No I'm not Mexican, Wedding Crashers, and BAPTISM?!?

Hi Familia!!

How are y'all doing this fine week? It was quite the week out here! Sounds like everyone is having a great memorial day weekend! I remember when I went to the Father-Sons Sports Camp at BYU with Dad and Ben. Some of the best friends I've made in my entire life I met there and they are awesome enough to be all on missions right now.  It really is a special place and I hope Brik and Ben are loving it. It looks like a blast!

So this week happened... To start off, we had MLC. It's the Missionary Leadership Council, and we got to talk about things that we can do to strengthen our mission, Zone by zone. President Guthrie actually created a new zone this last transfer so that was pretty crazy. We got some really good ideas. There was one thing that President Guthrie said that really stood out to me when we were talking about doing the little things right. (Alma 37:6). He said "A habit, is a habit, if you are doing it." it sounded a lot like Yogi Berra, but it's so true. There is never a point when a habit becomes a habit. A habit is made if we consciously decide to do something every day. That's one of the greatest gifts our Father has given us, is agency. We need to choose this day who we serve. (Joshua 24:15)

Here’s my traditional selfie with Elder Shelley! 

Then we had a few good lessons this week.  I was really excited about them. I'd say the coolest progression we saw come from the Huerta couple. We got them to CHURCH!!! AND THEY LOVED IT! Josefina blended right in with all the sweet older ladies in the ward, and they took her in. Apparently she was even participating in the Relief Society too! That was so exciting for us! We truly loved it!

Here’s Elder Parks. He is awesome. I like to call him my "brother-from-another-mother,"

Also, I had to give a talk on member missionary work, and I felt like it went pretty well.  I hope they felt the spirit of the message. A lot of them came up to me after and said I did a good job, so that was pretty great!

Also, yes, I think I was asked about 12 times this week if my family was from Mexico. First, I was like, "wow that's cool they think I'm from Mexico", but then later I really don't know whether to take that as a compliment or not. I always hear all the Hondurans, Venezuelans, Colombians, and Guatemalans making fun of the Mexican accent haha. So either way, it was something.

Yes, we crashed a wedding. Not really though, we were indirectly invited by the Hermanas of the ward to come to the reception of a family that was recently sealed in the temple. They had their reception that day, and it was awesome! I have to say it was one of the better parties I've been to out here. Good mole too! Gaby was there with the girls, as well as Gustavo and Lorena. It is so cool to be able to see families sealed together forever. Honestly, that is one of the greatest gifts, that families can be together forever through the sealing power in the temple. What a beautiful truth it is!

Franchesca and Sofia (daughters of Gaby) got out on the dance floor!

Yep, sooo, apparently I am going to baptize someone this Saturday! Haha, pretty crazy story. So this lady, Sandra, who just moved here from Honduras, was taught by 2 other Elders for a little while in a totally different ward. They got her all prepared for her date on Saturday, and they called us, because we had to give her the baptismal interview. It was my turn, so I was giving the baptismal interview, got to talk, hear her testimony, and just see how bad she wants her family to come to know this gospel. It really was a beautiful thing. She shared a beautiful testimony. Her sobrinos and his family all are strong members here in the branch. So after the interview, I asked Sandra who she would like to baptize her, and she said that she will think about it. As we were leaving, about to get in the car, her sobrino comes running out of the house saying, "Wait, Elderes,  Sandra said she wanted Elder Hansen to baptize her". That was a shock because I barely knew her. But now I guess we have a baptism this Saturday! Pretty amazing to see how the gospel changes lives. It has changed hers.

Elder Maua’i and I went to pick up Josefina and Javier for church. 

I have loved my scripture study recently. I got to see in 3 Nephi 18:25 Christ minister to the people in the America's. He invites them to "come unto me; that ye may feel and see". I truly feel like we see Christ the Lord in our daily lives. We see Him. We recognize Him. But do we feel Him?  Do we walk the path He walked? Do we say what He said, do we truly understand and feel Him? That’s what I am trying to work on this week. I'd love to invite y'all to try to come to Christ, and see and feel.

Love you all, hope you have a great week!

Elder Hansen

Brett

Basketball, Called Out by a 70 and TRANSFERS

Helloooo everybody!! 

What's going on, how are y'all doing? Things are doing just dandy out here in good ole MoCity. We just had Stake Conference yesterday, and today is TRANSFERS!

Well, this was my 3rd transfer here in MoCity and...... I am staying here again! Looks like it's going to be another 6 month area for me. Still going to be here as Zone Leaders with Elder Jewkes. It's great because we have seen SO much success Zone-Wide. It truly is a blessing working with such great people. 

We meet every Saturday at 6:45am for donuts.  Donuts in Houston are amazing. They make fresh strawberry jelly in the donut shop.  There are all sorts of fillings you can choose from.  I’m a fan. 

This past transfer I feel like I definitely have grown.  I've already learned a lot. It really has been a cool feeling just being able to celebrate in the success of those we work with and be there for them when they're not doing so well.  I love it! 

Tied for my favorite district in my mission. 

This gives you an idea of the characters we have. 

As far as miracles go, Glenda, the lady that I actually found with President, has totally changed her life. She has a testimony of the word of God, and knows the Book of Mormon to be His word. She knows we are all here for a reason. She wants to talk to us about it on Tuesday. I am very excited for that! 

OK, so the title. Let's start with Basketball. SO we were leaving a lesson with our Rockstar members and left their house, and as we were walking to the car, there was a group of about 5 big ballers playing basketball. One of them named LeSean called out to us asking if we wanted to play. We said yes, but on one condition... If we won, we got to share a message with them. I don't know what came over me, but when I was warming up the shot for 2 minutes, I ran over and dunked on their hoop. So that was neat. Seems like I've been able to do that a lot more recently. Anyways we played, and ended up beating them 10-1. In the middle of the game I heard one of their friends say "Ooooh that white boy knows how to play". So that made my day, but what was even better was that we got to share with them a video, named Prince of Peace. It testifies of Christ and his life, and his loving sacrifice. One of them, Chris, told us that he used to run away from us, but now he realized that what we taught was pretty cool, and we were normal people. He said we were welcome in his home anytime. It was really cool! 

Here is our final district picture from Hermana Thurman’s camera. 

We also played this really dumb rock-paper-scissors game that we all got into. 

Being called out by a 70. Yep. That was me yesterday. Yesterday morning, Elder Kim B. Clark of the 70 came to speak at Stake Conference, but before, we had a New Member meeting. We got to go, because Gaby was going to give her testimony. She did such a beautiful job. Honestly, if I had to go my whole mission just having taught her and no one else, it would be a successful mission. She just is SO cool. Anyways, Elder Clark asked to have me give my testimony right after her without any advance notice. So, that was pretty cool. I got to Testify of how this work is the greatest work in the world. I got to Testify of the gospel, how the Atonement Works, because it worked in me, and still does everyday. I got to say the words "I know". I was so grateful for that opportunity! 

Here we are with our buddy Hamilton from Honduras. 

I know this is the Lord's work. Christ loves us. He loves us so much. I was reading yesterday in 3rd Nefi 17 when he was taking each child, one by one, to bless them. Then he knelt down to the Father and prayed in behalf of the Nephites. "So great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;"  I know that Christ loves us, and he is the only way back to live with our Heavenly Father. I hope we can all try to develop a little bit more of His character within ourselves this week! 

I love you all!! 

Elder Hansen

Brett

Moms, BoMs and FLOODS

Buenos días a mis queridos!

I had a great time being able to talk to a bunch of y'all yesterday! Wow, what a treat!! I love y'all! Just want to start off my email wishing every mother and HAPPY late MOTHERS DAY!!! Honestly, without you, the world would most likely crumble. You are the glue that holds everyone together. I am so blessed to have my mom be my mom. Whenever I read the Sons of Heleman story, and they say that they were taught in the faith of their mothers, I find how blessed that is. To be able to be taught by your mother, there is almost no one better to learn from. I have learned so much from my mom and all that she has done and taught me. I, like Nephi, can absolutely say that I was born of goodly parents. That is something that I feel blessed to say that I have received as a gift from my Father in Heaven.

This week was a pretty good week. We actually saw a lot of success this week through our own efforts! We only found 2 this last week, but the 2 we found were extremely solid. Enrique and Michaela.  As we taught Enrique, sitting outside on his porch, I don't think I've ever recieved that many questions about the Plan of Salvation. About what he needs to do here in this life to be prepared to meet God. He wants to be ready, and so we shared with him what he needs to do. He was so interested. We left him with a Book of Mormon to start reading, and the following day he sends us a text saying that he's been reading, and he loves it. I thought that was very cool. 

Michaela we found knocking doors. She apparently hasn't been able to sleep because someone robbed her a few weeks ago. She just hasn't been able to get over it. We promised her if she listened to the Book of Mormon (she can't read) she would be able to sleep. We followed up the next day, and sure enough, she listened, and she slept well! I see that as a personal miracle. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that it has the power to change lives. Such a blessing for me to see it in the works. I know it is true, and I'm so grateful for the chance to experience it's power every day.

Here we are right before a baptismal interview for the Brazos branch.  

We did get back to Bernie’s!!  Very important! 

I'm sure that y'all are wondering about the floods down here on Houston. Well let me tell ya, they're real. We were supposed to head in early, at 6pm one night because of the rains, so we started heading in on time, but holy cow. Not a chance we were getting in on time. Elder Palmer and I were stuck in traffic, because the police were trying to redirect traffic due to the heavy flooding. We were in that car for 3 hours. So long. 

You can see the watermark from the flooding below. 

We had some water damage from all the heavy rains so we MacGyvered something up. 

We are still seeing the repercussions of it. There have been a few trailers and little houses washed out. It was sad. 

We did have the opportunity to hop on the bikes though again! As we were coming home in the morning on the bikes, my tire popped. I don't know what it is with me and bikes. I don't do anything wild on them, they just love to break on me. That's like the 7th time something has busted on my bike. haha

Every single night we are just so tired.  haha

Besides that, it has been a week full of love and learning. That's what the gospel is all about, right? Learning to be better, and then acting upon those promptings. 

I love you all so much, thank you for all you do and being the amazing people that you are. Y'all truly have influenced me for the best, and I am so grateful to call y'all family. 

Have a greaaaaaaat week! 

Elder Hansen

Brett

No Stop, Temples and Angels

Helloooooo familia!!

How are y'all doing this fine Monday morning? Wow, I opened up my email and was blown away with the number of emails from my favorite people from back home. I love ya! Sounds like Ben had a good time at MoPro, Brik is hitting taters, Gracie (poor girl) is getting an MRI on her foot, and that Mom and Dad are surviving all the appointments and everything! Y'all are the best!!

We had a pretty good week. It was another week that just flew right on by. It was full of lessons which was amazing. There were a lot of ways we saw the hand of the Lord, in one way or another.

Here we are in the  middle of a service project weeding.

One miracle that I absolutely saw and truly appreciated was exactly that. All the way up until Thursday, we had barely any time to go out and just walk and talk. Our entire day was packed full of lessons. And seemingly every person was there for their lesson. It was amazing. The last time I had days like that was back in the Houston 1st area. It really was a cool thing to see and be a part of. The coolest thing was being to go out in the morning and finding a lesson with the lady that we found with Elder Clark, Glenda. She's been reading the Book of Mormon and has been praying. She sees us as angels put in her path to help her get back on the path to God. 

I also got to see (through pictures) Gabriela go to the temple. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to go, there was a ton to do back here in MoCity and there was the issue of finding a ride, however, I got to see Gabriela in a picture with the entire Relief Society up there at the temple. She told me it was an experience she will never forget and the Spirit was so strong. She said she wants to go back way more often as well, which made me so happy. We worked forever to get her names for the temple and she did the work for her grandmother. It was amazing. I love her and her family. They are the greatest. I got to sit next to Sofia yesterday at church, she just ran up and sat down right next to me. That whole family is so sweet. Gaby is definitely one of my most favorite people I have ever taught! 

We also had a Zone Conference this last week. We spent a lot of time learning about other personality types. I LOVED it.  There is no cookie cutter way to teach, rather it is how we are impressed upon by the Spirit. If the Spirit directs, we probably should listen because there is probably some truth it is trying to teach us. 

This is Elder Shelley.  He and his wife are serving a mission in Houston together.  One of his roles is to help keep all the missionaries cars in running order. This selfie of the two of us is starting to turn into a tradition. I know he loves them. haha

Elder Pulham and me. We got to go on an exchange in YSA.

 Half of the ORIGINAL H1 district, my good buds Elders Cram and Johnson. Love them, they're the best!

This is President Blake.  He’s the first counselor to President Guthrie, although he just got called to be a mission president in Mexico.  

I hope that y'all take advantage of the opportunity to repent daily, because it really is a blessing I have seen in my life. I just see myself so much happier!

I love you all and hope that you enjoy this new week! Also be nice to your moms this week. This coming Sunday is kind of an important day 😉

Love y'all!

Elder Hansen

Brett