Dear Familia,

 

How does it feel to be out of school?? Man what are you all (notice that I didn't say y'all) going to do this summer??

 

Let me just say that the past week has been a little insane!!  We've had some very scary experiences (that I will write to you later mom and dad, because there are preschool toys present) and some awesome uplifting spiritual experiences too!!  One very exciting experience was giving my first verbal blessing!  Remember cute old sister Worthen?  Well that poor old lady is just running herself ragged trying to take care of her husband, she has had some struggles with health has lost way to much weight and has back problems and is just a mess.  She asked if we could come over and give her a blessing.  We got over there and I was super nervous, but it went very well, I didn't even have to be told what to say, besides the blessing part, then the spirit was telling me what to say.  It was way nerve wracking but I was so grateful for that opportunity!!

 

We also have been working with one of our Investigators a lot with smoking so she will be able to be baptized this next month.  Dad your story of how you helped that man overcome inspired me, and I really just wanted to do everything I could to help her.  So near the end of our lesson with her,  I shared with her my struggle with homesickness and how the only way I have been able to find true peace and solace was by reading The Book of Mormon and praying every day she thanked me for not giving up on her.  She actually came to sacrament this week with both of her adorable kids!!! which was super great!! She saw my CTR ring and asked me where I got it,  I told her that my dad gave it to me before I left. She smiled and said,  I'm glad God sent you here to us Sahagun.   It really meant a lot to hear that, and it helped me realize how much I was changing her life,  it is a feeling that I will try to remember when things get rough.  I really am grateful for this opportunity to serve as a missionary and to be able to help the people in Virginia come closer to Christ and it's experiences like that, that help remind me of that.

 

I also was able to get a guitar.  We went to the Shelton's for dinner and they had invited both of their neighbors over for a little backyard barbecue.  Somehow it came up that I played guitar... (Elder Kay threw me under the bus)  so Brother Shelton went in got his guitar and I played and sang barefoot blue jean night for everyone.  It made me miss home a little, but we had a solid restoration lesson afterwards and   Brother Shelton asked if I would like to borrow his guitar till the end of the transfer, so I have that taken care of for now. 

 

Speaking of transfers, they are this next week, and there is a pretty good chance that I will be getting transferred out... so I will keep you updated on that.

 

Heather!!!! I got your letter!!! and I really want to write you back, but I saw the stamp with the elephant and all of that Thai writing and realized I have no idea how to send internationally... soo maybe you or dad could help me out and explain that to me :)

 

Tyler- I got your letter and bro it might take me a while to write back since you gave me a whole novel to respond to!! haha :) just kidding it was so good to hear from you! Stay out of trouble! love you so much!!

 

Jessica-  I got your letter and so did Elder Kay! so be looking out for some letters :) 

 

Mom & Dad-  So great news, I got another flat tire.  that's three tires I've gone through in 2 weeks.  It turns out that my problem might be that my tires have no tred... so I think I might have to buy some new tires and inner tubes :( biking is rough.  I love you guys so much and will try to write you a letter this week.

 

Thank you all for your love and support and your prayers! I hope you all have a amazing first week of summer!!!

 

Love,

Elder Sahagun  

Dear Mother Dear,

Well I'm gonna be honest this week has probably been one of the toughest so far.  It is really frustrating, One week I'll feel like I'm making a lot of up hill progress and then in an instant I hit a wall and feel like I roll all the way back down to where I started.  Not to say that things were bad this week, there were actually some pretty cool mission story creating moments.

       Elder Kay's tooth has been bothering him ever since he came out.  The Zone Leaders councled us that it might be a good idea to stop by the dentist.  So with that brilliant advice we called a dentist that we knew was a member.  We went in and Elder Kay went back to get his mouth worked on and I just sat in the waiting room watching to make sure our bikes wouldn't get stolen.  Within ten minutes of boredom, the dentist came out and looked at me kinda weird and said,  "have you ever sucked spit before?".  He then explain that all of his assistants were out for lunch handed me a mask a pair of gloves and that little sucker thing that always flaps your cheeks and we went to work.  I can honestly say that I never thought that morning when I woke up that I would have my hands in my companions mouth.  It was the coolest though.  I got to take x-rays and harden some fillings and I learned a whole lot about dentistry and I would like to let you know that a little part of me wants to be a dentist now.  Just thought I'd share that.

      We have been working with a guy named Robert for a little over seven weeks now,  he has severe disabilities but is totally accountable.  We have been trying and trying to get him to church and just two days ago we did one better.  We got him to commit to a baptismal date! He is set for the 22nd of June!!  He has A LOT of things to overcome and things to change before that time comes but I'm excited to help him progress to that goal we've set!

      It rained this week.  I can't even explain riding a bike in monsoon like conditions, but I will say that it is one of the most exhilarating and intense things I've done so far.  I went through 3 pair of pants and probably ruined two ties one day cause they were all just soaked beyond all belief!!  I'm not complaining though, I LOVE the rain here! It makes everything soo green and beautiful!!

     That little girls letter was probably one of the most hysterical and sweet things I've ever read!!  It's crazy to think that school is almost out!!! It feels like not to long ago that I was stressing out about not graduating!! It's crazy how time flies!!  I love you soo very much and I can't wait to get that package!! Love you most!!

Dad-  I'm super jealous right now, and every fiber of my natural man wants to ask how Iron man 3 was, but I'll refrain.  Can you help me understand why people are so ignorant and hard headed.  It makes me sad when I try and share the love and hope that the gospel brings and get it thrown right back in my face.  I don't understand how people can be content with dwindling in unbelief.  I just realized how cool that just sounded... just saying.  Anyways, that you for your words of wisdom it really does help to read those e-mails every week so thank you for that! and just know that I love you.

Tyler-  I hope there is a letter for me in that package :) just kidding bud can't wait to hear from you!! Love you bro!!

Jessica- You should tell me about life!! Just about alll of your sillyness!!! love you much and miss you

I love and miss you all very much and can't wait to hear from you next week!!

Love Elder Sahagun

Dear Mother,

Oh my goodness, can I just say how incredible it was to get to see all of you yesterday.  I couldn't even believe it when I first saw my whole family there smiling on the computer and I can't even express to you how happy I was to see all of you there.  It was just the most incredible, most overwhelming feeling of joy that I have ever had.  After the call was over I felt like a big chunk of my heart had been ripped out and I just sat there for 5 minutes just sobbing.  The members house that I went to (the Buis family) were so understanding and let me play their guitar after while I was waiting for Elder Kay to finish talking to his fam. (My mission president gave me permission and counseled me to get my instrument to help with my homesickness, so it's totally legit to play guitar. In fact I'll be singing and playing the guitar in church the third week of June.) It helped me a lot.  I was trying to think of all the things that I forgot to tell you on Skype,  but I can't remember anything that I forgot..... so maybe I didn't forget anything.  Oh Mom,  I talked to Elder Kay's family yesterday and she said that she was in Enoch!!! and I was just shocked! She said that she looked up our name in the phone book so she could stop by our house and she went and knocked on Thomas Sahagun's door hahaha it's crazy she really wants to meet you and talk to you and just be friends!  I definitely think that you two would get along :) I love you most and miss you soo soo much Happy Mothers Day :) :)

Dad-  You are an emotional rock my friend, I don't know how you can hold it together,  I'm pretty sure you were the only one who didn't bawl like a baby, and I'm glad you didn't because it gave me some comfort and know that there is no reason to cry because I'll see you guys again.  I have read and re-read your email about the challenge of change, and it helps, me everyday, (nacho libre accent) with that up hill battle of Homesickness.

Tyler-  Little Bro!! It's crazy how much you've already changed! Stop Growing!! Okay?? I think I remember you saying you sent me a letter?  Is it on the way? in the mail? written out? :) just giving you a hard time, I can't wait to here about EVERYTHING :) Love ya buddy

Jessica-  I expected to see a little girl when I got on Skype, but I saw what seemed to be a beautiful young lady :) Stay away from those boys, Alright?  I got your letter right before i went into my interview with President Perry.  Well Played but keep in mind that i don't lose :) Tell me about life and all of your silliness that I'm missing out on!! I miss hearing your crazy stories! love you much :)

The Gospel is so true.  I can feel my testimony grow every day as I strengthen the testimonies of others and it makes it all worth it, all the tears, all the anxiety, and all the homesickness.  I am giving up 2 years with my family so that others can be with theirs for eternity and I can tell you I know now more than ever how great a blessing that is.  I love you all,  keep praying for all the missionaries in the world, cause it ain't easy.  You know you've been in Virginia too long when you say ain't like that haha just kidding,  I hope you all have a incredible week and a blessed day.

Love,
         Elder Sahagun

Happy Mothers Day!

For Mothers Day my two missionaries were able to Skype with the family. We coordinated a time, 4:15 p.m. Utah time and Heather and Nick set their watches so we could all be together and have a wonderful video call!  We went to my classroom so we could have the high speed of a T-1 connection. It went without a glitch. Heather was using a computer in an internet cafe in Thailand. It was 5:30 in the morning. She said she got up at 4:45 a.m. to make the call.  Nick used a computer from a member's home in Richmond Virginia. It was 5:35 p.m. Heather got online first and we got to visit with her for about 20 minutes before Nick joined us. Heather and her companion had prepared two songs for us. They sang the hymn, Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy in English and then they sang Come Thou Font of Every Blessing in Thai. It was so sweet! Ray recorded it so we'll try to get the video on the Blog. Heather talked about some of her experiences we talked about things we've been doing here. We laughed together, we cried together. Nick got on the phone and started to cry as soon as he saw us. The members had given him a box of tissues :).Then of course because he was crying I started crying.  It was so fun that Heather and Nick got to visit with each other. Nick asked Heather what has been the hardest thing for her on her mission. She said it was finding people to teach. Nick said the same thing. Nick also said that getting up at 5:30 a.m. and getting on his knees to pray and start the day was also very hard. When Heather said she only had four minutes left Nick got emotional and started to cry. He asked if we could say a prayer together as a family. Ray led our family together in prayer and we prayed for our missionaries. There wasn't a dry eye when he finished.These are the moments as a family that we'll always remember. I have felt so blessed all day to be a mother. I'm so thankful to my Heavenly Father for entrusting into my care these wonderful children, who have taught me so much about love. As a mother my greates desire has been that my children would love the Lord and choose to follow Him.

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 2 Nephi 26:6

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the  Lord." 

Joshua 24:15

I'm so proud of the choice that Heather and Nick have made to serve missions. It has been such a wonderful blessing to our family to share in their experiences. It is a sacrifice for them and for our family but I know that they are where they're supposed to be at this time of their lives. I know that many people will be blessed as they share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature." Doctrine and Covenants 84:62

Brightly Beams our Father’s Mercy

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy
From his lighthouse evermore,
But to us he gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.

[Chorus]
Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.

 Dark the night of sin has settled;
Loud the angry billows roar.
Eager eyes are watching, longing,
For the lights along the shore.

Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;
Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,
Trying now to make the harbor,
In the darkness may be lost.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing 

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by thy help I come
And I hope by thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wondering from the fold of God
He, to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood

O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee
Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above

 . 

Dear Mother Dear,

Man another week gone just like that! It has still been super rough but bearable.  My Birthday this week was especially hard cause I woke up and all I wanted to do was be back home with my family, but I felt a little bit better when I got that birthday package!!! For my birthday we went out and did a blitz.  I don't know if you know what that means... so I will explain... no there is too much. Let me sum up.  A bunch of missionaries from one area go to another area that is struggling and just track the heck out of it!  The area we went to was more of what I expected Virginia to be like.  It was straight up hood!! I was with Elder wood and it was awesome,  we talked to so many people and I really felt like I was fulfilling my purpose.  We talked to this awesome black lady named Latoya for about 45 minutes on her door step and she just opened right up!  She told us how she used to be the weed queen and was running things on the block, one day she got shot in her living room in front of her 11 year old boy. she was lying there unconscious and her little boy gave her mouth to mouth and resuscitated her and sat there with her till the cops came.  It was crazy to hear she died 4 times in the hospital.  It was funny she said "I died twice went to heaven and the lord sent me back, then I died two more time went to hell and the devil couldn't stand me, so it looks like y'all are stuck with me!"  after we talked to her for about 20 minutes about the gospel and what our purpose is as missionaries, how we leave our family, and friends behind for two years to share the gospel she asked me how old I was (which I get all the time)  I said " 19 today!" she was so excited " oh my glory, it's you're birffffdayy???" she sent her kids back into the house and they came out with a huge bag of candy and gave it to me.  She wants to come back to church and is so open to just learning more. It was just awesome and it made my day.  I wish I could be home on mother's day and do the dishes for you and just give you a hug I miss you most and can't wait to write you again.

Dad- I listen to that song almost every night before I go to bed and just bawl my eyes out.  That song really never had any special meaning to me before but i look at it in a whole new light now.  P.S. that kid with the long hair to you're left looks like a punk.  love you :)

Tyler- My goodness kid, all those years of me beating up on you and now that I'm gone you decide to break something? :) just kidding buddy, I can't wait to get you're letter and I miss hangin with you.

Jessica- Ummm HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!! I can't believe you're 12!!!! you best be staying away from those punk boys! ;) I hope you can still fall asleep without someone there to sing you bedtime songs, I miss you're giggles and I hope to hear from you soon :)

I love you all so very much and can't wait to see you and talk to you! the church is so true and I love you all most.

Love, Elder Sahagun 

Elder Sahagun & Elder Kay