"They are mine to give."

Not to make any of you jealous or anything... but the weather here is quite nice now... It's about the perfect weather. At least for my Utah acclimated body.

Actually, it's really interesting how much the weather dictates what happens in the day here. It was simply windy in the morning of Sabbath and the streets were empty. Sundays are typically slower, but this was honestly remarkable. Encouraging others to come into church despite the weather is something I am still trying to figure out. There requires recognition of culture, but also-- you should come to church! It's pretty cool! And besides, they missed out on the new translation equipment.

Throughout history, Greece has been kinda in the middle of everything. Everyone's basically had to go through it in order to get to somewhere else. So naturally pretty used to diversity.

Nothing I've ever seen encapsulates that more than translating in the Halandri Chapel on a Sunday Morning. At 9:00 we are ravishingly trying to find the select few receivers and find the ones that will work for the entire meeting and won't start screaming half way through the meeting (yes they do that). After the 7 devices of 20 are sorted, they are quickly dispersed to the congregation. Other than the Albanian family and friends and visitors, it's a first ask, first serve type of situation. The Albanian family typically gets first pick since they need the meeting, if it's in Greek that week, to be translated by the member or missionary with the transmitter. After which, the two members of their family, who speak English, translate that into Albanian for their family. It is literally two way translation. While the missionary is translating into English or Greek, and then into Albanian, I'm usually sneaking through the congregation and trying to hand out the remaining devices. I've got to keep a better ear out for the announcements because I nearly forgot to lead the music.

Hedy, the member who requested me to do so, looks at me sitting at the translation table waving her arm in the air to motion "don't forget to conduct!!" Which of course, I still do.

But now, we have new equipment! And all the devices work! We have 30 of them! What a blessing! We've been waiting a year for these guys, and they have arrived!

The branch president walked into the room as we unpackaged the devices and exclaimed, "This can't be real."

What a blessing.

As you might have seen from one of my prior emails, we've been conversing with a linguist on a regular basis to discuss two of his Greek friends who are interested in the gospel.

Well, we met them!

The first I met with the linguist nearby, while my companion was only slightly present.  John-Henry had made the connection that his good friend was actually my dad's trainer when he was on his mission! What a small world. So naturally, this man was quite interested on the unique connection John-Henry and I had. The meeting occurred quite late as well.

John-Henry expressed how much of a blessing it was that we could meet him, but I only which he could know how much of a blessing it was for me. Since I was the one doing most of the talking, I needed to speak. And we started the conversation in English and it switched into Greek. At this point, I'm usually quite nervous, but it happened. And I did it. As I said in a prior email, social skills need to be, basically, relearned in another language. So the fact that the spirit and God was able to help me in this situation (and also probably the spirit of tiredness cause you can really open up with that on your side at 9:30pm as a missionary) is a miracle and it will probably influence my mission.

This is still gonna be hard. Really hard. It's been difficult to speak the language, and particularly with the other missionaries. The hill remains a monster to climb and the dragon that is Satan isn't far off from trying to stop you. But you keep taking those steps.

You'll see why you're taking those steps in a moment. I promise.

The next week we met with John-Henry's other friend at a more reasonable hour (it was still 8:30pm).

And I will start with this-- I can testify to you, missionaries have a way to communicate to those exploring the gospel. But I would lie if I said members have their own. And oh my goodness, how wonderful was it to have John-Henry preparing his friend for this meeting for over 6 months. We discussed the events of the first vision, which was familiar to him, but we discussed in a very "missionary" manner. Something I advise to do before meeting with a friend and member is to talk before hand about what will be discussed. It'll make you and them more comfortable.

Well, we began to read the first vision, something very familiar to me at this point in my life and on my mission.

Every sentence made my voice one step deeper in a path of mud. A restriction of speech is a common occurrence when I begin to feel emotional. Somehow, this was not an exception to this feeling despite the countless times I have read this exact passage from the Pearl of Great Price.

I know it isn't uncommon to get emotion when discussing this, but it's quite uncommon for me to get emotional quite at all. That is an uncommon way for me to feel the spirit.

"I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other..."

Giorgios sat their patiently as I stuggled through the fire of the emotional spirit.

"—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

I requested that Elder Crossley continue reading, as this was a meeting that warranted, because of the spirit, such teamwork until the account concluded.

I hope and pray for those friends of John-Henry, and I hope you might find the time to do the same. I don't know what the outcome will be for them, but I do know it is enough that the spirit has touched me in this way as I've met them. What an honor.

This is the last p-day of these particular Athens missionaries. Oh how I will miss it.

I cannot begin to express it. As I sit here writing this, I'm still trying to grasp for words.

What can you say, when you've changed so much as a missionary and even so as a person because of a particular group of people? I feel like a new missionary.

How do you begin to thank someone for that?

It certainly had its troughs and hills, but it seems just as you get the handle on things it comes to an end.

But yet, I am thankful. I am thankful for the time that has been. I've been thankful for the missionaries that are unfortunately leaving this transfer.

I want them to stay ever so badly. I desperately ask God, "Why must they leave?"

But deep inside, I know the answer.

"They are not yours to have. They are mine to give."

I've needed them in this time the Lord has seen fit. But someone else needs them too. I shouldn't be selfish enough to think the contrary. For I have been given more than I already deserve.

Take them somewhere for a while, God, wherever you see fit. Because I know you will care for them there.

For those that receive them are blessed. They will be blessed by their receivers.

Because I know they will work hard and God will continue to magnify them. He will continue to magnify us remaining here. I know I couldn't have done the things Elder Crossley and I have without the help of the Lord.

I love you all and hope you a pleasant week.

Πρεσβύτερος Ντίλαν Χάνσεν