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

Dads, In N Out, and Cowboys

Buenos días mis carnales! 

It's good to hear from you!! Hope you all have had a week that was full tender mercies and blessings directly from the Lord's hand. We definitely have seen them here. This week flew by so fast it was remarkable. I can't believe how fast it was. And just like THAT, we are halfway done with another transfer. That really freaks me out because the following transfer is where I hit my year mark. So... Yeah. Wow. Flying by.

This week has been a pretty good week. Lots of service and organization. A lot of administrative things that we needed to clear up. So that was a bit boring, but that's OK!

Some highlights:

Musubi night from President Guthrie's mom who was visiting. She knew we had a Hawaiian and shes from Kailua, so she brought us Musubi one night! 

The Carrillo family came back from a wedding in Utah. Myself and Hermano about a month ago had a very firm conversation one day about the differences between a Whattaburger burger and In N Out burger. 😋Them, being the most amazing model family there is, after us calling Hermana to wish her a happy birthday while they were IN UT, told us that they were going to bring back in n out for all the missionaries. And oh sweet goodness, it was good.

We had an amazing day on Tuesday FULL of lessons. We taught a lot. It was really fun! Whenever we get the opportunity to Testify and teach, it is a blessing. I thoroughly enjoy it. All were very simple lessons. This week we spent a lot of time teaching people how to pray. It was a very pure and innocent teaching moment because prayer is such a huge part of our life, yet it is something simple that should be done daily or a few times per day. When we got to teach how to pray, I could really feel the love of our Heavenly Father. He is hearing the voice of a son and daughter that he hasn't heard for a very long time. We taught this to Omar, Jesús, as well as Josefina. Each time, I felt this pure love of God.

My one thing that I learned and held onto from Culinary class. How to cut an onion. Thanks Chef K! 

I spent a lot of time this week studying the character of God. I wanted to find out how loving actually is this higher being that we call Father. The coolest scriptures that I think I found on this topic were in Hebrews 12:9-11. Here Paul is writing to the Hebrews about the character of a father, and even better, our Eternal Father. I

He is such a loving father, he allows us to fall. He allows us to makes mistakes. It gives him absolutely no joy at all. He hurts seeing us fall. He wants us to choose the right. However, he loves us enough to see us fall, to chasten us, and then hopefully, see us walk in paths of righteousness. That is where he feels joy. It really was a cool study. He is the perfect example of a perfect father. I am so grateful to have had a father who did just that with me a majority of the time. I know it is and was probably very hard, but quite honestly, my dad has been such an amazing role model and person I look up to so much, because his way of being a father is similar to how our Heavenly Father is towards all of us. He's pretty much one of the greatest people I know.

Yes, we live in “Flood Town.” 

We had a pretty cool experience yesterday. I'd go so far to say that we had a pretty cool miracle yesterday in finding someone new to teach. He's a bull-riding cowboy named Jessie. We got out of our car on 5th Street, and actually his mother came up to us and told us to come teach her son. Like exactly as we get out of the car. I don't think it could have been any easier haha. We walk in and meet with him, only to find out he used to come to church, knew a few Elders from a few years ago, along with a few members in the ward. He testified to us of his desire to change. To change who he was completely. It was a very cool miracle to see, because it was so random and just as if the Lord put us exactly where he wanted us. Very cool.

 Found this bad boy while proselyting 😁😁

We also had a really fun experience with our Bishop's family. Don't know if I've shared this before, but I LOVE this family. Definitely when we come back as a family, we are visiting them. Obispo is a great example and I look up to him a lot, and then Hermana is hilarious and the kids are just the greatest, just a cool family. We actually showed them our map, without any dots or anything, and told them to pray for inspiration, look at the map and decide where we were going to go proselyte, and then pray for a confirmation of their plans. We did this because we were talking about the miracle of possibly hitting our goal for April. We went out and found a really cool lady in one of the areas they chose, and when we returned and reported, oh my goodness they were so excited. They felt so invested and their excitement for missionary work went THROUGH THE ROOF! All the kids were asking how they could help this family and all of them were just so excited. We had a blast.

Also, Gabriela chose a date to go to the temple. So she is going this Friday in the morning. I love her and her family so much! She is sooo solid it is amazing. Probably up there with favorite of all time so far. 

I love this work and I know that it's the work of the Lord. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to wear our Saviors name on my chest. So grateful to be a representative of him.

The Church is true and the Book is blue. 

Love y'all!

Elder Hansen

Brett

Steaks, Golden Days and 10 MONTHS???

Buenos días mi familia!

Como han estado?? Esta última semana pasó rapidísimo! Seems like just the other day I was writing a letter, but I guess it's been a week!

I am sure y'all all had an amazing Easter weekend. I know that I did. Easter has always been a holiday that carries some extra significance because we celebrate the resurrection of our dear Savior, Jesus Christ. However, here on the mission, it has meant he even more to me. I have seen the hand of the Lord strengthen me, give me support when I didn't think I could take another step, and truly be the only person who knew exactly what I was going through. I am so grateful to wear his name on my chest everyday. To be a representative of him is a calling that I don't take lightly. It is an enourmas blessing that I know has changed me forever. 

This week we saw some smaller miracles. There was no big one that stood out during the week, but it was the small and simple ones that really, I feel, brought to pass some amazing results. Alma 37:6, "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass". This week we were blessed to see both Gustavo and Lorena, as well as Rafael come to church. It has been a few weeks for all of them. It was amazing! They really enjoyed the service. It was all on Easter of course. And, the Hermana Cantu, she brought a friend from work, Sebastián. He is really cool. Directly after the sacrament meeting, I ran up to go meet him. It was fantastic!

Here's a shot of our glasses-themed district Counsel. haha

We served at a garage sale, and I found this Versace table. I really hope no one responds and says it was like a few hundred bucks worth, because they were selling it for 5 haha

Bishop had us over last night. He cooked up some T-bone steaks. Greatest dinner appointment ever. 

We did have one day that was a miracle day. Usually here, we find around 3 new people to teach every week. Well, one day this last week, we don't know what happened, but nobody said no. We would walk and talk, and it was seemingly every person we ran into wanted to listen to us. So we found actually 3 new people to teach in that ONE DAY!! How amazing is that?? There we met Jesús. He apparently used to work out in Utah and used to go to church. He already knew a ton of what we were talking about. It was really cool. God really was sending down his spirit upon the hearts of the people that day.

Nothing fancy with these pics.  I just liked to road and the trees. 

We also did the initiative called the watermark, and announced it this week to all the districts in the zone. It was great! In the first week of the watermark, we SHATTERED the record of people found in a week. It was really cool to see the zone working even harder! A serious blessing! It means that today, we owe them some pizza haha. Super proud of them!

Well friends and family. I have done it, I have made it to 10 months. That sounds crazy. I know that it feels like the blink of an eye. But my goodness, have I seen changes happening in every which way. I am so grateful to be a servant out here. I know that it is a calling that the Lord had for me. I have gotten to know people who will be friends of mine for the rest of my life.  I am so grateful for my Savior. I know he not only suffered for my pains and sins, but for every doubt, temptation, and sadness that I have ever felt. I know he voluntarily came as close to the depths of all despair for us. He fell lower than any of us ever will, in order to give us a boost up when we need it.

Alma 7:11-13

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

I know he lives. This is the greatest thing of which I can testify. 

I hope y'all have a great week! Y'all are always in my thoughts an prayers!

Elder Hansen

Brett

Watermarks, China and Miracle!!!

Buenos días a mi gente favorita!! How are all of y'all doing this fiiiine ole week. I hope awesome, I heard some great things, sounds like the family got together quite a bit. So fun to hear that. I heard Mo has her surgery today at 1pm for her knees, and that Grandee is starting ti have a few back issues. Hope you both know that you are in my prayers out here. I love you!!

Wow did this week fly by. It feels like my entire mission all wrapped up in one week. I don't remember what we did on las Tuesday but oh my goodness did it feel fast. It was a very productive week. Elder Jewkes and I are excited to be together and to try to come up with ways to bless the zone. I think we've come up with some decent ideas and I am excited to see them put into practice. I am so excited to work with him, we've been planning this Companionship for about 4 transfers now haha, we have always wanted to be companions and we are really enjoying it so far.

One thing we also realized is that we actually have a lot of ideas. We pray every night for every missionary in our zone by name, and give them random calls just to let them know we are thinking of them. The motto we came up with for the zone is "Choose Joy", just like the EFY song, and I used the acronym that mom always uses. JOY is putting Jesus first, then Others, then Yourself. That's the motto. We did 2 things, Zone wide this week that is going to really bless everyone. First off, we spent a part of a Companionship study going way back through the records to find what the record is for each key indicator in the past year+. What is the highest amount of people found, people at church, on date, and baptisms in a month. So we found all this information and we realized that, heck yeah, we want to break these records. We called them the watermarks. So we set up, if we break the News record we get a pizza party. Church record gets a Zone Barbecue at the park. Date record gets a surprise from President. Baptismal record (and we called permission for President on this one) gets an extra zone temple trip. We are so excited because EVERYONE wants to go to the temple, it's like gold. And so far, everyone is super motivated to find, teach, and Baptize. It is great, and we are excited to see the miracles roll in because of it. 

We also implemented a zone wide fast, basically for a miracle, yesterday. Well, we totally saw one yesterday. Totally came from the fast that we decided to do, Zone wide. I have been trying to teach Estela for 12 weeks and we gave her another little stop by this past week. I got to talk to her, tried to make her feel comfortable with the missionaries. We actually knocked her door in the pouring rain, but we felt an impression to knock. The reason I have been so antsy to teach her is because she has had 2 previous baptismal dates, used to come to church a lot about 10 months ago, has been taught 88 percent, and is still friends with the Relief Society President. Anyways we talk and she seemingly showed zero interest in coming to church. Well.... Elder Jewkes and I started our fast on Saturday night. Right around that time, the Relief Society President got a call from Estela asking her if she could come to church and if they could pick her up. So I saw her in church, and got to sit next to her. It was a fantastic meeting with tears flowing, but Estela is tough. So she didn't cry. Until the final Hymn came around, "Loor al Profeta". Then she lost it crying. I explained that this song was about Joseph Smith and she said that she knew. It was a spiritual confirmation for her that what the church teaches is true. She knows it. It was amazing.

I also, must say, don't cry very much. Especially in Spanish, usually the tears don't flow out. When I feel the Spirit I am usually not overcome like that. Well as I was singing about the death of the first prophet of the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I did as well. I felt such a profound love for him. For all he sacrificed. The mobbing, the attempted robberies, being called an outcast, all so that he could bring to pass what God had called him to do. There are power in hymns. 

"¡Loor al Profeta, subido al cielo!   

Déspotas luchan en vano contra él,

y en el cielo está con el Padre.

Nunca la muerte le podrá vencer." 

 The death will not overcome him. He was called to do his work here. He was completely imperfect. But isn't that amazing? God works through imperfect people to bring to pass immortality and the eternal life of man. I am so grateful to have been entrusted to be called here TO Houston to help others realize what God's purpose is for putting us all here. And how we truly can gain eternal life. I know this work to be true, and to be one of the greatest works ever. It is the work of the Lord.

Miracles happen every day, you just need to be looking for them. I am so blessed to be able to see the Lord's hand daily. I saw another miracle of being guided by the Spirit. I got the chance to go on an exchange with the Chinese elders today. First off, 2 crazy experiences. I had this impression to walk down this sidewalk of an apartment complex, and then told the elders that there is almost always someone behind a 13, so we knocked a 13. As we did a man walked by and we called out to him. He asked us if we were "Mormons", we said "that's kind of what they call us" and he said "No way, I have been looking for the Church!!" He apparently was a recent convert who just moved to TX from Portland. He speaks perfect Chinese, and his wife, who is from Beijing, is not a member. The Chinese elders were so excited, and I was too! It was amazing. Then, right around 7pm, we decided to go grab a Chinese shave ice treat. First off, wow it was good, but 2nd, as I walked in I saw HNA SANTIESTEBAN!! She was from H1. It was such a cool miracle. We talked and the Chinese elders met her Chinese friends she was with. It was a miracle. 

 I love you all and I hope you have a fantastic week. I am so grateful to have you as family. I know we were put together for a reason. Either all of this was one big coincidence, or none of it was. I'm pretty sure the answer is the latter. I love you all tons!

Elder Hansen

Brett

1. After losing 11-0 in volleyball against some big Hispanic family, they loaded us up w tacos and Cokes to go for free!!!

2. Me and Elders Feng and Palmer

3. Me and Elder Shelley after MLC. Miracle we got him to smile haha. 

4. Just got a new Spanish missionary from Laie, Oahu. Yeah.. HE IS A RED RAIDER!

5.Me and Hna Santiesteban

6. CHINATOWN!!