Corona, CA to SLC, UT

Letter from Dec 5

Here it is! The time that we all knew would come (that I didn't want to come, but my family has been wanting for a while) When I first left, it felt like it would be an eternity before I would see my family again. When I first left, I had a testimony of the restored Gospel, but had no idea how much stronger it would really get. When I first left, the only words I knew how to say in Spanish were: help me, bathroom, apple, hi, carrot, and dog. Now, it feels like I've only been away from home for at the most 8 months. Now, my testimony has grown stronger every single day, and I have come to know the importance of the gospel in my life. Now, I can not only speak spanish, but I can share with people the most important message on the earth in two languages.

I have loved every single second of being a missionary. I have learned so much about the Gospel, Jesus Christ, His church, His love, His atonement, myself, and a whole year and a half long list of other things. I am so grateful for everything. I am grateful that I had the initial desire to serve a mission. With that desire, it grew into action, and the action required a leap of faith. I've been leaping for the past 18 months, and my faith has been strengthened in incredible ways. I'm about to come home and continue leaping as I start up again with school and finding a job and paying for everything. But I know that if we have the faith and desire to obey God at all times, then He will bless us. I know that Heavenly Father loves me. I know He loves you. I know that we are all brothers and sisters and that we can feel of God's love when we search for it, and even when we don't. I know that the Gospel has brought me the most peace, comfort, and guidance, and I have no reason to not share it with everyone I come in contact with. I will continue in the Lords work to bring others unto Him. I'm excited to learn how to be a missionary at all times as I put into practice everything that I have learned. My heart is full. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I have come to know him through my service to him. I know that He is the only way that I am allowed to return back to my Heavenly Father. I am grateful for Him and all that He has done for me. I will continue to follow His example in all things.

Thank you for always supporting me and praying for me. I love you all and am excited to hear about your experiences in exchange for mine.

HAVE THE BEST DAY EVER!
Love you.
Love,
Hermana Sager

​My Pena family (half of them). Love them. 

​Our last shakes together in Corona for this period of our lives. 

Merry Grinchmas!!

There was no explanation but im guessing she is crying from eating the pepper!!! 

​It was 56 degrees and I was almost crying because it was so cold. Wish me luck.
Currently in SLC 28 degrees ( she is going to die when she comes home)

Turkey, Tamales and Rain!

Letter from Nov 28

HELLOOOOO!!

I hope you all had the best Thanksgiving. I hope you ate a lot of food and took a nap (for those who are not missionaries).

My Thanksgiving here in Corona was wonderful. The morning started off with a Turkey bowl with our zone and a neighboring zone. Luckily a member had flags for us to use so we didn't have to try Two hand touch. Every time I had the ball and someone tried to pull my flag they would pull my hair with it. So that was nice. We all dressed for cold weather, but then the sun came out to surprise us. So that was also nice. We then went home to study and do our weekly planning. Once that was done we were able to visit with some families from our ward. We were blessed enough to have two different dinners. We ate with the Pena Family, and she gave us their spin of a turkey dinner with some Turkey Tamales. They were wonderful. I'm gonna have to find someone who can make me some Tamales at home, and then I'll share with all of you. We then went to Hna Garcias house where she gave us a huge plate. I was very grateful for the hnas and their willingness to feed us. I was also very grateful that I successfully ate all the food without feeling too sick. But other than the material things, I was able to remember and recognize all the blessings that God has given me. I love Thanksgiving and think that we should follow the council of Alma 34:38, and "live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." So I invite you to think about it daily: What are you grateful for?

I do want you to know that I took my candy corns to the members that I visited. I left them each with a baggie of their 5 kernels of corn and told them to say what they were grateful for when they ate with their families before eating their candy corns. The 3 families we left them with really liked the idea and were excited to try it. Then I brought some to the zone activity too, but everyone was all over the place so we just at the candy. But then, Hna HS and I had our own little kernels of corn sharing moment and it was nice. I'ts always nice to remember what you're grateful for.

I had the chance to go to the temple one last time on Friday before heading home. It was a group of 13 or 14 missionaries and President and Sister Mullen. It was a really cool experience. I was able to see Hnas Babb, Visick, Burris, and Cramer. The 5 of us came went through the Mexico MTC together, we showed up to Riverside together, and we are so happy that all 5 of us have been able to finish our missions. While at the temple, I learned a lot this time. I was really praying to understand more of what God wants for me, and I felt of His love and learned a lot. After the session, Sister and President Mullen came up to us and told us congratulations and thanked us for serving. Of course all the Sisters started crying. The elders are pretty tough this time. I know that the temple is the house of the Lord. I know that we can receive comfort and guidance and love when we go to do the work of the Lord in his holy temples. 

Who's seen the new #LIGHTtheWORLD video? It makes me choke up every single time. I love seeing the comparisons of how we can follow in the Saviors footsteps and serve just as he did. I am super excited to be having different service opportunities every day in December. I would also invite you all to take part in that. Together, we can light the world!

Just like the council I gave to my family, in this week, I would suggest that you do anything else that you know would make me jealous. Go to my favorite restaurants without me. Go have fun without me. Enjoy this last week of me not there to annoy you in person. I promise to work hard until the very end, and I know that you will do the same.

Have the best day ever!
Love,
Hermana Sager

Hermana Sager mentioned #LIGHTtheWORLD in her letter. Follow the link to watch this beautiful message. https://www.mormon.org/?cid=email-IN_Christmas_112516_LTW

Redlands temple with the out going missionaries!!

​Thanksgiving morning. Eyeball headband to play some football.

Hermanas Sager and Hernadez Sanchez

On thanksgiving our family has a tradition of Candy corns and telling what we are greatful for.
Perfect Badge picture. I know How greatful Hermana Sager is for her badge.

Hermana Sager Hanging with the Elders

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Letter from Nov 21

Hello!

This week, I came to know the Savior even more during our Gospel Principles class. Hermana Hernandez Sanchez and I taught this week about the post mortal spirit world. The chapter in the book is shorter than the others, and we weren't exactly sure how we were going to take the whole class time teaching. While preparing to teach, we decided that reading the lesson from the book was an effective way to teach all the points. As we read, we would stop and ask questions and discuss with the ward missionaries, recent converts, and returning members. I learned so much more about the spirit world yesterday than I have before! I learned that the priesthood and its responsibilities will continue in the same way they do here, and that the organization of the church will continue as well. I've always just been told that in the spirit world, if we continue righteous then we will be in a state of happiness and freedom, so I pictured that we are just going to be wearing white flowy dresses and drapery eating the food that makes us happy and not having any cares in the world. But it makes perfect sense that the church and everything that God has given us is going to continue in the way that has been established here. The spirit testified to me that God's plan is perfect. He has thought of and organized everything to make us happy and help us continue learning and progressing to return to him. I know that God loves me. I know he has a plan for me. As the spirit confirmed this, I felt that my relationship with my Savior grew. It is through him that it's all possible. It is through him and his atonement that we can receive the state of happiness and freedom. It is because of him that we will be resurrected after waiting in the spirit world. I know Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer.

In case you were wondering, the word for Thanksgiving in Spanish is one that people don't think is super important. So you just say Thanksgiving with an accent.
Feliz Thanksgiving this week! I am grateful for all of you. I am grateful for the gospel. I am grateful for the chance I have had to serve a mission. I have grateful for the Church of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and his Atonement. And if you wanted to read a long email I could go on and on, but I'll save your time and energy. I'm grateful for you all.

On Friday, the new Christmas video will be coming out. WATCH IT! As we follow the example of Jesus Christ and remember his birth and life, we can #LightTheWorld.

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE THE BEST DAY EVER!
Love,
Hermana Sager

​With the sign. 

​Here's half the sisters in the mission with Sister Mullen. Wanna know a secret?
 We had all just finished Crossfit 2 hours before. hehe.

Just us and 2 other sisters!

This was nice!!  

Are we willing to change?

Letter from Nov 14

Hello!

This week, we saw the gospel change many people. On Tuesday, we met with a new investigator and talked about the Restoration. At the end of the lesson, when we invited her to pray, she said no. After explaining it more, she accepted and in her prayer, she told our Heavenly Father that she is willing to do anything he has planned for her. On Wednesday, we visited with an older man, and he trusts so much in God and relies on his relationship with Him at all times. He accepted the restored gospel, and is willing to come to church. On Thursday, we had a gratitude dinner with the Relief Society, and they took turns sharing what they are grateful for and how the gospel of Jesus Christ has blessed their lives and changed them. On Friday, as we ate dinner with one of our members, she told us that after 10 years, her dad and brother can visit her from Mexico. She testified that now is the perfect time for them to come, because they've been members for almost 3 years. She can now share the gospel with her dad and brother as they visit her home, and see how it has blessed her family. On Saturday, we found a new family to teach, after they have been closed off to accepting missionaries for a good amount of time. Their uncle is a member, and will be so grateful that his family is learning more of the gospel. On Sunday, as we read from the Book of Mormon with a family, everything about them changed. They had a change in desire, and are excited to keep reading from the Book of Mormon. This week, I have come to know my Savior even more as I have been more diligent in my studies. I have studying and applying the scriptures rather than just reading them, and have seen a huge difference. I know that as we have a willing attitude to change, we will be changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Have the best day ever!
Love,
Hermana Sager

Livin the vida loca!!

Letter from Nov 7

Buenas!


HOLY COW! Halloween was only this last week. Crazy. It feels like it was like 3 weeks ago. How was your halloween? Mine was great. I almost beat all the elders in our zone at a game of Lightening. But the kind where you can come back in if the person who gets you out gets out. Revenge? Is that what it's called? Not sure. BUT I ALMOST BEAT THEM ALL! There was maybe 12 of us playing. That shows you either how good I've gotten at shooting with a mens ball, or how bad all the elders are at basketball in this zone. Or both. It was really fun! We also played Ultimate Frisbee. It feels so good to run again. So then, Hna HS and I started running every other morning for exercise. It's nice. But on Halloween, I did all this running and beating elders with my crocs. It was awesome.

This week I tried Menudo. I TRIED MENUDO! Willingly. All other missionaries are afraid of menduo, or have tried it and think it's really gross. My entire mission I have been dying to try it. We told an Hermana about my desire, and she surprised us last week at church with a tupper ware of menudo! So, this week for lunch, when I was feelin brave, we heated it up, and ate some. I only had a little bit, but I tried it! What is it? It's a soup made with little corn things and cow stomach. So I heated up my tortilla and had it there to help me if I needed to bypass the texture. Surprisingly, the texture wasn't all that bad! The flavor on the other hand, wasn't my favorite. But I tried it! I would suggest it to anyone feeling brave. I don't know where you'll only find a little to try though. Good luck.

Today I was reading in 3 Nephi 1, and something stood out to me that I've never paid much attention to before. This is after Samuel the Lamanite had prophesied of Christ's birth, and the people were starting to get impatient. The bad people started making fun of the believers, and contention and crazy started happening. Nefi was really worried for the people, and prayed for help to know how to guide and help them. As Nefi was praying all day with great faith, the voice of the Lord came to him and said,  "13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given,and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
 14 Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given."

Jesus Christ told Nefi to continue faithful and not give up. Jesus Christ told him that he would be coming to earth the next day. How cool! Jesus Christ himself, told him that he would be coming the next day. When the sign of his birth came that night, they knew it was true. I know that if we have the faith to receive answers to our prayers, then we will. I know that Jesus Christ was born to be the Savior of the world and that he set the perfect example of how we should live.

Have the best day ever!

Love,

Hermana Sager

Happy Halloween!

Menudoooo

Last year, at this time. Hna Babb and I were saying goodbye to Raffer as she left our trio for the week. 

Happy Halloween!!

Letter from Oct 31

BOO! hehe.

I bet y'all look wonderful in your costumes. If my dad is wearing his BYU gear today and calling it his costume, then don't give him any candy.

On Tuesday, we had a great lesson with la familia Mosqueda. It's an older couple who we have been teaching for a few weeks. When we were following up on the commitments at the beginning of the lesson, and the hermana told us that she had read from the Book of Mormon, we were so excited! She not only read, but had marked things that she liked, and kept track of questions she had so she could ask us. She loved the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith at the beginning, and was telling her husband all about how an angel visiting the prophet and told him God's plan. She knows that the Book of Mormon is important, and we know that as she continues reading, her desire to follow Christ will grow. We are praying that her desire will lead her to come to church with us, and to realize that she needs to be baptized by someone holding the proper authority. Through just a couple weeks, we have seen the spirit working in them, and they are becoming converted step by step. The spirit and the Book of Mormon change lives, and I'm so grateful for all the opportunities I have had to witness this change in people.

Our ward party this week went really well. There were a lot of tacos, really loud music, and a lot of nonmembers there! A good amount of the members actually dressed up and they all looked great. It was an awesome way to bring everyone together, and have some fun! The nonmembers that were there all really enjoyed it, and so hopefully we'll be seeing them for a Sunday service. I had real life tres leches cake, not the kind from Cafe Rio, and it was amazing. You can tell that the members love each other and are a family. That's how it should be! I'm excited to get to meet the new ward and see how the ward family is doing. Even if I won't be there for a long time, I'm gonna be best friends with all the ward grandmas. Being a missionary has taught me so much in being a better member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I'm excited to put into practice the things I've learned in my own wards.

Have the best day ever!
Love,
Hermana Sager

Ward Halloween Party!

Cuteset Hermana's Ever!!!

Add caption

CHEESE!!!

Love

Letter from Oct 24

Hello!

Today during my studies, my brain started wandering as I was studying about the Book of Mormon. I had a huge thought process and I had starting thinking about the chain reactions that occur because God loves us. After a couple minutes, I shook myself back into studying, but then realized that those thoughts that I had were actually important. I then took the time to write down my whole thought process, and felt the spirit so strongly. I know that we receive personal revelation from the spirit. That the spirit enlightens and helps us in times of need. Even though my studies didn't go as originally planned, I was strengthened and comforted, and feel prepared to teach our lessons tonight. I know that Heavenly Father loves us. I know that Jesus Christ set the perfect example and wants us to be happy. I know that the Holy Ghost testifies of them both, and guides us in following them.

Have the best day ever!
Love,
Hermana Sager