Hugo was Baptized!

Hermana Salcido, Herman San Juan, Hugo and Gloria

Hi there,

Okay Okay! I know I say this every week but this was really like the best week ever!! Mostly because Hugo was baptized and it was such a beautiful service. Hermana Salcido, Ochsenbein, and I sang "Mas cerca Dios de ti". It took all I had in me to not cry. Especially because I kept looking at Gloria and she was bawling haha. I have missed Baytown ALOT. It was so nice to be back for a couple hours :) Hugo looked so adorable in his white suit and he was glowing the whole time. But the best part was at the end of the baptism they told us that they are planning on getting sealed in the temple on June 25th of next year and they want us to come back for it! This is what it's about people.

ALSO, I HAVE MISSED HERMANA SALCIDO AND IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE HER.

Also, I have a huge miracle story to tell you! Well it was huge for Hermana Shannon and me, at least, haha.

Hermana Shannon, ?, Katelyn

This is called the miracle of Alex:

So for the past three weeks Hermana Shannon and I have been doing EVERYTHING we could to get Alex to come to church. Church tour, member presents, inviting him, having members invite him, inviting him to activities, calling him, texting him, etc. But none of it has been working and he still hadn't come to church! But we were really looking forward to him coming to church this Sunday (yesterday) because we had seen him Saturday and he told us yes that he could come. Well we texted him Sunday morning before church and asked him if he was still planning on coming and he texted back and said that he couldn't come. We were SO sad. We didn't know what we were going to do from there, probably have to make some hard decisions becuase we had tried everything for weeks. Well we were sitting in the car about to go into church and I said a silent prayer to myself. I prayed and told God, "We have done all that we can do and I know Alex told us he can't come but you are a God of miracles and I believe." So we entered the church and sat down. Mario and Lesly sat by us as usual and then a little bit later Juan Pablo (an investigator we taught Saturday) showed up! Miracle!  And it turns out that he works with the bishop and his son! So we were talking with them after sacrament meeting and I'm just looking around and I see ALEX just standing in the back looking for us! You guys this is real life. He came! So I asked him if he wanted to go to class and he said, "Yeah I just wanted to wait here for the woman who invited us to church this morning, but I don't know where she went and I can't remember what she looks like." I had no idea who he was talking about...could it have been an angel? All I know is that it was a miracle and that he came and loved it and that God is REAL and he answers prayer and that he KNOWS us. Also he was able to come to the baptism and feel of the strong spirit that was there. He told us that he believes it's true and he can feel something very different. He is going to be so ready by the 15th of March.

Sorry that was so long I just felt like I had to tell you about one of the many miracles we saw this week!

I love you all so much and I love this gospel so much. I have been thinking a lot about mom this week. It's almost been a year since she has passed away, it still feels like it was yesterday to me. She was such a strong person. When I need strengh I think about her. I know she's here on the mission watching out for me and helping me....who knows maybe she was the angel that helped Alex..:)

LOVE Y'ALL!

Love,

Hermana San Juan

P.S.A BIG SHOUT OUT TO MY MAIN MAN, KARI ST JOHN. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCH 1 YOU DA BEST. HAPPY 30TH :) 

Happy Happy Happy

This week was INCREDIBLE. So on Friday we had a zone conference and Elder Aidukaitis from the 70 came and talked to us. It was such an eye opener. He was very forward and very straight to the point but very kind and filled with the spirit. I have never met anyone like him before. I wish I could describe to you the things he said in a way that you could feel how I felt. It was definitely an experience that I will never forget. He talked a lot about how we can improve as a mission and how we should never, never set any of our goals as 0. He really motivated me to work harder and set my vision higher. You guys, it was incredible.

We are teaching this man named Mario right now. It's actually a cool story. Hermana Shannon and Seely (yes they were companions) were knocking this apartment complex because they had a little bit of time before they had to be at their next appointment and found Mario. He let them in and his girlfriend was there and they stared teaching them. At the end of the lesson they invited them to be baptized and his girlfriend was like, "I'm already a member of your church!" So apparently she was baptized about 7 years ago in Mexico and hasn't been to church since then. Now we are teaching Mario and he is so PREPARED. He has a baptism date for the 15th of March. The only tiny thing is is that he and Patty aren't technically married.....yeah....but they said that they are planning on getting married the first week in March so that he can be baptized!

We are also teaching this guy named Alex. We found him knocking. He had talked to missionaries before but a long time ago. He accepts everything we teach him and is super awesome. He just won't come to church! I think he has a couple of fears about it but we are working on it. He is great. He has a baptism date for the 15th as well and is looking forward to it.

We get to go to the temple on Wednesday! So excited!

I hope y'all know how much I love you. I have such a strong testimony of this gospel. My testimony and love for the Book of Mormon has also grown so much since I have been out on my mission. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and it blesses me every day. That book has become a part of me. I feel the spirit every time I read it. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He knows how each of us feel when we are passing through difficult times. And when we are going through difficult times the best thing we can do is to rely on him. Let him carry us. Serve other people. We are children of God and he loves us. I know we can all find the strength we need to overcome challenges through this gospel.    

Alma 38:5 :)

Con Amor,

Hermana San Juan

P.S. Go watch the bible videos that are on Mormon Channel! They will change your life!!

Here is my new address:

10925 Beamer Rd. #440

Houston, TX 77089

I Am Devil Free!

GUESS WHO ARE COMPANIONS AGAIN?!

Yep that's right. Hermana Shannon and I are companions again! It was so crazy at transfer meetings. President Crawford called our names and we ran up to each other and I gave her the biggest hug in the world! I couldn't help but smile the rest of the meeting. We just kept looking at each other like, "This is not real life." We went up to President Crawford after the meeting and were like, "Hey President, did you know that we were companions in the MTC?" His face was hilarious. He obviously forgot. But then he was like, "Well it looks like you were meant to be companions again. I hope you got along well in the MTC," and gave us a huge smile. Love him.

I'M COMPS WITH HERMANA SHANNON AGAIN. I still can't believe it sometimes.

So the area we are in is called Broadway Two South. It's in Houston. I'm finally serving in Houston! I was really excited when I found out. All my other areas have been out in the country. Now I am surrounded by huge buildings, millions of people, and we have to take the freeway to get to church. It's alot different than my other areas but I think I am really going to like it. Also, I am serving in a ward now! A ward! You guys this is a big deal, I haven't been in a ward for almost 9 months. There are like 200 people that come to church every week......200! I am used to about 30 people at church every week. I'm sure yesterday at church Hermana Shannon got so sick of me saying, "There are so many people here!!" haha.

So Hermana Salcido told me yesterday that Hugo is still planning on getting baptized this Saturday! Pure joy. And the great thing is is that I called President and he said that I could go back to Baytown for the baptism! I'm so excited. Also, here in Broadway we have two baptisms coming up in the next couple of weeks.

So funny story. The other day Hermana Shannon and I had a little bit a free time so we decided to go knock some doors. We saw this guy working on his car so we went up and talked to him. We were having a good normal conversation with him but he had some doubts about the Book of Mormon. So we started to testify that we know it's true and that it can bless his life and other things like that when all of a sudden he said, "Can I say a prayer for you guys before you leave?" So we were like, "Yeah, of course." And then the next thing we know he has a hand on each of our heads and was speaking in some Hebrew language.... We are pretty sure he was trying to take the devils out of us because he said something like Diablo in the middle of his prayer. So yeah....basically you guys don't have to worry about me anymore because I am devil free! haha It was really funny.

P.S.

Tiny miracle. I was really wanting some boots because it has been pretty cold and rainy here the last couple of days but I had no way to get any so I just made peace with it, but I really wanted some. Then this morning I looked out the window and it was raining cats and dogs. Well I decided to say a prayer.... You can pray for anything right? And I just asked if there was anything I could do to not get so wet. And guess what.....while cleaning the apartment today I FOUND RAIN BOOTS. Just sitting in the closet on the floor and they are my perfect size. You guys, God answers prayers. He loves and knows each of us.

I love you all so much!!! So so much. And I love this work so much. I learn new things about the gospel every day and it's the best thing ever. I am SO happy. and I hope you all are too. Have a happy happy Valentines Day <3

Con Amor,

Hermana San Juan

Vilma and Katelyn

Familia Rodriguez

Gloria took them for pedicures on their last p-day in Baytown.

Gloria, Katelyn and Hugo

Transferred!

Best District Ever!

Elders, Hermana Salcido, Hermana San Juan

Happy February!

Sooo we got the call on Friday....I'm being transferred. But not only am I being transferred we are being flushed. Which means that both Hermana Salcido and I are being transferred out of the area! The assistants call you when you are being flushed on Friday night so when we saw their call we knew what they were going to say. The mean thing is that they flush a toilet on the phone and say, "Do you know what that means?" Rude, right? haha. We were not expecting that at all. The reason they are flushing us is because almost half of the Hermanas that are out here are going home this week and only one is coming out so they have to shut down some areas for a little while until more Hermanas come out. So they shut down our area and are combining it with the Baytown East Hermanas area. So Hermana Salcido will still work our area but this time it will just be combined with the other area. Does that make any sense? haha

Elder, Hermana San Juan, Hermana Salcido

Anyways I'm pretty sad to leave Baytown and Hermana Salcido but I know it's what is supposed to happen even though it's hard to say goodbye. I'm going to miss Baytown. And Hermana Salcido because you hardly ever have a companion that is basically your twin.

Also a little bit of sad news. We went over to Katias on Monday and she told us that she is moving back to Dominican Republic. :(  My heart broke. She had a baptism date for this Saturday. She is moving back with her daughter over there because she doesn't have enough money to live here. I was so close to telling her that she can just come and move in with us. She had to be out by Saturday so everything moved really fast. We went over and helped her pack her stuff on Friday and then she was gone Saturday. She told us that she would keep in touch and tell us when she is going to get baptized. She thanked us for everything and told us that she will be forever grateful for us. Those lucky people in the Dominican Republic they get one of the best people I have ever met.

 Katelyn, Katias, Hermana Salcido

GOOD NEWS! Hugo is progressing sooooo well. We have become really close with him and Gloria and I am so sad to leave them. When I told them I am being transferred...oh man it was sad. Hugo is a man of very few emotions but when he was saying the prayer at the end of our lesson he prayed for me in my new area and thanked Heavenly Father for sending me to them. I'm not saying this to brag. I'm saying this in the most humble way possible because the mission has taught me how to love and to see people how God sees them. I am so grateful to have met them. They really have become such a happy part of my life. But when I told him I could come back for his baptism in a couple weeks he was really excited.  

I love you all SO much. Thank you for being such great examples to me and being so supportive. This gospel is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior and He lives and we will all live again. I love the Book of Mormon and I know it can change lives.

Con mucho much amor,

Hermana San Juan :)

Katelyn and Hermana Salcido
Sunday Dinner at the home of
a member.










The following photos are of their morning run.  Such obedient missionaries:

Bipolar Week

Hermana Salcido, San Juan and Ochsenbein

Buenos Dias!

So Texas was having a really bipolar week this past week. On Friday everything here in Baytown was FROZEN and we weren't allowed to leave our apartments and then the next day it was like 70 degrees and beautiful outside. And apparently this next week is going to be really freezing too and might even snow so we will see!

President interviews were this week and they went really well! President Crawford gave us these things called "tassels" to memorize when I first got to the mission. We are asked to memorize about 100 scriptures and what they say and what points they go with in the lessons. And he asked everyone to have them memorized by their interviews. So Hermana Salcido and I were memorizing like crazy all week and when president interviews came we aced the test the assistants gave us. We were pretty proud of ourselves haha. My interview with president was so good. He is such a great, kind, wise man and I look up to him so much. He makes you feel special even though he has 200 other missionaries to worry about. He always asks how I'm doing and especially at this time of year because he knows that this is about when Mom passed away. 

So kind of sad news. We had to drop the Gutierrez family. It was definitely one of the hardest parts of my mission so far. We really didn't want to drop them but we had been praying about it and we just knew that it had to be done. They just didn't want to give up some of their beliefs. And we completely understand that it's hard and it's not easy for people to change. The good thing is that things ended really well and the spirit was so strong. I know that down the road they will accept the gospel and welcome in that spirit again. They are such great people.

So now good news! Katia is BACK from the Dominican! And even better news she is still good for being baptized on Feb 1! Oh how I missed her!

Things are going really well with Hugo still. We gave him 3 dates to pick from and pray about. When we extended the dates to him his wife Gloria started crying and he had the biggest smile on his face :) It was a really happy moment for us all. Ahh I just LOVE them!

I love all of you and I'm so grateful for you love and support! Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Hermana San Juan

She hasn't lost her love of life!

P-Day Bowling

Champions!

So basically every P-day we get together as a zone and play nerf war.

(This sounds super nerdy!)

This is a picture of the WINNING team. Champions.

HOLA,

Sorry the library was closed yesterday so that's why I'm e-mailing today! And apparently my e-mail last week didn't make it so I'm really sorry. I'm alive. I promise!

This week we had a baptism in our branch! His name is Hector and he is so amazing. The service was beautiful and he looked so happy. Vilma came to the baptism and she told us that she felt the spirit. I don't know if I have told you about Vilma? She is one of our progressing investigators. She comes to church every Sunday, reads the Book of Mormon, prays. But she won't accept a baptism date because her son is on a mission right now and she wants to wait until he gets back to be baptized. He still has about a year and a half left soo..... We are trying to help her understand why it's important to be baptized and that she can have even more blessings. She is so amazing. We love her.

Also, we are teaching this man named Hugo right now and he is SO great. Let me just tell you about him. So his wife Gloria is a member and she was less active for a long time, about 10 years. Her mom passed away of cancer and was a really strong member of the Church so when she died all of her kids fell away from the Church because they felt like they just couldn't do it without her. But recently she has decided to start coming back to church and so has her sister Diana. When I first met them it was an instant connection. I shared experiences about Mom and how she passed away from cancer as well. They have helped me understand things and I hope I have helped them in some way. And now we are teaching Gloria's husband, Hugo. He accepted the invitation to be baptized and is progressing really well. They are at church every week, never miss a Sunday. They are so strong and faithful now. Ahhh I love them. They are already making plans to come visit after the mission so you guys can for sure meet them :)

Also I just want to say that I love Hermana Salcido. She is the best. We are twins you guys it's crazy. Baytown is growing and we are seeing a lot of success and miracles! I love you all and I love this gospel! Have the best week ever!

Love,

Hermana San Juan

Forty Day Fast

Hey dad this was the e-mail I sent last week sorry I don't know what happened!

 BFFS (But seriously guys I love her.)

So this was a pretty normal week! How does Mason always have so much to say in his e-mails?

Funny story. So the English Elders were knocking some doors in this apartment complex and this man answered and they stared talking to him about the Book of Mormon and his neighbor randomly comes out side holding up a Book of Mormon and says in broken english "this is a good book read it!" and then went back inside of his apartment. So naturally the elders decided to go knock on his door and see what that was about. Well he didn't speak much English so the elders called us and gave us his information. So we went over there and you guys, this guys knows more about the Book of Mormon than most members of the church. He told us that he has read it 5 times!! 5 times! He has all the stories memorized and also knows Joseph Smiths whole story. He is a super genius. So we have been teaching him. He has a hard time with accepting a couple of things and doesn't want to come to church because he doesn't believe in organized religion but he is really great and we are seeing progress!

The Gutierrez family is doing really awesome. We taught them the word of wisdom the other night and they just completely opened up to us. Hermano Gutierrez told us that he has had an addiction to smoking for almost his whole life and he has tried to quit so many times but it's hard. And now he has a lot of health problems because of it. But we felt really prompted to promise him that with the help of your Heavenly Father you will be able to quit smoking and you will have the health that you need. They are progressing really well. It's just hard with them sometimes because Hermana Gutierrez was raised in the Catholic church and her whole family is catholic so it's hard for her to change. But they told us that they can feel that this church is true and they are willing to change even though it's hard. We see them almost every night and we have such a good relationship with them.

So as a mission we are doing this thing called "The 40 day fast" It started yesterday. So yesterday we had a mission wide fast and we chose 3-5 things each that are holding us back from being the consecrated missionary. So for example I wrote 4 things down in my study journal that I want to give up for 40 days. One of this things was singing worldly music. Sometimes I find myself singing a song that I liked before the mission and it's not the worst thing in the world but it's all about giving up those little things that might be holding you back so that you can become the missionary Heavenly Father knows you can become. I am really looking forward to doing it and I know we are going to see a difference.

That's about it for this week! I love all of you SO MUCH and I hope you have an amazing fun week.

Con Amor,

Hermana San Juan :) 

Orange Leaf!!!

New Years Resolution: Eat Healthy