the last email

hello my favorites,

Well, this is so surreal, but today is my last day as a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I cannot believe this day has come! I have loved every second of this 18 month adventure that the Lord has so generously allowed me to participate in. It's been full of laughs, tears, miracles and trials.

One thing I've learned is that as they take my name tag off, I will still be "Hermana Hansen" just without the tag. We still have this mandate to preach the Gospel and share what we know with others. It really isn't a sacrifice, it's who we are. 

I know with all my heart that the doctrine that I have so imperfectly tried to live and teach over these past few months is so undeniably true. I have come to understand the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ more than I ever have in my short lifetime. He has succored me when I have needed it very most. I love Him. He truly is the Prince of Peace. This is HIS true gospel.

Xoxo

Hermana Hansen

 you were right apartment sign, I've loved it here

I call this one "going home"

my baby 💕 good luck Hermana Thomas !!

nothing is impossible in Texas

Hola a todos 

We saw lots of tiiiiiiny miracles this week, but none the less, they were there!! It was a week with a lot of slamming doors and weird looks, but it honestly just made me more grateful for this Gospel in my life. Whenever someone chooses not to accept our message, it hurts me in a way I haven't felt before! Hermana Thomas and I like to say that this week, we met a lot of "future prepared people" or they aren't prepared now, but we found them anyways! Haha

We had the ward party for father's day this weekend, it's was AWESOME! We were able to help serve the food, and there were so many good things that came out of it! 
1: we got awesome bear aprons that I am 100% keeping 
2: there were SO many families who brought non member friends #REFERALS
3: I experienced my first MARIACHI band. it was a blast.
4: my looove for this amazing ward grew exponentially. Not sure if that's a good thing cause it's gonna make saying bye hurt a lot more. 

Update on Tivo: we had a powerhouse lesson with him Saturday evening, after the longest week, and invited him to pray to know if God restored His church through Joseph Smith during the sacrament on Sunday. And then.....he didn't come to church. So keep him in your prayers..

FUNNY: so we were out knocking doors this week, and we had a dog legit run at us and start chasing us. We both are slightly scared of dogs, so hermana Thomas got out her pepper spray (thx hermana young) and we ran to the car....#blessed to have our car!!!

We have been reading the Book of Mormon as a mission in 65 days, the time it took Joseph Smith to translate it. It has been life changing. We just finished it this morning, and I can testify of the reality and truthfulness of the book. It is amazing and God is so plain when he teaches us through the scriptures. One thing that has stood out to me is how God, when the people are wicked, will always, always send prophets to guide his people back to Him. I am grateful for the restored gospel and the knowledge I have had to share it with the people of Houston AND Costa Rica.

It's all bittersweet knowing that it's my last week as a missionary. Christ lives and I wouldn't be able too have served a mission without His Atoning sacrifice and the strength we can recieve through it. This is His church. 

MAKE IT COUNT & see y'all soon.
Xoxo

Hermana Hansen

see ya soon

kitty break

fresh figs from a member's tree

MARIACHI selfie 

knocking doors during the Mexico vs Korea world cup.....

sweet is the work

hola a todos

It's been SwEeT this week!  It's been so fun here this crazy week!! I've been living it up every single week, and this one did not disappoint.

I had exchanges with hermana Espinoza this week! It was a blast and a half to be together once again, and of course we could not stop talking!! She has become one of my best friends and such an amazing missionary!! 

We have an hermana in our ward who owns a cake business and we were able to help her decorate one of her orders this week!! It was a blast and I totally felt like I was on Cake Boss! Haha she's the one we made macaroons with last week!!!

The work was sweeeeet this week, and not just because it included lots of sweet things or experiences, just because being in the service of the Lord is the sweetest thing in this world. I am so happy and I love helping everyone here in Houston 


Also, supposedly a tropical storm was going to pass by this weekend, but then nothing happened!! So much for all the stress....haha we are still safe here in Houston. 

Working on the cake

macaroons last week

exchanges with Espinoza

halfway thereeeeee

Hello my favorites,

This week has been an adventure like always. It continues with hermana Thomas here in Broadway. It's been a little cooler with the wind, which makes the humidity just blow around! 

This week we had my last zone conference. It was so crazy to think that all these experiences are slowly coming to end. I learned so much about planning and the importance of setting goals and making plans behind those goals to achieve them! It's something that I've definitely been trying to work on my whole mission, and something that I'm excited to apply after! 

We are starting to teach a referral from another mission who's name in Tivo. We've been teaching him about 2 weeks. This week we sent a message to him on Sunday inviting him to church and he just walks in right before the opening song!! He loved the church and wants to keep coming!! Miracles happen when we are exactly obedient!!

Lately a scripture has given me a lot of comfort--  "for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind". I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and helps us in our efforts to share His glorious gospel.

Today we are making macaroons with an hermana in our ward!! Should be fun. Have a good week!! Love you all and thanks for all the support.

Xoxo

Hermana Hansen 

macaroons

when members bring us food....

"now I am district king"

keeping cool from the HEAT

"why doesn't salt lake come down and bike in the Houston humidity"

hola a todos,

How's it going?? This week was a HOT one here in Houston! We actually didn't have a car for a few days here, our mission's miles got cut. So we walked, cause it hurts this girl's back to ride a bike!! And we had a really cool experience....

We decided to walk to one of our potential investigator's house, we didn't think it was very far, but as we walked we realized it was a little farther than we thought...but we felt like we needed to keep going, and when we got there she opened up the door and gladly received us! She says that she really wants to attend church and find the truth!! She works everyday from 8am-2pm, including Sundays, so pray that we can find a solution to that!!

Just loving the work here in good old Houston!! Being a missionary is the best, and I definitely wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I know that this Church is Christ's, and that it was restored by Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and it is the most sure way to come closer to God and stay strong during the hard times. 

Xoxox
Hermana Hansen

Ps: subject line is a direct quote from my companion this week when we got our miles cut

the Hermanas of Broadway 

Houston 

hna Osotro + pizza 

when you realize you'll only deal with the Texas heat for another month 

dry humor + water bottles

hola family & friends 

It is HOT here in Houston. We are talking 85 degrees with 95% humidity! It made for lots of water and sympathy contacts throughout the week. "Why are y'all out in the heat?" makes for a great way to start talking with people! 

My new companion, Hermana Thomas is from West Jordan, Utah and she turned 20 on Monday! She went to BYU-I before the mish, but I forgave her and still love her lots. She's such a hard worker and has been taking the transition to mission life like a CHAMP. She also has the driest humor that makes me laugh so hard...

We are working with a less active family, the Morales Family. I had visited them about twice with Hermana Vikari, and right before she left we had the thought to teach them the plan of salvation and see if it would help them come back. We taught them on Tuesday, and their faces just lit up with excitement to be reminded of this wonderful plan that God has given us. The hermana is a recent convert of about 4 years, and she even ran into her room to grab a notebook and take notes!! So cute. It helped them feel the spirit again, and on Sunday, they were there, in dresses and white shirts. They loved it and can't wait to come back. 

Along with the Texas heat comes the random Texas rainstorms. And it's not just like rain, it's like POURING almost flooding rain! So we got caught in a few of those this week!! It made everything just a little more exciting!

I learned something this week with mija Hermana Thomas. It was a week full of learning, for the both of us. I was able to show her one of the ways to do missionary work, and although we worked as hard as we could, we didn't have the biggest results or numbers. And I realized that it's ok, because as long as you keep up the positive attitude, listen to the Spirit, and talk with EVERYONE, God is pleased with your work at the end of the day. And it's a great feeling. 

Also, this scripture touched me this week....Ammon says -
Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work. 

I hope everyday to be an instrument in God's hands to bring to pass His work and glory, and what a blessing we have to share this Gospel with others!!

Have a good week and thanks for all the support.

Xoxox

Hermana Hansen

first day together!!!

Harvey 2.0??

gorditas con mi bebé

the beginning of the end

Helllllllo from Houston!!

Crazy week, loving the work!! I'm super excited because I'm getting a brand new companion straight from the MTC! 

Just loving here in Broadway, and it was so hard to say bye to Hermana Vikari. It's been a FAST transfer and it's been full of learning👍❤

I'm learning so much as we are reading the Book of Mormon as a mission! We are reading the story about Amulek and Alma, and such powerful missionaries they were. It amazes me how they called down the powers of heaven and used the enabling power of the Atonement. They weren't alone in this work, and neither are we!!

Sorry I have a no time this week, just getting ready to have my "baby" haha...everyone have a good week and know that I love y'all!!

quote of the week--- "sometimes I wish the car hit my side...then I could be in the hospital sleeping". YES. A little old man got his car too close to our car this week while we were both moving!! And yes, my companion said that she wishes that the car had hit her, so she could be in the hospital sleeping. We are a bunch of tired missionaries. Haha we are good though, the damage wasn't bad!! Luckily we made it safely 🙃🙃

Xoxo

Hermana Hansen 

ice cream break

it's true

getting our car estimated.....yay

Damage not too bad