December 30, 2019 "The Light of Christ"

This week while working at the food bank, a man we have never met before approached us with excitement written all over his face. 

"Where are you from" he asked us. 

We told him we were from Utah originally, but we were down in Texas City serving a mission. 

His next question brought a smile to our faces, "are you Mormons?" 

We told him we were and asked if he knew anything about our church. 

He shook his head, but he told us that he knew we were Mormons the minute he saw us because "Mormons always have the prettiest eyes."

I thought about that incounter and wondered what he could have ment by that. 

As members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints, we have made a covenant at baptism to always remember our savior Jesus Christ. 

What the man saw in our eyes was the light of Christ. 

As we live the commandments and strive to be a valiant deciple of christ, WE WILL STAND OUT! 

I hope you all had an amazing christmas!! I know I have been blessed by the love of Christ that has been shown by family and friends this season. 

Keep being the best you can be!! 

Love you All!! 

Teancum song: (written by Sister Elgaaen, Christine Elgaaen and Sister Wilde)

Sung to the tune of Nephi's courage!! 

"Teancum was the captain of many mighty men. 

Fighting for their freedom, the Lord would help them win. 

Many a warrior was too afraid to try. 

Teancum is a savage! This was his reply: 

I will go, I will stop! The war that's plagued this land. 

His tent I'll enter in the night with javelin in hand. 

I will go, I will stop! The war that's plagued this land. 

we'll fight for right through dark or light, we'll keep the Lord's commands. 

Teancum knew this battle was going on too long.

Many of the people had died doing no wrong. cities were taken. The nephites knew not why. 

Teancum is a savage! This was his reply: 

I will go, I will stop! The war that's plagued this land. 

His tent I'll enter in the night with javelin in hand. 

I will go, I will stop! The war that's plagued this land. 

we'll fight for right through dark or light, we'll keep the Lord's commands. 

Teancum helped the people reclaim all that was lost. 

He would help them concer no matter what the cost. 

Moved by the valiant, he knew that he might die. 

Teancum is a savage! This was his reply: 

I will go, I will stop! The war that's plagued this land. 

His tent I'll enter in the night with javelin in hand. 

I will go, I will stop! The war that's plagued this land. 

we'll fight for right through dark or light, we'll keep the Lord's commands. 

Teancum found the king who was sleeping through the night.

To save all those he loved, he had to do it right. 

Waiting no longer, he let the weapon fly 

Teancum is a savage! This was his reply: 

I will go, I will stop! The war that's plagued this land. 

His tent I'll enter in the night with javelin in hand. 

I will go, I will stop! The war that's plagued this land. 

we'll fight for right through dark or light, we'll keep the Lord's commands. 

Teancums spear missed center, the king woke in a fright. 

letting out a cry, they chased him through the night. 

slain by the soldiers, his legend would not die. 

Teancum is a savage! This was his reply: 

I did go, I did stop! The war that plagued this land. 

His tent I entered in the night with javelin in hand. 

I did go, I did stop! The war that plagued this land.

He fought for right through dark or light. He  kept the Lord's commands." 

(Alma 51: 34-35 and Alma 62: 36-37)

Teancum is an awesome example of someone who was willing to die for what they believe! I love the Book of Mormon and I am so exited for the new come follow me study that will begin NEXT WEEK!!! Get pumped!! 

I promise that as you strive to get all you can out of the come follow me study this year, your love and understanding of the book of Mormon will grow SO much!! 

Sister's Elgaaen & Wilde Love Big!

Potty Planters!

December 23, 2019 Christmas? It's July right?

Merry Christmas everyone!!! 

I can't believe how quickly time has flown!!! 

It just doesn't seem real that Christmas is on Wednesday! (Especially because it is not cold outside...) 

This week was wonderful! 

We contacted alot of less actives and really tried to bring the Christmas spirit to the area! 

We have been treating our book of Mormons like our phones for the last week and we LOVE it!! I hope some of you have taken up that challenge as well and have started using your book of Mormon for everything! 

As I have studied the scriptures over and over I have recognized a few verses that fit together perfectly in an analogy presented by the authors of the Book of Mormon. 

The analogy relates us, God's children, to a sword: 

"Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work..."(3 Nephi 22:16). A  "smith", or blacksmith is someone who works with metal to make weapons such as swords.

In this analogy, the author is relating our heavenly father to a blacksmith. 

To make a sword, a blacksmith has to refine the metal Or purity it. To do this, the blacksmith burns the metal. In our lives we may suffer from many challenges and struggles, this may be related to the fire that is used to refine us. Though it may be hard to comprehend in the heat of our trials, our heavenly father knows us perfectly. He will never give us a challenge that is too hard for us to overcome! We can be strengthened by out trials and become a more humble follower of our savior Jesus christ as we rely on his atonement. "For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" (1 Nephi 20:10). Each of us are beloved sons and daughters of God. He knew us before we were born, and if we are willing to let him work with us, he can make us into something beautiful. 

After the metal has been heated, it must be shaped into the sword. It Will be pounded, hammered, cut, bent, and so much more. 

The trials won't stop, but If we trust God and rely on him to shape our lives, then he will bring forth "an instrument for his work"(3 Nephi 22:16). 

"And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; And said unto me: Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified" (1 Nephi 21:2-3). As a servant of the Lord, as his instrument, we can either choose to hide in the quiver, or fight for what we believe. If we rely on God then we are promised that, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord" (3 Nephi 22: 17). 

So let us be instruments in his hand! Let us be strengthened by our challenges and shaped by our loving father in heaven. Fight for what you believe! 

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints is the Lord's church. Though the people may be imperfect, the gospel and the savior are perfect.  I love my father in heaven and I love Jesus Christ. I will never stop fighting for what I know the be true!

 I am willing to die for what I believe, because I KNOW this gospel is true, "nothing doubting!" (Ether 3:19) 

I hope you all have the BEST Christmas ever!! Remember the savior in all you do! 

Love you all!! 

Missionaries are Kindness Hero's

Ann's Favorite Picture of the Savior

Ann Loving my Book of Mormon like a phone! BUT MORE!

Photo Gallery on Ann's Book of Mormon phone!

Sister Elgaaen & Wilde Tie it on!

Sister Wilde and Elgaaen Hold on to your heart!

Sister Elgaaen "It's Raining"

December 16, 2019 Christmas is Around the Corner

Hey family and friends!! 

The other week the District decided to have a Book of Mormon race. Each companionship would see how many book of Mormons they could hand out before the end of the week.

 Sister Wilde and I were pumped!! 

Almost everyone we talked to we offered a book of Mormon! We even figured out what we call...the card trick: 

We ask them if we could leave them with our number incase they ever needed anything. (They almost always say sure.) One of the missionaries gets a card out and writes their names and number slowly while the other missionary brings up the book of Mormon. They share why they love it, how it came to be, that it testifies of Jesus Christ and then we offer them a book of Mormon and give them our card. (If they seem hesitant, just tell them it's free.) Works almost ever time!! 

We were  biking past this man while coming home from service one day; I slowed my bike and waved.  Quickly before he could pass us by I blurted out 

"Hello Ser! Have you ever heard of the book of Mormon?" 

A smile grew on his face. He told us he had a book of Mormon; he had met with missionaries 7 years ago and loved it! We exchanged numbers and set up a day to go by. 

After our first lesson we were filled with the spirit! I knew that he was someone who has been prepared by the Lord! He understood everything we talked about, and he was exited to begin reading and attending church. 

Before the second lesson I told sister Wilde I felt we could extend an invitation for him to be baptised. She loved the idea and we prayed for it constantly through out the day. 

As we spoke with him about baptism, he was exited and joyful! He accepted a baptism date for January 18th!! 

 Sometimes it would be easier just to drop your head and keep walking, but when you look outside yourself and smile at others, you can make the world brighter! 

It would have been easy to bike right past Brandon, but instead of turning inward and thinking about how awkward it would be to talk to him, or what his reaction might be, we reached out to him and were able to get him ON DATE!! 

Always be looking for ways you can uplift others! 

The gospel isn't just a part of my life, it is my life!! I want to share it with everyone! I want them to be able to taste of the sweet joy I feel when I consecrate myself to the Lord!! 

I hope you all have the BEST WEEK and just in case you forgot, Christmas is almost here!!!  

Love you all!! 

Love, 

Sister Elgaaen 

(P.s. transfer news came, and I am staying in Texas City with Sister wilde!!! Woot!!!) 

Cake made for one of the Elder's Birthday's 

Christmas Tree Designed by Ann

Huge Christmas Tree at NASA

Touring NASA

Sister Wilde & Elgaaen at NASA

Our Stockings were Hung by the Fireplace with Care

A Whole Package of Pink Starbursts!

December 9,2019 Teancum is a Savage

Hey family and friends! 

So we may have figured out that I can piggy back sister wilde.... haha 

I can't believe how quick this transfer flew by!! Christmas Is this month! It still feels like July haha!! 

This week was wonderful! We came up with some songs that go to the tune of Christmas songs: 

Jesus christ (Jingle bells:) 

"Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Jesus all the way! 

The book of Mormon testifies of him in olden day. Hey! 

Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Jesus all the way! 

To know it's true just read this book and then kneel down and pray. 

Dashin through the streets, knockin on some doors. Handing out a book of Mormon right before it pours. Missionaries help to make your spirits bright. Open up your doors real wide, we'll help you choose the right. O

Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Jesus all the way! 

The book of Mormon testifies of him in olden day. Hey! 

Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Jesus all the way! 

To know it's true just read this book and then kneel down and pray."  

Can you tell we are kindof exited for Christmas!! 

This week we focused alot on the book of Mormon and what it means to us personally. I LOVE the book of Mormon. A common statement here in Texas City is: "Sister Elgaaen doesn't read the book of Mormon, she eats it!!"

I have been thinking of who my favorite person from the book of Mormon is and I often sat "Teancum" (he is the savage who sneaks into king Amalikiah's tent and stabs the king's heart with a javelin while the king was sleeping... alma 51 if you want to look it up.) 

On the mission however, people wanted to know WHY.... 

This is why. 

When I was in seminary during my senior year I was supposed to give a presentation on these specific chapters from the book of Mormon. I read them over and over again, but my mind just wasn't there. I wasn't understanding what the book was saying at all! 

After what was probably the 5th time of reading the same verse, It finally clicked. I was able to understand what was happening. 

It was the story of Teancum. 

The book of Mormon made sense. I understood what was happening. I didn't just understand, I KNEW it was true!! 

Because of that moment, I have been able to understand the book of Mormon ever sense. (And I love Teancum SO much!!)

 I was always the wierd kid who carried my book of Mormon around wherever I went, even in college!

There was a quote that my sister sent to me once, but because I couldn't find it, I made one up on my own (it's pretty similar) 

What if you treated the book of Mormon like your phone? 

You take it with you wherever you go.

If you forget it, you race back home so you can always have it with you. 

You turn to it when you have a question you need answered. 

You find things from it to share with your friends. 

You look at it frequently throughout the day. 

You spend countless hours just reading through its words. 

If each of us respected more the efforts put into preparing and sharing the book of Mormon for the world, we wouldn't miss a day of reading it!

 If we take the time to understand it's words and abide by them, we would come to know this is one of God's greatest gifts to us. 

"The book of Mormon is the most correct book on the earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, then by any other book." (Joseph Smith) 

I KNOW without a doubt that the book of Mormon is true!! I love it, I read it and I try to live it every day! 

I would like to extend an invitation to all of you to begin to treat your book of Mormon like your phone. 

It will change your life!! 

I love you all!! Have the best week ever!! 

Matching PJ's

Sister Wilde & Elgaaen

December 2, 2019 Determined to Love

At the start of my mission I was introduced to an older woman, Billie, who had almost been baptised a year previous, but due to circumstances with her father she choose not too. Her father hated missionaries! Over a dozen have stopped by Billies house and taught her, trying to bring her to the waters of baptism, but no progress was being made with her father. 

When I met Billie, I KNEW one thing; I loved her and I felt an immediate connection with her dad! 

I thought about him constantly and urged my companions to visit him, but all Billie ever told us was that we NEVER should go over there! 

There was a Block between Billie and her father Fred, they just didn't get along. 

While sitting in zone confrence one day a thought came to me. You have to meet Fred! 

I thought about it all day, I thought about it all night, and for weeks we tried to visit, but it seemed the days slipped by and we never did. 

Finally after many days of asking my companion to go over there, we decided to just do it. 

We cut out hearts and wrote little notes on them. We pre taped the hearts and got on our bikes. We peddled over to his house and stopped in our tracks when we saw his front door was wide open! 

How would we heart attack his door in secret if his door was open? We waited a good 10 minutes talking about what we would do before an idea came to me. 

Heart attack his truck! 

We slipped off our bikes and snuck over to his yard. Being careful and quiet we stuck the hearts all over his truck and before we could be seen we ran, jumped on our bikes, and road away. 

We visited a few other people around Texas City before making our way back to the appartment. 

We would pass Fred's house on our way home. 

As we passed him I watched as Fred was pulling the hearts off of his truck. 

My heart ached! He was probably furious at us for covering his truck in small pieces of paper. 

We got home and I felt defeated. I had thought for sure heart attacking him would lift his spirit. 

Later that night we got a call from Billie. She sounded so exited! 

"GIRLS!" She said "he loved it!" 

She went on to tell how her father has called her up and told her something was all over his truck.

Billie went over to her father's house and just started laughing. She told him the sisters had got him! 

He was chuckling!!! 

She said that he took the hearts off his truck and brought them inside. He was going to throw them away, but Billie told him he needed to read them first. 

He read them, and then walked to the China cupboard and placed them carefully inside.  

He told Billie he was going to keep them!! 

We were so exited! We had made Billies dad, a "cold hearted" mean old man, chuckle!!! 

Maybe he wasn't so horrible as Every one says. 

With a new found determination we tried everything to meet Fred. We brought him mini pies from Wal-Mart (his favorite treat). When fall rolled around we stuck leaves all over his door. And finally we met him in person! 

Fred told us he had no problems with our church. He said he had even visited temple square once and LOVED the temple. He urged us to come back and visit often! 

Through all this effort we were able to see Billies love for her father begin to shine through. Soon Billie was telling us how much she loved Fred; she doesn't know what she would do without him. 

One night after helping Billie organize some boxed into her garage she stopped to talk with us. 

She told us that Fred had asked if it would be appropriate for him to take us out to dinner. 

My heart spiked in excitement and I let loose a high pitched squeek!! I couldn't control how happy I was!! 

The next week we picked up a deck of cards at the store and went to Billies. She helped us write something we love about her father on the back of each card. When we were done she wrapped it and we walked next door to give it to him. 

He was so exited!! He pulled out the cards and read them one by one. 

He was laughing and joking. He was SO happy!

When it was about time for us to leave I stood up and said my goodbye adding a simple but sencere "We love you Fred!" 

His response melted my heart! 

"I love you guys too." 

The mission has taught me alot, but unconditional love for all God's children is something I will hold onto for the rest of my life. 

As of now I don't know if Billie will get baptised, but I know that my love for Fred and Billie is only a small portion of the love our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ have for them. I have found pure JOY from working closely with God's children. 

The other missionaries say it is a miracle, that we softened his heart, But I think all we did was come to love a precious child of God. 

There is always room for more love!♡

I love you all!! I hope you had the BEST thanksgiving ever!! 

Picture 1: sister Wilde and I preparing to hand out a bunch of book of Mormons this past week!! (We were having a BOM race with the district to see who could hand out the most. We reached 13 BOMS... we kindof slowed down after the first three days because we wanted someone else to win because we were buying the prize; we didn't want to buy the prize for ourselves.... we still won though...figures...) 

Picture 2: we made zukkini bread!! 

Picture 3 and 4 : a lady in the ward had a baby and I wanted to hold it SO bad!!! (I didn't though) we just took fake pictures of me pretending to hold the baby girl

haha 

Baking Zucchini Bread

Handing out Copies of the Book of Mormon

Pretending to hold a new baby

November 25,2019 The Lord's Work

Hey Family and Friends! 

At the beginning of the week we set a goal to hand out a book of Mormon Every day. When Monday rolled around our district decided to work as a whole to see who could hand out the most book of Mormons... they may have underestimated how determined sister Wilde and I are when we set our minds to something. 

The next day we set a goal to hand out 10 book of Mormons. 

We prayed, trusting God would be able to guide us to know where to go to hand out that many book of Mormons. With a bag filled with books we headed out. 

We biked around Texas City with a book of Mormon in hand at all times. (Yes, it is a little tricky to bike with a book of Mormon in one hand and a heavy bag filled with books at your side, but it is 100% worth it!) 

We went by a park with a box of chalk and started drawing on the sidewalk. After only a few minutes kids began to flock around us. We had drawn a picture of the book of Mormon as well as a picture of the temple. The kids LOVED it. They began drawing picture of Jesus with the chalk and even tried to copy our drawing of the book of Mormon. We were then able to talk with the childrens parents and we handed out 9 book of Mormons there! 

We were so close to our goal and as we packed up and began biking around Texas City once again I thought of a girl who we work with at the food bank, Cricket. Cricket loves chatting with us and she is always so friendly. I told sister Wilde "let's find Crickets house!" 

Well... We had NO idea where she lived! We had NO clues as to what her house looked like or where it was located, only that it was near the food bank in Texas City. 

I knew we would only be able to find cricket one way. 

We prayed. 

As we biked to an area and began knocking I soon turned and walked back to my bike. "This area doesn't feel right." I told sister Wilde. We got back on our bikes after only knocking 2 doors on the street and we flipped around and kept going. 

Soon a small house with a bright red door came into our view. I slowed my bike and looked at the house. 

"What are you doing?" Sister Wilde asked. 

"Thats her house" I told her, pointing at the bright red door. 

As we were crossing the street we spotted a girl behind the house leaning on an old car. 

It was cricket!! 

We biked over there and were able to talk with her and give her a book of Mormon. She said we could come back any time and pointed to the bright red door saying she lived right there. 

There was NO way we could have found Cricket in all of Texas City without prayer and action! 

As we biked away, we were overcome with this warmth and recognition that our Heavenly Father loves us and KNOWS us personally! He heard our small prayer to find Cricket, and we were lead right to her. 

That day we didnt just hand out 10 book of Mormons as we had prayer for, but we handed out 12! 

When we focus on putting all our efforts into the gospel we will be blessed with more then we ever could ask for. 

The next day we set our goal to hand out 3 book of Mormons. It was a rainy day! As we biked around and knocked doors we weren't seeing any success! 

I thought in my mind- What are we doing wrong? How can we better introduce the book of Mormon so the people we speak with will want one?

Still, no matter how we changed the way we introduced it, no one would take a book of Mormon. 

Suddenly a thought came to my mind. 

You need to humble yourself. 

I thought of our excitement about handing out so many book of Mormons the day before. Then I thought about the effect it may have had on others who didn't see such great success. 

I realized that this was God's work, not mine. It is only through the spirit that we can help convince others of the truthfullness of the gospel. It wasn't because of our efforts alone that we were able to hand out so many book of Mormons the day before, but it was through the spirit and God's love. 

Sister Wilde and I said a prayer and humbled ourselves before continuing on. With our faith still strong that we would be able to hand out 3 book of Mormons before the skies opened up, we knocked on 3 more doors. 

At all the house we knocked on, there was someone there who accepted a book of Mormon. 

Some missionaries see immediate success, others do not. No matter who you are, you need to recognize that this is God's work, not yours. 

Give yourself up for the work! 

Trust in God, pray to him, and then be willing to put all your efforts into strengthening HIS work!

I love you All so much! I hope you have the best week ever and know how much I love you! Keep being your best self! 

Baking adventures