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

May 26, 2010 Update

Dear Family and Friends,

This was a bittersweet week; Leslie’s family is all ready for their baptism this coming Sunday. I was getting ready for it as well; my companion and I were really excited. On Friday night, about 1 hour after we visited Leslie, the Assistants called and told me that I am being transferred to Bangalore. I was so sad. I called President because he has let a few people stay back before, but he said that they really need me in Bangalore and that it wouldn’t be a good idea for me to leave my companion alone for 2 days.
When I broke the news to Leslie’s family, they were very sad, but Leslie soon put me in my place with, “The Lord has blessed us; He sent you. I know that He wants you to baptize another family somewhere in Bangalore.” That made me feel really good. So, on Sunday we took some photos with them, and on Monday during their interviews, we played cricket with all the kids. After their interviews Cheryl, who is very fond of me, said, “I asked if you could baptized me. I thought if I said that they would let you stay.” I told her, “We need to pray for another cyclone.” Her response was funny, “I have made the person saying family prayer do that for the last 3 nights.” How about that?

Even though things will be hard, I feel good about Bangalore. It’s not the same as the rest of the mission...they cannot wear their tags or contact people. They can only knock Christian doors. I am tired of teaching Christians! But everyone needs the gospel. I will probably finish my mission there, which won’t be a bad thing. I am excited for what the future holds there. I love being a missionary, no matter where I am.

Sorry this one is so short, I cannot think of much else except for all the sad goodbyes I have had to say. I love you all and I hope this letter finds you in good spirits.

Love,
Elder Sorensen

May 19, 2010 Update

Dear Everyone,

This was a really good week! We had a lot of success with Leslie and his family. We taught a few of the commandments and they loved it. We went to their home and we helped them fetch their water from a pipe that comes out of the ground. We were afraid that this would keep them from being on time to church, but the water turned off at 8 a.m. and we weren’t really able to save them any time. All we did was relieve the daughter from her chores. While there we played with their cat and entertained the kids with stories. Then we all headed off to Church and they loved it! They got amazing fellowship from EVERYONE! Leslie would introduce himself, “Hello, my name is Leslie. This is my first time to the Church of Jesus Christ, and I hope to continue in this wonderful fellowship.” What a great thing for him to say?!?!? Then, another elder asked him, “Are the Elders teaching you nicely?” and Sheryl made me feel really good, “This Elder (pointing at me) is so sweet and kind. They are both doing really well.” Awesome! Tonight we are teaching them about tithing, and a few other small commandments, and then we are having lunch with them on Saturday. But, we are unsure about the lesson tonight because of the cyclone that is hitting Chennai. Usually we meet them outside in their front yard (no one else in our area has a yard), but their house will probably be flooded. This cyclone is really cool; I never thought that I would be able to experience something like this. The water is getting higher the longer I type.

That’s about all I got - nothing too exciting this week. I love you all. Thank you so much for your letters and support - it makes everything better. I hope y’all have a great week!

Love,
Logan

May 12, 2010 Update

Dear Everyone,

This was a really good week. Even though I was really sick, the missionary work has been awesome! We have begun to make preparations for our Missionary Fireside. We will be watching Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration…ooohh…goosebumps. We were waiting to see if I got transferred. Good news is transfers will be postponed for 3 more weeks! The thing that I am most excited about will be the baptisms I will get to see!

On Thursday we went to visit Leslie and his family. They were receptive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we set them for May 30, 2010. The happiest of them all was Sister Sheryl - she was all smiles. Then when I turned to her kids and challenged them to be baptized, she was even happier! She thought that they would have to wait a few more years. Lucky for us they are above the age of accountability. They had the funniest doubt. Anyone who was/is a missionary has had people ask about being rebaptized. It’s a really big concern and it’s understandable. Well, Sheryl is smart and she said, “If I need to be rebaptized then do I need to be reconfirmed? We were already confirmed.”…I let it be silent. Then she said, “Alright, we will do it. Reconfirm us.” YES! We were shouting for joy when we left. We had to celebrate that night with a big thing of Maaza! Heavenly Father has really prepared them. The second time we went we taught W.O.W. and afterwards they said, “We were talking this afternoon about how to quit our vices, and what things were bad for our body.” The 3rd time we taught the P.O.S. afterwards Sheryl said, “This afternoon we were wondering if we would ever see our loved ones again…” she trickled off and you could see tears in her eyes. Then, Leslie said something I’ll never forget, “Brother, we lost a cat a few years ago. She was very fond of this cat. It’s good to know that she will see it again.” ARE YOU SERIOUS???? YOUR CAT! WHAT ABOUT YOUR SON!! She mentioned seeing her son again as we left. It was cool. Then, the 4th time, when we set them, Sheryl said, “This afternoon we were talking about whether or not we should be baptized into your church. I think we should.” I love them so much. And that will probably be the last baptism that I see in Chennai.
We are still working with Donald and Pethal…still! They are coming along. Donald committed to quit smoking by Saturday, and he has only smoked one cigarette since then. He didn’t make his goal, but he is doing awesome. They fed us pork and beef last night. Donald is hilarious. He hates pork. All but a few Indians believe that all pigs have devils in them. It has to do with Jesus casting the demons into the swine. I have to tell people, “What happened to all those swine? Are they still living? NO, they ran off a cliff and died. EAT IT!” Donald was making jokes about it all night and Pethal kept on giving it. She loves pork also. I was joking with him, “Why would you let your wife cook pork in your home? Don’t you know that releases the devils?” he laughed and she said, “He didn’t know I was cooking it.” They are preparing to be baptized on the 30th, but Pethal still thinks she needs more time. I just want them to hurry up and get baptized.
Mother’s Day was good. I called home on Monday. My companion got good news that his brother got married. His brother was one of the members who loved to come on exchange with us in Gajuwaka. The funny thing about being on the other side of the world is the 3 week lag. Everything that we talked about on Mother’s Day came in letterform the day after we spoke! But I still love letters.
Thank you for all of your prayers and your support. I feel your prayers and your love. Sorensens who read this update: have fun at the family reunion. Someone needs to jazz that thing up without me there. Although, Cajuns know how to party with or without their team winning the Superbowl! I love you guys!

April 7, 2010 Update

Interesting story before I begin with the awesome spiritual experiences that we had. I was on an exchange with an elder in my district; his name is Elder Mehan. He was my follow-up trainer and luckily he is finishing his mission here with us. We were teaching someone about prophets and he kept throwing out names. I think he listed the most obscure Old Testament prophets he could. Well, his name is Joel, so I piped up, trying to be funny, and said, “Yeah, like Joel, he was also a prophet, he has one of the shortest books.” Then, under his voice he said, “It’s the best one. And,” he laughed to me, ”there’s also a prophet named ‘Reid.’” Afterwards we laughed about it and I asked, “Where is there a prophet named ‘Reid’?” he asked, “Don’t you read the Apocrypha? That’s where it is.” When I come home I will look for my name in the Apocrypha. It sounds cool.

This was a week unlike any other. We were really blessed by the Lord. It's not that He hasn’t blessed us any other weeks, but I felt more like I was aligned with His will and not my own will. In the beginning of the week, missionary work always seems to be a little slow, and this week was even slower. We faced lots of cancelled appointments, and we found a lot of people who had really hard hearts and didn’t want to hear about the gospel. So by the time that Thursday led around we were pretty worried. We only have one new investigator and 4 member-present lessons. These are VERY low numbers, especially for someone who is suppose to be an example. Well, after I murmured I decided that it was all part of His plan. Friday we found 7 new investigators. Saturday we found 3 new investigators. Sunday we found another family of 3! Heavenly Father blessed us for our hard work and perseverance. This week, we have been blessed for doing the small things, like talking with everyone, always finding and stuff like that. We have 13 new investigators already with 4 more families lined up for the weekend. I love how Heavenly Father tests you, and then gives the blessing. Often times as a missionary I think, “I am serving a mission. I should be rewarded for that.” I don’t realize that I am receiving blessings already (like my health…), and I need to do MORE to receive MORE.

More amazing than that is Donald and his progression. We visited him and his family on Sunday night. It was then that we challenged Donald to be baptized on May 2, 2010! He said, in his raspy voice, “Surely, brother, I will be baptized. Then, my family will see that change and they too will be baptized.” He is awesome. He is still smoking about 15 a day, but we have gone over some plans with him, and he is committed to quitting. “I don’t know when I will be able to quit, but I know it will be before May 2.” he said. I believe he will be able to quit. He choked up a little bit when he was telling his wife about his priesthood blessing. He is doing awesome; tonight we plan on setting the rest of his family. We committed his wife to go out on Saturday night, stare into space, think about all that God has done for her and then get on her knees and pray and ask Him if this Church and baptism are true. She would like to be baptized, but she wants to know if it’s true first. She has been in Ooty this week, so that’s why we told her to pray outside and look at the stars. Both of those are 2 things that she cannot do in Chennai. We have high hopes for their family.

I love you all. thanks for your support. Keep working hard to forward the work along. "No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing." I love you!

Elder Sorensen