November 11, 2013 - Day 300

Today marks 300 days out with 205 left!

Well things here are going better.  We had Stake Conference this weekend to which President and Sister Gelwix came. She gave me a good hug, but her hug wasn't as great as your hug mom, but I guess it does for the time I'm away.  Can't wait till I get a nice hug from all of you!!!!!!

So more info on Hna Odor.  She is from Aruba!!! (yes I sing the Beach Boy song too whenever I say it).  She has been out 13 months.  She speaks 4 languages; Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, and English thankfully.  It'll be nice having her help me with my Spanish.  We had dinner with a new family in the ward last night and they said they are going to help me with it too.  Ha ha..  Hna Odor says I know a lot but need to just be confident in what I say and say it.  So nerve wracking.

I hope your new calling mom is one you love and will grow in.  I know you did a wonderful job as Relief Society president.  You're an amazing woman with an incredible gift of love.  There are a lot of things I've seen in my life here that I know I couldn't do without your example.  You are a great role model.  All of you are!  I think that's what kills me the most about being away, because these families here don't have that love and respect for each other and it hurts.  I just want all of us to be together and show those around us what a family truly can be like.  I love you all and am SO blessed to have you in my life.  Yay for eternity!!!!!!!!!!

 It's still pretty warm here.  Day time is in the 80's and the evenings are cool in the 40-50's.  Definitely cold enough to wear my coat.  The leaves don't change here so I miss that.  It doesn't feel like Novemeber.  It still looks like July.

Well, we're trying to get things up and going which is rough.  The Elders left no record on who they have been teaching for the past few months.  So we are literally starting off where I left off!  Gurrr... It's sad but nice when the members tell us "Ohh yay we have you back!  It was awful having those 3 boys here."  One member asked what our number was and we said it's the one the Elders had, and he said, "ohh I deleted that long time ago".  The Lagunas family (Anthony Lagunas that we baptized in July) told us they stopped going to church because they didn't like the Elders.  We have been getting a LOT of that these last couple days.  So I'm glad we are finally here to help mend hearts and get things back up and going and for them to love missionaries again.  

Our Stake conference was on Hastening the work.  I hope the members here help us and start doing missionary work themselves.  We missionaries really can't do it with out them.  We are starting to help families with a family mission plan.  How are all of your missionary efforts?  Hopefully you don't get too stressed with it.  It can simply be putting up a quote or video from the church on Facebook, in a text, email, etc.  Mentioning what you did during the weekend like going to church.  A sister in conference that spoke counted all the church activities that just her ward alone had where they could have invited someone.  56!  Wow.  Hopefully now with the Christmas season coming up, it will be easier for all of us to mention our beliefs and church in conversation.

Life is hard, but it's worth it.  I've realized a lot this week that God knows more than we do.  There have been a lot of sweet people this week that have helped me overcome my struggles and help comfort me.  I don't know what my future holds and why I've been asked to do and learn certain things, but someday I will know.  I just need to trust in the Lord more.  And as Sister Gelwix told me yesterday, when I'm low, remember "I think I can...I think I can...I think I can.." and before you know it you've made it.  

I love you all and hope things go well for you this week.  Hopefully you have a fun holiday today!  What are your plans for Thanksgiving?!  I will talk to Sister Fairbanks and ask her.  I can give her your email and/or number so she can tell you instead of being the middle man.  Good luck with it!  I hope it can help!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hna Sorensen

November 4, 2013

Hermana Hammer and I

We got transfer calls Saturday at 10:05pm.  I was informed I am staying in Los Banos, but will be moved over to the Mercy Springs ward.  Hna Hammer will be staying in the Los Banos ward with a new companion.  My new companion is Hna Odor (oh-door...not the smell).  She is from the Aruba if I'm not mistaken.  She doesn't have much longer in the mission so these might be her last few transfers.  She's a native obviously so I guess that will be good to finally have someone to help me with my Spanish.  It's been a really hard weekend though. I was looking forward to helping the Los Banos ward more and working with Bishop Fairbanks, but  Bishop Nuno is and will be great too.

We didn't have much appointments this week.  Our investigator pool is slowly diminishing.  Shen doesn't really want anything to do with us any more so that's hard.  Susan says no one loves her in the ward and she wants to go to another church where she is accepted.  We went over and visited with her.  It was a very touching visit.  She broke down and really opened up to us about her past and how she was as a mother.  I personally feel that she has turned to extreme beliefs (reincarnation, God is neither Male nor Female, etc.) because she has had a lot of hurt in her past with being abused and other things.  She wants beliefs that have no feelings or emotions attached in case it "back fires" or when she's placed in another trial, she won't have any pain and sorrow from that.  She just wants to feel loved and give love.  Her daughter doesn't talk to her which kills Susan because it tells her she was a horrible mother.  We met with Susan 2 times this week and just tried to help her know she is special.  She's very open to learning and has started to change her ways, but then Satan places something in her life to trick her.  She told us she was starting to accept that God has a body and is male until she drove past a church here that took the quote from Pres Uchtdorf (I mentioned it a few weeks ago) that put up "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."  So she of coarse took it as she shouldn't be doubting her beliefs because she is right.  Sigh.  We told her Pres Uchtdorf from OUR church said that and we shared a little bit about his talk and how he referred to that.  Hopefully I'll be able to always keep in touch with her and be her friend.

with the Horan family carving pumpkins for FHE

Halloween here was good.  We had to be in our homes at 6:30.  Had Zone meeting earlier that day, got back in town, visited with Michelle, had dinner w/ Garcias, and then went home and wrote letters.  Not very fun and memorable like your guys, but it was still nice to get things done that evening.  We even had a few trick or treaters.  Luckily we had a bunch of random candy through-out the house.  Sounds like you had much more then we had though.  You all look so cute and fun dressed up!  Did you all get a lot candy?!  

  

My District in Los Banos

My Zone in Los Banos

xoxoxoxoxoxo

- hermana Sorensen

October 28, 2013

James, Me, Jaci, Bishop Fairbanks

So lots of happenings have taken place this past week and will be taking place.  Transfer calls are this Saturday.  Never been so nervous for call outs then I am for this one.  But I think I've mentioned that before.  So keep your fingers crossed and pray hard that what ever happens is what is suppose to happen.  THEN, yesterday the stake presidency came and released Bishop Brett Lee and called.....Brother Michael Fairbanks!!!!!!!!!  No more will he be our Ward Mission Leader, but our Bishop.  It was the most powerful and bitter sweet sacrament I think I have ever attended.  Bishop Lee was not able to make it, but his wife stood in for his place and bore the most touching testimony.  There was not a single dry eye in the Chapel and even foyer. (a lot of the other ward stood out there listening in).  She shared how hard this cancer has been for Bishop and for the family.  She has struggled so much with her faith and love for this Gospel in seeing the Lord not answer her prayers.  She was mentioning how one night she got home from the hospital and was just so sick of hearing bad new after another.  She was texting her brother who happened to have gone through his fair share of challenges and asked him how he remains faithful and strong.  He asked her if she had fair weather faith; meaning, do we only believe if we get our way and the weather is fair?  Or do we believe no matter how hard the storms may be and whether things are lost and damaged.  She turned her prayers of healing into prayers of comfort in accepting whatever happens.  She said Bishop doesn't have much longer and knowing that doesn't take away the pain, but how much she has grown in understanding the Atonement has taken away some pain.  I am so grateful I had the chance of being in the area at this time and serving under Bishop Lee.  I've met him a few times, but have learned so much about love from him.  All he wanted to do for this ward is to help mend broken hearts and cheer up the weary.  He has shown us all how to do just that by letting us mend his broken heart and help cheer him and his family up.  It's was a beautiful meeting.  He will be missed.  I'm excited though for Bishop Fairbanks now.  He is very missionary focused with now having worked with us the past 8 months or so.  He is a new face to the ward and has a lot of love he wants to bring to help pick this ward back up.  Everyone was confused on why President Schofield kept Bishop Lee in for so long and not just call a new Bishop, but I now can't help but think not only was it not time for Bishop Lee to be released, but it wasn't time for Bro Fairbanks to be called.  We needed his strong focus and help in the missionary forces to get that going so that we can then be able to help him and the ward get going.  I'm excited to see this ward have a steady Bishop back in that is able to help its needs.

This last Saturday we had our ward Fall Harvest Night. (we all had to call it that since we are still dealing with the issue of "Halloween" not being appropriate as LDS individuals).  It was a lot of fun and we had a good turn out!  Michelle was our only investigator that showed, but a lot of the ward members brought friends to it so that is super great!  Michelle's grandson came with her (Eli, 3yrs) and he attached onto me the whole night.  He made my night even more by hugging me and saying he loved me.  Ha ha..  He didn't want to go home and was throwing a fit with Michelle, so I told him he had to go so he could show his mom all his candy.  He stopped crying and was like "YAY!" and Michelle just looked at me and was like "How do you do that?!" I was like "It's called... I have 7 nieces and nephews!"  Ha ha.. My proud "aunt tricking" moment.  

Visited with Donna and Manuel a few times (the ones that feed us a candle lit dinner).  We had dinner with them the other night and Manuel kept staring at us and was just so baffled at how put together we are for a 19 and 22 yr old.  He has 2 daughters and knows how they were at those ages and just doesn't get it. :)  He said he doesn't want to be baptized, but just that he wants to come to church so he can see if all Mormons are like that.  We laughed.  They don't get why we have all these rules as missionaries and just gasp and stare as we tell them.  They just adore us so much! Ha ha..  Good thing we adore them.  They don't want us to be transferred and said they will call our leader to petition.  They are gonna give us a big going away party if one of us does leave.  Ha ha..  We are nervous for that party!  They still don't understand we can't listen to music, watch TV, date (she keeps trying to hook us up with her sons), and drink alcohol/coffee. :)

The rest of this past week we did a lot of service.  Helped Sister Gois organize her room and help nurse her back to health.  She's the one that had her neck fused and has been on feeding tubes the last few months and will remain on it for a couple more.  She is in bad shape so we are so glad we can help her out in little things she's not able to do.  Visited Sis Stenberg and helped her with a puzzle.  We're calling that as service too. ;)   Hope you all have a fun Halloween!  We are now headed off to Merced for a Zone party where we will be carving pumpkins.  What is everyone being this year?!

I love you all!!!!!!!! Take care!!!!!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxo

- hermana Sorensen

Montserrat and I

October 21, 2013

I'm glad to hear all is well at home!  A gentleman in the ward showed me a picture of the Ogden temple last night!  I can't wait to see it when it's done!  They redid the Fresno endowment room.  It was just plain walled, but now they painted it with the Yosemite mountains!  I can't wait till this next temple trip to see it!  I hear it's super neat.

Well this last week was very busy with meetings.  Had District meeting Tuesday, Zone Conference Wednesday, Exchanges Thursday, weekly planning Friday, Church on Sunday, etc.  So we weren't able to do a whole lot, but we did stay busy.  Michelle Aunchman asked is she could move her baptism date back.  She said there is no way she is turning her back on this church, but she knows she needs to get things straightened out before she gets baptized.  She is incredible.  We weren't suppose to meet with her till Sunday, but she called and texted us asking if we could meet with her.  We met her at the church and that's where she told us she wasn't quite ready to be baptized.  We talked some more and she told us of what happened since we last visited.  We had talked about Law of Chastity and told her that living with her ex-husband is breaking the law.  She went home and was distraught because she saw no fault in it.  She prayed though asking God if the Law of Chastity applied to her.  That day she prayed ended up being the worst day she's had since we've been teaching her.  She was full of anger and sadness towards everyone and wanted nothing to do with anything.  As she sat down and contemplated her feelings, she knew that this was God's answer.  She has felt so much peace and happiness since she's been visiting with us, and this day of her telling herself that one of God's commandments isn't applicable to her, she felt His presence leave.  She knows she needs to keep this commandment now to have those feelings of peace and happiness always.  She attended the Addiction Recovery class this week too and is now getting more help that way.  We are just so happy for her and her sweet testimony she is sharing with us.  I've realized that God really is aware of each and everyone of us.  He does hear and answer our prayers.  Listening to her I can't help but question "why does she get her answers just like that?" "why can't I hear or understand my answers that easily?" "am I doing something wrong?"  But I know this isn't what I should be thinking, so I've been trying to think more on how I receive my answers.  As a missionary you would think I'd know or even they'd know by now.  I guess it's a life long matter though.  I hope I am listening to the promptings he gives me and that I am acting on them in time.  That was a lot of our training this Wednesday at Zone Conference, was listening to the Holy Ghost.  

Yesterday in church Hna Hammer and I performed a musical number!  I played the piano while she sang.  It was like I was back in piano lessons at a piano recital!  I was SO scared!  The song was called "How Shall I Live".  I am so glad to have it done and over with!  Ha ha..  But I didn't mess up as much as I was expecting so that's good! :)  I sure miss playing the piano though.  I am thankful for the sheet music you sent!  It will keep me entertained and up on my piano skills.

This transfer is getting long, but I'm trying to enjoy it while I can.  Not sure if my time is up here in Los Banos or if I'll be here a little longer.  I really REALLY hope Pres Gelwix knows what to do and what the Lord wants for this area.  I really hope I can stay, but we shall see next Saturday when we get the calls.

Thank you all for everything you do for me.  We seriously have the best family ever.  It's sad to see families here not work together or have love for one another.  You all are my bestest friends and will be forever and ever!  I can't even imagine not talking to any of you and not having you in my life.  Thank you all for being such great examples to me and loving me and my flaws.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

- hermana Sorensen

October 14, 2013

 Tuesday we got a referral from church head quarters for a Machille Aunchman saying to visit her ASAP and that she's looking for a church.  We went over that night and set up an appt for that next day.  So Wednesday we met with her at the church and got to know her more.  I guess a guy from Utah who is a member was driving through California (truck driver) and pulled over to say a prayer and take a breather.  Machille was on the side of the road having a smoke.  This guy after praying felt impressed to talk to her and give her a pass along card telling her to call him if she ever needed help.  This was back in Feb.  Well, this last Monday she was very depressed and didn't know where to turn but remembered this man.  She gave him a call and they talked for awhile and he said he'd send some missionaries over.  He called Salt Lake, we were given the information Tuesday and like I said stopped by that night.  We've taught her now 2 times, she came to church yesterday, and she wants to quit smoking and drinking and to be BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She really wants this all and you can see the thirst she has for a brighter life and future.  She LOVED church and she's loved all the lessons and agrees completely.  We taught her Friday and we told her to pray and ask if these things are true.  Later that night she called us and said "I was praying like you told me to do and asking God if these things are true.  After a while though I stopped myself and thought "I don't have to pray and ask if it's true, I already know it's true!"  Is that normal and okay?"  We were just so thrilled to hear her say that.  At church she stood up in Relief Society and told everyone who she is and her story and how she is just so happy to finally find this all.  She even signed up to bring food to our ward activity next week! :)  The Lord loves her and we are just so happy that this gentleman heeded the prompting to talk to her and then to send us to her.  We are extatic and can't wait for her baptism!  We just have to help her quit smoking, drinking, and either move out of her house or kick her exhusband out. :/  Please keep her in your prayers that she will stay strong and Satan won't try and stop her from reaching her date for the 27th. 

Another quick story.  I think I mentioned it last week, we found a less active family (the Emerich's) who have let us come in and visit with them.  We saw Sis Emerich Saturday and invited her to church.  She came to all 3 hours too!  So Hna Hammer teamed up with Machille and took her to all the classes with her while I stayed with Sis Emerich.  Both Machille and Sis Emerich were so blown away with church.  Sis Emerich stood up in RS too and mentioned how we need to be brave and call up those ladies in the ward you don't know and visit with them.  She said she's lived her for over a year and no one has tried contacting her but would have loved to have a visiting teacher come over and make her feel loved.  It was a good push for all the ladies to start doing their home teaching in a sneeky way. :)  

This Thursday we had our Relief Society night.  They did a dinner and talked about Visiting teaching.  It was a really good turn out for something like that here.  Everyone was amazed!  I know it was another miracle from God to help the RS see that with a little harder elbow grease, you can have good turn outs to activities.  I know from this experience, we will have a dramatic change in the way they do things in the future and we will see success. :)

- hermana Sorensen

October 7, 2013

This week has been really great.  It's very different watching conference at church buildings.  I really liked it when Dad and I watched conference in Nebraska a couple years ago.  But now, it's quite the luxury of watching it in your pj's on a comfy couch with a blanket wrapped around you.  We were able to watch all 4 sessions here at the church.  Hna Hammer and I didn't want to sit on the hard benches for 2 hours, so we pulled in the big arm chairs from the foyer and sat on those in the very front.  So glad we did!  Ha ha.. I was able to focus a lot better and enjoy listening.  I enjoyed all the talks though.  My favorite was probably Dieter F. Uchtdorf's.  Mostly because as a missionary, I felt that was really what I needed to hear as I try to work with a lot of less actives and helping others see why they should join our church.  I loved his "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."  Just as we were driving here to come email, there is a church in town by our house that always puts up profound quotes on their marquee. We've noticed they change it every week but noticed they were late in changing it this week.  Well, they just changed it this morning, and guess what their quote is for this week? "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith".  Hmmmmm I wonder where they got that quote from?!  Least we know the pastor was watching Conference! :)

But it was a great conference.  Can you feel the time drawing to an end?  It sure is scary out there, but as we learned, as long as we stay firm in our testimony and do those things we know we should, we will be safe.  The battle is getting brutal and we need to make sure we have on ALL our armor.  We've been in a battle where just a sword and shield were good enough to protect us.  Now we need our helmets, eye protection, body suits, etc.  Bigger weapons call for stronger armor.

So we might have a baptism next weekend.  Not sure how I feel.  Normally you should feel ecstatic and anxious.  Well.  I'm sure I've mentioned her; Susan.  She was taught last year but failed the baptismal interview due to some differences of beliefs.  Hna Hammer and I finally got her approval to reteach her the lessons and to see if she's ready now.  It's a crazy story and mess, but she said she is going to petition that she be baptized.  How can a church reject her when she hasn't rejected them.  It's been a long battle and the ward has been helping her out.  Her mom is a member here and wants her to get baptized just as badly.  Susan still has not accepted all our beliefs which make it hard for us as missionaries to feel that she is ready for baptism.  (She's a feminist and doesn't see why she can't have the priesthood.  Also she doesn't believe in Heavenly Father.  She believes in God, but that "he" is non-gender, neither male or female, and has no body.)  Hna Hammer and I love her and want her to be baptized to receive the blessings that come from it, but we feel it's not good for us to get her baptized when her answers don't align to the actual baptismal questions/interview.  Okay so why do I say we might have a baptism next week?  Well, our WML thinks it's not good for us to keep these blessings from her.  The reason we get baptized is to learn and grow our knowledge.  So he called up Pres McAndrews (one of Pres Gelwix councilors) and talked to him about coming down to do the interview.  They all set the date for next weekend.  We will be cramming in all the lessons these next 2 weeks to get her as prepared as we can.  I pray that she will be ready and accepting, but as the ones with the stewardship in this ward and calling to be judges in Israel to baptize, I'm just worried.  

Funny story.  Tuesday we became dog owners!  A dog followed us home after our run and so we gave it some food and took care of it for awhile.  Hna Hammer gave it a bath and everything.  We tried finding it a home all day, but no one wanted it.  We thought we'd get to keep it after getting approval from Sis Vogel, but when we got home that night it had ran away.  But it was still fun for awhile.  Monkey was mad at us though. :)

The area is getting better.  We helped the Elders this week in going down to Dos Palos for them since they don't have a car and teaching the investigators down there.  When they told us, I immediately called up the Langs!!!!  We went over and visited with them.  Georgetta still wants to get baptized and Slim is still a spiritual giant of a prankster.  They are just incredible people and I just get so excited to be with them.  Hna Hammer was excited to finally meet the ones I talk about all the time.  I also did exchanges this week to Chowchilla again.  I love exchanges, but it also makes me down.  Chowchilla members are really loving.  It's hard not to want that in your own area.  But we are getting that more now then we have so I shouldn't complain.  This week the ward has been on edge though after hearing that Bishop Lee has taken a turn for the worst and is now hospitalized.  Not sure how he is doing or how much longer they say he has.  But we are praying for him and that what ever happens, his family will be comforted.

This Friday we had a Zone meeting.  Our Zone Leaders talked a lot about the Atonement.  It was really powerful and it's made me realize how appreciative I am of it.  We are literally nothing without the Atonement.  Everything we preach and live is because of the Atonement.  Everything relates back to it.  Christ's whole purpose was to Atone for us.  We are all here to accept it and believe in Christ.  Hna Hammer and I have made it our goal to teach more of the Atonement with our investigators and members.  If they can see the importance of that, then they will be more accepting of our message.  We also talked about how we are all Generals here.  There are no soldiers, captains, or other ranks.  We are in the highest rankings and need to remember that always.  We watched a video clip called "My Shoes".  You will all have to watch that on YouTube.  It made me grateful for my trials and to accept them and not wish them away.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

- hermana Sorensen

September 30, 2013

I can't believe September is here and gone.  October is going to be great though, I can feel it!

Sister Hernandez is by far my favorite cook out here.  Mmmmm.. Last night we had dinner with her.  She made her homemade Hamburger helper soup.  It's to die for.  She's gonna teach me how to make Horchata finally next time!  And she's gonna make us tamales soon!  No one makes tamales until Christmas, so sadly I haven't had any yet.  But she said she will spoil us and make em. :)

We had to drive to Merced (~45 min away) to watch it at the Stake Center.  We invited one of the Recent Converts in the ward, Juanita, to come with us and we got a ride from Natalie Montes in the ward.  She's from Morgan, UT!  She served her mission here and met her husband and is now married and in Los Banos again.  So we had fun talking to her on the ride down of her mission and stuff.  I think I mentioned her before.  I never remember what I've put in previous emails and what I haven't. Sorry!  But the 4 of us were the only ones there from our ward.  Of coarse.  :(  But the 4 of us had fun and we really enjoyed it.  I think we need to do better at keeping our covenants wouldn't you say?! :)  I took from it that we can't be hard on ourselves in thinking we're not keeping our covenants when really we are through our service.  We are here to nurture and care for those around us.  It made me think of one of our investigators who doesn't understand why she can't have the priesthood.  I thought of her and realized myself that we as woman have equal qualities and assignments just like men but in different ways.  We can't all do the same task of paddling on one side of the boat.  We as women are given the task of paddling on the other side, and together with the priesthood, we go forward.

This week has been good but challenging as well.  I don't want to be rude or judgmental, but do not like the Elders here at all.  I'm so hurt to see how they spend their time and how they are treating the investigators and converts Hna Miller and I worked with.  They are great Elders, and I know they are sent here for a reason.  I just wish they would see that and get working.  One of the Elders came from the South where Hna Hammer was previously serving and I guess talked bad of this area making fun of all the missionaries that got called here.  So he gave Hna Hammer a hard time when she got called here saying "You're going to the crappy part of the mission. Let's hope you get along and love your companion a lot because the area sucks and you're gonna be miserable if your companion sucks too."  As you can tell, in the mission, no one wants to serve here in Los Banos or Colinga.  Both have that hard stereotype.  So this particular Elder is throwing a fit being here and is sitting back till he gets his way.  A lot of the members are already coming to us thinking we're still part of the ward and can help them instead.  Sadly it's not our area any more.  Hopefully the coming weeks will get better and these 3 Elders straighten things out.  Sorry to vent.  It's times like this though that your realize how much you love something.  I love this area and just am afraid other missionaries are going to come in and destroy it all right when we were getting a good foundation.

We had a lot of cancellations this week and so we were not able to see any of our solid investigators.  We did see Montserrat, but she sadly is making her way down the ladder instead of up like we had going.  I don't know what more we can do for her.  She doesn't see a problem in drinking coffee and tea.  They're good for you!  With Cheryl Kaplan (our less active we've been helping) stopped drinking for 4 days, but then picked it back up to be rebellious.  She is comfortable where she is at and just can't change.  That just didn't settle with me so I told her she can't say that until she ran it by with the Lord.  How sad it is to see people get comfortable with their lives and refuse to change.  I'm not telling them to change, it's their Father in Heaven.  I don't understand how you could be so hard-hearted like that and turn your back on God.  Back to the Relief Society broadcast, are we keeping our covenants?  We have them to protect us, give us true happiness, and to lead us back to our home above.  We're here trying to rescue her from a fire and she's just sitting there saying "no thank you, I don't want to leave the comfort of my couch." not realizing the house walls are burning down before her!  I am truly seeing this week the need to call people unto repentance.  We can not be satisfied with life.  It's always changing.  Satan tells you it's okay to do the same things every day.  God is the one telling us we need to keep moving forward and not being idle.  I read back in my journal this week when I hit that point of not wanting to go on a mission because I didn't want to leave my comfort zone and sacrifice everything a missionary has to sacrifice.  How grateful I am to say I did not let that keep me from coming out here.  How selfish that would have been of me.  It's hard having to sacrifice things we love so much.  But when we love God, we will have no difficulty sacrificing all we have.  He will bless us.  I want all of you to think of something you can sacrifice this week after you read this, and go 7 days without it.  Some examples I thought of if I were still back at home would be: not going on Facebook for 7 days, waking up early in the morning and not sleeping in, avoid eating snacks, not watching TV all day, etc.  Whatever it is, do it and replace it with something wholesome like; writing your favorite sister/daughter on her mission, reading an article in the Ensign, exercising, cleaning the house, making a gift for a friend or neighbor, etc.  I want to know what all of your sacrifices are and how you accomplished them or how you did or are doing.  My sacrifice this week is snacks.  During studies and lounging at home, I nibble a lot on food.  So I am not going to buy tempting snacks at the store today so I won't be tempted this week!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

- hermana Sorensen