Keep on, keepin on... and keepin the commandments‏

Another wonderful week in paradise. I expected to get sick of this sector from being here so long but I just love it more. The weeks of this cambio have been flying by. 

We had a 'Tesch' class in Parral and I got to see cute Sister Black. missin that girl. The Teschs are the married missionaries in our sector. They are traveling the mission to teach everyone effective teaching methods, more about our call etc. They are incredible. I always learn a ton. We had a family home evening with them yesterday about premortal life and my mind was blown (can you say 'trunky' for the temple or what?)

Yesterday we had a district conference and we got to here from some general authorities through a broadcast, including Elder Nelson. He speaks Spanish! It was really fully. He has quite the gringo accent but it was a really neat talk about an experience he had when the wing of a small plane he was is exploded and he thought he was going to die. He talked about not having regrets so that when the moment comes of our death we can be at peace. I thought it was really interesting.

*other funny side note from yesterday- a dog followed us all the way to church and then went back to get the other Hermanas. It had a broken leg and limped on three legs all the way. It waited for us the whole meeting. Sometimes I think these dogs are smarter than the humans here- they know they need to go to church. It was bummed when we shut the gate and couldn't come in.

We found a lot this week but we are battling with our investigators to come to church. The cold is starting to set in, in the mornings. yikes. But we continue to search for progressing investigators. (como siempre)

Hermana Rigby continues to amaze me. She is the best.

Hey the new Easter video came out! 

I want to challenge you guys to share it!

https://www.mormon.org/easter/hallelujah

Love you guys! 

Besitos

Hermana Saunders

March 7, 2016

Okay this week has flow by! I was really nervous that training would make the weeks longer but that definitely is not the case. I am however tired. I have never been so tired and happy. I am pretty sure my companion thinks I am a freak but I think she is enjoying herself. I am so proud of her. She is just so energized to preach the gospel. She is really teaching me. This week she did a street contact all by herself. I didn't have to say anything. She is so eager to speak and participate in the lessons. The whole branch is really impressed by her. I am such a proud mom.

We have continued to look and find this week and while we didn't have anyone with fecha in church, we have a lot of hope for this week. We have found a lot in the last two weeks and I we will be extending baptism again this week to everyone.

I love Linares. It has been a blast to be in another gringa house. We pulled a little prank on the newbies and told them we nap instead of plan on Sundays. We crawled into bed and the were all scared running around like: 'our trainers are tweca!' but we all had a good laugh about it and got up and went planning. So gullible.

We had a conference in Chillan on Thursday and I got to see Hermana Ovando and Hermana Black again. Trio reunited. We talked about the conference in January: Preach repentance and baptize converts and Elder Bednars discussion with the Area about teaching as well. We have made the goal to focus in and talk more about repentance in our teachings.

A mistake that we make as missionaries sometimes is that we focus how repentance is a step we make to get to baptism. But really repentance is a step that we use to get to eternal life. It is something that needs to be applied daily and consistently over a long period of time to reach our ultimate goal of perfection. I testify of the healing power of Christ's atonement. He has paid the price. What he asks of us is humble heart, willing to make changes and repent according to his will. I know we can be clean again through him.

I love you guys so much. Have a wonderful week!

Que les vaya bien!

besitos!

Hermana Saunders