Hermana Hansen in Houston TX

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 🎄