Words from Sister Elese Hauser in Illinois

"Hello everyone!!!

I've been staring at the blank screen for about 5 minutes now because I just can't decide where I need to start and what to say! It sure has been a crazy but wonderful week! Sister Jennings and I got to witness many miracles and be a part of some monumental moments. There truly is nothing as great as serving a mission. I am grateful for each and every single day.

I guess one cool thing that happened this week is KATHY GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! No big deal. She just passed her interview with flying colors and was practically jumping into the baptismal font. At the beginning of last week we weren't sure if it would happen or not because we still had 3 lessons to teach her and we couldn't meet until Wednesday, which was when her interview was. But the Lord provided a way like He always does when it's His will! Kathy's son, Dan, joined the church 2 years ago and he recently received the Melchezidek priesthood and is preparing for a mission. He got to baptize his Mom and stand in for her confirmation! I don't think there is anything sweeter nor more exciting than seeing that moment after Kathy came up out of the waters of baptism and to see her and her son embrace. Dan would never admit it, but he started crying! My heart melted and I was instantly filled with joy! In about a year they will be an eternal family. Last week in Mission Leadership Council, Pres. Fenn told us that we will now start teaching eternal families in the first lesson. Or at least the idea that we can be together forever as a family through temples. It's been so cool the miracles that Sister Jennings and I have seen as we have taught that on doorsteps this past week. Most Christian faiths believe that, but they don't understand how that's possible, and that's where we come in. So watching Kathy and her son made me so grateful for my eternal family! The temple is really so important. Yesterday in church we also got to see a baby blessed and it got me thinking just how each priesthood ordinance and blessing means more and more. First we are blessed as a baby, then baptized at 8, then receive the priesthood if you're a boy, and then temple endowments, all prepare us for the crowning ordinance of eternal marriage. Heavenly Fathers plan is flawless, and it just makes so much sense!

We received a headquarter referral a few weeks ago and we were finally able to contact her this week. She got online and requested a Book of Mormon so we were so excited to meet her. Her name is Tina and she is so sweet but we have a little bit of trouble communicating with her because she is deaf! Luckily we found an interpreter whose a member who knows really good sign language so she has to come with us. It's quite the experience teaching in that atmosphere because you have to say a thought and then pause. Plus you can't make eye contact because she's looking at the interpreter. But she's coming to church next week! And we also met this guy named Joe. He's a character and kind of reminds me of Bennie a little bit! But he only ever talks to my companion. I think he thinks I'm only her secretary or something. And he calls Sister Jennings Jennifer all the time! It's pretty hilarious. The people in Elgin sure are diverse!

So this week we had Elder Robert C. Gay from the first quorum of the Seventh come and visit our mission. Talk about a second General Conference experience, but in person!!! It was sooooooo good! He talked a lot to us about the atonement and doing the Lords will. He told us that too often we get in the way of the atonement. We let our pride, ego, and our own agenda of doing things get in the way of the atonement in others lives. The way to avoid that is to do the Lords will in all things. I've thought a lot about that and seen how true it is. So many times in our lives we don't repent, or we don't ask God for help, or we don't allow ourselves to be healed from the past. And in others lives as well when we fail to share the gospel with others, or decide not to do family history, or don't try to help those in need. Don't you realize that when we do these things we are not allowing the atonement to take effect in our lives or in the lives of others?! I know that if we do the Lords will in all things then we will be delivered and better able to help others "shake off the chains with which we are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust."(2 Ne. 1:23). He also said that one of the most important things we can learn on our mission is the principle of self-evaluation. If we can learn to evaluate where we are at and where we stand with the Lord, then we can set goals and plans to do better and apply the atonement by improving our lives. Whether our daily scripture study can improve, our missionary efforts, our prayers, or our temple attendance. Those trying to live a Celestial life can always find something to improve on. So I invite you all to open up your Preach My Gospel and evaluate where you are with God! Turn to the end of chapter 6 and take the Christlike Attribute Activity. Daily repentance is required for those trying to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. And I know that the more we repent the happier we are!

Speaking of happy, I got to go on exchanges this week with my past companion, Sister Dias!  She has become my best friend and I am so grateful we got to spend 12 weeks together last Christmas time. I got to serve in the Rockford YSA branch and met some of the coolest people ever! I also got to go to Sycamore Illinois and serve for the day. It's so fun witnessing miracles in other sisters areas! And so tomorrow marks the beginning of a new transfer. That means I will begin my last transfer of my mission and will be coming home in 6 weeks. Can I freak out now?!!!! I've learned that time will not slow down no matter what how badly I want it to so I have plans to make every day count and to have no regrets. 

Tonight we will go to the mission home, and yes we will eat deep dish pizza:)  We will give a training on helping our investigators pray about and read the Book of Mormon. And then tomorrow is the craziest day of the whole transfer when we leave our apartment at 7:00 am and don't return until after midnight. Oh the joys of missionary work! I think every missionary has plans to sleep for a week when they get home and mine are no different! 

Well, Elgin is wonderful! Mark and Brandon, our 10 year old twins will be baptized this Saturday! But Roy has decided not to be.... That breaks my heart but I trust in Gods plan. My memorization of the Living Christ continues to move forward and I hope yours does as well. Have a great week! And anyone who goes to Homecoming better keep an eye on Kirsten since I won't be there! Thanks a bunch! Love you all!!!!

Keep it real,

Hello everyone!!!

I've been staring at the blank screen for about 5 minutes now because I just can't decide where I need to start and what to say! It sure has been a crazy but wonderful week! Sister Jennings and I got to witness many miracles and be a part of some monumental moments. There truly is nothing as great as serving a mission. I am grateful for each and every single day.

I guess one cool thing that happened this week is KATHY GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! No big deal. She just passed her interview with flying colors and was practically jumping into the baptismal font. At the beginning of last week we weren't sure if it would happen or not because we still had 3 lessons to teach her and we couldn't meet until Wednesday, which was when her interview was. But the Lord provided a way like He always does when it's His will! Kathy's son, Dan, joined the church 2 years ago and he recently received the Melchezidek priesthood and is preparing for a mission. He got to baptize his Mom and stand in for her confirmation! I don't think there is anything sweeter nor more exciting than seeing that moment after Kathy came up out of the waters of baptism and to see her and her son embrace. Dan would never admit it, but he started crying! My heart melted and I was instantly filled with joy! In about a year they will be an eternal family. Last week in Mission Leadership Council, Pres. Fenn told us that we will now start teaching eternal families in the first lesson. Or at least the idea that we can be together forever as a family through temples. It's been so cool the miracles that Sister Jennings and I have seen as we have taught that on doorsteps this past week. Most Christian faiths believe that, but they don't understand how that's possible, and that's where we come in. So watching Kathy and her son made me so grateful for my eternal family! The temple is really so important. Yesterday in church we also got to see a baby blessed and it got me thinking just how each priesthood ordinance and blessing means more and more. First we are blessed as a baby, then baptized at 8, then receive the priesthood if you're a boy, and then temple endowments, all prepare us for the crowning ordinance of eternal marriage. Heavenly Fathers plan is flawless, and it just makes so much sense!

We received a headquarter referral a few weeks ago and we were finally able to contact her this week. She got online and requested a Book of Mormon so we were so excited to meet her. Her name is Tina and she is so sweet but we have a little bit of trouble communicating with her because she is deaf! Luckily we found an interpreter whose a member who knows really good sign language so she has to come with us. It's quite the experience teaching in that atmosphere because you have to say a thought and then pause. Plus you can't make eye contact because she's looking at the interpreter. But she's coming to church next week! And we also met this guy named Joe. He's a character and kind of reminds me of Bennie a little bit! But he only ever talks to my companion. I think he thinks I'm only her secretary or something. And he calls Sister Jennings Jennifer all the time! It's pretty hilarious. The people in Elgin sure are diverse!

So this week we had Elder Robert C. Gay from the first quorum of the Seventh come and visit our mission. Talk about a second General Conference experience, but in person!!! It was sooooooo good! He talked a lot to us about the atonement and doing the Lords will. He told us that too often we get in the way of the atonement. We let our pride, ego, and our own agenda of doing things get in the way of the atonement in others lives. The way to avoid that is to do the Lords will in all things. I've thought a lot about that and seen how true it is. So many times in our lives we don't repent, or we don't ask God for help, or we don't allow ourselves to be healed from the past. And in others lives as well when we fail to share the gospel with others, or decide not to do family history, or don't try to help those in need. Don't you realize that when we do these things we are not allowing the atonement to take effect in our lives or in the lives of others?! I know that if we do the Lords will in all things then we will be delivered and better able to help others "shake off the chains with which we are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust."(2 Ne. 1:23). He also said that one of the most important things we can learn on our mission is the principle of self-evaluation. If we can learn to evaluate where we are at and where we stand with the Lord, then we can set goals and plans to do better and apply the atonement by improving our lives. Whether our daily scripture study can improve, our missionary efforts, our prayers, or our temple attendance. Those trying to live a Celestial life can always find something to improve on. So I invite you all to open up your Preach My Gospel and evaluate where you are with God! Turn to the end of chapter 6 and take the Christlike Attribute Activity. Daily repentance is required for those trying to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. And I know that the more we repent the happier we are!

Speaking of happy, I got to go on exchanges this week with my past companion, Sister Dias!  She has become my best friend and I am so grateful we got to spend 12 weeks together last Christmas time. I got to serve in the Rockford YSA branch and met some of the coolest people ever! I also got to go to Sycamore Illinois and serve for the day. It's so fun witnessing miracles in other sisters areas! And so tomorrow marks the beginning of a new transfer. That means I will begin my last transfer of my mission and will be coming home in 6 weeks. Can I freak out now?!!!! I've learned that time will not slow down no matter what how badly I want it to so I have plans to make every day count and to have no regrets. 

Tonight we will go to the mission home, and yes we will eat deep dish pizza:)  We will give a training on helping our investigators pray about and read the Book of Mormon. And then tomorrow is the craziest day of the whole transfer when we leave our apartment at 7:00 am and don't return until after midnight. Oh the joys of missionary work! I think every missionary has plans to sleep for a week when they get home and mine are no different! 

Well, Elgin is wonderful! Mark and Brandon, our 10 year old twins will be baptized this Saturday! But Roy has decided not to be.... That breaks my heart but I trust in Gods plan. My memorization of the Living Christ continues to move forward and I hope yours does as well. Have a great week! And anyone who goes to Homecoming better keep an eye on Kirsten since I won't be there! Thanks a bunch! Love you all!!!!

Keep it real,"