Dear Family and Friends,

As you all may know, I am now serving in Long Beach California!  I am serving in the Granada Ward.  I heard a story from one of the members here of something that happened to her brother years ago.

     This brother's name was Brother Neilson.  He was a return missionary living in Utah.  He went on a hunting trip with a friend who was going through some rough times with a divorce and being fired from his job.  While on the trip, Brother Neilson's friend took out a small handgun and was pretending to shoot small animals.  Suddenly, the friend turned on Brother Neilson and shot him.  The bullet passed  through his lung and into his spine.  His friend then took the car they had driven in, and left Brother Neilson to die.

     In Bother Neilson's moment of dispair, he saw a man, fair skinned and calm looking; a man Brother Neilson had never seen before.  This man asked him if he wanted a blessing.  Brother Neilson said "yes".  After the blessing, the mystery man disappeared.  Shortly after, a group of men in a truck came to him.  Brother Neilson's "friend" had said someone was hurt and he was "going for help".

    Brother Neilson was taken to a small hospital where Spencer W. Kimball happened to be.  President Kimball assured the injured man that he would be alright.  After being flown to Salt Lake City and after a 48 hour operation, Brother Neilson was saved, but they said he would never have children, walk or live past 40.

     Brother Neilson turned 62 recently, has 12 children and walks with only a leg brace to support him. 

Priesthood blessings are real.  The power to act in God's name is real.  Those of you who are Priesthood holders do as Elder Holland advised.  Sanctify yourselves.  The time will come when you will need to give someone a blessing.  Be ready for it.  Those of you who are women or for another reason do not have the Priesthood, know this:  Priesthood blessings will only have powerful effects on those who have the faith in Christ to be healed. 

I testify of the powers of the Priesthood.  I have seen what those blessings do .  Remember how blessed we are to have the Gospel.  You will never know how improtant it is until you see people reject it.  May the Lord bless each and every one of you .  I love you all and I pray for you. 

Much Love,

Elder Sanderson

Week of April 28th

Family and Friends,

Long Beach California has been awesome! I'm going to have a lot of trouble typing. I was in a bit of a wreck and have sort of limited use of my right hand. I can still bike around just fine I'm just in a little pain is all.

Our area has been tough. My companion, Elder Wahlen, and I are both new to the area (Elder Wahlen has been out for 9 months tho) and we are struggling to find people to teach. So far we have had no lessons and have not been able to find new investigators but it will come in time. I am grateful for the things I've already learned. I've had to learn to be patient since we have not been able to actually teach and that we have to stick with tracting and contacting. It's been tough but I've already been able to feel like I'm growing.

I'm serving in the Grenada Ward. The ward is mostly people over the age of 60. Our bishop is 76. It's a great ward and all the members are really nice and we get fed pretty much every night so thats awesome!

I have a ton more details and what not in a letter that I will be sending out today. In my letter I will be sharing a story I heard from a member that especially touched me.

The plaques look great and so do Tommy, Paul, and Kellen!

Much Love,

Elder S.

Weekly Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

The MTC has been good to me the last week or so. I've learned so many valuable lessons and I've come so much closer to Christ. I've been studying like crazy and it has payed off. I always thought of myself as having a pretty good knowledge of the gospel but I learned so much more. The MTC really is such a blessing. That being said, my time of departure has come. I will be in Long Beach California as of April 24th. I can't wait to get out into the field and start really teaching people.

I want nothing more than to be able to teach this gospel. It's harder than I expected and I have to try a lot harder to keep myself motivated than I though but it's all been for the best. My companions have taught me so much and the spirit has taught me even more. Luckily I am speaking my native tongue so that's something that has made this much easier. Along with that I have my family and friends to thank. Honestly, I would not be as prepared as I was and I would not be as motivated as I am without all of your love, prayers, and support. I appreciate you, I pray for you, and I think about each and every one of you. May the Lord bless all of you, I know he will.

I would like to share something with all of you. It's my favorite scripture. Omni 1:26

"And now my beloved brethren I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel and partake of his salvation and the power of his redemption. Yea, offer up your whole souls as an offering to him and continue in fasting and praying and enduring to the end and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."

Family and friends, come unto Christ and endure. I know the Lord will bless you for it. This Church is true. The Doctrine of Christ is real. The Love of God is real.

Much Love,

Elder Sanderson.

Week of April 13th

Here is the latest letter we have gotten.  Written on April 13th, mailed from Provo on the 15th.

Dear Family and Friends,

     The MTC has been wonderful.  I have already learned so much.  The Spirit here is so powerful.  It changes hearts and it can bring some powerful revelation.  I've had the opportunity to serve as a zone leader.  I haven't had to do much yet but I will be helping out the new Elders that are coning in this coming week.

     I've stared teaching some "investigators" that are teachers that act as nonmember.  Even though it's not the real deal, I have learned a ton of things.  It's been very humbling and I am so grateful for the experience.

     My district here is awesome.   We all get along really well and it feels like we've known each other forever.  It's like the fun of EFY mixed with Spirit of the Priest/Laurel trek.  I have 5 other Elders with me in my room and we have another set of Sister in our district.  Another fun fact is my former zone leader and the rest of his district are all going to the Minneapolis MN Mission!  If you see Elders Burnside, Olson or Thomas make sure you tell them Elder Sanderson says Hi!

     Another thing that's great are the teachers.  They honestly care so much about each and every one of us.  The are awesome teachers and the Spirit they bring is incredible.  We do a lot of role planing and even though it's sort of hard to get into, it actually helps a ton.

     I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me.  The hand of the Lord is very apparent in all of the lessons and teaching.  I hope everyone is doing well and I hope that the Lord blesses each and every one of you.

                       Love,

                       Elder S.

    

Pictures from the MTC

Here's some pictures that I got from one of my companions. The guy on the left in the first picture is Elder Murphy, he's not my companion but he pretty much is. (Mom he's from Magrath, Alberta, Canada!!) The Elder on the left of the bottom pic is Elder Murphy again and the Elder in the middle is Elder Nez, he's my companion and I love that guy to pieces!

So far everything is great! I love my district and my companions. Everything has been super cool! I hope you guys are all doing well. Tell everyone I said hi!

Love

Elder S.

The learning has been crazy but the last few days have been pretty chill because I had a mini p-day Sat and Sunday was church. I sit on the stand next to the branch president now because my companion and I are the zone leaders right now! That means we get to teach all the new missionaries on Wednesday when they all come in. That should be pretty fun!