Christmas Eve Skype

Oh man!! It was soo good to be able to Skype you guys on Christmas eve!!! It was such a cool thing!! I love our family so much!!! and I'm reminded of that every time we all get together.  Hence why I cry so much.... sorry I promise I know exactly what to say, but I just can't say it when I'm crying.. so my Christmas was really good :) after Skyping we went home and opened our Christmas eve presents, Pajamas of course :) Put on the  new PJ's and set out some cookies for Santa :) we did all of our family traditions, we read Luke 2 and then went to bed.  That morning we went to the Barbee's house hahaha Jessica I was in a Barbee home :) we had breakfast there and opened presents with there family, which was really cool. It felt way homey.   Then after that we went out to Goochland (the middle of nowhere) and had dinner at the Amos' house and Elder Tirrell and the Sister Missionaries that were there got to Skype home, so I got to meet Elder Tirrells family!! So that was way cool. No one fed us for dinner which was sad.. but it was okay cause we have plenty of chili :) So many people in the war got us presents and Christmasy stuff, I have a total of 8 stockings haha and probably got 6 new ties.  It was so nice of the ward to take care of us like that.

So Transfers are this Thursday, and I am leaving :\ I'm really not to happy about it.  There are so many Investigators that are progressing to baptism and members here that I have really grown to love!! and I want to just keep on helping and serving them but there is no growth in a comfort zone, and I have gotten really comfortable with the people in this area and the members, so even though I don't like it, it's time for a change.  I will let you guys know next week where I am and who my new companion is.  I won't find out anything till they announce it in Transfer meeting so that will be exciting.

I love you guys and miss you all, and hope that you all have a great new year!! I wish I could be in California with.. woah.. almost typed y'all.. You guys!!! but I know that this is where the Lord needs me and that this is where I need to be as well!!! Have a fantastic week!! 

Love, Elder Sahagun

Cookies for Santa!

12-16-13

This letter was written the day after Nick's Aunt Kathy passed away. I love how he responded to this news with faith and hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. At this time of year let us "be of good cheer" and rejoice in the glorious birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Here's his letter this week.

Dear Family, 

I can't even describe how much I would love to come home right now to be with you all,  I miss you all so much right now.. Last night I was pretty upset and really missing home and so I decided to read through some letter that had been sent out from when I first came out and was really homesick, I thought that it might help. I saw some of the funny cards that you guys sent and they made me feel a little better as I continued to look through all of the letters, I found one from Aunt Kathy that she had sent to me,  In it she had written a lot about how to deal with hard times and sadness, at one point in the letter she told me to "be of good cheer", and reading that brought so much peace and comfort to my mind,  all the homesickness and sadness that I was feeling started to fade away and I was filled with so much joy.  I know that Families are Eternal,  I know that there is reason to " be of good cheer" even during these sad times and I know that, that cheer comes from the plan laid out for us by our loving father in heaven.. I love this gospel and am so grateful to be sharing it!!  Kathy at the end of the letter said that "someone is always ready and waiting to listen to you" and I know that is true!! I love and miss you all and hope that you have a Incredible week!!! 

Love, 

Elder Sahagun

11-18-2013

FAMILY!!!! AHHHHH 

I can't even say how awesome it was to get those videos!! hearing from grandma and grandpa was awesome and Tyler and Jessica, man you guys have really already grown so much!! It's crazy, I pretty much cried the whole time that I watched the videos and am even starting to cry a little bit talking about it.  I am a pansie wow.... but definitely keep them coming it really helps to see you guys!! and I think it will help me so I won't cry as much when I see you guys come Christmas time!! 

This week has been way awesome a lot of cool missionary experiences!! 

One day we were going over to one of our investigators houses, Moses, and I had my little guitar and I was going to sing him my song, cause he also writes music and wanted to hear it.  So we got there and he wasn't there,  we called him banged on his door and nothing... so now we were out in the night, (which comes at like 5:30 now) with a guitar and our bikes.. I was like well, " there must be something that the Lord wants me to do with my guitar.  So me and Elder Tirrell said a quick prayer and knocked on a guys door that we hadn't gotten back to since we contacted him,  We knocked on his door and he answered, we explained that we wanted to bring the spirit into his home and sing a hymn to him if that was alright, he said "oh yes come!" (he didn't speak very good english) but we walked in and he pointed to a room in the back and said "go in there" so we hesitantly walked back to the room and when I walked in I saw an small old crippled man in a small room and a large hospital bed just laying there.  we introduced ourselves and shook his limp hand. and asked if we could sing him a song and pray for him.  He nodded his head, and I played and we sang Nearer My God To Thee,  It was so powerful, the spirit was super strong!! It was an incredible experience that I will cherish for a long time.

So for thanksgiving we were going to the Anderson's (Sister Anderson's) house but now we are going to the a new family in the wards house for dinner the Whites.. don't really know them, but I know that it's going to help them feel welcome in the ward.  I can't wait to get a care package, I will really be needing one :) Mom- My pants are 32by32 slim,  I haven't gotten that much fatter hahah :) 

Tyler-  Good luck with those try outs buddy!! just remember what I taught you all those years ago playing in the back yard and nailing you in the face :) hahaha Just jokes, you'll do fine.

Jessica- Look at you and your little braces!! How crazy is that? Do you just love them already ? :) 

Dad- again, those videos worked out really well, and brought me so much joy!! 

The church is so true!! I love you all so very much and hope you have a great week!! :) 

Love Elder Sahagun 

P.S. Did you think to Pray?

11-25-2013

to me
Nov 25

Details

Dear Familia dear, 

OH man, let me just first start of by saying this. Dad, you were right.  I thought I knew cold before, but I was very wrong.  Very very wrong.  IT IS FREEZING!!!! It was only like 34 degrees but it seriously felt like 20 below... rediculous!! BUT!  every hour you spend tracting or walking out in the cold is a blessing for your family.  So I'm racking up some blessing for the Sahagun's and probably enough that we could start sharing with the Knudsens and the Popes and the Allgoods as well!!  "Tis the season of giving.  

So for Thanksgiving this week we are going to the Whites.. they are a new family in the ward that we don't know that well, but cool thing we got double booked!! so we'll be having dinner (lunch) dinner is lunch here and supper is dinner, hope you followed that.  So we will be having two wonderful Thanksgiving feasts. Awesome. 

We had a really cool experience this week.  We were walking through westhampton cemetery so we could put our names on a clergy list. ( a wonderful finding idea from the front of our missionary planners) and the lady there told us that they didn't have a list like that that we could sign up on, then she gave us a bunch of names of a bunch of different funeral homes that were way out of our area that we could try.  We pretended like it was going to be helpful and left. We were kinda bummed so I decided that we should go look at all of the Jesus statues that they had all around the cemetery (there were many) we went and saw one of Jesus and a table with 11 apostles 2 of which looked more like women, slightly confusing.. then I remembered a statue of Jesus with the woman at the well at the corner of the cemetery that we passed frequently,  On our way over we saw this old guy unloading some cleaning supplies from his trunk.  He looked up and saw us and started walking towards us. He shook our hands and said "Harry Shaia"  We started talking and he told us that he was Catholic and that he was there visiting his late wife and son who had died in an accident and asked a little about why we were out here and what we were doing. Somewhere within 2 minutes of meeting this man he asked us if we would like to "join him for dinner" what? I guess so? he gave us his number told us to call him at 5:30 and tell him where to pick us up and he would have a reservation for us to eat at 6:30.  so we called him and told him to pick us up at our apartment and he did,  he took us to this Really nice Italian place called Brios, It was like 25 dollars a plate. maybe that's not that much but it seemed really expensive to me.  we talked a bit and at one point elder tirrell went to the bathroom so it was just me and Mr. Harry Shaia.  He started to ask me all about missionary stuff.  Did you know your companion before you came out? why do they move you around so much? who pays for all of this? all of the stuff that people usually ask us.  I answered question after question and then out of the blue he asked me this. " do you believe in Jesus Christ" I said "most definitely" He said" As the son of God?"  I replied again. " yes" then he asked again "that he came to save us from sin?" I confirmed again that that is what we believed.  He stopped for a minute, started chuckling and said, "I guess you are alright"

we finished dinner he then took us out to get some Ice cream at Burger King and took us home.  When we got home and he parked the car and said this " I don't think you truly understand, that you are a conduit of God to bring His message to the people here.  You truly are a conduit" he stopped, started to get really emotional and said " this Tuesday I'll be going to Mass, Know that at that time that I will be praying for you.  I  ask that you do the same for me."  we agreed that we would shook his hand and he left.  It was truly a miracle that we ran into this man.  We might not of converted him right then and there, but we made the essential first step for his testimony to grow. Planted a Seed!! Alma 27 by small and simple things!!! It was such a testimony builder for me and a great experience that I will remember forever! 

This is a great time to be a missionary, this Thanksgiving I am thankful for my family and friends that love and support me.  for the Gospel in my life, and most of all for the opportunity that I have to share it with the people here in Virginia!!  I love this Gospel and I love all of you so very much and I hope that you have a fantastic week!! I can't wait to here from you this Christmas :)  

The Church is true.

Love you all, 

Elder Nick Sahagun

12-1-2013

Hello Family!! 

What a crazy cold week it's been down here in Virginia!! Thanksgiving was awesome we ate at the Anderson's with a bunch of their fun family, then we knocked on some random guys door who let us in, let me play his guitar and then let us teach him the gospel... It doesn't get better than that, Usually, but it did, we went to the Whites house and had another Thanksgiving dinner and got a TON of leftovers, which are good on a my little budget. We got an awesome referral this week from a member.  We went over there and taught the lady the restoration, I asked here to read the last two paragraphs of the introduction and after she read it I asked her how she felt about it. she said, " it seems like something that I've been waiting to hear my whole life" Miracles, It's going to be a white Christmas, she is going to be all dressed up in white on the 28th of December!! super excited for her!!! I got the Christmas package!! Totally made my day! I put all of the Presents under my bike and hung my stocking from the handlebars, colored some dead light bulbs christmas colors and hung em up on there. we do what we can with what we have, it's not a tree but it will work.

Also!!! I was wondering and hoping that it wasn't to late to change my Mission Plaque Scripture, if there is any way that I can change it to Alma 17: 12-13 that would be awesome!! 

Also!!! I was wondering if you could send me a copy of a song from that hardback christmas song book's version of have yourself a merry little christmas with the guitar chords and all that.

I was asked to play a song for this ladies book club thing. that would be great.

It is way hard being away, but I know that the blessings will come!! I miss you guys so much and can't wait to try and talk to you guys through tears on Skype!! I hope you all have a fantastic week!! I love you so much! 

Love, Elder Nick Sahagun  

P.S. The sky is unreal here....

12-8-2013

Dear Family, 

Another week of being a missionary,  It's incredible.  Let me tell you something ridiculous, So this Sunday there was a bunch of drama about this huge storm that was going to come through and just be super devastating the power was going to go out power lines broken from the weight of so much ice all of this craziness about not having power for a week.  I walked into ward council and they were talking about canceling church... what?!? they decided to only cancel 2 hours of church, so that we could get home before the storm hit.  so went to church the storm went through and I'll show you some pictures of the effects of this incredible storm that we had to cancel church over. 

   I was like " you have got to be kidding me right now."

Apparently if the smallest amount of snow gets on the grass and lightly dusts the trees the entire state of Virginia falls apart. but it was a good week of preaching the Gospel.  We were super busy this week, we helped set up a really cool walking nativity/ creche festival at our church and then they asked me to narrate the manger scene.  , pretty much memorized an awesome quote by Gordon B.  Pretty awesome experience.  We went to Bobby Phifer's house as well.  It is the most incredible display of Christmas lights I have ever seen!!! so awesome!!!!  I love Christmas!!!! 

So I hope that we can coordinate a cool three way Skype again I'll talk to my mission president about it and get it all figured out.

I love you all so very much and hope that you have a great week!! (see ya in 15 days :) )

Love Elder Sahagun

Dear Family!! 

I am sorry that I was not able to send an email out yesterday, we had kinda a big important meeting that was so important that they had to move P-day to today!! You might be wondering what could be so important that they would have to do that, well we had a member of the first quorum of the Seventy come down to the Virginia Richmond mission!!! Elder Siatati!! it was pretty cool to have him and his wife come down and talk to us, It was kinda hard and frustrating at times, because people ask the dumbest questions. It's incredible it really is.  But it was way good, He talked to us about our purpose and how we can better fulfill it, and his wife talked to us about how we need to be unified with our companions!! It was a cool thing and It was awesome to see them!! 

We also had another meeting this week,  called "return and report" and it's a meeting for all of the trainers and trainee's in the first transfer of their training!  It was way cool, got to see a lot of missionaries that I used to serve with!  Got to see Elder Kay!!!! he said to tell you all hello for him.  We talked during the lunch hour of the meeting and it was way cool to reminisce and to remember how it was when I first came out. It was also good to see how far I've come since then!! A lot of the times it's hard as a missionary because you feel like you are not making any progress.  It's hard to see the small day to day progressions from a personal standpoint, so It was good to talk with him to see how much I really have grown. 

It has been a crazy week!! and it is getting really cold and dark and grey out here in Virginia.. Not sure I like it so much.. but we got to teach a some good people this week!! which makes it all worth it!! One of the guys we taught brought us doughnuts!! he was like here I got you guys some doughnuts... It was awesome.

Being on bike is great!! and I love it, I thought that I would just tell you that.

Mom I agree wholeheartedly!!!!  You HAVE to be able to have fun like that to balance out all of the work and stress!!! It's really hard when you have an uptight companion who doesn't understand that... but I am blessed with a great companion who's willing to work hard and have fun!! I love it, Missionary work is incredible!!  The church is true!!! and  I hope you all have a fantastic week!! 

Love Elder Nick Sahagun

Great Virginia sunset!

Dear Family,

    How grateful I am to be able to email my wonderful family every week, being a missionary is hard... but being reminded of all of the love and support that I have from back home makes it so much easier!  I miss you guys like crazy!! and I can definitely tell that these next two months are going to be especially hard, but I really liked what you said in your email mom.  It's good to know that even though I am away from my family, I can help others so they can be with their families for eternity.  I really struggle (and am still struggling with) missing home, and my awesome family.. but I think it has helped me understand what other people might feel for eternity if they can't be with their families.  

         This week was really rough.  In our stake we are pushing for 100% baptismal invites and 50 Member present lessons a month in our zone.  So Elder Tirrell and I set up 8 solid member present lessons for this week that would really help out the zone.  I felt really good about it and was excited to teach all of these people, but all of our lessons flaked out on us.  It was really hard and frustrating cause I felt like I had done everything right and yet we still didn't get to teach any of those people.  Then in Personal Study I was reading and I found something to help.  It said " Your success as a missionary is not defined by the number of people you seek, find, and teach.  It is measured by your commitment to seek, find, and teach everyone that will listen".  That's probably not exact but it's pretty darn close, and it really brought peace to my mind and helped me realize that if I'm putting my full effort into seeking, finding, and teaching, then I am a successful missionary in the Lords eyes. 

       We have been teaching this guy for the past 3ish weeks, his name is Moses Chege, He is 29 and he moved here with his family from Kenya.  He is a trip!  He's way energetic, and slightly A.D.D. (sound like anyone you know?) and he just loves us coming over and talking "about Jesus" hahaha he is way open minded and way fun to teach.  He also loves to write music and sing!  You could definitely pray for him.  Pray that he will have a desire to know the truth.  He said right now he doesn't disbelieve the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith, but he just isn't at that point where he wants to know...  Pray that he will have that desire.  There are a bunch of other people that you can pray for, but I don't have time to give you a story on all of them, so I'll just give you their names :)  Investigators: Hanna Lamphere, Juanita Beaty, Myranda, James & Susan Dodd,  Jeanne Howe, Scott, Celeena & Daniel, and Wanda Lee.  Less Actives: Scott Cromwell, Owen Peters, Rhonda Cavanaugh, and Gena Walker.

Man I love you guys and miss you tons, and I hope that you all have a fantastic week!  oh and here's my new address! sorry I thought I had already sent it to you guys. (and yes It would be best to send packages to that address :) )

11 Chase Gayton Dr. #1325

Richmond, VA 23238      

Dear Family!!

AHHH NO TIME!!! It's been a crazy P-Day, a member took us to the Berkley Plantation (dad you're the only one who might have a clue what I'm talking about) and we were there for 5 hours!! including the ride there and back!!  I am doing well! Shotgunning and training is very stressful and very hard... but! I am learning a lot!! Everyday I learn something new! and It really is good to know that I have a loving heavenly father who knows that all of the things that I go through will help me reach my full potential in the long run!! what a blessing!  I'm so grateful for this opportunity to learn!! 

Mom- I am so happy that I got to talk to you! kinda.. through email.. It's awesome!! I was thinking about being warm, and I think that I'm good and warm :) maybe just some gloves.. and also there are these nifty little highlighters called HI-GLIDERs they are really nice and handy!! I love and miss you very much and need a mom hug

Dad-  the plantation had a lot of cool history stuff!! and made me miss you!! and I didn't forget your birthday... I thought I could get a card sent out, then I procrastinated and started to do missionary work and didn't get to it :( but know that on the 11th of October, I was thinking about you!!! and missing you!! 

Tyler! Happy Birthday!!!! I know I missed it I am a terrible Brother!! 14?? that is crazy!!! I have some kids in the ward i'm in that are as old as you.. and it weirds me out!! you guys just keep growin up!  I love you bud, be good and stay outta trouble!! :)

Jessica- Mom told me your at the dentist right now :) good luck being toothless on Halloween :) Just kiddin,  but really good luck with your piano ricitle thing I wish i could be there!! love ya so much!! 

I love you all so very much and hope that you all have a great week and an awesome Halloween!! :)

Elder Sahagun

The James River!!! and me signing the Declaration of independence!!!! 

Family!!! 

 I'm so very sorry that I was not able to get a E-mail sent off last week!! The library that we go to email at was closed because of Columbus day.  But I think that sister Andersen might have told you already so there is no real suspense but.... I'm TRAINING ahhhh!!! crazy!  My companions name is Elder Tirrell (like Ferrel but with a T) he is from Idaho Falls, Idaho!  He just graduated this last year! makes me feel so old!! It's so crazy to think that I graduated a year ago!!  but we are doing great! We got Shotgunned in or whitewashed I don't know what you called it on your mission (probably some weird African word ;) ) but it just means that we are both new to the area and are very much figuring things out.  It has been way hard, my bike is still broken and Elder Tirrell doesn't have a bike yet so we have just been walking around everywhere.  I can honestly say I feel so under qualified to be training right now!! But I know that the Lord doesn't call the qualified, but rather he qualifies the called!!  I have to remind myself that on a daily basis.  It's crazy that you sang that song "Master the Tempest is Raging" cause we sang that song in sacrament meeting last Sunday to!! and I definitely agree, when I listened to the words of that song it brought comfort to my heart and all of the things that I had been stressing about seemed to go away.  Hahaha yeah I had totally forgotten about Sister Andersen, Brother Andersen (her dad) came up to me after church after finding out in priesthood that I was from Cedar City and said, "You should talk to my daughter she served the St. George mission and was in Enoch for 4 and a half months." "I was like oh that's cool.. definitely need to talk to her and ask her about the Sahaguns ":) so I went up to her and said, " So you served in Enoch?" and right when she turned around and saw me she screamed " I KNOW YOU!!! I was in your house!! I was at the stake center when you were set apart!! I've been in your room!!" wait what??... it all clicked and I felt kinda dumb/bad that I didn't remember.  It was crazy!!  We went and had dinner at their house later that week and just talked about Enoch it was kinda nice!! and I remember everything like the back of my hand!! It sounds like there are a lot of new converts/ families in our ward!! So great!!  

         

           So I'm in Gayton, Virginia now!  Which is pretty much Richmond... so everyone just calls it Richmond haha but it is so great!! the ward is way awesome!! They are way pumped to help out the missionaries!! It is crazy to think that I have been out for 8 months!!! The time really has gone by pretty quick! and I have learned so much in the past 8 months! Probably ONE of the most valuable things that I've have leareded so far is that change is a blessing from father in heaven!! Yeah kinda sounds crazy, and if you would of told me that 2 maybe even 3 weeks ago, I would have said,"Blasphame!!" but I have learned just how great change is and how it helps us Incrementally become more like our Father in Heaven!! What a blessing!!

Dad! got the camera! works better than the last one!! hahah I loved the quote from emporers new groove!

Tyler- Cedar is where I got my pr!! stay out of trouble!!! 

Jessica!! I'm writing your letter as soon as I get home today!! 

I love you all so very much and miss you like crazy!!! but the church is TRUE!!! and there are people in Virginia who don't know that yet :) Have a great week!! 

Love, Elder Sahagun

 

p.s. I would have sent some pics but my camera is not turning on,  I'll send some next week!

Dear Family, 

I absolutely love conference.  I honestly didn't like conference before I came out on a mission, besides the fact that I got to stay in my PJ's all day, but it has really just hit me out here how blessed we are to be able to hear form our Incredible Prophet and apostles.  I loved both of President Uchtdorf's talks!!

 I always love how simple he makes the gospel and how sincere he is.  I also love Hollands talk.  We watched conference at the Stake Center with all of the missionaries in our zone.  Some from one of the Spanish wards fed us after every session!!! it was awesome!!  It was just an Awesome 2 days.  

Also,  I hope that all of the packages and letters you sent get here soon...  Because I'm leaving again.  Yeah I know where I am leaving just not where I'm going or who i'll be with.  I'll know by tommorrow all of those things.  and I'll know my address by Thursday.  So I will let you guys know by next monday what my new address is.  I still just love being a missionary.  The work was a little slow this week.!  but I am WAY Pumped to go do work in another part of Virginia,  I am going to miss this ward and the people I have been teaching here.  But I know that the Lord needs me elsewhere.  I love you all so very much and I can't wait to hear the big news!! I love you all so very much!! and hope that you guys have a fantastic week!!  

Love,  Elder Sahagun

Dear Family,

     Can I just be honest with all of you? Let's just get real here for a second.  I have a pounding headache, I cannot feel my legs, my stomach is upset with me, and I have freak blisters on my feet, BUT This is the happiest and most fulfilling time of my life!! I absolutely love serving the lord. Finding his lost sheep and bringing them all back to the fold!! Finding the weak and feeble of testimony and building them up!!  It is the hardest, most exciting, most disappointing, most fun, most challenging, most fulfilling thing that I have ever done in my life, and it doesn't really make sense but that's how it is.  A mission is truly all of those things I said and more, all wrapped into two short years.  I cannot wait for you (Tyler and Jessica) to serve missions so that you can see what I mean.  It is the most exhilarating trail of faith and testimony!! SO PREPARE NOW!!!  It will creep up on you faster than you know it. In the short 7 months that I have been out my testimony has been tried and tested, built up and broken down, strengthened and fortified and It's incredible to feel and see that spiritual growth. 

    

     So sad story this week.  So basically, dropped stacks so I could fix my bike and the night after I got it back it broke.  It was actually kinda funny.  I was riding on down the street peddling my little heart out and all of the sudden and all of the sudden my hips swing out to the side, I was like "what?" then I looked back and realized that my seat had broken off!!! Something just snapped and It fell right off.  It's just a great thing thought I love bike issues. :\ 

Mother Dear:  You asked some questions and I got some answers :) What's your favorite approach to use with people at the door or on the street? My Favorite approach that I use is this. (Knock Knock Knock) "Hello?" "Hi I'm Elder Sahagun" Reach out to shake their hand.. "and we have been called to represent Christ, to bring you the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which has been restored to the earth by a modern day prophet,  I know that the things that we teach you, and the principles that we share with you can bless your life.  I know that what we share is true."  and if they don't invite us in i say, " is there a time when we could share this message with you and your family?" and if they still turn it down then I testify of all of the blessings that they are missing out on :) . Also, what is your favorite lesson or discussion to teach? My favorite lesson would probably be the Plan of Salvation, especially when we focus on the atonement!!  What's the hardest one to teach? Hmmmm the hardest one to teach is all of them! When you are teaching someone with a hard heart.  I love you and miss you sooo Much!!! 

Dad:  I don't know how you put up with all of my ridiculousness growing up.  When I am talking to people and they are just being stubborn I think... Huh so this is what it's like on the other side!  haha I love you and miss you so much and hope all is going well in the classroom!

Tyler: Hey Little bro? maybe take a picture with mom when you aren't standing on a step ladder so I can see how tall you really are? ;) just jokes love ya like crazy buddy! hope to hear from ya soon!!

Jessica:  I heard your little talk thing!! and I just cried.. you sound soo grown up!! it's crazy!! I got your letter with the awesome key chain totally rep'n it :) Love ya and miss you soo much!! :)

I love you all and hope you have an awesome week!! 

Love, 

Elder Sahagun

Dearest Mother dear and family, 

              Holy cow!  What a week of missionary work it has been!  I love it!! It's the best.  Probably the most awesome thing this week was being able to baptize two people!  Robert and Paula MacLeod,  He is the guy with the blog haha :)  It has just been way cool to see how the gospel has changed their lives!  In Elder quorum this last Sunday we were combined with the High Priests, or as Brother MacLeod calls it Geezer Class, and they asked Robert to say the prayer so the lesson ended and he stood up and said, "before I do this, I'd just like to say a few words"  and then he just bore the most awesome testimony of how much the gospel has changed his life and how much love and support he felt from the missionaries and the ward all along the way.  It was just a good feeling, knowing that if I would have chose to stay home or not to serve a mission, He might of never found the peace and the joy that he has now.  It was just good to know that the things that I am doing and the time and effort that I am putting into serving the lord are paying off in the best way.  This is the most fulfilling work that I've done in my life and it's so good to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ change someone for the better.  Life is good as a missionary. 

Another cool thing that happened this week,  We were out tracting and we saw this older lady pulling weeds, and since i just love to pull weeds i asked her if we could offer her any help, and she said in what I thought was broken Spanglish " Oh no I fine thank you very much".  So thinking that this woman might speak spanish i said, " oh habla espanol?" she looked really confused for a second, and then said, "oh no, I  from Viet Nam..."  Whoops... we got talking a little and she told us that she new what we were doing and that she respected that we would go around and talk to people about Jesus.  Then she said in the best English that she could muster something I will never forget.  she said, " It's a very good thing, but...... Very, Very, dangerous. People can be very mean and want to harm you or....."  then she looked right at me and said, "but you'd die for Christ, right?" I immediately replied, "Of course"

It was something that I had really never asked myself before, but right when she asked me the question I knew the answer.  I really has stuck with me all week, What would I do for Christ?  and all I can think to do right now is to serve him with all of my heart, might, mind and strength.   I love this gospel I know it is true, and I am so blessed to be able to share it with the people of Woodbridge, VA.  I love you all so very much and hope you have a fantastic week.

Love, 

Elder Sahagun

The MacLeods Baptism!!!!!!! :)

Dear Mom, and dad, and sour patch kids,

I am sooo happy... and it makes no sense.  Cause i'm like exhausted all the time.  But it's okay because I'm in Virginia serving the Lord and representing Christ!! Soo it's all good.

It is really awesome to hear from you guys, and I feel bad because sometimes when I write you guys emails I feel like it makes no sense because my brain is just scrambled.  Being on bike is awesome  But biking up hills all day and waking up at 6:30 every morning is not something that i did back home..  but life goes on.

Exciting stuff going on this week though!! We are having a double baptism this next Saturday!!!  The MacLeods are getting baptized!!  I can honestly say that when I first met these people that I would of never thought that they would be baptized!! kinda crazy and awesome... like missionary work.  I have seen Sister Moon! I think that she is still down in Chesterfield Area where I was before.

So some bad news... I tried that Zoom thing Dad and it didn't work so my camera is still broken... do i need to send it home? can I get it fixed out here? I am going through Picture taking withdraws.

To answer one of your questions, Yes,  We bike rain, shine, sleet, heat, basically all the time.  and I guess you could say that our member kinda give us rides not that often only when we go on splits... So that is cool.  The area that I am in is pretty diverse and a lot more crowded that my last area! I love it, There are a lot of africans down here and i love teaching them!  My companion is kind of a dork.. but we get along just fine.

I'm sorry that this is so short.. I'm just really Exhausted..   But i love you all A lot!! and can't wait to do more missionary work!!! WOOT!

Love Elder Sahagun 

Dear Mother Dear,

It is so good to hear from you every week, it really is a blessing and I can't imagine how much harder it would be to be out here without hearing from mamma goose :) 

    So this month of September is a pretty exciting one!! because we've got 3 super solid baptisms lined up!!  It has been crazy, I've been working so hard and it's really nice to finally see the fruits of my labors!  Even though it really isn't all about baptizing.  It is still really nice to have them, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about :)  The work here is about to explode!! and I am really starting to love missionary work!!  I never though that I would be able to say that but I have really been doing good these past few weeks!  I'm still on bike.. and I LOVE IT!! I go to bed so tired, and my legs are never not soar, but I get to talk to everyone I see!! and meet people that I would not be able to meet in a car! :)  I hope that I can stay on a bike my whole mission, cause it is pretty legit.  Sometimes when we roll through the hood people think we're cops ahaha either that or little black girls yell at us and say " HI NERDS!" haha It's hilarious. Don't worry though, even though I'm in the hood, the Lord protects his missionaries!! just like the lord protected Ammon from Lamoni's father! I think that that's the story I'm thinking about. I am also very close with our next door neighbor..  We met him like a month ago.  He used to live in Detroit, He was in a gang and sold drugs and did a lot of bad stuff and wants to turn his life around.  The last time we met with him we had bishop with us and he looked at bishop and said " and this brotha" grabbing my shoulder, "this brotha is special, I love this brotha.  He always comes up and checks on me and say's" I'm only 19 so let me tell ya like this" and if I EVER see anyone messing with my brotha.." I will strike, with a vengence.... I'm looking out for them.."  I love him to death!! so don't worry about anything like that! 

    Mom thoughout my life, my faith has been in different stages, strong, more commonly weak.  I never realized how lucky i was to have parents who set such a good example of faith for me.  I have met some disfunctional families out here in Virginia, and I thank god every night that I could be born of goodly parents that love the Lord.  While I'm teaching lessons or talking to people on the street, I'll find myself saying things that you or Dad always taught me.  I realized that I have been taught and I understand the Lords Atoning sacrifice because of the wonderful parents the lord has given me.  I love you guys so much and miss ya like crazy.  But I know my purpose and I'm fulfilling it. so it makes every second worth it!!

Dad- I love your awesome Lord of the rings quotes!! they inspire me, and sometimes make me cry... I also haven't gotten to try that camera zoom thing.. hope it works... Love ya so much!

Jessica!!  I hope that school is going well! Love life and giggle :) I can't wait to hear back from ya 

Tyler.. Bro!  I hope that you got my letter! and i hope you haven't driven Mrs. Dowse completely crazy!! :) can't wait to hear back!

I hope you all have a great week!! Love ya most!! F.S.T.H.W.!!!!!!!

Love,

Elder Nick Sahagun

Hola Familia!!!! Como Esta??

 

So I guess I should let you all (almost typed y'all hahah whoo that was close) that I am no longer in the Spanish Program!! We had Transfers this last week and I got my new companion!! his Name is Elder Brown and he is from Posper, Texas!!! and we get along great,  think of how Gus and Shawn are on Psych and that's pretty much how our companionship goes. hahah it's great we work hard and have fun doing it!! I love it!!!!  The work is really picking up in this area!!!

We have five people on date for baptism right now and two of those people are Robert and Paula MacLeod,  This great couple that walked into church one Sunday!!  They are just the most opposite people that you will ever meet!  he is loud, slightly abrasive, and energetic.  and she is calm cool and just whatever!! and they are just adorably perfect for each other!! I love em to death!!! They have been investigating the church for the last month and a half that I have been here.  It has been way cool to see the change in them since we have introduced the gospel to them.  When we first met them, Robert told me that he was an author (he is using the name Sahagun in one of his books now.. I hope that's okay....) and a blogger.  He said he loves blogging, and I asked him what his blog was called he said " It's called, Sometimes its Okay to be an @%&!" Woah caught me way off guard..  So that was about a month and a half ago.  The Last time we had a lesson with them right at the end as I was walking out of the door he handed me a small piece of paper,  I said "what is this".  He said " It's my new blog!"  I opened the paper and It had the website for his new blog. findingsmith.blogspot.com, He said " It's about all of this,  Meeting you guys, and you helping me to understand the gospel and stuff. It really made me realize how much the spirit can change people!  He went from wanting to write about being an bad word to about coming closer to Christ!! it really made my day.

I am so glad for all of your support and love back home!! I love and miss you all very much!! but this is an important work, and the Lord has called me to be a part of it, so I am honored to answer that call!! I hope you all have a great week, and I can't wait to hear from you next week!!!

Love Elder Sahagun

P.s. My camera is having problems or I would send pics,  It says "zoom Error" every time i turn it on.......

Dear Family!!!

This has been one of the busiest weeks of my mission for sure!! and I'm sorry I didn't get to send a very long e-mail last time.  I spent almost my entire last P-day preaching the gospel!!! Didn't really get a P-day!! but that's what you get when you have to work in two areas!!  So the Spanish is coming along pretty great!  I have said a lot of prayers in Spanish in the past couple of days!!  It is kinda hard being in lessons where I don't understand what's going on but, the spirit is still there!! Mom, your class looks so fun!! I know those kids just love you to death!!! So no that wasn't the guitar that you guys sent out to me, it was just one that the Woolfs had at their house!  but I'm so glad to have that little guitar out here!!  It has helped me so much!!  Whenever I get the free time I practice,  I can now play Nearer My God To Thee. and The first part of Michael Dowdle's ( the guy's CD I have out here with me) version of I Know That My Redeemer Lives!!! I got the first page of the sheet music for free on Ldsmusicnow.com!!  and would love to get the whole thing!!! It's an Amazingly beautiful song!!! So I have heard a little bit from Spencer, he said he is getting fat hahaha and that he is doing good! Which is good to hear!  It's hard to get a lot of information from those guys through e-mail cause we just have to send short little messages cause we have limited time :( which I hate, but it's good.   

The work up here in Woodbridge is just going Phenomenal!! We have 5 People on date to be baptized and hopefully 2 more here pretty soon!!! I love being a missionary!!  I really never thought that I would be able to say that.  I think I have found the Joy that comes with serving the Lord!  and helping people come closer to Christ!!! It really is incredible to see the change in people when we bring the gospel into their lives!! The Church is so true.  I know it with all of the Fervor of my heart!!! if that is even a word.. I love you all so very much and hope you have a fantastic week :)

Love Elder Sahagun 

Email and video from a member

Dear Parents,

It is a pleasure having your sons serve faithfully in our ward boundaries.  We are sad that tomorrow the Assistants to the President are coming to pick up Elder Gates, but we can only imagine the excitement the Gates family will be having this week.  

We have been blessed to have them in our home many times and I have had the privilege to go on splits with them.

We have also enjoyed their musical talents:

Click on the links below!

Elder Gates Singing Wanna Go Home

Elder Sahagun & Elder Gates

Hola!

Dear Family Dear, 

        Well it's been un semana Loca!!! The reason I say that in Spanish is because I am currently in the Spanish Program!! yes,  since Elder Gates went home early so he could go to school I have been assigned to be with the Spanish missionaries for the rest of the transfer! It's very humbling, I thought I knew my fair share of Spanish, turns out that I don't know all that much, but I am loving it! it's kinda hard sometimes in lessons cause I have no Idea what's going on, but it's a adventure for sure.  One of the lessons I went into Elder Scott asked the lady who she wanted to say the prayer and she pointed to me.  So I said the prayer, in Spanish!! Gift of tongues for sure I still have no idea all of the things that I said.

        So since Elder Gates has left I have been incredibly busy.  We've been covering our area and the Spanish area, and I've been filling in for Elder Gates as District Leader.  We didn't really get a P-Day cause we were teaching  lessons all day.  So that is why I am emailing you on a Wednesday.  I hope that all is well back home, I will write some letter next P-Day if things aren't too crazy.  I love you all so very much and hope you have an awesome week!! Predicard el evangelio!!!

Love, 

Elder Sahagun