it's been REAL good

HOLA 🤗🎉

Ok, this week was the best by far of my time here in Houston. *sorry for a long letter in advance, it's too good not to share* I learned so much as a disciple of Christ and saw many lives changed!

Remember Shade? Her dad is from Nigeria and her mom from Peru, but they ended up in Houston, Texas. (who knows why) She found the church by a RM YouTuber in Peru (note to all: always share the Gospel online) and we got her referral a few weeks ago. Well we went to visit her this week, and she said that she has loved reading the Book of Mormon, and that the Word of Wisdom just makes sense. She said the closing prayer, and paused for a few minutes before to think about what she wanted to ask our Father. Talk about someone who values her relationship with God. (!!!!) As we walked out, we gave her a bible, and she honestly looked like a kid on the last day of school. 

ESTEPHANY is amazing. No words would be sufficient enough to describe how I feel about her. This week during one of our lessons, we started talking about missionaries and who they are and what we do. She got a really confused look on her face and said "wait, so there is a chance that you two wouldn't be here for my baptism?" I explained to her that I go home soon, but that I would come back for her baptism as her lifelong friend. She also, as we finished the plan of salvation, told us "So my dad died a while ago. Is there something I can do for him in this life to help him?" *inspired questions* we quickly explained temple work and family history!! She got so excited. 

When she came to church yesterday, she just blended in with the ward I swear! We had an hermana sit with her, who also happened to be from Honduras as well that was PERF. Instant bffs. And guess what the topic was in Gospel Principles? FAMILY HISTORY. In few words, she loved it. #tendermercy. Then the members were talking with her about "their missionaries" and said that you never forget the first ones. And she just said "ohhhh sí. Apenas conocí a la hermana Hansen y ya la quiero mucho. Nunca le voy a olvidar y espero que nunca se olvida de mi" AH! The cute member then leaned over to me and told me I have the gift to love. We showed Estephany the baptismal font and told about our baptismal days and she started crying. I LOVE THIS WOMAN.

Earlier this week we found two beautiful, prepared daughters of God by wandering around an apartment complex. We almost let Satan win and walk right past them without talking to them, but we stopped, and they are so prepared to hear It! Elisa said the closing prayer and I quote "thank YOU God, for sending me these two hermanas today. You knew that I needed the message they brought. What they share is true" AH 

We had two huge conferences this week, one with Elder Pearson of The Seventy. It was amazing. I am not who I am, Emily Hansen, a swimmer, a college student, future teacher or not even a missionary. I am a disciple of Christ and it is my duty to proclaim His gospel. We watched a clip from Elder Bednar, and he said something that has changed me. "This is not a sacrifice. This is who we are." We have this mandate, since the premortal world, to share His gospel to those who don't know. And it's a beautiful privilege.

Cherry on top of this week: FAMILIA HERNANDEZ baptism. Oh what a glorious day it was. They were all SO happy, and the spirit was so tangible. They really have allowed the Gospel to change them and allow them to become better people. I was sent to Texas to find them. And they allowed us into their lives. 

Funny note: saw a woman eating elote in a cup whole driving on the freeway here in Broadway. Only in Texas.

Xoxo

Hermana Hansen

Do you see how big their smiles are???

There are blackberry trees....EVERYWHERE!

We made dinner for ourselves this week! 

Total fail. Not ready to be married.

shade + Inka Kola

lyft?

Walked in the door and she came running to hug me. SO CUTE

dabbing my way downtown

HOLA 💕

This week was full of so many laughs and power naps. Let's just say we laugh all of our energy away. Being in a trio was a good time!! Now Hermana Hudrlik's companion is back! They will be going back to their area tomorrow.

Remember like two months ago when I got into a crazy car accident? Well, this week Hermana Espinoza and I had to go to court to testify about the accident. Which means we got to go downtown (super out of the mission). Knocking stranger's doors is nothing compared to being in a court room with a judge. I felt like I was on Judge Judy, but also Abinadi before King Noah. Court was exciting. It was actually nothing and super stressful all at the same time. I got like 0 sleep the night before and then we got up super early to get there on time!! We ended up not even being needed, but if we hadn't gone we wouldn't have been cited on our records!  After we took some nice selfies to make the trip worth it.

We are teaching some really amazing people, but you guys already know that. Do I mention it enough?? Well, we met with Estephany this week and she told us "I want to be sealed in the temple with my boyfriend. I want an eternal family". Please keep in mind this is the third lesson with her. There have been two times in my mission when I've been speechless, and that was one of them! She's progressing so quickly. We asked her to chose a baptismal date and she choose....wait for it....August 18. WHAT? We died. It's so far away!! Keep her in your prayers to help her reach this (or a sooner) goal!! 

We stopped by to visit Javicercillo and his sibs, and it's always an adventure teaching them. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. Let's just say we talked about Thor, fresh grapefruit juice, popcorn and wrapping paper all in the same lesson. (and maybe some dabbing) They are super cute and Javiercillo is reading the BOM at school! We asked him how he felt after being confirmed and he says "I just couldn't stop smiling. I'm so happy!!" Same. The Gospel brings us so much happiness and I am so thrilled that I am able to help others here in Houston!!

I was able to finish the Book of Mormon this week, and its just so TRUE! A man will come closer to God by reading and applying the principles found there than by any other book! I love the Book of Mormon and how merciful God is to His children. I love studying from it's pages and filling up the whole of my soul with it's teachings. 

Love you guys. If you read all this, you're a champ. Have a good week and if you can, send me mail.

Xoxox

Hermana Hansen 

always reppin

*cue downtown by Macklemore*

court selfie

rip trio car selfies 

the healthiest meal here in Texas 

🎶cuando me bautice🎶

Hola from Houston

Killer week as always. Literally killer because we got the dumb flu again! So we were knocked out for a few days, but the great part is that we are Facebook missionaries, so we were able to teach a few lessons from the comfort of our own home! I've been learning the GOOD that technology can bring us and how we can use it to further the work! 

We finished the week being sick with the baptism of Javiercillo. He's 9 years old and his whole family are members, minus him because they were inactive when he turned 8! Teaching him has been a really sweet experience. I really love how simple the gospel is, and how simple we can make it to teach even the youngest of God's children. 

During Javiercillo's baptism, all the missionaries that taught him had the chance to sing "I know when I am baptized" and it was one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission. As we sang, tears fillled my eyes. Javier was sitting on the front row, freshly baptised, the most clean person in the whole room, looking at us missionaries. He was just smiling the biggest smile, the happiest I've seen anyone. He came up to us after and gave us a big hug. :) #missionarypayday

We are teaching someone named Estephany, she has 2 sweet little girls who are the most precious things. Her husband is a member, but works on Sundays. She just started coming to church a few weeks ago, and we have been able to meet with her and yesterday I sat with her at church. All the lessons seemed to be what she needed, and at the end she turned to me and said "what do I need to do to get baptized?" She is amazing. 

Shoutout to WML for bringing us tons of groceries while we were dying of the plague. Also it's a #miralce that we still love each other after 3 days of confinement:) Every dinner we had this week was members bringing us chicken soup. #blessed

I've been impressed lately about how God has allowed me to watch certain people accept and live the Gospel. I've loved being able to help those who don't know the message yet, understand it and allow it to change them. It's such an amazing privilege we have as missionaries!! I love this Gospel and the chance I have to share it here in Houston!!

xoxo

Hermana Hansen

Went to a boot store for pday. Only in Texas

Texas pday loz

We made a little book of notes during his baptism!

Look how cute he is!!!

A peek inside our lessons with Javiercillo.

thx

#triolife #round

HOLA HOLA! 

First, I got transferred from my beloved Lockwood after only 6 weeks! It was not enough, but I learned so much there and tried to help as many people as I could! I am now in Broadway 2 South with Hermana Vikari, who goes home a transfer after I do. And Hermana Hudrlik decided to follow me here also :) Still rocking the trio life! It's gonna be so fun.

The most amazing thing that happened this week happened on Tuesday. We went from appointment to appointment and it was amazing that with each person we met, they each shared how the gospel has changed their lives as we have been meeting with them. One time my brother sent me a quote: "Being on a mission is like having a front row seat to the greatest show of all time; watching the Atonement change lives. Having that ticket is something special. As you are nearing the end, don't check out early and be one of the people trying to rush out before traffic hits. Squeeze all you can out of the experience." And how grateful I have come to feel to have that ticket, and have been given this opportunity to be here in Houston.

We were teaching some really amazing people that I love with all my heart. But then God decided to transfer me, so I just left my heart there in lockHOOD. It's ok though, because I'll be back when they all decide to become members of the Lord's true church.

Familia Hernández: the mom, Sandra, and her 6 kids. Only 4 of them are of age for baptism, (thinking missionary-minded) and one isn't interested. Sandra has had the HARDEST LIFE ever. But the amazing thing that I've seen is that she is allowing God to humble her enough to change her, even before we get there. As we arrive each time, she is prepared to learn what we have prepared, without knowing it beforehand. Tithing? She had already talked about it with her hubs. Word of wisdom issues? She already has tried to quit smoking. It's amazing and I cried so hard when I left her. BUT they are so excited for their baptism and are progressing towards that! Sandra said the sweetest prayer this week that left my eyes full of tears, "Thank you God for putting the missionaries in my life, and for giving them patience with me. I know they are teaching me truth and that it's time to change my life." Talk about prepared!!!

We had some really funny awkward contacts this week with some people. We knocked on a door, and the lady CLEARLY didn't understand our thick gringa accents. And so as we walked always, her nieto comes out and shows us his tattoo of a cross and says "hey, I believe in God too" um wut? same. 

We were working with a less active who got baptized in Cali 10 years ago as recently has had a desire to come back. She is amazing. As Andrea said the closing prayer, she thanked God for being able to send us into her life. We hadn't been able to be in contact with her for a while, but then we were raking leaves in our inv yard, and Andrea came home right as we finished up! *miracle*

God is so good. I am so proud to represent Him and His church. I just know with all of my heart and soul that he sends us to those prepared to teach as we listen to Him. He loves us and His timing is perfect, no matter how crazy or hard it may be. It's just like Elder Maxwell says, "The things which enlarge the soul inevitably involve stretching" 

LOVE you all. Thanks for being troopers and emailing me still, even after 16 months. 

Xoxox

Hermana Hansen

Bye Sandra

Waiting for trains. Same Hermana Jacobs. Same. 

Hermana Mercedes

In-n-Out from Dallas?? WORTH IT

Broadway 3 crew

more or less than a dollar store

HELLO FROM HOUSTON 👋

Life of a trio is just the best. We've been having a blast and enjoying every moment :) Yes that store is in my area. There are also men with carts selling raspas and chips who wander around. It's the best!! Also, just to give a perspective of how many Hispanics are here -  there are two Spanish wards are one English ward in the same geographical area! And, there are six companionships of Spanish spilt up between the two wards and only two companionships of English! Super crazy. That's how highly populated this area is with Hispanics. 


We have something called Hour of Power. For a hour on Thursdays, while the general authorities are praying in the Salt Lake Temple, we focus specifically on finding and teaching someone. So this week we had a cool Hour of Power miracle: we were leaving a terrible lesson with our progressing investigator family, and my companion said that we still had 20 minutes of hour of power, and we prayed for strength, walked down the street, and found a lady who was sitting outside. We sat down and taught her and then got a return appointment! I learned a lot about courage and the importance to keep going even after hard situations. I know the Lord puts us with our comps for a reason!! 

CONFERENCE WAS AWESOME. This was the most amazing one ever. How cool was it that after each change, the spirit testified to me how true and necessary each change was! No more visiting teaching?? Sorry mom, you know don't have a calling anymore!! But for real, especially as a missionary trying to help the ward, it's going to be great to have those active members in the ward actually help and minister to those who need it!!! I am totally on board for this. Also, temples in Russia and India??? SO COOL. Also, I couldn't help but think of my Costa Rica peeps, from when I served near the coast and boarder of Nicaragua, how they are going to benefit from a temple closer, because the Costa Rica one is like 6 hours away in a bus!!

We also started to make a deal with our invs: if they can sit through the lessons quietly, Hermana Jacobs will make them balloon animals. Super fun and a slightly terrible idea, it turned into chaos haha 

Something that I've learned (yes it's taken 16 months of being a missionary and 21 years of life) is that God can only teach us when we are humble. And if we aren't humble enough, He will surely do everything to humble us. He loves us SO much and wants us to become better disciples of Him. And the only way we can do that is by humbling ourselves to Him. 

I love being a missionary and sharing this gospel with everyone here in hot Texas!! Its crazy to think that it's been one year since I returned home from Costa Rica. It's been the craziest, hardest, most fun year of my life. I've learned so much and grown closer to my Savior than I ever thought possible!! Because of Him, the sting death is swallowed up. We can find comfort in the resurrection, that we will see them again.

Xoxox

Hermana Hansen

REUNITED after the longest month

balloon animals with our investigators :)

We ate crawfish!! It was gross but also goooood.

When you live in mini Mexico and this replaced Dr Pepper. 

watching conference with a less active!

ice cream from dinner 

wall art 

 wall art 

wall art 

Our trio - didn't have a third Hermana Lego - going with the flow.