FAMILIA PENA!

Letter from July 25

HNA PENA WAS BAPTIZED!! She cried, felt the spirit, loved every minute of the service, and then cried a lot more afterward. She has become truly converted and is so happy. She loves the gospel. She loves her family. She loves that her family is living the gospel of Jesus Christ and following his example. I can't wait until they can enter into the temple and be sealed together for eternity!

This week, the temperatures spiked over one hundred degrees almost every single day. It was hot, and we were on fire. But that's not the only way that we were on fire. We were diligent and continued the work of the Lord. He had big plans for us this week, and a lot of new people for us to find! There's this thing where people think its too hot, and so we're never going to find people outside their houses. A lot of the people here don't have air conditioning in their houses, and so a lot of them are outside, because they can at least get a breeze that way. So we had a few warm lessons just barely hiding under the shade to escape the sun, but we taught and we testified. The sun warmed the people from the outside, and hopefully the spirit warmed them from the inside.

We had to do a little bit of starting over this week. We said goodbye to a lot of our investigators and said hello to 13 new! We were able to see the Lord's hand as he guided us to find each person this week. A lot of the times when we are finding people to each, it starts off as an awkward encounter, because it's the times when we see an unplanned opportunity, and we go for it. There was a lady this week about to close the front door of her apartment behind her, and I raised my voice hoping she would hear, telling her that I liked her fence. It was a really nice fence, so it wasn't a lie. From there, she opened the door, and her family was there with her. They were more just surprised that we spoke spanish and touched by the power of the spirit, and they let us in to share a message! They just moved from El Salvador, and so the kids don't speak any english. I love that. We asked a question after showing the #aleluya video, and it gave them the chance to bare short testimony of our Savior. As they did so, I felt the spirit testifying of their faith in Christ. Faith in Christ is universal, and it's wonderful! It helps us through every situation, and makes us happy when everything is going well. With faith, we seek every day for those who the Lord has prepared to hear the message of the Restored gospel. As we go out of our comfort zone, have courage, and act in faith, the Lord will help us share the light and faith with others.

This week we had a cool experience with a new investigator we found. We were teaching the restoration and had started talking about the Book of Mormon. He had expressed his faith and trust in the Bible, and I felt the need to share Ezekiel 37:16-19 that talks about the two sticks that were written on, one to represent the Bible, and the other the Book of Mormon. When these two records are joined together, they become one in the hand of the Lord. We then shared the scriptures in 2 Nephi 29:8-10, that teaches when the testimonies of two nations come together, they prove that God lives. After reading these verses, our investigator lit up. He felt the spirit testifying through the scriptures that it was true. He is excited to begin reading the Book of Mormon. I know that as he does, he will know that it is the word of God and that it testifies of Christ.

Have the Best day ever!
Love,
Hermana Sager

​All members!! Techinically... Jesse is still 7, but turns 8 in November.
THIS GOSPEL IS BLESSING THIS FAMILY.

​Red, white, and blue to celebrate the Pioneros.

I got to go back to Perris to see Zaid's baptism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Letter from July 18

Buenas tardes!

A couple days ago, we were walking down the street and we saw a really big squirrel. He was so cute. He ran towards a tree as we got closer. As we continued to come closer, he ran behind the tree and would poke his head out from one side, and then the other. He was a friendly little guy. It's too bad we didn't bother to ask his name. As I stood on one side, Hna Brown went around to the other. With one quick sudden movement towards the tree from Hna Brown, I hear, "TOUCHED A SQUIRREL!"  It was possibly one of the funniest statements I had heard all week, and I have been saying it for the past few days. It applies to many situations.

Last Monday, we had an appointment with some new investigators we found the week before. When we showed up, and they weren't there, we started walking away from the apartment. As doing so, a man quickly walks by chasing after his kid who is learning how to ride a bike. We said hello and tried to start a conversation, but he just kind of ignored us and kept chasing after his kid. We had a feeling that we couldn't turn around and walk away. We walked down that row of apartment buildings to see if he would turn around so we could talk to him. We felt slightly like we were following him and felt a little creepy. But as we got half way down, another man came out one of the doors. We started talking to him about his kids that were running around and playing outside. He was busy making sure the kids didn't run away, and wasn't super paying attention to what we had to say, and so we went back to feeling a little uncomfortable. But we had a feeling that we couldn't walk away. As we continued talking to this man, a woman walks out of her apartment and invited us into her home after introducing ourselves. She said she went to our church when she was younger  but was never baptized and she loves everything that we teach. We brought up the Book of Mormon and had an extra copy with us. She was so excited when we gave it to her and invited her to read it. We had a feeling that we couldn't walk away, and she had a strange feeling to go outside her apartment after saying she rarely ever goes outside. God led us to find Kenia knowing that she is prepared to learn about and receive the restored gospel. We hope to continue working with her and help her prepare for baptism. I know that as we work diligently, Heavenly Father will show us who he has prepared! I love missionary work!

Yesterday, I got to go back to Perris to see Zaid's baptism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was wonderful. I loved going back and seeing everyone again. As soon as I walked down the hall, I saw Zaid and all my old companions! It was great. They were all so excited, I was so excited. It was so exciting. Zaid was more than happy. Just by looking at him, you could tell that he has changed. He was singing the hymns, he was smiling, he was ready to be baptized and make a covenant with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. When they stepped into the water, the hno baptizing him very forcefully pulled the back of his jumpsuit to make sure he went in the water, and Zaid didn't even plug his nose. It was the most ungraceful, sacred ordinance I've ever witnessed. Bishop then said that it had to happen again because it wasn't said correctly, and Zaid was forcefully pulled into the water with an open nose for the second time. When asking him afterwards how he felt, he said, "I am so happy. I know this decision is one of the best I've ever made, and you had a big part in helping me make it." Sincerely and simply, he bore testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel. He knows that Christ is his Savior and that through promises and covenants, he can receive more blessings and happiness. All of us are hoping that his parents will soon make the decision and follow the example of their son, as he is following the example of our Savior. I know the priesthood has been restored. I know that baptism opens up the door to Gods kingdom, and that as we keep the commandments diligently, we will be able to help others make the steps to enter into it. Zaid is happy. I am happy. I know that obedience to gospel principles brings happiness.

My scripture of the week this week as been in 2 Nefi 4:34-35:
 "34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

 35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss;therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold,my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."

Have the best day ever!
Love,
Hermana Sager

​ZAID! and all my old companions.

Zaid, over in Perris, got baptized, and I was blessed to go back! He's so happy and knows that his life is going to change for the better in every aspect. I'M SO GLAD HE FINALLY MADE THE DECISION TO BE BAPTIZED!!
​

The man selling helote (corn on a stick with mayo, cheese, nacho chees, and chili) gave us some for free!

​Our Zone! My favorite is the elder in between the Mullens. hehe. 

Week 4 with Brown

Letter from July 11

Almost everyone we talk to, whether member, investigator, or potential, they all just say Brown. It's Brown and Hermana Seeger if we're spelling phonetically. I will be starting my fourth week with Hna Brown and I have learned so much! She is wonderful and so fun. She is stylish and very smart. She loves everyone and wants to help them. I am excited to see what week 4 has to offer.

I'm so excited is because the Hermanas in Perris called us the other day saying that Zaid is getting baptized this Sunday!! I'm going back to Perris to see Zaid be baptized and come closer to our Savior. On the same day that I got that call, Hna Brown also received a call that someone she taught in her old area is getting baptized as well! So there has been a lot of excitement this week. Also, Hna Pena with a squiggle has decided on a date for when she wants to get baptized. We are going to do all that we can to make it work, and help their family one step closer to being sealed together in just over a year from now. THE GOSPEL JUST MAKES ME SO HAPPY THAT I WANNA JUMP UP AND DOWN AND TELL EVERYONE ABOUT IT!

This week, Hna Brown and I are doing an english fast. We are trying not to speak any english with each other to be more obedient, to learn more spanish, and to progress the work in this area! We want to find those who the Lord has prepared for us, and we know that they are waiting for us. We just are struggling a little right now to find where they are. So we will trust in Heavenly Father with all that we have, and continue searching for the people that he has prepared for us. We are receiving and contacting a lot of referrals, and so we are searching. But President Mullen has promised us that if we find atleast 4 new investigators every week in July, then we will have a baptism in August. I mean, of course everything else plays into it, but it's a great promise, and we have the faith that it can be fulfilled! For this week, it was tricky to find new investigators, but we did not give up. Last night, we had 3 different opportunities where it was so close, but they aren't interested. We did not give up! We ended up going door to door in an apartment complex, and we found a new investigator right before it hit 8:30. We know that as we continue diligent, then Heavenly Father will bless us. He knows our desires, and he is leading and guiding us. This is his work, and we are his instruments. We will continue to work together and do all we can to prepare for a baptism at the end of this month, and at least one for next month as well. 

A lot of the people that we met with this week were very grateful. Grateful that God loves them and sent us to them. Grateful that we speak spanish so we could communicate with them. Grateful that God has blessed us at such a young age with the courage to share the gospel. They are all grateful for their families, for their jobs, for their houses, and for the opportunity to wake up every morning and live a new day. When we invite people to pray for the first time, and it's one of their first times praying in their lives, you can feel the sincerity and gratitude. I invite you to be grateful for all that you have. I invite you to pray every single day as it were your very first prayer to your loving Heavenly Father. He is always there and always listening. He loves you.

I love you!
Have the best day ever!
Hermana Sager

4th of July festivity picture in apartment. 

unplanned wind makes for great pictures. It's also a polaroid picture because my companion is very hip.

Sunset over Corona 

​How missionaries park to make it hard for the others to leave. 

Letter from July 4

Happy 4th of July!


Surprise! Bet you didn't think I would be emailing today. Well. I didn't either. But then Hna Brown remembered that there are 3 computers in the office of our apartment complex that we can use. So that is what is happening. Happy Fourth of July! Last year on this day, I wore my blue and white polka dot skirt with my red shirt, and ate a hamburger in Mexico. This year, today, I am wearing my blue and white polka dot skirt with my red shirt, and ate a hamburger in a part of California that is close enough to Mexico. Life is wonderful. I just looked down at my skirt and there is one white polka dot that is a greenish color... Avocado must've gotten on it. I don't know how it only got one small little polka dot though. Red, white, azul, and green.

I woke up last night, and heard Hna Brown whispering something, but she warned me about that, so I didn't think anything of it. She sometimes whispers in her sleep, but then she wakes herself up and so she can remember what she says. It's a super power she has. When we woke up, she told me what she said. "Felicidad, hay mucha felicidad. The Bishops dad isn't interested."

The past couple weeks I have been reading in chapters 17 to 27 in Alma. They're all about the sons of Mosiah and their missionary work. In the different stories told in these chapters, there is a pattern of affliction, patience, faith, repentance, and desire to help others. In times of affliction, it was a test of the patience and faith of the missionaries and the people being taught. As they had the faith to continue teaching and those being taught to continue learning, they had the desire to change and repent. They then saw the blessings of living the gospel, and wanted to share those blessings with every one else.

"And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy." (Alma 22:15)

I will give up all that I possess to receive the joy of the eternal salvation. I know that as we have patience and faith, constantly repenting and enduring to the end. We will have that desire to share the gospel with others and help them receive the joy of the gospel.

Have the Best day ever.
Love,
Hermana Sager

Red, White, Blue and Burgers!!!!