Family!
So it looks like I haven't done everything here that the Lord wants me to do because I'll still be here for another month and a half. That will be a total 7 cycles which is10 and a half months here in this area which is a long time but it should be a lot of fun. I've never really heard of someone staying that long but that's how the first presidency wants it to be so I guess that's how it's going to be for a lot of missionaries. I will also still be with Elder Wilkins for another cycle which is great. He is a good missionary and we have had a lot of success together.
President also called me to be the new district leader here in this ward which will be yet another challenge. Most of the elders stayed the same for last cycle so I know them fairly well. It is a really good group and we should have a lot of success together. I'm going to have to learn real quick how to do everything and be a leader. I am excited for the chance to grow and learn more.
Elder Wilkins and I had a good week but we still have a lot of improving to do. This area has so much potential and I don't think we are using it to its full potential. We could have a lot more success if we start working smarter. Little by little we are learning how to be better and I know we are going to have a lot of success together this next cycle. We have set up a lot of things with the members and so hopefully we will see some fruit.
We had a really cool lesson the other day with Ralph, our recent convert, which really shows the power of the Holy Ghost. We were going over the plan of salvation again explaining everything in a little more detail. Usually he doesn't talk a whole lot, he will answer questions but in very few words. Friday, he was talking up a storm and really opening up to us and showing his understanding. It was great and we could really feel the spirit.
Well it sounds like you are all doing amazing and really working hard. I hope everything works out for you guys. The Lord really blesses us when we are obedient to His word. I wish I had more time to talk to you all but you know how it is. All I can say is that I'm doing amazing and I love the work. Life can't get any better than this for a 20 year old. I love you all and I will talk to you next week!
Elder Sorensen
PS: have you heard anything from Griff?
First day
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
9.26.09
Family!
Hey everyone- how's life? Everything has been going well here and nothing too exciting happened this week. Well at least we didn't get mugged. We had conference cleaning, so we are a little crunched for time this week. We have been working really hard to change how we have been working. We are trying to focus on using our members better. The right way to do this work is through the members and the ward. We are having to train our members on how to teach with us and teaching the importance of working as a team. I wish all members would read PMG (Preach My Gospel) and see what we need of them.
We have been struggling a little as far as numbers this past week but I think it's because we have to train our members for a while before we can see more results. We did have one investigator come to church that we have been waiting to come. I was excited to see her there and she said she loved it.
This might be my last full week here in the Bronx and so I am trying to train Elder Wilkins as much as I can before I leave. He has really come a long way and I hope I made him a little better missionary. I hope he becomes a better missionary than I am and the way he is moving he might pass me up in a few cycles. I have had a lot of fun working with him and I really learned a lot myself. My Spanish, teaching skills finding, everything has really improved from working with him.
So it's great to hear that everyone is doing so well. I'm excited that Nick and Deb will be getting their first house. I also can't wait to hear from Griff. I understand the lack of time problem, so I'm sure it will be a while. Sorry this letter is really short; I will try to do better next week. The library is down so I am using an internet cafe. I love you all and hope you have a great week!
Elder Sorensen
Hey everyone- how's life? Everything has been going well here and nothing too exciting happened this week. Well at least we didn't get mugged. We had conference cleaning, so we are a little crunched for time this week. We have been working really hard to change how we have been working. We are trying to focus on using our members better. The right way to do this work is through the members and the ward. We are having to train our members on how to teach with us and teaching the importance of working as a team. I wish all members would read PMG (Preach My Gospel) and see what we need of them.
We have been struggling a little as far as numbers this past week but I think it's because we have to train our members for a while before we can see more results. We did have one investigator come to church that we have been waiting to come. I was excited to see her there and she said she loved it.
This might be my last full week here in the Bronx and so I am trying to train Elder Wilkins as much as I can before I leave. He has really come a long way and I hope I made him a little better missionary. I hope he becomes a better missionary than I am and the way he is moving he might pass me up in a few cycles. I have had a lot of fun working with him and I really learned a lot myself. My Spanish, teaching skills finding, everything has really improved from working with him.
So it's great to hear that everyone is doing so well. I'm excited that Nick and Deb will be getting their first house. I also can't wait to hear from Griff. I understand the lack of time problem, so I'm sure it will be a while. Sorry this letter is really short; I will try to do better next week. The library is down so I am using an internet cafe. I love you all and hope you have a great week!
Elder Sorensen
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
09.16.09
Hey family!
So I guess you all have heard about my little incident last Monday. I tried to keep it from mom but unfortunately that didn't work. Mom, please don't worry. We had a little bit of a rough week last week all starting off on Monday, but we picked ourselves back up this week and had a great start. On Tuesday I went on a split with my DL (district leader) and he got sick so we went home early, then on Thursday my companion got sick and he has asthma so we ended up having to go to the doctor in Manhattan and the whole week went down the tubes. I did get in a ton of study time and I finished (the book) Jesus the Christ which was great.
We did have an amazing end of the week with the baptism and confirmation of Ral*h. My companion had to baptism him four times because Ral*h was having a bit of a hard time, but it's ok because now he is squeaky clean! We are trying to get him better involved with the ward because he is a little shy so we are doing everything we can for that. President Darger, one of our mission president's councilors, came to the service and after learning about what happened on Monday he slipped a twenty in my pocket. That same day we ran into a family from Utah who were all excited and giddy to see real missionaries in action, gave us each 20 bucks for lunch. 60 bucks in one day isn't too bad. We always try to say no many times but I've offended a few people so I don't put up too much of a fight if people want to give me money.
So now that rumors are flying around with everyone about the little incident on Monday I might as well tell you the whole story. Warning though, no one overreact and call President Smith and demand I come home. Ok? So on Monday around three o'clock Elder Wilkins and I where traveling to meet up with a referral that we had received from other missionaries. As we traveled to a far away place to where we usually wouldn't go to because of the lack of Spanish people, I told elder Wilkins that this was probably our most dangerous area. The people were all just looking at us all funny, probably because they have never seen white people, and no one looked happy.
Some kid asked me as we were walking if we had change for a twenty to which I replied no. I had the thought to not even look and just keep walking. So we kept walking and later I noticed a group of teenagers walking behind us for a while. They kept saying sir, sir so my companion turned around to ask them if they were talking to us. They surround us and acted all tough asking why we were there and everything in there Bronx slang; I didn't understand half of it. Then they said something to the translation of so you guys can get out your weapons or whatever you have but we want your money. At first I thought they were joking because it was in the middle of the day, people were out washing there cars and on the streets and we were just in some neighborhood. So when I found out that they were serious I asked them if they really wanted to rob men of God with His Son's name on our chest, fine you can have our money. We pulled out the whole 18 dollars we had and gave them the cash. One of them checked my comp's pocket but all that he got were flash cards. They told us we can call the cops or whatever we wanted and took off running.
So I called the cops who pulled together a team and took us around the area in their car arresting people along the way for whatever reason they could. It was kind of weird sitting in the back of a cop car but it's a good story. They cops told us not to go back into that area because that happens all of the time. Pres Smith said the same thing. But now the area is open again so we should be fine. We were pretty mad at the time, not because of the money, just lack of respect. but now it seems pretty funny and a great story to tell.
the following is pres's remarks about the incident in a weekly letter to the mission:
Hello Sisters and Elders,
Sister Smith arrived safely back in New York this past week. All went well in Idaho. On her return trip, she laid over a day and visited Elder Evans. He is doing well but the treatment is very difficult. He is courageous but is growing weary of having to stay close to home and focus on the treatment. Sister Smith gave him a copy of all of your letters. He was elated. I am sure he will spend hours perusing them and pondering of you and your success in the mission.
Local mission news includes the robbery of Elder Sorensen and Elder Wilkins. Three young men approached them and asked if they had any money. Elders Sorensen and Wilkins agreed to give them the money if they would accept a baptism date in September. (just kidding) However, Elder Sorensen did think that with a little work and refinement, he could develop the event into a new and effective way of contacting. Because Elder Wilkins is somewhat new to the work, the subsequent interview with police was viewed as the completion of successful lacing of the three robbers. I suggested that at this time they probably should not add the three young men to their new investigator list.
Seriously, please be very careful. The Lord watched over these good Elders. In addition they did their part in being smart and responsible. I know that one of the reasons the Elders were spared from danger was their cheerful attitude and their immediate wiliness to give up worldly things. If confronted, please do not argue or become defensive. Just become a good natured victim. It could save you from serious bodily harm. The police have asked the missionaries to avoid the area for a while. This is prudent and I have instructed them to follow the direction of the police.
Scripture to ponder:
34 O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.
35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.
(Book of Mormon | Alma 31:34 - 35)
We love you and yearn for your success, good health and happiness.
Sincerely,
President and Sister Smith
So we found four news yesterday which was really great. We found this mom and her son who were really cool and hopefully go some where. We are trying to change our focus a little more with how PMG (Preach My Gospel) teaches us to do missionary work. I am really going to push to help the members learn their responability, and their covenants towards missionary work. My whole mission I have tried over and over to help the members understand but they never get it. Now that I have a long time in this area and that I know the members very well I am going to learn how to better work with them to get this work moving. I have to learn how to teach them to help me.
So anyways I hope everyone is doing really well and loving life. Please don't worry about me and my safety, worry about my investigators. I am proud of all the hard work that you are accomplishing and the example you are for me. I love you all and hope you have great week!
Elder Sorensen
P.S. As for the vacation next summer, I say come to new york, it would be a lot of fun, there is a ton to do.
I know what areas are good and what areas are bad. If we only go out during the day it would be fine. It doesn't really matter to me if you all want to pick me up here or whatever. I know I've said it's not very safe here but for the most parts during the day in a group we would be fine.
Elder Sorensen
So I guess you all have heard about my little incident last Monday. I tried to keep it from mom but unfortunately that didn't work. Mom, please don't worry. We had a little bit of a rough week last week all starting off on Monday, but we picked ourselves back up this week and had a great start. On Tuesday I went on a split with my DL (district leader) and he got sick so we went home early, then on Thursday my companion got sick and he has asthma so we ended up having to go to the doctor in Manhattan and the whole week went down the tubes. I did get in a ton of study time and I finished (the book) Jesus the Christ which was great.
We did have an amazing end of the week with the baptism and confirmation of Ral*h. My companion had to baptism him four times because Ral*h was having a bit of a hard time, but it's ok because now he is squeaky clean! We are trying to get him better involved with the ward because he is a little shy so we are doing everything we can for that. President Darger, one of our mission president's councilors, came to the service and after learning about what happened on Monday he slipped a twenty in my pocket. That same day we ran into a family from Utah who were all excited and giddy to see real missionaries in action, gave us each 20 bucks for lunch. 60 bucks in one day isn't too bad. We always try to say no many times but I've offended a few people so I don't put up too much of a fight if people want to give me money.
So now that rumors are flying around with everyone about the little incident on Monday I might as well tell you the whole story. Warning though, no one overreact and call President Smith and demand I come home. Ok? So on Monday around three o'clock Elder Wilkins and I where traveling to meet up with a referral that we had received from other missionaries. As we traveled to a far away place to where we usually wouldn't go to because of the lack of Spanish people, I told elder Wilkins that this was probably our most dangerous area. The people were all just looking at us all funny, probably because they have never seen white people, and no one looked happy.
Some kid asked me as we were walking if we had change for a twenty to which I replied no. I had the thought to not even look and just keep walking. So we kept walking and later I noticed a group of teenagers walking behind us for a while. They kept saying sir, sir so my companion turned around to ask them if they were talking to us. They surround us and acted all tough asking why we were there and everything in there Bronx slang; I didn't understand half of it. Then they said something to the translation of so you guys can get out your weapons or whatever you have but we want your money. At first I thought they were joking because it was in the middle of the day, people were out washing there cars and on the streets and we were just in some neighborhood. So when I found out that they were serious I asked them if they really wanted to rob men of God with His Son's name on our chest, fine you can have our money. We pulled out the whole 18 dollars we had and gave them the cash. One of them checked my comp's pocket but all that he got were flash cards. They told us we can call the cops or whatever we wanted and took off running.
So I called the cops who pulled together a team and took us around the area in their car arresting people along the way for whatever reason they could. It was kind of weird sitting in the back of a cop car but it's a good story. They cops told us not to go back into that area because that happens all of the time. Pres Smith said the same thing. But now the area is open again so we should be fine. We were pretty mad at the time, not because of the money, just lack of respect. but now it seems pretty funny and a great story to tell.
the following is pres's remarks about the incident in a weekly letter to the mission:
Hello Sisters and Elders,
Sister Smith arrived safely back in New York this past week. All went well in Idaho. On her return trip, she laid over a day and visited Elder Evans. He is doing well but the treatment is very difficult. He is courageous but is growing weary of having to stay close to home and focus on the treatment. Sister Smith gave him a copy of all of your letters. He was elated. I am sure he will spend hours perusing them and pondering of you and your success in the mission.
Local mission news includes the robbery of Elder Sorensen and Elder Wilkins. Three young men approached them and asked if they had any money. Elders Sorensen and Wilkins agreed to give them the money if they would accept a baptism date in September. (just kidding) However, Elder Sorensen did think that with a little work and refinement, he could develop the event into a new and effective way of contacting. Because Elder Wilkins is somewhat new to the work, the subsequent interview with police was viewed as the completion of successful lacing of the three robbers. I suggested that at this time they probably should not add the three young men to their new investigator list.
Seriously, please be very careful. The Lord watched over these good Elders. In addition they did their part in being smart and responsible. I know that one of the reasons the Elders were spared from danger was their cheerful attitude and their immediate wiliness to give up worldly things. If confronted, please do not argue or become defensive. Just become a good natured victim. It could save you from serious bodily harm. The police have asked the missionaries to avoid the area for a while. This is prudent and I have instructed them to follow the direction of the police.
Scripture to ponder:
34 O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.
35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.
(Book of Mormon | Alma 31:34 - 35)
We love you and yearn for your success, good health and happiness.
Sincerely,
President and Sister Smith
So we found four news yesterday which was really great. We found this mom and her son who were really cool and hopefully go some where. We are trying to change our focus a little more with how PMG (Preach My Gospel) teaches us to do missionary work. I am really going to push to help the members learn their responability, and their covenants towards missionary work. My whole mission I have tried over and over to help the members understand but they never get it. Now that I have a long time in this area and that I know the members very well I am going to learn how to better work with them to get this work moving. I have to learn how to teach them to help me.
So anyways I hope everyone is doing really well and loving life. Please don't worry about me and my safety, worry about my investigators. I am proud of all the hard work that you are accomplishing and the example you are for me. I love you all and hope you have great week!
Elder Sorensen
P.S. As for the vacation next summer, I say come to new york, it would be a lot of fun, there is a ton to do.
I know what areas are good and what areas are bad. If we only go out during the day it would be fine. It doesn't really matter to me if you all want to pick me up here or whatever. I know I've said it's not very safe here but for the most parts during the day in a group we would be fine.
Elder Sorensen
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
09.09.09
Family,
Wow, it sounds like you are all doing amazing! Congrats Mandee and Savanna on all of the choir stuff that is really cool! It is great to hear good news from you all and that you are doing so well. I also had a good week. It wasn't nearly as good as the few weeks in the past but we still saw a lot of success. Satan is throwing everything he has got at us right now. But when is he not? We still had success and loving life as a missionary.
We had the baptismal interview for Ra*iel, he passed no problem and so we are going to have a baptismal service this Saturday! He is a little socially awkward so we are going to have to really focus on getting the ward to fellowship him. The service should be great and I'm letting Elder Wilkins do the baptism which should be really great for him. I am so grateful for all of the success we have had in this area and how the Lord awards us with so many baptisms. I am a little worried about next month but I won't lose hope and let Satan win.
A lot of our investigators we have found have dropped out of our teaching pool so we are working really hard to find the elect. We have been finding plenty of people, that isn't the hard part of the Bronx, we are just trying to find those who are ready to receive His message. I also need to work a lot more on my teaching skills, I feel like they have been dropping off a little. What we don't constantly improve we will definitely lose.
Probably the miracle of the week happened on Tuesday. The mission standard of excellence for 1 week is 5 new investigators and 5 with member lessons. On Tuesday in about an hour and a half we hit both of those goals. We brought He*tor, a member who comes out with us a lot, tracting and we found this building that was full of Ecuadorians. It was really weird because everyone we talked to was from the same city in Ecuador and it was a huge building. But anyways we ended up teaching 5 of them with He*tor and getting 5 news. It was sweet!
Everything else has been going really well and I have nothing to complain about. I'm healthy, staying full (even though another one on my recent converts cooked me a ton of food because I looked too skinny. lol), my clothes are holding up, I feel the spirit everyday and I'm happy. What else could I ask for?
I hope everyone else is doing as well as I am. I read about Griff's experience in the temple and I was so happy that you all had such a good time. The Lord is certainly blessing us in these hard times and we have a lot to be grateful for. Thank you all for your support and prayers. It is great to have my own little fan group when everyone else here in the Bronx does the opposite. I love you all and hope you have a great week! Be grateful for everything and always be true to what we teach.
Elder Sorensen
PS: Happy Birthday OLD MAN!!! Haha I love you grandpa Brad!
Wow, it sounds like you are all doing amazing! Congrats Mandee and Savanna on all of the choir stuff that is really cool! It is great to hear good news from you all and that you are doing so well. I also had a good week. It wasn't nearly as good as the few weeks in the past but we still saw a lot of success. Satan is throwing everything he has got at us right now. But when is he not? We still had success and loving life as a missionary.
We had the baptismal interview for Ra*iel, he passed no problem and so we are going to have a baptismal service this Saturday! He is a little socially awkward so we are going to have to really focus on getting the ward to fellowship him. The service should be great and I'm letting Elder Wilkins do the baptism which should be really great for him. I am so grateful for all of the success we have had in this area and how the Lord awards us with so many baptisms. I am a little worried about next month but I won't lose hope and let Satan win.
A lot of our investigators we have found have dropped out of our teaching pool so we are working really hard to find the elect. We have been finding plenty of people, that isn't the hard part of the Bronx, we are just trying to find those who are ready to receive His message. I also need to work a lot more on my teaching skills, I feel like they have been dropping off a little. What we don't constantly improve we will definitely lose.
Probably the miracle of the week happened on Tuesday. The mission standard of excellence for 1 week is 5 new investigators and 5 with member lessons. On Tuesday in about an hour and a half we hit both of those goals. We brought He*tor, a member who comes out with us a lot, tracting and we found this building that was full of Ecuadorians. It was really weird because everyone we talked to was from the same city in Ecuador and it was a huge building. But anyways we ended up teaching 5 of them with He*tor and getting 5 news. It was sweet!
Everything else has been going really well and I have nothing to complain about. I'm healthy, staying full (even though another one on my recent converts cooked me a ton of food because I looked too skinny. lol), my clothes are holding up, I feel the spirit everyday and I'm happy. What else could I ask for?
I hope everyone else is doing as well as I am. I read about Griff's experience in the temple and I was so happy that you all had such a good time. The Lord is certainly blessing us in these hard times and we have a lot to be grateful for. Thank you all for your support and prayers. It is great to have my own little fan group when everyone else here in the Bronx does the opposite. I love you all and hope you have a great week! Be grateful for everything and always be true to what we teach.
Elder Sorensen
PS: Happy Birthday OLD MAN!!! Haha I love you grandpa Brad!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
9.2.09
Family,
Hey everyone! How is it going? Elder Wilkins and I had a great week and really had a lot of fun. We had a total of 18 with member lessons which blew any of my past numbers out of the water. We also had 3 at church so it was a really great week. I am so thankful for all that Heavenly Father has given me and the blessing he still has in store.
Ra*iel is still doing really well and he should be ready for the 12th to be baptized we are just trying to strengthen his testimony more and make sure he understands everything. We see him four times a week so it shouldn't be too hard to help him out. Elder Wilkins and I are really excited to get him in the water.
Two weeks ago we found a guy named Ricar*o and we were able to get him and his wife to church. This last week we got two of his kids to go to mutual and then come to church. Their mom and dad couldn't come but it was great to get them there. They are pretty bronxafied but the church should help a lot. The youth program here is huge. There are so many young men here it is really crazy. I hope they all can do their part in helping this boys get baptized.
Every cycle we have an interview with the mission president and this last interview went really well. President tried to tell me that I was an amazing missionary and I was doing a good enough job. He told me a lot of things that boosted my self esteem, but I won't be satisfied with that. I know I need to work harder.
It is great to hear about griff going to the temple. I am really excited for him
Sorry but I've run out of time on the computer again. Sometimes they give me more time. I love you all and hope you all have a great week.
Hey everyone! How is it going? Elder Wilkins and I had a great week and really had a lot of fun. We had a total of 18 with member lessons which blew any of my past numbers out of the water. We also had 3 at church so it was a really great week. I am so thankful for all that Heavenly Father has given me and the blessing he still has in store.
Ra*iel is still doing really well and he should be ready for the 12th to be baptized we are just trying to strengthen his testimony more and make sure he understands everything. We see him four times a week so it shouldn't be too hard to help him out. Elder Wilkins and I are really excited to get him in the water.
Two weeks ago we found a guy named Ricar*o and we were able to get him and his wife to church. This last week we got two of his kids to go to mutual and then come to church. Their mom and dad couldn't come but it was great to get them there. They are pretty bronxafied but the church should help a lot. The youth program here is huge. There are so many young men here it is really crazy. I hope they all can do their part in helping this boys get baptized.
Every cycle we have an interview with the mission president and this last interview went really well. President tried to tell me that I was an amazing missionary and I was doing a good enough job. He told me a lot of things that boosted my self esteem, but I won't be satisfied with that. I know I need to work harder.
It is great to hear about griff going to the temple. I am really excited for him
Sorry but I've run out of time on the computer again. Sometimes they give me more time. I love you all and hope you all have a great week.
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