happy halloween

FELIZ HALLOWEEN!

Another AWESOME week at the empty sea!!! I am so happy here and my testimony is growing tremenously every single day. I have never in my life been closer with my Father in Heaven, nor have I ever had a greater love and appreciation for all of you back home. I miss you all todos los dias. 

Okay so lets start with some funny stories, yeah? Hermana Reed is SUCH A RIOT. She is like the girliest person I have ever met and just way oblivious to just about every thing...So one day our teacher was like "Did anyone read a scripture out of the Book of Mormon that inspired them this week?!" and She goes "Well I was reading in John...." hahah our whole district just looked at each other like "what the heck? John is in The Bible..." Smart? hahha We were all laughing hysterically. If you're not laughing, it's likely because you don't know her, and you probably had to be there. Anyway, it was comedy. Second funny thing, our entire district just so happens to be obsessed with Nacho Libre and we always quote the part that's like "People always say I don't know a butt load about The Gospel...but I dooooo" and the part that's like "why you always judging  me....just because I believe in scienceeeee." It's so funny. 

So now for the serious stuff (since I'm so serious all the time.) But we had THE most amazing devotional on Tuesday. Tear jerker. Why even wear mascara? Anyway, it was Elder Carlos Godoy of the seventy. He shared his conversion story and talked about how excited he was as a 16 year old boy, when he learned that "Chirst church is back!!!" He was so excited and I think that's something we should all be so excited about!! All the time! He talked about never giving up on people, and how important it is...Not to mention that he was converted by SISTER MISSIONARIES. #represent. 

Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to be a "host" for the new missionaries coming in..You would think it would be so much fun right!? NO. I was an emotional wreck. My heart was so heavy for those poor, poor moms. I am not looking forward to that future drop off one day when my children go!! The good news is, their children are in such good hands, and doing the most important work on earth. So that's comforting. We got a new district yesterday and one of the Elders is a Northridge Knight like me!!! I am so bad...I can't remember his name, but he says hi to all of you Northridge people reading this hahaha.

 Everyone. I have to tell you about a lesson I had exactly a week ago today. Hermano Bulloch (a future general authority, calling it now) was teaching us about receiving revelation through prayer. He challenged us to "go to the throne" when praying. This means that every time you kneel down to pray, literally picture yourself at the throne kneeling at your Makers feet! It made such a huge difference in how I pray and I'm sure this will change my life forever. My prayers are more genuine, and I feel like I am literally having a conversation with my Heavenly Father. Coolest. Thing. Ever. I challenge you all to try it!! 

I can't believe that yesterday was my half way mark here at the MTC. It's weird. On one hand I feel like the time flew by, and the other I feel like I was born and raised here at the MTC. haha I am starting to freak out about going to Uruguay but I am so excited to finally meet the people that I already love SO  much. How is that possible? If you've been on a mission, or are currently serving..you know what I mean. 

I had the pleasure of going to the temple this morning..BEST. HALLOWEEN. EVER!! It was the most spiritual experience I have had there and I am so grateful that we get to attend every single week. Guess what else!? They showed the old video today...weird right!? I was so excited to see it. Reminded me of the old Willy Wonka haha but was still so great! I love this work and even though I have to wake up at 5:30 every single day, I am so anxious to get to class and soak up whatever I can from my brilliant teachers. I love you all and THANK YOU so much for the letters, Dear Elders, and packages. They make my day, every day.

You have scriptures and knees, you can do hard things! 

Don't forget it! (or me haha)

PS: Any of my single friends want to write my friend Elder Finlay in my district..? Top five funniest kids I know and he never gets emails. :( Boo. Anyway, I feel bad so you guys should shoot him an email its hunter.finlay@myldsmail.net Oh and he's 18...so if you're like ya know 21...don't do it. haaha that means you Whit ;) 

PSS: On the bus ride back to West campus from the temple the bus driver was dressed up like a fox and driving like one too. We literally hit a tree. haha but don't worry, I'm fine, just thought I'd give you all a good laugh. Hope you think it's as funny as I did!! 

I love you all!!!

XO-Hermana SorensonFELIZ HALLOWEEN!

This picture is from when Hermana Baca and I had to literally climb out the window to go change our laundry because the branch presidency was having a meeting in the front room and we weren't aloud to be near them...They had no idea we even left. haha winning!

the empty sea

Familia y Amigos!!!! How the heck is everyone!? I hope you're all doing as good as I am! I love it here. My time here at the empty sea is precious and is going SOOOO fast. I miss everyone back home SO much. Thank you all for your letters and emails, they make my day, every day! This week at the MTC has been amazing. I love it here, So remember my fake investigator I told you all about? PLOT TWIST...he's my teacher now. Our district loves him, he laughs at e v e r y t h i n g. Makes people feel good even when their jokes aren't funny. (that's obviously not a problem for some of us ;) ) He makes us do wall sits while reciting the first vision in Spanish while he sits and watches us. MESSED UP. When we confronted him for not doing the wall sits with us he replied with "I don't need to be fit, I'm already married." Haha his poor wife. Anyway, this week went by really fast and I am pretty positive my brain is about to explode. The good news is I am starting to think in Spanish so that must mean I am retaining something from our sixteen hour days of class, class, and more class! So in Uruguay we speak a dialect of Spanish called Castillano pronounced (castishano) and it is SO pretty. I love the way it sounds, it's very European sounding. I can't speak it very well, but every time I hear my teachers speak it I get so pumped! I've had a couple of really neat experiences this week. First of all I have been REALLY sick. I had bronchitis and a high fever for five days straight. :( Lucky for me, I am surrounded by literally hundreds of worthy priesthood holders! I got a blessing and was completely fine by morning, not even a little cough. What a miracle. That experience strengthened my testimony about the priesthood tenfold. Another cool thing happened regarding the Gift of Tongues. So another district in our zone had cinnamon rolls and I of course asked for one and they were like only if you bear your testimony in p e r f e c t Spanish. Can't deny a challenge...So I just started bearing my testimony and it was like I didn't even have to think about it. It just poured out of my mouth. Afterwards, you could hear a pin drop in there. It was silent!! It was so powerful, and the spirit was so strong in that room. I really not even sure what I said, but I know that what I said was true. My district here at the empty sea is like family, I feel like I've known these people my whole life!! I don't ever want to leave them. I now have less than one month left here. How is that possible!? The days are long, but the weeks are short! Gym time is the best time of the day. We play four square with our entire zone and the elders get so competitive. IT IS COMEDY. Us sisters are always cracking up at how serious the boys get...like...it's just four square. Even though I am way agile, some how I get out all the freaking time! hahaa kidding about being agile since none of you can hear the way I'm saying that right now. Anyway..one of our teachers, Hermano Bullock is so funny. We were talking about like Christlike attributes in class and all of a sudden he goes " I'm not sure what God looks like....probably six foot two, sandy blonde hair, blue eyes...piercing blue eyes..I'm just describing myself." hahaa lets not forget humble! haha our whole class was dying. Oh the things you find funny at the MTC. ATTENTION: I love you all...but please no more M&M's my roomies and I go HAM on them...always after gym time because we think after how strenuous four square was, we deserve them. haha LOGIC. And Grandma if you're reading this, don't worry I haven't gained any weight yet haha. Ok so at the beginning of the week we are all given a topic for sacrament talks and then on Sunday our branch president gets up and just randomly calls on someone to give their talk in ALL spanish,,in front of everybody. n o. t h a n k s. So I was saying like fifteen hundred prayers in my head that I wouldn't get called on. haaha I was saying them in Spanish, so I'm pretty sure the big guy upstairs helped a girl out. Speaking of Sunday, the district that just left to Mexico last week had to sing a musical number,,and it was a huge group of tone deaf elders. So you all know that when I laugh I can't stop. I was crying, it was so funny. The whole room was laughing though so I didn't feel too bad...including the people singing. I really have never heard anything like it. OH MY GOSH. Embarrassing moment. So I was teaching an investigator and one of the prophets names translated in Spanish is Santiago..well, I said Sebastian. Is this real life? He's all Sebastian? and I just went blank. seriously all I could think about was the Lobster off of Little Mermaid the whole rest of the lesson. It was so funny, and now everyone in my district makes fun of me. perfect. Anyway, I know I keep saying this, but I love the MTC. The spirit here is indescribable, but you can tell that this place is holy ground. My heart is always so full, and I love getting letters from all of you at home. I am anxious to get to Uruguay, but I am trying to enjoy every moment that I have here. I want you all to know that I love you and that I pray for you always! Oh and if you send me Dear Elders throughout the week, I can send you a hand written letter back soon. Emailing everyone individually back is hard because I only have an hour..So in this case, writing hand written throughout the week seems to be more convenient! I love you all! Always find something to smile about! :) Oh and I am so sorry my emails are so scattered! So much to say in so little time!

PS: Has Miley come out with any new music videos lately? Someone give me the low down. 

The girls in my district. WE LOVE EACH OTHER. 

spanglish

Hola mi familia y amigos!!!!!

So I did it, week one at the empty sea. I feel like I have so much to say and so little time. But I will do my best to give you a run down on my time here so far!! First of all, my companions name is Hermana Paris and I absolutely LOVE her. She is way different than me personality wise but we both have a dry sense of humor and we get along great..and she thinks I'm hilarious. SO that's a plus. My district consists of two sets of sister missionaries and one trio companionship of the elders. IT IS A PARTY. We all get along really, really well. I live with my companion and the two other sisters. Hermana Baca (my twin) and Hermana Reed. My second day here I was called to be the Sister Missionary Training Leader for our zone! (I was just as surprised as you are) I feel so honored that our Heavenly Father would trust me to train and lead the eight sisters in our zone! It is such a blessing and I am willing to step up to the plate. It just motivates to work a little harder, and be the best missionary I can be. 

No one ever warns you about your first week at the MTC...It. Is. Rough. I had a hard time adjusting and Satan was working really hard on me..making me doubt my decision to serve and making me feel inadequate. I prayed to my Heavenly Father for some assurance and about thirty seconds after my prayer I opened up to a random page in my scriptures and it was D&C 75. READ IT. I felt so much comfort and Heavenly Father told me yet again, that this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing right now!! I am feeling 1000000 times better this week, and I am giving my mission 100%, 100% of the time. In turn, I am being blessed. SO BLESSED. The language is coming faster than I imagined, and I get to be filled with the love of God every single day..multiple times of day. The spirit is so strong here and everyone is always so happy. (Including me!) I am growing tremendously spiritually and I am so eager to learn more about The Gospel. Mi companera, Hermana Paris and I have taught five lessons in 100% Spanish. HOLLA. I have a testimony of the gift of tongues. IT IS REAL. During our last lesson our "investigator" (they think we don't know that our investigator is actually an employee at the mtc...they think we think he's real. r i g h t) Anyway, during our last lesson with our investigator he had a problem with one of the commandments, he said that he liked doing it too much to stop..I was able to share a personal experience I had with him regarding the same topic...after sharing, his whole demeanor changed and committed to bautismo! (baptism.)  I shocked myself because I shared my story with him in complete Spanish and it literally just poured out of my mouth! It was so cool. After I was done talking, my companion and I just looked at each other like "what the heck just happened?!" We were both just beaming about it the whole rest of the day, even if he was just a fake investigator! I am trying to speak as much Spanish as possible and sometimes it doesn't come out right. Like...at all. #comedy

I love it here. I know that this is where the Lord needs me right now. Every single day gets better and I take comfort in that! Everyone! Go to www.dearelder.com and just type in my name, and my mission (uruguay montevideo west) and type me a letter and they will print it of that day and give it to me! It's really simple, and letters can turn any bad day around. I love it here and the church is true!!! I am sorry that this email isn't so long, we have a time limit and my typing skills are muy mal...(no bueno, not good) Anyway, write often because I love hearing from you!!! Oh one last thing, I got to go to the temple this morning and do initiatories and sealings, it made me so pumped to be sealed for my family for eternity!! Also, on Tuesday night we got to hear from Dallin H. Oaks in the flesh..When he walked in the whole building gasped haha embarassing. 

PS: I'm joining the choir...we'll see how long it is before they kindly ask me to step down.

Don't worry about me, I'm out saving the world!

             

so long, farewell.

My family and I had a hectic weekend of decorating, cooking, shopping, cleaning, cleaning...and more cleaning. Quality time if you will..Although extremely stressed, we are feeling closer to each other, and our loving Heavenly Father than ever...and for that, I am grateful. Between preparing meals, being a slave to the baseboards, and deciding what outfit to wear...... I learned a thing or two about myself...First, family you were right about my OCD...and second, I make killer guacamole (thanks Drew.)

Six AM on Sunday morning I hit my knees in prayer, hoping for the best...mostly praying that my grandma wouldn't have a heart attack due to her nerves...and that the spirit would be present throughout the day. I spent the remainder of the morning baking, and before I knew it, it was 12:15..and I had yet to shower..perfect. Heavenly Father then blessed me with the same capabilities as Dash off "The Incredibles," and I got ready in a new record. HOLLA! While driving to my farewell...I put some lives in danger by reviewing my talk instead of watching the road...Like every girl, I've had some practice with the mascara in earlier days. #tendermercies Anyway..that was the first time I reviewed my talk since I wrote it on Monday...y i k e s. I was a stress case, and I'm sure it was written all over my face. But despite me feeling extremely unprepared..the spirit took over, and things went well.

While singing the opening hymn, people from elementary school, and some I just met last week strolled in...bring on the tears. I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude. How did I luck out with such great family and friends? Following sacrament meeting we had a luncheon with home made cafe rio, and quite the dessert table. Pretty sure I gained the entire Freshman fifteen and then some within the first five minutes of being home..sue me. Anyway..the food was good, the meeting was great, and the company was even better.

getting some love from my two favorite four year old's following my farewell

This is the poem I read at BOTH farewells because it's that good. 
The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet
I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheets
A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes

The morning activities follow- study, prayer and such
When it’s time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven’t accomplished much
“We have a super day planned,” My comp. says with a grin
I lowly utter a faithless breath,“Yeah, if anyone lets us in.”

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street
prepared to face another day of humidity and heat
It’s 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through
My companion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate “air Box”
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete
The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It’s past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep,
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray
I need to talk to father, but I’m not sure what to say

“Oh, Father” I begin, “What happened to us today?
I thought we’d teach somebody, but everyone was away
My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat;
If our area was any smaller, we’d have knocked every street”

“Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike
Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it’s very hard to see”

“Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn’t your protection enough?
People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack
I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back”

“And what about my family: They don’t have much to say
I’m sick of not hearing from home day after day after day
Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I’m sorry but that’s on my mind”

“My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?”
The way he rides his bicycle, I don’t think he can see
Now you have it, I can’t go on, I don’t know what to do
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you”

My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed
I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead
Sleep starts to overtake me, I seem to drift away
Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day

I’m standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice
A man walks towards me and says, “My name is Jesus Christ”
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet
“Arise,” He states, “Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak”

My attention’s towards my Savior, total and complete
He says, “Your mission is similar of what happened to me
I understand how you feel, I know what you’re going through
In fact, it would be fair to say I’ve felt the same as you”

“I even know how you felt when no one listened to you
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do
I know you don’t like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn’t equipped with 21 speeds”

“I understand you don’t like sweating, in fact it’s something you hate
I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great!
I see you don’t like your companion- you’d rather have someone else-
I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth”

“It’s hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you
I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back”

“Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way
It’s hard not to hear from home when your family’s not there to see
I lost communication on the cross and cried, “Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?”

“We have a lot in common, but there’s a difference between us you see
I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me”
He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love
With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head
I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed
My companion let out a groan, “6:30 already, no way!”
I sat up and said, “Come on, I’ll even carry your scriptures today!”


No matter what we go through,
when we feel we can’t take more
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ,
He’s been there before.

Sunday was the perfect day, and  I am so grateful for all of the constant love and support.

XO,
Hermana Sorenson

called to serve

Today marks the four month anniversary for my mission call...

LONGEST WAIT OF MY LIFE. 

Despite my initial pessimistic attitude about how far away October was....I learned that Heavenly Father knows exactly what he is doing, and that his timing is impeccable. #imaginethat

So..the million dollar question...How does a young sister keep busy while her friends are consumed with dance, school, and the entire male population?

yep, you guessed it.. By watching "The District" episodes on repeat, and memorizing the first discussion...

L I E S.

Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, and online shopping. What of it?

Although it feels as if I have been doing a whole lot of nothing in the past four months I have accomplished two of my life long goals, and for that, I am proud.

MISSION CALL.

On May 23, 2013 I got a call from my darling roommate Emily saying that my mission call was at our house... After suffering from an almost hernia in the middle of Fashion Place Mall, I finally gained composure and went grand theft auto on everyone, and got home in a new record. Six minutes.  After having the typical "It's Here" photo shoot with all of my roommates, I started preparing everything for the nights festivities.

REWIND:

Exactly one week prior to receiving of my mission call, being the punk that I am, I prank called my mom and told her that I had received my call. She said "DON'T OPEN IT" My response? "Too late.." She immediately put the phone on speaker phone and called the whole family to gather round..OH. NO. She then asked me where I was going...the first thing to pop in my head? URUGUAY. Along with the rest of the family, she then started screaming, and crying, and what sounded like hyperventilating....crap. #worstdaughterever After what seemed like twenty minutes, she calmed down and I broke the news that I was joking...turns out, not everyone gets my humor. Or anyone for that matter..not one person in my family thought it was funny. Adopted? Probably.

FAST FORWARD:

Dear Sister Sorenson,

You have hereby been called to serve as a missionary of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You have been assigned to Labor in the URUGUAY MONTEVIDEO WEST mission. WHAT. I guessed it..I guessed my mission call. So of course I let it go straight to my head, and assumed I was psychic. I was soon shot down when my brother told me to guess a number between one and ten to prove it....Thanks for that Bubba. k a r m a.

RECEIVED ENDOWMENT.

I love to see the temple, I'm going there someday...

(5 points to anyone who sang that out loud)

On September 20, 2013 I went through the Salt Lake City Temple for the very first time. HOLY COW. (See what I did there?) When I was in elementary school, I remember we always had to write down our short and long term goals...Going through the temple always fell into the "long term" category for me. Was it already here? As I sat in the celestial room, I reflected back on my life..I always imagined my husband taking me through the temple for my first time, and I would be at least twenty five, with a college degree...RIIIIGHT.

Although, it all panned out a little differently than twelve year old Safari dreamed, God has a plan for each of us, and his plan is perfect. My day, was perfect. My sweet, sweet, hip (cause she's reading this) grandma was my escort, and there is no one else I would've rather had take me through. No...not even my husband. 

I fasted all day Thursday, and prayed that I would have an open mind, and an open heart. I can't say much about what went on in there because A. It's sacred and B. I don't even understand it myself, so trying to explain anything would be an epic fail...BUT there is one thing I do understand. The temple is The House of the Lord. That is a fact. Although most of it was like a foreign language to me (bring it on Spanish) I have never in my life felt so much peace.

Some things I did before and after that were useful:
-fasted
-prayed
-studied the scriptures
-read my patriarchal blessing
-wrote in my journal my thoughts and feelings about the temple

I get to go through with my friend Kristen on Wednesday for her first time!! I am so excited and anxious to get back there and leave the cares of the world at the door.

THE CHURCH IS TRUE.

XO,
Hermana Sorenson