Thoughts and comments.........I hope they help.

Hey Family,
Thank you for the info. Your right....is that a fact or opinion? fact! I love how we always had to ask you that, Dad. I am actually realizing that the mission isn't as hard as I was making it. My companion Elder Pantoja is really funny and exactly what I need in this moment. He loves to be with the members....and not teach things....it drives me nuts sometimes. I have been a missionary robot for so long it was hard to really talk and socialize with people about things other than lesson 1,2,3, etc. ha ha. BUT I LOVE IT!!! The truth is my teaching is improving a lot when I teach more as advice to my friend than to an investigator.


Mexican Border Culture Class:
In the area of Tijuana Mexico there is a diverse range of culture based upon the attractive opportunities of being close to the border. People come from all over Mexico and also from other countries to either cross to the United States or take part in business opportunities. There is the extremely rich and also the extremely poor. This clash of different lifestyles and culture creates what we know as a "melting pot". :) I still remember that term!


Religion:
Everyone usually was, is, or was born Catholic. Recently, the Pope visited Mexico and there was a huge celebration. As I was checking out my groceries one P-day I saw a picture of him decked out in a giant sombrero. The Catholics are huge believers in the Virgin of Guadalupe. They have shrines, bumper stickers, and even widely known pharmices based on her.
There is also a big group with the name of "Christians". To be called Christian usually has the meaning of a religion such as Mormons or Catholics. The "Christians" are usually famous for the sanctions and other demonstrations of a marvelous nature. It gets a little difficult as we explain to people that yes we are Christians but no we aren't "Christians".
The other really big one is The Jehovah Witnesses. They are the only ones that really proselyte like we do and usually travel as families knocking doors in the morning and the only ones with Umbrellas for the sun. They are very similar to us as far as proselyting goes and have to explain that no we are not "the witnesses". One day I suggested to Elder Rico, another missionary on divisions, that we should contact every person in the street with an umbrella. ha ha. 


Well that's all I got for you guys. Love you all.
Elder Hanson

Wow! One year gone...

Hi Fam,
So this week in Mexicali we really started to feel the heat. There is a joke going around in the mission that all the bad missionaries get sent to Mexicali to be ironed out....by the SUN!!! We have found some really cool people and I am really starting to enjoy job. I was thinking about what it will be like in one year when I can't do this anymore and it really helps me to focus on the work. Mom and Dad, if I can get approved and and have the desire do you think that it would be alright to get an extension?
One of our investigators Miguel is awesome and really progressing. I had high hopes for him as he accepted all the commitments and invitations that we extended. He was going to be baptized last week but he is scared to get baptized without the approval of his wife who is really catholic. We are fasting and praying that this week he can be baptized.
I love you guys,
Elder Curtis Hanson

Dear Family,

I am getting along.=) My companion is really great and is helping me become better. He is finishing up his mission and only has 4 months left. crazy. I am also getting ready to cross a big bridge with completing one year in the mission on the 20th so we will probably throw a little party with some members.

I have also learned something really cool in my mission, how to study really efficiently. Right now I am trying to memorize a synopsis of basically every chapter in the Book of Mormon. It sounds intense when I say it in one sentence but it will actually take up to 6 weeks or more to complete. I just finished week one with 1 Nefi. I am really diving into the scriptures and finding all sorts of stuff out. I also studied about the Old testament. If you want you can ask me a question =) We have an investigator who only believes in the Old Testament and doesnt believe in Jesus Christ.

Well I will see you next week and love you so much!

Elder Hanson

GENERAL CONFERENCE POWER!!!!!!

Hi Family,

So I was really excited for the conference this weekend and I loved it!!! The spirit is so strong and it is amazing to use as a conversion tool. We had an investigator not only show up at conference but also give us a ride as we were hurrying to the stake center on our tired bikes. He pulled over and stated "running a little late aren't you" as we piled in a was grateful that God hears prayers from missionaries running late on bikes. We had planned on a ride but you have to be willing to pay the price if your investment failed and we were paying the price.

We showed up with him at the conference where we all sat together. In the mission, Genereal Conference has had a lot more meaning for me. I realized this as I explained that the men who were going to talk were prophets and apostles of the Lord just like in the bible. It was then that it really hit me how blessed we are to hear from them formally two times a year when this man has been on a search for Christ and God most of his life. He has studied with Jehovas Witnesses, was born catholic, and studied with his friends. The majority of the Christian world only uses the bible in there quest for Celestial Happiness. This man was no exeption and as we watched I realized the grand importance and opportunity we have to learn of God's Plan of Happiness and also to live it through not only other revealed scripture but also the words of modern revelation from God. As we left I invited him to pray to know the truth of what he heard. He responded that he already knew it was true. He said that you can just feel those things as he gently motioned with his hand to his heart.

We were blessed to be born with so much knowledge of all the questions of the soul and spiritual hunger. Let your light so shine! An example I use in my teaching sometimes is the question: if you take an english class but never speak why did you take the class? Being born in such a rich abundance of Gospel knowlege I feel is not only Godly aproval but a Godly responsability to learn and to live all the blessings of the gospel and to share it with others. Be an example. Fulfill your responsability. Recieve the blessings. Bless lives.

Will you do it?

You can do it and God will help you as you seek him. Like mom said it's through Christ that we truely grow. These things I share in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Hanson