Hellooooooo everybody, how are we doing this week??
Sounds like a lot of y'all have had a good week. (In case you haven't noticed, y'all is a thing here. Like for real for real, it just becomes a part of the vocab, it has entered mine haha) Sounds like a HIGHLIGHT week with Brik and Gracie both giving some awesome talks, and watching one of my best friends for years Annie Liu give her farewell talk to go serve a missing in the New York New York Mission Mandarin Speaking. That is so cool, and if it's anything like good ole Texas (area is probably not, but the work is always the same!!) she is going to LOVE IT! It is a true blessing trying to help people grow closer to their Savior Jesus Christ, and this experience has helped me grow so much.
We had some miracles this week. Quite honestly it was an incredibly slow week for finding, I wish we found more, and that part was kind of a tough pill to swallow. However, we were blessed in other aspects as well. We had the chance to set a baptismal date for Gabriela!! Rafael is still in the works, but Gabriela said that she could not wait any longer. The 23rd of February is the day and we cannot be any more excited than we are. Rafael is in full support. Also, kind of a shocker, we got to set another baptismal date for Gustavo. We call him an “eternigator” (eternal investigator of the church). He’s from Mexico and we teach him every Saturday. He is all in, and all ready. Bore his testimony on the Book of Mormon, the Restoration of the Gospel, and modern prophets. His baptism date is currently set for the 9th of March. Missouri City hasn't had a baptism in about a year, so I am super excited to see that change, and hope it does. In that respect, I am so grateful. They are both ready, and I think this is their time. To see the Lord work in their life is so cool. They have come so close to their Savior in such a little amount of time. I'm grateful to have been a part of a lot of these processes, and it never gets old. I love seeing the change so much. I find so much love in the process.
We went over to Bishop's house, and he has the coolest family. The Cisneros are the best. Their little 6 year old daughter Natalie drew me a picture and now we have a secret handshake. Oh yeah, we're best friends haha. You better believe that picture is up on my wall.
Crazy highlights, yeah, as stated in the title, we were working with a HOARDER! We have been looking for service and goodness did this person need it. It was full of garbage. Like beyond. I'm sorry for ever having my room be dirty mom, I am a changed man. (You would really have a panic attack, Mom.) So we will be trying to clean out his 2 (yes 2) trailers filled with trash and his yard. I felt like I was on American Pickers.
One of his 7 dogs found a rooster and apparently did what he had to do. Don’t think he feeds his dogs.
A 68 mustang is under the cardboard. Just a gut feeling says that the Pickers would try to buy this baby off this guy.
Yep. Hoarders.
Also, we got to go to the temple and do a session. It truly is the house of the Lord. The peace inside is inexplicable. I hope everyone one day can go in. Here I am with my buddy Elder Haroldsen. I’m lucky to have a good friend like him out here. He’s from El Dorado Hills too which is great!
I have learned so much here on my mission in just a short 7 1/2 months. I am a true believer that by small and simple means that great things are brought to pass, or that weaknesses can be made strong, which are both two promises he makes us in Alma 37:6 and Ether 12:27. Quite honestly, I feel small out here. Literally speaking no, I tower above most of the Hispanic people here, but one of a team of thousands of missionaries, makes you feel small. Simple, yes, that is me, just ask my family or any other member of the ward of Missouri City or Houston 1. I'm pretty simple haha. And the most true part about it is weaknesses. I have so many of them. I see them, I know God does too, and feeling incompetent starts to fall in. But let me tell you something amazing that happens. Even with simplicity and feeling small...miracles happen. The Lord molds you to make them happen, I have seen GREAT things come to pass. Miracles. People changing their lives because of Christ. People bettering their family because of Christ. People doing a complete 180. Weaknesses are always to be worked on, that's why God gave us them, but I have seen myself grow strong. Strong in the gospel as a disciple of Christ. His gospel is simple, keep his commandments and we will prosper. I'm all in for prospering. Mentally strong, after being yelled at, cursed at, or having the thousandth door slammed in my face. Well guess what, if it wasn't them, that means I am one more person closer to finding the one. The lost sheep that wants to come back. The one that is looking. I have seen the Lord complete those promises. Am I small, simple, and weak? Oh yeah. For sure. Every day. Yes. 100%. And proud of it. I'm proud of it because the Lord can complete those promises. It's a blessing to me to know that through all the weaknesses we have, he will mold us to do great things, if we just allow him to. That's his grace. If we attempt to get 1% better every day, just keep going, keep trying, his grace is sufficient. Follow his commandments and we will prosper!
Stay on the Lord's side, if we do, celestial blessings are a coming!
Elder Hansen
Brett
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