This member caught an armadillo and is going to eat it, haha crazy!

Our District Activity the other day! Go Argentina!

Hey Fam! 

Thanks so much for the letters and for the support! Sounds like you have had an amazing week in Magrath, nice weather always makes for a good week. Sounds like things are starting to become a little more relaxful (is that a word?) in Magrath which is both good and bad. Lots of golf and time to chill as a family, nothing better. I hope Mom and Carter are getting out there on the Links to hit a couple long ones down the fairway!

I haven't tried my bank card for quite some time now, I will try again this week. Everyone tells me my credit card will work if I need to use it. I will just save it if I have to buy something more expensive. I have been blessed to have good health throughout the mission so far. always taking my vitamins mother :) haha. I don't know if I have ever been so tired, but so energetic and motivated in my life. It's crazy how it works, but every day truly is a blessing. The weather is definitely starting to cool off here, we had a couple days pretty cold with lots of rain last week. That's when you pray that the people will let you in their houses. I haven't had any problem though, still nothing compared to Canada so we will see how it is when winter comes.

Sandra and her family are doing good! The trials always seem to come after we take a step of faith like baptism. The Lord truly wants to see our willingness to continue to follow him. They have gone through a couple hard things as a family this past week but are still excited and have the desires, they are awesome. We will continue to visit them as much as possible to support in anything they need.

This week has been another great one! We have another great family we are working with that I think I mentioned before. Their are 4 different families that all live in one little area. Their is the Grandma, then her 3 kids with their families. Their are 4 houses but they are share the same patio, so there is always lots of excitement and people to teach. We have been able to help a few of them go to church again that have been less active for quite sometime, and they have a few kids that are excited about the church and love to participate. Julian, Rosario, and Antonela are their names and they all have baptism dates for the 7th of June, so we are starting to prepare things now! They are awesome. They read their scriptures and pray everyday, and love to participate when we teach them. It's been amazing to see the people the Lord has placed in our path the last little while, we are truly blessed.

On Saturday we did a service project for the Flia Torres. They had a fence around their house that was pretty old and close to falling down. We helped them rip it down and build up a new one. Don't think it's quite up to Papa Bear's standards of craftsmanship but we did the best we could. The difference between now and before is crazy, felt good to help and they were pretty happy. They payed us back with a nice lunch. Love them! Gustavo (the brother of Juan) is pretty excited about everything as well. He went to church yesterday and has a huge desire to be baptized and to continue changing his life to follow his Savior.

I love the comment dad made about the Family History Work. Yesterday I was asked to give a talk about Genologia (Geneology, not sure how you spell it) right before sacrament. Definitely don't have the greatest knowledge about it, but I know how important it is. I just shared about the importance of the work for our brothers and sisters who don't have the Gospel. I also felt inspired in the moment to share the experience of the Calgary Temple this summer. It was truly a moment I will never forget, the spirit was so strong as we were able to do work for our family members. I encourage you guys to keep looking and helping others accept this wonderful Gospel!

The P-day activity was awesome, we played soccer and ate chori pan! Everyone left pretty content. I forgot this till now but yes I'm still in Marcos Paz with Elder Puentes! We were pretty happy when we were told, we get along good and feel like we are working well together. This transfer is short because President leaves in 4 weeks! Crazy, I'll definitely miss him, he's a great guy.

Love you all! Hope you continue to be happy and be assured that I am happy as well. I love the mission and am so grateful for the wonderful Gospel. It really does offer us all that we could ever need, we are just responsible in accepting the blessings that are waiting for us. Never stop living up to your potential everyday. I know you were all sent here with a purpose, a purpose that sometimes we don't quite understand but one that we need to do all we can to complete. Thanks for all the support, have a great week!

Love love,

Elder Hansen!

Sandra, Nayra, and Luz got baptized this weekend!!! :)

Photo with the Familia Torres :)

Hey Fam!!

Thanks so much for the letters! Sounds and looks like you all had an amazing week, I'm always so happy to hear from you all. Looks like the week was pretty busy but that's the way life should be eh! The hectic non stop schedule is what I like most about the mission, don't have time to do or think about anything else! Carter does clean up pretty good! Lookin pretty sharp these days my bro. The other day Jo sent me a picture of my long hair. Definitely a better look now than back then haha... I have to say the same about Carter. Long hair is fun but the short hair is definitely the better style. Crazy that so many of those kids have grown up and graduated this year... seems like yesterday we were coaching those little squirts in baseball!

Sounds like Dad is living it up on the Golf Course! You getting Carter out with you these days? Somebody has gotta give the papa bear a run for his money. That's so awesome you were able to go with Russ to the temple on Tuesday. What an amazing experience! I remember it like it was yesterday. Crazy it was almost a year ago. It's so awesome to see the blessings that come from those spiritual experiences.. hope you guys can go again with the ward!

It was amazing again to talk with you guys. Sorry for the lack of spanish haha.. I felt a little weird in front of all those people. But the Spanish has come a long way and now I love it. Kind of don't even want to speak English again :) It definitely has been a blessing to have Spanish speaking companions. There are a lot of companionships that have 2 english speakers dad, but for the majority of the time it is mixed up with Latinos and Americans. The Lord is pretty mindful of our needs and knows who we should be with.

This week was absolutely amazing! I seriously love it here in Marcos Paz. We have transfers again this Wednesday and I'm hoping that I stay here again.. but we will see what the Lord wants of Elder Puentes and I. We are seriously seeing so many miracles right now its amazing. I can't explain them all, this month has seriously changed my mission. We have been blessed to find so many amazing prepared Children of God, and to help them progress and find the true and restored Gospel.

Sandra, Nayra, and Luz were baptized and confirmed members this weekend! It was an amazing baptism service, and they all felt the spirit super strong. I'm sure it will be a day they will never forget. Sandra has 8 kids, not all of them are interested in the Gospel at this point but they all showed up to support her and her daughters which was amazing to see! Elder Puentes, Me, and our Mission Leader Hermano Arguello sang for the service. I don't know how my voice was haha.. singing has never been my strength, but the song we sang is one of my favorites. Never thought I'd see myself singing voluntarily in front of so many people, but it was truly a privilege. I can't even explain how I feel right now. To see the change that has happened in them truly touches my heart. I love this family so much. After Sandra was confirmed a member yesterday in church she began to cry. The spirit hit me so strong, I could feel without a doubt that this is the true church of our Savior.

We also have another family we are working with. There are 4 different families and some are members, some aren't.. but all the members and inactive. We have been able to activate a few of them and they are now going to church again, and some of their kids have baptism dates for June! It's been amazing to see the Lord place so many people in our way. I really feel we have been doing all we can to be obedient, and for this we are seeing so many miracles.

The Familia Torres is great as ever. Still patiently waiting. Juan (the dad) has changed a ton and is close to quitting smoking! He has a brother who lives 2 houses away from him who has always been pretty closed to the Gospel and what we do as missionaries. The last 2 Saturdays.. not including this one.. we went to his house with all the Familia Torres to do service and cut down trees. I think I told you about this the other day. But we just did this little service to help and to serve, without the thought of being blessed for it. Yesterday we were going to visit the Familia Torres and we had the feeling to go talk to Juan's brother (Gustavo) to see how he is doing. He has never shown us any signs of interest before, but yesterday he quickly invited us into his house. We shared a message about the change Juan has had and the power and influence the Lord has in our lives when we follow his will. He got pretty emotional, and we invited him to be baptized! And he accepted! As we left his house we made our way to the house of the Familia Torres, and as we entered Carla told us "Elders come quick you have to see what Gustavo sent me." In the 5 minutes we had left his house he had sent Carla and Juan a text saying how grateful he was for their example, and for the things their family had done for him. They were all crying. What a miracle! I love the mission so much.

It truly is an amazing time to be a missionary. I have such a renewed desire every week to get out and work and help the people of Argentina. Mom had a very good point about the importance of helping the recent converts. We as missionaries won't always be around.. and that's why it's important those members get involved and build friendships with the investigators and converts to ensure that their conversion will go smoothly and will be forever! I invite you guys to do all you can to be involved, and sometimes it's just the simple things. I promise you that they will make a difference in the lives of others.. and your simple acts can changes lives. I have such a strong testimony of this.

Love you guys all so much. Time to run! We are having a district activity today! We are going to play football and cook chori pan! (hot dogs) I'm excited! Will be nice to relax and have a good time! Have a great week! Keep being examples to all those around you!

With all my love!

Elder Hansen.

Training in Marcos Paz with Elder Peuntes

Hey Fam! 

What a blessing it was to be able to talk with you all yesterday! It truly was such a spiritual experience to be able to hear your testimonies and hear of the changes and desires you have to continue growing in this amazing gospel. I love this Gospel. And for the blessings it has given us as a family. They were so evident yesterday as we talked. Just the joy and the look in your faces reflected what we call the pure love of Christ, Charity. I could feel this love for me, and for others as we were able to converse yesterday. Thank you for all, for your examples, your support, and your prayers.

I just wanted to write you guys a quick note of appreciation more than anything. Yesterday I talked about our trip to the temple we had as a ward. It truly was one of the most spiritual moments I have had in my mission. As we were able to enter with a family who has the desire to follow the gospel, be married, baptized, and sealed. I was able to see the spirit work through them. The people here are true examples to me. I am now starting to understand the importance of the temple. I also mentioned about the opportunity we had to do work in the Calgary temple this summer. What a blessing that was. To be able to do the work for our loved ones and to give them the chance to receive the Gospel for their own agency. I love the temple. I encourage you guys to go as often as possible, and whenever you are feeling down and need something. Go there are feel of the love for the Lord. It really would be a good idea to go to the temple one night as a family just to be outside and to talk and share your thoughts. I know the Spirit of the Lord will bless you. I can't wait till Jo and Carter can go in one day. I know that it will change their lives. You two should have this goal in mind and do all you can to achieve it :)

Things are going good here! Not much to say after talking yesterday. Working as hard as possible to help Sandra and her daughters have a memorable baptism this weekend. It's been so amazing to see their progress. Just the other day one of her nephew's told us that before she didn't believe in the "Mormons" and was against our teachings. I have such a strong testimony that anyone who will really search, listen, and pray with an open heart that they will know this is the only true church on the face of the earth.

Today we went to the offices because my companion had to do his paperwork. We took the train at 6 in the morning and it was like world war 3 in there! Way worse then anything I ever experienced in Europe. Maybe a little like Japan? People are so crazy to get to work that they just cram in there till you literally can't move or breath. I had to bring out the hockey side a bit to be able to get in, haha good times.

I have a question. Could you guys send me my lineage de autoridad (line of authority I believe) of my priesthood from Christ down to me. I would love to have it, it's a useful thing to have while teaching the restoration.

I love you guys all so much. Thank you for everything. I always feel like I can't express my true gratitude and feelings, and I felt the same way yesterday. But I hope you guys know and feel the importance you have in my life, I can't express my love for the Gospel. I know it gives us the strength we need to face every challenge. Mom posted a good question, about how we study as missionaries and if I had any advice. One would be to always start and finish with a prayer. To pray for guidance and to receive revelation. But speaking of revelation sometimes its hard to receive it when we are thinking and reading for things in general. If we are looking for a specific answer or need help in a specific area, pray and read to look for an answer. It is amazing the differences that will jump out to your mind and heart.. something you may have read just yesterday, today will make a huge difference. And finally you should take time to write down the things you feel and learn. Sometimes you need to express yourself to understand what you really need to do, and to know what the Lord wants you to do. I really wasn't very good at studying before the mission. But these little things have blessed my life more then I can say. I hope you can also apply them and see if they work for you. 

Love you guys so much. Have a great week! 

All my love from Argentina!

Elder Hansen!

Service project with Familia Torres.. me with Antonio.

Elder Valdes mi papi :) and Elder Paredes who was my zone leader in Lujan!!

Hey Fam!!

How grateful I am to read your emails again this week, to be built up by your faith and your testimonies! I love hearing from you guys every week. Looks like you guys had a fantastic week! Thanks so much for the great comments and for the pictures.. and don't worry they don't make the emails slow so you can keep sending them. Love knowing that all is well and that you all are happy. It's crazy how the time flies and how much things change!

I love that photo of Corbin and Zach, looks just the same as before! So crazy. Hope they are adjusting well to the "other life". You will have to give them my best! Hope that the Hall of Fame ceremony was good too! Crazy how some of them have changed. Hope you said hi to everyone for me. Thanks for all the support you have shown me over the years, it has always meant a lot to me!

As for your questions, there isn't a ton to do in Marcos Paz on p'days but today we went to Piza Libre (all you can eat Pizza) and I ate a nice 17 pizzas of pieces and then they kicked us out haha. Don't think they get big people like me there much? haha. Nah they more kicked us out because they were closing. We still play soccer every week here like we did in Lujan, every Friday night. It's great.. we usually get a turn out of about 15 people, sometimes more! My soccer skills have definitely improved a ton.. but Im still not very good haha. The new responsibility as a DL has been good, a lot of work but I have been enjoying it a lot! It's a good opportunity to get to know the missionaries better as well as their investigators. It really is the best way to "lose myself" in the work. I literally don't have any time to think about other stuff but missionary work, and I love it :) I haven't written in my journal for about 2 weeks though.. don't get mad Mother.

This week has been a full one!! And today I don't have much time to write because we went to the offices because my companion has to renew his DNI, which I can't remember in English.. its like your Identification Document or something? haha. So I just waited.. but while I was waiting Elder Valdes showed up and we spent a nice few hours talking and catching up on things.. that guy is such a stud. Always will be gratetful for what he taught me.

This week literally was one of the best I've had in the whole mission :) we saw so many miracles! Yesterday in church we saw an amazing turnout for church, 9 of our investigators showed up. What a blessing. Sandra and her 4 daughters showed up.. and she is continuing her preparations for her baptism on the 17th. She stopped smoking the past week so we are doing all we can to help her continue strong. She wants to get baptized like crazy! So I have the faith she will continue through :) Her daughters Luz, and Naera are also preparing to be baptized as well with her.

This week we went to visit a lady who is less active, she lives in a little house with her husband but all the houses around are family members. As we were talking to her her family members just started to enter the house like crazy. We ended up talking to a ton of them.. and 3 of them went to church as well! I have such a strong testimony about those who are less active and have a testimony of the church. Life never is easy and we have challenges everyday, and it's our responsibility to find and help those who have temporarily lost their way. 

The Familia Torres is still doing good! Still waiting for their Birth Certificates to be able to set a marriage date. It has been quite the wait, and a test of patience.. but we are all learning from it. On Saturday we did a service project with them.. cut down some trees in the house of Juan`s brother. It was a nice time to work hard but enjoy with them. The best part of the mission is the friendships that we are able to build, friendships based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I really don't have much time, but I want you all to know how much I love you and care about everyone of you. I love being able to represent my Savior everyday. But I also never forget the other name I carry.. our name. I love being able to be a missionary and do all I can to make you guys proud and to bring the happiness we have to others. The unity we have as a family has always given me the desire to share the Gospel with others and help them one day receive all the blessings they deserve. I hope that you guys continue to make the best of everyday, and continue to be examples to all that are with you! You are such a blessing to me. I can't wait to see all of your beautiful faces in 1 week! But until them.. it's time to get to work :)

With all my Love,

Elder Hansen!