Kia Ora Whanau!
This last week went pretty well, and I can't believe that transfers are this week! It seems like time is going faster and faster, at least for me. Tuesday night all through Wednesday and Thursday was wet as. Gutters full and fast, footpaths were like streams, lawns turned into ponds, and stairs turned into water falls. Needless to say I got wet. I think I could handle that, except its so humid and cold that nothing dries just by hanging it out. We have to turn on our heaters to get things dry. Our ward mission is way cool and gave us a dryer. It dry's the clothes, but doesn't make them warm like dryers at home.
But even with the all the rain we did quite a bit of work. We found a new investigator named Jack. The missionary who left is his brother-in-law. Jack came to the setting apart and the dinner afterward and said that he really felt the spirit. When we had the lesson with him he said he's ready to change his life, and his wife (the missionary's sister) said that she's ready to come back to church. He wants to be baptized and they both have the temple as a goal by the time Damian (the missionary) gets home. Pretty good goal to have eh? He's already married, no word of wisdom problems and said that the only thing holding him back from getting baptized is his lack of knowledge about the church. I think we can help with that. So he's really good.
So on Thursday I think it was, we had dinner at the Murphy's and I found out that brother Murphy was the first deacon's quorum president in New Zealand. Cool huh. Ya know the dukes of hazard? Well we also met the self called Hazard of Duke Street. Crazy old man who's into model trains.
So the work is going great here in Tokoroa. Transfers is this week and we have no clue or guesses as to who's going and who's staying. So I guess you'll find out next week what the results are.
Well I love you all and appreciate your support. Thanks for all you do for me, and for your prayers.
Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
Save the date: 9-9-9:00
Monday, May 30, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
May 23,2011
Kia Ora whanau!!
This week was a pretty good week. We haven't had too much rain, mostly at night after we're in for the night. So lucky us. But it has been getting colder. Mum said that its about the same temperature, but the humidity here makes it go straight to the bone. I no longer take insulation and central heating for-granted. When I wake up in the mornings I can see my breath. In our flat we have heaps of windows and so they let in all the cold air. Its cold enought that we do all our studies and everything in our bedroom now. Its a small enough room that we can heat it up and keep it warm. Thanks for the leather gloves Mum! I'm sure using them, especially when we have to bike at night.
Last week was the first time that I've personally set someone for baptism. I think I've told you about Paige, but this is how we found her. We went to deliver a Lamb of God DVD to a house and after talking some, we find out that there's a non member granddaughter staying with them. Sister Mason, the nan (grandma), talks like a member and acts like a member, but her husband has Terminal heart disease. And he gets heart attacks easily so thats why they don't come to church. But Paige's nan was saying that since she's turning 12 next month, its a perfect time to get her involved with the young women. Personally I thought 8yrs old was the perfect time to join the church, at least thats what God said. Anyways. So we've been teaching Paige and I asked her about baptism and if she wanted to be baptized, she said yes, and so we're preparing her for the 25th of June. Which happens to be my 20th B-day. What better way to spend a birthday on a mission than with a baptism. So everything is going well and on track for her to be baptized then.
Last Thursday was also Zone Conference, the last one we'll have with President Porter. Its going to be really sad watching him go. I really like him, he's helped me grow a lot. But we have a temple trip with him on June 16th. So I'm getting some good b-day presents. Conference was really amazing super spirit filled. He took some time to talk to us personally. We spend all our time focusing and teaching everybody else, that he wanted to spend a few minutes talking to us personally. He gave a great talk about repentance and being right with the Lord. He said that nothing in this life is as important as being clean. He brought up a point that really surprised me. He said that over his time as a mission president he's had confessions from missionaries from everywhere except for the islands. He talked with other mission presidents and they've experienced the same things. Apparently in the islands confidentiality is breeched quite often. And so the effects are disgrace to themselves, their family and sometimes even their village, and a lot of the time they get beat. So thats a big concern that the area presidency is taking on. Pretty scary huh?
Where? behind the ducking Elder
But this week we also had a missionary leave on his mission. Its a lot different here. Last night they had his setting apart and they invite the whole ward and everybody to come. They invite a few people to come up and say a few things, and then the stake president and some others set them apart in front of everybody. Much different than mine where it was just the family. But the spirit was there, especially as his mum spoke. She's not a member, but she was proud of him and knew he was doing a good thing. It was a good experience to go to. Brought back memories from me getting set apart. He leaves today for Provo MTC, and then he'll go to the Philippines speaking Tagolog.
I'm grateful to be albe to talk to you and look forward to talking to you next week too. Love you all and thanks for all your prayers. Love you all!
Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
This week was a pretty good week. We haven't had too much rain, mostly at night after we're in for the night. So lucky us. But it has been getting colder. Mum said that its about the same temperature, but the humidity here makes it go straight to the bone. I no longer take insulation and central heating for-granted. When I wake up in the mornings I can see my breath. In our flat we have heaps of windows and so they let in all the cold air. Its cold enought that we do all our studies and everything in our bedroom now. Its a small enough room that we can heat it up and keep it warm. Thanks for the leather gloves Mum! I'm sure using them, especially when we have to bike at night.
Last week was the first time that I've personally set someone for baptism. I think I've told you about Paige, but this is how we found her. We went to deliver a Lamb of God DVD to a house and after talking some, we find out that there's a non member granddaughter staying with them. Sister Mason, the nan (grandma), talks like a member and acts like a member, but her husband has Terminal heart disease. And he gets heart attacks easily so thats why they don't come to church. But Paige's nan was saying that since she's turning 12 next month, its a perfect time to get her involved with the young women. Personally I thought 8yrs old was the perfect time to join the church, at least thats what God said. Anyways. So we've been teaching Paige and I asked her about baptism and if she wanted to be baptized, she said yes, and so we're preparing her for the 25th of June. Which happens to be my 20th B-day. What better way to spend a birthday on a mission than with a baptism. So everything is going well and on track for her to be baptized then.
Last Thursday was also Zone Conference, the last one we'll have with President Porter. Its going to be really sad watching him go. I really like him, he's helped me grow a lot. But we have a temple trip with him on June 16th. So I'm getting some good b-day presents. Conference was really amazing super spirit filled. He took some time to talk to us personally. We spend all our time focusing and teaching everybody else, that he wanted to spend a few minutes talking to us personally. He gave a great talk about repentance and being right with the Lord. He said that nothing in this life is as important as being clean. He brought up a point that really surprised me. He said that over his time as a mission president he's had confessions from missionaries from everywhere except for the islands. He talked with other mission presidents and they've experienced the same things. Apparently in the islands confidentiality is breeched quite often. And so the effects are disgrace to themselves, their family and sometimes even their village, and a lot of the time they get beat. So thats a big concern that the area presidency is taking on. Pretty scary huh?
But this week we also had a missionary leave on his mission. Its a lot different here. Last night they had his setting apart and they invite the whole ward and everybody to come. They invite a few people to come up and say a few things, and then the stake president and some others set them apart in front of everybody. Much different than mine where it was just the family. But the spirit was there, especially as his mum spoke. She's not a member, but she was proud of him and knew he was doing a good thing. It was a good experience to go to. Brought back memories from me getting set apart. He leaves today for Provo MTC, and then he'll go to the Philippines speaking Tagolog.
I'm grateful to be albe to talk to you and look forward to talking to you next week too. Love you all and thanks for all your prayers. Love you all!
Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
Sunday, May 15, 2011
May 15, 2011 Mums' Day
Kia Ora!
Its been a good week here in Tok (toke). The weather hasn't been the best, but things are moving which I definitely can't complain about. Man, It was so good to call home last week and hear from you all. No, it didn't make me home sick, just miss home a little. Nothing to make me quit working or get depressed or anything like that. Only good.
Its been raining for the past few days, off and on, heavy and light, just a little bit of everything. The only thing that I don't like too much about the rain is biking in it, and that everybody stays inside. We get most of our potential investigators from talking on the streets. As I get more experience and more knowledge its making it easier to talk to people and trying to resolve enough concerns to have them invite us back. For everybody who's served a mission knows thats just the first part, then you have to try to catch them at home. And if its a single female then we have to get fellowship from the ward to come, and a lot of the time either the fellowship falls through or they're not home. But every once in a while it all works out. Then you start the teaching and on goes missionary work. If you think about it like that then it might get pretty repetitive, but I can tell you that every situation is different. And thats what makes missionary work fun and interesting.
We've met some crazy people this last week too. While walking past a liquor shop we saw a guy taking a leak on the side of the building, right in the middle of town. A couple of drunk people were telling us their life stories and having Jesus in their lives, and another guy told us a business idea for getting motorcycles to NZ because we were from the states. I swear that our badges attract all the crazy people from wherever we go. Makes it all fun. Good stories too.
Well, have to get going now, but I love you all and hope all is going well for you. Talk to you next wee. Love you all, and I appreciate your prayers.
Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
Hi Mum,
It was really good talking to you too! I hope that was a good mothers day present for you. Nah, I didn't get homesick. I haven't been homesick since my first week out. I just hope I didn't make you miss me any more than you are. Sorry I made you jump calling you on Sat. I think I heard you hit the roof though. Everybody sounded the same except for Lauryn. It really surprised me to hear her talking and responding to me. That was really cool.
Yeah things are still going good. The ward wants to change the baptism date AGAIN. We (the missionaries) have been trying to get them baptized since February. So we're going to push harder to get them baptized on the scheduled date. But it'll all be done in God's time, and he's in charge of it all.
So you've been getting more exercise too? I've been trying to loose a little bit of weight. Eating smaller portions and exercising morning and night when I have the time. So I've been feeling the pain too.
Is it really time for that class to graduate from high school? Now I'm feeling really old, especially since you made me realize that I'm really turning 20 next month. How does that make you feel? Turning 52 this year?
But yeah, I was wondering if you could put a coulpe of things in the package. My Ipod, the black headphone jack cord, and some way to charge my Ipod. I've found out that most computers have Itunes, and I've gotten a lot of music from missionaries. I'll be able to delete the stuff I'm not supposed to have and keep the stuff I can.
There are some $5 speakers here that I can get that work just fine. There's a little device that you can charge Ipods with. On one end it plugs into the wall, and the other end you plug the white USB Ipod cord into it. It would be really cool if you could find one of those. If they're expensive don't worry about it. I'll explain them to Jake too so he can help you find them.
Thanks Mum! You're the best ever! I couldn't ask for a better Mum! Love you!
Its been a good week here in Tok (toke). The weather hasn't been the best, but things are moving which I definitely can't complain about. Man, It was so good to call home last week and hear from you all. No, it didn't make me home sick, just miss home a little. Nothing to make me quit working or get depressed or anything like that. Only good.
Its been raining for the past few days, off and on, heavy and light, just a little bit of everything. The only thing that I don't like too much about the rain is biking in it, and that everybody stays inside. We get most of our potential investigators from talking on the streets. As I get more experience and more knowledge its making it easier to talk to people and trying to resolve enough concerns to have them invite us back. For everybody who's served a mission knows thats just the first part, then you have to try to catch them at home. And if its a single female then we have to get fellowship from the ward to come, and a lot of the time either the fellowship falls through or they're not home. But every once in a while it all works out. Then you start the teaching and on goes missionary work. If you think about it like that then it might get pretty repetitive, but I can tell you that every situation is different. And thats what makes missionary work fun and interesting.
We've met some crazy people this last week too. While walking past a liquor shop we saw a guy taking a leak on the side of the building, right in the middle of town. A couple of drunk people were telling us their life stories and having Jesus in their lives, and another guy told us a business idea for getting motorcycles to NZ because we were from the states. I swear that our badges attract all the crazy people from wherever we go. Makes it all fun. Good stories too.
Well, have to get going now, but I love you all and hope all is going well for you. Talk to you next wee. Love you all, and I appreciate your prayers.
Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
Hi Mum,
It was really good talking to you too! I hope that was a good mothers day present for you. Nah, I didn't get homesick. I haven't been homesick since my first week out. I just hope I didn't make you miss me any more than you are. Sorry I made you jump calling you on Sat. I think I heard you hit the roof though. Everybody sounded the same except for Lauryn. It really surprised me to hear her talking and responding to me. That was really cool.
Yeah things are still going good. The ward wants to change the baptism date AGAIN. We (the missionaries) have been trying to get them baptized since February. So we're going to push harder to get them baptized on the scheduled date. But it'll all be done in God's time, and he's in charge of it all.
So you've been getting more exercise too? I've been trying to loose a little bit of weight. Eating smaller portions and exercising morning and night when I have the time. So I've been feeling the pain too.
Is it really time for that class to graduate from high school? Now I'm feeling really old, especially since you made me realize that I'm really turning 20 next month. How does that make you feel? Turning 52 this year?
But yeah, I was wondering if you could put a coulpe of things in the package. My Ipod, the black headphone jack cord, and some way to charge my Ipod. I've found out that most computers have Itunes, and I've gotten a lot of music from missionaries. I'll be able to delete the stuff I'm not supposed to have and keep the stuff I can.
There are some $5 speakers here that I can get that work just fine. There's a little device that you can charge Ipods with. On one end it plugs into the wall, and the other end you plug the white USB Ipod cord into it. It would be really cool if you could find one of those. If they're expensive don't worry about it. I'll explain them to Jake too so he can help you find them.
Thanks Mum! You're the best ever! I couldn't ask for a better Mum! Love you!
Monday, May 2, 2011
May 2, 2011
Kia Ora Whanau!
So the results are in for 'Where in NZ is Elder Sorensen?' Somebody got it right. But who could it be? Mum, I'm not in Tokanz. Dad, I'm not in Chinnepaka. Jared, I'm not in Oingraue. Jake and Lauren, I'm not in Awakino or Gisborne. Michelle, You got it right! I'm in Tokoroa and its really nice here. Autumn has fully come and the leaves are changing and falling off the trees. I didn't think there would be as many trees changing colour as there are. I thought they would all stay green year round. The town is pretty flat so I don't have a very good lookout over it. But we also cover Putaruru, Whakamaru, and Mangakino. But they split this area last transfer, so we're on bikes. Hopefully that means that I'll loose a little bit of weight, even though its usually the other way around. Its usually in a car that missionaries loose, and on a bike that they gain.
Next week it is. I've sused it out with my companion and I'll be calling at around 10:30am here. so that should be what, 4:30pm there? Hopefully I did my math right. I found a place that sells pretty cheap calling cards. For here to the USA its 3.9c a minute. So I'll get a card and call you. Alright? I think that we can call for a couple minutes on Sunday (here) to set it all up.
In answer to the question about the government here, its under the Queen. So there's a national parlament here with a Prime Minister.
Sorry, today's going to be a bit short because we're going to Bro. Stone's farm for P-day. I know that sounds kinda lame, but I've heard from a lot of missionaries that its a lot of fun. But I'll be talking to you next week. So if you want to be there for the call I'd love to 'hear' from you next week.
Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
So the results are in for 'Where in NZ is Elder Sorensen?' Somebody got it right. But who could it be? Mum, I'm not in Tokanz. Dad, I'm not in Chinnepaka. Jared, I'm not in Oingraue. Jake and Lauren, I'm not in Awakino or Gisborne. Michelle, You got it right! I'm in Tokoroa and its really nice here. Autumn has fully come and the leaves are changing and falling off the trees. I didn't think there would be as many trees changing colour as there are. I thought they would all stay green year round. The town is pretty flat so I don't have a very good lookout over it. But we also cover Putaruru, Whakamaru, and Mangakino. But they split this area last transfer, so we're on bikes. Hopefully that means that I'll loose a little bit of weight, even though its usually the other way around. Its usually in a car that missionaries loose, and on a bike that they gain.
Next week it is. I've sused it out with my companion and I'll be calling at around 10:30am here. so that should be what, 4:30pm there? Hopefully I did my math right. I found a place that sells pretty cheap calling cards. For here to the USA its 3.9c a minute. So I'll get a card and call you. Alright? I think that we can call for a couple minutes on Sunday (here) to set it all up.
In answer to the question about the government here, its under the Queen. So there's a national parlament here with a Prime Minister.
Sorry, today's going to be a bit short because we're going to Bro. Stone's farm for P-day. I know that sounds kinda lame, but I've heard from a lot of missionaries that its a lot of fun. But I'll be talking to you next week. So if you want to be there for the call I'd love to 'hear' from you next week.
Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen
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