out of my control and that I would increase in gospel knowledge while I wasn't able to go out in work. So, no time line of healing per say for me but I will beat this thing! Just on my body's time.

In the meantime, we have been balancing my dying and our teaching appointments. We've had a pretty good week considering the world seems to be against me haha. Txxxx is all prepared to be baptized this upcoming Sunday! His interview will be on Tuesday and we have had some really awesome lessons with him. He came to church on Sunday and is just as happy as can be (even though he said the election kind of dampened his spirits a bit ha). Oh! And I have an awesome tender mercy experience involving a lesson with him that I want to share. So, yesterday as I mentioned, I had a fever pretty much all day. However, we had an appointment set with Txxxx that we had to keep. He still needed to be taught a few things before his baptism.  As we were preparing to leave my fever went away.  We taught him the lesson we had prepared then on the way home my fever came back.  Isn't it amazing how God works?

 

Also, please keep Kxxxx and her family in your prayers. This week she finally sat down with her parents, bore her testimony to them and told them of her desire to be baptized. they were open and kind about it, but need time to process. They told her that they'll discuss it more over Thanksgiving, which means that her baptism will have to be postponed :( She is 18 and so she doesn't need their permission legally to be baptised, but she does want their support and that is what we would like to see happen as well. we keep praying that their hearts will be softened and that it will work out in the Lord's way for what is best for Kxxxx at this time. She is AMAZING and has such a testimony of the gospel and I can't wait for her to make those covenants with Heavenly Father. The Lord loves her and Txxxx so much and it's such a blessing to be a part of their conversion.  

Well, off to go cheer on my team in the Turkey bowl, since I'm pretty sure playing would NOT be a good idea for me. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon!

Love,

Sister Hensley

 

P.S.  

I also wanted to share this with you and the family - our mission president's wife shared it at zone conference and then emailed it to us all. I  love it :) especially because it's exactly how I feel about my mission.

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled
with light, and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work
for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin.  The
Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his
might.  This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from
sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold,
massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each
night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that
his whole day had been spent in vain.  Since the man was showing signs
of discouragement, the Adversary decided to enter the picture by
placing thoughts into the man's weary mind: "You have been pushing
against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill
yourself over this? You are never going to move it,"  Thus giving the
man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a
failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.  "Why
kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving
just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough."
 And that is what he planned to do, until one day he decided to make
it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.
"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service,
putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after
all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter.
What is wrong? Why am I failing?"  The Lord responded compassionately,
"My friend, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you
that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength,
which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected
you to move it. Your task was to push.  And now you come to me with
your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But is that really
so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back is
sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and
your legs have become massive and hard.  Through opposition you have
grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to
have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be
obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My
wisdom.  This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock

Baldwin Village Week 12

Why Hello!!

This week has been such an awesome week. Why? Well because no matter what else happened to us, Sxxxxx and Bxxxx were baptized yesterday!! Yeah! Oh, it's always such a wonderful experience to be a part of. To see people who have changed their lives and truly have a testimony of the restored Gospel make that commitment to their Heavenly Father is such a beautiful thing. And even though Sxxxxx was super nervous, and almost didn't want to go through with it, after a prayer was said she was immediately calm and confident in her decision. And I could feel the Spirit of the Lord there testifying to me that she had made the right choice, and I know that she could feel it to. As for Bxxxx, her son, he was just bouncing off the walls he was so excited to get baptized. Little children are wonderful. No wonder the Savior admonishes us to become like them, right? 

One of the best things about the baptism was the number of members that attended. The baptistery in our building is underground, and so the room is pretty small and there is this big set of stairs leading down to it. Well, there were so many people in attendance that they had to sit on the stairs because there weren't enough seats!! I had no idea that so many people knew Sxxxxx and Bxxxx would come to support them in their decision. Afterwards she had refreshments at her house and were were also afraid that nobody would really show up - but once again we were surprised at the love of the members with those who came. The members are SO important to this work, and it's just awesome to see the power that they have to help someone in the conversion process when they know their testimony and all work together. It's an awesome thing~

We also were able to go to the visitor's center with Txxxx and a member named Axxxx on Friday! We had such a wonderful experience. We were able to watch "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" and talk more in depth about Priesthood authority. Txxxx has come to church 2 weeks in a row now and so he's been going to Elders quorum and has a lot of questions. The most special experience of the night was when on of the VC sisters asked Txxxx how he felt to know that one day soon he would be getting the priesthood, and that the Lord trusts him with his authority. He said that he didn't really know what it would feel like, but that he was excited and that it would be an honor to serve the Lord in that capacity! Oh. The Gospel is wonderful. 

Well, that's all I have time for this week. The Gospel is true and the work is good! Love you all!

Sister Hensley