March 30,2020 A Whole New World

Hey Family and friends!! 

This week has been different then any other week on the mission, but we continue to see miracle after miracle, despite us being quarantined in our appartment.  

Not going to lie, we may have gone a little insane at the beginning of the week. Missionaries are constantly on the go, knocking doors, approaching everything that moves, and hugging any person who can get their arms around us!! Missionary life is pretty demanding physically, mentally and emotionally, but when our main source of work was cut off (human interaction) we were left pacing our apartments and sweeping until the broom bristles gave out! (Call to our president! We may need more Clorox wipes!!) ;) We were kindof in a missionary "slump". We were unsure how to move forward with our work. 

THEN we started to reach out to others through messanger, WhatsApp, zoom, text, phone call and any other online app accessible to missionaries! We saw quick responses, and pretty soon our days began to fill up so quickly! We were unsure if we would be able to finish the calls quickly enough to get onto the next ones! 

At the beginning of the week I never imagined that our schedual would be so completely filled that I wouldn't even have extra time to clean the dishes and wipe the counters for the zillionth time in a day! 

We were able to reach out to a man named Robert who had contacted us the transfer previously. He explained that he would be moving to Victoria soon. He had watched October General confrence and it was the Happiest weekend of his entire life! He was eager to learn more about the gospel and grow closer to our Father in Heaven and savior Jesus christ. 

As we contacted him throughout the week, we were able to share a message about prayer as well as the plan of salvation! He was so grateful for the precious truths we testified to him. Even though it was over a video call, we were able to feel the spirit very strongly! 

I know that this is Gods work!! It is not finished, and though satan may try to get us down, if we rely on christ's atonement, Satan will have no power over us! Through gods grace, our weaknesses can be made strong! God will prevail! 

I know that as we continue to rely on Heavenly Father, trusting that his plan is perfect, we will be able to overcome any trial placed in our path!! 

I love you all!! 

Never stop praying! He is listening! 

Stephenson's & Sister's Elgaaen & Lopez

Sister Lopez & Elgaaen in the Car

Lauren & Sister's Elgaaen & Lopez

ME

Sister's Elgaaen & Lopez practicing our singing skills

Solimar & Sister Elgaaen & Lopez

Enright Family & Sister's Elgaaen & Lopez

Sister Elgaaen, Elder Mulligan, Sister Lopez, Elder Jones

Lauren & Sister's Elgaaen & Lopez

March 23, 2020 The Necessesity of Getting Knocked Down

During this life, we experience many trials and challenges. A common question is WHY? Why would a loving heavenly father let his beloved children experience hardships? 

It seems like every time our feet finally hit the ground we are constantly being knocked back down. 

But Heavenly Father has a plan for each and everyone of us. 

So, when our faces are pushed into the ground, we might possibly taste of the dust where the savior's feet have stepped. As we desperately grasp for something to pick us up, our hands might feel of the nails that pierced his precious skin. As we breathe in the air around us, we might smell the blood he spilt. When restless for relief, we may drink the tears he shed for us, and when darkness closes in, we might see the light he is holding up. 

When we are down, that is where the evidence of the saviors perfect love and infinite atonement is most prominent. 

So as we are mocked, shut down, yelled at, threatened, criticized, judged, abused and broken; when our face is once again pressed deep into the path, instead of our feet happily prancing along the way, recognize the evidence of god's love!

There is no step we will take that the savior hasn't already taken, so don't try to walk the path alone. Let him walk beside you, and when you don't have the strength to stand back up, call out to him! He will make up for all that you lack! He will pick you up and help you begin down the path once again. 

In Jacob 1:8 it states, "but that all men would believe in christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross and bear the shame of the world." 

It is guaranteed that we will walk at least a small portion of where the Savior walked, and as we do so, we are bound to suffer at least part of what the Savior suffered, and bear a fragment of his cross. 

And when you finally reach the end, that is where YOUR father is waiting to pull you into his arms! An embrace so tight that he will fix all your broken pieces! God loves you perfectly! He lets us experience trials and challenges, because that is part of the path we must walk to return to his loving arms. The amazing thing is that we don't have to do it alone! God will give you no trial too difficult for you to overcome. 

Forgive quickly, love unconditionally, pray fervently, seek diligently. The savior will support you every step of the way, if you let him! 

I love you all so much!! 

Sister Elgaaen & Brionna

Elder Badilla, Sister Lopez, Sister Elgaaen, Elder Mulligan

Painting Annalis & Jasmin's nails

Sister Lopez & Elgaaen picking Flowers

Helping the Monney's get food boxes ready for trek

Sister Elgaaen

Sister Lopez & Elgaaen

Sister Lopez, Anisia Danesta, Sister Elgaaen

March 16, 2020 There is No Such Thing as Barbers

Hey family and friends!! 

I would like to share this story with you... 

Once their was a man named Fred who entered a barber shop to have his hair trimmed. As Fred sat down, his barber began trimming his hair and they started talking about anything and everything. Eventually the topic of religion presented itself. 

The barber told Fred that there was no god. "How could there be a god if so many people are suffering?"

Fred was a little taken aback, he was a Farley religious man himself, and he had spent years of his life gaining a deeper relationship with God. 

Fred, however, kept quiet as the barber went on. 

"Look how many people are sick and dying! Look at those who are poor and hopeless. God isn't making himself known to them and helping them through their trials and challenges!" 

The barber finished the haircut and Fred thanked him. He left the shop and while walking, he saw a young man with shaggy long hair. 

"Come with me." Fred told the shaggy haired man. 

Fred took this man into the barber shop and said plainly. "I dont think that barbers exist." 

"What do you mean?" The barber said angrily. 

"Look at this man!" Fred said. "If Barbers existed, then wouldn't his hair be trimmed?" 

The barber shook his head. "No. The people have to choose to come to me to get their hair cut." 

Fred went on. "If there really were barbers, then wouldn't everyone's hair be cut nicely and kept up all the time?" 

The barber was a little upset at this point. "You cant expect me to cut people's hair when they dont even want their hair to be cut!!" 

Fred nodded. "And just like how barbers cannot cut the hair of those who refuse to come to them, god cannot help the people who refuse to come to him either.  Just because there are men and women with hair not trimmed doesn't mean there isn't barbers to cut their hair, and just because there are people with challenges and trials doesn't mean there isn't a god who will help them overcome those trials and challenges." 

With that, Fred tipped his hat to the barber and left the shop. 

This was a simple story told to me by one of our investigators, Emiliano. He shared his testimony with us about how although we experience trials and challenges, that doesn't mean there isn't a god waiting and wanting us to reach out to him. 

I know that Heavenly Father loves each one of us perfectly! He knows what we have need of, even before we ask!! But we still must ask! We need to continually reach out to him in prayer! He will hear you!! 

 This week we were able to meet with Emiliano and he has accepted baptism for April 18th!!! 

Emiliano has such a strong testimony of the gospel! When we came into victoria, an Elder from my precious area told us to find Emiliano, because he WILL be baptized.

I looked for Emiliano on our records, but they were no where!

About a week into our first transfer I asked the Victoria Elders if they had Emiliano's records. 

They did!!

The Elders sent us Emiliano's information and we quickly set up a time to go by.

As we met with Emiliano and his family, we were blown away with his knowledge and love for the gospel! He invited US to read Alma 32 because it was a chapter he is very fond of.

His only struggle and concern was to give up coffee. We asked him if he would like to receive a priesthood blessing of comfort to help him overcome any trials, and to help him have the strength and desire to give up coffee.
He accepted.

Later that week we met at a members house and Emiliano was able to receive a priesthood blessing.

After Brother Stevenson gave him the blessing, Emiliano said
"Did you guys feel that?"
He explained that he had felt a warmth wash over his whole body. He was taken aback by priesthood blessing and was moved to tears from the love and comfort he felt.

We tried to keep in contact the best we could the rest of the week, but due to his wife being sick we weren't able to go over for two weeks!

One day while weekly planning, we got a phone call from Emiliano.

He told us he would be able to have a lesson with us on thursday night and he was excited to see us. He apologized for missing church the previous Sunday due to his wife's illness.

Hermana lopez asked him if he had thought about baptism any more sense we last spoke with him and invited him to pray about it.

He said he had!

He told us that he has thought about baptism alot sense the priesthood blessing. He told us he has not had even a sip of coffee sense then!!!

I think that was close to the happiest moment of my entire mission!! I felt as if my spirit had up and gone to heaven!!

Hermana Lopez and I were so touched by his love and his excitement for the gospel and his dedication to the lord, that we both cried from the overload of joy.

That Thursday, we were able to extend the invitation of baptism to Emiliano for April 18th which he accepted.

He has definatly been prepared of the lord.

Elders Jones & Mulligan  Sister Elgaaen & Lopez

Marciella, Sister Lopez & Elgaaen

Sister Elgaaen

March 9, 2020 Puzzle

This transfer I have seen countless miracles that have helped me recognize even more how great the lords work is!! 

I got a call from President Guthrie the Saturday before transfers asking me if I would be willing to white wash Victoria; In turn, Texas City would be closing to sisters. 

I was staying in Houston at this time so my goodbyes to those I had grown to love so much down in my old area would be nonexistent. Of course this pained my heart! But I knew that God has a perfect plan for each one of us. 

I was told to not listen to what anyone said about Victoria, and to go in and do things "our way."

When Hermana Lopez and I got to Victoria we excitedly checked the list of those we would already be teaching.... 

There was one person. 

We tried to contact the person the previous  Victoria sisters were teaching, but despite our constant efforts to help them come closer to Christ, we ended up dropping them after only a week. 

We were then teaching no one. 

If I could pin point the hardest time on my mission, it would be then. We felt completely alone. We knew no one and no one knew us. 

As we sat in our apartment the first day trying to figure out where to go, we got a phone call. 

"HEY SISTERS!" 

It was the Deasons. They told us they had some cookies that needed a home. They wanted us to come over as soon as we had the chance! It was the first miracle we saw here in Victoria. 

We fell in love with the Deasons the second that their three little kids came running out of the house to greet us. 

As the days rolled by we began to be familiar with the area. We didn't get lost as easily every time we left the apartment.

The second p-day finally came and we anxiously called our families and emailed our friends. We stopped by Walmart to pick up a few groceries, and there a woman approached us. She asked us what religion we were and my companion briefly explained it to her before we parted ways.

 As we loaded our groceries in our car and bucked our seatbelts a car quickly pulled up in front of ours, blocking our way out. They parked right in front of us, and the woman from before got out of the driver's seat.  

She came up to our car, and we rolled the window down. She asked us if we could come and visit her! She said she had just moved to Victoria, and she is looking for a religion. She wants us to bring her a Bible and we exchanged information!! 

After that, miracles rolled in from everywhere!

 While visiting a member down in Edna we stopped by a house where a man told us to come back next week. As we pulled up a week later a woman was standing outside, and she quickly invited us in. We told her of the Book of Mormon and she opened up to us! She told us she has an aunt who needs to hear this message we were sharing. 

Her aunt pulled up a few minutes later and we were able to share a Book of Mormon with her as well as the poem I wrote a week previous to our encounter. She cried as I read her the simple words I had written. 

I offered her the poem, and she later messaged us this: 

"Ok sisters, you guys made a big impression and impact on me and my life. You don't know how much I thank you for stepping in when you did, and being a friend when I needed it the most! God sent you to give me comfort and true love in his name and in his sons name. He's right on time. He always gives you what you need, not what you want...I'm going to cherish this poem with all of my heart! I'm going to blow it up and get it laminated! I might have someone rewrite it and draw a picture with it, but this poem is everything to me." 

I know that though I may have thought the poem was for me, it was for this woman!

Right after leaving that home, we got a call from a man named Robert who said he had watched general conference and he wants to take the lessons!! 

Later I had the impression to message a scripture to Robert. His response again touched my heart.

He said "the scripture you sent was just perfect timing. I didn't know you knew." 

We were confused. "Knew what?" We asked. 

"To send this scripture." 

We told him we had been moved by the spirit to send him this scripture. He expressed his love for the lord. He knew that god is watching over him! 

Not a day has gone by where we haven't seen at least one simple, but beautiful miracle!! 

This is the lords work! I know I am meant to be here in Victoria at this time. 

I have learned how to rely on the lord and love the people no matter what!

I love the mission!! I wouldn't want anything different! Even the trials and hardships have only turned into little pieces of gold. 

I know that god sees the whole picture, were we only see a piece of the giant puzzle. It is so important to trust in the lord and consecrate  ourselves to him!! If we do, we are promised we will be able to run and not be weary, and walk and not faint!! (D&C 89:20) 

 Hard times will come, but the dark pieces of the puzzle only add to the beauty of the finished piece. I hope we can all continue to trust in the lord and rely on him as we progress and improve day by day. 

I love you all!! 

March 2, 2020 Do you think it was easy for me?

The mission isn't easy. It took me a long time to come to understand that every day isn't going to be the ideal perfect missionary experience. Doors are slammed in our faces, we are yelled off of properties. People we love turn away from the truths we KNOW. Companions can be a challenge to get along with... Sometimes you just end your day in tears, not understanding why you are experiencing these trials and hardships. 

This was how my day was ending on a sunday of February 2020. 

As my companion slept in the other room, I knelt and asked heavenly father why missionary work was so hard! 

Tears streamed down my face as I spoke to him of my frustrations and stresses. 

Then I heard a still small voice whisper to me these simple words: 

"Do you think it was easy for me?" 

I knew that the savior has experienced more difficult things then I could ever comprehend! I was taken aback. 

Christ was spit upon, whipped, mocked! He had a crown of thorns carefully pressed down on his head. The Roman's forced him to carry his own cross up to the hill where they proceeded to nail his gentle hands and feet to the wooden planks and lift him up to crucify him. Even before that, christ performed the atonement for us. He felt ALL our trials and troubles, emotional and physical. 

Do you think that was easy for him? 

He cried out in the garden for heavenly father to let this cup pass from him! If we can hardly stand some of the physical and emotional struggles we are going through now, how do you think christ felt when ALL our trials fell upon him in the garden of gethsemane? For us, it would be unbearable! 

But that doesn't mean we need to have a "stiff upper lip" and never show that we are struggling. What christ did wasn't to prove that we are weak, and he is strong. He suffered for us so when we are going through those trials and those challenges, he can be there! 

He choose to suffer for us alone in the garden, so when we are suffering, we never have to be alone! 

The atonement is what enables us to find strength through the savior who knows exactly who we are and what we have experience. 

So yes, some days on the mission are hard, but because of the savior, I know that every day is possible! 

Sister Elgaaen getting a package from home!

Brian, Sister Lopez, Sister Elgaaen

Sister Elgaaen & Brianna with sticker picture.

Sister Elgaaen & Sister Call

Sister Elgaaen & Call We love the Book of Mormon

February 24, 2020 Insturment in God's Hands

This week I read in Alma chapter 26 (which Is one of the best chapters in the entire book of mormon). Ammon, a humble servant of the lord is explaining his purpose for serving a mission. 

He states: "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."

Ammon knows that we are nothing without god, but with him, we can change lives. 

I was prompted to write this little "story" or poem based off being an instrument in gods hands.

Here it goes: 

I was an ordinary instrument who's strings were wound too tight; though many have tried to play me, the notes never seemed to come out right.  

I dreamed of being famous, in the hands of a rock star, but paint and polish, though very pretty, had never brought me far. 

When people passed right by me, I couldn't help but lift my chin. I hoped they notice my potential and carefully take me in. 

But weeks turned to years and I slowly became discouraged, Dust had collected on my frame and I quickly lost all courage. 

Then a man approached me, and he looked me up and down, "You are priceless" He whispered quietly, "Let me wipe away your frown". 

As he gathered me in his arms, I felt all broken pieces mend. "Dont worry my child, I have a place for you to tend." 

He carried me to a building and quietly opened up the door. To my surprise those who stood around me seemed humble, meek and poor. 

I had pictured my grand moment and this wasn't really it, but as the musician started playing, I realized how I fit. 

This man took my imperfections and worked around my flaws. He strummed a tune so glorious that heads turned to see the cause.  

Men and women gathered around us, their faces changing in the light. I let the man strum even louder, filling the room with all his might. 

I hope the simple music will make it across the land, for today I was choosen as an instrument in Gods hand. 

Many people try their hardest to get thousands of likes on photos they post and others try to become famous and rich, but I know that a Million dollars is worth nothing compared to the value of one of gods children. 

It is because of the saviors atonement that we have so much value and worth. Without his sacrifice we would die both physically and spiritually. We would be sentenced to an eternal life of misery, but because heavenly father loves us, he sent his perfect son to atone for us. Through him (and only through him) we can become something greater. 

"The worth of a soul is great in the sight of God" (D&C 18:10). Heavenly father knows our full potential. Where people around us see so clearly our flaws and mistakes, he sees his beloved son or daughter.

God loves you perfectly. He can love you perfectly, because he knows you perfectly. 

So dont become discouraged when those who represent the world overlook your potential. Soon enough, the lord will lift you into his arms and play a song so glorious that it will be bound to touch someone's heart. 

You are priceless! 

District Face Masks

Sister Elgaaen & Lopez at temple

Sister Lopez, Azul, Sister Elgaaen

February 17, 2020 Firm and Steadfast

This week I have learned more about the importance of standing FIRM and STEADFAST. There are several references to this in the book of mormon, as well as the bible, but have we truly stopped to recognize what it actually means? 

Recently we drove to a street in victoria and parked the car. We quickly said a prayer before knocking a few doors. No one seemed to answer, but soon a man came outside and began unloading things from his truck. 

We offered our service, which he politely declined. We introduced ourselves as the Sister Missionaires in the area and asked if he had ever heard of missionaires before. 

He nodded and then chuckled to himself. He went on to explain that he was a minister for another chuch. 

He told us that because we believe differently from him, we will be going to Hell. 

He tried to explain to us what we believed (which wasn't correct at all) and how it was wrong. He tried convincing us of what he thought to be true. 

He told us it was by Devine design that he happened to run into us as we were walking by his house. (Which is 100% true.) Though he thinks it is so we will change our religion and beliefs, it only strengthened my belief in this gospel. 

Through my mission I have been told many times that I will understand why the chuch isn't true when I grow up. I have been told that what I believe is wrong and I will never make it to heaven, but none of those things are true. 

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true restored chuch on the earth today. 

Nothing will dim my ever growing testimony of the truths of this gospel! 

When we stand FIRM and STEADFAST and IMMOVABLE in the gospel, we won't let others unbeliefs or confusion drive us from the straight and narrow path back to our heavenly father. 

We did not argue with this man. We smiled at him, bore testimony of what we KNOW to be true, and thanked him for his thoughts. 

We were unshaken by this experience, instead we were strengthened. 

I pray we can each be more FIRM in our beliefs. If you are confused as to what is true, my advice to you is to study, ponder, and pray about the book of mormon. Take your questions to god, and seek for an answer through confrence talks given by modern prophets and apostles, as well as from the scriptures! We have so many resources that are there to strengthen and uplift us! USE THEM!!  

Stand STEADFAST. If you fall down, get back up again! "Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow and forever" (Jeffery R. Holland). 

God knew when he told us to repent, it will be a reoccurring thing. He doesn't tell us to PENT... there is a "re" infront of it! We can choose to be better every single day and REpent of anything we have done that wasn't aligned with gods will. We have the chance to improve, and even if we make the same mistake over and over again, once we repent god will remember our sins no longer. 

As you partake of the sacrament, think of what the savior has done for you. He is here to help us become IMMOVABLE in his gospel! 

I love you all!! I hope you have the best week in the whole world! 

Never forget your worth

Victoria Missionaries Doing Service

Sister Stephenson, Sister Lopez Birthday, Sister Elgaaen