Sister Ann Elgaaen in Houston, Texas South: September 23,2019 A Book a Day Keeps Satan Away!

Hey family and friends!!

This week was a little rainy, but our goal was to "Sprint to the finish" and find 5 new people and hand out a book of Mormon each eay... we found 6 people and gave out a book of Mormon each day!!! I truly saw miracles this week as it rained and we were "home bound" for hours. Each day there seemed to be a small break in between the downpour and we would go out tracting where we knock on doors and hope to find a new person who would be interested in the gospel.

Each time before leaving our apartment we would pray to give away a book of Mormon to someone who could use it, and each day we did just that.

Sometimes it was the first door we knocked on, and sometimes it was the last, but when we put our self out there in the world ready to share his message with each and every person, eventually we will find the ONE who is placed in our path.

I would like to share a little experience but I wrote it kindof different, so we will see how you like it

She began her prayer believing she was broken. Her words rushed out as her head hung low, fingers pulling at her light blonde hair. A tear dropped from her blue eyes unnoticed.

She was upset with me and spoke of her situation. She felt completely alone. She asked me why I couldn't have protected her, comforted her. Why hadn't I sent someone to life her up? Why did she have to suffer alone?

I have watched her each day; she had let the words and actions of others cut into her deeply.

She went on. Praying why hadn't I sent someone who would stand up for her, someone who could understand her - who would protect her.

Her words pained my heart.

How could she forget?

I stopped her thoughts and said quietly with tears streaming down my face "I have!"

Emotion overcame her as she recalled the one I had sent, Jesus Christ, my perfect son, her brother. I sent him to suffer and bleed from every pour for all of my children. The last words I whispered to her before her prayer ended are words she has never forgotten

" You are never alone."

When I was in 9th grade I struggled with feeling alone, I constantly felt like no one around me cared for me. One day when I felt completely lost I went out to the backyard and sat on the swing in the dark. I then asked Heavenly Father why he couldn't have given me someone who would be willing to stand up for me, and sacrifice their time to get to know me. I wanted someone who would always be there for me and I was confused as why I felt there was no one. I was asking heavenly father why he couldn't send someone... Just when I had almost finished this thought, my mind went blank and I heard a still small voice say "I have." Images of Christ filled my mind and I knew that the savior was the ultimate older brother who is always looking out for us.

I know that the savior loves us. He loved us when he was mocked and spit upon, he loved us when he bled from every pour and experienced all the temptations, illnesses, pains physical and mental for each of us. He loved us while he was whipped, he loved us while a crown of thorns was placed on his head. He loved us as he carried his cross, he loved us while nails were pounded through his hands, And he loves us still. No matter what we do he will always love us. He suffered for everyone, he didn't pick and choose who he would atone for. He loved each of us and no matter how painful our experience was he choose to go through it with us. I know that if we reach out to the savior he will grasp our hands and pull us into his embrace. You are a child of god and he loves you still.

My seminary teacher asked us "If you knew that the savior was going to be at the confrence center tomorrow for one day, but there was no form of transportaion avalible, would you walk?" If I knew that the savior would be at the confrence center tomorrow, I wouldn't walk. I would Run.

I know without a doubt that we are never alone, because Christ is ALWAYS with us. No matter what we experience, he is there to lift us up.

I love my heavenly father. I know it must have pained him for me to think for even a second that I am worth less then I am, that I am alone, because we are everything to our heavenly father.

Those negative thoughts that we may have about ourselves are from no one else but SATAN! He wants you to be miserable just as he is, DON'T FALL FOR IT!! If you even begin to believe that you are less then a beloved Son or Daughter of a heavenly king then you are already letting Satan take over your thoughts.

Don't let him get to you!! He will try to tear you appart. I have seen it first hand. You are worth more to our heavenly father then you could ever imagine. He loves you enough that he sent his only begotten son to die for you, and for me. Just imagine how heartbreaking it is to our father in heaven when you think negatively about yourself. You were created by God's hand, and he doesn't make mistakes.

Anyway, I hope you know how much I love you and just to end I want to share a few experiences from this week haha:

When I was exited to give a lesson in district council the district leader said of course, it's easy for you because:

"You don't read the book of Mormon, you eat it!!!" -Elder Monteroso

A little 3 year old girl answered the door one day while we were tracting and she asked what we were doing. I told her we were going around sharing a message about Jesus Christ. She looked up at me confused and said "Jesus doesn't live here."

This Sunday was our primary program and a little boy came up to give his testimony. He was about 4 or 5 years old and he said "Jesus loves everybody, even the bad guys who stuck nails in his hands."

This little message touched my heart, it is so important that we love everyone, even if they treat us terribly.

I hope you all have a BLESSED DAY!!

Love ya!!!!!