feliz navidad desde texas....💚❤

Merry Christmas y'all 😊😊

It's crazy to think about how much life has changed throughout this past year. I've learned so much about the importance of God's timing, the Atonement in daily life, and the importance of studying the Book of Mormon daily. 

This week was good! We are teaching a few awesome families and just helping them progress! Hermana Espinoza and I are just trying to work as hard as we can! We actually have an abundance of food here....we had 3 dinners on Saturday! As we got to the second one, the grill didn't work to cook the eat, so we were so grateful! We shared a message, and headed on our way to the third meal 😅

I loved talking with my family today! I am so grateful for eternal families and the opportunity that I have to be able to share this message about eternal families with everyone, and it is all possible because of Christ. I love you all and am so grateful for this Christmas here in Houston!! 

Xoxox

Hermana Hansen  

flying misioneras?

I love being here as a missionary in Texas ❤

Funny story: we are working with a less active part member family, Familia Beltran, and on Saturday night we went to visit them and invite them to church. They have mean scary dog that lives on the porch, and I went up to go put a pass along card on their door, and I thought it was all good, that the dog was asleep. But then the card fell off the door, I bent over to pick it up and THE DOG JUMPS OUT OF IT'S DOGGIE HOME AND started barking and chasing me!! So naturally I just run to Hermana Espinoza, and there were about 6 stairs I had to climb up, and going down them while the dog was chasing me, I literally didn't touch the stairs, not even once...all I remember is sitting in the car, with my heart pounding. Costa Rican dogs didn't prepare me for that experience I guess. Lol God really does protect His missionaries with angels:)

This week, Heavenly Father blessed us with....8 new investigators! So cool. I remember Hermana Espinoza telling me on Monday "hermana, we gotta work hard this week." And we totally did! God is so good. ❤ We found Familia Beltran, and also another, familia De Leon! The dad is the only member in both families, and both are was interested in the Gospel and learning more! Familia De Leon even said "yeah, we were just talking today about how we should go back to a church, then y'all came!" 

We had exchanges this week with the STLs, and I went with Hermana Beazer to her area. Man, she the best, and I learned so much about truly listening to everyone, whether it be an investigator, member or missionary, and acting on what they say. We also had the chance to serve at a recovery place to help those affected by Harvey! It was amazing and such a nice chance to help those who lost everything! That night, we left our phone accidentally with the STLs, and so at 10:30 someone pounds at our door! It was so scary, and Hermana Espinoza was already fast asleep. I tried to wake her up twice, and someone just kept pounding at the door! I've never been more scared! Hermana wakes up, and says, "hermana shhhh. If they don't know we are here, they won't come in!" Well they kept knocking, Espinoza got the courage to answer, and IT WAS THE ELDERS COMING LOOKING FOR US. Cause we didn't answer our nightly phone call from our DL. Hahaha we couldn't sleep for the rest of the night. 

We had the ward Christmas party this week and it was the best. Man, it's been so cool that I've served now in both parts of the ward, so all of the members know me. Also FATIMA CAME!!! Remember the cousin of Hermana Giron? Yeah, the one we were teaching in West Lake north? Well she came to the party and it was the best, even if none of our investigators came :( even if we sent out 15 reminder texts and stopped by everyone's house. But it was the cutest thing because as I walked into the gym, Franco, Fatima's son, come running to me and gives me the biggest hug! It was so cute!! He says "I've missed you so much!! Por fin estamos juntos de nuevo!!" And it melted my ❤❤❤.  Also, we sang villancicos and my heart was just going to burst out of my chest...I was so happy. This ward is the best. 

So this is going to be the longest email ever, but this week in my personal studies, I've been in Mosiah, learning about Abinadi. He was amazing, and a few things that I've learned is that: The Atonement is the key to the Gospel, to be brave and defend our beliefs in front of everyone, and that as we bear our testimonies, we can affect and help even one person, it will affect generations. I love this Christmas season and feeling the Spirit more abundantly.  I also know my Savior lives!!! 

Talk to you next week family!!! So excited to Skype. 😊💙

Xoxox

Hermana Hansen 🎄

West Lake Houston Hermanas (last transfer)

😍

Hermana beazer 💛

Chance to serve at a recovery place to help those affected by Harvey

One of the 50 Beltran Family members..melts my heart

Gotta deliver all these by Christmas lol

Singing at the ward Christmas party💗

Hello everyone!! 

I know this is a classic missionary phrase, but this week passed by so quickly!!

Hermana Espinoza is the best and I have loved being in the same ward, just a different area!! I am learning so much from her, and there are so many miracles we are seeing! Tuesday, after our pday was over, we headed to dinner, and then taught two lessons, ending the day feeling very productive. From that night I knew this transfer was gonna be good. (Even though one week has only passed lol)

It's true...I was here in Houston for the first snowfall since 2009! As we headed out the door to exercise (or just stretch on the floor...you know how it is) we saw beautiful white fluff that was about 1 inch deep. It was really a white Christmas and YES this week was so cold. I thought I was back in Utah...almost 45 degrees everyday! So crazyyy. 

Funny story this week. Yesterday when we stopped in a Chick-fil-A parking lot to use their Wi-Fi to send in our numbers, and of course it was closed, but we pull up and say "what is someone doing going through the drive thru backwards??" (See attached picture) and Hermana Espinoza just cracks up laughing, starting crying and then I realize...oh yeah. Today is Sunday. They are closed. It's the Chick-fil-A catering car. 

We had one of those so-hard-all-you-wanna-do-is-cry days this week. It was rough! We talked to SO many people and knocked as many doors. Then, at 8 pm we tried to find a referral from one of our investigators, Family Peña, and we knocked, and found a man who really is interested in our message, and a WHOLE family who we have a return appointment with. Hermana Espinoza taught me,  "we are just trying to do God's will, and if it's His will that we just plant seeds all day, that is what needs to happen!" She's so amazing. 

I've been studying the Book of Mormon, focusing and highlighting the Doctrine of Christ, and its been amazing! The Book of Mormon is really coming to life!! I also read a talk by President Monson this week titled "Seeing others as they may become" and he talks about a missionary who saw others as they could become each time he contacted someone. It was life changing, and I am trying to do that each day!! I love being a missionary, and especially during this month of December. 

Have a good week!!! And be sure to #lighttheworld this week! 
Xoxox
Hermana Hansen

Wall art in my new area!!

SNOW

Classic first day car selfie.

Chick-fil-A car lol

For day 8 of #lighttheworld we went to nursing home

 and I've never loved anything more! They totally lit up my world :) 

Day 8 of #lighttheworld.

of goodbyes and hellos

Hellooooo everyone!! 

Well the day came quicker than I wanted, but I got transferred away from mi amada, Hermana Young. We got transfer calls on Saturday and I honestly didn't believe it!! But I had a cool experience along with it:) Here we go....so all morning Sunday while I was getting ready, I was just a little worried about who I would be with, and how it would go! At 7:18 am the phone rings, and I see that it said President Hewlett! Obviously my heart started racing, but I answered and he said that all morning the Spirit had been telling him that  "Hermana Hansen had been freaking out about transfers" and so he called me early to tell me! I immediately started crying and just felt an answer to a prayer that I hadn't even expressed. The talk "4th door, last floor" from President Utchdorf came to mind "God hears the silent pleadings of your heart" and it is so true! I now have a firm testimony for that. 

My new companion is Hermana Espinoza...and to say it lightly I am PUMPED. She is from California and her parents are from Mexico!! So she's gonna help me a ton with my Spanish:) She is a firehouse and is a born missionary, and we are going to work so hard. I have a feeling these next six weeks are gonna be so full of miracles :)

We said bye to everyone last night, and saying bye to our investigator Fatima was so hard!! As she said the closing prayer, I started to cry! She has come such a long way and is reading the Book of Mormon! She is progressing spiritually and it's amazing to see her progression 

Funny story: we volunteered at a nativity in the stake center this Friday. We had to leave before dinner time and we just rushed out of the apartment, and so Hermana Young literally grabbed cold fries and a twinkie. So I said, "that's actually not your dinner, right?" And made her eat a banana too...it was so funny! #missionweight

I know Christ is our Savior. It's been amazing to see how His atonement has worked in my life over this past transfer. ❤ I love being a missionary, and I am so excited for this transfer! 

xoxox
Hermana Hansen 

ps My new address is 6200 E. Sam Houston Pkwy #10105, Houston, TX 77049. 
So be sure to send away all those letters that you've been holding back ;)

Fatima's son....my heart. 

Wait....Hermana Young is sharing??? "I'm working on it, ok Hermana?"

The cutest Lil two week old yorkie puppies.

Helping Fatima rake her leaves!

Hermana Sonia is just the cutest.

Fatima going at it with the machete.

My new comp - Hermana Espinoza.

Hermana Hansen learns how to do a flip kick 180

HELLO MY FAVORITES, 

So to explain the subject line - two weeks ago I was really in a dark, sad place, just struggling physically and emotionally. Then the most amazing miracle happened this week on Wednesday morning.  I was driving us on our way to an appointment, at approximately 10:25 am, and the heavens opened, and I decided, with God's help, to BE HAPPY and enjoy every minute God gives me. :) It was divine revelation and honestly helped me more than I can explain. Yay for personal revelation, am I right?

My first and last Thanksgiving here in Texas was yummy...and interesting. We ate with the bishop's family, which was so fun, because I love sister Ririe as if she was my big sis (but she will never replace you, Aubs) and she's about 8 months pregnant with a sincere perma-smile on her face. Sweetest lady. We also had....MENUDO or aka cow stomach for lunch on Thanksgiving!!! We stopped by Hermana Sonia's, and she asked if we wanted soup, so we said yes (free food) we are in! And then she puts it in front of us and I literally think my heart dropped to my feet. We politely ate it all, minus the menudo, but then she come over and caught us and forced it in our mouths. Needless to say, I am glad I tried it but had a stomach ache for the next few hours. 

Inv update: Fatima, the referral from hna Sonia is doing really well! Despite her telling us that she wouldn't come to church until she knew it was true, her faith is growing and daily repenting. She is starting to read the BOM, which is always my favorite to watch the changes that happen in their lives as they read it. Pray that her heart is softened to accept the gospel!!

A family that I helped reactivate in COSTA RICA, Riena, Henri and Eykell, just messaged me on Facebook (perks of being a Facebook mission) and told me that they are getting sealed in the temple, that Henri is in the bishopric and that they are just living and loving the gospel and it makes my heart want to jump out of my body. MARK MY WORDS...I WILL BE IN THEIR SEALING (even if I have to go spend my whole savings on a trip to Costa rica) and hopefully it's when I am home! 

Funny story: we got invited to a birthday party of one of our invs, and all of the birthday parties here consist of two things: a bouncy house and a bbq. It's so funny, rolling up to a trailer park on Saturday afternoons with about five different bouncy houses! 

It says in the adjusting to missionary life handbook that "you have a front row seat to the greatest miracle of all - watching the atonement change other people's lives!" But this past week, I watched and FELT it change mine. This week has been happy. I am loving it here and please pray that Hermana Young and I don't get separated...because man I love her and Christmas would be the best thing with her!!! I know that the Savior lives! He is the light of the world. What will you do this week to share that light with someone? 3 Nephi 11:11.

Love you all have the best week!!!

xoxox

Hermana Hansen

The bouncy houses I was talking about.

Our generous gift to the birthday boy.

Zombies aka sister missionaries (they didn't let us in lol).

Friday sushi lunch with the best ever.

Christmas is here in Houston!!

District meeting list of gratitude.

When our less active walking buddy stands us up ://

Sometimes after 9 pm, this is all the energy we have! 

(We go to bed at 9:30 lol)

cold hands

Hola hola buenos días!!

With Thanksgiving coming up, I feel like a gratitude email is in order. It's been amazing to see how truly blessed I have been to be able to serve the Lord once again here in Texas. ❤ It's been HARD but worth it. I am so grateful for my companion, Hermana Young (you the real MVP), the book of Mormon, my family  and warm showers:) also super grateful for the keyboard that we have here in our apartment and that I am relearning how to play the piano!! 

A HUGE miracle we saw this week was receiving a referral from Hermana Giron, the grandma of Valeria who just moved here from Honduras. Her name is Fatima and wow. We taught her the restoration and she had SO many questions! We went back later on Friday to teach her about the Book of Mormon, and she committed to read It! Hermana Giron was able to share her conversion experience and it was so touching. The Spirit was so strong! Pray for her that her heart will be softened to the gospel. 

So remember how we had a few awesome families and an investigator that was waiting for us on her porch last week? Well, we found out this week that they aren't in our ward anymore :( so that was a bummer, but we are having pass of lessons to the other missionries and praying for the best!! 

We had the ward Thanksgiving party this week, which was slightly the weirdest and best thing ever all at the same time. It was kinda funny to have turkey, stuffing and gravy on one side of the plate and then elote on the other side! I def missed mom's yams though. We had a few investigators come to the dinner, which was a huge miracle! 

Funny story: Hermana Young is the ward pianist, and she got asked to play at the ward baptism for the three 8 year olds that got baptized on Saturday and so naturally I got asked to lead the music, and they totally put me down as "Hermana Miller" lol I guess It happens when we are all gringas in a Spanish ward, they mix us up! 

We are working with a less active who is engaged to a non member. She is amazing and is pregnant, but opened up to us about how much she wants to change her life! Her fiance is really awesome and she is totally wanting to have the gospel be a part of their lives. Her faith is unshakable! 

Hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving and eat lots of turkey and go into turkeycoma for me ;) I know my Savior lives and I am learning so much for about him and his plan for me ❤ 
xoxox

Hermana Hansen

Familia Torres....having to say bye broke my little heart.

Exchanges with Hermana Gordon, my STL! She's a spit fire.

Caught in rain storms.

ERM who told us "you are MY missionaries".

Post district meeting club.

Biking on a nice warm Saturday morning a few weeks back.

WANNA HEAR A COOL MESSAGE THAT CAN SAVE YOUR SOUL?  

The best two years in real life

Hello again from Houston Texas! Where the weather is always warm and the tortilla are in abundance ;) and HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA!!! Love you so much and I hope you had the best day💕

It's a great week to be a missionary, especially here in West Lake Houston! We saw so many miracles this week. Starting off, we have an investigator named Soledad (yes that does mean solitude) that we have been having the hardest time getting in with! (no surprise there am I right RMs?) But we felt impressed to head there Saturday night, pass by again because she's having surgery today and we wanted her to watch some videos while she's in bed for 2 weeks. So we pull up to her trailer, pray, get out and SHE IS SITTING ON THE PORCH! Literally she tells us "I had just picked up my phone to call you because I felt like I needed to see my Hermanas again!" Ahhh miracle. Then we go in, start teaching her and her daughter (who apparently in the past hasn't been open with missionaries) sat down and we had a beautiful lesson about priesthood blessings. A little different for a first lesson for her daughter, but we felt impressed and followed it! When we finished, we asked Soledad if she wanted one before her surgery, and she said YES. The elders stopped by later to give her one, and she committed to read the BOM while she was recovering. 

Funny story: so last night around 8:45, we are at our house eating dinner and our phone had still been on silent from church (you can't have the phone going off in sacrament meeting as a missionary) and I hear it buzzing. I look at it and answer, and its Sister Hewlett (President's wife) calling us uh oh. She said that she is outside our apartment waiting to come in to bring us a chair. Ok ya know the scene in The best Two Years, where the mission President comes to inspect their apartment on a surprise stop right after they had just gotten into a huge fight? And they are running around trying to get everything cleaned up in 5 seconds? THAT IS HOW WE FELT. no mind you, our apartments are 2 months old, but I am a clean freak and didn't want anything in the wrong spot. We run around, turning the candle on, cleaning up the kitchen counter, and then we RUN to the front of our apartments to let her in! In the end, she come in, and checks it out and the first thing she says is "um is it always this quiet and empty?" Hahaha so we did all that cleaning for her to say it was too bare! So funny. I love sister Hewlett with all my heart and soul and she even is so excited for the day when we can have a sleepover at the mission home....❤

This week I completed 2 months here in Texas, and 11 months in the mission! I am just stunned and so grateful for the time that I have to be here! My testimony has been grown so much while I have been here. The Book of Mormon is so true and clarifies so much doctrine that only the Bible has. I have been going through and reading President Monson's old talks and I know that God leads His church through a living prophet. I love this Gospel and my Savior with all my little ❤

ALSO, about a week ago we went to search out a potential in the middle of no where. We found them home, and they said it was a miracle. *Hahaha no it wasn't, it was just God's perfect timing* because their house got flooded. 15 feet!! During Harvey. The husband is a member, but they weren't living at their house, just stopped by to feed their dogs. It was amazing to see how God is perfect, and I know without a doubt that his timing is too!!

We are also working with a less active family, and one of the daughters is pregnant and engaged, and they still live at home. But her fiance isn't a member, and he came to church yesterday with the whole family in a white shirt and tie!!! MILAGRO. We have dinner with them tonight so I'll keep ya tuned ;) 

have a good week!!!
xoxoxoxo

Hermana Hansen

Hermana Young is my best friend. 
Shouting it from the rooftops. 

Hellllllo again from Houston, Texas! Where the humidity fogs up this little missionary's glasses every morning. 😅

This week did not disappoint!! We met with every one of our progressing investigators this week! And all of them we brought members along...man, have I said how much I love this ward with all my little scrawny heart?? Because I do...they are the best ever. We had a lesson with someone named Felipe, and we called 5 different hermanos to come with us, and they all said no...so the 6th one we called came!  It was amazing. The member shared his testimony and even wrote down in the Book of Mormon his testimony and number and told Felipe if he had any questions to call! Sooool cool! 

I am now officially a Facebook missionary! I kinda felt like a sinner when I opened up Facebook... It's been so weird but also really awesome! We are adding investigators and being in contact with them daily! It's really going to be a tool to hasten the work! 

I'm really trying to think of a funny story that happened this week, but nothing is coming to me :((( We do teach an English class, I asked them how old they think I am, and they all collectively said "ummm...maybe 14?" Hahaha What? I guess I'm just a kid at heart:)

We just had a bunch of amazing lessons this week! We are teaching the granddaughter of a member! She has met with missionaries in the past, but really feels like "the missioanries keep coming back into my life for a reason!!" Keep her in your prayers, she is praying to see which church is true! She has so much faith and literally has a growing testimony of the book of Mormon:) 

Have a good week cuties!!! I am still loving it here and my testimony is growing so much!! I know God's timing is real. And I know that God will always help us when we look to Him. He has helped me countless times here in Texas and I know will help you TOO! 

xoxoxoxo
Hermana Hansen 


PS go ASTROS! Atta boys to get that W ❤

The West Lake Houston hermanas! 

Our pday last week....we carved pumpkins and it was SO FUN.

Pday this week....we went bowling! I got 88 and literally 23 the other game. Ummmm not my strength haha 

Halloween night! We made tacos with the sisters next door! 

A text from the zone leaders...so crazy

oh yeah 

Bowling Wahoo