Philosophy Class!

It has been a brilliant week!! So teaching the Philosophy class... I was so nervous going in there, they had about 15 students, and about 7 or 8 teachers that heard the Mormon's were coming so they wanted to come in. It was probably one of the coolest experiences I've had on my mission. We taught the Restoration, then answered a bunch of questions. Then the investigator asked us to teach the Plan of Salvation, because he loves it. So we did that as well.  We ended up being there for about 2 hours, I never thought I would ever have to stand in front of a philosophy class and teachers for 2 hours and talk about the Gospel. The spirit was amazing, I felt like I wasn't even the one speaking, it was all the spirit, you could definitely feel it in the room, so cool. After the class, we had a line of students and teachers wanting a Book of Mormon. The teacher of the philosophy class and the "head teacher" or principle told us that they have had a lot of religious people come and talk to classes, but that what we shared was the best by far. It was a really good experience. We hope to hear from some of the kids this week and the teacher and principle want to come to church sometime because they live near bye. My companion and I have been working on contacting. I'm am working on not talking so much and my companion talking more, its funny because a lot of times he can't think of how to say things in English so he'll look at me.. usually I would continue, but now when he looks at me I just look back. He is doing so good though, he is progressing so much. We had Zone Conference this week! That was way cool, I got to see Elder Oleson which was way fun. We had 3 people at church this week, one of our Less Active members has an 8 year old daughter, we have started teaching her, and she came to church this week and wanted to say the prayer in sacrament meeting, she ended up saying it in Primary. We are playing footy again this week, I'm really excited for it! Last week it was epic! Hope everyone has a wicked week! 

Sunny week in England!

What a week it has been! Another sunny week in England!! It has been great! I thought my comp would be used to the sun, but he hates it!! ha ha he is so funny, we constantly have to switch the side of the road we are walking on to get in the "shadow of the tree".  It's weird to think I have a cousin a couple hours away from where I am, he came at a good time, England is beautiful right now! Training someone from the Islands is a very different experience, but I love it. If anyone would like, they should write to him! He hasn't gotten any letters from home, his name is Elder Tauman, keep the letters simple so he can read them, follow Hyrums example, he writes great letters! We had 3 investigators at church this week! A mother and daughter and another guy we found on the street! We are playing footy for P-Day today, I'm really excited, I feel like I haven't played in ages! I'm a little nervous/excited for tomorrow because one of our investigators invited us to come and teach his philosophy class.  Everything is going well, we are still praying to find more people to teach! Thanks for all the support and prayers. A little less then a year left, I can't believe it, where has the time gone! Hope everyone has a brilliant week! Cheerio!! 

Love Elder Hanks (the Elder Hanks) 

Best 2 years!

What a week it has been!! This has been a very different week, but I loved it.  My companion as you know is from Kiribati. He doesn't speak English very well and his culture is so different. He is one of the first 5 missionaries from Kiribati to come on a mission to England. It took him about 2 days on the plane to get here. It has been different doing everything with him. He has never used a microwave before, he is used to taking a shower with a bucket of water, he has never seen a bath tub, only in the movies.  I have to speak very slow with him, and teach him how to do the smallest things that we would never even think about. Missionary work has just been so different. Saying all this, I love him. I have had some great companions, but I already know he will be my favorite. He is so humble. He has such a great spirit, he has so much love, he is always smiling and laughing, he works hard, I learn so much from him everyday. If we are out talking to people, and they just say no and walk  away he just laughs his head off, he is so funny!  I made him a pretty nice breakfast on Sunday morning, eggs, pancakes, and bacon, it was pretty good. So this morning he got up early and tried to make me breakfast... ha ha it didn't work out to well, but it was really nice of him. I love my mission. Thanks for all your support and prayers, its been brilliant. I love you all, thanks for all your examples. This week was one of those weeks where I can understand why people say it is the best 2 years of their life. Pray, study, and CTR. BE HAPPY!! Have a wicked week! Cheerio!!

Elder Tauman & Elder Oleson

Brillant week!

It has been a brilliant week!  We had an experience like in the Best 2 Years.  We were praying for a specific couple and during our prayer we received a text that they were ready to come to church, it was a miracle! This week we had 4 investigators at church. A young couple with 2 young kids! The mother asked how much it costs to be baptized!!  Her grandparents work at the temple! We are really excited, but they have a ton of things they need to change(: but that's why were here, to help people change. This week we did a lot of whiteboard contacting, we drew the Plan of Salvation very simply and it was a great finding tool, and way fun. We did it near a shopping center.. but we got kicked off the grounds. On the 4th of July, we had a conference call and sang the Star Spangled banner, but that was about it for the 4th.. Most people asked why we were working on that day when they found out we were American. ha ha. We have a roof right outside our flat, so one night this week, we slept under the stars, it was brilliant!  And yes... it is moves this week, we actually already know what is happening. I am staying in Addlestone... And I am training another new missionary! I will meet him on Wednesday! I'm really excited, but I'm also very sad): I love Elder Oleson, we have a lot of good memories together. After this transfer I'll be in Addlestone as long as I was in Bath!! That is crazy!   I love you all, thanks for your support and prayers, I'm excited to have another cousin here in England!! Cheerio!

" To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
                                                                 Anatole Frances

Bore our testimony!

What a brilliant week it has been! A lot of cool miracles! Thorpe Park was so wicked!! I'll get you some pictures!  While in line we actually met a guy who had been to SLC and Lake Powell and all these places in Utah, it was brilliant! I had a really cool experience this week, we visit this less active family about once every 2 weeks. They are a great family, used to be very strong in the Gospel, went to the Temple about 3 times a week, and then about a year ago, they just stopped coming to church, its sad. Our bishop has been telling us to bear testimony when we go over there and  help them feel the spirit. This week we went over. The father wasn't feeling well, we offered to give him a blessing. We talked a lot about their good memories of the church, and we bore our testimony, then we gave him a blessing. I was able to give the blessing, and it went well. This Sunday he walked into church, the first time in over a year. He said he has never had a better sleep in his life then he had that night. I was so excited to see him there, it was a miracle! This Sunday we also had a man from Italy walk into church, he has been attending church in Italy for the past 5 years, but never got baptised! Its a brilliant thing we have some Italian speakers in our ward, becuase his english isn't too good. We are going to start up an English class and start teaching him with the Italians! We haven't been able to see the mission broadcast yet.  We were going to Sunday but we only had about 20 people at church.  We have a lot of American families that our on vacation.. so the numbers have gone down a lot!  Hopefully we get to see the broadcast soon!  We are excited for another week.  Next week is moves again! I can't believe how fast time continues to move! I love you all, have a brilliant week!! Cheers!!