It's true. I'm Mexican.

So you know you're a Mexican: when you actually start to like and somewhat even crave  Mexican chocolate that you hated when you arrived; when you put chile on everything (even fruit); when you can eat from a taco stand in the street and it doesn't even phase you; when you can't eat a meal without a tortilla; when jaywalking across a busy street in the middle of the day doesn't even bother you because there's no such thing as crosswalks; and when you don't even notice the bugs in every single house that grossed you out when you arrived. Welcome to Mexico. Miralo vos (watch out), because this guera is officially a Mexican.

 Hermana Salazar from Sonora and Hermanas Hansen & Juarez

This week was awesome because we had a multi-zone activity on Tuesday!! Which means I got to see a bunch of my friends from other zones, and I got to wear PANTS. Which was only cool until about 1 pm when I was blazing hot, uncomfortable, and wishing I had on my airy skirt to keep me cool and feel the breeze on my legs.

Hermanas Hansen and Coronado

All in all, I learned that skirts are way better than pants (triste (sad) missionary brainwashing.... whoever thought I'd say that?) The only thing pants are good for is for doing headstands. So, I did a lot of them. Unfortunately, I don't have any photo evidence because I was doing them spontaneously....but just know I'm practicing (just for you Hermana Bunderson!)

Remember the head standing Hermanas during those good old MTC days?

During our activity, we went to the zoo, played futbol on blazing hot turf, and watched 'Meet the Mormons' (in Spanish of course) which was freaking awesome!!

Hermanas Allen, Hansen & Juliana

When David Archuleta sang the favorite song of every missionary in the world at the end (Glorious), Hemana Juarez and I about died...and then we realized he was singing in Spanish and we both screamed and I dropped my camera. It was super awkward, and I'm pretty sure Presidente George along with all the elders who were sitting behind us were just shaking their heads. Hahaha. OHHHH GLORIOSO ES.

So I had a weird experience yesterday that really made me think about being a consecrated missionary, and how Satan tries to get us at the littlest things...because he knows we are smart enough to avoid the big and obvious ones.

 Hermana Hansen, President and Hermana George, Hermanas Coronado & Juliana

 Por ejemplo (for example)....yesterday we were teaching a new investigator. In the house right in front of us, they were watching MOCKINGJAY. I saw a flash of J-Laws face, went pale, and about died. To resist the temptation (because I could see the TV through the window literally right next to the head of our investigator), I stood next to our investigator across from my companion and turned my back to the window with the TV.

Hermana Dansie from Idaho

The lesson went great. As I was inviting her to pray, I turned a bit to look at her...and right behind her I caught another glimpse of FREAKING PEETA STRANGLING KATNISS! I hurriedly turned my back again and composed myself quickly. But, it didn't matter...woof the spirit was gone.

Luckily the spirit was still with her. She prayed great and no pasa nada (nothing happened). But, it really made me think about all the tiny things that Satan puts in our path to try to distract us.

As missionaries, there is two things that are our downfall. Disanimo (discouragement), and distractions. Mexico is full of the world. Billboards, music in the streets, media, just everything. And it's literally impossible to avoid every single form of worldly media when living in Mexico.  But we can do things to keep us focused, to keep us from getting distracted. It's one thing to live in Mexico... and another to live of Mexico. 

 We (Mama & Papa Hansen) enjoy reading Elder Portlock's blog...they thought it would be funny to get a picture together...since Hermana H's parents are his "blog stalkers".

But, Satan tries to get us with the smallest things. He knows I'm a Hunger Games freak, and tried to get me. Even though the small glimpse of the movie was unintentional, it was enough to drive the spirit away and distract me for a small second. Distract me, as I'm teaching someone how to communicate with God. With their Father in Heaven. This is the LAST THING that He wants. And if we are not careful... not just as missionaries but as people in general, that's how he can get us.

 Hermana Hansen saw her cousin from Idaho at the multi-zone activity

So that's my goal for this week...to be a more consecrated missionary. To completely focus myself in the work, in these children of His that he's entrusted me with. In this world, it's easy to get distracted. But, if we do things to constantly have the spirit with us and guide us, we can conquer Satan.

LES AMO MUCHISIMO.

Hermana Hansen

Letter Love!!

Thanks Petal!

Hermana Juarez's first letter in the mission (Thanks Beckham)

More Photos from Hermana Hansen's Week

 

 La Hermanas de mi generation!

 

 At the Zoo

 So funny story. Right after we took this pic the freaking cat thing swiped me!! You can see it's paw moving in the pic! It was awesome.

Futbol squad... enjoying bolis after playing a hard game on the flaming turf.

 Making our own weights out of sand....because we are poor and fat!

 

Making Potato Chips!!

 Fried Bananas I hope you are all jealous

Hermanas Being Healthy

You're Just a Dumb Little Trout...

Hola Familia y Amigos!!

To explain the title of my email....   
So every night we have a zone devotional where we watch a Mormon Message.  We were watching one about addiction.  Satan is the fisherman and we are all trout.  Once he catches hold of you, it's hard to escape.  So, as this is playing, I lean over to Hermana Bunderson and whisper "We are all just dumb little trout."

Well, she thought I said, "you're just a dumb little trout."  So now that's the endearing insult of the Hermanas...ha ha.  

Other funny things this week:

(The Trout Gang....no idea what they're doing)

~I'm super passionate about everything. While we were sharing stories of our past life, I came to realize that Elder Shepherd has lived the life I always wanted to live. THE COUNTRY LIFE. I JUST WANT TO BE A COUNTRY GIRL. So I was getting very emotional about it and Elder Acosta just randomly started imitating me. He did a spot on impression. It was fabulous. He is so good at being a white girl.


~There has been a banana incident. Yes, you heard me right. Someone has been throwing a frozen banana in our classroom and the one next to us for 3 nights in a row around 8. And a few nights ago it hit me in the head. So I am out for revenge. I know, what would Jesus do? Probably take the frozen banana, make it unfrozen, and then give it to a starving child. But, I cant do that. There are no children here. And no one is starving. So the only option is retaliation. Last night, I went full CSI mode and stormed around Raintree with Hermana Bunderson searching for the Banana Bandit. We have some leads, but not a solid name yet. Don't worry, we now have a companionship assigned "Banana Watch" every night. We will find this Banana Boy.

 

 From Mama Steele! Our very own action figures!

~The other night the Hermanas were having a Les Mis sing-along in our living room. We were singing One Day More, and I was Marius. I couldn't find a flag anywhere. So I panicked while I was singing my big solo and tried to use my skirt as a flag. But as I was taking it off, it got stuck on my head.

I've learned so much this week about sincerity and working hard. 
 

We taught an "investigator" Monday.  (Sometimes Hermana Hansen's teachers roleplay different investigators for them to practice teaching).  It was really upsetting because the whole lesson the spirit was so strong, but I was struggling because I felt like I didn't know enough Spanish to express myself properly.

(This happens a lot, where I want to say something, but I don't know the vocabulary. So, I end up expressing myself in a round about way that doesn't really even get to the point).

He was talking about how he has tried to repent multiple times but the process is too painful. It was so heartbreaking. It was time to end the lesson and Hermana Baker didn't know what else to do.  So she handed the lesson back over to me.

My emotions overcame me and I didn't know what else to do so I just laid my head down in my hands and cried for a few seconds. Then I sat back up and tearily invited him to attend church on Sunday. He looked at me, and said of course he would. But, we got the impression it was only because I was crying and he didn't know what else to do, ha ha.

 So, as we are walking out, Hermano Snyder stops playing the investigator and tells us to come back in. He asks us why we thought he accepted the invitation to come back to Church. I said, "Because he felt bad that I was crying! That's a terrible reason!" Hermano Snyder said, "No, it was because he could see and feel your sincerity and desire to help him."

Hermanas Hansen, Steele & Baker

Which I still don't think is the best reason, but it's a reason! He talked to us about how amazing it was that we had the ability to put ourselves in the investigator's shoes. That's what the Savior did for all of us in Gethsemene. He put himself in each of our shoes to feel what we were feeling so he could help us later. That's what we need to do for each of our investigators, to truly help them. Have a mini Gethsemene experience for them. This is so applicable in the lives of missionaries, but also in the lives of you guys. If you truly want to help someone, you've got to try to experience what they feel. I encourage you all to try to do this as you help others in your lives.

Sister Sharp and Sister Poelman from my BYU ward!! 

And twinning with Hermana Holt.

 We also have been teaching this amazing man named Marco. His story is amazing. He has had polio for most of his life, but although he may be physically weak, he is one of the strongest spiritual people I have ever met. He has honestly changed my life.

While we were teaching him the other day, I kept asking him if he understood after I would say something important, because my Spanish is super choppy and I struggle with conjugating. He finally said (en español): "Yes! I understand you! Your Spanish is very clear! You don't need to ask that! I understand! So stop asking me if I understand!" ha ha, it was a tender moment because I have felt very incapable when it comes to Spanish lately.

So when we finished teaching, he suddenly switched to English and said, "OK, I'm not supposed to do this, but I have a scripture for you Sisters." He proceeded to share a scripture and a message with us. He told us that it's not going to matter, especially at first, if we cant speak the language well. Its going to be the Spirit that we carry with us that will convert people. He then thanked us for the sincerity of our message and reminding him that God loves him. He is the sweetest man! He talked to us for an hour after our lesson, and en serio everything he said was life changing. 

So today, something cool happened. We saw Marco in the temple! He was able to attend the same session as us!! I felt like a real missionary and like he was our real investigator. It was such a cool experience seeing him there. I love him!

So, about working hard. Last week I felt like I plateaued with Spanish. It was frustrating. This week, it seems like all the messages from our teachers and leaders and devotionals have been about working hard. Alone, I cannot do this. But if I work as hard as I can, God will take care of the rest. Something I love that Hermano Snyder said is, "You have been set apart with priesthood authority as a missionary. Because of that, you have the ability and potential to teach as Christ would. But you have to work for it. It takes HARD WORK, and CONSECRATION. It takes EVERYTHING."

As he said this, I could help but think of Dolvett's catch phrase (Yes... the trainer from Biggest Loser....) "Hard Work. Dedication!" Yes, it takes dedication. But not only that... it takes CONSECRATION. Consecrating all the time you have, EVERYTHING to the Lord. And that's hard to do, but through him, it's possible.

 As I've strived to do this, I've found focusing easier. I've found speaking the language during lessons easier. I'm finding more time to study Spanish and the scriptures that I didn't have before. The effect has already started changing me. And all it takes is humility, and most importantly~~HARD WORK! CONSECRATION!

 So I guess you could say that's my missionary catchphrase. 

Feeling extra loved!! Thanks Andrew and Joanna for the package 

and everyone else for all the dear elders!!

I love you all!! 

Con Amor,

Hermana Hansen

Hermana Hansen flies out September 15th...so until then 
send letters or packages to her MTC address:

Sister Jordyn Kylee Hansen
SEP15 MEX-TXG
2023 N 900 E Unit 836
Provo UT 84602

Or email her at jordyn.hansen@myldsmail.net

Or send her a same-day MTC letter at www.dearelder.com (be sure to select Provo West MTC, Unit # 836, Dept date SEP15, mission code MEX-TXG)

Don't just Survive! THRIVE!!

Hola Familia y Amigos!!

Another week down at the CCM.... man it really is flying by! It seems like my last P-day was two days ago! I can't believe it's already my third P-day! Wednesday is hump day! Halfway through the CCM!

Since coming to the CCM, I have become a famous singer. Not only have I performed for general authorities twice with the rest of the MTC choir (comparable to the MoTab) but my "talents" have also been sought after at a ward level.

And by that I mean...it was our districts turn to do a musical number and somehow the elders convinced the Hermanas into doing it. So...I was dragged into it. It was actually really good though, and one of the highlights of my week! Hermana Steele has the voice of an angel. We sang "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" (half in Español half in English). 

I love my District! 

Have I mentioned how amazing our teachers are here? My teachers are so in tune with the Spirit. We are in a unique situation where we have three teachers instead of two. We have two brand new teachers fresh off their missions and we are their first district (Hermano Ashby &  Hermana Toleofoa).

We also have a more experienced teacher who has been here for tres anos and we will be his last district (Hermano Snyder). They honestly have all changed my life in some way!! (And it's so nice to actually be able to hug Hermana Toleofoa... all of us Hermanas are hug deprived here!!)

Our district & Hermana Toleofoa (seated in the chair)

So, on Tuesday Hermano Snyder gave us a pep talk on being consecrated missionaries. Dedicating all of our time to the Lord and giving 100% in whatever we are doing. This means speaking HSI (Habla Su Idioma - speak your language) all the time. (which is so hard). Loving people as God would love them. Relying completely on the Lord. Letting go of worldly distractions. Studying harder. Giving our all to our investigators.

The Hermanas love to see the temple!

He told us that he has had 20 districts, and we have the most personality and energy he has ever seen in a district! Haha which is good.... but could also be our downfall. We need to FOCUS and keep setting our standards HIGHER AND HIGHER.

A quote I love from Hermano Snyder, "Dont just survive, THRIVE!"

After this pep talk, we went downtown to the Mexican consulate to get our VISAS. It was the first time we were out in the real world with our name tags!!

Most of the Tuxtla-Gutierrez missionaries at the Mexican consulate 

(still missing like 6 elders, all flying out on the same day!!)

As we were passing Draper, that's when it hit me. I'm a missionary now. I'm not gonna see the people I love for 18 months! But I will be loving new people along the way. I need to do by best to be a CONSECRATED MISSIONARY.

Passing by Draper on Frontunner

While we were in SLC, riding the Frontrunner and Trax, I kept talking to random people we were sitting by. It was so fun to talk to real people, especially people who aren't members!  I love wearing my nametag in the real world! 

Tuesday night Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson (YW General President) spoke to us. One thing that I loved from her talk is, "Give all you can so you can look back on your missions with no regrets. Of course its going to be hard! Do it anyways! Be your best self!"

 Soaked from the rain storm and puddle jumping.

On that note, I love the CCM and I Love You All!!! 

Thanks for the donut fiesta Aunt Jill!!

 
Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen