Kidney stones, Miracles and a Baptism!

 District Selfie

Take this as you will... but I found out this morning I do indeed have a kidney stone (which would explain the random pain I've been having in my back and abdomen). The worst was last night when I didn't know what was going on.  But, don't worry (mom)! Bishop came over at 3:30 am and brought his doctor bro...determined it was a kidney stone, bought me medicine at 4 am, and gave me a blessing. The worst of it has passed (according to the ultrasound guy). Now I just need to drink a lot of water and should be passing it today. Should be a party. PIEDRA FIESTA!

Hermanas Hansen and Yorgason with Hermana G 

We watched the General Women's Conference (in Espanol) on Saturday!! I could actually understand everything this time around which makes me SUPER excited for General Conference!! The best part was the random music video "The Family is of God" at the begining (which was totally creepily tender and I loved every minute of it). But it would have been better in Spanish.

Intercambios this week with Hermana Cavallo de Dominican Republic. She's even sassier than me, so we had a good time. Working with her I really am even more grateful for the life I have lived, the family and situation I grew up in. It also makes me so grateful for America (GO USA) and so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission. I have never seen anyone love the mission more than Hermana Cavallo. She truly is an inspiration!!!

My first time eating elote and I've been in Mexico for 8 months.... am I even Mexican??

So.... milagros, milagros (miracle, miracle)...

Hermano C. GOT BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!!!! He was like the last person you would expect to be escogido (chosen)...but he totally was. It just goes to show you never know who is ready to accept the gospel in their life. His conversion story is absolutely hermoso (beautiful). We assigned him to read Alma 36... which he ended up reading 3 times because it was an answer to his prayers.

 
He told us, "When I was younger, I would go around making fun of people who believed in God, and telling them not to believe in Him. I've felt super guilty ever since I accepted God in my life and started praying, feeling like He could never forgive me for what I did. It's been tormenting me all these years."

 Hermano C and Hermano J

"But then I learned about the Atonement, and I read Alma the Youngers story. When I read that chapter I felt a peace come over me, and I knew that I could repent. God had forgiven me, and I finally felt this burden lifted off my shoulders. If only one chapter in the Book of Mormon can make me feel this way... then this church is true. The Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. The atonement is real." 

'Nuff said. Hermano C. is the best. This church is true. There's no doubt about it. It's changing lives here in Pimienta and all over the world.

Elder Wixom (district leader), Elder Luna, Yo, Hermana Yorgason, Hermana Luis, y Hermana Cavallo

Love,
Hermana Hansen

Enjoy more photos from Hermana Hansen's week!

 Mom...Hermana Cavallo is modeling a bag.....that I need...for my birthday...because my bag totally sucks and I have back problems because of it..... (awesome that I wasted 100 dollars right??) She bought hers in Dominican Rep... for the equivalent of 18 dollars...It's the best thing in the world! Apparently they also sell them in the Mexico City Temple.... maybe you can look online and order me one? I really need it my back is killing me haha. and thats all I want for my birthday. :) LOVE YOU! (Hey readers of Hermana H's blog...has anyone seen a bag similar to this..or is anyone going to the Domincan Republic or Mexico City Temple anytime soon..haha)? Let Mama Hansen know! Sounds like Jordyn needs a new bag!)

 Onion...what????

Intercambiosx2, hard work and Krispy Kremes!!

This isn't my area...it's Lindavista (the vista is Linda isn't it?)

 So I'm trying to remember what happened this week and its all a blur. All I remember is that I got sunburned multiple times, the heat and humidity is back which means sleepless nights, always being wet, walking around with an umbrella, looking scary all the time but I'm over it. The worst hasn't even hit yet so I'm not complaining. 

 

We also had intercambios TWICE this week.... which is super tiring but fun. My turn to travel so I got to go to Las Aguilas and Chiapa de Corzo!!! 

 

So our neighbors have ducks

In Las Aguilas, I was with Hermana Grau from Lima, Peru. I was a bit nervous going into it, wondering how I can help her and her area out. They don't have any investigators progressing, don't have a lot of lessons and contacts, and there animo was down. 

Intercambios with Hermana Grau de Peru!

But it ended up being super awesome!! We worked A TON. Had un BUEN de lessons and contacts, found some new escogido investigators, and had a TON of fun. All of the ward members and investigators just love Hermana Grau! She just is the funniest person alive without even knowing it. We had the best time! I'm pretty sure I have a six pack now from laughing so hard. (OK, maybe not. But I'm working on it).

It was the best experience for me because I was really able to see the pure love that God has for her, and how amazing it is that she is out here on a mission! Like, there are people waiting specifically for her!! She just has to find them!!

Throughout the day I was also able to watch her self esteem grow as a missionary and she even started contacting people all by herself!!! The love she has for the work, and the priority she makes to having the spirit lead the work really was super admirable. It was awesome!!!

Chiapa de Corzo with Hermana Hernandez

In Chiapa de Corzo, I was with Hermana Hernandez, who is dying (going home) this transfer with Hermana Yorgason!! It was super fun because she is like the most loving person I've ever met and super hilarious as well.

Chiapa de CORZO

The area of Chiapa de Corzo is HUGE and beautiful!! It's un pueblo magico! So it was super awesome. I learned a lot from her as well. I made fun of her a lot for "dying" because she tripped and almost fell like 6 times...but she sure isn't dying mission wise!!! She's amazing. 

 So a member in Chiapa gave us a some Krispy Kreme's that her hubbie brought from Ciudad de Mexico! I literally cried! My first donut in 7 months! So happy!

That's all I have time for.... miracles are happening! We have a whole house of less actives and investigators that are all progressing and we are hoping to get baptized soon!! 

 Chiapa de Corzo nite life

Love you all!! 

Hermana Hansen

More pictures from Hermana H's week!

Holaaaaaaaaaa! Pimienta!!

Hermanas Hansen y Yorgason with Elders Carreon y Brass

Holaaaaaaaaaa!

So something different about Pimienta... it's much more affluent. Like a lot more rich people... and it's funny because some of them have a whole different accent that I like to make fun of. It also means they use 'pues' less, which I find to be very un-chapanecan.  And they eat less tortillas here, and use more forks and knives (don't worry, I still remember how to use them... kind of). Weird how the city can change, and I'm only 20 minutes away from my old area!! 

One thing that is NOT SO COOL is our house here.... is super chafa (but it's worth it because we have a washing machine and hot water.... Capacitadora perks). And we have found a cockroach in our house about every day since I've gotten here. Luckily, Hermana Yorgason is pro at killing them....

Gross shower...but we have hot water & a washer so I'm not complaining!

We also had our first round of intercambios (exchanges) this week! We went to Palmas and did a SUPER SPLASH. Where we both worked in their area to help them boost up the animo and find some new investigators.

Hermanas Allen & Hansen

I went with Hermana Allen and it was tons of fun. She's a super great missionary and I learned a lot from her example. We had a blast talking Spanglish all day and contacting UN BUEN. At the end of the day, between all four of us we contacted over 70 people in the street.We even found a few new investigators! It was super fun. Being a capacitadora is great!!

Surprise Slumber Party with Hermana Martinez and her companion!

We also had our leadership meeting. On Monday night, at 9:30, four Hermanas from Tapachula showed up at our house looking for a place to sleep!! One of them being... HERMANA MARTINEZ ME MAMA!!!! So we had a surprise slumber party and it was great!!

Hermanas reunited!

We found a miracle this week....Hermanito R. He's a niño de 8 años who has been coming to church activities, playing futbol in the parking lot, and even coming to church on Sunday (sometimes) for years!! He is the sweetest thing ever and we started teaching him this week. He's so smart!

We asked him if he wanted to get baptized and he said, "Well, I do...but I got baptized when I was a baby in the Catholic church and I don't want to play games with God. Baptism is a serious thing." 

Hermanas Hansen & Juliana

We just blinked at him and were like, "Wow. Exactly... Yes it is!" 

So we explained to him about the priesthood, and how he needs this permission from God to be baptized correctly. At the end of the lesson, he said, "I want to say the prayer! I need to ask God for permission!"

So in his prayer,  he said, "Padre Celestial... te damos gracias por las hermanas... y te pido que tu puedes dar mi permiso para bautizarme en tu verdadera iglesia, en el nombre de jesucristo, Amen."  (Heavenly Father...thank you for the Sisters...and I ask that you give me permission to be baptized in the true church... In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.)

Elder Carreon, Hermanas Hansen & Yorgason, Elder Brass

As we all knelt down, we felt the spirit SO STRONG. There was no denying it. I asked Hermanito R., "How do you feel?"

He said, "Like something warm is inside of me. I feel like God's giving me permission."

At dinner with a few of our ward members

It was an amazing experience. I was astonished that a little 8 year old boy could bring the spirit in so strong and get an answer. But it was a testimony strengthener to me that we are all children of God.  He ALWAYS answers our prayers...no matter how simple...if we pray with real intent.

Mango Party!!

That's all for now, Pimienta is THE BOMB.

Love you all!!!!! 

Hermana Hansen

More Photos of Hermana H's Week! Enjoy!

Celebrating Pi day!

Yum!!

  

Finished my journal!

El Salvadorian Breakfast

Playing futbol inside of a garage

Look who I ran into! Hermano A!

For you daddy!