A Christmas to remember



Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace

 

 

Well... I think this Christmas will just be about THE MOST AMAZING CHRISTMASES I have ever had! Let me start with Christmas Eve... I got the most amazing gift!  I got to see my family, my brother Stu, and both of my grandparents. I could not have asked for a better gift. My family is just amazing, and it is so exciting to know that in a few months I will get to see them again! After I finished talking to my family, a catholic priest came up to me and started talking to me in English. Well, he ended up giving me a whole bunch of papers, which I kindly accepted. Then in return I invited the catholic priest to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and set up an appointment to teach him. It was actually kind of funny!



We also got to eat with our Paraguayan family in the night! They are the most amazing people, and made us feel as though we were home!






 Christmas day was the most amazing day! We got up early to open all of our packages, and I wore my adorable pajamas (sorry I forgot my camera today, I will send pics next week) then hurriedly got ready to go to our zone activity.

 This Christmas actually felt like Christmas!!! We went to the stake center and we all made breakfast together. It was like a big family reunion. We were all laughing, taking pictures, listening to Christmas music, singing Christmas hymns! I even got a surprise package from my grandma and grandpa Sanders and a letter from my very best friend!!! Then we all sat around a big table and shared our favorite Christmas traditions or memories! Then we ate a TON of yummy food!!!! After we all piled in the mission vans and headed to the hospital.








This was my favorite part of the whole day! We even met a family who were members and they accompanied us. We all split up in groups and visited all the patients we could. Wow, I wish you could have seen some of the peoples faces. Some were smiling, some were crying, and some looked as if at peace. It is sad to think that many are far away from their families on Christmas day sick in bed. But we got to testify of a Loving Savior, who knows their pains and difficulties. One who will never leave their side. We testified of the Resurrection and the perfecting of our bodies and because Christ over came physical death, we may too. You could just feel the love that Heavenly Father has for His children during those moments. It was something so simple, but so beautiful. This truly will never be a Christmas I will forget. I have been so blessed in my life, and I want to thank all of you for making it that much special. Thank you for all of your testimonies and all of your love. I hope you had a very merry Christmas, and have a happy New Year. I love you all!

Love,

Hermana Sanders

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

SHARE THE GIFT!!!

So I decided that I want to find a mango branch and bring it to our apartment. Then I want to decorate it, and make it our Christmas tree. It will be AWESOME!!!


But it is really pretty to be here in the city for Christmas. Everyone puts Christmas lights up and Christmas decorations. It is super pretty and there is lots of Christmas Spirit. We are hoping that lots of people will be willing to receive us on Christmas day. Something I love here in South America is that everyone is very Christian, and everyone believes in Jesus Christ! Also Everyone has these BEAUTIFUL nativity sets placed outside their houses with coconut flowers, which smell like Christmas. Everything is really Christ centered, which is how it really should be! :)

BECAUSE HE CAME

I think my first Christmas was really hard to be away from home, but this year I have realized something that I have never noticed before. I feel the TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS, and I feel as though I truly understand why we celebrate the birth of Christ. Being super far away from my family has helped me depend more on my Heavenly Father and putting all my trust in Him. He has been the only one I have been able to talk to, and my relationship has been strengthened I have felt His love so strong, and even stronger when I think of how He sent His son Jesus Christ. I love my Savior, and I am forever grateful for Him. The more and more I learn about him, the more I want to share this knowledge with others. I can't help but tear up to think about Jesus's life, His teaching, His sacrifices, and His love. He is the TRUE meaning of Christmas! I will never forget this Christmas and the testimony I have gained of Him. I am also so very blessed for the beautiful family that I have, and to be a member of the TRUE Church of Christ.

I want to send all my best wished to you all. I hope that you all spend this Christmas time with loved ones and family. I hope that you remember your Heavenly Family and how much they love you! Share the Gift with all that you know. Christ Lives!!! I love you all!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Love,

Hermana Sanders

:)

 

Well I started this week off with a wonderful zone conference with President. To my surprise a lot is going to change. The area 70 has been focusing more and more on baptisms, retention, and reactivation. They have given us a few things that will help us achieve these goals. First of all they want every recent convert to fill out their family tree booklet and take names to the temple. As many of you know we as missionaries had been asked to fill out our own family tree booklets to be able to use them as example. As I have been filling the pamphlet out, my desires have grown stronger to learn more about my ancestors. I truly feel the spirit of Elijah! It is also really interesting how lots of the recent talks we have heard in past conferences and past talks that are being printed out in the Liahona are talking about the importance of doing family history work. I know that it is going to help recent converts and less actives be able to be firm in the Church. Also President was sharing with us the importance of the Book of Mormon, and if everyone, member, investigator, less active, who ever reads the book of Mormon each and every day, they will be converted. Actually they need to study the words, and just how it says in alma 32:28, it will become Delicious unto them. Then they will be able to invite the spirit to testify of the truth and gain testimonies. Isn't that just amazing!? 

So my companion and I put it in practice and took a less active member and a recent convert to the stake center to learn more about family history. They LOVED it!!!! The less active member told us how she was going to quit her job and was going to call her aunt that night to get more information about her ancestors. She can't wait to go into the temple!! 

 

We also had an amazing lesson with my favorite Brazilian Laura! We taught her about the Restoration and she understood everything!!!! She promised us that she would pray about Joseph Smith and read the book of Mormon! The only sad thing is that she is leaving for about a month to visit her family in Brazil, but she promised to find the church there and attend! She also as 8 hours to travel so she is going to bring her Book of Mormon and read all that she can. Then when she comes back she is going to go to church with us! She is so amazing!!!!
 

Well I am excited that it is getting closer to Christmas so that I can see all of you! I am so happy to hear of all the wonderful things you are doing for Christmas, keep sending pictures! You all will be in my hearts this Christmas, and Thank you for all of your love and kind words! I hope you all enjoy this time and find ways to share this joy with others! Have a great week! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Love,

Hermana Sanders

 

Transfers!

 

So yes... this week I had transfers. It has been a crazy week! We moved into our new house Tuesday night after we found out about transfers. We had to try and say goodbye to two areas because both Hermana Minks and Hermana Argyle left.  We moved into the new house, but we slept in the old house. But half of everything we had in the house was taken away so we all had to sleep on the ground with 2 mattresses...it was super fun. I was super sad to be separated from my companions. I love them with all my heart, and we had such a good time!!! But I am now companions with Hermana Hernadez from Peru. We actually lived in Ysapy together, so it is fun. Our house that we have now is super tiny and only has 1 room. But it is in our area which is the good part.

This week we found lots of new investigators, mostly because I have gotten us lost. But that is part of the adventure, right?

We are also having a great time giving out Christmas cards for He is the Gift! It has been a great experience, and I just love this spirit of Christmas! I hope you are all finding the true meaning of Christmas and can find ways to give gifts to Christ! I love my Savior, and I am forever grateful for Him. He gave us the most precious gift of all, His life. I hope all my life I can show my gratitude and share His message with everyone.

I love you all so very much! I can wait to see your beautiful faces either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day! Take care, and spread the Christmas Joy to everyone that you know! LOVE AND MISS YOU!!!!

Love,

Hermana Sanders

 

Happy Late Thanksgiving!

MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!!

 

So this week we got to celebrate Thanksgiving kind of by surprise. We left to go to our lunch appointment, which ended up being canceled. So, we went to the grocery store and bought a cooked chicken and some potatoes. I also made an apple pie really quick which turned out delicious. Other than that we did not really do anything more festive. But I want to thank you all for your pictures... I was drooling! Just joking! 

 

We also got to do lots of apartment shopping which is a little stressful. I guess I know what it is like being a grown up. 

I must say though, this week ended spectacular!!! We had most of our investigators in church and it was so exciting! We also had President come to our sacrament and he gave such a spiritual talk. He spoke to all of the members about THE TRUE MEANING OFCHRISTMAS, and how we can help others know the significance as well as invite people to be taught by the missionaries. He also talked about a video called, "HE IS THE GIFT" and you can find it on lds.org or Christmas.mormon.org . You should all go and look it and maybe post something on Facebook or share it by email with someone that you think it could help.Spread the True message of Christmas!

One last cool story...Last night we were right under a HUGE THUNDER STORM. There was almost no pause between the lightning and thunder. I thought I had heard loud thunder, but last night beat it all!  It EVEN shook the house, and all of you that know me know that I LOVE thunderstorms... but last night THE THUNDER SCARED ME! But we lived, so everything turned out okay! :)

Anyways I hope you enjoy the pictures! I love you all, and have a great week! 

Love, Hermana Sanders

 

 

Caramel Apple Pie {Lion House Recipe}   

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus additional for dusting top crust
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus additional for dusting top crust
• 1 large pinch nutmeg, plus additional for dusting top crust
• 8 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 2 tablespoons cream
• Pie crust (enough for double-crust pie)
• 1 recipe Caramel Sauce (see below)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together sugar, flour, kosher salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss in apples, and stir in vanilla. Set aside. Stir the apple mixture every 15 to 20 minutes while making the crust. Once pastry dough is prepared, roll out pastry for bottom crust 3 inches larger than the pie tin. Ease pastry into pan and cut away so only half an inch is overlapping the edge of the pie tin.
Pour apple filling into the pie pan. Dot the butter over the apples. Brush cream around edges of pie crust.
Roll out pastry for top crust, fold in half, and cut three 1/2-inch slits through both layers of crust. Unfold crust and place over the apples. Trim away extra crust, leaving 1 inch overlapping. Crimp edges. Brush cream over top and sprinkle with cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg.
Cover the edges of the pie with foil. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Remove the tin foil from edges after 30 minutes. Cover the whole pie with tin foil for the last 20 minutes. Cool on a rack for 1 hour. While pie is cooking make the caramel sauce. Drizzle warm sauce over pie before serving.
Caramel Sauce

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, melt butter on high heat. Add brown sugar, heavy cream, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium, until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Allow to cool in pan for 15 minutes. Drizzle over the warm pie.

A week full of surprises!

Well... this week was crazy!!! And super sad. The other sister who was living with us went home last week. She was really sick, and they thought it would be better if she could be home. Now I am in a companionship with Hermana Minks! It is SUPER FUN but really stressful. Now we have 2 areas to work in, and we have to find an apartment before the transfer. But I love these two with all my heart, and I know we will be able to work everything out.

We also had a wonderful experience this weekend. Our sister leader trainers called us and asked us if we would join in on a fast with all the sisters in our mission. We fasted for our investigators and the members. And can I just tell you that fasting really works! We had 18 less actives come return to church this week and 3 investigators. To top it all off the Primary had their program and it was the most adorable thing! Sunday was just amazing, and I was just filled with the Spirit. I know that fasting really works, and that Heavenly Father is mindful of us.

Another plus, today we got to go clean the Temple. It is always the hardest thing for me to leave once I get there. There is just a strong influence of the Spirit there, and one really does feel closer to God. I love the temple with all my heart. We are so blessed to have temples to feel this peace away from the world.

As of Thanksgiving... I don't think we are going to do anything. I have maybe only seen 1 Turkey here... and I don't know how to prepare a live one. Maybe we will try and do a little something, but we will see. But I will be thinking of all of you being full of delicious turkeys and other yummy foods. Enjoy!

I love you all and hope everything is going well. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Here is a list of a few things I am grateful for:

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

The Restored Gospel

Joseph Smith

The Book of Mormon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Prophet and Apostles

Temples

My companions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Paraguayan Family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Parents and loved ones

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My mission and the opportunity to strengthen my testimony

 

 My mission president

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My ward and neighbors

 

 

 

 

 

My amazing friends

 

Love you all,

Hermana Sanders

Rain....Rain....more Rain!!!

This week was super crazy. First of all it rained like the whole beginning of the week. And when it rains here, it pours. So there are a few members who don´t have the most sturdy of houses. So we went out there and helped members and people pour buckets of rain water out of their houses. Being here has just helped me be more grateful for all the things that i have in my life. Such as an apartment on the second floor.

We also have this amazing investigator who is progressing. She is a little stubborn, but we are working with her to over come that. She is amazing, and I can already see her in the waters of baptism.

We have also had a great opportunity to serve the other sisters in our house. It has been really fun. My companion is just amazing and such a loving person. She has been just full of ideas how we can serve the others sisters and others. It is so much fun!

Today we went to a Garden close to our house. It was really fun and we saw lots of creepy things in a museum. There are man eating snakes here in Paraguay guys... We also got to take lots of fun pictures in a big tree.

Overall this week was super fantastic! I love this work. I love this gospel. I love my companion with all my heart! And this is the end. Till next week. Love you ALL!!!!

Love,

Hermana Sanders

{11/10/2014}

Nov 10 at 3:21 PM

Hello everyone!!!

This week was super great! We had a zone conference this Tuesday, and it was really good! It was one where we had interviews with President, so we just had stations and practiced various things. Well, my companion and I rocked it! But seriously, my companion is the best and we just work so well together! I am amazed how each of my companions have been so happy and it just rubs off on me! They are also spiritual giants and I learn so much from them! I LOVE HERMANA ARGYLE!!!

We also got to do a fun service activity with the other sisters, Hermana Minks and Hermana Puac. We went to this cute grandpa´s house who lives in our area and cleaned his kitchen. Well you see he lives all alone and just doesn´t have the strength to clean it all. He was VERY stubborn but we finally talked him into letting us clean his kitchen. He was SOOOO very happy after we had finished, he even paid us with a BIG red apple! I love Paraguayans!

It also rained dogs and cats this week. But missionary work must go on! So we prepared ourselves for battle, I mean the rain, and the funniest thing happened! We were walking in the rivers, called streets, and it just started pouring and pouring. Well long story short we had our boots FILLED with water, and NO JOKE we were dumping water out for hours! Then the cutest little grandpa made a joke and asked if my companion peed her pants because of all the water that had filled her boots after it stopped raining. Well since little old grandpas think they are so funny, I couldn´t help but laugh. Grandpa humor... it is the best!

We have also been apartment hunting this week, and it is really hard. But I know we will be able to find one. We have also found some really great people, now the tricky part is getting them to come to church! But all is well here in Paraguay. It continues to be in the high 90´s and 100´s, but we survive! Enjoy the snow, you don´t even realize how lovely it is! Well I love you all! I hope you have an amazing week!

Oh wait, we totally went to the Football Confederation of South America today. It so happens to be in Paraguay. It is really cool, and has soccer balls all over! And it was even closed today, but because we are cute little missionaries, we got to go in! yup...

 



Anyways...

Lots of Hugs and Kisses!

Hermana Sanders

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

Well.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST MOM IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could not ask for a better Mother! And guess what, I got to celebrate her birthday today, because well... it is also my companion's birthday. So this morning I made her go running with me and we did some yoga outside while the other sisters sneakily decorated the house. Then we did our studies and we went to this fancy Chinese restaurant in Asunción. IT WAS SO GOOD!!! I miss yummy food! And I also secretly planned a family night with a family, but they are going to make my companion a cake. So today should be a super fun day, and I will be thinking of my amazing mother all day!

My Zonies

This week was really great though. We found this amazing investigator who had all these questions! Music to missionary's ears! She was also planning on going to church with us this week, but I don't know what happened when we passed by her house. We also were able to go on divisions with the amazing sister leaders, but this time it was a Little different. Instead of one of us leaving and going to their área, we both stayed in our área here in Loma. Hermana Sánchez and I spent the whole time finding new investigators for us, while the other sisters went and taught. It was super fun, especially because I did not know the área at all. But we still found some really great people, and I am excited to go back. But yesterday we taught this Brazilian family and they are absolutely amazing! Even though they don't really speak Spanish, I know that they understand and feel something different about the Church. I am hoping they will be able to progress!
 

 

 

Oh and I guess this week was Halloween. We didn't really do anything special. Hermana Argyle and I switched tags and wore the same clothes. We also carved a watermelon because we can find a pumpkin in all of Paraguay.  But it was still fun, and a lot easier to carve than a pumpkin. We also made some pumpkin cookies! (THANK YOU MOM) But I am sad to say that Paraguay doesn't celebrate Halloween, so it was pretty chill here. Well... actually really hot!!


Easy Pumpkin Chip Cookies

But I don't remember anything else. I am loving my companion though, she is super amazing! We just laugh all day. I am really liking the area, I know that it has great potential. We are going to find those who are waiting for us. And yeah... I love you all! Have a super fantastic week!

Love,

Hermana Sanders

Transfers!!!

Well... I have been transferred. I am now in an area called Loma Pyta, I am with the Hermana Argyle.

 

Left to right--Hermanas Allison Lutz, Alexis Argyle, Hermana Sanders, Ashlin Cowger, Janeth Terrazas, Hermana Venegas, Kayla Dunagan, and Secily Seeley

First of all can I just say that I love her so much! She is just the cutest thing, and we have already had so much fun together. Also I am in a city area, and the majority of the people here are pretty wealthy. I am not really use to these kind of areas, but I know that we will be able to find those souls that Heavenly Father has prepared. I am really excited to work in this area and to be with Hermana Argyle. Also I am living in an apartment with 2 other sisters again, one of them being Hermana MINKS!!! 

Hermana Minks, Myself, Hermana Johnson 

A Sister who I started my mission with. I don't know how I get so blessed to always be with amazing Sisters!!!  But... there is only one thing that I am super worried about... there are mice in our house. Last night I had a nightmare that one was chasing me. 

So I thought it was hard saying bye to an area the first time, but the second time is so much worse. Plus President has changed the day he tells everyone about changes, so now we have less time to say goodbye. I have really grown to love the people in Ysapy, they are all so amazing. I am really sad as well because we had a few baptisms coming up, but I am still happy to know they are in great hands. 

My new area is really big so there are so many opportunities to find lots of new investigators. The members are also super great and have already made me feel at home. The land lord is really cute as well and told me my first day that she was excited to have a new daughter. This area is going to be great! Oh and I am in the zone of all the office elders and AP's and Sister leader trainers. And somehow it got out that I have a volleyball, so today we got to play. IT WAS SO FUN!!! There are a couple of missionaries that know how to play so it was a great game. 

Unfortunately the computer here won't let me send pictures, but I will try again next week. But I want you all to know how much I love you, and that I feel all of your prayers. Thank you for sharing all the missionary experiences that you are having, it just strengthens my testimony. I know this is the only true church. I know that Heavenly loves all His children. I know that he has a perfect plan. I know with all my heart The Book of Mormon is true, I absolutely love this book. I encourage you  all to continue the great work. I love you all. Have a great week! 

Love, 

Hermana Sanders