Courtney's Baptism

This week was amazing! Elder Jones and I have been working hard and finding a lot of people. I’m super excited for this transfer and for the upcoming month. Some crazy things are about to happen in the mission. 

I’m excited to serve with Elder Jones again. He taught me so much when we were companions in Pocatello and we've already had so much success with re-contacting former investigators and finding new people to teach. Even though I’ve knocked on a lot of doors, there is still so many of our Heavenly Father’s children we have yet to find in Rigby. I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for us!

Courtney Bailey was baptized on Saturday. It was a sweet baptism. She was so excited as you can see in the picture haha. Spencer her boy friend and Courtney are both goof balls. Courtney was just so happy the whole time. Her trial of faith and patience really paid off. She’s been waiting 3 years for this day, she couldn’t describe her feelings but her expressions told it all. After the baptism we went to congratulate her. She said in a very humble and meek way "Thank you for teaching me the Gospel." There was a sweet spirit that touched my heart. As a missionary sometimes we look for great gratification or praises when there are baptisms but her sweet thank you for simply teaching her the gospel was more rewarding than the praises of peers. That’s why we are here, to teach the Gospel and the Lord does the rest. I am grateful to be a servant of the Lord. 

We’ve seen a lot of blessings in our area as well. We had an experience with prayer. We completed all of our plans for an hour and needed to find someone to invite to be baptized. I prayed with Elder Jones and asked specifically for God to bring to a remembrance someone who I’ve taught before. We contacted some addresses and then I remembered a part member family to go visit. We couldn't find their home but we found a different part member family that let us right in. We got to know them and started teaching them. We had a great lesson with them yesterday with our Bishop and have a church tour with them on Wednesday. My testimony of specific prayer was strengthened and I know Heavenly Father will lead us to those who are ready and searching as we listen to the Promptings of the Spirit.

We were invited to a LUAUUUU this weekend. The Togiai’s 2 daughters were baptized and they had a huge luau. If there was anything on my mission that reminded me more of home it was this, the music, the people, that aloha spirit, it was sooooooo good. We had some ono food too! a whole pig, bbq chicken, curry, ohhh man. 

Stoked to Serve

Elder Soren

Companions again!  Elders Soren & Jones

The Togiai's baptism luau in Rigby

Wellll....

First item of news is that I'm staying in Rigby for another transfer!

It will be 9 months by the end of this new one.  I was so mind blown when we got calls.  I had no idea what to think.  I was so convinced that i was going to be transferred, 7 1/2 months is a long time to be in an area.  But i guess the Lord has further plans for me here. And i'm so excited to see what it is.  That's something that has helped me change my attitude and do something different in this area. 

Elder Coggins is getting transferred to poky and my new companion is Elder Carson Jones again!  IM SUPER STOKED.  We had a good time when we served in YSA together.  He's coming from serving in the office as the assistant so he's excited to DO WORK! 

This week was pretty bitter sweet cuz Elder Coggins is leaving but we had some awesome things happen. Courtney, our investigator is so excited to be baptized.  We had a great lesson with her on Thursday and she can't wait. 

Our 5th Ward is doing a 40 day fast for missionary work.  A family fasts then we go and teach that family a lesson.  We got to have some pretty spiritual lessons with active families.  It's so awesome to see families engaged in missionary work.  They are all willing and excited to fast and be apart of this.  When we leave them invitations they are so excited to accept them and reach out to those they know that need love.  It gets me excited to see these families experience the joy of missionary work. 

How about General Conference though.  The emphasis on Families was awesome!  It was so sweet to see how a lot of what was "impressed to speak on" was Families.  I know Heavenly Father sees the need of such council and we know these things from His mouth pieces.  It makes complete sense that we know how to keep our Ohanas strong, even when there are so many distractions in life that pull us apart.  I am so grateful for Modern Day Prophets and Apostles who speak to the world about what our Father in Heaven wants us to know. 

My favorite talk was by Wilford Anderson about Dance Steps and the Music of the Gospel.  It hit home.  It probably was one of the favorites of everyone who watched but it related to me because of my artistic background.  I felt like i knew exactly what he meant when he expressed, "When the dance is coupled with music it becomes a lot more natural."  Flow is a feeling or even a mindset that i feel like any artist knows very well.  And i remembered my flow.  I miss it and i think it's so important because if you don't have that creative flow what comes out on paper isn't the same.  Expression of what's inside changes the way the picture or the dance turns out.  "If we just dance without music its awkward" love it, although i can dance without music and still have fun it makes sense.  I thought of my sister, Rani who recently took up this art form of Dance.  Although i have never seen her, the word my mom used in describing her flow was "Natural."  As he compared it to living gospel principals if we don't hear or FEEL the music of the gospel it gets awkward.  Same as missionary work.  I know exactly what awkward is.  All missionaries know this feeling but there is a significant difference when you teach and flow with your companion than when you fight for words.  When we have the spirit everything flows.  When we don't it's awkward and uncomfortable.  It needs to come from within, you need to love what you do, have a passion for it.  As a missionary we need to have passion to love God and share the Gospel, that's when the work starts to flow.  That's when hearts are softened and the Spirit enters. 

I am so thankful that we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows us each individually and knows what we need to hear when we most need it.  I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for his Atoning Sacrifice.  I know that HE lives and loves us and is involved in our lives more than we realize but once you realize it, your life will change.  Look for Him in your life and i promise that you will feel his love and strength bare you up and lead you to more peace and joy than you now know. 

I love you all and miss you much

I am grateful to be a servant of God

Stoked to Serve

Elder Soren

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