Watch Out!

Letter from August 31

So last night, we were walking streets trying to find more people to teach. We were stopped in front of this families house talking to them. The mom's name is Passion. So that was nice. There was a whole bunch of people outside and they all lived there. It was loud and there was a lot going on. While Hermana Rutherford was talking, I heard one of the little boys yell, "Watch out!" Not even 1 second later, a huge Pitbull is jumping up on the fence barking. I was so surprised that it didn't get Hermana Rutherford's face. It was so close. 

After this happened, I was thinking about all the different things that we don't see until it happens. How were we supposed to know that standing too close to the fence could get us hurt? The dog wasn't seen until it was right up in her face. How many things are we standing too close too that we just don't even recognize could be dangerous? We need to always be listening for the feelings and thoughts that the Holy Ghost gives us. We need to be listening for the times when he tells us, "watch out!" But we also need to be listening for the constant guidance. If we are always thinking about how the spirit can guide us, hopefully we don't ever have to hear the promptings telling us to watch out. I know that Heavenly Father provides a way for us to do all the things he has asked us. 

I love you all! Hope you're doing so great. 

Hermana Sager

A little piece from our family letter.  I can just hear her personality shining through

So on Friday, my cute mother's birthday, I celebrated by going to a stake talent show. It was pretty great. There was a whole bunch of people there and a lot of the missionaries from the stake too... Which meant that there was most likely a bunch of investigators there. While we were waiting for an investigator to show up, we were just watching the show. I started crying because the MC said a joke that was sooo funny. Well I thought it was super funny. He's just standing up there massaging his temples and then says, "Hey Look! I'm doing my temple work!" It was so great. I just silently chuckled while thinking about it. Being a missionary is so awesome because everything is funny. 

Sending Weekly Emails

Lil' blessin's

Letter from August 24.

There are so many little blessings that happen every single day. 

This week, we taught a little lady named Maria. She is very catholic, so walking into her house was similiar to walking into a cathedral. Ok, maybe not that intense. But she was so sweet. We had been talking about Christ, and then we wanted to leave her with a pamphlet of the Restoration. This pamphlet has a picture of Christ on the front of it. When we handed her the pamphlet, she just smiled and hugged it. I almost shed a small tear. She was so grateful to receive such a simple little gift. As she gave the closing prayer, she started listing off the things that she was grateful for and started crying. She felt so blessed to have all the things that she does. She was grateful that we were willing to talk to her about Christ. I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ, loves all of us so much. Through our faith in him, we are able to see so many blessings every single day. Through the restored gospel, we are given more of the blessings that are promised to us, as long as we are faithful in keeping the commandments and covenants as we have promised. 

I'm so grateful for all of you. 

Always have faith in our Savior and our Heavenly Father, and you will be able to see the smallest little blessings. You will also be able to share these blessings with those around you. 

Love,

Hermana Sager

A few words from our family letter. 

I don't remember this week. All the days went by so so fast. So I will either make stuff up, or remember. But either way you won't be able to know the difference. 

So I have finished my first whole transfer in California! Transfer calls happened on Saturday. I am staying in Hemet for at least another transfer to finish my training with THE Hermana Rutherford. She's so great. But I already decided I don't like transfers. I made so many wonderful missionary friends and now they're all leaving. I told them goodbye forever today. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have to say goodbye to all the members and investigators I have gotten to know. I'm never leaving Hemet. #Hemet5ever    I love it so much. If my personality and person were to be a city, it would be Hemet. One of the funniest things about this place is this thing called Hemet Grass. Since it's so hot and dry here, people have little rocks cemented into the ground, and then painted green. It's so awesome. I'm hoping to get a picture laying in the Hemet grass one day. So hopefully that happens. 

The other week, I had 6 tacos in one day... 3 for lunch, and 3 for dinner. The other night, I also had 6 or 7 tacos in one day. All for dinner. I was moderately dying. They tasted so wonderful, but my stomach just wasn't that big. Especially because I had a bowl of soup before that too. And then a fruit cup and cookies after the tacos. These weren't just regular tacos either... They were tacos de papa. So there was just mushed baked potatoes in fried tortillas that you would put sour cream, cabbage, cheese, and salsa on them. They were super good. But not 6 or 7 at a time. I lost count. But the Hermana was like, "You guys have to eat all of these tacos" when there's a HUGE thing of them on the table. It was rough. But so great because the members are too good to us. I have also eaten fish for like the first time while being here. And I've had juice of every kind. People think it's okay to make juice out of everything. I'm not a fan of oatmeal juice or cucumber juice. Or other ones that area  spanish word that I don't know how to say. But I just swallow it anyways because the members are so kind and I love them all. 

This is an older pic that Sid sent of her at the baseball game.

Hermana Sager and Hermana Rutheford at the Lake Elsinore Storm Game

I hope you all have enjoyed Sid's letter for this week. 

Life in Triple digits!!!

Letter from August 17

This week has been over 100 degrees every day. On Friday it got up to 118. So that was fun.

This week was so awesome though​! I learned a lot about myself and about the Restoration. Since we teach about the Restoration more than any other lesson or topic, I have been studying it more in depth. As in depth as my missionary resources allow me at least. But I have learned so much! Joseph Smith is so cool. He had insane faith. I'm grateful for him and his faith. I am so grateful to have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today. That's one of my favorite things to tell people when introducing ourselves as missionaries. The church and gospel that Jesus Christ organized and established when he was on the earth, 2000 years ago, have been restored or brought back. We have the exact teachings of Jesus Christ, and know the ways that we can follow his example to return to our Heavenly Father and live with our families forever. 

One of the most spiritual experiences this week happened during a short lesson with a new investigator. His name is Johnathon. We had showed him the "Because He Lives" video, and testified of Christ. Johnathon told us that he knows the Christ lives. I felt the spirit so strongly, and we knew that he could feel it too. After telling him about what he was feeling, we asked him to be baptized and he said yes. I know that through the Holy Ghost, I can receive revelation for others, and understand more about them. 

The past couple weeks, I have been focusing on my weaknesses, and how I can get rid of them. A couple weeks ago, I had told you about how I was slightly scared to talk to people in Spanish. Well, I have been getting over that slowly. Anyways. I know that Heavenly Father gives us trials to test our faith, and to make us stronger. I like to think that he gave us weaknesses for this same reason. When you notice your weaknesses, you can find ways to work out of them. By doing so, you can learn more about yourself. You can strengthen your weaknesses, and your strengths. In Ether 12:27, it says, "27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." 

So turn to our Savior with all your weaknesses. Through faith in Jesus Christ, you will be able to gain strength in all things. I am so grateful for our Savior and for everything he did for us while on the earth, and all that he continues to do for us.

So this week was so awesome. We had a lot of success! We taught 24 lessons this week, when normally we get 16. We also received 10 referrals and picked up 8 new investigators. I have been so exhausted all week, but it's awesome to see the hard work pay off. And of course, we won't keep all 8 of those investigators, but I know that if we continue finding people, then we will find the ones who God has fully prepared. I love meeting new people. It's so fun to start getting to know someone, and then just talking about our Savior and Heavenly Father. You should all try it. The other night, we got complimented for our bravery, just startin conversations about God. The man was surprised that we were willing to do that with just random people on the streets, most of which are much older than we are. It's so awesome. It's also super awesome when people are like.. "ohhh No hablo ingles!" and you're like... "Pues, hablemos espanol!" and then they are like crying because they thought they could get out of talking to us and because we're two little white girls speaking spanish. It's so awesome. And in case you are wondering, the reason why I get to talk to random people off the street, is because we are required to walk an hour and a half every day to find new people to teach. We don't go door to door, but we walk neighborhoods. If anyone is outside, we try to find clues to start a conversation, and tie in their situation with the gospel. It's the best when they're gardening because then you just talk about how you can grow your faith. Or you just navigate the conversation somehow to their family, and talk about how the gospel blesses families. It's a lot harder in spanish than it is in english, but it's so fun. And I like to smile at everyone. I feel like if a smile is all someone receives from a missionary, it will hopefully leave a good impression of latter day saints. So, remember to smile at everyone. Because every member is a missionary.

 Love, 

Hermana Sager 

Hot!! Hot!! Hot!!

Hermana Sager and Hermana Babb
TOGETHER AGAIN!!

The Hermana's and their Compeneras

Take me out to the ball Game!!

Letter From August 10

Good Monday every one. You're all so awesome. 

So this week was great. I went to a baseball game, got to spend a day 2 days with Hermana Babb, and did crossfit till I dropped. 

The baseball game was so much fun. The whole mission was there, so about 200 missionaries, and it was great. The crowd wasn't too great though... because the one section of missionaries were the only people to do the wave everytime it came around... But that's okay. Missionaries are just good at waving. 

Sorry. My brain is not working. 

So my companion, Hermana Rutherford, is a Sister Training Leader, so she had to go to Riverside for a meeting this week. I got to spend the day with Hermana Babb. We both are amazed that President Mullen trusted us enough to put us with our wonderful companions, knowing that we would have to be on our own even though we haven't finished training. I have so grateful for every single experience I have had here. 

Today I worked out enough to hold me over for the next couple months. President Mullen is big on fitness, and half the mission got together to do crossfit today. So that was fun. 

I still marvel at the fact that I'm in the middle of California, speaking Spanish. My spanish is better that some of the peoples english, and they've been living here for 20 years. So that's pretty cool to think about. But I know that there is no way that I have learned everything on my own. I am so grateful for the help and support that I have received from Heavenly Father. 

When you are grateful for the blessings that you receive every day, you will better be able to recognize the hand of the Lord working in your life. You're all so awesome. I hope you are all enjoying your summer. 

Hermana Sager

The California Riverside Mission at the Baseball Game on Stormin' Mormon Night.
 Can you find Hermana Sager in the crowd?  She is in white so she blends in with the Elders.

San Jacinto Zone



Hermana Kramer and Hermana Sager at the CCM in Mexico City.
Sid found this on her camera once she got to Cali she sent it to me.
Sid and Carley overlapped one week in the CCM. So proud of these girls for serving. 

2 MONTHS!!!

Letter from August 3

Hi Everyone!

I have officially been gone for 2 months. Time is going by so fast, but everything is so awesome. 

I had my first baptism yesterday! His name is Rogelio, and he's 10 years old. He's the cutest little kid ever. It was such a cool experience, and I'm so ready to just go baptize everybody. I want everyone to know about the blessings they can receive from following our Savior's example. 

So, since I've only been learning Spanish for 2 months, it's still tricky to say everything I want to. I can understand almost everything everyone is saying during church and lessons... But I have no idea what people are saying all the time during conversations still. And people are starting to notice. I've had a few missionaries and a couple members tell me not to be afraid of speaking Spanish. And of course I didn't think I was afraid until after they told me. So today, during my study time, I studied about having courage. I started out by asking myself "What am I afraid of?" I found some help to answer my questions in 1 John 4:18. It says "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear." So.. what I took from this is that I have to love perfectly. Our atleast try as much as I can. If I am loving the people I am teaching, serving, befriending, or working with, then I won't be afraid to talk to them. I know that this can be true in any situation. When you love God with all your heart, and love all the people around you, then you will not find fear in anything! The promises that are given to us in the scriptures are so amazing. 

One last thing I want to tell you about for today, is something that happened while contacting people on the streets. We were talking to this family who was visiting their family. They were from Missouri and Tennessee. There was a little lady from Tennessee, and she was just talking, and then she goes "Hey Gene! I'm fixin' to freak 'em out!" She said this with her raspy, but squeeky voice with a southern accent. It was so great. She thought it was so important to tell us that her babysitter when she was younger was some huge country singer, that neither of us had ever heard of. Anyways. Just a random story for you, that I hope you enjoy. 

I love you all so much, and you're awesome. 

Hermana Sager

Here's us at Rogelio's baptism

Here's us at a bowling alley today. 

My investigator is so good, she's already baptized.

Letter from July 27

So for this weeks email, I had a funny story to tell you guys. But then something better happened yesterday, so I will tell both stories. 

Saturday, we were doing some walking around one of the neighborhoods. There was a lot of people outside, and so we were able to talk to quite a few families. We were talking to this couple, and then a small old asian man walks by behind us. At the exact moment that he walks behind us, we had finished the conversation with this couple.. So we start walking alongside this man. He was nice, and we were just asking him about why he walks around the neighborhood everyday. When I tried awkwardly to transition the conversation to something about our message, talking about God, he looked at me, saw my name tag and then "No thanks." So he started walking faster, but we were following him for a while. It was so funny. 

Trying to find a way to relate every conversation to the gospel somehow is so hard, but probably one of the funnest things. 

So that was an abbreviated story, since I have a bigger and better one to tell. So I'm pretty sure I brought up Alma last week. She was the first person I taught after getting to California. She accepted a date to be baptized on the 16th of August. She was so excited, and had her baptismal date written down in a few different places. So she came to church with us yesterday, to continue to prepare for her baptism, and it was so awesome. It was so cool to see her sitting in sacrament, trying to sing the Hymns. On our way from the chapel, to class, Alma turns to Hermana Rutherford and says, "There's something I need to tell you that I didn't before at my house" (but in spanish) and so after that, she says, "I've been baptized." Ha. What. My investigator is so good, she's already baptized. When I found this out, I thought it was the funniest thing ever. I laughed almost all day. We thought she was such a good investigator, and now she's already a member. Funniest thing. How bout this too... A few years back, she had missionaries at her house every Friday for 2 years straight. I don't know how this didn't get brought up in conversation ever either. So good. So, we're hoping to re-activate her and then even get her to the temple. Because we're still not giving up on her. 

I hope you enjoyed that story. Just picture me giggling for a whole day, and it will add some more to it. 

Enjoy the rest of the your summers! 

You're all awesome, and God loves you so much. 

Hermana Sager

I found these cute pictures on the Mission blog. If you are interested in reading the Riverside Mission blog  follow this link
http://downbythecaliforniariverside.blogspot.com/ 

Sid and The CCM Hermana's arriving in Cali on July 14.

Hermana Babb (CCM companion), Hermana Rutherford (Hemet Companion) Hermana Sager
at orientation day luncheon.

This is Sid's apartment. 

**If you are interested in sending Sid anything Her current address is: 

Sister Sidney Ann Sager

1972 W Acacia #69

Hemet, California 92545

Packages should be sent  USPS Priority Mail.