Well this is like a dream come true!! It’s been a long time
since I’ve been able to write soooo here we go. The last Friday at the ccm Elder
Bednar came and spoke to us. Actually we basically had a really big conversation.
He taught us how to really learn for ourselves through the spirit without
barely even talking. He had us read talks before he came and then in the
devotional he had us read a scripture and then ask what are you learning from
the spirit this time reading this scripture? Then he would call on somebody and
have a lil’ discussion and we would all get lots out of it. He also taught us
to only take notes on the spirit, never take notes on the speaker or teacher,
they are the conductors of the real teacher the spirit. That was cool because
most of my notes were about stuff that nobody even talked about it was a really
cool experience and I know he is called of God.
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| Me and my first companion, Elder Cabrera (from Paraguay). |
Our last day in the ccm we got kicked out of our house at
like 8a cuz they need to clean. That was funny but we got everything packed
good and left the ccm at like 11:45am. The flights all went good from Mexico
to Panama and then Panama to Cochabamba. The mission president and lots of
missionaries welcomed us at the airport singing Called to Serve. After that we
ate saltanas which are really good. Then we went to the mission home, got
interviews with the mission president, and then went to the APs house and passed out. There were 5 new
elders. I am the only new American elder. We woke up around like 8:30ish and
the APs (Assistants to the President) came home at 9p and then bought a massive pizza. It was literally 3' x3'. We were pretty hungry, hahaha.
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New missionaries with our mission president and his wife.
5 Elders and 3 Sisters arrived today. I was the only American.
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New missionaries and their respective companions.
I was excited to get assigned with the only Latino Elder.
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The next day we went down to the stake center and met all
the trainers, had a welcome meeting and rules and safety and that kind of thing. Then
we got assigned our trainers. Of the 5 trainers only 1 was Latino and of the
new elders I was the only American. And I was blessed to get the Latino. I
really wanted a Latino that way I would have to learn Spanish faster. After
that we flew (me and Elder Cabrera from Paraguay) to Sucre and then got in
a taxi, and I had no idea where we were going. It ended up being a 3 hour taxi
ride to Potosi. So that’s where I am now. We are in the San Clemente Ward. It’s
super duper high elevation, and there are hills everywhere. Also there are dogs
everywhere hahaha. Lots of people speak Quechua, which is super cool to listen
to, and I want to learn it. Also stop signs aren’t a thing hahaha. Taxis or
trufe (like a 12-seater van made into a bus), they just honk when they get
close to an intersection or when somebody walking is in the way hahaha. Kind of
crazy, but I’m used to it now. I also tried this stuff called mate that’s like
herbs and stuff in a cup thing and then you pour in hot water and use a straw
that has a strainer to drink it. It’s kind of bitter but pretty good, also
there are tons and tons of potatoes in every meal. Actually we don’t eat much
for breakfast because it’s on our own. But almuerzo (lunch) with the pensionista (elderly woman they rent from) is
super awesome and she feeds us a ton! Then we usually get something small for
dinner.
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| View of Potosi Bolivia. |
So about the missionary work. It’s super duper fun and
really like a dream come true to just talk to everyone or look down at the tag
on my chest. Pretty awesome. So I carry a Book of Mormon everywhere I go (with
the title visible) and the first day, we were headed home and it was like 8:15pm.
I was like wait, are we going home? And my comp said “Ya nobody is out right now
and we never find anybody at this time.” Well the rule is to not return home
before 9pm, so I said “Let’s just keep walking and talking to whoever we see.” Well
... we walked up on this family walking, and they were super interested, and we
taught the first lesson while walking and gave them the Book of Mormon, and
then it was like 9:05pm. Afterwards we were both pretty excited and I was super
happy Heavenly Father blessed us for being obedient. I know being obedient
brings miracles. It’s super cool to see the hand of God in this work because
there are so many instances where something happens, and there’s no way it
could be by man. For example we were at this market place and I was carrying a
Libro de Mormon (Book of Mormon) as always. A guy came up to me and was asking
if it was for sale (I think, I wasn’t really sure) haha. I explained it was a
testament of Christ in my broken Spanish and handed it to him. He got really
excited said thanks and then walked away! I didn’t even get his name or set up
an appointment or nothing. He just left! Well then Elder Cabrera looked at me,
and we were both kind of shocked. I took out another Book of Mormon from my bag,
and all of a sudden a man and woman were in front of me and started asking
about it. I got to explain it a little more but then the same thing! They just
left. Haha. I kind of felt like I failed because I didn’t get to set up an appointment,
but it was super cool to see how God was using me to move forward his work. I
love being a representative of Christ and getting to talk about him with people
every day.
Church yesterday was good. Our ward only had about 40ish people but it was still good. Spanish is coming along slowly, and I’m learning lots each day. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints really is the true church. I know Christ is leading the work of spreading the gospel, and I am only a tool in His hands. I’m working hard to be the best, most effective tool I can. One of my new favorite scriptures is in Philippines 4:13 (I think haha, I can’t remember right now) but it says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Things are tough sometimes, but with Christ anything is possible. I know the Book of Mormon truly is the word of God and can help us with any and every question or problem we have. I love reading and studying the scriptures every day. I love the gospel, and I love sharing it. Love all you guys and thanks for all the emails!!
Elder Sorensen
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| Me and my companion, Elder Cabrera. |
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| Me outside the Cochabamba Bolivia LDS Temple. |
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| Elder Cabrera and I outside the Cochabamba Bolivia LDS Temple. |
So about the missionary work. It’s super duper fun and
really like a dream come true to just talk to everyone or look down at the tag
on my chest. Pretty awesome. So I carry a Book of Mormon everywhere I go (with
the title visible) and the first day, we were headed home and it was like 8:15pm.
I was like wait, are we going home? And my comp said “Ya nobody is out right now
and we never find anybody at this time.” Well the rule is to not return home
before 9pm, so I said “Let’s just keep walking and talking to whoever we see.” Well
... we walked up on this family walking, and they were super interested, and we
taught the first lesson while walking and gave them the Book of Mormon, and
then it was like 9:05pm. Afterwards we were both pretty excited and I was super
happy Heavenly Father blessed us for being obedient. I know being obedient
brings miracles. It’s super cool to see the hand of God in this work because
there are so many instances where something happens, and there’s no way it
could be by man. For example we were at this market place and I was carrying a
Libro de Mormon (Book of Mormon) as always. A guy came up to me and was asking
if it was for sale (I think, I wasn’t really sure) haha. I explained it was a
testament of Christ in my broken Spanish and handed it to him. He got really
excited said thanks and then walked away! I didn’t even get his name or set up
an appointment or nothing. He just left! Well then Elder Cabrera looked at me,
and we were both kind of shocked. I took out another Book of Mormon from my bag,
and all of a sudden a man and woman were in front of me and started asking
about it. I got to explain it a little more but then the same thing! They just
left. Haha. I kind of felt like I failed because I didn’t get to set up an appointment,
but it was super cool to see how God was using me to move forward his work. I
love being a representative of Christ and getting to talk about him with people
every day.
