The Ups and Downs Of a Mission

Dear family and friends,

 

      This week has been an interesting week that is for sure. We just had an adventurous morning. We went on another hike this morning and we all forgot our keys for the flat. So we came back from hiking just to find out that we were locked out. We tried everything we possibly could to try and break into our flat. Our district leader came and couldn't do anything and our Zone Leaders came. We waited for about 3 1/2 hours and finally Elder Hay (looks over the flats) came with a key from the agent. Wow the adventurous of a mission! But lets just say that mistake won't ever happen again. haha But it was all for the memories of course. We went to a members house down the road and she fed us some breakfast. We are so grateful for wonderful members!

 

   I know for several weeks now I've been saying how great it is to have so many people to work with. This week has been kind of a down week as we found that several of our investigators aren't really ready at this time. We are struggling with finding people who are keen to hear the word. But I've seen this so many times throughout my mission and its always a learning experience. I know that everything is not going to always be going great, we have to face challenges and difficulties in life so that we can be strengthened. I have learned a lot about trusting in the Lord this week as we've been striving to build up our teaching pool again. I know that its not going to come all at once but I have faith that the Lord will provide a way. Just as it says in 1 Nephi 3:7 "...I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." He will always prepare a way for us to acheive what He would have us acheive.

 

   Despite all the challenges we still got to see several miracles this week that assured us that the Lord is still there for us. Here are a few of them...

    - We went to try an investigator's home the other day and they weren't home. But we knocked on the doors around her and we met this man named Bryan. He was such a nice man to us after a few doors slammed in our face. He is a strong Catholic and has taught religion in primary schools for about 20 years or more. But we had a good conversation with him and he invited us to come back. What a tender mercy!

 

    -We have this Chinese investigator named Rei. She has never been religious before and so it has been a big change for her to hear about Jesus Christ and about Heavenly Father. Well there was this baptism for a chinese girl and so we thought it would be a perfect opportunity for her to meet some more just like her. We were struggling with finding her a ride though. We were frantically calling everyone and trying to figure out a way she could get there. But as it approached the hour before the baptism was to start we got a message saying that she had found a ride with a friend and they were going to come on their own. That was a big shock to us and we couldn't believe it but what a blessing that was. They said that they really enjoyed the baptism and are willing to come to another one.

 

     - Just yesterday after church we had some plans to go to a families home for dinner. They are the family that just got sealed in the temple this last Saturday. That was also such a great blessing and it is so great to be apart of it. But they invited us over but the rule is now that only one companionship can go to a home for dinner now. And the elders were also planning on going over there. Well that messed up our plans but they asked if we wanted to join another family for dinner. They said that our investigator would be there. So of course we took that opportunity to teach our investigator. It ended up being so great and it was right where we needed to be. We have been struggling to meet with this particular investigator and were finally able to teach her. We believe that she is so ready to be baptized.

 

   There are so many other tender mercies I've seen in my daily life as a missionary. I'm so grateful for those tender mercies that keep me going and help me to know that i'm on the right path. I'm continually being humbled and learning so much about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It just makes sense and that is what I love about it so much. I know that this is the Lord's work and He stands at the head of ths church. I have gained such a strong testimony of the power of the Book of Mormon. It is truly the word of God. It always seems to answer my questions and helps me to come to know my Saviour Jesus Christ. I encourage each of you if you aren't already to consistantly read the Book of Mormon or the scriptures for that matter. Because as you read you will be strengthened and your burdens will be made light.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

 

   Love,

       Sister Sorensen

 Sister Ilalio and the Woden Sisters. We love them!

This is the Sione Family before they headed to Sydney to be sealed as a family. It was sweet to be there and to study with them before they went to the temple.

Tim Tam Slams are always the best with these Sisters! I love them!

Well day 13 was a failure. We totally forgot to take a picture that day for some reason but here is day 14- We had dinner with this family yesterday. Paige made us pavlova!

We went on a hike with the elders serving in our ward with us. They are great!

 I love these sisters. As you can see, we have a lot of fun together.

After trying to pick the lock of the door this morning forever we gave up for a little bit and just sat in the hallway at our flat waiting for the elders to come and try.

One attempt of us breaking in our flat was going onto the roof to get to our balcony to try the back door. Don't worry mom we didn't get hurt. haha

This is when the Zone Leaders made their attempt to break in and them planning their way up to the balcony. Oh what good times.

Breakfast at the Amosa's this morning while we were still locked out. We had some Coco Rice it is the best thing ever!

Sister Ilalio (Sister Levine's companion) came with us for a few days. We were at Mini's house and little Soli is the daughter of one of our new investigators that just moved in with Mini.

Our service this week for a less active brought me back to the good old days of cleaning houses. It was fun to do that again.