10/24/16 Sickness and Claudio is still a Stud

Hola Todos, 

Alright, so this last week was tough one. In the mission I have found out its not always sunshine and rainbows. Around the middle of the week I started to get sick. I was sick for about two days and wasnt able to do much. This gave me a lot of time to think and study which was nice but I still didnt have to much fun. If you know me I am not a huge fan of just chilling in a one place. It was great time and I am very happy that I am feeling better and I am able to leave the pension and work. 

Because I was sick I dont have a lot to write about but yesterday was a wonderful Sunday. Being able to take the Sacrament every week is something I sometimes take for granted. We should remember the beauty of our baptismal covenants and think throughout the week on how we can strive to be as worthy as possible to partake of the emblems of Christ. That doesnt mean perfect just trying. 

Last night my companion and I went to talk with our new convert and the coolest thing happend. We went there and he was re watching conference. Ya thats right Claudio was watching conference again. Yes again. Hmmm so to all of you from the example of Claudio go and watch conference again! haha what stud:)

Well I know this is the true church and that Joseph Smith restored Christs church. I know with this church there is a gospel, a perfect gospel. One that if we do all we can to follow we will find eternal joy. I know through the Atonement of Christ we can feel better when we are down. Life isnt easy but it is worth it. Remember your savior and that He loves you. I know he does and you can know too. Pray as He tought and all will be well. Les quiero!

Elder Saunders

Elder Bodily Quote: Hey have you ever had the desire to be carried?

this kid kills me because he is always soo quiet but sometimes just says the most random funny stuff. 

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See it. Feel it. Trust it.

we did service and burnt some stuff and my comp with his new haricut and just when the sides were cut

10/17/16 Claudio was Dunked

Hola Todos,

Well, the last seven or as some might call a week were soooo sweet. One we did divisiones or splits if you are lame and dont serve in Argentina, two well like always we partied because we have four elders in the pension, and three Claudio was baptized. Ya you heard right we dunked that man real good in the water and the spirit was strong.

Okay to all you future or current missionaries dont forget to have baptismal clothes ready before well the day of. Story time. so yes i may have this fancy name tag and I may have been here for a little bit of time, but Im still a very stupid 19 year old boy. i decided it would be really fun to just trust that we had clothes and then realized wait... all the argentines except for Claudio are tiny. Like me im not even messing, like for real Im kinda big down here;) well okay mas o menos pero okay. Saturday comes flying in and I dont have big enough clothes for my Claudio and I start calling everyone. Members, Zone Leaders, the office, etc. It was a fun time and we luckly found some clothes. Thats right the big football player comes in for the win. We got the clothes from another Elder:) Then we had the baptism and Claudio didnt drown and I with my super muscles got him our of the water;) haha we were kinda worried about that. In a whole the day was perfect and he felt the spirit which is the best part about it. 

The other highlight was my day with Elder Lloyd in his area. We did divisiones and he only has two transfers in the field. So for the first time he got to lead his area. We parited and worked our tails off. I enjoyed every moment and this kid is a straight stud. 

Apart from that the week was normal. So basically it was the best not normal, but normal week in the mission. This week is transers so ill let yall know if I leave next monday or well tuesday if I leave just dont be surprised when I dont write. It could happen.

I know that this is the church of Jesus Christ. He runs His church through his prophets and I know they are called of God. I know the scriptures are very valuable. They contain tressure that we only have search for to find. I know that God lives and that he love us more that we know or can imagine. I know the power of the priesthood is real and we can use it. Yes all of us not just the ones who hold it. I know that one day I will have an eternal family. I know my kids will be dear to me and long for the day where I can share my stories and im living now. I love the mission and all of you and remember our Heavenly Father loves you more:) 

Con Amor,

Elder Saunders

Bodily Quote of the Week: "No Elder Im not the Tuna" 

p.s. this kid is a nut but i love him igual:) 

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See it. Feel it. Trust it.

10/10/16 Hola Todos

Hola Todos,

First of I hope that all of you are doing well and that yall have found time to study the wonderful conference talks we had this past week. I know there are promises in them and that you will see blessings as you study and put the challenges in practice. 

This last week was another fun week. We found a nicer and slightly bigger pension to live in and will help the fact that we have four missionaries in our pension. So we are just waiting for the call to move and siiii we are going to move. Another new thing I have to cut my hair almost bald. I let one of my investigators cut my hair and he kinda was just smoking and high soooo if you think about that, not my best decision. So ya thats whats up here. 

Claudio is a straight stud and is going to be baptized this Saturday. He came to church for the third time in a row and is more than ready to start his journey as a baptized member of the church. He asked me to baptize him and it will be a moment I will never forget. We are really good friends and he will be a friend forever:) I know one day I will see if and his family in the Celestial Kingdom.

Basically Elder Bodily and I are getting along well and because of that are finding a success. We are hoping to add to the baptism count after Claudio. We have a few other investigadors that are progressing and just lack a little something something. Thanks for the support and prayers we can feel them as we teach. 

Well I know this church is true and through the Atonement we can feel peace and assurance that all is fine and dandy. I am happy and felt Gods love for me a lot lately. I found out that there is a lot to improve in my missionary ways and I have taken the challenge to do the best I can. I know it is always possible to improve and become more obedient. That is applied to not just the mission but to everything and I hope that yall can find time to improve in just one way this week. I love you all and will talk to yall next week:) 

Con Amor,

Elder Saunders

p.s. I am now going to start a new part of my letters called "Elder Bodily Quotes"

"Aggressive Snuggling", Elder Bodily 

Les Quiero 

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See it. Feel it. Trust it.

10/3/16 Hola Todos

Hola Todos,

Another crazy fast week has flashed before my eyes and my mission is getting better everyday. This last week I think I have finally realized that my mission is the best two years! Yes I cant watch tv, listen to music, be with my girlfriend and family, and I cant play golf everyday for four hours. BUT I get to be a missionary for our Savior. I GET to put His name on my chest and try my hardest to bring people unto Him. This brings joy, this brings peace, and this brings blessings to those who I love. These last nine months have not been easy but have taught me a lot and I am grateful for the 15 more I have!

This week was taugh to get out to work every day and all day. I have been sick and it caught up with me this week. However we got out there and in my scatchy sick gringo accent tried to teach the gospel. I think it went well and we found and taught well this week. 

One highlight was we found a man named Pablo. It was the first housed we contacted and Pablo listened to us and accepted a date to be baptized. It was a straight miracle and the whole lesson was done outside of his house. We even prayed basically on the street. It was crazy cool and the spirtit was there. I know the spirit goes and can be wherever it needs to be to touch our hearts. 

Conference was my other highlight of the week as it was for the entire church. However what was the best part of conference was that Claudio our next baptism watched it. He has been seeing changes in his life and has found the desire to take the first convenant in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are planning his baptism and he has become one of my best friends. I could not be any happier to have seen his change and conversion the last month. 

One thing I took away from conference is that the Book of Mormon has a power that attracts us to it. It is the truth and it rings true in my heart. I know the book is true and I know it brings power into the home. Read it by yourself and to your family, and I know you will see a difference of peace and joy  in your life! As well the Thomas S. Monson our prophet only  said a few words. In the priesthood session about the Word of Wisdom and on Sunday about the Plan of Salvation. Read his words and learn from them and I  will do the same. I know the church is true we have the authority of God and have His church. I know its true and tesify of it. I have felt the change it can make in my life and invite you to let it change yours. I love you all and hope that all is well. Carry on and feel the joy of the Atonement in your lives. Les Quiero!!

con amor,

Elder Saunders 

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See it. Feel it. Trust it.

9/27/16 Golf and Church Attendence

Hola Amigos,

Bueno this last week was the fastest week of my life. We worked hard, had interviews with Presidente, and Claudio, Gaston, and their kids came to church. I found out that I love the mission and golf more than anything in the world.

To start the week monday we went golfing with Marcelo. He is the brother of Claudio our next baptism and he has really nice clubs for being here in Argentina. So we played so golf and lets just say i hit a drive over 300 yards at sea level! okay it was downhill and the cross wind helped my draw but it was still a deep bomb! I also hit one of the best four iron shots of my life and impressed everyone so ya know i can still golf a little bit;)

Then through out the week we had some really awesome lessons with our top three investigators. Claudio, Norma, and Gaston. They are such studs and are progressing a ton. Claudio came to church and had a wonderful time. He felt the spirit and told us about it. He came with his daughter and she is so adorable. She drew in my agenda and I will always remember that their first day at church.

Gaston wants to get married now and just has to save a little money for a ring. His girlfriend is wanting to listen to us more and is going to go to the church for general conference. Im sooo happy for them and we testify that they will have an eternal family one day.

Norma is doing good and is reading a lot. She is basically ready for baptism but told us that she lacks a for sure feeling. So we gave her the challenge to take a question of her choice to general conference in prayer. She will get an answer. I know it!!

We also had interviews with Presidente Salerno. It is cool because we do them in spanish and I can understand and talk back with ease. Life is a lot easier now that spanish is natural! Presidente helped me a lot and I feel a lot better. He showed me that I am acutally a decent missionary. Sometimes its hard and Satan makes us feel like we are worthless. However I know that the time comes when the times roll in nice and sunny like springtime. Just keep Carrying On like my grandma Ruth May Fox wrote!! I know that this church is true. It changes lives, and seals families for eternity. There is nothing more in the world that I want more than an eternal family. That is my goal and that is why I testify of the truths I know. Christ lives and we can repent when needed. That means everyday and I know the Atonement works. I have felt the power of it in my life and it has changed me. Know that Christ loves you and that I love you too. You are in my thoughts and prayers!! Les Quiero!

Con Amor,

Elder Saunders

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See it. Feel it. Trust it.

pics of me and gastons kid and claudio and lloyd my best buddy in my disrict

9/19/16 Week One and a Full House

Hola todos,

How are all of you doing? I am doing pretty well, and week one with my new companion went really well. We found some new investigators and taught a bunch this week. The biggest news though is that we are now living with two more Elders. One is from Argentina and the other is from California. Their names are Elder Campopiano y Elder Powell. Elder Powell is new in the mission and its fun helping with his training. My new companion is dope. He is half mexican and his Spanish is really good. He is from West Valley, Utah and is the oldest kid in his family. He likes to draw, read, and wants to go into Animation after the mission. 

This week we had a few dope experiences. We taught Claudio the Word of Wisdom, Law of Chastity, and Tithing. He accepted it all and said he would obey them. He told us that there is a new peace or comfort in his house now. Hmm what would that be eh?? The Holy Ghost maybe?? haha it is so refreshing to see the gospel change the lives of others. 

Also Gaston the man who only needs to get married and then he will be baptized finally wants to get married. We invited him and his girl to pray together about their wedding and Veronica felt and said its now and is bugging him to do it!! 

Norma and her kids are getting close to being ready for baptism. Norma is just waiting to feel a little more ready. I think in just a week or two she will be baptized. Along with her, her two daughters want to get baptized. 

This week I learned a lot about patience. Lately I have been kinda down on myself, not feeling very confident. Being me I just hide it and keep going. But inside I was feeling kinda crappy. So I prayed like crazy and today im starting to feel better. The mission isnt easy, but it is rewarding. Seeing people change is really heart warming and makes me feel like I have done something with my time. I know that God lives. His son Jesus Christ died for us. We will live with our famlies for eternity. However we have to do what we know is right and what Christ taught when He established His church! I know if we do those things we will live with our families forever!! I know the scripures bring knowledge and peace. Read them and take questions to the temple. You WILL find answers. I love you all and write me about you lives. I would love to hear from you. 

Con Amor, 

Elder Saunders 

ps Im going golfing today so I am only like kinda happy;) 

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See it. Feel it. Trust it.

pics of me and my comp, selfie, mcdonalds from buenos aires, and elder powell sleeping on the floor

9/12/16 Traslados y Asistencia de 10

Hola Todos,

Bueno so this last week was crazy. We had a lot of changes and my life will be different know. Transfers came this week and my companion Elder Aquino is leaving and Elder Bodil-castineta is my new companion. He is from West Valley, Utah and has about five months in the mission. So we will see if we can hold our own with our spanish. I cant believe another transfer has past. Time never stops and we always are going, going, going in the mission. I have learned that staying busy is the way to live. 

Alright, so the first part of the week was chill. We had district meeting, taught a bunch, and just lived the missionary life. Elder Aquino wanted help with a package for his girlfriend so we did that as well. It was fun and also we made a video of us dabbing because my brother asked for one. 

Wednesday we had an awesome day and had a family home evening with our investigator named Norma. She has three kids and lives alone with them. So we had the FHE in a members house. It went really well and she was talking about her baptism a lot!!! We then talked with Gaston who only needs to get married to be able to be baptized. He is basically a member, but is not baptized. He knows everything as has a testimony. I love this guy and we are basically just friends and talk about girls and what not a lot;) haha 

Friday we had our Noche de Comida activity. We (us gringos) made Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwhiches. It was dope and we had a lot of fun and the members enjoyed it. After the activity we taught Claudio. He is a great friend and example to me. We taught the Plan of Salvation and he ate it up. He wants to learn everything and has desires to read, watch, listen, etc to all of the church´s material. He also put his on baptismal date. We mentioned baptism and he said, "Can I be baptized on my birthday on the ninth of November?" So ya he´s a straight stud. 

Sunday was awesome Gaston and Norma came to church. As well as the kids of Norma. Also two of her nephews that live next door to her. So we had six people at church. It was awesome and I felt like a dad again with all the kids around me and laying on me and pulling my ears during church. They are very touchy little buggers but I love those guys. 

Honestly the mission changes you. Im different and I have only been here for 8 months. My thoughts about life are more pure, I have new and different goals for my future, I care less about little things, and most importantly I want to be able to feel the spirit like I do now always. Us missionaries think a lot about our future lives, and I have been thinking about mine a lot lately. I know I have a lot of time left but I love setting goals. Goals make life easier and more managable. I invite all of you to set spiritual goals. Make them personal and meaniful. With a purpose to get closer to God. I know as God sees you make this goals He WILL bless you with the power to accomplish them. He loves you, and you are His son or daughter. I know this. You might know this too. Pray to know if you dont. You will recieve a peaceful feeling of love. 

Life is tough. We are pushing through tough times in every moment. However I know that there is peace in knowing that you are living righteously. I know when we mess up or need help Christ is there. He is waiting for you to take the first step towards Him. Take the step and watch the blessings fall into your life. They will be simple and precious. Better than the things of the world. Pay attention to your life and I know you will see the hand of God! I love you all and know God lives and His son Jesus Christ knows you perfectly. Les Quiero!! 

Elder Saunders con Amor!:)  

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See it. Feel it. Trust it.
pic of  Mom poster board