April 7. 2014

Alohaaaaaaaaa

       Idaho is almost just as bipolar as Hawaii. Sun. Rain. Snow. Hail. Rain. Sun. all in the same day. But I love it. Makes it an adventure everyday. We're so spoiled here in the States, Elder Edwards and I guess what were having for dinner, and make bets whether were having pizza, potatoes or Mexican food (not authentic)... I feel bad when I read my Foreign brothers emails and they are in the real struggle. Humbles me. but i'm still over pizza and tortillas...

       Things have been great I have such a testimony about the power of the atonement. One of my new "heroes" since he came here is, Elder Bednar. I feel like for some reason we have a connection... haha probably just stoked I shook his hand, and the fact he was the president for BYU-I. But as I read and listened to his talks and studied his teachings I came to realize I love looking for patterns and reoccurring inspirations that point out different gospel principals in everyday life. His talk in conference yesterday confirmed one of my recent reoccurring personal revelations about the power of the Atonement. That it's not only a power to forgive and redeem, but its the power to do, the power to act. I've witnessed this power as we proselyted this week. We put one foot in front of the other walking into darkness, applying all the principals we've been taught.

Nothing but miracles have been happening everyday. The Lord has literally moved people into our area who are ready to be baptized. 

        I feel as if it's the Faith in Christ to Act, it is the Striving, and Doing part that brings miracles. It's not how well we succeed at memorized scriptures or how successful we are at executing the principals we are taught, or how many people we baptize each month. It's the act of doing. If we DO our best to fulfill our Fathers will, he will see our efforts and the righteous desires of our hearts and bless us with his grace and tender mercies.

        Elder Bednar's council that he shared with us about 2 months ago was again reemphasized in his talk. "these people were empower by the Atonement to Act as Agents and IMPACT their circumstances". He taught us this principal which changed the whole vision of our mission. I have used this principal to act, even though I don't always know what's coming or even how to exactly preform certain principals but as I did I was empowered by the Lord. Words came and the spirit spoke. Prepared sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father were Found. And miracles have brought heavenly happiness into my life.

     I know that the Atonement of our Savior will give us the strength to fulfill our Heavenly Father's will. It will help us "bare up our burdens with ease" -Bedanr. It will help us to BECOME who our Heavenly Father knows we can become. It will help us reach our devine potential that he knows we can reach. By striving and doing all we can to serve our brothers and sisters He will work miracles into our lives. Even if we don't succeed at first keep DOING because every righteous act is success in the eyes of our Eternal Father, especially when we turn outwards and serve. I have come to know the truth of these principals because I have done my best to apply them and ACT. I know it works and I know its because of my Savior and His sacrifice.

I love my mission and everything I am learning. But what good is learning if we don't apply what we learn. That's why missions are so special, it gives us the opportunity to act and apply the truths of the gospel so that we may gain a testimony of them.

I wanted to talk more about what I loved at general conference but I forgot my notes at home. But this is one of the things i've learned that really impacted my life. I hope your prayers were answered and your heart was full with the joy of his spirit.

I love you all and hope that you will ACT and apply what you have learned in conference.

I promise you will receive happiness in many different ways, as you act on the council from our beloved Prophet and his apostles.

I know these things are so true.

I miss you all and love you all

hope its warm where you are. cuz im cold.

Elder Soren :)

My trainer Elder Duano and Me

Conference lunch

short tie

Elders…

6 months already!

HEY HEY HEY

I am so stoked to be here. My mission has preformed wonders in my life and i've seen it preform miracles in others. I am almost sad that im a quarter way done (which isn't long at all) but it reminds me that this Joy doesn't last forever. That i'm getting closer to the ender each time a number on the calendar shows up. There is so much more I need to learn and experience. I know I have a lot more ahead of me but I don't want it to end. I've become addicted to the principal and cycle of progression, in my self and seeing it in others. I love seeing my fellow brothers and sisters grow as they exercise faith in Jesus Christ.  As they progress to the waters of baptism in which is the gate to Eternal Happiness.   

I know my Heavenly Father watches over all of us as we strive to follow his will. He provides the blessings OTHER people need through us, as we serve and care for our fellow brothers and sisters. And through this service our needs are taken care of as well.

It's wonderful to see how the Lord works with us, to help us receive our answers through loving others. When we all work together towards one goal. "To Bring to pass the eternal life of man".  He blesses us with everything we could possibly need in this life.

I've been learning all I can about Jesus Christ, and his purpose here on earth.  As I have, I've noticed and was reminded, of a pattern in everything our savior has done for us. It's Love. He did everything in his life because he Loves us. Because He loves our Heavenly Father. He never thought about himself, ever. After fasting for 40 days and 40 nights he was tempted by Satan. But immediately after he healed the sick and fed the 5000. Did he ever think to rest?  No, he continued serving his Father's children. Because he loves us.

There have been times in the mission when I just did not want to go out. But as I learn more about Him and his strength, I was strengthened. I was lifted and I was able. I learned to rely on my Savior and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Knowing that I was doing all I could and having faith that he was there beside me.

I've seen how having Faith has brought true miracles in my life and the lives of others. Faith in the Savior, the first principal of the gospel is one of the most powerful gifts we have been given.

My testimony has grown as I have been experiencing and applying the principals I learn each day. Faith in the principal and in the Savior, applying or acting, brings miracles, which strengthen our testimony.

I have a sure testimony that my Savior Loves me and through him I can do all things.

I am so thankful for this gospel

I love my mission

I am thankful for my Parents who have built me on a strong Foundation

I love you all

Elder Soren

Mountain Biking

3.17.14

HOLLLLAAA

       This week has been pretty tough, the whole district is in the middle of a trial of our faith. But that's okay because we know what we gotta do and how we can accomplish our goals.

       I don't have much time to write today but things have been good.  I'm learning a lot about the different leadership responsibilities and i've been realizing how this will benefit me in the future.

       One of these things is the "paper work" and keeping track of numbers and the missionaries investigators. But! its good practice for when I run my SRHI stores ;) managing everything haha its tedious but its good. I'm glad im learning these skills now so that when I get home things will be moving at such an accelerated pace because of the experiences here on the mission.

        The sun has been coming out more and I am able to wear short sleeves!  I forgot what the sun feels like on my skin!  I'm already starting to have a farmers tan! haha so bad. oh wells i'll get home and be just as dark as I was within 2 days of getting sunburnt lol. 

        This morning we went mountain biking/hiking it was crazy fun. I was strugggglling to get up to the top. but the way down was so awesome flying down the trail hitting branches and crashing.  It was a lot of fun, reminds me of all the crazy stuff we would do back home.  

         I'm so glad that I'm close to the mountains and the outdoors everything's beautiful up here.  It's always good to get out and explore and adventure, I need it to keep me sane. I feel like i'm indoors waaayyyy too much.

         The work has been great though, we have been finding a bunch of potential investigators and we're excited to see things start picking up. We have a goal for the whole district to baptize in April and we have faith that we can! but we need to work hard to!  Faith +  Works = Blessings, blessings, blessings. 

sorry I gotta peace out but I hope YALL are having a great week, been missing my aina!

Love 

Elder Soren  

Our District

Me & Elder Edwards

3.10.14

HOWZIT!

     This week has been pretty awesome! I have had a lot of cool personal experiences with studies and the Spirit.

     Things have been awesome. Elder Edwards and I have been working hard and trying to work with the members to find new investigators to teach. And we have!  It's been so amazing to witness this monumental event in history. "Hastening The Work Of Salvation". It's now. And we are all apart of it. What a blessing it is to be here on earth at this time. The Lord has definitely prepared us all before we were born to receive these responsibilities in this life time, to "take the Gospel to all the world".

     District Leadership has been a lot less stressful now that I got the hang of things. I found the key to being a good leader is to LOVE the ones you SERVE. Once I figured it out things started flowing. I have a lot of fun talking to the companionships and helping them with their areas and things they want to work on. They also help me and my companion with different ideas and ways that they have had success in their area. Its so awesome to work together to serve the Lord more effectively.

    Yesterday I had to give a talk in one of our wards. It was on Faith, what a basic and plain topic right?  Faith being as we read in Alma. "And now as I said concerning faith—Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true" but there is a lot more to faith than just believing.  It's working towards a worthy goal, with the reassurance that out Heavenly Father will support us.  Just merely believing that something will happen without putting forth the effort is only a fourth of faith.  After we Believe that anything is possible through the Lord we must Plan.  Plan on what I can DO in order to achieve this worthy goal. Then DO. After you have DONE all you can the Lord steps in and blessings come from the Heavens. For we all know that "faith without works, is dead."  My understanding of this simple principal of faith has grown so much and I know how it works. 

     

      I feel as if that's the key to gospel principals, once you understand how they work, you then understand the promises that come after you exercise the principal with faith that it will work. And as one uses this "IF" and "THEN" concept with gospel principals you can unlock the powers of Heaven and you receive a personal witness and testimony of that principal. You will know its true.  You will gain a greater understanding of the gospel.  Your testimony will grow.  And we can grow closer to our Heavenly Father.

     One member told me that Missionaries learn more in their 2 years of service, than an active member without serving a mission, could learn in 40 years. I strongly encourage all who are eligible, worthy, and available to take this opportunity our Loving Heavenly Father has given us to serve Him. To show our love for Him.  A good friend told me "that a mission doesn't need you... Heavenly Father dosent need you to serve a mission... you need Him... You need the mission."  It is so true.  Who am I that the Lord needs me, He is all and He is everything. If he wanted to convert everyone He could but he has given us this opportunity to learn and grow, as full time and member missionaries.

     I know that if you take this opportunity to fulfill your calling as a member missionary you will have a happiness in your life that you can't get anywhere else.  Not even a temporal week at Disney Land.  Make your Home, your town, your city, a Disney Land as you share the gospel to all.

Ive been missing the ocean more than ever this week!!!

until we meeeeeet againnnnn

Aloha 'oe

Elder Soren

Zone Leader, Elder Duano & District Leader, Elder Soren

The Single Sisters took us out to eat!

5 months already. Balancing out, Numbers and Love

 ALOOHHAAAA

        This week was pretty out of the norm... things are great though. The weather is very bipolar, yesterday it was sunny then it started raining, then hailing... and storming, thunder and everything... Good thing i brought my umbrella. haha.

       This week we had our zone conference and attended a funeral for a family that passed away in our zone :( so it was a pretty interesting week in Pocatello.

       The Funeral was a pretty sad event for all of Pocatello. A bunch of us missionaries in the area went to sing before the funeral it was a very spiritual event and an honor.  I don't know how far news travels, but 4 members of a family passed away due to carbon monoxide poisoning.  Parents and 2 young sons.  The only surviving family members were their 2 missionaries serving in the states. The missionaries came home to support their family for the funeral and are planning on going back out.  I can't even imagine what i would do if i were in their shoes. The funeral service was huge about 2000 people and broadcast to England where the mom is from. It was one of the most wonderful funeral services i've been to.  I would say it was just as powerful as stake or general conference.  Everything that was said was focused on the plan of salvation and missionary work. The father that passed away was the ward mission leader for 2 of my elders and we had just seen him at the baptism they had the day they passed.  So missionary work was talked about a lot. Even a general authority from the quorum of the 70 was there on behalf of the first presidency. This funeral service reminded me why I am serving a mission and how grateful i am for my family and for this beautiful gospel plan that we have been blessed with. The example of those 2 missionaries humbled every bone in my body. I always think i have it hard but nothing compared to these 2 faithful servants of the Lord. Their example and story will be in my heart through out the rest of my mission and my life.

       One of the things that i have been working on is trying balance loving the people and producing numbers and not loosing myself to the statistics. Having to be an example to the district, I have to be showing that the skills that are taught work through the example of my area. I knew this when i was called, so the first 2 weeks i came in "guns blazin".. lol all stoked and amped to baptize and convert, to put numbers on the board, to get the district to produce numbers also. What i quickly learned was that it wasn't working... once i realized that things need time and love in order to progress I realized that i was caught up in the Mission's Standard of Excellence and not paying attention to the people and their hearts.

       

        As i realized this mentality, i remembered the words from a friend of mine who told me a few months ago..."remember the numbers are only important because they show us our progress... they are not the focus...serve and share with LOVE all who the Lord puts in front of you...trust in God and the work He has set out for you to do. And I promise you that if you do all of this the "numbers" will soar off the charts without you even trying."  The words in this letter kept coming into my head and as I read the letter and pondered it i know that these things were inspired from the Lord for this specific reason. He knew that i would have to be dealing with numbers and He knew that i would have this calling. He had my friend send this inspired letter specifically for me at this time in my life and mission.

    

        I never thought numbers could ever get in the way of loving others but i am glad that i realized this early on in my mission and im so grateful for my friend and her obedience to the spirit. I tried this week to focus less on the numbers and statistics and focus on listening and loving. I have seen some amazing and "magical" things happen in lessons, and as i serve others. It has been so amazing and I know that this lesson that I have learned will bless my mission and those who I meet and love.

        These experiences that have changed my life I will cherish forever. These experiences have taught me wonderful life skills that will continue to bless me and my family for generations. Life lessons that money could never buy. Blessings that gold or silver could never amount to. These are experiences that one could only have by serving our loving Heavenly Father.

Stoked to be a Servant.

Elder Soren
XoxOXoXoX

Our Zone

a picture of a picture but ya that's when Elder Bednar was with us.... i wasn't smiling…The Whole Mission

with Elder Rabe

One of my friends that we're teaching in a recovery home, he's the man!

Pocatello, Idaho

no waves!

One huge dog that was bigger than me!

HOWZIT HOWZIT

Hey Hey!

      This week has been pretty good, im getting to know the area a little better and meeting all the members. They are awesome, we have smaller wards here so its a lot different. The people in my area are supportive in helping us with our missionary work!

       My companion is awesome, he puts up with my crazy noises and all the energy I release when we get home that I have stored throughout the day. Haha. that hasn't changed. He has taught me a lot just from his example. Im excited to work with him and work hard in my new area.

        There are a couple guys that we are teaching who live in a recovery home. They are the most humble guys. One of them expressed his feelings about the Holy Ghost  and being baptized he said " i can't wait to be baptized so i can feel the holy ghost every second!". They go to church every Sunday and read their scriptures everyday. The junk thing is that they can't get baptized till 2016 because of their parole. But they are converted in their hearts and thats all that matters. Meeting with them is always a humbling experience. 

       We had our first district meeting this week. I was so nervous but the other missionaries said it went well and they enjoyed it so I was happy. Im getting the hang of things but still got a lot to learn and to focus on. One of the things that I like about the district leader calling is talking to the other missionaries and helping them and encouraging them. The sisters in my district are so awesome they are always stoked to work and they made me cookies haha. The only set of Elders I have are pretty hilarious and we all get along pretty well. They are all hard working missionaries its so good to learn from every single one of them. They all have different and unique personalities, and its so awesome to see their desire and potential. 

       One of the most wonderful things that I love about the calling i have is that i get to serve and think about others and i dont have time to think about myself. When you perform service for others you really are the most happy. I haven't worried about ME and all MY struggles this past week and its been the most wonderful week. I am so happy that i have been given a job in the mission, a job that pays in joy. 

I love my mission

i love my calling

im stoked to serve

Elder Soren

YEEEEE

A Morning With Elder Bendar and an Evening with a Set of Twins

ALOOOHHHAAAA

    What an amazing week! We had so many wonderful experiences this week. An Apostle spoke with our whole mission, Baptisms, new area, new callings, dang so much in a short 5 days! I am so excited for this transfer!

     My new area is awesome I really like it. Elder Edwards is my new companion he's pretty cool! We live up on a hill with a sweet view and the area is really nice. We live in an apartment complex, though I miss grandma's house... But its sweet. I'm stoked for the hills, we walk up hills and down hills all day, hopefully I loose weight hahaha yeah right... The people i've met so far are awesome. I'm excited to learn more about the area and i'm ready to work!

   

     Elder Bednar

        Saturday morning our whole mission met in Pocatello for a 3 hour meeting with Elder Bednar. It was one of the most amazing meetings I have ever been in. The meeting started at 8 and we were all there so excited I made sure I got a good seat up in the front :D  Elder Clayton of the 70 was there as his companion as well as Elder Webb. They spoke first including Elder Bednar's wife.  Their talks were very inspiring and powerful.  After they finished, the Apostle himself spoke to us. We all had our note pads and scriptures out and one of the first things he said was "do not take notes...listen and feel, let the spirit teach you" so we all just paid attention. He was pretty funny too! the first 10 minutes he was making jokes, it was sweet to see that even leaders of the Church are fun family men that enjoy their life in service of the Lord. I was expecting something like general conference where we would sit there and listen to his council. Nope he asked us questions and we answered. Then we asked him questions too! It was a discussion with 264 missionaries. He talked about missionary work and learning by the spirit. He talked about temples and families. He talked a lot about personal conversion. That was one of his main topics. There were so many points that he brought up that answered questions i've had in my heart for a while. It was such an amazing experience. The Spirit was so strong. He taught us how to use the spirit in our teachings. He made us realize the patterns that are all around us and the patterns of teaching. He gave us the opportunity to ask any question we had for an apostle if we never had another chance. There were so many awesome questions and insights. He had his wife and companions come up several times to tag team teach and answer our questions. it was so awesome. His testimony at the end was one of divine witness, that this is the true Church of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

      After the meeting he exited quickly through the side door and we all got up to get our lunches and bags. My companion and I were in the hall-way just chillin away from everyone else and I set my bag down next to the wall and I turned and looked up and right there was his wife walking past so my reaction was to shake her hand, and then HIS followed. I SHOOK HIS HAND.... I was so excited because no one got to shake his hand other than those on the stand because he left right away. But I got that opportunity to. I was happy. It's crazy how one could get so excited from just a handshake.

   

        I wish I could express and tell you everything that was said.  My whole soul was filled with the spirit and I learned so much by this apostolic discussion. I know that he is called of God to lead us in these latter days.  I know that his special witness is one of authority and power. He is such an amazing man. He told us that the reason he asked us questions was to help us receive personal and individual revelation from the Holy Ghost.  I have received my personal and individual revelation on how I will live my life, for the rest of my life.

      I have received my answers to how I can become more converted unto the Lord and the desires of my heart, the things I yearn for in this life may be fulfilled as I continue to serve the Lord with all of my heart, might, mind, and strength.

  The Twins Baptism  

     Later that evening I had the wonderful opportunity to preform the baptism of The Edwards twins. It was a privilege to perform this sacred ordinance for these 2 siblings. It was such a great experience and the room was full of people and the spirit. The families and the ward were so helpful with being there for support. I am so happy for their family. They have had a rough past couple months but I know that their mom was so happy and I am glad that they have this wonderful gospel to bring joy and everlasting happiness to their life.

      With only working with the Edwards family for a short month I have come to love their family.  Sister Edwards is the best. She is hilarious, crazy fun.  She had us over last Monday for dinner with the Barela family and it was soo fun. I am so happy to have one big Ohana here in Idaho. They are so loving and take care of us like we're their own.

        Like I said I wish I could express all the wonderful feelings and show you these miracles that have overwhelmed me with joy this week. But the only thing I could suggest is to go on a mission and you will feel this way as well.  I love my mission.  I Love my Heavenly Father.  I love my Savior and His Gospel. I am blessed that I have this happiness in my life.

Wouldn't Trade My Mission for the World.

Elder Soren

The Edwards family, me and Elder Dunlap

The Twins

my new house

the view

Elder Plunkett and Elder Ah Puck, Hauula BOIZ

I made some crrrriiippppp pok'e
the other day   

little kids pogo stick lol

I have a frog on my face

Unko neva shave long time

Hair Style