Elder Sorenson - November 28, 2016

Hi Everyone!

Tuesday: 11,758 steps

SO yesterday was pday and I didn´t know it took like two days for my wash to be dry because a sister in my ward washes them. So I got to sleep on the nasty mattress with bugs for two nights but all is well!! I finally got them and they still are not dry because of how humid it is here!! Haha! I also started reading True To The Faith and I love it!! I had an interview with my mission president and didn´t know half the questions he was asking but it will be okay soon!! Haha I also had fish for dinner which wasn´t too bad!!

Wednesday: 13,162 steps

My companion had to go to the hospital today for stomach problems and I better not get sick because the hospital is nasty and smells so bad!! Luckily I have an entire hospital in my suitcase!! Haha! So on my way back to our house, we walked past about 12 people sitting around a TV and it was a soccer game. It was penalty kicks and it was like the world stood still. He made it and I swear a bomb went off!! People were screaming and cheering like crazy!! haha 

Thursday: 12,805 steps

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! How was your thanksgiving dinner!?!? Mine was fish and rice!! Haha! They don´t celebrate that here and so it was just a normal day with not many lessons because all of our investigators were working!! 

Friday: 14,776 steps

I met a gringo here!! He has been here for 9 weeks and speaks good Spanish! He is super cool and a nice guy. He is from Miami and I instantly connected with him!! We went to the mall because some missionaries were singing Christmas carols. As they sang, we went around passing out cards with the Christmas video of this year on it!! There were so many people in the mall because in Ecuador, they call it Negro Viernes. So I guess they do have a few American traditions here!! Haha! There were terrible deals though and it is crazy the price differences here in Ecuador!! Oh!! After passing out Christmas videos in the mall, we confirmed one investigator to baptism and his name is Aldo. He is such a great guy and I love him!! He is getting baptized December 26th or somewhere around that time! 

Saturday: 8,435 steps

So I woke up a little sick today but I have fought through it. During the day, we needed water so we asked this random lady for some. She gave it to us and invited us in. We ended up teaching her, giving her a Book of Mormon and she wants to know more. It is crazy and so cool how the Lord works and how He puts us in the right place at the right time!! But then we suffered....that same lady offered us food and as missionaries, we can´t really say no or they will get offended. She served us this great gourmet meal of cold, mashed up sardines and rice. It was the first food I have eaten here where I almost threw up. But hey, I am no quitter! I finished it all!! haha I had a stomach ache for two hours after eating the mashed up sardines and rice! Haha 

Sunday: 11,600 steps

It was Stake Conference here and we went to a different church that had air conditioning so that was nice! We had to sit in the back because we were a little late from picking up different investigators. I couldn´t hear a thing because their sound system isn't great. So I just heard babies screaming and some people yelling at there kids in Spanish. Haha! I also had three lunches and two dinners today, so lets just say I am probably not coming back skinny!! I eat so much rice here and it is rough!! 

Monday: 

Today was the Championship game with two teams from Ecuador. It gets so crazy here that we had to be in our house at 6 pm so it wasn´t a very busy day!! My companion and I played monopoly in house that night!! It was pretty fun!

Overall, it was a good week but the language is hard!!  I love you all and hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving!!!

Love Always, 

Elder Sorenson

Kyle sent this picture with the caption:"You guys are always with me at all times. Love you so much!" 

On Sunday evening, this picture was unexpectedly Facebook Messaged to Kyle's mom in CA from the sweet sister in Ecuador (pictured in the left corner of the picture). The sister let Kim know that she feeds Kyle and his companion on Sundays and that Kyle is a good missionary!  :-)

On Sunday evening, this picture was unexpectedly Facebook Messaged to Kyle's mom in CA from the sweet sister in Ecuador. The sister let Kim know that she feeds Kyle and his companion on Sundays and that Kyle is a good missionary!  :-)

Elder Sorenson - November 21, 2016

Hi Everyone!

 

Wow...This week was an actual roller coaster. I AM IN ECUADOR AND I DIDN´T KNOW THIS WOULD COME THIS FAST. Before leaving for Ecuador, the MTC was okay and my new companion was awesome! His name was Elder Waite and he was from Colorado. He was going to Costa Rica and waiting for his Visa.

 

I got cleared for my knee and I left the MTC on Friday at 3:15 am for Ecuador. I then took three flights, two of which I flew by myself, so I just slept and studied a ton. The studying when I got here didn´t help at all.

 

When I arrived in Ecuador, I went through customs and met my mission president. He doesn´t speak any English so it was so hard to understand him and know what he was asking. I just smiled, nodded and said, ¨Si¨. It was a very long day. On the way to the house, there isn´t any street signs, lanes, police, or anything. The taxi driver was going like 70mph down the street and swerving in and out of everywhere. I was so scared. Haha. Then we got to the house and I was so tired. So I went to bed but it is so humid here and there obviously isn´t any AC, so I didn´t sleep at all.

The next day, I met my new companion and he is super cool. His name is Elder Espinoza and he is from Peru. So take a guess and ask me what language he speaks and what language he doesn´t.... YEP!!! You guessed it. He doesn´t speak any English and only Spanish. I can't figure out how long he has been in the field because I dont know what he is saying. It is good because he usually teaches the entire lesson and I just sit and smile. Anyways, after I dropped off my stuff at my ¨house¨ ...I say that because it is more like a fort because the roof is just pieces of metal slabs, as is all the other houses in this city.

 

This city I am serving in is called Huancavilca. Nobody knows English but they know American music. The first day I was here, we got a ride to teach an investigator and they were blasting Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent. It was so funny to me because every other word was a swear word, and because no one can speak or understand English not even my companion, knew what the words were so nobody knew why Ï was laughing. Anyways, then we taught a lesson and I couldn´t really hear anything because of how loud the chickens were in the background. I didn´t understand anything all day. It was so hard and embarassing.

Oh!!! I forgot to mention that my zone is the most dangerous zone in the mission but I didn´t know that. I was wearing a watch without thinking and this guy was talking to me from his house and I didn´t know what he was talking about. He then pointed a gun at me and started laughing. Let´s just say I am never wearing a watch around here again. Don´t worry Mom, I am not hurt and I gave him a Pass Along card. HAHA!! Anyways, I am sorry this is a super long email. I just have so much to talk about. We also checked up on a recent convert and I didn´t know what was going on. The only thing I knew was that her daughter, I think she was about 13 or 14, asked me to do her English homework and I was so stoked because it was something I was actually good at!! 

I didn´t have to bear my testimony on Sunday so I got lucky with that! Overall, Sunday was way better and I was understanding a little more Spanish. I met a ward family and they are so great! I think they like me but I don´t know any words they said, so I guess only they know if they like me. Haha! The food here is okay but it is very bland. OH!!! I almost forgot, the first day here, for dinner, guess what I had? Freaking crab! And yes Mom, I ate all of it. Also, last night, for dinner, I had fish. I am not even on the coast and I have had a ton of seafood. Every meal has rice, so I am going to be so chubby when I get back!!

I love you guys so much and I hope you are all doing okay. I am doing fine and the Spanish will come! I know that.

 

I know Este Iglesia es verdad. Yo se que el Libro de Mormon y el Evangelio es nessecary en nosotros vidas. Yo agradecido por familias y el don de lenguas. Yo hablo los cosas, en el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.

Te quiero mucho,

Elder Sorenson

 

 

Answered Prayers - Elder Sorenson

Hi Everyone! 

Thank you for all of your prayers for my speedy recovery!! I truly know that prayer works. I had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon on Monday and he said that I may have torn something in the back of my knee, but it doesn't need surgery and I will be fine in Ecuador!! It was definitely an M&M (Mission Miracle). 

So, here we go!! I am off on an Adventure! Tomorrow, 11/18/16, I report to the flight office at 3:15 am and my first flight is at 6:00 am to Phoenix, Arizona. Then I fly to Miami, Florida and shortly after I arrive in Miami, I take off to Guayaquil, Ecuador. If all goes well, I will land at 10:52 pm in Ecuador, which is 7:52 pm PST. 

I am not sure if I will be able to actually have a P-day on Monday, so I am not sure when I will be able to write again! 

A fun fact.. My Mission President doesn't speak any English, so it is going to be very interesting when I get there. I know I am going to have a rocky start with the language but I know I will have memories and experiences that will last a life time. 

I love you all and hope everything is going good. 

Hasta Semana!! 

Te Quiero Mucho,

Elder Sorenson

Elder Sorenson - November 12, 2016

I AM GOING TO ECUADOR....OH WAIT!

Hey everyone!

This week was definitely an emotional roller coaster. I honestly don't know what to think! 

On Sunday, it was Fast Sunday and we didn't have choir. So there wasn't anything too exciting. The devotional was really cool though! It was a lady and she is a world famous violinist! She played multiple different songs and had her entire family play with her! She has three kids and they are all pros at music. They play guitar, piano, cello and violin. It was awesome! 

On Monday, we went down to the Travel Office to see what was going on with our flight plans and THEY HAD THEM. AHHHHH I was so pumped!! We all were running around and just stoked to be leaving on Monday at 2:30 am!! It was going to be so great! 

Tuesday was a long day because I was kind of stressed about the election but I didn't let it bother me too much. Thank you so much for the treats and the food Dad and Aunt Shirley and Paul!! I am going to get huge from all the snacks I am getting! I love you guys so much!

On Wednesday, I got to host again and it was such a blast! But on Wednesday afternoon, it was a nice day. Not a cloud in the sky, sun was brightly beaming and it was 76.4 degrees with no wind. Butterflies and leaves were in the air. The smell of old MTC food and Elder's B.O. was in the air too. My zone thought it would be a great idea to go to the field for the last time and play soccer. It will be fun they said. I thought, hey, I am out of shape but it would be so fun to play some soccer! So.... We went. Not even five minutes into the game, an Elder in my district tried to get the ball from me. So I came to an abrupt stop. But then.. The unthinkable happened!! My body stopped but my knee didn't. So I hyper-extended my knee inwards. I got up and just tried to walk it off. So I played sand volleyball and destroyed the other team.. Haha but then my companion noticed I was limping from the accident on that green patch of grass that day. So he forced me to go to the athletic trainers office to get some ice. So we went. She asked what happened and I told her. She then wanted to do a few tests.. After the knee tests, she called the doctor and said that she thought I tore my meniscus. I was so upset because I just wanted ice. We then went to the doctor and he just gave me crutches and some ibuprofen. He set up an appointment for me Thursday morning to see him. I went in the morning and he thought I tore it too. It honestly didn't even hurt that bad. My knee was just uncomfortable and I couldn't bend it. So I had to leave campus to get an MRI on my knee. Let me tell you, the MRI machine is kind of scary and weird. It make super weird and loud noises so I had to wear ear plugs and I kept going in more and more, so it felt like it was going to eat me.. Haha The only good thing about that is they had vending machines there and so I got Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew and I have never been so happy. So then, my companion and I went back to the MTC and I had to wait for the results until the next morning. I was also on crutches and they are terrible. I used to think they were cool when I didn't actually have to use them. But now that I do, they are terrible and hurt. My arms are so sore and I feel like my left calf and my shoulders are huge because I have been working them out non stop haha.. 

So I went to the doctor in the morning and he said that I had bad news and good news. So, me, being a super positive person, asked for the bad news first. He said that I had a ton of fluid in my knee and infusions from the accident. The good news is that I didn't tear anything yet. Haha so I was so grateful that I didn't tear it! But he also said that I am for sure not leaving Monday and I will probably be here for another two weeks to make sure my knee is okay. SO I have to see an Orthopedic Surgeon on Monday and he is basically going to tell me my fate Monday morning!! 

Overall, it was a good week and I am praying that I will be able to leave soon. Whatever happens is for a reason. Maybe the Lord needs me here for two more weeks to touch a certain person's life in the MTC or maybe it is because I need more work on the Spanish.. Haha

I will make sure to keep you guys updated on everything! I love you guys. 

Te Quiero mucho!

    Elder Sorenson

Elder Sorenson - November 5, 2016

Hi Everyone!

Wow.. I can't believe I have been here for five weeks. It has been very stressful and I don't think I am going to leave for Ecuador on November 16th for Visa issues. I may have to stay in the states for another 6 weeks, but I will not find out until Tuesday of next week. I know that wherever I go is for a reason!! 

On Sunday, I got to bless the bread in Sacrament in Spanish which was a cool experience and I didn't mess up! So that boosted my confidence a lot! We walked to the temple and it is so fun to do that. I love talking to other people from the MTC and getting to know them even more! Then after that, we watched movies which is always fun. Our district has a tradition where we all book it to get good seats and I stop by my room to get candy, so we loaded up with candy and went to the movie. It was a really fun day!! 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN. It was weird that I didn't see any little kids running around in costumes getting candy, but I did see a ton of 18 and 19 year old's doing it.. Haha!! A Senior couple was outside the cafeteria handing out candy and that made my day!! It was just a normal day and then at the end of the day, we went in the dorms and got dressed for Trick or Treating in the dorms. My roommates and I made up a costume. We were the three wiseman!! haha.. We even had frankincense(cologne), gold(gold chocolate coins) and murr(lotion)!! It was such a fun time and good to laugh. Thanks to my Aunt Kristen and Uncle Garrett, their package came with a Halloween Trick-or-Treat bag so I could collect candy from other people with it! 

Tuesday was just a normal, studying day. 

On Wednesday, it was actually super cool!! Our district got to host the new missionaries coming in! It really brought back a lot of memories and made me realize how long I have been here!! It was so fun being with them and seeing

the look on their face when they walked in because of how overwhelming it is!! I really enjoyed hosting them and I when I see them walking around the MTC, they will come say hi to me so it was great! I can't wait to do it again on Wednesday!! 

Thursday was a pretty fun and spiritual day. I woke up sick, so I went to the doctor and got some meds and feel a little better but my voice is gone. So imagine me trying to speak Spanish with a squeaky voice of a 11 year old boy, it is quite embarrassing! haha! That night, we went outside and our teacher asked us to find one scripture that defines us. I, of course, picked Alma 37:33-34,36-37. It just hit me like a brick when I read it and I now have those verses written on my wall in my room where I can always see it. 

Yesterday was normal!! I got a package from Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson! Thank you so much and I can't wait to eat all of the candy tonight!! Haha!! I miss you guys!! 

I also got a haircut today and was scared for my life, but luckily I got out without my head being completely shaven and it doesn't look too bad! Haha!! Today, we were supposed to get our flight plans but only the people going to Ecuador didn't get any. So I won't know until Tuesday what is going on. 

Overall, it has been a good five weeks in the MTC and it's been fun! I have already lost 7 pounds so I am going to come back looking like a twig!!

Te quiero mucho,

Elder Sorenson

Elder Sorenson - November 5, 2016

Hi Everyone!

Wow.. I can't believe I have been here for five weeks. It has been very stressful and I don't think I am going to leave for Ecuador on November 16th for Visa issues. I may have to stay in the states for another 6 weeks, but I will not find out until Tuesday of next week. I know that wherever I go is for a reason!! 

On Sunday, I got to bless the bread in Sacrament in Spanish which was a cool experience and I didn't mess up! So that boosted my confidence a lot! We walked to the temple and it is so fun to do that. I love talking to other people from the MTC and getting to know them even more! Then after that, we watched movies which is always fun. Our district has a tradition where we all book it to get good seats and I stop by my room to get candy, so we loaded up with candy and went to the movie. It was a really fun day!! 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN. It was weird that I didn't see any little kids running around in costumes getting candy, but I did see a ton of 18 and 19 year old's doing it.. Haha!! A Senior couple was outside the cafeteria handing out candy and that made my day!! It was just a normal day and then at the end of the day, we went in the dorms and got dressed for Trick or Treating in the dorms. My roommates and I made up a costume. We were the three wiseman!! haha.. We even had frankincense(cologne), gold(gold chocolate coins) and murr(lotion)!! It was such a fun time and good to laugh. Thanks to my Aunt Kristen and Uncle Garrett, their package came with a Halloween Trick-or-Treat bag so I could collect candy from other people with it! 

Tuesday was just a normal, studying day. 

On Wednesday, it was actually super cool!! Our district got to host the new missionaries coming in! It really brought back a lot of memories and made me realize how long I have been here!! It was so fun being with them and seeing

the look on their face when they walked in because of how overwhelming it is!! I really enjoyed hosting them and I when I see them walking around the MTC, they will come say hi to me so it was great! I can't wait to do it again on Wednesday!! 

Thursday was a pretty fun and spiritual day. I woke up sick, so I went to the doctor and got some meds and feel a little better but my voice is gone. So imagine me trying to speak Spanish with a squeaky voice of a 11 year old boy, it is quite embarrassing! haha! That night, we went outside and our teacher asked us to find one scripture that defines us. I, of course, picked Alma 37:33-34,36-37. It just hit me like a brick when I read it and I now have those verses written on my wall in my room where I can always see it. 

Yesterday was normal!! I got a package from Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson! Thank you so much and I can't wait to eat all of the candy tonight!! Haha!! I miss you guys!! 

I also got a haircut today and was scared for my life, but luckily I got out without my head being completely shaven and it doesn't look too bad! Haha!! Today, we were supposed to get our flight plans but only the people going to Ecuador didn't get any. So I won't know until Tuesday what is going on. 

Overall, it has been a good five weeks in the MTC and it's been fun! I have already lost 7 pounds so I am going to come back looking like a twig!!

Te quiero mucho,

Elder Sorenson