Salut toute le monde ! I hope that as you began to read this update, the voice of Bon Jovi singing "Livin on a Prayer" came to mind. 😄 Can you even believe it?! I am halfway through my mission in serving the Lord! Only 9 more months remaining of the greatest decision I have ever made! These past 9 months have been way more than I have ever expected in many ways, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. I have learned so many things up to this point in my mission, and I know I still have so much more to learn! I have met some amazing people and have created relationships with companions, members, amis, and other missionaries that I know will last a lifetime. I have seen and experienced countless miracles, had many profound moments defined by the Spirit, and have seen the hand of God work in every moment, detailing this sacred work. My testimony has grown leaps and bounds, and this is just the beginning! I cannot describe the love I have for the people of France, the language, the culture, for each and every experience I've had, and for this sacred work. A mission is not the easiest thing ever, but it definitely is worth it! So, cheers to nine months more!
Miracles Abound:On the topic of miracles, we have experienced a lot this week! Because the weather is SUUUUPER nice here (and we want to work on our missionary tan lines🤪) Soeur Chapman and I often go to the port to get some work done. There are tons of people from all over Europe at the port and I love to hear all the different languages spoken there, and to of course, to see all the boats. One afternoon we went to the port and had barely sate down at a little picnic table when I saw a man walking by. I watched him for about two seconds, then turned to Soeur Chapman and told her that I felt impressed we needed to talk to him. We both immediately stood up and started speed walking towards him. We didn't realize how fast he was walking to begin with, so it quickly turned into us kind of jogging along to catch up to him. 😂 When we caught up to him he was sooooo nice and talked easily with us. We found out he was Christian, and he was totally open and willing to talk more! We ended up giving him a Book of Mormon and we even exchanged phone numbers! That night we texted him and he responded almost immediately telling us his availability! Wow! We are hoping to have a rendezvous with him this week, so I'll of course keep you all posted!
Another amazing miracle this week happened last Friday! Friday was a French National Holiday, so our branch had a huge carnival to celebrate! It was so fun! We had some amis attend, (including Chaterina!) as well as some amis that members invited! Soeur Chapman and I were enlisted as the photographers and they all loved the photos! Towards the end we all shared a meal together after-which one of the members introduced us to their friend, Dorian. Dorian is one of those people who is just so ready to accept the gospel. I am so excited for her! Her member friends had already started talking to her about the Plan of Salvation and our believe in Eternal Marriages in the temple and said that is what really got her interested! We talked a little bit more with her about the Plan of Salvation and gave her a Book of Mormon. She was so excited to recieve it! She was all smiles and just so joyful and excited to receive it! Between the two of us, I seriously couldn't tell who was smiling bigger! 🤣😁 That night we texted her as well, she responded, and better yet, SHE CAME TO CHURCH AND LOVED IT! I sat with her a bit before the meeting started and explained how our meetings worked and she was so excited and content! She also had this adorable little baby boy! I asked her if she had had the chance to look at the Book of Mormon at all and she said that she read until page 15! IN ONLY TWO DAYS! I was so impressed! The member that introduced us also offered to have a rendez-vous at their home too! I am so so excited for her and to see how she progresses! 
This past week as a zone we also stayed out of our apartments from 900- 2100! Throwback Thursday! In the past, it was a regulation for the missionaries to be out of their apartment all day, so we decided to give it a try. It was actually so so fun! We met some awesome people, enjoyed the sun, had some amazing lessons, and simply just had a great day! The work is starting to pick up here in Toul and it is so exciting! The Lord is really sending us some very prepared people and we see constant evidence of His hand through all our efforts!
Spiritual Thought:
In reading the Book of Mormon this week I came across a scripture that I thought was really interesting. This scripture comes from Alma when he went to heal Zeezrom (a man who was against the church for a while but ended up becoming baptized). Alma told him that he could be healed through his faith in Christ and Zeezrom said he did have faith, and was then healed. This is the same pattern we see whenever someone is healed in the scriptures. The first question is always do you have the faith to be healed, and then through and according to their faith they are healed. I love this pattern of faith and healing in both The Bible and The Book of Mormon, and I especially love how it can be applied to us today.
"If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed." (Alma 15: 8) This not only applies to physically healing, but to all levels and types of healing. Have faith and believe in the redemption of Christ and He will heal you. I have seen it and I have felt it. No matter what is going on in the world or in our families, He will and can heal you in the ways you need it most. I love you all so much!
À Bientôt ! ♥️ - Soeur Hansen
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