Pictures

This is Elder Porter and I on my first day in the field!

Bishop, Texas

This is me and Mikey, He is a recent convert and so legit. 

We got this sweet Gecko too.

Week 3

Family,

From your letters it seems like you all have been so busy! haha it was awesome to get to sit down and read about your experiences on the trek. Some even brought tears to my eyes and I remember the short walk we took at Martin's Cove a while back. I cannot wait till I can go and experience that someday with you all again. As always, thank you so much for your letters, they are very inspiring and help me strive to be the Missionary the Lord would have me be.

This week in Santa Gertrudis was pretty rough. 3 of our wonderful progressing investigators dropped us out of no where, They were all so solid so it was a complete surprise. One was named Kristen, she is a single mother and I believe she is only 20. Anyways she was super golden but her family sat her down and said that if she was going to Church it was going to be with them at the Catholic Church. Its sad because I know she knows what she is doing is wrong. She even told us that she knew that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was God's Kingdom once again restored to the earth. I swear my heart broke. I love these people so much, its just so hard to see them fall away because they simply won't put God first.

Aside from that we had Zone interviews with President Trayner up in Robstown this week. It was an amazing experience to be able to sit down with him and discuss questions that I had. One was about why I was sent to Santa Gertrudis? I mean I am the only greenie above the border patrol checks and the only one who teaches in English almost 50% of the time. He said he doesn't know why he did that because most new missionaries are trained in the valley so they can develop Spanish. All he told me that was in the next few weeks I will know why I was sent here. He said that there is a family waiting to be taught and all Elder Porter and I have to do is remain diligent and we will find them. I love President Trayner so much and he has really helped me here in the northern part of the mission. Really pondering of some of the huge blessings of being trained in the North has helped me. I realized that since I speak a lot in my native tongue I can really get a grasp of how to teach and really become a Preach my Gospel Missionary. Because other greenies have to do it in a language they don't understand so I really am grateful for that. Anyways I got assigned to speak in Zone conference next month on our potential as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. Here is what I have written so far so let me know what you think :)

Sometimes we as members of the Church and we as missionaries fail to appreciate the divine potential within us. We allow Satan to put us down. We accept his judgments, as well as those of others that tend to put us down. We tend to look in the mirror and see all of faults. We don't often pause long enough to observe and recognize our divine potential and our personal growth. All too often, we unknowingly engage in theadversary's tactic of putting ourselves (and others) down. Remember that Christ came to pick us up, not put us down! We should follow Christ's example. You were not meant to be average! You were meant to be great! The seeds of greatness are within each of you. The question becomes, what will it take to open up your seed of divine potential to allow you to reach the greatness you have been sent here to accomplish?

Your Heavenly Father knows of your greatness. He alone knows of your divine potential. Your mission is one of the greatest times when He can help you discover that greatness and potential. Now, for the forest fires. In the mountainous forests of the western United States many varieties of pine trees grow. One of the most impressive is the lodgepole pine. It is noted for its height and straightness. Unlike other pines and trees, the lodgepole has the amazing ability to grow amazingly straight from the forest floor below towards a sliver of light in the canopy of a forest. Amidst the heavy growth around it, the lodgepole can grow to a height of 50' and still be only 5 inches in diameter! When mature, it can reach in excess of 70 feet in height with a diameter in excess of more than two feet. No other pine can do so much with so little light. It is through these adverse conditions that the lodgepole grows tall and straight. The lodgepole pine is notable for another factor. The lodgepole pine produces cones which do not open at maturity. Its cones are sealed shut by a resinous bond between the cone scales. The trees allow the cones to remain on the tree for years without falling to the earth, as do other pine cones. The lodgepole knows that its long term survival and propagation is predicated upon one thing: fire. For many, a forest fire, is the most dreaded event a forest can undergo. For the lodgepole pine, however, fire is essential. You see, the pine cones of the lodgepole do not open up until they are heated to temperature between 113 and 140 degrees F (45-60 C). Such temperatures melt the resin and release the seed. In nature, only forest fires generate temperatures of this magnitude within a tree's crown. Often we are like the lodgepole pine cone. We need heat (often caused by trials, tribulations, pressure and challenges) to reach our potential. When feeling challenged or overwhelmed, we sometimes seek to counsel the Lord. While we often ask the question, "why me?", our question should really be, "why not me?" Sometimes, we even think "I don't think that I can." As a forest fire unlocks the future of a young lodgepole pine to restore the forest, so too, fire (the Holy Ghost) brings forth new and greater life within us when we are faced with challenges. President James E. Faust, has shared these insights into the refiner's fire and the cleansing effect of the Holy Ghost in our lives:

"Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process.

In our extremities, it is possible to become born again, born anew, renewed in heart and spirit. We no longer ride with the flow of the crowd, but instead we enjoy the promise of Isaiah to be renewed in our strength and "mount up with wings as eagles" (Isa. 40:31).

The proving of one’s faith goes before the witnessing, for Moroni testified, "Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith" (Ether 12:6). This trial of faith can become a priceless experience. Stated Peter, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:7). Trials and adversity can be preparatory to becoming born anew.

A rebirth out of spiritual adversity causes us to become new creatures. From the book of Mosiah we learn that all mankind must be born again—born of God, changed, redeemed, and uplifted—to become the sons and daughters of God. (See Mosiah 27:24-27.)

President Marion G. Romney, speaking for the Lord, has said of this marvelous power: "The effect upon each person’s life is likewise similar. No person whose soul is illuminated by the burning Spirit of God can in this world of sin and dense darkness remain passive. He is driven by an irresistible urge to fit himself to be an active agent of God in furthering righteousness and in freeing the lives and minds of men from the bondage of sin." (In Conference Report, 4 Oct. 1941, p. 89.)

The feelings of being reborn were expressed by Parley P. Pratt as follows:

"If I had been set to turn the world over, to dig down a mountain, to go to the ends of the earth, or traverse the deserts of Arabia, it would have been easier than to have undertaken to rest, while the Priesthood was upon me. I have received the holy anointing, and I can never rest till the last enemy is conquered, death destroyed, and truth reigns triumphant." (Journal of Discourses, 1:15.) (James E. Faust, The Refiner's Fire, April 1979). My dear Elders and Sisters, often our challenges and trials are brought about by our own foolishness and weakness and occur because of our own laziness, carelessness or transgression. Sometimes, they come because of our lack of vision and faith. Regardless of the source they can, and must be overcome! This week, I'd like to invite you to think positive thoughts about the work, your companion, the members in your area, the people you meet each day, and even about you. I finish with two more thoughts to consider. The first comes from a secular author with great insight into our divine potential. The second from President Eyring. Take both to heart and strive to live their principles this week.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." (A

Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles", Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3)

"Don’t worry about how inexperienced you are or think you are, but think about what, with the Lord’s help, you can become." (Henry B. Eyring, "Preparation in the Priesthood: "I Need Your Help"", Ensign, November 2011). May your thoughts be raised heavenward this week and may you be given insight into your potential as a son or daughter of God is my prayer. As you reach heavenward, you will lead even more to Christ. We cannot rest in this work--reach your potential! Doubt not, fear not! We are on His errand, we are entitled to His help.

K so that's all i have so far. I realize that it needs some work but I got a bit of time. The fun part will be translating it into Spanish. Love you all so much. You are always in my prayers :) Have a wonderful Week!

¡Con un fuerte abrazo y mucho amor y éxito! 

Elder Sanderson

Week 2

Dear Family and Friends,                                                                                                  7/23/2012

So nice to see those awesome pictures from trek! Sounds like you had many wonderful experiences and I can't wait to hear more about them. So to answer some of the questions from dads letter. I actually haven't rode my bike yet haha because Elder Porter is the District Leader so we are blessed with a car. So nice since it tends to be over 100 most of the time. The Language is going pretty good, most of our lessons we teach in English though...bummer. Every once in a while we will teach someone in Spanish and that's always fun. For some reason when I speak Spanish I feel like more of a Missionary. But ya Spanish is coming along great. Elder Porter is fluent so that helps a lot because he can teach me basically everything I will need to know. Hopefully before I go down south to the valley I will be fluent so I can teach effectively.

So quite a bit has happened this week! Since I am the companion of the D.L. I have to go on exchanges with other Elders almost once every week. But since we got a little behind on exchanges, so I had to go twice. From Tuesday morning to late Wednesday night I was with the Zone Leader Elder Brown. He taught me a lot about how to begin teaching and getting to know your investigator so you can teach to their needs. Something cool that he told me is that I am the only new Missionary above the border patrol check line. The area that I am in has been struggling and hadn't baptized in over 6 months. I feel like it truly was revelation that I was sent here. We plan to baptize 12 wonderful people in August and 3 this weekend! Elder Porter and I make a great team and I think we are really turning this area around. Saturday I went up to this town called Alice and spent the Day with Elder Penaloza. He and his companion had been struggling so I helped him implement some finding techniques that we had been using in our area so hopefully that helps them out.

We struggled this week finding people and it was really hard to not get discouraged, haha we had a ton of doors slammed in our face. Most of the time it is because people think we are Jehovah's Witnesses' and well...they are kinda crazy so people don't really like them. So it was a long week but Sunday really made up for it. We extended 4 baptismal commitments to solid people that we had found throughout the week that didn't seem interested but out of no where they just called us up. One of them was this 20 yr. old girl named Kristen. Shes so golden!!! She explained to us that her parents want her to get her baby baptized in the Catholic church. She told us that she kept feeling that is was wrong and she had been praying for help. She said only a few minutes after the prayer we knocked on her door. haha crazy how things work out. Anyways she is getting baptized in a few weeks and is really eager to attend church to learn about how to become closer to Christ.

Love the Mission! The Gospel is so wonderful and is applicable to everyone who is willing to change. Everything is just going perfect! Miss you all and hope you are enjoying your summer as much as me haha! See ya in a few :)

Elder Sanderson

p.s. hey mom could you send me a book sometime. Its called the little missionary quote book. its small and I believe has the angel Moroni on it. Thanks

1st Letter from Texas!

Familia!

So I just finished my first week in TEXAS! haha this place is so awesome! I am up in the Corpus Christi Stake and we are just staying wet at the font all week! As of right now we are lined up to baptize each weekend which is awesome. Elder Porter is a stud and a wonderful trainer. We basically just slay doubts about the church all day and extend baptismal commitments. I would've sent pictures today but I accidentally forgot my camera so oops....maybe next week.

So I am in the Santa Gertrudis area and its pretty poverty stricken. I have never been to Mexico but I assume its something like what I am experiencing. Everyone here is SUPER religious and some even have most of the Bible memorized. Everyone is Latino and well...pretty lazy. They love to work hard at their jobs, but any chance they get they are always drinking beer and/or sleeping. Sunday is more of a holiday for them than it is a time to worship our Savior. Even though everyone is pretty Religious already, there are actually quite a few that are very receptive to the Gospel and the blessings that it can bring to their live's.

There are a billion stories that I could tell you but there is one that really sticks out to me that helped me realize how God guides his missionaries. We stopped by this man's house that we had street contacted named Luis, he is super awesome and really wants to know how he can have an eternal family. We asked him for referrals and he wanted us to teach his mother about the Plan of Salvation as well. So we go over and she was home alone so we couldn't go in and teach her so we just set up an appointment for the next day. She told us to visit her neighbors as well because they needed God in their life. We knock on her neighbor's door and about 5 teenagers walk out. We talk to them about the Gospel and one girl named Jessica (she's about 15) said that she wanted us to come to her home to teach her family the next day. So the next day we go knock on her door and no one is home, typical because no one is home in South Texas between the hours of 12-5 haha. So we knocked on the houses around Jessica's just in case God had sent us there for another reason...no luck. So we headed back to the car and I felt really strongly that we should knock on this little yellow home that was a few houses down. I mentioned it to Elder Porter and he said that he just felt the same thing. LEGIT!!! haha so we knock on the door and a woman in her late 20's named Beverly answers the door. We told her that we have a message that could bring her closer to God and she let us in. We got to know her and her 4 little kids. They have been through a lot and their father has been in and out of jail for most of their lives. Beverly expressed to us that she really just wanted more guidance and peace in her life, BINGO! We taught her about how we can be cleaned from sin through baptism and receive the Holy Ghost to comfort us and guide us in these difficult times. She was elated and eagerly accepted the Baptismal date of August 12th. She ran and grabbed her nephew who lives with her who is 20 named Jose. We taught him and he sees the need to make the change but still loves the crazy lifestyle that he lives at the moment. We told him that he needs the guidance of the Holy Ghost more than ever if he wants to become the man God intends for him. He too accepted the Baptismal invitation and we have a few lessons set up with them this week! They are such a golden family and I love seeing the light the Gospel brings to people.

I know God guides his missionaries to the people he has already prepared. Something that has really helped me develop love for those I serve is seeing them in white. And what i mean by that is that I imagine how beautiful and pure they would look as they arise from the waters of baptism. That has really helped me not judge on whether or not someone will be accepting of the gospel based solely on their looks.

I love you all so much! thank you for all the care packages that you have been sending me. Miss you all but I know that this is where I should be, The Gospel changes lives and I love that I get to see it every single day. Nothing is more amazing than participating the salvation of a human soul.

con amor

Elder Sanderson

Texas McAllen Mission

My new Address

406 A Sen. Carlos Truan Blvd. 

Kingsville, Texas 78363

The Hepworth's Came to Visit!

While Craig was in the MTC, his Aunt and Uncle Hepworth were able to visit him since they are also missionaries. These are some pictures they took and sent to us!

We're not quite sure who this is but we are assuming it is Elder Barth.

The Hepworths and Craig!

Letter from the Mission President

10 July 2012

Brother and Sister Sanderson,

   We had the privilege of meeting your son, Elder Sanderson when he arrived at the McAllen International Airport. He looked great and appears very anxious to go to work.

   We are grateful to have Elder Sanderson in the Texas McAllen Mission. Already he has impressed us as a well-prepared young man with a great spirit and a desire to serve the Lord. He has had excellent training and orientation at the Missionary Training Center in Provo in preparing for missionary labors here in South Texas. Your support from home will be of great value to him as he serves his mission.

   Elder Sanderson‘s first assignment area is in the Sinton Zone. His first companion is Elder Porter who is from Utah.  Elder Porter is an outstanding missionary, and your son will receive excellent training under his direction. Their address is as follows:

406A Senator Carlos Truan Blvd.

Kingsville, TX 78363

   We thank you for sharing your son with us. We are confident that he will bless the lives of many people here in South Texas while serving as a missionary. May the Lord bless you abundantly while he is in the mission field and always.

With warm regards, 

Stephen J. Trayner, President

Sister Sandy Trayner

Texas McAllen Mission