Put our faith in God...and all will work out!

Well, don't shoot me because we are in Tuxtla and I can't upload pictures, because I didn't listen to the Spirit and bring my memory card adapter... and there's no way to upload pics from this computer. So you'll all just have to hold your horses and wait till next week to see my new zone and selfies of me and Hermana Baker.... jajaja. (Pictures this week are from past weeks of Hermana Hansen's service in Tapachula & Provo MTC)

SO.

I'm sure you are all wondering how it goes with 2 gringas in Tapachula.... JUNTAS. Well we´ve only been chased by a drunk guy once so far, so I´d say its going pretty well.
 

Hermanas Baker & Hansen in front of the Provo Temple

It's pretty fun to be with Hermana Baker again, because we struggled and grew so much together in the MTC, and now we really get to see how we have grown in our 13 months away from each other and how we teach and stuff. Probably my favorite part of this week was to watch Hermana Baker teach someone how to pray.... I remember us struggling so much with that in the MTC! We could never remember the words! Haha! Now we actually speak Spanish, and she did is so powerfully... a la mecha... fue bien padre de verdad. She is an amazing missionary, and I have a whole lot to learn from her. FIESTA (of missionary work of course).

So this week I learned God loves us, and He blesses us, but that doesn't mean we won't ever have trials, even if they are small.

 Hermanas Baker & Hansen taking a break from studying Spanish at Provo MTC

My first day working with Hermana Baker was Wednesday. We had super great day. We helped a young women find more than 10 names to take to the temple, found 8 new investigators, and contacted and taught a bunch of people. The investigator that we couldn't find earlier, ended up knocking on our door at night so we could talk to her! (She's our neighbor). God was so good to us, and I was seeing MIRACLES that day! 

Then the next day, despite our efforts, was horrible.

We were late for an intercambio with some other Hermanas. As I was trying to call them for their direction I dropped the phone in the street... which was a river because it was raining. So our cell phone died, and we couldn't get a hold of anyone to tell them! Then we had to rush off to the baptism of the ward. As I was introducing Hermana Baker to all of the ward members, I called one of our ward members who had just been called to the stake presidency "Hermano" instead of "Presidente". His wife got annoyed with me in front of everyone (I just played dumb like I didn't speak Spanish.... haha). To top it all off as we were walking from the church building, a freaking drunk started following us for quite a bit. Then he started yelling things at us. So we started running until we got to our ward mission leader's house and ran inside. He ended up chasing us all the way there! (Don't freak out mom.... we were fine hahaha)

Our ward mission leader was protective and didn't let us leave his house and then walked us home...Also, we had exactly.... ZERO. Zero lessons this day... and like 3 contacts. I don't think that's ever happened before!

But whatever...I was humbled and learned that we just have to take our bad days with the good ones.. put our faith in God... and all will work out! 

We put the phone in rice (as I learned from my junior high and high school days) and it worked like a charm! It works great now! And a guy from the little store saw us running away from the drunk and I guess ran out and stopped him from chasing us. He talked to us later and he told us to be careful. Now we have an opportunity to share the gospel with him! 

And, our new zone leader is great, his name is Elder Jarrett, and he made history by opening a branch  and a prayer house in Tonala. He's just the humblest and the best ever... and has the best ideas! Combined with Hermana Baker and Elder de Jesus... they are the dream team! And I got to listen to conference on Saturday and Sunday... only 6 months until the next one! WOOOOO! 

So I'm super excited for this transfer, we are gonna tear things up. We are really focusing more on the Obedience, which brings Faith, which brings MIRACLES. We are also focused on helping the missionaries and the members of Tapachula gain stronger testimonies...instead of only focusing on the numbers. It's just what I need to wake me up out of my almost dangerous slumber of sameness!!! I'm loving the life as usual.

 I made this tortilla by hand

Love you all! 

Hermana Hansen

It's all about being humble and following God's will

 Weeeelp. It's transfers and Hermana Ortegas leaving me PARA SIEMPRE. Nunca estaremos juntas.... AGAIN. I'm sad because my other half is leaving... but we knew this time would come! Although I'm excited because the Lord answered my prayers and sent me Hermana BAKER!!!!!! (My comp from the MTC!)

I had been praying this week to know who my new comp would be... and in my prayers I said, "Well Heavenly Father.... I'm REALLY TIRED. I honestly kind of wanna be done being a Sister Training Leader (I have 7 1/2 months..... ¡a burro! haha) but if I am up for another transfer.... I wanna be with Hermana Baker!"

 Last picture with our District...Elder Lemus and Hermana Keaton finished their missions!

And look who's comin to TAPACHULA A LA MECHA EL SEÑOR ME AMA!!!!! And Hermana Ortega is off to PIMIENTA, GRIJALVA!!!! My old area!! So she's gonna die (finish her mission) with all my members and converts!!! Woop! Woop! Also, my daughter, Hermana Juarez, is going to San Cristobol as a Sister Training Leader!!!!! Like mother like daughter :)

One year ago Hermanas Baker and Hansen flew to Tuxtla Gutierrez for adventures of a lifetime! Now they are companions once again! Yay and Hooray!!

 So I guess the Lord is teaching me more lessons on being humble and following his will this week. First off, we worked our butts off because this whole transfer, 5 weeks in a row, we have completed the Normas de Excelencia! It's been my goal forever to complete them for a whole transfer (it would be like Michael Phelps taking home 8 gold medals....) But as hard as we worked this week, we just couldn't do it. We ALMOST did. We completed with everything, aside from maybe the most important thing... we needed 3 investigadores with a baptism date and we only had 1 :( 

We were a little bummed. Well I'm really competitive and I like to WIN. Haha. But then it hit me like a slap in a face like... wait.... what the heck am i doing? The mission is NOT about numbers. These are people! We don't complete with the goals just to have good numbers. We try to reach the goals to HELP PEOPLE! To ACT AS THE SAVIOR WOULD in every opportunity possible! To SAVE SOULS. Duh...I was totally focused on the wrong thing this week! But don't worry. I'm back in the work of saving souls, and out of the game of reaching numbers:) 

 

Secondly, not to be mala onda... but I just kind of didn't want to be a Sister Training Leader anymore! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE IT. I love the girls. I love helping the zone out. But since I finished my training, I've never just been a "normal missionary"... and it can be a little tiring to be a leader! 

I was kind of thinking... "Yeah presidente! Time to give me a break! I'm tired!" 

Only to find out I am still a Sister Training Leader! Haha but....it's all good. Because even though the NATURAL WOMAN in me kinda wants a break... THE SPIRITUAL WOMAN JUST KEEPS GOING. And did Jesus ever rest? Um no... even after he was killed and crucified he went to the Spirit World and continued preaching the gospel! 

What have I done to deserve a rest? NOTHING. So I just got to keep on kicking..... keep on stroking!! Because I only have 3 transfers left... I better give it all I've got!! 

Amo ser misionera, amo ser representante de El, Amo ser capacitadora!!! 

Hermana Hansen

Families can be together forever!!! (But not lice families... they should be killed immediately)

It was a bittersweet week full of endings and new beginnings...

Our ward mission leader´s wife died unexpectedly on Thursday. In every ward I've served in, I always have had one or two families, who are always there for us. Who when we are with them, I am just filled with love. Hermana A. was the mother from one of these families. 

We received word Thursday morning that she had passed away, and we were randomly in Tuxtla (just for a day) for immigration stuff. So we took care of business, caught the first bus to Tapachula and began the long 6 hour bus ride in shock, not believing she was really gone. We got back just in time for the funeral. We ran from the OCC straight to the church. When I saw Hermanas L. and G. crying...I guess that's when it really hit me...it was real.

Hermana A. had been sick for a while, ever since her son was murdered about 5 years ago. I guess she just never really recovered from it. But, she didn't seem seriously ill. We all thought she would heal. It was very unexpected, and a shock to everyone. 

I just kept thinking, "How could this happen to this family? Haven't they been through enough trials?" Their oldest son was killed a block from their house 5 years ago. Their (now) oldest son is addicted to drugs, and he wants out so bad...but he can't. He's in so deep. The dad is unemployed at the moment. Hermans L and G are volunteering as missionaries in the autosufficiencia center, but had to quit their jobs and studies to take care of their mom. The youngest, ran away a few weeks ago, and just barely returned home. And they have had even more trials and problems unspeakable. How could they lose their mother? How are they going to live? How are they going to endure to the end?

So, we were at the funeral. Thankfully, it was an uplifting funeral (nothing like my first funeral in Chiapas...that one was horrible). So it was a lot... calmer. Hermana G, mi mejor amiga, spoke. It was a beautiful message. She said although she was really sad that she had hope and faith that her mom was put out of her suffering. She had shown her love for her in this life and that she happy that she would be able to see her again.

During Hermana G's talk, suddenly her oldest brother, who had was nowhere to be found, walked in. He had bathed and was in a suit and tie. He hasn't been to church in years. I don't even know if I've ever seen him with a real shirt or shoes on, menos a suit! (not to ruin the spirit of the moment... but it was a little "Gossip Girl-y"... like he totally came in "Chuck Bass" style.)

  Later, Hermano R, our ward mision leader spoke. His talk was also inspiring, and full of hope...although filled with a little more guilt. He said since his wife had gotten sick, he's kept his distance from her a little more...because he was afraid he was going to lose her. But now that she's gone, he just wishes he could tell her he loves her. It was a really sad moment. It made me realize how important it is that we love our families and show them we love them here, while we are on this earth. Because even if we have eternity with them, we never will have this earth life back.

As we started to sing the final hymn, the oldest son, in his suit, walked up to the front, stopping the music. He started crying and speaking about his mother. I honestly don't remember everything he said. But one thing that stood out to me was when he said, "I love you mom. I will not slack." Then he walked away from the pulpit. Maybe, just maybe, this will be the trial he needs to get his life back in order and come back to church. 

I don't know why God took Hermana A. away from us so soon. I don't know why this family has had so many trials when I haven't had any. But I do know that God has a plan. And the only thing we can do is go forward with faith....

1 Nefi 4:6 And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.  7 Nevertheless I went forth!

That's the only thing this family can do at this point. 

On the bright side, there were two new beginnings this week. First off, my new beginning of perhaps living A LICE FREE LIFE. As many of you probably don't know, even after the priesthood blessing.. my lice came back 2 weeks later. I have now had lice for almost 5 months! woo!!! But, I told Hermana C., who we were eating with on Friday. She got down to business and combed me out and picked lice out of my hair for a good 2 1/2 hours. I have had many Hermanas try to help me before. But they usually get tired after about 45 minutes, say I look clean, and quit. I don't blame them.... it's tedious work. But Hermana C. ENDURED TO THE END. And although my scalp and neck KILL.... I know its for the best. I am now working with the stupid lice shampoo again, and although it kills my tortured head I am combing with the fine toothed comb every day! Hermana C is gonna check me out again this week! FINALLY I WILL BE RID OF LICE!! WOOO!!! I'm all for enduring to the end!

And.... perhaps even greater than my liceless life I will soon have...Hermano J. GOT BAPTISED!! The best part is his dad, Hermano H, who was just baptised a few weeks ago, baptised him!! It was such an amazing experience to see the faith of this family grow. Really with this experience, I have seen how God has a perfect plan. 

With going to Tuxtla and attending the funeral, we had to do Hermano J's pre-interview and interview very last minute. So Friday morning, we ran over to their house to see if we could to the pre-interview. They told us to come back in two hours. So we did. Hermano J. was visibly shaking. Little did we know, he had just talked with his dad. He told him he wasn't ready to be baptised, and had decided not to get baptised on Saturday. They were having this conversation when we stopped by the first time.

So we started the lesson, and Hermano J. didn't say anything about this. Hermano H. said, "Son, are you sure there isn't anything you want to tell the Hermanas??"

Hermano J. responded no. But Hermano H. asked him this like 3 more times before we started the pre-interview! We asked him the questions, he answered everything perfectly, and the nervous look on his face turned into a smile. We finished all the questions, and he looked a lot better! We asked his dad to sign the baptism record, and like 4 more times Hermano H. asks his son if he was sure he wanted to be baptised. Every time Hermano J. responded, he responded with surety, "Yes, dad, just sign the paper!!!" Haha.

Later we found out the reason Hermano H. was acting so weird was because Hermano J. was so nervous and upset before..and determined he wasn't ready to be baptised! But Hermano J. said he felt the spirit when we walked in, and it calmed him down.

After he was baptised, I asked, "How do you feel?" He said, "Strengthened!" Awhhh. It was a once in a lifetime experience to see our recent convert baptise his son. :) Now we are working with Grandpa!!!

Families can be together forever!!! (But not lice families... they should be killed immediately.)

Love,
Hermana Hansen

Yes..we bought granny PJs from Walmart 

I gave Hermana Ortega my dress cuz I love her

I ❤ Apostles

Something I love about Chiapas is you could literally live in your house and never have to leave... (only to pay the light and water bill in central). People walk house to house, selling everything you could think of. If it's a woman, on their head, and if it's a man, over their shoulder. Mops, brooms, water, fruit, toilet paper, sponges, chicken, tamales, bread, clothes, hammocks, tortilla, toys,  EVERYTHING. They just walk down the street, yelling the names of what they are selling. Even the garbage cart comes right to our house, (a cart with wheels pushed by a guy who takes your garbage to who knows where...yeah garbage trucks no muy existe). 

This week was a good one, because we got to go to the re-dedication of the Mexico City Temple! (Well, by television in the stake center...but it was still awesome!) We completed with the normas secas de excelencia, so we got to go to two sessions! It was my first time participating in a temple dedication in Spanish, and probably my last time... so I cherished every moment! 

The best is that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland randomly spoke Spanish! It was super tender. He started out in Spanish, switched to English for his message, and finished testifying in Spanish. I LOVE HIM. We were able to watch and hear two of his addresses, and both were very powerful. 

His second talk was super amazing, and I will never forget it. He went off script. Completely followed the Spirit..even addressing a little boy in the audience! Since it's live and needs to be in Spanish, Elder Holland will say a sentence and his translator will then translate it for everyone who doesn't speak English. The translator usually follows the written script that Elder Holland should be following, so it's a pretty decent translation. But it was funny to see the poor translator try to keep up with the pure revelation that Elder Holland was speaking as he completely went off script... and it's safe to say that anyone who doesn't speak English got a pretty watered down version of what Elder Holland talked about. 

 Yes, his talk was powerful in Spanish... but so much more powerful in English! That's why it was awesome when he switched to Spanish at the end and testified in Spanish. It was the most powerful testimony I have ever heard. This experience really strengthened my testimony of the restoration that God loves us so much that He really does have living prophets and apostles to guide us, and who really do receive revelation directly from him. MAN, THIS CHURCH IS SO TRUE.

Another bittersweet experience we had was fasting this last week, We have a goal as a zone that every companionship can baptize 10 people this transfer...we have two so far....but we believe in miracles! So we have an eternal investigator, Hermana E., who has been going to church on and off for years. She is Catholic and thinks she doesn't need another baptism because God loves her... and yada yada yada you know... all of Satan's lies! 

So we were planning, and Hermana Ortega said, "If only we could do a 40 day fast for Hermana E. so she can get baptized! Well maybe we can't fast for 40 days...but maybe two!" 

I said, "Or maybe we could do two consecutive  fasts...fast one Friday until Saturday, eat a meal Saturday, and then fast Saturday until Sunday." 

We felt the Spirit testify SO STRONG that it would work! So we fasted specifically for her, that we could find her in her house right in that moment, sing her a hymn, talk about the Book of Mormon. Then the next day she would attend sacrament meeting (she hadn't been to sacrament meeting in a long time.) Then the next week we would do the pre-baptism interview. She would have felt the Spirit strongly in one of these events and have a mighty change of heart and the desire to be baptized! 

We promised we would do everything possible and be obedient. We put our faith in the Lord and we were sure it would work! So we did it all. We fasted for two days, and Hermana E. CAME TO CHURCH!!!!!! We were so excited, sure that God was responding to our prayers! 

So we were nervous, but we went to her house on Wednesday, and did the baptism interview. We were there for almost 2 hours, and it was a spiritually exhausting experience....which led us to the sinking conclusion that she is not ready for baptism by any means. We walked out, feeling beaten. Seriously, how could the Lord let us down if we had faith and did everything? We did our part! In the Book of Mormon theres stories of thousands of wicked Lamanites having a mighty change of heart and are baptised in the same day! WE ARE ONLY ASKING FOR ONE PERSON HERE. Needless to say.... I was a little discouraged. 

But my oh so wise companion, Hermana Ortega, comforted me. She said, "Well I think our fast was answered. We fast to know the will of the Lord, not to change it. He wanted to see our faith, and because of it, he prompted Hermana E. to go to church on Sunday. A little miracle, because He loves us.  But He knew, and He wanted us to know, that Hermana E. is not ready for baptism at this time. But she will be one day, just not with us. He just wanted to see how far we would go to serve Him, and we did our part. But it just wasn't in His plan... yet."

I know, my comp rocks.

Love, Hermana Hansen

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