Ian's Weekly P-Day E-Mail to Home:
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Hello Everyone,
I am running low on days left in the MTC and I head out on Monday bright and early. Nothing really big has been happening this past week. We all have basically just been preparing to leave and pack for the plane. We still have our suits in Dry Cleaning, and we go to In-Field Orientation tomorrow. I wish I had more to report, but I'm sure next week's email will be full of cool things to talk about when I am in Mexico.
The Argentinians left Sunday night and we were very sad to see them go. We exchanged info with them and plan on keeping in contact with them. We watched the Tanner and Moyle stories after the Devotional Saturday night. The Moyle story happened in Alpine, so I got to tell everyone in our district more about it. On Tuesday we went to our devotional at the Marriott Center and got to hear from Elder Neil L. Anderson. It was really good, but afterward it was raining really hard. We had to run all the way back to Wyview and Raintree and, by the time we got back, we were soaked. We met with Brother Merrill and his wife there and discussed the Devotional. They are the funniest old couple I have seen in a long time! I got a haircut yesterday, and this morning we went to the temple one last time before we leave. I am ready for Chihuahua and I am excited to leave the MTC. I think I have a grasp of Spanish to the point where I can hold my head above water.
This next week will probably be the one that will show something off about me. It will be hard. Hermano Humbert explained it like a train hitting us and the MTC is about how many mattresses we can put in between. No matter what it will be like a train, but it is better to know about the train so you know it is coming and to expect something big.
I am ready to be in Chihuahua and all I have to do is finish up my time here in the MTC and get packed. Thank you Mom. I love you and everyone at home. Tell them all I miss them and I am excited for Chihuahua.
Adios and Me amo Usted Mama,
Elder Ian Hansgen
P.S.: Oh, and thank you for the packages. I am going to love this Birthday more than any one I have had before. I look forward to calling you early Monday morning.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Hello Everyone,
I am running low on days left in the MTC and I head out on Monday bright and early. Nothing really big has been happening this past week. We all have basically just been preparing to leave and pack for the plane. We still have our suits in Dry Cleaning, and we go to In-Field Orientation tomorrow. I wish I had more to report, but I'm sure next week's email will be full of cool things to talk about when I am in Mexico.
The Argentinians left Sunday night and we were very sad to see them go. We exchanged info with them and plan on keeping in contact with them. We watched the Tanner and Moyle stories after the Devotional Saturday night. The Moyle story happened in Alpine, so I got to tell everyone in our district more about it. On Tuesday we went to our devotional at the Marriott Center and got to hear from Elder Neil L. Anderson. It was really good, but afterward it was raining really hard. We had to run all the way back to Wyview and Raintree and, by the time we got back, we were soaked. We met with Brother Merrill and his wife there and discussed the Devotional. They are the funniest old couple I have seen in a long time! I got a haircut yesterday, and this morning we went to the temple one last time before we leave. I am ready for Chihuahua and I am excited to leave the MTC. I think I have a grasp of Spanish to the point where I can hold my head above water.
This next week will probably be the one that will show something off about me. It will be hard. Hermano Humbert explained it like a train hitting us and the MTC is about how many mattresses we can put in between. No matter what it will be like a train, but it is better to know about the train so you know it is coming and to expect something big.
I am ready to be in Chihuahua and all I have to do is finish up my time here in the MTC and get packed. Thank you Mom. I love you and everyone at home. Tell them all I miss them and I am excited for Chihuahua.
Adios and Me amo Usted Mama,
Elder Ian Hansgen
P.S.: Oh, and thank you for the packages. I am going to love this Birthday more than any one I have had before. I look forward to calling you early Monday morning.
Weekly Letter Home:
August 23, 2013
9:55 p.m.
Dear Family,
Sorry I am writing this letter later than usual. I just didn’t have the time on my P-Day to respond to everyone and write letters. I think I was able to explain it all in my e-mail about how this past week has been.
Some new things you might like to know are that we received our travel plans today and know what times we are at the airports. We have to be up by 2:30 a.m. here at the MTC on September 2nd. We then drive up to the SLC airport. Our time in Dallas is extremely short. We arrive in Chihuahua around 12:15 p.m.
I also found out that we stop receiving mail on Saturday the 31st (my Birthday) here in the MTC. So, if you want to send me anything it has to arrive before then.
Other than that, my time here in the MTC has been, overall, good. The teachers have been great (minus one), my district is awesome, and the food is rarely gassy. My alarm clock failed and no longer works, so I have been waking up on my own. I still have an internal clock that wakes me up every morning around 4:50 a.m.
Anyway, Adios for now. I will talk with you on my next P-Day, and very soon from the airport. Be up pretty early.
Love,
Elder Ian Hansgen
P.S. Tell everyone I am sorry if I haven't responded. I don't have enough time here to explain and send word back to everyone. If you could please guide them to the website or my e-mail using Facebook, or something... Thank You!
August 23, 2013
9:55 p.m.
Dear Family,
Sorry I am writing this letter later than usual. I just didn’t have the time on my P-Day to respond to everyone and write letters. I think I was able to explain it all in my e-mail about how this past week has been.
Some new things you might like to know are that we received our travel plans today and know what times we are at the airports. We have to be up by 2:30 a.m. here at the MTC on September 2nd. We then drive up to the SLC airport. Our time in Dallas is extremely short. We arrive in Chihuahua around 12:15 p.m.
I also found out that we stop receiving mail on Saturday the 31st (my Birthday) here in the MTC. So, if you want to send me anything it has to arrive before then.
Other than that, my time here in the MTC has been, overall, good. The teachers have been great (minus one), my district is awesome, and the food is rarely gassy. My alarm clock failed and no longer works, so I have been waking up on my own. I still have an internal clock that wakes me up every morning around 4:50 a.m.
Anyway, Adios for now. I will talk with you on my next P-Day, and very soon from the airport. Be up pretty early.
Love,
Elder Ian Hansgen
P.S. Tell everyone I am sorry if I haven't responded. I don't have enough time here to explain and send word back to everyone. If you could please guide them to the website or my e-mail using Facebook, or something... Thank You!
Ian's Weekly E-Mail:
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Happy Birthday Dad! I hope you are getting better quickly. I spent an entire day fasting and just got back from the temple today. The reason I fasted was because of all these things that have been happening while I am in the MTC. Aneeqa started school, and so did Ryjel. Dad was in an accident, and you (Mom) are probably really stressed out. I also fasted for whoever else I know that needs blessings.
Nothing really cool has happened in the past week. The coolest thing was my trip to Vegas in one day. We got up super early and flew down there, drove to a Taco Bell to get food, and then this guy at the UNLV Institute talked to us all day about the Old Testament. We went to the Mexican Consulate and got our 6-month Visa, and when we get to Mexico it will be extended. We then waited in the airport even longer in Vegas and passed out a book to a lady who read it on the plane ride back to SLC. I then ran into Tony Marcello Sr. as I was leaving the SLC airport.
That was the coolest thing to happen, but other than that day...Elder McGavin got his Visa on Monday. The Salt Lake City Consulate only gives out 20 Visas a week (which is why we have to go to Vegas so often) and Elder McGavin went up to Salt Lake to get his. The Argentines in our Zone also received notice that they are getting their Visas the day they leave. They had already received their reassignments.
Currently we teach Hermano Crawley and Hermano Humbert as "Hugo" and "Filipe." Hermano Humbert went back to Sacramento to visit family and will be back on Saturday, so we are teaching Hermano Hardy. He is another good teacher of ours. The food is fine. I don’t know why people have so many problems with it. I drank some milk on a dare that has been in the fridge since we got here last week and nothing happened. I guess my stomach is prepared for Mexico.
I hope you all are doing fine. The MTC time is almost up and we only have 11 days left here.
Have a good week and be looking for my next letters and emails. Make the rest of Dad's day good too.
Love,
Elder Ian Hansgen
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Happy Birthday Dad! I hope you are getting better quickly. I spent an entire day fasting and just got back from the temple today. The reason I fasted was because of all these things that have been happening while I am in the MTC. Aneeqa started school, and so did Ryjel. Dad was in an accident, and you (Mom) are probably really stressed out. I also fasted for whoever else I know that needs blessings.
Nothing really cool has happened in the past week. The coolest thing was my trip to Vegas in one day. We got up super early and flew down there, drove to a Taco Bell to get food, and then this guy at the UNLV Institute talked to us all day about the Old Testament. We went to the Mexican Consulate and got our 6-month Visa, and when we get to Mexico it will be extended. We then waited in the airport even longer in Vegas and passed out a book to a lady who read it on the plane ride back to SLC. I then ran into Tony Marcello Sr. as I was leaving the SLC airport.
That was the coolest thing to happen, but other than that day...Elder McGavin got his Visa on Monday. The Salt Lake City Consulate only gives out 20 Visas a week (which is why we have to go to Vegas so often) and Elder McGavin went up to Salt Lake to get his. The Argentines in our Zone also received notice that they are getting their Visas the day they leave. They had already received their reassignments.
Currently we teach Hermano Crawley and Hermano Humbert as "Hugo" and "Filipe." Hermano Humbert went back to Sacramento to visit family and will be back on Saturday, so we are teaching Hermano Hardy. He is another good teacher of ours. The food is fine. I don’t know why people have so many problems with it. I drank some milk on a dare that has been in the fridge since we got here last week and nothing happened. I guess my stomach is prepared for Mexico.
I hope you all are doing fine. The MTC time is almost up and we only have 11 days left here.
Have a good week and be looking for my next letters and emails. Make the rest of Dad's day good too.
Love,
Elder Ian Hansgen
Ian is now District Leader and flies out for his Visa:
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Hey Everyone,
I only have 40 more minutes to email today so I’ll just try to tell you how my past week here was.
Today marks the halfway point in our MTC experience. We have been done teaching Patrocino for a while now, and the guy who was acting as him is now one of our main teachers. His name is Hermano Humbert. He served in Hermasillo, Mexico, and is from Sacramento, California, but now goes to BYU and teaches at the MTC. Hermano Humbert has been home for 9 months and just loves Mexico. I really loved teaching Patrocino, even though we were only able to visit him 5 times. We now teach Filipé and Hugo. Filipé is another person from Hermano Humbert’s mission, and Hugo is someone from Hermano Crawley's mission. Hermano Crawley is our other main teacher. So far we have had 6 or 7 different teachers, and our district really gets along and learns a lot with about 5 of them. On Sunday we switched District Leaders because it was our halfway point, and all the Senior Companions are now Junior Companions. I got called as the New District Leader for the rest of the time we are in the MTC. We also got a new Branch President. Our previous Branch President, President Jones, is going to serve a mission in Mexico City at the new MTC there. He and his wife are next door neighbors to Steve Hansgen. Our new Branch President was Elder Ely Hansgen's previous Branch President as Ely left last Monday. From what I have heard, Ely is an amazing missionary so far and they just loved him. They recognized my name and expect the same of me. I won’t let them down. Elder Allen and I blessed the Sacrament on Sunday in Spanish. Two days ago I got to see Conner after the Devotional. We heard from Elder Richard G. Scott. It was incredible! Elder Walker in our district flew to Vegas on Wednesday to get his Visa, and the rest of us fly out on Friday (tomorrow), except for Elder McGavin. He has not received word on the paperwork for his Visa. Please have him in your prayers. Other than that, my week has been incredible. We went to the Provo Temple today and saw the new video that was released in English. I really enjoyed it, and the opportunity to serve in another session before I leave. I found out that our mission does not contain a temple anymore, so the package I received with my temple clothing was kind of a waste. I will still take it in case anything else changes.
I love you all so much,
Elder Ian Hansgen
(Photos attached to this email posted below - enjoy!)
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Hey Everyone,
I only have 40 more minutes to email today so I’ll just try to tell you how my past week here was.
Today marks the halfway point in our MTC experience. We have been done teaching Patrocino for a while now, and the guy who was acting as him is now one of our main teachers. His name is Hermano Humbert. He served in Hermasillo, Mexico, and is from Sacramento, California, but now goes to BYU and teaches at the MTC. Hermano Humbert has been home for 9 months and just loves Mexico. I really loved teaching Patrocino, even though we were only able to visit him 5 times. We now teach Filipé and Hugo. Filipé is another person from Hermano Humbert’s mission, and Hugo is someone from Hermano Crawley's mission. Hermano Crawley is our other main teacher. So far we have had 6 or 7 different teachers, and our district really gets along and learns a lot with about 5 of them. On Sunday we switched District Leaders because it was our halfway point, and all the Senior Companions are now Junior Companions. I got called as the New District Leader for the rest of the time we are in the MTC. We also got a new Branch President. Our previous Branch President, President Jones, is going to serve a mission in Mexico City at the new MTC there. He and his wife are next door neighbors to Steve Hansgen. Our new Branch President was Elder Ely Hansgen's previous Branch President as Ely left last Monday. From what I have heard, Ely is an amazing missionary so far and they just loved him. They recognized my name and expect the same of me. I won’t let them down. Elder Allen and I blessed the Sacrament on Sunday in Spanish. Two days ago I got to see Conner after the Devotional. We heard from Elder Richard G. Scott. It was incredible! Elder Walker in our district flew to Vegas on Wednesday to get his Visa, and the rest of us fly out on Friday (tomorrow), except for Elder McGavin. He has not received word on the paperwork for his Visa. Please have him in your prayers. Other than that, my week has been incredible. We went to the Provo Temple today and saw the new video that was released in English. I really enjoyed it, and the opportunity to serve in another session before I leave. I found out that our mission does not contain a temple anymore, so the package I received with my temple clothing was kind of a waste. I will still take it in case anything else changes.
I love you all so much,
Elder Ian Hansgen
(Photos attached to this email posted below - enjoy!)
Ian's Third Letter Home:
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Dear Family (and others),
I don’t really know what to write because I am getting on e-mail in an hour or two, so I’ll just tell you how I am doing.
My experience so far in the MTC has been great. None of the rumors of bad gas or gross food have been true (at least for me).
So far the friends I have seen include Nathan Liddle, Colton Lindstrom, Zack Larsen, Christian Alldredge, and a friend from Engineering State named Zak. I also just saw Caden Gossard a few hours ago and his companion is the biggest guy here. He is a monster, which is funny because of how small Caden is. I also think they may be new members of our Zone.
My Spanish grows more and more rapidly each day and I am loving it. Our District is trying harder and harder to set goals and achieve them.
I really love and miss all of you, and I know you do too. Thank you for the giant package. Everyone teases me now for how much stuff I had to carry from the mailroom. I hope to receive more and more photos because I treasure those above everything else I get.
Love,
Elder Ian Hansgen
Bits and Pieces from Ian's E-Mails Home Today:
August 8, 2013
So, I'm on the computer again. I'm going to change our load of laundry in 20 minutes, but I don’t really know what to say. It's my second week and it's just routine now. The days are long but the weeks are extremely fast. It's already been two full weeks in here and we only have four left. I wrote the weekly letter an hour ago and my companions all wrote their own to send to you. My routine is to get up and ready by 6:45 for breakfast. At 7:15 class starts and we have 9 hours of class throughout the day. It is separated by breaks and gym time, but we do have a lot of class time, personal study time, language study time, and TALL time. TALL is a program for Spanish that is supposedly better than Rosetta Stone. I think it is made by BYU or something. Anyway, my time here is finally easy and set in a schedule. It took the first couple of days to get used to it. Thank you for the BIG package. My whole apartment really liked the gifts and we made the other half of our district jealous. I have not been able to get a full district photo yet. The box of candy is some Spanish candy that is awesome. It's called De la Rosa and it is really good. You should buy some at the Spanish market in Provo and try it. I really miss you and everyone else. Thank you for everything. I miss you all.
Love you!
Your Son,
Elder Ian Hansgen
(Photos displayed below - enjoy!)
Ian's Second Letter Home:
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Dear Mom, Dad, Aneeqa, and Ryjel,
I am sorry that you have only heard from me once so far, but I am only allowed one day for letters and e-mail. I am trying to exhibit exact obedience to the mission rules so, Mom, you will have to bear through it.
My first week has been great. After I was dropped off on Wednesday, I just went into the chapel with all the new people. It took our district three days to adjust and become accustomed to everything. By the 3rd day the Spanish is easy and we no longer waste time figuring out what to do.
My companion is Elder Jordan Allen. He took four years of German and I am helping him with Spanish a lot. Our district is made up of eight people. Our district leader is Elder Johnson, and his companion is Elder Walker. Elder Walker’s grandparents used to live where the Parker’s now live. His home is in Morgan, Utah, though. The rest of our district is Elder McGavin, Elder Chamberlain, Elder Reynolds, and Elder Goldsberry. Our district is very close and spiritual. In my apartment it is Elder Allen and I, along with Elder McGavin and Elder Chamberlain, and we are even closer.
Our Spanish class is taught in Spanish, and we have already taught our first “Investigator,” Patrocino. So far, we have taught him four times, and today is our last time. He has already committed to baptism. He isn’t a real investigator, but the guy who acts as him knew the real “Patrocino.” If you treat it as real as you can, you can teach by the Spirit and learn so much. I really love teaching Patrocino. His background story is that his Mother is Catholic, but he is inactive. He has four children and a wife in another home because of divorce for something, and he has tried to quit drugs several times, but keeps falling back into them. We got him to pray to God and showed him how, and he now receives answers; and we taught him about the restoration and committed him to read and be baptized. Remember, now, this was all done in Spanish.
Today, and every Thursday, are my Prep Days. I do not have a specific time I log on, but our times are from 12:05 to 3:35 p.m. Our temple preparation in the morning is from 6:30 to 10:00 a.m. We are located in the West Campus in the Wyview and Raintree Apartments. All of our classes are over here. We went over to the main campus on Tuesday and sang in the choir. Our apartment group got a full 30 seconds on the screen of just us. I have not seen Conner or Ely, but I saw Colton Lindstrom, but I don’t think he saw me. Today, on the way over to the class, I got a picture with Nathan Liddle. He is on the West Campus with me. I’m hoping Conner and Ely saw me in the choir, but I have not met them yet.
Our Branch Presidency consists of Brother Jones, Brother Jardine, Brother Merrill, and their wives. Brother Jones lives next door to Steve Hansgen, so I got to tell him all about the Hansgens, and me and Ely. He and his wife are extremely nice.
My time here in the M.T.C. for a week has been amazing. I really love and miss you all. I told the Jorgensen’s they could come over and read this letter, so invite them over. I also think it would be nice of you guys to share this with Wendy and Reaghan. I sent them a letter, but this one is really detailed.
I do have a few more requests, if you could please send me a few things. I would really like some hard copy photos of everyone; whatever you would like to send, and maybe you could pull some off of Facebook, or my laptop, of my friends. I save all my photos in a file on the desktop called “photos” or something. I would really like to have those to keep and show people. I also forgot the balance on my card, but I am keeping track of everything I pay for, so could you send that? The last thing I would like are my razors. The ones Dad gave me are…not that good. Other than that, just send me whatever else you would like, or already stated you would send.
I miss you all, and my gift to Mom for her Birthday is this letter and, hopefully, Dad, Aneeqa, and Ryjel can make your day the best and serve in my place.
Sincerely,
Elder Ian Hansgen
Also included in the letter (on a small, separate note):
“Yo sé que la Iglesia de Jesucristo es verdadero y ayuda me en mi vida. Yo sé que el libro de Mormon es inspirado de Dios. A Dios Bendice nos con el espirito santo y sus Amor. Yo Amo ustedes con atodos mi corazon.
En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.”
Elder Hansgen
Translation: "I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is true and helps me in my life. I know that the Book of Mormon is inspired of God. God blesses us with the Holy Spirit and His love. I love you guys with all my heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Ian's First Two E-Mails Home (Thursdays are his MTC P-Day):
E-Mail #1
08/01/2013
1:32 p.m.
Hello Mom. I just got done writing a really big letter on how my first week was. I just wanted to send you this email because I can only mail letters and check email once a week. Thursdays are my Prep Day. I am going to exhibit exact obedience to the mission rules, so you will have to only hear from me once a week. I really enjoy all your questions and letters and I will answer them all in the letter I wrote. I hope your birthday is one of the best, even though I will not be there.
Be looking for my letter in the mail.
Love,
Elder Ian Hansgen
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E-Mail #2
08/01/2013
2:52 p.m.
Dear Mom,
I am really excited for you all to get my letter. I just dropped it off, but I think they only send mail once a day at the end of the day, so I hope it arrives either tomorrow or Saturday.
Here are some photos of my first week. The one of us on the couch from left to right is Elder Chamberlain, Elder McGavin, Me, and Elder Allen. I still haven’t got a photo of my entire district.
Love your son,
Elder Ian Hansgen
(Six photos were attached to this e-mail. You can view them below -- enjoy)
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Dear Mom, Dad, Aneeqa, and Ryjel,
I am sorry that you have only heard from me once so far, but I am only allowed one day for letters and e-mail. I am trying to exhibit exact obedience to the mission rules so, Mom, you will have to bear through it.
My first week has been great. After I was dropped off on Wednesday, I just went into the chapel with all the new people. It took our district three days to adjust and become accustomed to everything. By the 3rd day the Spanish is easy and we no longer waste time figuring out what to do.
My companion is Elder Jordan Allen. He took four years of German and I am helping him with Spanish a lot. Our district is made up of eight people. Our district leader is Elder Johnson, and his companion is Elder Walker. Elder Walker’s grandparents used to live where the Parker’s now live. His home is in Morgan, Utah, though. The rest of our district is Elder McGavin, Elder Chamberlain, Elder Reynolds, and Elder Goldsberry. Our district is very close and spiritual. In my apartment it is Elder Allen and I, along with Elder McGavin and Elder Chamberlain, and we are even closer.
Our Spanish class is taught in Spanish, and we have already taught our first “Investigator,” Patrocino. So far, we have taught him four times, and today is our last time. He has already committed to baptism. He isn’t a real investigator, but the guy who acts as him knew the real “Patrocino.” If you treat it as real as you can, you can teach by the Spirit and learn so much. I really love teaching Patrocino. His background story is that his Mother is Catholic, but he is inactive. He has four children and a wife in another home because of divorce for something, and he has tried to quit drugs several times, but keeps falling back into them. We got him to pray to God and showed him how, and he now receives answers; and we taught him about the restoration and committed him to read and be baptized. Remember, now, this was all done in Spanish.
Today, and every Thursday, are my Prep Days. I do not have a specific time I log on, but our times are from 12:05 to 3:35 p.m. Our temple preparation in the morning is from 6:30 to 10:00 a.m. We are located in the West Campus in the Wyview and Raintree Apartments. All of our classes are over here. We went over to the main campus on Tuesday and sang in the choir. Our apartment group got a full 30 seconds on the screen of just us. I have not seen Conner or Ely, but I saw Colton Lindstrom, but I don’t think he saw me. Today, on the way over to the class, I got a picture with Nathan Liddle. He is on the West Campus with me. I’m hoping Conner and Ely saw me in the choir, but I have not met them yet.
Our Branch Presidency consists of Brother Jones, Brother Jardine, Brother Merrill, and their wives. Brother Jones lives next door to Steve Hansgen, so I got to tell him all about the Hansgens, and me and Ely. He and his wife are extremely nice.
My time here in the M.T.C. for a week has been amazing. I really love and miss you all. I told the Jorgensen’s they could come over and read this letter, so invite them over. I also think it would be nice of you guys to share this with Wendy and Reaghan. I sent them a letter, but this one is really detailed.
I do have a few more requests, if you could please send me a few things. I would really like some hard copy photos of everyone; whatever you would like to send, and maybe you could pull some off of Facebook, or my laptop, of my friends. I save all my photos in a file on the desktop called “photos” or something. I would really like to have those to keep and show people. I also forgot the balance on my card, but I am keeping track of everything I pay for, so could you send that? The last thing I would like are my razors. The ones Dad gave me are…not that good. Other than that, just send me whatever else you would like, or already stated you would send.
I miss you all, and my gift to Mom for her Birthday is this letter and, hopefully, Dad, Aneeqa, and Ryjel can make your day the best and serve in my place.
Sincerely,
Elder Ian Hansgen
Also included in the letter (on a small, separate note):
“Yo sé que la Iglesia de Jesucristo es verdadero y ayuda me en mi vida. Yo sé que el libro de Mormon es inspirado de Dios. A Dios Bendice nos con el espirito santo y sus Amor. Yo Amo ustedes con atodos mi corazon.
En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.”
Elder Hansgen
Translation: "I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is true and helps me in my life. I know that the Book of Mormon is inspired of God. God blesses us with the Holy Spirit and His love. I love you guys with all my heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Ian's First Two E-Mails Home (Thursdays are his MTC P-Day):
E-Mail #1
08/01/2013
1:32 p.m.
Hello Mom. I just got done writing a really big letter on how my first week was. I just wanted to send you this email because I can only mail letters and check email once a week. Thursdays are my Prep Day. I am going to exhibit exact obedience to the mission rules, so you will have to only hear from me once a week. I really enjoy all your questions and letters and I will answer them all in the letter I wrote. I hope your birthday is one of the best, even though I will not be there.
Be looking for my letter in the mail.
Love,
Elder Ian Hansgen
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E-Mail #2
08/01/2013
2:52 p.m.
Dear Mom,
I am really excited for you all to get my letter. I just dropped it off, but I think they only send mail once a day at the end of the day, so I hope it arrives either tomorrow or Saturday.
Here are some photos of my first week. The one of us on the couch from left to right is Elder Chamberlain, Elder McGavin, Me, and Elder Allen. I still haven’t got a photo of my entire district.
Love your son,
Elder Ian Hansgen
(Six photos were attached to this e-mail. You can view them below -- enjoy)
Ian's First Letter Home:
July 25, 2013
10:30 a.m.
Dear Family,
I'm sorry I am writing this a day late. Yesterday was a huge rush of information and I am still only half-way unpacked. The language is coming back to me slowly and I still can understand more than I can say. I have not seen Conner or Ely yet, but I have seen one person I know; I tutored with her in the Math Lab. She was a volunteer tutor named Ashley. Our Zone Leader or President (I can't remember titles) lives by Steve Hansgen and he told me he would say "hello" or something.
There isn't really all that much that has happened. People are really impressed that I have my Associates. All I would like to say to you is that I miss you already and I love you all. I love being here learning how to preach in the Spanish language.
Love,
Elder Ian Hansgen
P.S. I don't like these pens very much. The way they write is too fluid and it slips easily. Love you all!
July 25, 2013
10:30 a.m.
Dear Family,
I'm sorry I am writing this a day late. Yesterday was a huge rush of information and I am still only half-way unpacked. The language is coming back to me slowly and I still can understand more than I can say. I have not seen Conner or Ely yet, but I have seen one person I know; I tutored with her in the Math Lab. She was a volunteer tutor named Ashley. Our Zone Leader or President (I can't remember titles) lives by Steve Hansgen and he told me he would say "hello" or something.
There isn't really all that much that has happened. People are really impressed that I have my Associates. All I would like to say to you is that I miss you already and I love you all. I love being here learning how to preach in the Spanish language.
Love,
Elder Ian Hansgen
P.S. I don't like these pens very much. The way they write is too fluid and it slips easily. Love you all!