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
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