Hey Everyone,
I have been transferred to Princeton/Trenton. My area has like 12 major colleges and universities, so that's kinda cool and lots of history. My new address is 9223 Foxtail Ct. Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. It's funny my Companion is from Orem but went to the nasty Orem High School. Lots of good things happening in Princeton. We have a great ward. Yesterday this guy from Russia called our ward and wanted to meet with us. We went to his house and he is super prepared; it is crazy. We set him with a baptism date for Dec. 26th. We are teaching this guy from Africa who used to be a preacher but is now a huge drunk. It's sad to see how stuff like that really ruins peoples lives. It really makes you feel good when you are helping people like this every day. I have really been humbled as I have started to see how blessed I really am and everything I am thankful for. Princeton is such a crazy place. People here are so weird. Trenton is crazy; so many Bloods and Cryps and some other gang so it's crazy but I love it. I am doing really well and so happy that my health is doing a lot better. These next few weeks are crazy. We have all mission conference Wednesday. Saturday is breakfast at the mission home for my zone. We are going to the temple in NY sometime and we have Christmas and New Years. Well I love and miss you all and can't wait to hear from you all. P.S. Emma Watson from Harry Potter goes to school at Princeton University- Kinda crazy (Actually, she attends Brown University).
Love, Elder Sanders
P.S. Heidi, has my EMT stuff still not come and I sent my watch home a few weeks ago when I sent that last set of pictures on that CD home. Did you get my watch and have it fixed? I can't wait for Christmas to be able to call home and talk to you all.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Mon 12/6/2010 8:21 AM
Hey Everyone,
Well I found out last night that I am being transferred so don't send anything to Flemington anymore. Send everything to the mission office in Parsippany till I tell you my new address. Tomorrow I will find out where I am going. A lot has been going on here. Today a member is taking us fishing so I am excited for that. Yesterday I had my first baptism and I was able to be the one to baptize Ethan. This lady in my ward does natural herbs to heal the body and tested me and gave me something for free and now I am feeling so much better health wise. A few weeks ago my companion and I went to the high school to try and be Spanish tutors and the school cop stopped us and scanned our ID; that was fun. Then in a Spanish lesson this lady started to breast feed, that was a wake up call and then we had a fun experience with a drunk guy. That's really all that has been going on. I am doing really good and excited to see where I am going next and who my new companion is. It has started to get really cold here but still no snow. I hope everything back home is going well. I love and miss you all.
Love, Elder Sanders
Well I found out last night that I am being transferred so don't send anything to Flemington anymore. Send everything to the mission office in Parsippany till I tell you my new address. Tomorrow I will find out where I am going. A lot has been going on here. Today a member is taking us fishing so I am excited for that. Yesterday I had my first baptism and I was able to be the one to baptize Ethan. This lady in my ward does natural herbs to heal the body and tested me and gave me something for free and now I am feeling so much better health wise. A few weeks ago my companion and I went to the high school to try and be Spanish tutors and the school cop stopped us and scanned our ID; that was fun. Then in a Spanish lesson this lady started to breast feed, that was a wake up call and then we had a fun experience with a drunk guy. That's really all that has been going on. I am doing really good and excited to see where I am going next and who my new companion is. It has started to get really cold here but still no snow. I hope everything back home is going well. I love and miss you all.
Love, Elder Sanders
Friday, November 19, 2010
Mon 11/15/2010 10:42 AM
Hey Everyone,
I am sorry last week I didn't write much. It was kind of a stressful week. Well, they have changed our mail from the mission home to only like once a month. So now if mail and packages get sent there it takes forever to get them. So now send everything to my house. Transfers are Dec. 5th so around that time send to the mission office. After transfers I will let you know if I stay or get transferred and where to send mail.
I am doing really well and things here are going great. I was on exchange Tuesday down in Princeton and ended up coming across a kid I went to EFY with and that was super cool to see him again. My companion that day set a baptism date but now we don't know what happened to the guy we set the date with. So that doesn't look like it will be happening. If you could, we have a 11 year old boy we are teaching named Ethan, and he wants to get baptized and we are going to set him with a date for Nov. 28th. If you could please pray for him. This week I had a crazy experience. I drove by the war memorial by my house the other day and ended up having a feeling that I am supposed to join the military when I get home. Well, a few days later I was reading my blessing and it says I am going to have many chances to serve a mission and it hit me that I am supposed to join and that is my mission to bring those in the military to the Lord. I have never felt a feeling like that before in my life. With my health I wondered how that would be possible for me to do and then I had a feeling - don't worry it will all work out. I can't describe how I felt. Wierdest experience of my life. The weather here is amazing. It is still 62 degrees outside and feels so good. Well nothing really is going on but I love and miss you all.
Love, Elder Sanders
I am sorry last week I didn't write much. It was kind of a stressful week. Well, they have changed our mail from the mission home to only like once a month. So now if mail and packages get sent there it takes forever to get them. So now send everything to my house. Transfers are Dec. 5th so around that time send to the mission office. After transfers I will let you know if I stay or get transferred and where to send mail.
I am doing really well and things here are going great. I was on exchange Tuesday down in Princeton and ended up coming across a kid I went to EFY with and that was super cool to see him again. My companion that day set a baptism date but now we don't know what happened to the guy we set the date with. So that doesn't look like it will be happening. If you could, we have a 11 year old boy we are teaching named Ethan, and he wants to get baptized and we are going to set him with a date for Nov. 28th. If you could please pray for him. This week I had a crazy experience. I drove by the war memorial by my house the other day and ended up having a feeling that I am supposed to join the military when I get home. Well, a few days later I was reading my blessing and it says I am going to have many chances to serve a mission and it hit me that I am supposed to join and that is my mission to bring those in the military to the Lord. I have never felt a feeling like that before in my life. With my health I wondered how that would be possible for me to do and then I had a feeling - don't worry it will all work out. I can't describe how I felt. Wierdest experience of my life. The weather here is amazing. It is still 62 degrees outside and feels so good. Well nothing really is going on but I love and miss you all.
Love, Elder Sanders
Monday, November 8, 2010
Mon 11/8/2010 8:15 AM
Hey Everyone,
Thank you for all the letters and packages. It was nice because this week was really hard on me with my cousin passing away and just everything going on right now. Also, thanks so much for keeping me in your prayers. It really means a lot. Also Happy birthday Mom, Emily and Grandpa. I am sorry I don't really have time to write more but I promise I will write more next week about me and how the work is going. I love and miss you all.
Love, Elder Sanders
Thank you for all the letters and packages. It was nice because this week was really hard on me with my cousin passing away and just everything going on right now. Also, thanks so much for keeping me in your prayers. It really means a lot. Also Happy birthday Mom, Emily and Grandpa. I am sorry I don't really have time to write more but I promise I will write more next week about me and how the work is going. I love and miss you all.
Love, Elder Sanders
Monday, November 1, 2010
Mon 11/1/2010 8:29 AM
Hey Everyone,
Thank you for all the letters and for keeping me in your prayers. I am doing very well and things are going well. This last week was transfers and my trainer got transferred, so I have a new companion now. He is such a great missionary. He has been sick all week, and so we have been home, so nothing really has happened. He is feeling better so now we really get to go and work. Saturday and Sunday night we had to be in by 6:00pm because of Halloween. So have been doing lots of studying and reading. My spanish is coming along. I can now pray, talk about the atonement and Jesus Christ ministry, bear a testimony and read in Spanish. Still don't really understand it or speak it yet but that will come. We went to a ward party on Saterday and had a good time. The event of the week was almost getting the cops called on us by a guy who said we could come back to talk to him. We went to see him and he told us this time not to come back, so we went to a few houses in the area and when we were going to leave he said he got our license plate number and was going to call the cops on us for soliciting in the area. He just made a fool of himself. It was kinda funny. Thats about all that went on this last week. O this coming Sunday I get to teach Gospel Priciples class and am not very excited. I just hope everything goes well. I still have been really sick. I can't eat without getting sick and my throat is all swollen again but other then that I am doing great and loving my mission; just not the being sick part. Today we are going to go to a waterfall with the other elders that live not too far from us so I will have to send more pictures home soon of me and also NJ. Well I love and miss you all.
Love, Elder Sanders
Thank you for all the letters and for keeping me in your prayers. I am doing very well and things are going well. This last week was transfers and my trainer got transferred, so I have a new companion now. He is such a great missionary. He has been sick all week, and so we have been home, so nothing really has happened. He is feeling better so now we really get to go and work. Saturday and Sunday night we had to be in by 6:00pm because of Halloween. So have been doing lots of studying and reading. My spanish is coming along. I can now pray, talk about the atonement and Jesus Christ ministry, bear a testimony and read in Spanish. Still don't really understand it or speak it yet but that will come. We went to a ward party on Saterday and had a good time. The event of the week was almost getting the cops called on us by a guy who said we could come back to talk to him. We went to see him and he told us this time not to come back, so we went to a few houses in the area and when we were going to leave he said he got our license plate number and was going to call the cops on us for soliciting in the area. He just made a fool of himself. It was kinda funny. Thats about all that went on this last week. O this coming Sunday I get to teach Gospel Priciples class and am not very excited. I just hope everything goes well. I still have been really sick. I can't eat without getting sick and my throat is all swollen again but other then that I am doing great and loving my mission; just not the being sick part. Today we are going to go to a waterfall with the other elders that live not too far from us so I will have to send more pictures home soon of me and also NJ. Well I love and miss you all.
Love, Elder Sanders
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010 9:13 AM
Sorry, I forgot to post this one:
Hey Everyone,
David, Grandpa, Grandma, Heidi and Mom I got your letters and mom I got the package so thank you. David, Heidi and Mom I sent you letters so hope you get them soon. I also sent pictures from the MTC and some of NJ. Grandpa it's nice to hear that things are good and that South Carolina went well. I am happy Grandma Sanders is doing well. Samantha it was nice to get an E-mail from you and I bet you are busy with school. That is always normal. It's nice to hear how things are going back home and that everything is well. Mom I loved the cookies. Tell the girls thanks for me. Thanks for Keeping me in your prayers. Things here are weird. You go from being so down to feeling like you are on top of the world. I have seen so many great things happening here and it's amazing. I am so happy right now and love doing this work. I am having such a great time. I have so many stories I can tell about things going on here with my mission but don't have the time. I can really feel all the prayers. I can feel them as I go out and work. I am meeting lots of great people. I hate being in a Spanglish area. English/ Spanish because in the Spanish lessons I have no clue what is going on and am so bored and most of the time fall asleep. Food here is amazing. It's crazy you can find places to eat from all over the world. We had a fire side yesterday, and it was amazing. New converts spoke and shared their testimony and the spirit was so strong. It's amazing to see the lives of these people change from hearing two 19-21 year olds teach them. It's also crazy to see the changes in my life from being on a mission. I have learned so many great things already. It's weird to know I have been on a mission for a month now and now down to 23 months left. Doesn't seem like it's been that long already. I am starting to fall in love with this work. It's been a month and I have 23 left but already not wanting to come home anymore and only know that is going to get worse when it's time to come home and take that name tag off and it's the last thing that I want to do. It's hard to leave this behind. The hardest part is changing your life style. Once you are willing to give up everything then the mission becomes super easy. Well I love and miss you all. Things are going great for me. Heidi if you can send me some sweats to work out in would be nice since it's getting cold and find my gloves. I don't know why but corn nuts and sun flower seeds sound really good and if I could get some of them. Also if you could look for some boots for me. We have cars all over my mission and if we want a GPS we have to buy one. My companion right now has one but when he leaves I won't have a GPS so if we could look for one and get one for a good deal that would be nice also. If there is anything else I can think of I will let you know but that is all for now. Almost all areas of my mission have cars. Only 4 areas walk or bike. So that's all. Well I have to go and I love and miss you all. I hope everything stays well and will see you all in 23 months, when you come get me you will love it out here. O a little history: Hindenberg that flew over the ocean or something is from Flemington the town I live in and the Flemington Court house is famous from some case they had and the union city hotel is famous from that case. If you want to know more history and stuff, because I don't even know all the history around me, look up Flemington NJ and Clinton NJ. That is where I live and the area I am in. Well I will talk to you all later and hope to hear from you all soon. O and what's the blog address for my mission.
Love, Elder Sanders
Hey Everyone,
David, Grandpa, Grandma, Heidi and Mom I got your letters and mom I got the package so thank you. David, Heidi and Mom I sent you letters so hope you get them soon. I also sent pictures from the MTC and some of NJ. Grandpa it's nice to hear that things are good and that South Carolina went well. I am happy Grandma Sanders is doing well. Samantha it was nice to get an E-mail from you and I bet you are busy with school. That is always normal. It's nice to hear how things are going back home and that everything is well. Mom I loved the cookies. Tell the girls thanks for me. Thanks for Keeping me in your prayers. Things here are weird. You go from being so down to feeling like you are on top of the world. I have seen so many great things happening here and it's amazing. I am so happy right now and love doing this work. I am having such a great time. I have so many stories I can tell about things going on here with my mission but don't have the time. I can really feel all the prayers. I can feel them as I go out and work. I am meeting lots of great people. I hate being in a Spanglish area. English/ Spanish because in the Spanish lessons I have no clue what is going on and am so bored and most of the time fall asleep. Food here is amazing. It's crazy you can find places to eat from all over the world. We had a fire side yesterday, and it was amazing. New converts spoke and shared their testimony and the spirit was so strong. It's amazing to see the lives of these people change from hearing two 19-21 year olds teach them. It's also crazy to see the changes in my life from being on a mission. I have learned so many great things already. It's weird to know I have been on a mission for a month now and now down to 23 months left. Doesn't seem like it's been that long already. I am starting to fall in love with this work. It's been a month and I have 23 left but already not wanting to come home anymore and only know that is going to get worse when it's time to come home and take that name tag off and it's the last thing that I want to do. It's hard to leave this behind. The hardest part is changing your life style. Once you are willing to give up everything then the mission becomes super easy. Well I love and miss you all. Things are going great for me. Heidi if you can send me some sweats to work out in would be nice since it's getting cold and find my gloves. I don't know why but corn nuts and sun flower seeds sound really good and if I could get some of them. Also if you could look for some boots for me. We have cars all over my mission and if we want a GPS we have to buy one. My companion right now has one but when he leaves I won't have a GPS so if we could look for one and get one for a good deal that would be nice also. If there is anything else I can think of I will let you know but that is all for now. Almost all areas of my mission have cars. Only 4 areas walk or bike. So that's all. Well I have to go and I love and miss you all. I hope everything stays well and will see you all in 23 months, when you come get me you will love it out here. O a little history: Hindenberg that flew over the ocean or something is from Flemington the town I live in and the Flemington Court house is famous from some case they had and the union city hotel is famous from that case. If you want to know more history and stuff, because I don't even know all the history around me, look up Flemington NJ and Clinton NJ. That is where I live and the area I am in. Well I will talk to you all later and hope to hear from you all soon. O and what's the blog address for my mission.
Love, Elder Sanders
Monday, October 25, 2010
Mon 10/25/2010 8:58 AM
Hey Everyone,
Michael, David, Samantha, Amy and Kate Happy Birthday! I am sorry it's late. Well, I have made it through my first transfer. Tomorrow I am getting a new companion because my companion is being transferred. I will be staying in Clinton South. Nothing really new is going on here. The work isn't going as well as it was. We haven't been able to see our investigators for many reasons, so that is kind of bad. But I got to go to East Brunswick for Zone Conference and had a great time. I hope I get to serve in New/East Brunswick. I love it there. Yesterday, I went to Union City and got to go to a fireside. It was hard because it was all in Spanish and I didn't understand anything. but it was cool because I was able to see New York City. I have never been that close to NY before and want to go there so bad. A missionary serving in Bayonne told me about this place called Pizza Masters and that they have the best pizza in NJ. I am sorry, I really don't have much to talk about because there hasn't been really anything that has gone on. I am doing well and things are going good other then being sick all the time and I had an ingrown toe nail removed. Well I love and miss you all. Hope everything is well.
Love, Elder Sanders
Michael, David, Samantha, Amy and Kate Happy Birthday! I am sorry it's late. Well, I have made it through my first transfer. Tomorrow I am getting a new companion because my companion is being transferred. I will be staying in Clinton South. Nothing really new is going on here. The work isn't going as well as it was. We haven't been able to see our investigators for many reasons, so that is kind of bad. But I got to go to East Brunswick for Zone Conference and had a great time. I hope I get to serve in New/East Brunswick. I love it there. Yesterday, I went to Union City and got to go to a fireside. It was hard because it was all in Spanish and I didn't understand anything. but it was cool because I was able to see New York City. I have never been that close to NY before and want to go there so bad. A missionary serving in Bayonne told me about this place called Pizza Masters and that they have the best pizza in NJ. I am sorry, I really don't have much to talk about because there hasn't been really anything that has gone on. I am doing well and things are going good other then being sick all the time and I had an ingrown toe nail removed. Well I love and miss you all. Hope everything is well.
Love, Elder Sanders
Friday, October 22, 2010
Mission Thoughts
Tyler's last email was only for the family. He had a difficult week so any letters and prayers for him would be much appreciated.
Let me share some personal thoughts regarding missionary service. My personal opinion is that everyone should serve a mission, women if the opportunity is there. A mission is a time of spirtual growth that cannot be gained in any other way. It is extremely difficult, primarily the first six months, when a missionary begins having feelings of unworthiness, fear of failure, homesickness, wondering if they can do it, pressure to make everybody proud, asking why the Lord chose them. Service in the work of the Lord requires humility and the beginning of a mission is the start of that process and letting go of all wordly appetites and passions and turning ones life over to the Lord. This is a time when missionaries are weakest and Satan seeks to discourage them.
Members faith through pray and encouragement can be of great benefit to missionaries. Also welcoming missionaries into members homes and feeding them can help turn a difficult day around. I would encourage all to not only support Tyler but all missionaries and take the opportunity to pray for them and invite them into your homes.
Thank you,
Heidi Sanders
Let me share some personal thoughts regarding missionary service. My personal opinion is that everyone should serve a mission, women if the opportunity is there. A mission is a time of spirtual growth that cannot be gained in any other way. It is extremely difficult, primarily the first six months, when a missionary begins having feelings of unworthiness, fear of failure, homesickness, wondering if they can do it, pressure to make everybody proud, asking why the Lord chose them. Service in the work of the Lord requires humility and the beginning of a mission is the start of that process and letting go of all wordly appetites and passions and turning ones life over to the Lord. This is a time when missionaries are weakest and Satan seeks to discourage them.
Members faith through pray and encouragement can be of great benefit to missionaries. Also welcoming missionaries into members homes and feeding them can help turn a difficult day around. I would encourage all to not only support Tyler but all missionaries and take the opportunity to pray for them and invite them into your homes.
Thank you,
Heidi Sanders
Letter 10-10-10
Dear Everyone,
Thank you so much for the package. The GPS is nice. Thank for everything else that was added. You are all welcome fo the letters and pictures. Heidi, I miss good food to eat but love living on my own. I don't miss the hugs and kisses at all. Blessing of not living at home! Michael, thanks for the card. I love your letter. I get lots of strength from reading it. Your mission president was right aout working harder. Sorry to hear about Kate. It's hard but always remember the Plan of Salvation. Sounds like things are well.
I am mad about the Disney trip. I hope it's not a good trip. Just kidding. Have fun and we will go in two years. Miss you, Sabrina, and Madison. Mom, I am happy, everything is well. Sounds like you are all busy. Thanks for everything and for the recipes. Oma, thanks for the card. You are the best. David, that book was kind of neat but I can't read that stuff on my mission. Love and miss you all. I am doing very well.
Anyone who wants can start to send letters to me at 62 Park Ave. #1 Flemington, NJ 08822. I will send an email when that changes. This week everything fell through. Not the best week. On Tuesday I had zone meeting and went to Princeton. Ate at On the Boarder. I went on an exchange with Elder Bair, one of my zone leaders. It was really good. We knocked on a door and this guy answered and was looking at me weird. He told us he is gay. I was scared for my life.
It's rained a lot this week. Thursday, went out to dinner with the other Elders. Friday went to lunch with a member to Max's. Found an Italian bakery and two candy places called Candy Bar and the other is Fudge Shoppe. Elder Cardoso did a baptism interview for two sisters as we talked. Sister Cornish is in my district. How funny is that? Saturday, Elder Cardoso and I went to the Stake Center in Morristown. They had a Spanish party there and I got to eat food from all over Mexico, Central, and South America. That was fun. Also got ice-cream at Grouchowicks! That's about all that happened this week. Love and miss you all.
Love,
Elder Sanders
Thank you so much for the package. The GPS is nice. Thank for everything else that was added. You are all welcome fo the letters and pictures. Heidi, I miss good food to eat but love living on my own. I don't miss the hugs and kisses at all. Blessing of not living at home! Michael, thanks for the card. I love your letter. I get lots of strength from reading it. Your mission president was right aout working harder. Sorry to hear about Kate. It's hard but always remember the Plan of Salvation. Sounds like things are well.
I am mad about the Disney trip. I hope it's not a good trip. Just kidding. Have fun and we will go in two years. Miss you, Sabrina, and Madison. Mom, I am happy, everything is well. Sounds like you are all busy. Thanks for everything and for the recipes. Oma, thanks for the card. You are the best. David, that book was kind of neat but I can't read that stuff on my mission. Love and miss you all. I am doing very well.
Anyone who wants can start to send letters to me at 62 Park Ave. #1 Flemington, NJ 08822. I will send an email when that changes. This week everything fell through. Not the best week. On Tuesday I had zone meeting and went to Princeton. Ate at On the Boarder. I went on an exchange with Elder Bair, one of my zone leaders. It was really good. We knocked on a door and this guy answered and was looking at me weird. He told us he is gay. I was scared for my life.
It's rained a lot this week. Thursday, went out to dinner with the other Elders. Friday went to lunch with a member to Max's. Found an Italian bakery and two candy places called Candy Bar and the other is Fudge Shoppe. Elder Cardoso did a baptism interview for two sisters as we talked. Sister Cornish is in my district. How funny is that? Saturday, Elder Cardoso and I went to the Stake Center in Morristown. They had a Spanish party there and I got to eat food from all over Mexico, Central, and South America. That was fun. Also got ice-cream at Grouchowicks! That's about all that happened this week. Love and miss you all.
Love,
Elder Sanders
Monday, October 4, 2010
Mon 10/4/2010 9:06 AM "Mission"
Hey Everyone,
I am sorry that it takes so long for me to write back to the letters you all send me. I can only write on Mondays because that is my P-Day. I have been getting the letters and the packages. Don't worry. I am trying to write back as soon as I can. David, I am amazed MV won a game; That is amazing. I am not suprized BYU isn't doing good at all. I love all the letters you send. It makes me want to do better because I don't look at myself as amazing and great as you make me out to be and I never knew I was that kind of an example to all of you. Heidi if you could go to Deseret Book and go to the missionary section and get me some of the books they have for missionaries learning spanish and send them to me and go in my room and get me my spanish Book of Mormon, that is in the storage next to my night stand and send that also would be nice. I don't know if I would need a full spanish set of scriptures or not? Being in a Spanish area I am trying to learn Spanish and my companion is trying to help me so I can be more of a help in teaching lessons and not so bored. So if you can do that I would be happy. Other then that I don't really need anything.
I haven't really said much about what has been going on here with the work so I will share some of my stories. I went and knocked some doors a few weeks ago and found a guy who is a huge drinker and really wants to change his life. We are meeting with him and he is so excited about the church and loved the Book of Mormon after we just read one scripture from it and asked for a copy. Today we are going to set him with a baptism date. I am so excited. Last week there was a guy we were supposed to see on Wednesday but we stopped by on Tuesday to cheek on him and he said he was busy on Wednesday and was going to call and tell us not to come back to see him anymore but because we stopped by is going to let us still come back. We got a referral from a member of this lady who has cancer and that wanted to learn about the Church so we are going to see her today and teach her and excited to see what happens with her. So things are going great in my area. There are a lot of other people we are teaching that are great people. Ok funny story - my first day in the area we came across this lady and started talking to her. She said she had read the Book of Mormon before so we were like that is so great. Well she then tells us that she believes that everything is a thought and that our body is a thought to keep us from god. She is crazy. and she said that we are always with God. I thought wow I hope all people in NJ are not this weird or this is going to be the longest two years of my life. But I love the people here and that is kind of what has been going on here. I loved conference this weekend. It was so good. it's amazing how much better it is as a missionary and that it really applies to you. I loved Elder Nelsons talk. I want to say it was in priesthood about every member a missionary. I want to say how true that is. Members doing missionary work is a better way then us called missionaries. If the members find people and get them excited, then give them to the missionaries, we see so many things happen with those people and it really is the best way to do missionary work. It's not possible to do without the members. You might not be called as a missionary but it's your job as much as it is every missionaries to do this work. This work is the best thing anyone can ever do and brings so much joy. All it takes is the faith to open our mouths. Missionary work really does change your life for the best. I have learned so much that I need to know to make it through life by doing this great work. I want to share my testimony in Spanish then I will say it in English. Se que Jose Smith es un profeta Y Se que El Libro De Mormon es verdadero Y Se que esto es verdadal sentir el Esiritu santo. I said I know Joseph Smith is a prophet and I know the Book of Mormon is true and I know this is true from feeling the Holy Ghost. I hope everything continues to go good back at home and everything is well. I love and miss you all.
Love, Elder Sanders
I am sorry that it takes so long for me to write back to the letters you all send me. I can only write on Mondays because that is my P-Day. I have been getting the letters and the packages. Don't worry. I am trying to write back as soon as I can. David, I am amazed MV won a game; That is amazing. I am not suprized BYU isn't doing good at all. I love all the letters you send. It makes me want to do better because I don't look at myself as amazing and great as you make me out to be and I never knew I was that kind of an example to all of you. Heidi if you could go to Deseret Book and go to the missionary section and get me some of the books they have for missionaries learning spanish and send them to me and go in my room and get me my spanish Book of Mormon, that is in the storage next to my night stand and send that also would be nice. I don't know if I would need a full spanish set of scriptures or not? Being in a Spanish area I am trying to learn Spanish and my companion is trying to help me so I can be more of a help in teaching lessons and not so bored. So if you can do that I would be happy. Other then that I don't really need anything.
I haven't really said much about what has been going on here with the work so I will share some of my stories. I went and knocked some doors a few weeks ago and found a guy who is a huge drinker and really wants to change his life. We are meeting with him and he is so excited about the church and loved the Book of Mormon after we just read one scripture from it and asked for a copy. Today we are going to set him with a baptism date. I am so excited. Last week there was a guy we were supposed to see on Wednesday but we stopped by on Tuesday to cheek on him and he said he was busy on Wednesday and was going to call and tell us not to come back to see him anymore but because we stopped by is going to let us still come back. We got a referral from a member of this lady who has cancer and that wanted to learn about the Church so we are going to see her today and teach her and excited to see what happens with her. So things are going great in my area. There are a lot of other people we are teaching that are great people. Ok funny story - my first day in the area we came across this lady and started talking to her. She said she had read the Book of Mormon before so we were like that is so great. Well she then tells us that she believes that everything is a thought and that our body is a thought to keep us from god. She is crazy. and she said that we are always with God. I thought wow I hope all people in NJ are not this weird or this is going to be the longest two years of my life. But I love the people here and that is kind of what has been going on here. I loved conference this weekend. It was so good. it's amazing how much better it is as a missionary and that it really applies to you. I loved Elder Nelsons talk. I want to say it was in priesthood about every member a missionary. I want to say how true that is. Members doing missionary work is a better way then us called missionaries. If the members find people and get them excited, then give them to the missionaries, we see so many things happen with those people and it really is the best way to do missionary work. It's not possible to do without the members. You might not be called as a missionary but it's your job as much as it is every missionaries to do this work. This work is the best thing anyone can ever do and brings so much joy. All it takes is the faith to open our mouths. Missionary work really does change your life for the best. I have learned so much that I need to know to make it through life by doing this great work. I want to share my testimony in Spanish then I will say it in English. Se que Jose Smith es un profeta Y Se que El Libro De Mormon es verdadero Y Se que esto es verdadal sentir el Esiritu santo. I said I know Joseph Smith is a prophet and I know the Book of Mormon is true and I know this is true from feeling the Holy Ghost. I hope everything continues to go good back at home and everything is well. I love and miss you all.
Love, Elder Sanders
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Letter 9-20-10
I am doing well. The area I am in is Clinton South. It's a mix of city and farmland. I live in Farmington. Places to go is Rita's frozen-custard and Grouchowicks Icecream. New Jersey is pretty and a great place to see but Utah is so much nicer in the city and to live. Two Elders in my mission in Newark got jumped and one busted up his lip. The other got a lead pipe to the head and now has staples to hold it closed. It's weird because gang members saw it and love the Elders and now want to find who jumped them and the Elders are like "no." The members are nice and three times have invited us to dinner. The work is great. I love being a missionary. Event he mean people are not bad to deal with. We had an all mission activity today for P-day. So I am in the car so my writing sucks. Oh, I am in a Spanish/English area so my compaion is a Spanish Elder, so I have learned a little Spanish. I got a CD of all my pictures.
Love,
Elder Sanders
Love,
Elder Sanders
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Letter Posted 9/16/10
Today I got to New Jersey. The flight was long but went well. Flying into Newark was cool as you could see New York and the Statue of Liberty from the air. The mission president and his wife are amazing. I love it here so much. I got to go tracting today and had a great time. Got rained on like crazy but found lots of people to teach. I learned I am in a new country now. Tomorrow I meet my trainer and find out where I will be for the first part of my mission. The AP's are great and i am so excited to be doing this great work. The gospel is really growing. We are opening new areas and the baptism rate has trippled since my mission president has been here. I will write you more at another time but I am doing well. I love and miss you all.
Love,
Elder Sanders
Love,
Elder Sanders
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
FYI
I have set up Elder Sanders blog for him to receive an email of any comments made on the blog. So feel free to add comments.
Thanks,
Heidi Sanders
Thanks,
Heidi Sanders
Email 9/21 @ 4:52 p.m.: Mission Field
Hey,
I am now in New Jersey. Wow already a week here. Almost a month on my mission. Friday will be one Month. Time is going fast; it's kinda crazy. I am living in the town of Flemington serving in the Clinton South area. It's a Spanish/ English area. So my companion is Spanish speaking and I am English. I have learned a little Spanish. Just a basic testimony. New Jersey is pretty but I like Utah so much better. I would only visit here, not a place to live. It's all really old where I am and in other areas dirty. We call New Jersey the garbage state and not the garden state. Well, depending on where you are. Two Elders in my mission in the City of Newark got jumped and were injured but are doing well. It's crazy the things that are going on here. I am doing well and the work here is going really well. The members here are really nice and help us out a lot. We have gotten to eat at members houses a few times already. This week they are putting me and another new Elder together as our companions are going to training. We are kinda scared because we don't know where we are going and stuff. I have gotten many doors slammed in my face, been yelled at and ran into a few crazy people. Some make good stories I will have to share at a later time. Today for P-day we had an all mission activity and got to go to the shore and to a light house. I got to see New York across the way. I got some pictures I will be sending home. I am having a hard time right now. A mission really is hard and you feel so alone and get depressed really fast. At times I wish I was in Utah still. I am not really home sick but a mission kinda sucks. It's like being in jail but it's bigger then jail. I wake up more tired then when I went to bed and always hungry even though you eat 3 times a day. But it never is that much. Always busy and never have much time. Sometimes I wonder why I am doing this and if I made the right choice, my doing this. A lot of the time I feel like this was a wrong choice and that I shouldn't be here. But I love the Lord and am trying my best. In the mission field you spend so much time on your knees. My companions mom just died a few weeks ago so if he can deal with that and still do this work I think I can keep going forward. I don't know what else to say. I hope things at home are going well. That's about it that has gone on. Just teaching lessons and trying to find more people to teach. I will write more next week. Well I love and miss you all.
Love,
Elder Sanders
I am now in New Jersey. Wow already a week here. Almost a month on my mission. Friday will be one Month. Time is going fast; it's kinda crazy. I am living in the town of Flemington serving in the Clinton South area. It's a Spanish/ English area. So my companion is Spanish speaking and I am English. I have learned a little Spanish. Just a basic testimony. New Jersey is pretty but I like Utah so much better. I would only visit here, not a place to live. It's all really old where I am and in other areas dirty. We call New Jersey the garbage state and not the garden state. Well, depending on where you are. Two Elders in my mission in the City of Newark got jumped and were injured but are doing well. It's crazy the things that are going on here. I am doing well and the work here is going really well. The members here are really nice and help us out a lot. We have gotten to eat at members houses a few times already. This week they are putting me and another new Elder together as our companions are going to training. We are kinda scared because we don't know where we are going and stuff. I have gotten many doors slammed in my face, been yelled at and ran into a few crazy people. Some make good stories I will have to share at a later time. Today for P-day we had an all mission activity and got to go to the shore and to a light house. I got to see New York across the way. I got some pictures I will be sending home. I am having a hard time right now. A mission really is hard and you feel so alone and get depressed really fast. At times I wish I was in Utah still. I am not really home sick but a mission kinda sucks. It's like being in jail but it's bigger then jail. I wake up more tired then when I went to bed and always hungry even though you eat 3 times a day. But it never is that much. Always busy and never have much time. Sometimes I wonder why I am doing this and if I made the right choice, my doing this. A lot of the time I feel like this was a wrong choice and that I shouldn't be here. But I love the Lord and am trying my best. In the mission field you spend so much time on your knees. My companions mom just died a few weeks ago so if he can deal with that and still do this work I think I can keep going forward. I don't know what else to say. I hope things at home are going well. That's about it that has gone on. Just teaching lessons and trying to find more people to teach. I will write more next week. Well I love and miss you all.
Love,
Elder Sanders
Phone Call 9-13-10
Monday morning we had relatives from Germany visiting over the weekend and so I had taken Monday off from work to spend time with them. Around 8:15 a.m. my phone rang and as usual I couldn't remember where I had left it but got to it too late. It was not a number I recognized and usually I will not try to call back but I did this time and got a busy signal. I then got a voice mail from Tyler. He was calling from the airport and having trouble getting ahold of anyone. I called my mom to see if she had heard from him and she said she had not. I kept hoping that he would call back. A little while later he called me back. It was so great to hear from him although he did not have a lot of minutes to talk. Although a little nervous about heading out into the mission field he sounded really good and a little excited. He mentioned that the food at the MTC made him sick and that he felt like he was in prison.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
MTC Packages
The UPS Store on north University Avenue in Provo (Jamestown Square) delivers free packages to the MTC under 5 pounds. You need Elder Sanders MTC Mailbox #185.
Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 Email
Hey,
This week in the MTC has been a great one. I am excited to leave the MTC on Monday and go to New Jersey. On Sunday I had a neat thing happen. I was fasting to get better and in one of our meetings we sang I Know that My Redeemer Lives. I looked up to see the pictures of the Atonement on the wall. I started to cry as I came to really know what the Atonement means and that the Lord really did that for me. My testimony has grown so much here. I love when we get time to go practice teaching. You learn so much and the spirit is so strong. This morning I got to go to the temple again and had a great time. I love the temple so much. Today a new district comes in to our zone. It's always fun to see the new missionaries come in all scared. Thanks everyone for the letters and for keeping me in your prayers! I am feeling a lot better now, so thats good. I have been really busy but loving the work. The time goes by so fast it's crazy. I would say after tomorrow it's a good idea to write my letters to the mission home in New Jersey or I won't get them for sometime because the MTC will get them and I won't be here and will have to send them to me. I don't really know what to say but I love and miss you all. I hope to hear from you all soon.
Love,
Elder Sanders
This week in the MTC has been a great one. I am excited to leave the MTC on Monday and go to New Jersey. On Sunday I had a neat thing happen. I was fasting to get better and in one of our meetings we sang I Know that My Redeemer Lives. I looked up to see the pictures of the Atonement on the wall. I started to cry as I came to really know what the Atonement means and that the Lord really did that for me. My testimony has grown so much here. I love when we get time to go practice teaching. You learn so much and the spirit is so strong. This morning I got to go to the temple again and had a great time. I love the temple so much. Today a new district comes in to our zone. It's always fun to see the new missionaries come in all scared. Thanks everyone for the letters and for keeping me in your prayers! I am feeling a lot better now, so thats good. I have been really busy but loving the work. The time goes by so fast it's crazy. I would say after tomorrow it's a good idea to write my letters to the mission home in New Jersey or I won't get them for sometime because the MTC will get them and I won't be here and will have to send them to me. I don't really know what to say but I love and miss you all. I hope to hear from you all soon.
Love,
Elder Sanders
Sept. 1, 2010 email
I love the MTC but on Saturday had a fever of 100.6. The health clinic was closed so I had to go to the E.R. and got some funny stories. I am feeling better now and doing good. The first few days went really slow and now amazed I have been here a week. We leave for New Jersey on the 17th. I got a new companion today so now there are three of us and I am still the senior companion. I have learned so much here. Yesterday we got to teach the first lesson to a member acting as a non member and it went really well. Last night we had a fireside with Richard G. Hinckley on missionary work. that was amazing! On Sunday we got to walk around the temple and take pictures. I will send some home that can be forwarded on. One of my companions is a dwarf so it's funny because he is so short be we all love him. We have a great district and zone here at the MTC. Today we get a new district since one just left. This morning we went to the temple and had a great time. Well, I don't have much time to write but that is mostly what has been going on around here. I hope to hear back soon. I love and miss you all.
Love, Elder Sanders
Love, Elder Sanders
8/26 Thursday
9:15 p.m. I received a call from Tyler's MTC Branch President informing me that he had no bedding and if I could bring some down. At the last minute we took out Ty's sheets, blanket, and pillow so he would have more room in his luggage assuming that bedding was provided by the MTC. It had been too long since we had been there for our missions. Uncle Michael took bedding because he served stateside but I served in Germany so knew that I had not taken any with me. So I called Uncle Michael who had the bedding in his car as he was going to mail it. He & Oma came straight over and we got to the MTC @ 9:45 p.m. Of course we were not allowed to visit or call Tyler but were going to drop it off at the front desk. They looked at us like we were crazy. I told Michael we should have made a run for it down the long corridor screaming for Tyler. They informed us that the MTC does provide bedding and all that was needed was a call to housekeeping. We asked them to please call housekeeping that night so he did not have to sleep on a ma tress two nights in a row. I also called the Branch President back and asked him to follow-up. He called me the next morning to assure us that Tyler had bedding. He also spoke about what a great missionary he is going to be.
First Email 8/25
Dear Family,
We were given a few min. to send an email. I am having a great time so far. I don't have a lot of time today to write but I will send you more on my P-day. But I love you and hope to hear from you soon.
Elder Tyler Sanders
We were given a few min. to send an email. I am having a great time so far. I don't have a lot of time today to write but I will send you more on my P-day. But I love you and hope to hear from you soon.
Elder Tyler Sanders
MIssionary Training Center
I entered the MTC in Provo, Utah on August 25, 2010. A couple of days before I had a sore throat but was so busy that it was soon forgotten. I was set apart as a missionary the night before and my mummy, Uncle Michael, Uncle David, Grandpa, and Oma were able to be there. Afterwards we went to Cold Stone's for some ice-cream. I had to begin obeying mission rules so not allowed out on my own and had to be in bed by 10:30 p.m. and up by 6:30 p.m. After Cold Stones we stopped by Target for some last minute items and then home to finish packing. Heidi started on my backpack so needless to say I did not make it to bed by 10:30 p.m. but almost.
The next morning went by slowly since I had to be up at 6:30 a.m. Heidi made breakfast for Michael and me @ 7:30. Heidi, Michael, Oma, and I ran a few errands stopping by the bank, Wal-mart, and Barnes & Noble. Heidi was looking for the MockingJay but it was sold out everywhere. There was not enough time for me to read it so it will have to wait until I get back. Uncle Scott recommended the Hunger Games to me on our cruise. We then went for lunch at one of my favorite places La Cattereta. Everywhere I went people stopped me and asked me about my mission. The greeter in Wal-Mart stopped me and gave me a hug. Oma had to go up to watch Kate and left after lunch after saying our goodbye's. We then stopped by Oma's and said a final farewell to Grandpa and Heidi and Michael took me down to the MTC. We said our goodbye's across the street and then drove into the MTC where I was greeted by a missionary and taken indoors.
Mission Call
I began preparing the paperwork to be called on a mission in May 2010. As you can imagine a physical and dental work are required to determine if a missionary can serve for two years. I had my wisdom teeth removed in 2009 in preparation for my mission. My papers went quickly but I soon hit a bump in the road with my medical. I had been drinking a protein shake each morning for breakfast and the doctors found a large level of protein in my urine. Although I explained to the nurse about my daily habit she claimed this would not affect the test and my doctor (Udall) wanted me to have more tests done. These also came back with a high level of protein and I was referred to a specialist. This soon became frustrating as I was trying to get my papers submitted and the specialist could not see me for another 30 days. My mummy (Heidi) one day had the thought come to her to try a different specialist. She looked up specialists with IHC and was able to make me an appointment for the next morning. This doctor discovered the same thing and ordered more tests. When he learned about my habit he told me to stop drinking the protein shake. Needless to say after a lot of tests it was determined that I did not have a problem.
My papers were submitted and I received my call to the New Jersey Morristown Mission. I and my family were so excited. Heidi and I loved the Travel Channel and watched any shows on New Jersey. We also discussed Heidi coming to pick me up after I complete my mission (Aug. 2012) and touring the east and stopping at the restaurants we had seen on the travel channel. Definitely going to Primanti Brothers for a sandwich.
My papers were submitted and I received my call to the New Jersey Morristown Mission. I and my family were so excited. Heidi and I loved the Travel Channel and watched any shows on New Jersey. We also discussed Heidi coming to pick me up after I complete my mission (Aug. 2012) and touring the east and stopping at the restaurants we had seen on the travel channel. Definitely going to Primanti Brothers for a sandwich.
Mission Service
A Missionary Church
The blessings of the gospel are so precious that we try to share them with everyone we can.
Imagine you found a cure for cancer. How urgently would you spread the news of your discovery? Who would you tell? The gospel of Jesus Christ is the cure for so many of life’s ills that Mormons want to share the good news of eternal life with the same urgency.
The Lord’s Church has always been a missionary church. Jesus Christ’s life was the perfect example of missionary work. During His ministry on earth, he taught the gospel at all times, in all places, and to all kinds of people. Jesus taught the educated men in the temple, the sinners, the faithful and the unbelieving. He also called apostles and other disciples to preach the gospel so more people could hear about the blessings of righteous living. Most of their preaching during Christ’s life was to their own people, the Jews. After Jesus was resurrected, He visited His apostles and sent them to preach to the gentiles. He commanded them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
The blessings of the gospel are so precious that we try to share them with everyone we can.
Imagine you found a cure for cancer. How urgently would you spread the news of your discovery? Who would you tell? The gospel of Jesus Christ is the cure for so many of life’s ills that Mormons want to share the good news of eternal life with the same urgency.
The Lord’s Church has always been a missionary church. Jesus Christ’s life was the perfect example of missionary work. During His ministry on earth, he taught the gospel at all times, in all places, and to all kinds of people. Jesus taught the educated men in the temple, the sinners, the faithful and the unbelieving. He also called apostles and other disciples to preach the gospel so more people could hear about the blessings of righteous living. Most of their preaching during Christ’s life was to their own people, the Jews. After Jesus was resurrected, He visited His apostles and sent them to preach to the gentiles. He commanded them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Who We Are
While our backgrounds and experiences are diverse, Mormons are united by a commitment to Jesus Christ. Visit Mormon.org for more information.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the official name of the religion commonly called the Mormon Church. Mormons believe first and foremost that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and the Son of God.
What We Believe
We are all spiritual children of a loving Heavenly Father who sent us to this earth to learn and grow in a mortal state. As Mormons, we are followers of Jesus Christ. We live our lives to serve Him and teach of His eternal plan for each of us.
“Where did I come from and why?”
It’s hard to move forward when you don’t know where you’re headed or why. God’s plan gives us the answers to life’s most basic questions like, “Where did I come from?” “What’s my purpose here?” And, “What happens when I die?” Knowing the answers gives us hope and helps us find peace and joy.
Your life didn’t begin at birth and it won’t end at death. Before you came to earth, your spirit lived with Heavenly Father who created you. You knew Him, and He knew and loved you. It was a happy time during which you were taught God’s plan of happiness and the path to true joy. But just as most of us leave our home and parents when we grow up, God knew you needed to do the same. He knew you couldn’t progress unless you left for a while. So he allowed you to come to earth to experience the joy—as well as pain—of a physical body.
One thing that makes this life so hard sometimes is that we’re out of God’s physical presence. Not only that, but we can’t remember our pre-earth life which means we have to operate by faith rather than sight. God didn’t say it would be easy, but He promised His spirit would be there when we needed Him. Even though it feels like it sometimes, we’re not alone in our journey.
While our backgrounds and experiences are diverse, Mormons are united by a commitment to Jesus Christ. Visit Mormon.org for more information.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the official name of the religion commonly called the Mormon Church. Mormons believe first and foremost that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and the Son of God.
What We Believe
We are all spiritual children of a loving Heavenly Father who sent us to this earth to learn and grow in a mortal state. As Mormons, we are followers of Jesus Christ. We live our lives to serve Him and teach of His eternal plan for each of us.
“Where did I come from and why?”
It’s hard to move forward when you don’t know where you’re headed or why. God’s plan gives us the answers to life’s most basic questions like, “Where did I come from?” “What’s my purpose here?” And, “What happens when I die?” Knowing the answers gives us hope and helps us find peace and joy.
Your life didn’t begin at birth and it won’t end at death. Before you came to earth, your spirit lived with Heavenly Father who created you. You knew Him, and He knew and loved you. It was a happy time during which you were taught God’s plan of happiness and the path to true joy. But just as most of us leave our home and parents when we grow up, God knew you needed to do the same. He knew you couldn’t progress unless you left for a while. So he allowed you to come to earth to experience the joy—as well as pain—of a physical body.
One thing that makes this life so hard sometimes is that we’re out of God’s physical presence. Not only that, but we can’t remember our pre-earth life which means we have to operate by faith rather than sight. God didn’t say it would be easy, but He promised His spirit would be there when we needed Him. Even though it feels like it sometimes, we’re not alone in our journey.
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