Poway Spanish!

Hey everybody! It's been a crazy 7 days since the last time you heard from me. 

To start, we had 3 baptisms! Joselouis, Joselouis, and Angel. It was an amazing experience to participate in that and know I've helped them come closer to Christ. The next day they were confirmed members of the church. Then I was able to sing in sacrament meeting with all the other missionaries and after give my first talk as a missionary. It was a nerve racking yet fun experience. We went caroling that same night and it was super fun. 

But, as the title of the email might hint at, I wont be seeing much of San Ysidro any more. I've been transferred to the Poway Spanish area. Which is as big as the Annaheim mission itself. It's sad to go. But I had a wonderful time in San Ysidro and learned a lot. I'm excited to see more of the mission and continue to grow. 

Elder Nate Hanna

THIS IS A PERSONAL EMAIL SENT DIRECTLY TO  ME (MOM)

Hey mom. I'm very, very sad to tell you, but i wont be getting to spend Christmas in San Ysidro. I've been transferred to Poway, the most northern part of the mission. My trainer is staying for his fifth transfer and greenie breaking an elder that came in from mexico with me. It's really really hard. I had to give something called a step talk at our district meeting after we got the transfer doc and I completely lost it in the middle of the talk. I could hardly talk because I was crying. I know God has a need for me in Poway, but I really wanted to stay. So bad. It's going to be a lonely Christmas. 

But this week wasn't all bad. We had three baptisms and I performed one of them. Jose Louis, Jose Louis, and Angel. It went really well. Then the next day they were confirmed and i, with all the other missionaries, performed a musical number in sacrament. Then I gave my first talk in Spanish. And I had to talk more than I planned for because the two sister missionaries that spoke with me had only planned for five minutes like I had, and I was last. But I guess I did really well. I had one lady tell me I am a powerful speaker and that she understood me super well unlike the others. And someone else asked if I spoke Spanish before I came to the mission. Then we went caroling and made really good visits. Sadly, I wont be here for the Torres family's baptisms. But I know Elder Parkinson will take care of them. 

My new companion will be elder Dudley. I know nothing about him but Sister Williams, the sister from Queen Creek, has served with him and says he's awesome. 

Wish me luck and say lots of prayers for me. I'm gonna need it this week. 

Elder Nate Hanna

Miracles!

Hey everyone! It has been a wonderful week here in sunny San Diego! Even though it actually hasn't been to sunny. We have gotten A LOT of rain this week. My companions shoes are still wet from Thursday. It has been awesome to have a change in weather. I miss the rain of Mexico City.

But on to the miracles. We had been really struggling with the Torres family in knowing how to help them understand they were ready. Then they told us last week that they were ready after we read out of Mosiah with them. I have told you this. Tonight we are going over to set a certain date with them. But this last Sunday, we again taught for the last two hours of church. And the three people we taught then want to get baptized this Saturday! We may have FIVE people get baptized this week! It's been such a miracle! We have been praying for Heavenly Father to lead us to those that are ready, and he has brought them to us! There is nothing that brings me more joy in this work than feeling that my works have helped someones faith in Christ grow, no matter to what degree that may be.

I love you all and invite you to visit LightTheWorld.org this week and view the "Light your Community" video for this week. Find a way to give as He gave this week by lighting your community. I promise as you do so, you will feel the Saviors love in your life this Christmas.

Merry Christmas! 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Heyyy everybody! I have some wonderful news! Do you remember that one family I was telling you about? The Torres family? They are ready! They have told us that they feel ready for baptism! I'm so so excited for them! We had dinner with them Sunday night and Octavio told us he feels it's time! We are so stoked for them! We are going to talk to them Thursday and get all the details planned out for what works best for them! It's the best Christmas gift ever!

We have also had many service opportunities the last few days! We were walking down the street by Las Americas, a pretty popular mall down here, and we heard a weird sound, and when I looked to where it was coming from, I saw someone with a flat tire pulling into the mall. So I was like, hey elder, let's go help. We ended up changing their tire for them. It was a mother with her son from TJ! What are the odds we were right there? We were supposed to be meeting a less active member but they weren't home! Then that! It was so cool to see the lord using us to serve others when they most need it!

We also had a fun service project with the ward. We went and cleaned Imperial beach for two ours. It was super fun to spend time with the ward and give back to this awesome community.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season! If you haven't already seen it yet, head to lighttheworld.org today and watch this weeks video on lighting the world! Light the World This Christmas | Mormon.org

I love you all!

PICTURES: In the Spanish ward, that is our picture for the 12th article of faith.