Monday, Sept 26th

Kia ora!

     This week was really good.  Temple trip (which was really good) and busy last minute things, but everything went well for Peter's Baptism.  This font takes at least 2 hours to get luke-warm.  We were going to fill it Saturday night and warm it Sunday morning, but bishop said not to.  So we got to the chapel at 5:30 in the morning to fill and warm the font.  That meant waking up at 4, getting ready, and taking the 10-15 minute bike ride uphill to the chapel.  I almost fell asleep on the ride up.  But the baptism went well.  Nice and short, one speaker.  And on Friday I think it was, he asked me to baptize him.  So thats my 3rd person I've baptized.  Pretty cool experience.  He really enjoyed the baptism as well which was good considering how nervous he was.  Something I've noticed about pretty much all the people I've helped to get baptized is that they all go through a big trial.  But the ones that come out on top are really strong converts.  

     Pare ended up coming to church, and really enjoyed it.  On one of our first lessons she said she was a lot like Joseph Smith going to lots of different churches looking for the right one.  She said she doesn't like the crazy rolling on the ground ones.  So she liked ours.  Last lesson she had some doubts and want to be a fence sitter (for at least the word of wisdom), and is really tired of being pulled so many different ways by friends, family, and everything else.  Hopefully we'll be able to talk to her and help her to see that following Christ will be the easiest path.  Aubrey didn't get baptized on Wednesday.  We called him at 5 on the way back from Auckland when we stopped at Pokeno's for some ice cream.  He said that he didn't like the font and wants to get baptized in the river.  Isn't that the weirdest concern you've ever heard of?  We've got a lesson with him tonight and hopefully we'll be able to clear it up for him.  I wouldn't mind doing it at a river, but both bishop and President Lekias both said if there's a font available, use it.  This'll be an interesting one.  

     The temple trip was really good.  We had to get up early so we could leave on the bus at 7:30 in the morning to get to Hamilton in time for the session.  It was really fun being on the bus with heaps of Samoans that sang the whole way down.  Man, Islanders are mean singers.  There were so many people in the session that quite a few men had to sit in the balcony, which included me.  So I was one of the last ones, and when I got to the Celestial Room they said it was about time to leave.  After that we had a really good conference at the Higgens Road chapel (my first area chapel).  Then on the way back we stopped at Pokeno's ice cream.  The one where you can get heaps of scoops of ice cream.  

     I'm happy healthy, and now that I'm back in the city, gaining weight again.  Things are heating up and raining more, and I'm still loving every minute (except for biking in the rain) of it.  Love you all thank you for your support.

Aroha nui!  

Sincerely,

Elder Sorensen

Monday Sept 19th

Kia ora!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!!  

     Happy birthday to Jake!  I can't believe you're 23.  So weird.  Time is going so fast because so much is going on.  With having four people set for baptism we have to make contact with them daily plus all our other investigators and keep up with meetings and everything.  It feels a lot like spinning plates.  When one slows down you have to run and spin again, then to the other, and the other.  It makes time go fast, but its sure hard to keep track of everything.  

     This last week has been really wet and rainy.  Some days are windy too.  Its sunny for about 5 minutes, so I take my jacket off because its too hot to bike in the sun with a jacket and my suit on.  Then a big cloud comes and rains off and on for about an hour.  Then it repeats.  Makes long bike rides a real pain.  Especially when we have to go to Green Bay to visit Aubrey every day or so.  After some talking and questions and everything else, we've settled on baptizing him on Wednesday at 8pm after our temple trip.  I'm super excited to go.  It feels like its been ages since we've been.  

     Peter after much prayer and fasting has found a place to stay with a member of the Titirangi ward!!  So his baptism will go ahead at 8 am on Sunday morning.  Sorry its so short and so late, but our P-day activity took a lot of time today.  Thank you for your prayers on my behalf.  Aroha kotau!

Aroha nui!  

Sincerely,

Elder Sorensen

Monday Sept 12th

Kia Ora!

     This week was pretty crazy.  We lost the car to some new Chinese Elders last Wednesday, and so we're back on bikes.  Then Elder Fiu popped his tire on Saturday morning, and we ran out of patches.  So we had to walk Saturday and Sunday.  We had an investigator named Aubrey call us up and Friday (because we hadn't seen him in two weeks) and he said that he wanted to meet with us.  We went over, and in a round about way he said that he's had a big think, and a change of heart and wants to be baptized!  He said that if we could clear up a few questions for him he would be baptized.  So after a long as lesson we asked him when he'd like to be baptized.  He said that Sunday.  It could have been possible, but the bishop said to do it next week.  But he needed to come to church one more time, and he missed this Sunday.  So we're going to have to do it on the 24th.  He's not going to be too happy about it, but thats how its going to have to be.  

     Other than loosing the car, walking for two days, setting and and resetting Aubrey, and giving talks and a lesson in each ward on Sunday, not too much has happened.  Oh yeah, the world cup started last Friday!  We could barely see the fireworks from where we were, but it was still pretty cool that the world cup was within sight.  I'm so close and I can't go or watch it!  Gutted bro!  Sorry, I'm a bit short on time today or I'd write some more.  Could someone at home check and see if the cup is being recorded, because I set it up to record.  Thanks for everyone's support.  I really appreciate it!

Aroha kotau!

Sincerely,

Elder Sorensen

Sunday, September 4th

Malo se fua! (Samoan hello)

     Wow, another week has gone by.  Not too much is happening here.  I'm still getting used to the city again.  As they say here, its much more busier.  I'm trying to learn all the street names.  I didn't realize how nice the block system is.  You can actually figure out where things are.  But here, if you don't know the street names, you're out of luck.  Its nice that my companion knows it pretty well. 

     I'm not sure if I've mentioned about Alana, but she's 18.  She's given up smoking and drinking tea and coffee.  Well, she's doing pretty well.  She's been good for a week.  She didn't make it to church, but she still qualifies for her baptism on Sept 24th.  And then we have Peter who's 51 and never been married.  I feel bad for this guy.  He's just been flatting around NZ for about a year.  He's from Brittan.  Got diagnosed with asthma two years ago, and diabetes on Friday I think it was.  And he just got told he has to be out of his flat in two weeks.  The last one is a mixed blessing because he technically lives outside of the stake, and so now he's looking at flats that are in the ward.  But last lesson he said he's not nervous about his baptism.  So he's moving along pretty well.  Then the only other real investigator we have is Tanaea (Tanaya).  She's turning 21 next month.  She said she was really close to God last year.  Then something happened and she wants to get close to Him again.  She's really smart (for a change haha).  So things are looking good for her. 

     Last week I also got to go on a trade off with the district leader Elder Walk, who happens to be in the chinese programme, and the only missionaries allowed in downtown Auckland.  It was so much fun.  I got to go down queen st and see sky tower.  We also had a lesson completely in chinese, where I just sat there and looked important.  I found out afterwards that they commited him to be baptized and he accepted.  I could only tell that they were talking about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Anyways, it was really fun, and I like Elder Walk, he's really down to earth, but has lots of faith and a really strong testimony. 

     I'm still loving my time here in New Zealand.  Gearing up for the Rugby World Cup opening on Friday.  I wish we could go.  Oh well.  Love you all!

Aroha nui! 
Sincerely,

Elder Sorensen

 Michelle (Frederick was asleep)

 Green Bay Beach

 Me at Green Bay Beach

 Springtime

 Downtown Auckland

 My area at night time

Monday August 29th

Kia ora, or now I can say Malo se fua!

     Transfers happened, and the news is I got shifted out.  I'm back in the city (Auckland).  My companion is Elder Fiu from Savai Samoa.  I'm covering two wards in the Waterview Stake.  I cover Avondale, and Titirangi wards.  Its a pretty big area for the city.  On Sundays we are at church from 9am till 4pm going to the two wards.  There was a convert baptism on Saturday, which was the first on in the Titirangi ward in about a year and a half.  So thats about all I know about this area.  Elder Fiu has been out for about 6 months now and he's pretty on top of it.  He went to church college for his four high school years, so his english is pretty good.  Its pretty cool to hear him speak samoan to other people.  I wish I'd been called to one of the language programs.  I found out that Elder Falepapalangi (my MTC compnion) was put in the Tongan program pretty much right after he got here.  Now he's training in the English program for this transfer.  I found out that he covered all the tongan speaking people in the stake I'm in now.  

     There's a lot to look forward to in this area, its big with heaps of people.  My district here covers the Chinese elders, the samoan elders, and us.  There used to be the tongan elders too, but they closed the area for at least this transfer.  And that means we've got a car for this transfer.  That sure would have been nice in Tokoroa.  But I'm happy we've got a car.  If I can get a picture I'll show you my area.  But we stay on 121 Lynnwood St (I think Avondale).  I don't know how to explain it any other way.  

     I don't know much else to talk about, so I'll let you all know about stuff next week.  I love you all and appreciate your support!

Aroha nui! 

Sincerely,

Elder Sorensen

 

Baptism of Peter and Vienna      

Cristus at Visitors' Centre

My last district

                                                  

 Me kicking Elder Fiu into the font

Baptism of Bianca Pita

My companion Elder Fiu (Savai, Samoa)

8/22/2011

Kia ora whanau!

     This past week was a good week.  Not too much has happened.  The weather is about like it is in Utah.  Cold nights, frosting overnight usually, but warm sunny days.  It feels like spring every day.  Sun shine sure puts people in better moods to talk to.  We've finally been able to find some more new investigators.  Its been a while since we've found any investigators that want to keep learning.  Jack, Paige, Vienna, and Peter are all still coming to church, and I got a letter from the Puletaha's in Te Kuiti.  This is what Stacey Puletaha said

     "Things are great here went in to the temple to get my nan and brother baptisted,but yes cant wait to seal into the temple so for sure will let you know.  Kasey is doing great he is now second councilor in the church and we have received heaps of blessings,so happy that you and Luckhardt made me see the light....so once again thanks heaps.  I have a calling in the church I am relief society security and its not much but hey its something."

     Being able to see the people I have baptized so active and happy feels so good!  Missionary work is hard and I think no matter how much you get used to it, you still have to get out of your comfort zone every time, but when things happen, it is sure overwhelming.  And it strengthens my testimony and makes me want to do it more. 

     Transfers is this week, and I have no idea what's going to happen.  I have lots of thoughts both ways.  I've been here for about 4 months, but missionaries here usually stay for about 6 months, so...?

     Oh yeah, last week I got to go to a burial for member.  He was a Cook Islander (I knew his son when I was in Hamilton), so there was heaps of people.  I'd guess a couple hundred.  Rather than being all quiet, there was heaps of singing and chanting.  Even though he was a member, the pastor from the PIC (pacific island church?) Presbyterian church said a couple of prayers and sang a couple of songs.  Then Howard's (the deceased) son Theo (the one I knew from Hamilton) dedicated the grave.  Its pretty cool to experience the cultural differences in things like deaths and things.

     Well next week I'll let you know the news about transfers.  Thanks again for everything you all do for me!  I appreciate all the prayers and support.  Love you all!

--

Aroha kotau! 

Sincerely,

Elder Sorensen

Aug 15, 2011

Kia Ora Whanau!!

     IT SNOWED HERE IN TOKOROA!!!!!!!  Its the first time I've seen snow in over a year!  It started after I got out of the shower and my companion was in the shower.  So I had to run out and play in it a bit.  It only built up a tiny bit on the car windscreens, nothing on the ground.  It lasted off and on for about an hour or so, and now its sunny, but still cold.  People here have said that in their lives they can only remember it snowing in Tokoroa like 3 or 4 times.  They say that it only snows in Taupo and Turangi southwards, so I thought I'd never get to see the snow in New Zealand, but boy am I lucky.
     Peter and Vienna's Baptisms went great!  A real special one.  The spirit was there and lots of people were crying.  Not me though, I'm tough.  I looked over at Vienna's mum while she was getting baptized and saw the tears in her eyes.  After the baptism both Peter and Vienna bore their testimonies (after a bit of encouragement).  Vienna walked up to the pulpit with one of her friends from the ward by her side.  Its always so touching to see the power of friendship.  Peter was grateful for the friends he has made in the ward, and he said he hopes to be able to live up to what he said he'd do. 
     To think that a baptism like Vienna's came from one of the young women inviting her to church a few times, her feeling the spirit, and asking her if she wants to learn from the missionaries.  It can happen so simply.  It makes me think back and wonder if there were any non members who came to church that I didn't talk to. 
     Peter also bore his testimony at church on Sunday too.  The confirmations were great too.  The ward mission leader has a great idea of spreading out the new member lessons over three months so that they can have good contact with the member during the hardest part of conversion. 
     Things are great, and I'm happy to be a part of such a great work.  Aroha kotau, I love you all.
Aroha nui! 
Sincerely,
Elder Sorensen