WEEK 5 – 04/04/13

Hola Familia y Mi Amigos!

Te amo from Argentina! It’s my last letter before I reach the mission field! Excitement doesn´t even reach the feelings I am feeling!

This past week has been a lot more challenging. My companions and I have been having a few difficulties. Yet through the Lords will I feel I am being tested to see if I will apply the things I have been learning and gleaning from the scriptures. 

Kindness begins with me. As Steven R. Covey would say--be proactive not reactive. We do the acting, we are not the ones being acted upon. Lately I have felt prideful and determined to not forgive and allow my wounds to be healed. My roommates have done things I do not fully approve of in a missionary setting & mind set. They are good and happy girls, yet I feel at times we are in different books (not even really on the same page in our feelings, emotions, backgrounds, missionary ideas). Both my companions are very much a like and it is hard to be the one on the outside looking in. A few days ago I could count no more than 10 times Herman West turned and talked to me. It has been a definite challenge to RISE above and to try and not let it hurt & to show kindness anyway. It is hard to always be getting to know someone and they in turn are not really seeking to understand you. Perhaps I am too deep of a person? 

True listening may come from desiring to know someone better. I don´t enjoy it when people make others feel stupid for sticking up for what they believe in—so that has been hard. Or being criticized behind their backs and then it somehow gets back to the person and it may hurt them. Gossip travels FAST –esp. in small places like the MTC. I have seen its affects many times here and I can honestly say, it is a great rule to follow of not letting not your mind, nor tongue speak any guile towards any man. 

I feel like all the habits I worked on and broke before my mission are coming back ten fold and I have a constant battle inside my head. In my prayers I constantly am seeking strength from my father in Heaven. He knows me and the desires of my heart (D&C 6:17 I believe). I lately have been encouraging myself to see people as they may become! To focus on their strengths and to let what may offend me roll off my back. It has been HARD!! Yet so worth it. "A soft word turneth away wrath". 

I say to myself, "Let go of the pain of being different and set aside the pride of self-righteousness. Let the pan of hurt and the pride of not forgiving go first. There is a pain of not being understood and a pride of not allowing them in or the pride of no one can understand the person I am, etc. I am ashamed to recall these feelings—for I have pain, I have pride. May the Lord God assist me in becoming more what he would have me be. I desire to have no place within me for the "enemy of my soul" (2 Nephi?).

By the time I leave the MTC It will be EXACTLY 40 days since I arrived. According to religious symbols and the number 40 it has a lot of meaning. It is the number representing a period of trial and testing too. I have a new found connection and meaning now with this number. I also have a deeper understanding of 40 days--the length, the amount of change that can occur, habits made and broken, etc. I also have a new found appreciation for the Savior fasting for 40 days. Also since Easter is occurring, the remembrance of His birth, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection is prominent in my mind! "This is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That He Lives! For we saw him on the right hand of God..." (D&C 76:22, 23).

Virtue, obedience, and diligence has been a main focus in my studies lately. "Seek learning even by study and also by faith." I have studied. I have prayed. Now it is time to have faith that the Lord will help me & all of us accomplish the things that He would have us accomplish. "If there is anything virtuous lovely of Good report or praise worthy we seek (Avidly act to find) after these things"!!! 

I had an epiphany…Your family understands who you are, what you like to do, etc. The new challenge and opportunity I give to you and to myself is to be yourself in a world of people who may not know who you are or what you are going through. Let your family in and give them a chance to understand and to be there for you. It is important to be yourself, to hold strong to what you know to be true, & to not to let others persuade you otherwise and to rise above the influence of the adversary. Be a light! Shake off the works of darkness and put on the armor of LIGHT (Romans 13)!

I love you all and would love to share with you this one last thing. I know God is the Eternal Father. He knows me, he loves me! He is in this work. He cares about each of us individually. In the tapestry of life, do not forget he sees the upper and I the underside. He has a purpose for me! I believe in him, I know that I cannot do this by myself, that I will always have him by my side as long as I am faithful. Sweet is the work--My God! My KING! My Aba!

I love this church. I love that God gives us weakness so that we may come unto Him, that he helps  us to be stronger. I know who I am! I know Gods plan. I will follow him in faith! I know my Savior, Jesus Christ, lives! And that he loves me! I know that he atoned for my sins, for my happiness, and for my opportunity to live with him again. I know this. I live this. I love this! May God be with you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely all my love to you and the Lord!

Hermana Kaitlyn Hansen

P.S I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! :D it is going to be so awesome!

WEEK 4B 03-28-13

Here is the second letter. I have to admit that I forgot about how much these missionaries talk and lament about the boyfriends and girlfriends they left behind when leaving for their missions. I have been reminded here how grateful I am that Kaitlyn left without being attached to anyone in particular. It is good to hear she is staying positive and doing so well.

--Keisha

Hola Mi Familia y Mi Amigos!!!!

I love this quote! "What we are is more important than what we’ve been and what we can become is more important than what we are.” I feel grateful for this incredible opportunity to serve a mission. I just received a letter from my mission president and his wife. I am so excited to go there. I feel like their words of wisdom towards all of us “Montevideoians” is pure inspiration. I am glad time goes by quickly in the MTC because URUGUAY here I come!!

The other night there was this incredible storm! The sun was setting and the clouds were of all shades! The lightning in its exactness spread across the sky, electrifying in its magnificent glory! Honestly I have never seen anything like it before in my life. (Mosiah 4:9)

Throughout this week I have found that the Lord has blessed me in many ways. I am grateful for the past challenges I have had and for the chance I have to grow up in the church. I feel as though my love for the gospel is still growing, yet my roots are deep. There are pros and cons to this.

We discussed this week what our first experience was like in the temple. I was surprised to hear some of their interpretations. To me the temple was connecting and uplifting, taking me higher and solidifying me to the most inner part of my being. For some of them it was different, many obstacles for them to overcome mentally-- thinking that we were a cult or something. They all see the beauty and wisdom in it now, and for this I am grateful. The Lord helps us in our own time and in our own ways. 

The topic of boyfriends and girlfriends has come up. I had a feeling that this was going to happen. In my district 7 out of 10 have someone waiting, or someone they truly care about, back home. I listened as they talked about them and how they met. Some stories I heard the whole thing, other stories just bits and pieces. I found that after we talked about it my district was unified a little more, yet talking about home was hard. I feel like my companions especially got more saddened by this kind of conversation. They become more irritable and there was more "teasing" in the classrooms. The thing I hear the most about in my MTC room or in side conversations is about boys. When this happens I sing a hymn in my head and press onward. I care about guys, sure, yet honestly I am grateful the Lord has answered my prayers and made it so I am able to give 100% to the Lord and not have to think about, or to have my thoughts torn away from what I am doing, by having a boyfriend back home.

The Spanish language is coming!! I am really excited to see what incredible potential I can have with this language. My new Latina roommates are incredible! One is from Peru and the other from Colombia! They are such sweet girls and they only speak Spanish! It is day one with them and already I feel way more confident with the language than when I got here. "PRAY always, that you may come off a conqueror, yea that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the Servant of Satan that do uphold his work" (D&C 10:5). Satan wants you to be discouraged. He DOESN´T want you to succeed. Stand tall, "Be NOT afraid, for the LORD thy God is with thee, wither so ever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9)

"Honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). I have found Sundays to be something that we mentally shift and change for. Every day we walk down the same halls and go to the same rooms, yet the mind set changes on the Sabbath day. It is an even higher way of feeling and thinking. It is turning yourselves more towards God. I am grateful to already have this understanding of the Sabbath. Make it a different day, set aside yourself and keep always a remembrance of the Lords atoning sacrifice. This day is a beautiful day, it is the Lords day.

In the scriptures it talks about how Peter returned to their nets after the death and resurrection of Christ. Then Jesus comes unto his beloved friend and companion Peter and says, “Do you love me? Then feed my sheep.” Three times he says this. I sincerely believe that the Lord knows Peter and his heart, like he knows me. He knows that by asking him 3 times that this will help him understand better.  There is no chastising, there is no contention--just pure love. We talked about how we sometimes return to old ways? Do we return and fish after having felt the love and joy that sharing the gospel brings. May we leave our nets straight way and follow our Beloved Savior and become as the Apostle Peter or Paul have. " I have fought a good fight."…and know that we have done all we can do. Repent and come unto Christ, knowing that he is the Way the Truth and the Light.

May God be with you my dear dear family and friends! I send my biggest hug, my warmest smile, and my kindest words!! The Lord has given us so much. Allow the Holy Ghost to live in you. We are all children of God, apart of him lives in each of us!  All my love!<3

Your Daughter, Friend, and Sister,

Hermana Hansen

WEEK 4A – 03/28/12

Kaitlyn was given more time than usual to be able to write home and so she wrote two letters this week.  Here is the first of the two. She mentions how much she enjoys the little notes of encouragement at the end of this one. If you wish to send her a little message (1 to 4 sentences in length), as some of you already have in reply emails,  I am happy to attach these little notes to the letters I send her.  It looks like she will only be in the MTC for 5 ½ weeks total – it is all happening so quickly!

--Keisha

Hola Mi Familia y Mi Amigos! Te Amo!

I have only 12 days left in the MTC! Words cannot describe how fast time has flown, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." I feel like if we serve as companions and use our time wisely, the days will FLY by because every moment is precious. 

I am doing extremely well. Great news! Today one of our progressive investigadores (I.P) committed to baptism! I have been praying for a few days now (and will continue to pray) to know if the Lord will really express this beautiful truth to the heart of our investigators. As my companions and I talked with Tómas (our investigator played by our teacher who we practice with), the spirit was really strong! I kept feeling these promptings to give up looking for certain specific scriptures and then the prompting would be more like look in 2 Nephi, or just start flipping through Mosiah—and I found what I was looking for. Both scriptures shared today really helped our investigator!! I am so excited that the Lord was helping us learn, even if it was just practice. "I shall be on thy right hand and on thy left." (D&C 84:88).

I feel confident that each day if I give the language my best effort the Lord will be proud of me. I don’t expect to learn Spanish in 4 weeks, but I do expect to do my best! If each day I can look back and say, I have done all I can do, then what more could I have done? 

The MTC is incredible. The spirit is so strong. I have made friends with the Latino Chefs! LOL! We enjoy talking each day. They ask me things about myself. I find it is good practice. Even though every two weeks we get new Latino missionaries the Cooks always stay the same. They are wonderful people. Some live 2 hours away via bus and still they are here at 7:00am everyday. Wow! They are all members and I love the food they cook-- lots of meat, potatoes, and there is a salad bar every day. 

My schedule does not change from day-to-day. I wake up at 6:30 :) my alarm doesn´t even do it! I wake  up naturally now :)-- kind of neat. We eat breakfast when ever we are ready between 7-7:30, then at 8:00 we do personal study, 9:00 we learn how to teach better, at 10:00 we do grammar, 11:00 companion study, and at 12:15 Lunch (Almeruzo). After lunch more grammar and we do the TALL program (on computer for Spanish study), then Actividad Fisica time!! Lately we have been playing basketball--extremely awesome, it is co-ed and honestly it is so fun! After showering and such, we head back for more grammar study and/or gospel focus study. Then dinner is at 6:45 and afterwards Idioma (language) study till Planamentino at 9:00pm! That is my day, every day :) I quite enjoy it!

I will have gone proselyting in the Beunos Aires area a total of 3 times by the time I leave here. The people are wonderful. We have heard a lot about the new Pope. People here seem to have a lot of "pride" towards this because he is from Argentina.

I have gone every week to the temple! I am so excited to hear about Jerianne and Cheryl getting their endowments. The Lord is so good to us! And congrats to Karina and her dance competition! 

Also how fun that Uncle Ryan and his family will be living with us in our home. The Lord works in mysterious ways, mom :) It will be good to have their sweet little spirits in our home. I am excited for the opportunity for Kaleb to play more with the sweet little ones. Also it will be good for other reasons :) 

THANK You for sending all those little notes along about people who know me and who send their uplifting and encouraging messages! I feel your prayers.

Sincerely,

Hermana Hansen

WEEK 3

Hola Familia y Amigos!  (03-20-13)

This week has been a bucket full of new challenges. My companions and I went proselyting for the first time. Our days went from being completely scheduled and our teachers playing the part of investigators, to now stepping outside, navigating the suburbs of Buenos Aries and teaching "real" people. The overall experience was really rewarding! We thank the Lord for his help in our efforts. When we came up with a plan so that more people would be put into our paths and we would be able to touch them with our message! Guess what!? We actually gave out 3 book of Mormons! One lady´s whose name is Suzanna held it so tight to her chest and said with a few tears forming in her eyes that she had been waiting for this book for many years. Another boy was speaking to us super RAPIDO in Spanish and finally... since we were not comprehending, he stopped and said, "I´m interested!!!" LOL. We taught him a lot of things. It was really  neat to see how some people would seek us and others we would have to seek.

This week the montra of sorts has been-- Its so easy to do things "half-way"--so it is time to STEP UP to the challenge of something greater! I thought of the famous saying, adapted to my situation, "Who am I to be talented, speaking Spanish, gaining intelligence  or being courageous? Actually who are you not to be! You are a child of God, your playing small does not benefit anyone". Be a light, become like the Light, Share the light!

Last week I went to the temple, and after writing you today I will be going again. I was praying to my Lord and wondering why certain blessings were not yet coming. I have been diligent. I have and am being dedicated. I care and support  my companions. Dear Lord what else, what is holding back thy aid. Then as though a quiet whispering wind I felt the words, "are you being grateful?" I realized I need to give more thanks, To have an attitude of no complaining, no speaking ill of others or giving the glory to myself and not to God. God is in all things! In Romans 12:21 "be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good¨. OVERCOME Evil with Good! Let not Satan tempt you for something less than greatness. 

There is this quote from John Bytheway I have been reading. I don’t have it by me so I will just paraphrase it. "Imagine your mission as a stone block in front of you. What do type of creation do you want to carve out? This is the foundation for the making of the rest of your life. Do you want a half-hearted, home sick, mediocre mission? Or do you want a stalwart, courageous, full-throttle mission? You decide what you will give to the Lord." 

In our devotional this week, I came to the conclusion that everything belongs to the Lord accept what? Our agency our willingness. Obedience is number one! Yes I am trying to be obedient even in the small things. What else have I to give? My attitude, my time, my will and striving to see things as God sees them. Take my life and let it be always to honor my King. 

Music!! I miss my cello a ton. I miss the stress relieving capabilities it has. I miss Beethoven ! LOL I find myself applying what Beethoven has taught me. Control yourself and then you can master what is on the page. Control yourself, so that there is no inner battle occurring and the Lord can have you as His servant. Be able to converse and communicate with God (Alma 7:23 and D&C 18:10). I also feel like what Kayson  (my cello teacher) taught me really can apply with learning a language. MAKE new pathways in your head!! 

Also the wonderful cycle of Create, Listen, and Correct-improve! Then start again! Change does not come overnight! It happens through small and simple steps. Making new pathways, Planting seeds of faith and new knowledge so that one day in the near future we can take our harvest and bless the lives of many!

This past Sunday I was asked to put together a musical number for the devotional of Ann Dibbs (yes the daughter of Pres. Thomas S. Monson). We sang "How Great thou Art". It started A'Capella  I was a solo for the first few lines, then an alto joined me, and then a group of girls on the chorus!! We sang three verses. The second was with piano and in Spanish  The third was triumphant and in English  with the chorus in Spanish  It was phenomenally done!! I am so proud of the girls here in the C.C.M! 

This week has been very humbling. I feel like missions are our own personal honing devices. They strike at our weaknesses. This week I have felt the blows from my companions a lot about me being too self-centered. I have struggled with pride and I have found myself falling to my knees for guidance. Bruised a little I stand and with a new perspective I press onward. It is the beginning of a long journey, yet I know my God is with me!

The picture "Living Water" by Simon Dewey has been sitting on my desk all week. Are we not all beggars? Do we not all look to the same God for aid? (Mosiah 4:19). How do I treat others, what is my purpose, do I kneel at his feet for guidance?

As time goes on I do miss you all so much! I love you my dear family. I do not feel tears come or sadness, I just feel a lot of love. You are my greatest strengths and you know me better than anyone! I cannot help but think of "Little Women". My rebellious Joe side springa through. I don´t want things to change, but I can stand being here.. My beloved marmy comes up and says, "Joe I love you". Or I hear dear Beth... why do things have to change, don´t leave me behind. I see Karina. I miss Karina...  I feel so close to the story of "Little Women". The feeling of adventure and the love of Marmy´s home!! I sing Here we come a caroling! And then I transport myself to your feet mother, reading us a beautiful novel, filling our minds with morals and good principles. I hear your tender voice singing me to sleep or the laughter of Kaleb making us all crack up! You are in me, My heart, my thoughts, the way I see and help others. And may we all come together again some day. "Ding-dong merrily on high, the heavenly bells are ringing!"

May God be with you! May each day be filled with happiness. Know that I am well! That the Lord, through my will is allowing me to become His! I am a missionary, I always have been and always will be. (Please listen to Dallyn Vail Bayllas version Savior, Redeemer of My soul) That is a love I have. That is my soul's song.

I know this Church is true. All my love!

Kaitlyn Hansen

WEEK 2

WEEK 2 -- 03/14/13

Hola Mi Familia y Mi Amigos!!!

When trying to start this email I feel the rush of words I desire to say and the experiences I wish to share. Hopefully in the amount of time given I can adequately express myself. It is amazing to me how fast these 2 weeks have gone by. The feeling of divine intervention has crossed my mind multiple time. His tender mercy and hand in my life is evident. 

A huge and beautiful blessing is my companionship. They are incredible women. Each day I learn something new from them, each day they encourage and uplift, and each day we become stronger in teaching and speaking the language  Hermana West and Hermana Coles are exactly the people I need in my life at this time.

Yesterday I had a meeting with President Openshaw. We talked about many things. He asked me, Do you like it here in the C.C.M (MTC). I was about to reply simply yes. Then he asked me, how do you feel about your time so far in the C.C.M. I thought about it and to me the feeling of fulfillment entered every part of me. I explained, each day I look back with happiness to know I have done all I can do. I did my best and today it feels good enough. I feel like I have hardly had anytime to think about missing my family but appreciating them more. I feel grateful for the growth I have had every day. I feel satisfied with how I use my time. And I feel confident that this is where the Lord wants me. I told Him, as I am telling you now, how I am grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord, for the people in my life and for the language opportunities I have been given.

Also in that interview we discuss why on Sundays we talk about deep doctrine topics. I wondered why he does this. He asks us to apply our personal knowledge and scripture study with the ponderings we may have. Basically he constantly encourages us to think for ourselves & to be our own people!! This made me immediately think of 4 R'ing!! I commented and told him about research, reason, relate, record. He said I think there is another R missing--Revelation. As missionaries we need revelation! We need that opportunity to teach and know the Spirit. I liked his insight on foundational principles. 

This next paragraph-- Here me out :). The other day I was enjoying the outdoors and then it hit me. About this time of day back home I would be doing this. Sarah would be getting off work and we would go hang-out, do something random (like catch sheep :P or eat chocolate bacon lol!!) or I would be doing something else at this time. I was thinking about how on average my days are sort of monotonous. How they seem to be the same. Here at the MTC they are the same too.. lol each day feels like Ground Hog day. The same people, the same classes, the same teachers.. lol the same feeling of the language frustration... 

I felt, like wow, it would be awesome to go home right now with all the new things I have learned, I feel like I have changed so much! I am a different person, I feel edified, I feel different. Then I was like, but why would I do that? Because I miss my friends, or because I want to be with my family... Then I thought more. The spirit testified to my heart this new message. Sure Kaitlyn, you could go home, then he put images of my missionary friends like James Simmons or Katie Joe, Dane Maes, and so many others! I remember thinking how incredible they are. The feeling of the refiners fire and phenomenal personalities. Sure I may feel different after two weeks, but I don't want to miss out on what 18 months will create.

The feeling was, I don't want to miss out on discovering that infinite potential that still needs creating time! 

The language is coming! Each day I feel more confident. As the new group of Latinos are trickling in. I feel happy and ready to talk with most of them. I cannot communicate fully, but I try and help them feel welcomed. At lunch both Hermana Latina's sat by me. It was great to talk with them. I am glad that with the new Latina group I feel welcomed. I may be a crazy Americana,  yet my love for them is wordless, I think it is called countenance. As Elaine S. Dalton said, "It shows in your face".

I honestly love these Latinas!  They have incredible spirits. The people are truly incredible. I would like to pay a beautiful tribute to my dear Hermana Olmos. She just left for the Buenos Aires South mission. I felt so much love from her. Even though we did not speak the same language she was always there for me. Looking out and caring about me and my day. She was patient and encouraged when it come to me speaking Spanish with every new word I learned she would give me thumbs up and allow me to repeat after her what things were. I feel like I grew much by her quiet, humble, and sweet example. May the Lord be with her as she serves. And God be with her 'till we meet again.

Today I was reading in the scriptures, Hebrews 6:10-20 and another one somewhere. It was talking about mansions. I felt this beautiful feeling and question. Kaitlyn, what kind of mansion are you building? I thought about it. I thought about where I put my values? Then to be honest, Grant Andersen came into my mind. He to me is selfless and is building his mansion above. I feel his loving example shine through in the beautiful Andersen children. I felt like Bro. Andersen often put the focus where it is most needed. He is humble and intelligent, caring and encouraging. I know we have not talked all that much, but his example to me came to mind when reading this scripture. 

So what matters to me? My Savior and Redeemer, I know that He has never given up on me. I feel blessed and know that without a doubt my family matters to me. I feel like people come into my life for a reason and they make a place for me in their heart. I know that is all that needs to matter. May the Lord be with you! 

Sincerely 

Hermana Hansen

Photos from Argentina CCM--MTC!

I'm in Argentina! With the Elders from the Uruguay mission district!

My companionship and the mission CCM leaders.

Room 103's "Totally Righteous Hermanas" at the C.C.M!

Buenos Aires, Argentina Temple -- next door to the CCM!

Me and Elder Borgardus

Me in front of the Argentina MTC -- CCM!

Mi Latina Compañeras!

Mis compañeras!!!! Hermana West in the middle and Hermana Coles!

My dear Hermana Gonzaléz (left) and Hermana Olmos (right)!

The mission district that just left yesterday and they are like "Hermana Hansen hop into the photo!" So i did!

All of us sisters from America at the Buenos Aires temple.

Me and the girls from the Moroní district. Hermana Olson and Hermana Soderggeres (middle).

Elders in my district-- Bogardus, Ramirez, Ipson, Poulter, and Ve´e

My whole district!!!

Our crazy latinos!

WEEK 1

Week 1

Hola Mi Familia y Mi Amigos!

It was wonderful to see your wonderful emails in my inbox when I opened it up today. We have been working so hard and I feel the spirit so strongly. To be honest I feel like we have hardly any time to think about you guys. They work us from sun up to sun down. Mis compañeros and I are learning much spanish!! It is incredible the teachers we have. 

Forimanti (yes dad he is from italy!) is really a sweet guy and just got back from his mission 4 months ago. We are his first class. We learn about the gospel and how to teach investegators. Then there is Moronico! Crazy hard core teacher who whips us into shape faster then whipped cream :P lol.

My COMPANIONS! they are amazing girls. I feel so blessed to have them in my life! I love how they are always there for me and how they help and strengthen my life. Hermana West is REALLY strong in spanish and has been helping Hermana Coles and I speak better as time goes on. We have had a total of 4 investegator lessons, literally teaching the gospel to a teacher pretending to be a ligitament investagator. I am so grateful to have these two incredible sisters by my side. 

There are 10 of us Americanos in the Aáron district. We are all so strong in so many ways. I look around at each companionship and I know that they are meant to be there. Each has a strong testimony, excellent comments, and phenominal commitment. We all feel on fire to be here and it is the 8th day! 

The C.C.M is incredible! The mission President is intense and well rounded. He has much knowledge of the scriptures. It is incredible to me how the Lord knows exactly who I need in my life. I have never heard someone pray for me as President Openshaw did for me on the first day here. I feel inspired and each day I grow closer to the Savior and closer to learning spanish. 

The schedule they have here has really helped me! I feel uplifted and inspired. Monday was hard day for me. The language seemed like a huge bolder crushing me...I think i know how atlas feels. Spanish is hard. Yet I know with time i will get it. This past Sunday was fast sunday! As a district we all fasted for the gift of touges. I can tell you the spirit was incredible. Words cannot describe the unity we have and the power in purpose. Our teacher Morinco after the prayer was said starting it had a little tear in his eye. This was unlike him and we know he felt our unity!

Thank you so much for your update from home. Mom there are so many things you wrote! I don´t think i got to all of it. we only have thirty mintues to write you. Kaleb your words were great!! I love it here! I am getting to know so many people!! The Latinas are incredible and they really have come to be my hermanas. 

Please keep your emails breif. you know me, i will feel you in on much! I love you all so much!!

Sincerely, 

Hermana Kaitlyn Hansen