FELIZ ANO NUEVO!!

Hermana Salcido and Hermana San Juan 

 

BEST THING EVER!

First off it was the best thing ever talking to ya'll on Christmas. It was the best present that I could have gotten. I feel so blessed to have family and friends that are so supportive. Your attitude and spirits lift my attitude and spirits. You motivate me to work harder and be better so thank you!

Yesterday we had a pretty big miracle. So during Hour of Power this week we met a 15 year old girl named Saray Robles. We taught her a lesson on the couch on her front porch. We talked to her about the nature of God and taught her how to pray. And she said the last prayer and it was beautiful. Just simple and beautiful. Then yesterday we had an appointment with her and we invited Eleazar Hernandez to come with us. So he came and this time we went in her house and taught her and her mom. Her mom told us that the first night when we came that Saray came back in the house with a huge smile on her face and she told her she thinks it's true and she wanted to go to church but she didn't have a ride. They told us how they believe that God sent us here to them at a time when they need us the most. Saray told us that she has really bad depression and after we left she hasn't felt the same. She feels happier. I know we were sent to them for a reason and we feel so good about them.

I love mission miracles.

I was also reflecting on what happened this year this morning. It truly has been a life changing year. I am grateful for this year. It showed me some really amazing beautiful times and some of the hardest times. I know that Heavenly Father was with me through it all. I can see all the blessings and all the tiny miracles that happened this year. I can't wait to set some New Years resolutions and just try to make 2014 the best year yet. I love you all so much and I hope you have the happiest of New Years!

Love,

Hermana San Juan <3

This is the family that we spent Christmas Eve with.

Their names are the Rubios.

We had the BEST food.  Pasole, arroz, jamon, tamales and all sorts of other amazing things.

My adorable Christmas trees and presents.

These houses look like they could be in Hunger Games.

Hermana Salcido and I are obsessed.

Christmas Eve fun!

FELIZ NAVIDAD

This was such a great week. Even though things have been a little slow here because EVERYONE went to Mexico for Christmas. And when I say everyone I'm not even exaggerating. All of our investigators, the members, the less actives, and all the rest of the Mexicans in Baytown are in Mexico. Haha there were about 20 people at church yesterday. So sad. But other than that things have been great! 

My new companion's name is Hermana Salcido. She is so awesome. We have so much in common it's crazy and we even look like twins! Everyone has been asking us if we are sisters. I'm really sorry I don't have a picture I will have one next week (forgot my camera oops). She is from Utah (surprise) and she has been out about 9 months. This transfer is going to be so great I'm am more than excited.

Also thank you everyone so much for all the packages and letters! I feel so loved and lucky to have all of you in my life. I AM SO BLESSED. So really thank you.

I hope everyone has a happy Christmas! I love, love, love being a missionary at this time of year. I am seeing Christmas in a whole new light. I have been reading the Christmas story in the Bible and it all just has so much more meaning to me now than it ever has. I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and for this time of year that we have to celebrate his birth. I have been thinking lately about what I am going to give Jesus this year for Christmas. I think it's so amazing how we can repent and change and just become better every day. I owe Christ everything and I am trying so hard to become more like him every day. I know this Church is true and I'm grateful for all of you (hey that rhymes). LOVE Y'ALL.

Love,

Hermana San Juan :)    

Christmas Conference

Hey Ya'll!

So I have really great news...I'm staying here in Baytown for another 7 weeks! The sad news is that Hermana Flores is leaving me. I am going to miss her like crazy. She has taught me so much. I just wanted to share with you part of my letter that I sent to President Crawford this week:

 "I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to stay here in Baytown for another transfer. I am really going to work hard and I have such a desire to help this area grow. I have really come to love this area and I see so much potential here. I am also so grateful for the opportunity I had to be companions with Hermana Flores. She has taught me so much and I will be forever grateful for her. She just inspires me to be better and to work harder and to be obedient. I am going to carry what she has taught me throughout my entire mission and I hope to bless other people's lives through what I have learned. I really feel so confident coming out of this transfer."

It's sad to say goodbye to her but I am so excited and I feel ready to take over this area. Also I can't wait to meet my new companion!

Also Christmas conference was on Wednesday! I am going to type you the excerpt from my journal.

Elder Hafford, Katelyn

Elder Davis, Hermanas Flores, San Juan, Elder Halter

Elder Sully, Hermana Tonga, Hermana Flores

Gifts from Hermana Flores to all her past companions.

"Today was Christmas Conference! Such a great day, it's so strange that it's over already. It's something missionaries talk about all year long. And I'm a little sad because it's my only one. So the conference started off with the end of year mission video then we talked about numbers (classic) then two recent converts spoke to us about their conversion story and there were a couple of musical numbers in between. Then Sister Crawford told a couple of Christmas stories. I really loved hearing all the music and the stories. It made it feel a little bit more like Christmas. Elder Davis (or Chad Davis) and his companion sat next to Hermana Flores and me. It was nice talking to him and catching up. Then we ate lunch. The food was really amazing. They had a chocolate fountain with all sorts of fruits and treats to dip in it. I sat by Hermana Arcila and we talked the whole time. It was so great catching up with her. She told me that three of the people that we taught together while we were there got baptized that weekend! Olga, Donchewy and Isabelle! She wanted it to be a surprise so that's why she waited until Christmas conference to tell me. SO HAPPY. It was hard to stop smiling the rest of the day after that. What a wonderful day."

Katelyn, Bagpiper, Hermana Flores

 Also we had to say goodbye to Katia on Wednesday. She's gone to the Dominican Republic. She said that she is thinking about coming back in two week instead of 4 now so that will be good. She is still really excited for her baptism and I am happy that I will be here for it!

Well that's about it for my week I love you all! And I love this time of year! I am so grateful for the Savior and for his great sacrifice. I have really been reflecting on it a lot lately and what the true meaning of Christmas really is. You guys make me so happy. Thanks for all your love and support.

And guess what...I GET TO TALK TO YOU ON CHRISTMAS.

Love,

Hermana San Juan

Christmas in the Air

Spanish Class:

Planning - and Food

Hola! :)

So quick story. On Wednesday we had to go get the oil changed in our car and they said it would be about half an hour but of course it ended up taking about 3 because more people started coming in and apparently the tires needed to be changed (you know how car places are). But while we were there waiting we met this man named Johnny Ray Kennedy. Quite a name right? I told him it sounds like someone famous. Anyway, I talked with him for the entire 3 hours that we were waiting and it was the best thing ever. I could basically tell you his whole life story. He is this 70-year-old black man who has been through it all. We gave him a Book of Mormon and basically had a lesson with him right there. We talked about prophets, read the introduction, and told him about Joseph Smith. He said that he would really love to learn more and would love to know if it's true. We left him with the commitment to pray about it. He said he would. I love being a missionary guys.

Also we set a baptismal date with Katia! It's for February first because she is going to the Dominican Republic for a month to visit her daughter. I think I told you that last week? But anyway, she is so excited! She has been coming to church and all the activities for the past couple of weeks and she fits right in with the branch. The members have been really great with her and she told us that she feels right at home. She just has a natural love for the gospel and it's such a great example to me.

Did you guys like the First Presidency Christmas Devotional? I thought it was really beautiful. We watched it in Katia's apartment with her. She was fascinated by all the people that were there at the Conference Center, the Christmas decorations, how amazing Temple Square looks, the choir, and the beautiful talks given. She is so great you guys.

That's about it for my week, we find out Saturday about transfers! Oh also almost forgot, Christmas conference is this Wednesday. It's where the whole mission gets together and people share their talents and there are speakers. I'm really excited Hermana Flores says it's really amazing. 

Love you all and I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Hermana San Juan   

Hermana Flores, Suyasen who goes with them teaching, and Katelyn

So funny, Hermana Flores & Hermana San Juan are dressed alike.

President Crawford, "Funny"

These are pictures of Katelyn's apartment.  

Six Month Mark

 Just doing some light reading by the beautiful fire place in the office of our apartment complex.

Buenos Dias!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We went to a member of the English ward's house, President Pomeroy. He is my favorite. He is a nice old man who knows so much about the gospel it's unreal. So basically during Thanksgiving dinner we sat and talked with him and asked him questions. He also speaks Spanish because he went on his mission to Chile (shout out to Mason) so we have spanish class with him every Wednesday morning. It was an all day P-day for us so we got together with the other missionaries in our zone and listened to Christmas music and played games.

Katia Quitarte is one of our progressing investigators. She is from the Dominican Republic and I love her accent. She just gets the gospel and has a natural love for it. We invited her to be baptized Thursday and she said yes! The only thing is that she is going back to the D.R. in a week to visit her daughter for a month. But she said she is going to continue going to church and meeting with the missionaries there! Plus she wants to share the gospel with her daughter so she is really excited. We gave her extra pamphlets and a Book of Mormon to give to her daughter and she is thrilled.

So on Friday night Hermana Shannon sent me a text that said "Hermana St John! Happy 6 months! We've made it this far!!" At this point I started to panic because I hadn't realized that it was my 6th month mark until that moment. And then Hermana Flores said "Your a third done with your mission!" Time is flying by so fast but I am loving every moment of it! I love my mission.

Funny story. We were at a member house the other night eating dinner and the 6-year-old son was saying the prayer and he said, "Please bless that I won't get too bored when the missionaries are here." Hermana Flores and I just stared cracking up. Oh little kids.

Things are going really well here in Baytown! I love this place and I learn so much from these amazing people every day. I know this gospel is true and it is how we find true happiness. Love you all so much I am so lucky to have people like you in my life.  

Love,

Hermana San Juan :)

Waterburger with the Hernandez family!

Thanksgiving Fun!