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