June 23, 2010 Update

Hello,

Well, I just wanna start of with a funny story. We taught an investigator about the Plan of Salvation, and he said, “Well, what about hell? I cannot accept this message if there is no hell.” So, I pulled out my picture of Calvin burning his butt off in hell, and I explained it to him. I said, “Only a few people like Cain and Judas go here because they had a perfect knowledge.” He replied, “Why does Judas go there? He repented. That’s why he hung himself. That’s what they teach in our church.” Well, he doesn’t believe in his church anymore because 2 20 year-old boys came over and taught him something that his pretty pastor knows nothing about. It felt good. Daniel, the investigator, is going to become a member soon. He is excited to see what else he doesn’t know because his former church did not have all of the plain and precious parts of the gospel.

On Sunday night I had an awesome, eye-opening, experience. We had a bunch on members lined up to come with us and meet our investigators. Well, everything blew up in our face and we were unable to meet with anyone. We decided that since our week was pretty successful thus far we would go a visit some less actives and some recent converts. The less active family that we visited was amazing. They told us all about how they were treated poorly and how the district president thought that the daughter was going with a married man. But, they said that they would come back to church if they could speak with the district president and he would say sorry. So we set it up and hopefully everything will go well. The daughter Preetha is 23 and just needed to cry. She loves the Church and the gospel, but her mom won’t let her go to church because of this incident. The mom only speaks Telugu and I think she likes us so much because we can speak Telugu.

The recent convert that we visited was Timothy. I really wanted to watch the Finding Faith in Christ DVD, so we did. Timothy broke down and told us about all these problems he is facing. He got a new job and is sad because he cannot come on exchanges with the Elders. He talked about how it’s difficult being the only member in his family and how he needed the DVD to help him stay positive. It was a touching appointment. That night I realized, not that I hadn’t before, how much Heavenly Father’s plan is more important than mine. He needed those people to be taught, and He sent us. I was grateful that my attitude about the night changed when I prayed at night, “Not my will, but Thine be done.”

I love being a missionary. It’s been the greatest experience ever. I know that this is God’s true church, and that the Book of Mormon is true and that it was translated by the gift and power of God. Hugs and kisses from Bangalore!

Love,
Elder Sorensen

June 15, 2010 Update

Namaskaram,

Well, this was an eventful week. My companion and I were both sick at the beginning of the week and we were worried that we would be able to catch up in the missionary work. Luckily, we were able to do so. It's not about how you start; it's about how you finish. We worked really hard and did everything that we could. In 3 days we were able to find 7 new investigators and get 7 member presents. Heavenly Father led us to good people too. We are excited about the upcoming weeks and the new investigators that we are working with.

One is a family that we found while looking through the potentials one day. The husband's name is Chandu and the wife is Vanitha. They are a young married couple, and they have one small child named Juju. They were dropped because they had some issues with getting to church, but when we called them they were all onboard for church. They were more than excited to have us over. When we went over there, we learned that the husband did something to his knee (I couldn’t really understand), and he is in a brace for another 6 months. He asked, "Will I still be able to take baptism if I have this brace on?” I told him that we will teach him some more and then we will discuss about the brace. They are a very humble family and very energetic. The son is a little demon though. Maybe it’s just cause he's a little kid. He climbs all over his dad's knee and jumps on it too...maybe that’s how it got messed up. Juju also likes to rip things...and he usually goes for our Book of Mormon...lol. We are going back over there tonight to try and find out if they will be able to be baptized, and if they have that desire, then we will set them.

In a meeting we had with a recent convert she was telling us about how she used to go to the church of God. And she then called it the Church of Satan. I held my laughter because it made me grateful that we aren’t the only ones who are called devil worshippers. She also calls everything, except this church, Satan worship. "If they don’t worship the true God, then who are they following?"

This is about all I got. The week was short due to sickness and we need to go. I love being a missionary. I hope everyone has a great Father's Day. I love you Daddy. Take care of each other and always remember to never be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16). Hugs and kisses from Bangalore.

Love,
Logan

June 9, 2010 Update

Namaste,

Well, this was a pretty uneventful week. My companion got sick on Monday, and he was asleep the whole day. Then on Tuesday, he was about 40% so we did very little. One of the few things that we were able to do was visit a less active family from Australia. The father was the youngest Bishop ever called in Aussie history. They have lived here for about 3 years and they have never been to church. But they came this Sunday after we visited them. The son Aaron has hair like Mike D., but bigger, and he has been coming to church for about one month. We decided to go see if the rest of his family was interested in coming back. Well, on Sunday his family of 4 came, all in suits, except the mom.

While we were there the father kept talking about how everything you find in Australia is better than anything you find anywhere in the world. He was joking, but it was fun. He knew we didn’t have much time, but he really wanted us eat some Beef Pie. It was so good, especially with ketchup. While we were there we talked with the family about how they liked church, and he said, “I never liked testimony meetings. People here also don’t know what it means to bear testimony.” I thought it was really funny. But he loved the rest of it and we will be going back over there on Tuesday and he is coming to church.

While I was there I learned something interesting about myself. Actually, I have had this suspicion for a while now. But, whoever I am around, Indian, Australian or Mexican, I always mimic the accent. lol I think it just comes from being a missionary in India, and you feel that no one will understand you unless you sound like them. So I had lots of fun talking like their family, with their family. But I only did it on a few words, and I don’t think that they really noticed.

This Saturday we had a baptism! Sisters Mary and Clara were baptized! They have been investigating for a few months. All I really did was teach tithing, do the paperwork and review the interview questions with them. I think my fun review really helped them to not be nervous. They are really awesome and are excited about their new membership in the Church. They have great fellowship, and hop a ride with Mary’s boss each week, so things are looking good.

I will write more when more interesting things happen. Sorry. I am grateful for the gospel, I know that it is the answer to any questions that we have. Heavenly Father loves all of his children, and He has a plan for all of us. We just have to accept it and not want our ways to be higher than his. I love you all. Hugs and kisses from India!

Love,
Logan

June 2, 2010 Update