Destin-Nation

Destination

Destin-Nation

Destin

getting ahead of myself Destin was this mornin' (a week ago) 

The last two weeks have been sweet.

Such a spiritually uplifting and strengthening time (whats new) 

SO MANY THINGS but I will talk about a few subjects super quick

stats for finding:

Lady walks up to us

"You ladies look like you just went to church. Did you?"

"Nope! But we do love church!:)"

"Are you Mormons?"

"Yes! Where have you heard about us?"

"I read the Book of Mormon and went to church a few times but went back to my Baptist church. I'm sorry."

*chuckles

"Don't apologize...."

"Well I live right above your apartment come stop by any time!!"

"OKAY"

I love when that happens.

Stats: Investigators

D***** is so sweet! We went to her baby shower and met some more people. 

A cool moment last week was when our ward mission leader gave D*****'s future mother in law a blessing. The Spirit was touching and we believe it is softening the whole families hearts so that they will all be more open to the lessons/Spirit.

 The mother in law even listened in on the plan of salvation and asked a ton of questions that lead back to the restoration and D***** said that she just knows Joseph Smith is a prophet. Period. She said something just tells her so, and we then taught about the Holy Ghost and It's role as the ultimate truth testifier of God.

way. COOL.

Stats: Others of importance

Shirley has her temple recommend and is going through in November!!!!!!! YAYYYYY 

Ashleys husband is getting home from his deployment soon and we are going to work with them to be able to get sealed to their two adorable children. PRAY FOR THE VANK FAMILY.

We went on exchanges with the head sister training leaders Sister Stephens and Sister Smoot whom I love both dearly. 

Sister Smoot was my sister training leader in Gulf Breeze before we both got transferred so I have been on a couple of exchanges with her that were life changing. As dramatic as that sounds it's actually 100% truth.

Sister Stephens was serving in this zone when I became an stl so I went on an exchange with her as a leader and then she got called to the head honchos so going on an exchange with her was super humbling and kind of hilarious as we both tried to figure out what to do. 

LOL we were going over the report and she was asking me the same question I had asked her when I was her stl, and I just told her wow.. now I know how I sounded. And we laughed and she told me some very kind things that she loved about me and the way that I carry out my calling and watching her incorporate those things to the way she now leads over me was so wonderful. She is amazing, and I learned that the Spirit is truly the leader in all things. It is just our duty and our privilege to keep ourselves finely tuned in order to let that Spirit teach and lead through us. 

Interesting fact about our exchange.. a lady we barely met visiting from Utah told me she has a gift of being able to see guardian angels. Without any info, she told me I definitely have a grandpa with me. "He has silver hair." and she said that she thinks he goes back and forth somewhere else a lot because he was harder to discern.

My grandfather has silver hair. He is the only grandparent that is deceased. And I have a cousin serving in Washington state whom he would also be looking after. 

WE HAD A MISSION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL/HALF MISSION CONFERENCE WITH AN ELDER OF THE SEVENTY

Elder Sitati. 

He is from Kenya, and his wife and him were amazing to say the least. They trained us, blew our minds, and filled our hearts with the Spirit. 

The next day we had a half mission conference with them IN PENSACOLA

which means I got to see Pyper and my friends that are still west of Crestview in the mission. 

God is so good. <3

Some things I learned:

The gospel is simple. Try to keep it that way, and the complex subjects will be just as simple as the basic doctrine if your foundation is truly rooted in Christ and your understanding of His gospel is firm. The appendages will be just as simple if you build on what you know, but you have to know what you know really well for those things to make sense and add rather than destroy.

Service is love. When Christ came to His apostles after His resurrection and they went back to their old life styles hardly different or changed, Peter jumped out of the boat to go meet his Master on the beach. 

Peter was not naive. He knew that he was not doing what he probably should have been doing, but he also knew that despite that true fact of his imperfections, Jesus loved him and would continue to love him perfectly. 

So much so that even though he had

"gone a fishing" for fish instead of men, Jesus still loved him and therefore Peter ran to embrace whom he loved:

Him who loved Peter first.

When we make mistakes or fall into a rut an automatic reaction to it is sometimes to run, but unlike Peter, we run away from the Savior instead of to Him. We are ashamed. 

We feel possibly that we do not deserve His embrace His love or His mercy because of how we are living our life. 

I think perhaps that the problem with this, is that we do not understand His love for us.

We can learn from a couple of people.

Peter: No matter what we can repent and run to the Savior who will embrace us and metaphorically prepare us a meal afterward to help sustain us enough to feed His sheep, become fishers of men rather than fishers of the meaningless fish we've been fishing for our whole life.

We can obviously learn from another

Jesus: Who served his disciples and forgave them quickly for their inability to follow Him when "Him" wasn't around. He showed the perfect leadership example by

1. causing them to have success "cast your nets on the right side" and there were so many fish the apostles could hardly pull the net in

 *boost of self esteem and gratitude

then Jesus

2. embraced them and even

3. cooked them a meal. Taking care of them, serving them. 

*an increased understanding that Christ loved them

and finally,

4. an invitation to follow Him through thick and thin. FEED MY SHEEP. Carry out the work I have called you to. 

Don't fall back into your old ways, go forth! Preach my gospel! Set up my church! Testify!

 Though brutal death may follow

 (and it did)

"Follow me."

and they did.

Parents, serve your children, make sure they know that you love them no matter what they do. Embrace them. Invite them to make changes that will lead them to happiness even if those changes cause frustration, grief, and endurance.

(I have fabulous parents who love and serve and have embraced me despite my shortcomings and set backs. And hey.. I turned out pretty good;)

Not parents: do those things for those you love and those you don't, then those you don't will be added to those you do, and you will receive more added to to you.

Missionaries: (me) Show others the successes of the gospel, help them to feel the Spirit and your love for them. Serve them in word, work, at all times..Feed His sheep!! and invite them to come unto their Shepherd to guide them home.

I am very thankful for the Spirit that taught me so much from Elder Sitati, and for these little snip bits aforementioned.

okay muchas mas.

Birthday stuff. 

I woke up 

"flawless"

at 6:30 am and my comp rolled out of bed and said "happy birthday"

and it only got better from there.

I opened the package from my family. Thank you so much for the goodies and for your love, prayers, and testimonies in those Book of Mormons. I'll make sure they make their way to some inspired people to be blessed with your knowledge of the truthfulness of that book.

Then at church, a half hour before the meeting started, I was sitting there on a pew talking to Shirley about her appointment to see the stake president about getting her recommend completed so EXCITING and in walks...

guess who..

PAUL AND PAULA TOWL. 

WHAT THE FLIPPING FLIPPERS

Paul and Paula. came to the Crestview two ward. FOR MY BIRTHDAY.

I sat between them. It was a fabulous time. I may have shed a few tears.

My companion bore a powerful testimony because it was indeed her last Fast/Testimony meeting as a missionary  

then Paul and Paula took us to the park for our lunch and they brought a picnic, cake, and SO MANY THOUGHTFUL THINGS.

Somehow they remembered how much I love Sister Bradburys chocolate pudding cookies, asked her to make a batch, and picked it up and brought it to me. Somehow, they found adorable little plates that say "love you to the moon and back" because I always say that. They brought me tortellini because that's my nickname.

#SisterTortellini

Paul gave me a catalog thing all about the year 1996 and the things that were notable about that year in the world bc that's when I was born.

Paula gave me an adorable prayer box and Paul made a craft for me with "My Florida Family. Dad, Mom, Me and Sweetie"

Then they sent us on our way with flowers from their garden, and a huge bowl of Paula's homemade stew for another day and some delicious coconut things with chocolate on them. 

Easily. They made my birthday one to remember for the eternities and completely exploded my heart out of gratitude and love for them. I have no Idea what I did to deserve Paul and Paula in my life.. but I'd do it again and again in a heart beat.

Some other notable things. 

We were able to see Madison Corbin in the flesh because she came home to visit and it so happened to be on my birthday!! AHHH I was so pumped to see her again.

We ate dinner at the Ferris home. This woman. If I could cook half as good as her I could probably become the next Rachael Ray. She is the sweetest human, and her and the fam set up all sorts of birthday shenanigans.

Ferris family :)

For those of you that worry about your missionary on his/her birthday.. don't

 the ward/everyone will spoil them to death.  

Then we had a fireside where President Smith spoke and it was awesomely spiritually uplifting and edifying. After, he personally wished me a happy birthday which I feel honored and blessed because I look up to and respect this man SO much and he's usually in Tallahassee so I was so happy the fireside happened to be that day. 

Tender Mercies From The Man Upstairs

Then we had a lesson with Ashley and her adorable kids + she let them pick out some fun things for me. Kaid gave me a bear that dances in the sun in the car, and Capree picked out a wash cloth that has Ariels face on it because she knows I'm secretly a mermaid. :)

PLUS I had cute cards, and cute clothes from grandma and cute wishes from aunt Kim and basically I have the best friends and family and ward in the entire universe to the point that I almost feel terrible because I am hogging all of you. 

Monday was crazy which is why I had -10 time to write about all of this. 

But we went to Destin. 

For a day on the beach, yes. 

The beach.

ATTENTION FELLOW PEEPS IN UTAH AND BASICALLY ANYWHERE BUT FLORIDA

yes. It is October. Like half way through it in fact. AND IT HAS BEEN MID TO LATE 80'S ALL WEEK. Last week was 90's.

*fanning myself with a Restoration pamphlet

*excitedly pointing, slowing down, almost crashing, and screaming when we find one of the 10 trees in florida that has colorful leaves.

 And they turn yellow-brown. 

There's only 3 in the whole state that turn red so you can imagine when we see those the kind of reaction that follows. ;)

annyyywwaaaaayyy

there are two Mcguires in the world...

Pensacola and

DESTIN

so we went and get this...

Destins Mcguires is three times as big as Pensacolas.

It was. 

AWESOMELY WONDERFUL AND GREEN AND THE STEAK WAS PERFECT

 

(which has nothing to do with the fact that we will be eating canned beans and peaches for the rest of the month)

SO FUN

then.... guess what I'm out of time. 

but this last week was wonderful and I am having the time of my life. I'm serious. 

Popcorn man at a Fall festival where we found a "gator"

I ate soup baked in a huge pumpkin yesterday... how can life be anything but wonderful?

Plus I get to knock on doors with salvation in my hands and see people change their hearts over to Christ.

Service with our new filipino friend 

Exchanges with Sister Dom in Paxton, Florida

The Magnums from the Kanesville Stake~my stake in Utah!

CONGRATS to Ben (did I say this yet?) and Ashley, welcome to the Saunders Clan :))

I love you all to the moon and back and around the world twice.

Thanks Nanny & Grandpa for the package and puzzle!

-Sister Ryanne Saunders

Cotton fields<3  My Great-grandma use to pick cotton in fields like this in Alabama

ps...I found the Black Pearl;)

I'm 20!

Hey everyone I have little next to no time this week so please forgive me.

My birthday was amazing and I can't thank everyone enough for making it that way. 

An Elder of the 70 visited and trained us last week. Elder Sitatti. He was amazing

Me and Sister Sitatti

DO NOT SKIP OVER THIS PART:

THE HURRICANE IS LITERALLY WAY FAR AWAY FROM ME I AM JUST AS SAFE AS ALL OF YOU.

Thank you for your concern I love you all, but it is on the east coast and I am on the south coast plus I'm an hour inland and we haven't had rain in a month. 

(everyone has been panicking about that but no hurricanes are even remotely close to us)

Certainly many prayers are said here for the victims and crazy people that decided to stay even though they had many warnings to leave. 

I love you. The Lord Loves you.

-To the Moon and Back

-Sister Saunders

Conf + Clowns In C-View

"I've been out all day tryna get that rich-ness of blessin's

I've been work work work work workin' on my mish." -Sister Azalea 

"This works gonna fix what don't work anymore" -national tribute

"Work hard play hard work hard play hard"  -idk but I think it's kalifa 

Lately a huge thing that has been popping up is work.

fancy that because the Christ Like attribute I studied the month of September was Diligence.

Don't sit and stew get up and do

-my jr high choir teacher

here are some tidbits of what I have learned

BACK BREAKING WORK IS FUN

more than fun.. it's fulfilling 

Diligence is finding joy and satisfaction in the work 

It's a lack of distraction, a dash of using time wisely, with a side of keep moving forward. And the main course:

work:)

"I have often said the greatest secret to missionary work is work. Work Work Work theree is no satisfactory substitute." -Ezra Taft Benson

Helaman 15:6 

"They are striving with unwearied diligence that they may bring the remainder of their brethren to the knowledge of the truth."

Go Getter

Goal Setter 

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which ye have shewed towards His name in that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister and we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end."

Heb. 6:10/11

Steady Consistent Earnest Energetic Effort

For those of you that have returned from missions, I want you to think of a time that you felt super tired on the mission because of the toughness of the work/schedule/dedication surrounding what you did. 

JOKES

The reason why you are probably having trouble thinking of a specific time, is because that was probably literally every single day. ;)

But that means you did it right!!!!

 YAY hand slap to the back. You earned it.

If you are a parent, or otherwise engaged in a good cause, faith, or occupation you can also relate to this. 

I've been told it's these types of exhaustion and work that bring about the most joy and enjoyment of the fruits of these labors. I believe whoever told me that because I have been able to see this. 

This week we decided to start blitzing or purging areas in the district.

There are three sets of missionaries in the Crestview district. 

Four elders, and us.

We all went to a section of one area and we knocked every door, and talked to everyone in sight and covered a lot of ground. 

IT WAS AWESOME

It was honestly so much fun. We met a lot of people got a return appointment, taught people the gospel and felt the Spirit.

a day in the life.

At the end of the day, a full day of work, we recorded our numbers. 

basically all 0's 

ouch right?

Wrong.

If Abinadi recorded his numbers at the end of the day it would have been basically all 0's

0 baptisms

0 confirmations

0 bcds

0 member presents

1 other lesson

1 new investigator

0 rcla's

but hey... how many people Came Unto Christ because of him?

Summary of Abinadi, Prophet and Martyr

It's not about the numbers it's about the people who see two disciples of Christ happy as ever in 95 degree weather smiling and praying for them and their families on their porches and in the streets.

It's about my favorite part of the letter I got in the mail almost a year ago. 

"Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerful serve the Lord in this LABOR OF LOVE among His children."

diligence.

Real talk:

there are times we feel the exact opposite of diligent.

idle-slow-lazy-forgetful-tired-complaining-negative-poor me-

And a lot of these hit hard right before something amazing happens.

and right after. Spiritual high, then crash.

But as I have prayed for the strength to press forward with happiness and a smile on my face, diligence is further written in my heart and happiness is further felt in my soul.

I want to thank the Rocky Mountain Ward Primary for their sweet notes.

Made my whole week! I got your beautiful drawings and words of encouragement and I appreciate and adore them. THANK YOU.

Follow up from last week.. It dawned on me I forgot to mention something..

We have a fenced in deck at this apartment. The whole property is actually a gated community, and there are a lot of policemen/military that live here. On top of that there are security guards on duty 24/7 that this complex hires to keep residents safe.

Crestview is a decently safe place...

(but then again... don't read up on the recent clown issues going on here OR dress up as a clown in Crestview.. you will be arrested even if it's on Halloween.)

anyway..

we left our bikes on the deck thinking they would be safe..

and walked out one day to find.. not Sister Whites bike that's what.

It was gone.

Surprisingly enough mine was still there..

After the shock and frustration wore off.. I joked and said it was because the angels were protecting my bike. 

The only reason they didn't protect hers was because they knew she didn't even really need it much longer.

It was a bum deal, but all will be well in zion. Sister White has been a champ about it and I commend her for that.

On that note I have to mention just how lucky I am to have the companions I have had.

Christiansen will forever be one of my best friends and someone I look up to and love like a sister. 

Sister Pyper taught me so much about pure virtue. She is calm in crazy situations and taught me to develop confidence in the Lord. I love her.

Sister White is one of the most fun loving, loud laughing, merry people around. I am learning just how fun simple moments can be with the right foreign accent, and a good imagination.

I love her very much as well.

It's so crazy that after this transfer, 2 of my three companions will be gonzo and Pyper and I will be it. 

It's also crazy, that I have been so focused on the fact that Sister White is going home that I have only just realized that when that happens... I will be half way done.

That. Makes. Me. Sick.

and causes about a boat load and a half of self reflection with a hint of fear/sadness and thoughts of how in the world I can slow time down because each month goes by faster.

Then there are some of the hard moments that I'm like how in the world can I speed this up because I would probably do some craaazy things for a group hug with my family right now.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but those moments are much farther and fewer. I don't want to be anywhere but here and I love it: HERE

ALL IN

ALL IN

110%

NeverGiveYourSecondBest

NOREGRETS Feb2k16-AUG2k17

lol not sure where that came from

but super pumped because I have been learning lots. Conference was awesome. Bonnie Oscarson threw it down last week and I want to be her when I grow up. 

Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion - By Bonnie L. Oscarson

We watched General Conference with one of my favorites: Cherry and Deloris came over so it was like.. perfect. Then we went to Lorraine's -the one we broke out of the retirement home one time. (Story for after the mish) and then we watched priesthood with Ashley and obv you know how much I love her.

Lorraines 

Ashleys

Sunday we watched conference at the church with our investigator. She rocks. 

But we found out some.. curve ball news...

She is living with her boyfriend.  Still love her guts, and we will of course continue to help her in any way that we can, but this is probably going to be a process so pray for her. And us. THE ATONEMENT IS INFINITE. 

But on the good side conference was amazing and she felt the Spirit testify to her the truthfulness of the fact that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the restoration and that Thomas S Monson is also a prophet. 

Well my 20th birthday is this Sunday and even though I was totally joking about gifts because prayers are all I need, sweet Vicki Rendon sent me a gift and I have to tell her THANK YOU I love you Vicki. You are wonderful. 

and family.. I love you so much thanks for successfully getting me through my teens

Hopefully the 20's are far less exciting but way more adventurous. ;)

LOVE YOU

-SisterSaunders 

(Not Sanders because Sanders is not gucci. Elder Sanders disagrees.. but all of the little girls in primary agree that the U is vital;)

Make it a great day!