Thunderstorms & Sunshine — Leslie Hancock Real Estate

Dear family and friends,

August has been a unique month, filled with amazing teaching opportunities, many more miracles and heartwarming visits from family and friends. It’s also been a month filled with emotions. Our impending last day in the mission field has been looming around me, and like a child who’s made a paper chain representing the days till Christmas, we’re at 22 days and counting. But in this case the last day does not represent gifts to open but a gift to leave behind. Our mission has been a dream come true, and we have loved every day. Thankfully, the Lord has helped us both feel “a call to be home”. We know we are needed at Mamma’s Hands and anxious to be close to our Bellevue and Vancouver kids and grandkids. And, I’m sure as I dive back in to Real Estate, the energy and excitement will return, as well, for a work that’s different but still allows me to serve a variety of wonderful people as best I can. I am grateful for the peace that has come these last few weeks.

I would never have guessed but August is monsoon season in St. George! So, it is not unusual to have several lightning storms each week. The storms come quickly and often dump a ¼” or so of rain, but after a few minutes the anticipated sunshine follows and the air has cooled. It has been a welcome relief from the over 100 degree weather. We have experienced a storm of emotions as well as we prepare to leave this beautiful place and all of those we’ve come to know and love as we’ve served together. I know one of the very hardest moments will be giving our good-bye testimonies and then taking off our missionary badges when we return and report in Bellevue. I know there is a time and season for all things in life and this special mission time is quickly coming to an end just like our summer here in St. George.

This past month, Denny had the most remarkable experience. A couple from Korea in anticipation of their trip to the National Parks googled Utah for more information and while doing so learned a little about “the Mormons”. After landing in Las Vegas, they were driving in route to the parks and saw the temple from the freeway and decided to come see it. When they came in to the temple annex they saw Denny with his guitar and said “Are you going to play us a song?” and Denny said “Sure!” When he finished the Korean man said, “I know you, I saw a video about you on-line!” Come to find out…….it was the I’M A MORMON video the church did on Denny which he had seen on Google!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So they first Mormon they met after arriving in the United States was the same one they saw on-line before coming. They had lots of questions about our faith and our temple and after over an hour at the Visitor Center were excited to take a copy of the Book of Mormon. We often hear people say, what a coincidence! But isn’t it great to know that there are truly no coincidences!

The Lord has been so good to me and blessed me with some amazing teaching opportunities as well. I have shared the gospel with people of all faiths and they’ve been loving and receptive. It doesn’t matter how many times I speak of Christ as my personal savior, it never gets old. My heart burns stronger and my testimony runs deeper each time. I’ve had so many people of other faiths say “thank you for being a disciple of Christ” or “thank you for your faith, it inspires me” or “I’m excited to read the Book of Mormon or with tears in their eyes hold my hand like they’re not going to let go or just give me a hug. I know it’s not anything I have done, but the Lord in his grace has allowed me to be his vessel and messenger. These experiences I will never forget!

With some prompting on my part, my mom came to visit which was quite unbelievable. I was so grateful that at 81 years of age, she was willing to brave the airports on her own and had the health and vitality to walk with us on the lower level of the 3 pools hike in Zion’s Park. Before she left she said “I know why you want to move here when you retire, and you should!” Funny, but it doesn’t matter what age I am, it still feels good to get my mom’s approval.

A visit from our son, Denny and grandson, Charlie, made this month especially memorable. We packed tons of fun in to just 2 ½ days. The highlight for me was walking the Virgin River in Zions. We spent over 3 hours getting to the famous “Narrows” section of the river before heading back. I was so proud of our grandson who never complained once on the long hike and led the way with dad at his side through 2’ deep water. Charlie’s highlight for the day, though, may have been the cliff jumping at Sand Hollow Reservoir. Jumping off cliffs has been a “Hancock thing” since our early days at Lake Chelan, but Sand Hollow presented the perfect place to take it to the next level. At one point, there were a bunch of teenagers at the edge of a 30’ cliff who were saying to each other, “You go”, “No, You go”. Next thing I knew, our 8 yr grandson said, “I’ll go” and he walked right through the middle of them and jumped. Of course, his dad had gone first and Charlie knew he’d be in the water waiting for him. If you think I’m an irresponsible grandma to watch this all happening……… believe me, I was on my floater down below saying, “No, don’t go!” Obviously I have little influence when it comes to things like that. :) At the end of our two jam packed days we collapsed in a booth at two of our favorite all-you-can-eat buffets. Charlie took full advantage of the free desserts and after eating a huge plate of dinner, he filled another dinner sized plate with a selection of no less than 6 desserts which unbelievably he managed to mostly consume! So glad we are past the stage of feeding hungry kids and teenagers every day. It just doesn’t fit in to the retirement budget we are planning for down the road!

And then, if we weren’t spoiled enough…….. our dear friends and motorcycle buddies from home, Brooks and Sophie Larsen, came to visit. We did our best to give them a great tour of this beautiful desert country and Zion’s Park and a taste of the pioneer history that is planted so deeply here in the valley. The weather was accommodating for our Seattleites and dropped 20 degrees and offered some rare rain sprinkles for them as well. I so appreciated their visit as it reminded me that we have loving friends at home too, who will be there to welcome us back and support us during our transition to “life after the mission”.

With all three visits, our guests stayed in our same temple apartments right across the street from temple square. What a blessing for us to have them so close and be able to share with them some of the amazing teaching exhibits we have at the Visitor Center and most importantly meet some of the sweet sister missionaries. At the close of one of the evenings, they were able to here these angel voices sing their closing song with Elder Hancock’s accompaniment.

This month we attended our last show at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre, the Hunchback of Notre-Dame. It was perhaps the best musical performance Denny and I have ever seen, even topping my standing favorite, Phantom of the Opera at the 5th Avenue. Victor Hugo’s story is already powerful but Tuacahn took some artistic liberty with his story and gave the audience an even deeper understanding of real Christ-like love. The actor/singer who played Quasimoto was absolutely incredible the way he could distort his face and hunch over and limp, and then sing……..oh my gosh…..I had shivers! I truly honor him and so many others who performed on stage that evening for their talent and hard work in delivering a story that became real in everyone’s hearts.

Well, there is much more to share but I know you all have more important things to do then read more about Denny and Leslie’s life. I want to thank those of you who have been followers and especially those who’ve sent messages and emails to us in response to our letters. It has meant everything to me. I hope to send a final letter on our last day in the mission field, September 21. Please pray for us that we can be strong and continue to have peace about the end of this chapter in our lives.

We love you all so much,

Leslie and Denny