27th June

Kia Ora!!

Day 7302 of my captivity on this strange planet. Its now been about 300 days since they've moved me to a strange land where the natives are completely hostile to the work I've been asked to carry out. I've worked hard to share this message with this people and few are willing to listen, but for those that are, much good is coming to them. One has even managed to move her initiation (baptism) to the 9th of the 7th as they call it here. (Or as back home July 9th). Everything is looking well for my time here in this land they call Aotearoa.

Things this week went really well. Its true that the harder you work, the faster the time goes, and the more blessings you recieve. The only thing is, is its hard work haha. But yeah, Paige has decided to more her baptism from the 23rd of July to the 9th. So that sounds good to me, and we agreed. She's still really liking church and young womens and is excited to get baptized. Elder Mayer is going to interview her tomorrow. We've gone over the questions twice with her so she's all ready.

Last week we taught 22 lessons and got 13 new investigators. Pretty significant eh? We've been praying hard, and working hard, and now we're seeing the blessings come. And then this morning we had a conference call with the whole district and Zone Leaders and they've asked us to look at the record (for the companion who's been in the area the longest, for preach by the way's, new investigators, and total lessons) and they want us to hit that by mid week. Quite the stretch they're asking us to do, but we'll do our best, have faith, and see what happens. Things are looking good though, we've got Tuesday, and Wednesday pretty much booked up. Which is new for this area.

Thanks everybody for the birthday wishes. It was an alright birthday. Didn't feel any different than any other day. Earlier Jack, and investigator, and his wife made me a cake, so that was really nice. And then that night President and Sister Porter called and sang happy birthday to me. Other than that and the happy birthdays from home, I just worked all day. I also felt something funny when I woke up on Saturday, it almost felt like brain cells were starting to come back. I felt more intelligent as I talked with our investigators, and really all around more intelligent. Is this how you feel all the time dad?

Thanks for all your support, your prayers, and your emails/letters. I love you all! I'm working hard, I'm happy, I'm healthy, and I'm loving New Zealand.!!

Aroha nui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen

June 20, 2011

Kia Ora Whanau!!


This last week was quite the spiritual/emotional roller coaster. Last Thursday was the temple trip and it was really amazing! Its been 9 months since I went last. When I was at home I don't think I appreciated the feeling that you get at the temple that I did this time, because of how often I went. I mean, I'm glad I went that much because I learned a lot. But a lot of faith growing experiences have happened since my last visit. The feelings I got as I walked into the celestial room and having President Porter give me a big hug was a very special, overwhelming experience. I love the temple. I understand more and more why President Porter says that above anything else, the most important thing in this life is to be right with the Lord.

 Where's Elder S? top right second one in
After the temple we went to the Higgins Rd Chapel (the one I went to in my first area). And he gave his farewell talk. He gave some time for question/answers about anything, whether it was about his jobs previously, his marraige, changing presidents. He bore his testimony and we all sang God Be With You Till We Meet Again. Between that and hugging him goodbye, there wasn't a single dry eye in that whole group. It'll be a lot different with a brand new mission president. But we're still all working for the Lord right? Just a different twist/style.

Then on Saturday we had a trade off with the Zone Leaders. Thats always stressful. This time I stayed in Tokoroa and was with Elder Edlefson. He's pretty cool, pretty chill. Still works hard, but not as full on as all the other ones I've been with. Elder Hussain has mellowed out too. We're at a really good pace.

Other than that, not too much is going on. 2 weeks till mission presidents change. 3 weeks till transfers. And thats about how far my calender goes. Oh yeah, one more thing. HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD!!!! (its this weekend isn't it?) Thanks for all you've done for me Dad! Aroha nui!

Aroha nui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen

June 13. 2011

Kia Ora!!

I thought it would be done getting colder, but its still cooling off bit by bit. Friday was really the only day it rained, but it was cold and rainy. I got a little bit sick, but after my companion gave me a blessing I'm all better. Sadly thats not the same with my companion. His asthma 's been playing up and he's not feeling too well. So we've set up a doctors appointment after this.

On Friday when we were biking through the rain, man, I've never been so wet in my life. Squishy shoes, dripping clothes (super glad I put my scriptures and stuff in a plastic bag), and it felt like I just got out of a cold swimming pool. Experiences of mission life right?

A few updates on the people I'm teaching at the moment. Paige (~12) finally came to church and loved it. Hopefully everything goes good for her baptism on July 23rd. Last Tuesday we had another good lesson with Jack. He accepted the baptismal commitment, meaning he said yes he wants to get baptized, but he's pretty reluctant to set a date quite yet. He said he'll get baptized when he knows more and knows its true. But he'll for sure get baptized. We're going to keep working with him as best we can. Pania, the one who was really sincere about everything, a really good investigator dropped us on Friday night. She said it was personal reasons (probably because her ex husband is in the ward). She said that she's going to keep reading/praying, and talking to Brother Wright. Pretty hard to take when the investigators are that good. Other than that, nothing too big is happening. But we're always looking for more people to teach and more miracles to happen.

I'm going to try to upload some pictures since you asked so nicely.

                                                            Foggy day at the temple

                                       Our Tokoroa flat (the back half that you're looking at)

                                                            Church College NZ Statue

I'm happy, healthy again, and loving my missionary life. I always appreciate your love, support and prayers!

Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen

Elder Steven Snow of the Seventy visited.

June 7, 2011

Kia Ora!

Sorry I didn't email yesterday, it was the queens birthday weekend. But a lot has happened since last week. Its been rainy, windy, sunny, cold and warm. Luckily the past few nights have been pretty warm, makes it nicer biking around. Transfers came, Elder Ales left to go north to Kaikohe, and I'm here now with Elder Hussain. He's Fijian/Indian born in Fiji but raised in Sydney. He's pretty full on.

I'm not sure if I told you about an investigator we have named Jack, but it was his brother-in-law that just left for the MTC. But anyways, he brought us over some thin sheets of wood to use for kindling for our fire, and while he was dropping it off he saw that our wood in the garage was kinda wet, and so he brought over some dry wood for us last night. Today we had another really good lesson. We forgot to set him for baptism, but he's as ready as anybody I've taught this whole time on my mission. But we have another lesson on Thursday so we'll probably do it then.

So Tuesday night Elder Ales had to drive to Rotorua so that they wouldn't have to get up super early to get to Auckland by 8 am. So I spent the night and most of Thursday with Elder Johnson. I'm just glad he's not my companion. He's a good missionary, but he just has to top everything you say and do with something he's done. But my new companion came down from Dargaville by Whangerei (fawn-ger-'a'). And when we left man, did he get right to work. No time for dinner, just eat a piece of bread and lets go. The best way I can describe him is a gospel salesman. Pretty full on. But we had a miracle find. Apparently Elder Hussain was committed to find a family and set them for baptism that night by the A.P.'s So we went out with that attitude and started to work. We talked to everybody on the street, we knocked probably 20 houses, but not a single person was interested, so we thought we'd go to a member to see if they knew anybody we could talk to or teach. On the way I remembered a member referral for a family that we've been trying to contact for a while now. I felt like we should try them since we weren't too far away. They ended up letting us in and we taught them the restoration and they were pretty accepting. They accepted the baptismal commitment but because they missed church, we're trying to find another date for them. But it was a father named Strickland, his partner Bex (Rebecca), and their daughter Annaias.

So miracles do happen when you "pray your guts out" or in other words, pray with faith. So I've been working full on, not that I haven't before, but even more so now. This area is really blooming, we just need the members to keep up.

I'm excited to see what else is going to happen this transfer. Going on a mission has been more than I expeted it to be already, and I'm not even close to halfway. This is the truth, I know the gospel has been restored. We have all the pieces to the puzzel, and they all fit.

Thanks for everything you all are doing for me. Love you heaps!

Arohanui!
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen

May 30, 2011

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

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

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!