not a bad start to a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

MISSIONS=MIRACLES...STRAIGHT UP! there isnt a day that goes by that i dont have the privilege of witnessing God's hand in my life, and the lives of all those around me! 

the big miracle for this week was the baptism of Indalisa Vidrio Garcia!! she is the sister of Manuel Vidrio (my friend with the mustache) and the mother of the Marlen Avalos! (i swear..that family is straight gold)..so what happened is...when Indalisa (nickname-Licho) visited the avalos in june she got just about all of the missionary discussions and almost got baptized but she wanted to wait and went back to mexico...but when we found out she was visiting again we decided she was not going back to mexico "dry"!! so we visited her several times, called daily to remind her to read in the book of mormon, and then on saturday night we went over and had plans to ask her the baptismal questions and invite her to be baptized...but when we got over there, we read a chapter in the book of mormon together and then i totally forgot to ask! they were trying to head out the door for a monster truck show or something so it completely slipped my mind....but thankfully we brought uncle kiko with us and he remembered! as he was saying goodbye to Licho he goes "you know...if you want, i can baptize youtomorrow..." and shes goes "wait really? i would love that!" kiko then freaks out and yells "HERMANA HULLL HERMANA HULL SHE WANTS IT!!!" hahaha so we gave her the baptismal questions (passed with flying colors) and planned out her baptism! 

hermana endicott gave the talk on baptism..she was really nervous, but she did a good job! there were only a couple times when she looked at me in the audience with her panicked "help me" eyes and i would just shout out the word she was trying for in spanish haha and then the member that was supposed to give the talk on the holy ghost never showed up so our zone leader jumped up and gave a spontaneous talk on the HG...i was completely oblivious haha Licho was then baptized by kiko..had to get dunked twice because of a whiley hair..but the water was warm so she didnt mind ;) then i played the ukelele and sang "soy un hijo de Dios" (I am a Child of God) with two of Licho's grandkids! it was super fun! (thanks again for the uke..i love it!)  then Licho got special permission to do a font-side confirmation because she is actually leaving back for Mexico on wednesday!! haha it was awesome..she was so prepared!! MIRACLEEEEE

also! i recieved an email from Manuel (the younger one..without the mustache) and he said that he is loving his ward in mexico and has actually gone out teaching with the missionaries!! STAHHP! SO HAPPY! and they are going to come back and visit Houston so we can all go to the temple! I FEEL LIKE A PROUD MOTHER! MY BABIES ARE GROWING UP! 

also...super not spiritual note..maybe i shouldnt end with it..oh well here i go anyway..

late one night we rode up to a bus stop and i asked the guy that was waiting at the stop if he knew what time the next bus was passing by...he turns around eyes glazed over and red, throws his hands up and goes "hey! whoa! whats going on?!" to which i responded, "sorry, but do you happen to know what time the next bus is passing by?" he goes "oh...mann..i thought yall was the police or sumthin..thought i was getting pulled over and i was like *dang* i have soo much marijuana on me!" hahahahhaa i guess when you are higher than a kite the flashing lights of our bikes could be mistaken for a cop car? lets give him the benefit of the doubt, shall we? needless to say we did not wait at that bus stop haha

well! happy happy new year! i know 2015 is gonna be a good one!! 

please pray for Carmen and Antonio to read the Book of Mormon daily and to feel ready for their baptism next week! i really do appreciate the love and support from yall!

questions:

how did you celebrate new years?

to be honest, we really didnt...we had a rule to be in by 8pm that night because it is dangerous to by out and about with all the drunk drivers and such..so i guess you could say we celebrated by getting a little extra sleep! hna endicott said she was woken up at midnight by an army of fireworks but i wasnt shaken in the slightest! this work really wares ya out! 

new years resolutions?

hna endicott and i have the goal to baptize weekly. we feel it is the Lord's will so we are doing everything we can to find his prepared people, teach them and love them into the gospel! we have people lined up for every week..now we just gotta make sure satan stays on his side! 

 got caught in a bad rainstorm one morning and so Flor gave us some old pjs to wear while our clothes dried! defintely weird teaching a lesson in pants..

 good ole uncle kiko!! 

 and dont forget EDDY COLE!! if this isnt some classy church wearing attire i dont know what is!

 LITTLE LICHO IS THE CUTEST! ESPECIALLY IN A WHITE JUMPSUIT!!

 

DJ LARRY and merry CHRISTmas!!

Ward Christmas Party! 

our mission president has really been encouraging us to talk to EVERYONE as of late and while i felt like i did a pretty good job at that, i realized i wasnt talking with EVERYONE...i was just talking to hispanics..or at least going out of my way to.. i just happen to be a spanish speaking missionary so I didn't really talk to anyone else....

well i got taught a lesson this week!

monday night we rolled up at a bus stop and there was this african american guy--arms crossed, headphones in, cigarette hanging from his mouth, pretty intimidating--and so i questioned for a minute whether we should even wait at the bus stop or keep chuggin until the next one....but i got a feeling we were safe, and then seconds later got the feeling we should go talk to him. in my head im thinking, "president did say talk to EVERYONE...but he looks like he would shoot me..." i kinda brushed it off, or at least tried too..when my cute comp goes "hey, i feel like we should go talk to him, but im kinda scared..come with me?" so we did! 

had a casual conversation...his name is Larry from Detroit..here in texas for work...i had a total "oh my gosh you are such a missionary moment" when he told us he was a carpenter and i automatically go "no way! just like Jesus! look at you following in his footsteps" ;) hahaha but it did end up being a nice segway into some religious chattin...i asked Larry if he considered himself religious..and this is how the convo followed...

"well id say i know enough to get me to the next life, maybe"

"oh yeah? what do you know? what are your beliefs?"

"actually uh..i got a rap about it.." 

"wait, are you serious? can we film you?"

"yeah"

"do you want me to drop a beat?"

"yeah sure"

"what kinda beat we talkin?"

"dont matter girl--just drop one!" 

and then he proceeded to rap the story of how he was in jail/homeless etc but Jesus gave him another chance and how he just wants to be the best man he can and touch other peoples lives etc etc etc..it was the most legit thing in my life. like 2 and a half minutes long!! had a chorus and everything!! wasn't anticipating that so i went a little too ham in the beginning and ran outta steam a little towards the end...but it was still the coolest ever. people started gathering around and stuff!! i cant only imagine what people thought was going on haha 

you best believe i showed my mission president the video and thanked him for encouraging us to talk to EVERYONE!!! you really never know what youre going to get ;) 

so i extend my mission president's advice to all of you..talk to everyone! especially this time of year! yall should be telling everyone about Christ's birth and what His life means to you! we are so blessed. 

that's the highlight of the week for sure..oh! please add "Flor" to your prayers. she wants to get baptized but told us that her husband told her that if she got baptized they would get divorced.....so maybe pray for her husband too? I don't know his name but a miraculous change of heart would be awesome. 

merry CHRISTmas!! FELIZ NAVIDAD!
i love yall!

hermana hull

P.S. - Christmas plans! 

 most hispanics actually celebrate christmas the 24 so we will be having a big christmas dinner with the cabezas (same family from thanksgiving) and caroling, and lunch with a diffferent family, and making cookies with a single lady and going to deliver them..christmas breakfast with the zone etc! AND SKYPING YALL!! That'lll be the best part fo shawty (as clark would say) 

saw hermana heckel at a new missionary training and it was the happiest day of my life!

oh! wilson got to go through the temple again!! such a happy experience!

the rap video itself (turns out it was 3 mins..) is too large of a file to send, but here are a few screenshots!!

 white girl beatboxing... I tried. 

DJ LARRY! 

5 Month Mark!

5 Month Mark!!!!

okay runnin short on time again so ill just get down to business:

THE STORY OF CARL

so we had just left an appointment and were getting ready to leave the apartment complex when these two old ladies flag us down and ask us if we have a phone this old man can use to call his wife..what? sure. so we go over and the old man goes "my name is carl. i took a pretty bad spill back there and i dont know where i am. i need to call my wife. 558-....... my name is carl. i'm feeling a little dizzy. i dont know where i am..etc" so we called the number he said..wasnt real. didnt exist. so we got him to sit down so he wouldnt fall over again...(little bit of a struggle when he tried to break into a car he thought was his..carl. thats not your car. please come sit down.) but we got him to sit while we called the police. the police were all "carl?! we've been looking all over for that guy! his poor wifes been worried sick! thank yall so much!" sweet. so we are waiting for the police to come get carl when he stands up and starts to walk away.."carl? where are you goig? the police are on there way, can you please come sit down? we dont want you falling again." "well, thats part of the problem..i reaalllyy have to go..." "you have to go to the bathroom?" "something FIERCE! but its alright, ill just go around the corner..." "no carl. just a sec.." i then proceeded to knock a few doors...no answer...until finally this lady from Cuba answered the door! at first she wouldnt let him in because she explained she was home alone and didnt want a man in her house..but as soon as i explained the situation she let him in. while carl was using the bathroom, i took advantage of the opportunity to get to know her and teach her a brief lesson about jesus christ ;) she was a doll! doesnt speak a lick of english though so got a little freaked out when carl kept trying to talk to her in his husky new yorker english haha anyway...the police finally showed up and we got carl safe and sound in the car...just as we were about to leave, carl taps on the glass, and motions for us to come over..."i just want to thank you two girls for saving my butt tonight!! God bless you both!" 

other than that whole incident...the most exciting thing that happened was that Carmen and Antonio came to church!! the night before we went over and read in the Book of Mormon with them and sang for them..they cried when we sang and committed to come to church..and they totally LOVED IT!!!!! such a huge answer to prayer!! 

okay..tis the season right? so to share a little christmas thought, i was reading in the liahona (ensign spanish edition) and i happen to have a favorite part! i know they have it in english too...but i like it in spanish better! (weird how it doesnt translate over the same haha) anyway, here it is!

(SPANISH)
El presidente Howard W. Hunter (1907–1995) dio unos consejos prácticos que nos sirven para lograr ese propósito:

“Esta Navidad, resuelvan una discrepancia. Busquen a un amigo olvidado; desechen una sospecha y remplácenla con la confianza; escriban una carta; den una respuesta amable; alienten a la juventud; manifiesten su lealtad de palabra y obra. Guarden una promesa; olviden una ofensa; perdonen a un enemigo; pidan disculpas; traten de comprender; examinen lo que exigen de los demás; piensen primero en alguien más. Sean bondadosos, amables; rían un poco más; expresen gratitud; den la bienvenida a un desconocido. Hagan feliz a un niño; regocíjense en la belleza y en la maravilla de la tierra. Expresen su amor con palabras y vuelvan a hacerlo”3.

Sin Cristo, no habría Navidad; sin Cristo, no habría plenitud de gozo; sin Su nacimiento y Su expiación, no tendríamos Intercesor, ni Abogado ante el Padre, ni Mediador que hiciese posible que volviésemos a la presencia de nuestro amado Padre Celestial y viviésemos juntos como familias eternas.

 

(ENGLISH)

President Howard W. Hunter (1907–95) gave some practical advice that helps us do that:
 

“This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.”3

 

Without Christ, there would be no Christmas. Without Christ, there can be no fulness of joy. Without His birth and His Atonement, we would have no Intercessor, no Advocate with the Father, and no Mediator who makes it possible for us to return to the presence of our loving Heavenly Father and live together as eternal families.

paz y bendiciones!!

hermana hull

last week we went to the HUGE MALL downtown and the christmas tree was UNREAL!!! okay literally yes it was artificial..but it was GORGEOUS AND HUGE AND HAPPY 

 

 

 

the sweet thing sent me a batch

and everyone is dying for the recipe!!!

THANK YOU GRANDMA GORGEOUS for the 7 LAYER COOKIES!!

 

 

 do we have a christmas tree? we have like a foot tall little tike and a paper one on our wall! you get creative ;) 

martha stewart and moving vans

 "estoy agradecida para.." (translation: I am grateful for...) hand turkeys with the cabeza girls!! 

missions are the best pitchers....always throwin me a curveball!!! definitely never expected to help a little old  man from Louisiana and his 4'9 wife move out and into a new apartment complex for 6 hours on a casual saturday on my mission...always figured that was elders quorum stuff! haha it was a looooong and tiring process, but after everything got figured out and settled in their new place, i had the opportunity of blessing their home. never done that before!! again..thought that was more elders quorum/priesthoodly..but turns out you dont have to be a priesthood holder to bless a home! you could really feel the spirit enter into their home as the prayer was being said and i know ive never given a priesthood blessing before, but i felt like words were being put into my mouth...i didnt feel like I was blessing the home, but actually Heavenly Father was blessing the home...so tight!

thanksgiving was a blast!!! we were given two thanksgiving feasts and ample leftovers...the first house tried their best to make an american thanksgiving..definitely got the turkey part down..but the salsa and spicy salad was something new ;) but then we went over to the cabezas' house where hermana cabezas had made a thanksgiving feast martha stewart would have been proud of!! literally a work of art and tasted DEEELICIOUS!!

now that it is december..we going fulll force with the "HE is the GIFT" initiative..if you haven't heard of it go to: christmas.mormon.org and watch the little video! it is the absolute best! i think i've watched it seven times already but i cant even get enough!! this Christmas season we are encouraging all of our members, investigators, random people at the bus stop etc to accept the gift aka Jesus Christ and think of a gift they could give to Him! this is such an awesome time of year to really reflect on all of the amazing things we are blessed with! 

sorry this week is kinda short and lame but im running short on time! but don't worry, i love y'all just as much and miss ya more! have a blessed week!

paz y bendiciones,

hermana hull

ps ya'll thought teaching primary was hard? try teachin it in spanish ;) hahaha mission accomplished!!

 hermana and hermano cabezas and her martha stewart magazine turkey!! literally the most beautiful foul i have ever seen

 the whole feast........

 ya'll should go there...

oh! forgot to mention! with the whole moving fiasco we had to borrow the other hermana's car...my comp accidentally left the lights on while we were unloading so good ole wilson came to the rescue!! he is the absolute best!! we are so lucky to have such stellar members!! #spoiled

HAPPY!!!!

Manuel is getting baptized this sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we found out he hadn't been drinking recently and decided to ask him about baptism and what would be stopping him from taking that step..he said he wanted more knowledge of the church first...Emilia (his wife) told us to ask him the baptismal interview questions so we dropped everything and whipped out the questions. He knew and bore powerful testimony of every single point! at the end we invited him to be baptized this next sunday and he pauses for a second...then looks me straight in the eyes and says, "Si, Voy a hacerlo!!" (Yes, Im going to do it!) YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It took everything in my power not to tackle that man in a bear hug!!! i am so so SOOO happy for him and for his family and how its going to bless their lives and others lives for years to come!!!! AND THE BEST PART IS: Manuel (his son) is going to get the priesthood this sunday and be able to BAPTIZE HIS DAD!!!! the church is so true...its unreal..i love this..MIRACLES STILL HAPPEN!!

okay..so now that im not exploding with that amazing news...remember Irvin? the less active that wants to be president of the united states?? so we go to meet with him at the bench like we always do..and he takes out his backpack..and proceeds to whip out a bi-lingual bible (nice), the Book of Mormon we gave him (sweet), and then....an 800 page autobiography of Abraham Lincoln...you could tell which one he read the most ;) but it doesnt stop there! he then asks us to interpret his dream...i politely told him that Heavenly Father doesnt always communicate to us through dreams, although we talked about Lehi's dream for a while, which he liked. he DID come to church this sunday and absolutely LOVED the testimony meeting and is committed to bear his testimony next month! vamos a ver! 

oh..i learned how to crochet. and the lady teaching me (who we were going to extend a baptismal date to) doesn't seem very interested in the gospel right now, but we'll see! you never know! 

read helaman 16 about Samuel the Lamanite!!! God isn't asking US to go stand on a wall and call people to repentance..he just wants us to live what we know and share it when we can...and he will protect us!! 

hope yall had a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!! love you all bunches!

paz y bendiciones, 

hermana hull

 learning to crochet! 

 trunk or treatin'.. my bishop was a bumblebee!

 HAPPY HALLOWEENIN BEFORE DISTRICT MEETING!!

 more happy halloweening..

 the zone.............