Transfers & 100 Days

Week 15: Transfers & 100 Days

TRANSFERS WEEK!  It's really sad to see Elder Rummler leave me. The kinda cool part is when we were all guess who our next companion would be I said mine was going be Elder Jensen.  It turns out I didn't get Elder Jensen, but Elder Rummler did! I don't know if I've mentioned this previously but Elder Jensen’s dad went to the same mission as dad did.  Elder Jensen’s dad even pulled pranks on dad.  So, he said he'll have to prank me one day to keep the tradition going. 

Anyway, I'm sure the anticipation of who my new companion is killing you!!!  It’s...........Elder Horowitz. He's been out for 20 months, so he keeps on saying that sending him to a singles ward is the mission presidents way of "putting him out to pasture." He's from Indiana and is going to be going to BYU when he gets home. 

Running the area by myself for a while wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  Yay for that!  We actually had a really good week.  We have lots of good numbers to report.  Elder Horowitz has a few people he's teaching on Facebook so that helps boost our numbers.  But, numbers aren't the most important part; it's the people coming into Christ! 

This week I've really been overcome with love for our investigators.  Even the ones we didn't get to meet with.  I don't remember if I've talked about M yet, but he's awesome!  He is one of our Ward member’s boyfriends, and started investigating because of her beliefs.  When we taught him the first lesson we were also teaching three active members, so I think he was kinda shy about asking questions and everything, then when we taught him the first half of the second lesson he opened up a little bit more, and had a few questions.  But then Wednesday night he was just awesome!!  So many great questions, really intent on learning and everything!!  He's already in Mosiah in the Book of Mormon!!! He's progressed really far in such a short amount of time and it's awesome to see that, and be a part of it. 

Something exciting that happened on Thursday:  I hit my 100 day mark!!  Yeah!  It's hard to believe I've been gone for that long.  Time just flies out here.  So, one thing I took for granted when Elder Rummler was here was his GPS.  I tried navigating by myself for the first two days and that just was not happening.  Because I had budgeted my monthly allowance, I was able to use some of that leftover money to buy a GPS.  Now we can run the area effectively again because we know where to go!  Plus, we changed the car into a Tie Fighter, so my GPS is basically the coolest thing ever. 

One thing I forgot to mention from last week was Elder Rummler and my lesson with C!  We talked about scripture study, and topical guide and stuff and it was so awesome.  She is such an amazing person, and I am so happy I've been able to meet with her and get to know her. We talked about a baptismal date in late November, and she accepted.  I'm so excited for her! 

One last thing that happened this week was last night I was going to plug in my iPad, and I was setting my hand down on the desk and a TACK WAS FACE UP ON THE DESK AND WENT INTO MY HAND!!!!!  I had to pull it out and I just about threw up.  Oh. My. Gosh. I hate needles so so so much.   I'm nauseous just thinking about it.  Anyway, that's my week!  I hope you're all doing well! :)

I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!! 

Love, 

Elder Sorensen 

It's Been a Good Week in WDCN

Week 14: It’s Been a Good Week in WDCN

So, this week was a lot of people canceling on us last minute.. Which is frustrating, but there were some good things that happened also. I think I've forgotten to mention for three or four weeks now President Cooke's comment as I was leaving my interview with him. He said "You're going be a trainer someday, so you've got to learn it." By “it” he means how to be a missionary, but that was a pretty terrifying comment and I went the rest of this transfer expecting to be asked to train a new missionary just as soon as I finish my training. Luckily, that's not what will be happening, but we found out Saturday night that Elder Rummler will be going to a different area this transfer.  I'll be getting a new companion and I'll have to run the area by myself for a few days. Yikers! At least I have Jack Johnson and Eric Whitacre to get me through it now. Which means yes, I did receive the iPod, and I super love it. 

This week we also got to visit with our recent converts! I'm proud to report J and A are both doing awesome!! We've started the new member lessons with them, which is just teaching them the five missionary lessons again to make sure they understood everything and answer any questions they have. I'm so glad they're doing great because I've heard a couple of sad stories of people getting baptized and then losing all contact with the church and the missionaries.

We got to visit with M again this week. I don't remember how much of M’s story I've mentioned in any of my emails so I'll go over it again real fast, he was baptized about a year and a half ago, then about three months later lost contact. The sister missionaries finally got back in contact with him and convinced him to come to the singles ward, so he's been coming here for about 2 months now. We went over twice before this week, and he told us that he left the church because he started to question lots of our fundamental beliefs. Then he found Buddhism and had enough peace to return to our church, so we taught him the restoration to see where he was at retention wise with the lessons, and he pretty much doesn't believe in any of what we believe but there are certain parts that he does like so he keeps coming. He says he's a Buddhist Mormon. He's a funny kid and super nice.

Anyway, this week we only had a few minutes with him, but I think it's important we stopped by because he said in the past when he's told the missionaries that he doesn't believe a lot of what we believe they've gotten offended and not talked to him again, so I'm glad were able to keep in contact
with M. 

I think the highlight of my week though was our lesson with K. We had no idea what to teach because all our other lessons had gone so sour, but we went regardless and let the spirit guide us. We ended up talking about the Book of Mormon again. This time we had a much different result though. We found out why he hadn't yet accepted a Book of Mormon!! His father is a Baptist pastor and his parents don't think he's religious at all! He said if his parents found the book they would be really upset with him, but if there were any way he could read it online? Of course we were super excited to show him the gospel library app!!! He said he'd start reading at least a chapter a day!! Yes!! Then as we were leaving he said, I know this will do for now, but it am going to need to find a way to have a real copy someday. An application on your phone isn't enough?? I couldn't believe my ears! He's so awesome!! I am so excited to continue working with him and making sure he gets a real copy and continues reading it! He even said he wants to go out with us one day as we're teaching people! We'll have to see about that one, but maybe if he gets baptized he can! Anyway, it's been a good week here in the WDCN!

Love,
Elder Sorensen

Email from September 8th

Week 13: A Week Full of Investigator Lessons

Well, this week we had a lot of meetings with less active members. One of my favorites is J-.  He was baptized in 2009 and has been to church I think one time since then.  You'd think if he didn't want to come to church, he wouldn't want to spend time with the missionaries, right?  Well, wrong.  We just finished teaching the commandments to him, and it was obvious he wasn't keeping a few of them; but as soon as we went over them again he straight up agreed to fix the stuff he was doing wrong and is doing an awesome job now!  We stopped by his house after a long day of appointments and hadn't yet had the chance to eat, and out of the blue J- asked if we were hungry, because he was making himself dinner too.  We hadn't told him we didn't eat, he just offered.  It's cool to see Heavenly Father provide for us when were doing the right things.  He didn't make it to church this week, but were hoping to get him there next week. 

We also met with A- that day.  The first time I met A- I was doubled over in pain the whole lesson from eating a scotch bonnet pepper-third hottest pepper in the world, if you were unaware.  (WDCN new missionary initiation) But, a few weeks after our initial visit he has started coming back to church. He's been four times in a row now!  Woot woot!  Also, we did that lesson outside, and two giant bugs that were attacking each other landed on Jason's (our ward mission leader who was with us that day) shoulder and we all freaked out for a sec. 

Anyway, I had a first this week while tracting!  Somebody actually let us in off the street!  Of course that was after an hour of getting the door slammed on us in the rain... But still!  The guy who let us in is named R-.  He is from El Salvador.  His father is actually Mormon! Although, he didn't grow up with his father.  He was really interested and we gave him a Book of Mormon.  Unfortunately we won't be able to teach him because he has a family; but we passed him on to the Spanish sisters, so that's good! Hopefully they get baptized! 

We also got a new investigator this week.  His name is M-.  He is one of our ward member’s boyfriend who is catholic, but has been coming to church with her to see kinda what it's about.  He started learning from us for her; at least right now.  We're hoping he gets more interested as time goes on, and is able to get baptized. 

I had my second temple trip this week! As a mission we go once a transfer (6 weeks) and since we’re at the end of my second transfer we went on Wednesday.  I love going to the temple!!  It's just great.  Plus, that's missionary work too! 

With the school year starting up at University of Maryland again we're starting to find lots more young single people.  A really good resource we have is institute.  Some nonmembers sign up every semester for the free parking! So we get the chance to try and teach them! Yeah!  We’ll see how it turns out, but so far I think there are four people who we could potentially teach from institute.

This week Elder Rummler hit his year mark! We went out to sushi to celebrate the momentous occasion. 

We also had a really interesting experience with one of our returning members this week. His name is M- and he was baptized a year and a half ago.  After about three months he stopped coming to church. Then, about a month and a half ago he came to our ward.  We met with him this last week and he told us his story.  He just started questioning our beliefs and everything so he stopped going.  Then he became Buddhist...  And that's what brought him back to our church.  Even though while we were going through the restoration with him he continually said "oh yeah, I don't believe that."  So, he essentially believes nothing about our core beliefs as a church, but still comes to church and everything... It confuses me.  But if it brings him peace and happiness- so be it.

We had a good lesson this week with M- (subway contact.)  We started on the commandments with him, and the first we like to go through are praying, reading scriptures, coming to church, baptism and confirmation, and follow the prophet.  M- hadn't been to church yet and we found out why this week.  "I don't have the hobby of coming to church" as he would say.  He just doesn't see the importance of it. We addressed that concern, but all the while I felt so happy that I had "the hobby" of going to church my whole life because it's been such a blessing and support to me!  Hearing about someone who never goes to church makes me so much more grateful for what I have had my whole life!  We also taught him about the living prophet.  He was super happy when we talked about that and thought it was so awesome that we have a prophet to guide us today!  He couldn't stop smiling when Elder Rummler showed him a picture of Thomas S. Monson!  Once again, made me so grateful to have known this for my whole life!  We are so blessed!!!!!!

Something at least three of our investigators struggle with is accepting that there is only one right way back to Heavenly Father.  They think if you live a good Christian life, you'll be fine.  Any suggestions for us? Because we've tried everything we know.  Last night we had a lesson with Ryan (elders quorum president) and Jason (ward mission leader still.). It was one of the lessons we give to the investigators and I love it!! Being able to discuss what we teach others with people who have served missions and seen the life after the mission is awesome!  There's always a super strong spirit when we teach active members.  I love it! 

Alright, one funny story, then I'll wrap up cause I just realized this is massive...  So, yesterday a high councilor came to sacrament meeting to conduct some stake business. He said all in favor by the raising of the right hand.  Everyone rose their hands.  Then he said all opposed by the same sign, then to demonstrate, he rose his hand..  Then everyone started laughing as he hurried and put his hand down!  He told us not to tell the stake! It was really funny in person..  But over email it's probably like.. Cool story bro...  Oh well.  That's the week in review!

I'll send some pictures in another email, but I love you and I miss you!
21 fast Sundays left! ;)

Love,
Elder Sorensen

Email from September 1st

Week 12: Good Lessons

This week was pretty interesting... At least, there were a few really interesting experiences. We had a really good lesson with K--- again this week. We finished the Restoration with him. We gave him a Book of Mormon because he hasn't had one in forever. He couldn't stop smiling that night. It was awesome to see him so happy because of the decisions he was making to follow the commandments again. 

We finally had another lesson with the guy that we ran into right off the metro. He wouldn't take a Book of Mormon, but he did say to be patient with him, and he is going to take his time. But he could get there eventually so at least he's trying. 

We also met with a new investigator this week, K--. The first thing he tried to do was sell us on some pyramid scheme with attorneys and stuff. It was weird...but he took of Book of Mormon and everything, so that's good. 

We finally got M-- a Book of Mormon in his native language so he could start to understand better what were talking about. I think he can tell the difference of when we are around him and when we leave which shows he is progressing. He still didn't come to church, though. 

We met with one of our recent converts this week, V-- at his laundry mat. We had to park in a super shady back parking lot. It was pretty sketchy and a little scary. However, we had a really good lesson and he remembered everything he was taught the first time. 

We also had interviews with the mission president again this week. It was alright. He asks everybody the same stuff, so it wasn't scary or anything. Then on Friday I got a call from bishop that said I was going be a back up speaker for one of the ward members. I've already given my second talk here and I've been out two months... Geez. 

Anyway, my companion just sat on my iPad by accident and shattered the screen so I'll conclude for this week so my fingers don't bleed..

I love you all so so much!!
Elder Sorensen