Week of August 3, 2014

Man, 11 months today! Crazy. But hey, I love it here, and the work is going great! So excited for the next year and a month to see how I develop, and grow as a missionary, and a man. Then, hopefully as I work hard, I'll have some hot wife points by that time :)

It was actually kind of a slower week for us. Almost all our investigators went on some vacation, and it seemed like half the town was gone this week. But things still happened. On monday we met with our town council again to discuss needs of the town, and how all of us can help. It's always great when the mayor of the town you're serving in always thanks you and appreciates all that you're doing. 

Tuesday was a great day. We ate Supper with Casey and his family who I told you about last week. It was an amazing meal, and afterwards we sat down to teach them the restoration, and we asked them one question, and Casey basically turned around and taught the restoration to us! It was probably the most awe-struck moment I've had on my mission. He's never met with missionaries, never read the Book of Mormon, but yet, he's read the bible enough times that he saw the missing links. So we helped him fill in the gaps, and made sure his wife was on board. They left to BC for a week, so we'll meet with them again on Thursday and we'll see where it goes from there. So excited for them. 

Basically Gull Lake is in the very northern part of tornado alley. So we can get some incredible storms. In my time of being in Gull Lake, i've been under 3 tornado warnings, but luckily haven't seen one yet. It was pretty crazy come Thursday, we were helping the town council shovel some gravel into a flower bed, and while we were, a storm started to blow in. It looked like a huge storm, and we figured the magnitude of it when the clouds rolled in above us, and they started to swirl.... Pretty neat looking I have to admit. Luckily we finished in time, and the storm acutally blew right by us, but hit a town 20 min away pretty hard. I got some good pictures of lightning, and we were happy to not get hit.

Other than all that, we went with an investigator to a gospel concert on Saturday, and it was great! Really opened my eyes to people that love the Lord, but are lost still. 

That's my week. Hope you guys all had a great week too! Thanks for everything.

Love, Elder Jake Sorenson

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

Week of June 29, 2014

This past week was the most successful week i've had since I've been in Gull Lake. It wasn't anything huge, but we finally started to see blessings. I know that it was a direct result of our hard work, and patience.

We had an exchange on Tuesday which was pretty fun. I went with my district leader. I miss being the DL's comp. But it was a fun exchange. I took him to Gull Lake, and we did some service to the community and had a dinner appointment with the Parsons. We got permission from our zone leaders to watch a movie called the Saratov approach. It's about two missionaries in Russia that get kidnapped in 1998. It's pretty great and tells an amazing story on the power of prayer. 

I told you about Ann last week. We were able to bring some members out from Swift current and sit down and teach her about the restoration. It was pretty good. The members weren't the best, but they were willing. The spirit was so strong at the end of the lesson. Every time that I feel that spirit testify through me, it always confirms my testimony that the Book of mormon is true. 

Friday was a very funny day. First, there's a lot of birds in Gull Lake. So we're headed to the library to teach a lesson. Right as I got out of the car, I felt something hit my head and shoulder. I looked down, and it was bird poop. Sick! I turned to Elder Blackburn and told him, we both laughed really hard, got back in the car and drove back to our place, so I could get cleaned up. We're still laughing about it. Some people would call that good luck I suppose.  

There's a part member family that we've been trying to work with since the area opened. Paul, the husband is a member, but Wendy his wife is not. We do service for them a lot by cleaning out the movie theatre they own. We were able to meet them that way. We were pretty shocked because all the records say they're rude, but they're so nice, and they love us. On Saturday, they invited us over for supper. We were able to get to know them more and share a spiritual thought and learn about their concerns and find out why they're less-active. It was truly amazing. 

Other than that, that is my week. I'm loving Gull Lake. I get my transfer call on Friday, so I'm excited for that. I'll probably stay though.

Thank you guys for everything. 

Elder Jake Sorenson 

Week of June 23, 2014

This week was probably one of the fastest of my whole mission! Can't believe it's been almost 10 months since I left home, but time is just getting faster and faster. I'm loving Canada, and the sun is up for almost 22 hours a day! crazy. Super bummed to miss out this week on my bro's wedding, but Congratulations to my brother Matt, and his new wife Shelby. I'm super happy for you guys, now all my brothers are married..... No pressure hey?

Let's get down to my week, because let's be honest, that's the whole reason you read my email anyway.... It actually went really well, We had a ton of rain! we're in what's known as Saskatchewan's rainy season. Super fancy, I know. But I haven't seen Canada over 30*C. which is about 92*f, and that was only one day, usually it's around 22*c which is room temperature and it's been really nice. Tuesday we took a long drive to Regina for Zone conference. It was a lot of fun, and our mission president actually got mad for once. It was glorious. He rebuked the "piles" in the mission that slacked off and weren't taking care of either their apartments, or weren't waking up on time. I just spent the whole time enjoying it because I was just happy that I was an obedient missionary and I wasn't called to repentance. It was a great meeting though. Learned lots about how to teach better to the family level. 

After the conference we got the new windsheild wiper arm we needed for our car and headed back to Gull Lake. After we got to Swift Current it started to rain. Hard. It was bad enough that our District leader asked us to spend the night in Swift, and drive back to Gull lake in the morning. Yay for 2 full days out of my area.... 

On monday we had a potential named Ann get back from vacation. She went on a bus tour of all of Canada. On Wednesday she invited us to sing with her church's chior. We did, and it was a lot of fun, but I didn't like their hymns. Mainly because they're wrong, but the tune was just not spiritually uplifting at all. But on Friday we had lunch with her, helped her with some service, and taught her a little about our church. This next week she accepted to take the lessons with a member, Super excited for her. 

Saturday and Sunday were spent in swift surrent. We went to a kite festival and volunteered. It was an international event with kites from around the world. It was pretty neat. Untill it rained on Saturday. Sunday was better. I'll send some pictures. I got pretty sunburnt from it. So that's pretty much my week. It went by quick! as is this transfer!

Love you guys and thanks for everything.

Elder Jake Sorenson