My Week!

This week was really good!  We had a bunch of adventures and met a lot of characters this week.

We met these traveling salesmen and women from all over the east coast.  They were selling window cleaner.  This one guy was pretty funny he would say "don't panic it's organic!" and drink it haha.  Nuts.  We gave him a tour of the Church and talked about what he believed.  It was cool.  We then saw his friends and gave them Book of Mormons and taught them a little bit about it.  They were excited and had a lot of questions.

We saw our friend Ace we met on the street. He rides around Rigby on his bike, and we talk to him every time we see him.  He's pretty funny.  This week we invited him to watch General Conference with us, he said he would! hopefully he comes!

I got a surprise this week! I was sitting in one of our wards and I got a tap on my should saying "the Kinghorn's are outside looking for you" I grabbed my bag and we went out to see them!  They got out of the car and gave me a biggg hug! it was so sweet! I was so excited to see them. We talked for a while about home and some of the family and friends and updates. It was sweet to see familiar faces. Seeing them was a blessing. They had that "Spirit of Aloha" we talk about all the time. I haven't felt that in soooo long. Right when they hugged me I just felt something and I knew that's what it was. I definitely needed it. Just the feeling and the spirit they had helped me to remember who I am and where I come from.  It helped me remember how I should treat people and how that ALOHA can really effect people in such a positive way. it's a wonderful feeling and only we know how it is. But those I teach and surround my self with don't know the feeling. It was very clear to me that's what it was. I recognized it so quick cuz I haven't felt that for so long. But now I remember and want those I serve to feel that as well.  The whole rest of my day was just full of light and I just wanted everyone to feel the way I did.  I know our Heavenly Father watches over us and knows when we need strength. He blesses us with tender mercies that help us through life.

We went on a hike with the Zone this morning it was fun to be out doors.  We were all so out of shape haha but it was exciting.

I'm excited for General Conference coming up this weekend. What blessing it is that we get to hear from living Prophets and Apostles. That God still speaks to us in these latter days through his servants. I know that if you watch it you will receive an answer to some of the questions you have.

I am excited for Easter and to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. That one day we may be resurrected too and have perfect bodies. That we are able to start fresh and change because of His sacrifice. We can start over. again and again. I know that no matter who you were, who you are, that we all have the opportunity to change to become who our Heavenly Father knows we can become.
Its possible. Because of Jesus Christ.

here are some of my favorite Easter videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3TI4bYerU

http://www.mormon.org/easter

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-007-his-sacred-name-an-easter-declaration?lang=eng

I love you all and hope you have a great week. There is so much to look forward to.

Stoked to serve

Elder Soren

The Salesmen

Our friend Ace

The Kinghorn's
sooo much Love & Aloha!

Elders Soren & Coggins, "On Top of the World" in Rigby

The Zone!

one shed that was on fire on our way home

Mellow Week.

This week was pretty Good.  Had some funny experiences on exchanges.  And some super positive ones also. 

We had a pretty intense lesson with Courtney our investigator.  We had to go over the Law of Chastity and make her aware of the Cohabitation rule for baptism because she lives with her boyfriend.  Preparing for this lesson definitely pulled our heart strings.  It's a hard thing to tell someone that they gotta move out in order to be baptized.  I felt so bad but the Lord asks us to do hard things and if we keep His commandments, and by doing so, he will provide a way for the righteous desires of our hearts to be fulfilled.  That was the attitude we went into the lesson with and it definitely made a difference.  No matter what, when you act in the name of Christ with a spirit of love, everything works out.  The lesson ended differently than we thought it would, there was some frustration in the family and we felt bad.  But we were on exchanges with one of the Assistants to the President, so he explained the situation the next day to President Brinkerhoff and he prayed about it and got back to us.  Under conditions He would allow Courtney to be baptized.  We were so excited!  God always follows through for us because he loves all of us.  We told Spencer and Courtney the good news after church, their whole countenance changed and they were so happy.  It was sweet to watch them happily walk home together after we told them. 

Moments like these are what sharing the gospel brings.  We all learn together when we share the Gospel with those we love.  I know that to be true.  And it's a different kind of happiness that we aren't used to.  If you're not happy in your life, I invite you to share the Gospel.  Easy.  Simple.  Just do it.  I promise you'll be 10x happier even if they say no at least you tried.  You'll be 20x happier if you don't give up and try again. 

One of our investigators, Shawn, (he's 14) tried to ride his bike all the way to Lincoln, Nebraska this week.  He rode on the side of the interstate for about 20 miles till the state troopers pulled him over.  Shawn told them that he was going camping in the Mountains in Idaho Falls…there are no mountains in Idaho Falls… it's flat hahaha.  Everyone got a good laugh about it.  Shawn's a funny kid, very humble homelife and a he's nuts but we love um.

The mission has been good.  Continually learning all that Heavenly Father needs me to know.  Life's Good. 

Stoked to Serve

Elder Soren

PC:Shawn and his get-away Vehicle…  

Good Week

This week was pretty good!  We had some really spiritual opportunities and some fun ones too!

This week we went on a Church tour with Louis.  He really enjoyed it!  He spoke a lot more, he's usually quiet. We brought one of the recent converts in the area, LynnDee, she's preparing to go on a mission.  She had some really great input in the lesson that helped Louis a ton!  We ended the Church tour at the font and read 3 Nephi and invited him to be baptized and he gladly accepted for April 18th!  It was awesome.  Louis is the man!  We're gunna help him find his answers and continue teaching him.  Its sweet.

Rigby High School started a Rugby Club and the Coach asked us to share motivational thoughts before practices.  Its been pretty cool to teach the boys and get to know them.  Most of them are members of the church, even thinking of missions, so the Coach is stoked we're there.  He invited us to share a message before their first game.  We went and shared with both teams.  It was pretty cool to be surrounded by so many people and just preach it haha!  We stayed for the first half of the game it was rad!  I wanted to play! haha i never thought i would get into Rugby on my mission in Idaho, when it was everywhere back home. I guess i never took the opportunity to enjoy something that was right in front of me but i think its sick! 

Last Monday for Pday we went on a tour of the Klim building.  They are a snow mobile gear company that started in Rigby and then branched out.  Make High Quality Weather Proof jackets and gear.  It was pretty awesome you know, i loved it! haha i got to try on a $1,400 jacket.  It was like a firefighter suit, had a bunch of like armor in it even a camo pack in the jacket. it was crazy. We had a good time there. 

Still doing good in Rigby.  Love the people here.  It's been on the Up.  It's been good seeing all the good throughout the days.  God's love is everywhere.  I love being a missionary.  There are learning experiences in all aspects of life when we do missionary work.  It's the best!

Stoked 2 Serve

Elder Soren

i look like a 5 year old hahaha wayyyy to stoked on life hahaa

Mellow Week

This week went by pretty quick.  We had Zone Conference which was awesome.  We focused on D&C 4, the classic missionary section in the D&C. 

We found a new investigator this week her name is Courtney.  She left home from Alabama to Rigby just so she could go to church & get away from a home that kept her from using her agency.  She is a sweet girl and is happy to be here.  We took her on a tour of the Church with her fellow shippers and we invited to her to be baptized and she said "Absolutely!"  That was one of the best responses i've had from a baptismal invite in a long time.  i know the Lord has prepared her to accept his Gospel.  She is planning on being baptized at the end of this month.  A huge blessing for Elder Coggins and I.

We got to teach Joel last night, Louis' uncle.  We randomly stopped by at 8:30pm (being so late we had no idea where to go) just to set something up and just he was home.  We talked and shared scriptures.  Answered some of his questions and he shared a lot about what he's going through.  He thanked us for coming and said he needed it.  I'm glad that God directs us with his Spirit to those who need us. 

A part of this "Direction by the Spirit" i've been studying about is Conversion.  And a big part of it is turning our will over to God.  I read a bit in "Continuous Conversion" by Brad Wilcox and in the last chapter it talks about how when we turn our will, our plans, over to God he will lead us to those who need ministering and caring for along the way.  Like the Woman with the Blood Disease who touched Christ's cloak & he took the time to stop and comfort her.  Even though Christ was about the multitude with plenty of distractions and people, as well as on his way to healing someone else or His current "to do" on his list, he stopped when there was a tug on his cloak.  Often times we miss the little tugs in our lives.  Because of Priorities and *Our Will* we miss what God is trying to tell us.  But when we turn our will over to God and put him FIRST we will be led to those who need us most. 

I've found when we turn our will over to God and put him first everything else falls into place.  And we are a lot happier.

Elder Coggins is awesome.  He loves Church History and has taught me so much about it.  We've been having a ton of fun as we go along.  It helps so much with stress.  We've been super positive and proactive in our area and the fruits that come from it make us 100x happier.  It's important to have "Joy along the Journey." 

Life's good being a missionary.  I'm content doing this for a lot longer.  I love missionary work.  I hope you do too. 

Stoked 2 Serve

Elder Soren

                                      All the Polys in Idaho Falls area.

                                    Elder Ah Puck!

This week was sweet.

Last week

We got transfer calls this week.  I'M STAYING IN RIGBY!  i'll be here 7 1/2 months total!  it's crazy.  I have never been in an area this long.  it's an interesting experience.  A lot of amazing lessons have been learned here.  There has been a change in my heart as i served here.  I love this place. 

I know God teaches us something everyday, every month, sometimes it's exciting other times it's long and drawn out, even hard really hard.  But he never gives us more than what we can accomplish.  As i have learned to rely on the Lord's strength and not my own i've seen Him pull me through some tough spots.  I always come out a little more converted each time. 

I had some sweet news this week.  Someone Elder Duano and I taught in Pocatello was re-baptized this Saturday.  Joe Jenson.  He left the Church when he was young and hadn't had the gospel in his life for a long time.  Elder Duano and I started to teach him.  He was really reluctant at first but we kept going over and teaching him.  He progressed in our lessons.  He always joked with us and gave us a hard time.  We loved Joe.  After we left the area Elder Duano and i would ditch our comps and go visit him on Pdays haha.  We loved to visit those we taught rather than play Basketball.  We had great lessons with Joe. He was always happy to see us.  When we got the news last week that he was getting re-Baptized my mind was blown.  I called him up and talked with him.  It was so sweet to hear what he had to say.  It softened my heart so much.  Joe expressed how grateful he was for Elder Duano and I for caring about him and helping him feel God's love.  It was a sweet surprise.

This week

We had transfers it was crazy!  One of our Districts got all brand new missionaries in it. So we spent a lot of the week assisting them and showing them around their areas.  We have some awesome missionaries! 

The work's been good.  We went to watch Meet the Mormons with Louis and his other uncle this week and then they took us out to dinner.  They liked the movie a lot, they were able to relate to some of the stories.  I love teaching Louis.  He's been a lot more open with expressing himself and tells us about some of his spiritual experiences throughout the week.  We get so excited when we see him progress.  I know he will make the decision to be baptized soon! 

This week has been pretty positive.  We are finding a lot more people to teach and been working with the ward members a lot. 

We had an awesome Mission Leadership Council this week.  The training's were on being bold, enduring to the end and conversion.

 It was one of the most spiritual MLCs i've been to.  It was awesome!

things are going good. still kickin it in Rigby! 

Stoked to Serve 

Elder Soren

Joe 

Lunch with Louis and Joel

Sistas'

We had another Zone Bonfire

The Sisters that left last week

i still got it!

This week was awesome.  It's so great when you notice the little blessings more than the big miracles.  It makes everyday a special day.  Especially being a missionary we see small blessings that we used to look past.  And it's because of the little things that great things are brought to pass.

Last week Sarah Nielson was baptized at the Stake baptisms, and now the Nielson family is complete!  What a blessing it is to help whole families come into the Gospel.  The Nielson family means so much to me.  I know that our Heavenly Father has given me an opportunity to know the Joy that comes from teaching families.  The lasting Joy from this is far greater than just an hour or a day's worth of happiness.  Joy and Happiness are definitely 2 different things.  I am so grateful that i know what joy is because of my mission. 

The Swanson's made some ono foood this week for me!  Kalua pork and cabbage!!!  I was especially stoked on the cabbage!  No one knows about da cabbage!  was winnahz cuz.  They put me on pineapple duty... even though i don't know how to cut pineapples but i rushed it and tried to remember what my mom taught me haha.  I even remembered to wash it with salt!  It was an awesome dinner.  SOOOO GOOOD.  And the Swanson's are the best.

We've been tracting a lot lately trying to find new people to teach.  Our teaching pool is low but we have found 2 new people we hope to have consistent lessons with.  We're just being patient and positive!  That's the most important part! 

This is an exciting experience that i was able to have this week, that i could use my talents in the work.  We started teaching Louis, he comes to our soccer night and we started teaching him at his house a few weeks ago. Louis reminds me of myself and friends back home.  We have a lot in common, so it's fun to teach him and talk about skating and art.  Louis works at a barber shop called "Graffiti" it's themed as well.  It's a sweet idea for a barber shop.  Louis asked his uncle if i could paint one of their walls.  So that's what we did this week!  We went up to Rexburg and painted!!!!  I haven't touched a can in 16 months.  I was in Heaven!!!  I almost died when i smelt the paint!  I miss it so much!  It was super fun!  I was pretty nervous at first that i would be a bit rusty but it turned out pretty good for not painting my whole mission!

            We had a good time.  Troy, Louis' uncle was super chill, reminded me of some of my friends i used to paint with.  And i met this guy Keoa who grew up in Millilani graduated from Kam and started his own head wear company called "NATIVE head wear" it's pretty sweet i bought a hat to support.  He's going to BYU-I.  We talked a lot about home and especially POUNDERS ahhhh. 

         We had a ton of fun. There was a moment that topped it all off, Louis' Uncle is an RM, and has been trying to help and be a good example to Louis.  When i finished we had shared a scripture and we were gonna close with a prayer.  I asked Louis if he wanted to and he said yes.  He said an awesome prayer.  As we were at the cars, Louis had to lock up the shop, his uncle thanked us for teaching Louis.  He got really emotional and started to cry.  He said "to hear him pray man..." and just broke down.  It was totally unexpected but tender.  I told him that his example would have more of an influence than us and he replied that he needed to step it up.  This was the cherry on top.  To see someone like my friends back home, cry because of how much the gospel means to him, made me so happy. 

It gave me hope.  It gave me a vision of what's possible no matter who you are or the hobbies or habits you have, that the gospel can soften any heart.  That Heavenly Father loves every one of his children.  That sometimes even the roughest of characters can be sweet and feel His love.  That Change is possible. 

Also that we can be who we want to be, do the things we enjoy doing, if they are good.  We don't always have to be "molly mormons" to be an example or a light to others.  We just have to keep the commandments, stay true to who we are as sons and daughters of God, and LOVE LOVE LOVE. There is no room for judgement. 

Ironically, there was a new video released on mormon.org about a guy who changed from a gangster to a good man.  I LOVE THIS VIDEO! mainly because there's a lot of graffiti and i dress similar to him haha.  I feel like this is me without the violence haha.  I'll put the link up and invite you to watch it and see a little bit of my hope.  

My hope is to be a "Good Man"... to not completely give up talents or friends but to use them in a different way to promote good.  To be an example of the Believers and be original.  To be Myself and live the Gospel and Love. 

The Lord teaches us lessons in very mysterious ways.  I am so grateful for these lessons and who i've become because of them. 

I love you all and invite you to be the force for good for someone in your life. 

Always Stoked to Serve

Elder Soren 

         

Watch 

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/his-grace/from-gang-member-to-good-man

Sarah Nielson Baptism Day!

Pineapple Duty

Pork & Cabbage

It's been 16 Months!

The Late Ones in Rigby

Troy on the left Louis on the Right

Rad Haircut Elder Thomas!!!

Gods Love.

Hey Home!

I don't have much time to tell you about my week but I wanna share something I sent one of my missionary friends about a lesson I've learned about LOVE.

"Guess what tho! I LOVE GOD. 

not just a missionary love, but a real love.  Everything I do now is for Him and only Him. Not that it wasn't before but now I understand what you have been talking about your whole mission.  That kind of love.  That love that has gotten me out of bed every morning.  It makes me do things I wouldn't normally do.  My obediance has increased 100x because He's asked me to be obedient.  This is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. When you stop worring about everyones opinion and the only one that matters is GOD's your whole life is changed." 

I am so grateful for the lessons I've learned on my mission so far.  All the lessons life teaches arent only for us, they are really meant for others. 

As we ask for strength in the Night for our day tomorrow it is because we need to strengthen our brothers and sisters the next day.  We pray for wisdom, not to take to Heaven but to share on earth. 

Everything God blesses us with is for others and not our own. 

Prayer- in the Bible dictionary taught me that there's a huge chunk missing when we pray. 

"We pray in Christ’s name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ—when His words abide in us (John 15:7). We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ’s name at all; they in no way represent His mind but spring out of the selfishness of man’s heart."

I invite you this week to talk to God.  Don't just pray.  Talk to Him.  Develope your relationship with Him.  Talk to him as you would your Father. 

These prayers have changed my life.

I love you all and hope your life is changed by God's love.

Stoked to Serve

Elder Soren