Letter received 5-26-12

May 25, 2012

Dear family,

This week was a really fun and crazy week.  On Sunday, we had the Provo Temple President come and talk to us about the temple and why it is so important.  It really was an amazing talk.

Elder McMillan and I had a really cool experience.  We were supposed to be teaching one of our teachers, and we didn't know what to teach her.  The objective was to try to bring her unto Christ.  The hard thing was that we were teaching her as herself.  We had no idea what to teach her because she already knows everything.  When we were talking to her, Elder McMillan had a feeling that we should teach patience.  We didn't know why, but we taught it anyway.  When we were teaching, the Spirit was so strong.  After the ending prayer, Sis. Baum told us she could feel the Spirit so strong, and she said that was what she needed to hear.  It was such a cool experience.

A few days later, we had another experience when we were doing a door approach with one of our teachers.  It was so hard.  We stood in his doorway for like 15 minutes trying to explain to him why the Nephites were destroyed.  But his question was, "Why did God let the disaster happen in Haiti a few years ago?"  We couldn't understand what he was saying.  When he said, "Haiti," it sounded like he was saying, "I.T."  It was so tough.  We eventually said that God destroyed them because they were wicked.  So because we couldn't understand him, what we told him was that the people in Haiti were wicked, thus destroyed.  It was pretty bad, like a total nose dive into the ground.  But it was actually a lot of fun.  It is getting me EXCITED!!

We have about 2 weeks until our departure date.  I can't believe how fast time has gone.  It feels like I have only been gone for a few days.  But really I have been gone for almost 7 weeks!  It is so weird.

So, I might get my travel plans this week.  If I don't, that probably means I am going to be reassigned.  We are all having a lot of trouble with visas.  Well, really, just the visas for Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.  One of the districts in my zone were supposed to go to Argentina and they were all reassigned.  One of those elders was here for 12 weeks.  As far as I know, that will happen to my district.  I really don't mind.

I know the Lord will provide a way.  I know He knows exactly how I feel.  He knows me personally and wants me to work as hard as I can.  There are angels watching over me.  The angels of the family members of those I will teach watch over me.  I can also fell Grandpa with me.  I pray for you guys multiple times a day.  I know there are angels watching over each and every one of  you.  I know without a doubt that the Lord knows me and my needs.  He knows I worry about the safety and well-being of you all.  I know He is mindful of you and will bless you all.  I love you all so much, each and every one of you.

Always and forever,
Elder Hancock
Helaman 5:12

Thank you for the dear elder this week.  I loved it, thank you.  I just got back from the temple.  It was so amazing.  When I walked outside, the view was amazing.  I had a really good week. 
I love you. 
Helaman 5:12

Mike's email was longer, but he spent most of the email asking questions and expressing concern for people he loves who are struggling in one way or another.  (I do not write about these things but superficially.  He seems to intuit more than he is told.)  To protect their privacy, I had to edit out 90% of the email.  He tends to tune into these things when he attends the temple.  He has at least mentioned this every week in his emails, and sometimes in his letters.  I think he is spending a great deal of time putting names on the prayer roll.  Isn't it miraculous that when we totally put ourselves in the hands of the Lord, commit our whole lives to doing His work, we start to forget about our issues and troubles and begin to focus our concern on the welfare (spiritual and temporal) of others.  That is when we begin to understand charity, the pure love of Christ.  Is it any wonder that the missionary regulations are so rigid? 

Letter received 05-21-12

Dear family,

This week has gone by so fast!  I can't believe that I am already in my sixth week here in the MTC.  My time here has really been outstanding!  I love it here.

One elder in my district has been here for 12 weeks.  He hurt something in his knee and had to get surgery on it while here in the MTC.  He had to watch his district leave a few weeks ago.  But he finally gets to leave tomorrow.  I am so excited for him, but we are all really sad to see him go because he is an awesome elder.  He will be a Great Missionary.

This week for me has been a little tough.  I am struggling with the language a little bit, but that's OK.  I know the Lord will bless me with the gift of tongues.  I can't wait to get into the field, but I know I am not yet ready.  I still have a lot to work on.  But, I have the motivation to work hard and to study hard.

We had a funny experience a few nights ago.  We were sitting in class.  Just before the end of class, about 9:15pm or so, we were all really tired and ready to go to bed.  All of a sudden, the fire alarms went off.  We had no idea what was going on.  So, we go out into the parking lot for 10-15 minutes before they let us back into the building.  When we entered the building, we smelled burned popcorn.  Apparently, a sister had burned her popcorn which set off the fire alarm in our building.  Since the entire MTC is linked by a shared alarm system, ALL of the MTC alarms went off and ALL the buildings were evacuated.  It was really funny, but the alarms were LOUD.

So, last night, I was on the 4th floor of my residence greeting all of the new elders in my zone, when I heard someone say, "Elder Hancock."  I turned around and saw Jordon Greenburg standing behind me.  We sleep in the same building and I didn't even know!  So that is awesome.  I get to see him a lot now.

All in all, my week hasn't been very eventful.  How are you guys doing?  Everything going OK?  I know the Lord has blessed each and every one of you in some way, with me being here.  I know that if I rely on the Lord, He will bless me.  A few days ago I was pretty down.  I prayed so hard that the Lord would help me learn the language and help me be a good missionary.  When I finished, I opened my scriptures randomly to Alma 36:3.  My favorite part says, "...for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day."  When I got done, I knew Heavenly Father answered my prayer, right then, at that moment.  I have to have faith.  Miracles come after the trial of our faith.  I know that if we rely on the Lord and have faith, that He will help us.  It is that clear.  But, we have to do something about it or it is just a wish.  Faith - action - revelation - miracle - blessing.  Trust in the Lord.  "It is upon the Rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation... a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

I love all of you so much.  I know you are with me.  Never forget.

Always and forever,
Elder Hancock
Helaman 5:12

P.S.  Here is my SD card so you can see some pictures.

Emails received 05-18-12

Hi Mom, 

I noticed you haven't emailed me yet so I will just send you a quick one and then send you one later. 

Did you get my Mother's Day card yet?  I really hope you got it before Sunday. 

My week has gone ok.  I have been kind of stressed out lately because I feel like I haven't been learning the language.  But that's all right.  I know that the Lord will bless me if I work hard and do the best I can. 

So, we had a new district come in on Wednesday and they have 12 elders in their district.  That's a lot. 

I saw Jordon last night.  Found out we sleep in the same building.  Yeah its really awesome I get to see him a lot now. 

Danny's visa didn't come through yet so he might have to stay here the full 9 weeks.  YES!  I am glad because I get to see him more. 

Well I will send you another email after the temple. 

I love you so much!

Hi Mom,

I've got to make this fast. 

I just got back from the temple.  It was such an amazing experience.  One of my favorite parts about it is when we walk out the doors after we get done with a session or sealings and I look over the fountains and across valley.  I think of how much brightness and beauty the gospel brings and the light and truth I am going to bring to people. 

I am going to pray for (loved-one).  It is so amazing to hear that.  How is (loved-one) doing?  He is in almost all of my prayers.  My heart hurts for him.  I put his name on the temple prayer roll again today. 

Oh, and tell Owen that the Friday before I am supposed to leave, we have in-field training and it goes all day, so our p-day is Saturday so hopefully that happens.  It might not happen that way but I am hoping. 

Sister Doman brings stickers for all of the Elders and I put a sticker of Buzz Lightyear on the back of my nametag.  I think of Eli every time I look at it. 

Wow, I am really happy for (loved-one). 

So I get to see Jordan G. a lot now.  And I see Danny R. like every day.  I sent Derek V. a letter today. 

Well Mom, I have to go.  I love you so much and I thank you for all of the support you and the family give me.

I love you!

Helaman 5:12

Letter written May 11, 2012

Dear family,

It is so weird to think that, as of today, I have been here in the MTC for exactly a month.  First of all, I want to thank you all for writing and supporting me.  Just that thought, having you all behind me every step of the way, is a huge confidence booster and a big testimony builder.

This week is like the first week I haven't had any real crazy experiences.  I saw Danny a few times this week.  He is supposed to leave for Peru next week.  I am really excited for him.  I saw Jordon Greenburg last Sunday.  It was really good to see him.  He says he has 10 weeks here in the MTC before he goes to Japan.  So we will be in here for about the same time.  I am starting to get sick of the food here, but that's OK.  We play sand volleyball by the Temple for gym.  SO much fun.

I have a pretty cool story to tell you, family.  A few days ago, Hermano Hardy was telling us something he heard on his mission.  He said there are angels protecting us and that we have the ability to call on angels to help build us up.  He said he believes that our family on the other side helps us and gives us strength.  When I hear that, I thought that was so awesome and amazing, but I didn't really think anything of it after that.  But, this morning, I woke up and was having a harder time than usual.  I kept thinking about how much I was missing the things I left behind.  I have been praying so hard lately to not feel this way, because it is not good.  When I went to breakfast this morning, I saw a senior missionary that kind of reminded me of Grandpa, and right then, I thought of what Bro. Hardy said about angels protecting us and giving us comfort.  I felt immediately that Grandpa was helping me, watching over me.  I could feel him.  I knew he was helping me.  I know he gives me comfort and watches over me.  I know, without a doubt, that Heavenly Father hears my prayers.  I know that he knows me individually.

I know that Jesus Christ personally lived every second of my life in the Garden of Gethsemane.  I know that as you build upon the Rock of our Redeemer, which is Christ the Lord, you will not fall.  Never.

I love you all so much.

Always and Forever,

Elder Michael Hancock

Excerpt from Mother's Day card received May 12, 2012

Ever since I left, what Grandma said to me keeps ringing in my ears.  She said, "Missionaries sacrifice their families for two years so that others can be with their families forever."  I love that quote so much.  Your hope and your testimonies that you seal shut, inside and encased in a letter that you send to me, and for me, alone, makes my day so much brighter.  Those letters bring hope, love, and peace from you and from the family.  Your testimony and your love for the Savior says it all to me.  It makes my testimony stronger.

Kirsten told me, "Even though you are far away from your family, you carry them with you wherever you go."  Because of that, I truly feel the love that you have for me.  I don't feel alone.  And with the letters you send, that feeling is reassured.  You are the love, the light, the inspiration to keep going, so that I can be a savior on Mt. Zion.  I know my Heavenly Father loves me.  I owe everything I have to my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  With every letter you send, born inside is your testimony.  It strengthens me and I know the Lord is blessing you and the family.

May 11, 2012 Report from Shelly

Sis. Hope is a volunteer nurse at the MTC on Thursdays, and is a friend of Michael's friend, Sarah Johnson.  Sis. Hope called this morning (her second call to us since Mike entered the MTC).  She let us know that Michael is doing well.  He pops his head in the medical office every Thursday to say hello to her.  She asks how he is doing, how he is getting along with his companion.  He always has positive reports unless she asks about how the language is coming.  Sis. Hope tells him to not worry so much about that.  That he will get it sooner or later.  She said that he will realize, about six months into his mission, that he is beginning to think in Spanish.

Sis. Hope said that on her way out of the MTC yesterday, she came upon Michael's class practicing their lessons in the hallway.  Mike didn't see her.  She just observed quietly for a moment.  She said his class (district) is a good one.  She said it is really fun to be able to see the young people she knows in action there at the MTC.

As a mother of a missionary-in-training, it is a comfort to be able to have these first-hand reports and imagine these little vignettes.  Michael mentions Sis. Hope frequently in his correspondence.  I know that for him, too, his acquaintance with her feels like a comforting connection to home.  What a blessing to have my prayers answered, even, and especially, in ways of which I could not conceive.  I appreciate her sweetness and care for Michael, even though she had never met him before he went into the MTC.  Heavenly Father truly knows each of us so well and blesses us so specifically.

Email received May 11, 2012

Hi Mom,

Thank you for talking to me about the shot thing.  I just wanted to make sure before I got it. 

I have spent a little money on some stuff here like a study journal and some Q-tips and that's about it.  I haven't spent any cash at all. I still have all of it with me.  I don't have any need to spend it.  I can't think of anything I need right now but I will get back to you if I do.  I talked to Sister Hope yesterday and she said she would call if I needed anything.  But before I leave I want to send all of my letters to you. 

So the whole time I have been here I have written in my Journal almost every night.  I have missed like one or two nights, that's it.  I am so happy about that.  I have made it a goal to write in my journal every day for the next two years. 

I have seen Danny a few times since he has been here.  I also saw Jordan Greenburg on Sunday at the Devotional.  It was so good to see him.  I have seen him a few times since then.  I have no idea what Danny's favorite treats are.  But I do know he likes Swedish fish a lot.  I see Derek Miller a lot like everyday.  His classroom is right down the hall from mine. 

I am doing so awesome.  I have been a little down because the language is still coming slow.  But I have amazing teachers.  One of my teachers I love so much.  Brother Hardy.  He plays guitar in a band and stuff so me and him really hit it off.  But I love him because he really cares.  He really wants to see me fulfill my purpose as a missionary. My other teacher Sister Baum is amazing, too.  I talked to Brother Hardy because I started to miss my guitar really bad and music and stuff.  My district keeps singing songs and stuff and "checking out" the sister missionaries so it has been really hard to let go of worldly things.  I talked to Brother Hardy and he told me to pray really hard to let it go because my time on a mission is really important.  He said I need to focus on the Savior and the people I am teaching.  And then he said, "On my mission I had the same problem.  But I asked heavenly father to help me with it and I made a promise with him that if I focus on my purpose and I don't think about guitar or music or anything like that I would be blessed.  And I was."  He said after he got back he played better than he ever had and he enjoyed it more than he ever had.  I know that's what I need to do.  He told me I need to immerse myself in the work and that if I do that the Lord will take care of everything else.  I know I need to do this.  I don't want to miss my guitar because I know that this is where I am supposed to be.  I know that the Lord will bless me. 

I think the most important thing is that I was willing to put everything aside and serve the Lord.  I know I am here for the right reasons.  I know that there are people waiting to hear the gospel.  I have such a strong testimony that my Savior, my Redeemer lives.  I know without a shadow of a doubt that he loves me, that he sacrificed for me personally.  I heard a cool thing from a talk:  they said that instead of the Savior taking on all of everyone's sins in the garden, He lived everyone's lives personally one by one.  Every happy, sad, eventful moment of our lives.  So when they say He has lived our lives for us He really has, for each and everyone of us.  I know Heavenly Father hears my prayers.  I know He knows my needs. 

So I have a cool story to tell you.  But I will wait and put it in the letter.  I love you so much.  I know that I have so much love and support behind me. 

Forever and Always,

Elder Michael Hancock

Helaman 5:12

Email received May 3, 2012

I have a really cool story.  I have been having a real hard time with the language and I thought I was getting better but it really was just that one day.   So, we taught an investigator yesterday,  (practice) and the investigator was our teacher.  Anyway we had a lesson planned out for the plan of salvation.  That lesson is such a hard lesson especially in another language.  I was supposed to start the lesson, but when I started I had like a rush of emotion over me.  I had so many things I wanted to tell her but I couldn't.  I had everything written down that I wanted to say and I was just going to read it off the paper, but for some reason I couldn't. So we all sat there for like two minutes without saying anything.  And two minutes with someone staring at you is FOREVER long.   After that my companion took over.
.

After the lesson my companion and I were walking out and he asked me if everything was OK,  and right then I realized what had happened. When we got back to the class room,  I talked to my teacher about what had happened.  I told her that I had just had my prayers answered.  I had been praying so hard that I would be a good missionary and that I would be able to learn the language.  I said, "How can I be a good missionary if I am reading something off of a paper and treating a person as if they were a brick wall?"  I told her , "I can't do that.  I have to look them in the eyes as I tell them that they can live with their families forever.  I have to look at them, because for me the eyes say everything.  And reading off of a paper just doesn't cut it for me.  And at that moment I loved that investigator.  I loved her.  Even though it was just my teacher, for that moment I realized what I need to do to be the missionary we all strive to be."
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As I told her that, I had tears streaming down my face because I realized there were things in my life that were placed there for me.  I realized I had the Spirit with me in that lesson.  I had prayed to know what to say and when it didn't come, I was confused.  But after, I realized that my tongue was held for a good reason.  I walked out of that room last night a changed missionary.
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I haven't even met any of the people I will teach but I already love them.  I already need them to hear my testimony.  I can't wait to look them in the eyes and tell them there is hope.  To tell them through all of the darkness and sadness this life brings that they have a Father in Heaven that loves them and truly cares for them individually.  That if they strive to follow Christ that they will be able to live with their families forever.
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Last night was amazing for me.  Even though I have been here for three and a half weeks I already have grown so much.  I can't believe all of the things that have happened to me the last three weeks.  I feel like a different person.
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Family, I need you all to know that none of this is possible without our Heavenly Father.  He knows me.  He knows my needs.  I know without a doubt that he hears my prayers.  Build upon the rock which is Christ.  "...if men build they cannot fall."  I know without a doubt that if you build upon the rock of our Redeemer you will not fall.
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I love the watch and the bag.  They are perfect.  Thank you for all of the treats and goodies.  I love you all.  Please write me.  I love hearing from all of you.  You make me so happy to know that I have the support of my family.
.

Elder Michael Boyd Hancock

Letter received 4/30/12

                                                                                                                         April 27, 2012
Dear family,

I can't believe I have already been in here for 2 1/2 weeks.  It's really true when they say, "Days seem like weeks and weeks seem like days."  We said goodbye to a district on Wednesday.  They were all supposed to go to Argentina, but they had visa problems and were reassigned to somewhere else in the States to wait for their visa's.  And, out of three supposed to go to Peru, only one is leaving for the Peruvian MTC on Tuesday.  The other two have to wait here until they get their visas.  We are all really happy about it.  Me and my district have really become close like family. 

We have had a couple of really bad hardships happen in our district just in the past 2 1/2 weeks.  We had two elders go home and another elder's grandma died.  Out of all of these things, I truly know that trials make you stronger.  And, I know that through those trials if you rely on the Savior,, He will carry you when you can't do it.  There is an elder in my district that says, "Do your best and He will do the rest."

I am doing so awesome.  I have never been so happy in my life.  I want to thank all of you for writing me letters and sending me packages.  They really make my day and keep me going.

I love you all!!!

Forever and Always,
Elder Michael Boyd Hancock



Also, I am going to try to send you some pictures.  Mom, I love you so much.  Please don't stop writing me.  Your letters and everyone's letters make my day.  They help me to keep on going.

Love,
Your son,
Elder Michael Hancock
Helaman 5:12