June 22, 2015

The Family, 

   Days are long, weeks are fast. Time just goes these days and for the most part the days are going well. Tuesday we had Zone Conference with Elder Stanley G. Ellis from the First Quorum of the Seventy. Super inspiring conference. Both Elder Ellis and his wife brough alot of motivation into the conference as well as the mission they were super kind but some what strict which was nice for a change cause sometimes our mission is a bit laid back. I learned we never need to doubt that the Lord will be by our side and will help us. He wants to help us, and He can. Remember how He promised Mosiah that He would "deliver" Mosiah's sons from the hands of the Lamanites. And remember that he did so on numerous occasions, including the time that he struck a Lamanite dead, through His miraculous power, to protect Ammon in fulfillment of His promise to Mosiah. The Lord always fulfills His promises even if he has to do it Himself! God promises to reveal to us His ways, and His solutions to our problems, through His Spirit. We need to ask Him, and be worthy of His direction, and we will receive what we need to accomplish great work, even miraculous work. It was a wonderful chance to be around a G.A.
     Anyways the rest of the week went smooth. We left a scripture with Bayanda, the oldest daughter to the Nophakela's, shes 21 and is power. She'll be baptized this Sunday along with 3 others. but the chapter we left was Mosiah 18 which talks about baptism but man this girl is smart. we go to talk to her about it a day later and she loved it but had one question... "How did Alma baptize himself?" haha those are funny questions us missionaries always talk about with each other but i've never had an investigator ask. We kinda explained but we left her to think about it cause we didnt wanna get to deep into it. 

   It was a good week though Saturday we wait about 40 min at the Bluff chapel for our district leader Elder Kakar and his comp Elder Farmer (one of my close missionary friends) to come meet us for Kakar to interview people for baptism but while waiting Elder Webb and i Explored the Chapel grounds since we were quite bored. But after they arrived all 4 people passed their interview and so this sunday we'll have 4 Baptisms.Sunday i gave a talk at church and i wrote the whole thing down so one of these days i'll have to type it up so i dont loose it for future reference. Anyways i love you all tons. keep me posted 

Much Love, 

Elder Alex Sorenson 

PICTURES:  Zone Conference with Elder Ellis (Durban Zone). Me with Elder and Sister Poelman and elder Farmer. On the Chapel Roof. 

June 15, 2015

Family, 

   Time is just picking up these past few weeks. Tuesday we moved back into our little house that was busted into but it has a little bit better security now. Alarm, Locks, and Gate all improved. The work itself is going pretty good and i dont really have much to say but that each day things go fairly smooth. We stay busy, we work hard and we just get things done. We have 6 people who will be interviewed for baptism this coming Saturday and the Baptized in about 2 weeks. Thats pretty exciting. We taught a Word of Wisdom lesson to a couple of them on Bdate and the right after the lesson gave us the coffee mix that was in their kitchen. Super neat to see someone really grasp the importance of the message of the gospel and not give up things for us but for the testimony they have gained of the gospel. Nothing makes time fly than just working hard and effective each day. Webb and i all the time say "Wow man time is just flying." Maybe its because we get along but truly its just because we both wanna work and get things done. Time going this fast and i'll be home before i know it! i love you all! 

Much Love, 

Elder Sorenson 


PICTURES:  Tyler being naughty in a lesson. Webb's drawing for a shirt we're gonna get and us standing outside a gate while knocking. 

June 8, 2015

Family, 

A week of weeks i'll tel you what. 19 months down and not a single robbery but this is Africa no one is exempt from that. After a rough start to the day on Friday; waking up sick, weekly planning, bunked appointments. We went to this large apartment complex to look for a former investigator that we use to teach and Elder Webb and I were both down but before we got out i said "man lets pray before we go walk around we need some help." So i prayed and asked that the spirit would atleast be around us as we walked through this complex and about 20 sec after we got out of the car a guy, out of random, came up and was like "Elders whats up? i've been trying to find the church this side but i cant believe that i found you guys now." Turns out that this guy was a member from Zimbabwe and has been here a few months. That was by far the miracle of the week. 

   After that experience our Friday and week seemed to be looking up. We ended Friday with a great lesson with the Nophakela's and headed home. We got home and i got out to push our gate open and as Webb backed the car in i looked only to find that the burgular gate we busted up and the front door was wide open. i stepped back and called Webb to get out of the car and to pop the boot (trunk). I grabbed my baseball bat out and we went over to our land lords cause we didnt want to go in. Finally our Neighbor came outside with this big tactical flashlight and a paintball gun and we went in and searched the house. Some other details about what was going on i'll leave out and how the robber knew this and that. But i'm in Africa because the robber only stole my large suitcase but emptied it out on the floor, My running shoes, my sweet snapback Atlanta hat, and Our MILK out of our fridge. Webb only lost his milk but i lost a few things but the guy left alot of other expensive things that came from my bags. Crazy night we had to wait for the bogus cops to come. You could be dying and the seriously wont show up for an hour or 2. Webb and I are super grateful thought since we didnt loose much. Its just our pride and comfortablity were disturbed. Anyways all i well not much other action going on. We are staying with the ZL's for now but just living life and enjoying mission life! I'll send you pics from last week and this week as well but i love you all and continue to keep me posted 5 MONTHS TO GO! 

Much Love, 

Elder Alex Sorenson 

June 8, 2015

Mom&Dad,

    Hey last night our house was broken into. It was before we got home from the work so we werent there and we are safe. We're dealing with very dumb African thieves all they took was my Large suitcase but they emptied it all out and didnt really take any valuables. Just my suitcase, running shoes and my milk are missing from me. The guy even left me Kangaroo pouch with US money in it and my harddrive and even my Gerber he left open but just on the floor. But i was just letting you know that we are safe and that i'll probably be using my Credit Card today to swipe for a new pair of shoes so i can continue on my workout programs. but dont worry too much. As for the Temple stuff and Scripture cases im not going to the Temple it was just the ward going and i didnt trust anyone to leave them with my credit card but a member did spot me and got me a Giraffe case and i'll pey them back once i have money. Plus i thought a little cash might be handy for the market where they sell things cause im going to get a pair of scriptures bond in the animal skin and i can use my card for that. but anyways just letting you know a few details about what happened nothing to bad just missing a few things but hopefully it'll be of good use to the man who stole it! We're safe and i got my journals and SD cards so no worries. I love you tons!

Alex

 Me and all my stuff after the break in and photos from the crime sence itself! 








June 8, 2015  CONTINUE......

Family, 

A week of weeks i'll tel you what. 19 months down and not a single robbery but this is Africa no one is exempt from that. After a rough start to the day on Friday; waking up sick, weekly planning, bunked appointments. We went to this large apartment complex to look for a former investigator that we use to teach and Elder Webb and I were both down but before we got out i said "man lets pray before we go walk around we need some help." So i prayed and asked that the spirit would atleast be around us as we walked through this complex and about 20 sec after we got out of the car a guy, out of random, came up and was like "Elders whats up? i've been trying to find the church this side but i cant believe that i found you guys now." Turns out that this guy was a member from Zimbabwe and has been here a few months. That was by far the miracle of the week. 

   After that experience our Friday and week seemed to be looking up. We ended Friday with a great lesson with the Nophakela's and headed home. We got home and i got out to push our gate open and as Webb backed the car in i looked only to find that the burgular gate we busted up and the front door was wide open. i stepped back and called Webb to get out of the car and to pop the boot (trunk). I grabbed my baseball bat out and we went over to our land lords cause we didnt want to go in. Finally our Neighbor came outside with this big tactical flashlight and a paintball gun and we went in and searched the house. Some other details about what was going on i'll leave out and how the robber knew this and that. But i'm in Africa because the robber only stole my large suitcase but emptied it out on the floor, My running shoes, my sweet snapback Atlanta hat, and Our MILK out of our fridge. Webb only lost his milk but i lost a few things but the guy left alot of other expensive things that came from my bags. Crazy night we had to wait for the bogus cops to come. You could be dying and the seriously wont show up for an hour or 2. Webb and I are super grateful thought since we didnt loose much. Its just our pride and comfortablity were disturbed. Anyways all i well not much other action going on. We are staying with the ZL's for now but just living life and enjoying mission life! I'll send you pics from last week and this week as well but i love you all and continue to keep me posted 5 MONTHS TO GO! 

Much Love, 

Elder Alex Sorenson 

PICTURES:  Sister Gwen's 82nd Birthday, Shes invited us for dinner (the two black guys are from Mozambique, Benjamin on the left and Armando on the right). Webb in a kids mask. Myself going old school in the traditional attire.

 

June 2, 2015

Family,

    Months are just passing by. Sorry about no email yesterday the website wasnt working for us but we got permission to go to the Rowberry's and email this morning. but truly another week has come and gone. Im happy to hear and see Ben! What a stud... Him and that Ipad! Its nice knowing he's out and is soon to experience some of the best joys anyone can have. This week not much happened. It was transfer we but since Webb and i are staying the same nothing really occured due to transfers except we went to the Rowberry's last week Tuesday and had breakfast and i was able to sit and have a nice gospel/Life discussion with them which i really needed. Im excited and so grateful for the knowledge and testimony that i have been able to get while i have been out here and i cant wait to sit down with people back at home and talk about the gospel and things just in regular life. Maybe its just the mission lifestyle or culture but its nice doing so. Still trying my best to workout hard and work hard in the work. Elder Webb and I enjoy being together and have enjoyed studies together. Last transfer we read pretty thoroughly through the Pearl of Great Price and now this time around we're gonna go through PMG, My companion studies most of my mission have been kinda bogus if not very lame so we decide last transfer we would rather learn thing we both dont know and its truly helped me out seeing how many things i got fix in my life, but i have now started the D&C CountDown my last 140 days reading a section of D&C each day, with the Insitute Manual as a guide to help soak as much out as i can. I read something from the D&C Manual though this week that the Rowberry's suggested to me which was about the Law of Consecration and i thought alot about that throughout the week as we went through the work. Thursday we went and saw Brother Barry, the 83 year old man thats  powerful guy but cant see it in himself and it really eats away at him. Its funny how people really Love the Atonement of Christ but when it comes to themselves they cant really apply it or its hard for them to forgive themselves. The Atonement is there to forgive and forget not to forgive and to dwell on! What a blessing it is to share that with people and give them blessings of comfort in their times of need like early this morning when we were called to the home of a member family who lost someone to suicide last night. I know and have seen the Lord break me apart and put me back together in a new way since i have been on mission, its only through the new form and pieces that i have gained that have helped me help others! i love you all and cant wait to see you all again one day, but for now its time to go back to work! 

Much Love,

Elder Alex Sorenson (The Missionary in Africa)

"When we seek to discover the Best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves."  -William Arthur Ward

NO PICTURES THIS WEEK

May 25, 2015

Family, 

Weeks have just been passing by. We ended this transfer strong and had some nice experiences this passed week. Webb and I were a bit nervous about transfer news on Saturday night but we got it and we'll be together for another 6 weeks, Which means the next 6 weeks should fly by just like the passed 6. We had a great week with many visits and lessons, we're doing the best we can each day because we know the blessing that await for us in the future. We took the Rowberry's with us to a lesson this week to see them teach and help this less active family in our area that has many issues and Man they did awesome! I sat there taking notes of what they said so i could apply it one day. Really the conclusion the gave the family if they wanted to have less struggles and fights was to P.C.S.S.... Prayer Church Scriptures Service... Elder Rowberry really stressed prayer and service which i had never thought to deep about before but Service is one of the most important tools to happiness because when we lessen others burdens the Lord will lessen ours. I was Happy to hear Ben did a great job on the talk! Man your gonna do Great things out in the Mission Field, You've made a awesome choice! I love you Bro. But this Sunday we had Stake Conference and the Stake President again gave a sweet talk and also had a Question and Answer session in Sunday School, i was writing things like crazy. We spoke about the "Beautiful Attitudes" in Matt. 5 and explained all of it so nicely which it'll take too long to type so i'll share it another time. but Anyways he said two things that stuck for me he said " Only when you act in faith will miracles happen in your life." and also " The Lord is more understandable than we think, His general commandments are a blessing to everyone and when we keep them he'll bless us with Additional Commandments but only for us personal not for everyone." and somethings apply different to different people for sure! Anyways that Stake President, President Bricknell can speak! But i hope back home everyone is doing good! Ben Goodluck this week you'll do great! i wish i could be at the airport saying bye since only You and mom&dad were there when i left! I love you Man and the best is yet to come dont worry! I love you all tons and continue to keep me posted! 

Much Love, 

Elder Sorenson Sr. 

Mom, 

Thanks for being such a Great Mom! its funny how slow i thought mission was going and now im nearing the end and Ben is just beginning! He'll be awesome! Send him Talks and letters and emails all the time and he'll be good the first few months were terrible for me but i've grown up quite a bit so its nice! anyways i love you tons! 

Alex 

PICTURES:  Golf on the Bluff Golf course on transfer P-day before Jensen leaves to another zone. Sweet time with Jensen and Webb the Az boys and also Elder Ncube a sweet south African Kid! Then my Workout schedule the past week and a pic Elder Webb took as i was getting ready to run at 5:45 to the Beach and him follow me in the car till we get there. haha 

May 18, 2015 ***

My Family,

     Mission is something i have really come to love. After Skyping last week i came to realize how much my mission has shaped me and molded me. I've really come to love my mission! This week was quite busy at points and super boring at other times. We had a day that was just crap but other days that just flew by. Sunday we had a great opportunity for some baptisms. We had 4 Convert baptisms and each of them are amazing. The Nophakela's (Mom, and two daughter Zuko and Zine) are power! They just randomly showed up to church my first sunday here on the Bluff and now they are in the water! they are such a great family and other members of their family plus their neighbors will be baptized next month. Also Ma Mtwana was baptized, she was a referral from a member and was a great investigator from the start. Its cool seeing the change that takes place as one is converted unto the Lord and the Gospel. Each day goes by and i wonder if i went and did what i was suppose to do that day, i always tell myself that If i help enough people get what they want then one day i'll be able to have everything i want. Going down into the water with someone that you have seen from start to finish is a sweet experience. But before church, maybe like 5 min before it started the bishopric came to me and said "someone didnt show up today for their talk and we need you to speak"... i was like " Oh great.." I knew what was coming but its a cool thing to also see me just get up and speak for a few min on anything, people said i did good but i honestly just had a prayer in my heart that i'd have a little success! Im so happy for the chances i have had the past 18 months. One experience that happened today that i havent had ever was a game drive and seeing some Elephants that got a little up close and personal as you'll all see in the photos. Sorry for no analogies or stories this week that are exciting but not much to say. Enjoy all the pics. Ben Goodluck with the Farewell talk you'll do awesome! i love you man! and i love you all! 

Much Love, 

Elder Sorenson

TONS OF PICTURES:  Nice Golfing with my baseball bat on the beach. Baptisms. Elephants, Lions, Zebras, Webb and I in The SADM (South Africa Durban Mission)





































































ALEX"S DISTRICT -----