tuxtlllaaaaaaaa

Hola Familia!

Entonces.... apparatlement yo fue supposed a escribir ustedes cuando yo arrivar en mexico... pero yo no intendo eso!! LO SIENTO. Pero yo soy aqui! Mi compañera es Hna Martinez y ella es la mejor!!!!!!! Im in tuxtla gutierrez central. my pday is on monday! so ill talk to you then.... love you! bye!!

(Well.......apparently I was supposed to write you when I arrived in Mexico.... but I didn't understand this!!  I'M SORRY.  But I am here!  My companion is Hermana Martinez and she is the best!!!!!!.......)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note from parents:  We intentionally left her 'spanglish' exactly as she e-mailed (sic) -- so she will have a good laugh someday after her mission when she reads this.   Anyone who has served a foreign mission can relate to those first weeks when you're just learning the basics of the language and don't understand anything going on around you... and apparently she missed out on the instructions to let us know she had arrived :-)  ......and now having a Latin companion speaking Spanish 24/7 will be such a blessing in the long run.  We're so excited for her! (and not obsessed at all if you can't tell by the screens shots - ha ha)  Thanks to everyone who is sending prayers her way.



She landed safely in Tuxtla Gutierrez on Monday afternoon after spending about 18 hours in transit including layovers in Atlanta and Mexico City.  She arrived along with a total of 29 new missionaries (24 elders and 5 sisters).   She likely arrived to parades, fiestas and fireworks smack in the middle of the two day celebration of Independence Day in Mexico.

We were able to speak with her briefly at the Salt Lake and Atlanta airports while she was in transit.

We had purchased her a pre-paid calling card which ended up not getting used.  For some reason she couldn't get it to work from the pay-phone in Salt Lake so she finally deposited some coins and we were able to call her back at the pay-phone (yes, they still exist!).


In Atlanta the pay-phones were actually all out of service in the terminal she was in.  They are converting to a different type of phone where you can make 5 minute courtesy calls.  Some of the missionaries had 'throw-away' cell phones they used to call home while in transit.  But the calling cards we bought did not work as intended - so fortunately she was able to borrow her companion's 'throw-away' phone in Atlanta and we were still able to talk.

She sounded great and was excited to arrive in Mexico!

ADIOS USA. HOLA MEXICO... LAST P-DAY IN THE MTC

Funny things this week:

~We discovered the best kept secret at la CCM: NARNIA (AKA the pillow room)! It is a room entirely filled with pillows. Many know about it, but few can find it.

FOR NARNIA!!

~Elder Imlay's catchphrase that has rubbed off on the rest of us: "You could get kicked out for crap like that." (usually following an accidental shoulder touch, singing words to a non-religious song,  dancing, etc)

 ~PAGE 33: Whenever an Hermana talks to an Elder outside of our district or vice versa it's risky business...because our district will start throwing the white bible (Missionary Handbook) at that person (at rapid speed) and scream 'PAGE 33' (the page about flirting).

What is your favorite gym activity at the CCM?

1. Hermana-Futbol! We have a fun group of Hermanas who all play Futbol once a week (since we can't play with the Elders)!

No Hermanas allowed!!!

2. District Kickball!

El Chexidorians!

3. Doing yoga handstands and headstands with Hermana Bunderson while Hermana Baker runs around the field.

(I've also played volleyball, which is fun...but always crowded. Foursquare (which gets super intense), stationary bike, lifting weights...etc. All in those creepy bubbles!)

Wow, where do I begin? I mean I'm freaking leaving FOR MEXICO TOMORROW. It's insane! It's true what they say, the days feel like weeks...but, the weeks feel like days.

 And man! Time has FLOWN by!! I feel like I just got here, and yet I feel like I didn't live a life before the MTC. I feel like I've been dreaming or something. Then I woke up Thursday night. That's when it hit me that I was a missionary.

 Misty Mountains

It was the night of the BYU game and I saw tons of BYU fans walking towards the game. As I heard the game begin, and listened to the sounds of the game...it hit me that all of my college friends were probably there. It didn't upset me.... it just made me realize that life was going on around me. 


And if I wasn't on a mission I would be there with them. It was the weirdest feeling...not a feeling of longing or regret at all. I guess it's only a feeling a missionary would understand.

 Hermanas Baker & Hansen, with their teacher Hermana Toleafoa,  
Hermanas Bunderson & Steel

It's the feeling you get when you realize that life is moving on around you...people you love are experiencing life...experiencing their own lives...while you are experiencing a life dedicated to the Lord.


They are doing normal things peeps my age do... like go to football games. And then it hits you that when you get back, your sister will be getting ready for junior prom...and everyone around you will have lived a life without you for 18 months.

But you don't feel homesick, or sad, or even scared that this is your last week in the country you love and know. The feeling is different., because you realize the life you are living is the opposite of normal.

Hermana Hansen with her BYU buddy Elder Lindstrom

Dedicating 18 months of your life to serve the Lord, preaching the gospel every single day...no breaks...is far from normal. But, you don't feel regret or disappointment. What's weird is you don't even feel like your missing out on something, because you're not.


What you feel weird about, is that everyone else...everyone you love...is missing out on THIS. Being a missionary. You realize how much you have changed in the short six weeks you've been here.

As you serve the Lord every single day, you become more and more the person he wants you to be... at an insanely rapid pace.

And your friends and family back home aren't experiencing this rapid change. This mad rush to learn exactly who you are to God so you can find his children in only 18 months. And you wonder how other people are going about living normal lives...as you experience all of this.

And it's at this moment, as I am about to leave for Mexico, that I realized I am actually a missionary. That I get to do this for 18 months, and the change has only begun. What a blessing it is to find myself as I help others find God! I'm so grateful to be a part of the hastening of this work.

Hermanas Baker & Hansen,with teacher Hermano Ashby, & Hermanas Steele & Bunderson

The temple today was amazing. Not only because they played my favorite video with my old seminary teacher in it. But because I felt the spirit the strongest I've ever felt in the temple before.

It was so special because Hermana Toleafoa and Hermano Ashby came with us. (It took the Hermanas a long time to convince Hermano Ashby to come...but we wouldn't give up on him. He said he can tell we are missionaries because of that. haha) That was so special.

(I also saw my old seminary teacher who I love, Sister Savage, in the same session as me! That was so awesome!)

But, the best part was, as we were sitting in the celestial room, Hermano Ashby invited us to check up with the Lord. To talk to Him about how we did at the MTC, while we were here.

So I did. I prayed to God while I was in the Celestial room...and for the first time in a while...I felt like I was having a conversation with Him. I said, "Heavenly Father, I know my time is up here at the MTC. I feel like I did my best, but I know I could have done better."

I looked up right at this moment to see a huge painting of Christ looking at me. It was huge and magnificent. It's the one of Christ looking at you in all of his glory with open arms.

I felt the Spirit so strong! God was inviting me to come into the arms of His son, Jesus Christ, who knows exactly how I feel. I felt like he was saying, "You did well."

I looked down and prayed some more, and as I looked up at the picture again, I saw it in a different light. He was still inviting me into His loving arms, but He was also inviting me to give even more in Mexico. To do even better. To give over 100%. He was inviting me to do it with Him. I know that with Him, I can do that. 

My experience at the MTC has been nothing short of amazing. I've learned more about my divine potential, learned Spanish (kinda), and made friendships with missionaries, teachers, and investigators that I know will last a lifetime.

I'm so excited to go to Mexico! To think of all the Spanish I've learned (even though it sucks), in only six weeks is incredible. The gift of tongues is so real!! The only thing I wish I could have done better was HSI (habla su idioma=speak your language). I wish I would have worked harder on that.

But honestly, the experiences I have had here have changed my life forever. And I'm so excited to go to Mexico!!! 

I love you all! Thank you for everything.

 Thank you Aunt Jill and Mary!

Con Amor (Ultimo tiempo en el US)

Hermana Hansen

That's Why I'm Here....I Will Find You

Final(?) midweek letter written on P-day from Hermana Hansen before she flies out to Mexico this Sunday....with some more MTC Q&A.

Hola Mi Familia!!

Can you believe that I've been here for exactly a month today? (Sept 6)  Man, time flies!  I'm leaving for Mexico in 8 DIAS! (actually 4 days now...eeeks)  Es muy loco!

I hope you have enjoyed all the letters and long emails now because I doubt I'll have as much time for that in Mexico!! I'll do my best though, because I love writing letters and keeping you informed.

So I'll start by sharing a few super cool experiences I had this week!

Hermanas with Brother Snyder

First, it was Hermano Snyder's last day on Monday (Sept 1st).  Our whole district was crying like off and on all day.  It was such a spiritual day.  We miss him so much!

We sang "God be with you 'til we meet again" en espanol to him and we haven't been able to get it out of our heads since!  We never really get to listen to music here so there is nothing to counteract it.   We whistle it 24/7.

Hermano Snyder has made such an impact on my life!  He has taught me about the impact of sincerity.  He helped me learn how to always follow the spirit.  He taught me and helped me realize my potential as a missionary.  And he was never afraid to be blunt or push us a little harder.  He reminded me what it means to work hard again.  He has been like an older brother to me.  I miss him!

We left Hermano Snyder with a (post it note) surprise.... "Snyd's Wild Ride"

We got to Skype a woman in Mexico City and teach her!  That was cool.  We could understand her pretty well, but she was talking very slow.  And I'm pretty sure she was laughing at our Spanish.  Si MON!

Man, I just love my teachers so much!  Yesterday night was amazing.  I felt like the veil was so thin in this moment.  Hermana Toleofoa told us that her mission president told her that we all made covenants with our companions before this life.    We made covenants about who we would find and teach.  I'm telling you, the veil was so thin!  The Spirit was so strong!

These people in Mexico, these people I'm going to teach were my friends in the pre-existence.  I just can't remember them.  And to think of the faith that we all had to come down to earth.  Them, knowing they were going to be born without the fullness of the gospel.  And me, knowing I would be, promising to come find them.

Hermana Bunderson says she imagines it went something like this:  "You're going to rescue me, right?  You're going to find me, right?"  "Right.  I will.  I will find you."

The spirit testified to me that this is true.  I felt the veil become thinner as I saw these people I need to find!  You know when something's on the tip of your tongue, but you can't say it?  Yeah, I felt like I can almost see their faces, right on the tip of my mind, but I just can't see them.  I can almost remember, but I can't.  I feel it with every piece of my soul.

I feel it.  I won't stop.  I can't stop trying, searching.  Because if I do, someone might be left behind.  One of my friends.  How could I turn down this opportunity?  How could I waste this chance?

Alma 36:24 says, "yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance, that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."

Me encanta esta escritura mucho mucho mucho!! (I love this scripture a lot!!)  From the time Alma has his mighty change of heart, he labors without ceasing, so others can taste of the joy he knows!  That's why I'm here!  That's what I need to do to find these people.  Labor without ceasing.

After we had this discussion we all sang "The Spirit of God" en espanol (my Fav Hymn!).  The Spirit, again, was so strong!

Out district was in a circle and we were all just smiling at each other as we sang because we are family!  We only have one week left together and out time is precious.

I love my district and I'm gonna miss them!  I also love Hermana Toleofoa!  But dude, I'm so ready for Mexico! 

MTC District with teachers Ashby, Snyder and Toleofoa

With so much study time every day how do you stay focused?  

Well... I'm just barely figuring that out!  I usually study hard for 45 minutes to 1 hour and then take a ten minute break.  Now, we have less time to study, so if I want to get all my required language study done and the extra I need I have to study during lunch and walking between classes as well.  Also, lots of prayer.  LOTS OF PRAYER!!

How is the food at the MTC? 

It's glorified Cannon Center food.  Just as greasy, but better tasting.  At West Campus we only have one option, so we like to visit main campus sometimes for lunch because they have a billion different options.

They have these pretty good salad wraps, and if I bat my eyelashes at the guy who makes them he'll go get cooked chicken from a different area to put on it.  I don't think that's allowed.  But I do it anyways.


 
Well, after tomorrow we will be the 'oldest' missionaries here at the MTC!  Also, a new group of missionaries came in, another advanced group only here for two weeks, and so we have another Elder going to Tuxtla Gutierrez with us!   Woo hoo!!

OK, well this is a long letter!  But en serio thank you so much for all the stuff you've been sending me!  I love you!

Love,
Hermana Hansen

Funny Stuff, Flight Plans & Embarrassing Moments!

Hola diablos!!!

Wow, I don't have a lot of time to email this week! I only have like 15 minutes! I have some spiritual stuff to share in a letter later.

 Hermanas Baker, Hansen, Bunderson and Steele

WE GOT OUR FLIGHT PLANS!!!!!!! IT'S REAL GUYS! I'M GOING TO MEXICO!!! 

I leave on SUNDAY, September 14th! We leave the MTC and catch a flight around midnight! Fly to Georgia, then Mexico City, arriving in Tuxtla in the afternoon on Monday!! Only sad part is our district is getting split up! We will only be flying with the Tuxtla missionaries  The Juarez missionaries along with Chile and El Salvador all take different flights later on Monday. 

 

Dirty Dr Peppers! Thanks Andy!!

(it's just coconut syrup added to Dr Pepper) 

Funny moments from the week:

Hermano Ashby ninja kicked me. I was looking down, grabbing my Altoids out of my bag, when suddenly I hear, "AY AY AY!!!" I look up just in time to see a crazy look in Hermano Ashby's eyes as he proceeds to ninja kick me. Like, I'm not kidding...he was completely off the ground as his shoe made contact with my leg.

I looked up at him, bewildered, thinking if he wanted a mint he could of just asked, and said, "Que en el mundo se pasa?!" He looked so flustered, and with his eyes wide, said some random gibberish in español. The only words I got out of it were "protección" y "muy largo insecto!!"

Hermana Hansen and Sister Saige Anderson (one of her friends from high school)

So then I jumped up and Hermano Ashby told me to turn around. So, I awkwardly spun around like Katniss Everdeen except less graceful (and not on fire) as the missionaries around me and Hermano Ashby looked for the large bug that was on my skirt. Well, it turns out that Hermano Ashby's ninja kick worked, because we found it dead on the floor. It was a freaking huge spider!! Like the size of a quarter! The entire class was laughing so hard. and Hermano Ashby was just like: "Por su protección!" It was fabulous.

Jill and Audrey--- both are Sisters from my BYU ward!!

Durante clase Hermano Ashby said something about being fancy, so I started singing, "Yo soy Fancy!" Hermano Ashby gave me the "I think this is funny but we are in the MTC so I have to give you the death look" and I went all shifty eyed and said, "uh... i mean... Yo soy un Hijo de Dios....." Hahahahhahahaha

 Hermana Hansen and Elder Cram another friend from high school

So, remember the banana bandits? Yeah, turns out it was OUR VERY OWN SO CALLED RESPONSIBLE DISTRICT LEADERS (who left on Monday). I actually guessed it was them all along.... I knew that calm look was just an act.  They had been way to keen on helping us find out who it was. 

THE BANANA BANDITS. AY! (Elder Bowen and Elder Murphy....demons)

What's your most embarrassing moment at the MTC?

Well, I don't get embarrassed easily..or I guess I do but then I get over it and move on. But I guess I could tell you of some moments that may have been awkward/embarrassing for other people.

1) In my past life, I called everyone babe. So, I've slipped up a couple of times and called a couple of Elders babe.

Elders trying to listen to real world music
 through the speaker on the bus...

2) The very first day (at the MTC) we were sitting on the bus and the girl next to me was sitting on my skirt. So when I stood up it kind of slid down and I flashed at least 15 elders.

3) I thought I was playing footsie with my companion and it was actually an Elder who thought it was his companion. Moral of the story? Don't play footsie with ANYTHING under the table..even if you think its your companion or a table leg.

4. So during the Sisters meeting on the very first Sunday (in the MTC) they told us that part of being a sister missionary was SHAVING YOUR LEGS. I kid you not. It was appalling! I have blond hair. Nobody's touching my legs! You can't even tell if they're hairy! I only shave them like once a week! So I was getting worked up about this one day and I said something (rather loudly) to the effect of: "THEY WANT US TO SHAVE OUR LEGS EVERYDAY? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I NEVER SHAVE MY LEGS!!" And Hermano Ashby walked in right at that moment with this shocked look on his face. His eyes were HUGE! hahaha!


Okay! I gotta go!

8 MORE DAYS IN THE MTC!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!!! 

Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen

 Hermana Hansen's last day to receive letters, dear elders or packages at her MTC address is this Friday, September 12th.  

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

El Chexidorians, District Squats and more Q&A

We've received a few letters (via snail-mail) sent on P-days the last couple weeks answering some more questions about life in the MTC.  Only a week and a half until Jordyn heads to Mexico so we're enjoying the updates while we can.....flight plans should be arriving on Friday!


What do you like most about the MTC?

It's not weird to randomly get down on your knees and pray in public or read scriptures or anything spiritual!  I also love that we get to practice teaching all the time.  Something I love specifically about West campus is everyone greets everyone.  We are all so friendly! Also everyone speaks spanish...and there are random 'actors' with gold name tags on walking around that you can set up appointments with, so it's like we have real investigators!



What have you had to change to adapt to the missionary life / schedule?

TONS OF STUFF

- My language.  No slang, and a lot of words I say on a regular basis (freaking) are discouraged.

- Knowing where to draw the line with the Elders.  It's OK to be friends but not too friendly... and as hermanas we have to watch what we say.

- NO NAPS... woohoo!  Also 18 hour days make my 13 hour days at the pool seem like nothing (Jordyn was a lifeguard and swim instructor before serving a mission).

- Showering at weird times.

- I've come to realize I'm naturally an inappropriate person. Being appropriate is hard!

 

 

Any advice for future missionaries or anything you would have done differently?

- KNOW Preach My Gospel chapter 3 before entering the MTC.

- Learn the basics of the language.  A little grammar, conjugations and vocabulary would have been so helpful to know, because you mostly just focus on gospel lingo here.  So I feel way behind!

Hardest worldly addiction you've had to give up?

Surprisingly not my phone or social media.  Yes, it's weird not having them, but not difficult.  It's a nice break.  Hardest thing is definitely music.  I miss music sooo much!  And naps.  And sleep in general.  Relaxing.  Ha ha.  Oh and swimming.  Not being able to get in the water kills me and it has only been 3 weeks!

(Note on music - we were able to verify that the new mission president in Tuxtla Gutierrez does allow music as long as it's in line with normal missionary handbook rules - so instrumental, mo-tab, soundtrack, efy and other uplifting music is OK - music rules do vary from mission to mission - so we are hooking her up with an MP3 and found a case / speaker option that is inexpensive and looking at reviews hoping will do the trick - headphones are not allowed). 

And last but not least.... a few other mid-week tidbits from life in the District....

- Once a week we play district kickball against another district in our zone.  We are known as EL CHEXIDORIANS (chile / mexico / el salvador).

- If Hermano Ashby catches someone falling alseep, we get to do "cinco district squats".  The room is so tiny usually there is at least one desk knocked over and one injury during this activity.

- Some of the Elders (they call themselves the fantastic five) keep trying to make up code nicknames for everyone based on TV shows (the office, that 70's show) but the hermanas ALWAYS end up figuring it out.  We call ourselves the Fabulous Four! (aka the Trout Gang).