March 28, 2011

Kia Ora!

This past week was good, although not too much has happened. We still don't have enough k's to go work anywhere except for Otorohanga on Wednesdays after district meeting in Hamilton. District meetings are always good because they're at the Temple Visitors' Centre (kiwi spelling). So I get to see the temple every week. I just wish I could go inside again. Its just that they close the temple on Mondays except for a select few. So hopefully I'm still here for one of those Mondays (I think its once a quarter). Our new District Leader, Elder Kimball, is a crack up, we're always laughing and having a good time through district meetings. My first two transfers here they were pretty boring. So things are going good here.

Its been raining for the past couple of days. Off and on, off, then on again, and sometimes we get super light rain, like a mist. Its really cool, wish you guys could experience it. Super glad we've had the car for the past couple of days. I still need to get some parts for my bike before I can start riding it again, so we can work in our other areas. Its just hard with limited k's, and there's no bike shop around Te Kuiti. So no updates on costs yet.

Yesterday Te Aroha got confirmed in Sacrament meeting. It was really neat, but not without some stress. Last Sunday was stake conference, so we didn't confirm her last week, so we thought we'd just stay in contact throughout the week. We went by every day, and couldn't contact her. Then about mid-week we hear that she's been staying at a friends house. So from a missionaries perspective we think that there's been problems and we start to worry. We finally saw her at a youth activity on Saturday at the chapel. Found out, no problems, just having good fun. So that was a big relief, and it all worked out. Just goes to show that when you do all you can do God will take care of the work.

Sadly Polly didn't come to church, and don't know where she was. So her baptism will have to wait till the 23rd so she can come to church 3 times. But with God's help and her desire, she'll come and want to be baptized.

I'm happy, healthy and working hard. Love you all, and mother's day is coming up in a couple of months, that means a call home! Looking forward to it. What day is it on?
One more question for Mum or Dad. How big is Fruitland Acres ward? (active average)

Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen

March 21, 2011

Kia Ora!

This week was a pretty good week. We had Te Aroha's baptism on Saturday (she'll be confirmed on sun. the 27th). Then Sunday we had Stake Conference up in Hamilton. I got to personally meet Elder Nielson or Nelson, of the 70. Pretty neat. During conference they talked all about life changing moments, and changing/being more converted inside. Then we had a surprise Zone specialized training with President Porter after stake conf. It was really amazing. Talked about how faith is a principle of action and power. When we do our part (the action), God will bless us (power) with divine intervention that we ourselves have no control over. Then we read over some bits in the Bible Dictionary in Grace. It talkes about recieving strength and God's help "after all we can do."

I got my bike back as well. It is missing the front brake system, and front gear shifter system. And they took my helmet too. So I'll need to buy those some time. We just don't have a bike shop here, so I can't tell you the prices that it would cost. Not much else happening this week or to look forward to. We have 2 people set for baptism in April. Polly on the 16th, and Wayne on the 23rd. So we'll be working with them mostly.

Love you all, and don't do anything that I wouldn't do if I were home. Enjoy the snow while you still have it.

Arohanui!

Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen

March 14, 2011

Kia Ora Whanau!

Its been a quiet week here in Te Kuiti, Kiwi-land. The results of transfers are in. I stayed, Elder Luckhardt moved to Tauranga. My new companion is Elder Cannon from St. George. He's been on the mission only one transfer longer than me. He's Senior and the driver, but so far I've been doing everything but the driving. He's a lot like me, quiet unless he needs to talk. So in order to keep the lessons moving with the investigators I've had to start leading the lessons. I didn't know how stressful it was to be senior companion (unofficially).

But things are moving along here. Te Aroha is going to be baptized this Saturday, but because of Stake Conference, she'll be confirmed the following week. She's super excited and ready for baptism. She's also got some friends that are looking into it a bit. Hopefully we'll be able to start teaching them soon. Other than that there's not work here. I've knocked on literally every door. So we're hoping to go to Otorohanga as much as possible. We just have to plan out how many K's we're going to use for District Meeting and other trips.

We're heading into Fall here. The temperature drops to about 50*s at night. And so the rivers are making some pretty mean fog. I took some pictures on the way to Te Awamutu for transfers. They're pretty good. And last week for P-day we climed to the top of Brooke Park. And so I had to take the Kevin picture. Got a pretty good picture of all of Te Kuiti. Not much else is going on here. Well, the tsunami hit Auckland at about 40 cm high. Basically nothing. But I heard Cali got hit by it, and Hawaii, and of course Japan. Pretty scary stuff, especially right after the Christchurch earthquake. They say that Christchurch is having about 5 aftershocks every day. Some getting up to 4.0 on the scale. But no need to worry about me, I'm safe and in-land in basically the middle of NZ.

Random fact. When New Zealander's say the alphabet, they don't say 'z'. They say 'zed'.
Love you all, and I'll stay in touch. Thanks for the love and prayers.
Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen

 

 

March 7, 2011

Kia Ora Whanau!

This last week has been pretty enjoyable. The rain has been back to cool everything off. I guess winter is on its way. In fact, this morning was 50*F and 65% humidity. Really cold with the humidity and when you're used to pretty good heat. Everybody says its about time for the winter rain. On Saturday one of our investigators finally got married. It was nice and small. Filled up the small chapel, and the reception was pretty good too. Not too fancy, but it served its purpose, and they're happy. His name is Wayne, and she's a member, Daniella. All went pretty smooth, and now we're working on Wayne getting baptized. Going to be a very slow process, especially since he is on weed, said about 3 sessions a day. Wow. I don't know how people can afford to smoke, drink, drugs, and still provide the necessities for their family. We are truly blessed following the word of wisdom, and the rest of the gospel.

This Thursday is transfers, and our predictions is that Elder Luckhardt, and Elder Mayer (my DL) will both be shifted. And Elder Luckhardt thinks that this will be my 6 month area. He says most missionaries have a 6 month area in the country. I've learned heaps, but it was difficult learning. Learning from experience is hard a lot of the time. But everything is all goods. No major fights or disagreements with any companions...yet? Hopefully I'm pretty easy to get a long with. I'll let you know what results come from transfers next Monday. We don't have any major plans for this week other than transfers, and no baptisms till the 19th. But Tiaroha is pretty excited about it. She's gone through true conversion, and is ready and looking forward to baptism.

Oh yeah, we had Zone Conference last week. It was pretty good. Elder Callister, President of the Pacific area, and member of the 70, came and spoke. The whole conference was on the atonement. What it means to us, what it can mean to an investigator, and how to teach it simply and powerfully. Really spirit filled. And my companion and I won the tim tam award for cleanest car.

 Right end

I've picked up a few things in Maori. If you want to say hi, its Kia Ora (kyora). How are you is Kete pehe a kue (kay-tay pay-hey ah kwey). I'm good is Kete Pae (kay-tay Pie). Family is Whanau (fah no). Work is Mahi (mah hee). I'm trying to pick up some Samoan too. Its pretty fun to learn lots of little phrases in different languages. It really helps people open up when you talk to them in their native language.

Love you all, and I really appreciate your prayers in mine, and other missionaries behalves. Appreciate all you do for me.

Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen