Dear Family,  
It has been a pretty crazy week!! We have Done A lot of biking this week and  a lot of tracting!!! but I love it!! It's probably my favorite thing to do as a missionary, even when you get the mean people, when you talk to the people who are willing to listen it makes it all worth it.  One of the doors I knocked we ran into this guy and we had a little "discussion" he was trying to bash hard, I was super grateful and realized how much I have really learned out here as I answered and asked him questions to help him understand.  Even though he was pretty upset and trying to be contentious, I was very grateful for the experience.  Also had a pretty bad fail this week.  We were walking into this neighborhood that we were about to tract and we saw this Hispanic guy, his name is Oscar, out walking with his family.  We talked to him for a while and asked him if he had a church he was going to... he said, "actually no, I haven't" we invited him to come to church at 9:00 at our building and he said very excitedly, " Okay, yeah I will be there"  you might be thinking, how is that a fail? sounds pretty awesome right?  well that night when Elder Wood was saying our prayer for daily planning it hit me.  wait tomorrow is stake conference.. there is not going to be anyone there to meet Oscar... So we had a cool miracle but it turned out that we messed up a little bit... oh well.  Lesson learned.

          I am officially sick of the snow here..  we got another snow storm this past weekend, only about 6 or more inches..This is (I've been told) one of the worst winters that Virginia has had, I keep wondering how I was lucky enough to be here for it.  It's only frustrating because everyone over here treats 6 inches of snow as if it were a natural disaster.  A little non missionary part of me wants to tell Virginia to buck up because it's a little ridiculous!! Hopefully this will be the last one and we can move on to spring, maybe even skip to summer. 

          To answer your question dad.. The patterns I've noticed with the progressing investigators on my mission.  Is they are committed to make a change, and they desire to come to Christ.  All of the Investigators that I've had that haven't progress have had no desire or not enough, and are not completely committed to making a change in their lives, a lot of the time the thing they are not willing to change is there Habits with smoking or other substances not in line with the W.O.W.  That has been the thing that I have seen most often.  Right now we don't have any investigators that are progressing, and it is very frustrating.  We can do everything right to create a environment conducive to the spirit, but it comes down to weather they are willing to accept it and act on it with the agency that they have, but we don't give up because that's what Satan wants us to do... don't listen to Satan. 

My testimony shown by the condition of my shoes.
Don't worry Grandma my mom has new ones on their way.

Come Follow Me

        I am so glad to be a missionary at this time.  It is a little bit scary to think that the best two years for my life are half way done.  We are so blessed to have this Gospel in our lives and it is up to us to raise our voices to those who cannot find the peace the Gospel brings only because they know not where to find it.  I love you all to very much and hope that you have a great week filled with missionary experiences, because they are the best!!! Love you !!! 

Elder Nick Sahagun 

Dear Family,

        It has been a pretty crazy week, filled with biking and contacting people that are no longer in our ward.  Our ward mission leader gave us some names that he said would be good to visit, but all of them have moved, not even recently like 2 sometimes even 3 years ago.  It's pretty frustrating I feel like the ward should have more updated records than that.  Mom it's so good to hear that you were willing and ready to help out the missionaries in a moments notice. That is one of the greatest blessings!! Having missionary minded members who are willing to help in the hastening of the work of salvation.  That is something that I have learned the hard way this transfer.  Elder Wood and I have been working very hard, trying to pump up the ward to do missionary work, but it doesn't seem like anyone in our ward cares and it is very frustrating to try to improve an area by just tracting and visiting former investigators and potentials all the time.  The it is not a waste of time by any means, but there are more productive ways of building up a teaching pool.  All of the Baptisms and progressing investigators, and people that have truly had a desire to come closer to Christ I've had on my mission so far have been referrals from members.  So we are trying very hard to help the ward, and we are working very hard and it's hard to see the success that we are having, but I know that if we just keep on doing the things that we are suppose to we will begin to see the fruits of our labors.  

     

Is that a frog angel sitting on my shoulder? 

Entertaining the seniors at a senior center

Which way should I go?

My companion pondering! :)

That is way weird.. so many people getting married!!! You never answered my question. Did they get married in the temple?  The car looks pretty cool.  Is the Saturn pretty much dead then?  Well I figured, it's all good. 

     It is so good to hear about everything going on back home!! Tyler with soccer, Jessica getting ready for Talons and her Piano stuff!!  and Mom with your new calling!! Dad making little kids cry! hahaha :) I kid.. but seriously it is comforting to know that Heavenly father is watching over my family that I love so much while I'm away.  I pray for you guys every time I get the opportunity, and it's good to know that my prayers are being heard and answered.  Keep the pics coming!!!  Tyler, man those cleats are tight... super jealous!! I wanna see some pics of you playing soccer, ask mom and dad to take some I know for a fact that they love to take pictures :)  I don't know when Jessica's play is, but take some pics maybe some videos of that as well!! I love seeing you guys enjoying life back home!!! I love you all so very much!! I hope that life continues to treat you well, I'll try and take a picture every day this week of something cool, I invite you to do the same :) 

Love,

          Elder Nick                     

Family!!!!! 

 It is so ridiculously great to be a missionary right now!!!

 

Sorry I didn't get an email sent out on Monday, It snowed.... again.. and you know how Virginia handles that by now, yeah everything was shut down.  Luckily everything melted so we were able to come today.  This week has been super crazy.  On Saturday

night from 6 p.m.to 9 p.m. we biked 24 miles and saw 7 people. I've only ever biked 24 miles once in my life...hahaha if you remember when that was.  It was great though. My legs are still sore from my first transfer a year ago on bike and I don't think that they will recover till I've been home for at least 2 months..

P-day Fun!

 We've been doing so much biking and tracting and finding and it's really great!! The only thing we need right now is more ward support!!!  That makes soo much difference and it's the only thing that really makes a difference in how effective work gets done in your area!!  We are trying everything we can to pump up the ward.  Please pray that they'll rise to their callings as members of this church.The missionaries need help!!!  The work is hastening and the way that is going to happen is by members and missionaries working together in unity!!  I hope that we can help this ward realize that.

 

So the picture didn't come up for the car but that's alright. I guess I'll see it in about a year. :) It is so crazy how time flies and how we can change. I remember how incredibly homesick I was around this time last year. It's incredible to realize how much has changed since then.  I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve!! I love being a missionary, and bringing God's Children back to the fold!!! Heather, how great is our calling?! We are spreading the news that some people have been waiting their whole life to hear!!  We are so blessed to be conduits of the spirit.  There is nothing better than being able to feel the spirit testify through you and see it change of the countenance of people who were once in the dark!! It's incredible, we are so incredibly blessed.  I love you all so much and hope that you have a fantastic week!!!

 

Love,  Elder Nick Sahagun

Loving the work!

Family!!!

I have never been more exhausted and happy at the same time, in my life. It's really weird and I can't really explain it... missionary work is just great!! Me and Elder Wood have been working really hard in our area, It's kinda hard to see sometimes because it takes so long to visit one person!! But we are working non-stop!! 

It is really just the best feeling in the world!  I have a bad feeling that this companionship isn't going to last though.. It's too good to be true and I'm pretty sure that it's just the Lord's way of blessing me for having a really rough companion..

Oh man!!! Best thing this week!! Do you remember Mamma Mary?  She's the lady in the wheelchair that I took a picture with a while ago.... well she got baptized!!!!!! and she asked me to baptize her!!!!! I was so happy!! It was so good to see how far she had come since I was teaching her down in Gayton!!!!  She also asked me to play guitar at the baptism, so I played the one that I played for you guys over skype, it was way cool, music brings the spirit in so strong.  I got to catch up with my trainee as well, Elder Tirrell, it was good to catch up with him!! He's working hard, and doing so many good things it's weird, cause I was really proud of him.. felt like a father.

My favorite hymn?  Definitely Abide with me 'Tis Eventide, or Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd, they are the ones that help me think of the Savior the most and I love them.

I hope that you all have a wonderful week!!!  I miss you all so much, but I love being a missionary!!!!!! This is the greatest work that I could be doing!!! and I'm so grateful!!! Can't wait to hear from you next week!! 

Love, 

Elder Nick Sahagun 

Mary's Baptism and Taking a short cut through the woods :) 

Email from a Family in Virginia

Here's an email I received from a family that Nick had dinner with. The email speaks for itself. 

Brother &Sister Sahagun,

On Sunday we had the pleasure of having Elder Sahagan and his companion over our house for dinner. I can't say enough about how wonderful your son is. We also have a son serving on a mission in California.  My husband and I are converts to the church, the only members in either of our families. On Sunday we also had my 77 year old mother over who is a devout Lutheran. She had many questions because she is curious about what exactly her grandson is doing. We had a lovely discussion over our meal. At one point she looked at the Elders and asked "Where did the Book of Mormon come from?" They smiled and we went into the living room. The Elders asked if we could say a prayer and we did. Then one of the most beautiful conversations I've ever been involved in took place. At one point they handed her a Book of Mormon. She reached for it as though it was the most precious thing anyone ever gave her. As she held it she looked down and tears welled up in her eyes. They welled up in mine as well. she asked your son, "Is this mine to keep, are you sure?" He smiled kindly and said yes. 

I do not know what my mother will do at this point. But I will tell you that if she does not take any further steps while still here on this earth, I know that she will welcome the gospel with open heart and arms on the other side.

Because your son is living righteously, the Lords work took place that evening in my home with my own mother. I'll always be grateful to him and his companion. I attached a picture of the them with my mother.

Thank you so much for raising such a good man and for sharing him with us for a time.

Ann Gossage

President's Day

SO...I've gotten behind on posting Nick's letters to his Blog. What can I say? Life Happens! Here's his mpst recent letter. I'll get the others on as soon as I can.
Love, 
Me, Mom and Blog editor of two missionaries! Sorry no pictures of this kid. He didn't send any this week.

Dear Family, 

So we biked down to the library today (yep they found my bike) and it's super wet and muddy from the melting snow so I have spray all over the front and back of my once white shirt. I have mud on my face and got gunk all over my glasses and to tell you the truth... I could not be more happy!! :) It is so great to be a missionary!!!! I got my new companion Elder Wood and HE IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!! He is from Palo Cedro, California he has been out for 6 months and he is ready to work!!!  When he first came into our apartment he set all his stuff down organized a few things and then said, "Alright... Let's go tracting!!"  I about started crying.. it was something I hadn't heard in 6 long hard weeks!!  He is way great and we get along so well, he is out here to work hard and loves to go and find people and invite them to come unto Christ and it's awesome! This area is about to get worked!!! I am way excited for these changes. Me and Elder Wood... We're going to baptize the World... actually probably just the greater Fredricksburg area.  We have a lot of good things happening and I'm so excited to go out and do work!! 

So yeah about my pinky, The doctor said that I could get surgery, to remove the two fracture fragments in my finger but if I were to get surgery my finger would end up really stiff and I would have limited mobility.  In other words, I would probably never play guitar the same ever again... I told him that was not okay. So I will see him again March 20 and then I will see in I need to do Physical Therapy to get my mobility back. 

That is so cool you were able to see Julia :)  She said that she loved being over there!! She also said that Tyler and Jessica are getting so big!! She said Jessica is almost taller than her?? AHH that is nuts!!  She also said that Tyler is turning into a little me..... mom, dad.... may God help you.  I miss playing games as a family!!! 

Being a missionary is so great, I am so excited to bring the world this truth.  I won't stop till the Gospel has been sounded in every ear, and swept the Massaponax area!!! WOW am I so ready for this change!!! I love you all to much and hope that you all have a wonderful week!!!!

Love, Elder Nick Sahagun 

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!