7/11/16 Zone Meeting and Mate!!/ pics of the adventure

Hola mis amigos,

Well, to start I first want to say that I know this church is true and that no matter what goes on in your life it will always be true! This last week was amazing and I had a lot of fun. The first part of the week we were in a trio because Elder Cano our Zone Leader went up to Comodoro for Consejo. It was the first meeting with our new mission President. I have not met him yet but we are having interviews this week, so I will let yall know how they go next week. 

We also had Zone Meeting and that meant we got to travel to 28 de Noviembre!! It is a four hour bus ride but the night before I got a little stomach bug so I was scared I was going to die on the way there. However thanks to lots of prayers I made it safe and sound. We found out that we can now drink Mate!!!!!!! It is bitter but good. I feel a little more Argentine now. Everyone drinks it and I am crazy happy that we can drink it too! 

Alright you members you have a little competition for the best member missionary.This week our Branch President Presidente Ortellado texted us saying that he found one of our investigators that we have been looking for for like well forever! He then continued to say that he set a baptismal date with her!! Entonces the invitation this week is to do the same. Go put a baptismal date or at least try to do some missionary work!! I know you can do it it is scary but fun! You will be a lot more happy as you strive to serve others and bring the gospel! 

On Sunday or I guess yesterday we as us missionaries had to run all of church. All the members of the Branch Presidency were gone either on vacation or had to work. So Elder Araujo gave a lesson and then we all gave talks. We talked on Charity, Missionary Work, and of course Temples. Our goal is to have a temple down here in the Patagonia. Our message was through missionary work and having charity we can obtain the goal as we work as one... Missionaries with Members! 

 One thing I learned this week is the importance of being obedient. My first six months of my mission could have been done with a little more obedience to the rules of the mission. Yes all of them not just the ones that sound cool or easy to follow. While in 28 de Noviembre and on splits with Elder Applegate we taught a lesson to a family that was planning a party. The things they were planning were very sinful to say the least. However the kids said that they wanted to get baptized but first sin a bunch. This made me think how we just pick and choose the commandments or "rules" we want to follow. To me it seemed so dumb to choose to sin then get baptized, but sometimes I do the same thing with the rules of the mission. I guess I want to say that I know all the commandments and rules in the church are there for a reason. Obey them and I will do my best to do the same with you! 

I know that this Church is true. That the temple is really the house of God. He is there as we walk the halls. He loves us more than we can even imagine. The Scriptures ring true with the word of God. Search them and you will find peace and happiness. Do all you can to walk in the ways of righteousness, and He will bless you and your family. I know this to be true and know that all will be well as we do as my grandmother of old said, " Carry on, Carry on" I love you all and thank you for the support! 

Elder Saunders de Calafate 

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See it. Feel it. Trust it.

7/4/16 Small Miracles y Prayer

Hola,

This week went by fast and we were able to get a lot done while having a lot of fun. I have looked back at the first quarter of my mission with happiness in what I have been able to accomplish with the Lord on my side. On Thursday I completed six months in the mission. It really does not feel that long and it is crazy how fast time passes in the mission. Calafate has shown me a lot, and I believe I have grown spiritual, physically, emotionally, and basically have become just a bit closer to our Heavenly Father. 

I want to share a little bit on what I learned from prayer and fasting. I had the opportunity to pray a lot this week. There have been a lot of things that I have wanted questions to and through the prayers and fast that I did I was able to find the answers that I know are according to our Heavenly Father´s plan for me. One thing in particular that I have been praying for is what we as missionaries can do for our investigator Luis. Luis has recently turned 18 and can be baptized. He had not been able to before because of his parents. However something happened a few months ago with a member family, and he can not come to church anymore according to law. However we felt like we needed to ask our branch President for help. With the help of him and his work at the police station Luis is able to come to church and he is getting baptized on the 16th of July!! I am so lucky and blessed to be in an area with prepared people. 

As well this week we taught Rosa our investigator that told us she has seen the first vision imagine in a dream. So ya she will get baptized she just cant come to church because of a inflexible work schedule. Our other investigator Sebastian came to church yesterday for the second time and says he wants to stop drinking and smoking. Pedro is finally walking and is about to leave the hospital. Again I am so blessed to be able to spend another transfer here in Calafate. Seeing these small but mighty miracles help my testimony grow more than anything else. 

We also helped a Hermano build his house this week and hopefully he can get most of it done before the snow comes. He is the secretary in the branch and the only member in his family. What a stud eh?? 

Well everyone I am doing well down here in the Patagonia. Not every moment is bliss and glamour, but we are trying to do our best. I know that as we strive to do our part we will be blessed for trying. God magnifies our efforts and puts them into His will. I know that prayer is real. We can talk to our Heavenly Father. Yes our Father literal Father. This blessing has and will help me in my life. I know the Holy Ghost can guide and touch your life. Pray for that guidance and all will be well. This Church is true! It is Christ´s church and He is in charge. Remember that and your troubles will be put at peace. I know that to be true. I love you all and hope that you all can strive to do the simple things to bring you complex and huge blessings. Isn´t that cool how our Father works? Les amo muchisimo!!!

Con Amor,

Elder Saunders 

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See it. Feel it. Trust it.

6/27/16 New Companion y A Really Warm Winter

Hey everybody,

I hope all is well in your lives and that you all are able to find time to slow down and feel the spirit. This week went by fast, but at the same time it feels like forever since I was emailing. I have learned a lot from the things that have happened this week and  I hope that I can share a few that will help you.

The first thing is that I am supposed to be in Calafate. I never realized how important it is to know that you are supposed to be in the place you are called. People here in Calafate need Elder Araujo and I. That is my new companion Elder Araujo. He is from Brazil and is about to complete a year in the mission. He is very tall and we look kinda funny walking down the streets of Calafate. However this week we have already found that we are called to be here. 

Elder Petersen and I had an investigator named Luis. He is 18 well just turned 18 and wants to get baptized. However with Elder Petersen we could not find him. The third day with Elder Araujo we found him. We talked with him and he is getting baptized this next Saturday. There was a lot of problems with ward members and other drama, but with a miracle everything is fine now. I just know that as we strive to baptize or do anything the Lord will magnify our strength and bless us.  

The last few days we have been talking a lot about doctrine. How it can help us, and how we can learn more and live it. I invite you to take a piece of doctrine and study it out. I will do it with you. Then for me because I miss the temple go to the temple and pray about it. I promise you that you will feel something. Something strong, maybe different than usual. The Spirit will testify to you the truth of all things. I love you all and I am grateful for the support you show me. I know that this Church is true. Sometimes that is all that keeps me going, but I know it! Sometimes you have to doubt your doubts before your faith. Remember that and all will be well! 

Elder Saunders

P.S. I finally bought a pillow and for the first time in months I was able to sleep with a pillow. I also know that pillows bring to pass good dreams:)

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See it. Feel it. Trust it.

My comp -Elder Araujo- and Me on P day 

pics of the lunch we made yesterday, eggs, hamburger meat, hot dogs, and vegetables. We then put aji crema y mayo on it. (with Elder Tffany)

6/20/16 Glacier, Fake Goodbyes, and Transfers

Hey Everyone,

This week was a week full craziness, surprises, and goodbyes. The beginning of the week we had our "Super Pday". We went to the Glacier again and we went with our neighboring zone of Rio Gallegos. I had a good time and this time there was sun so I was able to take a lot of good pics that were not possible the first time. After the trip to the glacier we had an Asado made by Hermano Santos in our branch. We as in my district were in charge of buying all of the meat and other food so that was a fun time figuring out how much to buy and what not. We ended up buying over 18 kilos of meat of all different cuts and types. The "Super Pday" went well and we all had a lot of fun. I was able to see my MTC companion Elder Whitehead. 

Then throughout the week I went around to all the people in Calafate I wanted to say goodbye to because we thought I would be leaving. Then Friday came rolling around and we got transfers. It has been revealed that I will be staying in Calafate for another transfer and Elder Petersen my companion will be going up to Comodoro to be companions with my first companion Elder Cortes. What a crazy surprise!! So that meant that know we had to go back around to everyone and tell them we thought wrong and God wants Elder Petersen to leave and not me! Haha it was really funny and everyone loved the double visits in like two days!

This last Sunday which was yesterday was a thoughtful day for me. I thought a lot about what the mission has been, and what it has done to me. I have changed most of the changes are good, a few a need to fix but most good. I know that a mission is something I will never get back. Everyday is a day that I will never get to do again. I know that the Church is true, and with the Atonement we can do anything. I ended up giving another "Surprise" talk yesterday, and I talked on the importance of Temples. I related that to what the members have to do to get one down here in the Patagonia. To all you lucky dogs who have a temple close please take advantage, and visit it often. As well help the missionaries out and go on member lessons. They help a ton and they will help you too!! Well I love you all and thanks for the support. Till next week with my new companion Elder Araujo from Brazil!!! 

Elder Saunders   

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See it. Feel it. Trust it

6/13/16 Zone Meeting and Transfers are Coming

Hola mis amigos,

Wow I think that was one of the fastest weeks of my life. I am already back on the computer writing to yall. Well this last week began with a few days in a Trio. Elder Tiffany a member of one year from North Carolina joined Elder Petersen and I in our adventures. We worked well together and had a lot fun. We were able to work in both of our areas. Elder Tiffany was baptized one year ago on my birthday March 7th. 

Then on Thursday we left to 28 de Noviembre which is a four hour bus ride for Zone Meeting. I was asked to speak in the Zone Meeting on Faith so I was able to plan all my talk during the ride there. I was nervous to speak because my spanish is not very good, but I think I ended up doing a decent job. Then we had an Asado which is an Argentina bbq with a married couple that are missionaries. 

On our way home from 28 de Noviembre we were able to watch a little of the Copa América. If you dont know that is a soccer tournament that is being played in America and every Argentine is going crazy. Well almost everyone. 

Saturday was a good day as well. We had a lesson with someone who spoke almost perfect English. Teaching in English was soo weird and I like teaching in Spanish a lot more. Haha never thought that would come out of my mouth. Then Sunday came around and right before Sacrament Meeting our branch President asked me if I could be the back up talk if the meeting ran short. So I said yes thinking I would only have to speak for a few minutes. Then the last speaker ended and we had over 15 minutes left. So I talked about Faith again for fifteen minutes. I dont really know how that happened. 

I know that Faith is something a little more than just thinking that something will happen. You need and have to do something about it. I always end my letters with a quote from one of my favorite movies. See it. Feel it. Trust it.!!!!! I shared this in my Zone Meeting on how we can use it to Baptize, and how I have used it to baptize. If we want something we have to See it going on in our heads. Visualize it and rehearse it over and over. Then feel it. Feel the spirit, love for our investigators, and so forth. Finally Trus it. This is where faith comes in we have to Trust in our Heavenly Father that it will happen. Then I shared the faith of my Big Sister Megan. How her example of faith in every calling she has can help us baptize. She is shy but has more faith then I will ever have. I will be using her in a lot of my future talks and such. 

Well this week was a great one. I learned a lot about my potential and my weaknesses. I learned we can do anything we want to with the help of our Father in Heaven. I know that He is our literal Father. That that title of Father is sacred. To all you Fathers go fufill your Sacred calling and love your family like your Father in Heaven loves you. Les amo y se que esta Iglesia es verdadera. Se que Jesucristo vive. Se que la expiación es re grande y puede ayudarles con todo. Se que mi familia es eterna y sus familias pueden ser la misma. Se que fe es muy poderosa y puede fortalecerles con todo. Les amo y me voy de Calafate en una semana. Me encanta mi misión. Hasta una semana.

haha i tried to write a little in spanish. sorry if it doesnt make much sense.

Con Amor,

Elder Saunders     

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See it. Feel it. Trust it

NOTE from Lynette:  Here are some pics I found on Facebook.  This week was the anniversary of the mission and the mission president had soccer jerseys made for them.  Also an Elder in Devn's zone is going home next week so they had a "funeral" for him.  

6/8/16 Being sick and blessings!!

Hola mis amigos,

Well this last week was one that has taught me how to just keep on pushing. Elder Petersen and I have been fighing colds off and on through the two transfers we have been together. However this last week the colds got up with us. We had a few days where we just felt like we got hit by trains and spent most of the day sleeping trying to get enough energy to work. Along with that Elder Petersen decided that he was going to get a stomach bug or something nasty like that, and basically died for a two days. So in all we had a fun week full of naps and feeling like dying. 

We have had a few investigators that have been doing better. I have mentioned the good old Pedro before, and he is just about to get out of the Hostpital!!!! If you remember that means he is going to get baptized. Pedro has the most faith ever. He has been in the Hospital for over 9 months. He broke his leg, it healed, and then he broke is femur in the other leg. I believe God just knew if he stayed in the Hospital he would have no other choice but to listen to us. Haha Pedro does like to have us come I promise. Along with Pedro we have Luis. He is 17 and is about to turn 18. This is going to be a really cool day because he will be getting baptized then as well. Right now his parents arent letting him get baptized, but after he turns 18 boom goes the dynamite...Baptism!!! 

Then this Sunday we had Fast and Testimony meeting. One of the Hermanas in the branch gave her testimony. Her name is Hermana Sara and she is from Bolivia which is cool because Papa Saunders served in Bolivia. She talked about how she gave everything up for school, including the church. Right when I got to Calafate she was super depressed because all the schooling because of legal issues didnt count. I dont really know how this works, but Argentina kinda messed with her. Anyways she asked for a blessing, and well in my broken Spanish of being in Argentina for two weeks gave her my first blessing. She then talked about how after that her life changed. 

I know that this church is true. The Priesthood is powerful. The Scriptures are the words of God, and we have them in our hands. I know that we dont always see the small blessings from our service, but I am grateful that I was able to see the blessings from Hermana Sara. I love Gospel of Jesus Christ. I challenge all of you as well as myself to study just a little more of what "The Gospel of Christ" really means. I love you lots and I yes this last week was hard, but that is the mission. Do the simple things like Prayer, Reading, and Going to Church. These will bring the most happiness in your life!!! 

Con Amor,

Elder Saunders 

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See it. Feel it. Trust it.