One Step In His Shoes

Southern Sunset~Straight Outta Brewton

After Curtis told us about his dad getting bit by a banana spider

he said something like,

"Those things are deadly, I want to meet Jesus someday but not today spiders!"

then Rachel said,

"Well I don't know about that, but that huge beetle right there is about to meet Jesus if he gets any closer to me"

Me: "Can you imagine dying from a spider.  In Heaven when people ask you "How did you die?  you'd have to say ... A spider."

Curtis:

"You Pansy!

 {in a British/southern accent} I got ran over by an 18 wheeler."

Sister Palmer:

 "Do you think there are support groups in heaven where we just talk about how we died? We just sit around asking "Well how did you die?"

Me:

 "Or is it like prison.. "So...  what are you in for?"

Curtis: "I got bit by a spider."

<bursts of laughter>

Me:

 "You Pansy. I got beheaded."

Curtis:

 "Well it's not like I wanted to get bit by a spider!"

Me:

 "Well it's not like I wanted to get beheaded!"

Then we all busted a gut!

Welcome to the funny farm-

guess you had to be there ;)

I love these humans!

That day we had an awesome lesson, Curtis is soaking it all up like a sponge and Rachel is full force ahead. They are just so prepared for progression in the gospel it's unreal! Because of this, we finished the lesson in a half hour and Curtis said,

"Awesome. What's next?"

So we ended up sharing not only the Plan of Salvation, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well. We all parted ways happy and fed by the fruits of the Spirit. 

That night, Paul called to give us a referal, and warned us that some tropical storms were on their way up the gulf. It has been raining already for about two weeks straight, so I was like.. aren't we alrady in a tropical storm? but no... the winds picked up quite a bit and that whole night I had dreams about random people waking me up and telling me to jump in the tub because a tornado was right outside :)

At one point in my dream, my dad came in and was like, "Sister Saunders we have to get you taped to some pillows!!! There's some baby tornados forming!!"

...you know you are a missionary when, in dreams, even your dad calls you Sister Saunders;)

Tuesday the tropical storm really hit, we got dumped on all day.

At one point Sister Palmer missed a turn and attempted to turn around, there was a slight ditch and mud so she was apprehensive to go any further--

me being me and not wanting to get out to back her/get drenched and muddy said.

"just gun it"

well 

we got stuck

SURPRISE

bet you didn't see that plot twist!

I hope no one gets a heart attack and dies after reading this from that surprise

and not so surprisingly enough, we got REALLY stuck!

We were out in the redneck boonies

and the man across the street saw us from his window and came out to try to help us

nicest guy ever

but his truck looked a little small and he couldn't find a chain.

Two seconds later an elevated huge white truck with confederate flags plastered all across the side of it and sticking out the back along with two names in bold saying

"In loving memory of Paw paw and Great Paw paw"

came to the rescue!

They just happened to be driving down the road, lo and behold, just like everyone in the south, they were kind enough to pull right on over and attach their huge truck to our car and with a tow strap attempt to get us out of the ditch.

Unfortunately, the strap broke

but the good sir across the street went and found us a chain and the truck driver got out, Jesus tattoos all over his arms, ponytail bands [Jasmine style] down to his rear, heart of GOLD, good old' redneck boy and his friend hooked us up and got us out of the ditch lickety split!

We thanked them, shook hands, and they were off!

We saved the address of the sir across the street bc we plan to take him cookies and teach him the gospel:)

Unfortunately our redneck rescuer and his friend and his girl were off super quick and we didn't have any info.

Fifteen minutes later on our way to contact someone, we see them behind us all of the sudden.

By chance, we were looking for a house that was right around the corner from where our huge truck friend lives. 

We were able to save them in the GPS

We plan on teaching them the gospel as well:)

As much as Id like to kick myself for encouraging sister palmer to 

"gun it"

I know that God uses our weaknesses to be able to spread His word

even if it means being rescued from the clenches of a muddy ditch in the middle of a tropical storm and creepily figuring out where those people live and coming back when we have more time :)

Wednesday we had a lesson with Diane! She is doing super well, we brought Sister Field with us-whom I love dearly.

We also saw Curtis and Rachel, and Rhoda and Johnny.

Rhoda and Johnny are progressing, and even though Johnny doesn't want to admit it, we can tell it is making a huge impact.

Rhoda even sneakily told us he has been reading the Book of Mormon online so that he can see it better, in bigger print.

He would hate to admit it, but I love that guy so much and I know he will come around.

We have kind of a new initiative in the mission

that is focus on a smaller amount of people and what they need to progress.

It's been working so well.

We only plan for five of our most progressing investigators.

We used to plan for 20 lessons every week

So we cut that in half

not that we don't still teach more than 10 lessons, we just plan more thuroughly for the people we want to focus on and help.

This way we can receive more specific revelation for them, and open our hearts more when we go to teach.

Well it paid off.

that council came from Elder Uceda.  

(I'm standing behind him in the pic at the bottom of the blog--<3 him)

Here two weeks later, in church yesterday, there were more investigators that came to church,

  than I have seen on any given Sunday my entire mission.

(PLUS many of them live 30 minutes away)

Rhoda TOOK us to church; she had a lot of questions on the way home, but through the Spirit we were able to help her to answer her own questions. She had a really great experience at church, and really connected with one of the members who had a similar background. Rhoda even shared her sad experience of not listening to the prompting she felt to call her daughter-in-law and invite her grandson over the day that he drowned.

She feels guilt from not listening to the Spirit that day, but in Relief Society where she shared her story, one of the members assured her that she must not harbor that guilt, that Jesus Christ heals broken hearts, that even though we make mistakes, all will be made up to us as we rely on HIM.

Whether in this life or the life to come. It will come.

Brenda. And. Roland. Came. To. Church. 

long story, no time

 Just know I cried and never thought I'd see the day.

MIRACLES

Diane came to church, gave the opening prayer, and called us later in the evening to ask us what lessons will be taught next week so she can study them and asked us how to find those lessons on her phone. She also brought three grandkids and her sister to church. She is a ROCKSTAR

WOW.

Curtis and Rachel came too and loved church + talked to President Sumrall about being married so that he can be baptized next week. It's happening people. Love these lovebirds!

(p.s. shout out to them because they read my blog and made us sweet Jesus bookmarks and made us delicious food one day last week)

Something major that stuck out to me--

Rhoda has a backround of just about every religion you can imagine that falls under the category of Christian.

She taught me something very special yesterday at church.

Before the meeting, she grabbed our hands and began to pray for Sister Palmer who was going to speak that day (and did fabulously well I might add) Rhoda prayed that Sister Palmer would feel bold, and empowered by the Spirit of the Lord.

Then later, as the sacrament was passed, when she took that piece of bread...

Brothers and Sisters,

she held that bread between her fingers as if it were the most sacred holy piece of anything that ever existed in the universe.

She handled it with such respect; she held it, bowed her head, and whispered a small prayer with such love for the Savior

and she proceeded to eat the piece of bread when her prayer concluded.

I was touched. 

I did not hear the words she said, but I know that it was a prayer of gratitude, and a prayer of purification to be worthy to partake of the Lords Supper. To do it in remembrance of His body, and to fully take advantage of this opportunity to feel the Holy Ghost at the most important part of that three hours we call church.

I will never take the sacrament the same. My testimony was strengthened, and my heart was full.

I thank her for teaching me that lesson. The sacrament must not be taken for granted, it is a gift to remind us of His Great Atoning Sacrifice

------------------------------------------------------------------------

One of the most interesting things happened to me this week

let me rephrase

One of the most interesting things happened for me this week

without going into detail (because this isn't a prayer, and it's not a pity party, or a place to vent the woes of Sister Saunders time)

I had two low days this past week

the turning point of this low time was this:

We were tryna see someone who wasn't home

stopped at a stop sign to leave, I saw a black dude sitting on a bench

not to be racist or profiling, but the fact that he is black is important to the story and part of helping you imagine what happened

#politicallycorrectasallgetout

I jumped out of the car at the stop sign and told my comp I'd be right back

I began by simply testifying of Gods love for him and explaining that:

 I know this might be strange but I felt led to come talk to you.

I tried to share with him a Book of Mormon; he politely declined.

So I offered him our card and number to get in contact if he were to pray about it and feel prompted.

On one side of the card there is a picture of Jesus

problem? You'd think not-

well here was his problem...

The artists depiction of Jesus in this picture, and many, is that Jesus is white

ahem

*Caucasian

"I can't accept that. That is not my God. I don't pray to that God. My God is the God of the Bible."

I tried to explain that we both believe in Jesus Christ and we both believe in the Bible.

"HAVE YOU READ THE BIBLE? My God has dark skin and wholy hair.. does that hair look wholy to you????"

*points to picture

I assured him that I agreed, that Jesus totally was indeed born in the middle east therefore based on assumption He indeed had darker skin than that of the picture painted on our card. I also very lovingly promised him that more important than what He looks like is who He is and what He did for ALL white, black, bond, or free.

which led to a him saying a whole slew of fired up negative things about how women should not preach or teach, that what I am doing is abominable before God. He asked me if I ever wore pants, I replied yes, he told me that is sinful. Then he yelled at me to tell me that he is of the true Jewish decent, that he is not from Africa, but from the children of Israel. His dark people should be lords and kings over the rest of us. 

"But hey" he said

"the first shall be last and the last shall be first."

intriguing 

As he continued to yell I patiently listened and the coolest thing happened ever ya'll

I felt extreme love for him.

WHAT

no seriously, this is not a holier than thou moment, but honest I felt the Spirit constrain my natural thoughts, and I felt love for this child of God that was so angry. 

As he went about tearing me down and said something about the synagogue of satan I listened and felt the words

"Be still and know that I am God."

it didn't end

He continued, his words were ugly, his eyes were scarred, I was completely at peace and patient as he got it all out.

I thought of Jesus Christ as He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, and convicted to satisfy a mob.

What was his response? Silence. He allowed them to mock and ridicule.

I started to feel Joy.

I'm serious, straight up JOY.

If I had not prepared spiritually that day, I probably would have been much more inclined to say something along the lines of

"SILENCE ye being of the infernal pit! I rebuke you, you heathen!!!! I AGREE WE DON'T WORSHIP THE SAME GOD BC YOU ARE FOLLOWING SATAN"

woah.. yikes...

but because I had the Spirit with me, my reaction -when he finished talking and started looking at his phone because he was no longer interested in communicating with me- 

 was much more like the scripture in Proverbs. 31: 26

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and her tongue is the law of kindness."

I told him

I am sorry for the negative feelings that you have towards me and others, but I must share with you my feelings. I believe in Jesus Christ my Savior and exemplar. He is perfect, He ministered to all regardless of color, gender, class, apparel, health. He loves ALL!

 HE came not to 

condemn

the world

but that through Him

we all might be saved.

He built people up from their saddened estate.

I feel a little the opposite after hearing what you said to me. You have sought to tear me down, to judge and condemn me today. You have spoken harshly, but I know with all my being 

I am nothing before God. My worth is less than one grain of sand in the sea

but my Savior, with my permission, is

BUILDING me

to be more and more each and every day.

I know He lives!

I know that regardless of what HE may or may not look like, God is LOVE.

(a little before this point he had put his phone down and started listening intently)

I hope that does not offend you at this time. Thank you for speaking with me, and listening to my testimony even thou to you I am only a woman. Let me assure you, I am a woman of faith in Jesus The Christ!

This book has changed my life, as you will not accept it, I will leave now. I hope you have a good day.

I smiled, he smiled

and wished me one back.

The Spirit was there.

I left, head level.

Not brought down, not held high or fired up in triumph, just forward with purpose and feelings of the Spirit---confidence in my God. 

I know in whom I serve

I prayed that the man would get another chance to accept Him someday, and that he will have experiences to prepare him for that whether in this life or the life to come.

As we drove away I related this experience to Sister Palmer who had started to drive over to see what was taking so long, but felt like she should leave it to me.

I had this prayer in my heart

let it be known 

I now understand the apostles when they wrote of

"rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name"

I rejoice even now. 

who knew

When it all wore off and the memories came to my mind of things he had said... I will admit.. 

I got pretty fired up

but I prayed and now I feel good about it again.

It is okay to experience rejection, to walk one step in His shoes, for His name, what a privilege that is. It brought me great joy.

I love serving in the "Bible Belt"

I love the diversity of religion and people

I love ALABAMAZING + FLORIDAMAZING

---------------------------------------------------------------

notable quotes from today

(so far)

Rachel answered the phone when a telemarketer called and said,

"Nelsons mortuary, you stab 'em, we slab 'em"

Curtis- "What should we do first, lesson or eat?"

Rachel "Well, I'm gonna sneeze first."

*sneezes

Rachel went to grab the first slice of pizza and it all stuck together so she pulled up the whole pizza and was abruptly startled by Curtis yelling

"BABE!!"

right by her ear at the top of his lungs, so she almost dropped the pizza, luckily caught it and after a dirty look from her to him he said, 

"Don't be a pig."

While we taught the word of wisdom KEEP IN MIND THIS WAS ALL UNDER TWO HOURS and I have a six pack from all that laughing (or at least I should)

Curtis:

 "Speaking of illegal drugs. We heard an explosion yesterday down the street so we walked outside and a wave of weird smell hit us so I called my mom, explained it and she was like:

Get inside 

stay away from windows,

don't breathe it in, 

turn off the AC!

 that was a meth lab explosion

and I was like... 

OH MY GOSH... Are we gonna die?!?!?!"

I just love these humans ya'll. 

Pray for them~they are getting married next week, moving into their own place, and Curtis is getting baptized!!!!

Have a beautiful week and happy the Fourth of July next week!

One of my top two favorite holidays

God Bless The USA

"I thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today

that flag still stands for

FREEDOM

and they can't take that away."

and that freedom motivated by desires to worship God, led to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ 30 years later through the prophet of the last dispensation,

 Joseph Smith, who on June 27th, 1844 (anniversary tomorrow) was killed by the mob

illustrating the fact that God loves us so much 

that he restored the gospel as soon as He could have for it to survive, 

even if it meant that it was not late enough in time that it would mean it's messenger could have. 

Have a beautiful day, I love you, the Lord loves you!

-Sister Saunders

The First Evidence Of Medicine

I <3 Diane!

The First Evidence Of Medicine

"What was it?"

"When God Gave Moses Two Tablets"   -Johnny Ray

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I love that guy 

Ya'll I could sit here and use all kinda fancy language to explain this week, but let me just sum it up into one sentence

Best Week In The History Of Ever

I'm serious. This week was one that I will never forget, there were so many MIRACLES

way too many to get them all down

but here is a decent shot at it

{Preface: 

When District Leader Elder Casper did call-ins, we were feelin kind of down. We found out that all of our baptismal commitments that were set for that Saturday in our district dropped unexpectedly

three that had intended to be baptized that Saturday, gone

I decided with Sister Palmer to fast for Diane and for progression in the work on Tuesday, and we invited the whole district to do the same. We all fasted for the work of the salvation of souls.

I may have mentioned this but Diane had been out of town for about three weeks, we stayed in contact, until the last week when she seemingly dropped off the face of the planet:(

This happens ya'll

I'd say without a doubt

every single person that gets close to baptism has some kind of a freak incident happen where everything is pointing them away from it.

If they don't "retain a remembrance" of the things they have felt leading up to that point

they lose that battle.

Sometimes they end up coming out of it and still winning the war;

other times they allow that doubt to spiral out of control.

I think we all experience something similar every time we make a decision to take a leap of faith and follow Gods will

but oh how sweet when the opposition arises and we pull through with the help of our Savior Jesus Christ who strengthens us!

Diane had some doubts, she was out of town, sickness hit, emergency room, distractions, and she did not contact us for a week.

We called and texted to no avail.

The day she got home we went over there and she was outside...

I jumped out of the car while it was still moving (not recommended) to just about tackle her in a bear hug because I've missed her so much and because I'm wondering what is going on.

her doubts seemed to lift

She realized by the Spirit, that satan had been tryna tell her that she didn't want to be baptized,

"but then I said back to him, YES I DO."

and with that simple phrase, we knew she was ready!

Two days later she was baptized, what a beautiful day it was

and yesterday she was confirmed, the Spirit was so strong

-receive the Holy Ghost-

My heart is so full of gratitude for the Lord and this gift that He has allowed me to participate in

I am so thankful to Him!

What a beautiful thing. 

At her baptism, Diane bore her testimony, it was very sweet, and powerful. Her sister and four grandchildren were there to support her, and I know they were touched as well. Many doors have been opened already, Diane will be a huge instrument in influencing more of our brothers and sisters to come unto Christ. 

SUCH A HUMBLING MOMENT

This is what the power of God does, it influences us for good and helps us to yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit.

~another miracle of the best week ever~

While on exchanges with one of my favorite humans that has changed my life: Sister Jackson

We ran to the cemetery and back 

and later in the day 

we ran across some fantastic things

1. Johnny who lost his legs to diabetes and sings in a gospel choir/sang for us and let us take pictures of him with the Book of Mormon.

2. A self online referral from mormon.org that we straightway went to meet and turns out, he has been reading and praying about the Book of Mormon ever since missionaries gave it to him last week at CHURCH in ATMORE (where Sister Palmer just came from) where his less active fiance's cousin took them and now both he and his less active fiance have been fiercely taking the lessons and came to the Jay church yesterday and he has accepted the invitation to be baptized especially because they want to be sealed in the temple and his fiance is loving coming back to church!

3. Really gross old ladies underwear that we had to sort while volunteering at a thrift store for foster children.   yikes.

4. My lovely 'bama fama -ly the Crains who made us a fancy pasta meal with strawberry delicious drinks that they even put whole strawberries on the side of the glasses. I felt like a queen.

They are the sweetest, and they are excited and preparing to go to the temple. 

We got to go contacting at the blueberry festival that is legendary around here

this was Saturday

I couldn't help myself and bought a cute key chain for my sister who I hope still likes pandas because it's a panda and people's favorite animals change sometimes in a year plus so hoping for the best with that

I also ate a hand dipped corn dog and some blueberry banana bread 

The South Has My Heart

that or they're going to attack it

literally they're tryna give me a future heart attack with all this buttery food

Sunday was Fathers Day and what a beautiful day it was

Happy Fathers day yesterday dad, I love you bunches and I am so thankful that you are my Earthly Father that has been the example I need to know of the love of my Heavenly One!

I think this is the third Fathers day I have missed and in a row, but rest assured, I still love you SO BIG

This week brought many other tender mercies and miracles. 

Someone asked me recently, "What do you love most about your new self?"

Without giving it much thought I replied, "The way I pray."

Initially I thought that probably seemed really simple, but the beauty of the gospel is simple. So is God's plan for me.

Sincere prayer. Wow. I have never said sincere prayers like I have here. Even in the past week I have seen the strength that comes from really tuning in to the Spirit even before beginning a prayer.

Kind of like a pre prayer.

I know that I am praying the right way, when I reach the point of spiritual fulfillment that leaves me missing my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ. 

I miss them, because through prayer, I begin to remember them.

I know that it is REAL prayer, connecting to God, that has changed my life probably more than anything else. 

All. Energy. Of. Heart.

with all your heart, might, mind, and strength

pray unto the Father

let His will become ours as we communicate by His spirit, as we go through our Advocate, in His very name, Jesus Christ, we pray, we praise, we progress.

"God our Father hear us pray. Send thy grace this Holy Day."

Pray often, without ceasing, call upon Him. We have been commanded to do so, and we are the benefactors when we do. 

I love my Father in Heaven, I am grateful to Him and His children and my own Earthly parents who lead me, guide me, and walk beside me. They truly help me find the way.. to live with Him someday.

PRAY ALWAYS

that ye may come off conqueror 

Teaching a lesson to Johnny Ray and Rhoda, I felt inspired to promise Johnny Ray that if he would come to church he would feel more happiness and joy in his life as he heeded the things he felt there.

Shortly after, we invited Rhoda to pray. As she spoke she began to cry

"God I'm sorry I have been so stubborn. I know that I have been telling you that I have had a lack of joy, and I know what this Sister said tonight was an answer to my prayers. That we need to come to church, and that they were sent to us for joy and happiness. Thank you for helping me hear. Please give us the strength to come to church this week."

My heart was softened immensely. The power of prayer is in some ways very incomprehensible.

If I were to try to describe to you how it is possible that I can type  a word into a device and send it around the world in less than 5 seconds, I would utterly fail. I do not understand. 

But I know this: It works.

"IT WORKS."   -Elder Uceda

If I were to try to comprehend how one God hears and answers billions of His children's prayers that are thought, said, or sung sometimes all at once, I would also fail. I do not understand how that is possible. It's not even probable to my human mind..

but I know this:

It Works.

I love you. 

Have a wonderful week, make it a good one <3

-Sister Saunders 

  
P-day at the bay last week...

Favorite house :)