March 2, 2015

Family,

Another week, month, and transfer down. After all the drama from last monday the week went fairly smooth. i just did my thing no complaints. I tried to find many ways to be happy this week from reading a few books to eating a chicken head. But a big lesson i have learned this week is gratitude. When you are nice and giving to someone and in return they dont even say thank you or anything its rough and upsetting but the best thing to do is keep giving. Even though things havent gonna amazing lately things are looking up. Saturday we got Transfer news and im being transfered back into Durban town to a place called Bluff to be with a Elder from Zimbabwe named Elder Mashava. Its supposedly the best area in the mission and leads with 30 Member present lessons a week and 25 investigators at church so im excited to go. It wasnt too hard leaving this area, but it was tough to leave George and his reactivation in the hands of the ones still here since he has made so much progress. but it'll be good. I trust that its all done for the Lords purposes. Anyways it was a different week i tried my best to work as hard as possible while other were slacking. We had Lesotho Elections on Saturday and Sunday so we were on lock down so Tuesday to Friday were critical for the work and we did a pretty effective job. Nothing much else happened but i will be mailing some things home today so keep an eye out over the next few weeks and months. Time will be speeding up now that im being transfered to Durban it'll be fun. Tonight i go and get on a Bus at 8pm and travel all night and arrive in Durban at about 6 or 7 tomorrow morning. I wont lie a transfer has brought a smile to my face. Second to last area most likely. so i got Bluff then another place and then Home! crazy crazy! Not much to say this week! i love you all!

Love,

Elder Alex Sorenson

PICTURES:  Pics from Last week when Molefi came to church. He's the one who made my suit and tie







MORE PICTURES:  Some Pics from Sunday the Parnells sent me.. 







MORE PICTURES:  Trying to have fun by eating a chicken head. Saying bye to Lesotho and the people. George and his family (this picture is the most important to me out of any!)

February 23, 2015

Family,

Eish it was one of those weeks. Lots of ups and downs and it was extremely frustrating at some points. Atleast we get transfer news on saturday so i think i can "act" happy till then. The work has been good so there no complaints im just trying my best to do all i can. Things are progressing pretty smooth with people here in this area. i gave this less active guy named Molefi some money to make me a new suit since the one i came on mission with would fit two of me now haha but he handmade this super sweet suit for me in just a few days! but anyways just trying to find ways to stay happy and motivated these days. im doing it though! i chose to sacrifice when i came on my mission and sacrifice sometimes arent meant to be enjoyed even Christ did what he did because it was the Will of His Father not because he wanted to do it. Life is weird sometimes cause in this straight and narrow path we are all trying to be on sometimes we step on eachothers toes which causes others to fall astray, or even ourselves. Its hard to describe the week and what has been going on but lets just say when your driving down the road where you are seems so much bigger than where you are going but when you arrive to the place you could see its all the same size. Things will improve and i hope it'll be sooner rather than later but if i want it to happen i gotta get up and make it happen. In church yesterday Kaizer Mohobane shared a cool little story and i'll try to explain it for you. He said, "There once was a young boy whose father went to jail when the kid was a baby. As the kid grew up he had no food to eat so he called his father and asked his father what he was going to do to help him. As they talked the father told the boy he had hidden guns all over their property in the yard and when he said that the guards over heard him and first thing the next morning the guards went to the house and dug up the whole yard looking for the weapons, but they found nothing. Then confused the young boy called his father and asked why he would say such a thing when there was nothing there. The father replied from in here there wasnt much i could do to help you but atleast i was able to get the yard plowed so now you will have to go and plant the seeds." It was a very unique story and it can apply in so many ways to our lives but no matter what there is work we must do even if the way has been prepared for us. Anyways things are going out here, we get transfer news on Saturday so we'll find out what the plan is. but also Lesotho Prime Minister elections are this weekend so we might be locked in our boardings for a few days cause it could get violate so next monday if i dont email thats why but either way life is life... You gotta love it. I love you all so much and continue to keep me posted! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to BEN!! (later this week, Love you big guy). 

Love you all,

Elder Alex Sorenson

A Letter to Mom:
Hey Mom,

Just thought i'd share something real quick that just happened. so today after emailing we went to the Zone Leaders to sort out everything between my companion and i. we got there and i explained everything from my side and admitted i said a few things i shouldnt have but my comp continued to take everything i have ever said and put it out of context and try to get me yelled at and then we wouldnt admit that he was lying. so we ended the meeting with ZL's and i went in and sat in the car and read a few letters i got today talking about how im a good missionary and a good example and even a talk from Elder Holland call "Lord i believe" as i read those things it all sunk into my heart i got out of the car went and called Opiyo and we went into the Zone Leaders study room to talk one on one and i asked for forgiveness and said i was very sorry he didnt seem to care but i said it with tears in my eyes and had him read a view quotes you sent me about Love and Caring for your Comp (two quotes i got in the letters today). I ended the short talk with a word of prayer and asked for help. I know the Lord is truly there and is aware of every situation.Those letters arrived today for a reason and to teach me a major lesson. even though i hadnt done anything wrong asking for forgiveness brought me down into the depths of humility. Mission has changed me. I dont try to lie or cover things up anymore. i feel different now and everytime i do something wrong or hurtful i try right away to correct it. Its hard asking for forgiveness and becoming humble but its worth in after. I hated being wrong at home but now i always say sorry if something happens or if i get into an arguement. Mission has been a place for me to really change and grow up! Its truly impacted my life and i have seen a big difference in myself. anyways i thought i should share it with you! Everything is good now and just trying to stay happy, humble and loving. I love you

Love you,

Elder Sorenson

PICTURES:  Lesotho Election Rally (party called ABC). A banana that was as wide as my nametag (the things you take pics of to cheer yourself up haha). Moms Lesotho Nativity set. Then me in my new Hand made shirt, suit and tie. the guy on the far left is Molefi he made it all for me and the family is wearing other shirts and even a traditional dress that he made. He came to church for the first time since i've been here this past sunday.

February 16, 2015

Family,

Wow what a week. Things have been pretty crazy this week but things are still progressing to get to good! i had a very happy moment this week when we taught the first lesson to a family. the reason i was happy is cause i've been trying super hard to find a family and teach them. This Family was golden, hopefully we'll be able to get them to progress. That first lesson we taught the Plan of Salvation since they have a new 10 month old baby boy and we stressed the importance of Eternal families and families in general.Saturday i had Exchanges, i went with Elder Marumo and it was so nice to be with a chill/smart guy to go around teaching. i really enjoyed that exchange and i was even able to help him since he was struggling a little bit with his companion. Sunday we had church then right after we drove an hour and a half to a city called Leribe because i had to do some Baptismal Interviews. i did 2 and each was about an hour or a little longer then right after i drove again back to my area an hour and a half away and went straight to 2 lessons then we got home about 8:30pm i was dead but still seemed to have some energy even though i had fasted the entire day. so talk about exhausting but hey at least it was productive. Today we were able to go to a old battle ground where Lesotho won its freedom, its called Thaba Bosiu. we had to hike a pretty good mountain and its sad how out of shape 20 to 25 year old guys can be out of shape i watched my whole district struggling to climb this mountain while me and another elder and the Senior couple Elder did it so easy. its nice having an increased work ethic and to be able to have a strong desire to push my limits each day working out or teaching the gospel! its nice to enjoy life. Anyways on the spiritual side of things. i was reading Matt 19 this week and it applied to me verses 16-22 Christ is talking to that rich guy that has everything and the guy wants to know what he can do to obtain eternal life and then it hit me when Christ told him to leave everything he had and follow him... Am i willing to make that sacrifice for the Lord to continue in this work.. We'll find out. Christ then says in verse 26 that giving those things up is impossible on our own but with God all things are possible and the verse 29 (my favorite) says that anything we sacrifice will be returned back to us a hundredfold! Just some thoughts to make it seem like this email is from a missionary. haha i love you all and keep me posted.

Love,

Elder Alex Sorenson

PICTURES:  We had a Braii(BBQ) for our ZL Elder chigede since it was his Bday.Picture of me doing the daily routine and thought i'd get a pic since i was bored of knocking. The rest are pictures from our district activity. We went to a place called Thaba Bosiu which is this historic battle site where Lesotho became free and fought of people. it was a cool place and i got alot of pictures. The pic at the grave yard all the piles of stone behind me are graves. Enjoy

February 9, 2015

Family,

Another week down! It was a crazy one to stay the least. My comp when he came into the country he never got a stamp in his passport from the Lesotho side so technically he's been here illegally for the passed month, so one night at about 8:30 or 9 we had to sneak him out of the border with a branch president whose a top dog in the police here it was a crazy experience but it was exciting so it was nice! they were so nervous but i was excited for some nice journal entires but nothing really happened it went smooth. Its funny how people are crazy sometimes no one really tries anything on my these days since im in nice shape now, its ridiculous i eat so heathly and eat/cook alot of spinach i feel like Pop-eye. But the week went fairly well when it came to the work its tough i wont lie going around knocking on doors and talking to people all day its frustrating cause we dont have alot of people to teach, but its improving and the quality of people is getting better as well. i've really felt loved this week from people that i started visiting like a few less actives that have major issues with some people at church. one guy said "ya know i love the church but the people there make me never want to go, the only reason i go is because you guys care and actually come to visit me." Also this weekend President Zackrison was in town for interviews so we took him to Georges house and George really touched my heart with what he said. he said " Ya know president these guys come and they continue to come and because of them im improving in my situation. I've tried so hard to discourage them and ask silly questions so they stop coming but always twice a week they are here and they are truly speaking doing an amazing job." George is a guy thats super less active and has some big question as i've explained but i have grown to love that guy and enjoy visiting him a ton. He made a cool analogy of himself he said " im like a car in winter you gotta warm me up before i'll start and take off. previous Elders have tried but they havent even got thee key in the ignition but for this guy he has got the key in and has began to turn and warm it up." but it was nice teaching with President again he's a awesome guy and works wonders in lessons. we even were able to pray at Georges because of President, That hasnt happened in that home for YEARS! The week was well and all is good and im safe so continue to keep me posted with life! i have a few pictures this week its so funny how many people ask us/me to take pictures with them so you'll see one of them haha anyways i love you all a ton!

Love,

Elder Sorenson

February 9th continue...... Fam,

K so this passed weekend i met with my Mission President and he has given me complete freedom on the choice of coming 30 days early to prepare for baseball or to stay and get a good comp to help me prepare for home in the mornings my last few months but he has approved either and said i can go Oct 10 or on Nov.10 but its my choice. I feel that your opinions as my family will greatly help along with much prayer. So send me an email this week and be honest with which choice you feel is best. 

Thanks

Alex

The following pictures:   My truck in the middle getting washed. At a bday party for a member with the other 6 missionaries the kids name is Lehlohonolo or Lucky. and then some random guy asked to take a picture with me, i've been asked alot lately by random people to take pictures with him!

February 2, 2015

Family,

Another week down and this one seemed to just fly passed. We decided to leave the car at home for a few day and walk.(i've noticed that if im having a long week i need to walk cause walking makes days fly by). anyways we probably walked about 15 Kilometers thursday and friday but i enjoyed it! we did alot of contacting and knocking on doors which i've come to enjoy cause you never know what to expected. For example, this week we were walking around and i started to skip so stones with little kids for 5 min cause i wanted to throw in some fun into the day and then out of random these weird guys come to us with their phones and wanted to take picture with us so i was like okay what the heck why not i even pulled out my camera. The main guy kept trying to hold our hands like we were praying and i was just laughing and resisting we got some funny pictures though. Nothing stands out too much from this week other than things i have shared with individuals in their emails.One let down this week was with a Less Active guy named Molefi. the past few weeks i've been working hard to get home some new scriptures since he doesnt have any and we finally got them so we take them over i think friday night and he wasnt home but we left them with his active brother George, we went back to the next day to see if molefi had got them only to find he was dodging us that day since he had gotten drunk the night before when we took them to his home. His bro gave us all the details but even seemed to find it wasnt a big deal but yeah theres always a let down but the positive atleast we got him scriptures and he can read and figure things out. i did get a package this week with some Christmas stuff but it was nice to get a package i gave alot of stuff to Opiyo but i was excited for those books i got and i read about 100 pages in the first 2 days or so. i got a few letters as well and let grandma know i say thanks for the beautiful Christmas Party invitation. im glad i got it in 2015 cause i know im invited to the one this year! haha Anyways continue to let me know how life is going! you're all in my prayers and thanks for having me in yours! love you

Love,

Elder Alex Sorenson

Those creepers. Mail day! Christmas in Lesotho in Feb.

January 26, 2015

Family,

A fast week this week, but same old same old. things have gotten better and i have found ways to just be happy even in times of struggles. The week was busy but fairly successful when it comes to the work. but no nice stories really this week. Saturday after playing soccer we went home and showered and changed and after i showered i tried unlocking the door the the skeleton type keys they use here in africa and the key breaks. i was like what the heck do i do now my comp isnt smart enough to help me take it apart so i call home to grab my Gerber and to walk outside and past it through the window, i wouldve climbed out the window but theres bars on every window in africa so i thought i'd try to take the handle apart with the tool but it didnt turn out to be successful so i called again to Opiyo to be a Black jackie chan and kick the door down. it took him like 5 kicks but finally got it luckily no damage to the door or really the handle. the blot that locks it was broken but i just took it out and its all good. nothing too exciting this week other than a few things i wont talk much about but save for another day. but during church Brother Kaizer taught priesthood and said a quote i thought i'd share. He got it from George, the less active RM we've been working with, anyways he said " Once George showed me a picture of Christ and with this picture whether it was upside down or right side up Christ was smiling, so no matter our situations or our choices whether they be upside down sometimes or right side up we should always be happy with him and not be ashamed." anyways i thought it was pretty cool. The transfers were this past week and and 3 Americans left my district and only one new one came and 2 africans so now theres 8 of us and only 2 americans haha but the Africans in my district are the best in the mission so thats a plus. anyways nothing much else this week i love you all and keep me posted!

Love,

Elder Alex Sorenson

Transfers saying bye to Elders Sandberg, Holman, and Doane. My District for the last time before transfers and then me and opiyo... yay