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