Where Did Our Elder Disappear To???
Monday, December 29, 2014
Dear Family,
Hey, I'm on now. I'm going to get back on in a bit.
Love,
-Elder Hansgen
*** The above is all we "heard" from Elder Ian today. Never fear, though -- I'm going to share some of the questions he answered for us when we were able to Skype with him on Christmas day below. ***
Q: Tell us what makes you laugh about Mexico.
A: In Mexico everyone thinks that Americans are all just like the "cowboys" in Texas who all wear a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, jeans, and a cowboy shirt. Also, what makes "us" laugh is the Mexicans all wear ponchos.
Q: What do you do on P-Days?
A: Anything they (the people in the offices) ask me to do, or need me to do.
Q: What is the music and singing like when you go to Church?
A: "They" don't know the tunes and melody of the songs. Because of this they don't know how to sing and it sounds really bad. This is one of the reasons the mission put together a "mission choir."
Q: What do most of the people there do for work?
A: They all mostly work in the factory. I asked him what kind of factory this was but he said he didn't really know.
Q: How has your testimony grown since leaving home?
A: He told us he knows who he is now, he knows what he wants in life, and nothing will ever change this for him; he said he is "never going back" and is dedicated to who he has become.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Dear Family,
Hey, I'm on now. I'm going to get back on in a bit.
Love,
-Elder Hansgen
*** The above is all we "heard" from Elder Ian today. Never fear, though -- I'm going to share some of the questions he answered for us when we were able to Skype with him on Christmas day below. ***
Q: Tell us what makes you laugh about Mexico.
A: In Mexico everyone thinks that Americans are all just like the "cowboys" in Texas who all wear a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, jeans, and a cowboy shirt. Also, what makes "us" laugh is the Mexicans all wear ponchos.
Q: What do you do on P-Days?
A: Anything they (the people in the offices) ask me to do, or need me to do.
Q: What is the music and singing like when you go to Church?
A: "They" don't know the tunes and melody of the songs. Because of this they don't know how to sing and it sounds really bad. This is one of the reasons the mission put together a "mission choir."
Q: What do most of the people there do for work?
A: They all mostly work in the factory. I asked him what kind of factory this was but he said he didn't really know.
Q: How has your testimony grown since leaving home?
A: He told us he knows who he is now, he knows what he wants in life, and nothing will ever change this for him; he said he is "never going back" and is dedicated to who he has become.
I Have A New Nickname!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Dear Family,
I’m still in the offices and I am doing well; I even have my own nickname. Everyone calls me “El Comodín” which is best explained as “The Wild Card.” I am used for just about anything -- Divisions, Transport, Special Missions, etc.
We have been talking and we are thinking of doing our Skype stuff here in the offices on the 25th. I’ll do it at noon (or 12:00 pm) so be ready for that. I can get on my email to let you all know, also.
This past week has basically just been here in the offices. I have been doing just about whatever there is to do. We prepared for the Christmas party, and I have also been learning some basic computer commands. It’s pretty cool, but it’s all just basics.
The party was super cool. I’ll send as many photos as I can, but we were like security, or waiters. We were in charge of keeping everything in order. The video that Elder Matthews did was excellent. Everyone was crying. I was super glad that I had the chance to help him out with that a little (very little).
I left with Elder Fangupo to go to some baptisms during the Christmas party, so we missed the Piñatas, but we heard that everyone went crazy then, so it was alright to miss.
Are there any questions you have for me while I upload the photos?
We asked him what he does now that he is in the offices and this was his reply: I go around with the Assistants and all of the Secretaries. I am living in their house for now. We just do a lot of cool stuff all over. I forgot to tell you that I actually got to visit Camargo the other day. I was only there for 24 hours, though. I went and saw the Family Holguin, and also los Ramos Garnica (the chosen family). They (the chosen family) are inactive because the Ward isn’t helping them out. They are pretty poor and can’t really get to church on their own. Cecilia moved because Natividad (her husband) fell back into alcohol and drugs. I hope that wherever she is that she is active. She has a strong testimony.
We asked him how he gets around since he travels all over the mission now and this was his reply: We go in Taxis and ride the Bus. Ha-ha -- I can’t drive in the mission.
I’ll talk to you in a couple of days. Bye!!!
Love,
-Elder Hansgen
Monday, December 22, 2014
Dear Family,
I’m still in the offices and I am doing well; I even have my own nickname. Everyone calls me “El Comodín” which is best explained as “The Wild Card.” I am used for just about anything -- Divisions, Transport, Special Missions, etc.
We have been talking and we are thinking of doing our Skype stuff here in the offices on the 25th. I’ll do it at noon (or 12:00 pm) so be ready for that. I can get on my email to let you all know, also.
This past week has basically just been here in the offices. I have been doing just about whatever there is to do. We prepared for the Christmas party, and I have also been learning some basic computer commands. It’s pretty cool, but it’s all just basics.
The party was super cool. I’ll send as many photos as I can, but we were like security, or waiters. We were in charge of keeping everything in order. The video that Elder Matthews did was excellent. Everyone was crying. I was super glad that I had the chance to help him out with that a little (very little).
I left with Elder Fangupo to go to some baptisms during the Christmas party, so we missed the Piñatas, but we heard that everyone went crazy then, so it was alright to miss.
Are there any questions you have for me while I upload the photos?
We asked him what he does now that he is in the offices and this was his reply: I go around with the Assistants and all of the Secretaries. I am living in their house for now. We just do a lot of cool stuff all over. I forgot to tell you that I actually got to visit Camargo the other day. I was only there for 24 hours, though. I went and saw the Family Holguin, and also los Ramos Garnica (the chosen family). They (the chosen family) are inactive because the Ward isn’t helping them out. They are pretty poor and can’t really get to church on their own. Cecilia moved because Natividad (her husband) fell back into alcohol and drugs. I hope that wherever she is that she is active. She has a strong testimony.
We asked him how he gets around since he travels all over the mission now and this was his reply: We go in Taxis and ride the Bus. Ha-ha -- I can’t drive in the mission.
I’ll talk to you in a couple of days. Bye!!!
Love,
-Elder Hansgen
I'm A Traveling Missionary Now!
Monday, December 15, 2014
Dear Family,
I have some cool news. I'll tell you after I write President.
Hello from the offices again. Currently I am the travel-size missionary (one that travels) and have been going on secret missions all over the mission. I have been to Ojinaga again, and I got to spend a night in Parral. The reason I have been in the offices this week with the assistants and secretaries is because Elder Aceituno went home and I am without a companion. He was getting sick and had low blood pressure, or something, but I think his parents talked with President and he was sent back home. Really sad… I have been with Elder Loveless, Ante, Nava, Fangupo, and Ferrel (going home). I have been assigned as the traveling missionary, and I am basically a pocket-sized companion that they send around the mission. I also went with Elder Matthews to Parral. He is filming a video for the Christmas party we are going to be having.
I bought a guitar for 400 Pesos. It’s a really cheap one, but it is good to practice on. I’m just going to use it for now and sell it later when I leave, or find something better.
I fixed my camera so I’ll send some photos this time. I’ll start getting them up now.
-Elder Hansgen
Monday, December 15, 2014
Dear Family,
I have some cool news. I'll tell you after I write President.
Hello from the offices again. Currently I am the travel-size missionary (one that travels) and have been going on secret missions all over the mission. I have been to Ojinaga again, and I got to spend a night in Parral. The reason I have been in the offices this week with the assistants and secretaries is because Elder Aceituno went home and I am without a companion. He was getting sick and had low blood pressure, or something, but I think his parents talked with President and he was sent back home. Really sad… I have been with Elder Loveless, Ante, Nava, Fangupo, and Ferrel (going home). I have been assigned as the traveling missionary, and I am basically a pocket-sized companion that they send around the mission. I also went with Elder Matthews to Parral. He is filming a video for the Christmas party we are going to be having.
I bought a guitar for 400 Pesos. It’s a really cheap one, but it is good to practice on. I’m just going to use it for now and sell it later when I leave, or find something better.
I fixed my camera so I’ll send some photos this time. I’ll start getting them up now.
-Elder Hansgen
Fastest Week Of My Mission
Monday, December 8, 2014
Dear Family,
Everything is fine this week. We actually solved the problem with the USBs. There was someone here who knew how to program and he pulled the virus out. We were pretty lucky to have been here in the right place.
I am downloading the videos for He Is The Gift. I’ll try and get everything said that I want to this week. I have to send a lot of numbers for the cards we are handing out.
I did watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It wasn’t really what I was expecting. I liked the talks from Elder Christofferson and President Eyring.
I haven’t really got my packages yet. I’m not sure if they are keeping them until Christmas, or what, but we will get them soon. The 20th is our mission “Posada” (or Christmas party). We are going to do something similar to last year.
This week was one of the fastest weeks in my mission. I really didn’t think it would pass by that fast. I went to Ojinaga again and was up there for only 2 days this time.
I got to go now. I just found out that not only my USB had the virus, but my Camera had it also, so I can’t send any photos -- but I do have some to send.
We just had transfers today and nobody had to change. So, looks like I’ll still be here in Arquitos for a while. I got to go, though. Bye.
-Elder Hansgen
Monday, December 8, 2014
Dear Family,
Everything is fine this week. We actually solved the problem with the USBs. There was someone here who knew how to program and he pulled the virus out. We were pretty lucky to have been here in the right place.
I am downloading the videos for He Is The Gift. I’ll try and get everything said that I want to this week. I have to send a lot of numbers for the cards we are handing out.
I did watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It wasn’t really what I was expecting. I liked the talks from Elder Christofferson and President Eyring.
I haven’t really got my packages yet. I’m not sure if they are keeping them until Christmas, or what, but we will get them soon. The 20th is our mission “Posada” (or Christmas party). We are going to do something similar to last year.
This week was one of the fastest weeks in my mission. I really didn’t think it would pass by that fast. I went to Ojinaga again and was up there for only 2 days this time.
I got to go now. I just found out that not only my USB had the virus, but my Camera had it also, so I can’t send any photos -- but I do have some to send.
We just had transfers today and nobody had to change. So, looks like I’ll still be here in Arquitos for a while. I got to go, though. Bye.
-Elder Hansgen
Spending Time In Ojinaga
Monday, December 1, 2014
Dear Family,
We had a meeting at 12:00 today. I haven’t gotten the package yet, but I’m sure it’s in the offices.
We did nothing for Thanksgiving. I actually was in Ojinaga with my Zone Leader, so nothing too big. I’ll tell you about it in a minute.
Elder Aceituno might need some gear for winter. He doesn’t have much and it’s starting to get pretty cold. (See note below).
I’m a little rushed right now because I am repairing my USB that has viruses from other computers and I’m pretty upset, actually. I’ll try and get everything sent that I can to you all.
Well, while I wait for my USB, I’ll write a little bit for this week. I’m pretty upset that I have a virus and I have to waste all this time repairing it...but it’s kind of working. I don’t want to lose all my stuff again.
I went to Ojinaga to help out up there. It’s super close to Texas and I took some photos. I’m just scared to use my camera because of all the viruses. I am never going to use another cyber café again after the mission.
I have also been helping Elder Nava to be a better leader. He kind of upset the Zone when he got here and I have been seeing the change in him.
I’m sorry that I don’t have much time to write this week. I had a lot of stuff happen that I wasn’t expecting to happen with my Internet today. I have to print some stuff for this cool thing we are doing. It’s called El es la Dádiva. They are cards that we are handing out with a link to a video of the Church. It’s for Christmas, and it’s pretty cool. Look it up if you can. (Link is below).
That’s about all I did this week. I spent 2 or 3 days up in Ojinaga and actually got sunburned. Ha-ha! It’s still pretty warm there, too.
I’ll take some time to respond to Aneeqa right now. She wrote me back so I need to talk to her. That’s all I can think of for now.
Talk to you next week. Bye.
Love,
Elder Hansgen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPZzRf8kVmI (Spanish Version – El es la Dádiva)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjFEMmM0Xs&feature=youtu.be (English Version – He Is The Gift)
Side Note: If anyone is interested in sending a package for Elder Ian's companion, Elder Aceituno, please feel free to do so. He is from Honduras and appears to be less fortunate than other missionaries. I don't get the impression he has much, or that he will receive packages for Christmas from his family. I have sent a few Christmas things for him already, and Elder Ian has given me permission to send him a few pairs of thermals this week. If you would like to send some Winter "gear" (clothing, sweaters, or outerwear) for him, or anything else, please address your package in the following way:
Julio Velazquez / Elder Ian Aceituno
P.O. Box 1486
Presidio, Texas 79845
I know anything he receives from any of you will make him truly grateful (not to mention warm). Elder Aceituno is a size 'medium.' He does have a coat. Thank you very, very much!!!
Monday, December 1, 2014
Dear Family,
We had a meeting at 12:00 today. I haven’t gotten the package yet, but I’m sure it’s in the offices.
We did nothing for Thanksgiving. I actually was in Ojinaga with my Zone Leader, so nothing too big. I’ll tell you about it in a minute.
Elder Aceituno might need some gear for winter. He doesn’t have much and it’s starting to get pretty cold. (See note below).
I’m a little rushed right now because I am repairing my USB that has viruses from other computers and I’m pretty upset, actually. I’ll try and get everything sent that I can to you all.
Well, while I wait for my USB, I’ll write a little bit for this week. I’m pretty upset that I have a virus and I have to waste all this time repairing it...but it’s kind of working. I don’t want to lose all my stuff again.
I went to Ojinaga to help out up there. It’s super close to Texas and I took some photos. I’m just scared to use my camera because of all the viruses. I am never going to use another cyber café again after the mission.
I have also been helping Elder Nava to be a better leader. He kind of upset the Zone when he got here and I have been seeing the change in him.
I’m sorry that I don’t have much time to write this week. I had a lot of stuff happen that I wasn’t expecting to happen with my Internet today. I have to print some stuff for this cool thing we are doing. It’s called El es la Dádiva. They are cards that we are handing out with a link to a video of the Church. It’s for Christmas, and it’s pretty cool. Look it up if you can. (Link is below).
That’s about all I did this week. I spent 2 or 3 days up in Ojinaga and actually got sunburned. Ha-ha! It’s still pretty warm there, too.
I’ll take some time to respond to Aneeqa right now. She wrote me back so I need to talk to her. That’s all I can think of for now.
Talk to you next week. Bye.
Love,
Elder Hansgen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPZzRf8kVmI (Spanish Version – El es la Dádiva)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjFEMmM0Xs&feature=youtu.be (English Version – He Is The Gift)
Side Note: If anyone is interested in sending a package for Elder Ian's companion, Elder Aceituno, please feel free to do so. He is from Honduras and appears to be less fortunate than other missionaries. I don't get the impression he has much, or that he will receive packages for Christmas from his family. I have sent a few Christmas things for him already, and Elder Ian has given me permission to send him a few pairs of thermals this week. If you would like to send some Winter "gear" (clothing, sweaters, or outerwear) for him, or anything else, please address your package in the following way:
Julio Velazquez / Elder Ian Aceituno
P.O. Box 1486
Presidio, Texas 79845
I know anything he receives from any of you will make him truly grateful (not to mention warm). Elder Aceituno is a size 'medium.' He does have a coat. Thank you very, very much!!!
Patience And Being In Tune With The Spirit
Monday, November 24, 2014
Dear Family,
I can’t send photos because the computer I am using has a virus…next week, I guess. I have been trying for about 10 minutes to upload some, but it doesn’t work.
I’m doing just fine. I have really been receiving a lot of revelation and it is super hard to explain. I have been helping out the leaders this week, and have been going around the Zone in divisions. I am in the offices again today, just like I was last week. We are here to talk with President again. Everything is good; I just feel like I need to wait it out. There have been some things going on here that just need to settle down a little bit and that’s what we are waiting for.
This week I have learned a lot about patience. It is a really long story, and one that I probably won’t be able to share until I get back from the mission, but I wanted to share with you all the results that I have received. It has been a really good spiritual experience and that is why I don’t think it would do it justice to explain it over email.
I have learned a lot this week that in order to be in tune with the Spirit, one has to have a lot of patience. Certain things have brought me to that conclusion this week, and I have also been learning more about what type of aspects a leader has. I was reading a line in my Patriarchal Blessing and found out a lot more about the Priesthood. It shocked me that the Spirit taught me about what a person needs to do with a responsibility that big and, more importantly, what not to do. I really hope that one day I am able to share with you all in more detail, but I am super happy to tell you all that I have finally found out how the Spirit works with me. I need a lot more practice, but I understand more about what the revelation is, and just how it is I can use it. Before it only came in certain circumstances, but now I can almost call on it when I need it.
I don’t have much time left because I have to go in with the President. I’m sorry that these past two weeks have been so quick, but I just feel like there really isn’t much to report about the work. There is more to report about the things I am learning in my area, but I just don’t feel ready sometimes to share them until I have a full understanding of them. I got to get going, but I just wanted to share, again, what it was I said last week.
Everything is fine; things are tough, but that doesn’t mean I am not doing well. I have a lot of responsibilities and I am working with the Spirit a lot more.
Love you all. Talk to you next week.
-Elder Hansgen
Monday, November 24, 2014
Dear Family,
I can’t send photos because the computer I am using has a virus…next week, I guess. I have been trying for about 10 minutes to upload some, but it doesn’t work.
I’m doing just fine. I have really been receiving a lot of revelation and it is super hard to explain. I have been helping out the leaders this week, and have been going around the Zone in divisions. I am in the offices again today, just like I was last week. We are here to talk with President again. Everything is good; I just feel like I need to wait it out. There have been some things going on here that just need to settle down a little bit and that’s what we are waiting for.
This week I have learned a lot about patience. It is a really long story, and one that I probably won’t be able to share until I get back from the mission, but I wanted to share with you all the results that I have received. It has been a really good spiritual experience and that is why I don’t think it would do it justice to explain it over email.
I have learned a lot this week that in order to be in tune with the Spirit, one has to have a lot of patience. Certain things have brought me to that conclusion this week, and I have also been learning more about what type of aspects a leader has. I was reading a line in my Patriarchal Blessing and found out a lot more about the Priesthood. It shocked me that the Spirit taught me about what a person needs to do with a responsibility that big and, more importantly, what not to do. I really hope that one day I am able to share with you all in more detail, but I am super happy to tell you all that I have finally found out how the Spirit works with me. I need a lot more practice, but I understand more about what the revelation is, and just how it is I can use it. Before it only came in certain circumstances, but now I can almost call on it when I need it.
I don’t have much time left because I have to go in with the President. I’m sorry that these past two weeks have been so quick, but I just feel like there really isn’t much to report about the work. There is more to report about the things I am learning in my area, but I just don’t feel ready sometimes to share them until I have a full understanding of them. I got to get going, but I just wanted to share, again, what it was I said last week.
Everything is fine; things are tough, but that doesn’t mean I am not doing well. I have a lot of responsibilities and I am working with the Spirit a lot more.
Love you all. Talk to you next week.
-Elder Hansgen
Everyone Should Serve A Mission
Monday, November 17, 2014
Dear Family,
Hey, I’m here in the offices writing because we had to come here to bring some stuff to the activity we are going to be having. I don’t have all that much time, but I will try my best to get a lot of stuff out to you in this email.
I’m going to send you the photos for the Primary (Flat Stanley) because I’m not sure where to send them. Here is my testimony that I wanted to share:
"The reason I wanted to go on a mission came to me gradually. I noticed the blessings that would come from serving a mission little by little. I am so happy that I took the decision to serve a mission even though it is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I knew it would be hard, but I also know that it is the most important work there is to do here in the mission. I would recommend to any person that they should go on a mission. It will be something that you will never regret, no matter what your circumstances are."
I don’t have much time to really write, but I do want to tell you that I love you and I hope that the pictures speak for themselves. I will talk to you next week. Just know that I am doing fine and that I have a lot of responsibilities to fulfill. Thank you so much Mom, bye.
Love,
Elder Hansgen
Monday, November 17, 2014
Dear Family,
Hey, I’m here in the offices writing because we had to come here to bring some stuff to the activity we are going to be having. I don’t have all that much time, but I will try my best to get a lot of stuff out to you in this email.
I’m going to send you the photos for the Primary (Flat Stanley) because I’m not sure where to send them. Here is my testimony that I wanted to share:
"The reason I wanted to go on a mission came to me gradually. I noticed the blessings that would come from serving a mission little by little. I am so happy that I took the decision to serve a mission even though it is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I knew it would be hard, but I also know that it is the most important work there is to do here in the mission. I would recommend to any person that they should go on a mission. It will be something that you will never regret, no matter what your circumstances are."
I don’t have much time to really write, but I do want to tell you that I love you and I hope that the pictures speak for themselves. I will talk to you next week. Just know that I am doing fine and that I have a lot of responsibilities to fulfill. Thank you so much Mom, bye.
Love,
Elder Hansgen
It's Really Cooling Down Now
Monday, November 10, 2014
Dear Family,
Hey! Everything is great. I'm just looking at some more videos and writing my President.
I really haven’t done much this week. I explained it better in my letter to President Chavez. This week was really slow and a little bit of a boring one.
Well, it was a little strange to have the temperature drop so fast. We had to get out our Winter stuff and then, yesterday, it got all sunny and we are sweating again. Ha-ha! I think it was because there were some kind of cyclones on both sides of Mexico.
I don't actually have any pictures today. I haven't even pulled out my camera this week.
As for housing, it doesn’t really matter to me where you put me. I have been staying in Mexican housing for over a year now. I’m pretty sure you would have been upset with me for the way I have been living in the mission. Ha-ha! I could be with Freshmen and it wouldn’t even matter to me. It could be a good thing -- so I can teach them a thing or two. Ha-ha!
As for the Christmas package, I really don’t want all that much food now. I’m starting to not want a lot of packages. I feel all "packaged-out." If you want to send stuff, send like a biography of what everyone has been up to and photos. Ha-ha! It’s really starting to hit me the desire to want to know what everyone has been up to and see how much they have changed. I know that I get a little bit every week, but it just doesn’t suffice.
As for the Mexican Postal Service, it’s pretty bad. I just got a letter from the Hansgen’s this week from July 24th....ha-ha! So, that tells you something. It’s November now. I have had some letters arrive pretty fast, though. It all just depends.
Alright, I got to go now. I love you all, bye!
Love,
Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Está semana estaba bien. Todavía estamos encontrando personas para enseñar. Necesitamos más personas para enseñar y estamos haciendo todo lo posible para encontrar. Tenemos unos pocos buenos investigadores que solo faltan venir a la iglesia y podamos bautizarles.
En esta semana espero poder encontrar lo que nuestro Padre Celestial quiere que hacemos en Arquitos. De verdad necesito estudiar más sobre la Fe. Siento un poco débil con esto y tengo la confianza en que esta semana será el tiempo en que recibo las respuestas que tanto quiero. Me voy a poner las pilas y trabajar duro.
Todo está bien con mi compañero, Elder Aceituno, y él está aprendiendo muy rápido. Vino a la misión listo para predicar y enseñar. Con práctica será un muy buen misionero.
Esto será todo por esta semana Presidente. Muchas gracias para su ayuda.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
This was a good week. We are still finding people to teach. We need more people to teach and we are doing all that we can to find. We have a few good investigators that only need to come to church and we can baptize them.
This week I hope that we can find what our Heavenly Father wants us to do in Arquitos. Honestly, I need to study more about faith. I feel a little weak with that and I want to have confidence that this week will be the time that I recieve the answers that I want. I am going to put in my batteries and work hard.
Everything is good with my companion, Elder Aceituno, and he is learning very fast. He came to the mission ready to preach and teach. With practice he can be a good missionary.
That is everything for this week, President. Thank you very much for your help.
- Elder Hansgen
Monday, November 10, 2014
Dear Family,
Hey! Everything is great. I'm just looking at some more videos and writing my President.
I really haven’t done much this week. I explained it better in my letter to President Chavez. This week was really slow and a little bit of a boring one.
Well, it was a little strange to have the temperature drop so fast. We had to get out our Winter stuff and then, yesterday, it got all sunny and we are sweating again. Ha-ha! I think it was because there were some kind of cyclones on both sides of Mexico.
I don't actually have any pictures today. I haven't even pulled out my camera this week.
As for housing, it doesn’t really matter to me where you put me. I have been staying in Mexican housing for over a year now. I’m pretty sure you would have been upset with me for the way I have been living in the mission. Ha-ha! I could be with Freshmen and it wouldn’t even matter to me. It could be a good thing -- so I can teach them a thing or two. Ha-ha!
As for the Christmas package, I really don’t want all that much food now. I’m starting to not want a lot of packages. I feel all "packaged-out." If you want to send stuff, send like a biography of what everyone has been up to and photos. Ha-ha! It’s really starting to hit me the desire to want to know what everyone has been up to and see how much they have changed. I know that I get a little bit every week, but it just doesn’t suffice.
As for the Mexican Postal Service, it’s pretty bad. I just got a letter from the Hansgen’s this week from July 24th....ha-ha! So, that tells you something. It’s November now. I have had some letters arrive pretty fast, though. It all just depends.
Alright, I got to go now. I love you all, bye!
Love,
Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Está semana estaba bien. Todavía estamos encontrando personas para enseñar. Necesitamos más personas para enseñar y estamos haciendo todo lo posible para encontrar. Tenemos unos pocos buenos investigadores que solo faltan venir a la iglesia y podamos bautizarles.
En esta semana espero poder encontrar lo que nuestro Padre Celestial quiere que hacemos en Arquitos. De verdad necesito estudiar más sobre la Fe. Siento un poco débil con esto y tengo la confianza en que esta semana será el tiempo en que recibo las respuestas que tanto quiero. Me voy a poner las pilas y trabajar duro.
Todo está bien con mi compañero, Elder Aceituno, y él está aprendiendo muy rápido. Vino a la misión listo para predicar y enseñar. Con práctica será un muy buen misionero.
Esto será todo por esta semana Presidente. Muchas gracias para su ayuda.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
This was a good week. We are still finding people to teach. We need more people to teach and we are doing all that we can to find. We have a few good investigators that only need to come to church and we can baptize them.
This week I hope that we can find what our Heavenly Father wants us to do in Arquitos. Honestly, I need to study more about faith. I feel a little weak with that and I want to have confidence that this week will be the time that I recieve the answers that I want. I am going to put in my batteries and work hard.
Everything is good with my companion, Elder Aceituno, and he is learning very fast. He came to the mission ready to preach and teach. With practice he can be a good missionary.
That is everything for this week, President. Thank you very much for your help.
- Elder Hansgen
Companions With The Same Name -- District Leader Now
Monday, November 3, 2014
Dear Family,
We went in to have interviews with President Chavez. I just got on a little while ago.
Yeah, I got all of the stuff you sent and I liked it a lot. I wish I had more temples, though. The small book the Elder had was of all the temples, not just ones from the United States. (If anyone can locate what this is that he is talking about, feel free to send it to him because I cannot find what this "small book" is for the life of me. He told me it is "hand-sized" too). I don’t have much time so I am going to just write the basics. We just got out of interviews with President Chavez because it was our turn to go.
My new companion, Elder Aceituno, is from Honduras and it’s interesting to know that his name is Ian Ely Aceituno. Interesting because he has both names of the Hansgen Missionaries. We have been working really hard and I have already trained two other people so it’s not that hard the third time. We are just going through all of what he needs to know, and I am showing him the area and the basics.
Well, we haven’t really visited anyone this week. We just worked on finding more people to teach and also put a date with them for baptism. We have dates with the brother of a recent convert, Javier, and also with this new guy named Rolando. He smokes, and I think he does drugs, so we will see where that goes. It can happen. A lot of our other people were out of town, or haven’t really been home, so we have been looking for new people, and also trying to find out what we can do to convert the Ward. There is a huge problem here retaining members. It is getting better, though. You can note the tiny increase of people. This was a lot of what we really did this past week. Also, we leave the house later now because I have more time in our study to teach Elder Aceituno about the mission.
I don’t know much about my companion yet. I just know his name, that he is from Honduras, and he plays soccer really well. I don’t really ask him much because he is really "Tranquillo" or chill/quiet/calm. He is a great companion and has really come to the mission prepared. I know that the missionaries that are always coming after us are better and better. I note that now that I am one of the “oldies”... It still hasn’t hit me yet that one day I have to go back home. I feel like I’m just in some sort of “missionary limbo” where things will always be the same. I keep thinking that I will just move from one area to the next, and to the next, never realizing that one day it ends. Ha-Ha!
I’ll tell you a little about what I talked about with President Chavez. I told him about things I could be doing better, but it’s only because I realize that the Spirit that I bring with me could be better. I want to be at 100% capacity to be able to learn more about it. I also asked him what it is I can do in Arquitos because he knows what it is like there. President just told me what I already knew; just work and do what corresponds to you. It’s not our responsibility, or we aren’t responsible, for the condition of the Ward. We can only do what we can do.
I actually feel impressed to tell you by now that I have been a District Leader since the beginning of August. Elder Brown and I were both District Leaders together and now it is just me. One of the topics that I am going to share with my District this week is about the gift of the Holy Ghost, and really how important it is to know how to recognize and use it. So, another surprise there.
Gotta go now.
Love,
Elder Ian Hansgen
Monday, November 3, 2014
Dear Family,
We went in to have interviews with President Chavez. I just got on a little while ago.
Yeah, I got all of the stuff you sent and I liked it a lot. I wish I had more temples, though. The small book the Elder had was of all the temples, not just ones from the United States. (If anyone can locate what this is that he is talking about, feel free to send it to him because I cannot find what this "small book" is for the life of me. He told me it is "hand-sized" too). I don’t have much time so I am going to just write the basics. We just got out of interviews with President Chavez because it was our turn to go.
My new companion, Elder Aceituno, is from Honduras and it’s interesting to know that his name is Ian Ely Aceituno. Interesting because he has both names of the Hansgen Missionaries. We have been working really hard and I have already trained two other people so it’s not that hard the third time. We are just going through all of what he needs to know, and I am showing him the area and the basics.
Well, we haven’t really visited anyone this week. We just worked on finding more people to teach and also put a date with them for baptism. We have dates with the brother of a recent convert, Javier, and also with this new guy named Rolando. He smokes, and I think he does drugs, so we will see where that goes. It can happen. A lot of our other people were out of town, or haven’t really been home, so we have been looking for new people, and also trying to find out what we can do to convert the Ward. There is a huge problem here retaining members. It is getting better, though. You can note the tiny increase of people. This was a lot of what we really did this past week. Also, we leave the house later now because I have more time in our study to teach Elder Aceituno about the mission.
I don’t know much about my companion yet. I just know his name, that he is from Honduras, and he plays soccer really well. I don’t really ask him much because he is really "Tranquillo" or chill/quiet/calm. He is a great companion and has really come to the mission prepared. I know that the missionaries that are always coming after us are better and better. I note that now that I am one of the “oldies”... It still hasn’t hit me yet that one day I have to go back home. I feel like I’m just in some sort of “missionary limbo” where things will always be the same. I keep thinking that I will just move from one area to the next, and to the next, never realizing that one day it ends. Ha-Ha!
I’ll tell you a little about what I talked about with President Chavez. I told him about things I could be doing better, but it’s only because I realize that the Spirit that I bring with me could be better. I want to be at 100% capacity to be able to learn more about it. I also asked him what it is I can do in Arquitos because he knows what it is like there. President just told me what I already knew; just work and do what corresponds to you. It’s not our responsibility, or we aren’t responsible, for the condition of the Ward. We can only do what we can do.
I actually feel impressed to tell you by now that I have been a District Leader since the beginning of August. Elder Brown and I were both District Leaders together and now it is just me. One of the topics that I am going to share with my District this week is about the gift of the Holy Ghost, and really how important it is to know how to recognize and use it. So, another surprise there.
Gotta go now.
Love,
Elder Ian Hansgen
We Have "Institute" Every Day
Monday, October 27, 2014
Dear Family,
Yeah, so we do have changes. Elder Brown is going to leave and so is Elder Hicken. We don’t know where to yet, but they leave tomorrow. I will be getting a new companion, as well as Elder Campozano. We will see how it goes. If I can find some Internet to send photos this week I will send some of the new Elders. I really don’t have too many photos this week, so I’ll just save them up for next week.
There has been a lot on my mind this week and I have been meditating a lot. I have received a lot of answers and it’s pretty surprising how fast the Spirit really responds. I have been working on that for a while now.
There really hasn’t been much that has happened this week. Basically, we are just working and doing our part to make Arquitos better. A lot of our work is hindered, though, for the way the Ward is, but that doesn’t get our hopes down.
Are there any questions that you have because we didn’t really do that much this week. We are still visiting Hermana Esperanza every day. She is basically what we call our "Institute class." Ha-ha.
1) You say there has "been a lot" on your mind this week. What has been on your mind? That’s alright, just personal meditation.
2) How about Eric? Did you visit him again? Did his wife make lasagna for you guys? We are going to visit Eric today, hopefully, if they have returned from their vacation.
3) Is Daniela okay? Daniela is alright, just trying to work and stuff.
4) What has ever happened with David and Socorro? They are pretty old. We have an appointment with them on Tuesday.
There are always trials and tribulations (in life) and they are for a reason. I was convinced that the mission would be one of the hardest things I would ever do in my life because I knew that God would put me to a hard trial. Everything has come fairly easy in my life. I haven’t really had to worry about that much so I knew, from the start, that I would be put in some of the hardest areas with the hardest work. It’s stunning to see what kind of person it has molded me into.
I got to go now, but thank you Mom.
Love,
Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Tuvimos una buena semana. Tenemos potenciales para noviembre y solo tenemos que poner fechas con ellos. Estamos encontrando muchos y el barrio está creciendo a un paso lento pero está creciendo.
Mi tiempo aquí con Elder Brown ha sido muy bueno. Tuvimos dificultades con el área pero sabíamos cómo resolverlos. Muchas de las cosas están fuera de nuestro control pero solo podemos hacer lo que nos corresponde. Sigo trabajando y tengo una mente positiva cuando puedo.
Muchísimas gracias presidente por la oportunidad de servir con un misionero como Elder Brown. Me ayudo a relajar y trabajar en una difícil área.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
We had a good week. We have some potentials for November and we only need to set a date with them. We are finding a lot. The Ward is growing at a slow pace, but it is growing.
My time here with Elder Brown has been really good. We had our difficulties with the area but we knew how to resolve them. Many of the issues were outside of our control so we could only control what pertains to us. We had to keep working and have a positive attitude when we could.
Thank you very much, President, for the opportunity to serve with a missionary like Elder Brown. He helped me to relax and work in a difficult area.
- Elder Hansgen
Monday, October 27, 2014
Dear Family,
Yeah, so we do have changes. Elder Brown is going to leave and so is Elder Hicken. We don’t know where to yet, but they leave tomorrow. I will be getting a new companion, as well as Elder Campozano. We will see how it goes. If I can find some Internet to send photos this week I will send some of the new Elders. I really don’t have too many photos this week, so I’ll just save them up for next week.
There has been a lot on my mind this week and I have been meditating a lot. I have received a lot of answers and it’s pretty surprising how fast the Spirit really responds. I have been working on that for a while now.
There really hasn’t been much that has happened this week. Basically, we are just working and doing our part to make Arquitos better. A lot of our work is hindered, though, for the way the Ward is, but that doesn’t get our hopes down.
Are there any questions that you have because we didn’t really do that much this week. We are still visiting Hermana Esperanza every day. She is basically what we call our "Institute class." Ha-ha.
1) You say there has "been a lot" on your mind this week. What has been on your mind? That’s alright, just personal meditation.
2) How about Eric? Did you visit him again? Did his wife make lasagna for you guys? We are going to visit Eric today, hopefully, if they have returned from their vacation.
3) Is Daniela okay? Daniela is alright, just trying to work and stuff.
4) What has ever happened with David and Socorro? They are pretty old. We have an appointment with them on Tuesday.
There are always trials and tribulations (in life) and they are for a reason. I was convinced that the mission would be one of the hardest things I would ever do in my life because I knew that God would put me to a hard trial. Everything has come fairly easy in my life. I haven’t really had to worry about that much so I knew, from the start, that I would be put in some of the hardest areas with the hardest work. It’s stunning to see what kind of person it has molded me into.
I got to go now, but thank you Mom.
Love,
Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Tuvimos una buena semana. Tenemos potenciales para noviembre y solo tenemos que poner fechas con ellos. Estamos encontrando muchos y el barrio está creciendo a un paso lento pero está creciendo.
Mi tiempo aquí con Elder Brown ha sido muy bueno. Tuvimos dificultades con el área pero sabíamos cómo resolverlos. Muchas de las cosas están fuera de nuestro control pero solo podemos hacer lo que nos corresponde. Sigo trabajando y tengo una mente positiva cuando puedo.
Muchísimas gracias presidente por la oportunidad de servir con un misionero como Elder Brown. Me ayudo a relajar y trabajar en una difícil área.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
We had a good week. We have some potentials for November and we only need to set a date with them. We are finding a lot. The Ward is growing at a slow pace, but it is growing.
My time here with Elder Brown has been really good. We had our difficulties with the area but we knew how to resolve them. Many of the issues were outside of our control so we could only control what pertains to us. We had to keep working and have a positive attitude when we could.
Thank you very much, President, for the opportunity to serve with a missionary like Elder Brown. He helped me to relax and work in a difficult area.
- Elder Hansgen
Sushi, Lasagna, And More Investigators
Monday, October 20, 2014
Dear Family,
I don’t have much to really report this week. I really liked what I heard from you all this week, though.
I don’t really know where to start, so I guess I will just start talking.
Ever since I have gotten here it has really pushed me, just like Camargo did. Opening up Villa Juarez really helped me to be able to handle it a little better. We have had to basically start from scratch here because Elder Brown and his old companion basically baptized everyone last cycle. The assistants were really pushing this Zone to the limits, and now they are all inactive. The missionaries before us were visiting all of the same people and never put any focus on finding new people.
So, now here we are, Elder Brown and I, with no work. So, all we could think to do was what corresponds to us and let the Lord do the rest. We help out the Ward where we can but, basically, stick to what OUR job is. We tried all of the tricks: used the old records of investigators, visited the members on the Ward list (most have moved, died, or tell us to go to hell). The Ward is really struggling so, in turn, the mission work is also struggling.
We started to try and focus on how we can be guided by the Spirit more and, let me tell you, it requires a lot of work. Basically, four weeks of nothing, and then we started to see people.
Right now we are focusing on about 7 people, and only have 14 investigators in total.
Two Saturdays ago we got a phone call from a guy called Eric. He is newly married and his wife, Cathy, is Mormon. He is interested and told us he is looking to get baptized. We went with him on Wednesday and he picked us up, drove to his house, and then he said he was exchanging his car with his friend, so we all got back in his car and taught a lesson with his wife. She had questions written down and ready for us. They are the bomb! She speaks English and has lived in the US. They live a little bit outside of Chihuahua and drove us all the way down to Villa Juarez while we were teaching. Afterward, they took us out to have sushi. We have another visit with them this Tuesday. She wants to make us lasagna and watch the Joseph Smith movie with us. I have it in Spanish. We will see what happens.
Daniela is a reference that we received from an Elder in one of the meetings we had with our President. We went to visit her and her boyfriend, who is less active, and she is also really interested in the Church. They weren’t married, but the boyfriend turned out to be an idiot and thinks he can just live a good life only believing in God. He doesn’t want anything to do with the Church, or the scriptures. That’s okay, though. He left, and now Daniela is super sad but prepared to be baptized. We are working with her.
David and Socorro are friends of our Ward Mission Leader. They had a date to be baptized back in 2012 but the record doesn’t say anything else. We just felt like visiting them on Saturday and they came to Church the next day.
Next is Javier. He is the brother of a recent convert who is also pretty interested in why his sister decided to get baptized. It’s hard to find time to visit him, but he came to Church and also has gone another time in Aldama.
These are basically the people we are focusing on right now while we find other people who are interested. The Bishop wasn’t released, but he finally has counselors now. The counselors are really good, so I think things will get a little better. As of right now, we have little support from the members.
We are visiting a member called Hermana Esperanza and she is extremely smart. She basically sits at home and reads all day. It is really fun to have conversations with her because she knows a lot about the scriptures and other things. We visit her like three to four times a week. I was wanting to give her that book I asked you about, but I don’t think it exists in Spanish. I’m thinking that giving her a Quran in Spanish would be cool too. She used to have one, but now she doesn’t. She knows a lot about everything, basically.
That’s about it for this week. I don’t know if you want to hear anything else. I’ll tell you how it all goes next week.
I got to go now, though. Talk to you next week.
Love,
Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Muchas gracias por lo que Usted nos compartió. Estamos viendo un poco más de éxito. Estamos encontrando más personas que actualmente están interesados.
No hay tanto para reportar esta semana pero ahora estamos a un punto que tenemos más Investigadores. Ahora solo necesitamos continuar encontrando y enseñar con miembros. Poco a poco va mejorando. A veces siento que no es a mi paso y necesito recordar que solo puedo hacer lo que me corresponde y después El señor hace todo lo demás. Estoy viendo también que mi estudio está mejorando. Leyendo Jesús el cristo 2 veces realmente me ha ayudado con mi comprensión del nuevo testamento. Fue algo que yo faltaba y nos ha ayudado mucho. Estoy leyendo ahora el nuevo testamento de nuevo y comparándolo con nuestros Investigadores.
Elder Brown y Yo siempre estamos buscando la manera de mejorar nuestra relación con el Espíritu. Puedo testificar que está funcionando y estamos experimentando milagros en nuestra área.
Muchas gracias para sus capacitaciones presidente. Tiene un tema cada vez de algo que podemos mejorar o aprender algo nuevo.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
Thank you very much for what you shared with us. We are seeing a little more success. We are finding more people that are actually interested.
There is not much to report this week, but we are now to a point that we have more investigators. Now we just need to continue to find and teach with members. Little by little we are gradually improving. At times I feel that it is not my place and I need to remember to only do what I can and, after, the Lord will do the rest. I am also seeing that my study is improving. I am reading Jesus The Christ for the second time and it has really helped me with my comprehension of the New Testament. It was something that I was lacking and it has helped us a great deal. Now I am reading the New Testament again and sharing it with our investigators.
Elder Brown and I are always looking for ways to improve our relationship with the Spirit. I can testify that it is working and we are experiencing miracles in our area.
Thank you very much for your trainings, President. You have a theme each time and it is something that we can improve on, or learn something new.
- Elder Hansgen
Monday, October 20, 2014
Dear Family,
I don’t have much to really report this week. I really liked what I heard from you all this week, though.
I don’t really know where to start, so I guess I will just start talking.
Ever since I have gotten here it has really pushed me, just like Camargo did. Opening up Villa Juarez really helped me to be able to handle it a little better. We have had to basically start from scratch here because Elder Brown and his old companion basically baptized everyone last cycle. The assistants were really pushing this Zone to the limits, and now they are all inactive. The missionaries before us were visiting all of the same people and never put any focus on finding new people.
So, now here we are, Elder Brown and I, with no work. So, all we could think to do was what corresponds to us and let the Lord do the rest. We help out the Ward where we can but, basically, stick to what OUR job is. We tried all of the tricks: used the old records of investigators, visited the members on the Ward list (most have moved, died, or tell us to go to hell). The Ward is really struggling so, in turn, the mission work is also struggling.
We started to try and focus on how we can be guided by the Spirit more and, let me tell you, it requires a lot of work. Basically, four weeks of nothing, and then we started to see people.
Right now we are focusing on about 7 people, and only have 14 investigators in total.
Two Saturdays ago we got a phone call from a guy called Eric. He is newly married and his wife, Cathy, is Mormon. He is interested and told us he is looking to get baptized. We went with him on Wednesday and he picked us up, drove to his house, and then he said he was exchanging his car with his friend, so we all got back in his car and taught a lesson with his wife. She had questions written down and ready for us. They are the bomb! She speaks English and has lived in the US. They live a little bit outside of Chihuahua and drove us all the way down to Villa Juarez while we were teaching. Afterward, they took us out to have sushi. We have another visit with them this Tuesday. She wants to make us lasagna and watch the Joseph Smith movie with us. I have it in Spanish. We will see what happens.
Daniela is a reference that we received from an Elder in one of the meetings we had with our President. We went to visit her and her boyfriend, who is less active, and she is also really interested in the Church. They weren’t married, but the boyfriend turned out to be an idiot and thinks he can just live a good life only believing in God. He doesn’t want anything to do with the Church, or the scriptures. That’s okay, though. He left, and now Daniela is super sad but prepared to be baptized. We are working with her.
David and Socorro are friends of our Ward Mission Leader. They had a date to be baptized back in 2012 but the record doesn’t say anything else. We just felt like visiting them on Saturday and they came to Church the next day.
Next is Javier. He is the brother of a recent convert who is also pretty interested in why his sister decided to get baptized. It’s hard to find time to visit him, but he came to Church and also has gone another time in Aldama.
These are basically the people we are focusing on right now while we find other people who are interested. The Bishop wasn’t released, but he finally has counselors now. The counselors are really good, so I think things will get a little better. As of right now, we have little support from the members.
We are visiting a member called Hermana Esperanza and she is extremely smart. She basically sits at home and reads all day. It is really fun to have conversations with her because she knows a lot about the scriptures and other things. We visit her like three to four times a week. I was wanting to give her that book I asked you about, but I don’t think it exists in Spanish. I’m thinking that giving her a Quran in Spanish would be cool too. She used to have one, but now she doesn’t. She knows a lot about everything, basically.
That’s about it for this week. I don’t know if you want to hear anything else. I’ll tell you how it all goes next week.
I got to go now, though. Talk to you next week.
Love,
Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Muchas gracias por lo que Usted nos compartió. Estamos viendo un poco más de éxito. Estamos encontrando más personas que actualmente están interesados.
No hay tanto para reportar esta semana pero ahora estamos a un punto que tenemos más Investigadores. Ahora solo necesitamos continuar encontrando y enseñar con miembros. Poco a poco va mejorando. A veces siento que no es a mi paso y necesito recordar que solo puedo hacer lo que me corresponde y después El señor hace todo lo demás. Estoy viendo también que mi estudio está mejorando. Leyendo Jesús el cristo 2 veces realmente me ha ayudado con mi comprensión del nuevo testamento. Fue algo que yo faltaba y nos ha ayudado mucho. Estoy leyendo ahora el nuevo testamento de nuevo y comparándolo con nuestros Investigadores.
Elder Brown y Yo siempre estamos buscando la manera de mejorar nuestra relación con el Espíritu. Puedo testificar que está funcionando y estamos experimentando milagros en nuestra área.
Muchas gracias para sus capacitaciones presidente. Tiene un tema cada vez de algo que podemos mejorar o aprender algo nuevo.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
Thank you very much for what you shared with us. We are seeing a little more success. We are finding more people that are actually interested.
There is not much to report this week, but we are now to a point that we have more investigators. Now we just need to continue to find and teach with members. Little by little we are gradually improving. At times I feel that it is not my place and I need to remember to only do what I can and, after, the Lord will do the rest. I am also seeing that my study is improving. I am reading Jesus The Christ for the second time and it has really helped me with my comprehension of the New Testament. It was something that I was lacking and it has helped us a great deal. Now I am reading the New Testament again and sharing it with our investigators.
Elder Brown and I are always looking for ways to improve our relationship with the Spirit. I can testify that it is working and we are experiencing miracles in our area.
Thank you very much for your trainings, President. You have a theme each time and it is something that we can improve on, or learn something new.
- Elder Hansgen
The Work Is Slowly Improving
Monday, October 13, 2014
Dear Family,
This week was also a little slower. The time is flying by super fast but, at the same time, the work is slower here in Arquitos. (I’m having trouble writing on this keyboard. The “O” and the “P” aren’t working fully).
Alright – Well, we have been trying and asking for a lot of help from our Heavenly Father this week. We have had people contact us and, also, we have been contacting everyone we can. Basically, we are starting from scratch (like you said, Mom) but why would I expect anything different? That’s kind of how it has been my entire mission. I hear about all the success of other areas and I feel like I am sent in to clean up the other areas... Oh well, I’m willing to do it.
We have some new people this week that we are hoping to visit a lot this week, and we are really excited for the visits we have (although few). Nothing too new, but a lot of walking around all day. Now that I’m not on the bike anymore I have been using my step counter, again, to see how many miles we have been walking. I think we are averaging about 10 or so miles per day. I can only imagine how many miles Elder Garibay and I biked during our time in Villa Juarez.
I have been focusing on my personal relationship with the Spirit and how it is I can follow him more, and also recognize what it is He needs me to do. I will say that it is getting better, and I am also working on my personal revelation.
A talk that I really liked this week that I have been trying to study is "The First Great Commandment" by Elder Holland. It is super good and worth reading.
That’s all for this week. Ill talk to you later.
Love,
-Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Esta semana fue mejor que la última. Estamos encontrando personas poco a poco. Algunos nos contactaron y fue una gran bendición. Queremos ayudar Arquitos y sentimos algunas veces que tenemos la potencial de algo grande. Es difícil pero podemos soportarlo.
Estamos trabajando y sobreviviendo con nuestro propio trabajo y contactos. El área está mejorando y hemos visto muchos cambios. La cosa más difícil para nosotros es trayendo personas a la capilla. Estamos enseñando lo mejor que podemos sobre la fe, día de reposo, y la santa cena. Un día estas personas van a entender la importancia de obedecer los mandamientos de Dios.
Muchas gracias para toda su ayuda Presidente.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
This week was better than last week. We are finding people little by little. A few people contacted us and it has been a great blessing. We want to help Arquitos and we sometimes feel that we have the potential to do something great. It is difficult, but we can handle it.
We are working and surviving with our own work and contacts. The area is getting better and we have seen many changes. The most difficult thing for us is getting people to Church. We are teaching the best we can about faith, day of rest, and the sacrament. One day these people will understand the importance of obeying God's commandments.
Thank you very much for all of your help, President.
-Elder Hansgen
Monday, October 13, 2014
Dear Family,
This week was also a little slower. The time is flying by super fast but, at the same time, the work is slower here in Arquitos. (I’m having trouble writing on this keyboard. The “O” and the “P” aren’t working fully).
Alright – Well, we have been trying and asking for a lot of help from our Heavenly Father this week. We have had people contact us and, also, we have been contacting everyone we can. Basically, we are starting from scratch (like you said, Mom) but why would I expect anything different? That’s kind of how it has been my entire mission. I hear about all the success of other areas and I feel like I am sent in to clean up the other areas... Oh well, I’m willing to do it.
We have some new people this week that we are hoping to visit a lot this week, and we are really excited for the visits we have (although few). Nothing too new, but a lot of walking around all day. Now that I’m not on the bike anymore I have been using my step counter, again, to see how many miles we have been walking. I think we are averaging about 10 or so miles per day. I can only imagine how many miles Elder Garibay and I biked during our time in Villa Juarez.
I have been focusing on my personal relationship with the Spirit and how it is I can follow him more, and also recognize what it is He needs me to do. I will say that it is getting better, and I am also working on my personal revelation.
A talk that I really liked this week that I have been trying to study is "The First Great Commandment" by Elder Holland. It is super good and worth reading.
That’s all for this week. Ill talk to you later.
Love,
-Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Esta semana fue mejor que la última. Estamos encontrando personas poco a poco. Algunos nos contactaron y fue una gran bendición. Queremos ayudar Arquitos y sentimos algunas veces que tenemos la potencial de algo grande. Es difícil pero podemos soportarlo.
Estamos trabajando y sobreviviendo con nuestro propio trabajo y contactos. El área está mejorando y hemos visto muchos cambios. La cosa más difícil para nosotros es trayendo personas a la capilla. Estamos enseñando lo mejor que podemos sobre la fe, día de reposo, y la santa cena. Un día estas personas van a entender la importancia de obedecer los mandamientos de Dios.
Muchas gracias para toda su ayuda Presidente.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
This week was better than last week. We are finding people little by little. A few people contacted us and it has been a great blessing. We want to help Arquitos and we sometimes feel that we have the potential to do something great. It is difficult, but we can handle it.
We are working and surviving with our own work and contacts. The area is getting better and we have seen many changes. The most difficult thing for us is getting people to Church. We are teaching the best we can about faith, day of rest, and the sacrament. One day these people will understand the importance of obeying God's commandments.
Thank you very much for all of your help, President.
-Elder Hansgen
Gone Fishin'!
Monday, October 6, 2015
Dear Family,
Well, we went fishing this morning with our Ward Mission Leader. I caught 5 or 6 fish and we only had lines. They were tied to spray paint cans and we just had to reel them in by hand. Ha-ha. I don’t have too good of a computer, though. I only have one USB port so I don’t know if I will get as many photos out like I wanted to.
It is about the same here. We actually heard that President Chavez talked to the Stake President and they might release the Bishop in this Ward. We hardly have any Priesthood and this seems like another Ward that could close up. There have been two Wards in Chihuahua that closed up and joined other Wards.
I have a lot of talks that I want you to share with everyone.
Pres. Uchtdorf
-Saturday 10:00
Elder Oaks
-Saturday 2:00
Elder Callister
-Saturday 2:00
Elder Perry
-Saturday 2:00
Elder Christiansen
-Priesthood Session
Elder Scott
-Sunday 2:00
This week was really just a preparation for the Conference. We just did a lot of inviting and looking for new people to teach. That is what we are focusing on because it’s going pretty rough here. I don’t know, really, what else to say so I hope that my letter to President Chavez is able to explain more.
Love you all. Have a nice week!
-Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Está semana fue muy rápida. La conferencia era nuestro enfoque para toda la semana. Invitamos todas las personas que visitamos. Todos. Pero No tuvimos Investigadores in la capilla. Aun los que fuimos a su casa en sábado para invitarles para domingo no vinieron. Recibí una respuesta a cada uno de mis preguntas para la conferencia. Estoy muy animado para recibir la Liahona.
Estamos en una búsqueda toda vía. Necesitamos nuevos investigadores. Estamos visitando los miembros activos, Menos activos, y los inactivos si podemos encontrarles. Ahorita es un poco difícil en este barrio. Por las cosas que han pasado aquí hay demasiados personas que no tienen la fe para regresar, perdonar, o perseverar. Estamos buscando no solo la manera de encontrar nuevos pero también la manera de dejar este barrio en mejor condición que lo encontramos.
Con todos nuestros fuerzas vamos a trabajar esta semana para poder sacar el éxito de aquí. Muchas Gracias Presidente.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
This week went by really quick. Conference was our focus for the whole week. We invited everyone we visited; everyone, but we didn't have an investigator at church. Even those that we went by their houses on Saturday and invited didn't come Sunday. I received an answer to every one of my questions that I had for Conference. I am excited to get the Liahona.
We are on a quest, still. We need new investigators. We are visiting the active members, the less active members, and the inactive members (if we can find them). Right now it is a little difficult in this Ward. Because of the things that have happened here, there are many people that don't have the faith to return, forgive, or endure. We are not only looking for a way to find new people, but also to leave the Ward better than we found it.
With all our might we are going to work this week to get success out of this area. Thank you very much, President.
- Elder Hansgen
Monday, October 6, 2015
Dear Family,
Well, we went fishing this morning with our Ward Mission Leader. I caught 5 or 6 fish and we only had lines. They were tied to spray paint cans and we just had to reel them in by hand. Ha-ha. I don’t have too good of a computer, though. I only have one USB port so I don’t know if I will get as many photos out like I wanted to.
It is about the same here. We actually heard that President Chavez talked to the Stake President and they might release the Bishop in this Ward. We hardly have any Priesthood and this seems like another Ward that could close up. There have been two Wards in Chihuahua that closed up and joined other Wards.
I have a lot of talks that I want you to share with everyone.
Pres. Uchtdorf
-Saturday 10:00
Elder Oaks
-Saturday 2:00
Elder Callister
-Saturday 2:00
Elder Perry
-Saturday 2:00
Elder Christiansen
-Priesthood Session
Elder Scott
-Sunday 2:00
This week was really just a preparation for the Conference. We just did a lot of inviting and looking for new people to teach. That is what we are focusing on because it’s going pretty rough here. I don’t know, really, what else to say so I hope that my letter to President Chavez is able to explain more.
Love you all. Have a nice week!
-Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Está semana fue muy rápida. La conferencia era nuestro enfoque para toda la semana. Invitamos todas las personas que visitamos. Todos. Pero No tuvimos Investigadores in la capilla. Aun los que fuimos a su casa en sábado para invitarles para domingo no vinieron. Recibí una respuesta a cada uno de mis preguntas para la conferencia. Estoy muy animado para recibir la Liahona.
Estamos en una búsqueda toda vía. Necesitamos nuevos investigadores. Estamos visitando los miembros activos, Menos activos, y los inactivos si podemos encontrarles. Ahorita es un poco difícil en este barrio. Por las cosas que han pasado aquí hay demasiados personas que no tienen la fe para regresar, perdonar, o perseverar. Estamos buscando no solo la manera de encontrar nuevos pero también la manera de dejar este barrio en mejor condición que lo encontramos.
Con todos nuestros fuerzas vamos a trabajar esta semana para poder sacar el éxito de aquí. Muchas Gracias Presidente.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
This week went by really quick. Conference was our focus for the whole week. We invited everyone we visited; everyone, but we didn't have an investigator at church. Even those that we went by their houses on Saturday and invited didn't come Sunday. I received an answer to every one of my questions that I had for Conference. I am excited to get the Liahona.
We are on a quest, still. We need new investigators. We are visiting the active members, the less active members, and the inactive members (if we can find them). Right now it is a little difficult in this Ward. Because of the things that have happened here, there are many people that don't have the faith to return, forgive, or endure. We are not only looking for a way to find new people, but also to leave the Ward better than we found it.
With all our might we are going to work this week to get success out of this area. Thank you very much, President.
- Elder Hansgen
Our Five Loaves and Two Fishes
Monday, September 29, 2014
Dear Family,
I am short on time and I only have a few minutes left but, really, nothing too big happened this week. We have been looking for a lot of new people because the area is pretty bad the way the other Elders left it for us. Most of my week I explained in my letter to President Chavez.
The video that I chose to get today might have a little bit of an application to it. I’ll send it to you. (Link below).
https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-good-shepherd-and-other-sheep-i-have?lang=eng
These videos are the best videos that the Church has published. Their video cast has really gotten a lot better over the years.
One of the pictures I sent is of our food that we bought with the 100 pesos they (the sisters in the Ward) gave us. Sometimes the sisters that give us food are busy and just decide to give us money instead. I guess that the sister thought it was for the two of us, or she is just a little poor, but we made use of the 100 pesos she gave us and it was enough. It was kind of a cool experience. Normally, for four elders, they would have given four missionaries 200 pesos. (100 pesos is equivalent to US $7.41).
There is one experience that was kind of funny that I will explain, though. We were passing a Mexican Army Base and a soldier stopped us in the street and asked us to carry his grocery bag to the end of the street. He can’t take in soda or cookies, I guess, so we walked it to the end of the street for him past the guard stand and, in the fence there are some bars missing, so he ran over without them seeing him and had us pass the bag to him. We smuggled in goods to an Army Base -- ha-ha.
I’ll talk to you all next week, bye.
Love,
Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Esta semana nos hizo reflexionar más a cerca del trabajo que estamos haciendo. Estamos contactando como nunca y buscando la manera de ayudar esta área a través de la oración y la revelación. No voy a mentir es un poco difícil en esta área. Me recuerda de Camargo a veces. Hay gente aquí que están listos para el bautismo pero no actúan. Estamos ayudándoles de lo mejor manera que podamos a que actúan.
Nuestra única esperanza es una referencia que un misionero nos dio de una hermana de Cuauhtémoc que conoce la iglesia. No están casados pero su marido es miembro y estamos trabajando con ella para octubre. Conoció la iglesia en México y también en Cuauhtémoc. Está muy Lista para ser bautizado solo falta casarse y las lecciones de nuevo.
Estamos trabajando duro y esperando instrucciones adicionales de la conferencia como nos promete DyC 124:88.
Muchas gracias Presidente.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
This week we thought more about the work that we are doing. We are contacting like we never have and looking for the way that we can help this area through prayer and revelation. I am not going to lie, it is a little difficult in the area. It reminds me of Camargo sometimes. There are people here that are ready for baptism but they don't act. We are helping them the best way we can.
Our only hope is a reference that a missionary gave us for a sister in Cuahtemoc that knows about the church. They aren't married, but her “husband” is a member, and we are working with her for (hopefully) October. She knew about the church in Mexico, and also in Cuahtemoc. She is very ready to be baptized; she only needs to get married and go through the lessons again.
We are working hard and are hoping for more instruction from Conference as is promised us in D&C 124:88.
Thank you very much President.
-Elder Hansgen
Monday, September 29, 2014
Dear Family,
I am short on time and I only have a few minutes left but, really, nothing too big happened this week. We have been looking for a lot of new people because the area is pretty bad the way the other Elders left it for us. Most of my week I explained in my letter to President Chavez.
The video that I chose to get today might have a little bit of an application to it. I’ll send it to you. (Link below).
https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-good-shepherd-and-other-sheep-i-have?lang=eng
These videos are the best videos that the Church has published. Their video cast has really gotten a lot better over the years.
One of the pictures I sent is of our food that we bought with the 100 pesos they (the sisters in the Ward) gave us. Sometimes the sisters that give us food are busy and just decide to give us money instead. I guess that the sister thought it was for the two of us, or she is just a little poor, but we made use of the 100 pesos she gave us and it was enough. It was kind of a cool experience. Normally, for four elders, they would have given four missionaries 200 pesos. (100 pesos is equivalent to US $7.41).
There is one experience that was kind of funny that I will explain, though. We were passing a Mexican Army Base and a soldier stopped us in the street and asked us to carry his grocery bag to the end of the street. He can’t take in soda or cookies, I guess, so we walked it to the end of the street for him past the guard stand and, in the fence there are some bars missing, so he ran over without them seeing him and had us pass the bag to him. We smuggled in goods to an Army Base -- ha-ha.
I’ll talk to you all next week, bye.
Love,
Elder Hansgen
Original:
Presidente,
Esta semana nos hizo reflexionar más a cerca del trabajo que estamos haciendo. Estamos contactando como nunca y buscando la manera de ayudar esta área a través de la oración y la revelación. No voy a mentir es un poco difícil en esta área. Me recuerda de Camargo a veces. Hay gente aquí que están listos para el bautismo pero no actúan. Estamos ayudándoles de lo mejor manera que podamos a que actúan.
Nuestra única esperanza es una referencia que un misionero nos dio de una hermana de Cuauhtémoc que conoce la iglesia. No están casados pero su marido es miembro y estamos trabajando con ella para octubre. Conoció la iglesia en México y también en Cuauhtémoc. Está muy Lista para ser bautizado solo falta casarse y las lecciones de nuevo.
Estamos trabajando duro y esperando instrucciones adicionales de la conferencia como nos promete DyC 124:88.
Muchas gracias Presidente.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
This week we thought more about the work that we are doing. We are contacting like we never have and looking for the way that we can help this area through prayer and revelation. I am not going to lie, it is a little difficult in the area. It reminds me of Camargo sometimes. There are people here that are ready for baptism but they don't act. We are helping them the best way we can.
Our only hope is a reference that a missionary gave us for a sister in Cuahtemoc that knows about the church. They aren't married, but her “husband” is a member, and we are working with her for (hopefully) October. She knew about the church in Mexico, and also in Cuahtemoc. She is very ready to be baptized; she only needs to get married and go through the lessons again.
We are working hard and are hoping for more instruction from Conference as is promised us in D&C 124:88.
Thank you very much President.
-Elder Hansgen
I'll Bet You Can Never Guess Where I Am Now...
Monday, September 22, 2014
Dear Family,
Well, I have quite a bit to tell while I am downloading these Bible videos. It has been raining a lot, so I haven’t pulled out my camera to take any photos, but I am in my new area in Chihuahua in the Arquitos Ward. My companion is Elder Brown. It’s pretty nice here, but the Ward is super small and there are a ton of inactives. I have just been getting to know the area and all of our people. We already had a baptism this last Saturday. His name is Kevin and his mom got baptized last week. He is 14 and should be a really good member. I’m not sure what else you want to know so I’m going to leave the rest of my time open for questions. Tell me what it is you want to know.
1. Tell us all about Elder Brown. We know nothing about him... Elder Brown is from the group right before me, the first group of Pres. Chávez. He really loves his dog, which is a blue heeler, or Australian cattle dog. It’s the same kind that Glenn has. He has one sister, who is also on a mission in Guatemala.
2. Tell me some things which are "new" about you. New…I really can’t think of anything new. I thought I already told you that I have to shave every morning now, or once in the morning and at night.
3. Tell me some things you have "learned" on your mission. I have learned how to actually study the scriptures and apply them to my circumstances.
4. I want to hear about the people you are working with. I still don’t know anybody here. We have barely even been working because we were preparing for the baptism this last Saturday.
5. Tell us some of the fun things you have been up to. Walking was weird when I have been biking for the past 4 months. We have a lot of hills in our area, too. I do miss my bike, but I took the seat with me, and also the pegs. Just look up Cerro de la Cruz or Arquitos Chihuahua. Also, look up Colonia Zarco. I actually almost passed out, too, one time during lunch with a Hermana. She stuffed us so much and then gave us cake. I think it was the sugar because all I remember was trying with all the power I had to stay conscious. I didn’t pass out, but I got to the point where it was a little too close. Ha-ha!
6. Tell us of an awesome experience. I haven’t had one in a while. I have already shared all of the cool experiences I have had. There just hasn’t been that much stuff going on in Villa Juarez. We were helping a lady whose husband beat her (not awesome), but I still don’t want to talk about that yet.
7. We never got to hear much about the people in Villa Juarez. I am still in the process of recording my thoughts and experiences that I want to remember from Villa Juarez.
8. Ryjel is going to be building a bridge for his CTE class. He wants to know all of your "secrets" and suggestions for making his bridge, with his group, to be the one to hold the most weight. Everything has to be cut and glued right. The pieces should be as straight as they can be.
9. Ryjel wants to know what you eat the most in Mexico. A ton of tortillas and meat.
10. Who are the Elders you live with? Is it just you and Elder Brown, or are there two others? It’s just me and Elder Brown, but the other Elders in Arquitos are Elder Hicken, who is pretty new (he just finished training), and Elder Campozano.
Elder Brown is from Page, Arizona. He is Navajo, but just about as American as anyone else. He is super nice, and a good, calm Elder. I don’t really know how else to describe him.
I did take photos of the baptism, but I didn’t bring my camera to the Cyber Cafe because it is pouring rain today. I really don’t want to get it wet.
Yes, the Reza family is the one where we baptized the 11-year-old daughter. Her mom had her when she was 15 or 16, and her Grandma had her Mom when she was about the same age. The Grandma is only like one or two years older than you, Mom. I want to say just one year.
Original:
Presidente,
Barrio Arquitos está bien. Hasta ahora todo lo que he visto está bien. Tenía preocupación cuando me dijeron que no muchos asistan al barrio pero no fue tan mal este domingo.
Ya tuvimos un Bautismo. El joven se llama Kevin. Su mama se bautizó la semana anterior. Ellos están muy felices. Yo puedo ver también que tenemos mucho trabajo aquí en Arquitos pero la problema es encontrando cuando están las personas.
Estoy animado para esta nueva área. Hay mucho que queremos hacer esta semana. También mucho que hacer para fortalecer el barrio.
Muchas gracias Presidente.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
The Arquitos Ward is good. So far all I’ve seen is good. I was worried when you said they didn't help much in this Ward, but it wasn't so bad on Sunday.
We had a baptism. The young man was named Kevin. His mother was baptized the week before. They are very happy. I can see that we have a lot of work to do here in Arquitos; the problem is finding when the people are home.
I am excited for this new area. There is much that we want to do this week. There is also a lot I want to do to strengthen the Ward.
Thank you very much President.
-Elder Hansgen
***Our Elder was not able to send any pictures today. However, here are some pictures taken from the Internet which are the three areas he asked me to look up. These appear to be the area where he is currently serving.***
Monday, September 22, 2014
Dear Family,
Well, I have quite a bit to tell while I am downloading these Bible videos. It has been raining a lot, so I haven’t pulled out my camera to take any photos, but I am in my new area in Chihuahua in the Arquitos Ward. My companion is Elder Brown. It’s pretty nice here, but the Ward is super small and there are a ton of inactives. I have just been getting to know the area and all of our people. We already had a baptism this last Saturday. His name is Kevin and his mom got baptized last week. He is 14 and should be a really good member. I’m not sure what else you want to know so I’m going to leave the rest of my time open for questions. Tell me what it is you want to know.
1. Tell us all about Elder Brown. We know nothing about him... Elder Brown is from the group right before me, the first group of Pres. Chávez. He really loves his dog, which is a blue heeler, or Australian cattle dog. It’s the same kind that Glenn has. He has one sister, who is also on a mission in Guatemala.
2. Tell me some things which are "new" about you. New…I really can’t think of anything new. I thought I already told you that I have to shave every morning now, or once in the morning and at night.
3. Tell me some things you have "learned" on your mission. I have learned how to actually study the scriptures and apply them to my circumstances.
4. I want to hear about the people you are working with. I still don’t know anybody here. We have barely even been working because we were preparing for the baptism this last Saturday.
5. Tell us some of the fun things you have been up to. Walking was weird when I have been biking for the past 4 months. We have a lot of hills in our area, too. I do miss my bike, but I took the seat with me, and also the pegs. Just look up Cerro de la Cruz or Arquitos Chihuahua. Also, look up Colonia Zarco. I actually almost passed out, too, one time during lunch with a Hermana. She stuffed us so much and then gave us cake. I think it was the sugar because all I remember was trying with all the power I had to stay conscious. I didn’t pass out, but I got to the point where it was a little too close. Ha-ha!
6. Tell us of an awesome experience. I haven’t had one in a while. I have already shared all of the cool experiences I have had. There just hasn’t been that much stuff going on in Villa Juarez. We were helping a lady whose husband beat her (not awesome), but I still don’t want to talk about that yet.
7. We never got to hear much about the people in Villa Juarez. I am still in the process of recording my thoughts and experiences that I want to remember from Villa Juarez.
8. Ryjel is going to be building a bridge for his CTE class. He wants to know all of your "secrets" and suggestions for making his bridge, with his group, to be the one to hold the most weight. Everything has to be cut and glued right. The pieces should be as straight as they can be.
9. Ryjel wants to know what you eat the most in Mexico. A ton of tortillas and meat.
10. Who are the Elders you live with? Is it just you and Elder Brown, or are there two others? It’s just me and Elder Brown, but the other Elders in Arquitos are Elder Hicken, who is pretty new (he just finished training), and Elder Campozano.
Elder Brown is from Page, Arizona. He is Navajo, but just about as American as anyone else. He is super nice, and a good, calm Elder. I don’t really know how else to describe him.
I did take photos of the baptism, but I didn’t bring my camera to the Cyber Cafe because it is pouring rain today. I really don’t want to get it wet.
Yes, the Reza family is the one where we baptized the 11-year-old daughter. Her mom had her when she was 15 or 16, and her Grandma had her Mom when she was about the same age. The Grandma is only like one or two years older than you, Mom. I want to say just one year.
Original:
Presidente,
Barrio Arquitos está bien. Hasta ahora todo lo que he visto está bien. Tenía preocupación cuando me dijeron que no muchos asistan al barrio pero no fue tan mal este domingo.
Ya tuvimos un Bautismo. El joven se llama Kevin. Su mama se bautizó la semana anterior. Ellos están muy felices. Yo puedo ver también que tenemos mucho trabajo aquí en Arquitos pero la problema es encontrando cuando están las personas.
Estoy animado para esta nueva área. Hay mucho que queremos hacer esta semana. También mucho que hacer para fortalecer el barrio.
Muchas gracias Presidente.
-Elder Hansgen
Translation:
President,
The Arquitos Ward is good. So far all I’ve seen is good. I was worried when you said they didn't help much in this Ward, but it wasn't so bad on Sunday.
We had a baptism. The young man was named Kevin. His mother was baptized the week before. They are very happy. I can see that we have a lot of work to do here in Arquitos; the problem is finding when the people are home.
I am excited for this new area. There is much that we want to do this week. There is also a lot I want to do to strengthen the Ward.
Thank you very much President.
-Elder Hansgen
***Our Elder was not able to send any pictures today. However, here are some pictures taken from the Internet which are the three areas he asked me to look up. These appear to be the area where he is currently serving.***