Chee 2 tha Huuu June.30.12

Hey Hey!

    This week was filled with tons and tons of fun and hard work! There were so many tender mercies and miracles that we have been blessed with! Stoked on life right now! Elder Bebee and I are working so hard and we are seeing fruits being born from our efforts.

     I don't even know where to start...

  We met with Jaque (pronounced -Jackie-) this week and had a church tour with her. President McNabb one of my favorite people in Pocatello came to the tour with us (he's our Stake President). It was one of the most powerful Church tours I have ever bin on. Jaque is such a special spirit. She had a lot of questions and concerns about some things she has heard from friends. But with the help of the spirit and president McNabb we were able to help her understand the eternal principals and promises behind the doctrine. She expressed a little more about her desires and her past. She shared with us things that were dear to her heart.

It was so touching to hear some of her experiences and for her to be searching for something in her life that will bring her happiness. She has a strong desire to have faith in our Heavenly Father. There is something about Jaque that Elder Bebee and I are almost drawn to her. We cant wait for our next lessons we just want to be in her presence. I don't know what it is but I know the Lord has great things in store for Jaque. Lessons with Jaque are filled with the spirit and lessons like that is why I love being a missionary. I am so happy that the Lord has blessed us with one of his special daughters, to share the gospel with.

      We had another amazing lesson with one of our favorite investigators named Mike. He is 21 and is one of the funniest investigator i've had so far. He doesn't have much of a belief in God even though his parents were LDS. He never really wanted to meet with us but his best friend Sebastian wants to be baptized with him so he makes him come to lessons. Sebastian didn't show up only Mike. But he stayed and listened.  We read Alma 7 with him and when he read it he started laughing. We were puzzled. He say, wow I never thought about how the Jesus has felt every single emotion i've had, even when my headphone cord gets caught on the fridge and rips in half! haha he shared more of the random things that irritate him and was grateful that someone actually knows how Mike feels. He had 3 other epiphanies in the lesson where he was so mind blown he was laughing at how perfect the book of Mormon was haha. It was sooo awesome! We invited him to read and pray about the book of Mormon every day. He accepted! and responded with

 "I like this book I always need more "mons"... pokemons,..digimons and now mor-mons!"

hahhahaha sometimes I wonder if the rest of the world compares us to an out there idea such as pokemon...

        We were able to run into 2 new investigators because of my love for art and music. One of our appointments fell through and so we were headed back to the car. But I saw some graffiti in an ally way so I told elder bebee lets go take pics. As we were lookin at it we heard some Christian rap coming from the building behind us, haha don't ask me how I know what Christian rap sounds like... but then this head pops out of a window. It was a young man living in the apartments he was curious as to what we were doing. We asked him if that was "Lecrae" the Christian rapper and he said yes! we ended up talking to him and his friend who happen to be YSA age for 45 min. They are both looking for a fresh start and a new light in their lives. We shared scriptures and left them with a prayer. I could tell, Ramone was his name, was teary in the eyes after we said amen. I was grateful that we were placed in their path to help them feel Gods love.

        This week I also got to see... idk what to call him ... my brother? uncle? or that one friend you can never get rid of? haha nah nah Carlos!!!! one of my favorite human beings came to visit me! with Hailey and Baby maddy! we had an awesome lunch at sizzlers and talked about the good old days and ART! i'm not gunna lie I was pretty distracted by my thoughts for the rest of the day but he helped me remember who I am. I was so so glad to see him and to hear his weird comments. hahahah my favorite part! I am so grateful for the brothers my Father in Heaven has blessed me with. I always wanted a brother to wrestle with and to tease and He has blessed me with one like Carlos.

I am so happy to be a missionary.

the Lord truly works in mysterious ways 

Stoked to Serve

Elder Soren

with Carlos

Elder Soren, Carlos, Hailey & Maddy Mozo

one of the Larpers we teach let me put on his armor

Maddy

Elders Soren & Bebee

Yum!

6/23/14 New transfer... same Poky... i love it

 Hey heyyy. This week has bin cray cray! haha we have been going 500mph this week with transfers and missionaries heading home. its bin wild. I am so excited to start a new transfer it feels like i get another fresh start. 

       Elder Bebee and I are the same people. I am so happy to be able to serve with him. He has taught me so much already he is a really powerful missionary. I need someone like him this transfer! we have had so many blessings within these 4 days we have been together. We have bin working so hard and getting the area back in shape! were so stoked on life right now! 

       We were able to have one of the most spiritual lessons i have had in a while. We met this really amazing girl in her early 20s, and came over to answer some of her questions. During our lesson we answered her through the scriptures. We taught a lot about the plan of salvation and how much our heavenly father loves all of his children. She started to express how she had a rough life and started to cry. She said she hasn't cried at all in years. We did our best to comfort her. I shared my testimony about my experiences in life and some of the struggles. But testified of how they have benefited me and made me a stronger person. Elder Bebee testified as well of the blessings of the Atonement and how the Savior is always with us. We know the spirit touched her heart. She said she didnt know why she was crying and she thinks its so weird that she's feeling this way. We helped her recognize that it was the spirit and she was at peace. She told us that we should come back as soon as possible  Elder Bebee and i both told each other how we both wanted to give her a big hug. We felt like we loved her right off the bat. We are so excited to be able to teach her tomorrow.

       After the lesson with her we got to go to a wonderful lunch appointment with Wolf, Hailey and baby Maddy!!! She is one of the cutest babies ever!!!! i was so happy to see them! Maddy is so sweet and smiley, i wanted to take her with me!!! ahh. It was so good to catch up with Hailey and meet her mom. We had a lot of fun, i really enjoyed the short time we had together. So glad i got to see some of my family. 

       I am so happy to be here. Last transfer i didnt feel like i worked as hard as i could. But now having a new start i am so so excited. I have recommitted myself to consecrating these 2 years to the Lord. And doing my best by giving up the natural man, and give everything i have for the Lord. There is a quote from C.S. Lewis that has really got me reflecting and evaluating my mission. 

       "Give me all. I dont want so much of your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work. I want you. All of you. I have not come to torment or frustrate the natural man. But to kill it. No half measures will do. I don't want you to only prune a branch here and another there, rather I want the whole tree out. Hand it all over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desire, all of your wants and wishes and dreams. Turn them over to me, give yourself to me and i will make of you a new self in my image. Give me yourself and in exchange i will give you myself. My will shall be your will. My heart your heart." C.S. Lewis

        I am so grateful for my Savior and the Atonement. I am grateful for a loving God and my family. I know that if we give ourselves to Him, he will make us, shape us, and mold us into someone who we could never think possible. All because of his LOVE for us. i love being a missionary.

miss you, love you 

stoked to serve!

Elder Soren

Elder Soren & Maddy Mozo

with Hailey & Maddy Mozo
(formerly Miss Price who was Elder Soren's 5th grade Teacher)

Happy Father's Day

HEY HEY! 

         This week has been crazyy! so many blessings and changes going on its exciting! we had this crazy thunder storm that started a fire in the Hills! and we got transfer calls this Thursday and Elder Thomas will be leaving me! i am super bummed that he's going. He has taught me so many important lessons that i know only he could help me understand. One of the greatest things he has taught me is to trust in the Lord and to have a positive mindset always. This has helped me overcome so many of the trials we had this transfer and i was always happy! i am going to miss him a lot but i know the Lord has called him another way to help other missionaries as he has helped me.

Were also Shipping Elder Finau home today, back to maui :(

        My new companion will be Elder Bebee!!!! my first Zone leader when i came out. Elder Malaulu, Bebee, and Duano picked me up from the mission home the day i got here. Ever since then Elder Bebee and i were pretty much best friends. He was with me for all the holidays, Halloween, Christmas, and New years! We have very very similar interests and he has a super chill personality. We've talked about being companions for a long time now and its finally happen!!! I am sooo stoked to have him he is such a great missionary. This transfer is gunna be sickkk! The only bummer is that this is his last transfer in the mission. He goes home to Texas in 6 weeks. But were gunna make this next 6 weeks the best 6 weeks he will have in his mission. We're planning on working hard and doin the best we can!

                                                          STOKED

        This week has been nuts within the past 4 days we have found 7 solid potential investigators and renewed our teaching pool. We have so much work to do. So many people to teach. I pray that the Lord will bless us with a baptism for Elder Bebee's last transfer. I'm ready to work hard. The Lord has been merciful to us this transfer. I know He has watched over us and has blessed us with those who he has prepared. 

         During sacrament meeting yesterday i was able to ponder about life and this beautiful gospel plan. It being Father's Day, the talks were focused on this subject. I really enjoyed all of the talk s and i was happy to hear all the different stories, i thought about all the fun times with my dad and all the cool stories we have. There was peace and comfort in my heart, one of my favorite sacrament meetings. 

I thought about how our Heavenly Father is Hastening the work here on earth and in the Spirit world. What an honor it is to be a missionary alongside my dad. I know that He walks with me to appointments, i know he visits me when i need him, i know that he is teaching those in the spirit world and building up our Fathers Kingdom in Heaven. I rejoice to know that my Dad and I are out serving the Lord together. Both having been called to  preach the gospel. I am one of the luckiest missionaries in Idaho. To be able to serve a mission with my dad. I love my dad with all my heart and i am so grateful for all that he has taught me. His lessons continue to teach me as i go throughout my life. His love having more meaning to me each day. 

And what a blessing it is that we Have A loving Heavenly Father that has blessed us with eternal companions. Our families sealed for all time and eternity... to love us and to continually guide us and help us grow. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and that he has blessed me with the best Dad in the world. 

 I am so grateful for My Heavenly Father, for blessing me with this opportunity to be a missionary. To have my dad as a Heavenly Companion. To be with me throughout my mission and throughout my life. 

I hope you all had a great Father's Day like i did, and i hope you told him how much you love him.

I love my mission

I love my companions

I love the Gospel 

i love my family

Stoked to Serve

Elder Soren

Elder Finau & Elder Soren with tiny Elder Thomas

Killed, Cooked, and Fed

A   L   O   H   A

           This week has been so awesome! We have had so many wonderful experiences and great meetings. The weather has been nice got some of my tan back, which is good! We had to ride our bikes for a couple of days it was pretty fun we were all over Pocatello my legs were killing me at the end of the day. I got to used to driving a car hahha. But things have bee great Elder Thomas and I have been having a lot of fun and workin hard!

            Last P-day was Elder Finaus birthday, he wanted to have a BBQ so we did... We had the Elders in Downey Idaho, a very small town in the middle of nowhere find us a pig... That Monday morning we went and acquired a 60lb pig from a couple of farm boys and put the squealing pig in our trunk hahahhah. We killed, cleaned and cooked it in the yard. Rotated it on a stick and everything. Then we went to the stake softball parks and hade a huge BBQ with Kalbi ribs, pok'e, hot dogs and a lot of rice. Probably one of the best pdays ever!

.

            We had another Leadership meeting this week, Elder Perry met with our mission president and challenged him that every missionary baptizes 10 people by next June. So we are having a Zone training to introduce this new Goal and Challenge for the mission. The result when we succeed will be more than 2,500 baptisms in a year! its double of what we got last year. but we know that it is possible because it has been inspired by one of the Lords most Faithful servants Elder Perry. Elder Thomas and I are planning on having a sick meeting with our zone that will get them pumped and excited. We definitely know that it is possible.

            A dear friend shared her favorite scripture with me, before I left and it has helped me especially with challenges such as this. "I know, in the strength of the Lord I can do all things" Alma 20:4. I know our mission will be able to Accomplish this as we do all that we can, trusting in the Lord. I am so excited to be here serving in this wonderful mission at this time when the Lord has great things instore for the people of Idaho.

             We have been teaching a lot and much success has come our way. We were able to meet with a guy named Johnathan who hasn't been to church in 6 years he's about 24. We have been meeting with him for 2 weeks now. During one of our lessons we testified of church attendance and how it not only blesses you spiritually but temporally as well. He came to church that next Sunday in a suit. We were so happy! He stayed all 3 hours and loved it. The next time we met with him he said how he posted on facebook that he went to church for the first time in a while and he showed us the response. There were his young mens leaders who responded, family and friends who liked his post and offered encouragement and complements. Johnathan felt loved and important. He is planning on attending church regularly now.

             It makes me so happy to be able to help all of our Heavenly Fathers children. The joy that comes from sharing the gospel is something that no vice in life could bring. I am so grateful for my mission and this opportunity to serve the Lord for these 2 short years. I know that the Lord is working beside us in this last great work. Not only the Lord of the vineyard but all of those in the spirit world as well. What a blessing it is to serve alongside great missionaries here on the earth and in the spirit world. To serve alongside my Dad in building up the kingdom of our Father is one of the greatest privileges I could ever have. 

I love missionary work in all forms of it.

I love my Heavenly Father

I love my Savior Jesus Christ

I love my Family

I wish you all a great weak, Find some one to share the gospel with and I know you will have one of the best weeks ever!

Love you

Elder Soren

Elders Soren & Thomas

Snake on my head!

8 months. Workin Hard.Tired. Happy!

H O W Z I T       H O W Z I T        H O W Z I T

         "get ready to always... be tired, all day, every day" - Elder Thomas.

        This was said to me the first day we got assigned to be ZL companions. There is nothing but truth in his words. Tired is what I am, no doubt about that. But, I am the most happy, content, accomplished and excited missionary. I am in love with my mission and this work. I am so happy to be a missionary. This experience has and will continue to change my life, but if only I let it.

       This week has been crazy busy so many lessons to teach, new people to meet and a whole lot of fun. YSA work is definitely different than working with families. Im lovin every minute of it. We have been able to meet so many wonderful young people this last week. A ton of miracles, and tender mercies. We set 4 baptismal dates this week and our area is on fire!

        I was on exchanges this week with Elder Coggins, and was able to lead my new area for the first time. I was pumped to go out and work hard. We taught 5 lessons that day and invited 4 people to be baptized 3 said yes but we only set an actual date for 1. I haven't taught that many lessons in 1 day in such a long time. i was so happy. I love teaching, going from one lesson to the other sharing the gospel and helping those individuals feel the love our Heavenly Father has for them.

       "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God" - Moroni 7:13. This scripture has consumed my thoughts and caused me to do things i normally wouldn't because of fear. It has propelled me to press forward, it has motivated me to do good, it has helped me to be bold and just go for it. When i broke it down, in the mindset of, This is Gods work, its not your work, its His "and He is always to be in control". I combined the scripture with this idea and it has helped me, DO GOOD. That no matter what i do if it inviteth to do good, If it helps one love God, and to come closer to him it doesn't matter the outcome. If we simply DO good works the God will work everything out to our benefit. The outcome of the invitation is His to decide and control. If it invited to do good, it will work out in the end. And i testify that this is true.  :)

       I got to meet a recent convert named Dylan. He invited Elder Coggins and I over for breakfast in his apartment. We had breakfast burritos and got to know him a little better. He is 20 and just got Baptized in April. As we talked about snowboarding (i want to snowboard so bad) and sports we shared scriptures together. He had one of the most humble hearts, as he expressed his love for the savior. The work Meek came to my mind as his character impressed mine. After we left I wanted to have that same humble and meek spirit as he did. I wanted my character to be loving and sweet as his was.

       It is very easy to get caught up in the "youth" part of working with YSA wards and easy to loose track of your purpose as a missionary. Since we are serving in the ISU boundaries it feels like BYU-H. The atmosphere, the energy, all of it. I felt my self reverting a little bit back into my excited jack jack ways. Not that there is anything wrong with that lol its just, i know i can get outta hand and a bit tooo crazy sometimes =P. There definitely has to be a balance between being energetic & outgoing, and remembering your purpose and being reverent. I know that this is what i am to learn this transfer. How to be in an atmosphere i once knew, a very worldly environment, and be able to set my self apart from those worldly things and natural desires. I feel like this experience, if i can overcome it, will benefit me when i return home to BYU-H and to be able to continue being an example of Christ when surrounded by worldly distractions. But i know that it is possible through the Atoning sacrifice that the Savior has so freely given me. To be delivered out of every trial that comes. I will meet my trials with gladness and joy for i know that my redeemer lives.

       ****Shouts out to my little sister ALEX, you deserve every bit of congratulations and praise that is offered to you. I am so proud of you and your hard working example. Always doing your best and pushing yourself to become who you are today. always looking to increase your knowledge and understanding. I know that UH will be cake because of the determination you have. i know that you will continue to do great things in your life. I love you and am so very proud of you.

I love my Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ

I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in my life right now.

missing the ocean more than ever right now, enjoy it for me. :)

I miss you and love you.

Elder Soren

Elder Gatchellion, my trainers trainer from the Philippines

Elder Thomas is a very special child of our Heavenly Father... lol

5. 19. 2014

H O W Z I T

       

         This week has been awesome! We have been working hard but still having a lot of fun. We have been organizing our records and paperwork, but also helping the missionaries in our zone. Things have been great! It's getting hot and my farmers tan is looking pretty good. Starting to fit right in with all the Idahoans. We got to spend a lot of time in the country with one of our districts. The 1 hour drive reminded me of home with all the mountains and fields. I am so blessed to be surrounded by our Heavenly Fathers creations. We have been having a lot of beautiful sunsets as well its been good. 

        I love working in YSA. We work a lot with less actives. When the YSA stake centers were dedicated it was promised by the one of the 70s that "the way we will find our investigators, will be through working with less actives". This is because there are always non member room mates that live with the less active young singles. This past week we were able to teach so many wonderful people. I love working with people my age and helping them find their testimonies again! 

        Elder Thomas and I are doing so well together, we are unified in all we do and he is doing such a great job at training me on how to be a great leader. We have been able to teach a lot this week, I just love teaching. We are so personable with our investigators and really help them understand that the gospel applies to each and everyone of us in our own circumstances. I am so excited to be working here. I know that this will be such a great opportunity to magnify my calling and be who i really am. And to use my personality with these young single adults to help them come unto Christ. I love working with Less Actives as well they are just as important as non members, especially in this vital point in their lives where big decisions have to be made. I see the light in their eyes, they truly have a testimony of the gospel deep within them. I know that as we help these young people prepare for temple covenants they will be able to receive all the wonderful blessings the lord has in store for them. 

        I am loving my mission. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now. I love serving the Lord and i hope to continue in this wonderful service for the rest of my life. There is no greater happiness than when you are in the service of your God. I truly believe this and i know that it is the way to a have a happy life. We receive so much more than we could ever give. Every thing we have is His. The only thing that is ours is our hearts and everything within them. Once we give our father our hearts, our dreams, desires, our families, the things we "want", our whole selves He will take us and mold us. He will help us reach the Divine Potential that HE sees in us. And what he sees in us is far greater than what we could ever see in ourselves. When we fully submit our selves to him, He will provide and bless us with opportunities to magnify our callings, to exercise faith, and to build our testimonies. I love Him and i know He loves me, as he does each and everyone of us. 

miss you much

Love you 

Elder Soren

XoxOXOxOX

We did this service project with some ware wolves from twilight it was crazy! haha

YSA ALL DAY

HOWZIT HOWZIT!

     This week has been so awesome! I am so excited for this transfer, my new area and companion. I am so grateful and blessed to have the calling I do. It has helped me be myself and use my talents and personality to move the work forward. As well as serve and help out other missionaries. I am so happy and I am very anxious to work hard in my new Zone.

      Elder Thomas and I are already brothers, we work very well together. He is an awesome missionary and I am glad that he will be able to train me on how to be a great leader. We were able to set a baptismal date the first night we were together. We get along and he really loves all the missionaries in our zone. He is such a great example. We work hard and we're happy.

       Our first Zone training together went really well, we were unified and prepared. I was pretty nervous being my first zone training but there was a power that came as we counseled together and shared my training. It was a power that came from my calling. It was so cool to feel the difference. The zone showed and expressed how motivated they were to continue setting monthly goals to baptize and the fire they have is so awesome! I am so excited for the miracles that will come forth in this Zone. We have a bunch of great missionaries, hard workers that really love the work. I am happy that I will be able to work and to learn from such great missionaries.

       We have been able to work a lot already with the missionaries in our Zone. This weekend we were able to attend 2 baptisms and help set them up for our missionaries. I love going to baptisms even though they're not mine, just having the opportunity to feel the spirit and see the happy faces of those who are entering into a covenant with our Heavenly Father makes my heart swell with joy. Just knowing how much this decision will bless their lives for eternity, I get so excited and I can't hold back a smile. This work is so heart warming and beautiful.

       We have a lot of potential in the YSA wards. I am so excited to serve the young singles here in Pocatello. I know that this type of missionary work will help me be who I really am and use my fun and energetic personality. The stake leaders and bishops are so fun and really love those they serve. I hope to stay here for a while, especially with elder Thomas he's the best.

      

        I am so excited to be a missionary, I love it more than anything. I hope to be a missionary all my life. I am loving my mission and I am so happy that I was called here to Idaho, the people, the environment, the missionaries, I know I was meant to be here.

      

        Hope Yall had a great mother's day with your mums!

ALOHA O'E

Elder Soren

Companions Elder Thomas & Elder Soren

Elder Finau from Maui

Zone Leaders

                                                           we helped out at a food bank

                                                           and roller skating hahahahaha