Week 9 - Happy New Year!

Heiner's baptism

Happy New Year!!!

also Happy Birthday Maren!

We had another baptism! Heiner was baptized on Saturday and he asked me to baptize him, which was really special too. He bore a really powerful testimony after the baptism, and his sister, who is already member, shared her testimony about her conversion and then reactivation. It was an incredibly spiritual service. 

Earlier this week, we went contacting and found a few women and some children sitting on their front porch. We introduced ourselves and they invited us up to teach. One of the of the men who were at the house came outside, and he told me he spoke English. I was really happy to hear that so I started talking to him. He then told me that he hated organized religion. A little less enthusiastic, I kept talking to him and he told me that he was a recovered alcoholic and that before he would have beat the (stuffing) out of me and Elder Duran. Having no idea what to say after that, he reassured me that he wasn't trying to make me nervous, which didn't help at all haha. But Elder Duran asked me a question so I rejoined the other conversation and we taught a short lesson and then left. They said we could come back next week, so we'll see how that goes. 

Later in the week, we were walking back from a really good meeting with an investigator and we stopped on the side of the highway. We were waiting to cross when car came flying by and hit a puddle that perfectly splashed all over us haha. I have no idea why but it was the funniest thing that has ever happened to me. I laughed for the next 20 minutes straight. But I learned something really important. Not to make this more than it is, but I learned that it really is possible to smile and to laugh in every situation. No matter what happens, I can be positive and happy. And if I can keep that in mind, I don't see why I'll ever be unhappy again.

We got to go to the beach yesterday for P-day! It was so beautiful and I managed to get an even better farmers tan. Also, I burned the tops of my feet, so that's been fun to walk with, but it was totally worth it. We played soccer, obviously, and I had 4 goals so that was pretty fun. I got to be goalie for a little while too and that was so much fun haha, you would've been proud of me McKay. They all called me the white Tim Howard haha.

So anyway, really good week. Great start to the new year. I love you all and I hope you all have a phenomenal week!

Elder Hansen