Pictures

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

MTC

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.

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 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.