Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Elder Sorenson - March 26, 2018

Hi Everyone!

This week I had a lot of fun and really loved the mission. I can’t express to you enough how amazing this experience has been. I have grown spiritually in a way I never thought possible and I have come to love my Heavenly Father more than I could possibly imagine.

I have laughed, learned, cried, gotten angry, and even gained weight, but today I want to talk about something that has helped me through these last 18 months. LEARNING TO LAUGH has been my way to become unstressed and really feel the presence and love of Christ!

The mission is not easy and there really are days when you’re sad and flustered with many things, but those things are temporary - how you react to a situation when you are stressed or disappointed shows your real character. A really famous quote comes to my mind, “Come what may and love it!” This quote has really helped me see the light of Christ and laugh in every moment! I really believe that life is too short to be sad and frustrated. This is the life of happiness and laughter. Just like my favorite movie says, “Life’s short, start it!” 

Anyway, I invite all of you to be happy and grateful for every moment God has given you to laugh and experience the joy in Christ. I love you so much and I really know this church is true! It is the only true church that is eternal and that can seal our families forever to live in everlasting happiness together. 

Please watch General Conference this Saturday and Sunday. I promise, as you listen, the words you hear will help you to find happiness in your life. Our prophet and apostles will help you grow because you will better understand the purpose of the trials and challenges that you are facing. 

Love,

Elder Sorenson

*Please listen to this Conference Talk*
“Come What May and Love It”
Joseph B. Wirthlin
October 2008 Session


https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/come-what-may-and-love-it?lang=eng





















Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Elder Sorenson - March 19, 2018

Hi Everyone!

I don’t know what is happening with time because I swear I just wrote you a letter like yesterday!

We started off with a powerful moment in my mission. One of the Hermana’s was chased by a dog and tripped and fell down a hill. We got a call to pick her up from the hospital and she had bruised and sprained her ankle super bad. She asked us to give her a priesthood blessing and as soon as we got done, she instantly became more calm. I feel so honored to be able to have this Authority to be able to effect ordinances and give blessings. Being able to say, “I am a worthy priesthood holder” is a blessing in and of itself.

We had an incredible activity last week. My companion is from Mexico, so we hosted a Mexican night! We had piƱatas, musical chairs, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, and much more. The best part about it was that were over 100 people who showed up and there was no space in the church! We have an investigator named Dominique and last week she showed up to the church. During the week, we were able to talk to her once and she loved our message, but didn’t love going to church all too much. Here is where the miracle happened! She has a friend in the church and he brought her to this Mexican night and she absolutely loved it. Afterwards, her friend told us that if it weren’t for the activity, she wouldn’t have come back to church. 

This experience really strengthened my testimony of the power of activities and that everyone needs to know that we are normal people too. We aren’t always in a suit and tie, well I mean, other than missionaries! When we show love to others and how outgoing we are outside of Sundays, we really will have a ton more people who want to join our church.

I love this work and I really know this is the Lord’s church. I know that I hold the Priesthood of God and that I need to be worthy and obedient for the rest of my life so that I am able to be ready at a moments notice to give a blessing and help change lives.

Love Always,

Elder Sorenson








Elder Sorenson - March 12, 2018

Hi everyone!

Well this week, I started a new chapter in my life because after 17 months of being on this mission, I finally tried guinea pig! It is honestly not bad and it just “tastes like chicken.”

Here in the District we are trying to do something to help out all of the members. In Loja, the majority of the members are less active and it is really sad. Our district President gave us an analogy of collecting fruits. We, as missionaries, our collecting fruits and trying to find people to baptize. When you go and collect fruit, you place it in a basket. What happens if the basket is broken? We won’t want to put the fruit in there, right? It is the same with the church! If we aren’t helpful members, the missionary work won’t function! I can baptize 100 people, but if the members don’t take this convert in as their own, they too will most likely go inactive. The members are the basket, collecting the fruits.

Anyways, what we are now doing is sharing a really important message of Family History. I really love it! Before my mission, I didn’t appreciate it as much as I should have! But honestly, it teaches us so much about our history and where we came from. I invite all of you to start, or keep working on, your family history and make a goal of being able to take those names to the temple.

On Friday, we had an activity that went great. We called it “Candyland!” so of course, I made my mom‘s famous chocolate chip cookies! We tied the activity to the dream of Lehi and made the iron rod and all of that good stuff. But, it was so spiritual and made me really think if I was hanging onto the iron rod or not. The “iron rod” represents the word of God. So really, if I want to hold firm to the rod, I have to read and LIVE the word of God. It is the only way I know that I can receive eternal life and live with my loved ones forever. I love you all and invite you to hold fast to the rod and help your deceased loved ones find that rod to hold onto by doing your family history!

Love Always,

Elder Sorenson
1 Nephi 8 & 11













Saturday, March 10, 2018

Elder Sorenson - March 5, 2018

Hi Everyone!

Exactly a year ago, in my weekly letter, I wrote a scripture down that really means a lot to me. "I do not find joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren." There is not a greater joy in this world than preaching the gospel and witnessing miracles every single day. We can classify "success" as the number of baptisms you have, or the leadership positions you are called to or how many sectors you have been in, but that would be misunderstanding the word "success"; I am only successful when my investigator comes to understand the Restored Gospel and my joy comes when they make the decision of baptism in the Lord's church.

I know this to be true, that thinking of other people first and their needs will bring me more "joy and success" because they will finally be able to recognize the Light of Christ in their own lives. (Alma 17:4). I can't tell you how many times I have witnessed people change their own lives and bad habits just so they can taste of the fruits and the knowledge of the Gospel. I know this church is true and that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. It has given me so much comfort and has helped me understand and know the Rock on which I have my entire foundation built upon, so that I may never fall. (Helaman 5:12)

I invite all of you, as you begin your Spring Break, to really think about the priorities in your life and the miracles you have witnessed. Also, to start reading the Book of Mormon. I testify that this Book is true and has helped me with everything during these past 17 months. I love you with all of my heart and hope that you can have "success" so that my "heart can be filled with joy".

Love,

Elder Sorenson