Elder Bednar Came To Sydney!

Dear family and friends,

 

   Oh wow it has surely been an incredible week of learning and many wonderful experiences! As I mentioned in the title of my email we had a wonderful opportunity to have an apostle of the Lord, Elder David A. Bednar to come and speak to us. We had a combined mission conference with the Australia Sydney North mission also. We had about 400 missionaries in one stake Center. Talk about a powerful force right there. The spirit was so strong! Along with Elder Bednar we had 4 members of the 70's that also joined in this conference.

     I had another wonderful experience with an apostle of the Lord. (Thanks to my wonderful mother!) We had several speakers and when Elder Bednar got up to speak he began by saying hello and then said, "now I have one item of business that I must take care of before I begin," My heart dropped and I knew instantly that once again my mother had done something for me. He said, "Can I have Sister Heidi Sorensen come forward?" I'm pretty sure my face went bright red and I didn't know what to think. I went up on stage and he talked about my wonderful mother and what an awesome job she does in the temple. He even mentioned that she gave him a big piece of pie that day that she gave him something to give me. He got a big smile on his face. He then gave me a bag of candies and a note from my mom. Then he had his wife give me a big hug. It was very sweet of them to do that for me to help me to have an unforgettable experience. It was an embarrassing/ exciting experience in my life. Thanks mom for all that you do! Everyone afterwards kept saying how awesome that was and that I was famous and I just replied, "no I'm not famous my mother is, and I just happen to be her daughter. :) Thanks for letting me have that experience, mom.

    This conference was one powerful conference and I learned so much more than I could ever record in words. It is hard to describe the feeling that was in that conference. Elder Bednar being the great teacher he is set up this conference a lot different than I've ever seen before. He had us read some conference talks before we came so that we were ready and prepared for it. He then asked us to share some of the things that we learned from the readings. He then let us ask him questions and it was all more of a discussion rather than him teaching us the whole 3 hours. It was a great experience because it allowed the spirit to be the teacher. He taught us a lot about the importance of using this tool in the way that we teach. We are truly not the teachers, we are the instruments in the Lord's hands in bringing this message to them. Here are some of the other things that I learned...

        Not all spiritual experiences are dramatic. Most of them are subtle and are received by a still small voice. I had a lot of thoughts and personal revelation come to me as I was listening. It was really cool also when he was letting us ask questions. At one point he stopped and said, how many of you by a show of hands have had a question in your heart or mind that you haven't voiced but have had it answered? We looked around the room and majority of the room had their hands raised. He said now that is a miracle! how could that be? He then pointed out that, that is how the spirit works. As the spirit is present in a meeting you will learn and be edified and often find answers to questions you haven't verbally shared.

      I also got a greater understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I learned how the Savior knows us each individually and how he suffered for our sins each as individuals. It was one by one that he felt our pains, sorrows, disappointments. I always thought of it in a completely different way. I thought of it as just a feeling that all goes into a bowl and he took all of those pains and sins upon him all at once. But this helped me to understand how he truly knows us each personally and has felt what we feel and knows exactly. He thought of us individually in the garden of gethsemane. He knows us individually and wants what is best for us. That was one of the best lessons I learned this week.

    I know that my Savior lives and that he loves us each individually. He can truly lift our burdens and help us in our life to get through anything that comes our way. He is our Savior, our Redeemer and Mediator. I know that He is there for each one of us.

 

   Thanks so much for all of your wonderful examples and support. Hope you all have a great week!

 

Love Always,

    Sister Heidi Sorensen

For district P-Day we tie-dyed shirts 

My dear friends at the mission conference

Aligning with the Lord‏

Dear family and friends,

 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Know that I love you all!

 

    This has been a bit of a crazy week but the work must go on! There are still so many great things that are happening here and it just goes to show that the Lord is in charge. This week it was a cancellation week. It was crazy how we could have a full day planned with heaps of appointments but by mid day they had all cancelled. It was a great learning experience that we aren't in charge. This is the Lord's work and sometimes he was much greater plans for us than we may even know. Here are some of the events that happened this week.

•       On Monday night we only had a short time left in our day and we wanted to make every minute count. We both felt like we needed to go and see this older woman who is in-active. She is in her 90's and still very active and able to do a lot. We were able to meet with her and talk to her. When I was choosing the scripture to share with her I felt like we needed to teach her about prayer. We came to find out that Sister Tuhi has not prayed in a long time and wasn't sure how to do it anymore. We were absolutely amazed and so we taught her how to do it. She was a little afraid to say a prayer and we were finally able to get her to say one. The spirit was so strong! She also said that she felt good and she had remembered that good feeling. It was amazing to see that such an older woman could be almost like a child spiritually. We were so happy to help her and we are hoping that little by little she could strengthen her spiritual body.
•         We have an investigator who is so difficult to get a hold of and we haven't been able to see her in over a week and we were praying about her. Well on Tuesday we were walking to our appointment and we were running late. The whole time I was praying that somehow we would be able to make it to our appointment on time. I wasn't sure how it would happen but somehow I knew that we could. We kept walking as fast as we could. Then this car pulled up along side us and someone yelled "Sisters!" We turned and looked and it was our investigator, Lisa whom we have been praying to see. She offered us a ride to our appointment. Although when we got to our appointment the woman was just leaving and had to cancel. Lisa turned to us and said, "maybe this was meant to be, can you teach me?" Of course we said we would love to teach her and help her. It was an answer to my prayer. It was a powerful experience as we taught her in her car. I think it was also so good for her to see that the Lord knows what she needs and will guide her if she does what is right. What a tender mercy!
•          We were able to go on trade offs with the Sister Training Leaders. I got to go with Sister Finau and it was such a great experience. There is one event that happened that I will never forget. We got of the car wanting to find someone new to teach. We began with a prayer and I knew that we were going to find someone. It was amazing how the Lord completely guided our feet. He lead us down and around this neighbourhood as if there was a sign that said, go this way. On this particular street we found this man who was changing his tire. Well we both went up and asked if we could help him. The funny thing was neither one of us knew how to change a tire anyways but it was a good conversation starter. He happened to be Tongan and Sister Finau is Tongan as well. And in the Tongan world everybody knows each other. Sister Finau was able to find a lot of connections with him and his family. He invited us to go inside his home and to talk to his family. We talked with his wife and kids and it was a great conversation. They mentioned that they had had elders come around a long time ago and they have family that are members. They then said that they weren't interested in our church but are willing to have us around. I knew that the Lord had literally guided our feet that day so that we could find some of his choice children. Even though they aren't interested we know better and we know that this is the time for them to come unto Christ whether they know it yet or not. :)
•      Yesterday we had 4 investigators come to church! That was so great to finally be able to get several of our investigators to come to church. What a great step for them to take. They all enjoyed it. We had Lalitha (temple referral), Angela (single mother of 4), and Sam and Stefanie (who are alcoholics but making enormous changes, it is incredible!)

     This week I have learned so much about the importance of aligning our will with the Lord's will. One way that we can do that is by aligning ourselves with our leaders. It has been amazing on my mission how much you learn about the organization of the church and how perfect it is if we do it correctly. We have been striving to work smarter, not harder by working with our ward council and members. It has been a bit challenging but in the end many good things are coming. I know that the work of Salvation is being hastened at this time and it is important for all of us to take part in the wonderful work. We each can make a difference as we put our trust in our Heavenly Father. All things are definitely made possible with the Lord by your side. I have such a strong testimony of this gospel, I know without a doubt that this is the Lord's true church restored to this earth for all of us to be able to partake of. Take advantage of it, live the gospel of Jesus Christ. I can promise you that as you live the gospel, you will find so much more happiness than you could ever find in the world today.

 

   I love and appreciate each and every one of you. May the Lord bless you!

 

Love always,

     Sister Sorensen

Becci Pemberton took us miniature golfing last p-day...so much fun!

Sister Finau and I

We got the Christmas photo back!

 

Referral from the Temple President!‏

Wow this week has been incredible! I know I say that pretty much every week but it is so true! Each week there are so many great things that happen. That just goes to show that with Christ in your life, so much good comes out of it. Here are some of the amazing miracles that have happened this week:

 

•       This week we were fortunate to get a referral from the temple president, President Barr. He asked us to come in so that he could tell us about the people he wanted us to go and see. It was a great opportunity to go inside the temple and to receive counsel from President Barr and to receive a referral. There was a couple that went inside the temple this last week wanting to see this beautiful building. Well as we know they wouldn't have been able to get very far but President Barr talked with them and said that he would give them some pamphlets that teach them more about the temple and how they would be able to enter inside one day. They are a younger couple from India and they happen to live about 5 minutes walk from our flat. What a miracle! We went to see this couple right away and we met a woman named Lilitha. She was such a kind woman that was truly seeking the truth. We saw her Saturday night and invited her to come to church the next morning. Well the next morning she wasn't there but she called us Sunday afternoon and she apologized for not coming but wondered if there would be an evening session. We quickly called some members and arranged a chapel tour for Lilitha. Sister Koster and I had never really done a chapel tour before but we followed the spirit and showed her around. It was one of the most powerful experiences on my mission. The spirit that was felt was indescribable! We had our relief society president and her 1st counsellor with us and we all testified of truth and pretty much were teaching the restoration as we went from room to room. The final room that we went to was the chapel. There we talked about Christ and what he had done for us. Lilitha was someone who came from a background of Hindu and doesn't know much about Christ. It was there that Lilitha shared with us that lately she has felt like something has been missing in her life and that she had been getting consistent dreams about Jesus Christ and wanted to know this man. She said that is what led her to the temple in the first place. We assured her that she was in the right place and we all bore our testimony. She said that she wanted to come to church and to learn more!
•           We went to visit a less active this week that we had never met before. We sat down and talked with her and her husband and found out that her husband was not a member. He was wandering around a little bit so we were teaching Sia but the whole time I felt the need to talk to him (Sifa). When he finally came back and sat down I started to talk to him. Come to find out his dad is a member and so he knows some things about the church and has always been very curious. He wanted to know about the Book of Mormon and what makes is so special. He is so eager to learn and has agreed to take the discussions with us. We look forward to meeting with him and teaching him!
•         We had also another new investigator this week named Emily. We meet Emily and her mum a few weeks ago while we were walking down the street. Kym (Emily's mum) is a personal trainer and was trying to get us to come to her gym. We listened to what she said and then began to share what we had to share. She then said that she wasn't too interested but she knew that her daughter would be. Emily was so excited to listen. We just barely were finally able to meet up with them again on Saturday. It was such a great experience! I would call Emily a "Joseph Smith" for her time. She is wise beyond her years and is so eager to learn about Christ and Heavenly Father. She has great faith but just hasn't ever known how to show her faith. We taught her how to pray and she was smiling from ear to ear. She never knew that she could pray to Heavenly Father. She then said she wanted to come to church. Her mum brought her to church yesterday and she loved it! We are so blessed to be able to teach Emily and help her to know the truth.
•    Another tender mercy when we were at the temple was I was able to see one of the less-actives that I taught in Green Valley enter the temple. Just as we were leaving the temple after talking with the temple president she was going inside for her endowment. What perfect timing! It was so fun to see how much she has changed and to be there on her special day. Everything happens for a reason!
• This week we were walking down the street and I saw a sign that said, "gluten free bakery" you know me I love those signs! So of course we went inside to just see. Just at that time I felt the need to talk to the woman at the desk. Come to find out she is an inactive member and hasn't seen missionaries in a long time. It was great to talk with her an to remind her of what she once knew! See who would have thought that a gluten free bakery is where we needed to be!

There are so many more things that I could share but those are some of the many miracles that we witnessed this week. I love this gospel I know that it is true! I love you all and hope that you have a great week!

 

Love always,

  Sister Sorensen

With Sia at the temple

Our recent convert named Devmini. She is so awesome!

The Lord's Work Continues To Move Forward in Oatlands Ward‏

Dear family and friends,

 

     Wow I love missionary work! This week has been another incredible week! Miracles continue to happen each and every day. I just can't record them all. I have learned a lot about our loving Heavenly Father. He has infinite love for each of us and will bless us as we continue with faith and trust in Him. Here are a few of the events/ tender mercies that happened this week.

 

• We got another 3 new investigators! One of them is from a less active family named the Hyland's. I may have mentioned it last week but we just met this woman and she mentioned that she had two kids that have never been baptized and they are both of age to be baptized. We talked to her about teaching her kids and she really desires that her kids get baptized. She also mentioned how much she still loves that church but is held back because of her husband who is catholic. We just met with the kids this week and it was really good. We are hoping and praying that the dad will allow us to help them to get baptized. But that was a blessing that we found that family and they are open to have us over.
• In that past we tried so many of the houses of less-active members and we never could catch them home but this week we took members with us to visit. And we were finally able to meet all of those that we've tried for weeks to catch. That is the miracle that comes when you take members out with you.
• We had a really funny experience this week as we took the Bishop's wife out with us visiting. We went to visit this less active and as we were walking up to the house we could begin to smell a terrible smell. The yard looked very savage and not taken care of. We could see dead cockroaches inside the window as we knocked on the door. This woman right away open the door as a big wave of animal urine BO came at us. This woman had bandages all over her face and she looked just a little crazy. We of course talked with her and she welcomed us into her home. We were not really wanting to go inside but we accepted her invitation. Inside was even worse! I could tell that all 3 of us were holding our breath as we went inside so that we didn't have to smell anything. It is so hard to even describe some of the things we saw inside this house. Dog poop on the ground, fish tank black and the fish barely able to move inside, rubbish everywhere, boxes stacked high to the ceiling, statues of pigs and these other squirrel looking things all staring at us. Lets just say it was a little hard to focus at that time. We all just wanted to go. But we got to know her a little bit and shared a brief scripture with her. She didn't really pay much attention to what we said and only wanted to talk herself. She didn't have any interest in what we shared. So we kindly said a prayer and left. Well I didn't realize just how much it had effected my companion. She was almost sick because of that house. It was crazy to see how some people live. That was one experience I will never forget. That sure made me more grateful for what I have and the hygiene that I've been taught to have. It also goes to show how much the gospel can help us in all aspects of life including health and wellness/ hygiene.
• We went over to another one of our less-actives  house named whitney and made some cookies and brownies with her. It was so fun to be there and to talk with her and her sister. We then were able to deliver some cookies to various members and investigators thanking them for all that they do. It sure feels good to serve and make someone's day.
• We had an appointment with one of our newer investigators named Angela.  She is a single mother of 4 girls and we love her! We have only met with her once and this time she had kept all of her commitments and was so excited to have us come and teach her. She is so keen and ready to hear the gospel! We invited her to be baptized and she said she would! We are now figuring out a right date for her. But miracles are happening and it is great that the Lord is trusting us with some of His choice children to teach and to show them the way. We are meeting with Angela today and can't wait to see her progress towards baptism.
• Just yesterday we were able to take some of our investigators who struggle with being alcoholic's to a fireside. It took some time to get them there but they really enjoyed it and are looking forward to making big changes in their life for the better.

    Sorry if that didn't make much sense but those are some of the great things and experiences that happened this week. This work is absolutely amazing and I'm so grateful to be apart of it. I know that this is the Lord's church. It is so great to see the lives of many being changed by this great message of the restoration and the gospel of Jesus Christ. This gospel is true and can help others to come closer to God than any other. This is the way and I see that each and every day. The Lord has shown us the way and all he's asking us to do is follow Him and come unto Him. I hope that each of you are continually doing the small and simple things that will keep you strong and strengthen your testimony. Because the Lord is coming soon and NOW is the time to repent and to come unto Him.

 

I love you all and am very grateful for all the wonderful people that have helped me to become who I am today. May the Lord bless each of you!

 

Love always,

     Sister Sorensen

 

Kiara Pemberton is a little 8 year old girl that we love. she was just baptized on Saturday and we are so proud of her!

This is Sam and Stefanie, some of our investigators that went with us to the recent convert fireside. And also Milla who is one of our dear friends who helps us so much in the work.

Catch the Wave of Missionary Work‏

Dear family and friends,

 

    Wow what a great week it has been in the Oatlands area! I don't know if I can possibly share everything that happened this week, there is just way too much! Lets just say that the Lord is definitely leading our every step and guiding us in His work. Specifically in the Oatlands Ward. We just got a new Ward Mission Leader, Brother Hailame and he is amazing! He is so excited about missionary work and so it is just contagious. We have had so many meeting with his since he's been called and we are setting so many great goals. I can't wait to see what is in store for these coming weeks. Here are some more of the wonderful things that happened this week:

 

• We got 3 new investigators just this week! One of them is Angela. We met her at a members house. We got her information and just the other day we were in the area and we thought of her. We went by to see her and it was such a great visit. We shared with her a lot of the restoration and the unique message that we share to the world. She is so curious and ready to learn. I love people that are prepared and open their hearts to the message! We are having another lesson with her this week.
• Another new investigator is a girl named Jade. She is a little Chinese woman who has never known or believed in a loving Heavenly Father. This week we had the opportunity to teach her about God and who He is and who we are. Her eyes lite up as we taught her. The best part was when we taught her that we can pray to him and talk to him. She had never done that before. We had her practice a little bit with what she could say to Him. Then we had her try it for real. The spirit filled the room! It was an incredible experience and I don't know if Jade was able to recognize it yet but it is just the beginning for her and finding out who she really is. I love my job! We are unfortunately going to have to pass her to Mandarin speakers so that she can progress farther but it was great to be the first ones to meet her and to teach her.
• The third new investigator we found as we were walking down the street. This woman was laying on some old mattresses that we stacked outside. She looked like she was from Africa and that she had been through a lot. I felt the need to talk to her so of course I did. She looked like she was 16 years old, she was literally skin and bones. She didn't have much. But it turned out that she was 30 years old and had 2 children over the age of 10. We taught her more of who we were and God's plan for all of us. We set up a time with her and left her a pamphlet. She started reading it right away and is so eager to learn more.

There are so many more experiences that I could share but unfortunately my time is very short. I know that this is definitely the Lord's church. He knows our needs and will be there for us if only we turn to him. Miracle do happen and they happen each and every day as long as we have the faith we can see them. Look for them in your everyday life. They are there!

 

Love you all very much!

 

Love always,

    Sister Heidi Sorensen

Here is what we had to wake up this Sunday morning...a Huntsman Spider! Got to love Australia!

Australia Day yesterday!

We went to this families house to celebrate Australia day. We had a blast! Here are a few of the funny photos that we took.

"Line upon line, precept upon precept..." 2 Nephi 28:30‏

Dear family and friends,

    I hope that all of you have had a great week! I know that Sister Koster and I have sure had a good week. It is hard to explain all the tender mercies that we have received this week. The work is beginning to pick up in the Oatlands Ward. We've been focusing a lot on the members and having them assist us more in the work. There have been so many that have stepped up to the plate and have helped us out heaps and heaps! There are so many great people in this ward that now we're trying to bring all those wonderful people together and unite them in the work of salvation. That is definitely a challenging task that takes a lot of time but I know that it is all made possible through our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

          One of the main things that I have learned overtime is the importance of alignment. The Lord's organization is perfect, everything works in its proper order when we do it His way. He has called prophets and apostles to guide us and along with that area seventies, Stake President's, Bishops, etc. It is so important for us to be in line with them because if our leaders are in alignment with their leaders and we follow them. That means that we are in turn in alignment with the Saviour. I have learned so much of the Atonement of Jesus Christ that allows us to be in alignment and to improve ourselves. I know that I probably talk about this a lot but it is because time and time again the Lord has reminded me and bore witness to me of the power of the Atonement and just how crucial it is in our lives.

       This week I was reading in Joseph Smith History and it was a great experience. I've read it before but this time it was completely different and it meant a lot more to me. One thing that stuck out to me that has never stuck out before was when Joseph Smith spoke of his weaknesses and imperfections. When I think of prophets of apostles I think of them as just perfect, how could they really do anything wrong. But it humbled me to know that they too are only human. They have weaknesses and imperfections just like all the rest of us. But another thing that Joseph did was he was quick to recognize them and then also quick to repent and turn away from sin and push forward with faith. He is such a great example to us. One of my favourite scriptures is found in Ether 12:27 which reads, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weaknesses. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." One thing that I learn from this is that it is okay if we have weaknesses, we are human! But a Christ-like attribute is recognizing our wrong doings and turning to the Lord for strength. As we humble ourselves we will become more like our Saviour, Jesus Christ. That is ultimately why we are here on earth, to become like Him.

   Just last week I was asked to speak in Sacrament. I was actually very honoured to speak and I knew that is would be a good experience. I studied all week and really focused on the people in the ward an what they needed to hear. I also fully relied on the Lord to know what I needed to share. I prayed so hard the day of and I got this overwhelming sense of comfort that everything will work out. When I got up to speak the spirit was so strong. I don't know what I said but I remember the feeling that I had at that moment. I knew that at that time my prayers were answered and that I was not speaking just my words but I was speaking the words of the Lord. I know that the Lord needs our help to spread forth His gospel and that we can be effective instruments in the Lord's hands today as long as we have a willing heart and mind. Its all about submitting our will to the Lord's will.

   My testimony has grown so much and continues to grow each day as I strive to give all that I have. I know that each of you can do that same as you place Christ at the center of your lives. He is truly the way, the truth, and the Life (John 14:6). I know that to be true! It is hard to do so but just turn to the Lord in prayer and I know that he will guide and direct you.

I love you all very much and I'm extremely blessed to have so much love and support. May the Lord bless you as you strive to align your will with His. I love you all heaps!

Love always,

      Sister Sorensen 

We had a district p-day this last week. We went laser tagging and bowling. It was so much fun!

"Aussie As" is something that is so common here in Australia. They add "as" on to everything. So I just had to get a picture of that to remember the weird terms that they use. "Cool as," "Sweet as," etc.

Me and my wonderful companion, Sister Koster. I love her!

Being an Affective Instrument in His Hands‏

 Dear family and friends,

 

    This week has been a wonderful week!  I hope that each of you have taken the challenge that I left with you this last week to read the Book of Mormon and seek for the words of Christ while you're reading. Let me know how its going. I'd love to hear all of your insights and thoughts!

 

   There is so much that is happening in this area now, it is wonderful! This week we had the opportunity to have Elder Pearson of the seventy come and teach us. He is the President of all the Pacific Area. He is such a powerful teacher. We got to hear him several times at many different events. He was traveling around Sydney speaking to many different groups. We were privileged to have him come to our zone conference. Man I tell you what that was surely the most rebuking/spiritual conference ever! He is a very powerful teacher. Without a doubt I know that he is called of God. He is really making a difference and I hope that the mission will lift due to his visit to Sydney. Thank goodness for the atonement so that we each can do better and become more like our Saviour.

     President Pearson taught a lot of important principles that really stuck with me. He taught a lot of the importance of planning and setting goals. He did this great demonstration to teach an important principle about the difference between trying and doing. It will be hard to explain over email but the quote that he shared was, "Do or do not, there is no try!" He said it so powerfully and it hit me hard. That we are to be "doers of the word and not hearers only" ( James 1:22).

   After zone conference Sister Koster and I spent a lot of time setting goals and planning out how we were going to improve and truly uplift this area. It has been amazing how the Lord has already been blessing us and helping us to execute those goals. He is definitely leading this work and helping us.

   

    One miracle that we've seen this week is that the Lord has helped us to know who we need to focus on in our investigators, less- actives, and recent converts. We've been fasting and praying to know how to help them and we are already seeing so much success with them. This work is incredible and I'm so glad to be apart of it!

 

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

 

Love always,

    Sister Sorensen

 

Pictures:

  We found these awesome pens this last week! They are perfect for walking missionaries in the heat of Australia. They have pretty powerful fans on the end of them to keep us cool while we're walking. They are our favorites!