JANUARY 25 2016 UNO CAMBIO MAS

JANUARY 25 2016

Cha Cha Cha CHANGES.....Again...

Well here we are! Another cambio has come and gone. Where is the pause button in all this.  Hermana Celan and I will be together for another change, working in San Jeronimo!  I am excited to have another change together so we can sequir trabajando con todo que tenemos! I really feel like there is so much work to do here, and I can see a lot of miracles about to happen. So here we go, UNO CAMBIO MAS!!  Hermana Celan has seriously become my best friend.  We cry, laugh, tease, just like sisters. Love her with all my heart.  I feel like I finally know our HUGE sector, and our huge ward.  Good things to come!

This week, Hermana Celan and I have been asked to give a training with some other missionaries in the EFY here in Cusco! ITs the first one here!  Sounds like there will be about 200 youth, which is just awesome.  Super excited to be able to talk to them.   Fun stuff.  We had the world wide training this pást wednesday, the first one in 10 years. It was awesome.  Its so cool to be a missionary in this time.  Its the last days, and God is calling his children to go out and work in the vineyard one last time. Its beautiful.  

This week we had the Capacitation (conference) for all the missionaries in the world, the first one in 10 years! OH it was so inspired.  The main focus was to teach repentance and baptize converts.  

Sorry I am short on time so here is a quick wrap!

1.  Familia Casa Perez was rescued this week! TEARS OF JOY!

2.  Elvia was baptized by her father Guido Casa Perez. Again, tears of joy.

3.  Sonio Condori has a baptizm date for Feb 13!  

4. It was like 100 degrees this week in Cusco.

5. I still love my mission. 

Thank you All for you love prayers and support! Hope you all have a Fantasmal week!

Con Amor,

Hermana Hansen

BANTISMO DE ELVIA !!!  I LOVE THIS FAMILY SO MUCH

FAMILIA CASA PEREZ

                               
           

JANUARY 18 2016 SOOOO MACHU PICCHU WAS ALRIGHT!!! :) :)

  JANUARY 18 2016
Wow, talk about a jammed packed couple of weeks.  Every day truly is an adventure here in the mission.

Sooo yeah I went to Machu PIcchu last week....and I guess it was pretty neat...or pretty much the coolest thing I have ever seen in my LIFE!  I am seriously so grateful to have a mission president who lets us go and experience one of the 7 Wonders of the World. #bienbacan.  We got up at about 2 in the morning and took a 2 hour bus ride to the train station in Urubamba.  There were 16 of us in total.  From there we rode the train up to the city of Machu Picchu. Oh it was so beautiful.  Then from there another bus up to the mountain!  When we finally reached the top, I really couldnt breath. One, because there is zero air up there, and two because it really was incredible.  Its one of those things where it really is hard to take it all in. We had a really amazing tour guide who was able to explain everything to us and relate everything to the Book of Mormon. I cant tell you all enough how much I have fallen in love with Cusco and the Incan culture here. Its something so special.  Also we had blue skies and not a single cloud in the sky! Which never ever happens this time of year because it rains every day.  Soooo beyond blessed!! 

This Saturday we had the baptism of our little Mannhases! We have been working with his mom, Diana, on reactivating her.  She and her family are so different now then when we first started working with them.  It really was such a special day for Diana and Mannhases. I cant tell you all enough, that really the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only place that we will find true happiness. I love being a witness of that every single day.  

Also, Saturday night we had a Noche de Hogar con Presidente Harbertson! (every missionaries dream.#blessed)  Ugh it was so awesome.  The Elders and us brought a few families of investigatores and recent converts. We had a super cool lesson on the power of the Atonement, and in the end had a special little testimony meeting.  I am SOOO grateful for Presidente Harbertson and Hermana Harbertson.  I have learned so much from the both of them.  

This week we found a perfect little family, Juana and Armando and su hijo! Not married of course (minor detail), but definatly prepared to be found in this time.  They have accepted everything we have invited them to do, and are so hungry to find the truth.  Good thing we have exactly what they are looking for :) Have I ever mentioned I love being a missionary? Well I really do.  

And for the ending note...I have some exciting news.....drum roll......ELDER HOLLAND IS COMING TO CUSCO!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!! I think you could really say that I just may be the happiest little sister missionary alive.  So yeah Feburary 20th,  Elder Hollad will be coming to the Peru Cusco Mission.  It sounds like everyone in the mission will be able to travel to Cusco for it,which is awesome.  So so so excited to be able to listen to one of my favorite apostles as a missionary.  Also this week there is a world wide missionary broadcast, so that will be really interesting as well.  

Well I could tell you all alot of things, but honestly everything I write never really does it justice.  The mission is something incredible. Simple as that. I love you all and thank you for everything! You all mean the world to me.

Matt 19:29  Remember that we will ALWAYS recieve more then what we are asked to give.  How merciful and loving is our Father in Heaven.

Have a FABULOUS WEEK!

Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen

also the pictures arent loading this week....lo siento!! 

                                                        WHEN STREETS TURN INTO RIVERS....

WHILE WE WERE TRYING TO GET HOME IN THE FLOOD I LOST MY PLAQUE.. I WAS SO SAD AND WE LOOKED FOR IT FOR A LONG TIME.  BUT THE STREETS WERE SO FULL OF WATER AND MUD WE COULDN'T FIND IT.  IT WAS MY FIRST PLAQUE AND I LOVED IT!!   SIX DAYS LATER WE FOUND IT ON A ROAD.  A LITTLE BATTERED BUT PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED!!  

                                                      I FOUND MY PLAQUE!!!!

                                 I  ATE A FLUFFLY WITTLE RABBIT...IT WAS DELICIOUS...

January 11 2016 MACHU PICCHU!!!!!

JANUARY 11 2016

 I wont send a big email today because we dont have much time, and I cant send pictures either. so next week i will try to give all the details of this marvelous day...mom....ive seen some cool things in my life. you know that. but wow. machu picchu was incredible. thats the only way to describe it. I literally lost my breath for a second when we finally saw it. maybe partially because there isnt much air up there haha but wow mom. You know how much i love that stuff. It was sooo beautiful. there are so many details but i will put them all together when i have time so next week! But wow haha i was in cloud 9. I got kinda roasted, which actually was such a blessing. during this time it ALWAYS rains there. and today it was perfectly clear and sunny. I dont believe in things happening by chance anymore. I have had too many expeiences now where i know that the lords hand is in all things. One day i hope i can share my beautiful peru with you. Because really, its something you have to see for yourself. But yeah all in all today was amazing and i had so much fun with the other missionaries. Mom i have a whole lot to tell and ask you too haha one day we will sit down and just tell eachother everything yeah? Well anywho tell dad i love him with my whole heart,  Love you to the moon and back!

your hija forever,

Hermana Hansen

PICTURES OF HERMANA'S HANSEN TRIP TO MACHU PICCHU!!

THE MACHU PICCHU TRAIN!!

                                                                        COMO TE LLAMAS

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE THESE...BUT THESE ARE HOTELS...THAT PEOPLE LITERALLY PAY FOR.

THEY HAVE TO SCALE UP TO GET THERE..CRAZIES!

                                                                                   MERICA.....

PRACTICING MY BRAIDING....SHE WAS A GOOD SPORT..

CUTE WITTLE RABBIT..

ANNNNDDDD--THAT'S A WRAP...2015!! JANUARY 4 2016

January 4 2016

HOLA TO ALL MY FAVORITE PEOPLE!

Um. So yeah...I guess 2015 happened? Still trying to wrap my head around the fact that it has come and gone.  BUT! I am SO stoked for 2016. New people, new places, new memories, new lessons to learn, and a whole year dedicated to serving my Savior. I cant picture a better year then that. I really cant.  New Years was INSANE! I thought the Christmas fireworks were out of this world...psh. New Years stepped it up a notch or 6.  They really know how to do fireworks down here in Peru. Also, for New Years, its tradition to sell yellow underwear.  So yeah this week on every street corner there were people selling yellow underwear. I asked people why, and they didnt know why either. Well, works for me. ¡Viva Peru!  

Also, I hit 6 months in the mission this week, which also I am refusing to accept.  So in honor of that, here are just 6 of the MANY wonderful things I have learned in my time here. 

 

1. Being grateful if the key to being happy. Seriously though have you ever been grateful for something and unhappy at the same time? Not possible. #AttitudeofGratitude.

2. When eating something, and it may or may not be a little sketchy...its best not to look at it.  Actually its just best to never really look at what you are eating. Ignorance is bliss. And frankly the only way you can get some stuff down. 

3. Being obedient is how we show our love.  Our Heavenly Father has literally given us everything.  And all he asks is to follow the example of our Savior and be obedient.  

4.  Small Peruvian dogs, and small Peruvian abuelitas have one thing in common. They are both cute and seem harmless.  But Ill just say, NEVER underestimate either one of them.  #fiesty.  

5.  The Book of Mormon heals, protects, and helps us become who we need to become in this life. Never have I loved something so deeply. 

6.  The task ahead of you is never as great as the power behind you. These past 6 months have been ones of learning and growing.  But we must never feel that we are alone in what we are asked to do. Because simply put, we never are. 

So 2015, thats a wrap!  This week we had divisions with the Hermana Leaders.  I stayed in San Jeronimo with Hermana Robinson.  I loooove that we have the opportunity to learn from other missionaries.  Also our little familia CasaPerez are just amazing in all aspects.  They have the goal to go to the temple in Feburary for the first time in 10 years, and their daughter Elvia will be baptized in 2 weeks.  The amount of faith they have is unreal. I just love what I do everyday.  

Sorry this email is a little short this week but not too much time. Just want you all to know that I love you all! And as always thank you SO much for the love, prayers, and animo.  I couldnt do it without it!  I hope everyone had a very beautiful New Year with lots of new goals! Make it an amazing week!

Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen

PRACTICING MY BRAIDING.  SHE'S A GOOD SPORT.

                                              NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
                                       (THERE'S THAT YELLOW AGAIN)

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM CUSCO!!

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ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR December 28 2015

December 28  2015 ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!

Hola hola hola to you all! Alright here is my week in wrap. 

Wednesday. We had our Christmas dinner with all the zones and Cusco and Sicuani! Ah the christmas spirit. Full. I got to see Hermana Morris for the first time since we parted at the CCM. So fun to catch up with her, and see whats happened to us in the last 6 months. Did I just say 6 months? Yes, as unbelievable as it is. Every year for Christmas President Harbertson gives us our own Book of Mormon with a scripture marker.  For the coming year, our motto is, Conocelo, Siguirlo, y Llegar a Ser Como El. Know him, Follow him, and Become Like Him.  We are going to read the Book of Mormon, and in one color mark every time His name is mentioned, and in the other mark his attributes and words. I started doing that this week, and its amazing. Truly every single page testifies of our Savior Jesus Christ.  We also watched a video that our President had put together of numerous prophets and apostles bearing their testimony of Jesus Christ.  There really are few things more powerful then hearing a prophet of God testify of Jesus Christ.  I left that night feeling, honestly, overwhelmed for the love and appreciation I have for Jesus Christ. Never in my life have I ever felt so loved for someone that I have come to love so much.  

Thursday.  Ah Christmas Eve! That night our zone got together, and we all went crazy contacting and spreading Christmas cheer in the Plaza.  I love the people here so much.  Numerous times, we contacted a person, and they responded with the biggest smile and gave us a huge hug. Ugh. Christmas Spirit, tiny Peruanos, and Christmas hugs. I was quite possibly the happiest little missionary in Peru. 

Friday.  Christmas! We had a lesson in the morning with Ruban and Maria. I love this family so much.  Ruban told us he is ready to be baptized. Really the best Christmas gift I could have ever asked for.  Then talked to the family!  So good to talk and see everyone! Of course I really said nothing that I wanted to and just rambled, but nontheless, I loved getting to see everyone.  Im too blessed. 

This week I read a talk about the grace of Jesus Christ. And really, it was exactly what I needed in this time.  Sometimes its easy to feel like we fall short.  We know that if we try our best, that is good enough. But what if we feel like we arent even doing our best?  How can we ask for His help if we feel life we havent done all we can do?  But really, thats not how the enabling power of grace works. Not at all. 

¨So grace is not a booster engine that kicks in once our fuel supply, is exhausted. Rather it is our constant energy source. It is not the light at the end of the tunnel, but the light that moves us through the tunnel. Grace is not achieved somewhere down the road. It is recieved right here and right now.  It is not a finishing touch, it is the Finishers touch¨

I hope you all had the opportunity to reflect, meditate, and come to know your Savior a little better this week. 

Other fun facts from the week. My camera was stolen. #grinch.  I saw the most amazing firework show Christmas Eve. Cusco, you do Christmas right.  I will be going to Machu Picchu in 2 weeks. #bestmissioneva.  Annnndddd I am just really happy. I love you all and thank you for your love and constant support. I hope you had a very very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

¨Jesus doesnt make up the difference, Jesus makes all the difference.  Grace is not about filling gaps, it is about filling us.¨

Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen

 GOT TO SEE HERMAN MORRIS (CCM COMPANION) AT OUR CHRISTMAS DINNER. FIRST TIME SINCE WE PARTED THE CCM! HAPPY DANCES ALL DAY!! :)

OUR OWN LITTLE CHRISTMAS!

OUR LLAMA T-SHIRTS AND CHRISTMAS PJS :)

MARIO, RUBEN AND MARIA

HERMAN CELAN AND I

 I HELPED KILL THIS DUCK THIS MORNING..WHAT HAS PERU DONE TO ME????

CHRISTMAS IS COMING... DECEMBER 21 2015

DECEMBER 21 2015

I am a firm believer in Christmas Miracles.   And this week was just jammed pack with them. Blessed is a good way to desribe it.

Maria has been an investigator of the Hermanas for a very long time now.  She wants soooo badly to be baptized, she assists regularly, and has the most beautiful little testimony...but she isnt married. #ugh. Anywho, the other day we were talking about the importance of the Book of Mormon. She explained to us that she really believes that its important, but that she has a really hard time understanding, and reading.  So we have been reading and talking about the Book of Mormon.  We promised her that if she continues to read every single day, even if she doesnt understand it, that God will bless her for her sincere efforts. Anywho, we passed by to read with her like we always do. This time, she had the biggest smile on her face. We sat down, and we asked her what she had read since our last visit. She then proceeded to desribe to us the story of the two chapters she had read in detail. Perfectly.  With the biggest smile she said, ¨I understand them now.¨  I couldnt do anything else but put my head in my hands and cry. Then with tears in her eyes she said, ¨Thank you for not giving up on me.¨  One of my happiest moments. 

Hermana Celan and I have been praying and fasting so hard for a little family.  Here, it is so hard to find a complete family that is ready and prepared to hear our message.  But not impossible :)  This week we found Roxanna, Lucio, and their little baby.  We invited them to church, and they stayed for all three hours!  Seriously such a sweet little family, so prepared, and so ready to accept our message.  Finding them has truly been an answer to our prayers. Our God is a God of miracles. I will testify of that forever. 

I truly love this time of year so much. I love that I can have His named pinned on my chest this Christmas.  I love that I get to wake up everyday, and testify of our Savior.  I love it so much. There isnt any other way to desribe how I feel.  As much as I love and miss my friends and family during this time, there isnt anywhere else I would rather be.  

¨I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.¨

John 14:6

I wish you ALL a very Merry and Magical Christmas this week! Share the joy that you have with those around you! There is no other way to give back to our Savior. Feliz Navidad!!

Con Amor,

Hermana Hansen

WE HAVE A SPECIAL LITTLE DISTRICT HERE IN SAN JERONIMO

THIS IS HNO FELIX AND HIS FAMILY.  THEY ARE MEMBERS AND SERIOUSLY SO SPECIAL.  WE HAD NOCHE DE HOGAR (FHE) WITH THEM AND THE JOHNSONS. CHRISTMAS TIME IS SO SPECIAL!!

(NOTE FROM COLLEEN: SARAH RELATED THIS STORY ON OUR CHRISTMAS DAY CALL..."I WAS BEGINNING TO FEEL PRETTY HOMESICK AND THINKING ABOUT MY FAMILY AT CHRISTMAS BACK HOME WHEN HNO FELIX SAID THE CLOSING PRAYER AT NOCHE DE HOGAR.  HE PRAYED IN THE MOST SINCERE WAY AND THANKED FATHER FOR OUR MISSIONARIES SERVICE IN PERU..LEAVING OUR FAMILIES..I WAS OVERWHELMED WTH COMFORT AND GRATITUDE FOR HNO'S FELIX PRAY")

JULIO'S BIRTHDAY

                                                   RAIN IN CUSCO...AGAIN!!

IF MY FACE LOOKS FUNNY IT BECAUSE I WAS CRYING....YEAH I CRY ABOUT EVERYTHING....     :)

December 14, 2015 Cha Cha Cha CHANGES!!

Its that time again! Seriously, this was the fastest change of my life.  I had a little breakdown moment the other day when I realized that I would complete 6 months in the mission this month.  Unreal. No worries all is well :) Solo necesito aprovechar cada dia! Anywhosies, Hermana Celan and I will be staying together for another change in San Jeronimo!! WAHOO!  So happy that we get to spend Christmas together, and learn and grow some more!

This week Hermana Celan and I saw the light at the end of the tunnel!  These past few weeks have been difficult for us.  Trying to come to terms with agency of others. But this week, we really had some little miracles happen.  We have been trying to reactive this awesome little family, Familia CasaPerez  They have been inactive for quite sometime now.  Well this Sunday, who comes walking in...Familia Casa Perez! Every single one of them! Seriously almost fell out of my chair. Also,   We have also been working with Ruban.  He is 22 years old, and his younger brother is a member.  He had been investigating the church about 8 years ago, but decided it was not for him.  Anywho, he came to church this week too! We talked to him after, and he told us that for whatever reason it was different this time.  And that he was ready to start listening again. But wait...theres more! Last night we got a phone call around 10:30.  We were really confused because no one calls at that hour.  We answer, and its Sophia.  The hermanas had been teaching Sophia a while ago, but she became really cold and really didnt want to continue with the lessons.  Anywho, we answer, and she was quiet for a minute. Finally, she asks if we could meet with her this week....again almost hit the floor. Christmas miracles people.  They are real.  I am so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord.

Here are some fun little facts from the week!

1.  Hermana Celan loves the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. And it has been on repeat all week.  #hobbitorperuana?

2.  We have fleas in our beds! Cheveree....

3.  Paneton. Paneton. Paneton...tis the season. For those of you who dont know what that is.  Dont feel too bad. 

We had a cool little lesson with a recent convert. Honestly I dont remember what we were talking about, but she interrupts us and says I have a question.  ¨Is it really necessary to pray to know if these things are true?¨  We asked her to explain a little better.  She told us that when the missionaries where teaching her, she never doubted if any of it was true.  She said for some reason, I just knew it was true.  After that lesson, I really thought about what she had explained to us.  And ya know what its true.  The things we are teaching are not new.  We knew these things before.  Everything we teach will have a familiar ring to it, because our spirits will recongize it.  Thats all we are doing here. Helping people remember what they already knew.  

I really do love this time of year.  Its a special time we have to focus on our Savior.  I hope everyone is enjoying the sweet spirit that comes during this time! I love you all, I love His children in Peru, and I love my Savior.  Thank you all for you love and support!

Con Amor, 

Hermana Hansen

THIS IS JULIE AND HE REALLY HAS MY HEART.  WE WERE TRYING TO TAKE A PICTURE...HAHAHE IS TOO FUNNY!

THE JOHNSONS! I FOUND THEM! AND THEY ARE SO AWESOME---

EVERY NIGHT HERE IN CUSCO---LLAMA SWEATER, HOT COCOA,AND A HEATER...

NUTELLA!!   ITS THE LITTLE THINGS

THIS IS JEN..WE ARE THE SAME AGE :)

I HAVE HAD A BAD COUGH FOR QUITE A WHILE SO THEY GAVE ME STRAIGHT GARLIC.!! UMMM NOT SURE ABOUT THIS AT ALL!!