Week of July 27, 2014

Like I've said before, time's a flyin'. These weeks go by so fast, they feel like days. By this time next week, I'll hit my 11 month mark. It feels like it's been 2. Crazy! But this week was crazy busy, and we were truly blessed. 

Tuesday I went on exchanges with the greeny in the district, Elder Peterson. He's a fantastic elder. I was surprised. IT was his first exchange, but we were in his area, Swift Current. For the day we taught this lady who had a huge cat! it weighed 35 lds. So of course I got a picture with it haha. But Tuesday night we were walking around contacting some people, and we ran into some drunks. It was funny just talking them in circles, but after we walked away, this couple that was sitting on their porch invited us over to talk. Their names are Dave and Karen, and at first they wanted us to sell door to door insurance because we'd be good at it. It was funny, but we turned the conversation around, and we taught them the restoration on the spot. They ate it alive! and wanted to hear more so we taught them the plan of salvation too! and then gave them a Book of mormon and they committed themselves to come to church. Way too good to be true I swear! 

After I got back to Gull Lake, we got a member referral for a family that was moving. His name is Casey. So basically, tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we took some time out of our day to move this guy. And he is the most prepared guy I've met in Gull Lake. He said he used to go to Bible College, and preach, but he fell away and he needs Christ back in his family. He said he's been researching our religion and loves it! So we're having supper with them on Tuesday night to teach them. So excited. 

Those were the basic highlights of my week. We also met with Don and Evelyn on Thursday and taught them the Restoration. It went well, but Don likes to talk A LOT. and he's very opinionated. It got in the way of teaching Evelyn because she's very prepared. 

Other than that, we met with Ann and she came to church, and she fed us supper. She's great! We hope that she can get baptised her soon. 

That's my week! Thanks everyone for everything!

-Elder Jake Sorenson

Week of July 20, 2014

Is it just me, or is time getting faster and faster? But I'm enjoying it at least. This last week was great. We saw some good miracles, and had the same church attendance as last week, but church was 30 min away!

Tuesday was pretty good. We were doing some service in the morning, and when we left, we were walking in Gull Lake and I had stopped to tie my shoe. Good thing I did because right after we ran into Don and Evelyn, our new investigators. We were talking with them and Evelyn asked us "so same time next week for church?" We told her it was actually going to be in Swift current, 30 min away, and she said "Okay, same time then? I know where it's at." Solid response. She's ready. 

Saturday was pretty good, we were walking around town and it was pretty dead. We both felt impressed to stop by some less-active members in town. Which was weird because they don't like us stopping by without an appointment. But we didn't question it, and went anyway. On the way there, we ran into a lady named Donna. She's from a ranch about 30 min out of town, and she was asking us where we were from and what not. The usual q's. But then she asked us if we've ever been to cypress hills where she lives, and we said no, because we have to go with a purpose. And she said, well what if you come visit me? Of course we didn't turn it down so we'll go this next week. 

As for farming, and catching birds, we went out to a member's farm this last week and did some service. It was super fun, but we mainly just did weed control. With some weed eaters. Good times. And Three times this week Elder Blackburn and I have come accross birds that can't fly. I caught a pigeon, And Elder blackburn got two baby birds. 

Well, onto sunday. Like I said, we had the same attendance as last week, but this time church was at the branch building in Swift Current, 30 min away. All our investigators showed up and loved it. Including Ann, Don, Evelyn, and our less-active members too! Crazy. 

Well, that's my week. Love you guys

Elder Jake Sorenson

Week of July 13, 2014

This has to be one of the busiest weeks of my mission. At least since I came to Gull Lake. I love being busy. Not saying that it all has to do with me, but I've really seen things pick up in this area since I got here. Elder Blackburn and I have really seen the area grow and now there's never a dull moment. Super good.

Monday night we got to meet with our town council and meet with them on a project called "communities in Bloom" It's a service project that they want our help on to clean up and beautify the town. They love our help, and we've found investigators from it so we do it. 

Thursday was also good, we did some service, and hung some flyers up for church on Sunday. We went to the care center and played some cards with some old fogies there and got to meet some people who were really interested in who we were, one of them invited us over for supper on Sunday night. 

Friday we drove 45 min south of town to meet with a less-active Ron. He's a great guy who used to bull ride. We got to know him, and shared a couple of things with him, then drove back. I love travelling out here.

Saturday was crazy, we invited everyone we could to Church on sunday because we were planning on having it at our apartment. One lady we met was named Evelyn. She met with missionaries in the Vancouver mission in BC way back when. They gave her a Book Of Mormon, she read it cover to cover, and believed everything in it. The only reason she wasn't baptised is because of her husband. But she divorced him, so now it's our time. 

Sunday was the day. We held church in our apartment, and it was really good. We had our branch president come and preside, and Elder Blackburn and I spoke. We had Evelyn with her husband come. As well as Ann, and a less-active that lives here in town. We were almost matched investigators to members! It was amazing. One experience I'll never forget. 

After our church, we got invited to go to the Anglican church and that was an interesting service to say the least. And after them, we ate at Wendy's house. The lady at the care home. They're Catholic, but super friendly and wanted to know everything about us. Super good. We now get fed by more non-members then members. 

Well, I'm just loving it up here. Being a missionary is so much fun, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I get my testimony confirmed everyday that Christ lives and loves his people. I know that this church is true and that the work of salvation is hastening. Even in places where it's hard. Like Canada where everyone's content. 

That's my week, had a lot to write about! love you guys

-Elder Jake H Sorenson

Week of July 6, 2014

Man, this last week flew by pretty quick! It's also pretty great when you have a Canadian holiday, and an American holiday, and the Canadians light off more fire works on the 4th of July then anything. It's glorious.

But this last week we taught Ann a lot. She feeds us a lot of food. We get fed by more non-members then members in the branch. It's actually pretty great because that means the town loves us, and we're teaching. Ann didn't come to church. She's pretty set in her ways, but I know if she reads the Book of Mormon, she'll feel the spirit. Also, we started teaching a new family in Gull Lake. They're very knowledgeable Evangelists. I always love teaching the restoration to someone who's very knowledgeable about doctrine. Tests my skills a little bit, and confirms my testimony that we literally teach with the spirit of truth.

On Wednesday we drove into Moose Jaw. We had our Zone Training Meeting over there. It was really good. Our Zone Leaders taught on the importance of families and following up. Really good training that I needed. I also got to wear my new suit that I bought on Monday for $7. You're not a true missionary untill you have a thrift store suit. 

The members in this branch are some of the best. There's a member family, the Parsons that went down and saw my family this last week. They dropped off a package, and picked one up. They're the best! 

Thanks everyone for your support!

Elder Jake Sorenson