Dear Family and Friends,
Well this week Sister Ah Puck and I decided that we just couldn't take it anymore and made a run for the border, with our District Leaders, and an older couple from our ward. That's right--a District Temple trip! The Myatts were great and fit all of us into their Pickup and we went to the temple in Medford, Oregon. We left at 7:00 am and didn't get home until just barely in time to head to our dinner appointments (somehow the 2.5 hour trips turned out closer to 3 hours both ways). But we got to stop in Ashland, Oregon to eat dinner with a nice scenic view of the park where they have the Shakespeare festival. It was all in all a good trip. It did, however, mean that we had to proselyte last Monday in lieu of our P-day (just leaving time to get our laundry done, go shopping, and send out our emails). So sorry to everyone I meant to write last week, but there was no time! Also I meant to tell the Odhiambos happy birthday last week and completely forgot! So, Happy Birthday.
What else happened? Well we helped Sister Abbot move; which was sad but good. She and her sons were baptized on December 31 and so her church membership had a nice parallel to my mission. But she moved to be closer to her boys so that is a good thing. Then we were actually able to get a lot of lessons with members this week. That was very good. And one of our investigators came to a baptism with us (another one of them gave us a ride to and from the baptism, which was kind of weird but we managed to get another lesson out of it). And two of our investigators came to church! Getting our investigators to church has proven to be at least as difficult as setting baptism dates. Particularly when we don't have the good excuse that one of us is speaking! So there were definitely some good things. Now one more week until transfers and Sister Ah Puck and I are so confused about what might happen that I think we're going to draw up a massive transfer possibility board, and even then we probably won't be right.
Love,
Sister Sorensen
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Stalking the Pig Man
Dear Family and Friends,
No, this isn't the creepy kind of stalking its more like the slow and sneaky, Crocodile Man kind of stalking. Sister Ah Puck and I have been trying to meet everyone in the ward. This is rather difficult as some of them are intentionally reclusive. But one day as we went to knock on the house of an older gentleman in the ward we noticed that the people across the street have a rather large statue of a pig wearing clothes--this seemed a bit strange. Anyway we've tried to meet the man several times, and therefore have been to his house several times, so finally on Saturday I decided I had to get a picture of the pig man. But we aren't supposed to look like tourists while we're proselyting so we tried to be sneaky and take it from the car (while the man out plowing had his back turned). Success. Now see if you can find him. We also discovered that the Pig Man's neighbors have a Zebra, Water Buffalo, and Camel out in there pasture. I think I know where we are tracting tomorrow. Explanations must be had.
Other news of the week? I got to call home for the first time which was nice. I was bitten by a dog for the first time--this was not so nice, but not too bad because I reacted quickly enough that he didn't have time to break the skin. And think, we hadn't even entered the yard, there was no "Beware of Dog" sign, and he was even wagging his tail. But that's okay because we greatly impressed a lady on Saturday that we were brave enough to go through her gate despite the very loud barks of her two dogs (and she had a "Beware of Dog" sign, but the dogs didn't seem too bad). She was also impressed that I knew what kind of dogs they were and then I completely blew her away when she went to show us her purebred cats and I knew what kind of cats they were. I guess there is a reason I am up here in Palo Cedro after all. We also literally lost our first investigator (he got evicted or something). Dennis the 38 year old convict with the 666 tattoo. Its too bad because he always made us laugh and he'd already read half of the Book of Mormon.
I hope you all had good weeks as well. Also, just a reminder, there are two weeks left in the transfer so keep that in mind for mailing.
Love,
Sister Sorensen
It hit 99 degrees today. Ewww
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Viola and Beyond!
Dear Family and Friends,
Well this week we had Zone Conference. I don't know, this may be bad, but Zone Conference is my favorite day of each transfer. It was particularly exciting as it was in Chico so we got to drive for a while--the fact that we used 140 miles round trip was not so exciting--plus we also tied for first place in Deep-clean Inspection and won car inspection (I think that is because we were the first ones to arrive, plus it also probably had to do with the excellent tire pressure maintenance by a certain junior companion). I also was called up to do one of the 3 minute talks on Obedience. And wouldn't you know I had lost my talk! Nevertheless and notwithstanding I think I gave a creditable talk on Obedience.
The other exciting thing about last week is that one of the dear Sisters in our ward went adventuring with us and we not only made it all the way out to Viola but we went beyond it and had lunch at Lake Manzanita which is at the very furthest point of our area (well at least in area 4). It started to snow while we were there too--just barely--and Sister Ah Puck was pretty excited. So we tracked down some more less actives including figuring out the Towers brothers (they are twins who live way out there and are both less active).
Congratulations to Meg for her Solo Festival accomplishments! I bet it is because I went out to Viola (Vie-O-luh), but her practicing might have had something to do with it.
Love,
Sister L. Sorensen
Well this week we had Zone Conference. I don't know, this may be bad, but Zone Conference is my favorite day of each transfer. It was particularly exciting as it was in Chico so we got to drive for a while--the fact that we used 140 miles round trip was not so exciting--plus we also tied for first place in Deep-clean Inspection and won car inspection (I think that is because we were the first ones to arrive, plus it also probably had to do with the excellent tire pressure maintenance by a certain junior companion). I also was called up to do one of the 3 minute talks on Obedience. And wouldn't you know I had lost my talk! Nevertheless and notwithstanding I think I gave a creditable talk on Obedience.
The other exciting thing about last week is that one of the dear Sisters in our ward went adventuring with us and we not only made it all the way out to Viola but we went beyond it and had lunch at Lake Manzanita which is at the very furthest point of our area (well at least in area 4). It started to snow while we were there too--just barely--and Sister Ah Puck was pretty excited. So we tracked down some more less actives including figuring out the Towers brothers (they are twins who live way out there and are both less active).
Congratulations to Meg for her Solo Festival accomplishments! I bet it is because I went out to Viola (Vie-O-luh), but her practicing might have had something to do with it.
Love,
Sister L. Sorensen
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Something in the Water
Dear Family and Friends,
I have noticed a specific abnormality in a large percentage of the cats in our area. That is cats with 6 toes on their front feet. This makes it look like they have opposable thumbs, or mitten hands. While it is comical, it also seems strange. Of course I have considered that this may be the result of one specific cat getting around, but I've seen them up in the further reaches of our area as well--which minimizes that theory. So then I thought, hmmm, perhaps it is something in the water of the Greater State of Jefferson. Then finally I realized, that the cats must be evolving so as to better be able to deal with the very large dog population. Clearly that is the only logical answer.
In other news? I gave my first talk as a missionary last Sunday (not yesterday, the week before, but I forgot to tell you last week). The topic was the "Three Degrees of Glory" which seems odd. You'd think they'd have the missionaries talk about missionary work, no? Not the Palo Cedro ward. They pick one topic and every single speaker that entire month talks on it. Luckily I was one of the very first to do so (because of General Conference and then Fast Sunday), or what else would I have had to say? It is a pretty straight forward topic. I actually talked more about repentance and how it is possible for everyone to be able to reach the Celestial Kingdom and how the Plan of Salvation really is all about Heavenly Father's Love and hope. I think it went pretty well considering I had 4 days notice and next to nothing to work with (just whatever Ensigns we had in our apartment).
I've also been thinking about Amy's baby. Now the first three names of grand children in our family were all characters in French Kiss (Juliet is still available Amy). But then there came Peter. Despite my sly suggestions that he be named either John of Paul--as there is a Jean-Paul in the movie--Emily chose to name outside of that movie. Therefore I had to start thinking of names of people in movies/books with Peters. Here is what I came up with for the new Thomason: Wendy, Beatrix, and Hermione (or any other girl in Harry Potter, for instance Lavender, Parvati, Padma, Ginny, Bellatrix, Minerva . . .). I haven't had that much time to dwell, but it opens up new possibilities.
Last but not least, I have been working recently on developing greater patience. Even though I rather expected to be here this transfer I was still a tad frustrated when the transfer call finally came. But then that morning as we were doing Companion study the very first thing we read was the part in "Preach My Gospel" about Patience and as I was reading its like a little light turned on that this is something indeed which I can expand on. Things are going pretty well, I think I have become more patient. I'm also trying to be more humble and to have greater charity. What have I noticed? I have been much less fractious and been able to let more things just roll off my back this transfer. I hopefully I am also a better servant to the Lord this transfer.
Well that is it from me. I hope all is well with all of you out there!
Love,
Sister L. Sorensen
I have noticed a specific abnormality in a large percentage of the cats in our area. That is cats with 6 toes on their front feet. This makes it look like they have opposable thumbs, or mitten hands. While it is comical, it also seems strange. Of course I have considered that this may be the result of one specific cat getting around, but I've seen them up in the further reaches of our area as well--which minimizes that theory. So then I thought, hmmm, perhaps it is something in the water of the Greater State of Jefferson. Then finally I realized, that the cats must be evolving so as to better be able to deal with the very large dog population. Clearly that is the only logical answer.
In other news? I gave my first talk as a missionary last Sunday (not yesterday, the week before, but I forgot to tell you last week). The topic was the "Three Degrees of Glory" which seems odd. You'd think they'd have the missionaries talk about missionary work, no? Not the Palo Cedro ward. They pick one topic and every single speaker that entire month talks on it. Luckily I was one of the very first to do so (because of General Conference and then Fast Sunday), or what else would I have had to say? It is a pretty straight forward topic. I actually talked more about repentance and how it is possible for everyone to be able to reach the Celestial Kingdom and how the Plan of Salvation really is all about Heavenly Father's Love and hope. I think it went pretty well considering I had 4 days notice and next to nothing to work with (just whatever Ensigns we had in our apartment).
I've also been thinking about Amy's baby. Now the first three names of grand children in our family were all characters in French Kiss (Juliet is still available Amy). But then there came Peter. Despite my sly suggestions that he be named either John of Paul--as there is a Jean-Paul in the movie--Emily chose to name outside of that movie. Therefore I had to start thinking of names of people in movies/books with Peters. Here is what I came up with for the new Thomason: Wendy, Beatrix, and Hermione (or any other girl in Harry Potter, for instance Lavender, Parvati, Padma, Ginny, Bellatrix, Minerva . . .). I haven't had that much time to dwell, but it opens up new possibilities.
Last but not least, I have been working recently on developing greater patience. Even though I rather expected to be here this transfer I was still a tad frustrated when the transfer call finally came. But then that morning as we were doing Companion study the very first thing we read was the part in "Preach My Gospel" about Patience and as I was reading its like a little light turned on that this is something indeed which I can expand on. Things are going pretty well, I think I have become more patient. I'm also trying to be more humble and to have greater charity. What have I noticed? I have been much less fractious and been able to let more things just roll off my back this transfer. I hopefully I am also a better servant to the Lord this transfer.
Well that is it from me. I hope all is well with all of you out there!
Love,
Sister L. Sorensen
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