Elder Sorenson - January 29, 2018

Hi Everyone!

Another week of getting lost in my own sector, but finding people to teach at the same time. The blessings were huge this week and I am so happy to see the hand of the Lord working in my own life. I did a few companion exchanges to help out the other missionaries, but they put me in my own sector and I was lost the majority of the day. The day before, they changed all the numbers of the houses and it was so confusing, but the blessing to all of this is when we went looking for a place to eat, we encountered a BBQ restaurant and we ordered something and started talking with the owner. She told us that we (missionaries) had come before but they stopped coming. So we picked out a day and time to teach them and I am super excited to see how that goes!

We have a pair of investigators name Antonio and Natalia. They are some of the greatest people I have ever met. They were contacted on the street and they are so special in my heart. They made the decision to get baptized this next Saturday and we are so excited to be with them in this beautiful journey. I know the decision they made is the right one. This is the true church and I know that for a surety because of the Book of Mormon. It is the most powerful book I have ever read.

The only problem I have here is that there is a ton of good food that is actually close to American food. My companion and I have gotten a take-out card from each of them and I hope I don’t get too overweight!! Haha! I love you and keep going strong!

This life isn’t easy, but it is impossible without putting your faith in Christ!

Love Always,
Elder Sorenson

2 Nephi 31:21

Elder Sorenson - January 23, 2018

Hi Everyone!

It is so cold here and it is always raining. I honestly forgot what cold weather was like. Loja is a GIANT zone! There are elders that are part of this zone that live more than an hour away. I’m still trying to memorize my zone and figure out where the members live, but it is so big!

We spent the majority of the week traveling and doing companion exchanges to help out the other elders in their sectors. An experience that I had this week is a story of two investigators that we have. Their names are Jackson and Efron. They both struggle with smoking and drinking. Efron is one of the most humblest and greatest man I have ever met. When we taught the Word of Wisdom, he instantly knew what we were saying was true. He had been smoking 20 cigarette a day, but after teaching him the power of the Atonement, he has gone down to three a day. Obviously, the three needs to stop as well, but the improvement and the love he has for the Savior is incredible. I had the idea to give each of them a CTR ring that my wonderful family sent me from back home in California. They immediately put it on and loved them. A few days later, the other investigator Jackson, told us that every time he has the urge to smoke, he looks at the CTR ring and his desire stops completely. He even told us that he doesn’t even take it off when he showers! Ha ha! What great faith he has!

We have had a great week this week and I know that it can be 400 times better the more diligent, obedient, and PATIENT I am. I’m trying my best to be a true disciple of Christ and I invite you all to do the same! You don’t need a name plaque to be a missionary. Help a friend in need, bear your testimony, and invite them to show their face and ACT. Nothing happens if we don’t have faith.

I love you all and I know that this church is true. Read the book of Mormon every day!

Love Always,

Elder Sorenson

Alma 32 & James 2:17-18, 22

Elder Sorenson - January 15, 2018

Hi Everyone!

My first week in the new world and I have already lost over 5 pounds. I love it here, but it is freezing cold and the amount of taxis we have to take because of how big the sector is, is insane!

I know you all want to know what the members are like and how it is here. So I am in a branch with four other missionaries. So there are six missionaries assigned to the branch. The sector is huge and has a ton of hills. There is a myth here that it is impossible to find people to teach but it is not true. There are quite a few people that are willing to listen and are super sweet. Another thing about my new sector is that is really quiet and peaceful. In Guayaquil, there is always music in the streets but here it is like silent during the evenings.

My new companion is Elder Tomeolo. He is from Brazil, but lived in Mexico and the United States so he knows 3 languages. So right now, I am learning Portuguese and it is really fun, but hard because I am used to pronouncing words in Spanish. He is a really hard worker and really cares for and loves everyone. He is a great missionary and I’m excited to work with him.

Also, I think the Lord knows how organized I am and that I am a great help to move houses because we are moving again. Every sector I have been in we have moved at least once so it’s awesome getting a fresh start here in Loja.

The biggest miracle this week was out of the blue. We got out of the taxi and I saw a lady struggling with grocery bags going up the big hill. We felt inspired to help her and started walking with her bags. We started talking and right there, in the street, invited her to be baptized. She said she would love to! What a tender mercy from Him!

I love you and hope you have a great week!

Love Always,
Elder Sorenson

2 Nephi 4:35
“Ask for just things!”

Photos of Elder Sorenson's new sector in Loja, Ecuador

Photos of Elder Sorenson's new sector in Loja, Ecuador

Photos of Elder Sorenson's new sector in Loja, Ecuador

Photos of Elder Sorenson's new sector in Loja, Ecuador

Photos of Elder Sorenson's new sector in Loja, Ecuador

Photos of Elder Sorenson's new sector in Loja, Ecuador

Elder Sorenson - January 8, 2018

Hi Everyone,

 

“Oh Guayaquil, Oh Guayaquil, we bid thee farewell. We’re going to the mountains of Loja to dwell!”  I am still in Guayaquil, but I received transfers to Loja and so tonight I am going to be on an 8-hour bus ride traveling to my new sector! It is a lot different there and it is super cold and I might have to eat Guinea Pig, so I am excited to go on this new adventure.

My last week in Guayaquil was a great one and I am really learning a lot here as a missionary. I feel stronger than ever in the Gospel and have developed so many habits and talents that I didn’t know even existed before my mission. I love being a Disciple of Christ and being able to wear His name on my shirt every day. I have witnessed miracles, powerful spirit-filling-the-room experiences and the everlasting joy of the restored gospel. If you are hesitant on serving a mission and are reading this, DO IT! It is the best 2 years and will be the biggest accomplishment you have made in your entire life. DO IT NOW!

Earlier this week, I found out that our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, had passed away. After discovering the news, it made me think of how much service he has given in the church over the past 50 years. I love him and will forever sustain him. His everlasting impact and example has changed my life, especially the last message he gave in April of 2017. Please read the Book of Mormon every day. Read it until you have a testimony of its truthfulness and when you receive that testimony, and I promise you that you will, you will never want to put that powerful book down. I have a firm testimony that the Book of Mormon is true and I will never deny it. This knowledge has changed my life and I know it will for you too.

Love Always,

Elder Sorenson

2 Nephi 32

 

This picture was FB messaged to Elder Sorenson's mother from a sweet Sister in Ecuador who said this about Elder Sorenson, "We are going to miss our dear Friend and Chef Elder Sorenson...LOL...He is a great missionary, very educated, very mature, and very noble. ..We love him very much!!! We hope that someday we will see him again!!"

This picture was FB messaged to Elder Sorenson's mother from a sweet Sister in Ecuador who said this about Elder Sorenson, "We are going to miss our dear Friend and Chef Elder Sorenson...LOL...He is a great missionary, very educated, very mature, and very noble. ..We love him very much!!! We hope that someday we will see him again!!"

This picture was FB messaged to Elder Sorenson's mother from a sweet Sister in Ecuador who said this about Elder Sorenson, "We are going to miss our dear Friend and Chef Elder Sorenson...LOL...He is a great missionary, very educated, very mature, and very noble. ..We love him very much!!! We hope that someday we will see him again!!"

This picture was FB messaged to Elder Sorenson's mother from a sweet Sister in Ecuador who said this about Elder Sorenson, "We are going to miss our dear Friend and Chef Elder Sorenson...LOL...He is a great missionary, very educated, very mature, and very noble. ..We love him very much!!! We hope that someday we will see him again!!"

Map of Elder Sorenson's new area, Argelia, Loja Ecuador! He will be arriving in Loja on 1/9/18.

Elder Sorenson's new area, Argelia, Loja's current weather - 22 degrees colder than where he has been for the past 15 months!

Elder Sorenson's previous area, Guayaguil's current weather - 22 degrees warmer than where he has been transferred to as of 1/9/18!

Elder Sorenson - January 2, 2018

Happy New Year! 

There are two ways to celebrate the New Year:

1. the legal way OR
2. the Ecuadorian way

Fireworks were going off and people were blowing stuff up all night long on New Years Eve in my neighborhood, but Happy New Year! I hope that 2018 is full of great times and amazing experiences. 

During church on Sunday, the speaker said something that I want to share with you. He was talking about New Year’s goals and said that, “We shouldn’t be making a goal to go to church every Sunday, we shouldn’t make a goal to pay tithing every month, and we should not make a goal to read the Book of Mormon every day. These things are not goals; they are commandments from God and we should always be doing them without relying on a new year motivation.” 

One of the best experiences I had this week was being able to go to a sealing in the temple. It was so powerful and spiritual in the sealing room. When the daughter was sealed to her parents, there were a lot of emotions that overcame everyone. It was an amazing experience! I know the things they do in the temple are real and are all true. The feelings that I get every time I go to the temple are so powerful and are feelings I can’t describe.

Another great thing that happened was also during church yesterday. We were sitting in Sacrament meeting and an unfamiliar face showed up, so after the meeting was over we talked to him and he shared his life story with us. He had stopped doing drugs for over a year now and he asked us, “how the baptism thing works.” Unfortunately, he doesn’t live in our ward, but he is being prepared for baptism in a few weeks by a different pair of Missionaries! 

The work here is honestly great and is really easy to talk to people about God, because everyone has faith and they know that there is something better - the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I love you! Happy New Year! 

Elder Sorenson

*Make meaningful goals and actually fulfill them! 

D&C 82:10

Elder Sorenson is pictured here with a family who was sealed in the temple.  

This is a video of Elder Sorenson singing a solo during the song, Mary Did You Know?
*This video, and the longer video below is posted on Elder Sorenson's FB page* 

These pictures were sent to Kim, Elder Sorenson's mom, from a sweet Ecuadorian sister.  This was the Christmas Devotional choir that Elder Sorenson and his companion were asked by the Mission President to put together and conduct.

This is a video of Elder Sorenson signing with the choir he and his companion put together for the Christmas Devotional. *This video, and the video of Kyle's solo above, is posted on Elder Sorenson's FB page*

These pictures were sent to Kim, Elder Sorenson's mom, from a sweet Ecuadorian sister.  This was the Christmas Devotional choir that Elder Sorenson and his companion were asked by the Mission President to put together and conduct.