Elder Sorenson - February 26, 2018

Wow!

So much has happened this week. It sure has been a long one, but my new companion is hilarious, so he made it a lot easier! Tuesday we finally got done with transfers after going to the terminal and back 500 times.

A miracle I saw this week was on Tuesday as well. As normal, all of our appointments fell through and we just started knocking on doors (ringing the doorbell) but nobody received us. After about 30 minutes, we decided to look at a list of the old investigators on my agenda. We saw a name and looked for the house. We finally did and knocked on the door bell, when she responded and asked what we wanted, we told her we were looking for “Elisa.” She hung up and I thought , “Oh, she doesn’t want anything.” Then 10 seconds later, she came outside to tell us to come in. I was very confused, this had never happened to me in Loja. We sat down and talked and found our that her husband is a less active member. She then gave us hot chocolate and bread, fish, rice and more things to cook in our house. Ha ha! What a weird visit. After we left, I stopped in the street and asked, “What just happened in there?” But none of the family are members except for the dad, so we are now working with them!

The next day we were on a visit when we looked at her phone and realized that our Mission President called us 22 times. We were nervous to find out what happened, but we had to get to the church immediately. We found out that the dad of one of the sisters in the zone passed away. It got very cold and quiet and I didn’t know what to do. We gave her a blessing and sang songs to her and did all we could as missionaries. All I know is that I am beyond grateful for the knowledge we have that our love ones will be with us forever and ever. It is hard when they pass away in this life, but it has to happen in order for us to return to God’s presence. I know that the family is the foundation as long as we are all united in Christ. I know that our loved ones, family members, neighbors, and friends will be waiting for us at the gates of heaven with open arms.

I love this work and what it has taught me about the priorities in life.

Love Always,

Elder Sorenson

2Nephi 9:18

 

Elder Sorenson - February 19, 2018

Hey Everyone!!

This week was quite amazing, but crazy busy!! After being finally let out of the house for the longest time, we went to work!! We found quite a bit of people and taught some great lessons!! We also had a great conference with our Mission President and it was awesome. Then my companion had to travel to Guayaquil for his Visa and so I went to another city and it went great!! It was crazy busy and we tried our best to keep everything under control.

After all the hassle of trying to organize everything we had Jackson's Baptism!! It was so amazing and turned out well. I was so happy to see his bright smile and his desire to be baptized. The greatest miracle was that his entire non-member family came and we were able to meet them and because of their dad's example, they are getting ready for baptism as well!! I love this work so much!!

 

The sad news is that my companion had changes and I am now with a new one named Elder Oy. He is from Mexico and is an absolute fireball. He loves spicy things and he seems like an amazing missionary! I am really excited to work with him!!

 

I hope that everyone had a great week and spent a lot of time with their families because FAMILIES ARE SO SPECIAL!

 

Love Always,

 

Elder Sorenson

 

 

Elder Sorenson - February 14, 2018

Hello Everyone,

This week is going to be short because not much happened!

We didn't have a lot of success because everyone was out of town and getting ready for Carnaval. So the last four days we were in the house and it was really boring. I got to read the Book of Mormon even more and it gets better and better every time I read it!! I can't believe the power that that book has! I know with a certainty that it is true!

 

A spiritual experience I had was last night when we went in a circle and shared a miracle that we have seen or witnessed during the mission. I couldn't decide which to share because there were so many. I know that missionary work helps with everything and makes you feel a type of happiness that is impossible to describe. What is great is that every missionary has their own way of teaching or finding people, but it doesn't matter in what way you do it, the miracles always come if you are looking and praying for them!!

 

I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week!

 

Love Always,

 

Elder Sorenson

 

 

 

Elder Sorenson - February 5, 2018

Happy Birthday Aspen!

 

I swear, these days go by faster and faster. I don’t know what happened to this week. South America is getting ready for Carnival next weekend and there are people already starting by throwing water and foam on people. I mean, to get in the spirit, we participate too and have foam fights in our house all the time! Haha! This week is going to be crazy and I am not sure if I am going to be stuck in the house all day or not like we were last year for Carnival!

 

On Saturday, we had Antonio and Natalia‘s baptism! It went great and it was so special to be there. I am so excited for them and right now, we are teaching her brother and he seems to be super interested as well. I wanted to talk about the importance a baptism in the right way. It is like making a glass of lemonade. Lemonade require three ingredients; lemons, water, and sugar! Now, what happens if we don’t have sugar? Or water? Or lemons? Missing only one of these ingredients changes everything. It is the same thing with baptism. The 3 ingredients to baptism are

1. Getting baptized by someone holding the authority of God (John 15:16)
2. Being completely submerged in the water (Matthew 3:13-17)
3. Having a proper and sure knowledge of the commitment you’re making....being an older age when baptized to know what you are doing. (Christ was 30 years old when he was baptized).

Now, it says in the scriptures that there is only, “one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.” I testify, as a representative of Jesus Christ and the church of Him, that we baptize with all 3 of the ingredients and no other church does. You can’t get by with two ingredients, you need all three!

 

I invite you to read and pray about what I just said so that you can know for yourself and follow the example of Jesus Christ! (Mark 10:38-39)

I love all of you so much and thank you for the many wonderful letters and prayers you have given me over the past 16 months. I know what I am doing is true. It is not only blessing my life but also, the lives of everyone. I am thankful to be able to teach in this beautiful city of Loja!

 

Love Always,

Elder Sorenson

James 1:5–6