{My Last Missionary Email}

Well this is quite strange for me... but this is my last email as a full time missionary. Conference was just beautiful, and perfect! I couldn't think of a better way to end my mission. I know with all my heart and soul that this is the work of the Lord. I love it with all my heart. I feel like a changed person thanks to my mission. I cannot thank my God enough for being so good to me, and teaching me to trust in Him. I know that Jesus is the Christ, Redeemer, and Savior. I love Him, and I know that He loves me. My mission has been the best thing that has every happened to me. I find it hard to express my words and feelings that I have. I feel like the words of Ammon explain better than I can. Alma 26 

1 And now, these are the words of Ammon to his bretheren, which say thus:  My brothers and my bretheren, behold I say unto you, how great reason have we to rejoice; for could we have supposed when we started from the land of Zarahemla that God would have granted unto us such great blessings

2 And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed upon us?  Can ye tell?

3 Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.

4 Behold, thousands of them do rejoice, and have been brought into the fold of God.

5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.

8 Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever.

11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever

14 Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our bretheren from the chains of hell

16 Therefore, let us glory , yea, we will glory in the Lord;yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.

30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

36 Now if this boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo.  Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37 Now my bretheren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are overall the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God for ever. Amen.

The best part is that I know that my mission has not ended. It has just begun. Maybe I wont physically have a name tag on my shirt anymore, but I will always carry one in my heart. I want to end this email with my simple testimony. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church. I know that Christ organized the church when he was on the earth. I know that Jesus taught us the way, that through His love He suffered and died for us. Through the Atonement we can become clean and pure and return to the presence of God. I know that God restored His church through the prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph also translated The Book of Mormon, and I know that this book is true, and that it will guide us all of our lives. I know that today we have a living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I know if we follow Gods perfect plan, we will live with our families forever. The Gospel is true, in all parts of the world. God loves us, and so does His Son Jesus Christ. These things I want to leave with you all, in the name of Jesus Christ, our redeemer, Amen. 

Love,

Hermana Sanders

{Happy Easter}

Lots of great things happened this week! The best part probably was being able to go to the temple with a now active member, Gloria, for the first time! It was such a great experience! The Spirit was so beautiful as soon as we entered, it was as if all our worries and problems went away. It wasn't that crowded when we went so it was really peaceful. Gloria was crying as soon as she got baptized for her Grandmother. She told us how she felt this overwhelming warm feeling all over her body when she got baptized for her grandmother. She was sooooo happy. She is such a strong and beautiful person. She even came to church this week even though she felt really sick. She is also planing on going to the temple this Tuesday with other ward members. Oh I can't even express the joy I feel to be part of the true Church of God. I know that it is true, and I have seen it bless the lives of so many people. I will NEVER forget all these wonderful experiences. 

I also got to visit my Paraguayan family today... and I think they show me their love by giving me food! The bigger the plate, the more love!! haha  It was super great to see them! I am going to miss them so much!!!!! 

Good news is that it is the semana santa, holy week, so everyone is going to be home!! Which means lots and lots of lessons!!! We are also inviting everyone to watch the Easter movie the church is showing, Because He lives. I hope you all are sharing this on face book, twitter, instagram, email, and whatever new social media they have come out with! Helives.mormon.org 

Anyways I hope you enjoy the pictures!!! I love you all so much!!! Have a happy Easter weekend, and conference weekend!!! What better way to end my  mission?!!!

Love,

Hermana Sanders

{3-23-2015}

Hello,
So this week we worked really hard to prepare Nayeli for her baptism. It is amazing to see the difference the gospel has made in this little girls life!!! Before she wouldn't even talk to us, and now she loves answering all of our questions. She even started serving her family, and reading The Book of Mormon. And she made lots of friends in the ward which really helps.

Her parents even started participating more, and her dad, who has been inactive for a very long time participated in Sunday school this Sunday! Then he promised the whole class that he would invite someone to come to church with him next week. Overall I am just super happy to see this family back in the church. I have seen this process of conversion in their lives, and it is so beautiful. I think that is my most favorite part about my mission, is the conversion. I have seen it in my own life, in the lives of investigators, and less actives becoming active again. The conversion is a process, and isn't something that will just come in one day! The conversion is a change of heart, that comes from prayer, fasting, and studying the words of God.

 I love the conversion story of the King Lamoni and his people. After they had truly repented, the felt this change of heart in their lives.

Alma 19: 33

• Book of Mormon

33And it came to pass that when Ammon arose he also administered unto them, and also did all the servants of Lamoni; and they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their hearts had been changed ; that they had no more desire to do evil .

 I know that as we strive to be converted we will be able to know our Savior Jesus Christ, and find the path back to our Heavenly home. This is the true church guys, I know it with all my heart! I am so thankful for this wonderful opportunity that My Heavenly Father has given me to serve him for 1 year and a half. It has blessed my life in so many ways, and I can't wait to make the best of my time while it still lasts. I also know that it is not the end, but only the beginning. 

I hope that you all have a great week! I love you all so much! Thank you for all your love and prayers. Talk to you all soon! 

Love,

Hermana Sanders

Longest Week Of My Life

Well... I am ALIVE!!!

But seriously it wasn´t as bad as I thought it would be. I just was super sleepy the whole week because of the medicine that I was taking. But I am off that and I am walking and working again! YAY!!! But I truly feel blessed and feel as though I was strengthened by all of your prayers for me. THANK YOU!!! Also all the ward members took such good care of me this week. They brought us over lots of food, they came and visited me, they called to check up on me and everything. Also lots of the sisters in the ward were willing to go on divisions so that my companion could leave and work for a bit each day. And Sister Acosta came to be my companion during the week, and we had a great time reading the Liahonas and sharing spiritual experiences. Also we have had lots of members offer to take us to appointments in their cars so I didn´t have to walk much. So lets just say I was pretty spoiled this week. I also went to the doctor again today with Sister McMullin to check my leg and everything. The doctor said that everything was good, and I just need to be patient and that I will probably be bruised for a couple more weeks. But the good news is that scorpions here in Paraguay arn´t that dangerous... I mean it could have been worse. And it was funny because the doctor reminded me of a part in the movie Indiana Jones when he tells his friend who got stung by a scorpion that the bigger they are the less poisonous they are. I totally remember that!!! But I am just so happy that I can leave and work now. The time flies when you are working, and the exact opposite when you are stuck in a bed all day. But I want you all to know that I am okay and super happy!

Well I don´t have much to write about this week, because it was pretty uneventful. But we did have a great lesson yesterday with a less active family. The 2nd counselor and his wife came along with us, and the spirit was so strong as we all got to testify of The Book of Mormon. I am so grateful to live at this time when we have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel so blessed to be able to share this beautiful message with all the people here in Paraguay. I know with all my heart that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true Church of God, and was restored to the earth by His humble servant Joseph Smith. I know that the Lord´s Prophet, Joseph, translated the Book of Mormon, and I know that it was written for us in our days. It is such a marvelous thing!

Thank you for all your love and prayers. Have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Sanders

Do I have a crazy story for you all!!!

It all started yesterday, on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning. We had a great relief society lesson, followed by a great Sunday school lesson. The church was filled with people and everything seemed to be going great. :) We sat down for the sacrament meeting and to my surprise, I felt this sharp pain in my left leg! Well, I tried my best to ignore the pain as they passed the sacrament. After the sacrament was passed I couldn't tolerate the sharp pain any more and so I asked my companion if we could head to the bathroom to check out my leg. I felt a liquid dripping down my leg and I was worried that I was bleeding. Once we got into the bathroom, my companion checked the back of my leg. She affirmed that something had bit me and it was red.  We decided if the pain didn't go away we would head to the pharmacy to get some medicine after the meeting. Well... then my leg started to go numb and the pain got so bad that I couldn't extend my leg. But we headed into the sacrament meeting again. As soon as we sat down I felt something crawling in my skirt. I searched my skirt the best I could without making to much commotion. Then something sharp pricked my finger. I lifted my skirt a bit higher and held my breath. There was a scorpion on my leg!!!!! I taped my companion and pointed to my leg! She quickly swiped it off and tried to calm me down. Gloria was sitting next to us, and when she saw the scorpion on the floor she quickly but quietly got the relief society President. She came over and smashed the scorpion with her shoe and sat down again. Sister Alma was sitting in front of me and told me that I needed to go to the hospital. My pain was getting worse so I left the sacrament meeting. I wasn't the only one... a whole crowd of members came rushing out with me. {maybe worried about the tears they saw running down my face} I was ambushed with 20 people all trying to talk to me at the same time. I don't know where or how but 2 members from the stake presidency were there, and the next thing I know is that they were taking me to the hospital. At this time I started to lose the feeling of my mouth and right hand. I felt as though any moment I would pass out, and my heart started pounding rapidly, and sweat started dripping of my face. All I remember was trying to slow my breathing down as I sat in the car. Brother Adorno gave me a priesthood blessing in the car, and also helped calm me down. My companion helped me out of the car and we rushed into emergency. They placed me on a bed and started asking me all these questions. The next thing I know, I had all these needles in me. The pain was getting worse and worse so they shot me with some anesthesia in my leg. That stuff is magic. Immediately I could feel my mouth and hands, the pain lessened, and I felt really weak. After 30 minutes or so they wheel chaired me to another room where I feel asleep. During that time I guess all the ward members were calling to check up on me. My companion also finally got a hold of Sister McMullin and arranged for someone to come and get us. The hospital also gave me the scorpion as a souvenir. The office elders came and picked us up and went and got all the medicine that I needed. When we got home 2 families had brought us lunch, and a bunch more called to see how I was doing. And I pretty much slept the whole afternoon to not feel the pain.

But I am doing good now. I am on strict bed rest for a few days, and I am all drugged and bandaged up! But I am being taken care of by my companion and all the members! Also Sister McMullin and her adorable daughter went shopping for us and took us to write our families. I feel so blessed to be around such amazing people! Even though it isn't the funnest being stung by a scorpion, it feels good to know that people love me enough to take care of me. And I am sorry if the email doesn't make a whole lot of sense, I still am not feeling quite there. And I will remember to send pictures next week!

I love you all! Please keep me in your prayers that I make make it home whole and live! hahaha 

Have a great week! 

Love,

Hermana Sanders

CRAZY,WONDERFUL, AWESOME, BEAUTIFUL KIND OF WEEK!!! ...HAHA

 

Mar 2 at 12:41 PM

This week... was crazy! Let me share with you all why... 

 

Tuesday we had a wonderful experience with a less active member who is reactivating!! She bore her testimony with us after an interview with the bishop. The mission is the best because you get to witness the greatest miracle of all time, the conversion of others through The Atonement of Christ. There is this new light about this sweet member, and she truly is happy! She is a great example for me. {WONDERFUL}

Then Thursday {CRAZY PART} I got bit by a dog... yeah... I don´t have much to say about that...only that it really hurt! I have to go see if the dog is alive in 3 days. But good news is that the dog has all its vaccinations! {RELIEF}

Saturday we had an open house in the chapel. It was really neat to see all the materials the mission has to put together activities like this. We had really awesome invitations, and even a huge kiosk that we used in the streets to contact people. Then the whole tour was just beautiful with life size Christ images! Our sister leader trainers came with other missionaries close by to help. My companion and I contacted ALL day and tried to bring as many investigators that we could to the church. All that attended really enjoyed it. {AWESOME}

Sunday was a beautiful fast Sunday, and all of the testimonies were just so touching! The thing I love about this ward is seeing all the little kids run up to bare their pure and sweet testimonies. The ward members are just great. After we went to a ward baptism, and it was the cutest baptism I have seen here on my mission! We taught this little boy to help prepare him a little bit before his mission. But his family are just adorable and they prepared musical numbers and videos. We also had a new investigator there who was so touched by the service that it brought her to tears! {BEAUTIFUL}

Well... That was a little of what happened this week! I just love being a missionary! It is the best thing ever! I will never forget these experiences, because they have changed my life!

Have a great week! 

Love,

Hermana Sanders

 

{GRATITUDE}

This week I want to focus on Gratitude!

 I was reading a talk given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and it made me think about all the things I am grateful for. It made me reflect on my mission and all the experiences I have had. I have to admit that my mission has been filled with the hardest trials of my life, but I wouldn´t trade it for anything. Who would have ever thought that that the hardest 2 years (or 1 1/2 in my case) of a missionaries life could also be the best!!! I guess it all depends how you look at it.

 

President Uchtdorf talks about how important it is to always focus on the things that we know, or our testimonies. We should reflect the miracles that bless our lives, such as The Plan of Happiness, The Atonement of Christ and how through Him we can live with our loved ones once again, the resurrection of perfect bodies, and the hope of one day resting from trials, sadness, afflictions.¨True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life, but trusting that one day we will.¨-Uchtdorf. Once we experience the true mission of Christ we will be changed and strengthened to support our trials through our testimony. Just how Uchtdorf says, ¨Gratitude to our Heavenly Father broadens our perception and clears our vision.¨ I know if we trust in our Heavenly Father, He will be able to help us through all our challenges that we might face in this life. He might not take our problems away, but He will help ease the burdens places on our shoulders and we will be strengthen to overcome them. So instead of waiting for the rainbow, thank God that there is rain.

 

I know that Jesus Christ loves each and every one of us, and that He can bring us peace and happiness in this life. I love this Gospel, and I love my Savior. I am so grateful for all of my trials, because I have learned and been strengthened from them. I am also so thankful for all the people that Heavenly Father has placed in my life. I hope you all have a great week! 

Love,

Hermana Sanders