Hello everyone!
This week has been a really good week for me. Our lessons are totally improving, and the spirit is so strong when we teach them. The language is coming easier. I can bear my testimony without having to really stop and think. Prayers are good in chinese. I still miss nap time :-( but i'm actually finding myself less tired recently (Thank Heavens).
In sacrament meeting yesterday, Elder Jenkins from my district played his arrangement of "I Believe in Christ", the spirit was so strong as he played. That's the spiritual experience I had for the week (sorry these letters probably aren't that juicy. The MTC is really monotonous and nothing really changes. It's all the same).
Something funny that happened this week:
My volleyball skills have improved Immensely (sp?) (And Amanda, more sisters play basketball than volleyball). Sister Bray is a sister that comes and plays but never touches the ball. We've started to get her to not be afraid of it. She's starting to get good... and so is my serve. When I served, I hit the ball with a lot of force... A LOT... Long Story Short: I didn't get it over the net. It went straight for the person in front of me... that was Sister Bray. It nailed her in the side of the head. Don't worry. She is fine. But I thought it was funny.
Anyway, there's not a whole lot more to say. It's all the same here. You lose track of days and are always looking forward to the next break. I love you all! Thanks for the letters/packages and the prayers. They really help! Write me more letteerrss if you can. I love them!
With Love,
Elder Mitchell Rhead Sorensen
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Letter #3 From Elder Mitchell Rhead Sorensen
Hello everyone!
Some beginning announcements to make -
The last day for Christmas packages to be delivered by USPS is December 22nd, so if you want to send me some for Christmas (please?), make sure they are in by then. And if you want me to wait for Christmas to open them, just say so on the box. I will try and excercise all will power to wait.
Another thing, letters are AWESOME! Keep them coming. I try to write back in my free time (which usually is never. Sometimes I get 10 minutes if I'm lucky). But I get to read them every day of the week, and they are some of the best pick me ups. Mailbox # Changed to 360. Don't forget.
This week was really difficult for me. As we practiced a lesson, we totally went off course and started talking about stuff like Ordinances and Tithing. Those aren't in the first lesson. It was so bad, but it was very good for us to have that. We practiced a few hours later and tought the best lesson we've ever tought before. And then on Saturday, we tought at the TRC (they make us teach someone we don't know as if they are truly investigating). For the first five minutes, you are supposed to get to know them using just chinese. It is so tough! Haha. Half the time I just say the same thing over and over. How is your family? haha. But the lesson went well. Always room for imporvement. Later that day, we had this object lesson where someone out of a companionship is the "investigator" and their companion is writing on the board what you should say next (Holy Ghost). It got sooooooooo frustrating cause we would be way off topic and weren't saying what the "Holy Ghost" wanted us to say (no one would have been able to follow them. They are the French elders that already have their Masters degree). I was almost brought to tears (I know I know.... DQ). And that made me really stressed, but it led to a pep talk later given to us by Elder Gubbay telling us the only person we are racing is our best self. It was really helpful and definitely something I needed to hear.
I've always liked hymns before my mission, but being here has made me realize that I LOVE them. Every time we have a devotional, we do 3 prelude hymns. One of them that we sung yesterday was "Come Unto Jesus". I've never heard it before, but I really liked it. After firesides on sunday, they play movies. This week was the Joseph Smith movie. I cried so hard watching it! The spirit was so strong. It was wonderful.
We went to the temple this morning. I've realized how important temple work is and I love going. Today I especially felt the spirit while I prayed in the Celestial Room. It is such a magnificent place. Everytime I go through the temple though, I always think of my family and how I wish they were there with me :( But it's not about me, it's about others. I also thought of Alisha today and how I got to baptize her when we did some work at the Jordan River Temple. I can't wait to do it again!
Well, my time is running out. I love and miss you all! Keep the letters coming!
With all my love,
Elder Mitchell R. Sorensen
Some beginning announcements to make -
The last day for Christmas packages to be delivered by USPS is December 22nd, so if you want to send me some for Christmas (please?), make sure they are in by then. And if you want me to wait for Christmas to open them, just say so on the box. I will try and excercise all will power to wait.
Another thing, letters are AWESOME! Keep them coming. I try to write back in my free time (which usually is never. Sometimes I get 10 minutes if I'm lucky). But I get to read them every day of the week, and they are some of the best pick me ups. Mailbox # Changed to 360. Don't forget.
This week was really difficult for me. As we practiced a lesson, we totally went off course and started talking about stuff like Ordinances and Tithing. Those aren't in the first lesson. It was so bad, but it was very good for us to have that. We practiced a few hours later and tought the best lesson we've ever tought before. And then on Saturday, we tought at the TRC (they make us teach someone we don't know as if they are truly investigating). For the first five minutes, you are supposed to get to know them using just chinese. It is so tough! Haha. Half the time I just say the same thing over and over. How is your family? haha. But the lesson went well. Always room for imporvement. Later that day, we had this object lesson where someone out of a companionship is the "investigator" and their companion is writing on the board what you should say next (Holy Ghost). It got sooooooooo frustrating cause we would be way off topic and weren't saying what the "Holy Ghost" wanted us to say (no one would have been able to follow them. They are the French elders that already have their Masters degree). I was almost brought to tears (I know I know.... DQ). And that made me really stressed, but it led to a pep talk later given to us by Elder Gubbay telling us the only person we are racing is our best self. It was really helpful and definitely something I needed to hear.
I've always liked hymns before my mission, but being here has made me realize that I LOVE them. Every time we have a devotional, we do 3 prelude hymns. One of them that we sung yesterday was "Come Unto Jesus". I've never heard it before, but I really liked it. After firesides on sunday, they play movies. This week was the Joseph Smith movie. I cried so hard watching it! The spirit was so strong. It was wonderful.
We went to the temple this morning. I've realized how important temple work is and I love going. Today I especially felt the spirit while I prayed in the Celestial Room. It is such a magnificent place. Everytime I go through the temple though, I always think of my family and how I wish they were there with me :( But it's not about me, it's about others. I also thought of Alisha today and how I got to baptize her when we did some work at the Jordan River Temple. I can't wait to do it again!
Well, my time is running out. I love and miss you all! Keep the letters coming!
With all my love,
Elder Mitchell R. Sorensen
Letter #2 From Elder Mitchell Rhead Sorensen
Hi everyone!
Thank you SOOO much for the package. The cookies were AWESOME! and the fruit snacks. and the gum drops. Before I say anything else.... THEY CHANGED MY MISSION!!! TO CHINA, BEIJING!!!!!! just kidding. My mailbox number changed though
MTC Mailbox #360
TAIW-TCG 0202
So pleaasse address the letters to that mailbox. Thanksgiving here was wonderful. We had the morning devotional, and Elder Holland was the speaker! It was phenominal! His words were encouraging and very helpful. He talked a lot about being thankful for his mission and how everything we are blessed with after we get home is due to the service we have givenn to Heavenly Father. It was so awesome to be spoken to by an apostle. I want General Conference to be here already. We hadd thanksgiving lunch with turkey stuffing and mashed potatoes, with some pumpkkin pie. (The computer keeps adding duplicate letters on some words, so keep in mind that my ttyping isn't really this bad. And i'm rushed for time). We did a service projectt at night, where we made backpacks for kids in schools that don't have money. We made 35,000 bags in two hours. pretty impressive. Everything else wwaas just a normal week here at the MTC. Class, Eat, Class, Eat, class, Eat. Long days,, but this week went by quite fast! I got hit with a cold on Satuurrday when I woke up. It made the day kind of miserable, then it was stillll with me yesterday. The worst part? Not being able to nap it off ;-) But today is better. I'm almost over being sick. Last night, we had the Manager of the Missionary Dept. come talk to us for the Sunday fireside. He ttold us what mom told me. Faith and Fear do not coincide together. Completely oppossiite. So it hit me. Chinese is so hard, and i'm afraid i'll never learnn it well, but why? Heavenly Father has given me the gift of tongues, I just need ttoo put my faith in Him. So i've put that aside. He also said not to be homesick, cause thaatt is a sign of thinking about yourself instead of others. I haven't gotten homesick very much. I think that's cause I moved to Logan so i'm used to it. There's not a lot more to add. Just keep praying for me pleasee!! and keep writing! and sending me goodies. Christmas is coming up... Send me presents! And, i've realized I only have four ties to where with black pants ((I have to wear my suit everyday.) and two of them are bblluue. And two are red. I only have one green tie. I promise if youu ssend me ties of different colors, I won't be picky! I just want some change. I hope all is well at home! I love you all!
With Love,
Elder Mitchell R. Sorensen
Thank you SOOO much for the package. The cookies were AWESOME! and the fruit snacks. and the gum drops. Before I say anything else.... THEY CHANGED MY MISSION!!! TO CHINA, BEIJING!!!!!! just kidding. My mailbox number changed though
MTC Mailbox #360
TAIW-TCG 0202
So pleaasse address the letters to that mailbox. Thanksgiving here was wonderful. We had the morning devotional, and Elder Holland was the speaker! It was phenominal! His words were encouraging and very helpful. He talked a lot about being thankful for his mission and how everything we are blessed with after we get home is due to the service we have givenn to Heavenly Father. It was so awesome to be spoken to by an apostle. I want General Conference to be here already. We hadd thanksgiving lunch with turkey stuffing and mashed potatoes, with some pumpkkin pie. (The computer keeps adding duplicate letters on some words, so keep in mind that my ttyping isn't really this bad. And i'm rushed for time). We did a service projectt at night, where we made backpacks for kids in schools that don't have money. We made 35,000 bags in two hours. pretty impressive. Everything else wwaas just a normal week here at the MTC. Class, Eat, Class, Eat, class, Eat. Long days,, but this week went by quite fast! I got hit with a cold on Satuurrday when I woke up. It made the day kind of miserable, then it was stillll with me yesterday. The worst part? Not being able to nap it off ;-) But today is better. I'm almost over being sick. Last night, we had the Manager of the Missionary Dept. come talk to us for the Sunday fireside. He ttold us what mom told me. Faith and Fear do not coincide together. Completely oppossiite. So it hit me. Chinese is so hard, and i'm afraid i'll never learnn it well, but why? Heavenly Father has given me the gift of tongues, I just need ttoo put my faith in Him. So i've put that aside. He also said not to be homesick, cause thaatt is a sign of thinking about yourself instead of others. I haven't gotten homesick very much. I think that's cause I moved to Logan so i'm used to it. There's not a lot more to add. Just keep praying for me pleasee!! and keep writing! and sending me goodies. Christmas is coming up... Send me presents! And, i've realized I only have four ties to where with black pants ((I have to wear my suit everyday.) and two of them are bblluue. And two are red. I only have one green tie. I promise if youu ssend me ties of different colors, I won't be picky! I just want some change. I hope all is well at home! I love you all!
With Love,
Elder Mitchell R. Sorensen
Monday, November 22, 2010
Letter from Elder Sorensen
Hey everyone! This is my first letter from the Mission/MTC. Wow. It has been a crazy few days! The first day was hard, but you were experiencing new things, so it wasn't too bad. It was the second day that was really a challenge. I really did want to come home soooo bad! But, I know it's the right thing to be here. And if I came home, I couldn't have had my break from Sarah ;-) You know I love you sister. My companions name is Elder Oakmen. He's way cool! He's way nice. That first night when we got back to our room, we found out that no one else shares it with us cause it's the smaller room. That means I have the bottom bunk, and I don't have to worry about 3 others snoring.
Sister Whipple, my teacher, is way awesome! Either she teaches Chinese well, or it's the gift of tongues. You just get it when she teaches! I've already learned how to pray in Chinese, so I get to pray a few times in Chinese a day. The schedule here was crazy last week, cause it's different for first week kids. This week we're getting into the groove of things. It's wake up bright and early, go to your class and have personal study. Then you learn Chinese mixed with church. Go to Lunch. Go back to class. Go to Dinner. Go back to class. Go to bed. Days really are so long!
I've seen a few people here that I know. I didn't see Elder Rigby or Sister Flores the first couple of days, and being down in the dumps, missing my family, I needed a good pick-me-up, so thursday night I think it was that I prayed to see them. Suddenly... BAM! I saw them both in the same day! It was most excellent. I almost gave Jaimee a hug, but resisted. It's great to be in the presence of a couple thousand missionaries! Last night we had a devotional and sung three hymns. It was so powerful! I went to the temple today. Although it's not very pretty on the outside, it's beautiful on the inside (as they all are). Oh. Before I forget, I had my first embarrasing moment on Thursday. We were turning in our immunization cards, and as I was walking through this room, I tripped over one of those chairs that are connected to a desk. I went flying across the room, and the desk flew in the other direction! I hear everyone shout "Are you alright Elder?" I started laughing way hard and reached for my phone to text the family, but you know how that ended. My arm is bruised.
My district here is WAY fun. We are all soo close now. There are two brothers from France/England and they're companions. They are going back to Paris and Toulhousse for their missions. There is another Elder from Southern California who has never seen it snow, or seen snow at all! It snowed yesterday and he was sooo excited. We had to stand outside for a few minutes and let him take it all in.
Well, time is running down (there is a red stopclock in the corner of our computer screen, and if we don't send before it hits 0, it logs us out and we are out of luck). Thank you all for the wonderful letters that you have sent me! Please write me everyone! The best thing ever is to get letters. And, I can't write to you if I don't have your address. I love you all so much and can't wait to hear from you (unless satan snatches me up here pretty soon)!
With Love,
Elder Mitchell R. Sorensen
Everyone WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE ME! please.
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