Week of Dec 29, 2013

Here's the low down on this week. It went by super fast, and I can't believe Christmas has already come and gone. Crazy. It was good to call home though, made me a little trunky, but it buffed out. So here's the wonderful adventures of Elder Hindes and I this last week-

On Monday Elder hindes lost his apartment key, and we were locked out for about two hours till we found it. We searched everywhere, but we finally found it about 8:30 at night under some snow in the church parking lot. It was crazy that we were able to find it. On Tuesday, Christmas eve, we mainly went and caroled to people all day, and did any other appointments we had. It was great, it's surprising how much more open people were to us caroling then to tracing..... I wonder why? haha. But we got a lot of potential investigators out of it so that was nice. 

As for Christmas, it was crazy! We were busy all day long. We went to a ton of member's houses because they all invited us out, and we had about 3 dinners, 2 breakfasts, and just visited with 6 families total. It was nice though. As For Thursday, it was boxing day, so we thought we would go to downtown PA because we figured there was going to be lots of people. Turns out, it was a ghost town down there which was weird. But we walked around anyways because there was a few people, and then we ran into this crazy native guy that was drunk off Listerine. He talked to us about his knowledge of the bible for a bit, then drew in our planners, taught us a little cree, and sang a song to us! it was crazy. But it made for a good story haha. 

Seeing how it is the end of the month, everyone wants to move. So seeing how we're the elders in the ward, we got roped into moving 4 different people in 2 days. By the end of it all, Elder Hindes and I were dead, and I'm sure we know every way to fit a couch through a door that it shouldn't fit through. 

To talk about investigators this week, We ran into this guy named Binnie while doing some service at a food bank. We taught him on Saturday and Sunday. He's a great guy but believes too much in science, and doesn't have a religious backround, but our lesson went great! We taught him the restoration, and gave him a book of mormon, and told him to read and pray about it. So hopefully he will and then meet with us again. Also yesterday we went tracting out on a native reserve about a half hour out of town in -40* weather and it made for some weird stories because everyone owns a dog, or answers the door drunk, smokes, is rude, or will accept everything you say. I love natives to death. 

This week was cold. Monday was -49, but then Tuesday and Wednesday were weird because they warmed up to -8 and it snowed. It's weird when It has to warm up to snow! haha. But then on Friday, it dove back down to -40 again, and this morning was back to -49. On sunday we almost had to cancel church! we only had sacrament meeting. There was hardly anyone there, I got to play the piano in Sacrament meeting because no one else could. We only had 29 people there. And all the missionaries spoke it was pretty crazy. 

The picture I'm sending is the sun at noon day. It never gets higher than that

Well, that's my week in a nutshell. Love you guys

Elder Sorenson

Week of December 22, 2013

Man, Time just flies. Can't believe Christmas is already here. Seems like just yesterday I was boarding the plane to come here, talking to my mom, and she said "talk to you at Christmas" and I thought, man that's forever and a year away. But now, I'm almost 4 months out, and time just goes out the window. It's almost like I'll wake up tomorrow, and my mission'll be half way gone. 

So this last week we had Zone conference. I love zone conference. It's great. It was on Tuesday, so on Monday we had some Elders drive down from what's called the video zone and spend the night. It's called the video zone because they're in the northern part of the mission, and they're so far spread out from everyone, that they can only have district meetings, and zone training meetings, and usually zone conferences by SKYPE. but this zone conference was Christmas, and a lot of people got transferred into the video zone, so President Thomas wanted them all to drive in. 

The elders that were spending the night with us were from Thompson and Flin-Flon. One of which was my first companion, Elder Hatch. We were waiting for them at the church, and were surprised when we were expecting two cars, and they only pulled up in one truck, and all 5 of them piled out. Turns out that when you have black ice in -40* weather. Things tend to go bad, and missionaries wreck cars. So that's what happened. They wrecked their car into the back of the truck. It was hilarious. but I'm sure it ruined presidents day. 

The next morning we loaded up their truck, our truck, and the sisters in their car, and drove two hours to Saskatoon to zone conference. It was a pretty laid-back Zone Conference. We just hung out and ate lunch, then we had a little bit of training, then the senior couples that I served with in Winnipeg came and told us old Christmas stories. I love them to death. After that President Thomas got up and shared Christmas stories about his life. They were kind of how Dieter F. Uchtdorf would do it. With airplanes. I'll put that at the end of my email. 

On Wednesday we traveled back to P.A. and I mainly got to know the area and most the people we teach and work with. On thursday we did service at a food bank and actually started talking to a lot of people who are interested in learning. We set up a lot of appointments and we're excited to meet with them. Same thing happened on Saturday when we did some service at a place that builds houses for the poor. On Sunday we got to go caroling with a family in our ward in about -35*. it was fun, and I got to play bongos, but even with gloves, my fingers were freezing cold. Now some of the most interesting stories come from Friday. On Friday I went on a short Exchange with the other elders to teach one of them how to street contact because he never had to do it in his last area because it just barely opened and they were teaching 30 lessons a week. Crazy. But on the other end of the exchange, my companion and his companion got a knife pulled on them! it was crazy! They stopped by a guy we tried a few nights ago but wasn't home, but he answered this time, pulled a knife, and asked if they were jehovah's witnesses. But the thing was he was filming it the whole time and laughing about it so they weren't really scared, just thrown off guard. It was crazy. Later that day we went to a Native reserve that we have a member and an investigator at and asked for service because we want to find people to teach out there. But after that we went out to a member's house that lives 30 min out of town in this town called birch hills. It's beautiful. it only has about 1,000 people, and has a huge Christmas tree right in the middle of it. We have a couple people we want to teach out there. We just want this whole are to explode, and it might. President Thomas says every time he comes to P.A. he feels good about it. And i felt that when I drove in. I don't know what it is. 

The only problem with all of these places is we don't have enough "K's." or distance that we can drive on our truck. It's terrible! There's this place about 2 hours north of here called La Ronge that Elder Hindes and I want to go to but we just don't have the K's. it bugs. The thing about the Price Albert ward, is the geographics of it have to be one of the largest in the world. it covers most of northern Saskatchewan, If you look it up on maps.lds.org, you'll see what i'm talking about. Now it's been cold up here. I mean really cold. I hope to develop a frost layer by the time I'm done here. So this week has been the COLDEST week I have ever seen. I know I say that every week, but It keeps getting colder! this winter is apparently colder than last winter. For example, I thought -40 was cold. That was until we woke up this morning, and it was -49*c out side. that's -54*f. we decided because it was so cold we went out and threw a pot of boiling water. I thought it was neat in 5*f. I was wrong. I know it was the winter solstice this week, and I realized that I'm so far north, that the sun nover reaches mid sky. It basically always looks like it's setting. It makes for beautiful light, but it never gets warm. That's my week really in a nutshell. I'm excited for Christmas. we're spending Christmas Eve with an older family with no kids, and Christmas we're spending with about 5 different families. So we'll have plenty to do. I'm really looking forward to it, but once it's gone people will finally not have an excuse not to meet with us, so that will be great. Here's my Christmas message from President Thomas, to me, to you guys: 

President Thomas used to fly float planes out of a waterfront in Ketchikan, Alaska. It was at one point the 5th busiest airport in the world! That was because they had to deliver freight, cargo, groceries, people, and mail to all of the southern islands of Alaska. One Christmas, the weather turned super bad about 10 days before Christmas. Bad enough that they were not able to fly in it. The storm just got worse and worse and the mail just started to build and build, as did the panic. People started phoning in to the water front seeing if their mail was going to get delivered, but they couldn't get up into the clouds to do it. As Christmas eve came around there seemed to be no hope. That was until about late afternoon when the storm cleared. People started phoning again to see if their Christmas presents would be delivered, but it was too late in the day. If any one was going to go make a delivery, they wouldn't have enough time to get back before it was dark. President Thomas, being the man he is said to just leave him one plane in the water the next morning, and he would make a delivery or two. He woke up the next morning, headed down to the dock before sunrise. When he got there, to his surprise, he saw that every airplane was in the water, and there was mail being loaded on the dock, and pilots running everywhere doing as much as they can, and by the end of the day, all the packages had been delivered, and the hanger that was once filled with freight, was empty. 

I'm so happy that this Christmas I could spend away from home, serving my Lord. The best part is, I'm not even feeling that homesick. I love how in the bible it talks about how when you lose yourself in service, you'll find yourself. I've really come to find that in myself. I'm finding myself, who I am who I want to be every day. I've really just focused this Christmas on the spirit of giving, and not receiving. Christ, he was the perfect example of that. He gave us everything. He gave us his life, and the atonement which is everything. I love him so much for that. I love what Dieter F. Uchtdorf says: "Christmas and some of the cherished traditions of the season remind us that we, like the Wise Men of old, should seek the Christ and lay before Him the most precious gifts: a broken heart, and a contrite spirit."

Love you guys. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Elder Jake Sorenson

Week of Dec 15, 2013

Wow, What a week it's been. I's been pretty crazy, but It's been a lot better than the last few weeks have been. I was a going through a little roller coaster there for a bit, but Thanks everyone for supporting me, and I really have felt the love and the prayers. So here's how my week went in a nutshell:

Monday and tuesday were pretty crazy, just trying to get everything together, and getting ready to leave. Just had to say goodbye to everyone I needed to mainly. I couldn't believe I was actually leaving Winnipeg. I was also excited because I've heard nothing but good things about Prince Albert, just wasn't excited for the 13 hour drive it is to get there. Wednesday rolled around, and I went to my last district meeting in St. James, and out to Olive Garden after wards. We taught a former investigator that night named Larry, he's an amazing guy, and we have no idea why he's not a member yet. We were teaching him about the book of mormon, and he believes it's true, he knows Joseph Smith was a prophet, and he knows basically what he needs to do in life. And he looks like santa clause! Ha. But we couldn't find any concerns of his, and we're so used to teaching troubled people that the lesson didn't go so well. But I'm super excited to see if he goes somewhere. 

Thursday was also pretty crazy. We were supposed to leave on thursday, but due to weather conditions, we got held up in Winnipeg till Friday morning, so we had to take Elder Martin's new trainee, and I had to take a new missionary as well, and we went on exchanges for the day in our area and just broke them in a little. It was fun, but I wish I could have left because we didn't find anybody. But soon enough Friday morning came, and we had the 13 hour drive ahead...

Friday's drive actually went by super fast I have no idea why. At first I was in a 15 passenger van, for 6 hours to Regina, Saskatchewan. I slept most of the way, and talked music with an other elder in the back the rest of the way. It was super good. After we got in Regina, we loaded up our bags in a truck, and I got in with my MTC comp, and two new missionaries, and I actually got to drive the truck up to Saskatoon, which was an other 5 hours, but it was really fun, and went by fast as well. I got to see the only hill in the whole mission! haha. After we got in Saskatoon, it was dark, and we can't travel at night anymore so we spent the night in Saskatoon with the Zone leaders, where I met my new companion, Elder Hindes. Saturday morning, Elder Hindes and I drove up to Prince Albert which took 2 hours completing the 13 hour drive. I still can't believe how far away I am from everything. P.A.'s a little town out in the middle of no where. It's very pretty here, surrounded by trees so there's not too much wind like Winnipeg, but it still is cold. Although today was only -5. So it's warmed up. 

So P.A. just barely opened up sister missionaries. We haven't had sisters in P.A. for 20 years, and it's the furthest north sisters can go so far. On sunday they got a huge welcome to the ward, and they've seen miracles already. Like less actives walking up to them and asking if they could come to church. I'm super excited for this transfer. Also on sunday we drove out to nipawin. it's about a half hour out of town, and had dinner with a member. It was an incredible drive, I couldn't believe some of the scenery out here. It's weird to think because I expected it to be just flat and snow. But it's actually just breathtaking. It's nice. 

Little bit about Elder Hindes. He's from Santaquin, Utah. He's a funny guy and we get along great. He's served in P.A. and Saskatoon his whole mission. So all he knows is these outlying areas, and all I know is the city. Two opposite ends. I'll send a picture of us holding German and Russian WWII guns that we were messing around with last night at a less active's house. They were pretty neat.

I'm excited to serve in P.A. I just feel great here and I don't want to leave. We haven't done much yet. We have a couple valid excuses. One is because we've been in a tri-pan because the other Elder's companion doesn't come in from Flin-Flon till zone conference. Two, we've been figuring out situations with the sisters. Three, because of transfers we've been out of town like crazy. Four, we're heading to zone conference tomorrow which is two hours away in Saskatoon. So we have a lot to do once everything settles. I'm pumped. 

I love all you guys

Elder Jake Sorenson

Week of Dec. 8, 2013

Wow. What a week. Where to start. Well let's say that this week went a whole lot better than last week! let's start at the beginning as always.

 

So on Monday I was not looking forward to the week, and I was actually depressed as much of you could tell. It was aweful. I really just lost sight of my purpose here but luckly my comp just sat me down and we just talked for a while. It just hard when you have to deal with all the emotional stress of coming on a mission, especially here, where we have NO ONE to teach. I just sometimes think why I waist my breath on people who aren't going to listen.

 

Something I'm going to hold dear is what my mission pres told me. And that's if I go my whole mission and convert no one but myself. That's a highly successful mission. I really think that's the reason I got called to this mission. Because from everything I've seen, that's why I'm here, and I'm loving it. So needless to say, after I got some sence knocked into me, things started to go better.

 

Tuesday and Wednesday we got 6'' of snow. Now that's not that bad, but the wind blows it all around, and the wind is what kills you. it may be only -30*c outside, but with the wind, that adds up to -40*C/F. and that's cold. More on that later. So apperaently when snow falls, everyone here, just like home in Utah doesn't know how to drive in it. Even though people live here, and it's complete ice on the road. I'm from Utah and I'm driving just fine. it's pathetic haha.

 

Anyways, on Thursday I went on exchanges with Elder Blackburn in my district. He's from vernal, and he's halarious. We did a lot of work, and found a couple of new investigators that used to investigate from years ago. One of them is named bear, and he has no idea how he got that name =P. This week went by fast, and before I knew it, it was Friday. And slowly, it started becoming the coldest days I had ever seen. On friday we drove out of the city, and loaded up a bunch of stuff to help a member set up a nativity at a place in Winnipeg called the forks. It's called the forks because it's where the two rivers in Winnipeg fork together. It's also where the middle of the city is, and it's where all the big, skyscrapers are. It's also called downtown. There's this intersection there that's famous for being the coldest intersection in North american cities of it's size because the two streets act as wind tunnels. And I actually got to drive through it. I felt special haha. Although, downtown Winnipeg is THE most confusing road system I have ever seen. You can't turn left almost anywhere, and you can't turn left or right or both some places, and most of the roads are one way, and they all curve like spagetti, and it's heavy traffic. Just crazy! 

 

Anyways, we set up the nativity in -30 and we got our transfer calls in the meantime. I was not putting a lot of thought into this transfer call because my mission pres. basically said he would just keep everyone where they were at, unless he needed to move them, or felt inspired to. Also I was sure I was not going to move because I told him I wanted to stay for Christmas. I didn't tell him why, but it's because I want to see my friend Brent come up. But anyways, the call came, and it turns out I'm not staying. I'm leaving and I'm actually going to one of the furthest points away from Winnipeg you can get. I'm heading 12 hours away from here, to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. I'm excited, but bummed I don't get to stay for Christmas, but that's okay.

 

Yesterday we went and saw Joe for the first time in two weeks. It's sad because he's too busy to meet with us and he knows he won't make his baptismal date. So we had to drop it. But I got to see him at least one last time before I leave. I'm excited to get a fresh new start in p.a. I'll see how it goes.

 

So a little more on the cold. I have now seen -40, and what it does to your face. I'll send a picture. It's super cold outside, and the first breath just hurts and you start coughing. I have to wear so many layers it's not even funny! The worst part is, we have to plug our truck in every night because if we didn't, it's so cold that the engine wouldn't turn over in the morning. That's the sad part. Anyways, so I can't wait to get back to Utah where it's nice and warm and listen to someone say that it's cold. haha what a joke =P 

 

From the land that many are cold, but few are frozen,

Elder Sorenson

Week of Dec. 1, 2013

Well. I just have to say that this last week was..... depressing. Haha. Seems like everything is just going down hill, and my area is slow. It seems like I've been reporting 0's my whole mission. I never let it get to me until now. I've been trying to do a lot of accounting for my work, and for my mission, and when I look back on the work that I've done, I've done a great effort, but no one out here, at least in my area, wants to listen. Or change. It gets frustrating. I know that I'm in this mission for a reason, and I think that reason is so I can learn patience, and humility. I thought I knew those traits. Turns out I don't.

 

Here's the stories I have this week- On Tuesday, we met a guy named Phillip that investigated in Brandon for a year, and was supposed to be baptized, but moved to Winnipeg the week before it happened. Also he has a bad smoking, drinking, and coffee problem. But he's a super great guy. We Taught him twice, and then he moved back to Brandon, so we handed him back to the Elders up there. 

 

 We got our car inspected on Wednesday, to see if there was actually any damage that we would have to pay for after Elder Martin hit somebody last week, and it turns out we have to have the whole bumper replaced, and it's going to cost $1,902 to do that. ridiculous I know. Also On Wednesday we exchanged with our zone leaders. I love my ZL's. I went with Elder Simister Who's from St. George. He actually used to play on the Dixie State basketball team. He's really funny, and we get along great. So being the District leader's comp. Has it's perks. We mainly just street contacted in the snow all day, and it was really fun.

 

So it sounds like a pretty great week so far yeah? Well, here's where it starts to go bad. So Thursday morning we woke up, and Elder Martin tells me that the floor is wet, and that my closet is flooded. The first thing that my mind went to is that the toilet flooded. And sometimes, I hate it when I'm right. So we spent the whole morning cleaning it up and it was just awful, But the day got better as we did some service, and had Thanksgiving dinner with the young women in our ward. So it wasn't all bad. But the reason the week was depressing, was every appointment we had on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday all canceled. It was just the worst. Some of our investigators dropped us, and some are just becoming Lazy, or too busy for their own salvation.

 

Now Joe, He's a great guy, he's our baptismal date, but we didn't get to meet at all this week, and he didn't come to church. It made us mad at first, but then we were just sad. Yesterday threw me into a state of mind where I questioned why I was here, why I believe what I do, why it's so hard. We have the truth. Why don't people just flock to the font? The thing is, I know the answer to all of these questions. And I know why I'm here, and I know why it's hard. It just breaks my heart every time when we tell someone that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, and that they get to be with their families forever because of him, and they flat out turn it away.

 

 I guess this is just another week up here. But I'll try and make the best of it as I always do. We get our transfer calls this week, and I have the feeling Elder Martin is leaving and I'm staying to train. I hope I stay. I have two reasons. 1) we get to spend Christmas with a great family in our ward, and 2) Christmas Eve, we get to spend Christmas with the stake president, and all the missionaries in the city. Now, some of you might now Brent Robison. He's my friend that lives in Provo. His dad just happens to be the stake president of the Manitoba stake. He's actually in the ward I'm serving in. And Brent's coming up for Christmas, so I'll get to see him. It's going to be super weird. Anyways, keep writing me guys.

Love you all

Elder Sorenson