Week 60 - Feliz Navidad!

Hey fam!

So good to talk to you guys on Friday! Still that same good looking family I remember haha glad you enjoyed Hawaii......for the second time without me..... haha Christmas was great this year again! Christmas Eve we had some really good visits and then had dinner with our cook and I ate so much I threw it all up that night, but it was worth it haha. Then after I talked to you guys on Christmas, it was basically just a normal day. We went around visiting like normal and wishing everyone we could a Merry Christmas. 

Then on Saturday, we had a baptism! Cesar finally was able to get baptized and was so pumped up about it. the whole time, he was giving us high fives and thumbs up haha and then yesterday, after his confirmation, he gave us both the biggest hugs haha love that guy.

Sunday was super fun. We wanted to go to explore a part of our area we've never been to, so we took the bus up and got off where we thought was the right place. It turns out that we got off too early, so we did some contacting and then kept walking up the mountain. On the way, we saw some cows in a field and stopped to see if we couldn't preach to them a little, but they weren't all that interested.... then we finally reached where we were trying to get to and had some great lessons with the members up there and got to meet some of their friends who seem like they could be pretty interested. And they invited us to come up for New Years, so even though it took us four times as long to get there as it should have, it was worth the trip haha

Well that's about it fam. Love you guys a ton! Hope Christmas was great! Talk to you next week!

Elder Hansen

Our area in San Jose

Week 59 - Another Christmas miracle

Hey guys!

Sorry I couldn't write on Monday, we had the mission Christmas party so they gave us time to write on Wednesday instead. But now that just means I have to somehow remember everything from this past week, which already feels super far away, and as you've seen, I'm not the best at remembering everything from past weeks so we'll see how it goes.

Well one of the miracles we saw last week was an eternal investigator that finally decided to get baptized. He had been going to church with his wife as she reactivated herself and had thought about baptism, but wasn't sure if he wanted to do it yet. They also had to get married, and the thought of that was even further from his mind. It had been hard to get time to teach him, but last Tuesday, we finally got to see him and he started asking us to share our testimonies and why exactly we believed what we believe. He sat there for a few minutes and then started explaining that he had been praying and had received an answer that he needed to get married and get baptized and that he wanted to get baptized in January, but married in February. We explained that he needed to get married first, but he still felt like he wasn't ready, so we decided to say a prayer with him. We all knelt down and he offered one of the most sincere and heartfelt prayers I have ever heard. When we sat back down, he started pouring out his heart about how good he felt about getting married and how much he loved his wife. The spirit felt so strong and I knew he had received his answer and we had been witnesses to a true conversion. Easily one of the most powerful nights of my mission. He's now getting ready to get married and baptized the first weekend in January. Later that week, we had another lesson with him and when we got there, his 9 year old son came running up to us, yelling "I've got good news!" And then told us that he's going to get baptized with his dad. Going to be a really special new year.

And then later in the week, that same family came with us to go visit a new family we had found. We thought we would teach a little about the restoration, but they took all the time basically just testifying about how much the church will help them and that they need to go and find out for themselves and that they won't regret it and by they end the family we were teaching wanted to be baptized and come to church and everything was perfect, without us teaching anything haha so we'll see how it goes. Member missionary work! Go do it!

Also we helped make tamales with our cook. Elder Davis has the pictures so hopefully I can pass them on. But it was super fun haha -- a lot of work, but it was cool to make something new. It's a tradition here and everyone makes them or buys them so we've been eating a lot of them these past few weeks.

We had another zone service project and once again we went to an old persons' home, but it was really fun. Got to talk to some old people who had at one point in their lives spoken English, but over the years had forgotten it, so I didn't really understand much, but they all smiled when we just nodded our heads and laughed so it was all worth it haha.

Zone service project

Also the Christmas party was super great! We sang a whole bunch of Christmas songs that I hadn't heard in a long time and ate some amazing food and, after two months, finally got to open my package! President taught us about the origin of the town of Bethlehem, which was incredible, as always. 

But anyway, Merry Christmas everyone! Love you all, have a great week!

Elder Hansen

My agenda on Thursday, haha

Carl's Jr!

Week 58 - Christmas miracle

Hey guys!

Had a really good week this week. It's been crazy getting to know the new area and all the new people, but I'm loving it. Everyday there's something different to find and to see. 

On Tuesday we had leadership council and before we started the power went out which meant we couldn't use the projector. We couldn't really do much about it, so President decided to take the time and answer questions and teach us again. It just blows me away every time he starts teaching, and I think everyone was glad that the power had gone out that morning haha. He talked about the history of the Nephite civilization and finished by explaining how Captain Moroni managed to defend his people from the Lamanites, relating all of it to how the adversary is always looking for a weak spot in our defenses. It's something that I've heard plenty of times, but the was President explained it, it took on a whole new perspective and I learned so much more. Love that guy!

Then on Wednesday we had zone conference, which was great. We taught about how to have better unity with your companion and work more effectively. To finish we set up and maze and had them run through with their legs tied to their companion's. It worked out great and thankfully no one got hurt haha.

Also, we have an investigator that was working to get baptized in October, but had a motorcycle accident and basically destroyed his left hand. He had to get pins in his thumb and index finger and the doctors said he'd be in a cast at least 3 or four months. He wanted to get baptized but with the cast on, he didn't feel as comfortable. We told him if he had the faith, he'd be able to get baptized this month without a problem. He had a doctor's appointment on Saturday and that night we stopped by to see how he was doing. When we got there, not only was he feeling a lot better, but they had taken off the cast and the pins and he told us the doctor had given the thumbs up to be baptized. He had recovered way faster than expected and the doctor said there wouldn't be any problem for him to get baptized this month. Christmas miracle.

I gotta take off, but have a great week! Love you guys a ton! 

Elder Hansen

Week 57 - First week in Purral

Hey guys!

Well it's been a pretty crazy week. It was tough to say goodbye, but it's been fun to get to know a new area and new companion. I got moved into the city, in an area called Purral, in northern San Jose. It's a lot colder and a lot bigger than Siquirres, which has taken some getting used to, but so far I'm loving it. My companion is Elder Davis, my first gringo companion. It's been so much different because he actually understands most of the references I make and was just as excited as I was when we saw a Star Wars poster on the back of a bus yesterday haha. The area is great, mostly all hills and we take buses everyday, but it's got some of the best members I've ever met. The ward is really good, but it's about to split into a branch and a ward and we'll be in the branch. There's a lot we have to get done to get ready for it, but it's been a lot of fun to be a part of so far.

It was really sad to say goodbye to everyone in Siquirres because almost all of them started crying, but they've all welcomed me really well here so I'm feeling more and more at home everyday. I finally had the chance to bust out my jacket, which has been collecting dust the last year haha. It also doesn't rain as much as Siquirres. I checked off a bucket list item by finally leaving the house without my umbrella haha. 

Yesterday, we got to go to the Christmas devotional, which was really good. Filled the chapel and the cultural hall (the chapel is twice the size here than in Siquirres haha) and after they served tamales and hot chocolate. It was a such a good night because a lot of investigators showed up and everyone just loved it. 

I wish I had more to say, but I can't remember everything that happened this week haha, but the most important is that I'm loving it and that it's gonna be really fun to be here. Have a great week! Talk to you guys soon!

Elder Hansen

Week 56 - Leaving Siquirres

Siquirres District

Hey guys!

Well it's been fun to be in Siquirres again, but, once again, I'm leaving. It was kinda rough to hear, with Christmas coming right up, but I know wherever I'm going, the Lord has a plan for me. They haven't told me where I'm going yet because for changes, they tell us if we have changes or not on Sunday and thenon Wednesday, we have a big meeting with everyone that has changes and President tells us where we're headed and who our new companion is. I have today and tomorrow to pack and say goodbye to everyone I can and then Wednesday morning, I'll take off. Maybe I'll stay out of Siquirres for more than one transfer this time haha but who knows. 

This week was pretty great though. On Sunday, the dad of one of the families we're planning baptizing in December finally came to church and they all seem super excited. It was a total surprise because he had been telling us all week that he wasn't going to be able to come, but all of the sudden showed up with all the family. 

Also, like last week, I had to climb through the window again haha we did a service project on Saturdayand at some point the keys fell out of my pocket and they extra keys we had were trapped inside the house. We're getting pretty good at breaking into the house though because it took a lot less time than the first time haha

On Saturday we did a service project with the ward. We went to a retirement home to go spend time with the old people there and help clean up the place a little. It was a really good experience because most of them were really happy to see us and talk to us. There were a few old men that didn't seem to understand the concept of clothing though haha but it was a good chance to check out dad's future home.

Today we played soccer for the last time with all the zone and we finally beat Limon! We celebrated by going to the first and only fast food restaurant in Siquirres that just opened on Saturday. Just in time for me to leave haha I watched them building it for almost 10 months and only got to eat there once haha

Limon Zone at the fast food joint

But that's about it, loving life out here. Hope you guys are all doing great! Love you a ton!

Elder Hansen

Week 55 - Full of ups and downs

Hey guys!

So this week was full of ups and downs. The good parts were that we found a lot of new people to teach and saw some really good progress in our investigators. The bad parts were that our we had to spend two nights sleeping on the floor in other houses, with soaking wet clothes, but I'll get to that. 

It's definitely getting rainy out here. Almost every day we've had to pull out our umbrellas to defend ourselves from the rainstorms passing by. But at least it's been a little bit cooler haha. Also everyone is getting ready for the holidays. But not Thanksgiving, just Black Friday. Apparently it's huge here and almost every store is getting ready for this week. It kinda bums me out that there won't be much for Thanksgiving this year, but I'm thinking we'll just go buy some chicken or something and have a little Thanksgiving dinner. 

But anyway, onto the week.

On Wednesday, we played soccer with some members and recent converts and made the mistake of letting all their friends come and play too. We ended up with way too many people and some of the members didn't even get a chance to play with so many people. So after about an hour, we stopped playing and had just members play. That made some of the other kids mad and they all went and sat by the side of the court. After about 20 minutes they all left and we finished playing about 10 minutes after. While we were closing up the church, we look for the keys to the house and they're nowhere to be found and some of the members had seen the kids that left early messing around where we left the keys. And the owner didn't have any extra keys so we had to spend the night with the other Elders, with clothes Elder Sandoval and Elder Cuevas let us borrow. The next day we looked for some kinda of way to get into the house so we could take off the old lock and go buy a new one. In the bathroom, there's a tiny window and with some help from the neighbor's tools we managed to take off the screen and the glass. And being the skinniest, they propped me up and slid me in feet first, and from there we just went and bought a new lock, installed it and it's good as new. All in all, it taught me that there's always a solution, and that solution usually turns into a good story.

Friday, we went to Limon to do a baptismal interview and go see Elder Gubler, who's been really sick this week. We had the idea that the last bus left at 8, but after wasting almost all the extra money we had in a taxi, we found out the last bus had left at 7. So soaking wet, we walked half an hour back to the other Elders' apartment and stayed the night there. The next morning, we took the bus at 5 in the morning, got to Siquirres at 6:30 and started the day like normal haha good times. But it was all worth it because we got the interview done and in the last lesson we had with them that night, we met one of the funniest members I've ever been around. Had me laughing until it hurt - It's the little blessings that count.

Also this week we had a member download Meet to Mormons and we watched it with Yoser and his family. It was great up until we got to the missionary part and according to Elder Ramirez, I looked like I was crying, so everyone made fun of me after that.

Anyway, a pretty weird week, but it was all good in the end. I hope you guys all have a super great week and enjoy Thanksgiving! Love you all!

Elder Hansen

Week 54 - Pray for France (and Maren)

Hey guys!

Well like always, this week was full of its surprises. Feeling a lot better now that I know about Maren. Some members told us about the attack the day of, and the whole weekend I was just thinking about Mare bear, but everything is back to normal now. 

This week we had a meeting with the stake presidency to talk about how we did in October and to set goals for November, which was great, but meant we had to go to Guapiles, which is like an hour from our area and we lost almost all of the day. But it was a really cool experience and I got to see president and more of his family, Christian Hayes's parents, which was a nice surprise. They took a picture, but I'm not sure if it's made it's way through yet.

Also as you can see from the pictures, Christmas has officially arrived. Only a month early. It started out super simple and humble, but we got bored and our neighbors, Elder Cuevas and Sandoval, pulled out a small tree and some more lights, so obviously we had to outdo them. When we were in Guapiles they were selling lights a lot cheaper than in Siquirres so we bought as many as we could and decked out the house. Then we bought the tree and put on the lights, ornaments, our extra name tags and yesterday we added some presents for a nice touch. I was going to take another picture, but we haven't had time to clean our house yet so stay tuned haha all we're missing is the Christmas music and we're set haha we also put some lights in our room that have a setting which will probably end up giving us epilepsy but they look cool so its worth it.

"How it started"

"How it ended"

"The best tree ever"

This week we had stake conference, which meant another trip to Guapiles (I'm really hoping not to have to go there for a while), and we were stressed out almost all week about if any investigators were going to come because it would mean getting up earlier and paying $4 per person. All week when we asked people if they could come, they either told us they were busy or couldn't afford it. By Saturday, we had pretty much accepted the fact that no one could come, but we had the impression to go visit one last family Saturday night and ask if they wanted to come. We stopped by and had a pretty normal lesson and at the end asked if they could come the next day. With more enthusiasm than I was expecting, they all committed to come, and the next day were there right on time. The miracle we had been waiting for all week. Just one of those moments that makes it all worth it. In those moments when we're tired, discouraged, and run down, God comes in to give us just what we need. If we depend on Him, He'll never let us down.

Hope you guys have an awesome week! Love you all so much! 

Pray for France (and Maren)

Elder Hansen

Week 53 - Visit from the Thelins

Reese with Jeremy and Kristin Thelin at the mission office

Hey fam!

First things first, big shout out to the Thelins for helping me out with the Chirstmas package. Completely unplanned, but perfect timing. Made my week.

Other than that, this week was super great. Not too much happened but I've realized that not a lot needs to happen for us to have a fun week. I thought before that for me to feel successful and be happy, I needed to blow up the numbers and see a ton of miracles and be jam packed with lessons all week, but the longer I'm out here, the more I realize, all I need is to focus on what's most important and just let the Lord take care of the rest. It's incredible how much the mission can teach me.

On Wednesday, we played soccer with some members and investigators again and we invited Yoser, who had been talking for weeks about how he had played when he was younger and was going to show us all up. And I've got to admit, he kept his word haha it was the biggest surprise to see him on the court, and not just playing, but playing well haha he's not the biggest guy, but he's not skinny and to watch him work over some kids half his age was so funny.

The meeting we had with President on Friday, when I saw the Thelins, was one of the best meetings I've ever been in. From nowhere, President decides to teach us about the last week of the Savior's life. Where He was, what He did, and what He taught us. He focused on the Spirit and what the Savior taught in those last days about the importance of receiving the Spirit before anything else. Just an awesome meeting. After the meeting was over, the Thelins showed up and I was all happy and excited, but then I found out that my lovely mother had told the secretaries not to let me open my package and they took it away and hid it. Super disappointed. But then it was all good because we had some extra time so Elder Ramirez and I went to explore a little in San Jose. Not as interesting as Limon, but it's got some cool parts about it. 

But anyway, that's about all I got in terms of news or things I remember well enough to write about. I'm doing great out here, loving life. Love you guys!

Elder Hansen

Week 52 - One year!

Hey team!

Sorry about last week, not sure what happened to the email. I sent it off but I guess it didn't go through. Like Maren, not much to report this week. Pretty busy week with Zone conference and a baptism in Elder Ramirez's last area, but other than that it was a normal week. 

Limon zone conference

Also as you can see from the picture, we went to a baptism this week. It wasn't our baptism, in fact it wasn't even in our zone, but one the daughter of a man Elder Ramirez baptized in his last area turned 8 so President gave us the thumbs up to go. Really good story. The dad was baptized a few months ago and then decided he wanted to share the gospel with his wife who had left him. Long story short, she decided to get baptized, they got back together, he baptized her and then Saturday he baptized his daughter. Amazing to see how the gospel changes lives.

But something great happened yesterday. Yoser, the dad of the family we baptized a few weeks ago, showed up to church yesterday with a white shirt and tie, dress slacks, and new shoes, with no help from us. It was such a big surprise, I almost didn't recognize him when he walked it haha. After sacrament meeting, I saw one of the members of the bishopric explaining how to bless the sacrament, and he said that next week they're going to have him bless. Can't wait for that. Later that night we went to go visit them, with a nice lesson prepared and everything, but in the spirit of Halloween, we spent almost the whole time telling ghost stories haha but it was just so much fun to spend time with good friends. I love that family so much and I couldn't have had a better one-year gift than that. 

Today for pday we went to the beach again. We were all super excited to go play soccer,  but today was one of the hottest days ever in Limon and after about 10 minutes we were done so we just messed around for another hour or so and then we headed back to downtown Limon. Elder Ramirez and I decided to go exploring Limon, but we didn't find anything all that special. It's a really cool city with a lot of culture, but definitely has it's crazy parts haha.

"I was helping a lot as usual"

But anyway fam, love you guys a ton. This past year has been the best one of my life and I can't wait to see what's in store for this one. There's nothing greater than waking up everyday and getting to serve the Lord. It's amazing how fast the time has gone by, and everyone tells me the second year goes by so much faster. I just want to make sure I do my part before the time runs out. Love you all so much, you're the best fans I could ask for.

Elder Hansen

"We went to the temple this week"

Week 49 - Transfers and a Ward Activity

Hey fam! 

Not too much to report this week. We had changes, but only two Elders left and one changed from Limon to Siquirres so it doesn't really count haha. But Elder Hernandez left which was a little sad. Gonna miss that kid. We had to go to his new area and drop off his suitcases while he went to San Jose, but it was nice to have a little adventure. Elder Ramirez served close to that area and some members helped us get them there and then took us out for lunch. They took us to a fish restaurant that was one of the most secluded places I've ever been, but it was the best fish I've had in a loooonnggg time, with some very crispy fries (you would've loved them Mom!). I'm just hoping that someday we'll get to go back.

Saying goodbye to Elder Hernandez

Miracle of the week! So with the changes this week, we lost basically all of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and we needed to have a ton of people in church and find a ton of people to hit our goals for the week and the month. I was feeling a little stressed out, but we said a few prayers and left Thursday with a ton a faith that we were going to find every family that lived in Siquirres. We came home that day with 2. And then Friday we came home with 4. Then on Saturday we had a ward activity, which went super well, but I'll get to that. The point is, that it killed a ton of time that day and we only found 2 new investigators. Which meant Sunday we needed to find at least 7. At 7:00 we had 1 haha. I was just hoping and praying for everything I had that we could find something. We kept walking and searching and we passed by our cook's house just to see if there was anyone there. She was a little busy, but told us to go contact a house nearby. When we got there they received us super well and we found 5 new investigators there. They also told us to contact the house next door, and there we found another 3. When we got home that day, I just felt so relieved to know that God is always watching and, even though we might not see it, He is always working to help us.

Our new contacting method

But about the activity. We had been planning it for about a month, but after some miscommunication, we ended up having to change a lot of things in the few days before, including what time it was going to start. It was supposed to start at 1, but nobody showed up until 2 and there was barely anyone there. We had planned to have 5 teams of 6 do 5 different games. When we started we had 1 haha. It was kinda a rough start because the Primary had an activity too and they ended right as we were starting so all the kids came running in and we had to calm them down and put them into teams and then other kids found the water balloons and then more people started to show up, but after about 10 minutes of organizing, everyone was in a team and in a game. Once everyone was doing something, it all started running a lot smoother and by the end it had turned into one of the best ward activities we've ever had. The members stepped up a lot and it was so fun to see people who in church look serious, dancing and cheering when their team won. I've never seen adults so excited to throw water balloons! It wasn't perfect, but it turned out well and they all said we need to have more activities like that. We're not that creative so who knows if we'll be able to think of more, but we'll see how it goes haha.

But anyway, hope you're all doing super great. Love you guys a ton!

Elder Hansen

Week 48 - A wedding and a baptism

Baptism of Yoser, Maricela, y Estrella

Hey fam!

Hope you're all doing great! This week was really really good. Everything worked out well for the wedding and baptism. We had a ton of support from the members which was a nice relief. Usually, we're running around all week getting everything set up, but this time all we had to do was bring the people and fill the font. The ward is really stepping it up. One of the best parts was that President Hayes and his wife came. They hit some traffic and we were worried they weren't going to make it, but luckily the baptism before the wedding was delayed so they were there for all of them. Everything is better when President comes.

The Wedding

So like usual this week was super fast. This transfer was unbelievably fast honestly. We don't have changes, but unfortunately, like I was expecting, Elder Hernandez is being transferred. But the good thing is that he's not leaving the stake so we'll see him for stake conference still. 

We finally got to move into our new house though which has made everything better. It's not that I didn't like living with four Elders in the house, it was just really crowded. We're still working on getting everything set up, but it's looking good. 

But anyway, it was a super good week. I'm just hoping we can keep it going. I'm super happy to still be with Elder Ramirez, it's gonna be a lot of fun. Hoping you guys are all doing awesome, love you a ton!

Talk to you soon!

Elder Hansen

Week 47 - General Conference and a Trip to the Beach

Hey guys!

Hope you're all doing really well!

Don't have a whole ton to write, just got back from the beach and I've forgotten a lot that happened this week, sorry.

This week was another fast one. I was talking to Elder Ramirez about how fast this whole change has gone by. It's already October!! Gotta be honest, it's scaring me how fast this is all happening. But I'm finally getting to that point where I feel old in the mission. And it doesn't really help that over half of the zone has less than 10 months in the mission haha. 

But anyway, on to the week!

So this week we were working like crazy the first few days to make up for the time we were going to lose this weekend. We had leadership council on Friday and the conference so we knew it was gonna be a rough week work-wise, but the Lord gave us a lot of chances to make up lost time and we managed to make the most of it.

Friday was great. Got to learn from President Hayes. Always incredible. The only bad part was on the way home, the bus that should only take 2 hours, hit traffic and was delayed 2 hours more. Such a long bus ride. 

Conference was really good! Kinda hard to get it in English, so I didn't get the full experience this time, but I still loved it. 

Well sorry that was a really boring email but hey at least it's something haha love you guys! I'll send some good pictures next week! 

Elder Hansen

Week 46 - Another trip to the Temple

Hey fam!

Well another super fast week and because of that I can't remember much from what happened, but it was still a good week, I remember that.

Highlights:

Temple!! It was so great to go to the temple again. President and Sister Hayes came with us and we had a little activity after and some really good food. The only bad part was that the night before we had gotten to San Jose a little late and by the time we got there, there weren't any beds left, so we spent the night camped out on the floor. Not the first time it's happened but it's never a good time haha. But all in all it was worth it to get to see the temple and help us get ready for general conference.

With current companion, Elder Ramirez

"Mi familia" - Elder Hernandez and Elder Sandoval (son and grandson)

Saturday was Elder Sandoval's birthday so we got invited to a few birthday dinners. Everyone goes all out for birthdays and it was so much fun. Got to go see Carlos and Lijia again, love them so much.

Elder Sandoval's birthday dinner with Carlos and Lijia

Present from Carlos and Lijia

Also, today we moved in with Elder Hernandez and Sandoval. We're just waiting for another house to open up so we're going to room with them for a few weeks. Gonna be fun. You should've seen how well we packed the truck. You would've been proud, Dad -- did it all in one trip.

Well, that's about it. September went by super fast, it's crazy that we're already at October. Super stoked for my second general conference in Siquirres haha it'll be a little lonely being the only gringo this time.

Love you guys so much! Have a great week!

Elder Hansen

"Pizza!"

"Dinner with Gerardo y Jeri"

"La Luna bien tuanis"