July 13 2009

Apologize the inconvenience, we are working to improve our community (per google search by mom) Or in other words "Detour" That's what the sign has said.... Detour, there's a muddy road ahead.... (as sung by Grandpa Wiggins on our Wiggins Mexican Adventure)

I finally got to meet the new president. He is awesome. He has a very different personality than President Gardner. President Gardner was a tall, intimidating, powerful man. President Spannaus is a short, funny, sensitive man. I really enjoyed President Gardner and I have a lot of respect for him, but I am excited to see the changes that will take place with the new president. I can tell that he has great plans in store, and over the next few months we will begin to see a lot of changes take place.
President Spannaus is from Argentina, and speaks with interesting accent. The Argentine accent is Spanish with kind of an Italian accent. He is 48 years old and has 12 year old and 9 year old daughters. His wife is taller than he is. She is also a returned missionary. President Spannaus received an MBA from BYU, so although I haven't heard him speak English I imagine he speaks pretty well.
Today we played soccer in one of the oldest LDS churches in Mexico. It used to be school, and it still resembles a school in many ways. The institute building is also attached, so the entire thing is pretty huge. I got to play pool in the institute building which is something I thought I would never get to do.
This week it has been big news that a church leader from the mormon colonies was murdered by a drug lord. The Mexican news isn't too reliable, and the people that tell us the Mexican news are even less reliable. So maybe you can tell me how the real story went.
So last change I went on exchanges a lot with Elder Corzo in his area because our companions were lazy and wanted to be lazy together. Anyways, in those few days we got to work a lot, and I really enjoyed it. Today, I found out that three of the people that I found and taught a few times got baptized this month. Two brothers were baptized and are actively involved in the youth program. One of them went to the visitor's center in the temple last week. Their parents also attend church, but need to get married before they can be baptized. The other baptism is an old man that we found sitting on the corner. Apparently he is very excited and loves the church. It was very exciting for me to hear that news. It shows that I have made a difference in this area. I now know that with a few days of hard work miracles happen. Now, I just need to get my companion to help us do a few days of hard work here, in our area.
I am always surprised that Dad can write such long letters even when he is home living a normal life. I can't seem to write long letters even though I am in Mexico living an adventure. I figure he has more time to think write and think about it.
Jenny, I would not not think that a king trip would be too fun in a raft. It is late in the year and king is probably dead. Red moose is the only thing to hit, and it's not really anything in a raft unless you all sit the back and tie your throw rope to the bough line to see how much air you get. But I guess if you have nothing better to do and want to relieve memories, go for it. I am glad to hear you aren't selling out, and still can hang out with hippies at concerts. Maybe things will change in a few years when you become a mom.
Ok well, I don't have much time left, so bye.
love,
Elder Hansen

PS Ask Kelli to translate the sign. You will laugh when you understand what it says.

July 6 2009

Sorry this is kind of late in the day. We had a late district meeting.
The big news here in the mission is that President Gardner is now gone and President Spanaus is now in charge. A few people have met him, but I will have to see for myself what he is like. This Saturday we will have a zone conference and get to meet the new president. I am excited to see the changes that will happen in the mission.
This week nothing too exciting happened. Last week we found an investigator that is really progressing. We found him because we were looking for someone in the area book. We found out from a neighbor that the person in the area book moved, but I decided that I wanted to knock the house next door. It was a house with a big gate and a wall all around the property. My companion thought a narco (drug dealer) lived there, but I knocked it anyway. A man answered and let us in. The man named Jose Cruz takes care of the house during the week. We taught him that day and since have returned almost every day to teach him. He is not a typical investigator. He reads everything we give him, and he is understanding everything. He has accepted a baptism date. This is really exciting for me because I have never had a contact progress before. All the people we've baptized and many of our other investigators were found by missionaries before us.
Fourth of July was Saturday, but surprising as it sounds they don't celebrate it down here in Mexico. I did wear my red tie, white shirt, and blue pants to celebrate. But that was the extent of my celebration. Oh, I also wrote "the fourth of july" and drew some fireworks in my planner. We were going to buy a pizza in the night, but it was fast Sunday.
In other news, I ate my first chicken foot today. It actually didn't taste too bad, but it is mostly bone. Also, I've begun to eat more chili. Food without chili seems bland and boring now.
If you do send another package, send the best two years soundtrack and any other church music you think I could use. Candy is also nice.
I received a letter saying that our somewhat relative Jeff Wiggins got his mission call to Brazil, but I don't remember which mission.
Well, Wisconsin sounds pretty cool. I'm excited to see it.
I don't have much else to say, I sent the pictures I missed last week (Janice posted them on last week's blog a week later.)
Love,
Elder Hansen

June 29, 2009

I saw the pictures of the house. Wow. It is pretty dang fancy. I am excited to visit. It is weird that when I come home you will have lived in that house for a year and a half. My only suggestion would be a nice outdoor hot tub for Christmas in Wisconsin.
This week something happened that made me feel very stupid. I lost my wallet for a second time. I have no idea how but somehow it fell out on a bus again. I have never lost my wallet before, yet somehow I have managed to lose it twice in 2 months. I was very angry with myself. But I decided to pray and ask if Heavenly Father would forgive a stupid missionary a create a way for my wallet to return to me. Two days ago the office missionaries called me and told me that a man has my wallet in Cuernavaca, but he left to go to Mexico City. It might be a little harder to get my wallet this time, but I know I will get it soon. And I know that God made it possible for me to receive my wallet a second time after being lost twice on a Mexican bus.
I lost the wallet Wednesday as we were going to a large conference. My president gathered three zones together as he gave us his final advice before he goes home. He tried to fit everything into the conference. He talked about finances, marriage, the changes that will happen with a new mission president, and many other things. It was a great meeting. It was also nice because I got to see my MTC companion and other friend as well as Elder Wiggins. It is sad to see President Gardner go. I have a lot of respect him. But I am excited to see what the new president brings.
Sorry I don't have much else to say. I was able to read the letters sent to me, but now I can't open myldsmail. So Dad's questions will have to wait until later.
I attached a picture of Trevor and I for Grandma to put on her fridge. Also, some pictures of when my companion completer one year in the mission.
Love,
Elder Hansen