2 months down, 22 to go!

Konichiwaaa

          This week was a bit slower were trying to find more people to teach. We were able to commit 2  people to baptism this week at a church tour. Church tours are awesome it helps those we take feel the spirit of the chapel without all the crying babies haha. We have a strong testimony of church tours. But since we baptised Fabian it got slower to were trying to keep busy but its good. Me and my Comp Elder Duano are like brothers we didnt want to be seperated at this last transfer and when we found out we were staying we were happy.

       I found that one of my favorite days of the week is Sunday. I love going to sacrement meeting and being in the chapel for 3 wards haha. I remember when i couldnt even handle 1 hour of sacrament now i go to 6 hours every sunday haha but i love it. its so relaxing being able to listen to hymns and people speak and just sit back and feel the spirit.

        Its sooooo cold i cant handle sometimes! its only like 20 degrees and  I freeeeze! Somtimes i do push ups on the side of the street to get some body heat hahah but i thought my fingers were gunna fall off the other night!

       My Testimony has grown so much these past few weeks and my personal conversion is getting stronger as well. ive been trying to work harder and be more obedient. Ive accepted my life as a missionary for the next 2 years. Battling with my old self and feeling more like this is a trip that l'll be going home soon or something but now ive adjusted and know that this is my life, and i love my life! i love learning and reading. studying the scriptures is my favorite thing i wish i had 3 hours of personal study everyday but we only get 1:( i feel like college will be easy after developing good study habits and searching for the meaning of symbols in the scriptures!

      My heart is always filled with so much joy when I take the time to listen to the spirit in all that i do. I found that actually living the gospel every minute is how we can all be so happy. It's like the secret to life haha its crazy to think about how people seem so unhappy sometimes and its right infront of them especially members too! being a missionry has taught me so much and i am so blessed to be able to share the secret to life with others.

  I've been learning about personal revelation in my studies and ive been working harder to develop a stronger relationship with the spirit. In doing so, i see how important "personal reveloation" is for everyone. We pray to speak to our Heavenly Father. When we read the scriptures He speaks to us. When we read the scriptures and apply our specific situation to the teachings he reveals his truths and answers to our prayers. He guides us through the scriptures. i feel like if anyone asked me what should i do about this or that easy, pray and read the scriptures. I have a testimony that when we ask and read that Heavenly Father answers those questions and we receive so much joy and happiness.

i love being a missionary and i am so happy to hear about all those who are geting their calls around the world especially my friends. To be able to embark on this wonderful happy journey spreading the gospel and helping bring families into eternal happiness.

love you miss you

Elder Soren

xoxoxoxo

                              Some other Elders had Musubis and they shared with us.
                                                         SO happy :)

Knocked on the wrong door?

Baptism of Fabian

YEE

      This week has been pretty good trying to keep busy. Weve been working with the members a lot and we have been seeing the work grow in our area. Since conference and the hastening of the work, we've been pushing member missionary work and how they can help. Its been amazing to see how much the wards are helping now and we've been getting alot busier.

Its the end of transfers this week and me and Elder Duano are staying togeather in our area! Im so excited I didn't want to change companions. He is called as district leader, so were gonna be busy this next 6 weeks! Im excited for him and us as companions. We've been getting along so well and were motivated to do our best to be good examples for our district!

  Last night we had a baptism for Fabian. Its so wonderful to see him grow and to see him share his testimony at the baptism, it blew my mind. His conversion is solid and he is such a great guy. Only being 15 and now the only LDS member in his family. His brave example will help his family and he wants to show them the light that he has felt.  It's so awesome! One of the best part of missionary work is seeing others testimony grow and grow and to see their conversion. It warms my heart to know that i was able to help someone see the light and help them understand the gospel. I am so glad to be a missionary.

 I've kinda been homesick I guess, if you could call it that. Im not depressed or anything  hahaha I just always think about the beach and surfing and being with my sisters. But I've been looking for examples in the Book of Mormon to help me out. Like Alma the younger that just got home from teaching the Zoramites, stayed for only a little bit, then went back to teach the city of Melek and the City of Ammonihah (i think that was the city).  But just seeing that he constantly was going on missions not only for 2 years but much longer. Also Lehi when he left his gold his silver and the land of his inhertiance to obey the Lords commandments. I applied that to my life and how I left my family (my gold) the beach (my silver) and the land of my inheritance to serve the Lord! because like the sons of mosiah saw that every life was precious and they didnt want any to perish. This has helped me alot and I am not home sick at all!

I love being a missionary and sharing the gospel and seeing the spirit work in others and helping them see the light. There is no happier thing on this earth than living the gospel. The joy that comes from it is just so wonderful and so pure. Thats what I want others to see how happy the gospel makes someone and how it blesses families. I'm so happy to be a missionary.

miss you all

Love 

Elder Soren

XOXOOXxoxoOXoxOXoxOXo(beeg hug) (leeto hugg)

Stomach Flu - Week 7

WASSSUUPPP

this week has been alright nothing too exciting just fulfilling the Lords work n all, ha nah its been pretty good just visiting a buncha families and people!

One of the things ive learned this week is to have faith that our Heavenly Father will deliver you. I got a stomach flu Saturdaynight and I was back n forth to the bathroom all night. pretty miserable. On top of that I was feeling a little home sick and was over being actually sick so it wasn't fun. I just wanted to be at home watching movies with rani or something. I wanted to lay on the beach and chill on the sand. I was feeling like 2 years is soo long:(

 Because I was up I watched "Legacy" the pioneer movie. Seeing all that they went through I felt pretty lame just having a stomach flu while they were dealing with deadly illnesses and deaths and I was complaining about a flu. I was humbled watching these faithful members knowing that they are on their way to zion and through their trials and tribulations they still had faith that the Lord would deliver them. One part in the movie the family has to send their father off on a mission, a husband off to the war. these men were away from their families for who knows when and if they would ever make it back but they still went because of their faith in the Lord and their desire to serve. I was motivated seeing their example and the strength of their testimonies. that I have it so good being a missionary in these latter days being able to email my family and have all the wonderful things we have today.

My humbling experience with this stomach flu has helped me have more appreciation for the things I have and this wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord and build up his Kingdom. I am so grateful to be able to be a missionary!

other than that nothing to exciting, my companion and I are doing awesome he teaches me a ton of stuff hes very smart with the doctrine. getting ready for the cold!!!

hope everyone at home has been doing okay despite the ugly weather! Miss everyone

miss the beach but I know this is where I need to be!

email ya next week

love

Elder Soren

XOXOxoxoXOxoXx

100% committed

This week...

has been pretty slow considering Halloween were were on lock down, we had a bunch of service projects, so I didn't really feel like missionary work. especially that it was much slower than usual but its picking up this week!

yesterday one of our investigators, Fabian who is 15 bore his testimony and told the ward the date of his baptism. I was so proud of him I was smiling from ear to ear.

I have come to realize the reason of my joy in this work is seeing the spirit work in others. that I am a worthy instrument in the lords hands to cause people to feel the power of the spirit.

my companion makes me give all the blessings of comfort and healing to help me get better and experience them more. and I have seen the blessings of the power of the priesthood and it makes my heart so happy to be able to give some one a blessing and know that there is peace in their heart.

we had dinner at a members home with 2 little girls, twins, recently divorced and as we finished a fun lesson about the good Samaritan, he asked us for a blessing. after I gave him the blessing he stood up with tear filled eyes as he thanked us and walked us out. on our way home it the windy cold streets of Pocatello the only feeling in my heart was warmth. I was so happy that I was a servant of the Lord. A worthy tool in his work. to be able to bless the lives of others and bring happiness and comfort in their lives. My appreciation for worthily having the Gift of The Holy Ghost has grown so much knowing that it is only through him that these things are possible. For if it were not for the spirit we will fail at this work...

Concerning the Temple situation with the Gov. I have complete faith that the Lord will no let this evil thing bring down his holy temples. I know that the Priesthood axillaries who hold the authority and keys will be able to overcome this test of our faith. that we as members should do all we can to not take matters into our own hands and take away the authority of leaders that have been called upon for specific situations like this. that we will pray and fast and do all we can on our part with our responsibilities as members and have faith. that we must stand on our foundation which is upon the "rock of our redeemer...that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds...it shall have no power over you...because of the rock which ye are built" (HEL 5:12) this is one of my favorite scriptures because I know the foundation that is under my feet is of Christ and he shall not let me fall.

my mission is the best thing ever I have come to love the families and people of Pocatello and my heart is so happy to be apart of this sacred work.

I am motivated even more this next week to be the best missionary I can be!

love you, miss you

Elder Soren

Week Five (second week in the field)

this week has been so amazing, so many blessings, so many miracles. my testimony has grown so much just this past week from everything that has happened. I learn so much each and every day. My outlook on life is so much different. My priorities are set on eternal life and the temporal things I once loved don't seem so fun anymore. I know the gospel is working inside me and helping me know whats important in this life. all through reading the book of Mormon and Listening to the prophets.

one of the scriptures that really impacted me this week was 2Nephi 9:14-16 the whole chapter is amazing but just knowing that because of our righteousness we will be clothed in glory in the last days. it motivated me to continue to live me life according to the gospel and that my righteous decisions will bless me and my family for eternity.

another scripture that I loved this morning was from one of Pes Monsons talks about "always being ready" its in 1 Peter 3:15. we should always be ready to share what we believe in and to not fear what people they think because it follows up in and what makes us most happy in life. even if some one asks whats the best part of our weekend. we should share what makes our hearts happy. you could be surprised how just saying how church was or what you learned in the scriptures could change someone's life. and treat everyone as if they are already members. don be skurddd.

We had a baptism this Saturday it was so wonderful! I got to baptize one of the 2 sisters, they were 9 and 12. the spirit was so strong and I was so happy to be able to preform one of the baptisms! I was so happy for these girls weve been teaching they have a rough situation but I know their lives will change from this decision. Sunday was just as spiritual being apart of the confirmation I felt the spirit so strong I was so happy that they could be confirmed members and receive the holy ghost. my heart was so full.

I have come to realize that there is a certain feeling I get when I study about the atonement and everything Jesus Christ is. Its a feeling that always comes after learning more and more about him my love for him grows each day. he is the center of everything I do and words cannot express my love for him.

I am loving my mission more and more each day. the people are so open to learning about the gospel and I see the blessings that come from being exactly obedient. me and my comp have chosen to not listen to music that takes our mind away from the work and only listen to uplifting music that invites the spirit. Immediately blessings poured out from the sky and we came in contact with so many new people and investigators. we have been obedient by showing the lord he can trust us with his work, and he has. we strive to find more ways we can be more obedient.

I am so grateful for everyone that has supported me and helped to have the opportunity to serve the lord. this is one of the most wonderful experiences of my life and its all thanks to you.

love and miss everyone

send me letters I love them! (emails are inconvenient I have all day to write only hour to email)

peace out from  Mellow Pocatello

Elder Soren

First baptism 

Week Four

HOWZIT-

       This week has been so good so busy, our schedules are soo busy. its good tho! we have a baptism this coming Saturday that were excited for. We have a lot of families were teaching and its always a fun time! My testimony has grown soo much since ive been out i have learned so much and ive been so blessed. people aren't kidding when they say missionary work is hard. im happy tho im happy we stay busy. Ive learned so much, i know learning and studying the gospel is working inside me as well my desires of what i want in this life has changed, i feel the conversion that's taking place within me. i love it, i go to bed every night so happy so proud to be a missionary and to be able to build up the Lords Kingdom on this earth. i am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity. The work and living the gospel is probably one of the most happiest things in life and i encourage you to help the girls understand these things.

 Starting with reading the Book of Mormon my testimony of the Book of Mormon has grown so much and i know that if you help ally and rani read it every day and understand the principals and doctrine behind it blessings will follow, acts of faith will follow. their love for the gospel will grow and they will enjoy every minute of it. it takes time but it will work.

 We have been trying to be more obedient so that the lord will trust us with more work, our music is approved but were going to try and listen to only uplifting gospel music, its really hard because its something me and Elder Duano are really passionate about and its something that we try to justify. the music isn't bad at all but were trying to listen to music that will entertain us but music that will uplift and help us feel the spirit. so were going to try and be more obedient to be able to gain more of the lords trust.

Return missionaries don't lie when they say your going to get investigators who spit questions concerning the gospel and Book of Mormon. He was telling us how there are so many inconsistencies in the Book of Mormon and the Bible and how there archeological proof of it. He tested us but could not shake our faith. it gave us more of a desire to learn about the history and motivated us to know more about the Book of Mormon and the Bible.

 I am having such a great time, i love being a missionary its pure joy. i know that you ally and rani will be blessed because i am away so don't worry just be the best you all can be, study the scriptures together, pray together make them go to seminary cuz i wish i did but im learning now help them to understand the gospel and how much our Heavenly Father loves us.  I know your trials and things that stress the family out will be lightened that you guys will have the strength to overcome these trials as long as you have faith. i love you guys so much and wish i could be with you everyday but i know how important this work is and i would rather be here being an instrument in the lords hand than being a beach bum back home.

love you guys

keep it classy, not sassy

Love Elder Soren

xoxxo

oh yeah and i'm learning how to play the guitar

                                                we had a 3rd companion for 1 day 

                              and a service project that we re re-roofed someones house
                                                                   lol how ironic

and some nerd game we play on pday haha its pretty fun

                                                          we had a bbbq and bbq spam
                                                there's a samoan in my zone he's the man
                                                            reminds me of home haha

Week 3 - Pocatello Central West

                                               Elder Soren with his Trainer and Companion

heyyy

       I don't start emails till around 11 or 12, im loving it the work is definitely challenge but its awesome, my companion is Filipino, from the Philippines. When I saw him the first night I thought he coulda been from Hawaii. Hes my trainer. Hes awesome we get along really well and he teaches me a lot. I'm serving right now in the Pocatello Central West area where elder beatty last served. I live with a grandma in her basement we call her grandma or Lola hahha shes really nice tho and our set up is nice too old house a grandma house pretty much but its good. 

yesterday was pretty busy we went to all 3 sacraments and the last one was a farewell but we got to eat so it was good haha. I met a Hannaman Irina something her husband is from millilani shes aunty melitas cuzin or something. the families were teaching are pretty funny and were teaching a lot of kids younger than 16 so its always fun. the people are nice the weathers not too bad so far kinda cold but winter will be worse. we teach this funny crazy family with 2 black girls and their step mom and younger step sisters they told me my face looks like a babies butt hahhahahah I asked them to explain and they said it looks soft hahha their funny and their little sister in the prayer said bless the mission-fairies hahaha I like Idaho so far tho its different for sure liking the new experiences. people are sometimes surprised when I say im from Hawaii but they all know elder beatty so its not too shocking ha. no can Skype tho chat only if your on when im on. Prez is really nice he's stern but loving I guess like your dad. his wife is really nice as well. Im learning a lot and getting used to the mission life its gunna take some getting used to but I like it. ill try send some pics. I met Francis Aki he said he surfed with dad and knew him growing up hes in one of my wards pretty cool, he took us to walmart just before I came to email cool to meet someone who knew dad.i love it here tho im so happy to be a missionary and my testimony has grown soo much its awesome.

 Get the girls active in their reading the Book of Mormon and prayers, church, seminary ect. I wish I did even tho they might not go on missions the gospel is something ive learned that helps us in life in general more than we could ever imagine so please tell them even tho they might be lazy or impatient have them read and pray about what they read and to think about it. its blessed me soo much so far and blessings continue to come so I hope you do the same and I know Heavenly Father will be with you guys and that your burdens may seem lighter love you guys so much miss you like crazy tell the girls I love um and to be obedient.

 also work on your guys missionary work as well like the prophets have said  in conference, pray and ask for inspiration to help those that might need the gospel in their lives even !!family!! or friends...

uhh send me letters also I like looking forward to "mail" something fun to receive

love you, miss you

Elder Soren

ps: don't call me elder j