Monday, October 17th 2011

Kia ora whanau!

     This past week felt all over the place.  Learning a new area.  A f.o.b. companion (fresh off the boat)  thats still learning obedience.  But worst of all  we didn't get to see 2 of our sets who are supposed to get baptized this weekend (the 22nd).  We saw them yesterday and found out that they're going to be gone all this week for kapahaka, maori performance group.  They're not going to be back until Sunday next week.  So that pushes them back until at least the next weekend.  But aside from all of that we still had fun this week. 

     On Monday we played touch right by our flat.  It was heaps of fun.  Then it started raining, and it got even better.  Because if you dive with the ball and you don't quit hit the try line, if you slide over it before you get touched, you still get the try.  I'm finally getting the hang of it too.  Like the skills and strategies.  But its still hard to out-step the other team when he has rugby cleats and the grass is wet as.  Still fun as though.  Then on Tuesday night we almost got into a fight.  We went to our appointment with Norina and her family, and there were a few drunk homeless guys there partying hard out.  Norina had had a couple of glasses of wine with her dinner (so thats why I think she even let them in in the first place.  But when we knocked they opened up the door and told us to f* off.  So we knocked again and asked for Norina.  She came out with her 1 yr old and started explaining what was going on, with loud as music pumping inside.  As we were talking one of the guys came out and started getting all in our face asking us what we were doing there.  Elder Kitara is a boxer for Samoa, and I could tell he was ready to knock this guy out, so I stepped in and said we'd come back tomorrow.  So we left and started walking up the street.  Then I thought of who we could go and see and realized it was the other way, past the flat we were just at.  As we passed (on the other side of the street of course) the guy came out again and started off again and we just kept walking, and he said yeah, you keep walking.  Elder Kitara was right about to cross the street, and so I grabbed his bag and told him to just keep walking and leave it. 

     So that was a pretty fun experience I had last week.  Thats what this next week looks like, except hopefully without the fight.  And mission life goes on.  I love you all and thank you for your prayers.  Until next time from Aotearoa!

Arohanui! 

Sincerely,

Elder Sorensen

Our Flat

 I saw a pillar of light

 Port Whangarei

 Me and Elder Kitara

Monday, October 10th 2011

Kia ora!

     Well against my predictions I got transfered.  Surpising huh.  This is now my 6th area, 9th companion, and I've only been out for just over a year.  I can't believe its been that long already, but things just keep moving.  But yeah, I got shifted up to Whangarei (fah-ng-a-ray).  I cover the lower part of it.  I don't know any names yet, except I live on Ramaunga Heights or something like that.  My companion is Elder Kitara and this is his 3rd transfer.  He's from Samoa the same Island that Elder Fiu was from, but he says he didn't know him.  His english is understandable and surprising for only 3 week of MTC training and 3 months in the field.  But when he starts telling a story from Samoa and he gets going with his sound effects its really hard to hear what he's saying.  But he's a happy guy which will make it much more fun and easier to do the work than other companions I've had. 

     Its been a bit hard since Friday in this area.  The first part of the week Elder Kitara was working somewhere else in Whangarei, and so nothing counted for our stats.  Then Saturday and Sunday we had General Conference which took up heaps of time.  And right before I left Elder Fiu took the tube from my front tire of my bike.  So we have to walk everywhere and it takes ages.  So because of all of that our stats weren't very good at all, and I admit that.  But our new district leader didn't have much mercy.  I'm hoping thats because he's just new and that it'll wear off after a while. 

     Looking at teh hills, I'm not too excited to get on the bike and ride them.  Today we were hoping to go play some touch rugby, but it looks like it might rain.  We'll see what happens.  Other than that I haven't seen much of the area or know what its going to be like up here.  Its actually been colder here than Auckland, which is really weird.  Well, love you all, and keep praying for me, and I'll keep praying for you!

Arohanui! 

Sincerely,

Elder Sorensen

Monday, October 3rd

Kia ora!!

     The rain of spring/summer is here.  Its been pretty rainy with a few rays of sun here and there.  Saturday was the first day that we could go without suit coats...until 5pm.  It was a bit cold, but we had to do it because we could.  Then Sunday Pare and Aubrey were baptised and confirmed!!!  It was a close one, but it all came together at the last minute.  

     Pare's baptism was really good.  She was a bit nervous but happy.  A good support from the ward came, but not too many, which is just the way she wanted it.  The program was nice and they had some nice refreshments.  We didn't get to have much because our ward mission leader didn't have the programme ready for Aubrey's baptism which was in an hour.  So we went and did up his programme trying to figure out who could conduct and who was presiding.  We left a message with one of bishop's family that the baptism was on a few days prior, but he didn't get it until Saturday morning.  We tried calling him but no answer.  So we were all stressing about who of the bishopric could come and preside, or if it would have to be Elder Walk.  We couldn't print the programme until we knew.  Anyways, bishop showed up at the chapel and said it was all goods.  He was a bit skeptical of if Aubrey was really ready because of his reasons last time, and if he'd really be baptized.  But he allowed it and things went ahead.  The talks were good and we had a good pianist and a few ward members came to support.  So we were really happy that it all went through.  

     The confirmations cut it too close for my comfort though.  I didn't realize, but Elder Fiu said that sacrament meeting (for Pare) started at 10am.  So I tried to call at about quarter after 8 to make sure she was ready.  When Elder Fiu got out of the shower I told him I couldn't get a hold of Pare, and thats when he realized he said it was at 10.  Luckily brother Vuki (her ride) waited for her.  While we were waiting at the chapel they had already gone through the ward business and the song and prayer, and were just about to head into the sacrament when Pare showed up just in time.  It was a bit rushed but she felt the spirit come to her, and thats what she was really looking for.  

     I called Aubrey at about 11 and made sure he knew it was at 1, and he said yep.  I asked if he had a ride, and he said that Christine, his girlfriend would bring him.  So I felt good with that.  But when 1:00 came around and he wasn't there I was ready to smack him over the head.  But he came just in time, again.  When we went up to the stand we asked him who he'd like to do it.  He said Elder Fiu.  He said a nice blessing and I thought everything was all good.  When we sat down I saw Aubrey and Elder Fiu walk out of the chapel.  I had no idea what was happening.  Apparently he wanted Bishop Siomanu give him the Holy Ghost and that we didn't explain to him that thats what we were doing.  He felt angry and wasn't sure if he had really received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  So after sacrament meeting we had a talk with him and bishop.  We cleared everything up, and bishop was able to articulate and confirm to him that he did receive the Holy Ghost.  

     It was a really good, really stressful week, and I've learned a lot of lessons.  This week was really rewarding.  Thanks for all your prayers in my behalf, and as you can see, they work.  I really don't think Aubrey would have been baptized if it weren't for all the prayers for the missionaries around the world and in the temples.  I love you all! 

Aroha nui!  

Sincerely,

Elder Sorensen

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