Cien Dias

Hola Familia y amigos,

Oh man this week was a winner!!

So on Tuesday I went on exchanges with Hermana Salcido!! She came to Channelview and Hermana Andrus went with Hermana Perez to their area. It was so cool being with Hermana Salcido again! We were companions about a year ago. It was fun to see how much we have both grown. I love her so much.

Yesterday was a SWEET day because: 

#1 Bryan and Pepo got the priesthood
#2 Jaime was confirmed
 #3 Perla and her whole family came to church
#4 German (one of our investigators) told us that he wants to be baptized on August 31st
#5 We had a great noche de hogar at Perlas house with La familia Jasso (a family in the ward).
#6 Gabriel (Perla's husband) had his baptismal interview and passed with flying colors

So yeah yesterday was pretty rocking.

Also we are soooooo excited for this coming Sunday because Perla, Gabriel, Jr, Katy, and Michelle are all getting baptized! We are so happy for this amazing family. We have been talking to them alot about temples lately and how they can be an eternal family. They are planning on getting sealed in a year from now. It has been such a beautiful experience teaching them. Perla is SO excited. She asked us to help her make some tamales on Friday for after the Baptism on Sunday :)

This morning (about 3 hours ago) we went fishing with Perlas family and the Jassos! They told us we would see alligators though and we didn't see any soI guess we will have to go again. We got some really great pics though. I guess Texas is pretty pretty. I love this state. And guess what...I caughta FISH.

Perla and Family

I caught a Fishhhh.

Livin the Life

Hiking! (Told you Texas is pretty)

Also Guess What?! So this Saturday Elder Cook is coming to the mission and we are having a huge mission conference. I am for sure going to take good notes so next week I will let ya'll know how it went!

I know this Church is true and I love ya'll so much.

Con Amor,

Hermana San Juan

We are models, right.

Hna Andrus and me at New Missionary Training that we had this past Tuesday.

Selfie pic with President Drake hahaha

This Week Was a Good One.

 Jaimes Baptism!

(He's the one next to me, Raul is the one next to him.)

Jaime

Mostly because Jaime was baptized and I can't even explain in words how amazing it was. Everything turned out perfectly and Jaime called us after and said "I feel the happiest I have ever been, I didn't think this was possible."

Preparing for the baptism.

Jaime and his Hermana missionaries.

He made these hair clips for them and they wore them to his baptism.

Hermano Raul Rodriguez, Hermana Andrus, Katelyn

I think the baptism was so beautiful because of all that Jaime had to change in his life to get to that point. He was at rock bottom when Hermana Williams and I found him outside his apartment smoking. So just seeing him at the baptism all dressed in white was something that I can't describe. I think it's something of how Christ feels for us. It was also neat because we had a member named Hermano Avalos speak at the baptism and he and Jaime are both from Guadalajara, Mexico so the first time they met they had a special bond. Hermano Avalos could hardly hold in his tears while speaking. Also the person that baptized Jaime was Hermano Rodriguez. You guys I will never be able to repay this man for what he has done for Jaime. He is also from Guadalajara, Mexico (immediate bond) and has always been there for Jaime. This past week when Satan was working really hard on Jaime (because that's what always happens the week of a baptism--ugh) Hermano Rodriguez would show up at Jaime's house just when he needed him the most. 

This is part of my journal entry about yesterday: "Raul Rodriguez baptized him and while they were in the font they were looking directly at each other while Raul said the baptismal prayer and Raul got super choked up. I think in that moment he really truly saw Jaime how God sees him, an imperfect being who has potential and worth far beyond his capacity to imagine. After Jaime just looked up at the sky and closed his eyes. I don't think he ever dreamed of making it to this point."

Yesterday was a HAPPY HAPPY day. Also it was Hermana Andrus' first baptism so she was super stoked all day!!! haha she is awesome.

Kevin is a recent convert and he is the bomb.

We love Kevin.

We focused a lot on finding new investigators this week and we ended up seeing a lot of miracles and meeting a lot of prepared people! Specifically we met a man named Jorge. He was outside drinking beer on his porch. We talked to him for a little bit and then he began to open up. Just got out of jail for drunk driving and wants to change his life around. He told us something that really stuck with me. He said that the reason he got in so much trouble growing up was because that's what people expected of him. He said that people would tell him all the time, including his mom, that he was worth nothing and that he was going to end up behind bars one day. So thats what he became. He didn't want to be that person but he felt like there was no other choice. We bore testimony that there is a God who loves him and I think it touched him. We are going back in a couple days.

I know that this Church is true and it changes lives. I love you all so much.  

Con mucho amor,
Hermana San Juan

 This was the tiniest, cutest dog ever.

What a member made us for dinner the other night....

Yes this is what it looks like..hot dogs, french fries, and lettuce. 

Apparently is what they eat in Peru??

Hermana Andrus is obsessed with the clouds of Texas and it has rubbed off on me.

BUT SERIOUSLY LOOK AT THEM!

Makin' some Mexican food, including Salsa.

We went to BDUBS. Hna Perez, Hna Salcido, me, Hna Andrus

I LOVE HERMANA SALCIDO!

It's Really Happening!

Milagros, milagros, milagros, 

Such a great week. oh man I will try to explain, it would be so much better if I could explain to you in person but here we go...

Hermana Andrus, Perla, Michelle (13), Katy (11), Jr (9) Hermana San Juan

So we have been trying to set a date with Perla and her family the whole time I have been here but it has just been really hard because her husband's work schedule is crazy and they want to be baptized all together and we still have a bunch to teach him. For his work schedule he is gone for 14 days and then back one day. It's the worst. So Hermana Andrus and I fasted for them and prayed for a way for them to be baptized this transfer. So Saturday morning we go over to their house for lunch (pics attached) and Perla says "Hermanas we have a special guest joining us for lunch today." Then about 15 minutes later her husband walks in the front door! We taught him everything else he needed to know for baptism and went over the baptismal interview questions with the whole family. They all passed with flying colors and we set a date with them for August 24th!! IT'S REALLY HAPPENING. We figured everything out with his work schedule and it was really such a blessing. You guys, it's a family of five. So beautiful. We talked to them about the temple and how they can be sealed in a year. We couldn't hold back the tears. That right there is what it's all about.

Perla making empanadas for us.

She knows they are my favorite.

  Training is a blast. Hermana Andrus is awesome. We are having the time of our lives and just working hard. We had president interviews this past Tuesday. It was good to get to know President Drake a little better. It's different without President Crawford but I know we need President Drake here now. He is such a sincere person and I can tell that he just wants the very best for us and this mission. You can tell that he does what he does because he loves God and wants to serve him.

Bryan and Pepo wore ties to church they be catchin' on.

Spencer...I can't believe you leave Wednesday. It seems like I was there just yesterday. I can recall that day perfectly. You are going to be the best missionary Mexico has ever seen.
I love you all so much and I miss you dearly. Your prayers are felt. Thank you for everything. THE CHURCH IS TRUE.

Con mucho amor,
Hermana San Juan

tu conoces el hombre de mufin??

TEXAS!

Hello! 

Okay so I think that it just hit me that Spencer is really leaving and I already haven't seen him for a really long time. I loved listening to your talk, Spencer, but it made me miss you a little. You are going to be the best missionary and I'm not just saying that.

 

Spencer listen to the song "2 years" by Carli Barlow on YouTube. You won't regret it.

Hermana Andrus and Hermana San Juan 

So my new companion's name is Hermana Andrus! She is so AWESOME. I really don't know how I get to blessed with companions. She is from California. We have a lot in common and I love talking to her. She's pretty funny and has hilarious stories. Man she came out so much more prepared than I did. Her Spanish is already pretty good and she just goes for it in lessons.  It's awesome. I have flashbacks to when I was being trained all the time, so it's kinda weird.

 

Bryan and Pepo are doing too awesome. They were so excited to get the Holy Ghost yesterday.  It was so cute. They just keep telling us how happy they feel and how much of a difference they have seen. We gave them a picture of us at their baptism and they put it up in their front room and said they will always remember their angels.

 

Jaime is doing really well. He is getting a little nervous for his baptism on August 10th but he is also so happy. He brought his sister to church yesterday because she wanted to "see the church and the girls that changed his life" is what she said. She told us that we did for him what they couldn't do and she will be forever grateful. I think she is also a little interested so we will see where that goes :)

 

Also, Guzman is still coming to church every week. We aren't really sure what his intentions are? He asked us if we would marry him if he got plastic surgery to remove his wrinkles so that was weird. haha

Katelyn with Hermana Williams 

This week I have been thinking about something that President Crawford always asked us, "When you pray who do you see?" Who I see has changed drasticaly since I have been out on my mission. I think before I left I didn't really see anything. I never really thought about it. But I have learned and felt that Heavenly Father is right there next to me when I pray. I know the power of prayer is real. When we kneel to pray He is right there kneeling with us. 3 Nephi 17:13-16. I love you all so much and I love this gospel.

 

"Two years is a time for me to give back for I owe each breath that I breathe. It's only a small thing when you look at eternity." --Hermana Barlow

 

Love,

Hermana San Juan

Also Alex went to the temple this past week!! I couldn't go back for it which was sad but I couldn't be more happy for him.  

I'M GOING TO BE A MOMMY!

I'M GOING TO BE A MOMMY.

Yup I'm super excited I'm going to be training a brand new missionary! The sad part is that Hermana Williams is leaving me. But I know that she is needed in another area.

So first off Brian and Bepo got baptized yesterday!!

After the baptism Brian shouted out "I"M MOROMON" haha

It's kind of a crazy story because Adela was the one looking super solid for Sunday and then she got cold feet and told us she wanted to wait a little longer. So we were making plans to cancel the baptism but then later that night we went over to Brian and Pepos for a lesson and they told us that they have been praying about baptism and when they prayed they felt a peace and they knew it was true! They told us that they would be ready for baptism this Sunday! (yesterday). So we didn't have to cancel the baptism after all. It was such a beautiful service. Brian and Pepo were so happy. I really don't think they stopped smiling the whole time. It was adorable. Obispo Gracia baptized them and a lot of people from the ward came and brought lots of food. It went perfectly.

Jaime at church with his classy tie we bought him for his b-day.

So our investigator Jaime makes things out of leather for work (belts, cowboy hats, saddles, wallets, etc...) And he made us keychains and hair clips! Cool right?

So funny story. Adela only has one eye because she had to get surgery and now her eye won't open (this is not the funny part) haha. So we were at her house about to start teaching her and the T.V. was on so Hermana Williams snuck over to it and tried to turn it off when she wasn't looking, but Adela saw and she did the "I'm watching you" thing but since she only has one eye she only used one finger and we were dying it was so funny. She always makes us laugh so hard.

Hermanas Williams and San Juan 
Gummy eggs and waffles? SURE! So good!

PUPPIES. Are you jealous Paige???

I love you all so much and I know this is the true Church! I am so excited for Spencer to leave on his mission. Only a couple more weeks!

Con Amor,

Hermana San Juan

We Taught Like Crazy!

Hermana Williams, Jaime, Hermana San Juan 

Okay. 

So sorry I don't have that much time today! 

But this week was awesome and we taught like crazy! Everyone was home this week and only a couple of lessons fell through...miracle. 

Adela is a stress and a half. Her baptism is this coming Sunday and she is SO ready. Her kids just aren't very supportive of her decision so she is second guessing it a little bit. So keep her in your prayers, we are for sure going to be praying for her this week.   

We got 7 people at church yesterday! Pearla and her whole family came. They are the best. They are picking a date in August right now for their baptism we are so excited for them. 

Jaime is still going strong with no smoking! Members have been so supportive and helping him out a lot. 

Love yall so much!  

Sorry this was so short!

Happy Late 4th of July!!

Katelyn and Hermana Williams 

Happy 4th from the Hometown Bandits

People got some major Texas pride going on over here. It was basically like happy to be a Texan day. 

This week was a HOT one. Holy cow. Like a 115 everyday and pouring rain haha. Also our car broke on Monday so we were on bikes this whole week..it was something else let me tell you. We were soaking wet basically 100% of the time either from rain or sweat haha. We felt like real missionaries. But we got our car back yesterday so we are very grateful. 

 SOAKING WET. Don't judge us. hahaha

This crazy lady gave us a stick to "hit dogs when they chase us." 

We taught the whole Martinez family this week (Pearla)! Her husband is so sweet and really interested in the gospel. He told us that he has seen a huge positive difference in his family since he has been home and that's how he knows it is the true church. We gave them three dates in August to pick from to be baptized :) 

Also, Jaime is doing awesome! He oficially quit smoking on July 3rd because that was his birthday. He has been going strong and the ward is being really supportive. A family in our ward, the Hernandez family, invited him to a dinner on Wednesday night and people have been going over to visit him and give him rides to church. We set a goal date with him for August 10th. 

 Hermanas Williams and San Juan - Ride Justin

Jaime, Pepo, and Brian all came to church again! Pepo and Brian even stayed for 2 hours, they just can't get enough. We set a date with them for this week too. July 20th. 

BEST PIC EVER ... Brian and his Ferrett 

So for the 4th of July we got permission from the zone leaders to go to a 15 for a less active family that we are reactivating! My first quince! It was a blast. I love the hispanic culture. Those parties are so fancy. There was a ton of good food and pretty dancing.

Daniela is 15.

With Tweety Bird at the 15.  

THE CHURCH IS TRUE. I love you all so much. Read your scriptures and pray every day! It's the little things that shape who we are!

Con mucho amor,
Hermana San Juan