Only one more week of training.

Letter from Sept 28

Hello everyone!

I have now moved into my last week of training! After this week, this transfer, I will no longer be a little trainee missionary! Time has gone by so quickly. It's insane. By next week, I will be into my 3rd transfer in California, but my 4th transfer altogether. I still think it's so insane that I could say that I lived (kinda) in Mexico for a month and a half. And now I've lived in cute little Hemet for 3 months. I hope I get to stay in Hemet 5ever, because I love it. #Hemet5ever

So, I had the opportunity to go to the Redlands temple this last Tuesday! It was really cool experience. I also got Cafe Rio, and that is always nice as well. But while at the temple, I was just marveling over the fact that there was Palm trees by the temple. So I am sending you a picture so you can all marvel too. I just marvel every day still that I'm a missionary. I still can't believe it, but I love it so much. I am so grateful to have this step in my life. 

I was reading in Mosiah 23 today, and verse 21 says that the Lord sees a need to chasten us, and that he does so by trying our patience and our faith. We need to not only remain faithful, but continually grow our faith. If we grow our levels of patience and faith while everything is going just fine, then it will be easier to stay faithful and patient through the hard times. But just know that in those two aspects, Heavenly Father is trying or testing you. And He chastens,tests, and tries all those that he loves (Hebrews 12:6). 

Have a great day!

Love, 

Hermana Sager

A few words from our family letter 

On Saturday night, I had the opportunity of watching the General Women's meeting! It was so good. When I first saw the inside of the conference center on the screen, It made my heart warm. I was watching a broadcast from my home land. It was really cool. I never realized how lucky I am to live so close to downtown Salt Lake! Even though I've really only been in the conference center a few times, I am so grateful to have ever had that opportunity. So many people would love to be there, and to go to the Salt Lake Temple, and to see President Monson. I am so lucky and so so so grateful. Anyways. The conference was really good! I don't know if you all watched or heard about it, but President Uchtdorf's talk was really cool! It's so true how everyone can learn something different if you are focusing on feeling the spirit. How bout, the little video that played during the middle of it.. The one about Melanie! She was the stake camp director for like my first 1 or 2 years of girls camp! That was really cool seeing her story. She taught my how to memorize Proverbs 3:5-6 and Helaman 5:12. And then she was teaching those little kids a scripture too. It was really cool. 

So yesterday at church, Juan was confirmed! He is officially a member of the church. He's so cute. I love that family. 

Hermana Rutherford and Hermana Sager out side the Redlands Temple 

The Redlands Temple and palm trees

​Here's these terrifying Emu/Ostriches.
 I couldn't get any closer to the fence or I would've cried.

"Mom, my angels are here."

Letter from Sept 21

Hi everyone! How are you? Oh okay, good. 

So, this week was a little slow, but still great. Every week as a missionary is great. 

Okay. We've been teaching this lady named Enriqueta. She lives in a rest home and is the sweetest little lady. She says it makes her sad knowing that Christ can't be with her in person, and only in Spirit. She's the sweetest. So we were on splits last night, so it was just me and one of the members from our ward. It was really fun. But we were teaching Enriqueta and she has a roommate that is always talking. She never makes sense, but she is always talking. One time she just kept repeating how she didn't have a heart. Last night, she kept saying that her angels were gone. But of course, since we're teaching, I can't really pay attention to what this little lady is saying. But last night, after she kept repeating that her angels were gone, she looked up at me and Hermana Giron (my member friend) and so I smiled at her, and she goes "Mom, my angels are here." I just kinda sat there and was like... Holy Cow. What does she see? What is she saying? I'm not quite sure what this lady saw, or what she was thinking, but I know that Heavenly Father does send angels to help in the spreading of the gospel. 

I hope you all have the most magnificent day, and the best week. 

Until next week, 

Hermana Sager

A few things from our family letter:

Today is a beautiful day. But tomorrow is an even more beautiful day because I get to go to the Redlands temple. I have been counting down the days for this temple trip for over a month. I cannot wait to go!! I'm so excited! I love the temple so much. Oh, also, when we go to the temple we get lunch. And I've heard that there is a Cafe Rio and a Chick fil a in Redlands. Soooo, temple trips are literally the best things in the world. I'm so excited!

So this week was a little rough. We tried to visit so many people, and no one was home or just wouldn't let us in. No one will even answer our phone calls... not even the members. But it's okay! We still tried to work our hardest every single day. I don't let these things discourage me though. I like being in control of my own thoughts. If I stay positive, then the desire to work hard stays too. And then I can stay happy and have fun. I think this process falls under the category of agency. Y'all probably know this, but agency is one of the gifts that Heavenly Father has given us that is truly ours. He gave it to us, and we get to choose what other gifts we want to work towards or accept. So you all have the ability to choose to be happy every single day. Don't let anything discourage you, because Heavenly Father wants you to be happy. Use the gift that he has given you to work hard and have fun. All day, every day!!

I also found out this week, that I might start tracting this winter! Because of el Nino, that big storm or something, there is going to be a lot of rain, and so no one is going to be outside. On days like that, I will be going door to door, knockin, and talkin to people who most likely won't want to talk to me. I'm so excited. It's gonna be quite an adventure! 

Oh. And I heard that the presidential candidates are Hilary Clinton, Donald Trump, and Kanye West. If this is the truth, then that's slightly terrifying. So please let me know what's going on with this. hahahaha. 

Here's a cheesy picture for you all, because you're all number 1. 

We're matching like Ketchup and Mustard

Help me think of clever titles!!

Letter from Sept 14

I am so sorry that I can never come up with clever titles. I promise that I am not trying to be boring. 

So remember hearing about Rogelio, and how he was baptized... His brother Juan was baptized last night! It was so perfect. Juan and Rogelio walked up to the church wearing white shirts and ties and I started tearing up. They're the cutest boys and I am so excited for them and their family. We are still working with their mom Zulma. She wants to be baptized but can't because of legal issues. But they're gonna be the cutest little family even more than they are now. 

So this week I was reading in Ether 6 about the Jaredites coming across the waters in their little boats. Heavenly Father made it possible for them to cross the waters for a year, without anything getting in the way. They continually prayed and gave thanks for all the blessings that had, and that they would receive. The wind was constant in pushing them to land. So I started thinking... What are the ways that Heavenly Father keeps the wind blowing for me? How have I dodged all sorts of trouble, even when the sea is raging? Our Heavenly Father loves us all so much. He blesses you all with tender mercies every single day. Isn't that the greatest? Isn't he the greatest? He loves you guys a lot. 

I hope you're doing well! Enjoy your lovely week in the middle of September.

Love, 

Hermana Sager

Hermana Sager, Juan, Rogelio, Hermana Rutherford
at Juan's Baptism. 

Benefits of speaking Spanish.

Letter from Sept 7

So there are a few benefits of speaking Spanish:

1. When people try to get rid of me by saying they don't speak English, I can stick around and still bother them in their language. 

2. I can communicate with more people than I ever could before. 

3. I get a comical relief every time someone finds out that we can speak Spanish. 

I think the thing I like the most is people's reactions. Because if they want to get rid of me, they feel inclined to keep talking because I'm trying so hard to talk to them. I think the fact that I'm in California and I'm speaking Spanish, tells people how important the message is. We really do want to share the message of the restored gospel with everyone. 

So yesterday, when we went to contact a referral, a young man answered the door. He didn't really speak any English, so there was a little boy at the door to translate. But when we started speaking Spanish, and asked for the name we had been given, he was so amazed. After getting his father to come to the door, he just stood there smiling at us. Throughout the 5 minute doorstep conversation, I could see all the family just walking past the door a few times with smiles on their faces. It was so great. They probably thought it was the weirdest thing that two of the whitest people ever are speaking in Spanish pretty well... Well Hermana Rutherford is really good and I just kinda saw stuff that doesn't completely make sense. But I say it so confidently that they have to listen. 

Ah. I love it all so much. 

I hope you're all doing well. You're all my faves. 

Love,

Hermana Sager

She didn't send any pictures this week  so I decided to post a few from before her missin when she was getting ready to go.

Her support back home..Friends at her call opening!
7 of these amazing people are currently serving missions and  one has her call and waiting to go. 

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