Called to be a District Leader in the Pocatello North Zone

 Tēna Koutou

  This week has been pretty crazy, We have been teaching more lessons which is awesome! And we have a baptism coming up this Saturday! For a set of 9 year old twins. Im so excited cuz I get to baptize them!

     But the highlight of the week was transfer calls. I was called to be a District Leader in the Pocatello North Zone. I was pretty baffled because I feel like im still trying to learn how to be a missionary. But I am really excited to have this calling. Its a calling of service to fellow missionaries and those in my new area. I am more than willing and honored to receive this calling. I have looked at it as an answer to my prayers.

      I have been asking Heavenly Father for change, I have been wanting change in my mission. I noticed that the district i was in was causing me to get too relaxed. I asked to strengthen me and help me to be more focused on the work. Ive been asking for help to be the missionary i want to be not the missionary i have been. I have been distracted by a lot of things and my efforts haven't been where i want them to be. But now I am almost forced to focus, I am motivated knowing that i have to be an example to the missionaries in my district. I have to work harder so that they can trust me. I want to be a great missionary and i know that this calling will help me achieve that. I am nothing more than blessed. I am just another missionary like everyone else but with more responsibilities.

       Im super excited because Elder Duano my trainer is going to be my Zone Leader and train me on how to be a district leader! I was sooooo stoked because we work so well together and he is such an awesome missionary. Crazy that we're together again.

       Elder Dunlap will be staying in this area, follow up training, a trial missionary.

     Stoked to stoke.

     When i found out i was leaving my area i was pretty sad. This is home to me, the members, the friends i've made, those i've come to love. Yesterday's fast & testimony meeting was like another mission farewell, they announced that i was leaving in all 3 wards and i was like dang i didn't want anyone to know but, i bore my testimony. It was hard because i could see my new ohana in the isles. Leaving loved ones once again. But i know that the Lord has prepared his children in the Alameda stake to hear my testimony. I have been prepared to be a leader. I know that this is the will of my Heavenly Father. A good friend of mine, told me "God trusts you enough with what he has given you...Because he knows you can do anything he asks" this has comforted me and i fear not. I know that the only way i can fulfill this calling is to put all of my trust in the Lord, and do anything and everything he tells me.

       This Morning Elder Malau'ulu is going home, he finished his mission. It was hard to say good bye to him. He was there to pick me up from the mission home, he was there when i was struggling, he played a big part in helping Pocatello feel like home. He's my giant Samoan brother. He has taught me so much and how i can be a great missionary. He is such an amazing example. We would call each other Sole and eat Hawaiian and Samoan food all the time. MUSUBI'S almost everyday. I nick named him pani po po, hahaha. Im gunnna miss him. 

      Because i was leaving the area the Aki's had us over for dinner! i was sooooooo stoked because we had POI. I didn't know how much i loved poi!!! I have all kinds of Hawaiian food here but the POI made everything feel like i was back at home! We also had Pok'e!! I was like noooo wayyyy. You don't even know how happy i was. Also lomi salmon and fish cake. SO SO SO happy. Another member gave me 3 things of Portuguese sausage!!! cant wait fo grind one mean dinnah tonight! CHEEE HEEE hahaha.

      I am so excited for this new transfer. I am so excited to be a new missionary. I know that my Heavenly Father has placed me exactly where i need to be. He knows that it will bless my mission and my Life. I know that he answers prayers with callings or trials, for our experience. I love my savior. I know that the key to reach our full potential is to ask for his help. He preformed an atonement so that we can improve. Lets take every advantage of this gift to grow and learn. He didn't die for us for fun. He has blessed us with a gift and i have learned how to use it. It has worked miracles in my life. I wouldn't be who i am without my Savior. I love my Heavenly Father, I love my Savior, I love my Mission, I love my Family.

i aroha koutou katoa ( i love you all )

Elder Soren 

Dinner with the Aki's

Dinner with the Gibson's

Elder Malau'ulu and I

Our Zone

Elder Polley and I were stuck outside the Stake Center
with an hour till a baptismal interview,
so we found some cardboard and went snow shredding!

One hour!

ALOHA KAKOU!                                                                                                             Feb. 5, 2014

       Ive been working on my hawaiian lately, a lot of people ask if i play the Ukulele and what not and I hang my head with shame...so shame... haha 

     

       We had our stake conference this week, it was amazing. They were reorganizing the High Council. So we were visited by an Apostle, Elder Marcus B Nash of the 70. It was such a powerful stake conference.

       We were able to go to the Priesthood session where He spoke with Elder Erickson from the area 70. The spirit was so strong. They talked about the Priesthood and how its Gods Power and we hold it, what a privileged it is that Heavenly Father trusts us with this remarkable power. How we can be better fathers and the importance of Priesthood holders.

       I dont know what it is about me and Stake Conferences, but Elder Dunlap and I had the opportunity with the Cedar 3rd ward council to role play on the stand, of a high council meeting in front of the stake... Elder Nash and the New stake President... Mission Pres. & Counselors, etc. No pressure... We were to focus the meeting on missionary work and how the ward council could help this one family. With no guidelines from Elder Nash, we relied solemnly on the spirit. Being the main characters in this role play we did our best. It went according to what we planned with the bishop and the ward council. Elder Nash was happy with our missionary meeting. I was glad when it was over! haha... nervous.

   

       He proceeded to introduce his talk about "the Hastening of the Work of Salvation", Members and Missionaries working together to hasten his work. He spoke about the hastening and how we can all be member missionaries.

       One of the things that really impacted me was when he was shared and spoke about D&C 138:55-57 "the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning ". He talked about the pre-earth life and how we had friends we needed to find. After expounding on the scripture a little more, Elder Nash then explained that "you have been preparing long before you were born to serve the Lord." I really thought and continue to ponder about this statement. I thought to myself " I chose to serve a mission before I was born, I chose to come to earth now, at this time, to find those who I promised to find." This statement and concept of "people we promised to find" is only a reminder of what my wise Mother had once told me. This same testimony drove me in my "Mission Papers" process. Its driven me through the 3 long months before my mission, 2 weeks in the MTC and continues to drive my passion for this work.

       An Elder who I look up to shared this poem with me which is perfect and powerful in every line in relation to this divine driving force...

I'll Find You My Friend
Author unknownI was thinking about our friendship,  and these are my feelings:
In heaven we were the best of friends.
We did everything together.
One day, a grand council was called in heaven.
We knew it was an important event.
Everyone was there --
Moses, Noah and Jesus Christ.
Father presented a plan,
And we voted for Christ to be our Savior.
After the council, we ran to get in line
to receive our life package.
In the bustle, we were separated.
I received my package and ran to you.
You were sitting under a tree.
We opened our packages,
Mine said I would be born at a time
When the gospel was restored to the earth.
It said that I would have good parents,
And the fullness of the gospel in my home.
I jumped for joy and we hugged each other.
You were so happy for me. Then you read yours.
I saw the tears in your eyes and I asked what was wrong?
You said that you would also be born when the gospel was restored,
But you would be born in a different place,
And the gospel would not be in your home.
You looked me straight in the eye and said:
 FRIEND, FIND ME!
 No matter what it takes or the trials you have to endure,
 FIND ME,
and bring me the gospel of Jesus Christ.

  

       I know that I waited to come to earth here and now, to find those I've promised to bring them this gift. Those who wouldn't be born in this gospel. I know I promised many, that I would find them. I would bring them the eternal plan of love and happiness of our loving heavenly father. So that we could continue to be friends in eternity. Words cannot express my thanks to my wonderful mother who made that necessary decision to be married in the temple to my humble father. I am so blessed to be born into this gospel. I am lucky to have been raised in its doctrine. Those who weren't so lucky... it is my duty and our duty to find them and bring them with us to enter that celestial home where our Eternal Father lives. We must do out part to open our mouths and share the happiness and joy that comes from this gospel. We will "take them with us" into the Kingdom of our Father. I know this is the only true gospel on this earth, one that we must "simply" share to our brothers and sisters. I love being a missionary and having the privilege to show my love to my savior, by fulfilling my calling as a messenger of these Eternal Truths.

Elder Soren

Me and my tall comp... I look 5 yrs old... hahha  #youngblood

with Elder Nash

Hahaha!  Elder Soren & Elder Dunlap

Week 17

Hey Hey!

        This week has gone by way to fast! days seem so long but now that its p-day again it flew by! There has been miracles this week that literally called out to us and want to be baptized! Kids coming up to us and telling us to come over so they can get baptised. Part member Less-active,  families wanting to come back and get their non-member family baptised. I don't know what were doing right but i know the Lord is really looking out for us. And i defiantly know there is blessings that flood our lives once our faith has been tried and we endure it well. Heavenly Father really loves us and really does fulfill his promises to all of his children.

        Last Sunday a set of twins came up to us with their mom and told us they want to get baptised and have us over for the discussions! it was crazy. We have been trying to get into their house for weeks now and finally their mom came around and is ready! we were so stoked because we haven't been able to teach much lessons and our other appointments have been flaking on us. We are so happy to have solid investigators we can teach!

      Wed night after our all our appointments canceled and all of our back-ups weren't home. We were walking down the street in the snow and we hear some one call from behind us.. "hey!... brothers!" it being dark and snowy, we couldn't tel who it was.." a member?" we decided to wait till this dark figure got closer. He was a young man he said he was 18 and just got kicked out of his house. He said his family situation wasn't doing so well and there's a lot of problems. So we walked and talked with him. Calling for a ride to take him across town. After he had explained a few things, we asked out of curiosity "are you a member of the ward?".  We figured no random stranger would call us to talk... He said he wasn't a member but went to our ward 3 times by himself! We were so shocked! we invited him out of the cold and into the warmth of the chapel and sat and talked to him. He said his girlfriend is a member and hes been wanting to be baptised for a while. We talked about what we do as missionaries and he said he know all about it and wants to meet again. I tried 3 times to lead up to the baptismal invite and invite him but he kept talking. My companion out of no where just asked "hey do you want to be baptised".... He said "yes yes i would love to!" i giggled a little inside. Me trying to be all formal when all we needed to do was ask.... plainly..... This voice from the dark cold winter night, will be shooting to be baptised on the 22nd of Feb. Nothing but a Miracle.

        A referral we received in the beginning of December finally contacted us back "after the Holidays". We tried texting and calling at the beginning of the month and now out of no where we receive a text "Hey Elders, can we meet on wed in the late afternoon, at the chapel?" WHAAAT we were so stoked. So we met up at the chapel, An in-active mother who was recently remarried wanted to start coming back to church and wanted our advise as to how she could go about it. She talked most of the time explaining her situation and the trials they have had in their life. We comforted her the best we can and made sure she knew it was oh so possible to come back. Her new husband, her daughter and 2 step sons aren't members. We asked what she would want for her family. She said " I want all of us to be able to go to church together". We asked if this was a perfect world and you could have anything in this life "would you want your family to ultimately be sealed in the temple?".... she said "yes".  We made sure to let her know that is completely possible and that were here to help as much as we can to help her baptise her family and progress to the temple. She asked if we could start giving her 12 year old daughter the discussions and now we are looking forward to meeting them this next week.

         There's no doubt in my heart that the Lord works in mysterious ways. He really does look out for us and promises us happiness after trials. These past couple weeks have been nothing but a testimony builder. My heart is so grateful for the blessings that we have received this week. I love my Heavenly Father and i know he loves me...

Im oucheeaaa

\,,/     SHOOTS

'
Elder Soren

Week 16 - Baptism of Lisa

This week was awesome! There were so many exciting things that happened. A lot of big and small blessings. I've counted them ;) I am happy to be able to see some of the blessings after the harder times, and to appreciate ALL of my blessings. My testimony has been strengthened and I know that the Lord really does bring happiness after the trial of our faith. I am so glad to be able to learn through these experiences here on my mission. I know that everything I am learning here is preparing me for after my mission as I start to make important decisions in my life.

        Saturday was such an exciting day. We first went to the temple in the morning. I was so excited because its been 3 months since I went in Provo and I forgot how wonderful the temple was. When we got there we met up with some other Elders that are serving in Idaho Falls including Elder Duano! I was happy to see him. It felt like forever since we were companions! The Idaho Falls temple is so beautiful. I don't know what temple isn't though. But it was so amazing to be in the presence of this Holy house. Right when we got there just being on the grounds it felt so peaceful. During our session it was so comfortable. I felt as if I were home. That same comfort you feel when your in the midst of your family members and loved ones. That same security that comes from the same walls of ones childhood home. Every worry, every concern melted away as I sat in serenity. The beauties of the interior never fail to amaze me, but what could you expect when your in the house of the Lord. As I sat in deep contemplation looking at the celestial chandelier and the paintings on the wall, I thought, "this is probably what Heaven is like". This peace, this divine comfort that entered my heart sunk within me. I was so relieved to know that after this life we can feel this same comfort forever, resting from all our sorrows. The experience of this home of mine, this Heavenly home made me realize that I am clean.

        The mission rules, I worry to follow day to day, all the council that we must follow as full time missionaries weighs you down at times. Never knowing what "exact obedience" really is and always realizing there's something you need to work on personally a certain rule, a certain principal, making sure we are up on time. The small things get to you sometimes, those things in which makes one humbled by the recognition of imperfection. Aside from these rules I constantly judge my self upon, in the temple I remembered that "I am clean...I am keeping my covenants...I am pure in the eyes of the Lord" this overwhelmed me. Here I thought I wasn't the best person because some rules I struggle to follow. At that moment where all the mission rules didn't fully apply, I remembered the righteous desires of my heart I was filled with emotion. Words could not express my inner joy because know I am keeping all that I have promised the Lord I would keep. The Prophet Joseph F. Smiths dream came to my mind.  It was when he was a missionary in Hawaii when he was late to meet the man in the mansion. That's exactly how I felt. "Joseph you are late" the Prophet Joseph Smith said... "Yes, but I am clean...I am clean, I replied with confidence"'.

        After this marvelous temple session we headed home to prepare for the Baptism of Lisa  :) Any missionary would say our day is a perfect missionary day. Temple and a Baptism. What more could we ask for?  A typical missionary moment, being guided by the spirit after 5 months of missionaries knocking. We were the ones the Lord prepared to help this wonderful woman enter the waters of baptism and enter in by the way, the only way to eternal life. It was such a wonderful night to see her so filled with happiness. To see her family so proud of her. The spirit was so strong. I truly know that the Lord brings forth miracles on his own time. This was Lisa's time. Everything fell into place for her in her life and ours as well.

         My testimony about missionary work grows everyday. Through every single "Missionary Experience" I am converted more and more unto my Savior and his love. A question most of us guys have is "what makes you a man?" well haha I've come to learn that a mission takes a ignorant young man and will change him into a "real" man. I've learned the importance of this life and what a true man is. I love being a missionary and working my way towards true man hood.

Elder Soren

Idaho Falls Temple

Elder Dunlap, Lisa & Elder Soren

Ice Fishing

This week has been pretty good, I was able to lead the area a lot better and I could definitely feel the guidance of the spirit. Elder Dunlap and I are getting along and working better together!  I can't believe its been a week already, time goes by so fast! Things are getting a little slow but we keep trying to find new people and families to teach. Over all its been a pretty good week.  I've learned so much and I am super excited for this next week because we have a baptism on Saturday!!! 

We are looking forward to our baptism on Saturday for an investigator we've been working with for 2 months now. We have been knocking on her door since I came out, but she never answered. One day Elder Duano and I were just walking in the streets and decided to try again. We saw a man out side her house raking leaves and so we went over to talk to him.  He was really nice and he told us he was Lisa's brother in law and we asked if she was home, he went in and got her.  He is a member and they have been trying to get Lisa to get baptised for a while now. So we finally met Lisa and started talking to her and helping rake leaves.  She is the sweetest woman ever. Her nieces and nephews came to help rake leaves as well, they're a bunch of great kids. Since that day we have been teaching her. She is the nicest most humble person, we love teaching her and love her energetic spirit. She is now getting baptised 2 1/2 months later after we have been teaching her. I am so happy for her and so excited to see her enter into the waters of baptism!

Another one of our investigators is progressing a lot now. After 5 lessons we got him to say the closing prayer. When we invite him to say the prayer he would always say " no I don't want to" or  "no I'm not ready yet in a stern voice" and make one of us do it. But this time we got him to pray and it was a beautiful prayer. Yesterday he even went to priesthood meeting! It doesn't sound super exciting but when your a missionary you appreciate all the little things and like the prophets say " And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things".  I have defiantly seen these small blessing work miracles in peoples lives. Because they are small steps to something GREAT. I realized that the Lord works the same way with me, by small and simple things the Lord brings great blessings. Things I never really payed attention to are now some of the things I am most grateful for now. The small and simple truly do lead us to great things in this life. They build us up and help us reach our full potential. I love the Lord and all He does for me. The more I serve, the more I draw closer to him and gain more of an understanding of His Divine love.  My relationship with Him gets stronger and stronger each day.

I am so happy to be a missionary to be able to learn all the amazing things that we have in store for us, in this life and the next. My perspective changes as I learn and grow closer to the Lord. I am so excited for life and whats to come. One of the things I'm most excited about is that I can share this same excitement with everyone I meet. I am stoked I can share this wonderful gospel with individuals and families. It makes my heart happy that I have this amazing truth that will make ones life happy forever. 

I love my Heavenly Father, I love my Savior, I love my Family, I love this Gospel and all the Eternal Happiness it brings.


Today we went ice fishing! it was super fun. I felt like an Eskimo! haha it was a blast it was good to get into nature and be in the outdoors :)

Stoked to Stoke

*Elder Soren*

New Companion & New responsibilities (senior companion)

 I am excited for this transfer! Elder Dunlap is my new companion. (seen beside me in this photo).  I know that our Heavenly Father has called us to be companions in this area. That it is His will for us to be together serving the people of the Pocatello Central 1 area. I am excited for the work and i am excited to grow in this new companionship.

     This week has been pretty crazy with all the changes. Personally it has been a great learning experience and it has strengthened my testimony so much. Thursday and Friday this week has been one of the hardest 2 days of my 3 months out in the field. With Elder Duano gone I gained the responsibility of leading the area. Without Elder Duanos assistance I was faced with challenging opportunities to use what Ive learned from my training. For those 2 days I was pretty nervous because i doubted my self i doubted that i could do it. I felt lost, discouraged, even a bit emotional at times. But it was until i realized that this isn't my work its the Lords work. That I must trust in Him, that it is His will, His work, and there are people he has prepared to hear my personal testimony and the truth that I have to teach. Once I was able to realize this I received the courage I needed, I received the strength of the Lord. Doubting no more. I look back now at those 2 days and i cant believe how i could have such little faith in him who has all this divine power. I am thankful for the Atonement and a merciful God. Because I could repent for my doubt and be able to improve and grow. I know that because of the Savior I am able to gain strength through my trials when i use the atonement, not only for repentance but when i am need of His love.

     I am happy now that i have overcome this trial because i know that now i can learn and improve each day trusting in the Lord. I am excited because we have 2 baptisms coming up on the 18th! they are pretty solid and i know they both have testimonies. We have been working with them for a while and its so wonderful to see their progression and growth. That's one of the things i love most about my mission, to see others progress into the waters of baptism. i am grateful for this work and i am happy to go forth and serve with all my might, mind, heart and strength.

    I know that my last couple letters, i have been kinda struggling. I do not mean it to be a "pitty party" but to show that my testimony has grown through trials. I know that usually missionaries have nothing but amazing things to share their first 3 months but this is truly amazing to me. I am so grateful that i am receiving my personal & hard challenges now while i am new in my mission because i know that i can learn from them early and grow to be the missionary i know i can be. Now that i have overcome the walls that Heavenly Father knew i would, i am no longer in bondage of fear or doubt. I am set free to reach the potential the Lord knows i will achieve. I know that this is the way the Lord works, this is how He personally teaches us to become as He is.

    I know my Heavenly Father loves all His children, and as we endure our trials well, he will bring happiness in our lives that we couldn't even imagine possible. A happiness only He provides. I know all these things to be true.

    i am grateful for this work and i am happy to go forth and serve with all my might, mind, heart and strength.

   Latley Ive been day dreaming about getting super shacked while looking at uncle Jons photos haha i miss hawaii i miss the ocean :D

#Kowabunga! haha

Elder Soren

XOXOOxoxoXOX

New years movie night and ping pong

Elder Duano Left me...

Christmas Week

    This week was pretty fun, Christmas was relaxing and a good break but im excited to get back and work!

     For Christmas Eve we went to our Bishop's house for family dinner there were so many people it was fun! We ate and then they had a talent show, Elder Duano played a song on his guitar and I was the back up singer hahahahah. It was good to be around a big family made it feel like home. After the Christmas Party we slept over at our zone leaders for Christmas the next morning. It was fun to open gifts with them. After that we all went over to the Johnson's House across the street from our apt. and had breakfast and FACE TIMED the fam! I was so happy to see my family and talk to them they are doing awesome. Best Christmas present ever!

     This week was kinda hard because people had the Holidays as an excuse for canceling. But we were still able to reach our goal for 8 member present lessons. We were happy to get back to work after Christmas we felt less productive. There were some miracles with our investigators. One of the Investigators were teaching had a really hard time wanting to come to church but he expressed his desire to go this week when we saw him! Another Miracle is Fabians family! we have been able to go and teach his mom and sister even when he wasnt there. His mom is so open now and she is understanding more and more we are so happy for their family we hope that they will all be baptised and be sealed in the temple. There's nothing more that makes my heart full than seeing a family progress to baptism and to have a goal to go to the temple to be sealed for all of time and eternity.

    This week we got transfer calls.... Elder Duano is moving to Idaho Falls:(  I'm leading the  area now and my new companion is Elder Dunlap. Im gunna miss Elder Duano, he was such an awesome trainer. But I'm excited to lead and to learn. I know that as long as I work hard and go out and DO, the Lord will bless us in our lessons. I know that having the responsibility to lead will help me grow and learn to rely on the Lord every second. I am excited to learn and improve. I know that this experience will help me to be a better missionary and to help me reach my personal goals.

    Improving is one of the lessons and qualities that I've loved since I've been on a mission.  I love the whole idea of learning and growing.That through the Saviors atonement I am able to be better each week as I take the sacrament. I am grateful for His love that He gives me. That He made it possible for all of us to reach the potential our Heavenly Father knows we can and will achieve. I know my mission will strengthen my foundation in the gospel for the rest of my life. I am so excited to be able to live my life as a disciple of his son Jesus Christ in all that I do.

    I am honored and so privileged to be a servant of the Lord while I am in my youth. I know that the Lord didn't need me to be a missionary but he allowed me to. Because of Him I am worthy to receive all the personal blessings from serving a mission because He loves me. I know that what I am learning now will benefit my future family for Eternity. "Thank yous" will never show my gratitude for the Lord and all he has done for me. I know that all I can do now is work as hard as I can and be the best missionary I can be to show only a portion of thanks to my Father in Heaven.

Elder Soren

XOXO

                                                             Ward Christmas Party

                                                      Shoveling snow with the district

                                                     The Gibsons Christmas EVE 

                                                                       the Johnsons

                                                                            Lola